Mary Jane Crispen

Family/Spouse: Ralph Shelton, Sr. Ralph was born on 2 Mar 1685 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died on 13 Mar 1733 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; was buried in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married William Clark in 1734 in , , Virginia, USA. William was born in , , Virginia, USA; died in , , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 09 Nov 1707, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA

Notes:

married mary probert,jan.14,1730. she died in middlesex in1742. children,1.rueben2.josiah 3.mary.4.thomas jr, 5.micajah

Thomas married Mary Probert on 14 Jan 1730 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. Mary was born on 16 Nov 1708 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1742 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 23 Oct 1709, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Ralph Shelton Jr was born in 1709 in Middlesex Co Virginia. He died on 30 Mar 1789 in Henry County Virginia. Ralph Shelton Jr, the second son of Ralph and Mary Shelton, was baptised in Christ Church of Middlesex County Virginia on 23 October 1709. He was married twice. First to Mary Daniel on 10 June 1731 in Middlesex County. Mary was the daughter of William Daniel and Mary Moseley. Ralph Shelton secondly married Susannah_____ with whom he had four children: Aesop (c1780); Abigail; Liberty; and Mary.

Ralph's will, recorded in Will Book 1 page 170-171, Martinsville, Henry County Virginia, was dated 23 April 1787, and was presented in court of Henry County on 30 march 1789, and reads as follows:

To my son John Shelton five pounds sterling to cut him off from his heirship. My four last children namely Easop Shelton, Abbegal Shelton, Mary Shelton, Liberty Shelton, shall by resid (sic) of my estate. The remainder part of my estate, lands and moveables to be equally divided between Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton, Eliphaz Shelton, James Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, Jerimiah Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Roger Shelton, Easop Shelton, Abbegal Shelton, Mary Shelton, Liberty Shelton, Katherine Rutherford, Sarah Robertson, Elizabeth Arnold, Rina (Dorina) McGehe, Luranah Jones. My son, Ralph Shelton and Eliphaz Shelton, Executors.
signed: Ralph Shelton
Wit: John Fletcher, Henry Holt, John Branham
30 march 1789. Proved by witnesses. Exhibited in court by Eliphaz Shelton who gave bond with Steven Lyon and John Parr,Jr., securities.

Ralph married Mary Daniel on 10 Jun 1731 in Middlesex Co., Virginia.
They had the following children:
John Shelton was born in 1732.






From Surry County, North Carolina Abstracts Deed Books A, B, and C1770-1788 - Book C page 448 27 Apr 1786 Jesse MAUPIN, Henry County VA toJohn SHELTON 10 pds 100 ac SNOW CREEK adj Henry BAKER. Samuel SHELTON,David SHELTON, Charles HIBBERT. S/Jesse MAUPIN, Lucy MAUPIN (do thesedeeds apply to this John Shelton? - it's certainly possible since othersin this family also owned land in Surry & Stokes Counites., NC duringthis time period). From Book D page 171,172 28 Feb 1788 George WATKINS toJohn SHELTON 25 pds 100 ac waters DAN RIVER place called DUNCANS or THREESPGS head water LITTLE SNOW CREEK. Jesse BUMP, Daniel CHANDLER. S/GeorgeX WATK


From Stokes Co, NC Land Entries 1790 - 1798, abstract on page 361 02 Sep1794 Matthew Deatherage enters 100 ac on Mackey Cr water of Dan R;includes improv John Holt sold to Ezekiah Shelton.


In some deed records it appears Ralph Shelton (III) was married to a ladynamed Elizabeth. We do not have her surname, nor proof of the marriage toAnn TAYLOR. It has not yet been determined which Ralph Shelton this NCdeed abstract pertains to, but it could be this Ralph, for several of hissiblings also owned land in Surry/Stokes Counties., NC: Surry County,North Carolina Abstracts Deed Books A, B, and C 1770-1788
Book C page 117 03 Nov 1784 NC Grant Ralph SHELTON 500 ac HIXES FORK (ofPeters Creek) adj LANSFORD FIELD.


Ralph married Ann Taylor. Ann was born in 1755. Palatiah Shelton was born in 1736.

His name was found on the 1767 Tithables for Pittsylvania Co., VA.Palatiah Shelton owned 72 acres on the Blue Ridge, including some of thebranches of Johnson's and Loving Creek 28 Feb 1784, and 90 acres on thesouth side of the Rockey Mountain, including some of the branches ofSouth Mayo Creek 28 Feb 1784, also 309 acres purchased 31 Mar 1786 on thehead branches of the Middle Fork of Little Dan River (source: "History ofPatrick & Henry Co., VA" by Virginia G. & Lewis G. Pedigo, copyright1933-LDS Family History Center, Salt Lake City, UT). Although his namewas not spelled correctly, he apparently owned land in Surry Co., NC (asdid his father & several siblings) according to deed abstracts from SurryCo, NC Deed Abstracts, Book D, E and F 1779-1790: page 1063, JonathanMUSICK enters 300 acres of land in Surry Co on both sides of the MOUNTAIN BRANCH the waters of SNOW CREEK beginning at Jesse MAPPINES upper cornerthen running to include the imporvement whereon PATTETYER (should bePalatiah) SHELTON now lives for quantity. Dec 15, 1778. Warrant granted.Also page 58. Charles WHITLOCK enters 640 acres of land in Surry Co lyingat the FLAG POND on SNOW CREEK including the improvement that wasSalathiel SHELTON'S (again should be Palatiah) For complement. April 17,1778. Warrant granted. Another source for this line was found in GenServ,data entered by Buddy Holmes, E-mail holmes@gulfaero.com. He was thesource for the spouse data.

Palatiah married Mary Harbour. Katherine Shelton was born in 1737.

The given name Dudley comes from a descendant, Barbee Hodgkins, E-mail -bhodgkin@OregonVOS.net. She spells the 7th child's name as CatherineSHELTON. Another researcher has added a little to this line atWorldConnect: The Jerry H Collins Tree and he lists one child calledLydia. He wrote that she married c1806 to James Shelton, and lists thisJames as a son to James & Philipina Shelton.

Katherine married Dudley Rutherford. 8FviiDelrina Shelton was born in 1739. She died after 1842 in Jackson County, Alabama.

She died in Jackson Co., AL Aft. 1842, according to LPelt@aol.com.Another researcher for this line submitted data to GenServ. She is AnitaMcGehee, E-mail munchkins@sprintmail.com. Anita wrote that WilliamMcGehee was born 31 Mar 1756, died May 1836 in Jackson Co., AL. He wasthe son of James McGEHEE Jr. and Ann CHILES. Please write to Anita if youcan share information on the SHELTON/McGEHEE connection. Derina SHELTON'sbirth of c1739 is only an estimate, and may not be correct.

Delrina married William McGehee. Susannah Shelton was born in 1740. Susannah married Unknown Jones. Jeremiah Shelton , Sr. Eliphaz Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Sarah Shelton , Roger Shelton was born about 1756. Elizabeth Shelton was born about 1760 in Amelia County, Virginia.
Elizabeth married William Arnold.
Ralph married (2) Susannah Unknown about 1769.

They had the following children:
Abigail Shelton was born in 1772.
Mary Shelton was born in 1775.
Liberty Shelton was born in 1780.

He was named in his father's will, and found on the 1807-1808 Casey Co.,KY Tax Lists. He remained on these list until 1828. Ken Shelton sent thisinfomration: deed, dated 14 Apr 1823, Manson Ragan to Liberty Shelton,both of Casey County, and 2nd deed, dated 11 Nov 1824, George Vandeventto Liberty Shelton, both of Casey County. From The Kentucky Land Grants,p.718 Libery SHELTON was a Grantee of 50 acres from a survey 01 Jan 1828in Casey Co., KY on the South Fork of the Green River.

Ralph Shelton(5) was born in Middlesex County, Virginia in 1709 and was baptized there on October 23, that year.

Early in his life his father purchased land along the line between Middlesex and Essex Counties and remained on the land until his death in 1789.

Ralph(5) married Mary Daniel in Middlesex County on June 10, 1731. In 1740, he is on record in Essex County, having in May that year presented a certificate for payment to the Essex Court for tak­ing up a runaway slave, Cheshire, belonging to Mrs. Winifred Webb of Richmond. Shortly thereafter, after starting his family, Ralph Shelton(5), and his brother Crispin, turned toward Amelia County, nearly a hundred miles to the southwest, the county having been created in 1734 from Brunswick and Prince George Counties. Amelia at first also included the areas now in Prince Edward and Nottaway Counties.

On September 20, 1745 Ralph Shelton(5) received a royal grant of 4OO acres in Amelia County on the lower side of Snails Creek and North of Great Nottaway River. It appears likely that his mother, Mary Clark, his brother Crispin, and his four youngest brothers, John, Benjamin, James and Daniel went with Ralph(5) to Amelia County.

That year John was 23, Benjamin was 21, James was 19 and Daniel was l6.In 1746 Ralph Shelton(5) and his brother Benjamin signed deeds as witnesses when their brother Crispin sold off part of his 620 acres holdings in Amelia County -- a parcel of 155 acres to Henry Beuford of Amelia County and one of 203 acres to James Beuford of Orange County, Virginia. The Beufords were likely Shelton kin, since it is noted that both Henry and James were witnesses to the will of Ralph's father, Ralph Shelton(4) possibly brothers-in-law of Cris­pin Shelton who was brother of Ralph(5).

On June 10, 1749 Ralph Shelton(5) had a second land grant — 400 acres in Lunenburg County on the lower side of Ledbetter’s Creek, on October 23, 1751 Ralph Shelton of the Parrish of Nottaway, Amelia County, bought 286 acres more on the lower side of Snales Creek from Samuel Jordon, Snales Creek being a small stream scarcely five miles long in the southeast corner of Prince Edward County, empty­ing into the Great Nottaway where Prince Edward, Nottaway and Lun­enburg Counties meet. This places the 686-acre homestead of Ralph Shelton(5) in the extreme southwest corner of present Nottaway County and his land on Ledbetter Creek about 10 miles distant to the south and west.On May 10, 1750 the mother of Ralph Shelton{5), Mary Clark, identi­fying herself as of the "Parish of Nottaway in the County of Amelia" wrote her will. She named, besides her son Ralph Shelton: Grandson Reuben Shelton, sons Crispin, John, Benjamin and James; her daugh­ter, Elizabeth Davis; all with token remembrances. But to her son, Daniel, she gave all the rest of her estate, naming her youngest, now approaching 21, the Executor of the Estate. Included among the behests to Daniel was a Negro wench named Janey.

The Sheltons continued to live on in Amelia County for another 13 years. When some of the Lunenburg lands were processioned in 1760 for sale for taxes Ralph's land was listed, but it was not sold "want of attendance". His residence was still the Amelia land not far away, but even then he may have been venturing farther west.

On February 22, 1763 he sold his Amelia land — 686 acres on the lower aide of Snales Creek — to Richard Burks. John Shelton, like­ly Ralph's brother, witnessed the deed. Shortly thereafter, Ralph 5) was sued and then he and Richard Burks for debt by Lidell Bacon and Richard Clough, executors of Samuel Jordon. Evidently Ralph's mortgage had not been paid off. Judgment was awarded by the Amelia Court for 52 pounds 7 shillings with interest at five per cent from November 1, 1756.

On July 1, 1763 Ralph Shelton(5) purchased a tract of 400 acres both sides south Fork of Mayo River in Halifax County, Virginia. This land was purchased from one Darby Callahan who lived in Or­ange County, North Carolina. The property was in the part of Halifax County that in 1791 became Patrick County near the present site of the county seat — Stuart, Virginia. This was 125 miles west of his holdings in Amelia County. Ralph Shelton(5) and at least part of his large family moved to this property in 1763. Before this be­came Patrick County it was progressively Halifax, Pittsylvania and Henry Counties (see page 8).

Pittsylvania County was formed in June 1767. The first tax lists of the new county included the fol­lowing Sheltons:
Ralph Shelton Sr, Eliphaz Shelton, James Shelton, Crispin Shelton, Shenor Shelton (likely Spencer): Negroes Tom, Lucy and Primus, Gabriel Shelton, Abraham Payne, Negroes Zachary and Violet, Lewis Shelton, Negro Pat Abraham Shelton, Edgecomb J. Williams, William Shelton

The first four named are Ralph(5) and three of his 10 sons. The next five are Ralph's brother Crispin and four of Crispin's eight sons. Although William is not certainly identifiable, he is pos­sibly the son of the James Shelton who in turn was son of one Ralph and Mary pollard Shelton who were said to have resided "on the far side of the Dismal Swamp".

By 1776 the western part of Pittsylvania County had become so well settled that its citizens felt the need of a new county. That year they petitioned for same, the petition reading: "It is extremely inconvenient for us to attend upon any business, civil or military, it being a fact that in Pittsylvania County some 75 and 80 miles from the upper end of the county to the court house and others 45 or 50 miles from the lower end, and many large water courses in the way, and we are frequently called together to the courthouse on account of the unhappy dispute between Great Britain and the colon­ies (being ready and willing to do all in our power in defense of our just rights and liberties with many grievous burthens too ted­ious to mention)."

So the petitioners numbering several hundred asked for a division on a line due south from Black Water on Staunton River. The result was the creation of Henry County, named for the already famous war Governor, Patrick Henry.

Among those who petitioned to bring about the division of the county were these Sheltons:
Ralph Shelton James Shelton Gabriel Shelton Eliphaz Shelton William Shelton John Shelton James Shelton Gregory Durham Beverly Shelton Roger Shelton Daniel Shelton son-in-law of James

James and William Shelton above were sons of one Ralph and Mary Pollard Shelton, and Gregory Durham was a son-in-law.

The tax lists of the year 1779 for Henry County showed Ralph and James Shelton and their sons living on South and North Forks of Mayo River respectively. They were assessed as follows:

Ralph Shelton (5) 23 pounds 1 shil 7 pence
Palatiah Shelton 21 " 10 " 5"
Eliphaz Shelton 53 " 15 " 11"
John Shelton 6 " 5
James Shelton 3 " 13 " 8 "
Ezekiah Shelton 9 " 14 " 6
Jeremiah Shelton 12 " 12 "
Azariah Shelton 12 " 6 " 8 "
James Shelton 118 " 13 " (Son of Ralph and Mary Pollard)
William Shelton 6 " 15 " ( " " " " "
Gregory Durham " 15 " (Son-in-law of James and __Shelton)

In the early days of Virginia every settler was perforce a soldier, The Indians watched the ever-advancing tide of White settlers and resisted sporadically. The citizenry of each county was organized into militia. Ralph Shelton (5) was in the active military service in Amelia County in 1758. During the Revolution most of the Pittsylvania Shelton’s (Henry Countians) were in active official or military service. James Shelton and his brother Eliphaz were militia Captains in Henry County. John's son Roderick and James' sons James and George were in the Continental Army, Roderick reportedly having served di­rectly under George Washington, James and George having been cavalry­men.

The will of Ralph Shelton (5) was written April 3, 1787. It was ­recorded in Will Book 1, page 171, March 3, 1789. He signed himself as Ralph Shelton (Sr.), recorded in Henry County, Virginia: in the name of God Amen the twenty-third day of April one Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-Seven I Ralph Shelton, Sr. of Henry County, Virginia, being of perfect mind and memory and recalling that all men are ap­pointed once to die do make and constitute and ordain that this my last will and testament in manner and form following. (Viz) First and principally I recommend my soul Into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me, and as touching that worldly estate it has pleas­ed him to bestow on me I 'dispose of them as follows: I give and de­vise to my son John Shelton five pounds sterling current money of Virginia. The intent of ray willing my son John Shelton five pounds sterling is to cut him off from his kinship. And also my will and desire is that my last four children, namely Aesop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Mary Shelton and Liberty Shelton shall be raised off my estate and the remainder part of my estate, land and movables, to be equally divided between Ralph Shelton, Palatiah Shelton, Eliphaz Shelton, James Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, Jeremiah Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Roger Shelton, Aesop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Mary Shel­ton, Liberty Shelton, Kathern Shelton, Sarah Robertson, Elizabeth Arnold, Rina McGehe, Susannah Jones, they are their heirs. I also appoint my sons Ralph Shelton and Eliphaz Shelton Executors of this, my last will and testament set by hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounc­ed and declared to be my last will and testament.Ralph Shelton, Sr.John Fletcher, Henry Holt, John Branham The will was proved on March 30, 1789 at the same place, and the following was written: At a court held in Henry County on the 30th Day of March, 1789 the within last will and testament of Ralph Shelton, deceased was exhibited in court by Eliphaz Shelton, one of the Executors therein named who took oath as Executor. The same was proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto to be the last will and testament of the said Ralph Shelton deceased and the said Eliphaz Shelton with Stephen Lyon and John Parr, Jr., his sureties, entered into bond and acknowledged the same and was ordered to be recorded by the court, the said Eliphaz Shelton having obtained a probate thereof in due form and agreeable to law. Teste John Cox CHC

It is noted that Ralph Shelton, Sr. had previously deeded to his son James 400 acres of land both sides South Fork Mayo River on March 13, 1784.

