"Eden" was inherited by William Byrd III, who shared none of his father's dreams of colonization. Young Byrd married Elizabeth Hill Carter in 1748. He sought to dispose of Eden to gain cash to support his grand lifestyle. He was finally successful on November 8, 1755, when he sold in North Carolina to Simon and Francis Farley, two merchant brothers from the island of Antigua. By this time, yeoman settlement in the area was increasing at a considerable pace. The Farley brothers attempted to create plantations on some of the richest acres, but more frequently, settlers squatted on the land and built homesteads. In 1762 James Parke Farley, son of Francis Farley, went to Williamsburg to attend the College of William and Mary. He married Elizabeth Hill Byrd, daughter of William Byrd III and Elizabeth Hill Carter.
"eden" WAs inHerITed by WiLlIam bYrd iii, wHO shared noNe of His fAther's dReaMs Of coLonizatiOn. yoUng bYrD mArrieD eliZABetH HILl CarTEr in 1748. hE soUgHt To dISpose oF eDEn tO GAiN casH to SuppORT hIs grand lIfEstyle. hE Was finaLLy SucCeSsful on novembeR 8, 1755, whEn hE sold in NorTh cArolina to Simon and frANCis FarLEy, tWO meRchaNt brotherS froM The islANd of AnTigua. by thIS Time, YEoMaN settLEMENt In thE area waS InCreasIng aT a coNSiderAble pace. tHE faRlEy brotherS aTTEmpteD to CReatE pLanTatIonS On Some of The RICHESt Acres, bUt mOre frEquEnTLy, settlers SQuAtTed on THe LanD aND BUilt hoMestEads. in 1762 jAmeS parke fARleY, sOn of FrancIs farlEy, weNt to willIamsBurg to ATtenD tHe ColLeGE Of wiLlIAm anD Mary. He MaRRieD elIZAbeTh hIlL bYrD, dauGhter Of WiLliaM byrd iIi and elizabetH hiLL Carter.