Rene III

[dmleforce]

Per Ms. Louise

Rene was born in 1754 in Goochland Co, Va. This info was taken from
his marriage to Agnes "Anne" Robinson on March 10, 1774 in Botetourt Co,
VA and from land, Militia and Court Records.

Anne was of the age of Majority when they married and was able to
sign for herself; Rene, Jr. had to sign for Rene, III so he was not yet
21.

Rene, III was listed in Captain Watterson,s Co District 18 for
Botetourt in 1780 and his brother Barney listed along with him in 1781.

Samuel was listed in the 54th District of the VA Militia beginning
in 1772.

A Lefors descendant, the late Roy Feemster, believed that Rene, Jr
was married to 4 women–Anne Robinson, Mary Gillaspie, Mary Ellis and
Mary Thompson and had 14 children. He was wrong, but then his research
was before the "Computer age" and he did not have all the necessary info
available to make a correct analysis.

He cited his info as coming from an unpublished biography of

"Rene La Force"by Rufus Anderson Lefors, based on bits of old family
records and conversations with older family members. But all those
Renes confused them back then too.

Rufus indicated there were 4 children from the union with Polly
Gillaspie and all of them were still living in 1834. Neither is this
correct; Rene, Jr was not married to Mary Gillaspie; this was Rene, III,
who married her about 1783 because he needed a mother for his 4 young
children. Anne may even have died in childbirth.

A will by David Robinson (brother of Anne Robinson ) gave the names
of Rene's children with Anne as: Robinson, Reynold (Renald

Rene) , David and Mary.

A Deed of Gift made by Rene, III in 1797 lists his children with
Mary Gillaspie La Force as: George, Gillaspie and Judith Anne.

He had 3 other children after 1797: Gaston, Trephanah and Isabella

Rene, III first purchased land in Fayette Co, KY in Dec 1783.

I think he was already married to Polly when they moved to KY and
Samuel, their first child was probably born there instead of in NC as
some family members had believed. The land he purchased was near
Gillaspies, who were likely his in-laws.

He was living in Fayette Co in March 1785 when he signed a deed of
James McMillan.

He was on the 1787 Fayette Co Property List used as Census with 1
male 16-21.. The only two La Force males in this age bracket were
William Bailey La Force and Mount Moncier La Force.

William B. was listed on the Botetourt Census with Judith La Force
McGeorge so it had to be My Mount Moncier.

Rene, III was listed as Administrator of Rene,Jrs Estate in
Botetourt from April 1781 to the end of 1782.

Rene, Jr had no land, only personal property amounting to 22 pounds

Rene, III received 2 lbs as his fee and another 2 lbs as his
portion.

So 20 lbs was apportioned among the heirs which are not named nor
numbered.

I don't know the law on inheritance in Va at that time–remember
when Rene, Jr inherited, only males inherited land but all children
inherited personal property. Since there was no land we have to use our
imagination.

Rene, III was on the Taxlists of Fayette Co until Scott Co was
formed from Fayette and then he was on the Scott lists until 1799.

In 1800 they are in Clark Co with Robinson, David and a William on
the Taxlist as well. This William was William R. married to Jane Watson.

Samuel was living with Rene, III up until about 1810 when he
appeared on a Land Deed.

Ra…oy was listed on property in Fayette Co 1810. He may not have
sold all the property there by then.

On 1820 Clark Co Census and on land Records Polly is listed, so Rene
III was deceased by then.

1795 taxlist shows Randolph as having 1 Black, 2 horses and 13 head
of cattle District 4 Boone Creek

1797 lists him as Rene with 1 Black, 5 horses and 32 A. on Boone
Creek

The 1799 taxlist shows Randle (Renald) as having 2 horses, 3 slaves

and 200 acres 1st rate in District 5.

They got his name wrong a lot. Ours was misspelled too so I
understand that! You would think La Force was easy but apparently not.

1803 shows Randol as having 4 horsed 4 slaves and 250 A. 3d rate in
Scott Co

(from Census Records.

[dmleforce]

OK...does anybody have a copy of his will? 

I've heard only 4 kids are listed...the ones created with Agnes Robinson.  But maybe who ever posted that has it confused with Agnes' brother's will.  His does make sure that Rene & his kids with his 2nd wife are left out of his will.  Only the ones listed...Rene, Robinson, David & Mary/Polly...receive anything.

Even if they recorded births, baptism, marriages, deaths & burials when things were destroyed so were such records held within.  Sometimes we're lucky to find a will.  So if you have one please post a copy.