Notes for John Mess and Mary Bougham

1665 James Boughan was granted 150 acres on the main swamp of Piscataway Creek. Adjoining the land of Thomas Harper and Robert Clemonds. Rappahannock County (extinct). The grant was dated February 27. [1] [2]

1672 James Boughan and Thomas Harper were granted 1000 acres on Piscataway pocoson nigh the head in Rappahannock County (extinct). The grant was dated October 8. [3]

1674 Henry Cox [father of William Cox, who was perhaps a son-in-law of John Mess] dated his will on February 24. [4]

In the name of God Amen I Henry Cox being very sick and weake in body but of good and perfect memory thanks be given to Almighty God therefore I do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner form following
first I commit my Soule into the hands of Almighty God who made me & who through the alone merritts of Christ I trust will also save me and my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned. And as touching those worldly goods which God in his mercy hath lent me I freely & willingly dispose of them as followeth.
First I will & my meaning is that whereas Edmund Crask Clerk of Rappa County standeth engaged with me that I shall make a good assurance of the one half or moyetie of my land I now upon unto Mr. John Hasslewood for and in consideracon of his delivereing up a certain bond of mine of five hundred pounds sterling bearing date the 8th of July 1673 as allso for the passing of Bills of Exchange for the payment of forty five pounds sterling mony to me or my Order now my will is that my Executors hereafter named make good the sale of the moyetie or halfe part of my land according to obligation and save the sd Edmund Crask harmless and indemnifyed from the sd Mr. John Haslewood his heirs or assignes or otherwise take care for the Satisfaction of the sd Haslewood his just debt and take in the bond as aforesd & for non performance thereof then I will & my meaning is that the sd Edmund Crask shall be possessed with so much of my estate both reall & personall as shall discharge and satisfie the obligacon wherein he stands engaged with me to the sd Haslewood untill such time as the sd Debt be satisfied & the sd Crask saved harmless from all such charges or damages he shall be at by being become bound with me as aforesaid.
Item I give unto Mr. James Miller now living with me my Sword and belt to be delivered him immediately after my death
Item I give unto my Brother in Law Richard Cawthorn my best cloath suite my best hatt and a pair of French falls, & a pair of Stockins both new to be delivered him immediately after my death.
Item I give unto Richard Cawthorn Jr. my Nephew and to Aurelia Cawthorn my neece each of them a cow calfe to be delivered them about the begining of June next after my death.
Item I give & bequeath unto Mr. Thomas Gordon of Rappa County & to Mrs Jane Gordon his wife each of them tenn shillings to buy them two mourning rings to be paid them by my Executors within two months after my decease
Item I give unto my friend Edmund Crask twenty shillings to buy him a Mourning ring to be paid him by my Executors within two months after my decease.
Item all the rest of my Estate both reall & personall as lands goods Chattels Catle and all impliments of household stuff or husbandry bills bonds ready mony and debts oweing me I freely and willing give and bequeath them all to my Executors hereafter named for and during their naturall lives & after their decease to William Cox my Son hereby willing & requiring my sd son William within one year after he shall be possessed of my Estate as aforesd to give unto the Child my Wife now goeth with a good assurance of the moietie of the land he shall be possessed with all by this my Will or the value thereof (as two men indifferently chosen shall adjudge it worth) at the discretion of my sd Son but if the sd Child should happen to die before my sd son William shall be possessed with my estate as aforesaid then the whole estate to be and remaine unto my son William & his heirs forever.
Lastly, I do hereby make and appoint my father in Law William Strachey of Glocester County and Arabella Cox my now wife joynt Executors of this my last Will & Testament hereby willing and requiring them to pay all such debts as I shall justly happen to owe at the time of my death to take care of and provide for my Children during their minorities & to bring my body decently to the ground and it is my earnest desire that my Father in Law would come and live with my Wife & assist her in the management of her estate.
And this revoakaing all other Will or Wills heretofore by me made either by word of mouth or writing I declare this to be my last Will & Testament
In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & affixed my Seal this two and twentieth day of February 1674.
Wit: Cornelius Melaghlen
William Harding
Thomas Hart

1678 James Boughan deeded land to brothers John, Henry, and Alexander. [5]

Know yee that I James Boughan doe for ye singular love & affection I beare to my Brother, John Boughan, Henry Boughan, & Alexander Boughan, I doe freely give & confirme to them ye said John, Henry & Alexandr: Boughan, my whole right & interest of that Pattent wch was in Copartnership between Thomas Harper & my Father lately deced, bearing date ye eight day of Octobr 1672; to be equally devided between my aforesaid Brothers. To have and to hold ye same wth all rights thereunto belonging according to ye meaning of ye said Pattent from me ye said James Boughan & from my heires to my aforesaid Brothers provided Allwaies that none of my said Brothers shall at any timehereafter dispose of his or their pte. of ye said land to any Stranger or person wchever untill my said Brothers or myselfe doe refuse to buy it any thing herein conteyned to ye Contrary hereof in any wise notwthstanding, And I James Boughan doe likewise bind my selfe to acknowlege this Deed in Rappae: County Court when thereunto required. As Witness my hand and seale this twenty ninth day of March 1678
Wit:
Mary Edmondson
Thomas Edmondson

