William Naylor

Part 1 - William Naylor was born about 1771 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania according to various sources, which go on to state his father was William Naylor and his mother an Armstrong.  Supposedly his grandfather is Robert Naylor, a Quaker from Darby, PA and his wife Elizabeth.  The sources go on to state that he was a graduate of Dickenson College who moved to lower Virginia in 1793 and on to Winchester in 1795 where he taught in Rev. Dr. Hill's school and studied law.  He was listed as a practicing attorney in Winchester in 1812.  Unfortunately, some of the information culled from these resources was wrong, but they did provide a starting point for researching William.

Old West - Dickenson College built 1805

William Naylor was born about 1771 probably in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the son of Ralph Naylor and Leacy Armstrong.  Growing up in Carlisle, he lived close to Dickenson School.  Dickenson was chartered as a grammar school in 1773 and as a college in 1783.  It was housed in a small two-room brick building on Liberty Avenue, near Bedford and Pomfret Streets Until 1799.  Unfortunately few records seem to be available from those early years, and to date I have found no corroboration of his attendance.  We do, however, know that he was educated, so attendance at least of the grammar school seems likely.

William was not found in the 1800 census in Pennsylvania, Virginia, or Maryland where he married his first wife later that year.  Most likely he was a resident in another household.  High on the list of possibilities would be that of Rev. William Hill.  Dr. Hill was instrumental in the establishment of the Presbytery of Winchester in 1794 and became Pastor of the same in 1800.  No mention of a school has been found in the biographies of Rev. Dr. Hill, but it seems probable that he might have run one, and it is definitely possible that William might have taught there as he pursued his studies in law.  His stint as a teacher, and marriage to Nancy are corroborated by his  granddaughter, Flora McDonald Williams,  in her family history, Glengarry McDonalds of Virginia.

On 2 Oct 1800 William married Ann (Nancy) Sanford of Allegheny County, Maryland.  Records show that he had been helping her father, William Sanford with the purchase of land in Hampshire county. 

William and Nancy took up residence in Romney Hampshire county, Virginia (now WV).  They had four known children

1. Leacy Ann m. Col. Angus William McDonald III, CSA , they had nine known children

2. Jane m. Chester Tapscott  they had three known children

3. Ann Sanford (Nancy) m. Dr. Joseph William Bronaugh they had five known children

4. William m. Nancy Bragg they had four known children 

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