Edwards Genealogy of Colonial Virginia

If you're a colonial Edwards researcher, you've likely seen his name all over the internet. The information usually runs something like this: William Harrison Edwards, b. Apr. 9, 1720 in Wales d. Apr. 30, 1808 in Claiborne Co., TN (other sources might say KY). Married to Polly Creamer/Cramer b. Aug. 5, 1721 (or 1731), d.1794. Married second to Sarah Evart Cantrell (1733-1807).  Some sources will even give an earlier wife as Jane Taylor. Virtually every source gives his parents as Thomas Edwards and Isabelle Downing. Information about William is usually sparse, but may involve claims that he had lived in Orange or Chowan County, North Carolina; had owned an iron furnace near Mount Sterling, Kentucky ; moved to Gallatin County, Kentucky "to live with his son, John" and co-founded Big Barren Baptist Church in what was then Hawkins County, Tennessee. William is said by some accounts to be the father of a very large family: Drucilla, Peter, Isaac, Alexander, David, Willia...

Many Edwards genealogists digging into the colonial period have come across the name "Thomas Nathaniel Edwards." He is usually said to have born in Wales on October 14, 1690 and died in an unknown location in February or November 1781. Some entries call him "Sir" and say he was from a wealthy family that owned an estate called "Edwards Hall" in Wales. He is said to have been a merchant nobleman (or clergyman) who immigrated to the colonies in the mid 18th century with his wife and children and lived everywhere from New York to Georgia. Descendants claimed he was a loyalist during the Revolution and that his son, Robert Edwards, leased out land in June 1778 that was illegitimately sold to Trinity Episcopal Church in New York City, a lease for which the family was owed money. The resulting "Edwards Fortune" case even ended up in court several times and was dismissed every time. Though these claims were largely debunked, the legend of Thomas N...