Here is some updated information on JOHN ARLEDGE of Edgefield Co, SC, who is the ancestor of many, many of the Southern Arledges. These are my working notes, so please consider them accordingly. All conclusions are subject to change! I hope this is helpful to many of you. Someday I'll update my web page, but I wanted you to have this before then. Pam _____________ JOHN ARLEDGE OF EDGEFIELD COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Pam Wilson Arledge Family History Project January 2000 wilsonpam@mindspring.com John and Anna Arledge lived on Turkey Creek, a secondary tributary of the Savannah River in Edgefield Co, SC as early as 1787. I believe at this time that John was probably the son of John Arledge and Elizabeth Thomas, originally of Northumberland Co, VA, who settled on the Wateree Creek near Camden, SC about 1748. Anna may have been a Duke, daughter or sister to John Duke of Lancaster Co, SC; this needs further investigation. Known and possible children of John and Anna Arledge include: -Isaac D (m. Rachel Harrington); -Elizabeth "Betsy"; -Esther (m. Weeks); -John "Jack" [m. (1) Martin? (2) Drady Owens]; -Burrell; -James; -Patience (m. David Baker Chandler). Most of you are descended through either son Isaac D. or son John "Jack"--their offspring went to Wilcox Co, AL then on to MS and TX. _____________ LAND RECORDS EDGEFIELD CO, SC: John AKRIDGE purchased from William MOSLEY 60 acres of land 12 April 1786 (Deed Book 1 p. 183, Edgefield Co, SC). Is this the same person, or a different one? The name is consistently spelled AKRIDGE throughout. listed in Edgefield District SC in 1787 as John ARLIDGE (there is also a listing for a John ACREDGE]. (Colonial America, 1607-1789 SC Census Index). 200 acres. Edgefield Co SC Deed Book 2 pp. 73-75. 13 Jan 1788 William Brown, Planter of Edgefield Co SC to JOHN ARLEDGE of same place for 20 pounds sterling sold 100 acres on Stephens Creek, waters of Turkey Creek. Signed William Brown, wit: James Brown, Wm. Dobey, Levi Jester. Edgefield Co., SC, Deed Book 2, page 95-97, January 1, 1788 [is this date correct?] John Arledge & Ann, his wife of Edgefield Co., SC to Samuel Jenkins for 30 pounds, sold 100 acres on Turkey Creek a branch of Stevens Creek waters of Savannah River...lower side on Turkey Creek & running SE as to include the spot whereon the old houses stood which John Dukes once lived on Little or Puckett Creek...adjoining land of Robert Burton, Millers Old Place, John Dooly. Witnesses: Arthur, John, and Nancy Simkins. [Tony Cox <ztlcox@worldnet.att.net> writes: This John Dukes may be the John Dukes from Lancaster County, deceased before 1790, who was the father of Moses and John Dukes of Barnwell.] Edgefield Co SC Deed Book 1 p. 151, 155: 28 Dec 1789. JOHN ARLEDGE, yeoman, of Edgefield Co, SC to Drury Hearn of same place for 30 pounds sterling, sold 100 acres, granted to Ebenatus Stephens 10 Jan 1775 on Little Stephens Creek, waters of Turkey Creek, bounded by Joseph Stephens and conveyed form Edward Myls (Miles) to William Brown 6 October and from William Brown to John ARLEDGE by Lease and Release 13 and 14 January 1788. Signed John {X} Arledge. Wit. George Mason, Bartlett Bledsoe, John Drinkard. In EDGEFIELD District in 1790 CENSUS of SC: Aldridge, Absolom State : SC County : Edgefield Dist. Year : 1790 Page # : 066 Age ranges in household : 01-01-02-00-00 Auldridge, John State : SC County : Edgefield Dist. (96 Dist.) Year : 1790 Page # : Age ranges in household : 02-03-04-00-00. Who was the other older male living in this household at this time? On 3 March 1791, John Arledge acquired 200 acres from Rolly ROBUCK (Deed Book 19, p. 384) SC STATE PLATS 1784-1840: ARLEDGE, John: 96 District, 155 acres, vol. 27, p. 265, 9 Sept 1791 SC STATE GRANTS: John ARLEDGE, 96 Dist., 155 acres, v.28, p. 557, 3 Oct 1791. Received a State Grant in 1791 for 155 acres on Turkey Creek in Edgefield County, Ninety-Six District, SC, which augmented several other land holdings he had previously acquired. [Edgefield Deed Book 7, p. 252] State of SC 21 March 1792 Lease and Release from Jacob Youngblood of Edgefield County, Planter, to John ALDRIDGE of Edgefield County, Planter; for 5 shillings sterling paid by said Aldridge hath bargained and sold a certain plantation or tract of land containing by elimination 185 acres on the South side of Turkey Creek the waters of Stephens Creek and Sewana Rivers in Edgefield County, part of a tract of land containing 370 acres granted to Jacob Youngblood 5 June 1786. Survey description follows. "To have and to hold the said plantation or tract of 185 acres of land and all or singular the premises herein before mentioned and intended to be bargained and sold and every part and parcel thereof with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said John Aldridge his heirs and assigns from the day next before the day of the date of these presents for and during and unto the full end and term of one whole year, from thence next ensuing and fully to be completed and ended yielding and paying Therefore, unto the said Jacob Youngblood, his heirs and assigns, the rent of one peppercorn on the last day of said term if the same shall be lawfully demanded to the interest and purposes that the said John Aldridge by virtue of these presents, and by force of the statute for transferring uses into possession, may be in actual possession of the premises before mentioned and intended to be hereby bargained and sold in every part and parcel thereof, with their and every of their appurtenances, and may be hereby enabled to accept and take a Grant and Release of the