The Chandler family that connected Halifax County, Virginia with Clay County, Mississippi presents an interesting story.  These Chandlers were all descendants of a common ancestral source – Willis Chandler and his wife Rebecca Hill.  Willis Chandler (WC) was born, raised, and later died in Halifax County, Virginia.  However, he had many children who decided to leave Virginia during early Mississippi settlement.  The story of WC will help descendants of the Virginia-Mississippi Chandler immigrants understand why the migration occurred.  

Another reason exploring this Chandler family is important is to establish a consistent genealogical record.  The range of unreliable information on the internet regarding Chandlers of Halifax County, Virginia is staggering.  There are lots of “different facts” to choose from.  With the scarcity of available biographical sources for records from south Virginia, there are very few hard facts handy for researchers.  Nevertheless, incorrect information continues to be used, borrowed, and adopted as truth.  This biography will not present many undisputable facts (in the form of primary records) but will introduce possibilities that are accompanied by sources and explanations as to why those assumptions could be true (or false).

1700s Colonial etching of an infant and his mother.

WC was born between 1770 and 1773.  The birth year 1771 was found in the Mary Eugenia King Province bible, later owned by Mrs. Vernon Gomez of Austin, Texas (transcribed into Virginia Bible Records by J. H. Austin, no exact date listed for birth other than a year, also included a death date and year, I don’t have a copy, just the transcription).  Census records triangulate 1770 to 1775 as a birth range for WC (1820, 1830, 1840 Halifax Co VA census).  A 1789 Robert Chandler tax record notes a male in his household age 16 to 21 – this could only have been WC which establishes a birth date range 1768 to 1773.  A Chandler history published in 1962 by Mary Ivy Chandler Dodenhoff reported WC’s birthdate as 1775.  This date appears to be the most utilized by descendants but no sources for that date were listed.  Note: I am inclined to believe that Willis Chandler was born in 1771 as the bible listed.  Note: Alternate names that show up from time to time for Willis Chandler are Wilies, Wiles, or Wiley.  These are variations or misspellings of Willis and likely nothing more.

According to various sources, WC was the son of Robert Chandler and Mary “Molly” Hamblen-Chandler.  WC was listed as Robert Chandler’s son in Robert Chandler’s will (Robert Chandler will written at Halifax County in 1784 and probated there in 1792).    Since there were no other men named “Willis Chandler” at this time, WC is confidently identified as the son of Robert Chandler of Halifax County, Virginia.  WC’s father Robert Chandler married Mary Hamblen in 1752 (marriage record).  According to the 1776 will of Daniel Hamblen (Mary Hamblen-Chandler’s father) Mary was still alive and hence, WC was definitely the son of Mary Hamblen-Chandler.  Robert Chandler was about 42 when WC was born (Robert Chandler birth 1729 and WC estimated birth in 1771).  

Note: Daniel Hamblen arrived married on a boat from Westchester, England in 1728.  He landed at Wilmington, North Carolina but was soon in Virginia.  His daughter Mary Hamblen appears to have been the fourth child (listed in Daniel Hamblen’s will) and is assumed to have been born before 1835 (she married Robert Chandler in 1852).  So, she grew up in a family with deep and recent English accents and probably had a mild English accent herself.  Her parenting method was probably different than most women of that day since she was raised by parents born and raised in England.

Virginia was one of the 13 British Colonies in America in 1770.

Halifax County in 1770. Notice that Halifax County was closer to the western lands than the settled east coast Tidewater region.

Per Halifax County land records, WC’s father Robert Chandler was living in Halifax County, Virginia by 1757 (and probably before as he was associated with Lunenburg County prior to that time – Halifax County was formed from Lunenburg County in 1752) and so WC was almost certainly born in Halifax County, Virginia.  Virginia was more officially known as the Virginia Colony and one of the 13 American Colonies of England.  WC was a British subject of King George III who ruled from across the Atlantic Ocean in England.  The Virginia governor was John Dunmore who had just been named to the governorship in 1771. 

The specific location of the Robert Chandler family in Halifax County before and after the birth of WC is unknown.  Various sources triangulate the location as along Difficult Creek near the Double Branch.  WC’s grandfather William Chandler also lived in this same area.  Somewhere nearby was Chandler’s Bridge (various land descriptions), which probably allowed travelers to cross Difficult Creek.  Land descriptions note two main roads nearby – the Great Road and the road from the Halifax County Courthouse (called Courthouse Road) toward the northeast (also Irby’s Road).  The Double Branch-Mill Creek-Difficult Creek region was known to be within 2 miles east of the old courthouse, at that time court being held just below the current location of Crystal Hill.  Note: The courthouse at that location was operational in the 1760s and 1770s.  By 1785, the courthouse had relocated to present-day Halifax about 6 miles southwest of the Chandler land.

Current map showing true locations of rivers, creeks, and court houses.  The approximate location of WC father Robert Chandler, WC grandfather William Chandler, and other associated families.  These are best guesses based on the descriptions of land.

Grandfather William Chandler definitely lived on land bordering both sides of the Double Branch, Mill Creek, and also at Difficult Creek (also noted as just east of the north fork of Terrible Creek).  Father Robert Chandler appears to have lived on Difficult Creek east of grandfather William Chandler.  In 1785, Robert Chandler (and his brother William Chandler Jr, who was known to have land on Mill Creek just below the Double Branch) had land along the Courthouse Road and also at Mill Creek.  Because Robert Chandler owned many tracts, his actual home location is hard to identify. 

Above is a North Halifax County map, part of a larger Virginia map dated 1839, that shows detailed roads from the 1830s.  Though this map is later, it may be the earliest map that shows accurate roads within Halifax County.  The Chandlers appear to have lived on the road leading northeast of the new courthouse.  Shown in red and numbered are the approximate locations of 2) grandfather William Chandler, 3) WC, and 4) father Robert Chandler.

Land known to have belonged to Robert Chandler:

·         ? acres in Halifax County, unknown source, received from future father-in-law Daniel Hamblen

·         300 acres in Halifax County, unknown source (Volume 10, page 316), in name of Robert and William Chandler

·         400 acres in Halifax County, unknown source – probably the 400 acre tract mentioned in will (Vol 10, page 385), in name of Robert and William Chandler

·         150 acres in Halifax County, land grant 23 November 1752

·         275 acres in Halifax County – draughts of Difficult Creek adjoining his own land, land grant 1 March 1773

·         150 acres in Halifax County, land grant 1 November 1792

Note: WC’s father Robert Chandler wrote his will in 1784 and “appears” to have noted his children in order.  Brother Hartwell was listed before Diana, Willis, and Christiana.  However, Hartwell was listed as a minor in 1792 (requiring a guardian along with sister Christiana).  Therefore, father Robert Chandler appeared to list order except for his two youngest children, strangely choosing to take care of his youngest two children at various points throughout his will.

The Revolutionary War began in 1775 and therefore WC’s earliest recollections would have involved living in a country at war.  Early hostilities were primarily fought away from Virginia following a few initial 1775 battles around Williamsburg.  During the first years of the war, Virginia families were mostly connected to the war via the absence of young men serving as patriot soldiers.  They read and heard stories of battles, usually losses, in Massachusetts and New York.  However, at the end of the 1770s, the Revolution would land squarely in the Virginia-North Carolina region.

The American Revolutionary War soldiers faced the British army, recognizable by their bright red coats.

During the war, several events occurred that rocked the WC family when he was only about 8 years old.  On 9 March 1779, WC’s grandfather William Chandler wrote his will and stated the he had, at the time, “perfect sense and memory.”  He was 80 years old (his birth is found as 6 June 1698 but no source is known) and looking toward his 81st birthday three months from that time.  Unfortunately, his 81st birthday did not arrive and his will was exhibited at the Halifax County court for probate on 20 May 1779 (this date is often misused as a death date).  He likely died in March or April 1779.  WC’s Grandmother Elizabeth Blanchard-Chandler reportedly had died many years before his birth.  His step-grandmother Judith (surname unclear, named in the will) Chandler was alive at the time William Chandler wrote his will in 1779.

On 17 September 1779 at the Halifax County Courthouse, WC’s father Robert Chandler and John Chandler (WC’s uncle or older brother) defended themselves against the Commonwealth of Virginia.  These Chandler men were be prosecuted for allegedly “making the assault upon the Body of George Vaughan and him beating and wounding.”  The jury found Robert Chandler and John Chandler guilty and they were each fined £200 plus court costs and ordered "that they be taken.”  The men may have served some time in the Halifax County jail.  Chandler neighbors (William Abbott, John Fulkerson, and WC’s brother-in-law Meredith Compton) were witnesses for the plaintiff (Virginia and Vaughan) and were paid 250 to 300 pounds of tobacco by the Chandlers (since they were found guilty) for court service.

As a young child of about 9 years, WC dreamed of fighting the dreaded British soldiers. Surely, WC pretended to be a soldier on his father’s plantation, firing at Redcoats and engaging the enemy with the bayonet.  In December 1780, the British and Hessian army, led by the despised traitor Benedict Arnold, attacked and burned Richmond, Virginia.  Most of the battles over the next year were fought in and around coastal Virginia.  However, there was also action to the south and west (North Carolina and South Carolina) in 1780 and 1781.

After a major American Revolutionary War victory at Cowpens, South Carolina in January 1781, the American army retreated into North Carolina followed closely by the British, hell-bent on revenge and seeking to collect their men being held as American prisoners.  The American’s goal was to enter Virginia and cross the Dan River in Halifax County, just below the Chandler plantation.  In February 1781, the army just made it across the Dan River as the British arrived.  The pursuers could not cross after their foe as they lacked supplies.  General Nathaniel Greene marched the American army a short way north to the Halifax County Courthouse at Crystal Hill (or possibly the new location of the courthouse at present day Halifax) and they remained there to rest for a week.  The event was the talk of the county and families were interested in what they had only read or heard about.

