James Parsons

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Lincoln, Missouri, USA; Age: 15

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1820, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1840, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1850, , Lincoln, Missouri, USA
• Residence: 1860, Clark, Lincoln, Missouri, USA

Notes:

Residence:
2 slaves

Richard married Letitia Yates on 15 Nov 1819 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Letitia (daughter of Samuel Yates and Mary Polly Davis) was born on 27 Feb 1796 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 22 Jan 1853 in , Lincoln, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Lincoln, Missouri, USA

Notes:

Source: Liahona Marriage Index on CDROM.
Date of marriage from Motley bible record at Virginia Library

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Film 0033270
Vol 15 Pg 236
December 15, 1806 William Parsons gives to his daughter, Elizabeth Farthing, a gift (horse).

Will of William Parsons
I William Parsons of Pittsylvania County State of Virginia being advanced in life and calling to mind the mortality of the body though at the time of sound and disposing memory do make this my Last Will and Testament as follows viz First I desire that all my just debts shall be speedly and promptly paid Secondly After my ebts & funeral expenses are paid I give to my beloved wife Mary Parsons the whole of my Estate both real & PErsonal or perishable of every kind during her natural life. Thirdly after the decease of my wife I give the whole of my land Viz fifty acres more or less to my Son Richard Parsons and that my unfortunate son Henry shall be supported out of my perishable Estate Agreeable to the will I wish of my wife to each of my other chidlren or their heirs of their body I give One dollar in additiion to what I have already given them.

I do hereby constitute & ratify this my last will and testament all
_________all others. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 22nd day of February One-Thousand eight hundrede & eighteen.
Also I desire that Richard Jones shall be the whole & Sole Executor of the my Last Will
Signed in the presence of
Will _______
Richard (x) Parsons
Molley (x) Farthing
William (x) Parsons

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the 16 Day of March 1818 The Last will & Testament of William Parsons Decd was presented in Court and proved the Oaths of the three Witnesses thereunto subscribed and ordered to be recorded and Richard Jones the Executor named in Said will refusing to take upon himself the burden of the excution thereof on the motion of Mary Parsons widow of said William who made oath according to sa____ _____ James Barnett, Abner Farthing and Richard Parsons her securities entered into and acknowledged there bond in the Penalty of $500. Conditioned as the Law directs certificate is granted her for obtaining Letter of Administration
_________________________
in due form

William married Mary Blanks on 19 Jan 1794 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of Henry Blanks and Naomi Cox) was born in 1762 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in Mar 1818 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1820, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Samuel married Mary Polly Davis on 17 Mar 1795 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of Thomas Davis and Isbel) was born on 5 Oct 1774 in , Charlotte, Virginia, USA; died on 18 Apr 1858 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Birth:
The 1858 register of deaths for Pittsylvania County shows that Molly was 90 years old when she died and was born in Pittsylvania County.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Will: 22 Dec 1783, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Joseph Parsons 1690-1770 and Sarah Woodson's son Richard Parsons born was abt 1713 Henrico, Va married Lydia Biggs 1725-aft 1758 Richard wrote his will on 22 Dec 1783 in Pittsylvania, Va, his wife Lydia was in the will, and recorded on 21 Feb 1785 in Pittsylvania, Va. After Sarah Woodson Parsons died in 1746 Henrico. Joseph Parsons married Suzannah Woody on 7 Feb 1750 in Henrico, Va, and she was mentioned in Joseph's will written 6 Aug 1762 Henrico.

Will of Richard Parsons
Court Orders Book 5, page 139 Pittsylvania County, VA
December 22, 1783

In the Name of God Amen I Richard Parsons of the County of Pittsylvania being old and weak in body but enjoying my usual reason and memory and calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, to wit, First my desire is that my Soul assends and rest with God that gave it and secondly my desire is that my body be decently buried,
Thirdly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff and their heirs forever.
Forthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Agness Madkiff and to her Husband John Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Agness Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff and their hiers forever.
Fifthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son George Parsons one shilling Sterling to him my said Son George Parsons and his heirs for ever,
Sixthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joseph Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son Joseph Parsons and his heirs forever,
Seventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son John Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son John Parsons and his heirs for ever
Eighthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Samuel Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided by a line which my said son Samuel and my son William marked themselves to him my said son Samuel Parsons and his heirs and assignes for ever
Ninethly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided as above mentioned to him my said son William Parsons and his heirs and assignes forever
Tenthly on the land above mentioned is mortgage for which my son Samuel Parsons is liable to pay said mortgage if he does not then my will is that his part of the land that is to say the land whereon he now lives is to be sold by my executors to off said morgage
Eleventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates all my Black Smith tools to her my said daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates to them and their heirs for ever
Twevlthly and lastly as I and my wife is now living with my daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates and they using us with the greatest kindness my will and desire is that they the said Lydia and Stephen Yates to have all the remainder of my estate that is to say my cattle and my black mare and also all my household furniture which is now in their possession but not til after my decease and the decease of my Wife.
Furthermore I revoke all former wills by me made and do confirm this my last will and testament. I do appoint and constitute my loving sons Joseph and William Parsons executors of this my last will and testament Witness my hand and seal.

Richard (his mark) Parsons SS

Test
John Parks, Samuel Parks, Richard Johnson

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County February the 21, 1785 This last Will and Testament of Richard Parsons deceased was presented in Court and proved by the Oathes of two of the witnesses Hands and by the Court ordered to be Recorded

THE HISTORY of PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA
CHAPTER IV A PART OF LUNENBURG COUNTY, 1745-1752

page 53

There were three very early roads which led across Pittsylvania to the west, known as Hickey's Road, the Irish Road, and the Pigg River Road. Hickey's Road led from a point on Staunton River in northern Halifax to the settlement that had been made at the foot of Wart Mountain in western Patrick, a distance of near 120 miles. The Wart Mountain isnow called Bull's Mountain and lies east of the main range of the [p.53] Blue Ridge, as shown on Jefferson's and Fry's map. Mayo River takes its rise near by and for this reason the settlement was called the Mayo settlement.

Hickey's road was authorized at a court held for Lunenburg in June, 1749:

'It is ordered that a road be laid off and cleared the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, and it is ordered that Joseph Mayes and all the male Laboring Tithables convenient to the said road forthwith mark off and lay open the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to Allen's Creek and keep the some in repair according to law. [p.54] 'Richard Parsons is appointed surveyor of that part of the New Road leading from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, to-wit from Allen's Creek to Banister River.

THE HISTORY of PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA
CHAPTER V A PART OF HALIFAX COUNTY, 1752-1767

page 62

'The emigrants usually left Pennsylvania in the early fall, after harvest was over, reaching Virginia or North Carolina before hard winter set in. Almost all were farmers, but were artisans as well, making almost everying they needed. The Germans were industrious and economical;the Scotch-Irish, ambitious, alert and grasping.' These upper inhabitants of Halifax had increased in numbers until now they began to petition for more roads. In March,19 I753, Richard Parsons and William Adkins were ordered to mark a road from the mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road. In July the inhabitants on Pigg River and Snow Creek (Franklin County) petitioned for a road from the uppermost of the inhabitantsto the Snow Creek Road, and Thomas Hall and William Hill were orderedto lay off the road. The following year the same inhabitants begged that the road laid off by Hall and Hill be extended to the top of the Blue Ridge, which was accordingly ordered, with Tully Choice as surveyor. This road led across Franklin County to the mountains.

Will of Richard Parsons
Court Orders Book 5, page 139 Pittsylvania County, VA
December 22, 1783

In the Name of God Amen I Richard Parsons of the County of Pittsylvania being old and weak in body but enjoying my usual reason and memory and calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, to wit, First my desire is that my Soul assends and rest with God that gave it and secondly my desire is that my body be decently buried Thirdly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff and their heirs forever. Forthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Agness Madkiff and to her Husband John Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughterAgness Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff and their hiers forever.Fifthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son George Parsons oneshilling Sterling to him my said Son George Parsons and his heirs foreverer, Secondly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joseph Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son Joseph Parsons and his heirs forever, Seventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son JohnParsons one shilling sterling to him my said son John Parsons and hisheirs for ever Eighthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Samuel Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided by a line which my said son Samuel and my son William marked themselves to him my said son Samuel Parsons and his heirs and assignes for ever Ninethly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided as above mentioned to him my said son William Parsons and his heirs and assignes forever Tenthly on the land above mentioned is mortgage for which my son Samuel Parsons is liable to pay said mortgage if he does not then my will is that his part of the land that is to say the land whereon he now lives is to be sold by my exxecutors to off said morgage Eleventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates all myBlack Smith tools to her my said daughter Lydia Yates and her husbandStephen Yates to them and their heirs for ever Twevlthly and lastly as I and my wife is now living with my daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates and they using us with the greatest kindness my will and desire is that they the said Lydia and Stephen Yates to have all the r remainder of my estate that is to say my cattle and my black mare and also all my household furniture which is now in their possession but not til after my decease and the decease of my Wife. Furthermore I revoke all former wills by me made and do confirm this my last will and testament. I do appoint and constitute my loving sons Joseph and William Parsons executors of this my last will and testament Witness my hand and seal.

Richard (his mark) Parsons SS

Test
John Parks, Samuel Parks, Richard Johnson

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County February the 21, 1785 This last Will and Testament of Richard Parsons deceased was presented in Court and proved by the Oathes of two of the witnesses Hands and by the Court ordered to be Recorded

Teste Will Turnball (?)

FHC Film #31671
Goochland County Court Orders Books 1,2, & 3
Goochland County Virginia Order Book No. 3 1731-1735

August Court 1732
page 110
Parsons VS Davis
On the complaint of Richard Parsons that William Davis hath beat him it is ordered that a capias do yous against this said Davis in the sum of one hundred pounds sterling for his appearance at the nex t court to answer in the promises
Ordered that Edward Scott to summons a witness
Page 118
To Richard Parsons constabe for inspecting stands (?)
Page 123

October Court 1732
The complaint against William Davis for beating Richard Parsons is dismissed

August Court 1734
On the motion of Lydia Briggs she is permitted to choose Richard Parsons her guardian who accepts the charge. Alliford(?)S. Hughtes and Isaac Hughes offer themselves securities.
The last will and testament of George Briggs deceased is presented in Court by Richard Parsons guardian to Lydia Briggs the excecutrix and the same being proved by his oaths of Robert Carter and Jeremiah Dumas (?) Jun to have been signed by Jeremiah Dumas Jun. with the testators name and by his direction it is admitted to record on the motion of the said Richard Parsons Certificate is granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration with the will ann------- is due form during the minority of the executrix. Alliford Hughes and Isaac Hughes, Securities

LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA, DIGITAL COLLECTION
Parsons, Richard 30 Jany 1741 Goochland County, 80 A on the brances of the North Branch of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek Patents 20, 1741-43, P. 129

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEEDS, 1741-1745

Deed Book 4 Page 510 February 25, 1744 from Francis Amoss of Goochland and Parish of Southam, to Richard Ligon of same, for 45 lbs, all that tract of land in Goochland on both sides of the upper branc h of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek, and bounded by Richard Parsons, Major Bowler Cocke, James Terrel, containing 400 acres. Signed Francis Amoss. Wit - John Alexander, Abrm Womack, Abrm Womac k Jr. Recorded March 19, 1744. Judith, the wife of Francis Amoss, relinquished her right of dower to the conveyed lands.

Deed Book 4 Page 346. December 17, 1743 from Richard Parsons, and Lydia, his wife, of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, to John Alexander of same, for 70 lbs, a certain tract of land of 200 acre s in Goochland on the south side James River on the west side Muddy Cr, being half of 400 acres of land granted to George Briggs by patent dated Jun 20, 1733, which the said George Briggs, by his Gooc hland will, gave to his sister, Lydia Briggs alias Parsons. The tract is bounded by Bowler Cocke, new lines run by Robert Walton on the division of the said 400 acres. Signed Richard Parsons, Lidi a (L her mark) Parsons. Wit - Francis Amoss, Isac Hughes, Abram Womack, Miles Gathwrit, Joell Chandler, Recorded May 15, 1744.

Deed Book 4 Page 325. January 16, 1743 from Robert Yancey of the Parish of St. Martin and County of Louisa, to Francis Amoss of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, for 40 L, a cerain tract of land of about 400 acres on the south side of James River in the Parish of St. James and Goochland, and bounded by Richard Parsons, Major Bowler Cocke, James Terril. Signed - Robert Yancey. Wit - Tarlton Fleming, Charles Fleming, Simon (SW his mark) Ward. Recorded March 20, 1743. Recorded June 19, 1744.

Deed Book 4 Page 201 August 13, 1743 from Richard Parsons, and Lydia, his wife, of Goochland, to Nicholas Davies of Goochland for 20 L, a certain tract of land of 200 acres on Muddy Creek in Goochlan d on the south side of James River, and bounded by [trees]. Signed - Richard Parsons, Lydia (X her mark) Parsons. Wit - William Dillon, William Dillon [sic], John (B his mark) Burk, John ( his mark ) Burnet. Recorded September 20, 1743.

Deed Book 4 Page 203. April 22, 1743 from Richard Parsons of Goochland, to Nicholas Spears of Goochland, for 5 L, a certain tract of land of about 80 acres on Muddy Creek in Goochland on the south si de of James River, and bounded by Major Bowler Cocke, James Terril, Robert Yancy. Signed - Richard Parsons. Wit - Nicholas Davies, Elizabeth Dewes, John (his mark) Creasie. Recorded September 20, 1 743.
At a Court of November 20, 1745, this deed was proved by the oath of William Dillon to be the act and deed of Lydia Parsons, wife of Richard Parsons, and ordered to be recorded.

SUNLIGHT ON THE SOUTHSIDE LISTS OF TITHES LUNENBURG COUNTY VIRGINIA 1748-1783, Compiled by Landon C. Bell, Clearfield Company, Philadelphia, 1931, Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 74-5468

Tax List for 1749 taken by William Caldwell "from Falling River to Little Ronoke River".
Richard Parsons ....1 (pg 91)
Christopher Parsons.....1 (pg 94)

Tax List for 1750 taken by William Caldwell "from Falling River to Little Ronoke River".
Richard Parsons....1 (pg 126)
Christopher Parsons....1 (pg 128)

LUNENBURG COUNTY, VIRGINIA LAND PATENTS 1746-1916, T.L.C. Genealogy, PO Box 403369, Miami Beach, Fl 33140-1369
Patent 28-487, 180 acres, January 10, 1748, Richard Parsons, both sides Banister E, mouth Rocky Branch
Patent 28-488, 204 acres, January 10, 1748, Richard Parsons, both sides Great Cherrystone Cr.
Patent 31-743, 1148 acres, September 10, 1755, Chirstopher Parsons, left side Cub Creek and both sides Maple Swamp

HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEED BOOKS 2,3,4,5,&6, MARIAN DODSON CHIARITO, G929.3755661 C431haLt Denver Public Library, Denver, CO

P. 131 20 June 1764 Christopher Gorman of Halifax Co. to John Gorman of same, for L10, 100 acres on the brances of Mill Cr., being the upper part of the land sd Gorman lives on... All houses, building ...
Signed: Christopher (X) Gorman
Wit: Shadrack Turner, Richard Parsons, Thomas Townsend
Recorded 21 June 1764

P. 214 18 December 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate, his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to John Adams of Halifax Co., for L30, 616 ac., part of a tract of 1,616 ac. granted to sd Hatcher 6 June 1765; on th e north sode of Banister Ri., beg. on sd river thence west... All appurtenances...
Signed Jeremiah Hatcher
Wit: Philemon Payne, John Pigg, Benja. Hatcher Recorded 18 December 1766

P. 217 18 Decmber 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to Richard Parsons of Halifax Co., for L70, 400 ac. beg. at a white oak th. north... All tress, woods, underwoods...
Singed: Jeremiah Hatcher
Wit: Philimon Payne, John Pigg, Benja. Hatcher Recorded 18 December 1766

P. 219 18 December 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate, his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to Richard Parsons of Halifax Co., for L30, 600 ac., part of a tract of 1, 616 ac. granted sd Hatcher by patent 5 Jun e 1765 on Little Cherry Stone Cr., on the north side of Banister Ri., eg. on the south side of sd creek thence south.. All appurtenances..
Signed: Jeremiah Hatcher

THE HISTORY OF PTTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA by Maud Carter Clement, pages 53-54
"Hickey's road was authorized at a court held for Lunenburg in June, 1749: It is ordered that a road be laid off and cleared the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlemen t at the Wart Mountain, and it is ordered that Joseph Mayes and all the male Laboring Tithables convenient to the said road forthwith mark off and lay open the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to Allen's Creek and keep the same in repair according to law."
"Richard Parsons is appointed surveyor of that part of the New Road leading from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, to-wit from Allen's Creek to Banister River."
"This road led from a point on Staunton River in Northern Halifax, by Mount Airy, Chalk Level and Chatham, crossing Banister River near the Poor Farm, and turning west led across Henry and Patrick counties. The eastern part of this road continues a well known highway today. It took its name from John Hickey, who had made a settlement and opened a store near its western limits."

Page 62
"These upper inhabitants of Halifax had increased in numbers until now thay began to petition for more roads. In March, 1753, Richard Parsons and William Adkins were ordered to mark a road from the m outh of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road. In July the inhabitants on Pigg River and Snow Creek (Franklin County) petitioned for a road from the uppermost of the inhabitants to the Snow Creek Road, and Th omas Hall and William Hill were ordered to lay off the road. The following year the same inhabitants begged that the road laid off by Hall and Hill be extended to the top of the Blue Ridge, which wa s accordingly ordered, with Tully Choice as surveyor. This road led across Franklin County to the mountains."

From the PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA ABSTRACTS OF WILLS 1768-1800 the will of Richard Parsons (not dated) from the Deed and Will Book 11, p 159 lists daughter Hannah Madkiff (Midkiff) and her husband , Joseph Madkiff, daughter Agnes Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff, sons George, Joseph, John, Samuel, William and daughter Lyda (Lydia) and her husband Stephen Yates. Richard's wife's name is not given but the will states that he and his wife are living with Lyda and her husband Stephen. Executors were sons, Joseph and William, witnesses were, John Parks, Samuel Parks and Richard Johnson.

