LACEY Family of Delaware from 1703: Family Sketches: Hezekiah Lacey (~1766 - ~1830?)

 LACEY Family of Delaware from 1703: Family Sketches: Hezekiah Lacey (~1766 - ~1830?)

Hezekiah⁴ (Robert³ Robert² John¹) Lacey

 

Hezekiah⁴ Lacey was the son of Robert³ Lacey and Mary ____ as he is named in his father’s probate records [1].  He was likely born about 1766 in Sussex County, Delaware based on his probable age in 1781, when his father’s estate was probated (he was under the age 14 in 1780). By 7 August 1783, he was certainly of age 14 when he was able to choose his own guardian. [2]

Guardianship and probate proceedings of father, Robert Lacey

Hezekiah⁴ Lacey and his siblings, Ann⁴ and Robert⁴, were minor children under age 14 on 28 Aug 1781 when their mother, Mary Lacey, petitioned the Orphans Court to appoint a guardian. [3].  She was the guardian of her three children until 1783 when she married Claypoole Davidson. [4] At an Orphans Court in 1783, Hezekiah Lacey and Ann Lacey, minors, petition the Court to appoint a new guardian. John Morris was appointed guardian for Hezekiah and Ann Lacey, and Robert⁴ Lacey, Sr. was appointed guardian to minor Robert Lacey, brother of Hezekiah and Ann. [5]

John Morris and Robert⁴ Lacey, Sr. are first cousins to Hezekiah Lacey; John Morris being the son of Betty³ [daughter of Robert² and Bridget Lacey] and William Morris, and Robert⁴ Lacey, Sr being the son of John³ Lacey [son of Robert² and Bridget Lacey] and Ann Parker[?].

 

On 25 Nov 1783, Hezekiah, Ann and Robert Lacey receive their share of their father’s estate amounting to £82..19..5 1/2 each from their mother, Mary and her 2^nd husband, Claypoole Davidson. [6]

Hezekiah Lacey and Ann, minors petition for their lands and on 4 February 1784, three freeholders: Simon Kollock, Nathaniel Waples, and William Newbold were appointed by the Orphans Court to value the lands of Hezekiah and Ann Lacey. They determined that there was a building erected on the land [“One Dwelling House Twenty feet by sixteen Built of Hughed Logs Duftailed; high-Rough, Covered with Pine Board, with under Floor and Brick Chimney also one Small Log Chitchen”], 567 panels of fencing, and 13 forest trees. They valued the land at Three Pounds Six Shillings & 8d. [7] A separate valuation for the lands bequeathed to minor Robert Lacey was made at the same time. [8]

 

Robert³ Lacey had left 100 acres of land to be divided amongst his three children. In 1787, Hezekiah Lacey asks the Orphans Court to send five free holders to view the land and divide or partition the land to the three heirs: himself, Ann Lacey and Robert Lacey, children of Robert³ Lacy, deceased. The Court appoints the five men who report that the 100 acres of land in Indian River Hundred cannot be divided.[9]

 

On 6 June 1787, Hezekiah Lacey requests the discharge of his guardian (who is also his first cousin) John Morris.[10] Evidently Hezekiah is of the age of 21 by this time. On the following day, Hezekiah Lacey again asks the Court to send three free holders to view the land and provide intrinsic value of land. [11] No other records follow.

 

In 1801, Hezekiah’s younger brother Robert Lacey, died and Hezekiah Lacey and Robert Lacey, Sr. were administrators of the estate. [12]  Robert Lacey, Sr. also provides a final accounting of his guardianship of minor Robert Lacey. In 1801, John Morris transferred 100 acres of land to his cousin Robert⁴ Lacey; [13] presumably this is the land that could not be divided.

 

Tax and Census Lists

Hezekiah appears in the 1790 Federal census for Angola and Indian River Hundreds [14]  and the 1800 Federal census for Dagsboro Hundred (near William Lacey). Hezekiah is listed with 1 male and 1 female child under 10, 1 male between 10-16 and one male and 1 female 26-45. [15]

 

Hezekiah Lacey last appears the in U.S. Federal Census in 1820 for Lewes and Rehoboth Hundred. [16]

He is listed with 1 male 16-18, 1 male 16-25 and 1 male over 45; 1 female under 10, 1 female age 10-15 and 1 female over 45.