1684 John and Henry Boughan sold to John Moss of Gloster Co, 400 acres bordering on Thomas Harper's land. [6][7]

To All Expian People to whom these prsents shall come We John Boughan & Henry Boughan of County of Rappa: send Greeting. Know yee that we the said John Boughan and Henry Boughan for divers good causes thereunto moveing and especially for the sume of fourty pounds Sterl: money in hand received have sold unto Jno: Moss of the County of Gloster Fower hundred acres of land being on the south side of Rappa Piscaticon Pocoson and beginning at a marked white oake standing on the mouth of a branch known by the name of the Western Branch on the West side of the branch and thence runing Southerly up the Western Branch to Mr. Joseph Goodrich his lyne and then Westerly along the said Goodrich his lyne to a corner tree deviding this land and the land of Thomas Harper and thence along Northerly the lyne that devides this land and the land of the said Harper to a corner white oake standing upon or nigh
the main Pocosson abovesaid. And thence Easterly down the said Pocosson to the place it first began To have and to hold unto the said John Moss and his heires with all appertnces: without hindrance of us the said John Boughan and Henry or: heires and it is hereby further agreed upon the said John Boughan and Henry Boughan shall warrant and defend the said land from the clayme of any persons whatsoever In testimony whereof wee the said John Boughan and Henry Boughan have sett or hands and affixed or seales this 2d day of Aprill 1684. Deed Bk 1682-1686 p. 98-99 Rec Apr 2, 1684
Wit:
Henry Watkins
John Jones

1695 John Cox, son of Henry Cox, deceased, and brother of William Cox, wrote his will. THe will named Henry and Ann as children of William. [8]

In the name of God Amen I John Cox of the County of Rappahannock being at present very sick and weake of Body but in perfect sence & memory blessed be ye Almighty for ye same, do hereby make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

Nov 9, 1669
Itt: My Soul I give into the hands of Almighty God and my blessedSaiour Jesus Christ in & through whose meritts only I hope for Salvation & my body to__________earth from whence it was taken decently to be buryed in sure and certain hope of ressurrection at the last day.
It. It is my Will that what fraight I have taken this year by my friend, Mr. Henry Mees (Moss), may by my Executor hereafter named be performed as near as possible.
It. I give unto Henry White son of Nicholas White with all the lands and buildings thereon or therunto belonging: to be deliverd hands of his said Father two years after my decease and dureing the said tearme my Executor hereafter named for the profits of the same to give ye sd Henry his Education, but if my Executor shall refuse forthwith upon his refusall the premisses be surrendered into the hands of Nicholas white Father to ye and he out of ye said profitts give hiim Education by spring.
It. I give unto John White, Sonne of Nicholas White years old and to his Sister Elizabeth White four cowes or heifers to be the next Spring after my decease.
It. I give unto Eme Johnson two cows & one feather bd whereon she now lieth and I farther devise she be paid other two cowes it being in lieu of her wages.
It. i give unto James Fuckett, sonne of the said Eme, one cow or heifer to be delivered with his Mother's legacie in April one thousand six hundred seventy & one but her wages to be delivered in Januarie next after the date hereof
It. I give unot my Godsonne, John Moseley, three ewe lambs to be delivered in Aprill next after my decease.
It. I do hereby constitute & ordaine my well beloved kinsman, Henry Cox ye sonne of my Brother William Cox & now present in Virginia my sole this my last Will & Testament to whom I doe give all my esta....& all reall & personall both else doth or of right may belo......or ay other place whatsoever.....and Legacies hereby given and lawfullly begotten forever but if so it his part hereby given I do hear. Brother William Cox and the Child of them as shall be then living Henry Cox my Kinsman I do .....Capt John Hull, Mr. William Moseley, Mr. John Mott, Mr. George Mott, or the Survivor or Survivors of them to be Overseers of ye same in ye balfe of my said Neeces and Nephewes. And I do desire my said friend or ye Surivor or Survivors of them that the same may be by them or him sold at an Outcy both lands goods & chattles as before specified and that they make return hom of ye produce made to my forementioned Nephewes & Neeces.
It. It is my Will if Henry White before menconed in ye forth article of this my Will doe dye without heirs of his body lawfully begotten that then ye land & plantation ther to him given do fall to his two sisters, Elizabeth & Sarah. I do hereby revoake null and make voide all or any Will or wills estament or Testaments heretofore made & have & do confirm this to be my last will. for confirmation whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seale ye day and year above mentioned.