ENTRY RECORD BOOK 1737-1770 (LAND ENTRIES IN THE PRESENT VIRGINIA COUNTIES OF HALIFAX, PITTSYLVANIA, HENRY, FRANKLIN, AND PATRICK) TRANSCRIBED BY MARLAN DODSON CHIARITO US/CAN 975.56R2c v.1
Joseph parsons 400 acx. Land on Little Cherrystone Cr. Adj.g the Lines of Richd. Parsons, Jos. Hixs and Richd. Southerlon's runing up
Trans.d to Saml. Parsons 17 Sapr.1779) Also 400 on the Sth. of the Mill Cr. and Callaways Cabbin Running on Kennons Line and both sides of the new Waggon road for Complement.
Thos. Dillard Jrnr. 400 Ac begin: on the upper Line of Richard Parsons's Land on Cherrystone Creek thence off and up both sides.
(Surv.d W.S.) At a Council June 14, 1749 Richard Parsons had leave to take up 2000 Acres of Land including the Place he lives on and one other Survey on Mill Creek. Mem.d see if neither of these tra cts have not had the fees due for them return'd insolv.t.
Richard Parsons 400 on the S. Side Mill Creek Begin: at Hugh Henry's Cornr. Maple thence up the Br. and Parallel with Parsons's old line.
(Void) Richard Parsons 400 on both sides Sycamore Creek Begin: at a Beach on the Nth. Side the sd Creek mark't I E thence up and down.
(Surv.d S.W.) Henry Pruett 400 on both sides the South Fork of Great Cherrystone Creek Begin: at Richard Parsons's upper line thence up both sides.
(Surv.d J.T.) Elisha Walling 400 Acrs on both sides Br Cherry Stone Cr. begin: just below the Fork thence up including the Fork. for Richard Parsons
Joseph Parsons 400 Acs. Land on Little Cherrystone Cr. Adj.g the Lines of Richd. Parsons, Jos. Hixs and Richd. Southerlon's and runing up.
In Plea Book 1 of Halifax County Virginia, 1752-1755: " The petition of Richard Parsons to build a water grist mill is granted, he being proprietor of land on both sides Little Cherry Stone Creek, a djacent to his dwelling house
Richard sold land, 100 acres each, to Joseph and George for 10 pounds in 1764. These were recorded in deed books of Halifax County.
In Plea Book 1 of Halifax County Virginia, 1752-1755: " The petition of Richard Parsons to build a water grist mill is granted, he being proprietor of land on both sides Little Cherry Stone Creek, a djacent to his dwelling house."
1749 - Richard Parsons, surveyor, (Lunenburg Co)
1765 - George Parsons, Richard Parsons (Halifax Voters List)
1767 - Richard Parsons, to mark road from mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's
Road (Snow Creek later in Franklin Co)
1767 - John Parsons, Richard Parsons, George Parsons, Joseph Parsons (Camden
Parish Tithes List)
1768 - George Parsons (Antrim Parish, Halifax Co)
1771 - Richard Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1782 - Joseph Parsons, Pitts Co (written complaint)
1786 - George Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1787 - William Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1788 - Samuel Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1796 - William Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
Virginia Census of 1782
Pittsylvania County
George Parsons 0 3 0 0 0 S1782
John Parsons 0 5 0 0 S1782
Joseph Parsons 0 8 0 0 S1782
Richard Parsons 0500
Samuel Parsons 0 3 0 0 S1782
William Parsons 0 3 0 0 S1782

Richard married Lydia Briggs in 1743 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. Lydia (daughter of Ralph Briggs and Mary Elizabeth Wright) was born in 1720 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA; died in 1787 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Briggs/Parsons confirmation

banjosmama originally shared this on 16 Jun 2012


Richard Parsons is the son of Joseph Parsons and Sarah Woodson. He was born before 1714 in either Henrico County, Virginia. His will was written on December 22, 1783 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and his estate was probated there on February 21, 1785.

Lydia Briggs was the daughter of Ralph Briggs and Elizabeth Mary Wright and brother of George Briggs. She was born in 1720 in Goochland County, Virginia. She died in Pittsylvania County Virginia in 1787.
John Wright (probably an uncle) was appointed as her guardian after both of her parents died (I do not have this date). John Wright died between March 14, 1729/30 and May 1730 at which time her brother George must have been of age, and become her guardian, because when George died in June of 1734, Lydia chose a new guardian, Richard Parsons. Hence, George must have been her guardian at the time. Lydia also inherited 400 acres of land from George on the south side of the James River along Muddy Creek.

Richard and Lydia were married in 1740 in Goochland County, Virginia. They had the following children, all born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia:

Joseph (abt 1742 - 13 Aug 1833) m1. bef 1764, Margaret "Peggy" Griffith; m2. 26 Aug 1824, Sarah "Sally" Thompson
Mary Agnes (abt 1744 - ) m. 1760, John Midkiff, Sr.
Hannah (abt 1746 - ) m. Joseph Midkiff, Sr.
George (abt 1750 - 16 Jun 1846) m1. Anne Griffith, m2. Sarah Hardin
Samuel (abt 1752 - 1819) m. 21 Dec 1779, Rebecca Farthing
James (1753 - )
William (abt 1756 - 16 Mar 1818) m. Mary Blanks
Richard (1758 - )
Lydia (1760 - Aft 1805) m. 1775 Stephen Yates, Sr.
John (abt 1762 - d. 20 Jun 1808) m1. Mary Simmons, m2. bef 1784, Sarah (Sary) Adkins

The Richard Parsons who married Lydia Briggs is documented from 1735 to about 1745 in Goochland County, Virginia. The Richard of Lunenburg/Halifax/Pittsylvania County is documented from 1748 to his death around 1785. He died testate in Pittsylvania County, Virginia naming his children and mentioning his wife only as 'my wife'. So far, I have not found a document that states Richard of Goochland and Richard of Pittsylvania are the same Richard. However, Richard sold his land in Goochland County and then a Richard appears in Lunenburg/Pittsylvania County shortly thereafter. Also, Christopher Parsons also appears in court records in Goochland and then appears in Lunenburg in the same year as Richard, as well as some other Pittsylvania families. The Richard Parsons of Surry County, North Carolina was married Elizabeth Feathers. He died 30 years after the Richard of Pittsylvania County also leaving a will. There is no documentation that links the two.

In August of 1734, Lydia Briggs, both her parents having previously died, was permitted to choose Richard Parsons her guardian. This indicates that she was a minor and he was at least 21 years of age.

On January 30, 1741, Richard Parsons patented 80 acres on the branches of the North Branch of Muddy Creek (alias Little Muddy Creek) in Goochland County, Virginia. [Library of Virginia, Digital Collection, Patents 20, 1741-43, P. 129].

On January 16, 1743 from Robert Yancey of the Parish of St. Martin and County of Louisa sold to Francis Amoss of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, 400 acres on the south side of James River in the Parish of St. James and Goochland, that was bounded by Richard Parsons

On April 22, 1743 Richard Parsons of Goochland County, Virginia, sold to Nicholas Spears 80 acres on Muddy Creek on the south side of James River for 5 pounds.

On August 13, 1743 Richard and Lydia Parsons of Goochland County, Virginia, sold to Nicholas Davies 200 acres on Muddy Creek on the south side of James River for 20 pounds. This is the first mention of his wife.

On December 17, 1743 Richard and Lydia Parsons of the Parish of St. James and Goochland sold to John Alexander 200 acres on the south side James River on the west side Muddy Creek for 70 pounds. [Goochland County Deeds, Virginia Deeds, 1741-1745, Deed Book 4, Page 346]

Lydia's brother George Briggs was first granted the above 400 acres in 1733. George died about 1634 and Lydia inherited the land.

On February 25, 1744 Francis Amoss of Goochland and Parish of Southam sold to Richard Ligon 400 acres on both sides of the upper branch of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek, and bounded by Richard Parsons.

On November 20, 1745, Richard Parsons is mentioned []Goochland County, Virginia 1741-1745, Deed Book 4].

On March 7, 1747, Richard is granted 400 acres on both sides of Great Cherrystone Creek in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

On Noveber 2, 1748, Richard is granted an additional 400 acres in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, adjoining his other lands.

On June 14, 1749, Richard Pasrons is grated 2000 acres on Mill Creek in Virginia.

In June of 1749 Richard Parsons was appointed as surveyor of the new road between Staunton River and the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

In July of 1752, Richard sells land to John Watson in Halifax County, Virginia.

Between 1752 and 1755, Richard Parsons is granted permission to construct a grist mill on Cherry Creek in Halifax County, Virginia.

In March of 1753, as surveyor, he was ordered to mark a road from the mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road in the same county.

On March 20, 1760 is in Halifax County, Virginia.

In a deed recorded in Halifax County, Virginia, April 19, 1764, Richard Parsons sells his son Joseph Parsons 100 acres of land for 10 pounds [Halifax County Deed Books 2-6, compiled by Marian Dodson Chiarito] .

On May 14, 1764, Richard Parsons sold to his son George Parsons, both of Halifax County, Virginia, for 10 pounds, 100 acres on the south side of Little Cherrystone Creek, being the land that George was living on at the time. It was recorded June 21, 1764

In 1765, Richard and George Parsons were listed in the Halifax Voters List. [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On June 10, 1767, Richard (Persons) and his son Joseph are named for Cambden Parish in Pittsylvania County's first list of Tithables (The History of Pittsylvania County, Viginia, by Maud Carter Clement. Reprinted by The Pittsylvania Historical Society, 1988, page 278).

In 1767, Richard Parsons, as surveyor, was ordered to mark the road from mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road (in Franklin Co) [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

In 1768, George Parsons was in Antrim Parish [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On July 29, 1768, Francis Bucknal was granted a patent in Pittsylvania County for 238 acres on both sides of Great Cherry stone Creek adjoining Parson's Land. [Land Office Patents No. 37, 1767-1768, p. 243 (Reel 37), Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41].

In 1771, Richard Parsons is found in the Pittsylvania County Court Order Records [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On August 3, 1771, John Hicks was granted a patent in Pittsylvania County for 400 acres on the branches of Little Cherrystone Creek adjoining Richard Parsons. [Land Office Patents No. 40, 1771-1772, p. 516 (Reel 39), Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41].

In May of 1777, Richard signed the Oath of Allegiance in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

In 1782, Richard and his sons, William, Samuel, John, Joseph and George are named in the Pittsylvania County Census. Richard had 5 persons. [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On December 22, 1783, Richard and Lydia according to his will, are living with their daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates. Stephen ran the Old Yates Tavern in Gretna, Virginia. (The old Yates Tavern still stands today about ten miles from town.)

In the Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed and Will Book #11, p. 159, probably February 21, 1785, Richard Parsons' will is recorded.

I hope this helps someone....
Nancy
Born in Virginia
Story of Lydia Briggs' Childhood
Posted 25 Mar 2014 by jtynotme

Retrieved 7 Jun 2011 from RootsWeb WorldConnections, Ancestors of Margaret Pansy Sanderson, http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=sbeddes&id=I20315
William C Burgess listed as a researcher of this line

Lydia Briggs--She had a brother named George Briggs who had given Lydia 400 acres of land on the south side of the James River. This was sometime between 1733 date of the patent to George Briggs and 1743, when Richard and Lydia sold 200 acres of the 400 to a John Alexander. (Goochland Co, Virginia Deeds 1741-1745)

After her parents died, Lydia chose John Wright as her guardian. He died in Goochland Co. Lydia's brother George, chose Robert Hughes.

In the will of Lt. Col. George Jordan, dated May 28, 1671, he gives to "George Briggs, alsoe God-Children, each a silver soon, worth ten shillings." I have a George Briggs with sister Lydia in Goochland County in 1733 when he patented land. George died abt. 1734 when his will was presented in court and Lydia, the executrix, was allowed to choose Richard Parsons as her guardian, because she was not of age.

Also wonder about Lydia Briggs. It appears she starts out with John Wright as her guardian, but shifts to Richard Parsons later. Her brother makes a move as well, which I suppose indicates the death of John Wright. Do you have a copy of his will you could share online?? 1730 John Wright of Goochland County, Virginia, died between March 14, 1729/30 and May 1730. That would have clearly necessitated the appointment of a new guardian for Lydia Briggs.

Per comments that I have read, Joseph Parsons of Henrico County, Va, did NOT mention a son named Richard in his LWT. so unlikely Joseph was Richard’s father.


JEAN Thomas From what I read it said that Richard was Joseph father.

In 1782, Richard and his sons, William, Samuel, John, Joseph and George are named in the Pittsylvania County Census. Richard had 5 persons. [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]her.

sscottmath Color me confused

Henry married Naomi Cox in 1759 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Naomi (daughter of James Cox and Elisabeth Hanna Cary) was born in 1738 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1803 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Event-Misc: 1777, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1820, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Yates Tavern is located 1/4 mile South of Gretna, Va. === Yates Tavern is the only block-house standing in Pittsylvania County, Va. and possibly the state. It is located on U.S. 29 business about a fourth of a mile south of Gretna. It was built around 1750 and sheltered travelers in what was then a western wilderness. It is said to be the only dwelling in Virginia constructed with Elizabethan or Tudor over-hangs or front and back jetties. It is deemed a blockhouse because of the 10-inch overhang of the second story. Indian campgrounds were mentioned in deeds on Potter's and Reddies' creeks a few miles away. Saponi Town, near Altavista, was only about 12 miles away. The Yates family came to Pittsylvania County earlier than 1767 when both John Yates and John Yates Jr. were listed among the first tithables. It is not clear which of the Yates family members built the tavern. According to 18th Century Landmarks of Pittsylvania County by Madalene Vaden Fitzgerald and Frances Hallam Hurt, Stephen Yates paid a tax of $8.50 in 1813 to keep an ordinary at his house. In 1818, Yates paid the sum of $1.67 tax and a license was granted him "to keep a house of private entertainment where he now resides." The house is made from weather-boarding and has a rock chimney. There is a large public room with a rock fire-place beneath an impressive mantel. A smaller adjoining main floor room has an under the staircase closet. The corner stairway leads to a two-roomed loft upstairs. The English basement, half in and half out of the ground, has walls two-feet thick. It was in the enormous basement fireplace that meals were prepared. There is trap door access from the main floor into the basement. One of the first acts of the Gentlemen Justices in 1767 was to set prices for liquors and lodging. Overnight lodging with breakfast or dinner was six shillings, with the same for a horse. Brandy was eight shillings a gallon; whiskey, six; West India rum, 10; with Virginia beer and cider going for two shillings, six pence. Near the tavern was Pigg River Road which ran from Peytonsburg to Smith Mountain and from which Yates Tavern drew its customers. Several members of the Yates family are buried in a nearby cemetery. The tavern was restored through grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Virginia Landmarks, Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors and the late DeWitt Wallace of Reader's Digest.

THREE LIPFORD BRIDES FOR THREE YATES BROTHERSJohn Yeardley Yates, William D. Yates, and Byrd R. Yates were sons of Samuel Yates and Mary (Polly) Davis Yates. They were grandsons of Stephen Yates and Lydia Parsons Yates, all of Pittsylvania County. Elizabeth Feline Lipford , Mary B. Lipford, and Julia R. Lipford were all granddaughters of Anthony Par Lipford and Elizabeth Robinson Lipford. John Yeardley Yates, born January 1, 1807 in Pittsylvania County, married Elizabeth Feline Lipford on December 16, 1825. Elizabeth, born December 1, 1814 in Pittsylvania County, was the daughter of Daniel Lipford and Elizabeth (Betsey) Robertson Lipford. Her grandfather Anthony Par Lipford was bondsman for her marriage to John. John Yeardley Yates and Elizabeth Feline Lipford Yates had thirteen children: William Anthony Yates, Henry Fleming Yates, George Washington Yates, Richard Davis Yates, Susan Jane Yates, Beverly Arnold Yates, Ferdinand N. Yates, Thomas Monroe Yates, Hartwell F. Yates, Elvira A. Yates, Mary Elizabeth Yates, John David Yates and James B. Yates. The family was living in Pittsylvania County in 1850 and by 1860 they had moved to Patrick County. John Yeardley Yates was listed on the Muster Roll of the 53rd Regiment of Pickett's Division during the Civil War, and five of his sons served in the war. Shortly after 1870 the family moved to Floyd County, where John died on February 16, 1882, and Elizabeth died on March 24, 1908. They are both buried in the Yates Cemetery. William D. Yates, born April 20, 1813 in Pittsylvania County, married Mary B. Lipford on November 20, 1838 in the county. Mary was born 1823, the daughter of Amos Lipford (who consented to the marriage) and his wife Elizabeth Frizzell Lipford, and the granddaughter of Anthony Par Lipford. William and Mary had eight children: Margaret F. Yates, Abram Yates, Eliza Virginia (Jenny) Yates, Rebecca Jane Yates, Isaac Anthony Yates, Jacob Thomas Yates, Benjamin G. Yates, and Sybil William (Sibby) Yates. William inherited Yates Tavern, located ¼ mile south of Gretna, from his father Samuel Yates in 1840 (Pittsylvania County Deed Book 44, page 157). William D. Yates died about 1864 in Gretna. After the death of her first husband, Mary B. Lipford Yates married William S. Yates, son of William Thomas Yates and Mary (Polly) Shelhorse Yates. Mary B. Lipford Yates died June 1873 in Gretna and her second husband William S. Yates died August 1873. Byrd R. Yates, born about 1823 in Pittsylvania County, married Julia R. Lipford October 27, 1842. Julia was the daughter of Amos Lipford and Elizabeth Frizzell and also the granddaughter of Anthony Par Lipford. Julia and Byrd had two children: Elizabeth Ann (Bettie) Yates and James Yates. Julia died 1846-1847 in Pittsylvania County. After Julia's death, Byrd married Perninah "Nina" Keesee. Byrd R. Yates died December 1, 1860 in the county.
Source: Pittsylvania County Heritage Book, Volume Two.

In 1815, with his son Samuel, Stephen Yeatts took out a license to operate an ordinary (an early American term for a bar or tavern) at the Yates Tavern (see notes below), in Gretna, Virginia. In the feverish days of 1777, Stephen took the oath of allegiance to the new country and against the King from Abraham Shelton. The Yates Tavern, called the only building of its kind in Virginia by the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission, is unique for its jetties. These are second-floor protrusions of some 10 inches giving a bit more space in the upper floor. This little building, constructed in the mid-1700's, was home to several generations of the Yates family, who also from time to time took out licenses to operate an "ordinary," a sort of frontier bed-and-breakfast. It was strategically located along the old Pigg River Road and only a few miles from Hickey's Road, the first major road
penetrating this part of western Virginia from the east. It is likely to have been an especially convenient stop during the Revolutionary War days, at which time Peytonsburg (14 miles to the southeast) was one of nine busy supply depots in Virginia.

