1026Daniel was born circa 1671.1 As explained below, his father is 2052John Epes, but his mother's identity is uncertain.

Problem: Resolved Who is 1026Daniel's father? I have found no record that explicitly states who 1026Daniel Eppes' father is, nor did Dorman.2 Fortunately, however, a multigenerational series of land transactions suggests that 1026Daniel's father is 2052John Eppes. Although the evidence is somewhat circumstantial, I believe it is adequate to prove the relationship. Below is a basic outline of the evidence that will be presented: (1) 4104Francis Epes acquired 1980 acres in Charles City County, Virginia. (2) His son 2052John later acquired these 1980 acres. (3) After 2052John's death, four men seem to have acquired the 1980 acres. Of these four, two are conclusively identified as 2052John's sons, one left a record suggesting he may be related to 4104Francis, and the other is 1026Daniel Eppes. (4) Conclusion On 26 August 1635, 4104Francis Eppes (2052John's father) received a patent for 1700 acres in Charles City County, Virginia,3 and on 23 January 1653/4 another patent for an adjacent 280 acres.4 King Charles II renewed the 280-acre patent on 17 February 1663/4.5 The two patents were consolidated on 4 October 1668.6 On 30 September 1674, 2052John received a patent for 2550 acres, which included his father's original 1980 acres.7 (4104Francis presumably had died, and 2052John was inheriting his land via patent.) 2052John left a will,8 but unfortunately it has been lost, probably destroyed by Union soldiers during the American Civil War. Other evidence, however, suggests that 2052John's will probably divided the 1980 acres among four men: John, William, Edward, and 1026Daniel Eppes. (The additional 570 acres that 2052John acquired in 1674 are unaccounted for.) In the paragraphs below, each of these four men is discussed in turn. In December 1685, John Eppes was permitted “to lay out his father's land according to his father's will.” 8 This record proves that 2052John died testate and left land to his heirs. Another court record dated April 1689 plainly identifies this John Eppes as a son of 2052John Eppes and his wife Mary Kent.9 A 1704 quit rent roll for Prince George County, Virginia shows that John (identified as “Jno Epes Sr ”) owned 530 acres in Prince George county.10 William is plainly described as a “son of John Epes” in a court record dated 3 February 1687/8 or perhaps March 1687/8.11 Prince George County's 1704 quit rent rolls show that William Eppes (“Wm Epes Sr ”) owned 750 acres in Prince George County.10 The quit rent rolls also show that Edward Epes (“Edwd Epes”) owned 500 acres.10 On 11 June 1722, he paid £100 sterling to Mary Epps, widow, of Charles City County for 150 acres on the path to Hopewell and adjoining Francis Epes' line.12 Lastly, the quit rent rolls show that 1026Daniel Epes owned 200 acres.10 The sum of the acres in Prince George County that belonged to these four men is 1980 (= 530 + 750 + 500 + 200), very likely the same 1980 acres originally owned by 4104Francis Eppes. (Although 4104Francis' patents describe the land as being in Charles City County, the area in question became part of the newly created Prince George County on 23 April 1703.) Because of 1026Daniel's ownership of 200 acres in Prince George County, and because of the land ownership patterns explained above, I'm reasonably confident that 1026Daniel Epes is an heir and son of 2052John Epes.

Problem: Unresolved Who is 1026Daniel's mother? 2052John Epes married Mary Kent, as is plainly stated in the April 1689 court record copied above.9 However, Mary Kent may not have been 1026Daniel's mother. As Dorman explains, 2052John's younger children (e.g., 1026Daniel) may have been born not by Mary Kent, but by a second, unidentified wife.13 See source citation #13 for more information.

In 1704 1026Daniel owned 200 acres in Prince George County, Virginia10 (inherited from his father as explained above). On 9 November 1707, though, 1026Daniel, described as “of Surry County,” paid £30 current money of Virginia for 166 acres on the southeast side of Oven Branch in Surry County.14 Two selected portions of the deed are copied below. Oven Branch is a creek a few miles north of Sussex, Virginia, as shown on the master map. In 1707 it was in Surry County but is now in Sussex County.

On 12 March 1742/3, 1026Daniel sold the abovementioned 166 acres to his son Edward for five shillings current money of Virginia “But more especially for and in Consideration of the natural Love and affection which the aforesd Daniel Epps beareth unto the sd Edward Epps as being his Lawfull son.” Part of the deed is copied below.15

1742/3: 1026Daniel sold the 166 acres to his son Edward. Full page.15

1026Daniel died on 6 January 1753 at age 81.1

The church's record of 1026Daniel's death. Full page.1

His will, written 6 September 1749 and probated 16 January 1753, names heirs: wife Mary Eppes, son Edward Eppes, daughter (513)Elizabeth Knight, daughter Mary Tatum, and grandson Daniel Epes (under age 21).16 Below are the record copy and a transcription.