Recorded Feb 10, 1695 Essex Co., VA

1697 John Mess dated his will in December 1697 with prove date 1698. The will named land adjoining John Harper to daughter Ann Mess; land near Henry Kurby on the south side of Merry Branch to daughter Mary until wife Mary dies and then daughter Elizabeth gets land near Kurby and daughter Mary gets the land currently lived on; Mary Boughan daughter of John Boughan; Diana Richardson, daughter of Robert Richardson; brother John Boughan; son-in-law William Cox; John Taylor. Daughter Ann Mess and wife Mary were named executors. Witnessed by Henry Kearby, William Sames, and James Boughan. [9]

In the name of God Amen, I John Mess being very sick and weake in body but I thank God in perfect sence & memory, do make this my last Will & Testament in manner and forme as followeth:

First I give my sould to Almighty God that gave it me hopeing through the merits & mediation of my Lord & Savr: Jesus Christ to receive eternall hapiness after this paynfull life is ended and my body to th earth from whence it came to be decently buryed at the hands of my Exec: hereafter followeth:
Itm. I give and bequeave unto my Daffter, Anne Mess, one parcell of Land that lyeth on the West side of a brance called the Poplar Brance, as is already layd out from the head of the said Brance to the back line so adjoyning upon the Division line of John Harper & her haiers forever.
Itm. I give & bequeave unto my Dafter, Mary Mess, that land and plantation where Henry Kurbey now liveth with all ye land on the south side of a Brance called the Merey Brance to take into her possession ameadotley after my death & so to remaine untill please God my Wife, Mary Mess, shall dye and after the death of my said wife, I give the above sd Land & Plantation to my Daffter, Eliza: Mess, and her hares for ever and the plantacon and land belong to it which: is not alread bequeaved where I now liveth I then give unto my Dafter, Mary Mess and her hares for ever;
Itm. I give my dafter Anne Mess one yong mare colt that now runeth by the my mare side to her & heres for ever.
Itm. I give all the increase of my Mare to be equally divided between my to Daffters, Mary Mess & Eliza:Mess as long as my said Mare shall live to them and there hares for ever;
It. My will & desire is tht my old Mare & my Spaied Mare shall run upon my now dewell Plantation for the yuse & service of the sd Plantation;
It. I give and bequeave to Mary Boughan, Daffter, to Jno:Boughan, one yowe & a Lame to take into har posesion presently after my death;
It: I give and bequeave unto Dianey Richardson, Daffter of Robt Richardson one yowe & Lame to be take into har porsisian presently after my death
Itm. I give & bequeave to my Brother, John Boughan, all my waring cloves to take into his posision presently after my death;
It: I give and bequeave to my son in Law, Wm Cox, one pare of gloves & one pare of spures to take into his hands & posision presently after my death;
It: I give and bequeave unto John Taylor four yards of Karsey that I have noe in the chest wth: butons & thread to make it up to take into his hands & posision presently after my death; And all the rest of my estate that please God have bestowed upon me, my will & desier is that is should be eaqually devided between my wife, Mary Mess, & my three children, as above menconed, making my Daffter, Ann Mess & my Wife, Mary Mess, my sold & holle Exectricks of this my last will & Testament, as witness my hand & seal 22d day of Desember 1697 Rec. Mar 10, 1697
Wit: Henry Kearby
William Sames
James Boughan

1698 "John's widow, Mary, died and Ann was granted administration. She was the Mary Moss who testified for Eleanor Morris at a 'witch trial'. They may have been related." [10]

1698 On July 13, Ann nd Richard Meador were named in court orders as surviving executors of John Moss. [11]

It is ordered that ye Sheriff of this County of his Deputy Summon Richd. Meaders & Ann his wife, surviving Exx. of John Moss to appear at ye next Court to give bond for ye Probate of ye sd deceds Will

1698 Inventory of the estate of John Mess was taken by Francis Browne, John Farguson, James Fullerton, and Daniel Browne. The inventory was presented by Richard Meador and Ann, his wife, executor to John Moss. [12]

1698 Daughters Mary and Elizabeth were minors. William Cox was made guardian of Mary. James Boughan was made guardian of Elizabeth. William Cox may have been a step-son to John Mess and son to William Cox who was mentioned in the last will and testament of John Cox. William Cox married Frances Wood, widow of John Wood, in 1699. [13]

1702 Richard and Ann Meador sold her portion of the estate of John Mess to William Cox. Richard was the son of John Meador and Elizabeth White. [14] [15]