 

He appears in the following tax lists in Sussex County:

• 1790 Indian River Hundred tax list. Assessed £1. [17]
• 1801 Dagsborough Hundred, Sussex Co. Tax List. Total tax of $147. 18]
• 1803 Dagsborough Hundred, Sussex Co. Tax List, with a personal tax of $134 for a total of $139. [19]
• 1816 Lewes & Rehoboth, with a personal tax of $134 for a total of $185. [20]
• 1823 Lewes & Rehoboth, with a personal tax of $134. [21]
• 1828 Broadkill Hundred Tax List, but the entry for Hezekiah Lacey is crossed out indicating that he possibly either left Sussex County or passed away. [22] @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}@font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:0 0 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 0; mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1342185562 0 0 415 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}.MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-fareast-font-family:Times; mso-hansi-font-family:Times;}div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}

There are no further Tax List records listing Hezekiah Lacey.

 

Military

 In 1803, while serving in the 1st Company, 10th Regiment of Dagsboro Hundred under Captain Zachariah Prittyman [sic], he and his brother, William Lacey were fined $1.00. [23]

In 1818, Hezekiah Lacey testified that Edward Harman, a free negro, had enlisted in the Revolutionary War under Captain Kirkwood’s Delaware Regiment and had worked for his father [not named]. [24]

A transcription follows:

“Be it remembered that on this seventeenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, Hezekiah Lacey a native born citizen aged fifty four years [born about 1764], personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the associate Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware, and being duly sworn on the holy evangels of Almighty God did depose and say that Edward Harmon was a boy in the neighbourhood where he lived, that he worked much of his time before he inlisted with this Deponents Father, that about the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven he the said Harmon inlisted under Captain Kirkwood, and marched off with the Delaware Regiment, that this Deponent never see said Harmon from the time he marched off aforesaid untill the year seventeen hundred and eighty three, when he see him with others of the Delaware Regiment, with uniforms and equipment just as they returned from the Army – at the same time he heard People say to Harmon he was a fool to spend so much time in the army without pay – that Harmon replied he was willing to go again and that he hoped he should get pay at some time [signed] hezekiah Lacey”

No other records for Hezekiah appear after 1828. Examination of available records in neighboring counties and states reveal no further information.

 

Hezekiah Lacey married Elinor Barker on 23 February 1790 in Sussex County, Delaware. [25]  Elinor Barker could be the daughter of Perry and Sarah Barker born 1 September 1771, and baptized 12 May 1772 in St. George’s Chapel in Indian River, Sussex County. [26] No children were recorded for Hezekiah and Elinor in the church records. No deeds or probate records were recorded for Hezekiah Lacey in Sussex County, however, the 1790 and 1800 census for Sussex County, Delaware does indicate that there were at least 3 children born between 1790 and 1820. Subsequent records in Sussex County suggest that his children are likely: 

 i. Zadock B.⁵ (b. 25 September 1790. [27] The middle initial “B” could be “Barker.” He married Mary Hopkins, daughter of Josiah Hopkins and Elon Coulter. [28] He died 28 March 1867 and is buried in the Cool Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery near Lewes. [29]

ii. Robert⁵ (b. about 1793). [30] He is likely the same Robert Lacey that married (1) Nelley (or Ellen) Hart in 1821 [31] and (2) Eleanor Johnson in 1852. [32] He is likely the same Robert Lacey that appears in the Delaware militia, Capt. Thomas Rodney company of Lewes, 16 May 1814, War of 1812 as a private. He served 61 days and was paid £16.23 2/3. [33]  Robert and Nelley had:

1. Mary⁶ J. Lacey (1822-1887).[34]  She married Isaac Warren about 1842 in Sussex County. [35]
2. John⁶ S. Lacey (1824-18750 [36] He married Mary Ann Davidson Lewis about 12 March 1857 in Sussex County. [37] He is enumerated with his father, Robert⁵ Lacey in the 1850 census for Dagsboro Hundred. [38]

iii. Ann⁵ (b, after 1811, but before 1820). [39] She died about 1844 and likely was the same Ann Lacey that married Mannean B. Marvel in 1835. [40] She is enumerated in the 1840 Census for Indian River Hundred at age 20-29 (1811-1820). [41] The two male children under the age of 5 are likely Alfred and Thomas Marvel.

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[1] Sussex County, Delaware, Probate records: Estate case files, Folder RG4840.009, Lacy, Robert (dec’d) 1781-1787, #10 (minors-Anna, Hezekiah, Robert);  [DGS 104017941].

[2] Sussex County Orphan's Court Dockets, 1770-1847, D:193-194 [FHL film 6653]. Lacey, Hezekiah & Ann, minors,  Petition to appoint Guardian, 7 Aug 1783.

[3] Sussex County, Probate records: Estate case files, Folder RG4840.009;  Lacy, Robert (dec’d) 1781-1787. [DGS 104017941]

[4]  Sussex County Orphan's Court Dockets, D:193-194 [FHL film 6653]. At this time the minor children, Hezekiah, Ann, and Robert petition the Court to appoint another guardian, 7 August 1783.