Then on April 25, 1791 James sold land both sides Mayo River.The following Shelton’s paid taxes in Henry County, Virginia but were not listed in the census of 1790.

They were listed by Fother-gill and Naugee in 1782 and 1787:

Eliphaz Shelton Ralph Shelton, Sr. Roger Shelton James Shelton Roger Shelton Samuel Shelton Palatiah Shelton Ralph Shelton, Jr. William Shelton

Ralph and Mary Pollard Shelton, who lived "other side of Dismal Swamp", gave each of their sons Samuel and William above, and also their son-in-law, Gregory Durham, a farm. They lived on Horsepasture and Ironmonger Creeks.

It will be noted that the above list, except for the last two, Sam­uel and William, are included in the will of Ralph Shelton above.

Records of Henry County show that Eliphaz took the oath of alleg­iance to the colonies and that Jeremiah furnished supplies to the county militia during the war in 1777 James was appointed Captain, serving until 1780, and in March, 1779 Eliphaz was also appointed Captain in the Henry County militia. The history of Patrick County is tied in with that of the Shelton family, that of Eliphaz Shel­ton particularly.

Ralph Shelton (5) was married twice, possibly three times. By first wife, Mary Daniel, whom he wed on June 10, 1731, he is thought to have had the following 14 children: John Shelton Ezekiah Shelton Sarah Shelton Robertson Ralph Shelton Jeremiah Shelton Elizabeth Shelton Arnold Palatiah Shelton Azariah Shelton Rina Shelton McGehee, (Rosa?) Eliphaz Shelton Roger Shelton Susannah Shelton Jones James Shelton Kathern Shelton Rutherford

Ralph Shelton, son of Ralph(5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, was born in Essex County, Virginia in about 1739. Mormon church records show Ralph Shelton, son of Ralph and Mary Shelton, christened on October 17, 1739 at Christ Church, Middlesex County, Virginia. He owned land in Henry County, which he sold in 1788. He bought land in Grainger County, Tennessee in 1796. Reportedly he moved to Knox County,Palatiah Shelton, son of Ralph (5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, was born in Essex County, Virginia about 1733. He deeded land to Sam­uel Crawley and Richard White in Pittsylvania County on November 29, 1770, and he is shown later in Jefferson County, Tennessee. On January 24,1795 he deeded 245 acres of land there to one John Lee. Other Shelton’s in Jefferson County are shown pages 325 & 380 of this book, Palatiah is said to have been on record in Hawkins County, Tennessee in 1795, Grainger County in 1796 and Knox County in 1823. He reportedly married twice, first, Mary; second, Ann. There is no record at hand of descendants or Palatiah. He is listed in early tax records of Henry County, Virginia.
Eliphaz Shelton, son of Ralph (5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, was born in Essex County, Virginia about 1734. His record and history coin­cide with the early days of Patrick County. His life in the mili­tary and as a private citizen is covered earlier in this chapter, pages 250 to 256. Evidently he was a favored son of Ralph (5), hav­ing been named an Executor of his will. He is listed as taxpayer in early records of Henry County. There is no record at hand of a marriage or descendants except for one notation, in a record in Patrick County on January l9, 1809 of the marriage of Olive Shelton to Samuel Nolen, Eliphaz was listed as father and Frederick was shown as a witness. Eliphaz is on record also as witnessing the marriage of John Chandler to Elizabeth Bennett on December 10, 1794, another witness being Thomas Boiling, Sr.; and on April 12, 1796 Eliphaz Shelton witnessed the marriage of Isaac Going to Nan­cy Lizby, with her mother, Mary Lizby, and one Henry Lizby and a William Moore also as witnesses.

In March, 1781 Eliphaz marched with his men under Colonel Abraham Penn to the assistance of General Nathaniel Green who was defending Guilford Courthouse down in North Carolina, in the listing on the following pages of those with Colonel Penn and his Adjutant, Major George Waller, many prominent names do not appear, the reason being that they had served their terms of enlistment and had been honor­ably discharged or were in the Northern Army or in the Artillery as were Roderick's cousins, James and George Shelton.In August 1780 there was a drive to enlist young men to oppose them at Kings Mountain on the North Carolina-South Carolina border. Rod­erick Shelton (7) went to a place in nearby East Tennessee near Elizabethton known as Valley Forge and re-enlisted for the campaign and joined up with General Green at King’s Mountain. Roderick was also likely among those who successfully defended against the British at Guilford Court House.The Independence won, Captain Eliphaz Shelton on February 28, 1784 received from Benjamin Harrison, then Governor of Virginia, a grant of 590 acres on both sides of Mayo River in Henry County. He applied for a grant selecting two adjoin­ing tracts of 400 acres and 190 acres bordering his father's land astride the South Fork of Mayo River. The official survey of this grant of land was made by John Dicker son, Henry County Surveyor, as of November 25, 1782, duly recorded in Henry County Survey Book No. 1, page 197, on file in clerk's office in Henry County Court House, Martinsville, Virginia. His land was bounded on the south by the 400-acre tract owned by his brother, Captain James Shelton, At a point close by Captain Eliphaz Shelton's western boundary the waters from Bull Mountain Fork joined the South Mayo River as it flowed out of the Blue Ridge Mountains.With the formation of Patrick County in 1791, a site was needed for the county seat. The first court was held in a tobacco warehouse near Mayo Forge in the eastern part of the county. Later the place for holding court was moved to the home of Edward Tatum on Peters Creek. But the permanent site of the county seat was chosen by the Justices to be the heart of the 590-acre tract of Eliphaz Shelton near the south Fork of Mayo River. Records in the office of Circuit Court Clerk of Patrick County show that Eliphaz Shelton donated 18 acres for the site of the county seat. This was by deed dated Octob­er 10, 1791 recorded in Deed Book 1, page 17. Four men — William Banks, Samuel Clark, Charles Poster and William Carter — or any 3 of them, were appointed to lay off the land. A courthouse was built and the land was laid out and named Taylorsville, this for one George Taylor. The town was later called Stuart for J. E. B. Stuart, Confederate General, and was incorporated as such in 1884. That year the Danville and New River Railroad ran its line into the town.Eliphaz Shelton owned and operated a gristmill on Campbell Branch, which flows through the town, one Samuel Staples as early as 1791 operated a blacksmith shop on land in the county seat donated by Eliphaz Shelton. A meetinghouse in the vicinity is mentioned in a deed from one James Beuford to Eliphaz made in 1793. So the Sheltons particularly Ralph sr., Eliphaz and James, were very instrumental in forming Patrick County. Their adjoining tracks of land in the Taylorsville area were so situated with relation to each other that if a line was drawn from a point on the western boundary of Eliphaz‘s land eastward through the town of Taylorsville, crossing the adjoining tracts of Ralph Shelton, Sr. and James Shelton to the latter’s eastern edge, such a line would be two and one-fourth miles long.A 1794 record shows that Eliphaz witnessed in Patrick County the wedding of John Chandler and Elizabeth Bennett on December 10, 1794. Another witness was Thomas Boiling, Sr. Eliphaz Shelton died in August 1826 at his residence near the Patrick County courthouse, is buried on land formerly owned by Ralph Shelton (5), which is in the present town of Stuart, as is Ralph, the old cemetery being on land now owned by the Carter family.

James Shelton, son of Ralph (5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, was born in Essex County, Virginia in 1734. He and his family moved with his father's family to Halifax County in southwest Virginia in 1763, the area that in 1767 became Pittsylvania County, in 1777 became Henry County and in 1791 became Patrick County, 1777, the year the county was formed, James Shelton was appointed Captain in the Henry County Militia. He served until 1780, at which time he resigned his commission. His son George and nephew James served in the Revolution, both of whom were cavalrymen. James (1734) owned 400 acres of land, which laid both sides South Fork, Mayo River, this land having been deeded to him by his father, Ralph Shelton (5), on March 13, 1784. The record shows that James sold this land on April 25, 1791. Traditionally, the head of the James Shelton family of Buncombe County, North Carolina had 13 sons. Mrs. Catherine Shelton Moser, born 1854, stated in 1940: “James Shelton, brother of Ralph who married Mary Crispin was married to Jincie (last name unknown), may have been my ancestor. He was born Middlesex County, Virginia in 1726. (Note: The Ralph Shelton who married Mary Crispin was Ralph (4), born 1685, father of this James and Ralph(5), the latter who married Mary Daniel), James and Jincie had sons; Thomas, James, Joseph, Mark, Anderson, Frederick, Jarrett or Garrett, Porter, George, William and David, the 13th not remembered, something like Rawleigh. David was founder of the 'Shelton Laurel Branch' of the family in the North Carolina Mountains...."This writer believes that Mrs. Moser has her data confused. My re­search shows that the James Shelton she names as being born in 1726 was a son of Ralph (4) born l685, and Mary Crispin Shelton, an uncle of the James born 1734. The James Shelton born 1726, in his will dated May 14, 1784, named wife Philiaplnea and 5 children — Nathan, James, Molly, Nancy and Sally. Mormon church records show this Nancy and Sally as being in the will of James Shelton 14, 1784, likely two of the daughters above. There is evidence that this James had wed previously, that wife supposedly named Jane (or Jincie). I have no certain record of children by her, it appears to me that the 13 sons of James Shelton listed by Mrs. Moser above included sons of the James born 1734, some of his brother John (6) born about 1732 and other cousins somewhat removed, of those named by Mrs. Moser, two were unquestionably sons of the James born 1734. He had married Susannah Shelton in about 1751.

David Shelton, son of James and Susannah Shelton, was born in Virginia about 1752. This is likely the David Shelton who came to Laurel Valley in Buncombe County, North Carolina with Roder­ick (7), the one who on December 10, 1801 granted to Roderick 100 acres on the left hand fork of Bald Mountain Creek, the deed being the so called "Cain River Deed".

George Shelton, son of James and Susannah Shelton, was born in Virginia in about 1756. He was a cavalryman in the Revolution.Other likely sons of the James born 1734 and Susannah Shelton were Joseph, Mark and Anderson Shelton, Records in Patrick County, Virginia show James, born 1734, son of Ralph (5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, and wife Susannah residing there in 1794. An earlier record shows that James sold land April 25,1791 both sides Mayo River in Patrick County, this land of 400 acres had been deeded to James by his father, Ralph (5) on March 13,1784. It might be well to note again that Patrick Coun­ty was formed from Henry County in 1791. Records show that there was a third James Shelton in the area of Henry-Patrick County besides the James born l734 and the one born 1726.

Ezekiah Shelton (Grover and Z. F. Shelton both show him as Hezekiah), son of Ralph (5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, was born in Essex County, Virginia about 1736. He is shown in deed record of Henry County, Virginia in 1791 and in Hawkins County, Tennessee in 1814. There is no certain record at hand of descendants; on April 13, 1791 he wit­nessed the marriage of Benjamin Going to Elizabeth Stevens in Patrick County, Virginia. The father of the bride was shown as Solomon Stevens, other witnesses were Rachael and Holden McGee. On page 276 of this book is given the lineage of one Ezekiel Shelton, nephew of this Ezekiah (Hezekiah) Shelton, son of Azariah Shelton. Ezekiel, son of Azariah and Sarah Holt Shelton, married Margaret Love at Dayton, Tennessee on April 17, 1828.

Jeremiah Shelton, son of Ralph (5)and Mary Daniel Shelton, was born in Essex County, Virginia about 1740.He is on record as having bought land in Essex County, Virginia on September 1, 1781, which he sold on July 1, 1784. He wed Nancy about 1765. They owned land in Russell County, Virginia, which was sold in 1797. They then likely moved to Kentucky. Jeremiah and Nancy had among other children a son named Asher Shelton, born in Virginia in 1774. Asher moved to Todd County, Kentucky in about 1800 and married Mary Greene who had been born in Todd County in 1784. The names of the other children of Jeremiah and Nancy are not at hand. Their son Asher and wife Mary reportedly had 8 children:Azariah Shelton, son of Ralph (5) and

Mary Daniel Shelton, born in Essex County, Virginia about 1745, wed Sarah Holt, native of Patrick County, Virginia, or rather the portion of Henry County Roger Shellton, son of Ralph(5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, was born in Essex County, Virginia about 1747. There is no record at hand of a wife or children.Katherine Shelton, daughter of Ralph(5) and Mary Daniel Shelton,
born about 1742, married_ Rutherford.

Sarah Shelton, daughter of Ralph(5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, born about 1743, married Robertson, possibly one of the sons of the Henry Robertson born 1720.Elizabeth Shelton, daughter of Ralph(5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, born about 1744, married Arnold, possibly Elisha Arnold, born about 1750, who was in the Revolution from Henry County, Virginia.Rina Shelton, daughter of Ralph(5) and Mary Daniel Shelton, born about 1745, who wed McGehe, possibly William McGehee, born about 1745, who was in Eliphaz Shelton's Company in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 11, 178l.

Susannah Shelton, daughter of Ralph(5) and Mary Daniel Shelton,born about 1746, wed _ Jones, possibly Dr. Benjamin Jones,born about 1735, who was in the Revolution from Henry County, Virginia. This was possibly the 2nd wife of Ralph(5).Ralph Shelton(5), following the death of his beloved Mary, wed the second time in about 1777. The name of this wife is not at hand. She is not named in the will which was proved in 1789. There is some likelihood, that Susannah Shelton, a legatee in the will who was named immediately following the names of his 14 children by his first wife may have been the wife instead of a daughter, though he made no he made no distinction.

There were 4 children by his second wife:

Aesop Shelton, son of Ralph Shelton(5) by his second wife, was born about 1779. No record at hand of wife or children.

Abigail Shelton, daughter of Ralph Shelton(5) by his second wife, was born about 1781. No record at hand of wife or children.

Mary Shelton, daughter of Ralph Shelton(5) by his second wife, was born about 1783. No record at hand of marriage or children.

Liberty Shelton, daughter of Ralph Shelton (5) by his second wife, was born about 1785. There's no record at hand of marriage or children.

Patrick County records in the office of County Court Clerk for 1791 show the following Sheltons: Eliphaz Shelton Azariah Shelton Susannah Shelton Palatiah Shelton Ezekiah Shelton Samuel SheltonRalph Shelton James Shelton

These Sheltons, except for the last two listed, are evidently sons of Ralph Shelton(5). Samuel Shelton is son of James who was son of the Ralph across Dragon Swamp, it is not unlikely that Susannah is the widow of Ralph(5), the head of the family now with 4 small children, or she may have been the daughter named on the preceding page, having the responsibility for the 4 young siblings.

Following are some miscellaneous records and other items of inter­est from Patrick County, Virginia noted by this writer in July, 1969.Commerative plaque on J. E. B. Stuart Highway (U.S.58) at east entrance to Patrick County: "Patrick County, area 485 square miles. Formed in 1790 from Henry County and named for Patrick Henry, who thus had two counties named for him. General J. E. B. Stuart was born in this county." On the opposite side of the same plaque — west entrance to Henry County — is the following: "Henry County, area 485 square miles. Formed in 1776 from Pittsylvania County and named for Patrick Henry. Henry lived in the county 1779-1784.Court was held June 13, 1791. Now we find in Deed Book 1, page 347 that on July 11, 1791 Captain Eliphas Shelton, who owned 590 acres on South Mayo River, signed a penalty bond agreement in which he offered to donate 20 acres to the Patrick County Court, sufficient for the new court house and jail, and providing 14 1-acre lots for the county seat town. The deed was signed October 19, 1791. On October 10, 1966, being the 175th anniversary of the founding of the county seat, was the first time the generous gift of the Revo­lutionary War here, namely Captain Eliphaz Shelton, had been suff­iciently recognized. (Here the article refers to Journal of the Roanoke Historical Society, Summer 1965, Volume 2, Number 1, pages 15-19, a treatise by one James H. Martin, Esq., entitled 'Founding of Patrick County’ for copy, the address is given as Box 1904, Roanoke, Virginia.)"Quoting further from The Enterprise "...

