James Ashcraft

Both James and Mary are buried in New Kent Couinty, Virginia. James and Mary were parishioners of New Kent Co.[Actually, Mary was a member of Blisland Upper Parish Anglican Church of New Kent County,Va. She is listed on the membership rolls. James was mentioned in the St Peter's vestry book just in connection with care of his father.

The home of James and Mary Ashcraft was in the southeastern part of New Kent County near the James City County line, while Thomas Ashcroft had lived in the northern portion just south of the Pamunkey river.

James and Mary Ashcraft lived in New Kent County, Virginia all their lives. Though James never left New Kent County, when his sons were approaching adulthood (ages 19 and 16), James Ashcraft purchased a land patent on May 12,1759 in Brunswick County, Virginia. The patent was composed of 178 acres located at the fork of Cedar Creek and mentions Little Cedar Creek and Middle Cedar Creek. This description makes the land easy to locate on a present day map. James paid twenty shillings of good and lawful money.

On February 14, 1761, James Ashcraft again purchased land in Brunswick county. This patent contained 186 acres that bordered Robert Moore's land at the Brunswick/Lunenburg County line (described as Lacey's, Williams, Barrow's, and Parish's corner back to the county line). The purchase price was twenty shillings. Both grants were signed by Francis Fauquier, and recorded in a Patent Book at the Virginia Archives, pgs. 251-252, and 814.

October 20, 1766- to Mary Ashcraft for 1 barrel of corn L_II 15 II James died around 1766 since Mary is mentioned in the Blisland parish records as selling one barrel of corn. If James had been alive, or able, he would have been the one to sell the corn.Vestry Book 0f Blisland Parish at the Upper Church, edited by C.G. Chamberlayne.

Mary Ashcraft , 2 tithes, 217 acres from James City County, Va. Sheriff's Tax Book, 1768. The county lines for New Kent and James City counties were adjusted in 1767. Some of the eastern side of James City county was added to New Kent County, some of southwestern New Kent was then James City. In 1767 the lower end of New Kent County on the York River side, from Ware Creek down to Skimino Creek, was added to James City County. all that portion lying beyond Diasum Creek was taken from James City County and given to New Kent. {From a document on Blisland Parish by Martha W. McCartney]. The 217 acres land owned by Mary Ashcraft was right on the line between New Kent County and James City County after the lines were changed in 1767.

Transcript of the total contents of the Virginia Gazette newspaper article in the October 3, 1771 issue concerning Mary Ashcroft, wife of James Ashcroft. This is to give notice to James, Robert, and Thomas Moore, who reside on the south side of James River, either in Surry or Brunswick Counties, that Mary Ashcroft, widow of ____ Ashcroft, who lived near Diesscon (Diascund) Bridge, in New Kent County, is lately dead, and has left behind her some Effects, which may be of Service to her Heir, if he or she can be discovered. The said Effects are now in the Possession of a Person who lived and cohabited with her some Time before her Decease, and soon will be made away with by him, if not timely claimed. For further Intelligence inquire at the Post Office. ( http://www.oursouthernancestors.com/ashcraft-001.html )

More info at:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ashcraftscott/d0000/g00000...