Ralph Shelton, Sr.

Not the son of Peter Shelton & Susannah Shelton

Ralph Shelton

He was imported from England as evidenced by Merriweather's headright record. We do not know his birth date or birth year. He came in 1702 or before. Could not travel by himself as a minor. 1685 is an approximate birth year, was likely born earlier.

Marriage

1. Mary CRISPIN (CRESPEN) [SIC: her maiden name is unknown] b: ABT 1686 in Middlesex County,Virginia Married: in Essex or Middlesex County, Virginia

Children

1. Thomas SHELTON b: 9 NOV 1707 in Middlesex County, Virginia
2. Ralph SHELTON b: 23 OCT 1709 in Middlesex County, Virginia
3. Elizabeth SHELTON b: 1711
4. William Davis SHELTON b: 1712 in Virginia
5. Reuben SHELTON b: 1 Feb 1713-15 in Middlesex County, Virginia
6. Crispen (Crispin) SHELTON b: 1 APR 1713 in Middlesex County, Virginia
7. Mary SHELTON b: 21 Jan 1715/1716 in Middlesex County, Virginia
8. Catherine SHELTON b: 26 Jan 1718/1719
9. Benjamin SHELTON b: 18 JUN 1724 in Middlesex County, Virginia
10. James SHELTON b: 23 Feb 1725/1726 in Middlesex County, Virginia
11. John SHELTON b: 19 JUL 1722 in Middlesex County, Virginia
12. Daniel SHELTON b: 17 MAY 1729 in Middlesex County, Virginia

    ---

Disputed Origins

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

Notes

The will and patent descriptions place this land on the Essex-Middlesex boundary line. This location is further indicated by a description of Middlesex County written April 14, 1700, which reads in part, . ." said County is bounded on the head with the lower part of the land of John Jones dec' d which runs up from Rappahannock River on the upper part of Cock' s Bay next above ye land of James Blaise and so crossing the Ridge along the land of Thomas Tosley including the same from the outline of Thomas Toseley' s land down a great Branch dividing the land of Edward Thomas dec' d and the land of Rice Jones dec' d, including the said Rice Jones dec' s Land to the dragon swamp.1

This land remained in the possession of Ralph Shelton' s family for sixty years. It appears that he lived on an adjoining tract in Middlesex the rest of his life. An Oct. 10, 1727 entry in the Christ Church Vestry Book reads, "Ordered that Mr. Garrot Daniel and Mr. Ralph Shelton procession every particular person' s Land between the Briery Swamp (From the Millstone Valley to the Dragon Swamp) and the upper End of the County, & from the main road to the Dragon Swamp on the SouthSide of the main road."

Thirty-twoyears later, the Vestry Book of Aug. 7, 1759 notes, . Lewis Montague & Reuben Skilton ordered to procession . . . (area described identically as that processioned in 1727 by Ralph).. Finally on April 24, 1770, Archibald McCall of Essex County and Reuben Shelton of Middlesex County deeded to Henry Street of Essex all of a tract in the Counties of Middlesex and Essex containing 100 acres adjoining Lattaney Montague, the Dragon Swamp and land of Henry Street.2

Ralph Shelton married about 1707, either in Essex or Middlesex, a wife Mary, whose surname had been guessed to be Crispin. Norecord of the marriage or suggestion of a maiden name has been discovered. Births of the three oldest children :. Thomas, about 1707, Ralph, about 1709, and Elisabeth, about 1711, are not in the Christ Church Register, where all the others are recorded. There were 11 children in all, as follows: 1. Thomas,born about 1707, married Mary Probert, Jan. 14, 1730. 2. Ralph,born about 1709, married Mary Daniel, June 10, 1731. 3. Elizabeth,born about 1711, married William Davis, Oct. 29, 17**. 4. Crispin, born April 1, 1713, married Letitia ____ about 1734. 5. Reuben, born Feb. 1, 1715, died Oct. 8, 1715. 6. Mary ,born Jan. 21, 1716, died July 18, 1719. 7. Catherine, born Jan. 26, 1719, married George Blakey Dec. 31, 17**. 8. John, born July 14, 1722. 9. Benjamin, born June 18, 1724. 10. James, born Feb. 23, 1726. 11. Daniel ,born May 17, 1729.

