Caleb Aldridge, Sr.

Caleb Arledge or Aldridge (and various other spellings on misc. documents: Alidge, Arlige, Aldridg, Arldrige,

Wife's name is unknown. He had at least 6, maybe 7 sons (Isham, William, Clement, Jonathan, Eli, Caleb, Ezra), which we've pieced together based on circumstantial evidence since no will has been found) and 6 daughters: who were the daughters?

[Note 4-20-2018: yDNA results in the Eldridge DNA project are showing that the descendants of Jonathan Eldridge, of Anson Co NC Jonathan Eldridge b 1805 in Anson County, NC match the Arledge DNA. He and his brother James would likely be a part of this family. 1850 census shows him in Meltonsville, Anson County, with the following family: Jonathan Eldridge, 45, Francis Eldridge, 42, Ellen E Eldridge, 17, James T Eldridge, 16, Rosa E Eldridge, 14, Isaac H Eldridge, 12, Jonathan J Eldridge, 10, George H Eldridge, 8, Elijah T Eldridge, 6, Alexander T Eldridge, 4, and Laura C Eldridge, 1. In the 1840 Anson County NC census, he was listed as Jonithan Eldredge (or Eldridge) with a wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters, no slaves.]

Notes from Pam Wilson's Arledge Family History Project:

Moved from Fairfield Co, SC to Anson Co, NC. Mecklenburg County was created in 1762 from Anson County. Richardson Creek is a Creek off the Rocky River that just extended very slightly into Mecklenburg County, with most of it being in Anson County. Therefore, it's likely that Caleb lived right along the border of these two counties in the 1780s -1790s.

1786 deed in Mecklenburg Co NC: Joy Moore wrote in Feb 2000: "I received a letter and the copy of a deed from Mecklenburg today. He states that he finds no record of Isham but sent the deed of Caleb and John Thomson. Caleb bought 150 acres from John Thomson and his wife Anna dated June 1786 I will make you a copy and send it The only other name is the witness Jon Belk and Obed O Thomson. Caleb did not sign it. His name is spelled CALEB ALEDGE." (see transcription of deed on Richardson Creek below)

CALIB ARLIGE listed as Head of Household in 1790 census in Fayette District of Anson County, NC Page # : 037 01-02-02-00-00 Neighbors were Taylor, Thomas, Pierce, Adams on one side and Price (2), Wingate (2), Padgett, and Shepherd on the other.

• Free white males of 16 years and upward, including heads of families: 1
• Free white males under 16 years: 2
• Free white females, including heads of families: 2

This indicates that he probably had two sons and a daughter living with him in 1790, if we assume that one of the females would be his wife.

In 1790 in Mecklenburg County, we find side by side in an alphabetical listing, both spelled ALDRIDG:

Aldridg(e), Isham 01-00-02-00-00 Aldridg(e), William 01-03-02-00-00 (has 3 sons under 16 in 1790)

These are most likely two of Caleb's sons who are already on their own.

Graham Louer writes regarding the estate of Caleb's father Isaac (died 1790):

the pay-out dates to the estate's executors, joseph & clement, have not yet been found, but calib signed for his share 25 jan 1800, signaling that [Isaac's wife] anna's widowhood had ended prior to that date, probably several months to a year or more earlier. whether she died or remarried is unknown, but if she were going to remarry it seems likely [based on what other widows who remarried usually did in those times] that she would have done so sooner after isaac's death than 8 or 9 years afterward. thus we will for the moment presume that anna died in c1798 or 1799.

In 1800 census, CALEB ALDRIGE (over 45) is listed in Salisbury Township, Mecklenburg Co, NC with a wife, 5 sons and 2 daughters (23001//20010//00). A JOHN ALDRAGE (male 16-26 living alone) is also listed in the 1800 Montgomery Co, NC census (Enlow Ose believes this may be Caleb's son Jonathan). Montgomery County was formed in 1778 from the northern part of Anson County and also borders Mecklenburg.

Cannot find a census record for him in 1810 in NC.

It appears that either he or his son Caleb Jr. went to Stewart County, Tennessee in the first decade of the 1800s, where his son Clement also ended up.

• named on a 1811 tax list in Stewart Co TN, along with Clement (numbers 111, 112).
• Caleb Arledge was in Stewart County and owned 48 acres, as named in an 1814 land survey dated 20 October 1814 describing a tract of 48 acres on the Elk Fork of the Piney Fork of the Little West Fork of the Red River, near the county line [with Montgomery County]. WItnesses were John Perry and William Whitfield. Other surveys note that Whitfield occupied the land. (see attached)
• Another document lists Caleb Arledge as having paid for the survey (or the 48 acres; it's not clear) named above.
• Also named in another survey dated 7 Feb 1814 to Thomas Dillon...Waters of the Elk Fork of the Piney Fork of Red River...48 acres entered in the name of Caleb Arledge on which William Whitfield now lives. FIled 25 July 1814. (Image attached)
• A second survey on 15 Aug 1814 for Burr Powell "on the waters of the Piney forks of the little west fork of the Red River near the line dividing Stewart and Montgomery Counties" adjacent Caleb Arledge's 48 acres "on which William Whitfield now lives" (image attached)
• Final formal assignment of Caleb's 48 acres on 24 May 1817 (document attached)

Need to find records of his selling the 48 acres in Tennessee.