What the encampment at Halifax County may have resembled

WC’s father Robert Chandler, at age 52, served as a Patriot in a very important way – through material contributions to support weary troops.  The large and very poor American army was constantly in need of clothing, food, and ammunition.  Some soldiers were specifically charged with recruiting and conscribing supplies for soldiers.  According to Public Service Claims, Robert Chandler furnished the army with “supplies.”  Note: I have not seen the record (only the notation that it exists) and do not know specifically what was contributed.  Robert Chandler received compensation later on 22 April 1782 (Court Booklet 22 April 1782, Commissioner’s Book 2, Virginia State Library). 

Robert Chandler’s contribution was likely made during the Army’s stay in Halifax County.  After the short stay at the Halifax County courthouse, the refreshed American army again marched south to engage the British and in March 1781, 4,400 American troops severely defeated 1,900 Brits.  The Halifax County citizens felt they had played a major role in this victory.

General George Washington laid siege on Yorktown, Virginia in September 1781.  Yorktown was firmly held by the British army under Lord Cornwallis.  The war ended in October 1781 at Yorktown with a British surrender and Americans celebrated their freedom and independence. WC was about 10 years old and celebrated himself but likely did not fully understand what the victory really meant.  Father Robert Chandler would have been happy like his son but mainly relieved.  An extended war would have continued to drain the Americans economically and a losing effort would have meant extensive punishment and oppression by the British.

Note:  WC’s father Robert Chandler is often identified as a Revolutionary War soldier in Captain Francis Taylor’s Company of the 2nd Virginia Regiment (descendants have even joined the DAR and SAR using this information).  The records notate this Robert Chandler as a private on several muster rolls during 1777.  WC's father Robert Chandler’s participation in the war was unlikely due to at least three important points.  First, in 1777 WC's father Robert Chandler was around 48, far too old to serve as a private in a ground war (though men this age did infrequently fight).  Secondly, WC's father Robert Chandler was a significant land owner and therefore would have qualified for a position far greater than private.  Finally, Captain Francis Taylor recruited his men from Orange County and possibly adjoining counties.  Halifax County was nowhere near Orange County.  And, there was definitely a different Robert Chandler who lived in Orange County that was the correct age for a soldier.

Slaves working on the Virginia tobacco plantation the late 1700s.

The year after the Revolutionary War ended, a Continental Census was conducted that included Halifax County, Virginia.  In 1782, four sons of grandfather William Chandler were enumerated – William Chandler, Robert Chandler, John Chandler, and Timothy Chandler.  Robert Chandler was obviously the most successful planter of the four as he held 21 slaves – William had 4, John had 4, and Timothy only 1.  The success of his plantation was evident in grandfather William Chandler’s will.  He gave all his children extensive assets but left Robert very little, though he was mentioned first (his first son).  Robert Chandler had received his portion as the first son long before William Chandler died.

In 1782, father Robert Chandler listed 8 white persons living in his home – he, his wife Mary, and 6 children (1782 Continental Census).  Daughter Patsy had married earlier in the year.  The six children must have been Gilderoy (about 16), William (about 15), Diana (about 12), Willis (about 11), Christiana (about 5), and Hartwell (about 4).

Grandfather Daniel Hamblen, an aging Englishman (born in England) of about 85 years, died at his home in Prince Edward County, Virginia.  The Hamblen will was brought to court for probate on 20 September 1784 (this date is often mistakenly placed as the death date for Daniel Hamblen).  Hamblen’s will had been written in 1776 and he left his daughter Mary (Hamblen-Chandler) two slaves (meaning she was alive in 1776, no disbursement to heirs is found in probate records).  Grandfather Hamblen identifies his wife Margaret who was to receive his entire plantation, household goods, and entire stock until her death or marriage (not normal, probably more traditional in England).  A future marriage for his widow seems unlikely if this was grandmother Margaret Watkins-Hamblen (reported as born circa 1700 England) as she would have been about 84 years old.  Note: She reportedly died in Prince Edward County six years later in 1790.  Though Margaret Watkins appears to be the wife noted in the will, she may not have been the mother of all (or any) of Hamblen’s children.

Mary Hamblen-Chandler was a witness at her older son John Chandler’s marriage in 1775.  This validates her being alive at least near 1776 as noted in the Daniel Hamblen will and that she can be positively identified as the mother of WC (since he was born before 1775).  However, WC’s younger two siblings were not born until circa 1777 and 1778. 

After losing his father five years before and his father-in-law earlier in 1784, WC’s father Robert Chandler decided to write (or update) his own will.  On 4 December 1784 Robert Chandler wrote a will and noted (among other things) “Should [Willis Chandler, about 13] die without heirs of his own body, the land revert to [a brother] and the negroes be divided [among siblings].” Father Robert Chandler was about 55 years old and noted the he was “in perfect health and sound in memory thanks to Almighty God for the same” and was writing his will because he was “considering the frailty incident of human nature.”  WC was already a young uncle just entering his teen years.  He did have several siblings that were of a similar age to him – Diana Chandler (about 14), Christiana Chandler (about 7), and Hartwell Chandler (about 6).

Note: Father Robert Chandler left his wife Mary as the executrix of his will.  Since he married Mary Hamblen and she was still alive in 1776, this executrix Mary is assumed to have been the original Mary Hamblen-Chandler.  Yet, Robert could have married a younger wife named Mary (popular name!), who could have been the mother of the younger two children.  This is just an assumption but when the will was probated in 1792, all Robert Chandler children attempted to keep the widow Mary from her right to 1/3 of the estate.  And if Robert Chandler had remarried, the marriage would have occurred before 1784 as he did not redo his will after 1784 to assign a new wife Mary as the executrix.  This may show that either this Mary was a second wife or that the children were a bit greedy.

Father Robert Chandler described several tracts of land in his will:

Tract 1 – lower side of Irby’s Road to the Great Road, then across the ridge path to the head of Huckleberry Road, then down to (John) Smallman’s (Robert Chandler’s brother-in-law) line [this was to son John and apparently Robert Chandler lived on this land in 1784 (why was son John not listed in the 1782 Continental Census?)

Tract 2 – half tract RC purchased from William N(unreadable) containing 400 acres [land left to son Gilderoy]

Tract 3 – half tract RC purchased from William N(unreadable) containing 400 acres [land left to son William]

Tract 4 – half of tract RC now lives on [land left to son William]

Tract 5 – north side of south fork of Difficult Creek below Church crossing at (Benjamin) Perkin’s Ford to Wright’s old field line [land left to son Willis]

The tobacco plantation soil being hoed and prepared for planting.  Note the use of the horses in the background.

On 18 March 1789, Robert Chandler paid taxes in Halifax County, Virginia.  The tax record provides information about the family and their home environment.  The household included two males above 21 (father Robert Chandler and WC’s brother William Chandler, named specifically) and one male 16 to 21 (this was WC who was about 18).  The family owned 20 black slaves over 20 and none between age 12 and 20 (there were likely many 0 to 12 but they were not recorded).  They also owned 12 horses.  According to an analysis of the entire tax record, the Robert Chandler family had more slaves and horses than a vast majority of their neighbors.  

Note: WC did have a brother William Chandler, who was over age 21 in this tax record, and was living with Robert Chandler.  WC is often superimposed as William Chandler.  Though brother William Chandler is not specifically named as receiving items in father Robert Chandler’s 1784 will, both he and WC were noted and were also involved with the probate and court documents related to the heirs. 

What did the family look like in 1789? Over half of WC’s siblings had been out of the Robert Chandler home for quite some time.  The most recent, Gilderoy Chandler, must have just recently moved away from the home (not listed as a 21 year old in the Robert Chandler home and not taxed individually in 1789).  The oldest six children had been married since 1782 (except Gilderoy) and many of those had started their own families.  There were five known younger children – William (about 22), Diana (about 19), Willis (about 18), Christiana (about 12), and Hartwell (about 11).  They lived on a large farming plantation at Difficult Creek among approximately 20 and 24 slaves (according to the Robert Chandler 1784 will – he owned more but some were being used by his grown children in their homes).  Note: Gilderoy Chandler was not listed in the 1789 tax record and was probably living with a relative or neighbor.  He also could have moved away since he was soon found in Gloucester County and would remain there until his death.

WC was aware of several important historical events that happened during the last half of the 1780s – his teen years.  In 1787 and 1788, the United States Constitution was circulated across the United Stated and could be read at the Halifax County courthouse.  Once the Constitution was ratified, George Washington was unanimously elected the first president of the United States.  The government would be headquartered in New York City.  WC may have also seen a copy of the first Webster’s Dictionary, initially published in the 1780s.

The George Washington carriage, which is currently at Mount Vernon on display.

In 1791, President George Washington made a tour of the southern states.  After being led by carriage from Philadelphia to Georgia along the Atlantic Ocean coast, he returned north by a more westerly route.  In early June 1791, Washington visited the location of the Halifax County courthouse and stayed the night in a tavern there.  The next morning he left early on his carriage toward the northeast which would have taken him through Chandler land.  This event must have caused quite a stir among Halifax County residents.

In 1792, WC’s father Robert Chandler died at Halifax County, Virginia.  Robert Chandler was about 63 or 64 years old.  Note: Robert Chandler’s birth is reported as 1729 or 25 August 1729 – no original source and the date has been used for over 50 years.  Death dates of 22 May and 22 July 1792 have been used – the July date is the probate and there is no source for the May date.  The will was brought to the Halifax County court on 22 July 1792 and Mary Chandler, wife of the deceased Robert Chandler, served as the executor.

Current map showing true locations of rivers, creeks, and court houses.  The approximate location of WC father Robert Chandler, WC grandfather William Chandler, and other associated families.

WC was approximately 21 years old when his father died.  According to the will probate after father Robert Chandler’s death, WC received land and slaves described as “…all my land lying to the south side of the south fork of Difficult Creek, also all the land lying to the north side of the same creek below the Church Path Crossing at the ‘Perkin’s Ford’ (Benjamin Perkins was a witness to the will) to the line at Wright’s old field.  Also two negroes named Harry and Gloucester.” 

The months following father Robert Chandler’s death were wrought with legal action related to his family and assets.  Robert Chandler’s two youngest children Christiana Chandler and Hartwell Chandler were not legal age and law required guardians to be named.  On 24 September 1792, Christiana Chandler was placed in the guardianship of Edward Eastham (security was Thomas Roberts).  This guardianship was interesting to note as 4 days later, Christiana Chandler (about age 15) married Edward Eastham.  On the same day, sister Diana Chandler, about 22 years old, married Thomas Roberts.

