William Francis Dancy was born 1818 in Tarboro, Edgecombe County, NC, the eldest of 4 known children (2 boys/ 2 girls) born to attorney and wealthy planter, Francis Little Dancy and his wife, Charlotte Sessoms. He was grandson of William Dancy & Agatha Little of Charles City County, VA, early settlers to Tarboro.
William graduated UNC Chapel Hill, and like his father before him, became a lawyer and wealthy planter in Edgecombe, later adding plantations in Mississippi; and would serve two terms in the NC State house.
On October 11, 1850, the 32-year old married 20-year old Martha Caroline Moye in Mississippi, daughter of Gen. Wyatt Moye & Martha Adams of Greene and Pitt Counties, NC. The marriage was short-lived, and childless, as Martha died January 14, 1852, and was buried in Mississippi.
Returning home, the young widower undertook the construction of a handsome Greek Revival mansion at 511 St. Andrew Street, which was completed in 1855.
Perhaps seeking a mistress for this house, William married again on January 15, 1858. The now 39-year old took as his bride 28-year old Mary Eliza Battle, daughter of Judge James Smith Battle & Sarah "Sally" Westray of "Cool Spring" Plantation in Edgecombe.
The couple would have two sons: Francis Little Dancy (1859), who died in infancy; and Francis "Frank" Battle Dancy (1860), who was born 3 months after his death.
William Francis Dancy died quite suddenly at age 41 on May 9, 1860. It is reported he died in Philadelphia, most likely on a business trip; however, his remains are interred at Calvary Episcopal.
Dancy never saw his only surviving son. His bereaved widow married again 9 years later to the widower, Dr. Newsome Jones "N.J." Pittman of Tarboro, who became a father to young Frank. Mary Eliza Battle Dancy would become stepmother to Dr. Pittman's 2 daughters from his first marriage, and the couple would have two more daughters together.
The "Dancy House", was later purchased Sally Norfleet, daughter of Thomas Norfleet & Azula Mehegan. The historic "Dancy House" still survives today, as a commercial property.
William graduated UNC Chapel Hill, and like his father before him, became a lawyer and wealthy planter in Edgecombe, later adding plantations in Mississippi; and would serve two terms in the NC State house.
On October 11, 1850, the 32-year old married 20-year old Martha Caroline Moye in Mississippi, daughter of Gen. Wyatt Moye & Martha Adams of Greene and Pitt Counties, NC. The marriage was short-lived, and childless, as Martha died January 14, 1852, and was buried in Mississippi.
Returning home, the young widower undertook the construction of a handsome Greek Revival mansion at 511 St. Andrew Street, which was completed in 1855.
Perhaps seeking a mistress for this house, William married again on January 15, 1858. The now 39-year old took as his bride 28-year old Mary Eliza Battle, daughter of Judge James Smith Battle & Sarah "Sally" Westray of "Cool Spring" Plantation in Edgecombe.
The couple would have two sons: Francis Little Dancy (1859), who died in infancy; and Francis "Frank" Battle Dancy (1860), who was born 3 months after his death.
William Francis Dancy died quite suddenly at age 41 on May 9, 1860. It is reported he died in Philadelphia, most likely on a business trip; however, his remains are interred at Calvary Episcopal.
Dancy never saw his only surviving son. His bereaved widow married again 9 years later to the widower, Dr. Newsome Jones "N.J." Pittman of Tarboro, who became a father to young Frank. Mary Eliza Battle Dancy would become stepmother to Dr. Pittman's 2 daughters from his first marriage, and the couple would have two more daughters together.
The "Dancy House", was later purchased Sally Norfleet, daughter of Thomas Norfleet & Azula Mehegan. The historic "Dancy House" still survives today, as a commercial property.
William Francis Dancy was born 1818 in Tarboro, Edgecombe County, NC, the eldest of 4 known children (2 boys/ 2 girls) born to attorney and wealthy planter, Francis Little Dancy and his wife, Charlotte Sessoms. He was grandson of William Dancy & Agatha Little of Charles City County, VA, early settlers to Tarboro.
William graduated UNC Chapel Hill, and like his father before him, became a lawyer and wealthy planter in Edgecombe, later adding plantations in Mississippi; and would serve two terms in the NC State house.
On October 11, 1850, the 32-year old married 20-year old Martha Caroline Moye in Mississippi, daughter of Gen. Wyatt Moye & Martha Adams of Greene and Pitt Counties, NC. The marriage was short-lived, and childless, as Martha died January 14, 1852, and was buried in Mississippi.
Returning home, the young widower undertook the construction of a handsome Greek Revival mansion at 511 St. Andrew Street, which was completed in 1855.
Perhaps seeking a mistress for this house, William married again on January 15, 1858. The now 39-year old took as his bride 28-year old Mary Eliza Battle, daughter of Judge James Smith Battle & Sarah "Sally" Westray of "Cool Spring" Plantation in Edgecombe.
The couple would have two sons: Francis Little Dancy (1859), who died in infancy; and Francis "Frank" Battle Dancy (1860), who was born 3 months after his death.
William Francis Dancy died quite suddenly at age 41 on May 9, 1860. It is reported he died in Philadelphia, most likely on a business trip; however, his remains are interred at Calvary Episcopal.
Dancy never saw his only surviving son. His bereaved widow married again 9 years later to the widower, Dr. Newsome Jones "N.J." Pittman of Tarboro, who became a father to young Frank. Mary Eliza Battle Dancy would become stepmother to Dr. Pittman's 2 daughters from his first marriage, and the couple would have two more daughters together.
The "Dancy House", was later purchased Sally Norfleet, daughter of Thomas Norfleet & Azula Mehegan. The historic "Dancy House" still survives today, as a commercial property.
William graduated UNC Chapel Hill, and like his father before him, became a lawyer and wealthy planter in Edgecombe, later adding plantations in Mississippi; and would serve two terms in the NC State house.
On October 11, 1850, the 32-year old married 20-year old Martha Caroline Moye in Mississippi, daughter of Gen. Wyatt Moye & Martha Adams of Greene and Pitt Counties, NC. The marriage was short-lived, and childless, as Martha died January 14, 1852, and was buried in Mississippi.
Returning home, the young widower undertook the construction of a handsome Greek Revival mansion at 511 St. Andrew Street, which was completed in 1855.
Perhaps seeking a mistress for this house, William married again on January 15, 1858. The now 39-year old took as his bride 28-year old Mary Eliza Battle, daughter of Judge James Smith Battle & Sarah "Sally" Westray of "Cool Spring" Plantation in Edgecombe.
The couple would have two sons: Francis Little Dancy (1859), who died in infancy; and Francis "Frank" Battle Dancy (1860), who was born 3 months after his death.
William Francis Dancy died quite suddenly at age 41 on May 9, 1860. It is reported he died in Philadelphia, most likely on a business trip; however, his remains are interred at Calvary Episcopal.
Dancy never saw his only surviving son. His bereaved widow married again 9 years later to the widower, Dr. Newsome Jones "N.J." Pittman of Tarboro, who became a father to young Frank. Mary Eliza Battle Dancy would become stepmother to Dr. Pittman's 2 daughters from his first marriage, and the couple would have two more daughters together.
The "Dancy House", was later purchased Sally Norfleet, daughter of Thomas Norfleet & Azula Mehegan. The historic "Dancy House" still survives today, as a commercial property.
Family Members
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Records on Ancestry
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Geneanet Community Trees Index
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North Carolina, U.S., Historical Records Survey, Cemetery Inscription Card Index, 1700-2018
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North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011
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North Carolina, U.S., Index to Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
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North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998
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