Charles Sledge & Mary Clarke

Charles Sledge 1660 – 1725/26 | his parents
& ca 1695 Mary Clarke ca 1673 – 1728 | her parents
of Surry County, VA

My working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!

In the St. Edmund’s Parish Registers in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
Marriage: July 1645: 31st John Sledge and Mathon [Martha] Ffort
Under Births:
Charles Sledge sonn of John Sledge and Baptized the 7th of October 1660.

Charles Sledge came from England to the Jamestown Colony in Virginia in 1686.

Charles Sledge married bef 1706 Mary Clark dau. of Robert Clark of Isle of Wight County. Robert’s wife was Ann Wells. Sister of Thomas Wells
Robert Clarke gave 100 acres to Charles Sledge and wife Mary for their lifetime in 1706.

Court Records of Surrey County, Virginia.
Nov 1710 – Jan 1710 Page 353 Certificate is granted Charles Sledge to the Secretary’s Office for fifty acres of land for the importation of himself into this Colony, he having made oath as the law directs, having twenty-four years, & was a servant when he came. Surry County Order Book 1691-1713 Recorded Surrey County, Land Grant Book, 10.

Charles Sledge made his will in Surry County, VA on November 3, 1725.
It was proved at Surry County Ct on 16 February, 1725/26.
Mary Sledge made her will in Surry County, VA on 8 Jan 1726/27.
It was proved at Surry County Ct on 17 July 1728.

Peter Hayes was the executor of Mary (Clarke) Sledge’s will
   (Boddie, Southside Va Families, vol I p 366.)

Children of Charles Sledge and Mary Clarke:
1. Judith Sledge Surry Co, VA ca 1697 – bef 3 Nov 1725
married Surry Co, VA John Ellison
a. Judith Ellison bef 3 Nov 1725 –
2. John Sledge 1700 – 1750 Surry
married 1720 Mary Rebecca Ivey ca 1700 –
3. Rebecca Sledge ca 1707 –
married bef 3 Nov 1725 Henry Ivey
his estate inventoried 1771 and 1779 Sussex co, VA
4. Martha Sledge ca 1709 – [unmarried 3 Nov 1725]
married ca 1726 Peter Hayes ca 1673? – Halifax Co 1761

Pigeon Swamp Coordinates: 370128N0770855W
Map of Pigeon Swamp: (Disputanta South)
Place: A stream in Sussex County, Virginia
___________________________________________________________________________________

Will of Charles Sledge

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN: I Charles Sledge being in a very sick and weak condition but blessed by
God, of a sound and perfect memory not knowing how soon it may please Almighty God to take me out of this
present world have thought fit to dispose of my estate after this following manner:
In the first place I commit my soul to the Almighty God from whence it came, My body I commit to the earth to be decently buried.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my son in law, John Ellison, seventy-five acres of land during his natural life lying and being in Surry County upon Pigeon Swamp the place where he now dwells and after his decease to my granddaughter Judy Ellison and her heirs forever with all appurtenances thereunto belonging.
Thirdly, I give unto my son John Sledge one hundred acres land lying and being in the County of Surry and bounded by Samuel Chappell’s line on the one side and one Col. William Randolph line of the other side with all appurtenances thereunto belonging to him and his heirs forever.
Fourthly, I give unto my daughter Martha Sledge one three year old heifer.
Fifthly I give unto my daughter Rebecca Ivy one yearling heifer.
Sixthly I give unto my granddaughter Judy Ellison one two year old heifer, and for the rest of my estate I desire that my lawful wife, Mary Sledge may have it after my debts are paid and I do appoint my loving wife Mary Sledge to be my Executx. of this my Last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 3 day on November 1725.
Charles [his …. mark] Sledge
Testis: Samuel Chappell, John Peeble, Samuel Clarke
__________________________________________________________________________________