Note: If the young children required a guardian, was Mary Chandler widow of Robert Chandler, NOT the mother of Christiana and Hartwell Chandler?  If she was not, then Robert Chandler would have married another Mary between 1776 and 1792, which is very possible (since Mary Hamblen-Chandler was noted in the Daniel Hamblen will of 1776).  This scenario (that the widow Mary Chandler was not Mary Hamblen-Chandler) would be the reason that the Robert Chandler children brought suit against Robert Chandler’s widow Mary – she was not the mother of most Robert Chandler children.  However, common legal practice of the day required the assignment of male guardians to handle possible assets that the orphan received from a deceased father’s estate.  The 1792 document presented shortly paints a different picture.

On 22 October 1792, Hartwell Chandler (Maxwell Chandler in the record) was placed under the guardianship of William Thompson.  Brother-in-laws Thomas Roberts and John Yeats served as security.  No relation between the Chandlers and this William Thompson is known.  William Thompson has not been positively identified.  There was a William Thompson in Halifax County, Virginia but he died in 1780.  His son was General William Thompson but he was known to have died in 1791 at North Carolina.

Robert Chandler’s children took the widow Mary Chandler to court in November 1792.  The reason was that Mary Chandler took all the estate and gave nothing to her children.  The list of defendants – Meredith Compton (husband of Ruth Chandler), John Chandler, John Glass (husband of Mary Chandler), John Yeats (husband of Elizabeth Chandler), Robert Prewitt (husband of Martha Chandler), Gilderoy Chandler, William Chandler, Thomas Roberts (husband of Diana Chandler), Willis Chandler, Edward Eastham (husband of Christiana Chandler), and William Thompson (guardian of Hartwell Chandler, under age) (Halifax Order Bk 16, p. 25,404,437 & 438 and also Halifax Plat Book 16, page 25).  The children believed there was enough personal estate assets to pay all Robert Chandler's debts and allow Mary Chandler to live well AND allow for the children to receive shares of the estate as well.  They also felt she was hiding or not reporting some of Robert Chandler's assets.  Note: this document provides an excellent description of the Robert Chandler children alive at that time, their potential birth order (does not seem entirely correct though – e.g., Willis Chandler), and the daughters’ spouses.

Widow Mary Chandler's signature from the 1792 Chancery Court document

In a response to the bill exhibited against her, the widow Mary Chandler sent to the court a document acknowledging that she was the mother of Robert Chandler's youngest five children. She said the "she is executrix of the will of her late husband Robert Chandler deceased that the complainants are the legatees under the said will  - that the said William Chandler, Hartwell Chandler, Willis Chandler, Diana Roberts, and Christiania Eastham are the five youngest children of the said testator Robert Chandler by this respondent."  That appears to mean that Robert Chandler's older children named in this bill - Ruth Compton, John Chandler, Mary Glass, Elizabeth Yates, Martha Prewitt, and Gilduroy Chandler - were not her children but must have been Robert Chandler's children with a previous wife.  However in another court document related to the bill, she states "to my five youngest children" which appears to merely indicate all the children of Robert Chandler are hers and she singles out the five youngest because Robert Chandler referred to them similarly in his will as "my five youngest children."

The suit was won by the defendant, the Robert Chandler widow Mary Chandler.  In the outcome, widow Mary Chandler was allotted her dower and distributed her 1/3 share of the Robert Chandler estate.  Furthermore, the Robert Chandler children were given entitlement to their legacies after all debts were paid.  In the meantime, an inventory and valuation was conducted on 1 November 1792 and then brought to Halifax County court on 28 January 1793.

Inventory of items from the 1792 Robert Chandler plantation

A 14 December 1792 deed named WC, his brother Hartwell Chandler, his brother-in-law Edward Eastham (new wife of Christiana Chandler), and his other brother-in-law Thomas Roberts (new wife of Diana Chandler).  These men gave up all claims to the increase of a “Negro wench” named Sall (from the 1792 – 55 year old female).  On the receiving end of the deed was older brother William Chandler (Halifax County, VA Deeds, Volume 6, Deed Book 15, page 101).  Father Robert Chandler’s will had sent the slave Sall to Hartwell and her daughter Suke (seems likely to have been “Suck” from 1792 will) to Christiana.

In 1792 and 1793, WC likely began to develop his own plantation.  He had received land and slaves from his father’s will and set to work.  He was not married but had support from many cousins, uncles, brothers, brothers-in-law, and friends.  In 1793, WC was about 22.

The Robert Chandler widow Mary Chandler continued to deal with legal actions through 1793.  WC’s older brother John Chandler owed brother-in-law Thomas Roberts 17 pounds, 10 shillings.  Roberts addressed the issue at a Halifax County court meeting.  The Halifax County sheriff could not locate John Chandler to demand the payment (the deed stated he had left the county).  Therefore, the Halifax County court demanded that widow Mary Chandler, as executor of the Robert Chandler estate, make payment on the note.  She paid Thomas Roberts 10 pounds, 10 shillings.  John Chandler inherited the Robert Chandler home plantation, according to the Robert Chandler will.  Since the widow Mary Chandler was likely there too (since she was awarded her 1/3 right of the estate), she would have assumed responsibility for John Chandler’s debt (which was probably related to the estate).  The widow Mary Chandler was involved in another 1793 Halifax County court case brought by plaintiff Alexander Hayes.  William Roberts (possibly related to Thomas Roberts?) came to court for widow Mary Chandler and pledged he would make sure she obeyed the court on the promise that she would be jailed if she did not.

A youthful Hartwell Chandler wrote a will on 7 June 1797.  He was only about 19 years old and had no family other than brothers and sisters.  He began his will by noting his perception of his own health – he felt that he was in “perfect health of body and perfect mind.”  Hartwell Chandler left all his assets to his “well beloved brother Willis” and made him also the executor of his will (Halifax Will Book volume 3).  Since no brothers appeared to have stayed in Halifax County, Hartwell Chandler looked to his older brother WC for support and guidance.

At about age 26, WC purchased 230 acres in Halifax County, Virginia on 28 January 1797 for 100 pounds.  The land was purchased from brother-in-law Edward Eastham.  Eastham and his wife Christiana Chandler-Eastham had sold their Halifax County land and were moving (or had recently moved) to Rockingham County, Virginia.  The deed was recorded in Halifax County, Virginia court on 24 July 1797 (Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 17, page 213, FHL31887).

1798 Halifax County Personal Tax Record A

WC was taxed in Halifax County during 1798.  The tax record notes that WC and little brother Hartwell Chandler were taxed together.  Their tax record noted 2 titheables (white males over 21, which were WC and Hartwell), 7 slaves, and 6 horses.  Both men were unmarried and life appeared to be all about building a successful plantation.  WC may have decided to prepare a quality home to attract the attention of successful Halifax County men looking for suitors to marry their daughters.  They did appear to live near their mother (or maybe she was step-mother) widow Mary Chandler (probably because all the Chandler land was connected).  WC and Hartwell Chandler appeared to have been the only Robert Chandler sons still living in Halifax County.  Brother Gilderoy Chandler was in Gloucester County.  Brothers John Chandler and William Chandler were not taxed in Halifax County (1 John and 2 Williams were taxed in 1798 but these were not the brothers).

Throughout the 1790s, some important historical occurrences would have been well known to WC.  In 1791, the Bill of Rights was passed.  In 1792, President George Washington was elected president for a second term, served for four more years, and then passed the torch to John Adams, who became the second president.  Three states were added to the original 13.  And then in December 1799, General and President George Washington, every American’s hero, died at his home in Virginia.

As the eighteenth century ended, WC aged toward his 30th birthday.  He did not marry (no marriage is known, no children) and held large tracts of land.  He was the son of a plantation owner and kinsman of many plantation owners in the region.  WC owned many slaves (at least 7, 1798 tax) and with large tracts of land, WC was certainly a plantation owner himself (later documentation as a farmer and planter).  His work developing a successful plantation may have limited his interest in initiating family life.  However, the nineteenth century would begin a new chapter for WC.  A family was soon to begin.

Note:  Several alternate marriages have been reported for WC.  First, WC is often said to have married a Polly Hill on 6 July 1791.  The original source is unknown and therefore discredited until evidence can substantiate this claim.  However, this is believed to have been his brother William Chandler’s wife.  A marriage between William Chandler and Betsy Roberts (who was possibly related to Thomas Roberts – WC’s brother-in-law) was recorded in Halifax County on 30 June 1792.  Many have superimposed William with Willis however – these were two different men.  Another marriage was reported in genealogies between William Chandler and Betsy Roberts on 30 June 1800.  The source is unknown and therefore not credible at this time.  A final record offering confusion is a marriage recorded between William Chandler and Polly Harris in Patrick County, Virginia on 10 September 1809.  This marriage appears completely unrelated to Willis.

The 1800 Virginia US census was lost when the British burned much of Washington D.C. in 1814.  More than likely, it would have shown WC running a plantation as a single male.  His brother Hartwell Chandler was probably there with him.  They seemed to have pooled their assets and were operating a large tobacco business (WC, like his father Robert Chandler, later had large amounts of tobacco in his will inventory).  Prior to the Civil War, Halifax County was consistently the largest tobacco producing county and largest slave-holding county in Virginia.

WC was a witness for a deed dated 27 April 1800 between Thomas Wilborne and Elijah Harris (Halifax Co VA deed book 18, pages 447-448, recorded 3 October 1800).  The deed was in reference to a land sale for 65 acres on Difficult Creek, adjoining various men including Reverend Thomas Dobson, the pastor of Hunting Creek Baptist Church.  Other witnesses, denoting potential neighbors and friends, were Jonathan Vasse, James Hill, and James Eastham (WC sister Christiana Chandler married an Eastham).

Thomas Jefferson (left) won the presidential election of 1800 over John Adams (right).