Returned to Anson County by 1820.

In 1820, in Anson County, NC (categories: males <10, 10-16, 16-18, 16-26, 26-45, >45; females <10, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, >45; then number of persons engaged in agriculture/commerce/mfg, then slaves)

• Calep ARLDRIGE Sr 010001 11301 20000 (between Price, Presley, Sikes, Smith)
• Calep ARLDRIGE Jr 100000 21010 10000 (next door to father)

A few pages later we find son Eli/Eliazer:

• Eliazer ALDRIGE 010100 00100 20000 (between Moses Thomas & Joseph Brice)

Where are Caleb's other presumed sons at this time?

• Jonathan: By 1800 Jonathan had moved west into Tennessee and by 1807 had settled in Hopkins Co, KY, where he was listed in the 1820 census
• William: I've not been able to find much about William and family since the 1790 censuses. I suspect he might be one of the William Arledges listed in Fairfield Co, SC in 1800.
• Isham: in the late 1790's moved through Edgefield SC (1800 census) and on through Marion/Lawrence/Adams County, MS. We haven't found him in 1820 though his son John is in Pike Co, MS, and by 1830 the whole family has moved to Claiborne Parish, LA
• Clement is living in Stewart Co, TN by 1820, with a wife and 6 sons. After his death, his wife moved to St. Francis, Arkansas.
• Ezra is presumed to have stayed in Mecklenburg Co NC (where he is listed in the 1830 census) and then migrates to Jackson and Putnam Counties in TN.

  ---

Don Aldridge <daldridge@CTC.Net>, a descendant of Caleb, writes: "This is my Aldridge/Arledge line. I have copies of deeds, census reports, and other records which make certain ties to the Isaac Aldridge Senior line in Fairfield County, SC. Caleb Sr. came to NC about 1784 and purchased land on or near the Mecklenburg/Anson County line. His brother Clement Sr. and nephew Clement Jr. witnessed one of his land transactions. Clement Jr. and Caleb Jr. both went to Stewart Co. Tenn. about 1803. [PW notes: I don't think this is correct since Caleb Junior would have been a child in 1803. I suspect it was Caleb Sr. who went to Tennessee.] Caleb Jr. came back to NC and lived next to his father in 1820. Clement Jr. died in Tenn. I have more information. " [His address is 28184A Barbees Grove Rd, Oakboro, NC 28129; 704-485-4336]

Don's notes: Also see Franklin Rudolph Aldridge's "Aldridge Records, Vol. II" pages 189, 201. I have many land transactions/deeds for him dated 1784 and later. He lived on or near the county line between Anson and Mecklenburg counties, NC. The county line had never been certain so wherever the land had been recorded when he purchased it, that was the county in which he recorded the new deed. His lands were located on Richardson Creek and the Camden Road which are now sited as just below the dam for Lake Twitty in present-day Union County, NC.

The 1820 federal census lists one son and five daughters. Who were his daughters? They have not yet been identified.

Don Aldridge wrote (Sept. 1998):

Trying to trace this family is quite frustrating. Since your message of 06 Sept. I have gone back through my records and can add very little if any real information.

The 1820 Federal Census for Anson Co. NC, page #1 lists Caleb Sr. and Caleb Jr. in consecutive households. On page #5 there is Eliazer Aldridge.

I have a copy of a survey for Caleb "Arldrige", Warrant # 125, 26 July, 1817. The chainbearers are listed as Thos. Bogan and Eliazer Arldrig.

I also have a copy of Warrant # 6924, and survey, 05 june,1832 for Eli Arledge.

Notice how the spelling variations bounce around.

I have been told that there is an Eli Aldridge buried in the Price Family burying grounds but if so it is in an unmarked grave.

The above survey for Eli states that it joins his existing lands on Chinquapin Creek. Caleb Sr. also had lands on Chinquapin Creek. I have never found a reference to a will for Caleb Sr. in Montgomery or Anson County, NC.

