William Arledge or Aldridge, Jr.

From the research notes of Pam Wilson <wilsonpam@mindspring.com>:

This William, born in Northumberland County, appears to have gone to NC (Orange/Granville/Bertie/Randolph Counties) with his brother Clement, perhaps as early as the 1720s, and then moved on to the frontier of central SC where his brother John and half-brother Isaac had migrated in the mid-1700s. There, he settled around 1764 on Dutchman's Creek in Craven County, Camden District in what would eventually become Fairfield Co, SC. He appears to have had no children of his own who survived to adulthood, since his estate was administered by nephews.

William Aldridge in Camden District of South Carolina

This William of Dutchman's Creek (originally from Northumberland Co, VA) needs to be distinguished from another William Aldridge (origin unknown) in the low country of SC in Orangeburg, Berkeley County, and on the Edisto River. That other William had a wife named Agness.

In contrast, the William Arledge/Aldridge of this profile was involved in land transactions in Colonial Craven Co (Camden Dist) SC as follows:

Feb 1764: Plat for 150 acres on Dutchman's Creek

Aug 1766: Plat for 100 acres in Craven Co

Dec 1768: Grant for 150 acres in Craven Co.

Dec 1768: Plat for 100 acres in Craven Co.

Apr 1769: Memorial for 150 acres on Dutchman's Creek

Mar. 1771: Grant for 100 acres on Dutchman's Creek

April 1771: Memorial for 100 acres on Dutchman's Creek

July 1771: Plat for 100 acres in Craven Co

May 1772: Grant for 100 acres on Dutchman's Creek

Aug 1772: Memorial for 100 acres on Dutchman's Creek

1780: U.S. Census Reconstructed Records, 1660-1820 [Ancestry.com] based upon Jury Lists, 1778, Acts #1078 [at SC Archives]; Page Number: 9; Family Number: 221, place William Aldridge in Camden District, SC, between the Broad and Catawba Rivers in 1780. He is on the Petit Jury List for the "District of Camden."

In terms of some records, it is not clear which might refer to this William from Northumberland and which to the younger William Arledge listed in Spartanburg and Kershaw Counties, SC, born 1740-45, died 1814. (This would be a nephew, the son of John and Elizabeth Thomas Arledge)

A William Aldridge is involved in many, many land transactions in SC as early as 1756 through 1775, several of them involving Mathias Fellows/Fellewes, Paul Johnson, Joseph Duke, John Single, among others. These may reflect more than one William Aldridge/Arledge, though I assume most of these early records are for this older WIlliam. (See below)

At least two, maybe three, William Aldridges owned plantations on the Edisto and Wateree Rivers exceeding a thousand acres. The Edisto (Berkeley County) William Aldridge is not related to our Arledges; records for this William would include land transactions in 1756 between Joseph Duke and William ALDRIDGE for 200a in Berkly Co, SC; in 1757 a plat for 300a on N. Edisto River and Tylo Creek; in 1761 a memorial involving Joseph Duke for 2 tracts, one 300a in Berkly Co and 200a in Colleton Co (at this time there were only 3 counties in SC). Records for William ALDRIDGE aka ARLEDGE (of Northumberland Co, VA) seem to begin in SC with a 1764 plat for 150 a Craven Co, and another 100a in Craven Co in 1766; another land grant in 1767 for 300a on Tylo Creek. In 1766 a deed involving Elizabeth Aldridge (who was the wife/widow of his brother John), a plat for 100a in Craven County; this land acquisition continued from 1768 (a very busy year) through 1775, including transactions naming William Aldridge and wife, naming John Aldridge (1772) and several naming Matthias Fellows (to whom Elizabeth Thomas Arledge remarried after John's death). All forms of name were ALDRIDGE, ALDERIDGE and ALDERAGE.

However, evidence for the existence of two contemporaneous William Aldridges exists with this estate inventory noted by FRA: "The following inventory was recorded in Charleston Books v99(B) p. 570: A just and true appraisement of the estate of William Aldridge, deceased, shown to us by the Administrator, Charles Ridman (?) taken this 11th day February 1778. One negro man Harry at 1200 and one negro man Joe at 1500." Is the William Aldridge of Berkeley District (Edisto River)? If so, he is a distinct person and not the same as the Craven (Fairfield/Camden) County William Aldridge.