[5] Ibid. The Orphans’ Court removes Mary Lacey and her current husband Claypool Davidson from the guardianship of minor Robert Lacey and appoints Robert⁴ Lacey [son of John³ and Ann Lacey] as guardian because “[they] did not Act the part of a Guardian to said minor but on the Contrary used him very ill whereupon the Court removed said Claypool Davidson from said Guardianship and appoint the first named Robert Lacy Guardian to said minor.”

[6] Sussex County Orphan's Court Dockets, D:224-225. Lacey, Robert, deceased Account on his estate, 25 November 1783 [FHL film 6653].

[7] Sussex County, Probate records: Estate case files, Folder RG4840.009;   Lacy, Robert (dec’d) 1781-1787. [DGS 104017941]. Lands of Hezekiah and Ann Lacy valued, 4 Feb 1784.

[8] Sussex County Orphan's Court Dockets, E:166 [FHL film 6653]. Lacey, Robert, deceased, Report for valuation of his land, 7 June 1787.

[9] Ibid.

[10]  Sussex County, Delaware, Orphan's Court dockets and minute dockets, 1786-1789. Hezekiah Lacey-release of guardian, John Morris, 6 June 1787, 6:113 [FHL 6688]. 

[11] Sussex County Orphan's Court Dockets, E:167 [FHL film 6653].Lacey, Robert, deceased, Report for valuation of his land, 7 June 1787.

[12] Sussex County Probate, RG4545.009, Robert Lacey, Jr. 1801-1804, Delaware Public Archives.

[13]  Sussex County, Delaware, Tax Lists before 1767-1850. Tax lists, #31-75, 1801, Indian River Hundred, image 930 [FHL film 6675]. After Robert Lacey^Jr died in 1801, only Hezekiah Lacey seems to be the sole heir of the 100 acres of land.  On the Indian River Tax Assessment for 1801, Robert Lacey, Sen^r, the guardian of Robert Lacey^Jr, minor, received 100 acres of land transferred from John Morris. There is no deed recorded in Sussex County nor an Orphans Court record, but recall that John Morris was the guardian of Hezekiah and Ann Lacey and responsible for the 100 acres of land that would not divide amongst the now remaining heirs, Hezekiah and Ann Lacey, which by 1801 appears to be only Hezekiah Lacey. Apparently, the heirs no longer wanting the land, John Morris transfers the land to his cousin Robert Lacey. Robert Lacey apparently sold this land in 1817 to John Sharp [Sussex County Deeds AQ39:88].

[14] Reconstructed 1790 Census of Delaware, Special Publications of the National Genealogical Society, No.10. (Arlington, Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 1984) 55.

[15] 1800 U.S. census, Sussex County, Indian River Hundred, Delaware, p. 418, line 18, Hezekiah Lacey household; citing National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), M32; Roll: 4.

[16] 1820 U.S. census, Sussex County, Lewes & Rehobeth Hundred, Delaware, p. 308, line 28, Hezekiah Lacey household; citing National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), M33; Roll: 4.

[17] Sussex County, Delaware, Tax Lists before 1767-1850. Tax lists, #31-75,   1790, Indian River Hundred, Lacey, image 517 [FHL film 6675].

[18]  Sussex County Assessment Records, 1801-1902, Familysearch.org. 1801 Tax Assessment, Dagsboro Hundred, Hezekiah Lacey.  [DGS 105624385]. 

[19] Sussex County Assessment Records, 1801-1902, Familysearch.org. 1803 Tax Assessment, Dagsboro Hundred, Hezekiah Lacey.  [DGS 105624385].

[20] Sussex County Assessment Records, 1801-1902, Familysearch.org. 1816 Tax Assessment, Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred, Hezekiah Lacey.  [DGS 105624385].

[21] Sussex County Assessment Records, 1801-1902, Familysearch.org. 1823 Tax Assessment, Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred, Hezekiah Lacey.  [DGS 105624385].

[22]  Sussex County Assessment Records, 1801-1902, Familysearch.org. 1828 Tax Assessment, Broadkill Hundred, Hezekiah Lacey.  [DGS 105624385]. 

[23] Delaware Public Archives, “Delaware Militia 1803,” Delaware Military Records, Volume IV, Public Archives Commission of Delaware, (Wilmington: Star Publishing Co., 1916), 139.