Ralph Shelton, father of Captain Eliphaz Shelton, the forgotten hero of our tale, bought 4OO acres of land July 21, 1763 astride south Mayo River and set­tled there with his family. A few years later, May 6, 1771, Ralph Shelton purchased an additional 400 acres adjoining his former purchase..... then following his active service in the Revolu­tionary war, Captain Eliphaz Shelton applied for a grant of land, selecting two adjoining tracts of 400 and 190 acres, bordering his father’s land on both sides of South Mayo River in Henry, (now Patrick) County. ‘The official survey of this grant of land was made by John Dickenson, Henry County surveyor, Book 1, page 197, on file in clerk's office, as of November 25, 1782, Martinsville, Virginia. Following this survey Governor Benjamin Harrison on February 28, 1784 issued a grant of 590 acres of land to Eliphaz Shelton as surveyed in what was then Henry County.

Following are marriage records from files of Patrick County, Vir­ginia courthouse of Shelton kin 1791 to 1821:
4-12
Eliphaz Shelton witnessed the marriage of Isaac Going to Nancy Lizby. Other witnesses: Mary Lizby (mother), Henry Lizby and William Moore.1-19-09
Olive Shelton married Samuel Nolen. Father: Eliphaz Shelton Witness: Fredrick Shelton.

Following are deed records from the Pittsylvania County, Virginia Courthouse pertinent to Shelton history in the 1700’s

Date Grantor Grantee
8-26-68 Palatiah Shelton, Mary (wf)
6-23-69 Abraham Shelton Our Sovereign Lord the King
6-23-69 Abraham Shelton “ “ “ “ “
3-24-70 Abraham Shelton “ “ “ “ “
11-29-70 Palatiah Shelton, Mary (wf) Samuel Crawley
11-29-70 Palatiah Shelton, Mary (wf) Richard White
9-24-72 James Shelton James Hix
9-24-72 James Shelton James Hix
5-27-73 Gabriel Shelton, Elizabeth(wf) Crispin Shelton
6-26-77 Gabriel Shelton, Elizabeth(wf) John Clever
1-22-78 Gabriel Shelton, Elizabeth(wf) James Parham
1-22-78 Gabriel Shelton, Elizabeth(wf) Abraham Shelton
1-22-78 Gabriel Shelton, Elizabeth(wf) William Pace
3-21-78 Abraham Shelton Commonwealth of Virginia 5-26-78 Daniel Shelton, Lettice(wf) Richard Todd
11-26-78 Gabriel Shelton, Elizabeth(wf) Ambrose Buford
11-26-78 Crispen Shelton Spencer Shelton
11-26-78 Crispen Shelton Armistead Shelton
11-26-78 Gabriel Shelton, Elizabeth(wf) Crispen Shelton

Date Grantor Grantee
6-15-79 Crispen Shelton, Lettice (wf) John Parks
10-19-79 Abraham Shelton Jeremiah Ward
11-16-79 Mark Shelton and Wife William Hardy
4-14-79 Daniel Shelton Justices of Pittsylvania Co.
8-15-80 Crispen Shelton “ “ “ “
8-15-80 Crispen Shelton “ “ “ “
8-19-80 Crispen Shelton Governor of Virginia
8-19-80 Crispen Shelton
11-21-80 Crispen and Daniel Shelton Thomas Jefferson, Governor
12-19-80 Gabriel and Crispen Shelton Treasurer of the Commonwealth
11-20-81 Abraham Shelton Justices of Pittsylvania Co,
3-19-82 Spencer Shelton, Clary M.(wf) Vincent Shelton
3-19-82 Benjamin Shelton Joel Shelton
5-16-86 Beverly and Crispen Shelton Jasquelin Ambler
1-15-87 Spencer Shelton Elkhannah Adams
1-15-87 Abraham Shelton William Shelton
1-15-87 Abraham Shelton William Clark
6-18-87 Abraham Shelton Vincent Shelton
7-16-87 Benjamin Shelton, Sr. Leonard Shelton
7-16-87 Benjamin Shelton, Sr. Vincent Shelton
5-18-89 Crispen Shelton James Hinton
3-15-90 Crispen Jr,and Benjamin Shelton Justices of Pittsylvania Co.
3-15-90 Crispen Jr,and Benjamin Shelton “ “ “
5-17-91 Vincent Shelton Jacquelin Ambler
5-17-91 Vincent Shelton Gideon Roach
10-17-91 Crispen Jr,Abraham,William Shelton Humphrey Richards
12-19-91 Crispen Shelton Daniel Coleman

Date Grantor Grantee
6-19-97 Vincent Shelton John Shelton
7-17-97 Benjamin Shelton, Nancy (wf) Joshua stone

Date Husband Wife Witnesses
5-12-00 John Shelton Sarah McLaughlin Charles and Sarah McLaughlin
3-17-00 Charles Shelton Elizabeth Flippin Joseph Flippin
7-21-00 David Shelton Rhoda Hurt Benjamin and Elizabeth
Shelton, md Thomas Payne




RALPH SHELTON, SR. OF HENRY COUNTY, VA
Ralph Shelton, son of Ralph Shelton and his wife, Mary (surname unknown, believed by some to be Crispin) was born in Middlesex County, VA on 23 October 1709. He married 1st Mary Daniel on 10 June 1731. Both events are recorded in the Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co, VA. He lived in Essex, Amelia, and Lunenburg Counties, VA. By 1776 he was living in Henry Co, VA when he bought 119 ½ acres of land from John Sims then in 1777 with wife, Susannah, sold it to Robert Baker (the sale deed says Ralph Shelton, Jr. though the purchase deed says Ralph Shelton). 23 April 1787, when the will was proved 30 March 1789 he had another wife, Elizabeth (maiden name unknown), who survived him. ESTATE SETTLEMENT RECORDS (Henry and Patrick Cos, VA)The LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of RALPH SHELTON SR was written 23 April 1787 and proved 30 March 1789. It is recorded in HENRY COUNTY, VA WILL BOOK I: pg 171. See the complete transcript of this will. Securities for the Executor Eliphaz Shelton are Stephen Lyon and John Parr Jr.HENRY COUNTY, VA, WILL BOOK I: pg 174. Inventory and Appraisement of Estate of RALPH SHELTON. 30 May 1789, Returned 29 June 1789 by William Carter, George Carter. Money scales, a still, furniture, livestock. T:51.10.6,HENRY COUNTY, VA, WILL BOOK I: pgs 217-219. Account estate RALPH SHELTON with Eliphaz Shelton, exor. Purchases for estate.. cash from William Hooker. Pd Clerk of Pittsylvania Co; John Redd, Col. Hughes, Samuel Annett, M. Lawson, boarding widow and 5 children for l year; corn for widow and 3 children for 1 year; same for widow and 4 children 5 mos; 9 mos for board of 2 chldren..pd Capt. Willliam Carter.We have settled the account current of the estate of Ralph Shelton. signed: James Lyon, Edward Tatum, William Carter.HENRY COUNTY, VA WILL BOOK II: pgs 226-228. Account RALPH SHELTON 24 Nov 1814. Ret Aug Ct 1815In acct with Eliphaz Shelton.July 23, 1789, Bond 9 yrs interest; tax 1785-1789; pd Pittsylvania Co. tax, John Redd; Tax for 1786; Pd Clerks Ticket for citing the decedant levy free; Coffin and winding sheet; Col. Hughes; Moorman Lauson (Lawson?); Bread corn for widow and 3 children one year; Same for Widow and 4 children 3 months; 9 months board for 2 children Capt. William Carter; John Henderson; Alexander Askin in Amalia County; board and schooling for one boy a legatee 5 years 6 months; James Shelton; John Davis; James Harrison; Winding sheet for Mrs. Shelton; Interest on the 10 pounds pd James Harrison 1764 to 1789, 25 years. Received money from sales and from rent of the plantation from 1790-1794+ + + + +HENRY COUNTY, VA, GENERAL INDEX TO ENDED LAW AND CHANCERY, COUNTY COURT FROM 1777 TO 1904. (SHELTON PORTION). From the microfilm at Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT)1789 Book 5 Page 25. Ralph Shelton, Estate: State appraisors appointed, Last Will & Testament.1789 Book 5 Page 47. Esup Shelton, Bound out according to law, orphan of Ralph Shelton1789 Book 5 Page 47. Ralph Shelton, Est. Inventory of his estate returned to be recorded.1789 Book 5 Page 51. Elizabeth Shelton. Relinquished her claim on the estate of her husband.1790 Book 5 Page 152. Elizabeth Shelton Ptf. Ezekiah Shelton Def. Power of Attorney proved and o. r. (o. r. =ordered recorded)1791 Book 5 Page 161. Abigal, Mary & Liberty. Ordered that the overseer of the poor bind them out according to law. Orphan of Ralph Shelton.1791 Book 5 Page 162. Elizabeth Shelton, Ptf. Eliphaz Shelton, Def. Their award to be the judgment of the court.1791 Book 5 Page 176. Hezekiah Shelton, Ptf., Ralph Shelton, decd., Def. Award returned.1791 Book 5 Page 227. Eliphaz Shelton. Ordered that he appear at next court to render an acct. current of the est. of Ralph Shelton decd, which is in his hands.1791 Book 5 Page 236. Ralph Shelton sr., decd. Appraisors to his estate Appointed.1791 Book 5 Page 245. Men appointed to lay off the third part of his estate for the benefit of Eliz. Shelton, widow of Ralph.1792 Book 6 Page 4. An account current of said Shelton estate returned.1792 Book 6 Page 5. Ralph Shelton, decd. Men appointed to resettle the account current of said Shelton. Make report to court.1814 Book 10 Page 198. Ralph Shelton est. Commissioners appointed to settle the account current of his estate.+ + + + +ABSTRACTS OF ORDER BOOK 'O', PATRICK COUNTY, VA; JUNE 1791-AUGUST 1800>From a book compiled by Lela C. Adams, Sherwood Forest, Basset, VA 24055Order Book "O", Page 11, Court, September 1792. On a motion of Stephen Lyon judgment is granted him against John Smith for the administration of a judgment obtained by Eliphaz Shelton, executor of Ralph Shelton as security for said Smith. Order Book "O", Page 32, Court, Tuesday, 14 May 1793 (Pg 13, printed book)Samuel Staples against Eliphaz Shelton as Guardian for Esop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Liberty Shelton, and Mary Shelton. Abram Penn attorney for Ralph Shelton Jr, Palatiah Shelton, Jeremiah Shelton, William McGehee and Julius Robertson also Dudley Rutherford, William Arnold, William Jones, Roger Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, James Shelton. heirs of Ralph Shelton, dec'd. defendants. - The defendants Dudley Rutherford, William Jones, and William Arnold not having given security and not inhabitants of this county. The defendants are to appear the 2nd Monday of August and answer complaint. Copy to be inserted in the Virginia Gazette for two months.Order Book "O", Page 41, Court Wednesday 14 August 1793. Eliphaz Shelton appointed guardian for Esop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Mary Shelton, Liberty Shelton infants and heirs of Ralph Shelton dec'd to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against James Shelton. Order Book "O", Page 81, Court l October 1794. Samuel Staples vs Eliphaz Shelton guardian for Easop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Liberty Shelton, Mary Shelton and also Abraham Penn attorney in fact for Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton, Jeremiah Shelton, William McGehe, Julious Roberson, Dudley Rutherford, William Jones, William Arnold, Roger Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, and James Shelton heirs of Ralph Shelton, dec'd Defendants. The Defendants not having appeared it is ordered that George Carter, Edward Tatum, Nathaniel Smith, William Smith Jr and David Hanby are appointed Commissioners to lay off and divide the land named in the Complaint.Order Book "O", Page 83, (No date change entered between the item above and the one following - date apparently l October 1794?) James Shelton and wife against Easop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Liberty Shelton, Mary Shelton, Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton Jeremiah Shelton, William McGehe, Julious Roberson, Dudley Rutherford, William Arnold, William Jones, Roger Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, Eliphaz Shelton, heirs of Ralph Shelton dec'd Defendants. The Defendants waving all errors and not gain saying the claim of Complainants. It is ordered that the land according to the Poayer of said Bill be decreed to them. Order Book "O", Page 83, Saturday l November 1794. James Shelton and wife Susannah to Samuel Staples, a Deed.(Same date and page) William Carter, Jonathan Hanby, Edward Tatum and James Taylor or any 3 appointed to lay off and allot the widow and relict of Ralph Shelton dec'd of the residue of land of which Ralph Shelton died seized of after deducting J. Shelton and wifes claim.Order Book "O", Page 93, Court, Thursday 27 March 1795. Deed - James Shelton and wife Susannah to Samuel Staples.+ + + + +PATRICK COUNTY, VA DEED BOOK 1, 1791-1801. Published by TLC GENEALOGY, P. O. Box 403369, Miami Beach, FL 403369Deed Book Page 270. Nov 1, 1794 From James Shelton & wife of Patrick County, VA to Samuel Staples of Patrick County, Va, for 20 pounds, about 90 acres in Patrick County on South Mayo River, it being a part of the land Ralph Shelton died seized of, and bounded by the lower line where it crosses the Mayo River, then with the meanders of the River to the mouth of Moody branch, thence to sd Ralph Shelton's old line, then along that to the Dwelling House of sd James Shelton, to the beginning, it being the same land that was yesterday decreed by the Patrick Court to sd James Shelton & wife. The land is warranted against me, my heirs, my wife Susannah, and her heirs. Signed - James (S his mark) Shelton, Susannah (I her mark) Shelton. Wit - Wm. Adams, John (X his mark) Clark, Peter (/ his mark) Shelton. Recorded Mar 27 1795.

Susannah Shelton, wife of Ralph Shelton
Susannah Shelton was not the wife of Ralph Shelton who was married to Mary Daniel. Ralph, widower of Mary Daniel, did marry a second time as his widow was a woman named "Elizabeth"; however, no record of this marriage has been found, to date. There is a deed in Henry County, Virginia, which prove Susannah was the wife of Ralph Shelton, III, who was the son of Ralph Shelton,II, and Mary Daniel. Ralph Shelton who married Mary Daniel was literate, proven by the fact that he signed his name to his will on file in Henry County, VA, as well as on several deeds where he sold land, in his move from Essex County, VA, to Henry County, VA. Ralph Shelton, III, was not literate and signed his name by mark, using a very distinctive mark. Also, in the records of Pittsylvania County and Henry County, VA, Ralph Shelton who married Mary Daniel is referred to as "Ralph Shelton, Sr." and his son, Ralph Shelton, III, who married Susannah is referred to as "Ralph Shelton, Jr.". One has to remember that in these two Counties on the Virginia frontier of that time, no one knew Ralph Shelton,I, who had died in 1733 and it was logical to refer to Ralph Shelton who married Mary Daniel as "Ralph Shelton,Sr." and his son, Ralph Shelton, III, as "Ralph Shelton, Jr.". By the way, this Ralph Shelton, III, died in Knox County, Tennessee, about 1816. This is the deed which proves Susannah married Ralph Shelton, III: Sept, 1777 Henry County, VA., Deed Book 1, page 70. From Ralph Shelton to Robert Baker, a deed which gave rise to the confusion that Ralph Shelton, Sr., was married to a woman named Susannah. This deed is signed by mark, being a capital "R". There is no question this deed is from the Henry County Ralph Shelton, Jr. and not his father, the Henry County Ralph Shelton, Sr., who signed his own name. Later Tennessee records of this Ralph Shelton are signed with the same "R" mark. I knew and worked with Margaret Alford, whose death several years ago was a great lost to Shelton genealogy. We worked together on the question Susannah and together determined Susannh was not the wife of Ralph, II, but was the wife of his son, Ralph, III.


RALPH SHELTON, SR. OF HENRY COUNTY, VA
Ralph Shelton, son of Ralph Shelton and his wife, Mary (surname unknown, believed by some to be Crispin) was born in Middlesex County, VA on 23 October 1709. He married 1st Mary Daniel on 10 June 1731. Both events are recorded in the Christ Church Parish Register, Middlesex Co, VA. He lived in Essex, Amelia, and Lunenburg Counties, VA. By 1776 he was living in Henry Co, VA when he bought 119 ½ acres of land from John Sims then in 1777 with wife, Susannah, sold it to Robert Baker (the sale deed says Ralph Shelton, Jr. though the purchase deed says Ralph Shelton). 23 April 1787, when the will was proved 30 March 1789 he had another wife, Elizabeth (maiden name unknown), who survived him.