From Joy Moore Sat, 5 Feb 2000

State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County

This indenture made between Thomson, John and Ann, his wife of the one part and Caleb Aledge of the other part Witnesseth that the said John Thomson and Ann his wife for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds specie to him in hand paid by the said Caleb Aledge, the receipt where of the said John Thomson & Ann his wife doth hereby acknowledge , he, the said John Thomson and Ann his wife had granted , Bargained, and sold, Alliened and confirmed & by these presents doth grant, Bargain, Sell, Alien and confirm unto the said Caleb Aledge, his heirs and assigns forever all that mesuage (can not be sure of spelling) tenement situate lying and being on Richardson Creek In the above said county, it being a certain tract of land of three hundred acres taken up by the above said John Thomson, the uper part of one hundred and fifty acres being the lower part sold by John Thomson to Caleb Aledge, the dividing line betwix at Charles Cook and Aledge Begnning at a red oak thence W one hundred and seventy sevan poles to two white oak saplins on the north side it being the deviding line betwixst Charles Cook and Caleb Aledge thence runing North one hundred and thirty nine poles croping (not sure of spelling) said creek twenty sevan poles to a stake then east one hundred and eigthty one poles croping the creek sevanty light poles to a white oak saplin on or near the county line thence to the dividing red oak betwixtst the line above said parties concerned one hundred and fifty acres of land be the same more or less and also all land faces roads under woods, the commons common of pastures ommodities, advantages Menidatements way waters and of appurtances whatsover to the said mesuage on tenement and premises Above mentioned belonging on any wise aprtaining and the Gervantion and Gevartions, gemainder, and remainders (makes no sense) Rents and servises of the said premises above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances to the said Caleb Aledge his Heirs and Assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said premised above mentions to the said Caleb Aledge, his Heirs and Assigns, for ever and said John Thomson do warrant all the state right, title, intrest, claim and demands what so ever against himself, his heirs, and assigns and all and ever other persons whatsoever unto the said Caleb Aledge, his heirs and assigns for ever the said mesuage or tenement and premises and ever part there of against him the said John Thomson and his heirs and against all and ever other person or persons whatsoever to the said Caleb Aledge his heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents in witness when of the said John Thomson and Ann his wife hath set their hand and affix their seals this Annos Domini Signed ,

Sealed and Delivered in the presence of

John Belk

Abed O (his mark) Thomson

Signed John Thomson (seal)

Ann (her mark) Thomson (seal)

State of North Carolina

Mecklenberg County

June Session 1786

Then was the execution of the within deed proved in open court by the oath of John Belk and evidence thenceto and ordered to be registered

                  Test      Sam Martin   (can't read his title)

__________

Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 13:27:45 -0800

From: "Christie Russell" <cartar@tigerpaw.com>

From Union County, South Carolina Minutes of the County Court 1785-1799 by

Brent H. Holcomb, page 447.

Turner Kendrick's early land records on Susy Boles Branch of Turkey Creek, now in Chester Co., SC fell into the disputed boundary between Mecklenburg and Tryon Co. NC and the counties which are now York, Union, and Chester Co. SC. In Book 13, Mecklenburg Co., NC Deeds 28 Cct 1789. Turner Sissoms [Sisson] of Union Co., SC, planter, to John Sibley, planter, for L100 specie, 150 A. on Tysons Cr adj John Thompson. Wit: Caleb Arledge, Amos Millar, and PALMER (P) KENDRICK. Provd. Apr 1790 Ct by oath of Caleb

Arledge. Isaac Alexander.

From the research files of Pam Wilson: CALEB ALDRIDGE/6 ARLEDGE (ISAAC, WILLIAM ALDRIDGE, CLEMENT, CLEMENT, JOHN ALDRICH) was born 1756 in went to Anson/Mecklenburg Co, NC [1790 NC census], and died in Tennessee.

CALEB ALDRIDGE/ ARLEDGE: Moved from Fairfield Co, SC to Anson Co, NC near Charlotte. May have moved to Mecklenberg County, N.C. CALIB ARLIGE listed as Head of Household in 1790 census in Fayette District of Anson County, NC.

In 1800, CALEB ALDRIDGE (over 45) listed in Mecklenburg Co, NC with 5 sons and 2 daughters. In 1820, in Anson County, NC, census lists CALEP ARLDRIGE, Sr. CALEP ARLDRIGE, Jr and ELIAZER ARLDRIGE. In the 1830 Census CALEB ALLDRIDGE is listed in the West PeeDee District of Montgomery Co, NC.

Don Aldridge , a descendant of Caleb, writes: "This is my Aldridge/Arledge line. I have copies of deeds, census reports, and other records which make certain ties to the Isaac Aldridge Senior line in Fairfield County, SC. Caleb Sr. came to NC about 1784 and purchased land on or near the Mecklenburg/Anson County line. His brother Clement Sr. and nephew Clement Jr. witnessed one of his land transactions. Clement Jr. and Caleb Jr. both went to Stewart Co. Tenn. about 1803. Caleb Jr. came back to NC and lived next to his father in 1820. Clement Jr. died in Tenn. The 1820 federal census lists one son and five daughters... His lands were located on Richardson Creek and the Camden Road which are now sited as just below the dam for Lake Twitty in present-day Union County, NC.