Stephen married Lydia Parsons in 1770 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Lydia (daughter of Richard Parsons and Lydia Briggs) was born in 1757 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 4 Oct 1805 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Lydia Yates

Thomas married Isbel. Isbel was born in 1740 in , Pitt, North Carolina, USA; died in 1800. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Joseph Parsons 1690-1770 and Sarah Woodson's son Richard Parsons born was abt 1713 Henrico, Va married Lydia Biggs 1725-aft 1758 Richard wrote his will on 22 Dec 1783 in Pittsylvania, Va, his wife Lydia was in the will, and recorded on 21 Feb 1785 in Pittsylvania, Va. After Sarah Woodson Parsons died in 1746 Henrico. Joseph Parsons married Suzannah Woody on 7 Feb 1750 in Henrico, Va, and she was mentioned in Joseph's will written 6 Aug 1762 Henrico.

Was he later married to Susannah? His will mentions wife, Susannah and daughter, Judith. (SV-1025)
1729 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Will of Robert Woodson, Sr.:
To son, Stephen, the land that came in my possession by marriage, with his mother, also 50 ac. that belonged to John Lewis.
To son, Joseph: a parcel in Goochland Co. on west side of Jennytoe Creek, up Rockey branch and next to Joseph Parsons’ line.
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Stephen Woodson sold to Joseph Parsons 232 ac. for 40 pounds. (SV-1024)
1736 He is mentioned in Vestry book of Henrico parish, VA. (SV-1026)
1745 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Joseph Parsons of Prince George Co., VA sold to John Royster of Henrico Co., VA 125 ac. for 60 pounds. (SV-1024)
1747 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Joseph Parsons was an appraiser for an estate sale. (SV-1025)
1749 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Joseph Parsons, the elder, of Henrico, to my son, Joseph Parsons; 464 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp. (SV-1024)
1762 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Stephen Woodson, orphan of Stephen Woodson, chooses Joseph Parsons as his guardian. (SV-1025)
1769 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Will of Joseph Parsons (6 Aug. 1762; no probate date given)
To daughter Agnes Woodson, 2 shillings
To daughter Elizabeth Anderson, 2 shillings
To son Joseph Parsons, 2 shillings
To son Samuel Parsons, all my land, 250 ac., on south side of Turners Run in Henrico, purchased of Martha Hobson and Stephen Pankey, and bounded by John Owen, Thomas Owen, and Martha Hobson, also 230 acres on west side of Beachen Run in Henrico, purchased of John Lane, and bounded by John Owen, John Orange, and John Watkins. If he dies without heirs, then to the next male child of my wife Susannah. If she has none, then to my daughter Judith Parsons. Note: To me (D. Attride) this wording implies that Susannah was his 2nd wife. (SV-1025)
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Stephen Woodson of Goochland Co. sold to Joseph Parsons of same, 232 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp for 40 pounds. (SV-1024 & SV-1180)
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Josiah Woodson of Goochland Co. sold to Joseph Parsons of same, for 40 pounds for 232 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp at a place called Half Sink next to land that said Parsons bought from Stephen Woodson. (SV-1180)
1762 Henrico Co., VA Wills: (SV-1025) Will of Joseph Parsons, Sr.
to dau. Agnes Woodson, 2 shillings
to dau. Elizabeth Anderson, 2 shillings
to son, Joseph Parsons, 2 shillings
to son, Samuel Parsons, all my land, 250 acres on south side of Turners Run in Henrico, purchased of Martha Hobson and Stephen Pankey, ... and if he died without heirs then to the next male child of my wife Susannah. If she has none, then to my daughter Judith Parsons; and if she die, then to next female child my wife has. If all my children by my wife Susannah die without issue, then lands to my son Joseph Parsons.
1769 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Inventory of Joseph Parsons. Value is 423/19/3 1/2 by Thomas Owen. Recorded 3 Dec. 1770. (SV-1025.5)

Joseph married Sarah Woodson in 1712 in St Johns Church, Henrico, Virginia, USA. Sarah (daughter of Robert Woodson and Sarah Virginia Lewis) was born in 1692 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA; died on 7 May 1750 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ralph married Mary Elizabeth Wright. Mary was born in 1688 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA; died in 1724 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Amy Freeman. Amy was born in 1720 in , Surry, Virginia, USA; died on 8 Jun 1786 in , Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James Cox Will 1738

In the Name of God, Amen: This twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord, 1738, James Cox of St. Marks parish in the County of Orange, Being very sick and weak, but in perfect mind And memory thanks be given to God therefore, calling to mind the Imorta1ity of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men_once to die: I do and ordain this my last Will and Testament: That is to say principally and first of all—I give and recommend my soul into the hand of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the General resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly Estate where with it hath pleased God to endow me in this Life, I give devise and dispose of my land in the following manner and form: I give and bequeath to my youngest son. John Cox all that tract of Land and containing two hundred acres with the plantation. and all ---- now dwell with twenty five acres I purchased of Edward Haley joining same tract on this side of a Branch. that is to say where------- lives which is not acknowledged to me to him and his heirs forever.
Item:
I give and bequeath two hundred acres of Land to my son Frances Cox adjoining to the line of Andrew Harington and ---to him and his heirs forever. it being part of a tract of five hundred and eighty acres not yet patent:
Item: I give and bequeath to my son James Cox two hundred acres joining to my son Frances to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Naomi Cox one hundred eighty acres joining to my son James being the remainder part of ------tract to her and her heirs and assignes forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son William Cox, one hundred and fifty acres of Land lying in Hanover County, in the ---- of the County and on both sides of h branches of the Lynches River to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath one hundred and fifty acres of land to my son James Cox, being part of the same tract with my son William to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to Henry ----three hundred acres of land where the said ----now lives on joining to ---- of Henry Rich and ----- ----- and Richard Shafter (?) to him and his heirs Forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to John Evans one hundred and twenty acres of land ----- ----- said Evans now dwells being part of land tract of Henry ---- to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto Joseph ----- one hundred and ---acres of land being the remainder part of ----- of Henry ---, and Joseph Evans and joining to Samuel ----, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my brother William Cox, four hundred acres of land that said William Cox now lives on provided that he pays unto my estate nine pounds current money within one month, to him and his heirs forever, and that ---pay of ----out of said land, where it shall be demanded and if he shall pay the amount of money due for my land by the first day of January One Thousand, Seven Hundred, Thirty Nine, but if my brother fail to pay the several sums of money mentions my estate will sell the land my brother William Cox now lives on by way --- --- land above the Little Mountains on the branches of ----belonging to me four hundred acres each tract ---- ---- debt ---- my ---- to leave my Negro man ---- --- and all my other moveable Estate to my beloved wife Elizabeth so long as she shall remain a widow and if my wife shall --- before marriage, I ordain it to be equally divided among all my children, --- wife ---- that if either my son James or Frances or my daughter Naomi shall die before they shall come to the lawfull age, the lower ---- of this ----of the five hundred and eight acres of land, I give ----to be sold and the money to be put into my estates ---- ----- my funeral charges be paid out of my estates. And I do ---- ordain William Waller ---- of ---- County and my son William Cox and Elizabeth my wife my only and sole executors of this my last will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disanull all other testaments and former wills and legacies bequests and executors by me in any ways before this time named and do confirm this and ---- for being last Will and Testament.

IN WITNESS whereof --- my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Will probated in the Clerk’s Office of Orange County, Virginia, on February 22, 1738 and recorded in Will Book 1, Page 72 of the records of Circuit Court of Orange County.

James married Elisabeth Hanna Cary before 1738. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact 1: 1777 left will in Pittsylvania County, Virginia
• Fact 2: 1770 tavern owner, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
• Residence: 1767, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; 1767 list of tithables, Pittsylvania County

Notes:

John Yates is listed in the 1767 Tithables of Pittsylvania Co. with his son John and slaves Bob and Cate. John Yates left his will in Pittsylvania County in 1778. He is known in family history circles as John Yates of Dan River. His will was dated October 24, 1777 and was probated April 23, 1778. He owned a tavern near Gretna, Virginia (on Rte. 29 near Chatham) that is on the Historic Site register. The Blue Ridge Park created in this century took part of the Yates land. There is a Yates reunion in Patrick Springs. The were all Primitive Baptists. Could be the John Yates who received a grant of 356 acres in Virginia in 1735 (Bishop Meade) and the John Yeates who received 204 acres in Brunswick County, July 26, 1747 (No. 28, p. 89). A John Yates also received 348 acres in Pittsylvania County, March 1, 1773; alternatively this could have been his son, John L. Yates. He continued to record most of his land dealings in Halifax Co. even after Pittsylvania was formed in 1767.

Known children: Lydia, John, George, Stephen, Elijah, Hannah, Ann, Martha.



Around 1753 John Yates/Yeatts built the first blockhouse in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, now the Yates Tavern in Gretna, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This became a waystation on the much traveled Wagon Road to North Carolina, which corresponded with the Great Indian Warpath for much of its length. The blockhouse's purpose was to protect the Indians in nearby Saponi-Town and a nucleus of pioneer families of what became Pittsylvania County from hostile Indians, chiefly the Cherokee and Shawnee. Some of the surnames are Yates, Winn , Sizemore, Adkins, Shelton , Gregory, Tapley, etc. This documents that the Saponi had become "fort Indians" with many intermarriages with the Virginians and at least one of their towns was about ten miles NE of present-day Danville in the 1750s. In the courthouse records of Pittsylvania Co. you will find many taxpayers, slave owners and landowners who are also registered as "Indian" or "Free Colored." Most of these are likely Saponi.

Source-RED RIVER SETTLERS-Yates P.94 Found on Ancestry 18 May 2018
John Yates was born about 1720 in Maryland or Virginia. Was he a brother of George Yates, Elijah Yates, Hannah Shelton, Ann Gibson, and Martha Wells, children of John and Elizabeth Yates? Tradition has it that he married a Miss Kilgore and had at least three sons: *William, +Thomas, & ^James. John Yates (I THINK HE DID NOT GO TO NC SINCE HIS WILL IS PROVED IN PITTSYLVANVIA COUNTY, VA. AND HE DIDN'T NAME THESE 3 SONS IN HIS WILL BECAUSE THEY HAD MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE) and his three sons are said to have fought in the Revolutionary War and moved from HALIFAX COUNTY, VA to Caswell County, NC soon afterwards. They remained in NC only a few years then moved to Cross Plains, Robertson County, TN in the Kilgore Party. *William Yates was born in 1744 and married Agnes Price in Virginia. +Thomas was born in 1752 in Bedford County, VA and was married in 1776 in NC to Rebecca Ragsdale, the daughter of William Ragsdale. ^James married Lydia Kilgore, said to have been the daughter of Thomas & Phoebe Lee Kilgore. John Yates son of either William or Thomas , is said to have married a daughter of George and Mary Isabell. John and his wife were the parents of sally (who married Lewis Ragsdale, Mary, Agatha, and Nancy.

One *William Yates, a Lieutenant Colonel, was muster master general, 11 April 1777. He was married in Virginia to Agnes Price. About 1780, he moved to Caswell County, NC and later to Robertson County, TN, where he died. His father was John Yates (1720) who it is believed moved to VA from Anne Arundel County, MD.
**********************************************************
John Yates Will-1777-78 Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA

Transcription of John Yates' will with source data at bottom. The will establishes: that John and Elizabeth had at least six children, that John was the eldest son, and the surnames of the husbands of three daughters. It also establishes the names of several slaves tied to the family. The will fixes John Yates' date of death between 24 Oct 1777 and 23 April 1778.

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN YATES
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
D & W5, page 439
MADE: 24 October 1777
Recorded: 23 April 1778
I, John Yates of the County of Pittsylvania and the Colony of Virginia, being of sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect memory do first give my soul to God and my body to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my executors hereafter named and now I dispose of my worldly estate as follows to wit. First, I leave unto my beloved wife, Elizabeth Yates , during her life all my estate, real and personal, and after her decease the Negroes and land to be divided as follows: First I give unto my eldest son John Yates and his heirs a part of my land where on I now live, beginning at the corner tree on Hugh's Creek and taking the full mouth of the land up Dan River to a branch at the lower end of my plantation and with the said branch to the back line and a Negro man named Bob.

ITEM:I give unto my son George Yates and his heirs another part of the land whereon I now dwell beginning where my son John's land ends, and running with the branch to the back line likewise a part of a survey last made adjoining where I now dwell and extending up Thomas Watts line but the land on the river is to extend upwards to a branch that runs below Gibson's plantation and with the said branch to the back line and a Negro man named Sam and all my Smith's tools.
ITEM:I give unto my son Elijah Yates and his heirs forever all the remainder of the tract of land, whereon I now dwell beginning at the branch below Gibson's and running up the river including all the remainder of the two tracts whereon I now dwell and a Negro Judith.

ITEM:I give unto my daughter Hannah Shelton, wife of William Shelton and her heirs two Negroes married big Cate and her daughter Chloe.

ITEM:I give unto my daughter Ann Gibson and her heirs one one Negro girl named Esther. Likewise I give unto her and her heirs forever all the remainder of a tract of land whereon she now dwells adjoining a made line between her and the plantation where Thomas Watts lived allowing one hundred acres to the plantation where Thomas Watts lived.

ITEM:I give unto my daughter Martha Watts and her heirs one hundred acres of land whereon she lived and all the stock of horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep and all my household furniture and a Negro woman called Little Cate to be divided among my children at the discretion of my wife at or before her decease. I also appoint my wife Elizabeth Yates and William Shelton executors of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all other wills and this only to be taken for my last will as witness my hand and seal this twenty-fourth day of October in the year of 1777.

his
John X Yates
mark
Sealed and acknowledged in
the presence of George Rop, Tom Elliot & Thomas X Wright

AT a court held for Pittsylvania County the 23rd day of April 1778
**********************************************************

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name John Yates
Gender Male
Birth Place VA
Birth Year 1699
Spouse Name Elizabeth Kilgore
Spouse Birth Place of VA
Marriage Year 1748
Household Members
Name Age
John Yates
Elizabeth Kilgore

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name John Yates
Gender Male
Birth Place VA
Birth Year 1715
Spouse Name Elizabeth Yates
Spouse Birth Year 1718
Marriage Year 1740
Marriage State VA
Household Members
Name Age
Elizabeth Yates
John Yates

U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783
Name John Yates
Gender Male
Military Date 28 Jan 1776
Military Place USA
State or Army Served Miscellaneous
Regiment Spencer's Regiment
Rank 1st Lieutenant

U.S. War Bounty Land Warrants, 1789-1858
Name John Yates
Warrant Number 98"
North Carolina and Tennessee, Early Land Records, 1753-1931

Thomas Yates, Sr.
(Shows how early in TN)
Name Thomas Yates
Record Date 07 Jun 1814
Location Robertson, Tennessee
Warrant Number 9340

Suggested edit: After my research I have concluded that there are 2 different John Yates "The Immigrant (Emigrant)".
1. The first is a "2nd Baronet" born and died in England, never coming to America. His descendants, specifically George (b. 1639) (m. Mary), came to Anne Arundel, MD. George's son John Yates (b. 1672) (m. Elizabeth) also of Maryland - John II (1694-1731) born Maryland - John Estes Yates III of Dan River (1715-1777) (m Elizabeth (Kilgore?)) *notice-title above says "IV" - then son John L Yates IV (b. 1737) (m. Sarah)
2. The second is a John Yates “The Emigrant (Immigrant)” born in England (abt. 1599) and died (abt. 1648) in Upper Norfolk, VA. (m. Joan Jobe) – Son John “of Nansemond County” Yates (1635-1731) (m. Jone Keesee or Elinor) born in England, death probably around Nansemond Co. – John Yates of Dan River (no Estes)(b. 1672) – Son Stephen Yates (1756-1836)(m. Lydia Parsons) --There are no I, II, III, IV in this tree—

John married Sarah Elizabeth Ann Kilgore in 1748 in , Brunswick, Virginia, USA. Sarah was born on 15 Jan 1718 in , Caroline, Virginia, USA; died on 3 Feb 1793 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in Gretna, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact 1: 1782 Taxpayer list, Pittsylvania County, 4 white 9 black
• Fact 2: 1795 Will Pittsylvania County
• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Will: 22 Dec 1783, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Joseph Parsons 1690-1770 and Sarah Woodson's son Richard Parsons born was abt 1713 Henrico, Va married Lydia Biggs 1725-aft 1758 Richard wrote his will on 22 Dec 1783 in Pittsylvania, Va, his wife Lydia was in the will, and recorded on 21 Feb 1785 in Pittsylvania, Va. After Sarah Woodson Parsons died in 1746 Henrico. Joseph Parsons married Suzannah Woody on 7 Feb 1750 in Henrico, Va, and she was mentioned in Joseph's will written 6 Aug 1762 Henrico.

Will of Richard Parsons
Court Orders Book 5, page 139 Pittsylvania County, VA
December 22, 1783

In the Name of God Amen I Richard Parsons of the County of Pittsylvania being old and weak in body but enjoying my usual reason and memory and calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, to wit, First my desire is that my Soul assends and rest with God that gave it and secondly my desire is that my body be decently buried,
Thirdly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff and their heirs forever.
Forthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Agness Madkiff and to her Husband John Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Agness Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff and their hiers forever.
Fifthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son George Parsons one shilling Sterling to him my said Son George Parsons and his heirs for ever,
Sixthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joseph Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son Joseph Parsons and his heirs forever,
Seventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son John Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son John Parsons and his heirs for ever
Eighthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Samuel Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided by a line which my said son Samuel and my son William marked themselves to him my said son Samuel Parsons and his heirs and assignes for ever
Ninethly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided as above mentioned to him my said son William Parsons and his heirs and assignes forever
Tenthly on the land above mentioned is mortgage for which my son Samuel Parsons is liable to pay said mortgage if he does not then my will is that his part of the land that is to say the land whereon he now lives is to be sold by my executors to off said morgage
Eleventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates all my Black Smith tools to her my said daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates to them and their heirs for ever
Twevlthly and lastly as I and my wife is now living with my daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates and they using us with the greatest kindness my will and desire is that they the said Lydia and Stephen Yates to have all the remainder of my estate that is to say my cattle and my black mare and also all my household furniture which is now in their possession but not til after my decease and the decease of my Wife.
Furthermore I revoke all former wills by me made and do confirm this my last will and testament. I do appoint and constitute my loving sons Joseph and William Parsons executors of this my last will and testament Witness my hand and seal.