ESTATE SETTLEMENT RECORDS (Henry and Patrick Cos, VA)

The LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of RALPH SHELTON SR was written 23 April 1787 and proved 30 March 1789. It is recorded in HENRY COUNTY, VA WILL BOOK I: pg 171. See the complete transcript of this will. Securities for the Executor Eliphaz Shelton are Stephen Lyon and John Parr Jr.

HENRY COUNTY, VA, WILL BOOK I: pg 174. Inventory and Appraisement of Estate of RALPH SHELTON. 30 May 1789, Returned 29 June 1789 by William Carter, George Carter. Money scales, a still, furniture, livestock. T:51.10.6,

HENRY COUNTY, VA, WILL BOOK I: pgs 217-219. Account estate RALPH SHELTON with Eliphaz Shelton, exor.

Purchases for estate.. cash from William Hooker. Pd Clerk of Pittsylvania Co; John Redd, Col. Hughes, Samuel Annett, M. Lawson, boarding widow and 5 children for l year; corn for widow and 3 children for 1 year; same for widow and 4 children 5 mos; 9 mos for board of 2 chldren..pd Capt. Willliam Carter.

We have settled the account current of the estate of Ralph Shelton. signed: James Lyon, Edward Tatum, William Carter.

HENRY COUNTY, VA WILL BOOK II: pgs 226-228. Account RALPH SHELTON 24 Nov 1814. Ret Aug Ct 1815

In acct with Eliphaz Shelton.

July 23, 1789, Bond 9 yrs interest; tax 1785-1789; pd Pittsylvania Co. tax, John Redd; Tax for 1786; Pd Clerks Ticket for citing the decedant levy free; Coffin and winding sheet; Col. Hughes; Moorman Lauson (Lawson?); Bread corn for widow and 3 children one year; Same for Widow and 4 children 3 months; 9 months board for 2 children Capt. William Carter; John Henderson; Alexander Askin in Amalia County; board and schooling for one boy a legatee 5 years 6 months; James Shelton; John Davis; James Harrison; Winding sheet for Mrs. Shelton; Interest on the 10 pounds pd James Harrison 1764 to 1789, 25 years. Received money from sales and from rent of the plantation from 1790-1794

+ + + + +
HENRY COUNTY, VA, GENERAL INDEX TO ENDED LAW AND CHANCERY, COUNTY COURT FROM 1777 TO 1904. (SHELTON PORTION). From the microfilm at Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT)
1789 Book 5 Page 25. Ralph Shelton, Estate: State appraisors appointed, Last Will & Testament.
1789 Book 5 Page 47. Esup Shelton, Bound out according to law, orphan of Ralph Shelton
1789 Book 5 Page 47. Ralph Shelton, Est. Inventory of his estate returned to be recorded.
1789 Book 5 Page 51. Elizabeth Shelton. Relinquished her claim on the estate of her husband.
1790 Book 5 Page 152. Elizabeth Shelton Ptf. Ezekiah Shelton Def. Power of Attorney proved and o. r. (o. r. =ordered recorded)
1791 Book 5 Page 161. Abigal, Mary & Liberty. Ordered that the overseer of the poor bind them out according to law. Orphan of Ralph Shelton.
1791 Book 5 Page 162. Elizabeth Shelton, Ptf. Eliphaz Shelton, Def. Their award to be the judgment of the court.
1791 Book 5 Page 176. Hezekiah Shelton, Ptf., Ralph Shelton, decd., Def. Award returned.
1791 Book 5 Page 227. Eliphaz Shelton. Ordered that he appear at next court to render an acct. current of the est. of Ralph Shelton decd, which is in his hands.
1791 Book 5 Page 236. Ralph Shelton sr., decd. Appraisors to his estate Appointed.
1791 Book 5 Page 245. Men appointed to lay off the third part of his estate for the benefit of Eliz. Shelton, widow of Ralph.
1792 Book 6 Page 4. An account current of said Shelton estate returned.
1792 Book 6 Page 5. Ralph Shelton, decd. Men appointed to resettle the account current of said Shelton. Make report to court.
1814 Book 10 Page 198. Ralph Shelton est. Commissioners appointed to settle the account current of his estate.

ABSTRACTS OF ORDER BOOK 'O', PATRICK COUNTY, VA; JUNE 1791-AUGUST 1800
>From a book compiled by Lela C. Adams, Sherwood Forest, Basset, VA 24055

Order Book "O", Page 11, Court, September 1792. On a motion of Stephen Lyon judgment is granted him against John Smith for the administration of a judgment obtained by Eliphaz Shelton, executor of Ralph Shelton as security for said Smith.

Order Book "O", Page 32, Court, Tuesday, 14 May 1793 (Pg 13, printed book)
Samuel Staples against Eliphaz Shelton as Guardian for Esop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Liberty Shelton, and Mary Shelton. Abram Penn attorney for Ralph Shelton Jr, Palatiah Shelton, Jeremiah Shelton, William McGehee and Julius Robertson also Dudley Rutherford, William Arnold, William Jones, Roger Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, James Shelton. heirs of Ralph Shelton, dec'd. defendants. - The defendants Dudley Rutherford, William Jones, and William Arnold not having given security and not inhabitants of this county. The defendants are to appear the 2nd Monday of August and answer complaint. Copy to be inserted in the Virginia Gazette for two months.

Order Book "O", Page 41, Court Wednesday 14 August 1793. Eliphaz Shelton appointed guardian for Esop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Mary Shelton, Liberty Shelton infants and heirs of Ralph Shelton dec'd to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against James Shelton.

Order Book "O", Page 81, Court l October 1794. Samuel Staples vs Eliphaz Shelton guardian for Easop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Liberty Shelton, Mary Shelton and also Abraham Penn attorney in fact for Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton, Jeremiah Shelton, William McGehe, Julious Roberson, Dudley Rutherford, William Jones, William Arnold, Roger Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, and James Shelton heirs of Ralph Shelton, dec'd Defendants. The Defendants not having appeared it is ordered that George Carter, Edward Tatum, Nathaniel Smith, William Smith Jr and David Hanby are appointed Commissioners to lay off and divide the land named in the Complaint.

Order Book "O", Page 83, (No date change entered between the item above and the one following - date apparently l October 1794?) James Shelton and wife against Easop Shelton, Abigail Shelton, Liberty Shelton, Mary Shelton, Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton Jeremiah Shelton, William McGehe, Julious Roberson, Dudley Rutherford, William Arnold, William Jones, Roger Shelton, Azariah Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, Eliphaz Shelton, heirs of Ralph Shelton dec'd Defendants. The Defendants waving all errors and not gain saying the claim of Complainants. It is ordered that the land according to the Poayer of said Bill be decreed to them.

Order Book "O", Page 83, Saturday l November 1794. James Shelton and wife Susannah to Samuel Staples, a Deed.
(Same date and page) William Carter, Jonathan Hanby, Edward Tatum and James Taylor or any 3 appointed to lay off and allot the widow and relict of Ralph Shelton dec'd of the residue of land of which Ralph Shelton died seized of after deducting J. Shelton and wifes claim.

Order Book "O", Page 93, Court, Thursday 27 March 1795. Deed - James Shelton and wife Susannah to Samuel Staples.

PATRICK COUNTY, VA DEED BOOK 1, 1791-1801. Published by TLC GENEALOGY, P. O. Box 403369, Miami Beach, FL 403369
Deed Book Page 270. Nov 1, 1794 From James Shelton & wife of Patrick County, VA to Samuel Staples of Patrick County, Va, for 20 pounds, about 90 acres in Patrick County on South Mayo River, it being a part of the land Ralph Shelton died seized of, and bounded by the lower line where it crosses the Mayo River, then with the meanders of the River to the mouth of Moody branch, thence to sd Ralph Shelton's old line, then along that to the Dwelling House of sd James Shelton, to the beginning, it being the same land that was yesterday decreed by the Patrick Court to sd James Shelton & wife. The land is warranted against me, my heirs, my wife Susannah, and her heirs. Signed - James (S his mark) Shelton, Susannah (I her mark) Shelton. Wit - Wm. Adams, John (X his mark) Clark, Peter (/ his mark) Shelton. Recorded Mar 27 1795.

Susannah Shelton was not the wife of Ralph Shelton who was married to Mary Daniel. Ralph, widower of Mary Daniel, did marry a second time as his widow was a woman named "Elizabeth"; however, no record of this marriage has been found, to date. There is a deed in Henry County, Virginia, which prove Susannah was the wife of Ralph Shelton, III, who was the son of Ralph Shelton,II, and Mary Daniel. Ralph Shelton who married Mary Daniel was literate, proven by the fact that he signed his name to his will on file in Henry County, VA, as well as on several deeds where he sold land, in his move from Essex County, VA, to Henry County, VA. Ralph Shelton, III, was not literate and signed his name by mark, using a very distinctive mark. Also, in the records of Pittsylvania County and Henry County, VA, Ralph Shelton who married Mary Daniel is referred to as "Ralph Shelton, Sr." and his son, Ralph Shelton, III, who married Susannah is referred to as "Ralph Shelton, Jr.". One has to remember that in these two Counties on the Virginia frontier of that time, no one knew Ralph Shelton,I, who had died in 1733 and it was logical to refer to Ralph Shelton who married Mary Daniel as "Ralph Shelton,Sr." and his son, Ralph Shelton, III, as "Ralph Shelton, Jr.". By the way, this Ralph Shelton, III, died in Knox County, Tennessee, about 1816. This is the deed which proves Susannah married Ralph Shelton, III: Sept, 1777 Henry County, VA., Deed Book 1, page 70. From Ralph Shelton to Robert Baker, a deed which gave rise to the confusion that Ralph Shelton, Sr., was married to a woman named Susannah. This deed is signed by mark, being a capital "R". There is no question this deed is from the Henry County Ralph Shelton, Jr. and not his father, the Henry County Ralph Shelton, Sr., who signed his own name. Later Tennessee records of this Ralph Shelton are signed with the same "R" mark. I knew and worked with Margaret Alford, whose death several years ago was a great lost to Shelton genealogy. We worked together on the question Susannah and together determined Susannh was not the wife of Ralph, II, but was the wife of his son, Ralph, III.

Ralph married Mary Daniel on 10 Jun 1731 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. Mary was born on 7 Mar 1714 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1766 in , Henry, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ralph married Susannah in 1769. Susannah was born in , Henry, Virginia, USA; died in , Patrick, Virginia, USA; was buried in , Patrick, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married William Davis on 9 Oct 1728 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. William (son of John Davis, III and Catherine Ragland) was born on 29 Sep 1699 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died on 31 Jul 1763 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 17 May 1713, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA

Notes:

In 1762 Crispen Shelton patented 3,000 acres in Pittsylvania along Panther, now Whltethorn Creek, where he settled. His will was proven in February, 1794, in which he bequeathed:

To son Abraham Shelton, six slaves.
To son Gabriel Shelton, four slaves.
To son Lewis Shelton, four slaves.
To son Beverley Shelton, four slaves.
To son Spencer Shelton, four slaves.
To son Armisted Shelton, four slaves.
To son Vincent Shelton, four slaves, also watch and Bible Burket and all lands.
To daughters Elizabeth Hurt, Jane Todd wife of William Todd, Susanna Dickerson wife of Griffith Dickerson, four slaves each.

Crispen Shelton was the son of Ralph Shelton and his wife Mary Pollard of Middlesex County, who were probably married about 1712. The Parish Register of the county gives the following entries concerning their children:

Crispen, son of Ralph and Mary Shelton, born April 1, 1713, baptized May 17, 1713.
John, son of Ralph and Mary Shelton, born July 19, 1722, baptized August 12, 1722.
Benjamin, son of Ralph and Mary Shelton, born June 18, 1724, baptized July 12, I724.
Daniel, son of Ralph and Mary Shelton, born May 17, 1729, baptized June 22, 1729.

Ralph Shelton was the son of Sarah Shelton and Richard Gassage of New Kent, and he for some reason retained his mother's maiden name. Tradition says that Sarah Shelton and Richard Shelton were the emigrant children of a ship's captain who was drowned in the English Channel in 1691. After the death of her husband Mrs. Sarah Shelton Gassage married in 1703 Joseph Bickley, of King William County, who was first sheriff of Louisa County.

Crispen married Letitia Buford in 1734 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA. Letitia was born in 1713 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1770 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 13 Mar 1719, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA

Catherine married George Blakey on 31 Dec 1743 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA. George was born on 3 Apr 1716 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died on 20 Nov 1783 in , Spotsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 12 Aug 1722, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA

Notes:

married elizabeth, children,1.william2.joel,3.claiborne 4.abraham,5.jane lewis,6.francis,7.martha tucker,8.charlotte,9.nancy white,10.lucy hurt,11.lettice. lucy was wife of west dandridge hurt.

John married Elizabeth Lawson on 30 Jul 1760 in St James Northam Parish, Goochland, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born in 1740 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in Nov 1801 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 12 Jul 1724, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1790, , Caswell, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

married mary,lived onbuck creek ,pitts.co. no children known of.

Benjamin married Mary Coleman in 1747 in , , Virginia, USA. Mary was born in 1726 in , , Virginia, USA; died in 1755 in , Caswell, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 22 Jun 1729, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA

Notes:

married lettice,children,1.clara,2sussannah,3.young,4.leroy,5.milly taylor,6.tunstall,7.daniel jr.,8.anne baily,9.polly,10.sally,11.payne,12.willis,. clara mar. spencer son of crispen,1st cousin,sussannah mar. armistead, son of crispen 1st cousin.willis had daughter named wilmouth which was nathan f.' 2nd wife...

Daniel married Lettice 'Lettie" Young in 1750 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA. Lettice was born in 1730 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1809 in Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 10 Jun 1733, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1764, , Culpeper, Virginia, USA

Reuben married Priscilla Mary Medley on 14 Oct 1783 in , Culpeper, Virginia, USA. Priscilla was born in 1720 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, , Charlotte, Virginia, USA

Josiah married Elizabeth Aldridge in 1759. Elizabeth was born on 12 Feb 1738 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1809 in , Halifax, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: , , Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1783, , Greensville, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1786, Hubbards Company, Duplin, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1790, , Duplin, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1800, , Duplin, North Carolina, USA
• Probate: 1802, , Orange, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1802, , Orange, North Carolina, USA

Thomas married Catherine Munday in 1771 in , Richmond, Virginia, USA. Catherine was born in 1744 in , Essex, Virginia, USA; died in 1802 in , Orange, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 4 Jul 1742, Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: James Shelton
• Residence: 1782, , Amelia, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1810, , Grainger, Tennessee, USA

Notes:

Eliphaz donates land for courthouse
After the Revolution and the Independence won, Captain Eliphaz Shelton on February 28, 1784 received from Benjamin Harrison, then Governor of Virginia, a grant of 590 acres on both sides of Mayo River in Henry County. He applied for a grant selecting two adjoin­ing tracts of 400 acres and 190 acres bordering his father's land astride the South Fork of Mayo River. The official survey of this grant of land was made by John Dickerson, Henry County Surveyor, as of November 25, 1782, duly recorded in Henry County Survey Book No. 1, page 197, on file in clerk's office in Henry County Court House, Martinsville, Virginia. His land was bounded on the south by the 400-acre tract owned by his brother, Captain James Shelton, At a point close by Captain Eliphaz Shelton's western boundary the waters from Bull Mountain Fork joined the South Mayo River as it flowed out of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the formation of Patrick County in 1791, a site was needed for the county seat. The first court was held in a tobacco warehouse near Mayo Forge in the eastern part of the county. Later the place for holding court was moved to the home of Edward Tatum on Peters Creek. But the permanent site of the county seat was chosen by the 255 Justices to be the heart of the 590-acre tract of Eliphaz Shelton near the south Fork of Mayo River. Records in the office of Circuit Court Clerk of Patrick County show that Eliphaz Shelton donated 18 acres for the site of the county seat. This was by deed dated Octob­er 10, 1791 recorded in Deed Book 1, page 17. Four men — William Banks, Samuel Clark, Charles Poster and William Carter — or any 3 of them, were appointed to lay off the land. A courthouse was built and the land was laid out and named Taylorsville, this for one George Taylor. The town was later called Stuart for J. E. B. Stuart, Confederate General, and was incorporated as such in 1884. That year the Danville and New River Railroad ran its line into the town. Eliphaz Shelton owned and operated a gristmill on Campbell Branch, which flows through the town, one Samuel Staples as early as 1791 operated a blacksmith shop on land in the county seat donated by Eliphaz Shelton. A meetinghouse in the vicinity is mentioned in a deed from one James Beuford to Eliphaz made in 1793. So the Sheltons particularly Ralph sr., Eliphaz and James, were very instrumental in forming Patrick County. Their adjoining tracks of land in the Taylorsville area were so situated with relation to each other that if a line was drawn from a point on the western boundary of Eliphaz‘s land eastward through the town of Taylorsville, crossing the adjoining tracts of Ralph Shelton, Sr. and James Shelton to the latter’s eastern edge, such a line would be two and one-fourth miles long. A 1794 record shows that Eliphaz witnessed in Patrick County the wedding of John Chandler and Elizabeth Bennett on December 10, 1794. Another witness was Thomas Boiling, Sr. Eliphaz Shelton died in August 1826 at his residence near the Patrick County courthouse, is buried on land formerly owned by Ralph Shelton (5), which is in the present town of Stuart, as is Ralph, the old cemetery being on land now owned by the Carter family.

