Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties

Sarah Ashton

Female Abt 1670 - 1750  (~ 80 years)


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  • Name Sarah Ashton  [1
    Birth Abt 1670  Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia - admin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Death 14 Mar 1750  Stafford County, Virginia - probate Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I17035  Tree1
    Last Modified 26 Nov 2023 

    Father John Ashton,   b. 1623, Chatterton, Lancashire, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Jul 1677, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia - Inventory Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 54 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Grace Meese,   b. Abt 1648, London, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1710, Washington Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 63 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Marriage Abt 1661  Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F11537  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Philip Alexander,   b. 1664, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 11 Sep 1706, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age < 42 years) 
    Marriage 1688  Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Jane Alexander,   b. 1 Jul 1696, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 23 May 1744, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 47 years)  [Father: natural]
     2. Elizabeth Alexander,   b. 15 Sep 1698, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 Dec 1736, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 38 years)  [Father: natural]
     3. Sarah Alexander,   b. 31 May 1700, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 Feb 1743, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 42 years)  [Father: natural]
     4. Philip Alexander,   b. 22 Jul 1704, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Aug 1753, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia - Probate Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 49 years)  [Father: natural]
    Family ID F6305  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 26 Nov 2023 

    Family 2 Thomas Clifton,   b. 1675, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1707, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 33 years) 
    Marriage 17 May 1706  St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Anne Clifton,   b. 5 Sep 1706, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Sep 1743, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 37 years)  [Father: natural]
     2. Burdette Clifton,   b. 29 Jun 1708, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 Jul 1762, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia - Probate Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 54 years)  [Father: natural]
    Family ID F11538  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 26 Nov 2023 

    Family 3 David McGill,   b. Abt 1671   d. 5 Nov 1725, St. Paul's Parish, Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 54 years) 
    Marriage Aft 1710  Stafford County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F11539  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 26 Nov 2023 

  • Notes 
    • ===
      1748-1767 Stafford County, Virginia Will Book O; [Antient Press];
      Page 245-250 At Court held for Stafford County October Xth 1749 BURDIT CLIFTON produced in Court an Instrument of Writing as the Last Will & Testament of SARAH McGILL deced, & in order the same might be recorded which was contested by PHILIP ALEXANDER Gent who produced another writing for her last will whereupon it's ordered that the two wills be lodged in the hands of RICHARD FOOTE Gent till the next Court & that a Dedimus issue to take the Depons of the witnesses & out costing the said Wills. The Depons of ANDREW HARRISON aged about 26 years being first sworn upon the holy Evangelist saith That in the year 1745/46 he lived with Mrs. Sarah McGill now deced & that she the said Sarah McGill desired her son Burdit Clifton to write her will plain that she the said Sarah might read it .. that at the same time he this Deponent heard the said Mrs. Sarah McGill say that the said Burdit Clifton had written the said will plain for that she cou'd read it. The said Deponent further deposeth that he saw Sarah McGill sign & seal the will & desir'd that it might be evidenced by him this Depon't. JOS: KING & JAMES BUTLER & that he this Depon't heard the ad Sarah McGill declare the said Will to be her Last will & Testament & that the said Will was evidenced by James Butler, Joseph King & by him this Depont. The said Depont. further deposeth that the will produced by Burdit Clifton last October in Stafford Court & afterwards to him this Depont, was the will he this Depont saw Sign'd seal'd and delivered to said Sarah McGill, declared as her only last will & Testament, Evidenced aforesaid, The said Dept further deposeth that at Stafford Court last October he heard Capt. Alexander say unto Burdit Clifton that if he the said Clifton would give him the said Philip Alexander's son PHILIP that negro Girl he the said Burdit Clifton might prove the will directly, and that the said Burdit Clifton answered he would not, and further
      this Depont. saith not Andrew Harrison