This indenture made the 9 day of February in the first yeare of the Reigne of or: Soveraigne Lady Ann by the Grace of God &c. and in the yeare of or: Lord one thousand seaven hundred & two betweene Richard Meaders of the Parish of Farnham in the County of Essex wthin: the Colony of Virginia, Cooper, & Anne his wife, one of the daughters of John Moss, late of the Parish County & Colony aforesd., of the one part & William Cox of the Parish County & Colony aforesd., Planter, of the other part witnesseth that for diverse other good causes & valuable considerations them the said RI: Meaders & Anne his wife moveing but more especially for the whole sume of two thousand pounds of good sweet scented tobo: & caske truely paid by the said William Cox, they the said Richard Meaders & Anne his wife doe sell unto the said William Cox his heires & assignes forever all that parcell of land bounded as followeth (vizt.) lying on the West side of a branch called ye Popular Branch as already laid out from the heades the sd branch to the back line and soe adjoyning upon the Division Line of Jno: Harper which said land is part of a tract of land that the said Moss bought of John & Henry Boughan by a certain deed of Sale bearing date the 2d day of Aprill 1684 and acknowledged in Rappahanock County Court which said land containes by estimacon one hundred acres together with all & singular houses & structures, gardens orchards & appurtenances whatsoever to sd parcell of land belonging, To have & to hold unto the said William Cox his heires & assignes forever. And the said Richard Meaders & Anne his wife for themselves & their heires the said tract of land will warrant & forever defend & doe promise with the said Will: Cox his heires and assignes that he will at all times forever defend & doe promis with the said Will: Cox his heires and assignes that he will at all times forever hereafter lawfully & quietly have and enjoy the sd land & the premises without any trouble of the said Richard Meaders & Anne his wife and further do promise upon ye reasonable requiest of & at the proper costs in the Law acknowledge all further acts in the Law for the further & absolute conveying of all the before granted premisses as by sd Wm Cox his heires or assignes or their Councell learned in the Law shall require. In Witness whereof the parties their hands & seales have sett

Wit:Henry Kearby
John Pickett

Acknowledged by Richd Meador & Ann his wife (the sd Ann being examined according to law) at a Court held for Essex County ye 10thd day of Febry: 1702 & truely recorded. Bk 1701-1703 p. 132

1710 John Pickett and Richard Meador, surety for Elizabeth Brumagen, administrator of Edwad Brumagen. [16]

1712 On December 12, James Boughan brought a case against John Pickett and wife Mary and others. Perhaps the defendants were heirs of the John Moss estate. [17]

The action of petition brot. by James Boughan agt. Henry Boughan, John Picket & Mary his wife, Francis Pierce & Mary his wife [sic, perhaps an error since Elizabeth was named as the wife of Francis Pierce in other documents], Wm Cox is dismissed the plt. failing to prosecute.

1713 On March 18, 1712/1713, the same parties as in the 1712 case appeared in court. [18]

Henry Boughan, John Pickett and Mary his wife, Francis Pierce and Elizabeth his wife & Wm. Cox were summoned to answere James Boughan of a plea wherefore whereas the sd Henry, John & Mary his wife the sd Francis and Eliza his wife the said Wm and the sd James do hold together and undivided to them & their heirs six hundred acres of land with the appurtenances in the parish of So Farnham in the County of Essex the Defts refuse to make partition thereof among them and the plt. according to the form of the statute in this case made & provided and the same to be done do injustly hinder agt. the form of the said Statute and whereupon the said James saith that the said Defendts and this plt together & undivided do hold to them and their heirs the land and appurtenances asd? whereof it belongs to the plt. to have one third and the sd Defts the other two thirds seperatly so that thte sd plt may improve his third seperately and the said deft may make improvemts of their two thirds seperately the sd defts to make petition with the plt. according to the fou(missing) of the statute in this case made & provided do deny and the same do unjustly hinder contrary to (missing) sd statute & whereby the plt. saith he is the worse and damage hath one hundred par(missing) the Deft being returned summoned and failing to appear it is therefore considered by the Court that an attacht. be granted the plt. agt. the body of the sd Deft so that they be had at ye next court to answere upon the premises and that the land aforesaid be Distrained & put into ye posession of the plt. until they the Deft shall appear and answere as aforesaid.

1713 On April 9, the same parties as in the 1712 case appeared in court. [19]

The accon brot. by James Boughan ag. Henry Boughan, John Pickett & Mary his wife, Francis Pierce and Eliza. his wife and Wm Cox is dismissed ye plt. failing to prosecute.

1715 Last will and testament of Richard Meador was dated December 1715 and proved May 1716. Named wife executor. Eldest son William. Younger son Richard got "the land where William Borne now lives", after said William and his wife Hester die (Hester was the sister of Richard Meador), the said land I had from grandfather White. If Richard dies without heirs, then to my youngest daughter, Addra. Brother, John Meador. Witnessed by Erasmus Allen and Thomas Duden. Ann's administration bond was secured by John Pickett and William Pickett. [20]

Research Notes:

Thanks to Jean Suddarth for many of the transcriptions above and for remarkable insights about what is implied or suggested by the documents.

Jean Suddarth
Apr 14, 2018, 1:23 PM
to JanetRobertWolfeGenealogy@gmail.com

I think we were in contact many years ago re Allens in Lincoln Co., NC.

At any rate, I believe I have some new information for you on the above. There seems to be a lot of misinformation floating around re the Mess/Moss family (and I believe you are correct in the "Mess"spelling).

I recently came across a court order from another site which answered my questions re the Mess daughters. I knew that Anne married Richard Meador but could not figure out who Mary and Elizabeth married or whether they even lived.

I'm still up in the air about whether John Boughan married a sister of John Mess or John Mess married a sister of John Boughan.
I'm wondering if you have any documentation on your statement that John Mess was married to Mary Boughan as Boughan could be a brother in either case.

You do show the deed from John and Henry Boughan to John Mess. This land was deeded to John, Henry, and Alexander Boughan from their brother, James.