At a Court held at Southwark for the County of Surrey, February 16, 1726.
The above mentioned will of Charles Sledge deceased was presented by Mary Sledge Executx. thereof who
make oath thereto and gave bond with security according to law and being proved by the oath of Samuel
Chappell and John Peeble witnesses thereto the same is ordered to be recorded by: Jo. Allin Cl. Cur. n
Teste: V. E. Savedge, Clerk

___________________________________________________________________________________

Will of Mary Sledge

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN: I Mary Sledge of Surry County, VA, being in good health of body & of
sound & perfect mind & memory praise be therefore given to Almighty God, do make an ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following. That is to say First & principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the merits, death, & passion of my Savior Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and the discretion of my Executor hereafter named, and as touching the disposition of all such temporal estate which it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof as follows:
Impis: I will that all my debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca Ivie one breeding yew.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my son John Sledge one breeding yew.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Judith Ellison two pewter dishes to be delivered to her when she attains the age of twenty one or marries.
All the rest and residue of my estate, goods, and chattels whatsoever I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Hay and her heirs.
And I do appoint my son-in-law Peter Hay and sole Executx of this my Last Will and Testament desiring my estate may not be appraised. And I do hereby revoke, disnull and make void all former wills and testaments by me here fore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of January in the year of our Lord 1726-7.

Mary…Sledge, Sealed with black wax
her mark

Signed and sealed in presence of
Edward Prince, Eliz Prince, Tho. Hay

At a court held at Southwark for the County of Surry, July the 17th 1728.

The within mentioned Will of Mary Sledge, deceased was presented in Court by Peter Hay Executor thereof who made oath thereto (and gave bond with security according to the law) and being proved by the oaths of Edward Prince and Thomas Hay witnesses thereto the same is ordered to be recorded and is recorded by:
Jo Allin, Cl. Cur. n Copy Teste: V. E. Savedge, Clerk

e-mail from Barry Hayes May 25, 01 — Is the Mary Sledge named in the will of Robert Clarke, Sr. in Surry in 1723 yours? I assume that this is the same Robert Clarke who gave 100 acres to Charles Sledge and wife Mary for their life time in 1706. This Robert would have to have been over 90 years old by my calculation. Could Robert have been the Robert Braswell Clarke who had land in 1651 adjacent Col. John Upton as shown on Upton’s conveyance to William Underwood (Isle of Wight Deeds, Wills, and Guardians Accounts, Book # A, p. 32)? I have speculated that he was a close kinsman of Humphrey Clarke, father of John whose second wife was Mary Flake.

Grandchildren of Charles Sledge and Mary Clarke:

Children of John Sledge:
In the name of God, Amen: I John Sledge of the Parish of Albemarle in the County of Surry, being somewhat sick in body but sound perfect disposing mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same calling to mind the uncertain state of this transitory life, and that all flesh must yield unto death when it shall please God to call do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner, following:
First of all, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping through the merits of my only Saviour Jesus Christ to have full remission of all my sins and to inherit eternal life and as to my body I commend to the earth from whence it came to be decently interr’d at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named and as for my temporal estate where with it had pleased God he blessed me with I give and dispose of in manner following (Viz)
Item: I devise to my eldest son Charles Sledge & his heirs forever one tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres being the Plantation he now lives on and one Negro boy Peter & one pewter dish.
Item: I devise to my son Daniel Sledge & his heirs forever part of a tract of land containing two hundred acres lying in the county of Brunswick and one pewter dish & one Negro boy named Tom.
Item: I devise to my son Amos Sledge & his heirs forever part of the same tract of land before mentioned
containing one hundred & seventy one acres lying in the County of Brunswick.
Item: I devise to my son Amos one feather bed, furniture & one pewter dish, one iron pot & a cow & calf.
Item: I devise to my daughter Ann Griffis five pound credit in a store & one pewter dish.
Item: I devise to my daughter Sarah Sledge one feather bed & furniture & a cow & calf and one pewter dish.
Item: I devise to my loving wife Rebecca Sledge during her natural life or widowhood one Negro woman Cloe & then she & her increase to be divided between by two youngest sons John Sledge and Amos Sledge to them and their heirs forever.
Item: I devise to my loving wife Rebecca Sledge one horse & side saddle, a bridle, one feather bed & furniture, a chest the biggest, one iron pot, to her own disposal amongst my children.
Item: I devise to my son [John?] Sledge one feather bed & furniture, one iron pot and one pewter dish and a cow and calf.
Item: I devise to my loving wife Rebecca Sledge during her natural life or widowed two hundred acres of land being the land I now live upon and at her decease I give it to my son John Sledge & his heirs forever.
Item: I devise that all the residue & remainder of my personal estate I give to be equally divided between Charles Sledge and Daniel Sledge, Sarah Sledge, John Sledge & Amos Sledge after my wife’s decease & I leave my wife whole executor of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills by me and affixed Seal this 27th day of December, 1749.
Sign’d published & declared in presence of us, Hugh Ivey, Thomas Ivey
His
John Sledge (L.S.)
Mark
My whole will and desire that my estate may not come to an appraisement.

