William Walton Headley

William married Juliet Ann Riveer (or Revere) on August 4th, 1842 in Lancaster county. She was the daughter of Cyrus Riveer and Mary Pitman. They had as many as seven children.

Juliet's father died sometime around the time of her marriage and does not appear to have left a will. On October 17th, 1842 a court document shows that his slaves were divided among his son, his daughter and his wife. In the Lancaster County Court on November 21st, 1842 William Walton Headley filed suit against Abner Riveer for the division of 134 acres of land left to Abner by his father.

In 1849 William transferred his church membership from Wicomico Baptist to Lebanon Baptist Church by letter.

In 1850 William paid $1.59 in personal property taxes. He was recorded as owning one slave over 16, two slaves over 12, and one horse. He also paid taxes on a watch that was not gold or silver and on a four wheel cart.

Willam's family appears on the 1850 census in Lancaster county. He is listed as a teacher with real estate valued at $500. His wife Juliet and three daughters are listed with him; Ella - 6, Isabella - 5 and J. Angella - 2. Also living with them is 67 year old Mary Riveer, Juliet's mother. Juliet's brother, Abner, lives in the house on the previous census entry, belonging to Felica Dunaway. He works as a farmer.

William's land appears on the 1850 Agricultural schedule. He owns 150 acres, with 50 improved. The farm is valued at $500, the equipment and machinery at $30. William owns one horse, two milks cows, two working oxen, one other cow and eight swine. The livestock is valued at $180. In the past year he had produced 15 bushels of wheat and 165 bushels of corn. He also grew 15 bushels of Irish potatoes and 40 bushels of sweet potatoes. The farm produced 75 pounds of butter valued at $5. The estimated value of livestock slaughtered in the last year was $68. W.W. Headley of Lancaster county was listed as an owner on the 1850 slave schedule.

William died in the fall of 1859. He is listed on the mortality schedule for the 1860 census as dying in September after suffering chronic diarreha for three months. William's will was written on September 26th and probated October 17th. He left his estate to his wife as long as she remained his widow and to take one third in the event of her marriage. He named William T. Jesse his executor. William T. Jesse, Abner Riveer and Peter H. Lampkin witnessed his signature. William may be buried in the Lebanon Baptist Church cemetery.

An inventory and appraisal was made of William's estate in November of 1859. His most valuable possessions were slaves - woman Harriet, girl Lavenia and girl Mollie. Other items listed included a lot of books, a clock, and a looking glass. Livestock recorded was a yoke of oxen, three milk cows, two calves, one horse and 13 hogs. His storehouse contained 30 barrels of corn and 75 bushels of wheat.

In 1860 William Harding purchased 23 acres, possibly in Northumberland County, formerly owned by William Walton Headley.