1026Daniel's estate was inventoried two months after he died. The inventory is copied below along with a transcription.17

A true and perfect Inventory (so far as is come to our Knowledge) of the Estate of Daniel Eppes of the parish of Albemarle and County of Surry deceased Two negro men viz. Robin and Ben, twelve head of Cattle, viz 7 Cows 1 Heiffer 1 young Steer, 3 yearling, 2 old Horses 4 Sows and 20 Piggs, 4 Hogs of one year old, 3 Feather Beds, 3 Ruggs, 3 Bed Steads and Cords 4 Blankets, 7 sheets, 4 Hides, 2 Chests, 4 Chairs, 5 Stools, 1 Spinning Wheel 1 pain Cotton Cords, 1 pair Wool Ditto, 10 Pewter Dishes, 2 Basons, Do ̣ 2 Tankards, Do ̣ 12 Plates Do ̣ 23 Spoons Do ̣ 1 Chamber Pott, Do ̣ 1 Earthen Chamber Pot, 1 Ditto plate, 1 Do ̣ Bason, 1 Tin Funnel, 3 Earthen muggs, 1 Beer Cask, a parcel of old Wearing Apparel, 2 Brass Kettles, 2 powdering Tubbs, 2 Guns, 1 powder Horn and Shot Bagg, 1 pair Bullet moulds 2 Potts[?] and 1 four Gallon Jugg, 3 Awls, 1 pair marking Irons 1 pair Sheers, 1 pair ___, 1 pair Sheep Sheers, 1 pair Brass Spurs, 1 Tobacco Cutting Knife, 2 sickles, 2 Iron Candlesticks, 1 pepper Box, 1 Wooden Spice Mortar, and Brass Pestle, 1 powder Barrel, 1 Ivory headed Cane 3 Wooden Bowls, 10 quart Bottles, 2 Combs and Brush 2 Coarse TableCoths[?] 1 pair Shilliards ___ 1 old Bible 3 Ells oxnabriggs[?] 1 Ell Tandam linnen, 1 Ell Gailix[?], 1 Ell Irish Linnen, 4½[?] Ells Coarse Gailix[?], 3 ___ Swan skin, ½ ___ Crown Thread 2 ½ ___ white Thread + Straw and 1 – Wicker Basket 3 Coarse Towels, 2 Sides Tann'd Leather 2 Raw Hydes 6 Table Knives and 5 Forks 1 Razor, 1 Crops Cutt Saw 1 hand Do ̣ 3 Augers 1 Broad Axe 3 Chissels[?] 1 Hammer 1 Gouge 2 Wrests, 1 File, 2 Gimblets

1 Broken Trought[?] 3 plane Irons 1 Crowsing[?] Iron, 1 Dowelling Bitt, 1 Taper Do
3 Cow Bells, 3 falling Axes, 1 Grubbing Hoe, A Iron Wedges, 1 Iron Hommony
Pestle, 1 Saddle and 2 Bridles, 1 ___ Cloth, a parcel of old Iron, 1 Iron
Pot ___ 12 Gallons 2 Do 5 Gallons. 1 Do 3 Gallons, 1 Do Skillet 1 Frying pan 2
Iron pot Racks 3 pair Iron pot Hooks 1 Brass Skimmer 1 Flesh[?] Fork 1 –
Hommony Sifter, 1 4 Gallon pail, 1 tin pail ___ 2½ Gallons 1 Washing Tub
1 Meal Tub 2 white Oak split Baskets 1 pair old Cart Wheels 2 Meal Sifters
1 Search[?] 1 Spade 2 broad and 2 narrow Hoes 3 Harrow Teeth 1 Flake Hoe
2 Collars and ___, 2 old Saddles, 1 Wheat Hogshead, 1 Grind Stone, 1 Stone
Butter pot, 1 old Barrel, 1 Wooden Ladle, 1 pair Fire Tongs, 1 drawing Knife,
1 Hatchet, three pounds of Hopps and Bagg, 2 old meal Baggs, 15½ ___ pick'd
Cotton 1 Linnen Wallet a parcel of corn supposed by the judgment of two
Indifferent persons to be 17 Barrels ___ bushells[?] Salt 1 pair ___
___                                                by       Wm Willie         } Extors
              March 17, 1753                           Edward Eppes }

At a Court held for Surry County the 20th day of March 1753
The aforewritten Inventory of the Estate of Daniel Eppes deceased was
returned and by the Court ordered to be recorded
                                                            Teste
                                                                A. Claiborne Clk

Sources Cited:

1: Albemarle Parish Register, photostat page 163, entry for Daniel Eppes, who died 6 January 1753 at age 81. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4C-27Z?i=175&cat=376749>, accessed 17 November 2021. This record is abstracted in: Gertrude R. B. Richards, Register of Albemarle Parish, Surry and Sussex Counties (National Society Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1958), page 314.