Know yee that I James Boughan doe for ye singular love & affection I beare to my Brother, John Boughan, Henry Boughan, & Alexander Boughan, I doe freely give & confirme to them ye said John, Henry & Alexandr: Boughan, my whole right & interest of that Pattent wch was in Copartnership between Thomas Harper & my Father lately deced, bearing date ye eight day of Octobr 1672; to be equally devided between my aforesaid Brothers. To have and to hold ye same wth all rights thereunto belonging according to ye meaning of ye said Pattent from me ye said James Boughan & from my heires to my aforesaid Brothers provided Allwaies that none of my said Brothers shall at any timehereafter dispose of his or their pte. of ye said land to any Stranger or person wchever untill my said Brothers or myselfe doe refuse to buy it any thing herein conteyned to ye Contrary hereof in any wise notwthstanding, And I James Boughan doe likewise bind my selfe to acknowlege this Deed in Rappae: County Court when thereunto required. As Witness my hand and seale this twenty ninth day of March 1678
Wit:
Mary Edmondson
Thomas Edmondson
Deed & Will Bk 1677-1682, Part I, Sparacio p 97

Alexander Boughan died sometime after this deed.

Then in 1684 (which you show), Henry and John deeded 400 acres to John Mess.

To All Expian People to whom these prsents shall come We John Boughan & Henry Boughan of County of Rappa: send Greeting. Know yee that we the said John Boughan and Henry Boughan for divers good causes thereunto moveing and especially for the sume of fourty pounds Sterl: money in hand received have sold unto Jno: Moss of the County of Gloster Fower hundred acres of land being on the south side of Rappa Piscaticon Pocoson and beginning at a marked white oake standing on the mouth of a branch known by the name of the Western Branch on the West side of the branch and thence runing Southerly up the Western Branch to Mr. Joseph Goodrich his lyne and then Westerly along the said Goodrich his lyne to a corner tree deviding this land and the land of Thomas Harper and thence along Northerly the lyne that devides this land and the land of the said Harper to a corner white oake standing upon or nigh
the main Pocosson abovesaid. And thence Easterly down the said Pocosson to the place it first began To have and to hold unto the said John Moss and his heires with all appertnces: without hindrance of us the said John Boughan and Henry or: heires and it is hereby further agreed upon the said John Boughan and Henry Boughan shall warrant and defend the said land from the clayme of any persons whatsoever In testimony whereof wee the said John Boughan and Henry Boughan have sett or hands and affixed or seales this 2d day of Aprill 1684. Deed Bk 1682-1686 p. 98-99 Rec Apr 2, 1684
Wit:
Henry Watkins
John Jones
Old Rappa Co Deeds 1682-1686, Sparacio

John Moss Will:

In the name of God Amen, I John Mess being very sick and weake in body but I thank God in perfect sence & memory, do make this my last Will & Testament in manner and forme as followeth:

First I give my sould to Almighty God that gave it me hopeing through the merits & mediation of my Lord & Savr: Jesus Christ to receive eternall hapiness after this paynfull life is ended and my body to th earth from whence it came to be decently buryed at the hands of my Exec: hereafter followeth:
Itm. I give and bequeave unto my Daffter, Anne Mess, one parcell of Land that lyeth on the West side of a brance called the Poplar Brance, as is already layd out from the head of the said Brance to the back line so adjoyning upon the Division line of John Harper & her haiers forever.
Itm. I give & bequeave unto my Dafter, Mary Mess, that land and plantation where Henry Kurbey now liveth with all ye land on the south side of a Brance called the Merey Brance to take into her possession ameadotley after my death & so to remaine untill please God my Wife, Mary Mess, shall dye and after the death of my said wife, I give the above sd Land & Plantation to my Daffter, Eliza: Mess, and her hares for ever and the plantacon and land belong to it which: is not alread bequeaved where I now liveth I then give unto my Dafter, Mary Mess and her hares for ever;
Itm. I give my dafter Anne Mess one yong mare colt that now runeth by the my mare side to her & heres for ever.
Itm. I give all the increase of my Mare to be equally divided between my to Daffters, Mary Mess & Eliza:Mess as long as my said Mare shall live to them and there hares for ever;
It. My will & desire is tht my old Mare & my Spaied Mare shall run upon my now dewell Plantation for the yuse & service of the sd Plantation;
It. I give and bequeave to Mary Boughan, Daffter, to Jno:Boughan, one yowe & a Lame to take into har posesion presently after my death;
It: I give and bequeave unto Dianey Richardson, Daffter of Robt Richardson one yowe & Lame to be take into har porsisian presently after my death
Itm. I give & bequeave to my Brother, John Boughan, all my waring cloves to take into his posision presently after my death;
It: I give and bequeave to my son in Law, Wm Cox, one pare of gloves & one pare of spures to take into his hands & posision presently after my death;
It: I give and bequeave unto John Taylor four yards of Karsey that I have noe in the chest wth: butons & thread to make it up to take into his hands & posision presently after my death; And all the rest of my estate that please God have bestowed upon me, my will & desier is that is should be eaqually devided between my wife, Mary Mess, & my three children, as above menconed, making my Daffter, Ann Mess & my Wife, Mary Mess, my sold & holle Exectricks of this my last will & Testament, as witness my hand & seal 22d day of Desember 1697 Rec. Mar 10, 1697
Wit: Henry Kearby
William Sames
James Boughan

Ann was married to Richard Meador before July 13, 1698 when they show in the court orders, therefore it is entirely feasible that Wm Cox had been married to an older sister. His father's wife at the time of his death was Arabella Strachey so that doesn't fit with him being a step-son to John Mess (unless John was married to Arabella at some point) and then it isn't for certain that Henry Cox wasn't married prior. (See William Cox below).

