“Rueben Garnett Born the 8th day October 1749 and departed this life the 18 April 1820” [Garnett family Bible at the Virginia State Archives, Acc. 26184.]

On 5 August 1773, Reuben Garnett witnessed the will of Benjamin Edmondson of the County of Essex. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 13, pages 33–34.]

On 21 May 1781, Reuben Garnett witnessed a deed from Thomas Wood to Thomas Sthreshly and Thomas Carnal [Carneal], all of Essex County. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 32, page 16.]

In in the 1790s, Bernard Gatewood sued for distribution of the estate of his father Joseph after the death of Bernard’s mother Elizabeth: Orators Bernard Gatewood by his next friend Reuben Garnett and Joseph Gatewood and John Gatewood by Reuben Garnett their guardian. That Joseph Gatewood father of your orators died on 14 July 17__ testate. He willed his estate to his wife Eliza during her life and after her dath to children Thomas, Susannah (wife of James Cole), Elizabeth, John, Edmund, Leonard since dead and your orators. Elizabeth the widow of Joseph has now died. Some of the children are still infants. Later mentions a “said” Ambrose, apparently another child. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 7, item 7-D-22.]

On 15 December 1800, Reuben Garnett and Thos Hill were bound $1,000 for Reuben Garnett’s administration of the goods, chattles and credits of Thos Cooke. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, pages 50–51.]

On 4 September 1807, Thomas Dix bound himself unto Reuben Garnett £25.15.7. Witnesses: Reuben M. Garnett, Isaac Broocke. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 18, item 18-N-5.]

On 18 January 1809, Reuben Garnett witnessed the will of Sally [Roane] Campbell. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, pages 172–174.]

On 21 June 1819, Reuben M. Garnett, Reuben Garnett and Robert G. Haile were bound $20,000 for Reuben M. Garnett’s executorship of the estate of John Jones. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, page 46.]

The will of Reuben Garnett of Essex County was written 5 April 1820. Son James J. Garnett. Son Reuben M. Garnett to be executor. Daughter Susan Jones to receive 1480 acres in Franklin Co. Kentucky, I “having given to her at her marriage with Mr Wood her part of negroes”. Daughters Milly and Maria. Grandchildren of John J. Garnett, not named. Wife. Daughter Susannah’s children by Mr Jones: Martha M. M. Jones, John G.. Jones and Ellen Jones. Maria’s husband is Dr. David J. Ayres. Signed Reuben M Garnett. Witnesses: Frances Garnett, Salley Garnett, Wm A Wright, Thomas Graves, Johnson Graves. Proved 18 September 1820. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, pages 145–148.]

On 18 September 1820, Reuben M. Garnett was bound in the penalty of $50,000 for his executorship of the estate of Reuben Garnett, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, page 148.]

On 20 August 1821, Reuben M. Garnett, executor of Reuben Garnett, submitted an inventory of the estate, with statments from Mildred Garnett, David J. Ayres, and Mary Garnett acknowledging lists of slaves they had received from the estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, page 213.]

On 3 August 1832, a bill was filed in the case of Garnett vs. Wright. Orators Reubin M. Garnett Guardian of Ellen H. Jones and Thomas C. Gordon and Martha M. M. Gordon the wife of the said Thomas C. Gordon. That John Jones late of the County of Essex the father of your oratrix Martha M. M. departed this life in the month of June 1819 having first made a last will and testament. The land has been divided among the parties thereto entitled—68 acres allotted to your oratrix, her brother John G. Jones and her sister Ellen H. Jones. That the said John G. Jones died an infant without issue in 1824 leaving the following parties entitled to his portion: Susan F. Wright wife of George Wright, Keturah W. Pitts wife of Reubin L. Pitts who has since died leaving an only child John H. Pitts who is at this time an infant, Mary D. Wright wife of Thomas Wright Junr who has also since died leaving two children Selden S. Wright and Sally W. Wright who died an infant, and Sarah A. Jones now Sarah A. Roane, wife of Laurence Roane, the said Susan F., Keturah W., Mary D. and Sarah A. being sisters of the half blood, and your oratrix and the said Ellen H. Jones sisters of the whole blood. Your orator Reubin M. Garnett shews that Ellen H. Jones is entitled to no real estate other than that above mentioned [in the will] and that she is entitled to the following personal estate (including negroes held by her mother Mrs Susan Jones for life under the will of the said John Jones deceased) and 2/13 of 1/7 as distributee of her brother John G. Jones deceased and also an interest in certain property held at this time by Mrs Mary Garnett her grandmother for life under the will her granfather Reubin Garnett [includes a description of property]. Your orator believes that the interest of the said Ellen H. Jones would be greatly promoted by a sale of her interest in the said tract of land. Your orator Thomas C. Gordon and Martha M. M. his wife are also desirous to sell the land. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 45, item 45-G-8.]