Richard (his mark) Parsons SS

Test
John Parks, Samuel Parks, Richard Johnson

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County February the 21, 1785 This last Will and Testament of Richard Parsons deceased was presented in Court and proved by the Oathes of two of the witnesses Hands and by the Court ordered to be Recorded

THE HISTORY of PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA
CHAPTER IV A PART OF LUNENBURG COUNTY, 1745-1752

page 53

There were three very early roads which led across Pittsylvania to the west, known as Hickey's Road, the Irish Road, and the Pigg River Road. Hickey's Road led from a point on Staunton River in northern Halifax to the settlement that had been made at the foot of Wart Mountain in western Patrick, a distance of near 120 miles. The Wart Mountain isnow called Bull's Mountain and lies east of the main range of the [p.53] Blue Ridge, as shown on Jefferson's and Fry's map. Mayo River takes its rise near by and for this reason the settlement was called the Mayo settlement.

Hickey's road was authorized at a court held for Lunenburg in June, 1749:

'It is ordered that a road be laid off and cleared the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, and it is ordered that Joseph Mayes and all the male Laboring Tithables convenient to the said road forthwith mark off and lay open the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to Allen's Creek and keep the some in repair according to law. [p.54] 'Richard Parsons is appointed surveyor of that part of the New Road leading from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, to-wit from Allen's Creek to Banister River.

THE HISTORY of PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA
CHAPTER V A PART OF HALIFAX COUNTY, 1752-1767

page 62

'The emigrants usually left Pennsylvania in the early fall, after harvest was over, reaching Virginia or North Carolina before hard winter set in. Almost all were farmers, but were artisans as well, making almost everying they needed. The Germans were industrious and economical;the Scotch-Irish, ambitious, alert and grasping.' These upper inhabitants of Halifax had increased in numbers until now they began to petition for more roads. In March,19 I753, Richard Parsons and William Adkins were ordered to mark a road from the mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road. In July the inhabitants on Pigg River and Snow Creek (Franklin County) petitioned for a road from the uppermost of the inhabitantsto the Snow Creek Road, and Thomas Hall and William Hill were orderedto lay off the road. The following year the same inhabitants begged that the road laid off by Hall and Hill be extended to the top of the Blue Ridge, which was accordingly ordered, with Tully Choice as surveyor. This road led across Franklin County to the mountains.

Will of Richard Parsons
Court Orders Book 5, page 139 Pittsylvania County, VA
December 22, 1783

In the Name of God Amen I Richard Parsons of the County of Pittsylvania being old and weak in body but enjoying my usual reason and memory and calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, to wit, First my desire is that my Soul assends and rest with God that gave it and secondly my desire is that my body be decently buried Thirdly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff and their heirs forever. Forthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Agness Madkiff and to her Husband John Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughterAgness Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff and their hiers forever.Fifthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son George Parsons oneshilling Sterling to him my said Son George Parsons and his heirs foreverer, Secondly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joseph Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son Joseph Parsons and his heirs forever, Seventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son JohnParsons one shilling sterling to him my said son John Parsons and hisheirs for ever Eighthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Samuel Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided by a line which my said son Samuel and my son William marked themselves to him my said son Samuel Parsons and his heirs and assignes for ever Ninethly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided as above mentioned to him my said son William Parsons and his heirs and assignes forever Tenthly on the land above mentioned is mortgage for which my son Samuel Parsons is liable to pay said mortgage if he does not then my will is that his part of the land that is to say the land whereon he now lives is to be sold by my exxecutors to off said morgage Eleventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates all myBlack Smith tools to her my said daughter Lydia Yates and her husbandStephen Yates to them and their heirs for ever Twevlthly and lastly as I and my wife is now living with my daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates and they using us with the greatest kindness my will and desire is that they the said Lydia and Stephen Yates to have all the r remainder of my estate that is to say my cattle and my black mare and also all my household furniture which is now in their possession but not til after my decease and the decease of my Wife. Furthermore I revoke all former wills by me made and do confirm this my last will and testament. I do appoint and constitute my loving sons Joseph and William Parsons executors of this my last will and testament Witness my hand and seal.

Richard (his mark) Parsons SS

Test
John Parks, Samuel Parks, Richard Johnson

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County February the 21, 1785 This last Will and Testament of Richard Parsons deceased was presented in Court and proved by the Oathes of two of the witnesses Hands and by the Court ordered to be Recorded

Teste Will Turnball (?)

FHC Film #31671
Goochland County Court Orders Books 1,2, & 3
Goochland County Virginia Order Book No. 3 1731-1735

August Court 1732
page 110
Parsons VS Davis
On the complaint of Richard Parsons that William Davis hath beat him it is ordered that a capias do yous against this said Davis in the sum of one hundred pounds sterling for his appearance at the nex t court to answer in the promises
Ordered that Edward Scott to summons a witness
Page 118
To Richard Parsons constabe for inspecting stands (?)
Page 123

October Court 1732
The complaint against William Davis for beating Richard Parsons is dismissed

August Court 1734
On the motion of Lydia Briggs she is permitted to choose Richard Parsons her guardian who accepts the charge. Alliford(?)S. Hughtes and Isaac Hughes offer themselves securities.
The last will and testament of George Briggs deceased is presented in Court by Richard Parsons guardian to Lydia Briggs the excecutrix and the same being proved by his oaths of Robert Carter and Jeremiah Dumas (?) Jun to have been signed by Jeremiah Dumas Jun. with the testators name and by his direction it is admitted to record on the motion of the said Richard Parsons Certificate is granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration with the will ann------- is due form during the minority of the executrix. Alliford Hughes and Isaac Hughes, Securities

LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA, DIGITAL COLLECTION
Parsons, Richard 30 Jany 1741 Goochland County, 80 A on the brances of the North Branch of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek Patents 20, 1741-43, P. 129

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEEDS, 1741-1745

Deed Book 4 Page 510 February 25, 1744 from Francis Amoss of Goochland and Parish of Southam, to Richard Ligon of same, for 45 lbs, all that tract of land in Goochland on both sides of the upper branc h of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek, and bounded by Richard Parsons, Major Bowler Cocke, James Terrel, containing 400 acres. Signed Francis Amoss. Wit - John Alexander, Abrm Womack, Abrm Womac k Jr. Recorded March 19, 1744. Judith, the wife of Francis Amoss, relinquished her right of dower to the conveyed lands.

Deed Book 4 Page 346. December 17, 1743 from Richard Parsons, and Lydia, his wife, of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, to John Alexander of same, for 70 lbs, a certain tract of land of 200 acre s in Goochland on the south side James River on the west side Muddy Cr, being half of 400 acres of land granted to George Briggs by patent dated Jun 20, 1733, which the said George Briggs, by his Gooc hland will, gave to his sister, Lydia Briggs alias Parsons. The tract is bounded by Bowler Cocke, new lines run by Robert Walton on the division of the said 400 acres. Signed Richard Parsons, Lidi a (L her mark) Parsons. Wit - Francis Amoss, Isac Hughes, Abram Womack, Miles Gathwrit, Joell Chandler, Recorded May 15, 1744.

Deed Book 4 Page 325. January 16, 1743 from Robert Yancey of the Parish of St. Martin and County of Louisa, to Francis Amoss of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, for 40 L, a cerain tract of land of about 400 acres on the south side of James River in the Parish of St. James and Goochland, and bounded by Richard Parsons, Major Bowler Cocke, James Terril. Signed - Robert Yancey. Wit - Tarlton Fleming, Charles Fleming, Simon (SW his mark) Ward. Recorded March 20, 1743. Recorded June 19, 1744.

Deed Book 4 Page 201 August 13, 1743 from Richard Parsons, and Lydia, his wife, of Goochland, to Nicholas Davies of Goochland for 20 L, a certain tract of land of 200 acres on Muddy Creek in Goochlan d on the south side of James River, and bounded by [trees]. Signed - Richard Parsons, Lydia (X her mark) Parsons. Wit - William Dillon, William Dillon [sic], John (B his mark) Burk, John ( his mark ) Burnet. Recorded September 20, 1743.

Deed Book 4 Page 203. April 22, 1743 from Richard Parsons of Goochland, to Nicholas Spears of Goochland, for 5 L, a certain tract of land of about 80 acres on Muddy Creek in Goochland on the south si de of James River, and bounded by Major Bowler Cocke, James Terril, Robert Yancy. Signed - Richard Parsons. Wit - Nicholas Davies, Elizabeth Dewes, John (his mark) Creasie. Recorded September 20, 1 743.
At a Court of November 20, 1745, this deed was proved by the oath of William Dillon to be the act and deed of Lydia Parsons, wife of Richard Parsons, and ordered to be recorded.

SUNLIGHT ON THE SOUTHSIDE LISTS OF TITHES LUNENBURG COUNTY VIRGINIA 1748-1783, Compiled by Landon C. Bell, Clearfield Company, Philadelphia, 1931, Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 74-5468

Tax List for 1749 taken by William Caldwell "from Falling River to Little Ronoke River".
Richard Parsons ....1 (pg 91)
Christopher Parsons.....1 (pg 94)

Tax List for 1750 taken by William Caldwell "from Falling River to Little Ronoke River".
Richard Parsons....1 (pg 126)
Christopher Parsons....1 (pg 128)

LUNENBURG COUNTY, VIRGINIA LAND PATENTS 1746-1916, T.L.C. Genealogy, PO Box 403369, Miami Beach, Fl 33140-1369
Patent 28-487, 180 acres, January 10, 1748, Richard Parsons, both sides Banister E, mouth Rocky Branch
Patent 28-488, 204 acres, January 10, 1748, Richard Parsons, both sides Great Cherrystone Cr.
Patent 31-743, 1148 acres, September 10, 1755, Chirstopher Parsons, left side Cub Creek and both sides Maple Swamp

HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEED BOOKS 2,3,4,5,&6, MARIAN DODSON CHIARITO, G929.3755661 C431haLt Denver Public Library, Denver, CO

P. 131 20 June 1764 Christopher Gorman of Halifax Co. to John Gorman of same, for L10, 100 acres on the brances of Mill Cr., being the upper part of the land sd Gorman lives on... All houses, building ...
Signed: Christopher (X) Gorman
Wit: Shadrack Turner, Richard Parsons, Thomas Townsend
Recorded 21 June 1764

P. 214 18 December 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate, his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to John Adams of Halifax Co., for L30, 616 ac., part of a tract of 1,616 ac. granted to sd Hatcher 6 June 1765; on th e north sode of Banister Ri., beg. on sd river thence west... All appurtenances...
Signed Jeremiah Hatcher
Wit: Philemon Payne, John Pigg, Benja. Hatcher Recorded 18 December 1766

P. 217 18 Decmber 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to Richard Parsons of Halifax Co., for L70, 400 ac. beg. at a white oak th. north... All tress, woods, underwoods...
Singed: Jeremiah Hatcher
Wit: Philimon Payne, John Pigg, Benja. Hatcher Recorded 18 December 1766

P. 219 18 December 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate, his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to Richard Parsons of Halifax Co., for L30, 600 ac., part of a tract of 1, 616 ac. granted sd Hatcher by patent 5 Jun e 1765 on Little Cherry Stone Cr., on the north side of Banister Ri., eg. on the south side of sd creek thence south.. All appurtenances..
Signed: Jeremiah Hatcher

THE HISTORY OF PTTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA by Maud Carter Clement, pages 53-54
"Hickey's road was authorized at a court held for Lunenburg in June, 1749: It is ordered that a road be laid off and cleared the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlemen t at the Wart Mountain, and it is ordered that Joseph Mayes and all the male Laboring Tithables convenient to the said road forthwith mark off and lay open the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to Allen's Creek and keep the same in repair according to law."
"Richard Parsons is appointed surveyor of that part of the New Road leading from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, to-wit from Allen's Creek to Banister River."
"This road led from a point on Staunton River in Northern Halifax, by Mount Airy, Chalk Level and Chatham, crossing Banister River near the Poor Farm, and turning west led across Henry and Patrick counties. The eastern part of this road continues a well known highway today. It took its name from John Hickey, who had made a settlement and opened a store near its western limits."

Page 62
"These upper inhabitants of Halifax had increased in numbers until now thay began to petition for more roads. In March, 1753, Richard Parsons and William Adkins were ordered to mark a road from the m outh of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road. In July the inhabitants on Pigg River and Snow Creek (Franklin County) petitioned for a road from the uppermost of the inhabitants to the Snow Creek Road, and Th omas Hall and William Hill were ordered to lay off the road. The following year the same inhabitants begged that the road laid off by Hall and Hill be extended to the top of the Blue Ridge, which wa s accordingly ordered, with Tully Choice as surveyor. This road led across Franklin County to the mountains."

From the PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA ABSTRACTS OF WILLS 1768-1800 the will of Richard Parsons (not dated) from the Deed and Will Book 11, p 159 lists daughter Hannah Madkiff (Midkiff) and her husband , Joseph Madkiff, daughter Agnes Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff, sons George, Joseph, John, Samuel, William and daughter Lyda (Lydia) and her husband Stephen Yates. Richard's wife's name is not given but the will states that he and his wife are living with Lyda and her husband Stephen. Executors were sons, Joseph and William, witnesses were, John Parks, Samuel Parks and Richard Johnson.

ENTRY RECORD BOOK 1737-1770 (LAND ENTRIES IN THE PRESENT VIRGINIA COUNTIES OF HALIFAX, PITTSYLVANIA, HENRY, FRANKLIN, AND PATRICK) TRANSCRIBED BY MARLAN DODSON CHIARITO US/CAN 975.56R2c v.1
Joseph parsons 400 acx. Land on Little Cherrystone Cr. Adj.g the Lines of Richd. Parsons, Jos. Hixs and Richd. Southerlon's runing up
Trans.d to Saml. Parsons 17 Sapr.1779) Also 400 on the Sth. of the Mill Cr. and Callaways Cabbin Running on Kennons Line and both sides of the new Waggon road for Complement.
Thos. Dillard Jrnr. 400 Ac begin: on the upper Line of Richard Parsons's Land on Cherrystone Creek thence off and up both sides.
(Surv.d W.S.) At a Council June 14, 1749 Richard Parsons had leave to take up 2000 Acres of Land including the Place he lives on and one other Survey on Mill Creek. Mem.d see if neither of these tra cts have not had the fees due for them return'd insolv.t.
Richard Parsons 400 on the S. Side Mill Creek Begin: at Hugh Henry's Cornr. Maple thence up the Br. and Parallel with Parsons's old line.
(Void) Richard Parsons 400 on both sides Sycamore Creek Begin: at a Beach on the Nth. Side the sd Creek mark't I E thence up and down.
(Surv.d S.W.) Henry Pruett 400 on both sides the South Fork of Great Cherrystone Creek Begin: at Richard Parsons's upper line thence up both sides.
(Surv.d J.T.) Elisha Walling 400 Acrs on both sides Br Cherry Stone Cr. begin: just below the Fork thence up including the Fork. for Richard Parsons
Joseph Parsons 400 Acs. Land on Little Cherrystone Cr. Adj.g the Lines of Richd. Parsons, Jos. Hixs and Richd. Southerlon's and runing up.
In Plea Book 1 of Halifax County Virginia, 1752-1755: " The petition of Richard Parsons to build a water grist mill is granted, he being proprietor of land on both sides Little Cherry Stone Creek, a djacent to his dwelling house
Richard sold land, 100 acres each, to Joseph and George for 10 pounds in 1764. These were recorded in deed books of Halifax County.
In Plea Book 1 of Halifax County Virginia, 1752-1755: " The petition of Richard Parsons to build a water grist mill is granted, he being proprietor of land on both sides Little Cherry Stone Creek, a djacent to his dwelling house."
1749 - Richard Parsons, surveyor, (Lunenburg Co)
1765 - George Parsons, Richard Parsons (Halifax Voters List)
1767 - Richard Parsons, to mark road from mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's
Road (Snow Creek later in Franklin Co)
1767 - John Parsons, Richard Parsons, George Parsons, Joseph Parsons (Camden
Parish Tithes List)
1768 - George Parsons (Antrim Parish, Halifax Co)
1771 - Richard Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1782 - Joseph Parsons, Pitts Co (written complaint)
1786 - George Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1787 - William Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1788 - Samuel Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1796 - William Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
Virginia Census of 1782
Pittsylvania County
George Parsons 0 3 0 0 0 S1782
John Parsons 0 5 0 0 S1782
Joseph Parsons 0 8 0 0 S1782
Richard Parsons 0500
Samuel Parsons 0 3 0 0 S1782
William Parsons 0 3 0 0 S1782

Richard married Lydia Briggs in 1743 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. Lydia (daughter of Ralph Briggs and Mary Elizabeth Wright) was born in 1720 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA; died in 1787 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Briggs/Parsons confirmation

banjosmama originally shared this on 16 Jun 2012


Richard Parsons is the son of Joseph Parsons and Sarah Woodson. He was born before 1714 in either Henrico County, Virginia. His will was written on December 22, 1783 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and his estate was probated there on February 21, 1785.

Lydia Briggs was the daughter of Ralph Briggs and Elizabeth Mary Wright and brother of George Briggs. She was born in 1720 in Goochland County, Virginia. She died in Pittsylvania County Virginia in 1787.
John Wright (probably an uncle) was appointed as her guardian after both of her parents died (I do not have this date). John Wright died between March 14, 1729/30 and May 1730 at which time her brother George must have been of age, and become her guardian, because when George died in June of 1734, Lydia chose a new guardian, Richard Parsons. Hence, George must have been her guardian at the time. Lydia also inherited 400 acres of land from George on the south side of the James River along Muddy Creek.