Another census/tax list record: Aldridge, William State : SC County : Camden Dist. Year : 1778

In 1778 William ALDRIDGE and Mathias FELLOWS served on a jury drawn from the area between the Broad and Catawba Rivers. [Source: Ge Lee Corley Hendrix and Morn McKay Lindsay, eds., The Jury Lists of South Carolina, 1778-1779 (Greenville, SC: published by authors, 1975), pp. 50-51.

Who was his wife?? Did he have children?????

• *In 1784, Joseph Arledge [spelled ARLARDGE, acc. to Sekanick, 1994, p. 65] (presumably the son of William's half-brother Isaac, and brother of my ancestor Amos) applied for letters of administration for the estate of William Arledge. Bond was provided by Joseph, Isaac and Clement Arledge with Amos as witness. [Brent Holcomb & Elmer Parker, eds., Camden District, SC Wills and Administrations 1781-1796, Easley: Southern Historical Press, 1978, p. 2]

18 August 1784, Camden District, SC. Know all men by these presents that we Joseph Arledge Isaac Arledge, Clement Arledge of the state of SC and Camden District are jointly and sum only holden firmly obliged unto Henry Hampton Esq Ordinary of the said District in the full sum of three thousand pounds sterling be paid unto the said Henry Hampton or his successor for the time being in the said office, Attorney or assigns, the which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves jointly and firmly by these presents , sealed with our seals and dated the 18th day of August Anno Domini 1784 and in the 9th year of American Independence. Whereas Administration joint and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits of WILLIAM ARLARGE late of the District aforesaid ____ lately granted by the said Henry Hampton unto said JOSEPH ARLARGE __ Condition of this Obligation is such that the said JOSEPH ARLARGE in all good do ___ and truly administer all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of the said WILLIAM ARLARGE deceased and which shall come into the funds of the said JOSEPH ARLARGE to be administered and make distribution of what shall remain after payment of the said deceaseds debts and funeral expenses in a due course of law, then this obligation to be paid and otherwise to remain in the full fare and virtue.

Sealed and delivered in presence of

AMOS ARLEDGE, test

JOSEPH ARLEDGE

ISAAC {his X mark} ARLEDGE

CLEMENT ARLEDGE

A further statement by Henry Hampton, Ordinary, requesting a "true and perfect Inventory and Appraisement" of the estate of William Arledge to be made by Joseph Arledge, Admr, by 18 October 1784, is witnessed by Barlet Hinson, Isaac Arledge, Chas Gavin, Benjamin Perry and Isaac Gibson

A William Arledge left a will which is filed in Apt. 3, Pck 68 in Camden District, SC, From S.C. MAGAZINE OF ANCESTRAL RESEARCH V. III. P. 151. That William's estate was appraised and listed his death date as Sept. 2, 1784. Signed by Isaac Arledge, Charles Gavin, and Bartlet Hinson. (From Fay Kitchens]

Fay Kitchens also wrote: S.C. MAGAZINE OF ANCESTRAL RESEARCH. VOL. III. p. 151. James Bishop was connected to the estate of Wm. Arledge dec'd Sept. 2, 1784, in which Isaac Arledge was an appraiser. [James Bishop was husband of Isaac Arledge's daughter Sarah.]

Here is the full text:

S.C. MAGAZINE OF ANCESTRAL RESEARCH. VOL. III:

Page 213. An Appraisement of the Goods & Chattels belonging to the Estate of Wm Arledge Dec'd, Septr 2d, 1784. Total evaluation, £.29.3.6.

Isaac Arledge

Charles Gavin

Bartlet Hinson

Page 213. Acco't of Sale of the Goods & Chattels belonging to the Estate of William Arledge Dec'd, Sold at twelve Months Credit Sept. 13th, 1784. Amo't of Sale, £.39.1.2.

Pages 213-214. Debts due the Estate of s'd Dec'd. Debtors: Jas Love, Ephraim Pool, Joseph Thompson, Cash left in the hands of Joseph Arledge, James Bishop, William Kitchen (£.5.13.2½) who has been absconded so that it appears to be irrecoverable. (Most debts are for Credit in the Store.) Total debts, £.9,17.3½.