During November 1800, the fourth United States Presidential election votes were cast.  Virginia men were allowed to vote if they owned 1) 100 acres of unsettled land, or 2) 25 acres of improved land.  WC and Hartwell Chandler both qualified and cast votes (Halifax deed book 18, page 461-468, Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly).  Federalist Party candidate and then President John Adams ran against Democratic Party and then Vice President Thomas Jefferson.  The vote back in 1796 had been very close between Adams and Jefferson.  This election was different.  Jefferson carried nine states and Adams held seven.  Jefferson won every county in Virginia.  Halifax County votes were greater than 90 percent in favor of Jefferson.  We can surmise that WC and Hartwell must have been supporters of Thomas Jefferson for president.

A view of Difficult Creek near the Chandler land locations.

WC began courting a daughter of William Hill around early 1802.  William Hill lived somewhere near Difficult Creek (unknown location, name association with others in the Difficult Creek area like brother James Hill).  Hill’s wife was Martha Dobson, possibly a daughter or relative of Reverend Thomas Dobson.  Rebecca Hill was born between 1775 and 1785 (1820 census points to 1775 to 1794 but her age in 1802 must have been at least 16 or 17, 1780 appears to be a long established guess from previous family historians).  According to the 1789 Halifax County tax record, William Hill was connected with James Hill (his estate noted in the tax record, adjoining William Hill), probably his father.  In 1798, William Hill was taxed in Halifax County living next to the widow Elizabeth Hill (wife of James Hill, deceased) and owned 1 slave and had 5 horses.  Nearby was James Hill, probably William Hill’s brother, who owned 5 slaves and 1 horse.  WC’s older brother William Chandler had married Rebecca Hill’s older sister Mary “Polly” Hill over 10 years before in 1791.

Note: Other’s believe WC’s mother-in-law Martha Dobson-Hill’s actual surname was Dodson or Dudgeon.  There was a Richard Dudgeon in Lunenburg County and his will was addressed in a 1784 Charlotte County Chancery Record.  The will supposedly claimed his daughter was Martha and she was married to William Hill (I have not seen the record).  The Richard Dudgeon children were in Halifax County.  A deeper exploration could more conclusively identify Martha’s true surname.

A Virginia map, dated 1804, identifies the old courthouse location at Crystal Hill (left red dot) and the approximate location of the WC plantation (right red dot).

WC was a witness for a deed back in October 1800 that further ties WC to Hills and Dobsons.  Thomas Wilborne sold 65 acres to Elijah Harris on Difficult Creek (deed filed in Halifax County court 27 April 1801).  The land was adjoining Benjamin Perkins (WC received land in father’s will at Benjamin Perkin’s Ford) and Thomas Dobson.  The deed was witnessed by both WC and James Hill (connected to his future wife Rebecca Hill).

On 19 June 1802, WC was at the Halifax County Courthouse and got permission to marry Rebecca Hill (Halifax Co VA marriage records, book 1).  The record noted consent for the union would be given by Rebecca Hill’s father William Hill.  WC’s brother Hartwell Chandler was surety.  The next day – 20 June 1802 – WC and Rebecca Hill were married (Mary Eugenia King Province bible, owner Mrs. Vernon Gomez of Austin TX, from “Virginia Bible Records” by J. H. Austin) by the Reverend Thomas Dobson, pastor at Hunting Creek Baptist Church (and probably grandfather of Rebecca Hill).  Hunting Creek was just north of the Difficult Creek headwaters and the Hunting Creek Baptist Church operated at Dobson’s Meetinghouse.  Dobson, sometimes called Elder Dobson, built his meetinghouse prior to 1791 in a small vineyard.  He “willingly worked and will, ere long, find his reward, according to the deeds done in the body.  He was “esteemed by his neighbors of every description” and was “a man of gravity, sincerity, and usefulness” (A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia, 1810).

Note: Reverend Thomas Dobson had been associated with the Chandlers and Roberts (married with Chandlers) in various records since 1795 or before.

The Brandon Plantation home built circa 1800 in Halifax County.  The addition on the right was added several decades later. This is what the WC plantation home probably resembled.

Family histories note that the widow Mary Chandler, wife of the deceased Robert Chandler, died in 1802.  Another family historian noted that Mary Chandler was still alive in 1802.  Neither of these provide sources as evidence of these assertions and therefore accuracy is suspect.  Mary Chandler signed her son (assumed) Hartwell Chandler’s will as a witness in 1797.  According to Robert Chandler’s supplementary probate documents in 1798, Mary Chandler was still alive and continued to serve as executrix.  And, the 1803 probate record of her son Hartwell Chandler’s will stated that the same witnesses for the 1797 will were present for the presentation of the will in late June 1803.  No will or associated probate documents are found in Halifax County records (full search of index for Mary Chandler documents yielded no results).  In 1803, Robert Chandler’s widow Mary Chandler brought a case to Halifax County court against John Tunstall (nothing else known of the case, Chandler’s son John Chandler married a Tunstall in 1775).  So it seems that she was still alive in 1803!

Note: The Chandler Bible Record, found on familysearch.org (an original manuscript containing seven leaves was donated by Elizabethine Mullette Gaultney of Brentwood, Tennessee) notes that Mary Chandler, wife of Robert Chandler, died in 1813. I have only seen the transcription and not the original.  I am inclined to believe this is an accurate date but it is only an assumption.

WC and Rebecca Hill-Chandler had a son quickly after their marriage.  Their first son was born in 1803 (census records point to 1802 or 1803).  Since the marriage took place in June 1802, the birth must have been 1803 – as early as late April or May (unless Rebecca was pregnant at the time of the marriage).  About the same time, WC’s younger brother and seemingly closest family member, Hartwell Chandler died.  His will was presented in Halifax County court in June 1803 and so his death was probably in April or May 1803.  WC named his first son Hartwell Chandler, to honor his younger brother either just before his death or just after.

A Virginia map, dated 1814, shows the location of the new court house on Bannister River (left red dot), the old court house on Terrible Creek (upper left red dot), and the approximate location of the WC plantation on Difficult Creek (right red dot).  The distances seem a bit off on this map.

Throughout the first decade of the nineteenth century, WC’s family grew in accordance with his plantation.  The 1810 Halifax County, Virginia Census (and several other Virginia counties) was destroyed when the British burned Washington D.C. in 1814 (the same fire that destroyed the 1790 and 1800 census records) during the War of 1812.  The WC family may have looked something like this in 1810 (estimate birth ranges based on the actual 1810 census form and ages from future census records and vital records):

M26-44           WC (about 39)

F26-44             Rebecca Hill-Chandler (about 30)

M0-9               Hartwell Chandler (about 7)

F0-9                 Rowena Chandler (about 6)

M0-9               Willis Chandler (about 5)

M0-9               Robert Chandler (about 4)

M0-9               Standfield Chandler (about 2)

M0-9               Malachi Chandler (about 0)

Slaves              about 40 (based on 7 in 1798 and 73 in 1820)

Note: Some of these estimates I am sure about and others, not quite so much.  The name of Willis Chandler Jr., obviously, is the namesake of WC.  And the next child Robert Chandler was named in honor of WC’s father.  I am not sure where Malachi comes from.  I am also not sure if Willis Chandler Jr. is placed in the right birth position.  In “Chandler Bible Records” found on familysearch.org, an original manuscript containing seven leaves was donated by Elizabethine Mullette Gaultney of Brentwood, Tennessee.  The manuscript apparently details records from a family bible in the possession Rush Chandler Haley (as of 1979) of College Grove, Tennessee.  The bible was published in 1816 Brattleborough, Vermont.  I have not seen the original bible but the transcription places the Chandler children (no parents) in the following order (no dates but apparently dates exist in the bible as the transcription states births between 1802 and 1825) – Hartwell, Rowena, Willis, Robert, Standfield, Malachi, Diana, Gilda Loy, John J., Monroe, Jerome, Crotus C., and Rebecca.  The transcription also notes many other Chandler and Davidson relatives.  I am trying to get access to that record!

No records associated with WC are currently known for the decade between 1810 and 1820 (though they likely exist in Halifax County records – I have not seen those).  In 1820, WC’s family is enumerated in the Halifax County census record.  Halifax County enumerated slave owners a second time as well.  WC owned 73 slaves in 1820, more than almost every Halifax County plantation owner.  Over the previous 21 years, WC’s slave estate increased from 7 to 73.  The slaves were not named but the number and age ranges were listed as – 3 M45+, 2 F45+, 4 M26-44, 5 F26-44, 9 M14-25, 8 F14-25, 19 M0-13, and 23 F0-13.  These numbers show that WC owned 42 slaves in 1820 between 0 and 13.  Of his slave total, the 1820 census also notes that 28 members of the Chandler household (including slaves) worked in the occupation of agriculture.  Note: If all white males above 16 are included – 2 – and all males above 13 are included – 16 – that number is 18 which means that women and children were certainly included in the field work total.  The WC family appeared as follows (several ages do not fit with the enumeration age range – possibly an error by the census taker or reporter):

M45+              WC (about 49)

F26-44             Rebecca Hill-Chandler (about 40)

M16-17           Hartwell Chandler (about 17) or Willis Chandler (about 15)

F10-15             Rowena Chandler (about 16)

M10-15           Robert Chandler (about 14)

M10-15           Standfield Chandler (about 12)

M10-15           Malachi Chandler (about 10)

F0-9                 Diana Chandler (about 8)

M0-9               Gilderoy Chandler (about 6)

M0-9               John James Chandler (about 5)

M0-9               Monroe Chandler (about 3)

M0-9               Jerome Chandler (about 1)

28 people in household working in agriculture

According to the census enumeration order, WC lived by John Smallman, Garland Hill, Frederick Chandler, Mary Dodson (or Dobson?), Richard Hill, Andrew Smallman, and Ann Roberts.

Interesting that either Hartwell Chandler or Willis Chandler was gone.  Seems likely the child absent in the household was Willis Chandler.  Willis Chandler demonstrated a wanderlust and was seemingly around his family less often than any other WC child (more will be shown). 

The kitchen and slave quarter, built circa 1800, at a plantation home near Halifax County.  Buildings like these and many other types of outbuildings would have surrounded the WC plantation home.