Richard and Lydia were married in 1740 in Goochland County, Virginia. They had the following children, all born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia:

Joseph (abt 1742 - 13 Aug 1833) m1. bef 1764, Margaret "Peggy" Griffith; m2. 26 Aug 1824, Sarah "Sally" Thompson
Mary Agnes (abt 1744 - ) m. 1760, John Midkiff, Sr.
Hannah (abt 1746 - ) m. Joseph Midkiff, Sr.
George (abt 1750 - 16 Jun 1846) m1. Anne Griffith, m2. Sarah Hardin
Samuel (abt 1752 - 1819) m. 21 Dec 1779, Rebecca Farthing
James (1753 - )
William (abt 1756 - 16 Mar 1818) m. Mary Blanks
Richard (1758 - )
Lydia (1760 - Aft 1805) m. 1775 Stephen Yates, Sr.
John (abt 1762 - d. 20 Jun 1808) m1. Mary Simmons, m2. bef 1784, Sarah (Sary) Adkins

The Richard Parsons who married Lydia Briggs is documented from 1735 to about 1745 in Goochland County, Virginia. The Richard of Lunenburg/Halifax/Pittsylvania County is documented from 1748 to his death around 1785. He died testate in Pittsylvania County, Virginia naming his children and mentioning his wife only as 'my wife'. So far, I have not found a document that states Richard of Goochland and Richard of Pittsylvania are the same Richard. However, Richard sold his land in Goochland County and then a Richard appears in Lunenburg/Pittsylvania County shortly thereafter. Also, Christopher Parsons also appears in court records in Goochland and then appears in Lunenburg in the same year as Richard, as well as some other Pittsylvania families. The Richard Parsons of Surry County, North Carolina was married Elizabeth Feathers. He died 30 years after the Richard of Pittsylvania County also leaving a will. There is no documentation that links the two.

In August of 1734, Lydia Briggs, both her parents having previously died, was permitted to choose Richard Parsons her guardian. This indicates that she was a minor and he was at least 21 years of age.

On January 30, 1741, Richard Parsons patented 80 acres on the branches of the North Branch of Muddy Creek (alias Little Muddy Creek) in Goochland County, Virginia. [Library of Virginia, Digital Collection, Patents 20, 1741-43, P. 129].

On January 16, 1743 from Robert Yancey of the Parish of St. Martin and County of Louisa sold to Francis Amoss of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, 400 acres on the south side of James River in the Parish of St. James and Goochland, that was bounded by Richard Parsons

On April 22, 1743 Richard Parsons of Goochland County, Virginia, sold to Nicholas Spears 80 acres on Muddy Creek on the south side of James River for 5 pounds.

On August 13, 1743 Richard and Lydia Parsons of Goochland County, Virginia, sold to Nicholas Davies 200 acres on Muddy Creek on the south side of James River for 20 pounds. This is the first mention of his wife.

On December 17, 1743 Richard and Lydia Parsons of the Parish of St. James and Goochland sold to John Alexander 200 acres on the south side James River on the west side Muddy Creek for 70 pounds. [Goochland County Deeds, Virginia Deeds, 1741-1745, Deed Book 4, Page 346]

Lydia's brother George Briggs was first granted the above 400 acres in 1733. George died about 1634 and Lydia inherited the land.

On February 25, 1744 Francis Amoss of Goochland and Parish of Southam sold to Richard Ligon 400 acres on both sides of the upper branch of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek, and bounded by Richard Parsons.

On November 20, 1745, Richard Parsons is mentioned []Goochland County, Virginia 1741-1745, Deed Book 4].

On March 7, 1747, Richard is granted 400 acres on both sides of Great Cherrystone Creek in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

On Noveber 2, 1748, Richard is granted an additional 400 acres in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, adjoining his other lands.

On June 14, 1749, Richard Pasrons is grated 2000 acres on Mill Creek in Virginia.

In June of 1749 Richard Parsons was appointed as surveyor of the new road between Staunton River and the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

In July of 1752, Richard sells land to John Watson in Halifax County, Virginia.

Between 1752 and 1755, Richard Parsons is granted permission to construct a grist mill on Cherry Creek in Halifax County, Virginia.

In March of 1753, as surveyor, he was ordered to mark a road from the mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road in the same county.

On March 20, 1760 is in Halifax County, Virginia.

In a deed recorded in Halifax County, Virginia, April 19, 1764, Richard Parsons sells his son Joseph Parsons 100 acres of land for 10 pounds [Halifax County Deed Books 2-6, compiled by Marian Dodson Chiarito] .

On May 14, 1764, Richard Parsons sold to his son George Parsons, both of Halifax County, Virginia, for 10 pounds, 100 acres on the south side of Little Cherrystone Creek, being the land that George was living on at the time. It was recorded June 21, 1764

In 1765, Richard and George Parsons were listed in the Halifax Voters List. [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On June 10, 1767, Richard (Persons) and his son Joseph are named for Cambden Parish in Pittsylvania County's first list of Tithables (The History of Pittsylvania County, Viginia, by Maud Carter Clement. Reprinted by The Pittsylvania Historical Society, 1988, page 278).

In 1767, Richard Parsons, as surveyor, was ordered to mark the road from mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road (in Franklin Co) [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

In 1768, George Parsons was in Antrim Parish [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On July 29, 1768, Francis Bucknal was granted a patent in Pittsylvania County for 238 acres on both sides of Great Cherry stone Creek adjoining Parson's Land. [Land Office Patents No. 37, 1767-1768, p. 243 (Reel 37), Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41].

In 1771, Richard Parsons is found in the Pittsylvania County Court Order Records [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On August 3, 1771, John Hicks was granted a patent in Pittsylvania County for 400 acres on the branches of Little Cherrystone Creek adjoining Richard Parsons. [Land Office Patents No. 40, 1771-1772, p. 516 (Reel 39), Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41].

In May of 1777, Richard signed the Oath of Allegiance in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

In 1782, Richard and his sons, William, Samuel, John, Joseph and George are named in the Pittsylvania County Census. Richard had 5 persons. [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]

On December 22, 1783, Richard and Lydia according to his will, are living with their daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates. Stephen ran the Old Yates Tavern in Gretna, Virginia. (The old Yates Tavern still stands today about ten miles from town.)

In the Pittsylvania County, Virginia Deed and Will Book #11, p. 159, probably February 21, 1785, Richard Parsons' will is recorded.

I hope this helps someone....
Nancy
Born in Virginia
Story of Lydia Briggs' Childhood
Posted 25 Mar 2014 by jtynotme

Retrieved 7 Jun 2011 from RootsWeb WorldConnections, Ancestors of Margaret Pansy Sanderson, http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=sbeddes&id=I20315
William C Burgess listed as a researcher of this line

Lydia Briggs--She had a brother named George Briggs who had given Lydia 400 acres of land on the south side of the James River. This was sometime between 1733 date of the patent to George Briggs and 1743, when Richard and Lydia sold 200 acres of the 400 to a John Alexander. (Goochland Co, Virginia Deeds 1741-1745)

After her parents died, Lydia chose John Wright as her guardian. He died in Goochland Co. Lydia's brother George, chose Robert Hughes.

In the will of Lt. Col. George Jordan, dated May 28, 1671, he gives to "George Briggs, alsoe God-Children, each a silver soon, worth ten shillings." I have a George Briggs with sister Lydia in Goochland County in 1733 when he patented land. George died abt. 1734 when his will was presented in court and Lydia, the executrix, was allowed to choose Richard Parsons as her guardian, because she was not of age.

Also wonder about Lydia Briggs. It appears she starts out with John Wright as her guardian, but shifts to Richard Parsons later. Her brother makes a move as well, which I suppose indicates the death of John Wright. Do you have a copy of his will you could share online?? 1730 John Wright of Goochland County, Virginia, died between March 14, 1729/30 and May 1730. That would have clearly necessitated the appointment of a new guardian for Lydia Briggs.

Per comments that I have read, Joseph Parsons of Henrico County, Va, did NOT mention a son named Richard in his LWT. so unlikely Joseph was Richard’s father.


JEAN Thomas From what I read it said that Richard was Joseph father.

In 1782, Richard and his sons, William, Samuel, John, Joseph and George are named in the Pittsylvania County Census. Richard had 5 persons. [Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books]her.

sscottmath Color me confused

William married Elizabeth Shelton on 9 Oct 1728 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Ralph Shelton, Sr and Mary Jane Crispen) was born on 25 May 1711 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1749 in , Hanover, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 16 Jan 1702, , Charles City, Virginia, USA

Joseph married Agnes Woodson. Agnes (daughter of Col Robert "Potato Hole" Woodson and Elizabeth Ferris) was born in 1656 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA; died on 1 Feb 1766 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Agnes Woodson Parsons

Richard married Ingram. was born in 1685; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Joan Elizabeth Yates. Joan was born in 1694 in , Anne Arundel, Maryland, USA; died in 1731 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in Gretna, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Joseph Parsons 1690-1770 and Sarah Woodson's son Richard Parsons born was abt 1713 Henrico, Va married Lydia Biggs 1725-aft 1758 Richard wrote his will on 22 Dec 1783 in Pittsylvania, Va, his wife Lydia was in the will, and recorded on 21 Feb 1785 in Pittsylvania, Va. After Sarah Woodson Parsons died in 1746 Henrico. Joseph Parsons married Suzannah Woody on 7 Feb 1750 in Henrico, Va, and she was mentioned in Joseph's will written 6 Aug 1762 Henrico.

Was he later married to Susannah? His will mentions wife, Susannah and daughter, Judith. (SV-1025)
1729 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Will of Robert Woodson, Sr.:
To son, Stephen, the land that came in my possession by marriage, with his mother, also 50 ac. that belonged to John Lewis.
To son, Joseph: a parcel in Goochland Co. on west side of Jennytoe Creek, up Rockey branch and next to Joseph Parsons’ line.
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Stephen Woodson sold to Joseph Parsons 232 ac. for 40 pounds. (SV-1024)
1736 He is mentioned in Vestry book of Henrico parish, VA. (SV-1026)
1745 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Joseph Parsons of Prince George Co., VA sold to John Royster of Henrico Co., VA 125 ac. for 60 pounds. (SV-1024)
1747 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Joseph Parsons was an appraiser for an estate sale. (SV-1025)
1749 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Joseph Parsons, the elder, of Henrico, to my son, Joseph Parsons; 464 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp. (SV-1024)
1762 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Stephen Woodson, orphan of Stephen Woodson, chooses Joseph Parsons as his guardian. (SV-1025)
1769 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Will of Joseph Parsons (6 Aug. 1762; no probate date given)
To daughter Agnes Woodson, 2 shillings
To daughter Elizabeth Anderson, 2 shillings
To son Joseph Parsons, 2 shillings
To son Samuel Parsons, all my land, 250 ac., on south side of Turners Run in Henrico, purchased of Martha Hobson and Stephen Pankey, and bounded by John Owen, Thomas Owen, and Martha Hobson, also 230 acres on west side of Beachen Run in Henrico, purchased of John Lane, and bounded by John Owen, John Orange, and John Watkins. If he dies without heirs, then to the next male child of my wife Susannah. If she has none, then to my daughter Judith Parsons. Note: To me (D. Attride) this wording implies that Susannah was his 2nd wife. (SV-1025)
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Stephen Woodson of Goochland Co. sold to Joseph Parsons of same, 232 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp for 40 pounds. (SV-1024 & SV-1180)
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Josiah Woodson of Goochland Co. sold to Joseph Parsons of same, for 40 pounds for 232 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp at a place called Half Sink next to land that said Parsons bought from Stephen Woodson. (SV-1180)
1762 Henrico Co., VA Wills: (SV-1025) Will of Joseph Parsons, Sr.
to dau. Agnes Woodson, 2 shillings
to dau. Elizabeth Anderson, 2 shillings
to son, Joseph Parsons, 2 shillings
to son, Samuel Parsons, all my land, 250 acres on south side of Turners Run in Henrico, purchased of Martha Hobson and Stephen Pankey, ... and if he died without heirs then to the next male child of my wife Susannah. If she has none, then to my daughter Judith Parsons; and if she die, then to next female child my wife has. If all my children by my wife Susannah die without issue, then lands to my son Joseph Parsons.
1769 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Inventory of Joseph Parsons. Value is 423/19/3 1/2 by Thomas Owen. Recorded 3 Dec. 1770. (SV-1025.5)

Joseph married Sarah Woodson in 1712 in St Johns Church, Henrico, Virginia, USA. Sarah (daughter of Robert Woodson and Sarah Virginia Lewis) was born in 1692 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA; died on 7 May 1750 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ralph married Mary Elizabeth Wright. Mary was born in 1688 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA; died in 1724 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

By 1707, Ralph Shelton's name is found on the Christ Church Parish Register with the birth record of his first child, Thomas Shelton.

Ralph Shelton supposedly married Mary CRISPEN c1706 in Middlesex Co., VA. She was reported to have been the daughter of Thomas and Mary (LONG) CRISPEN who married 18 May 1687. This not proven. Mary remarried after her husband's death in 1734 to William CLARK.

From VA Vital Records #1 1600-1800 (Family Tree Maker CD #174), Broderbund, pages 259-260 of "Abstracts of VA Wills of Pittsylvania Co., VA 1803-1860", printed in "The Magazine of History and Biography - The William and Mary Quarterly and Tylers Quarterly", will of Mary CLOCK (sic), Parish of Nottoway, Amelia County, was dated 30 Jun 1750, probated 29 Aug 1770 (Mary had died in 1765). This document was witnessed by Crespen (sic) SHELTON, and John SHELTON. She named her "legitimate sons" Ralph Shelton, John Shelton, Crispen Shelton, Benjamin Shelton, James Shelton, and grandchildren Reuben Shelton and Patience Catesby BLOCKEY to whom she gave 1 shilling sterling. She gave her daughter Elizabeth DAVID (the name was actually DAVIS) the best of her wearing clothes, and her son Daniel Shelton and his heirs all the rest of her estate.

Prior to the Oct. 10, 1702 Middlesex Co, VA County Court Session, Ralph SHELTON was imported to North America, along with six other persons, by Thomas Merriwether (who was granted a headright for this importation): source - Essex County, VA Court Order Book 1699-1702, (Deeds and Wills Vol 10, p. 133). Ralph's surname was spelled SHELDON in this document. Probably, he was at least 18 years of age.

Researcher and author, Ken Shelton, who has a copy of the will, said that Merriwether wrote in his will (Essex Co. Deed & Will Book 1707-1711, p. 185-187): ...I give unto Ralph Shelton & his heirs forever sixty five acres of land granted to me by Patent beginning to the lands of RICE JONES *see note below & John Leh__le the land formerly belonging to Capt Edward Thomas..... At the end of the document, Ralph is a WITNESS to the will as well. This means Ralph could read and write, and was educated to some extent. The clerk transcribed his signature as Ralph Shelteon even though he spelled it Shelton within the text of the will itself. Dated 27 Jan 1708/9, probated 10 Feb 1708/9. The land was near the Dragon Swamp of Essex County (later Middlesex County). What relationship there might have been is unknown, but usually this type of bequest indicated a strong relationship.

After his importation, Ralph Shelton lived in Middlesex Co., VA for the remainder of his life. He was listed as a Surveyor and Appraiser, and primary occupation as a planter. Ralph was qualified as a general county road maintenance surveyor based on an entry in the Christ Church Vestry Book (page 201 of original, November to March, year not noted in book but context places it c1727, "ordered that Mr. Garrot Daniel and Mr. Ralph Shelton procession every particular person's land between Briery Swamp (from the Millstone Valley to the Dragon Swamp), and the upper end of the county, and from the main road to the Dragon Swamp, on the south side of the main road". Birth and baptismal records on most of Ralph's children are given in Christ Church Register.

Ralph Shelton's will was dated 10 Mar 1733 in Middlesex Co., VA., and proven in 02 Apr 1734. Elizabeth Davis (daughter), his wife Mary Shelton and his son Thomas Shelton were appointed as his executors.




He died Middlesex Co., Va. 1733. His will is recorded in Middlesex Co. Will Book B, 1712-1734, p. 418-419. March 10, 1733. His death is recorded in Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co., Va. No marriage record has been found. The births of their children are recorded in Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co., Va. The first child is recorded born in 1707, so they were likely married l705-1706.

Recorded in Essex County Deeds & Wills, Book No. 10, 1699-1702, p.133, is a record of Thomas Merriwether claiming land for having imported Ralph to the Colony of Virginia, a "headright" claim. There is no record of an indenture having been served by Ralph and, at his death, Thomas Merriwether left the land he received for the importation to Ralph Shelton. Merriwether's will states his relationship to every other heir in his will except Ralph. Ralph was a witness to Merriwether's will, signing his own name as "Ralph Shelteon". Merriwether's will is recorded in Essex Co, VA.

At his death in 1733, Ralph left this land to his oldest son, Thomas, who died ten years later, in 1742. His death is recorded in Christ Church Parish Register. Thomas left the land he inherited from his father, Ralph, to his eldest son, Reuben. Reuben later sold the land.

There is no Peter Shelton on this line as claimed. In the Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co, Va. where the births of this man's children are recorded his name is recorded as "Chilton" not "Shelton". His will does not mention a Ralph.

The births of the children of Ralph and Mary Shelton are recorded in Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co, Va.

2. Thomas, b. 11-9-1707, d. 3-24-1742. He married Mary Probert on 1-14-1730. His death and their marriage are recorded in Christ Church Parish Register. His estate records are recorded in Middlesex County Order Book 15, pages 424, 423, 441, 471; and Order Book 16, pages 12, 61.
Thomas and Mary's children -- births recorded in Christ Church Parish Register -- were:
3. Reuben b. 5-16-1733
3. Josiah b. 1735
3. Mary b. 2-21-1737/8 d. 8-5-1742
3. Thomas b. 5-2-1740
3. Micajah b. 6-20-1742

2. Ralph, b. 10-23-1709, d. 1789 in Henry Co., Va. He married Mary Daniel 6-10-1731 and at her death married Elizabeth (surname unknown). It has been argued that Ralph married a Susannah between Mary and Elizabeth. However, it became clear that the deed giving rise to the confusion on record in Henry Co. was that of the son Ralph, III (called Ralph, Jr., in Henry Co.). The evidence of this was (1) Ralph, d. 1789, was literate and signed his own name; and (2) there is a deed in Lunenburg Co. where Ralph and Elizabeth--with Elizabeth signing as wife--sold land in 1778 with the body of the deed stating they were "of Henry Co." at the time of the sale. That deed covered land which was a grant to Ralph, the father, in Lunenburg Co. Court Order books in Henry County where records concerning the filing of the will and handling of the estate are recorded refer to Elizabeth as "the widow and relick" of Ralph Shelton, Sr.