James married Susanna Vardaman in 1750 in , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA. Susanna (daughter of William Vardeman and Magdelena Peterson) was born in 1737 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA; died in 1816 in , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1802, , Anderson, Tennessee, USA

Notes:

Pally Palatiah Shelton
The following deed was received from the Jefferson County TN Director of Archives:
January 24, 1795 Jefferson County deed for 245 acres from Palatiah Shelton to John Loe. Because those 245 acres had the same legal description as the 245 acres in the September 6, 1790 Hawkins County deed from Jesse Riggs to Pally Shelton, it is clear these deeds involved the same land and Pally Shelton and Palatiah Shelton were the same man.

"This indenture made the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety five between Pallatial Shelton of the County of Hawkins & Territory of the United States of the one part and John Loe of the County and territory aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that the said Pallatial Shelton, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds to him in hand paid, the receipt is hereby acknowledged hath & by these presents doth grant bargain sell alien Enfeoff and confirm unto the said John Loe his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract of land containing two hundred and forty five acres be the same more or less lying and being in the County of Jefferson and territory aforesaid beginning at a white oak on Spurgins corner thence south three hundred and forty poles to a stake thence west two hundred and twenty eight poles to a stake thence north fifty seven degrees east four hundred & ten poles to the beginning, with all and singular the woods waters water courses profits commodities & hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the said tract of land belonging or appertaining and the reversion and reversions remainders & remaining rents and issues hereof and all the estates right title interest property claims and demands of him the said Pallatial Shelton his heirs and assigns and to the same and every part and parcel thereof either in law or equity to have and to hold the said two hundred and forty five acres of land with the appurtenances unto the said John Loe his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful title claims demands of all and every person or persons whatsoever shall and will warrant forever defend by these presents in witness whereof the said Pallatial Shelton hath hereunto set his hand and seal this day and year first above written signed sealed and delivered in presence of Christopher Hussy affirmed."

In the same handwriting there is a signature below the body of the record for Palatiah Shelton as the seller. Also in the same handwriting above the body of the record are "Palatiah Shelton to John Loe Registered 9th March 1795"

Family/Spouse: Mary Harbour. Mary was born in 1726 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA; died in 1800 in , , Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Jane Parker. Jane was born in 1740 in Roanoke, Independent Cities, Virginia, USA; died in , Hanover, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Eliphaz donates land for courthouse
After the Revolution and the Independence won, Captain Eliphaz Shelton on February 28, 1784 received from Benjamin Harrison, then Governor of Virginia, a grant of 590 acres on both sides of Mayo River in Henry County. He applied for a grant selecting two adjoin­ing tracts of 400 acres and 190 acres bordering his father's land astride the South Fork of Mayo River. The official survey of this grant of land was made by John Dickerson, Henry County Surveyor, as of November 25, 1782, duly recorded in Henry County Survey Book No. 1, page 197, on file in clerk's office in Henry County Court House, Martinsville, Virginia. His land was bounded on the south by the 400-acre tract owned by his brother, Captain James Shelton, At a point close by Captain Eliphaz Shelton's western boundary the waters from Bull Mountain Fork joined the South Mayo River as it flowed out of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the formation of Patrick County in 1791, a site was needed for the county seat. The first court was held in a tobacco warehouse near Mayo Forge in the eastern part of the county. Later the place for holding court was moved to the home of Edward Tatum on Peters Creek. But the permanent site of the county seat was chosen by the 255 Justices to be the heart of the 590-acre tract of Eliphaz Shelton near the south Fork of Mayo River. Records in the office of Circuit Court Clerk of Patrick County show that Eliphaz Shelton donated 18 acres for the site of the county seat. This was by deed dated Octob­er 10, 1791 recorded in Deed Book 1, page 17. Four men — William Banks, Samuel Clark, Charles Poster and William Carter — or any 3 of them, were appointed to lay off the land. A courthouse was built and the land was laid out and named Taylorsville, this for one George Taylor. The town was later called Stuart for J. E. B. Stuart, Confederate General, and was incorporated as such in 1884. That year the Danville and New River Railroad ran its line into the town. Eliphaz Shelton owned and operated a gristmill on Campbell Branch, which flows through the town, one Samuel Staples as early as 1791 operated a blacksmith shop on land in the county seat donated by Eliphaz Shelton. A meetinghouse in the vicinity is mentioned in a deed from one James Beuford to Eliphaz made in 1793. So the Sheltons particularly Ralph sr., Eliphaz and James, were very instrumental in forming Patrick County. Their adjoining tracks of land in the Taylorsville area were so situated with relation to each other that if a line was drawn from a point on the western boundary of Eliphaz‘s land eastward through the town of Taylorsville, crossing the adjoining tracts of Ralph Shelton, Sr. and James Shelton to the latter’s eastern edge, such a line would be two and one-fourth miles long. A 1794 record shows that Eliphaz witnessed in Patrick County the wedding of John Chandler and Elizabeth Bennett on December 10, 1794. Another witness was Thomas Boiling, Sr. Eliphaz Shelton died in August 1826 at his residence near the Patrick County courthouse, is buried on land formerly owned by Ralph Shelton (5), which is in the present town of Stuart, as is Ralph, the old cemetery being on land now owned by the Carter family.

Eliphaz married Nancy Ann Shelton on 18 Aug 1772 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. Nancy was born in 1758 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA; died on 19 Mar 1818 in , Patrick, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1830, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1836, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1840, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1850, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1860, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA

Aesop married Elizabeth Luttrell on 18 Dec 1805 in , Adair, Kentucky, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard C Luttrell and Nancy Rains) was born in 1786 in , , Kentucky, USA; died in 1812 in , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

WILLIAM DAVIS OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY

On 16 Mar 1779 William Davis of Pittsylvania County bought 850 acres of land on both sides of the Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, near Chatham in the middle of Pittsylvania County, from John Booth of Henry County, bordering land owned by Thomas Hardy Sr, George Prosize, Robert Adams, John Short, John Parks, and Robert Wooding, for 1400 pounds. This land included the “William Pigg” mill, which had been built in 1768.

The stone house that William Davis built on this land is still standing but is in bad repair; photos are on the internet.

William Davis appears in the 1779 tithable list in Pittsylvania in a large household including Benj, Garret, and Daniel Davis, and negroes Lemus, Jim, Sue, and Filly. (The tithable lists for 1780 and 1781 have not been indexed, so I haven’t searched them yet. It would be interesting to see if Daniel and Garret Davis appear in these lists. Daniel appears in the 1778 list, apparently the first of the family to locate in Pittsylvania County. At least one of William’s sons named a son Garret, supporting the supposition that Garret was a son of William. Perhaps Garret and Daniel died in the Revolutionary fighting in 1780; many Pittsylvania militiamen took part in the military action in the Carolinas.)

William Davis patented an additional 400 acres on the branches of Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, bordering the land of Thomas Hardy and Finney. A survey for this land was done 24 Apr. 1780, and he received the patent for the land on 1 Sept. 1780.

A marriage bond was registered in Pittsylvania County on 16 Nov. 1781 for William’s daughter Sarah to marry Thomas Maide (who later spelled his name Meade); surety for the bond were Thomas Maide and Benjamin Davis (William’s eldest son).

In 1782 the yearly tithable lists were replaced by personal property tax lists. In this year William Davis is shown with two “tithables” (white men over 21, presumably William and son Benjamin), nine slaves, four horses, and 16 cattle.

The 1782 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres, which seems puzzling in light of his purchase of 850 acres (“more or less”) in 1779 and an additional 400 acres in 1780. We know that William Davis gave land to his son-in-law George Myers (part of which was donated to the Upper Bannister Baptist Church), so perhaps this accounts for part of the discrepancy. The 1782 land tax shows George “Miers” with 200 acres. Another possibility is that the total acreage that William bought in 1779 was exaggerated in the deed (indicated by the phrase “more or less”), to match the number of acres that he had just sold in Culpeper County. But this is just speculation; further research should be done in the land records to ascertain just what happened to the two tracts of land that William Davis bought.

William Davis doesn’t appear in the personal property tax records in 1783. Perhaps this was just an omission by the recorder.

In 1784 William Davis appears in the personal property tax list with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), five slaves over 16; four slaves under 16; four horses, and 15 cattle.

On 17 May 1784, William’s son Benjamin entered into a marriage bond with Daniel Bradley, who married William’s daughter Elizabeth.[10]

The 1785 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), six slaves over 16, four slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had one additional slave and two more cows, compared to the previous year.

On 18 Feb. 1786 (recorded on the 20th), William Davis and John Davis of Pittsylvania County sold to Holt Richardson of King William County a Negro man named Ruben. Is this the same William Davis as the miller of Cherrystone Creek? And if so, who was this John Davis? A brother sharing an inheritance? Witnesses to the deed were Samuel Parks and John Bowden, and Samuel Parks would witness an 1786 deed from William Davis to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley (see below), and serve as surety in 1787 for the marriage bond of William Davis’s daughter Susanna.

The 1786 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres, same as in 1782. William Davis was consistently taxed for 700 acres until his death in 1791.[11] The 1786 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21, eight slaves over 16, ten slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had eight more slaves than the previous year. Had he recently come into an inheritance?

On 1 Dec. 1786 William Davis sold 100 acres on the north side of the Bannister River, "being part of the same tract whereon the said William Davis now lives," to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley.[12] Witnesses to the deed were Thomas H. Wooding, Samuel Parks, and William Ming.

On 19 Feb. 1787, Samuel Parks entered into a marriage bond with William Corbin, who married William Davis’s daughter Susanna. Together with the bond was a note by William Davis, witnessed by son Benjamin and by Samuel Parks, giving permission for Susanna to marry.

The 1787 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 18, with zero men over 21 (besides William; the recordkeeping was strange this year), six slaves over 16, eight slaves under 16, three horses, and 15 cattle. William had lost four slaves, a horse, and two cows compared to the previous year. On Apr. 20 William’s son Benjamin paid the tax, showing zero men over 21 (besides Benjamin), 1 slave over 16, 1 slave under 16, and 1 horse. This accounts for the horse and two of the slaves. William’s new son-in-law William Corbin had a slave in 1787, perhaps a wedding gift from William.

The 1788 personal property tax list shows William “Davise” with one white male over 21, four slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and four horses. (Starting this year, the number of cows wasn’t listed.) Benjamin “Davise” paid on the same day, with 1 white male over 21 and one slave over 16. John “Davise” paid on the same day, with one male over 21, one slave over 16, and three horses. I believe that this was the John Davis who bought 200 ares on Green Rock Creek (near William Davis) on 1 July 1788, and NOT William’s son John. This John Davis appears in Pittsylvania County as early as 1782, but didn’t own land until 1788. This John Davis had one slave until 1786, when he suddenly had four slaves and a stud horse (similar to William, who also shows a sudden influx of slaves in 1786.) John Davis had the same number of slaves (and the stud horse) in 1787, but in 1788, the year he bought the land, he was back to one slave (and no stud horse). Once again, it seems reasonable to speculate that this John was a brother of William Davis, and it was these two who sold the slave Ruben to Holt Richardson in 1786 (see above).

The 1789 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 20, with two white males over 21 (presumably William and son John), five slaves over 16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin had paid on March 16 (with one slave and one horse), the same day as John Davis (with one slave and three horses).

On 4 June 1789 John Davis (presumably William’s son who had recently turned 21) entered a bond with William Rickett, who married William Davis’s daughter Nancy.

The 1790 personal property tax list shows that William Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on March 15, with three white males over 21 (presumably William and sons Benjamin and John), six slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin wasn’t on the list this year, so I assume that he was one of the three men listed in William’s household. John Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on the same day as William, with one male over 21, one slave, and two horses.

William Davis, of Pittsylvania Co., Virginia "being far advanced in life," made his will on 4 June 1790,[13] mentioning:
--son John (receives 3 head of cattle)
--son Benjamin (receives William's house and 150-acre plantation)
--son Joseph (also receives 150 acres)
--son Thomas (receives the rest of William's land, except one acre by creek adjoining William's mill)
--daughter Nancy Rickett (receives a slave; will mentions her husband William Rickett)
--daughter Peggy Davis (receives two slaves and a flock of geese)
--son-in-law Thomas Maide (cancels debt owed by Thomas)
--son-in-law William Corbin (receives a slave and a feather bed, in consideration of a debt related to William's brother's will)
--sons Joseph and Thomas (mentioned again, now receive William's mill with one adjoining acre of land)
--remainder of estate to be divided between youngest children Joseph, Thomas, and Lucy.
--son Benjamin instructed to rebuild the mill, keeping possession of the mill and slaves for three years and then distributing them according to the will's provisions
--single daughters to be provided for as long as they remain single
--if either son Joseph or Thomas dies before arriving unmarried at "lawful age," their share of the mill to go to the other brother
--son-in-law George Mires to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession
--son-in-law Daniel Bradley to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession – the land he lives on.
--executors instructed to pay to Daniel Bradley the debt arising from William's executorship of his brother's will
--William's friend John Parks and William's son Benjamin appointed executors
--signed (with mark) June 4, 1790, and proved June 20, 1791
--witnessed by William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr.

The mark on William’s will has been described as“a thick-ish vertical bar (i.e., not just a thin vertical line). Some of the clerks were good about trying to copy marks closely. William’s is pretty distinctive, which usually would indicate he was not one of those who could write in his younger days but had to sign by mark when he got elderly or sick.”[14] (I am inclined to question whether the Pittsylvania County clerk was good about copying marks closely, since the clerk during this time period routinely omitted the names of witnesses to deeds. In addition, the “thick-ish vertical bar” could have been a scratched-out remnant of another mark. The researcher whom I quoted thinks this mark is significant, disproving the possibility that William Davis of Pittsylvania was the same man who sold 850 acres of land in Culpeper County in 1768. I disagree with her assessment, but others may want to draw their own conclusions.)

William's reference to his brother's will correspond to a legal action brought by Daniel Bradley against his father-in-law, which was dismissed in May 1790. The case arose against William as “executor” of the estate of his brother Noire Davis.[15] The name Noire Davis never appears in the land or tax or probate records of Pittsylvania County, so it seems clear that Noire lived elsewhere.

William Davis’s will was probated on 20 June 1791, indicating that he died sometime between March (the previous court session) and June 1791.

Children of William Davis (birth order is educated guesswork):

1. Mary, married George Miers or Myers. It appears that George Myers lived in Culpeper County from 1758 through 1770, according to a researcher who who states that the earliest record found for him in Pittsylvania County was in 1779.

George Miers is listed with 200 acres in the 1782 Pittsylvania land tax. George Miers is listed in the 1782 Virginia census with 9 whites and one black in his household.

George Miers appears in the 1785 Pittsylvania County tax list (on the same page as his father-in-law William Davis and his brother-in-law Thomas Meade) with one adult slave, two horses, and 11 cattle. I didn't find him in 1786 or 1787, but he appears in the 1788 tax list with 2 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. (For this and most later years, the tax list doesn't show the number of cattle.)