An 1823 Halifax County deed for 352.5 acres on Difficult Creek (under the surname Abbott) pinpoints land belonging to WC.  WC likely owned much land and whether this was the location of his plantation home is unknown.  The deed states the Abbott land boundary begins on Difficult Creek at the mouth of the Double Branch where it empties into the main creek (Difficult Creek), up the same (Difficult Creek or Double Branch?) as it meanders to the mouth of a branch, then up that branch to John Fulkerson (who was connected to the Chandlers), WC, and Daniel Robert’s Mill Pond (he owned land adjoining Mill Creek).  The property was between the Double Branch and Mill Creek, just north of Clay’s Mill and within a mile or two southeast of Crystal Hill.

On 2 December 1823, WC’s oldest daughter Rowena Chandler married John Williams (little is known about John Williams, possibly the son of plantation owner James Williams of Halifax County).  They quickly had a daughter Maria Elizabeth Williams, born about 1824 or 1825.  This was the first granddaughter of WC and his wife Rebecca Hill-Chandler.

WC’s son Monroe Chandler died in 1826 (according to the Chandler Bible Record, found on familysearch.org).  Monroe is estimated to have been about 9 years old.  No other information is available about his death however the family seems to have attempted to honor his memory.  Rowena Chandler had a second daughter about 1826 or 1827 and named her Rebecca Monroe Williams (after mother and deceased brother).  On 2 December 1827, Hartwell Chandler married Elizabeth Chappell at Halifax County and would name his first child James Monroe Chandler (born about 1830 to 1835). 

Son-in-law John Williams, husband of Rowena Chandler-Williams, died about 1827 (1845 Rowena Chandler-Williams-Edington petition in Mississippi).  At only about 23 years of age, Rowena would raise her young daughters as a widow for many years before marrying again. 

WC’s son Willis Chandler must have left Halifax County by or during the 1820s.  He may have paved the way for the eventual migration of his brothers and sisters.  Willis was absent from his father’s census enumeration in 1820 when he would have been about 15.  At that time he was either living somewhere else in Halifax County or had run away to satisfy his yearning to see more.  In 1830 he was again missing, was about 25 and is not found in any location within the US census as the head of a household.

A slave quarter at the Chester Plantation in Halifax County.  WC likely had many of these outbuildings to support about 75 slaves on his tobacco plantation.

WC and members of his biological and plantation family were once again enumerated in the 1830 Unites States census.  A total of 74 slaves lived on WC’s plantation: 4 males 55-100, 2 females 55-100, 1 males 36-54, 3 females 36-54, 9 males 24-35, 12 female 24-35, 9 males 10-23, 11 female 10-23, 12 males less than 10, and 11 females less than 10.  WC’s slave labor had remained roughly the same over the previous 10 years – rising from 73 to 74.  This number was interesting to note as WC had 23 new slaves born within that time.  This would imply that about 22 slaves died, were moved to work relatives, or were sold.  The WC plantation was the home of nine members of the WC family.  They appear to have been:

M50-60           WC (about 59)

F30-39             Rebecca Hill-Chandler (about 50)

M20-29           Robert Chandler (about 24)

M20-29           Standfield Chandler (about 22)

M20-29           Malachi Chandler (about 20)

F15-19             Diana Chandler (about 18)

M10-14           Jerome Chandler (about 11)

M5-9               Erastus Chandler (about 7)

F5-9                 Rebecca Jane Chandler (about 5)        

Missing from the WC household were WC’s oldest three children – Hartwell, Rowena, and Willis Chandler.  Additionally, two of WC’s young boys were absent from his home.  From the census record, the two missing boys must have been Gilderoy Chandler (Male 15-19; about 16) and John James Chandler (Male 15-19; about 15).  They appear to have been living with their older siblings in homes nearby.  Note: Jerome Chandler (age 11) must have been the son present with WC because of his assumed age (10-14) compared to his brothers who were older (15-19). 

Son Hartwell Chandler lived near WC (1830 census).  He was about 27 years old (20 to 29) and one young male lived with him age 15 to 19.  This must have been his younger brother Gilderoy Chandler (about 16) or John James Chandler (about 15).  Hartwell Chandler must have gotten a start on his own plantation since he owned 12 slaves.  Interestingly this group of slaves included only 2 males 10-23 and 2 males 24-35 - and 5 females 10-23.  Note: Hartwell Chandler had a son James Monroe Chandler according the WC’s 1836 will.  Hartwell Chandler was married in 1827 but no wife is present in the 1830 census).  In 1840, Hartwell was married and appeared to have a son and daughter born 1830 to 1835.  So his wife was either missing from the census or she had died and he married again about 1832.  Legend states his son, sometimes incorrectly noted as Monan (misreading in WC’s will), died young but that is incorrect because WC provided for him in his 1836 will.

Rowena (enumerated as Roena) Chandler-Williams lived nearby her father WC (1830 census).  She was widow at about 26 years old (20 to 29) and had two WC granddaughters 0-4 and 5-9.  Also in the Rowena Chandler-Williams home was a male 15 to 19 which must have been another WC son, either Gilderoy Chandler (about 16) or John James Chandler (about 15).  WC must have sent his two young sons to live with Hartwell and Rowena.

Daughter Diana Chandler was about 21 on 5 June 1833 when she married Dr. Thomas Johnson in Halifax County.   Very little is known about Dr. Johnson’s past.  He was a good bit older than Diana at about 34 years and may have been living with two adult women (unknown relation) in 1830 Halifax County (according to the 1830 Census). 

At only about 54 years of age, WC’s wife Rebecca Hill-Chandler died on 30 March 1834 (Mary Eugenia King Province bible, owner Mrs. Vernon Gomez of Austin TX, from “Virginia Bible Records” by J. H. Austin).  Her youngest daughter had not reached the age of 10 when she expired.  However, Rebecca was able to see several of her children marry but sadly left many young grandchildren without a grandmother Chandler.  At about age 63, WC would not marry again since he had the help of many slaves and other family members to take care of him, his young children, and the WC tobacco plantation. 

A Virginia map showing more details of Difficult Creek and Halifax County road systems of 1827.  WC’s land is believed to have been in the circled area.

Another Virginia map (1827 Herman Boye 1827) that showed Halifax County roads with mills (red), county towns (blue), churches (green), and colleges/academies (yellow).

WC’s plantation lands, no matter how large, would eventually succumb to diminished productivity.  Harmful tobacco agricultural practices wreaked havoc on the soil over time.  Tobacco growth turned fertile fields of rich earth to useless and unproductive farmland over time for even the largest land owners.  Additionally, tobacco demand from Europe steadily waned in the early 1800s, dropping prices and profits.  WC children interested in continuing as prosperous and rich plantation owners were forced to look elsewhere for profit and success.  To the southwest, Mississippi offered the best opportunity – available land, cheap prices, rich soil, and a more profitable business.  Cotton.

According to an online article about a Chandler slave Silas Chandler, the author notes that WC, his wife Rebecca, five sons, and two daughters moved to Mississippi in 1839 (incorrect information).  Though this assertion is not true according to existing documents and records, the article does provide some insight into the Chandler’s movement and is therefore not completely incorrect (http://www.isnare.com/encyclopedia/User:Soulbrosampson/Silas_Chandler).  The 1831 Dancing Rabbit Creek Treaty gave the United States full access to Choctaw land in Mississippi.  A vast majority of the 19,000 Choctaw were then removed to the Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.  Between 1831 and 1833, 13,000 Choctaw moved and throughout the 1830s, the remaining Choctaw were forcibly sent west. 

Silas Chandler’s (from the above noted document) family stated that the WC family received land in West Point, Mississippi (Chickasaw County in the 1830s) from the federal government as a result of the Dancing Rabbit Creek Treaty signed with the Choctaw Indians.  The treaty opened up land in central Mississippi in 1831 and (according to the Silas Chandler article) settlers won plots of land in a lottery (have not seen any information related to a land lottery at this time).  The article also notes the WC plantation grew from 320 acres to 1280 acres (this has also not been seen or verified). 

A US map, dated 1836, shows roads in the southern states.  The Chandlers would have journeyed to Columbus, Mississippi by avoiding the mountains.  They would have traveled about 600 miles across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama.

By 1834, but possibly earlier, WC’s children began a slow, gradual exodus from Virginia.  Sons Willis Chandler Jr. (about 29) and Robert Chandler (about 28) appeared in Lowndes County, Mississippi in 1834 (Lowndes County, Mississippi tax records, neither were reported in the 1831 or 1833 – no 1832 exists).  They were listed side by side in the tax records, each reporting one white poll (themselves).  Willis Chandler Jr. paid taxes on 10 slaves and Robert Chandler reported none.  These slaves may have served both men (they alternated paying taxes for them in the next few years) as they developed a possible cotton growing business (tax records later report cotton production).  Sister Rowena Chandler-Williams joined her brothers by 1835 (1845 Rowena Chandler MS court document, presented farther below, and the Dodenhoff Chandler history, 1969) but was not listed in the 1834 or 1835 tax record (she may have been living with her brothers or someone else if she arrived earlier).  Rowena would not have traveled alone with her two young daughters and therefore, Willis and/or Robert may have escorted her during treks between Virginia and Mississippi (or maybe she accompanied her brothers on their original move to Mississippi).  When Rowena arrived in Mississippi, she probably lived with her brothers (she also was not listed in the 1836 tax record). 

In 1835 and 1836, Willis Chandler Jr. and Robert Chandler were taxed again in Lowndes County (Willis paid taxes on slaves but Robert would pay taxes on 10 slaves in 1836).  Rowena Chandler-Williams was not found in Lowndes County tax records during these years.  Two other Chandler siblings would soon follow but they appear to have been in Halifax County in 1836 when their father WC wrote his will (he specifically left the entire estate to only his children who seemed to have remained in his care).  Other WC children appeared to have had no intention to leave Virginia.   Hartwell Chandler and Diana Chandler-Johnson were married and raising families near their father in Halifax County in 1836.