2: John Frederick Dorman, Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia (Epes-Eppes-Epps): Volume I (Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992), page 114. Dorman comments, “He is believed to be the son of John2 Epes, although no record so stating has been located.”

3: Virginia Land Office. Patents book 1 (1623-1643), pages 280-281, grant to Capt Francis Eppes dated 26 August 1635. Library of Virginia, <http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-1/001/201-300.html>, accessed 26 August 2011.

4: Virginia Land Office. Patents book 3 (1652-1655), page 219, grant to Col. Francis Epps dated 23 January 1653. Library of Virginia, <http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-1/002-2/201-300.html>, accessed 26 August 2011.

5: Virginia Land Office. Patents book 5 (1661-1666), page 349, grant to Col. Francis Eppes dated 17 February 1663. Library of Virginia, <http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-1/005/301-400.html>, accessed 26 August 2011.

6: Virginia Land Office. Patents book 6 (1666-1679), page 203, grant to Capt. Francis Epps dated 4 October 1668. Library of Virginia, <http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-1/006/201-300.html>, accessed 26 August 2011.

7: ibid, page 62, grant to Lt. Col. John Epes dated 30 September 1674. Library of Virginia, <http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-1/006/1-100.html>, accessed 27 August 2011.

8: Charles City County, Virginia. Fragment of an orders book for the year 1685, n.p. [microfilm image 4 of 8, where image 1 is the title card], the left-side page. Copied from Charles City County microfilm 13, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. The same record is also available on FamilySearch: <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4V-J33Y-Y?i=190&cat=379935>. The record in question begins, “Jno ̣ Epes hath liberty to [...].”

9: Charles City County, Virginia. Orders book for the years 1687-1695, page 209. Copied from Charles City County microfilm 13, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. The same record is also available on FamilySearch: <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4V-J33G-2?i=265&cat=379935>. The record in question begins, “Ordered upon request of Jno ̣ Epes [...].”

10: “Virginia Quit Rent Rolls, 1704 (continued),” The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, volume 28, issue 4 (October 1920), page 330. Internet Archive, <https://archive.org/stream/virginiamagazine28virg#page/330/mode/2up>, accessed 22 September 2014.

11: Charles City County, Virginia. Orders book for the years 1687-1695, page 104. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4V-J33R-D?i=206&cat=379935>, accessed 17 November 2021. This record is also cited in: John Frederick Dorman, Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia (Epes-Eppes-Epps): Volume I (Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992), page 112, footnote 11.

12: Prince George County, Virginia. Wills and deeds 1713-1718, pages 538-539. Cited in: John Frederick Dorman, Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia (Epes-Eppes-Epps), Volume I (Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992), page 114, footnote 23.

13: John Frederick Dorman, Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia (Epes-Eppes-Epps), Volume I (Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992), page 106, footnote 15. The footnote reads, “Since 112 John3 Epes was not given liberty by the court to lay out his father's land according to his father's will until Dec. 1685 (Charles City Co. court orders, 1685, fragment, Virginia State Archives Ac. 14093), it is possible that 11 John2 Epes was married twice and only his sons Francis3 and John3 were by Mary Kent. The other three children appear to be considerably younger.”

14: Surry County, Virginia. Deeds, wills, etc. book 5 (1694-1709), pages 380-381. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V39N-L?i=406&cat=366316>, accessed 18 November 2021.

15: Surry County, Virginia. Deeds book 4 (1741-1746), pages 93-94. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-DR9F?i=73&cat=401177> et seq., accessed 18 November 2021.

16: Surry County, Virginia. Deeds, Wills, Etc., 1738-1754, pages 844-845. Copied from microfilm 3926, Genealogical & Historical Room, Washington Memorial Library, Macon, Georgia. This is 1026Daniel Eppes' will. Confusingly, there seem to be duplicate copies of this record book, and both are handwritten. In the alternate copy, 1026Daniel's will is on pages 816-817. You can see the alternate copy on FamilySearch: <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-KLS?i=466&cat=366316>.

18: ibid., pages 846-847.