Windrow Family
Richard Windrow and Melinda Anthony
Richard Windrow is still a bit of a mystery as to his origins and parents. He first shows up in Virginia records in Louisa County, which is in the central part of the state. (Click here to see the Virginia animap of county formations.) In 1772, Richard Windroe is listed as a tithable (that is, someone who has to pay a poll tax) in Trinity Parish on the north side of the South Anna River. He continues to show up in Trinity Parish's tithe books until 1782. In several entries, he appears to live next door to Christopher Wood, whose will he witnessed in 1790 (Wood died that same year).
Richard appears to have married Melinda Anthony (also called Mellinder and Milley in many records), judging from the ages of some of their children. Son John was born about 1772 (according to his own census records) and appears to be the eldest. We have the birth dates for Elizabeth, Nancy, and Henry Brent from the baptismal records of Rev. William Douglas, who served the St. James Northam parish in neighboring Goochland County. Because the 1790 and 1800 census enumerations no longer exist, and lacking other sources at this point, it is difficult to determine more precisely the ages of the others. It is through the so-called Douglas Register that we know that Melinda's last name was Anthony.
In 1801 and again in June 1802, Richard and Milley sold two parcels of land in Louisa County to John Edwards. In the first deed (one-quarter acre), Richard and Milley are joined as grantors by Reuben Edwards; in the second (372 acres), John Windrow is a co-seller. We do not know what the relationship was between the Windrows and the Edwards at this point, nor do we yet know when or how they acquired the land, especially the 372 acres. This obviously bears further research!
By July 1803, the Windrows had moved to Tennessee; in the Louisa County record by which Richard granted a mortgage release to John Edwards, he is identified as living in Williamson County. Richard died not long before July 1806, when his will was proved in Williamson County Court. A published source indicates that Melinda lived on until 1832, when she died in Rutherford County.
Richard Windrow (b. by 1748, place unknown - d. about June/July 1806, Williamson, TN)
m. ca 1770, possibly in Louisa, VA
Melinda Anthony (b. about 1755 - d. about 1832, reportedy Rutherford, TN)
Children:
i. John Windrow (b. about 1772, Louisa VA - d after 1850, probably Rutherford TN); m. Zilpah [unknown]
ii. Jane Windrow (b. possibly around 1780, Louisa VA - d after Dec 1811); m. John Seay
iii. Elizabeth Windrow (b. 17 Oct 1781, Louisa VA - d after 1806)
iv. Nancy C. Windrow (b. 31 Dec 1783, Louisa VA - d 29 Dec 1852, Rutherford, TN); m. Lent Brown
v. Henry Brent Windrow (b. 3 Apr 1786, probably Louisa VA - d. 4 Mar 1826, Williamson TN); m. Cary Warren
vi. Sarah Windrow ("Sallie") (b. by 1789, probably Louisa VA - d after 1810); m. Richard Carter
vii. Melinda Windrow (b. possibly around 1791, probably Louisa VA - d after 1806)