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The following is from Eric b: Borgman ( ), anyone with sources and evidence either way please contact Eric. Thanks.

I don't know if anyone has solved this problem for good yet, but let me post the two seperate people who are said to be the son of William Rhodes and Hannah of Virginia.

William Rhodes born April 23, 1698 in Middlesex Co., Virginia is said to have married Hannah (pos. Miller).

There children as best as I can make out were:
1. William Dec 3, 1724
2. John Nov 4, 1727
3. Christopher Nov 25, 1730
4. James Feb 1, 1734
5. Benjamin Feb 22, 1736
6. Hezekiah Jun 5 1738

In William (b. 1698)'s will it says:

(OCVaWB 1:313-15, 324-25)

In the name of God, Amen. I, William Rhodes of the parish of St. Thomas in the County of Orang, being sick & weak of body but of a sound and perfect memory, praised be to God for the same, do here make & ordain my last will & testament in writing as followeth:
I give and bequeath my soul to God (that gave it) hoping to receive the same again at ye resurrection at ye Great Day, and my body to the earth to be buryed in a decent manner according to the discretion of my executors hereafter named.
Item, I give and bequeath to my bleoved wife the old mair to dispose of as she thinks proper for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my eldest son William one young bay horse for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son John one bay mair colt for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Christopher one grey horse colt for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my said wife all my movable goods & estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me during her widowhood and then to be equally divided between my wife and my son William & John & Christopher, Hezekiah & Benjamin. & I do hereby constitute & appoint my said wife and son William to be executors of this my last will and testament, & I hereby disannull and make void all other former wills & legacys whatever, this 8th day of December and in the year of our Lord 1743.
Witnesses:
Signed, sealed in presents of us--
Wm. Bell
D. Bohannon
John Bohannon

William's sons William, John, Christopher, Hezekiah and Benjamin are listed. James is not. The fact that William Sr. is in Orange Co., Virginia is also evident.

On April 26, 1744 his wife Hannah goes to court for the probate of William's will.

Now looking at the supposed son of the above William, Sr, William of Orange Co., North Carolina we can see a list of what has been said to be his children with his wife Mary (pos. Baker) are:

1. Benjamin Baker Rhodes.
2. William Rhodes
3. Hannah Rhodes
4. Nanny Rhodes
5. Elizabeth Rhodes
6. Molly Rhodes
7. Michel Rhodes
8. Rebecca Rhodes
9. Franky Rhodes
10. Amelia
11. John

His will dated Sept. 16, 1802 in Orange Co., North Carolina contains this information:

wife Mary RHODES
sons: Benjamin Baker RHODES, John RHODES, and William RHODES
These eight daughters have already received their part:
Hannah WOTLE, Nancy GRISM, Elizabeth GRISUM, Molly PATTISHALL, Michel HORN,
Amelia HERNDON, Rebecca HERNDON, Franky BARBEE.
Exe: Chesley Page PATTERSON, John RHODES, Benjamin RHODES' son John,
Benjamin Baker RHODES.

The South Carolina William who married Elizabeth Wofford in about 1760 had these children:

1. Nancy Ann Rhodes, b: May 30, 1764,
2. John Rhodes
3. Absalom Rhodes
4. Mary Rhodes
5. Aaron Rhodes
6. Elizabeth Rhodes

If we analyze the names of the children of both Williams we may be able to get a clue as to which William is the son of William and Hannah Rhodes.

Both Williams have children named John, Nancy, Mary and Elizabeth.

However, the William of Orange Co., North Carolina has a daughter named Hannah which could be representative of Hannah (Miller) the wife of William Rhodes b: 1698. Also, this William of NC has a son named Bemjamin. If he were the son of William b: 1698, Benjamin could be named in honor of his brother Benjamin born Feb 22, 1736.

So until more substaintial evidence is brought to light, I feel that the William Rhodes of Orange Co., North Carolina seems to fit the bill more than the William Rhodes of South Carolina as the son of William b. 1698 who was born in Virginia on Dec 3, 1724.