      CADWALLADER DADE of Stafford County aged about 55 years being sworn saith. That he was at Mrs. Sarah McGill's & among some affair she showed this Depont a will and ask'd him if he thought it was a good & authentic will to which this Depont answered in the affirmative & then desir'd this Dept. to take care of it but he answe'd that Capt. JOHN ALEXANDER had better take care of it & sometime after this Dept. was at Mrs. McGills and she said she wanted some alterations made in her will which was to give a negro boy to Capt. Philip Alexander's son PHILIP for that Mrs. Alexander Wife of PHILIP ALEXANDER had said she thought she ought to give some part of her Estate to him the said Philip's children & desir'd him this Depon't to request JOHN ALEXANDER to come & make that alteration in her will & that sometime after this Depon't was at Mrs. McGil].s & she showed the will dated November 1748 to this Depont & that she was well pleased with the same & that the same. was neither sign'd nor witnessed ., and further saith not.
      Cadwallader Dade

      MARGARET the Wife of JOHN OLIVER of Stafford County aged about 48 years being sworn saith. That sometime last summer this Depont. was at Mrs. McGills among other discourses Mrs. McGill says to this Depont. do you think that one of my Grandsons did not ask me for a negro. to which this Dept. answered, which of them & she replied little Philly Alexander & then this Depont. said did you give one to which she answered I told him to go & choose one & he chose a negro boy named Will, but she told him he must chose a smaller & then he choose a negro girl named Nan & she said she gave it to the said Philip & told him he must give it a coat which he did. And that Mrs. McGill inform'd this Dept. that some time after Capt. Clifton & his wife came there and sent the coat home which was done twice but the third time being sent was kept & that Mrs. McGill said Buddy meaning Captain Clifton thought to have all she had but she thought Capt. Alexander's child ought to have a Negroe as well as his the said Capt. Burdett Clifton and further this Deponent says not .. Margaret [Her mark] Oliver

      The Deposition of JOHN ALEXANDER aged 39 the 26th or 27th of July Next being sworn saith that either in the year 1745 or 46 Mrs. Sarah McGill came to my house and desired me to write her a will. I told her I desired her to get some one else for that it might cause a difference betwixt Capt. Alexander & I but at last with her Arguments I wrote it for her & it was evidenced by myself & my wife & THOMAS FICKLEN which will she carried home with her and some time after she sent it back to my Wife to keep for her by my Son and she had it till some time last year she went to Church and she told me when she went home that Mr. Cad. Dade told her at Church that Mrs. McGill was very sick & desired me to come up & make her a new will for she wanted some alterations in it and I went up directly and when I and my wife came there Capt. Alexander & Capt. Clifton being there I had not the opportunity to talk to her concerning it but Capt. Alexander went home on which I asked Capt. Clifton if he would walk out on purpose as my Wife might speak to her to know what alteration she wanted made and after I came home my wife told me and I wrote her one & carried both Wills up & read it to her and she said it was dust as she had told Mrs. Alexander and asked me how she how she could get it evidenced I told her that I would send for NICHOLAS SAVEN and his Wife but as she was better she might as well let it alone and come down when she was well and I would get it Evidenced for her but says she I won't destroy this Will till I get the other evidence and I sign it on which I left the two Will with her and the Sunday after I saw Mr. Cad: Dade at Church and I asked him if he had seen the Will I had wrote for Mrs. McGill he told me he had and I says to him that it was wrote so bad that I was afraid it could not be read and he answered I could read it very well & I further understood whenever she & I talked about it that was the will she intended should stand and I heard her say that Capt. Clifton had a Will and to the best of my Noledge Evidenced by JAMES BUTLER & ANDREW HARRISON & some one else but that should never stand for a day else says she Buddy has made that to cute himself and further the Deponent saith that the Will hereunto annexed bearing date November (blank) 1748 is the self same will that he wrote b carried up to her and further saith not. Jno. Alexander

