Richard Bandy was a 5X great grandfather of my husband’s, through his mom’s Sturgell family. He was born about 1715-1720, probably in England. Richard married twice. His first wife, Dave’s ancestress, was Elizabeth, maiden name unknown. They were married about 1742 and she died sometime before 23 May 1794 when he married, in Botetourt County,  Lucy Justice, a much younger woman than himself, as she gave birth to their only child, Katy, early in 1795 and only a few months before Richard Bandy wrote his 22 July 1795 will, which was probated the following September.

Children of Richard and Elizabeth Bandy:

1. Mary, born c1744; married Thomas Lewis, before 1795
2. Elizabeth, born c1746; married Aquilla Greer, before 1795
3. Thomas, born 22 June 1748, Cumberland County, Virginia; died 18 October 1835, Wilson County, Tennessee; married Polly Christian, c1768.
4. Richard, born c1750; died c1815, Wilson County, Tennessee; married Jane (MNU)
5. John, born c1752; died after 1816, probably Botetourt County, Virginia; married Lucy Christian, c1779
6. George, born c1754; died c1837, probably Breckinridge County, Kentucky; married Drusilla Meador, before 1795
7. Sarah, born c1756; married Benjamin Jordan, before 1795
8. Ann, married James Neighbors, 24 March 1791, Bedford County, Virginia

Will of Richard Bandy
Botetourt County, Virginia
Will Book A:405

In the name of God, amen. I Richard Bandy of the County of Botetourt and State of Virginia being afflicted in body by sickness but of sound mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of mankind knowing that it is appointed for all men to die; do make and ordain this my last will and testament. Principally and first of all I recommend my soul to God who gave it in hopes of receiving the same again to be Reunited to this my frail body at the full resurrection. By the almighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life; I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner of our impremise[?]. It is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses are to be paid out of my personal estate by my Executors hereafter to be named. Then it is my further will and desire that the balance of my personal estate be sold and equally divided Between my following children and my wife Lucy Bandy that is to say Between Thomas Bandy, Richard Bandy, John Bandy, George Bandy, Mary Lewis wife of Thomas Lewis, Eliza widow and relect of Equalla Greer, Sarah wife of Benjamin Jordan, Katy Bandy an infant, Henry Bandy son of Ann Bandy now wife of James Neighbors and my widow Lucy Bandy. Then it is also my will that the land I now live on shall be rented out by my executors during my wife’s widowhood excepting to my said widow the house where I live together with such a piece of land thereto adjoining as may best suit her for a garden and excepting two acres which rent I allow to my said widow the one half thereof during the time she remains my widow and at that period I allow the land to be sold and the money arising from the sale thereof to be equally divided between my children above mentioned and also an equal part to my grandson Henry Bandy. It is my will that my executors do annually give to my said widow her part of the rent aforesaid for the support of her and my child and if at any time my said widow shall consent to have the aforesaid land sold, I hereby vest my said executors with full power and authority to sell and dispose of the same and to make titles in fee simple to the purchasor or purchasors for the same and I do appoint my sons Thomas Bandy and Richard Bandy the sole executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all former wills by me in any ways made Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of July 179 five.             Seal: Richard (X) Bandy

Signed and acknowledged in the presence of:
James Mason
Richard (C) Bandy
Thomas Bandy

At September Botetourt Court 1795:

This instrument of writing purported to be the last will and testament of Richard Bandy deceased was exhibited in court and proved by the oath of James Mason, Richard Bandy and Thomas Bandy witnesses thereto subscribed and thereupon ordered to be recorded and on motion of Thomas Bandy and Richard Bandy the executors therein named, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form they having first made oath entered into and acknowledged bond according to law.

Dave’s line:

1. Richard Bandy, c1715-1795 & Elizabeth (MNU)
2. John Bandy, c1752-after 1816 & Lucy Christian
3. Andrew Bandy, c1784-1867 & Rebecca Wooldridge
4. Mary Bandy, c1829-after 1889 & Isaac Sturgell
5. Abjiah Sturgell, 1855-1905 & Martha S. Alberty
6. Oscar E. Sturgell, 1893-1968 & Ethel Anne Nation
7. Ruby Sturgell, 1919-2013 & Edward E. Stufflebean
8. Dave

Richard Bandy has hundreds, if not thousands, of descendants today. Jane Bandy Eubank and her husband, Samuel Burton Eubank, did an enormous amount of work on this family and published Bandy Gallimaufry, last revised in 1994, but published online in 2000. If you are a Bandy descendant, be sure to visit their website.