Ralph Shelton lived only four years after the birth of his Daniel. His will, badly damaged in the old Middlesex Will Book, was dated March **, 1733. Some of the provisions still ligible on the torn pages are: "My Son Ralph Shelton should have my land . .. .___zabeth Davis twenty five Shillings to buy her __. ._____ Ralph Shelton one cow and calf.. .___m** son Thomas Shelton should take care of my children, and if in case y son Thomas should Die, my Desire is that my Children should be left to the ____ of my other two Sons, Ralph and Crispin.. .Appoint my Loving

http://sites.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/SheltonGen.html

===================================================

10 Mar 1732/33  Will dated

Note:

---Source: http://members.xoom.com/janicekmc/ralphsr.htm - There is a very thorough discussion of Ralph Shelton on this web page. Following area few items of interest but anyone interested in this family should go to the URL above for a complete version.

---Source:

---Source - Essex County, VA Court Order Book, 1699-1702, (Deeds andWills Vol 10, p. 133).

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

---Source: Essex Co. Deed & Will Book 1707-1711, p. 185-187) - Will of Thomas Merriwether:...I give unto Ralph Shelton & his heirs forever sixty five acres of land granted to me by Patent beginning to the lands of RICE JONES & John Leh__le the land formerly belonging to Capt Edward Thomas....

"By 1707, Ralph Shelton's name is found on the Christ Church ParishRegister with the birth record of his first child, Thomas Shelton. After his importation, Ralph Shelton lived in Middlesex Co., VA for the remainder of his life. He was listed as a Surveyor and Appraiser, and primary occupation as a planter."

---p90 From Will Book B 1713-1734 Part 2 p 418 Ralph Shelton ... 10March_/_ Jan 1733 (Notes that the first part of the will was destroyed by mice) --- son Ralph Shelton and if my widow should marry, my son Thomas Shelton shall take care of my children and if Thomas Shelton should die then my two sons Ralph Shelton and Crispin Shelton to care for them. His executors were Elizabeth Davis, wife Mary Shelton and son Thomas Shelton.

Witnesses were William Buford, Thomas Clarke and Henry Buford.

BIOGRAPHY: RALPH SHELTON b. 1685

and

MARY ?CRISP/CRISPEN? b. c1688

of

Middlesex Co., VA

Our First Known SHELTON Family in America

So may these humble pages keep

Some trace of others' toils and tears.

Love's treasure, rescued from the deep

Of the forgotten years!

Rev. Warren R. Cochrane, 1895

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

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

From the Knights5@aol.com mailing list for the surname SHELTON, comes this interesting thought from one of the members, Jan (her 1997 E-mail address was jan241@apex.net):

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

This is a good theory, worth exploring, and might well explain just why Thomas Meriwether gave Ralph Shelton the 65 acre legacy in his 1708/9 will. This SHELTON research is confusing for several reasons. There was another Ralph SHELTON, a younger man than our ancestor, who was of King William County. He married Mary Pollard. The two Ralph Sheltons lived, according to Jan, on opposite sides of the Dragon Swamp and were about 15 years apart in age. This was established by a bond for 200 pounds in King William County dated 30 Sep 1703, entered into by Joseph Bickley of King and Queen County with Major John Waller, (see notes below regarding Crispen Shelton's children), King William Co., to cover two years schooling for Ralph Shelton, son of Mrs.Sarah Gissage, whom Bickley contemplated marrying soon. A good article on "the two Ralphs" can be found at Brian Eddy's helpful website <http://members.xoom.com/briankeddy/homepage.htm> (outdated URL - if you know about his new URL, please let me know). In correspondance from Katherine Snow <mailto:KSnow48337@aol.com> 2/2000, she wrote that the marriage of Ralph Shelton (supposedly b. c1698, while our Ralph SHELTON was b. 1685) and Mary Pollard occurred 05 Dec 1721, which certainly would exclude Mary ?Crisp/Crispen? from being the same person as Mary Pollard. I have not researched the SHELTON/POLLARD connection, so I cannot say for certain if this is all true.

