Abraham Venable III

1726 -

1778

This article provides proof that Abraham Venable is a qualifying ancestor for the Society of Colonial Wars and proof of his lineage through his daughter, Martha Venable, to the Mullins family.

Qualifying Service For The Society Of Colonial Wars

Abraham Venable III served as a Captain of Prince Edward VA Militia [1] in 1762.

Proof of Lineage

Dorfman [2] states that Elizabeth Michaux married Abraham B. Venable III, and their eighth child, Martha Venable, married Capt. John Holcombe.

John Holcombe and Martha Venable were married in Prince Edward County on August 24, 1772 [3]. The record of their wedding bond names Martha’s father, Abraham B. Venable III.

Abraham B. Venable III died in 1778. His will was proved in Prince Edward County April Court 1778 [4]. On the seventh line, he writes:

“I lend to My Daughter Martha Holcombe property Vizt. [property detailed] during her natural life and after her Decease it is my will & desire that the Said Property should Equally be Divided among my said Daughter’s Children which I give to them and their Heirs forever.”

In his will, Abraham B. Venable III does not name his wife; every reference to her is “My Beloved Wife”. Her name is confirmed in her will [5], proved in Prince Edward County on September 16, 1811. At the bottom of the second page, Elizabeth writes:

“Item I lend to my Daughter Martha and her husband John Holcombe…”

Elizabeth signs her full name at the end of the will.

© 2013 W. Mullins

Citations

[1] Bradshaw, Herbert Clarence. History of Prince Edward County, Virginia. Richmond, Virginia: The Dietz Press Incorporated, 1983, p. 41

[2] Dorman, John Frederick. Adventures of Purse and Person, Virginia (1607-1624/5), Vol 3: Families R-Z, 4th Edition, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., pages 810-812

[3] Knorr, Catherine Lindsay, compiler. Marriage Bonds and Ministers’ Returns of Prince Edward County, Virginia, 1754-1810. Virginia: Catherine Lindsay Knorr, 1950 (Fairfax County Library, Virginia Room), p. 38

[4] Will, Abraham Venable, April Court 1778, Prince Edward County, VA. Copy obtained from Archives, Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219-8000

[5] Will, Elizabeth Venable, 16 Sep 1811, Prince Edward County, VA. Copy obtained from Archives, Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219-8000