In the 1789 tax list George "Myers" now has 4 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. This corresponds to the three witnesses to William Davis's 1790 will being William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr. the three eldest sons of George. I didn't find George in the 1790 or 1791 lists, and I haven't checked later years.

2. Sarah, born about 1753,[19] married Thomas Maid (or Mead[20]), with the marriage bond dated 16 Nov. 1781 at Pittsylvania Co., Va.[21] Benjamin Davis was listed as surety on the marriage bond. If Sarah’s age was correctly stated in her 1843 widow’s pension application, she was close to 30 years old at the time of her marriage.

Thomas Meade was born 1 Apr. 1754 at Frederick County, Virginia. Thomas Maid/Mead enlisted in the Virginia Line from Pittsylvania County in February 1776; he served in Virginia and North Carolina regiments for the next six years, becoming a "forage master" in charge of obtaining supplies for the army. He was in the battles of Briar Creek (1779) and Guilford Courthouse (1781).[22] Thomas appears in the Pittsylvania County personal tax lists (listed as "Made," "Meade," and "Mead") from 1782 through 1786, after which he disappears from Pittsylvania County.

Thomas Mead appears in the Montgomery County personal tax lists from 1787 through 1789. He disappears from Montgomery County starting in 1790 -- the year that Wythe County was formed from Montgomery County. Thomas Mead appears on the first extant Wythe County personal tax list in 1793, and appears every year thereafter (except 1796) through 1814.

In 1816 Thomas Mead was one of the early settlers of Pike County, Indiana, where he was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1818.[23] He died 14 Jan. 1834 and is buried in the Old Town Cemetery in Petersburg, Pike County, Indiana. On 28 Jan. 1834 William "I." [should read "T."] Wright (Thomas's younger half-brother, per William's affidavit supporting Thomas's pension application) was appointed administrator of Thomas's estate.[24]

Sarah (Davis) Mead was still alive in 1844; all of her children in Pike County had predeceased her.[25] It is claimed that she was buried in the same cemetery as her husband, in an unmarked grave.[26]

3. Benjamin, born before 1757, a Revolutionary soldier, [27]married Lydia Meador (presumably a second marriage) 31 Jan. 1800. Lydia's father Joab Meador made his will on 25 Feb. 1815, naming his "friends" Benjamin Davis and Thomas Davis (together with two others) as executors.[28] Benjamin and Lydia had a daughter Nancy who married Samuel Thompson in 1822 in Pittsylvania County[29]; and their daughter Sarah married her first cousin Jamison Corbin.

4. Daniel, perhaps son of William, appears on the 1778 tithable list; living with William Davis in 1779 tithable list.

5. Garret, presumably son of William, living with William Davis in 1779 tax list. William's youngest sons Joseph and Thomas both named sons Garrett, supporting the supposition that Garret was son of William.

6. Elizabeth (Bettie), married Daniel Bradley (marriage bond 17 May 1784); her brother Benjamin was surety.[30] It appears that Daniel Bradley was born in Cumberland County, son of Isham Bradley.[31] Daniel Bradley was born about 1757, and moved from Cumberland County to Pittsylvania County in 1783, per his 1832 revolutionary pension application.[32]

"Bradley, Daniel, of Pittsylvania enlisted from Cumberland July 1, 1780 in the First Virginia for eighteen months. He served under Captain White and was enlisted by Ensign Belew. He was in the battles of Guilford Courthouse and Eutah, the siege of Ninety-Six and the capturing of Scotch Lake at the blockhouse in Camden and the forts at Friday's, Thompson's and Augusta. ...Daniel was wounded in one of these engagements and was ever afterwards a cripple."[33]

On 1 Dec. 1786 Daniel Bradley received a gift of 100 acres of land on the north side of the Bannister River by his father-in-law William Davis. Daniel Bradley appears in the 1786 and 1787 Pittsylvania County personal tax lists (on the same page as William Davis), with one horse, two cows, and one slave under 16. In 1788 and 1789 Daniel Bradley appears with two horses and no slaves.

Daniel doesn't appear in the 1790 tax lists; perhaps his absence was related to his lawsuit against his father-in-law and neighbor William Davis. (See above.) The lawsuit was dismissed on 3 May 1790. Daniel Bradley reappears in 1791, listed next to his deceased father-in-law.

Daniel Bradley made his will 20 Aug. 1831 and it was probated 16 Apr. 1838. The will mentioned son Isham and "my daughters." The executors were his sons-in-law Reuben Hall and William Chaney. Witnesses were Thomas Wooding, Thomas Davis, Jr., and Lydia Davis.[34]

7. Nancy, married William Ricketts 4 June 1789. Nancy was his second wife; he had four children by his first wife Barsheba Nelson. William and Nancy Ricketts had children Reuben, Nancy, Nathaniel, and Thomas.[36]

8. John, apparently born around 1768, if he was indeed the extra adult male in William’s household per the 1789 personal property tax list. John was mentioned first in his father's will, receiving three cows and no land.

Some researchers have assumed that John was the same as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett 26 Sep. 1803 in Pittsylvania County. This is false, as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett was clearly identified as “Jr.” – presumably the son of John Davis who lived near William Davis and latter on Pigg River.

9. Susanna, married William Corbin 19 Feb 1787; she was under age at the time of her marriage (her father William gave consent). William Corbin appears in the Pittsylvania County personal tax lists in 1788 and 1789, but I didn't find him in 1790 or 1791. William died before July 1801, when his father Ambrose Corbin was appointed guardian of William's children Jamison, Thompson, and Mary Corbin.[37] Jamison Corbin married his first cousin Sarah Davis, daughter of Benjamin.

Susanna Davis, widow of William Corbin, married (2) William Nelson, whose sister Barsheba was the first wife of William Ricketts, husband of Susanna Davis's sister Nancy.[38]

Ambrose Corbin, son of Rawley Corbin, was born abt. 1723 in Spotsylvania County. He lived in Culpeper County as a child (where his father died in 1773), married Jane Crawford, and died 1807/8 Pittsylvania County, per http://dgmweb.net/FGS/Corb/CorbinAmbrose-JaneCrawford.html
His children included:
--William, b. 1759-64; m. Susanna Davis 19 Feb. 1787 Pittsylvania Co.
--Randolph, b. c. 1770. His Pittsylvania will (1 Sep. 1822) mentions brothers David and Thomas, Thomas's daughter Louisa, nieces Paulina and Sally Myers, and Benjamin Myers' sons Hartwell, William, and Christopher.
--Nancy Ann, b. c. 1773; m. William Myers (son of George Myers and Mary Davis) 14 Apr. 1791 at Pittsylvania County.
--Elizabeth "Betsy," perhaps daughter of a second wife, b. 1786, m. Benjamin Myers (son of George Myers and Mary Davis) 2 Nov. 1808 at Pittsylvania County. Benjamin Myers in Pittsylvania County 1820 (next to George) and 1830; Elizabeth Myers in Pittsylvania County 1840; details at http://dgmweb.net/FGS/M/MyersBenjamin-ElizabethCorbin.html

10. Peggy (Margaret), m. Moses Cheney 15 Aug 1791. "Moses Chaney, the son of Sarah and Jacob Chaney (Chapter I), settled two miles southeast of Laurel Grove, Virginia, on the place now owned by Witcher Slayton. Moses married Margaret Davis, and to this union were born six children. Their names were as follows: William, Singleton, Bird, Moses, Betty and Sallie. Margaret died and after her death Moses married Sallie Polly, a widow, whose name was Haley. To this second union were born two children, Jackson and Eleandor, Moses was a farmer by occupation."[39]

11. Joseph, b. about 1771 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the Pittsylvania personal tax lists in 1793), m. Lucy McGehee Hodnett 19 Mar. 1793 Pittsylvania Co., Va., d. 1 Oct. 1850 at Halifax Co., Va. It appears that several children of Joseph and his brother Thomas moved to Tennessee.[40]

12. Thomas, b. about 1773 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the personal tax lists in 1794), m. (1) Jane Hodnett 13 Jan. 1794 Pittslyvania Co., Va.; m. (2) Sarah Meador 8 July 1797 Pittsylvania Co., Va. Thomas was a prosperous miller and landowner in Pittsylvania County. Children by second wife Sarah Meador: --Garrett B.; m. Anna Thompson 1 Oct. 1822 Pittsylvania Co.
--William, b. 13 Apr. 1800; m. Carmelia Craft 24 Oct. 1824 Pittsylvania Co.
--Mary Taylor, b. 1803, m. Robertson Shelton 3 May 1819 Pittsylvania Co.[41] ---Thomas C., b. 1805, m. Elizabeth Sheppard 22 Nov 1824 Pittsylvania Co.

13. Lucy, married John Hodnett 9 Nov 1792; apparently m. (2) Jessee Woodson 1809.[42]

[1] See http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/Davisgen.html
[2] Culpeper County Minute Book 1763-1764, p. 370, in Ruth and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Culpeper County , Virginia Minute Book 1763-1764 (Antient Press, 1998), p. 65, cited in an e-mail from Joan Horsley, 5 Mar. 2012.
[3] Pittsylvania County Deed Book 5, pp. 145-47.
[4]For photos of the house see http://rdricketts.com/blog/2009/08/06/my-4th-great-grandfathers-rock-house-circa-1779-needs-work/
[5] Pittsylvania County Land Surveys, vol. 1, p. 337; the general shape of the tract is diagrammed on the page.
[6] Copy of the marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, sent to me by Sarah E. Mitchell.
[7] Images of the personal property tax lists are available at the subscription website www.binnsgenealogy.com
[8] See http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/1782LandTaxes.htm
[9] Pittsylvania Deed Book 17, p. 477, 10 Mar. 1812 (recorded 16 Mar. 1812): George Myers to Moses Hutchings and George Giles, all of Pittsylvania County, “whereas William Davis, deceased, did in his livetime give his bond to the members of the Baptist church (known & called by the name of upper Bannister)” for “one and an half acres of land whenever they might call for the same, where the present meeting house now stands, and the right of said land being in George Myers, and he wishing to comply with said bond,” the church appointed Hutchings and Giles trustees to receive the land (paying one dollar), on the waters of the Bannister River, adjoining Leftwich. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark). Witnesses: Will Turnstall, Jesse Leftwich, William Hutchings.
Pittsylvania Deed Book 18, pp. 501-502: 24 Nov. 1813 (recorded 18 July 1814): George Myers and wife Mary to William Turnstall, all of Pittsylvania County, 33 acres on Cherrystone Creek, being part of the tract where Myers now lives, adjoining Turnstall (formerly Hardy), and up the sill house branch to Pigg Road, and then along Pigg Road. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark), Mary Myers. Witnesses: William Walton, John Myers, Benjamin Myers, Isham Myers.
[10] Copy of the marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, sent to me by Sarah E. Mitchell.
[11] Thanks to Joan Horsley for sharing William Davis’s land tax records.
[12] Pittsylvania County Deed Book 7, pp. 719-720.
[13]http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/Davisgen.html, citing Pittsylvania Co. Deed & Will Book 11, p. 216
[14]E-mail from Joan Horsley, 14 Mar. 2012.
[15]Pittsylvania County Court Order Book 3, p. 127. The record clearly shows the unusual name “Noire.”
[16]per http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GERMANNA_COLONIES/1997-07/0867753874 .
[17]per http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/1782LandTaxes.htm
[18] per http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/census.htm
[19]Per her 1843 widow's pension application which gave her age as 90; the following year her age was given as 91.
[20]He appears to have used “Maid” early in life and “Mead(e) later in life. His 1833 pension application pointedly gives both spellingsrepeatedly.
[21]Per copy of marriage license in Thomas and Sarah Mead’s pension file.
[22] Per 1833 pension application; scanned images of the entire file are available at ancestry.com; I personally transcribed the old handwriting. The published version of Thomas's affidavit on pp. 317-18 of the History of Pike and Dubois Counties, Indiana is abridged and badly garbled.
[23] History of Pike and DuBois County, Indiana, p. 251, p. 289; at http://www.archive.org/details/historyofpikedub00good
[24] Pike County, Indiana Will Abstracts 1817-1895, p. 13. A local librarian's visit to the courthouse disclosed the fact that all documents related to Thomas Mead's estate were missing at the time the estate files were microfilmed.
[25] per widow's pension application; the only witness available to support her affidavit was her daughter-in-law Polly.
[26] per Pike County History Bicentennial Year 1776-1976, by Ruth McClellan, p. 163, which misidentifies her as "Lucy."
[27]per http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/Davisgen.html
[28]per Abstracts of Pittsylvania County, Virginia Wills, 1767-1820, p. 214. For Joab Meador's family, see http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=monkeys&id=I14768 and duplicate http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=crystalinda22&id=I121128; see also http://genforum.genealogy.com/meador/messages/495.html with a list of researchers.
[29] per http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/o/n/Anna-Toner/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0031.html
[30] Per http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/Hodnettgen.html
[31] Per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/gp1272.htm
[32]Pension application of Daniel Bradley, http://revwarapps.org/s6766.pdf
[33] per http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mebarbour77&id=I04007 , citing page 160 of Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War by McAllister.
[34] per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/np64.htm, citing Wills of Pittsylvania Co., VA 1820-1845 by Mike K. Williams.
[35] Per http://nelson-dna-project.tripod.com/docs/Decendants_of_Ambrose_Nelson_editted.pdf
[36]Per http://www.geocities.ws/athens/forum/1992/descend.html .
[37] per http://dgmweb.net/FGS/Corb/CorbinAmbrose-JaneCrawford.html Son Jamison married Sarah Davis 8 Oct. 1817 at Pittsylvania County; she was the daughter of Benjamin Davis (see above).
[38] See http://nelson-dna-project.tripod.com/docs/Decendants_of_Ambrose_Nelson_editted.pdf
[39] See http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/h/a/Richard-Franklin-Chaney/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0231.html
[40] http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.davis/13865/mb.ashx
[41] Per The Families of James Shelton of McMinn County, Tennessee and His Father Roderick Shelton of Buncombe County, North Carolina and Their Antecedents by Arthur Paul Shelton (August 1987), Chapter 7, online at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnmcmin2/SheltonCVIIP298.htm
[42]See this Hodnett page (with various Davis connections), but there seems to be confusion about whether mother or daughter married Jessee Woodson: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=eleanor&id=I07766 and see also (better site?) http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/np64.htm

Disputed Origin and Wife

There are various internet claims that William Davis was either the husband or the son of Elizabeth Shelton. These claims are groundless, without any evidence to support them. Elizabeth Shelton (who definitely married a man named William Davis) may have been the Elizabeth Davis of Culpeper County who was granted letters of administration for the estate of her deceased husband William on 21 July 1763.[1]

It has been claimed that William Davis of Pittsylvania County married Susanna Wills (as his second wife) in 1772 in Halifax County, but that was a different William Davis, and court records in Halifax County show that this other William Davis was the guardian of Susanna’s son by her first husband for several years into the 1780s. Personal property tax records show two very different William Davises living in Halifax County around this time.

William Davis of Pittsylvania County is sometimes confused with a different William Davis of Lunenburg and Mecklenberg Counties, who married Jane Hopkins and left a will in 1801 -- this is clearly a different family.[2]

"Mr. William Chuck Davis [d. 1962, grandson of William, who was son of Thomas, youngest son of William who died 1791] said three Davis brothers came from Wales. One settled in Lunenburg County, Virginia and two from Mecklenburg, and from them three other brothers came to Pittsylvania County and settled. Two of them were our William, his brother, Noire and Thomas. Chuck believes our William and brothers were children of John Davis of Charlotte Court House."[3]

Chuck Davis was unaware that Noire Davis never lived in Pittsylvania County, but there was a John Davis in Pittsylvania County, living near William, with children intermarrying with the same families as William’s children, who could have been William’s brother. In addition, the claim that William had a brother Thomas leads to the question: Which one? There were two early Thomas Davises in Pittsylvania County: Thomas Davis the miller, revolutionary soldier, tavern-keeper, and resident of Stinking Creek; and Thomas Davis (who died in 1809) identified as “taylor” in the tax records.

It seems likely that William Davis, who first shows up in Pittsylvania County in March 1779 when he bought a mill and 850 acres of land, was the same as the William Davis who with wife Sarah sold 850 acres of land in Culpeper County three months before, in December 1778. Supporting this supposition is the fact that William’s eldest daughter Mary was the husband of George Myers, originally of Culpeper County, who first appears in Pittsylvania County in 1779, together with his neighbor William Davis. The year after William Davis appeared in Pittsylvania County, his son Benjamin joined a militia regiment made up primarily of Culpeper men.