WC wrote his will in Halifax County, Virginia on 1 September 1836 and gave several children very meager proportions – Hartwell, Rowena, Willis, Robert (called Robin in the will), and Diana – in most cases they were to keep a slave they already had in their possession at the time.  Beyond these few slaves, WC left the rest of his entire estate to be divided among six specifically named children – Standfield, Kyle, Gilderoy, John James, Erastus, and Rebecca Jane.  Leaving the estate to only these six children was presumably done because they were probably still living with him in 1836.  Son Hartwell Chandler is known to have had a large estate and probably already had been given land and other means to start his own tobacco plantation.  WC appointed his sons Hartwell and Standfield to be his executors.   Two sons older than Standfield Chandler – Willis Chandler Jr. and Robert Chandler – were bypassed as executors because they had left Halifax County and were not nearby.

The location of Plymouthtown in an 1838 Mississippi map. The early settlement was situated on the west bank of the Tombigbee River, directly across the river from Columbus, the site of a Mississippi Land Office.

A fourth WC child appeared in Mississippi by 1837.  Kyle Chandler journeyed south with a new group of slaves, presumably for working their growing cotton plantations.  He brought 16 slaves (age 6 to 59) to Lowndes County.  Robert Chandler paid taxes for 5 slaves (age 6 to 59).  Willis Chandler Jr. had disappeared (probably to Alabama, he was later in Franklin County, Alabama for the 1840 census) and had probably taken half the slaves he held with Robert Chandler in Mississippi (10 in 1834 to 1836).  Robert Chandler also paid taxes for what is believed to be two other white polls.  Note: White polls were males 21 and older.  Robert Chandler was noted in the tax record three times, paying $.37 ½ each time for a white poll and one of those included tax on 5 slaves at total $3.50 – these two whites polls are assumed to have been brothers Kyle Chandler and Erastus Chandler). 

The 1837 Mississippi State Census (first year this was conducted and every four years for next eight years) enumerations show Robert and Kyle Chandler (enumerated together as “Robert & Kyle Chandler”) living near Plymouthtown, Lowndes County while their sister Rowena Chandler-Williams (enumerated Rosana Williams) lived in the town (only 17 heads of family were listed there).  As noted earlier, Rowena Chandler-Williams is reported to have been in Mississippi by 1835.  In 1837 (according to the census) she paid taxes, which included taxation on 2 slaves.  Note: She may have come with brother Kyle Chandler this year and 1835 may have been misreported. Living with Rowena was her two young daughters.  The census record for Robert and Kyle Chandler notes 15 male slaves and 15 female slaves (30 total compared with taxes on 21 between 6 and 59, that means 9 were under 6 or older than 59).  They reported having 100 acres and may have had more since the census only required notation of cultivated land as of 1834 (cultivated by them or someone else?).  They also produced 50 bales of cotton in 1836 (specific census category).  Also with the brothers was a male 0 to 17 (3 total males were included in the home of “Robert & Kyle Chandler”).  This may have been their brother Erastus Chandler who was about 14 at the time.  His older brothers may have allowed him to come help develop the cotton plantations, knowing that his future was to be in Mississippi cotton within just a few years.

Kyle Chandler was also in Halifax County, Virginia in September 1837.  On 19 September 1837, he married Paulina Petty of Halifax County.  Paulina married into a well-established and noteworthy plantation family and would be forced to acquiesce to the plantation first policy.  His marriage did not last long.  By 1840, Kyle Chandler’s wife was not living with him in Mississippi (he would not remarry until 1851).  Either she died between 1837 and 1840 or she was left in Virginia for safety and comfort.  The hardships of Mississippi, such as lack of medical treatment, may have been too much to overcome.  A potential cause of death may have also been child birth complications.  Note: Kyle Chandler may not have actually been in Mississippi until after his marriage.  Maybe he brought his wife and younger brother Erastus Chandler to Mississippi and then paid taxes.

Note: According to the Mary Eugenia King Province bible (owner Mrs. Vernon Gomez of Austin TX, from “Virginia Bible Records” by J. H. Austin), Kyle Chandler was noted to have moved to Mississippi in 1842.   Since Kyle was in Mississippi in 1837 (Mississippi tax and state census) and 1840 (Mississippi Census), this was not entirely true.  However, Kyle may have been there only temporarily and then moved permanently with family in 1842 (the 1840 census reported that he was living alone).  The bible also states that “Jane and Rowe (Rowena) moved to Mississippi.”

Kyle Chandler was again taxed in Lowndes County for the year 1838.  He maintained the same number of 16 slaves age 6 to 59 and also paid a luxury tax on a pleasure carriage worth $150.  Robert Chandler was not taxed in Lowndes County (he was not taxed in Oktibbeha or Chickasaw either, counties he would be associated with later).  Rowena Chandler-Williams also was absent from tax records.  Note: The man Rowena would marry (reported to be in 1839) – Philip Edington – was taxed in Lowndes County in 1838.  Could the 1839 marriage date have been misreported and the marriage taken place in 1838?  Note: Kyle Chandler paid taxes in Lowndes County again in 1839 but he reported no slaves.  Robert Chandler was missing again in 1839 (not in Oktibbeha or Chickasaw) as was Philip Edington.

Though Robert Chandler did not pay taxes in 1838 (according to tax records) he was still associated with Mississippi.  On 16 June 1838, a land transaction deed was recorded in Oktibbeha County for what was noted as land in Lowndes County.  The specific location was township 16 south, range 6 east, section 32, which appears to have been in the extreme northwest corner of Lowndes County bordering Oktibbeha County (actually seems to be more in the northeast corner of Oktibbeha County, what would later be Clay County).  Both the seller (Thomas W. B. Moore, extensive land holder) and Robert W. Chandler were listed as “of Lowndes County.”  Note: There are certainly other Chandler transactions in county court records.  This was noted online and I have not actually seen the records.  Note: Robert also made a land entry near this time (he was issued a grant in 1841 and timing would mean an entry must have been made at least three years in advance for survey and processing).  Robert Chandler was noted in the grant as “of Lowndes County” which was probably based on his home at the time of the entry.  The tract was 40.21 acres at township 14 south, range 7 east, section 5 in Attala County. Maybe this was why he was missing from tax records – he was looking for other locations for cotton production?

Widow Rowena Chandler-Williams had been in Mississippi for about four years in 1839 (if she was indeed in Mississippi in 1835).  With her were her two children from John Williams (deceased in circa 1827) and 13 slaves that came from her father WC.  In April 1839, 34 year old Rowena married Philip Edington in Lowndes County, Mississippi (marriage year noted in a secondary record, may not be accurate).  Edington was several years younger than Rowena at about 32.  He was from Virginia.  In the 1840 census, Rowena was living in Lowndes County, Mississippi with her new husband and her two Williams daughters (10-15).  The family was served by 13 slaves, again presumably from Rowena through her father WC.

Back in Halifax County, Virginia, the 1840 US Census noted the WC family dynamic and the group of slaves he owned (1840 Virginia Census).  According to the census record, only six family members lived in WC’s household along with 61 total slaves.  This total demonstrates a 13 slave reduction from the previous decade (even though 21 slave children had been born in the last ten years).  WC had obviously given slaves to his children (or they had died).  The 61 slaves he owned included 1 male 55-100, 1 female 55-100, 3 males 36-55, 10 females 36-55, 6 males 24-36, 9 females 24-36, 4 males 10-24, 6 females 10-24, 10 males under 10, and 11 females under 10.  Note: the number of slaves could have been an estimate from a neighbor and therefore underrepresented since WC’s family ages do not seem to be correct either.

M60-69           WC (about 69) (Note: wife Rebecca deceased)

M20-29           ? (must have been Standfield Chandler, about 32)

M20-29           John James Chandler (about 25)

M10-14           ? (must have been Erastus Chandler, about 17)

F10-14             ? (must have been Rebecca Chandler, about 15)

M10-14           ? (could this have been grandson James Monroe Chandler?)

What happened to WC son Jerome Chandler?

The only evidence that WC had a son named Jerome Chandler was the Chandler Bible Record, found on familysearch.org (an original manuscript containing seven leaves was donated by Elizabethine Mullette Gaultney of Brentwood, Tennessee).  Jerome was in the 1820 and 1830 census report (identified by gender and age range), but appears to be missing from the 1840 census.  Jerome was also not mentioned in the 1836 WC will or subsequent probation documents.  So, Jerome died between 1830 and 1836, between the age of 11 and 17.  Maybe the 1836 WC will was written to reassign assets after his son’s death?  Maybe another reason for that WC will was to reallocate assets based on some Chandler children moving to Mississippi, and whom had probably received their portion of the WC will early.

A Halifax County map, circa 1850, showing the location of Dr. Thomas Johnson (husband of Diana Chandler-Johnson) just north of the Chandler land on Difficult Creek

In 1840, WC’s son Hartwell Chandler was in Halifax County living as a widower with his son James Monroe Chandler (10 to 14 years old) and 21 slaves.  WC’s daughter Diana Chandler-Johnson (wife of Dr. Thomas Johnson) was probably in Halifax County but not in her own home (she had a son born in Virginia circa 1840 and was in Halifax County in 1850, Thomas Johnson not found in the 1840 Census).  The remaining WC children who were not identified in the WC household were living away from Virginia.  Son Willis Chandler was living in Franklin County, Alabama (Male 30 to 40, about 35 years old) with a female who appears to have been his wife (age 20 to 30) and seven slaves.  Daughter Rowena Chandler-Williams-Edington was in Lowndes County, Mississippi with her new husband Philip Edington and Rowena’s two children.  Son Gilderoy Chandler had at that time arrived in Mississippi, the fifth WC child to do so, and was living beside his brother Kyle Chandler in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi.  They were both living alone yet were joined in their households by their slaves (Gilderoy had 14 slaves and Kyle had one slave).  Note: Did Gilderoy assume responsibility for Kyle’s 16 slaves that he was taxed on in 1838?  Finally, son Robert Chandler (still living alone) also was in Oktibbeha County (from Lowndes County) but was enumerated much farther away from his brothers.

Note: Son Kyle Chandler was enumerated in Oktibbeha County for the 1840 census but was taxed the same year in Lowndes County, Mississippi.  Similar to the census record, he did not have control of the slaves he was taxed on in 1838 (he was taxed for 0 slaves in 1840).  Gilderoy Chandler appeared on the Oktibbeha County tax record and only paid taxes for 8 slaves.  Robert Chandler was not found in any Mississippi tax record (that I can find).