      The Deposition of SUSA. ALEXANDER aged between thirty one & two being sworn & Examined safth that some years ago Mrs. Sarah McGill came to my house to get me to make her a gown and said that she had been lately at Buddeys & Asked him for a Will she had formerly made and left with him & either he or his Wife went as she said and brought it her and she told me she put it in the Fire and Burnt it & turned round and said now Buddey I have got no Will he answered and said no Mother without you'll make me another and she told me she could get no rest for him begging & praying of her to make him another and at Last she told him He might write another and bring Evidences & she would sign it which he did & she told me she had signed it & it was Evidenced & Laughed & said how Buddey thought how he had tricked her Leaving all her Estate only two Negroes to himself to give to his Children as he pleased but she said I will give it to who I pleased for she said that Will will satisfy Buddy till she was dead but said that shall never be my Last Will for I am now come down to get Mr. Alexander is make me another & he wrote her another which she signed & Mr. Alexander & myself & Thomas Ficklen Evidenced and she carryed it home with her and told me she got Mr. Cad; Dade to read it to her and that everything was gave as she desired and soon after that she sent it down to me and when I saw her she desired me to keep it for her till she was dead and then for Mr. Alexander to Deliver it with his own hands to the Court and I believe I kept the Will two years or better 'Till some time after I went to Church & Mr. CAD: DADE told me Mrs. McGill was very bad & desired Mr. Alexander to come up & alter her will on which I went home and told him & he and I went up & when we come there Capt. Alexander & Capt. Clifton was both there & soon after Capt. Alexander went home & Mr. Alexander walked Capt. Clifton out of Doors -- on which she told me she had sent for Mr. Alexander to alter her Will for she wanted to leave little PHILLEY ALEXANDER a Negro girl I asked her if that was all the alteration she wanted she said it was but she said it can't be done here for when I am sick they all come about me that I can do nothing. I told her that I thought that if that was all the alteration he could do it at home she said if he could I should be mighty glad for she wanted no other alteration - for she liked everything very well and we come home and I told Mr. Alexander & he wrote her another Will making no other alterations but what I told him & the next day carried to her & the other Will & left them with her & a day or two before she was taken for Death I went to see her she asked me if I thought if she should die before she signed that Will whether it would stand good. I told her I thought not because she had got two other Wills signed by her she said that Will at Buddy Clifton's can never stand because all the Evidences is Dead or Runaway but one I told her I thought that one was sufficient to prove that will she desired me to send my chair for her the first good day that came. I told her that Mr. Alexander was a going up the River but. the first good day after his return I would send for her and she desired I would for she said she should never be easy till she came down and signed that Will & leave it with you for I am forced to keep both my Wills in Prue's Box for when I am sick they all come here & rummage every thing I have in the World. I have ordered Prue that if I should die before I took it from her to be sure and give it to Ruddy Clifton as soon as I am Dead for she said its the Will I want to stand and further this Deponent says not
      Susna. Alexander The aforegoing Depons sworn to before us
      9th day of Mar 1749
      Bernard Foote
      ===
      1748-1767 Stafford County, Virginia Will Book O; [Antient Press];
      Page 250-251 In the Name of God Amen I SARAH MACGILL of County of Stafford being sick but of sound mind I do make my Last Will and Testament revoking all Wills.. Soul to God .. Body to Earth ..
      Item I give to my Son PHILIP ALEXANDER a Mourning Ring of 20 shillings price.
      Item I give to my Son BURDET CLIFTON a Negro Fellow called Harry & a Negro wench called Prue & two of her children Tom & Ben & MARY DUNLAPS Mulatto girl which is bound to me & their Increase during his natural life & at his decease to be divided amongst all his children lawfully begotten.
      Item I give to my Grandson BURDITT CLIFTON these Negroes Vizt: Will Lucy & Kate & three young Caws & Calves & my best Feather bed & furniture I have in my house at my Death & the Negroes
      I give to my Grandson Burdit Clifton and lawfully begotten heirs forever and my desire that his Father keep his Estate till he comes to age of 18. Item I give to my Granddaughter JENNET SCOTT a Negro girl - and her increase to be delivered to her by my Executor at the day of Marriage and in case my Granddaughter should die without Heirs then my desire is that said Negro & her Increase return to my Son Burditt Clifton & his heirs.
      Item I give to my Grandson PHILIP ALEXANDER a Negro girl called Nan & her increase.
      Item I give to my Granddaughter ELIZABETH DADE the Mourning Ring gave me by my Brother HENRY ASHTON to be delivered her at my Decease.
      Item I give to my Cousin JOHN ALEXANDER'S Daughter ANN ALEXANDER a Ring of 20 shillings price to be delivered at my death. Item I give unto my son Burditt Clifton whom I appoint my whole & sole Executor of this my last will & Testament after my just Debts & funeral Expenses is paid all the rest & residue of my Estate both Real & Personal to him and heirs for-ever .. November 1748
      No witnesses (No signature)
      At Court held for Stafford County 14th March 1749 Upon hearing the several Deports taken concerning the two Wills of Sarah McGill deced tis the Courts opinion that the Will dated the -- day of Novr 1748 and not signed is the Will of the said Sarah and is ordered to be recorded with said deposition
      ===
      "A History of Chapman and Alexander Families" by Sigismunda Mary Frances Chapman, Virgiia Book Company, 1939, Berryville, VA
      ===
      Contributed by: James Hughes

