Wayman Sinclair: Profile from "Landscape of Valor" Book

Wayman Sinclair, born around 1708 in Augusta, Virginia, married Mary Shirley on April 12, 1738, in Prince William, Virginia. They had eight children.

Like his father, Wayman was renowned as the largest tobacco farmer in their region. He adopted his father’s surname, “Sinkler,” although the reason behind this choice remains unknown.

Wayman’s first wife passed away at a young age, around 33 years old. Subsequently, he married Hester Smallwood.

Upon his marriage to Hester, Wayman included her in his will, stipulating that she would receive nothing from his estate upon his death. He also made arrangements for his children, if they were under the age of adulthood at the time of his passing, to be given to his previous mother-in-law.

Tragically, Wayman passed away two years later, on July 12, 1762. Instead of going to their grandmother, the younger boys were entrusted to a local businessman, who indentured them as servants. A third son promptly made arrangements to learn the trade of carpentry.

Wayman’s second wife did not remain a widow for long; she remarried shortly after his death.

Hester was later charged with being “a person of vile character and harboring rogues and horse stealers.”

Despite his relatively short life, Wayman’s children went on to great things and raised children who made significant contributions to their communities.

For more information about Wayman, his children, and grandchildren, you can read my book titled “Landscape of Valor: The Sinclair Legacy.”