The children of Ralph and his various wives are:
3. Azariah
3. Ezekiah
3. Aesop
3. Jeremiah
3..Mary
3. John
3. Ralph
3. Paletiah
3. Roger
3. Abbegial
3. Eliphaz
3. Liberty
3. James
3. Katherine
3. Sarah
3. Elizabeth
3. Rhea
3. Susannah

2. Crispin, b. 4-1-1713 d. 1794 m. Lettetia m. 2d Lettice. No Marriage bond or surname of have been found. His will is filed in Pittsylvania Deed and Will Book 9, page 524.
The children of Crispin are:
3. Abraham -will recorded Pitt. Deed and Will Book 11, page 182
3. Gabriel - will recorded Pitt. Deed and Will Book 11, p254
3. Lewis
3. Armistead -b. 1753, d. 1844 - will recorded Pitt. Co. Will Book 1, page 494
3. Beverly
3. Spencer
3. Vincent
3. Elizabeth
3. Lucy
3. Jane
3. Susanne
3. William (His birth is recorded in 1735 but
is presumed to have died.)

2. Reuben b. 2-1-1715, d. 10-18-1715
2. Mary b. 1-21-1716, d. 7-18-1719

Reuben and Mary died in Middlesex Co. and their deaths are recorded in the Christ Church Parish Register.

2. Catherine b. 1-26-1719 m. 12-31-1743 George Blakely
2. Elizabeth b. Elizabeth m. William Davis
2. John b. 7-14-1722, d. 1804 m. Elizabeth____. His will is recorded in Pittsylvania Deed and Will Book 11, p. 269.
The children of John are:
3. Abraham
3. Jane
3. France
3. William
3. Joel
3. Claibone
3. Martha
3. Charlotte
3. Lucy
3. Nancy
3. Lettice
3. Mary

2. Benjamin b. 6-18-1724, d. 1799.
2. James b. 2-23-1726, d. 1798, m. Jane_____. His will is recorded in Lunenburg County Will Book 4, p. 228.
The children of John are:
3. Rachel
3. Heniretta
3. Benjamin
3. Caty
3. Stephen
3. David
3. Thomas

2. Daniel b. 5-17-1729, d. 1808/9 m. Letttice ____. The surname of Lettice is given often as "Young" which is based strictly on the name of one of the sons. Daniel's will is filed in Pittsylvania County Deed and Will Book 11, page 332.
The children of Daniel are:
3. Susanne
3. Clary
3. Milly
3. Ann
3. Polly
3. Young
3. Leroy
3. Daniel
3. Tunstall
3. Willis


It is to be noted that there were two Ralph Sheltons in early Virginia. One was Ralph Shelton of Essex-Middlesex Co (Middlesex and Essex Counties are adjacent along the Western shore of Chesapeake Bay) and the other is Ralph Shelton of King and Queen Co (West of Middlesex and Essex Counties; it was subdivided in 1702 and King William Co was carved out). The two Ralphs lived on opposide sides of the Dragon Swamp and were about 15 years apart in age. The Essex-Middlesex Co Ralph Shelton was imported in 1702 and married in 1707; he is presumed to have been born about 1685. He was the ancestor of the Sarah Shelton who married Patrick Henry. The King William Co Ralph Shelton was born, according to Ellis Family records, on 25 Sept 1698 in King and Queen Co, a son of Sarah Shelton who married Richard C. Gissage, merchant from London, who settled at Acquinton, St. Peters Parish, New Kent County.

“The History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia,” by Maud Carter Clement, has confused the two Ralphs. Ms. Clement discusses Crispen Shelton and says he “was the son of Ralph Shelton and his wife Mary Pollard. She wrote that “Ralph Shelton was the son of Sarah Shelton and Richard Gassage of New Kent, and for some reaon retained his mother’s name. Tradition says that Sarah Shelton and Richard Shelton were the emigrant chidren of a ship’s captain who drowned in the english Channel in 1691.” Crispen Shelton was actually the son of the Middlesex Co Ralph and his wife Mary, whose surname has been guessed to have been Crispen. Unfortunately, appearance of an incorrect interpretation in a book means that more people take it as fact, and the incorrect attribution of Ralph Shelton (the King William Co one) and Mary Pollard as the parents of Crispen Shelton has gone viral; a check of Ancestry.com public family trees on 30 Sep 2011 showed no fewer than 247 trees that contain this incorrect family relationship.

Ralph apparently spent his entire life in Middlesex County as a planter, since he died there in 1733. In his will, dated 10 March 1733, he mentioned his sons Ralph, Thomas, Crispin, his daughter Elizabeth Davis and his wife Mary. He stated that in case his son Thomas should die, he wished his sons Ralph and Crispin would take care of his (Thomas's) children.

Thomas died five years later (1738). After Ralph's death, his widow married William Clark or Clock. Mentioned in her will were sons Crispin Shelton, John Shelton, Benjamin Shelton, James Shelton, Ralph Shelton, Daniel Shelton, grandchildren Reuben Shelton, and Patience Catesby Blakey and daughter Elizabeth Davis. Mary Crispin Shelton Clark was of Nottaway, Amelia County,Virginia.

Prior to the Oct. 10, 1702 Middlesex Co, VA County Court Session, Ralph SHELTON was imported to North America, along with six other persons, by Thomas Merriwether (who was granted a headright for this importation). Ralph's surname was spelled SHELDON. Probably, he was at least 18 years of age. After his importation, Ralph Shelton lived in Middlesex Co., VA for the remainder of his life.

By 1707, Ralph Shelton's name is found on the Christ Church Parish Register with the birth record of his first child, Thomas Shelton.

He was listed as a Surveyor and Appraiser, and primary occupation as a planter.

Ralph was qualified as a general county road maintenance surveyor based on an entry in the Christ Church Vestry Book (page 201 of original, November to March, year not noted in book but context places it c1727, "ordered that Mr. Garrot Daniel and Mr. Ralph Shelton procession every particular person's land between Briery Swamp (from the Millstone Valley to the Dragon Swamp), and the upper end of the county, and from the main road to the Dragon Swamp, on the south side of the main road".

Birth and baptismal records on most of Ralph's children are given in Christ Church Register.

Ralph Shelton's will was dated 10 Mar 1733 in Middlesex Co., VA., and proven in 02 Apr 1734. Elizabeth Davis (daughter), his wife Mary Shelton and his son Thomas Shelton were appointed as his executors.


Following from “RALPH SHELTON, OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS”; An Account by his great-5-grandson, Kenyon Stevenson (deceased), Hudson, Ohio, 1953:855

Ralph Shelton married about 1707, either in Essex or Middlesex, a wife Mary, whose surname has been guessed to be Crispin. No record of the marriage or suggestion of a maiden name has been discovered. Birth of the oldest daughter, Elizabeth, about 1711, is not in the Christ Church Parish Register, where all the others are recorded. There were eleven children in all, as follows:
l. Thomas, baptized November 9, 1707, married Mary Probert Jan. 14, 1730/31 
 2. Ralph, baptized October 23, 1709, married Mary Daniel June 10, 1731 
 3. Elizabeth, born about 1711, married Wm. Davis, Oct. 29, 1728. 
 4. Crisp (throughout life called Crispin), born April 1, baptized May 17, 1713, married Letitia ____about 1734 
 5. Reuben, born Feb 1, 1714/15, baptized Apr 10, 1715; died Oct. 8, 1715 
 6. Mary, born Jan. 21, baptized February 13, 1716/17; died July 18, 1719 
 7. Catherine, born Jan. 26, baptized March 13, 1719/20, married George Blakey Dec. 31, 1743 
 8. John, born July 19, baptized August 12, 1722 
 9. Benjamin. born June 18, baptized July 12, 1724 
 10. James, born Feb. 23, baptized March 23, 1726/27 
 11. Daniel, born May 17, baptized June 22, 1729
Ralph Shelton lived only five years after the birth of his son Daniel. He died March 13 1733/34. His will, badly damaged in the old Middlesex Will Book, was dated March 10, 1733/34. Some of the provisions still legible on the torn pages are , “ My son Ralph Shelton should have my Land….” “……zabeth Davis twenty five Shillings to buy her---“, “------Ralph Shelton one cow and calf,”, “…..my son Thomas Shelton should take care of my children, and if in case my son Thomas should Die, my Desire is that my Children should be left to the -----of my other two sons, Ralph and Crispen.” “Appoint my L (oving) wife Mary Shelton and my son Thomas Shelton to (be executors of) my Last will and Testament.” The witnesses were William Buford, Thomas Clarke, Henry Buford and Abraham______.
The will was presented in Court April 2, 1734 and proved by oaths of Henry Beauford and Thomas Clark. Thomas Buford, John Jones, John Clark and Garrit Daniel appraised the estate. Inventory and appraisement were presented to the court on July 2, 1734. After this there are no later entries in the Middlesex Court Orders or other county records regarding Ralph Shelton. His widow, Mary, remarried – to a Clark, perhaps Thomas – and as Mary Clark made her will in Nottoway Parish of Amelia County on June 30, 1750. A Middlesex deed made Oct. 5, 1757 by Mary Clark and Peter Clark of County Middlesex to John Lambeth transfers 150 acres “beginning at a deep bottom between Edward Bristow and William Bristow’s line, thence along Elizabeth Smith’s line to main run of the Dragon Swamp…”
Ralph Shelton’s two older surviving sons, Ralph and Crispin, after marriage in Middlesex in the early 1730’s, apparently settled in Essex County. In May 1740 Ralph Shelton presented a certificate to the Essex Court for taking up a runaway slave Cheshire belonging to Mrs. Winifred Webb of Richmond , and in August 1742, the Essex court adjudged Sam, a negro boy belonging to Crispin Shelton to be 10 years old.
Shortly thereafter these Sheltons turned toward Amelia County, nearly 100 miles west and south, created in 1734 from Brunswick and Prince George Counties. Amelia at first also included the areas now in Prince Edward and Nottaway Counties. On July 14, 1743 Mathew Smart of Prince George County sold Crispin Shelton of South Farnham Parish, Essex County 620 acres on South Nottaway River in Amelia County. Two years later, on Sept. 20, 1745, Ralph Shelton received a royal grant of 400 acres in Amelia County, on the lower side of Snales Creek and north of Great Nottaway River.
It appears probable that with Ralph and Crispin and their families went with their mother, Mary Clark, and the four younger sons, John, Benjamin, James and Daniel. In 1745 John was 23, Benjamin 21, James 19 and Daniel 16.
Crispin sold two portions of his 620 acres in 1746 – 155 acres to Henry Bueford of Amelia and 203 acres to James Beuford of Orange County. The deeds place the land as lying “on the south side of Rocky Creek in the forks of Nottaway” and recite that “Letice his said wife” joined Crispin in the sale. Ralph Shelton and Benjamin Shelton signed both deeds as witnesses. Recalling that Henry Buford and William Buford were witnesses to the father Ralph’s will in Middlesex in 1733, it is suggested that Crispin’s wife, Lettice, may have been a Buford.
On June 20, 1749, Ralph Shelton had a second land grant – 400 acres in Lunenburg County, on the lower side of Ledbetters Creek. On Oct. 23, 1751, Ralph Shelton of the Parish of Nottaway bought 286 acres more on the lower side of Snales Creek from Samuel Jordan. Snail Creek, on the modern map, is a small stream scarcely five miles long in the southeast corner of Prince Edward County (created in 1753 from Amelia), emptying into the Great Nottaway where Prince Edward, Nottaway and Lunenburg meet. The Great Nottaway was then (1751) the boundary between Amelia and Lunenburg. This places Ralph Shelton’s 628 acre homestead in the extreme southwest corner of present Nottaway County and his land on Ledbetter Creek about 10 miles distant to the south and west.
US and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900

Name:Ralph Shelton Gender:Male Birth Place:VA Birth Year:1685 Spouse Name:Mary Crispin Marriage
Year:1706 Marriage State:VA Number Pages:1

SHELTON SLAVES

Mary Shelton Clark, widow of Ralph Shelton died 1733 Middlesex County, Virginia

On the 1748 Amelia County, Virginia, Tithables List, Crispin Shelton is listed with “The Widow Clark” in his household and she paid the tithe tax on several slaves. Mary Clark was the widow of Ralph Shelton, I, who died in 1733 in Middlesex County, Virginia. Mary Clark’s will is on file in Pittsylvania County. It is recorded in Pittsylvania County Deed and Will Book 5, page 369. The will was proven on August 29, 1771, and it was written on June 30, 1750, in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County. One of the items in her will left to her son Daniel Shelton her “negro wench Taney”.

Crispin Shelton, son of Ralph Shelton died 1733, Middlesex County, Virginia.

In August 1742, Essex County, Virginia, Court Orders recorded the Essex court adjudged Sam, “a Negro boy” belonging to Crispin Shelton, to be 10 years old. Crispin was on the first Tithables List of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in 1767 with his son Spencer and three slaves Tom, Lucy, and Primus. Also listed was his son, Gabriel Shelton, with Abraham Payne resident in his household and slaves Zachary and Vilet. His son Lewis was listed with slave Pratt. In his will Crispin made arrangements for 44 slaves, not many when one considers that Thomas Jefferson owned 200 slaves at the time.

Ralph Shelton, II, son of Ralph Shelton died 1733 Middlesex County, Virginia

Ralph Shelton, II, died in Henry County, Virginia, in 1789.

He is listed on the 1762 Tithables List of Amelia County, Virginia, where he lived before moved to the area that became Henry County, Virginia, as follows, which shows him owning two slaves

named Adam and Phyllis. The other names are those of his sons. “Tithes” were a tax each free

white male had to pay to the Virginia government beginning on his 16th birthday and which also

had to be paid on slaves, male and female, and on Indian servants and on indentured persons by

the slave owner and the holder of the indenture papers. Ralph paid no Tithe on indenture individuals.

Ralph Shelton, Ralph Shelton, Jr., Eliphaz Shelton, James Shelton, Palitiah Shelton, Adam, Phyllis 7 Tithes
Ralph Shelton, III, son of Ralph Shelton, II, died 1789 Henry County

Ralph Shelton, III, died in Knox County, Tennessee, son of Ralph Shelton, II, died 1789 Henry

County, Virginia, son of Ralph Shelton, ! , died 1733 Middlesex County, Virginia”

Date is illegible but registered April, 1815, Ralph Shelton of Knox County executes deed for

slaves to his son, John Shelton.. (Source: research of Phillip Lane)

Benjamin Shelton, son of Ralph Shelton died 1733 Middlesex County, Virginia

Benjamin Shelton' s first appearance in the Pittsylvania Records was in 1772 when he bought land from Hugh Innes. The 1782 tax list of Pittsylvania shows Ben Shelton with a family of 7 whites and 8 slaves. Benjamin moved to Caswell County, North Carolina. Benjamin’s will is recorded in Caswell County Will Book C, pages 417

-418. His will was dated March 4, 1799. He stated that it is “my desire that my black people should have the privilege of choosing their master whom they will serve”.



Pittsylvania County Tax Lists show Daniel Shelton, the youngest son of Ralph Shbelton of Middlesex County, Virginia, with a family of 11 owning 400 acres and 9 slaves.

In his will, Daniel made this statement: My desire is for my sons to divide the negroes among themselves if they can agree and keep them in the family as my desire is for them to remain with my sons, also my desire is for sons to give my two old negros Bob and Ester the privilege of living with who they please so they live in the family as it is contrary to law of my Country to free them.



Armistead Shelton, son of Crispin Shelton, son of Ralph Shelton died 1733

September 15, 1794 Armistead Shelton son of Crispin, freed two mulatto girls named Biddy and Juda. His reason was that he desired that they be free. The document is recorded in Deed Book 10, page. 71. In 1806 John Shelton, son of Ralph Shelton of Middlesex County, freed

a slave named Adam, recorded in Pittsylvania County Deed Book 15, page 40.

Collected Material on Ralph Shelton
Posted 25 Mar 2012 by JeanMulhern08
A Collection of Material on Ralph Shelton

Ralph Shelton – beginning with a short review

He was a surveyor, appraiser and planter by occupation.
Ralph's will was dated 10 Mar 1733 and proven in 1734.
Ralph Shelton came to Virginia about 1702 with Thomas Meriwether. (EssexCourt Order Book-1702).

His death is recorded in Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co VA, Will Book B, 1712-1734, p. 418-419.
Recorded in Essex County Deeds & Wills, Book No. 10, 1699-1702, p.133, is a record of Thomas Merriwether claiming land for having imported Ralph to the Colony of Virginia.

At his death, Thomas Merriwether left the land he received for the importation to Ralph Shelton.

