DABNEY.
In 1759 John Dabney, of Hanover, bought from Joel Terrell
and David Lewis four hundred acres, and from Joel
Terrell four hundred more, which included the present Birdwood
plantation, and the oldest tavern perhaps in all the
section, called at the time Terrell's Ordinary. In 1764 William
Dabney, a brother, purchased from Archibald Woods
four hundred acres on Mechum's River, above the Depot of
that name. John soon returned to Hanover. William sold
his place in 1768 to William Shelton, and John having died
in the meantime, his trustees sold his land in 1773, six hundred
acres of it to James Kerr, and the remainder to Robert
Anderson.
In 1803 William S. Dabney came to the county, and
bought from Wilson C. Nicholas nearly nine hundred acres
on the head waters of Ballenger's and Green Creeks, now in
the possession of Edward Coles. He died in 1813. His wife
was Sarah Watson, of Green Spring, Louisa, and his
children were Maria, the wife of Colonel Samuel Carr, James,
Walter, William S., May Senora, the wife of Benjamin M.
Perkins, and Louisa, the wife of William M. Woods. Walter
removed to Arkansas. William S. succeeded his father in
the possession of the farm. He was a man of decided
efficiency and success, both in his private business and in
matters of public concern. He was appointed a magistrate
in 1835, and entrusted with many affairs of importance by
his brethren of the county bench. His taste was relied on
as well as his judgment. In 1856 when improvements to the
courthouse were contemplated, a plan reported by him was
adopted, according to which the present enclosure and pavements
of the Square were made. In 1846 he purchased Dunlora,
Colonel Samuel Carr's old place, whither he removed,
and where he died in 1865. He married Susan Gordon, and
his family had the unusual distinction of having two sons
occupy leading professorships in the University of Virginia,
William C. in the Medical Faculty and Walter in that of
Law.
Mildred, daughter of Samuel Dabney and his wife Jane
Meriwether, of Hanover, was the wife of Dr. Reuben Lewis,
brother of the celebrated explorer. She died at her home near
Ivy Depot in 1851.
