Capt. William Levi Bobbitt, III

1744 -1817

Captain, Vestryman, Master and Justice

William, first child of James and Elizabeth (Dalton) Bobbitt, was born in 1744 in Lunenburg County, Virginia probably on his father's plantation. He married Nancy (Ann) Ann McKenzie around 1767. William passed away on August 15, 1817 in Carroll County, Virginia.

He came to prominence quickly in Montegomery County. He was recommended as Captain in the County militia (Summer, Annals, p. 688) and surveyed as such for four years before he resigned in 1782 ( Summer, Annals, p. 779). The Montgomery minutes also contained a claim he made in 1782 for furnishing a steer for the militia (Summer Annals, p. 770), although in the interest of historical accuracy it must be said that the steer was taken from him.

The details of the Bobbitt's four years as militia commander are not known, but they covered the period when the American Revolution was touching the western Virginia. Aaron Collier's pension application makes it plain that company met at the Bobbitt's house before marching on to the far western Virginia in the Indian campaign. Again Collier refers to the company meeting at the Bobbitt's house before marching off to North Carolina and the battle at Shallows Ford on the Yadkin River. The implication is that Bobbitt commanded the company on both occasions. (Collier, Pension File # R2111).

By 1782 William was a prosperous man; that year he was taxed with six slaves, five horses and twenty cattle. In 1793 he attended the first Grayson County Court and stood for surety for the sheriff of the county. A few years later he was appointed Justice and for many years sat on the court. There are many references to him in the minutes, the most memorable being found in the records for 1808 on which occasion he was fined eighty-three cents for having profanely sworn on oath in the present of the court.

William died interstate in August 1817 (Grayson, Chancery File # 14). His estate was appraised in September, and, when sold, brought the considerable sum of $1830.00 . It is not known for certain where he is buried, but the likely place is the old Bobbitt Cemetery in Mountain Plains. The deeds whereby his children sold the land and the old Chancery records in Grayson furnish a list of children: (1). Jane Bobbitt born about 1768 married twice to John Laws and second husband William Richardson. (2). Caleb Bobbitt born on January 5, 1770 probably in Pittsylvania County, died on June 12, 1830 in Pulaski County, Kentucky and married Nancy Blair in 1795. (3) James Bobbitt born on April 27, 1772 and died on November 12, 1853, married Rebecca Day, daughter of Joseph Day in 1796. He left for Kentucky about 1804. (4). Nancy Bobbitt born about 1773 and married Esau Worrell in 1793; she lived into the 1860's. (5). William Bobbitt, Jr. born about 1774 and married Nancy Clifton, lived on the Big Reed Island. They moved away about 1841. (6). Rosanna Bobbitt was born about 1779 and died in the 1840's. She married her cousin James Bobbitt. (7). Elizabeth Bobbitt was born about 1780. She married William Morgan in 1798 or 1799. (8). Lucy Bobbitt born about 1784. She married Shadrack Collier on February 8, 1803. (9). John Bobbitt was born about 1786. She married Nancy Nuckolls on March 26, 1806 and died a little before 1820, leaving six sons. (10). Robert Bobbitt was born on October 12, 1790 and died on December 23, 1864, was the tenth and youngest of the children. He married Dicey Bullard in 1813.

by: Bryan Bunney 2015