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

Subject: Chilton vs. Shelton, Date: 7 Jun 1999, From: Kin97@aol.com, To: Knights5@aol.com

"Dr. Frank H. Shelton wrote a pamphlet Sheltons in the Christ Church Parish Register-in Virginia, copyright 1985. He descends from Ralph & Mary, through their first son Thomas. Source of his information is "The Parish Register of Christ Church Parish of Middlesex Co., Va From 1653-1812" published by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia, Richmond: Wm Ellis Jones, Steam Book And Job Printer - 1897. Also, Essex Co. Court Records. I quote the following.

"There are records for Peter Chelton (and descendants) in the Christ Church Parish Register from 1685 when Peter Chilton married Susan Jaxon until 1725 when Abby was born to ZebuIon & Mary Chelton. Over this period of 38 years and three generations it was always Chilton/Chelton. There was never any mixing of the Shelton and Chelton names over a period of many years in the Christ Church Parish Register. There is only one exception to this fact: unaccountably on page 54 "Peter ye sone of Peter & Susanna Shelton baptz ye 15th November 1687" does a Shelton enter into the Chilton's records and never a Chilton in the Shelton's records of Christ Church Parish. The above Parish Register records indicate the following concerning the Peter Chilton family: Peter Chilton 1st married in 1684 Susanhah Jackson and by her had William and Peter (Jr) - 1687. Peter Chilton then married 2nd Abigail and by her had Henry - 1691, Thomas and Zebulon. Peter Chilton died October 1718 and his widow Abigail Chelton married Robert Holderness a short time later - Feb 1719."......"I think that Dr. Frank Shelton provides the most compelling evdence, backed up by direct research, that Peter was not a Shelton. Also that he could not have been the father of Ralph. Regards, Wayne Shelton

Read more on the SHELTON/MERIWETHER connections here at Glen Shelton's page: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/SheltonGen.html>.

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

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

Tax: PITTSYLVANIA Co., VA 1810 TAX Lists

Some SHELTON names found on the 1810 tax list show many of Ralph & Mary SHELTON's descendants:

David SHELTON 1 white tithe-no slaves-1 horse; Young SHELTON 3-6-6 Beverly SHELTON 1-0-4 Beverly SHELTON 2-1-3 William H. SHELTON 1-0-1 Crispan SHELTON (dec'd estate) 1-10-4 Vincent SHELTON (Maj.) 2-6-8 Lewis SHELTON 1-0-1 Crispan SHELTON 1-0-1 Abraham Gordon SHELTON 1-0-1 Lemuel SHELTON 1-1-1 Stephen SHELTON 1-1-2 Henry R. SHELTON 1-3-3 Daniel SHELTON 1-0-1 Armstead SHELTON (Maj.) 3-9-13 Beverly SHELTON, Sr. 2-5-5 Coleman SHELTON 1-1-3 Claiborne SHELTON 3-0-1 Benjamin SHELTON 1-12-10 Wm. SHELTON (Capt) 1-0-0 Joel SHELTON 1-1-2 Daniel SHELTON, Sr. 2-2-2 Tunstall SHELTON 1-1-3 Frederick SHELTON 1-1-1 Fanny SHELTON 0-0-1 Leroy G. SHELTON 1-0-0 Washington SHELTON 1-1-1 Gabriel SHELTON 1-0-1 Gregory SHELTON 1-0-1 John McCutcheon SHELTON 1-1-4

Links: RELATED SHELTON PAGES:

Abednigo Shelton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~janicekmc/shelton.htm>

Beckey's Page-SHELTON, etc <http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/2923/>

Bobbie's Shelton Line <http://members.tripod.com/~verlee/shelton.htm>

Brian Eddy's Shelton Page <http://members.xoom.com/briankeddy/homepage.htm> - needs update