At a Court held for Surrey County the 18th day of December 1750. The within & after written Last Will and Testament of John Sledge deceased, was presented in Court by Rebecca Sledge, widow and relict of the said John & Executrix therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the same was proved by the oaths of Hugh Ivey & Thomas Ivey two of the witnessed thereto and by the Court ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said Executrix certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate
thereof in due from. Teste: A Claiborne, Clk Teste: V. E. Savedge, Clk Copy
1. ?Rebecca Sledge
2. Charles Sledge ca 1722 – Sussex Co, VA
married ca 1745 Elizabeth Sammons ca 1722 –
3. Daniel Sledge ca 1724 Surry Co, VA – 10 Jan 1793 Warren Co, NC
married 1751 Winnefred House
4. Ann Sledge ca 1726 –
married bef Dec 1749 Travis Griffith [Griffis] 1715 –
son of Thomas and Mary Morris Griffis of Prince George and Surrey Counties, VA
e-mail from Amy Griffis R
5. Sarah Sledge ca 1728 –
married Amos Morton Martin
6. Amos Sledge ca 1730 – 1780
married 1st ca 1760 Sarah Hamlin
married 2nd Ann Clary
7. John Sledge ca 1732 Surry Co, VA – 11 Oct 1798 Hancock Co, GA
removed to Halifax Co, NC in 1776 to Hancock Co GA 1791
married ca 1760 Amy Whitfield Chappell

Child of Judith Sledge and John Ellison:
1. Judith Ellison bef 1725 –

Children of Peter Hayes and Martha Sledge:
1. Charles Hayes died Sampson Co, NC 1784
married Sarah unknown.
a. Peter Hayes ca 1735
b. Solomon Hayes ca 1736
c. Winnie Hayes ca 1737 –
married 10 Oct 1753 SH Co, VA Francis Hilliard
2. (Rev) Reuben Hayes ca 1740 – ca June 1831
3. Hannah Hayes
4. Rebecca Hayes
5. Edy Hayes
m Phillips
6. Silvia Hayes
7. Winnie Hayes
m Hilliard
8. Milly Hayes
9. Willie Hayes (daughter) .

? the dates do not jive here — so expect there is an error somewhere.
perhaps Hugh is son of a first wife.
?Child of Rebecca Sledge? and Henry Ivey:
from Cynthia Vold Forde
1. Hugh Ivey 1713/14 – ca 1793 Sussex Co, VA
married ca 1734 Elizabeth Horton

note from Sally: At this time I do not see me as a direct connection to Charles Sledge as Peter Hayes and Martha Sledge did not have a son William that I can find. But my father’s first cousin who was like an uncle to us, Capt. Philip StJohn Moore Jr. married Mary Binford Sledge who was a descendant.