[24] Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements (http://revwarapps.org/s36000.pdf), Pension Application of Edward Harmon: S36000, Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris. Hezekiah Lacey Testimony. See also http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/revolution.htm and http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Hall-Jones.htm

[25] Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware, 1756-1855, Marriages. Hezekiah Lessee to Elinor Barker, 23 February 1790, 305 [FHL film 441441]. Citing Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania.  Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware, 1756-1855 (Philadelphia, 1905). Note that another transcription of this record was undertaken by the WPA in the 1930s, but has Hezekiah’s wife’s name as Elinor BOOKER and Hezekiah is named Hezekiah K. Lessee. In Records of deaths, marriages, and baptisms of the Lewes Presbyterian Church, Lewes, Delaware, 1737-1856. Marriages, 45 [FHL film 6306, item 16], which transcribed the record as: “Hezekiah K. Lessee to Elenor Booker. Feb 23, 1790.” The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania transcription of 1905 seems to match what was in the original church record. The original church record is on microfilm at FamilySearch, but is of such poor quality as the images are faded beyond readability. Efforts to locate the actual original volume have been unsuccessful and the current church in Lewes, Delaware is closed.

[26]  St. George's Chapel, Indian River, Delaware, Church records, 1708-1899, 57 [FHL 441424]. Elon Barker, baptized 10 May 1772.

[27]  Gene R. Major, “A Delaware Record: Kent County Families: Moore, Wyatt, Lacey, Rogers," Delaware Genealogical Society Journal 4 (April 1987): 18-20; Revised: Moore, Wyatt, Lacey, Rogers: A Delaware Family Revisited, DGS Journal Supplement, 22 (September 2023) S3-S6.

[28] DAR Bible Records, Delaware State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Volume XII, photostat, p. 44, " Josiah Hopkins Bible," photostat copy owned by Robert N. Hopkins of Landsdowns, Pa.; imaged from Delaware Public Archives, CS42.7.D238. “Mary Hopkins and Zadock B. Lacey were joined together in Holy Matrimony Decem. 5, 1812.” (Daughter. of Josiah & Elon Hopkins) [sic].

[29] Find-A-Grave, memorial 76863962, Zadock B. Lacey (1790-1867),  Coolspring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cool Spring, Sussex Co., Delaware.

[30] 1850 U.S. census, Sussex County, Dagsborough Hundred, Delaware, p. 165b, dwelling 303, family 303, line 1, Samuel Warren household; citing National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), M432; Roll: 55. Robert Lacey and Son John S. Lacey are in the household of Samuel Warren. The wife of Samuel Warren is Mary and her death record names Robert Lacey as her father. Robert Lacey is age 57 on this census and is a farmer.

[31]  Delaware Marriage Records, 1650-1950,  FamilySearch.org, Sussex County Marriage Bonds [Index] Vol. 41, p.210. Marriage bond of Robert Lacy and Nelley Hart, 10 April 1821. [FHL 101431405]. 

[32]  Delaware Marriage Records, 1744-1912, Ancestry.com, Sussex County Marriage Bond for Robert Lacey and Eleanor Johnson, 4 March 1852; citing Public Archives Commission, Delaware Public Archives; Dover, Delaware; Marriage Records, 1744-1912; Record Group: RG1325.003.004, 47:79; 89:31; 74:75.

[33] Delaware Military Records, Delaware Archives, Volume V.  Public Archives Commission of Delaware, (Wilmington: Star Publishing Co., 1916), p. 828-829 “Delaware Militia 1814.” 

[34] Find-A-Grave, memorial 27603768, Mary J. Warren (1822-1887),  Old Swedes Churchyard Cemetery, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware.

[35]  1850 U.S. census, Sussex County, Dagsborough Hundred, Delaware, p. 165b, dwelling 303, family 303, line 1, Samuel Warren household.

[36]  Find-A-Grave, memorial 134598294, John S. Lacey (1824-1875), Union Cemetery, Georgetown, Sussex County, Delaware. 

[37] Delaware Marriage Records, 1744-1912, Ancestry.com, Marriage Bond for John S. Lacey and Mary Ann [Davidson] Lewis, 12 March 1857; citing Public Archives Commission, Delaware Public Archives; Dover, Delaware; Marriage Records, Record Group: RG1325.003.004, 47:226. Mary Ann Davidson had married Jesse C. Lewis 1 January 1838; he died sometime before 1857.

[38] 1850 U.S. census, Sussex County, Dagsborough Hundred, Delaware, p. 165b, dwelling 303, family 303, line 1, Samuel Warren household.

[39] 1820 U.S. census, Sussex County, Lewes & Rehobeth Hundred, Delaware, p. 308, line 28, Hezekiah Lacey household. Ann Lacey could be the female child born 1811-1820. Hezekiah was known to have a sister named Ann, which appears to be a common Lacey name.

[40] Delaware Marriage Records, Sussex County Marriage Bonds Vol. 56, p.276. [FHL 005099327].

[41] 1840 U.S. census, Sussex County, Indian River Hundred, Delaware, p. 503, line 13, Mannean B. Marvel household. Ann [Lacey] is his wife is listed as the Female at age 20-29.