WC’s son Willis Chandler was in Franklin County, Alabama, for the 1840 census, about 70 miles northeast of Lowndes County, Mississippi as shown on the map above (highlighted in black leading northeast from Lowndes County).

Were the other Lowndes County Chandlers Connected to Halifax County?

Two other Chandler families appear in early Lowndes County, Mississippi records.  John S. Chandler arrived in Mississippi sometime after 1832 from Virginia with a young wife and family.  This Chandler was originally from North Carolina (census records, born circa 1802) and therefore was almost certainly unrelated to the Halifax County Chandlers (at least not close relatives).  John S. Chandler was a planter by profession yet ran his farm without slave labor (according to the 1840 census, planter had traditionally referred to a large amount of land and greater number of slaves).  Gray A. Chandler (sometimes called G. A.) also appeared in Lowndes County before 1840.  This Chandler came from Georgia (born there, circa 1810), was married, had no children, and was the home to slaves (about 10).  He was an agent or commercial merchant in Columbus, Lowndes County on the Tombigbee River.

John James Chandler and his wife Sarah Anne Moore-Chandler later in life

Just before the end of the 1840 year, WC son John James Chandler of Halifax County, Virginia married Susan Anne Moore on 4 December 1840.  The marriage took place in Halifax County which would be their home.  The WC household had now diminished to three children that remained under his care – Standfield Chandler, Erastus Chandler (who appears to have been absent at times with his brothers in Mississippi), and Rebecca Chandler. 

Robert Chandler received a Mississippi land grant in 1841.  The grant was issued from the land office in Columbus, Lowndes County on 27 February 1841 for 40.21 acres located at township 14 north, range 7 east, section 5 (north half of the west half of the southeast quarter) in Attala County.  This tract was southwest of the Oktibbeha County-Lowndes County region he had been associated with for at least eight years.  Whether Robert Chandler used this land or simply resold for a profit is unknown at this time. 

Son Willis Chandler Jr. had been in Franklin County in 1840 (census) and connected with the Hooker family.  In 1840, he lived next to William R. Hooker (who would move to Chickasaw County, Mississippi by 1845 – tax records).  Allen Hooker, brother of William Hooker, had purchased a land tract from the state of Mississippi in the 1830s.  An entry had been submitted by Allen Hooker and afterwards a survey completed (dates unknown, I have not seen them but they must have occurred).  Sometime after the survey, Allen Hooker sold the tract to Willis Chandler Jr.  The tract included an entire section – 158.53 acres – in south central Lowndes County at township 18 north, range 17 east, section 9 (United States GLO Records).  The grant was issued by the land office in Columbus in Lowndes County on 11 March 1842 and Willis Chandler received it sometime soon afterwards.  Note: What Willis Chandler Jr. did with this land is unknown.  Willis Chandler Jr.’s location after 1840 is unknown.

The 1841 Mississippi State Census listed brothers Kyle Chandler, Robert Chandler, and Gilderoy Chandler as residents of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi (the census was conducted in 1837, 1841, and 1845).  However, Gilderoy Chandler’s census was reported as 2-0-0-0 which seems to imply that two white males lived in his household (only record I have found for this census).  Robert Chandler was the only Chandler brother to have been taxed (Chickasaw and Lowndes Counties were also checked but no Chandlers).  He paid taxes for one white poll (meaning no other white men over 21) and six slaves.

Note: An R. Chandler (could have been Robert or Roy) paid taxes in 1841 at Monroe County, Mississippi, just north of Lowndes County.  He paid land tax on 160 acres (value $800) and 9 slaves with one white poll.  He was not in Monroe County before or after this year.

Though county deeds have not been searched for Mississippi counties associated with the Chandlers, one deed was reported on the internet for Gilderoy Chandler.  In 1841, Gilderoy Chandler reportedly purchased 320 acres in Chickasaw County.  This was the first Chandler brother noted in Chickasaw County records.  This purchase did not mean that he was there, just that he purchased land.  The 1841 Mississippi State census reported that Gilderoy Chandler lived in Oktibbeha County.  Gilderoy Chandler later sold this 320 acres to another Chandler brother before 1849 and then in 1849, bought a 640 acre plantation (http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msclay/chandler.html).

Mississippi tax records oddly do not demonstrate tax payment by Chandlers (at least in the counties where they are expected to have been) over the next few years.  From 1842 to 1844, no Chandler were in tax records for Oktibbeha County, Lowndes County, or Chickasaw County (no tax records exist for 1843).  This absence from tax records does not imply they were not there.  Tax records may not have been complete, may have been lost, or maybe, the Chandlers tried cotton planting in other areas (other counties have not been searched, no indexes exist – just lists).

In Halifax County, the WC household continued to shrink.  On 22 February 1844, WC’s 18 year old daughter Rebecca Jane Chandler married William Elbert Moseley.  Rebecca Jane was the youngest WC daughter and surely the marriage was a cause for a large celebration.  WC was about 73 and certainly was involved with the wedding festivities.  The occasion could have encouraged her Chandler brothers and sisters, both near and far, to journey to the ceremony and celebration.  WC was aging and any excuse for the Chandler children to return home to the WC plantation would have been welcome.  Did the Mississippi Chandlers return to Virginia for this or any other event?  We will never know but records appear to indicate some movement back and forth (records for a Chandler in Mississippi and then in Virginia).

Rowena Chandler-Williams-Edington and her husband Philip Edington addressed the Vice Chancellor of Mississippi on 15 April 1845 with a need for help (Digital Library on American Slavery, https://library.uncg.edu/slavery/, 1845 petition).  Rowena’s first husband died in 1827 (as stated in the record) and afterwards, her father WC gave her several slaves.  Upon administration of her first husband’s estate, the slaves were not included in the inventory.  Rowena remained a widow in Halifax County, Virginia and was supported by the slaves her father had given her.  When she moved to Mississippi, the slaves remained in her possession.  And, when she married her new husband Philip Edington in 1839 at Mississippi, the slaves still remained in her possession.  Recently in 1843, Jesse Wintersteen, a tailor, confiscated eight slaves claiming them as part of her deceased husband’s estate.  Note: Wintersteen was about 26 in 1843 and was from Pennsylvania.  He would have been only 10 at the time of John Williams’ death in 1827.  I have not determined the connection.

According to the petition, Rowena and her new husband requested the slaves be returned but Wintersteen refused.  The bill was amended by Philip Edington on 14 May 1845.  Also named in the petition was Rowena’s brothers Willis Chandler Jr. and Robert Chandler.  No result is known of this petition but Wintersteen remained in Chickasaw County and married an Elizabeth (unknown surname) about 1850.  They lived on a farm with four slaves and had no children in 1850 (not found in 1860).  Philip Edington owned five slaves in 1850 Oktibbeha County, Mississippi (but 16 in 1860).

Note: This source notes that Rowena did not marry between her first husband’s death (1827, according to Digital Library on American Slavery 1845 source and Halifax wills) and her marriage to Philip Edington occurred in 1839 (Digital Library on American Slavery 1845 source).

The Mississippi WC boys continued searching for a location to plant permanent roots.  After stops in Lowndes County and Oktibbeha County (according to tax and census records), they arrived in Chickasaw County, Mississippi.  Kyle Chandler, Robert Chandler, and Gilderoy Chandler were enumerated in Chickasaw County for the 1845 Mississippi State Census (no data other than name).  The 1845 Chickasaw County tax records report a bit more information.  Robert Chandler and Gilderoy Chandler lived beside each other (tax list).  Robert Chandler paid taxes on 7 slaves (6 between 5 and 59, 1 between 0 and 4), one clock, and 26 cattle.  Gilderoy (Leroy in tax records) Chandler paid taxes on 13 slaves (9 between 5 and 59, 3 between 0 and 4), one pleasure carriage, and one clock (taxes were not paid and cattle, yet cattle were not taxed unless the tax payer owned more than 20 cattle).  Each reported one white poll (no other adult white males) and Kyle Chandler was not listed in the tax records (that is known).  None of the Chandlers paid land tax.

Note: William R. Hooker had moved from Alabama to Chickasaw County, Mississippi (1845 tax record, 1 white poll, 3 slaves).  WC’s son Willis Chandler Jr. had not accompanied him.  WC son Erastus Chandler would marry the step-daughter of William R. Hooker soon after this time.

Between 1845 and 1850, Robert Chandler, who was about 40 years old or greater, married Jane Pettigrew Dunlap, herself about 30 years of age.  The marriage occurred in Mississippi – probably in Chickasaw County.  Jane Pettigrew Dunlap appears to have been previously married to a Johnson and had at least three children – Sarah Johnson (born circa 1837), Franklin Johnson (born circa 1840), and Mary Johnson (born circa 1845).  Jane’s father Joseph Dunlap and her siblings had been in Chickasaw County since 1841 (state census). 

Who was Joseph Dunlap?

Joseph Dunlap was from South Carolina, born about 1788.  He raised a family in Alabama before moving to Mississippi about 1841 (his last child was born in Alabama circa 1835, he was found in the 1841 Mississippi State Census, and he was not in Mississippi for the 1840 US census).  He settled in eastern Chickasaw County and was a farmer who owned a large group of slaves (about 10).  Brother Standfield Chandler later married Jane’s sister Eliza Edwards Dunlap in Chickasaw County.  Joseph Dunlap’s land adjoined many of the Chandler siblings in Chickasaw County.

In 1846, a sixth WC child had arrived in Mississippi, the first new Chandler to be considered an actual Mississippi resident since 1840.  Erastus Chandler, now about 23 years old, journeyed south from Halifax County, Virginia in a pleasure carriage (taxed in 1846).  He was living in Chickasaw County beside his brothers Gilderoy Chandler and Robert Chandler.  In 1846 Chickasaw County tax records, Gilderoy Chandler paid taxes on 20 slaves, 25 cattle, one pleasure carriage, and one clock.  Robert Chandler was taxed on 31 cattle, eight slaves, and one clock.  Erastus Chandler did not pay taxes on slaves.  Theses Chandlers likely lived somewhere near William R. Hooker, whose step daughter Delphia would soon marry Erastus Chandler.