William of Pittsylvania’s daughter Sarah had a son with the unusual given name of Graves. Speculation for further research: Several land records in Spotslyvania and Culpeper Counties show a connection between William Davis of Culpeper and a Graves family, leading to the supposition that William's wife Sarah was a daughter of John Graves, Jr. (died after 1772) of Spotsylvania County. There is one bit of contradictory evidence for this: William of Culpeper is reported to have signed various deeds with a rather common mark -- an "I" with a cross-hatch. However, William Davis of Pittsylvania is reported to have signed his will with a different mark -- a thick vertical bar.

The available evidence indicates that William's eldest daughter Mary married George Myers of Culpeper County around 1766, suggesting a birth year for Mary (and marriage year for William) in the late 1740s. George and Mary Myers' three eldest sons were witnesses to William Davis's will in 1790. George Myers first appears in the Pittsylvania County in 1779[4], the same year as his father-in-law and neighbor William Davis.

William Davis of Culpeper County
It appears that William Davis, who first appears in the Pittsylvania County records with a March 1779 purchase of 850 acres, is the same as the William Davis whose final appearance in Culpeper County was three months earlier, when he SOLD 850 acres in December 1778. This Culpeper County land was bought in 1761 as follows:

"17 August 1761 - DEED: Sarah Minor, widow and relict of John Minor, Gentleman, late of Spotsylvania County, Decd., and John Minor, acting executor of said Minor, Decd., to William Davis, planter, of Spotsylvania County, for £150, 850 acres in Culpeper County on both sides of North Rush River, being land purchased by John Minor, Decd., from Francis and John Strother, and devised by said Minor, Decd., to his son William, who has since died underage and unmarried... /s/ Sarah Minor, John Minor. Wit: John Waller (Clerk), Wm Davenport, Jno Arnold, Thomas Minor, J. Lewis, Thos Minor [sic], Francis Meriwether, James Graves."[5]

However, at least one researcher believes that this William Davis who disappeared from Culpeper County in 1779 is the same as the William Davis who settled in Garrand County, Kentucky before dying in Fayette County, Kentucky.[6] Another researcher suggests that this William Davis (d. 1823) was the son of Benjamin Davis (d. 1763) of King William, Spottsylvania, and Culpeper Counties. According to this theory, the John Davis who settled in Pittsylvania near William Davis (d. 1791) was a son of this Benjamin Davis.[7]

William Davis of Pittsylvania County
William Davis (d. 1791) first appeared in Pittsylvania County in 1779. There were two other William Davises who lived earlier in Pittsylvania County, and there were also two early William Davises in neighboring Halifax County. These various William Davises often get confused with each other.[8]

On 16 Mar. 1779 William Davis of Pittsylvania County bought 850 acres of land on both sides of the Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, near Chatham in the middle of Pittsylvania County, from John Booth of Henry County, bordering land owned by Thomas Hardy, Sr., George Prosize, Robert Adams, John Short, John Parks, and Robert Wooding, for 1400 pounds.[9] This land included the “William Pigg” mill, which had been built in 1768.

The stone house that William Davis built on this land is still standing but is in bad repair; photos are on the internet.[10]

William Davis appears in the 1779 tithable list in Pittsylvania in a large household including Benj, Garret, and Daniel Davis, and negroes Lemus, Jim, Sue, and Filly. (Daniel appears in the 1778 list, apparently the first of the family to locate in Pittsylvania County. At least one of William’s sons named a son Garret, supporting the supposition that Garret was a son of William. Perhaps Garret and Daniel died in the Revolutionary fighting in 1780; many Pittsylvania militiamen took part in the military campaign in the Carolinas.)

William Davis patented an additional 400 acres on the branches of Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, bordering the land of Thomas Hardy and Finney. A survey for this land was done 24 Apr. 1780[11], and he received the patent for the land on 1 Sept. 1780. (Another William Davis received land elsewhere in Pittslyvania County on the same day; this day appears to have been a busy one for clearing out a backlog of patent grants.)

A marriage bond was registered in Pittsylvania County on 16 Nov. 1781 for William’s daughter Sarah to marry Thomas Maide (who later spelled his name Meade); surety for the bond were Thomas Maide and Benjamin Davis (William’s eldest son).[12]

In 1782 the yearly tithable lists were replaced by personal property tax lists. In this year William Davis is shown with two “tithables” (white men over 21, presumably William and son Benjamin), nine slaves, four horses, and 16 cattle.[13]

The 1782 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres,[14] which seems puzzling in light of his purchase of 850 acres (“more or less”) in 1779 and an additional 400 acres in 1780. William Davis gave land to his son-in-law George Myers (part of which was donated to the Upper Bannister Baptist Church),[15] so presumably this accounts for part of the discrepancy, as the 1782 land tax shows George “Miers” with 200 acres. Another possibility is that the total acreage that William bought in 1779 was exaggerated in the deed (indicated by the phrase “more or less”), to match the number of acres that he had just sold in Culpeper County. But this is just speculation; further research should be done in the land records to ascertain just what happened to the two tracts of land that William Davis bought.

William Davis doesn’t appear in the personal property tax records in 1783. Perhaps this was just an omission by the recorder.

In 1784 William Davis appears in the personal property tax list with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), five slaves over 16; four slaves under 16; four horses, and 15 cattle.

On 17 May 1784, William’s son Benjamin entered into a marriage bond with Daniel Bradley, who married William’s daughter Elizabeth.[16]

The 1785 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), six slaves over 16, four slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had one additional slave and two more cows, compared to the previous year.

On 18 Feb. 1786 (recorded on the 20th), William Davis and John Davis of Pittsylvania County sold to Holt Richardson of King William County a Negro man named Ruben. Is this the same William Davis as the miller of Cherrystone Creek? And if so, who was this John Davis? A brother sharing an inheritance? Witnesses to the deed were Samuel Parks and John Bowden, and Samuel Parks would witness an 1786 deed from William Davis to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley (see below), and serve as surety in 1787 for the marriage bond of William Davis’s daughter Susanna.

The 1786 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres, same as in 1782. William Davis was consistently taxed for 700 acres until his death in 1791.[17] The 1786 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21, eight slaves over 16, ten slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had eight more slaves than the previous year. Had he recently come into an inheritance?

On 1 Dec. 1786 William Davis sold 100 acres on the north side of the Bannister River, "being part of the same tract whereon the said William Davis now lives," to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley.[12][18] Witnesses to the deed were Thomas H. Wooding, Samuel Parks, and William Ming.

On 19 Feb. 1787, Samuel Parks entered into a marriage bond with William Corbin, who married William Davis’s daughter Susanna. Together with the bond was a note by William Davis, witnessed by son Benjamin and by Samuel Parks, giving permission for Susanna to marry.

The 1787 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 18, with zero men over 21 (aside from William; the recordkeeping was strange this year), six slaves over 16, eight slaves under 16, three horses, and 15 cattle. William had lost four slaves, a horse, and two cows compared to the previous year. On Apr. 20 William’s son Benjamin paid his tax, showing zero men over 21 (besides Benjamin), 1 slave over 16, 1 slave under 16, and 1 horse. This accounts for the horse and two of the slaves. William’s new son-in-law William Corbin had a slave in 1787, perhaps a wedding gift from William.

The 1788 personal property tax list shows William “Davise” with one white male over 21, four slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and four horses. (Starting this year, the number of cows wasn’t listed.) Benjamin “Davise” paid on the same day, with 1 white male over 21 and one slave over 16. John “Davise” paid on the same day, with one male over 21, one slave over 16, and three horses. This was presumably the John Davis who bought 200 ares on Green Rock Creek (near William Davis) on 1 July 1788, and NOT William’s son John. This John Davis appears in Pittsylvania County as early as 1782, but apparently didn’t own land until 1788. This John Davis had one slave until 1786, when he suddenly had four slaves and a stud horse (similar to William, who also shows a sudden influx of slaves in 1786.) John Davis had the same number of slaves (and the stud horse) in 1787, but in 1788, the year he bought the land, he was back to one slave (and no stud horse). Once again, it seems reasonable to speculate that this John was a brother of William Davis, and that it was these two who sold the slave Ruben to Holt Richardson in 1786 (see above).

The 1789 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 20, with two white males over 21 (presumably William and middle son John), five slaves over 16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin had paid on March 16 (with one slave and one horse), the same day as John Davis (with one slave and three horses).

On 4 June 1789 John Davis (presumably William’s son who had recently turned 21) entered a marriage bond with William Rickett, who married William Davis’s daughter Nancy.

The 1790 personal property tax list shows that William Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on March 15, with three white males over 21 (presumably William and sons Benjamin and John), six slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin wasn’t on the list this year, so I assume that he was one of the three men listed in William’s household. John Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on the same day as William, with one male over 21, one slave, and two horses.

William Davis, of Pittsylvania Co., Virginia "being far advanced in life," made his will on 4 June 1790,[19] mentioning:
--son John (receives 3 head of cattle)
--son Benjamin (receives William's house and 150-acre plantation)
--son Joseph (also receives 150 acres)
--son Thomas (receives the rest of William's land, except one acre by the creek adjoining William's mill)
--daughter Nancy Rickett (receives a slave; the will mentions her husband William Rickett)
--daughter Peggy Davis (receives two slaves and a flock of geese)
--son-in-law Thomas Maide (the will cancels a debt owed by Thomas)
--son-in-law William Corbin (receives a slave and a feather bed, in consideration of a debt related to William's brother's will)
--sons Joseph and Thomas (mentioned again, now they receive William's mill with one adjoining acre of land)
--remainder of estate to be divided between youngest children Joseph, Thomas, and Lucy.
--son Benjamin instructed to rebuild the mill, keeping possession of the mill and slaves for three years and then distributing them according to the will's provisions
--single daughters to be provided for as long as they remain single
--if either son Joseph or Thomas dies before arriving unmarried at "lawful age," their share of the mill to go to the other brother
--son-in-law George Mires to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession.
--son-in-law Daniel Bradley to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession – the land he lives on.
--executors instructed to pay to Daniel Bradley the debt arising from William's executorship of his brother's will.
--William's friend John Parks and William's son Benjamin appointed executors.
--signed (with mark) June 4, 1790, and proved June 20, 1791.
--witnessed by William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr.

William's reference to his brother's will correspond to a legal action brought by Daniel Bradley against his father-in-law, which was dismissed in May 1790. The case arose against William as “executor” of the estate of his brother Noire Davis.[20] The name Noire Davis never appears in the land or tax or probate records of Pittsylvania County, so it seems clear that Noire lived elsewhere.

William Davis’s will was probated on 20 June 1791, indicating that he died sometime between March (the previous court session) and June 1791.

Children of William Davis (birth order is educated guesswork):

1. Mary, married George Miers or Myers. It appears that George Myers lived in Culpeper County from 1758 through 1770, according to a researcher who who states that the earliest record found for him in Pittsylvania County was in 1779.[21]

George Miers is listed with 200 acres in the 1782 Pittsylvania land tax.[22] George Miers is listed in the 1782 Virginia census with 9 whites and one black in his household.[23]

George Miers appears in the 1785 Pittsylvania County tax list (on the same page as his father-in-law William Davis and his brother-in-law Thomas Meade) with one adult slave, two horses, and 11 cattle. He appears in the 1788 tax list with 2 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. (For this and most later years, the tax list doesn't show the number of cattle.)

In the 1789 tax list George "Myers" now has 4 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. This corresponds to the three witnesses to William Davis's 1790 will being William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr. the three eldest sons of George. (The tax records for later years for George haven't been checked.)

2. Sarah, born about 1753,[24] married Thomas Maid (or Mead[25]), with the marriage bond dated 16 Nov. 1781 at Pittsylvania Co., Va.[26] Benjamin Davis was listed as surety on the marriage bond. If Sarah’s age was correctly stated in her 1843 widow’s pension application, she was close to 30 years old at the time of her marriage.

In 1816 Thomas Mead was one of the early settlers of Pike County, Indiana, where he was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1818.[27] Thomas Mead died in 1835 and left a will, which is now missing.[28] Sarah (Davis) Mead was still alive in 1844; all of her children in Pike County had predeceased her.[29] It is claimed that she was buried in the same cemetery as her husband, in an unmarked grave.[30]

3. Benjamin, born before 1757, a Revolutionary soldier,[31] married Lydia Meador (presumably a second marriage) 31 Jan. 1800. Lydia's father Joab Meador made his will on 25 Feb. 1815, naming his "friends" Benjamin Davis and Thomas Davis (together with two others) as executors.[32] Benjamin and Lydia had a daughter Nancy who married Samuel Thompson in 1822 in Pittsylvania County[33]; and Benjamin and Lydia's daughter Sarah married her first cousin Jamison Corbin.

4. Daniel, perhaps son of William, appears on the 1778 Pittsylvania tithable list; living with William Davis in 1779 tithable list.

5. Garret, presumably son of William, living with William Davis in 1779 tithable list. William's youngest sons Joseph and Thomas both named sons Garrett, supporting the supposition that Garret was son of William.

6. Elizabeth (Bettie), married Daniel Bradley -- marriage bond 17 May 1784; her brother Benjamin was surety.[34] It appears that Daniel Bradley was born in Cumberland County, son of Isham Bradley.[35] Daniel Bradley was born about 1757, and moved from Cumberland County to Pittsylvania County in 1783, per his 1832 revolutionary pension application.[36]

On 1 Dec. 1786 Daniel Bradley received a gift of 100 acres of land on the north side of the Bannister River by his father-in-law William Davis.[37] Daniel Bradley appears in the 1786 and 1787 Pittsylvania County personal tax lists (on the same page as William Davis), with one horse, two cows, and one slave under 16. In 1788 and 1789 Daniel Bradley appears with two horses and no slaves.

Daniel Bradley made his will 20 Aug. 1831 and it was probated 16 Apr. 1838. The will mentioned son Isham and "my daughters." The executors were his sons-in-law Reuben Hall and William Chaney. Witnesses were Thomas Wooding, Thomas Davis, Jr., and Lydia Davis.[38]

7. Nancy, married William Ricketts 4 June 1789. Nancy was his second wife; he had four children by his first wife Barsheba Nelson.[39] William and Nancy Ricketts had children Reuben, Nancy, Nathaniel, and Thomas.[40]

8. John, apparently born around 1768, if he was indeed the extra adult male in William’s household per the 1789 personal property tax list. John was mentioned first in his father's will, receiving three cows and no land. Some researchers have assumed that John was the same as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett 26 Sep. 1803 in Pittsylvania County. This is false, as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett was clearly identified as “Jr.” – apparently the son of William's presumed brother John Davis who lived near William and later moved to Pigg River.

9. Susanna, married William Corbin 19 Feb 1787; she was under age at the time of her marriage (her father William gave consent). William Corbin appears in the Pittsylvania County personal tax lists in 1788 and 1789, but I didn't find him in 1790 or 1791. William died before July 1801, when his father Ambrose Corbin was appointed guardian of William's children Jamison, Thompson, and Mary Corbin.[41] Jamison Corbin married his first cousin Sarah Davis, daughter of Benjamin.

Susanna Davis, widow of William Corbin, married (2) William Nelson, whose sister Barsheba was the first wife of William Ricketts, husband of Susanna Davis's sister Nancy.[42]

10. Peggy (Margaret), m. Moses Cheney 15 Aug 1791. "Moses Chaney, the son of Sarah and Jacob Chaney (Chapter I), settled two miles southeast of Laurel Grove, Virginia, on the place now owned by Witcher Slayton. Moses married Margaret Davis, and to this union were born six children. Their names were as follows: William, Singleton, Bird, Moses, Betty and Sallie. Margaret died and after her death Moses married Sallie Polly, a widow, whose name was Haley. To this second union were born two children, Jackson and Eleandor, Moses was a farmer by occupation."[43] Moses Chaney's sister Elizabeth married Jonathan Davis, from a different Davis family in Pittsylvania County.