Also –

RALPH SHELTON, OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS”

Following from “RALPH SHELTON, OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS”; An Account by his great-5-grandson, Kenyon Stevenson (deceased), Hudson, Ohio, 1953:855

Ralph Shelton married about 1707, either in Essex or Middlesex, a wife Mary, whose surname has been guessed to be Crispin. No record of the marriage or suggestion of a maiden name has been discovered. Birth of the oldest daughter, Elizabeth, about 1711, is not in the Christ Church Parish Register, where all the others are recorded. There were eleven children in all, as follows:
l. Thomas, baptized November 9, 1707, married Mary Probert Jan. 14, 1730/31 
 2. Ralph, baptized October 23, 1709, married Mary Daniel June 10, 1731 
 3. Elizabeth, born about 1711, married Wm. Davis, Oct. 29, 1728. 
 4. Crisp (throughout life called Crispin), born April 1, baptized May 17, 1713, married Letitia ____about 1734 
 5. Reuben, born Feb 1, 1714/15, baptized Apr 10, 1715; died Oct. 8, 1715 
 6. Mary, born Jan. 21, baptized February 13, 1716/17; died July 18, 1719 
 7. Catherine, born Jan. 26, baptized March 13, 1719/20, married George Blakey Dec. 31, 1743 
 8. John, born July 19, baptized August 12, 1722 
 9. Benjamin. born June 18, baptized July 12, 1724 
 10. James, born Feb. 23, baptized March 23, 1726/27 
 11. Daniel, born May 17, baptized June 22, 1729
Ralph Shelton lived only five years after the birth of his son Daniel. He died March 13 1733/34. His will, badly damaged in the old Middlesex Will Book, was dated March 10, 1733/34. Some of the provisions still legible on the torn pages are , “ My son Ralph Shelton should have my Land….” “……zabeth Davis twenty five Shillings to buy her---“, “------Ralph Shelton one cow and calf,”, “…..my son Thomas Shelton should take care of my children, and if in case my son Thomas should Die, my Desire is that my Children should be left to the -----of my other two sons, Ralph and Crispen.” “Appoint my L (oving) wife Mary Shelton and my son Thomas Shelton to (be executors of) my Last will and Testament.” The witnesses were William Buford, Thomas Clarke, Henry Buford and Abraham______.
The will was presented in Court April 2, 1734 and proved by oaths of Henry Beauford and Thomas Clark. Thomas Buford, John Jones, John Clark and Garrit Daniel appraised the estate. Inventory and appraisement were presented to the court on July 2, 1734. After this there are no later entries in the Middlesex Court Orders or other county records regarding Ralph Shelton. His widow, Mary, remarried – to a Clark, perhaps Thomas – and as Mary Clark made her will in Nottoway Parish of Amelia County on June 30, 1750. A Middlesex deed made Oct. 5, 1757 by Mary Clark and Peter Clark of County Middlesex to John Lambeth transfers 150 acres “beginning at a deep bottom between Edward Bristow and William Bristow’s line, thence along Elizabeth Smith’s line to main run of the Dragon Swamp…”
Ralph Shelton’s two older surviving sons, Ralph and Crispin, after marriage in Middlesex in the early 1730’s, apparently settled in Essex County. In May 1740 Ralph Shelton presented a certificate to the Essex Court for taking up a runaway slave Cheshire belonging to Mrs. Winifred Webb of Richmond , and in August 1742, the Essex court adjudged Sam, a negro boy belonging to Crispin Shelton to be 10 years old.
Shortly thereafter these Sheltons turned toward Amelia County, nearly 100 miles west and south, created in 1734 from Brunswick and Prince George Counties. Amelia at first also included the areas now in Prince Edward and Nottaway Counties. On July 14, 1743 Mathew Smart of Prince George County sold Crispin Shelton of South Farnham Parish, Essex County 620 acres on South Nottaway River in Amelia County. Two years later, on Sept. 20, 1745, Ralph Shelton received a royal grant of 400 acres in Amelia County, on the lower side of Snales Creek and north of Great Nottaway River.
It appears probable that with Ralph and Crispin and their families went with their mother, Mary Clark, and the four younger sons, John, Benjamin, James and Daniel. In 1745 John was 23, Benjamin 21, James 19 and Daniel 16.
Crispin sold two portions of his 620 acres in 1746 – 155 acres to Henry Bueford of Amelia and 203 acres to James Beuford of Orange County. The deeds place the land as lying “on the south side of Rocky Creek in the forks of Nottaway” and recite that “Letice his said wife” joined Crispin in the sale. Ralph Shelton and Benjamin Shelton signed both deeds as witnesses. Recalling that Henry Buford and William Buford were witnesses to the father Ralph’s will in Middlesex in 1733, it is suggested that Crispin’s wife, Lettice, may have been a Buford.
On June 20, 1749, Ralph Shelton had a second land grant – 400 acres in Lunenburg County, on the lower side of Ledbetters Creek. On Oct. 23, 1751, Ralph Shelton of the Parish of Nottaway bought 286 acres more on the lower side of Snales Creek from Samuel Jordan. Snail Creek, on the modern map, is a small stream scarcely five miles long in the southeast corner of Prince Edward County (created in 1753 from Amelia), emptying into the Great Nottaway where Prince Edward, Nottaway and Lunenburg meet. The Great Nottaway was then (1751) the boundary between Amelia and Lunenburg. This places Ralph Shelton’s 628 acre homestead in the extreme southwest corner of present Nottaway County and his land on Ledbetter Creek about 10 miles distant to the south and west.

Residence Records in the Christ Church Parish registers in Middlesex County, Virginia, mention Mary's husband, Ralph Shelton, from the baptism of their son John in November 1707 to Ralph's death on March 13, 1733. Then she spent the entire time up to 1733 in the Middlesex County area.

Her will of 1750 shows her living in Nottoway Parish in Amelia County, VA. She had remarried a man named CLARK, but this is definitely the widow of Ralph Shelton since her will lists her children by name: Ralph Shelton, Crispin Shelton, John Shelton, Benjamin Shelton, James Shelton, Elizabeth Davis, and Daniel Shelton. Two grandchildren, Reubin Shelton and Patient Caty Blakely are also mentioned, suggesting they took their deceased parent's portion of Mary's estate.

Spouse/Children Mary was the wife of Ralph Shelton (1685-1733). We know this because the Christ Church Parish records list "daughter of" or "son of" Ralph and Mary Shelton for each baptism. Moreover, Ralph's will, though badly torn with large chunks missing, has mention of his wife Mary. References to several of his children remain as well.

A marriage record between Ralph and Mary has not been located, despite several generations of researchers searching for it. The dominant thinking is that Mary's surname was Crispin, but this is speculation based on her son's name of Crispin. The U.S. and International Marriage records on ancestry.com record a marriage between Ralph Shelton and Mary Crispin in 1706 in Middlesex County, VA but it is important to note that the source of this is a collection of research notes acquired over many years by Yates Publishing. These are NOT NECESSARILY original records as family group sheets are used as sources in addition to Bible records and other notes. Therefore, the maiden name of CRISPIN remains in the family lore but is unproven. At some point, Mary married a man named CLARK, as this is her surname in her will.

All of the baptisms of Ralph's and Mary's children appear in the Christ Church register (under the name SHELTON), but no record has been found of the baptism or birth of their daughter Elizabeth. Her existence is known from a reference in Ralph's will (____abeth Davis) and from Mary's will (referring to daughter Elizabeth Davis). The parish registers show a marriage between Elizabeth Shelton and William Davis on 09 Oct 1728, several years before the wills were written, so this data is all consistent. In addition to the baptism records, the names of "my son Ralph," "my son Thomas," "son Crispin" appear in Ralph's will. From these records, the children of Ralph and Mary were the following:
· Thomas
· Ralph
· Elizabeth
· Crispen
· Reuben (died young)
· Mary (died young)
· Catherine
· John
· Benjamin
· James
· Daniel

Mary's estate was probated in 1771 in Pittsylvania County, VA.

He was a surveyor, appraiser and planter by occupation.
Ralph's will was dated 10 Mar 1733 and proven in 1734.
Ralph Shelton came to Virginia about 1702 with Thomas Meriwether. (EssexCourt Order Book-1702).
Wife was named Mary; they were married abt 1707 in Middlesex Co VA.

The children of Ralph and Mary Shelton;
l. Thomas, baptized November 9, 1707, married Mary Probert Jan. 14, 1730/31
2. Ralph, baptized October 23, 1709, married Mary Daniel June 10, 1731
3. Elizabeth, born about 1711, married Wm. Davis, Oct. 29, 1728.
4. Crispen, born April 1, baptized May 17, 1713, married Letitia
5. Reuben, born Feb 1, 1714/15, baptized Apr 10, 1715; died Oct. 8, 1715
6. Mary, born Jan. 21, baptized February 13, 1716/17; died July 18, 1719
7. Catherine, born Jan. 26, baptized March 13, 1719/20, married George Blakey Dec. 31, 1743
8. John, born July 19, baptized August 12, 1722
9. Benjamin. born June 18, baptized July 12, 1724
10. James, born Feb. 23, baptized March 23, 1726/27
11. Daniel, born abt 1729


His parents may be Peter Shelton 1664-1718 and Susannah Jackson/Jaxon. Peter would be the son of James Shelton 1632 MD-1720 VA who married mary Bathurst. James would be the son of Thomas Shelton and Hannah Wood, who lived in Virginia and Bermuda......and on, back, to Sir John Shelton [DeShelton] and Lady Anne Boleyn. John Shelton was the 21st Lord of Shelton. Sir John's wife, Anne Boleyn, was an aunt to Anne Boleyn the second wife of King Henry VIII, and Henry and Anne were parents of Elizabeth I who became the Queen of England in 1588. This line continues back and includes Ralph Shelton 1430 who married Margaret CLERE.

Christ Church Parish Register; page 54 "Peter ye sone of Peter & Susanna Shelton baptz ye 15th November 1687"

"In Middlesex County, a Peter Chilton married Susan Jaxon on March 2, 1685. This is the first notice of a man who appears in the records as Chilton, Chelton and Shelton over the next 30 years. Three of his son's births are recorded in the Christ Church Parish Register as Chilton, but his own name occurs in his 1718 will as Chilton, Chelton and Chellton. He signed his name by mark, Peter Chellton." by descendant, Kenyon Stevenson.

His death is recorded in Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co VA

Will Book B, 1712-1734, p. 418-419.

"Recorded in Essex County Deeds & Wills, Book No. 10, 1699-1702, p.133, is a record of Thomas Merriwether claiming land for having imported Ralph to the Colony of Virginia." "At his death, Thomas Merriwether left the land he received for the importation to Ralph Shelton." From the research of Keynon Stevenson as shared by Hildred C. Shelton.

"Order'd that Mr Garrot Daniel, & Mr Ralph Shelton, procession...between the Briery Swamp, (from the Millstone Valley to the Dragon Swamp) and the upper End of the County, and from the main road to the Dragon Swamp, on the South Side of the main road"....

1728: Mr Garrot Daniel, & Mr Ralph Shelton..."from the new Drago[n] Bridge road on the South side the main road to the upper End of the Parish".... [this year two districts on the south side are combined. In 1729 the processioners for the same two are John Segar and James Macham.]


Prior to the Oct. 10, 1702 Middlesex Co, VA County Court Session, Ralph SHELTON was imported to North America, along with six other persons, by Thomas Merriwether (who was granted a headright for this importation): source - Essex County, VA Court Order Book 1699-1702, (Deeds and Wills Vol 10, p. 133). Ralph's surname was spelled SHELDON in this document. Probably, he was at least 18 years of age. There is no evidence that Ralph Shelton served a formal indenture as an indentured servant, since no release or other documents have been located in support of this matter.

Researcher and author, Ken Shelton, who has a copy of the will, said that Merriwether wrote in his will (Essex Co. Deed & Will Book 1707-1711, p. 185-187): ...I give unto Ralph Shelton & his heirs forever sixty five acres of land granted to me by Patent beginning to the lands of RICE JONES *see note below & John Leh__le the land formerly belonging to Capt Edward Thomas..... At the end of the document, Ralph is a WITNESS to the will as well. This means Ralph could read and write, and was educated to some extent. The clerk transcribed his signature as Ralph Shelteon even though he spelled it Shelton within the text of the will itself. Dated 27 Jan 1708/9, probated 10 Feb 1708/9. The land was near the Dragon Swamp of Essex County (later Middlesex County). What relationship there might have been is unknown, but usually this type of bequest indicated a strong relationship.

The Meriwether Society has a theory that Ralph was a Skelton and that Thomas married his sister, Susannah. They base this on the fact that everyone in Thomas's will were family named as brother, sister, nephew; except for Ralph. They think that is the reason Thomas imported Ralph. That and the fact that Thomas bequeathed to Ralph in his will 65 acres. Dr.Frank Shelton has another area to explore. In the mentioned will of Thomas he asks to sell his tobacco and to pay his debts to Messr. Micajah Perry, London merchant. Dr.Frank thinks if we knew more of Mr. Perry and his type of trade it would lead to more clues as to Ralph's parents."

This is a good theory, worth exploring, and might well explain just why Thomas Meriwether gave Ralph Shelton the 65 acre legacy in his 1708/9 will. For many people, this SHELTON research is confusing for several reasons. There was another Ralph SHELTON, a younger man than our ancestor, who was of King William County. He married Mary Pollard. The two Ralph Sheltons lived, according to Jan, on opposite sides of the Dragon Swamp and were about 15 years apart in age. This was established by a bond for 200 pounds in King William County dated 30 Sep 1703, entered into by Joseph Bickley of King and Queen County with Major John Waller, (see notes below regarding Crispen Shelton's children), King William Co., to cover two years schooling for Ralph Shelton, son of Mrs. Sarah Gissage, whom Bickley contemplated marrying soon. A good article on "the two Ralphs" can be found at Brian Eddy's helpful website (outdated URL - if you know about his new URL, please let me know). In correspondance from Katherine Snow 2/2000, she wrote that the marriage of Ralph Shelton (supposedly b. c1698, while our Ralph SHELTON was b. 1685) and Mary Pollard occurred 05 Dec 1721, which certainly would exclude Mary ?Crisp/Crispen? from being the same person as Mary Pollard. I have not researched the SHELTON/POLLARD connection, so I cannot say for certain if this is all true.

It is unknown who the parents of our Ralph Shelton were at this time. Some researchers would like to believe that Ralph was the son of Peter Shelton and his wife Susannah Jaxon/Jackson, but it appears this assumption is incorrect after all the evidence is viewed. There were men named Ralph Shelton in early England records, but no connection with proof has yet been located. Kenneth Shelton, who wrote "The Shelton Trek Across Kentucky", (LIBRARY of CONGRESS Call #CS71.S545 1987a), said on page 7 of his book that he believed Ralph Shelton was not a son to Peter Shelton. He believed that Peter was actually a CHILTON. Although Peter CHILTON (1664-1718) did live in Middlesex Co., VA, he left a will which did not name a Ralph Shelton as a son, and all of Peter Chilton's children are noted in the Christ Church Parish Register (no Ralph was listed there). Ralph Shelton, by English primogenitor law, would have been included in this will if he was the first born son and by law would have inherited Peter Chilton's 100 acres of land had he been the son as claimed by some researchers. Why would Ralph SHELTON b. 1685, be "imported" if this supposed father, Peter Shelton/Chilton, was already residing in America, as documents prove? Ralph Shelton simply was NOT a son to Peter Chilton/Shelton. The following is another comprehensive message regarding this issue. It was also posted to the Knight5@aol.com SHELTON mailing list:

"Dr. Frank H. Shelton wrote a pamphlet Sheltons in the Christ Church Parish Register-in Virginia, copyright 1985. He descends from Ralph & Mary, through their first son Thomas. Source of his information is "The Parish Register of Christ Church Parish of Middlesex Co., Va From 1653-1812" published by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia, Richmond: Wm Ellis Jones, Steam Book And Job Printer - 1897. Also, Essex Co. Court Records. I quote the following.
"There are records for Peter Chelton (and descendants) in the Christ Church Parish Register from 1685 when Peter Chilton married Susan Jaxon until 1725 when Abby was born to ZebuIon & Mary Chelton. Over this period of 38 years and three generations it was always Chilton/Chelton. There was never any mixing of the Shelton and Chelton names over a period of many years in the Christ Church Parish Register. There is only one exception to this fact: unaccountably on page 54 "Peter ye sone of Peter & Susanna Shelton baptz ye 15th November 1687" does a Shelton enter into the Chilton's records and never a Chilton in the Shelton's records of Christ Church Parish.
The above Parish Register records indicate the following concerning the Peter Chilton family: Peter Chilton 1st married in 1684 Susannah Jackson and by her had William and Peter (Jr) - 1687. Peter Chilton then married 2nd Abigail and by her had Henry - 1691, Thomas and Zebulon. Peter Chilton died October 1718 and his widow Abigail Chelton married Robert Holderness a short time later - Feb 1719."......"I think that Dr. Frank Shelton provides the most compelling evdence, backed up by direct research, that Peter was not a Shelton. Also that he could not have been the father of Ralph. Regards, Wayne Shelton

By 1707, Ralph Shelton's name is found on the Christ Church Parish Register with the birth record of his first child, Thomas Shelton. After his importation, Ralph Shelton lived in Middlesex Co., VA for the remainder of his life. He was listed as a Surveyor and Appraiser, and primary occupation as a planter. Ralph was qualified as a general county road maintenance surveyor based on an entry in the Christ Church Vestry Book (page 201 of original, November to March, year not noted in book but context places it c1727, "ordered that Mr. Garrot Daniel and Mr. Ralph Shelton procession every particular person's land between Briery Swamp (from the Millstone Valley to the Dragon Swamp), and the upper end of the county, and from the main road to the Dragon Swamp, on the south side of the main road". Birth and baptismal records on most of Ralph's children are given in Christ Church Register. Ralph Shelton's will was dated 10 Mar 1733 in Middlesex Co., VA., and proven in 02 Apr 1734. Elizabeth Davis (daughter), his wife Mary Shelton and his son Thomas Shelton were appointed as his executors. Click here to view a transcribed version of the will at the USGenWeb SHELTON board.

Ralph Shelton supposedly married Mary ?CRISP/CRISPEN? (no proof has yet been found for her correct maiden name) c1706 in Middlesex Co., VA. She was reported to have been the daughter of Thomas and Mary (LONG) CRISPEN/CRISP who married 18 May 1687. I have no good source for this data, and it is NOT proven. Mary remarried after her husband's death in 1734 to William CLARK. From VA Vital Records #1 1600-1800 (Family Tree Maker CD #174), Broderbund, pages 259-260 of "Abstracts of VA Wills of Pittsylvania Co., VA 1803-1860", printed in "The Magazine of History and Biography - The William and Mary Quarterly and Tylers Quarterly", will of Mary CLOCK (sic), Parish of Nottoway, Amelia County, was dated 30 Jun 1750, probated 29 Aug 1770 (Mary had died in 1765). This document was witnessed by Crespen (sic) SHELTON, and John SHELTON. She named her "legitimate sons" Ralph Shelton, John Shelton, Crispen Shelton, Benjamin Shelton, James Shelton, and grandchildren Reuben Shelton and Patience Catesby BLOCKEY to whom she gave 1 shilling sterling. She gave her daughter Elizabeth DAVID (the name was actually DAVIS) the best of her wearing clothes, and her son Daniel Shelton and his heirs all the rest of her estate. For a more precise look at this will, click here to view information sent by Ken Shelton.

Christ Church, Middlesex Co., VA - from Harper's Magazine
THE CHILDREN:

1. Thomas, bapt. 09 Nov 1707, d. 24 Mar 1741/42 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), m. 04 Jan 1729/30 Mary PROBERT, b. 16 Nov 1708 Middlesex Co., VA., d. aft. June 1742, the daughter of William and Hannah Unknown PROBERT (names from the Christ's Church Parish Register).

Named in his father's will .....and if my widow should marry, my son Thomas Shelton shall take care of my children, and if Thomas dies, then my two sons, Ralph Shelton and Crispin Chelton (sic) should care for them. April Miller's book "Shelton County - A Genealogy of Pittsylvania County's Largest Family" (book located at the LDS Morman Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT.), has information on this line. She wrote that after Thomas died, his grandchildren, from four of his sons, migrated for the most part to Greenville Co., VA and then into central North Carolina. Thomas Shelton's will, found in Middlesex Co., VA, Will Book C, page 91, was probated on 07 Jun 1743. "The Sheltons Lineal Descendants from Ancient, Medieval & Modern Kings & from Fifteen Sureties for the Magna Charta" by Kathryn Morris Brown, published in Knoxville, TN 1981, page 65 gives the date of death for Mary and the marriage date as 14 Jan. 1730 in Middlesex Co., VA., and includes the birth dates for her children. This author added the child Micajah, not seen on other sources. Mary Shelton was the administratrix of Thomas Shelton, dec'd, probate record dated 07 Jun 1743.
CHILDREN: Reuben b. 06 May 1733 m. Priscilla M. MEDLEY; Josiah b. c1735 m. Elizabeth Unknown; Mary b. 21 Feb 1738, died young; Thomas b. 02 May 1740, d. 1802 Orange Co., NC, m. Catherine MUNDAY; and Micajah b. 20 Jun 1742 (reported to have moved to NC). Much more information can be found on this line in WFT Vol. 30 Tree #1350.