It is ordered that ye Sheriff of this County of his Deputy Summon Richd. Meaders & Ann his wife, surviving Exx. of John Moss to appear at ye next Court to give bond for ye Probate of ye sd deceds Will

Essex Co VA Court Orders 1695-1699, Sparacio

Feb 9, 1702 Richard and Anne Meador sold her inheritance to William Cox:

This indenture made the 9 day of February in the first yeare of the Reigne of or: Soveraigne Lady Ann by the Grace of God &c. and in the yeare of or: Lord one thousand seaven hundred & two betweene Richard Meaders of the Parish of Farnham in the County of Essex wthin: the Colony of Virginia, Cooper, & Anne his wife, one of the daughters of John Moss, late of the Parish County & Colony aforesd., of the one part & William Cox of the Parish County & Colony aforesd., Planter, of the other part witnesseth that for diverse other good causes & valuable considerations them the said RI: Meaders & Anne his wife moveing but more especially for the whole sume of two thousand pounds of good sweet scented tobo: & caske truely paid by the said William Cox, they the said Richard Meaders & Anne his wife doe sell unto the said William Cox his heires & assignes forever all that prcell ofland bounded as followeth (vizt.) lying on the West side of a branch called ye Popular Branch as already laid out from the heades the sd branch to the back line and soe adjoyning upon the Division Line of Jno: Harper which said land is part of a tract of land that the said Moss bought of John & Henry Boughan by a certain deed of Sale bearing date the 2d day of Aprill 1684 and acknowledged in Rappahanock County Court which said land containes by estimacon one hundred acres together with all & singular houses & structures, gardens orchards & appurtenances whatsoever to sd parcell of land belonging, To have & to hold unto the said William Cox his heires & assignes forever. And the said Richard Meaders & Anne his wife for themselves & their heires the said tract of land will warrant & forever defend & doe promise with the said Will: Cox his heires and assignes that he will at all times forever defend & doe promis with the said Will: Cox his heires and assignes that he will at all times forever hereafter lawfully & quietly have and enjoy the sd land & the premises without any trouble of the said Richard Meaders & Anne his wife and further do promise upon ye reasonable requiest of & at the proper costs in the Law acknowledge all further acts in the Law for the further & absolute conveying of all the before granted premisses as by sd Wm Cox his heires or assignes or their Councell learned in the Law shall require. In Witness whereof the parties their hands & seales have sett

Wit:Henry Kearby
John Pickett

Acknowledged by Richd Meador & Ann his wife (the sd Ann being examined according to law) at a Court held for Essex County ye 10thd day of Febry: 1702 & truely recorded. Bk 1701-1703 p. 132

Essex Co Deeds & Wills 1701-1703, Sparacio

Dec 12, 1712
The action of petition brot. by James Boughan agt. Henry Boughan, John Picket & Mary his wife, Francis Pierce & *Mary his wife, Wm Cox is dismissed the plt. failing to prosecute.
Mary as wife of Francis Pierce seems to be a clerical error as after this court record her name is given as Elizabeth. Apparently the person who is showing her death as of this date didn't check further records and assumed that Francis Pierce remarried.
Essex Co Order Bk 4 p 489

Mar 18, 1712/1713 (one source gives the date as Mar 14 but I will need to go in a recheck)
Henry Boughan, John Pickett and Mary his wife, Francis Pierce and Elizabeth his wife & Wm. Cox were summoned to answere James Boughan of a plea wherefore whereas the sd Henry, John & Mary his wife the sd Francis and Eliza his wife the said Wm and the sd James do hold together and undivided to them & their heirs six hundred acres of land with the appurtenances in the parish of So Farnham in the County of Essex the Defts refuse to make partition thereof among them and the plt. according to the form of the statute in this case made & provided and the same to be done do injustly hinder agt. the form of the said Statute and whereupon the said James saith that the said Defendts and this plt together & undivided do hold to them and their heirs the land and appurtenances asd? whereof it belongs to the plt. to have one third and the sd Defts the other two thirds seperatly so that thte sd plt may improve his third seperately and the said deft may make improvemts of their two thirds seperately the sd defts to make petition with the plt. according to the fou(missing) of the statute in this case made & provided do deny and the same do unjustly hinder contrary to (missing) sd statute & whereby the plt. saith he is the worse and damage hath one hundred par(missing) the Deft being returned summoned and failing to appear it is therefore considered by the Court that an attacht. be granted the plt. agt. the body of the sd Deft so that they be had at ye next court to answere upon the premises and that the land aforesaid be Distrained & put into ye posession of the plt. until they the Deft shall appear and answere as aforesaid.

