Elam Farmer

This post will attempt to hash out all the Elam Farmers living around Chesterfield County, Virginia in the 1700s.  I am a descendant of one Elam Farmer who married a woman named Polly, through his son, George. 

The first Elam Farmer I will look at is my ancestor.  Elam Farmer was born before 1745. He died in 1811. He was married first to an unknown woman.  With this unknown woman, he had at least three children.  George was born around 1765.  Tabitha was born on February 13, 1775.  She married a Thomas Boles.  He also had a son named Elam who had died by 1811, presumably without child.  Elam, born before 1845, lists himself as Elam Farmer Sen'r in his will, so he must have had a son named Elam at some point.  On September 10, 1795, Elam married to his second wife, Polly Harding.  Some people say she is a widow and her maiden name was Hudson, but I cannot find any proof of this.  Polly was considerably younger than Elam, as she was still able to have children.  The 1810 census of Chesterfield County, Virginia lists 2 females between 0-10 in Elam's home.  One of these should be Anna Farmer, the only unmarried daughter listed in her father's will.  The other daughter is not known and probably died before the will in 1811.  Some people list the Elam Farmer who married Polly Harding was the son of Lodowick Farmer and Sarah Cheatham. Lodowick's will, however, does not mention a son named Elam. There is a connection between Elam and the Cheathams, as we see several mentions of Cheathams in Elam's will, but being that his father, Elam Farmer married second to Phebe Cheatham, that would explain the connection. Phebe and Sarah were sisters. Both children of Benjamin Cheatham and Grace Williams.

The next Elam is the one who married Lucy Nunnally.  Though I do not know for sure that her name was Lucy, it seems to be the most common name given to this Nunnelly woman.  In the will of John Nunnally, from 1765, it lists grandchildren, Elam Jr and Martha.  I feel that this Elam Jr. is my ancestor, who married second to Polly Harding.  In his will, Elam Farmer had married a second wife, Phebe Cheatham.  The following children, in addition to Elam and Martha, are listed as Henry, Lodowick, Hezekiah, Mary, Rhoda, Salley, and Judith.  

A third Elam is one who married Mary Stratton.  They were married in 1808 in Powhatan County, Virginia.  This Elam is the son of Hezekiah Farmer and grandson of the Elam and Phebe Cheatham Farmer.  Hezekiah Farmer left land to his son Elam in Powhatan County, so it seems logical that this Elam, who married and lived in Powhatan County was Hezekiah's son.  In 1820, Elam and Mary had 3 living children, 2 sons between 0 and 10 and one daughter between 0 and 10.  

In 1810, there is an Elam Farmer living in Goochland County, Virginia.  He is listed as 26-44 years old.  His wife is 16-25 years old and his children are one son, 0-10 and one son, 10-15.  I do not know where he fits in our tree.  Any help is appreciated.

In 1830, there is an Elam Farmer living in Chesterfield County, Virginia.  He is listed as 40-49.  There is no wife listed.  He has 3 sons, one is 15-19, one is 10-14, and one is 5-9.  This could be the Elam who married Mary Stratton.  His 2 sons under 10 from the 1820 census could be the two older sons.  The daughter from 1820 could have been married.  Mary could have died.  Without further information on the family, I cannot tell yet.

So, you have the following tree

Elam Farmer married Lucy Nunnelly

...Elam Farmer married unknown

......Elam Farmer

...Elam Farmer married 2nd Polly Harding

Elam Farmer married second to Phebe Cheatham

...Hezekiah Farmer

......Elam Farmer married Mary Statton.