11. Joseph, b. about 1771 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the Pittsylvania personal tax lists in 1793), m. Lucy McGehee Hodnett 19 Mar. 1793 Pittsylvania Co., Va., d. 1 Oct. 1850 at Halifax Co., Va. It appears that several children of Joseph moved to Madison County, Tennessee.[44]

12. Thomas, b. about 1773 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the personal tax lists in 1794), m. (1) Jane Hodnett 13 Jan. 1794 Pittslyvania Co., Va.; m. (2) Sarah Meador 8 July 1797 Pittsylvania Co., Va. Thomas was a prosperous miller and landowner in Pittsylvania County. Children by second wife Sarah Meador: --Garrett B.; m. Anna Thompson 1 Oct. 1822 Pittsylvania Co. --William, b. 13 Apr. 1800; m. Carmelia Craft 24 Oct. 1824 Pittsylvania Co. --Mary Taylor, b. 1803, m. Robertson Shelton 3 May 1819 Pittsylvania Co.[45] --Thomas C., b. 1805, m. Elizabeth Sheppard 22 Nov 1824 Pittsylvania Co.

13. Lucy, married John Hodnett 9 Nov 1792; apparently m. (2) Jessee Woodson 1809.[46]

Footnotes
↑ Culpeper County Minute Book 1763-1764, p. 370, in Ruth and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Culpeper County , Virginia Minute Book 1763-1764 (Antient Press, 1998), p. 65, cited in an e-mail from Joan Horsley, 5 Mar. 2012.
↑ Will of William Davis of Lunenburg County, Virginia.
↑ See Davis Family History: a poorly-organized collection of notes on the Davis family in Pittsylvania County].
↑ e-mail from Joan Horsley, dated 15 Apr. 2012, reading as follows: "I corresponded back in 2006 and 2007 with several long-time Moyers/Myers researchers. Their information says that George Moyers (that became Myers in Pittsy), son of George Moyers and Sarah Delph, was born in Orange/Culpeper before 1741, since George and his widowed mother in Culpeper sold part of his deceased father's Culpeper land in 1762-3, thus was at least 21 by then. (George Moyers' family was part of the Germanna community in the part of Orange that became Culpeper.) George is not recorded in Pittsylvania until 1779."
↑ Culpeper County Deeds, C:605, quoted at "The Baker Family of Virginia", with the following supplementary explanation: "Based on the witnesses, this Culpeper deed was obviously made in Spotsylvania County. William Davis was the son of John Davis of King William County, who appears to have been John, son of William Davis, whose plantation was on the opposite of Major John Waller’s 1696 from the Davis Davenport Plantation. [There was a John Davis of King William County, son of William, who deeded land in 1702 per Harris's Old New Kent County, p. 102.] William Davenport was the son of Martin, Sr., and was neighbor to the principals and witnesses of this deed. The two Thomas Minors were father and son. Thomas, Sr., was son of John Minor, Decd., and died before the Revolution. Thomas, Jr., had an active role in Davenport affairs from the mid-1770s on, and was one of the executors of William Davenport’s will in 1798. John Arnold was a brother-in-law to William Davenport, and lived on Davenport land."
↑ See 2010 post at rootsweb archive. More information on the family of this William Davis of Kentucky is available at this genforum post and this rootsweb family tree.
↑ Joan Horsley, "The Jarrell Family of Early Virginia" (2012), pp. 4-5.
↑ John Schmeeckle's research has uncovered no less than ten separate Davis families in Pittsylvania County before 1800. Some of these families are doubtless related to each other. John has a master list (microsoft word document) of early Davis records in Pittsylvania County, sorted by family, which is available to anyone who is interested.
↑ Pittsylvania County Deed Book 5, pp. 145-47.
↑ For photos of the house see Danny Rickett's blog
↑ Pittsylvania County Land Surveys, vol. 1, p. 337; the general shape of the tract is diagrammed on the page.
↑ Marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, photocopy sent to John Schmeeckle by Sarah E. Mitchell.
↑ Images of the personal property tax lists are available at the subscription website [www.binnsgenealogy.com www.binnsgenealogy.com]
↑ See 1782 Land Taxes Pittsylvania County, Virginia
↑ Pittsylvania Deed Book 17, p. 477, 10 Mar. 1812 (recorded 16 Mar. 1812): George Myers to Moses Hutchings and George Giles, all of Pittsylvania County, “whereas William Davis, deceased, did in his livetime give his bond to the members of the Baptist church (known & called by the name of upper Bannister)” for “one and an half acres of land whenever they might call for the same, where the present meeting house now stands, and the right of said land being in George Myers, and he wishing to comply with said bond,” the church appointed Hutchings and Giles trustees to receive the land (paying one dollar), on the waters of the Bannister River, adjoining Leftwich. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark). Witnesses: Will Turnstall, Jesse Leftwich, William Hutchings. Pittsylvania Deed Book 18, pp. 501-502: 24 Nov. 1813 (recorded 18 July 1814): George Myers and wife Mary to William Turnstall, all of Pittsylvania County, 33 acres on Cherrystone Creek, being part of the tract where Myers now lives, adjoining Turnstall (formerly Hardy), and up the sill house branch to Pigg Road, and then along Pigg Road. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark), Mary Myers. Witnesses: William Walton, John Myers, Benjamin Myers, Isham Myers.
↑ Copy of the marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, sent to John Schmeeckle by Sarah E. Mitchell.
↑ Thanks to Joan Horsley for sharing William Davis’s land tax records.
↑ Pittsylvania County Deed Book 7, pp. 719-720.
↑ Davis Family History, citing Pittsylvania Co. Deed & Will Book 11, p. 216.
↑ Pittsylvania County Court Order Book 3, p. 127. The record clearly shows the unusual name “Noire.”
↑ Per the Germanna Colonies forum archive.
↑ Per 1782 Land Taxes Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
↑ Per the 1782 Pittsylvania County census
↑ Per her 1843 widow's pension application (in the same file as her husband's earlier pension application -- images available at ancestry.com) which gave her age as 90; the following year her age was given as 91.
↑ He used “Maid” early in life and “Mead(e)" later in life. His 1833 pension application pointedly gives both spellings repeatedly.
↑ Per copy of marriage bond in Thomas and Sarah Mead’s pension file, corresponding to the marriage bond on file at the Pittsylvania County courthouse.
↑ History of Pike and DuBois County, Indiana, p. 251, p. 289.
↑ Pike County, Indiana Will Abstracts 1817-1895, p. 13. A local librarian's visit to the courthouse disclosed the fact that all documents related to Thomas Mead's estate were missing at the time the estate files were microfilmed.
↑ Per her widow's pension application; the only witness available to support her affidavit was her daughter-in-law Polly.
↑ Per Pike County History Bicentennial Year 1776-1976, by Ruth McClellan, p. 163, which misidentifies her as "Lucy."
↑ Per Davis Family History.
↑ Abstracts of Pittsylvania County, Virginia Wills, 1767-1820, p. 214. For Joab Meador's family, see http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=monkeys&id=I14768 and duplicate http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=crystalinda22&id=I121128; see also http://genforum.genealogy.com/meador/messages/495.html with a list of researchers.
↑ per http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/o/n/Anna-Toner/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0031.html
↑ Per Hodnett Family History.
↑ Per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/gp1272.htm
↑ Pension application of Daniel Bradley
↑ Pittsylvania County Deed Book 7, pp. 719-720.
↑ Per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/np64.htm, citing Wills of Pittsylvania Co., VA 1820-1845 by Mike K. Williams.
↑ Per Descendants of Ambrose Nelson.
↑ Per Descendants of William Ricketts
↑ Per Corbin family website.
↑ See Descendants of Ambrose Nelson.
↑ See Chaney family history.
↑ Per a forum post by James Davis. For Lucy Hodnett's ancestry, see this McGeehee tree.
↑ Per The Families of James Shelton of McMinn County, Tennessee and His Father Roderick Shelton of Buncombe County, North Carolina and Their Antecedents, by Arthur Paul Shelton (August 1987), Chapter 7.
↑ See this Hodnett page (with various Davis connections), but there seems to be confusion about whether mother or daughter married Jessee Woodson: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=eleanor&id=I07766
Acknowledgments
Thank you to John Schmeeckle for creating WikiTree profile Davis-19677 through the import of mother_s mother.ged on Dec 3, 2013.

(Rev) married Susanna Wills on 5 May 1772 in , Halifax, Virginia, USA. Susanna (daughter of Filmer Wills and Ann Harwood) was born in 1725 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died on 4 Jun 1790 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

Notes:

married william todd and were grandparents of the wife of abraham lincoln.

Notes:

married rev.griffith dickerson,early baptist preacher.

Family/Spouse: Dickerson. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Abram Shelton was active in the life of the county, serving as justice, vestryman, militia officer, sheriff and member of General Assembly. He was the son of Crispen Shelton who with his brothers John and Daniel Shelton, moved from Amelia County to Pittsylvania about 1765, and settled in the upper part of the Meadows, wbere they owned large bodies of land.

Abram Shelton married Chloe Robertson of Amelia, January 16, 1760, (Amelia Marriage Bond s); his will was proven at Pittsylvania C. H. in 1789 in which he named wife Chloe, daughters Lettie, Anne and Jane Shelton, sons Abram, Crispen, (Doctor) Tareour, Frederick, Meacon, Robertson and William..His home was on Buck Branch, near Chalk Level. Dr. Tavenor Shelton was one of the early physicians of the county.

The will of Mrs. Chloe Robertson Shelton was proven February as, 1804, in which she left her estate to her beloved daughter, Jane Stone, wife of John Stone.

Abraham married Chloe Robertson on 16 Jan 1760 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA. Chloe was born in 1741 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA; died on 20 Feb 1814 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gabriel married Elizabeth Shepherd on 24 Mar 1762 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of George Shepherd and Elizabeth Mary Day) was born in 1744 in Saint George Parish, Spotsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1784 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gabriel married Mary Buford on 29 Jun 1794 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Mary was born in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 21 Apr 1803 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jane married Jeremiah White on 11 Mar 1784 in , Albemarle, Virginia, USA. Jeremiah (son of Jeremiah White and Mary Clark Martin) was born on 11 Oct 1728 in , Albemarle, Virginia, USA; died on 1 May 1788 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1820, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1840, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Armistead married Susannah Shelton on 1 Sep 1774 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Susannah (daughter of Major Daniel Shelton, Sr and Lettice 'Lettie" Young) was born in Jul 1755 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA; died on 20 Aug 1816 in Chalk Level, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Thomas Payne about 1773 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Thomas (son of William Payne and Sarah Nance) was born in 1750 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1819 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Claiborn served in the Indian Wars under General Wayne and was much impressed with the farming possibilities of the Wabash Country. The government was unable to pay its soldiers in cash and offered land instead. In 1810 they headed for that country. They loaded the bedding in a wagon and Saluda drove a cow hitched to the wagon. All but William, the youngest who rode with his mother, walked and carried packs. They followed buffalo and Indian trails and had traveled many miles when they came to what was to become Greefield twp., Gallia Co. Saluda became too ill to go on. Chimney Rock on Symmes Creek furnished shelter. (James Shelton said they lived in a cave). The creek was full of fish and the woods full of game. Saluda died in the spring of 1812 and is buried in a private cemetery on the opposite hillside.
Claiborn built a cabin and stayed on until the children were grown. On Nov. 19, 1827 Claiborn, with Jesse and Thomas, headed for the Wabash Country and settled in Madison Co., IN.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1820, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1840, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Young married Henrietta Shelton on 11 Dec 1784 in , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA. Henrietta was born in 1760 in , Lunenburg, Virginia, USA; died before 12 Feb 1795 in , Lunenburg, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Young married Elizabeth "Betsy" Lewis on 12 Feb 1795 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born in 1764 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Susannah married Armistead Shelton on 1 Sep 1774 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Armistead (son of Crispen Shelton and Letitia Buford) was born on 5 May 1753 in , Essex, Virginia, USA; died on 16 Jun 1844 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

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

Tunstall married Elizabeth Francis "Fannie" Payne on 15 Dec 1794 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Payne and Elizabeth Frances Shelton) was born in 1773 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1840 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Tunstall married Fenny Payne on 15 Dec 1794 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Leroy married Nancy Lanier on 29 Jul 1799 in , Henry, Virginia, USA. Nancy was born in 1776 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1843 in , Halifax, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Elizabeth Garner on 21 Jul 1785 in , , Virginia, USA. Elizabeth died about 1786. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Martha Patsy Keatts on 18 Jun 1792 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Martha was born in 1771; died in 1862 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Charlotte. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1799, , Lincoln, Kentucky, USA
• Residence: 1800, , Lincoln, Kentucky, USA

Vardiman married Priscilla Shelton in 1799 in , , Kentucky, USA. Priscilla was born in 1764 in , , Virginia, USA; died in 1860 in , , Mississippi, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1842, , Knox, Tennessee, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1820, Greenfield, Gallia, Ohio, USA
• Residence: 1830, Greenfield, Gallia, Ohio, USA

Claiborne married Saluda "Luedy" Mustain on 16 May 1785 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Saluda (daughter of Thomas Averleigh Mustain and Mary Haley) was born in 1772 in , Halifax, Virginia, USA; died in 1812 in Chimney Rock, Gallia, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1836, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1850, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1860, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1870, , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA; Residence Post Office: Lynchburg

Brice married Margaret Jane Stiles on 28 Feb 1841 in , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA. Margaret was born on 30 Jul 1824 in , Lincoln, Tennessee, USA; died on 28 Aug 1879 in , Moore, Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lucy married John Hodnett on 9 Nov 1792 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. John (son of Ayres Brooks Hodnett and Mary DeJarnette McGehee) was born on 30 Jun 1767 in Whittles, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 19 Nov 1807 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.

Mary married Samuel Yates on 17 Mar 1795 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Samuel (son of Stephen Yates and Lydia Parsons) was born on 22 Jan 1776 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 22 May 1836 in Yates Tavern, Gretna, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in Gretna, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lettice married Jeremiah White in Aug 1791 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Jeremiah (son of Jeremiah White and Jane) was born on 10 Jan 1770 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 26 Nov 1831 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 6 Aug 1810, Hopkinsville, Christian, Kentucky, USA
• Residence: 1820, , Todd, Kentucky, USA

Family/Spouse: Mary Montague. Mary was born in 1765 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1810 in , Todd, Kentucky, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ann Hurt. Ann was born in 1776 in , , Virginia, USA; died in , Muhlenberg, Kentucky, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gregory married Elizabeth Buford on 17 Dec 1792 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born in 1767; died in , , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lettice married Stephen D Shelton on 22 Aug 1798 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Stephen (son of Armistead Shelton and Susannah Shelton) was born in 1778 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1822 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Giles Payne. Giles (son of William Payne and Sarah Nance) was born on 18 Apr 1772 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died before 17 May 1852 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gabriel married Rachel Sheperd in 24Sep 1799 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gabriel married Rebecca Johnson in 1826. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stephen married Lettice Shelton on 22 Aug 1798 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Lettice (daughter of Gabriel Shelton and Elizabeth Shepherd) was born on 30 Jul 1772 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1851 in , , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Tunstall W Shelton, Sr on 15 Dec 1794 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Tunstall (son of Major Daniel Shelton, Sr and Lettice 'Lettie" Young) was born in 1761 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1830 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Mustain. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1840, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Latney married Sarah W Dodd on 11 Dec 1833 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Sarah was born in 1812 in , , Virginia, USA; died on 7 Dec 1880 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1840, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, Chalk Level, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1880, Banister, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Frederick married Marinda V Shelton on 17 May 1824 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Marinda (daughter of George Washington Shelton and Susannah Williams) was born in 1805 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died after 1880 in , , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1840, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Tunstall married Jane D Harrison on 5 May 1836 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Jane (daughter of Washington Meredith Harrison and Catherine "Caty" Hoskins) was born in Sep 1817 in , , Virginia, USA; died in 1910 in , , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1880, Callands, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Abraham married Martha N Waller on 24 Dec 1832 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Martha was born in 1815 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1834 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abraham married Martha Patsy Motley on 28 Oct 1835 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Martha was born on 29 May 1816 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 5 Jul 1900 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1880, Callands, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; Marital Status: WidowedRelation to Head: Mother

Louisa married Coleman Dyer on 25 Nov 1822 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Coleman (son of James Dyer and Sarah Ann Fortune) was born on 4 Apr 1799 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 7 Oct 1846 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

son of daniel jr. and martha keatts, NOT,elizabeth garner. see children of other wives.

Richard married Martha D Keattes in 1814 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Martha (daughter of Charles Keattes and Archer Clark) was born in 1782 in , Amelia, Virginia, USA; died in Feb 1861 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Letitia(lesia) Moore in 9May 1838 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]