      URL: http://www5.familytreemaker.com/cgi-bin/texis/find/search30/?query=wills+o f+westmoreland+county%2C+virginia+william+monroe&db=online&areas=10&head=o nline&booknum=&category=&words=wills+of+westmoreland+county%2C+virginia&fi rst=william&last=monroe&cmd=conte
      URL title: Lee of Virginia, Page 149
      Note:
      The will of "Mr. Henry Ashton, Gent," of Cople Parish, Westmoreland, dated the 26th of February, 1730; probated 24th of November, 1731, names his wife Mary, executrix, with Capt. Geo. Turberville, Capt. Burdett Ashton, Mr. Andrew Monroe and Richard Watts; gives daughter, Grace Ashton, 1,000 acres, called "Poore Jack," granted Col. Wm. Hardidge, 15th of September, 1651-3, and 1,200 acres of "Peyton's Level," granted Col. Valentine Peyton, 22 July, 1662; the said Grace to make over to Eliza'h and Anne Aylett, daughters of his daughter, Anne Ashton, dec'd, and her husband, Capt. Wm. Aylett, Jr., the land called "Sturmans," which he gave Anne at marriage; also to granddaughter Elizabeth Turberville, 850 acres of "Peyton's Level," and to granddaughters Eliza'h and Anne Aylett the rest, 400 acres of Peyton's Level; also his land "Nominy," 1,000 acres granted to Col. Thomas Speke, 16 September, 1651. To sons Henry and John Ashton lands and copper mines in Stafford County, and lands in ! Westmoreland Co. To cousin Burdett Ashton, 1,000 acres in Stafford. To godson, John, son of Mr. Charles Ashton, 1,700 acres in Stafford. To his sister, Mrs. Sarah Macgill, a ring. (Va. Genealogies, 489.)
      ===
      Contributed by: James Hughes

      URL: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/schools/wmmary/a4250000.txt
      URL title: Alexander Family; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 10, No. 3, Page 178-185
      Note:
      Mr. Philip Alexander's appraisment was returned by Thomas Clifton and Sarah his wife. Names parlor, hall, parlor chamber, hall chamber, and diary. Division of Philip Alexander's estate recorded 11 Sept., 1706, by Richard Fossaker, W. Bunbury, and Charles ELLIS, who met at the house of Mr. Thomas Clifton, viz., Jane Alexander, "eldest daughter", Elizabeth and Sarah, "two youngest daughters, and his son Philip Alexander.
      ===
      1699-1709 Stafford County, Virginia Deed & Will Book; [Antient Press]; Page. 269-272 Appraisment of the Estate of Mr. PHILLIP ALEXANDER deced the 17th of May 1705 appraised by us the Subscribers .. imprimis in the Parlour .. in the Hall ., in ye parlour & chamber .. in the dayry .. At the Quarter ,. appraisal amount totalled 41599 .. THOMAS CLIFTON, SARAH CLIFTON.
      Charles Ellis
      Sworn before Thos. Lunn
      Will. Bumbury Richard x Broad An Account of the crop of tobo being 16 hhd amounting to 8117.
      This Inventory was returned into Stafford the 13th day of June 1705 by Thos. Clifton & Sarah Clifton his wife admx. of the said Estate sworn to in open Court & ordered to be recorded & was recorded.

  • Sources 
    1. [S75] Genealogies of Virginia Families Vol. II, from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography.

Research Links  Find Sarah Ashton at the following sites -