2. Ralph b. 23 Oct 1709 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), d. March 1789 Henry Co., VA., m. 10 Jun 1731 Mary DANIEL, daughter of William DANIEL and Mary MOSELEY of Middlesex Co., VA.

For more on these lines, click on the underlined names.

3. Elizabeth b. 1711 Middlesex Co., VA., d. c1784 Hanover Co., VA., m. 09 Oct 1728 William DAVIS who was born 1699 (christined 1700 Christ Church, Middlesex Co. VA), d. 13 Mar 1732/33 Middlesex Co., VA., the son of John DAVIS and Catherine RAGLAND (source William Davis E-mail erich@jjt.com).

In Broderbund's CD Virginia Genealogist, Pittsylvania County Tax Records, page 326, William Davis is shown with 1 tithe in 1767. James Harmon E-mail jharmon@earthlink.net researches this line.
CHILDREN: Elizabeth m. Pettus RAGLAND; Catherine m. James RAGLAND (Pettus' brother); John Dabney b. 22 Jan 1743 m. Anne Ragland TINSLEY; Tolifero; David; Meridith; Evan; William; and Steven m. Elizabeth BOWE.

4. Crispen b. 01 Apr 1713 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), d. 29 Oct 1787 Pittsylvania Co., VA., m. Letitia UNKNOWN c1733, and later a Mary BAUFORD.

The Bauford surname was provided by Millie, E-mail GeneSeek@aol.com, her source unknown. A marriage record is found in "Marriage Records of Pittsylvania Co., VA 1767-1805" a section of the book "The Sheltons-Lineal Descendants from Ancient, Medieval and Modern Kings and from Fifteen Sureties for the Magna Charta" by Kathryn Morris Brown (published 1981 Knoxville, TN). This record shows that Gabriel Shelton also married a Mary Beuford..surety Reddick Shelton..she signed her own consent..married by Rev. Thomas Payne. You can click here to read an entry at GenForum by Janet Hunter pertaining to this line. Interesting too, is the following E-mail sent by Jan Shelton Nixon Sept. 2000:

" I am lead to believe that Gabriel's wife Mary Buford was Mary Waller Buford. Following is correspondence from a Lewis researcher: " Miller correctly notes that Gabriel Shelton's second marriage was to Mary Buford on 29 Jun 1794. In my opinion Mary Buford was born Mary Waller. This opinion is based on the following records.
The Will of Major Waller, written 23 Jan 1793, and probated 11 Dec 1794, in Nottoway Co., VA names wife Elizabeth Waller, his daughters, Susannah Parham (who married James Parham), MARY BUFORD, Elizabeth Ellis, Christianna Bennett, Dicey Waller, and his sons John, William, Hampton, Garred, and Major Waller.
An Order Book entry for the Nottoway County Court for 7 May 1796, names the following litigants:
Susannah Parham
GABRIEL SHELTON and MARY his wife
William Ellis and Eliza his wife
Richard Bennett and Christianna his wife
John Waller
Garred Waller-Exors of Major Waller, dec'd.
VS
William Waller
Hampton Waller
Dicey Waller- Infants and orphans of Major Waller, dec'd.".

Jan continued her thoughts: It is interesting that Major John Waller (1) signed the bond for Ralph Shelton who married Mary Pollard (see above notes) and (2) is the father of one of Gabriel's wives. Coincidence?...or family connections? Also interesting is that Gabriel and Mary were married by Rev.Thomas Payne as I think Gabriel's mother Lettice was a Payne, dau. of a Thomas. The problem area here is I have 3 Thomas Paynes and trying to sort the lot." We certainly thank Jan for these tantalizing comments. More research in this area is needed though.

From the ROOTS-L mailing list for SHELTON surname: Crispin Shelton sold two portions of his 620 acres in 1746, 155 acres to Henry Bueford of Amelia and 203 acres to James Beuford of Orange County. The deeds place the land ....on the south side of Rocky Creek in the forks of Nottaway....and recite that....Letice his second wife, joined Crispin in the sale. Ralph Shelton and Benjamin Shelton signed both deeds as witnesses. Henry Buford and William Buford were witnesses to the father Ralph's will in Middlesex in 1733 (posted by Janet Hunter, June 2001)

CHILDREN: Lewis b. c1734; William b. 04 Mar 1734/35; Abraham b. c1737 m. Chloe ROBERTSON; Gabriel b. c1739 m. (1) Elizabeth SHEPHERD (line of Patty Smith 24 Mar 1762 (2) Mary Waller Buford 29 Jun 1794; Spencer b. c1743 m. Clara SHELTON; Beaverly b. c1744 m. Anne COLEMAN; Jane b. c1745 m. William TODD; Susan b. c1746 m. Griffith DICKERSON; Armistead b. c1750 m. Susannah SHELTON; Vincent b. c1751 m. Susannah ROBERTSON; and Elizabeth b. c1753 m. Moses HURT.

5. Reuben b. 01 Feb 1714/15, d. 08 Oct 1715 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records).

6. Mary b. 21 Jan 1715/16, d. 18 Jul 1719 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records).

7. Catherine b. 26 Jan 1718/19 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), d. c1745, m. 31 Dec 1743 (bond date) George BLAKEY, b. 03 Apr 1716 Middlesex Co., VA.

In Broderbund's CD Virginia Genealogist, Middlesex County Marriage Records, page 321, the marriage bond is signed by Robert Daniel, brother of Mary Daniel who married Ralph Shelton. George married again, after his first wife's death, to Clara (Smith) DANIEL, widow of Garrett DANIEL (bond dated 28 Apr 1746). Garrett DANIEL was reportly a son to Robert and Margaret (Price) DANIEL, and a cousin to Mary (Daniel) SHELTON.
CHILD of Catherine & George BLAKEY: Patience Catesby BLAKEY.

8. John b. 19 Jul 1722 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), d. 1804 Pittsylvania Co., VA., m. Elizabeth (some say Elizabeth LAWSON 30 Jul 1760, but this is not verified by me).

Some researchers say that John's will was written 18 Nov 1777 and proven 13 July 1778, however this would appear to be a different John SHELTON. The children attributed to him are named in the will of John Shelton 1801 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. The book "Families of James Shelton of McMinn Co., TN and His Father Roderieck Shelton of Buncombe Co., NC and Their Antecedents" by Arthur Paul Shelton Aug 1987 gives his wife's name as Susan HOARD/HOWARD, so I don't know which is correct, but the marriage date with Elizabeth may actually be for a John Shelton, Jr. Vonette Curtis E-mail alvon@apex.net says John was elected a Lieutenant in the Rev. War in Pittsylvania Co.,VA. "The Sheltons, by Clay HENSLEY and Zelois HENSLEY, privately printed, 1988, page 47 (keep in mind, many researchers refute this data): "John Shelton, b. 7-19-1722, bapt. 8-12-1722 sold his land in Amelia Co. 8-25-1774, deed signed by wife Elizabeth, and moved to Mecklenburg County where his sister Catherine Blakey lived. Wife Elizabeth died before John made his will 11-18-1777, probated 7-13-1778. He signed John Shelton, Sr., and named only his eldest son Mark and his grandson William, son of Mark, son John was not named. Mark was executor of his father's will. After the death of their parents Mark and John went on to Pittsylvania Co., VA., where their father's brothers had settled earlier. The wills of both Mark and John were made in Pittsylvania Co in 1801. After John Sr's will was prob. in July, son John bought land in Pittsylvania County 11-7-1778 and made his will 11-26-1801, probated 6-18-1804, sons Joel and Abraham and friend Vincent Shelton, executors. Wit: William, Henry and Lewis Shelton - no wife mentioned. 12 children are named, also a granddaughter Fannie, wife of Tunstal Shelton." Another descendant, Karen Wood, wrote in Nov. 1999, to the Knights5 mailing group that John moved to Pittsylvania County c1775 and died 1804. She also wrote that contrary to previous written material, John's sister Catherine Blakely had died shortly after her marriage and well before 1778. Karen wrote that there was no son John Shelton, Jr....so much work needs to be done on the line of John Shelton.

Hildred Shelton wrote the following in April 2005: (from) South Carolina Records for John Skelton and Mark Skelton from site of South Carolina Department of Archives and History - "1784 John Skelton grant in District of Ninety-Six, SC - There is a record of a land grant in the District of Ninety-Six dated 9-3-1784 to John Skelton for 200 acres of land on Chestoe Creek. This was 16 years after selling his Mecklenburg County, VA, land.
1785 Mark Skelton Administrator in District of Ninety-Six, SC - I have found a record in South Carolina dated in 1785 where Josiah Tanner was administrator for Mark Skelton and sued Paul Abney. This indicates that Mark died soon after moving to the District of Ninety-Six in South Carolina, which was six years after the date of his last Mecklenburg County, VA, deed. Since he was dead (if living, the person has a guardian or Trustee), that forecloses the argument that he went to South Carolina, then returned to Pittsylvania County, VA, and died in Pittsylvania County in 1802.
Mark's last deed in Mecklenburg County, VA, was Deed Book 5, pages 484-485, dated Sept. 1, 1779, from Mark Skelton to Edward Walton stating this deed was between Mark Skelton of the district of ninety-six, South Carolina and Edward Walton of Mecklenburg County. and is dated September 1, 1779."
CHILDREN (from the will of 1801-1804): John b. c1741 m. Elizabeth Unknown; Charles; William; Joel; Francis; Claibourne; Abraham; Jane m. William LEWIS; Mary m. Unknown POORE; Martha m. Unknown TUCKER; Charlotte; Nancy m. Unknown WHITE; Lucy m. West D. HURT; and Lettice.

9. Benjamin b. 18 Jun 1724 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), d. (unknown), m. Mary UNKNOWN.

From a book in the Dallas Library "The Sheltons Lineal Descendants from Ancient, Medieval & Modern Kings & from Fifteen Sureties for the Magna Charta" by Kathryn Morris Brown, published in Knoxville, TN 1981, page 69 shows Benjamin's wife as Mary ________. He owned land on the head of Haw Fork of Buck Branch in Pittsylvania Co., VA. He and Mary had a son Benjamin Jr. and possibly several more children, some give the names a two others as Clever and Leonard. He reportedly received a grant for 119ac in Amelia County, located on the South Fork of the Little Nottoway River, 28 Mar 1759, but sold it on 24 Nov 1763 to his brother James Shelton described as being on Stone House Branch...witnessed by Thomas Payne, Daniel D. Shelton, and John Anderson. In 1764 he bought land on the north fork of the Nottoway Rier and on 24 May 1770 Benjamin and wife Mary sold their land and moved to Pittsylvania County, settling close by his brother Crispin Shelton. In 1782 Benjamin sold 200ac on Haw Fork of Buck Branch to his nephew Joel Shelton who was then relocating from Amelia. The 1785 tax list includes Benjamins' household with 8 family members. By 1790, Benjamin was living in the Hillsborough Dist., Caswell Co., NC.

10. James b. 23 Feb 1725/26 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), d. c1798 Lunenburg Co., VA., m. Jane UNKNOWN.

James Shelton's will is dated 27 Feb 1796 & proved 19 Oct 1798, Inv. 10 Jan 1799. This will is recorded in Will Book 4:227 Lunenburg Co VA (inventory on p. 233). It named his wife Jane and their children: Sons: David Shelton, Benjamin Shelton, Thomas Shelton, Stephen Shelton; Daughters: Mary Harrison, Caty Mason; Grandsons: Stephen Shelton Queenberry, James Queenberry, Thomas Queenberry, Aaron Queenberry, David Queenberry, Duarch [sic] Shelton, Little Berry Shelton; Granddaughters: Polly Shelton, Winnifred Queenberry, Polly Bell, Jane Askew Shelton; Executors: Benjamin Shelton, Stephen Shelton, Thomas Shelton; Witnesses: Vincent Shelton, John George, Mary Smith. A researcher for this line is Shirley Davis through the son Thomas and his son James b. 1770. One excellent researcher, Hildred Shelton of Virginia, a Knights5 member, wrote to our group regarding this matter on March 15, 2002. She said that the James Shelton who married Philapenia, who died in Henry Co. Va, in 1784 is not from the line of Ralph Shelton (d. 1733, Middlesex County). He was not the son of Ralph Shelton (d. 1789 in Henry County), either, as SHELTON DNA tests have proven (see the ROOTS-L mailing list for SHELTON for more DNA results). Hildred also wrote: The James Shelton who married Philapenia is thought by some to be of the Hanover, Rural Plains, Currioman Bay, VA., "Red House" Louisa County, Va., line of Sheltons. Kenyon Stevenson worked on this particular family for years. However, DNA testing for Rural Plains has not matched any tests from the line of James, the son of Ralph Shelton, d. 1733 Middlesex County. James, who was born 2-23-1726, d. 1798, was in Lunenberg County and his will is on file in Lunenburg Will Book 4, p. 228. The name of his wife was Jane and his daughter Heniretta m. Young Shelton, son of Daniel Shelton, b. 5-17-1729, d. 1808/9 Pittsylvania County, Va.

11. Daniel b. 17 May 1729 Middlesex Co., VA. (Christ Church Parish Records), d. before Sept. 1809 Pittsylvania Co., VA., m. Lettice YOUNG, daughter of Michael YOUNG. (Source: Edgar M. Shelton Columbia, Missouri, E-mail eshelton@socketis.net).

On page 69-70, this family of Daniel and Lettice is shown in the book "The Sheltons Lineal Descendants from Ancient, Medieval & Modern Kings & from Fifteen Sureties for the Magna Charta" by Kathryn Morris Brown, published in Knoxville, TN 1981. Ms. Brown says he owned land in Amelia Co., VA which later became Nottaway County. He was in the militia, serving first as a captain in Pittsylvania, then promoted to Major in 1778. He was a member of the Committee of Safety. He died in 1809 Pittsylvania Co., VA. She gives a list of the children. April Miller's book, Shelton County, also lists the children and their marriages.
CHILDREN: Clara b. c1748 m. Spencer SHELTON (son of Crispen); Susannah b. c1750 m. Armistead SHELTON (also a son of Crispen); Millicent b. c1751 m. Edmund TAYLOR; Anna b. c1752 m. Unknown BAILEY; Polly b. c1755 m. Frederick SHELTON (son of Abraham); Young b. c1757 m. (1) Henrietta SHELTON (dau. of James) marriage bond dated 11 Dec 1784 in Prince Edward Co., VA & (2) Elizabeth LEWIS; Daniel b. c1758 m. (1) Elizabeth GARDNER 1785 & (2) Martha KEATS; Willis b. c1760 m. Charlotte SHELTON (dau. of John); Tunstall b. c1761 m. Fannie PAYNE; Leroy b. 1763 m. Nancy LANIER; Sally b. c1774 m. Thomas PAYNE 16 Oct 1795;.

http://heathcock.org/genealogy/ps06/ps06_149.html

Son Ralph documented

Peter Shelton of Middlesex County, Virginia, born l664 is on record as grandson of James. He wed Susan Jaxon on March 2, 1685, was on record in Middlesex County that year. His second wife was Abigail whose last name and wedding date are not at hand. The name is seen variously as Peter Chi1ton, Peter Chelton and Peter Shelton over the next 30 years. In his will, which he made in 1718, he named only 4 sons, and Ralph is not one named. Genealogists Margaret Campbell Whitaker and Z. F. Shelton both list Ralph as a son of Peter. It is assumed that the authority for this is on record. The 4 sons named in the will were Peter (then deceased), William, Thomas and Zebulon. A fifth son, Henry Chelton, reportedly also predeceased his father at age 26, all births being on record in Christ Church Parish register. Family historian, Kenyon Stevenson, great (5 times) grandson of Ralph, states that there is no evidence in the parish register nor county records to suggest or confirm that Ralph was a son of Peter. But Thomas Meriwether who married Peter's daughter, Susannah, in his last will named his heir, Ralph Shelton, as brother of his wife.

Peter Shelton by his wife Susan Jaxon Shelton reportedly had the following children:
Ralph Shelton born 1685
Peter Shelton, born November l5, l687
Susannah Shelton, born 1689

His wife Susan died in birthing daughter Susannah or soon thereafter. By his second wife, Abigail, whom Peter named in his will, he had the following children:
Henry Shelton, born l69l
Thomas Shelton, born 1693
Zebulon Shelton, born 1700
William Shelton, born about 1690

Ralph Shelton, born Middlesex County, Virginia in 1695, son of Peter Shelton and Susan Jaxon Shelton, is the progenitor of the line of which Roderick Shelton of Buncombe County, North Carolina and James Shelton of McMinn County, Tennessee.

Peter Shelton son of Peter and Susan Jaxon Shelton, born Middlesex County, Virginia November 15, 1687, wed Elizabeth Downing in May, 1708, had Peter Shelton who wed Frances Nichols July 23, 1763. This Peter, son of Peter, died December 17, 1717.

Susannah Shelton, daughter of Peter and Susan Jaxon Shelton, born Middlesex County, Virginia in 1689, wed Thomas Meriwether in about 1706. Thomas Meriwether died in 1708. They had daughter Susannah Meriwether who wed John Armistead of Hesse, Gloucester County, Virginia in 1720. Armistead died in Essex County. Susannah and Thomas Meriwether had also a son, Francis Meriwether. Francis wed Mary Bathurst and had Jane Bathurst Meriwether who married her cousin, Dr. James Shelton, grandson of William and Hannah Armistead Shelton. Thomas Meriwether listed in his will, which he made on
January 7, 1708 in Essex County, Virginia, besides the above named children, Susannah and Francis Meriwether, his heir, Ralph Shelton, whom he named as brother of his wife Susannah.

Ralph married Mary Jane Crispen. Mary (daughter of Thomas Crispen and Dorothy Mary Long) was born on 18 Mar 1685 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died on 29 Aug 1771 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]