Ibid, p 511-512

Apr 9, 1713
The accon brot. by James Boughan ag. Henry Boughan, John Pickett & Mary his wife, Francis Pierce and Eliza. his wife and Wm Cox is dismissed ye plt. failing to prosecute.
Ibid, p 521

The other common error is that based on these court orders, people are assuming that Mary and Elizabeth were Boughans, daughters of John Boughan who died shortly before John Mess. Mary Boughan, dau of John, only received a ewe and lamb in John Mess' will.

As far as James Boughan (son of James, bro of Henry who deeded the land to his brothers) I have no idea exactly what his intention was unless he just threw everyone in and wanted the land surveyed. It would seem to me the only person who should have been named was Henry Boughan over the additional 200 which was not purchased by John Mess. Apparently, it must have been settled out of court.

WILLIAM COX

Then, of course, we have the will of John Mess. William Cox had most assuredly been married to a daughter of John Mess. William was the son of Henry Cox and possibly Arabella Strachey. I have seen online that she was Henry's second wife but I cannot confirm that.

Will of Henry Cox:

In the name of God Amen I Henry Cox being very sick and weake in body but of good and perfect memory thanks be given to Almighty God therefore I do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner form following
first I commit my Soule into the hands of Almighty God who made me & who through the alone merritts of Christ I trust will also save me and my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned. And as touching those worldly goods which God in his mercy hath lent me I freely & willingly dispose of them as followeth.
First I will & my meaning is that whereas Edmund Crask Clerk of Rappa County standeth engaged with me that I shall make a good assurance of the one half or moyetie of my land I now upon unto Mr. John Hasslewood for and in consideracon of his delivereing up a certain bond of mine of five hundred pounds sterling bearing date the 8th of July 1673 as allso for the passing of Bills of Exchange for the payment of forty five pounds sterling mony to me or my Order now my will is that my Executors hereafter named make good the sale of the moyetie or halfe part of my land according to obligation and save the sd Edmund Crask harmless and indemnifyed from the sd Mr. John Haslewood his heirs or assignes or otherwise take care for the Satisfaction of the sd Haslewood his just debt and take in the bond as aforesd & for non performance thereof then I will & my meaning is that the sd Edmund Crask shall be possessed with so much of my estate both reall & personall as shall discharge and satisfie the obligacon wherein he stands engaged with me to the sd Haslewood untill such time as the sd Debt be satisfied & the sd Crask saved harmless from all such charges or damages he shall be at by being become bound with me as aforesaid.
Item I give unto Mr. James Miller now living with me my Sword and belt to be delivered him immediately after my death
Item I give unto my Brother in Law Richard Cawthorn my best cloath suite my best hatt and a pair of French falls, & a pair of Stockins both new to be delivered him immediately after my death.
Item I give unto Richard Cawthorn Jr. my Nephew and to Aurelia Cawthorn my neece each of them a cow calfe to be delivered them about the begining of June next after my death.
Item I give & bequeath unto Mr. Thomas Gordon of Rappa County & to Mrs Jane Gordon his wife each of them tenn shillings to buy them two mourning rings to be paid them by my Executors within two months after my decease
Item I give unto my friend Edmund Crask twenty shillings to buy him a Mourning ring to be paid him by my Executors within two months after my decease.
Item all the rest of my Estate both reall & personall as lands goods Chattels Catle and all impliments of household stuff or husbandry bills bonds ready mony and debts oweing me I freely and willing give and bequeath them all to my Executors hereafter named for and during their naturall lives & after their decease to William Cox my Son hereby willing & requiring my sd son William within one year after he shall be possessed of my Estate as aforesd to give unto the Child my Wife now goeth with a good assurance of the moietie of the land he shall be possessed with all by this my Will or the value thereof (as two men indifferently chosen shall adjudge it worth) at the discretion of my sd Son but if the sd Child should happen to die before my sd son William shall be possessed with my estate as aforesaid then the whole estate to be and remaine unto my son William & his heirs forever.
Lastly, I do hereby make and appoint my father in Law William Strachey of Glocester County and Arabella Cox my now wife joynt Executors of this my last Will & Testament hereby willing and requiring them to pay all such debts as I shall justly happen to owe at the time of my death to take care of and provide for my Children during their minorities & to bring my body decently to the ground and it is my earnest desire that my Father in Law would come and live with my Wife & assist her in the management of her estate.
And this revoakaing all other Will or Wills heretofore by me made either by word of mouth or writing I declare this to be my last Will & Testament
In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & affixed my Seal this two and twentieth day of February 1674.
Wit: Cornelius Melaghlen
William Harding
Thomas Hart

Old Rappahannock Deed & Will Bk 1665-1677, Sparacio

Elizabeth was the child that Arabella carried at the time of Henry's death.