The WC home about 1847 included the above (from his inventory)

At about age 76, WC died on 10 September 1847 (Mary Eugenia King Province bible, owner Mrs. Vernon Gomez of Austin TX, from “Virginia Bible Records” by J. H. Austin).  At the time of his death, WC’s son Standfield Chandler was probably the only family member still living on the WC plantation.  Two months after his death, WC’s oldest son and executor Hartwell Chandler brought the WC will to the November Halifax County court session for probate (Halifax Co VA probate records).  The date was 22 November 1847 (this was not his death date as is often reported).  WC’s son-in-law Thomas Johnson also was in court the same day to make “himself a party defendant to contest the proof of the [WC] will.”  Johnson was probably concerned for several reasons, such as the age of WC’s written will (completed over 11 years earlier) and how WC divided his estate in the will.

WC’s will was again presented for probate to Halifax County court on 27 December 1847 by executor Hartwell Chandler.  Thomas Johnson was present again and withdrew the opposition he had previously filed.  Securities for the will who present at the courthouse included Thomas Johnson (daughter Diana Chandler’s husband), William E. Moseley (daughter Rebecca Chandler’s husband), James E. Moore (?), and John J. Chandler (son).   Since the will was not being contested, the will was accepted by the court justices and ordered to be filed (Halifax Co VA probate records, will book 21, p 260).

Over the next two years, son Hartwell Chandler and at times, son John James Chandler, reported various documents to the county court related to collection and disbursement of WC assets and money.  On 15 and 16 December 1847, a sale of WC property occurred (Halifax County Probate Records, page 252/474).  Many family members and neighbors purchased items, including John James Chandler, Hartwell Chandler, Thomas Johnson, William E. Moseley (only bought a horse and gear, a brass kettle, and a salt stand), and Standfield Chandler (only a looking glass, the family bible, and hearth tongs, poker, and shovel).  Note: Since those are the only children noted, they must have been in Halifax County and the others absent from the county.  On 1 March 1848, the inventory and appraisement was reported to Halifax County court (Halifax County Probate Records, page 247/471).  An account of additional sales was made 14 March 1848 (sales to Kyle Chandler, Thomas Johnson, John James Chandler, and Hartwell Chandler, Halifax County Probate Records, page 256/476).  And finally, nearly two years of finances were reported to court on 16 November 1849 and 26 January 1850 (Halifax County Probate Records, page 393/476 and 456/576).

Note: Kyle Chandler purchased items in a 14 March 1848 sale which indicates he made a return trip to Halifax County from Mississippi.  He was either married with no children or widowed.

The WC estate was paid about $25 by son Standfield Chandler and William E. Moseley (daughter Rebecca Chandler’s husband) on 15 December 1848 in Halifax County, Virginia.  The payment was on a bond, likely owed to the WC estate from their purchase of items at the previous estate sales.  A bond was a promise to make a future payment after winning an item (or items) at an auction.

After WC’s death, son Hartwell Chandler stayed in Halifax County to run his own large tobacco plantation.  Daughter Diana Chandler-Johnson also stayed in Halifax County since her husband Dr. Thomas Johnson was a doctor and hence comfortable in his endeavors since established communities always needed doctors.  Son John James Chandler also remained in Halifax County and stayed there through the emancipation of the Halifax County slaves. 

Son Standfield Chandler and daughter Rebecca Chandler-Moseley decided almost immediately to leave Halifax County and join their siblings in Mississippi.  Both Standfield and Rebecca were last noted in the WC estate records at Halifax County in December 1848 (payment to WC estate through brother Hartwell Chandler) and were in Mississippi in 1850 (US Mississippi Census).  And so, the seventh and eighth child of WC had arrived in Chickasaw County.  The eight Mississippi WC children are noted below with approximate immigration dates. 

A Clay County, Mississippi Township-Range map.  The green boxes show sections Chandlers and associated families were associated with between 1840 and 1860.   These families all lived within ten miles of each other

Children of Willis and Rebecca Chandler who lived to adulthood (from census, burial, bible, and assorted family histories):

1.      Hartwell Chandler, born about 1802-1803 Halifax Co VA, died between 1850 and 1860 probably Halifax Co VA, married Elizabeth Chappell 18 December 1827 Halifax CO VA and had one child James Monroe Chandler.  Elizabeth died about the time of her son’s birth in 1829 and Hartwell did not marry again.  Hartwell was a large land owner and farmer in Halifax Co VA.

2.      Rowena Chandler, born 1804 (tombstone) Halifax Co VA, died 19 September 1855 MS, married (1) John A Williams on 2 December 1823 Halifax Co VA and had Mary Elizabeth Johnson and Rebecca Johnson (he died circa 1827), married (2) Philip Edington 1839 MS and had Catherine Allena Edington, Rosebud Edington, and Joseph Robert Edington.  Rowena was in Lowndes Co MS as early as 1835.  Buried at Palo Alto, Chandler Cemetery.

3.      Willis Chandler, born 1804-1805 Halifax Co VA, died after 1840, commissioned Justice of the Peace in Franklin Co, AL 1838, was in Franklin Co AL in 1840, bought land in 1842 Lowndes Co MS, unfound in the 1850 census.  There are no white Willis Chandlers born in VA and present in the 1850 to 1870 US census.  A Willis Chandler appeared in Greenville Co, SC by 1842.  Family cannot find him before 1842.  He was noted as a land owner in Greenville Co, SC in 1843.  Married Leanna Campbell.  There were three children: Mary (1837), Sarah (1841), and Pinkney (1842).  These children may or may not have been his (no marriage record).  This Willis Chandler ran a distillery and had about 3 slaves.  His burial dates note birth 28 December 1807 and death 13 February 1887.  Census notes this Willis Chandler was born in Tennessee but nothing is known of his origins.

4.      Robert W. Chandler “Robin” born 1806-1807 Halifax Co VA, died between November 1878-February 1879 Clay County, MS (will probate in Clay County, MS 12 February 1879), married Jane Pettigrew Dunlap 1845-1850 MS and had no children.  Wife buried in Chandler Cemetery, Palo Alto, Clay Co MS (died 11 Feb 1872 buried Palo Alto, Chandler Cemetery).  Was in Lowndes Co MS by 1837 apparently with brother Kyle.  Was then in Oktibbeha Co MS by 1840 and then in Chickasaw Co MS by 1850. Married to Mary C. ? between 1872 and 1880.  Plantation on 240 acres at T16 R5E section 34 (NE1/4) and section 35 (N1/2 or NW1/4).  1872 paid taxes in Oktibbeha County.  Will written 30 November 1876, probate 12 February 1879.  State census in 1860 states his home was at Palo Alto.

5.      Standfield J. Chandler, born 17 June 1808 (tombstone) Halifax Co VA, died 29 May 1883 Lagarto, Like Oak County, TX.  His son Rush had moved to Texas.  After his death, wife Eliza must have moved to TN to be near daughter Sallie (by 1900 – in census, buried at TN).  Married Eliza E. Dunlap 1848/9 and had Sallie Bell, Rush, Alice Finchie, and Rebecca.  Was in Chickasaw Co MS by 1849.  Standfield Chandler taxed on cotton in 1866, his home was Sparta, Mississippi.  Standfield Chandler’s middle name may have also been “I”

6.      Malachi “Kyle” Chandler born 17 March 1810 (tombstone) Halifax Co VA, died 22 November 1878 (tombstone – this may have been Robert Chandler’s death date) or 1860-1870 (wife Sarah was listed as widow in 1870), married (1) Paulina Petty 19 Sep 1837 Halifax Co VA and apparently died by 1840, married (2) Sarah Elizabeth Robertson 24 June 1851 Lowndes Co MS (she was 20 years younger) and had Leo (1854).  Was in Oktibbeha Co MS by 1840 and Chickasaw Co MS by 1848.  Living in Oktibbeha County in 1860.  Not found in 1870 census.  Taxed in 1867 and 1872 at Oktibbeha County.  Buried at Greenwood Cemetery, West Point, Mississippi.  Widow lived at West Point in 1880.

7.      Diana Roberta Chandler, born 1811-1812 Halifax Co VA, died 1860-1870 VA? married Dr. Thomas Johnson of Greenway, Halifax Co VA 5 June 1833 and had one child Willis C. who married Mary Blair Dennis 1861 (Mary Eugenia King Province bible, owner Mrs. Vernon Gomez of Austin TX, from “Virginia Bible Records” by J. H. Austin) Family lived in Halifax Co VA until at least 1860, Dr. Johnson protested her father’s will in 1847 which held up its probate a month until he withdrew the petition – probably because she did not receive much and the rest of the group was in Mississippi and she thought she deserved more.

8.      Gilderoy “Roy” Chandler born 8 March 1814 (tombstone) Halifax Co VA, died 16 May 1854 Chickasaw Co MS, married 1842 TN/MS Louisa Garner and had Andrew Martin, Benjamin S., Kyle F., Virginia and possibly Tim.  Was in Oktibbeha Co MS by 1840 and then Chickasaw Co MS about 1845.  Louisa was taxed in 1866 on cotton.  Her home was Palo Alto, Mississippi.  Was buried at Palo Alto, Chandler Cemetery.

9.      John James Chandler, born 1815-1816 Halifax Co VA, died 1870-1880 VA?, married Susan A. ? about 1842 Halifax Co VA and had Diana J., James W., William B., Susan B., Elizabeth, John M., Mary E., Johannah, Brooksie, and Erastus C.  John was a farmer in Halifax Co VA until at least 1870.

10.  Erastus C. Chandler, born 1823-1824 Halifax Co VA, died 1 July 1862 VA Civil War, married about 1852 Delphia Jane Coats and had Virginia and Mike.  Was in Chickasaw Co MS by 1848. Mother Rebecca Hill-Chandler likely had a brother named Erastus Hill, born in 1790

11.  Rebecca Jane Chandler, born 16 March 1825 (tombstone) Halifax Co VA, died 16 December 1875 Chickasaw County, MS, married William Elbert Moseley 22 February 1844 Halifax Co VA and had Edward A., Willis Elbert, and Laura F.  Was in Chickasaw Co MS by 1850.  Husband WE Moseley died 3 September 1862 at just 42 years old (may have died in Civil War).  Buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Sparta, Mississippi.