William Walker Ward and Elizabeth Mumford Adams

William Walker Ward was the son of John Ward and Tabitha Hubbard Walden Ward of Edgehill Plantation, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.


William Walker Ward was born on July 10, 1810 probably at Edgehill. At the age of 26, he married Elizabeth Mumford Adams born November 9, 1807 daughter of Major John Lynch Adams and Martha Walden. Martha Walden was the sister of Tabitha Hubbard Walden Ward making Elizabeth (Eliza) and William first cousins and Elizabeth (Eliza) and William were second cousins by the Adams connection. William Walker Ward’s grandmother was Mildred Adams. Mildred Adams was the daughter of Penelope Lynch Adams and Robert Adams. Elizabeth Mumford Adams’ grandfather was Robert Adams. He was the son of Penelope Lynch Adams and Robert Adams. They had the same great grandfather Charles Lynch and great grandmother Sarah Clark. According to the Lynchburg Virginia newspaper they were married on November 9, 1836 by the Reverend Mr. Burns.

A few other tidbits. John Lynch the founder of Lynchburg was their great great uncle. William Walker Ward’s grandfather John Ward was married to Anne Chiles. After Ann Chiles died, John married Sarah Clark Lynch who as we already know was married to Charles Lynch who was the father of Penelope Lynch Adams. Confusing isn’t it.

There were four children born to William and Elizabeth Ward:

1. Cornelia Victoria Ward, born September 6, 1837, died December 1878; married first in February 1855, Littleton Tazewell Walden; married second George W. Dove

2. Henry Chiles Ward, born December 16, 1838; Married Susan Henrietta Adams not too long before his date of death. Died December 4, 1910.

3. Robert Adams Ward, born January 6, 1840; was killed at Gettsyburg on July 3, 1863. He never married.

4. William Ellen Walker Ward, born January 24, 1843; died December 26, 1855.



Not long after the birth of his last son William Walker Ward died. He died on January 25, 1844. I have a picture of his tombstone which states the date of his birth and death. I cannot find any information as to the cause of his death.

In the 1850 Federal Census, I found Elizabeth Ward residing in the Northern District of Pittsylvania County, Virginia along with her three sons, Henry age 11, Robert age 10 and William age 7. One of their closest neighbors was David Bobbitt and Matilda, his wife. David Bobbitt listed his occupation as overseer. It is probably and most possible that he was an overseer for the Ward family.

In the 1860 Federal Census, Eliza M. Ward is still living in the Northern District Bergers Store. Her two sons Henry C. Ward – 21 and Robert A. Ward-20 are still there with her.  Her youngest son William passed away on December 26, 1855. The value of her land is $12,000.00 and personal property is $8,000.00

In the 1870 Federal Census, Eliza M. Ward is living in the Subdivision North of Dan River on land valued at $7,000.00

It is difficult for me to say where Elizabeth Mumford Adams was living and she was not living with her mother-in-law Tabitha Hubbard Walden. The census has Tabitha either alone or with her son Addison and Addison’s son Edwin. Also Elizabeth is listed as the head of her household. I believe that she may have been living in the house that sits on the banks of Old Woman’s Creek and was an originally part of a 669 acre tract which was conveyed to John Ward, jr. a minor, from Nathan Thurman  by deed dated October 1, 1807 in Pittsylvania Deed Book 17 page 87 and 89. The tract was conveyed to Nathan Thurman in 1782 by grant. It is possible that Nathan Thurman built this old farmhouse and it is still standing today.


Marriages of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, 1806-1830Search Amazon.com for pittsylvania county virginia