Sept 10, 1695
In the difference between John Smith and Elizabeth his wife Daughter & heir of Henry Cox, late of Rappa Co., deced. Plts & John Griffing Deftendt. in an accon: of Trespass & ejectment is (after the severall please offer'd by Plts. & Defendts. )with: ye consent of both Plt and Defendt.refer'd till next Court in order that Arabella white Orphan who may be thought to have right to ye Lands in dispute, may then appear & make choice of a Guardian to defend ye same & ordered thatye sheriff of this County or his Deputy give the sd White notice hereof.

Essex County Deeds & Wills 1694-1695, Sparacio

Henry Cox had a sister, Ann who married Richard Cawthorne.

Father of Henry and Ann was William Cox per the will of John Cox, William's brother.

In the name of God Amen I John Cox of the County of Rappahannock being at present very sick and weake of Body but in perfect sence & memory blessed be ye Almighty for ye same, do hereby make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

Nov 9, 1669
Itt: My Soul I give into the hands of Almighty God and my blessedSaiour Jesus Christ in & through whose meritts only I hope for Salvation & my body to__________earth from whence it was taken decently to be buryed in sure and certain hope of ressurrection at the last day.
It. It is my Will that what fraight I have taken this year by my friend, Mr. Henry Mees (Moss), may by my Executor hereafter named be performed as near as possible.
It. I give unto Henry White son of Nicholas White with all the lands and buildings thereon or therunto belonging: to be deliverd hands of his said Father two years after my decease and dureing the said tearme my Executor hereafter named for the profits of the same to give ye sd Henry his Education, but if my Executor shall refuse forthwith upon his refusall the premisses be surrendered into the hands of Nicholas white Father to ye and he out of ye said profitts give hiim Education by spring.
It. I give unto John White, Sonne of Nicholas White years old and to his Sister Elizabeth White four cowes or heifers to be the next Spring after my decease.
It. I give unto Eme Johnson two cows & one feather bd whereon she now lieth and I farther devise she be paid other two cowes it being in lieu of her wages.
It. i give unto James Fuckett, sonne of the said Eme, one cow or heifer to be delivered with his Mother's legacie in April one thousand six hundred seventy & one but her wages to be delivered in Januarie next after the date hereof
It. I give unot my Godsonne, John Moseley, three ewe lambs to be delivered in Aprill next after my decease.
It. I do hereby constitute & ordaine my well beloved kinsman, Henry Cox ye sonne of my Brother William Cox & now present in Virginia my sole this my last Will & Testament to whom I doe give all my esta....& all reall & personall both else doth or of right may belo......or ay other place whatsoever.....and Legacies hereby given and lawfullly begotten forever but if so it his part hereby given I do hear. Brother William Cox and the Child of them as shall be then living Henry Cox my Kinsman I do .....Capt John Hull, Mr. William Moseley, Mr. John Mott, Mr. George Mott, or the Survivor or Survivors of them to be Overseers of ye same in ye balfe of my said Neeces and Nephewes. And I do desire my said friend or ye Surivor or Survivors of them that the same may be by them or him sold at an Outcy both lands goods & chattles as before specified and that they make return hom of ye produce made to my forementioned Nephewes & Neeces.
It. It is my Will if Henry White before menconed in ye forth article of this my Will doe dye without heirs of his body lawfully begotten that then ye land & plantation ther to him given do fall to his two sisters, Elizabeth & Sarah. I do hereby revoake null and make voide all or any Will or wills estament or Testaments heretofore made & have & do confirm this to be my last will. for confirmation whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seale ye day and year above mentioned.

Recorded Feb 10, 1695 Essex Co., VA
Essex Co VA Deeds & Wills 1695-1697, Sparacio

I have never found a connection between the Whites and Richard White (father of Elizabeth who md John Meador or Henry Moss/Mees with that of John Mess, father of Ann, Mary, and Elizabeth.

Footnotes:

[1] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, Land Grant Abstracts, Library of Virginia, Land Patent 6-48, [Library of Virginia].

[2] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, Land Grant Abstracts, Library of Virginia, Land Patent 6-49, [Library of Virginia].

[3] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, Land Grant Abstracts, Library of Virginia, 6-418, [Library of Virginia].

[4] Old Rappahannock Deed & Will Bk 1665-1677, Sparacio.

[5] Deed & Will Bk 1677-1682, Part I, Sparacio p 97.

[6] Old Rappa Co Deeds 1682-1686, Sparacio.

[7] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].

[8] Essex Co VA Deeds & Wills 1695-1697, Sparacio.

[9] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].

[10] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].

[11] Essex Co VA Court Orders 1695-1699, Sparacio.

[12] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].

[13] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].

[14] Essex Co Deeds & Wills 1701-1703, Sparacio.

[15] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].

[16] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].

[17] Essex Co Order Bk 4 p 489.

[18] Essex Co Order Bk 4 p 511-512.

[19] Essex Co Order Bk 4 p 521.

[20] Rosemary B. Hill and Dixie J. Clark, A Gathering of Picketts, Vol. 1 Virginia & Kentucky (self-published, 1998), 100, [GoogleBooks].