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William Byrd III was born in Charles City County in 1728. Byrd sudied law at Middle Temple in London, England. He was a member of the Virgnia House of Burgesses from 1754 to 1756 and the Governor's Council from 1756 to 1775. He was married twice, first to Elizabeth Carter in 1748 then, after her death in 1760, he married Mary Willing in 1761. He had a total of fifteen children, five with Elizabeth Carter and ten with Mary Willing. He served as a colonel in 2nd Virginia Regiment then succeeded George Washington as the commander of the 1st Virginia Regiment. Byrd died of suicide in January 1777.
Sir Peyton Skipwith Land Indenture, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
A 1765 indenture for 3000 acres of land in Mecklenburg county, Virgina between William Byrd III and Sir Peyton Skipwith. There is speculation that Sir Peyton Skipwith won the land in this indenture from William Byrd III in a card game. Skipwith built the Prestwould Plantation where he lived on this land.
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Donated by James and Gale Chapman, January 2022