Page 214. The s'd Estate To Joseph Arledge Dr £.10. John Reeves proved an acco't against the Estate for £.5.10.

Joseph Arledge, Admr

____________________________

SC Department of Archives and History Alphabetical Index p. 407, 207,

102 [notes added from material sent by Graham Louer]

CRAVEN County:

• ALDRIDGE?, William. [1761 Deed of gift "for love and affection" all my Camden District lands, to Isaac and Absalom ALDRIDGE from William and (unnamed) wife. Reference from Graham Louer, who says "This document not verified"]. [PW: I'd really like to see a copy of this.]
• ALDRIDGE?, William. March 1763. Bought land on West Prong of Grassy Creek from Lewis COLLINS (said to be Deed Book F, p. 163)--from Graham Louer, who says this document is not verified]. Isn't this in Granville Co, NC, according to F.R. Aldridge records?

ALDRIDGE, William. Plat for 150 a. in Craven County, 21 February 1764. Dutchman's Creek, all sides vacant, precept of 1 Nov 1763.

• AKERIDGE, William. 31 Jan 1765. Sold 172 a. on Grassy Creek; Deed Book G, p. 311--from Graham Louer; document not verified]. Isn't this in Granville Co, NC?

ALDRIDGE, William. Plat for 100a in Craven County 6 August 1766. Both sides Dutchman's Creek, bound E & SE by MOON, SW by Benj. MARTAIN (precept 3 June 1766).

ALDRIDGE, Elizabeth. Plat for 100 acres on Dutchman's Creek in Craven County; Bounded NE on land of Thomas McKIE, SW on land of William ALDRIDGE (other sides vacant) 12 Dec 1766. certified for Mathias FELLOWS 6 October 1767

ALDRIDGE, William. Mathias FELLEURS. Memorial for 100 a. on Dutchman's Creek in Craven Co, 12 April 1768. Grant to Matthias FELLOWS had occurred 13 Feb 1768, adjacent Wm. ALDRIDGE and Thomas McKIE.

[ALDRIDGE, William, 2 August 1768, Memorial for George PAYNE on both sides of Dutchman's Creek in Craven Co, bounded E by Wm. ALDRIDGE, W by George Payne.]

ALDRIDGE, William. Land grant for 150 acres, Craven County, 6 December 1768. Dutchman's Creek. Adjacent Matthias FELLOWS.

ALDRIDGE, William. Plat for 100 acres Craven County, 28 Dec 1768. Dutchman's Creek.

[ALDRIDGE, William. John SINGLE. Plat for 150 a. Craven County, 18 March 1769. adjacent William ALDRIDGE.]

ALDERAGE, William. Memorial for 150 acres on Dutchman's Creek, Craven County 22 April 1769. Granted 6 Dec 1768. All sides vacant (G. Louer notes that this contradicts grant, which says it was adjacent to FELLOWS).

[ALDRIDGE, William. John SINGLE. Memorial for 150 a. on Bush Creek, Craven Co, 13 Oct 1769. Bounded SW by William ALDRIDGE.]

ALDRIDGE, William and wife to Andrew FREDERICK, lease and release, 1771

ALDERAGE, William. Land Grant for 100 acres in Craven County 15 Mar 1771. Dutchman's Creek, bounded NE by Richard Kirkland, NE & SW by John Murray. Memorial made 16 April 1771. [See sale 25 Feb 1775]

ALDRIDGE, William. Plat for 100 a. in Craven Co, 5 July 1771; ALDRIDGE, William. Land grant for 100 a. on waters of Dutchman's Creek, Craven County, 21 May 1772; ALDRIDGE, William. 1 August 1772. Memorial for 100 a on waters of Dutchman's Creek, 1 August 1772

• 25 Oct 1772: Plat for 100 acres on Dutchman's Creek, Craven County, SC, bounded SW by Matthias FELLOW, NW by John ALSTON, NE by John MOONEY

[ALDRIDGE, William. John ALDRIDGE. Plat for 100 acres in Craven County, 2 Nov 1772, adjacent William ALDRIDGE]

• 25 February 1775. William and wife Mary of St. Mark's Parish sold 100a on Dutchman's Creek (granted said Wm. March 1771) to Saul Radley (?) Fairfield Deed Book F, p.2