Combs Family - Henry Co., VA <http://www.combs-families.org/~combs/records/va-henry.htm>

CRISP surname at GenForum <http://genforum.genealogy.com/crisp/>

Eleventh Generation <http://www.wasatch.com/~seeker/d2895.htm>, Ralph Shelton

F. D. Shelton Papers <http://www.users.qwest.net/~cbeth/fdsh_pap.htm>

FRANKLIN/SHELTON, Buncombe Co., NC <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~smokymtnman/franklin/pafg0...>

George Shelton <http://www.ssimicro.com/~xlindag/Ancestors%20of%20Brown%20County,%2...>, Brown Co., OH

Jeremiah Shelton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~janicekmc/jeremiah.htm>, my ancestor.

John SHELTON & Temperance GREEN <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~flebbe/surnames/shelton.html>

Laura's page with SHELTON data <http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Horizon/7624/>

Linda's OH Sheltons <http://members.tripod.com/~verlee/shelton.htm>

Mark Edward Johnson's Site <http://mej4151.home.mindspring.com/>, lots of SHELTONS

More Taylor Connections <http://www.htcomp.net/ross/bobbie.htm>

Moses Taylor - Butler Co., KY <http://cindy.mbsys.com/MosesSr.html>

My MISCELLANEOUS SHELTON DATA <miscdata.htm>

Ralph Shelton, Jr. <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~janicekmc/ralphjr.htm>, my next generation

SHELTON at GenForum <http://genforum.genealogy.com/shelton/>

SHELTON surname board <http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/s/h/SHELTON/>

SHELTONS from GA to TX <http://www.gcnet.net/sheltonfamilyoftexas>

Stephen W. Shelton & Rhoda Green <http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/7998/shelton.html>

Surname Web - SHELTON <http://www.surnameweb.org/registry/s/h/e/shelton.shtml>

1738 VA Map <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vagenweb/1738map.gif> 1767 List of TITHABLES OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY., VA. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/tith.htm>

1792 VA MAP <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vagenweb/1792map.gif>

Ancestry.Com <http://www.ancestry.com/> Court Records Digest - VA <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vacfrede/ctrecdig.htm>

Digital Library <http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/va/vafiles.htm> - VA USGenWeb

GB searchable map <http://uk.multimap.com/p/browse.cgi?pc=LE1&cat=loc>

Historical KY Maps <http://www.uky.edu/LCC/HIS/scraps/kymaps.html> MIDDLESEX COUNTY MAP <http://viva.lib.virginia.edu/gicbin/locator.sh?image=51119>

MIDDLESEX COUNTY <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vamiddle/>, USGenWeb

Oaths of Allegiance - 1777 Pittsylvania Co. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/Oaths.html>

PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/>, USGenWeb

Search JSTOR <http://www.jstor.org/cgi-bin/demo/gensearch?config=demo> - excellent site! UK & Ireland Genealogy <http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/>

UK - National Archives <http://www.pro.gov.uk/>

VA 1704 Rent Rolls <ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/1704va.txt>

VA & NC genealogy <http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/vafdking/famindex.htm>

VA Early Settlers <http://members.tripod.com/~DAllen1989/Virginia-Settlers.html>

VA Genealogy Forum <http://genforum.genealogy.com/va/>

VAGenWeb Co. Links <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vagenweb/quicklnk.htm>

VA Land Grants <http://198.17.62.51/collections/LO.html> VA Religious Petitions <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/repehtml/repehome.html> VA Roots-L Help List <http://www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/USA/va.html>

Will: 17 Mar 1732/33 Proved 4-2-1734. Son Thomas was named executor and designated caretaker of siblings

Immigration: 1702 Transported to VA when his headright was granted to Thomas Meriwether

Made his will March 10, 1733. It was promated April 2, 1734, in Middlesex County, VA.

In 1708 as legatee of Thomas Meriwether (who married Susannah Shelton, sister of Ralph) received 65 acres in Essex County, VA.

links

• http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=tree&m=2841&p=surnames.sh...