Windrow
Family
Richard Windrow and Melinda Anthony
Richard Windrow is still a bit
of a mystery as to his origins and parents. He first shows
up in Virginia records in Louisa County, which is in the
central part of the state. (Click here to see the Virginia animap of county formations.) In
1772, Richard Windroe is listed as a tithable (that is,
someone who has to pay a poll tax) in Trinity Parish on
the north side of the South Anna River. He continues to
show up in Trinity Parish's tithe books until 1782. In
several entries, he appears to live next door to
Christopher Wood, whose will he witnessed in 1790 (Wood
died that same year).
Richard appears to have married Melinda Anthony (also
called Mellinder and Milley in many records), judging from
the ages of some of their children. Son John was born about
1772 (according to his own census records) and appears to
be the eldest. We have the birth dates for Elizabeth,
Nancy, and Henry Brent from the baptismal records of Rev.
William Douglas, who served the St. James Northam parish in
neighboring Goochland County. Because the 1790 and 1800
census enumerations no longer exist, and lacking other
sources at this point, it is difficult to determine more
precisely the ages of the others. It is through the
so-called Douglas Register that we know that Melinda's last
name was Anthony.
In 1801 and again in June 1802, Richard and Milley sold two
parcels of land in Louisa County to John Edwards. In the
first deed (one-quarter acre), Richard and Milley are
joined as grantors by Reuben Edwards; in the second (372
acres), John Windrow is a co-seller. We do not know what
the relationship was between the Windrows and the Edwards
at this point, nor do we yet know when or how they acquired
the land, especially the 372 acres. This obviously bears
further research!
By July 1803, the Windrows had moved to Tennessee; in the
Louisa County record by which Richard granted a mortgage
release to John Edwards, he is identified as living in
Williamson County. Richard died not long before July 1806,
when his will was proved in Williamson County
Court. A published source indicates that Melinda lived
on until 1832, when she died in Rutherford County.
Richard
Windrow (b. by 1748,
place unknown - d. about June/July 1806, Williamson, TN)
m. ca 1770,
possibly in Louisa, VA
Melinda Anthony
(b. about 1755 - d. about
1832, reportedy Rutherford, TN)
Children:
i. John Windrow
(b. about 1772, Louisa VA - d
after 1850, probably Rutherford TN); m. Zilpah
[unknown]
ii. Jane Windrow
(b. possibly around 1780,
Louisa VA - d after Dec 1811); m. John
Seay
iii. Elizabeth
Windrow (b. 17 Oct
1781, Louisa VA - d after 1806)
iv. Nancy C. Windrow
(b. 31 Dec 1783, Louisa VA -
d 29 Dec 1852, Rutherford, TN); m. Lent Brown
v. Henry Brent
Windrow (b. 3 Apr
1786, probably Louisa VA - d. 4 Mar 1826, Williamson TN);
m. Cary
Warren
vi. Sarah Windrow
("Sallie") (b. by 1789,
probably Louisa VA - d after 1810); m. Richard
Carter
vii. Melinda Windrow
(b. possibly around 1791,
probably Louisa VA - d after 1806)