Leroy Oldham Dameron

"Wife Betty Oldham-use of all my estate both real and personal during her natural life, and at her death to Leroy Oldham Dameron, son of Christopher Dameron and Gracey S. Dameron his wife-the plantation I now live on. To Polly Christopher Dameron, daughter of the above Christopher and Gracey-negro girl Maria. To Thomas Oldham Dameron, son of the said Christopher and Gracey his wife-negro boy Jerry. To Lucy Smith Dameron, daughter of the said Christopher and Gracey-negro girl Frank. To my brothers daughter, Nancy Tarpley Oldham-negroes Jane and Nelly. To Lucy Oldham, daughter of my brother Thomas Oldham-negroes Sarah and Isaac. To Molly Draper Dameron, who now lives with me-negro girl Ann. Rest of my estate to be equally divided between Leroy O. Dameron, Polly C. Dameron, Thomas O. Dameron, Lucy S. Dameron, Nancy T. Oldham, and Lucy Oldham. Brother Thomas Oldham, friends Christopher Dameron, and Samuel Cralle, executors. Witness: Luke Dameron, William Dameron, and Roger Dameron."

Leroy first appeared in the Northumberland County personal property tax records in 1819, most likely when he had just turned 21. He was not marked as paying any taxes because he did not own any taxable property. His name appeared every following year up until 1849 when the available records end. In 1820 he was first taxed for owning one horse. In 1823 he was first taxed for owning one slave. During each of the 31 years on record he never owned more than two horses or two slaves at any one time. He was never taxed for owning any type of carriage, watch, clock or other "luxury" item. ²

Leroy married Frances Walker on July 15th, 1820, George Wilkins provided security on the bond.³ In 1838 a marriage bond was issued for George Wilkins and Alice Dameron, ward of Leroy O. Dameron with Bartholomew Dameron providing security.⁴ Alice does not appear to have been a sister of Leroy, but may have been a niece. The 1820 census was counted just a few weeks after Leroy's marriage to Frances. There were two Leroy Dameron’s on the 1820 census in Northumberland County (although only one on the tax list). Because the 1820 tax list showed that Leroy owned no slaves he appears to be the one referred to as "Younger." The entry was marked as: Males; one under 10, one 16-26. Females; one 10-16, one 16-26, one person working in agriculture, no slaves.⁵ The children in the household may have been younger siblings of either Leroy or Frances.

The 1830 census listed only one Leroy Dameron in Northumberland and included the middle initial "O." Household members were one male 15-20 and one 30-40, three females under 5, one 5-10 and one 20-30. Slaves were also listed; one male 36-55 and one female 10-24.⁶

Leroy appeared on the 1840 census as L.O. Dameron. He is the only free white male, age 40-49. Children were given as one female under 5, two ages 5-9 and two ages 10-14. Frances was listed as one female age 30-39. Again two slaves were listed, one male 36-54 and one female under 10.⁷ In May and June of 1840 Leroy O. Dameron was listed along with 41 others who left Wicomico Baptist Church (now called Coan Baptist Church) to form Gibeon Baptist Church.⁸

In April of 1842 Leroy paid a debt from Stephen Self to Thomas Lyell. Self agreed to repay and as collateral offered his livestock and crops of wheat and corn.⁹ The following month Leroy performed a similar service for Richard Jewell who was indebted to Thomas Lyell. In turn Jewell agreed to pay the money back to Leroy or auction his land to finally settle the debt.¹⁰ In October 1843 a Northumberland court order made payment of $2 each to Leroy and Darius G. Cralle, no explanation was given.¹¹

In December 1846 Leroy paid $286 for a 100 acre parcel of land in Northumberland on the east side of the road from Westmoreland to Union Village bordering on lands already owned by Leroy and by Thomas Sydnor and Charles Carrol.¹²

In June of 1848 Leroy along with William Haynie and Matthew Harrison acting as trustees for Gibeon Meeting House paid Darius G. Cralle $1 for a house and 1/2 acre of land. Church tradition tells that this parcel of land was part of the present church cemetery. The bounds in the deed were described using fences, dogwood trees and land belonging to Thomas Self.¹³

On the 1850 census Leroy was listed as age 53, a farmer, with real estate valued at $900. Frances' age was recorded as 46. Children listed were, Frances 21, Rebbecca 18, Ann 14, Susan 12, Leroy 10 and Richard 6. All family members were indicated as being born in Northumberland. Leroy still owned two slaves, they were listed as 53 male, and 14 female.^{14 & 15}

Leroy wrote his will on February 2nd, 1852 and died that same year. The will was probated on August 9th. Leroy left land and $50 to Richard Christopher and divided his remaining estate among his other children.¹⁶

In the name of God Amen - I Leroy O. Dameron of the county of Northumberland being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory, for which I thank God, and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life, and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in manner following -
First - I desire all my just debts should be paid -
Second - I give to my son Richard C. Dameron all that tract of land whereon Richard Jewell now lives subject to my widow's dower wherein together with fifty dollars to him and his heirs forever.
Third - All the rest of my estate both real and personal of whatever nature or kind soever after allowing my widow her dower therein to be equally divided between all my children except my son Richard C. Dameron above named -
And Lastly - I do hearby constitute and appoint my friend Thomas S. Lyell executor of this my last will and testament hearby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 2nd day of February, 1852 -
Leroy O. Dameron

An appraisal of Leroy's estate was taken on September 15th, 1852.¹⁷ Items of interest included a shotgun, a collection of books, an ox cart, plow and chain, two harrows and three oxen. Also listed were two people, described as "old man William" valued at $200 and "young woman Martha" valued at $500. When his estate was divided sale of slaves was recorded in 1855 William was recorded as sold for $379 and Martha for $800.¹⁹

In February of 1853 Matthew Harrison, widow of Leroy's oldest daughter, along with his second oldest daughter, Rebecca B. Dameron, brought suit against the remaining siblings except Richard Christopher to order the public auction of the remaining lands of Leroy O. Dameron.²⁰ After the widow's dower was accounted for, two separate tracts were sold - a piece called the "house land" containing 80-100 acres bordering the road from Village to Gibeon and property willed to Richard Christopher Dameron was purchased by Rebbecca for $291,²¹ another 100 acre parcel referred to as "Wardens" was bought by William Dawson for $160.²²

Leroy is most certainly buried at Gibeon Baptist Church. The plot map²⁸ for the church cemetery shows a grave site for "Damerons" right beside Darius G. Cralle, who was also a founding member and had died only four years earlier.⁸ Founding member Henry Stephens is also marked as owning an adjacent plot. The Dameron plot appears to contain two burials marked by plain stones, one pair placed as a head and foot stone and another as a headstone only.