[ALDRIDGE, William. Mathias FELLOWS. Memorial for 100 a. on Dutchman's Creek, Craven Co, 9 October 1775; bounding NE William ALDRIDGE and FELLOWS, John ALSTON. Granted 1 June 1775]

Also listed as SC Land Grants by FRA:

ALDRIDGE, William, Land grant for 200 acres Ninety Six District, SC, January 1785 [THURMAN ALDRIDGE CLAIMS THIS IS FROM HIS FAMILY (descended from Nicholas & Martha of Anne Arundel Co, MD]

ALDRIDGE, William, Land grant for 100 acres Craven County, SC 3 Dec 1787

William Aldridge(s) in North Carolina:

Tacy Arledge, Laura Frankhauser and Virginia Stout, in "History and Descendants of Isaac Arledge" (1981) write that brothers Clement and William moved to NC following their father's death. "There is a land grant to William in Bertie Co, NC dated 1726. Part of that county later became Granville County, which has land records for Clement. William and Clement were still living in Granville County in the 1760s, where Clement probably died after 1790."

There is much confusion about which William Aldridge (Arledge?) was which, and the following records pertain to a number of different William Aldridges. It is not clear which, if any, of the central NC Aldridge records might apply to the Williamof this profile, son of William of Northumberland.

Allen Aldridge wrote that Granville Land Grants show a grant dated 13 Nov 1756 to WILLIAM ALDRIDGE in Orange Co. [from Granville Land Grants by Grigg, Hager and Swaim, from Land Grant Office File Cards, NC State Archives]. Jeanie Knight wrote: "Orange County, NC deeds how the following: Book 14 page 32, 13 Nov 1756: 'Grant to William ALDRIDGE-ALRED from Earl Granville for 256 acres on a branch of Sandy Creek waters of Deep River, called Mt. Pleasant...beginning at hickory on Herman Husband's line.' Other deeds are Book 14, p. 330, 11 Dec 1762: 'Grant from Earl Granville to William ALDRED for 296 acres on Bush Creek of Deep River...." Which William Aldridge was this?

Franklin R. Aldridge (Aldridge Records, Vol. II, 1975, p. 189) writes:

"It is very possible that William and his brother Clement Arledge settled in what was then Bertie County, NC. One William had a land grant in Bertie County in the year 1726. Edgecombe was formed from Bertie in 1741, and Granville from Edgecombe in 1746. Franklin and Warren were later formed from Bute, which was formed in 1764 and abolished 1779, which was in the same locality.

"In the land deeds of Granville County, Clement ALDRIDGE and Clement ARLEDGE have the same property,a nd they are one and the same person. The same for William ALDRIDGE and William AKERIDGE. Records of old Bute County may be found in Warren, and some are in Franklin County. William and Clement were living in Granville County in 1760's. In the year 1761, Earl Granville granted to Thomas TURNER (Deed Bk E, p. 175, Granville Co, NC) vacant land on NC Fishing Creek adjoining CAPPS, ALDRIDGE, THOMAS along Peter SANTSING's line and Francis SANTSING's line adjoining JONES and SMART lines. This appears that one of the ALDRIDGEs was already living there.

"In Granville County in the year 1762 Francis CAPPS deeded to Clement ARLEDGE of same county in the consideration of the sum of Eighteen pounds gold and silver coin for 300 acres of land being a survey taken by James Sentry, lying on the head of Bufelow Creek (Deed Bk. F P. 152 Granville Co, NC). Another land deed from Lewis COLLINS to William ACRIDGE "Arledge" in 1763 in Granville County on both sides of the west prong of Grassy Creek. This land [had been] granted to Collins by Earl Granville.

"After 1763 to 1790 there are no more deeds in Granville County pertaining to ARLEDGEs. Bute was formed in 1764 and abolished in 1779...in Warren County, a deed from Dolling and Lucy JONES to Clement ARLEDGE dated 1764 [Warren Co Deed Book A, p. 96] and a deed from Barsheba to Clement ARLEDGE dated 1765 (Deed Book I p. 9). ...The 1790 census for Warren County [does not turn up any Arledges, nor does the 1800 census for Franklin County], so we may assume the Arledges had moved to other parts of the country by this time."