Family Chart #326

The first we have ascertained about William Porter is in records created in Bourbon County, Kentucky by his children, John, Edward and Jemima Porter Deatley.

Researchers have stated that William was a "wealthy land and slave owner in Westmoreland County, Virginia" An 1809 Emancipation of Kate by William’s son John and son-in-law John Deatley in Bourbon County, Kentucky confirm that he did indeed have some slaves. And in 1811 John Deatley mentions slave Patty formerly owned by Edward Porter who had been allotted to Jemima stating that she was heir by the death of Edward and William Porter her father.

John Porter’s will includes a tract of land in Richmond County Virginia purchased by William D. Porter from Peter Rust adjoining Rowes Ordinary and a tract in Westmoreland which his father bought of George White adjoining Peyton’s Level. Another tract is cited as Sluggets Point near Bowlers Ferry which brother Edward had purchased. John once again mentions slaves inherited from brother Edward which his father William had inherited from his son.

Edward died about 1809 according to the documents reviewed and from the above we ascertain that their father was still living at the time of John’s writing his will in December 1809.