Reversion and the Inheritance of the same to him and his heirs and assigns for ever. JACOB YOUNGBLOOD (seal) wit: Isaac {his I mark} Aldridge Patience {her P mark} Aldridge State of SC This Indenture made the 22 March 1792 between Jacob Youngblood and John Aldridge (both planters of Edgefield County), that Youngblood, for and in consideration of 15 pounds sterling paid by Aldridge, hath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released and Confirmed unto the said Aldridge ("in his actual possession now being by virtue of a Bargain and Sale to him thereof made for one whole year by an Indenture of Lease bearing date the day next before the day of the date of these presents and by force of the statute for transferring uses into actual possession") a tract of land containing 185 acres situated on Turkey Creek the waters of Stephens Creek of Savana River... JACOB YOUNGBLOOD (seal) wit: Isaac {his I mark} Aldridge Patience {her P mark} Aldridge Jas. Scott Recorded and witnesses sworn 19 Sept 1792 14 June 1792. Edgefield Co, SC Deed Book 7, P. 80-85, Indenture between John and Ann ARLEDGE of Edgefield County, Ninety Six District, to David Baker Chandler, minor son of Joel Chandler, planter of the Creek County District of SC: 519 acres on Turkey Creek, for 10 shillings Sterling, 364 acres of which are part of tract granted to Richard Johnston in 1786 and conveyed to Arledge on 6-7 August 1788 (Book B, p. 25 or 35); another 155 acre grant to John Arledge 3 October 1791 by Gov. Charles Pinckney of SC recorded in Secy's Office in grant book No. 5 p. 557. Signed John Arledge, Ann Arledge (their marks), witnessed by Joel Chandler, Jas. Scott and Patience Arledge (her mark). There seem to be terms of a lease to Chandler for one peppercorn rent. Sworn and recorded 20 Jun 1792, dower relinquished Nov term 1792. NOTE: For a number of reasons, I suspect that the above transaction may be a pre-marital transaction conveying land to Chandler who was planning to marry Patience Arledge. The selling price--10 shillings for 519 acres--seems extraordinarily low, really a token. [In another deed a few years earlier, in 1788, there is a sale of 60 acres for 100 pounds sterling, in contrast, to establish a relative sense of real estate values). Also, it seems odd for a single woman to serve as a witness, unless perhaps she is the fiancee of one party and the daughter of the other? Thirdly, the minor status of Chandler and the fact that his father is involved in this agreement would indicate that this is some transfer of marital dowry. Later land transactions: John Arledge sold land to Isaac ARLEDGE (which one? this seems to early to be his son) on Haw Branch waters of Turkey Creek 23 June 1805. Acquired 192 acres from David Jones 28 March 1809 (Edgefield Deed Book 30, p. 299]. Upon his death between 1817-1821, his personal estate was valued at $2179, not including the value of his real estate. He and his wife had at least 7 children: 4 sons and 3 daughters, with birth years (calculated from census records) from before 1774 until after 1790. Will in Edgefield Co, SC. dated 29 May 1817 (recorded 9-25-1821): see below. Will, Edgefield District Will Book C, page 75: "In the name of God Amen, I, John Arledge of the State of South Carolina Edgefield District, Being in reasonable health and of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God Calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that It is appointed for all Men Once to die do make and Ordain this my last Will and testament; "That is to say principally and first of all, I give and Recommend my Soul into the hand of the Almighty God that gave it And my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian Burial, Nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same by the Mighty Power of God and as Touching such worldly Estate where with it has pleased Bod to bless me with in this world I Give demise ad dispose of the Same in the following manner and form-- "Item 1st, I give and bequeath to my beloved son Burrel Arledge Two negroes Harry and Lewis also all my house hold furniture with all my stock of Horses cows and hogs all to remain in the possession of my Beloved wife Anna Arledge and for her to have the benefit of it during her life, "And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my beloved wife Anna Arledge and my beloved son Isaac Arledge my Exrt & Exr, but after the death of my wife my beloved son John Arledge, Jun, shall act with my son Isaac [Arledge as Executors of my estate], and that the Said Property be kept by my said Executrix or Executors for the maintenance of my Said son Burrel, but in case of his death to be equally divided between my Exrs. "And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and Disanul all and Every Other former will or wills. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal this 29 day of May in the year of our Lord 1817 and in the 41st year of the Independence of the United States. Signed and Sealed in Presentes of us. Jesse Blocker A.W. Broughton John X (his mark) Arledge (SEAL) will filed by Isaac Aledges, Excr and Anna Aledges oath on 19 Feb 1821 Recorded Sept 25, 1821 Box 32 Pkg 32 Edgefield Co. Probate Court. A true and perfect inventory and appraisement of the personal estate of John Arledge decd made 23 Feb 1821 1 sorrel mear $70 1 bay horse $60 1 bay horse $25 29 Head of hogs $58 Cart $15 270 bushels corn $135 3 feather bedsteads and furniture $60 1 side board 1 chest etc. etc. 11 head cattle $82 TOTAL $644.12 1/2 bacon, lard, tallow, tobacco, fodder and oats 2 bales cotton $71.50 1 negro man Harry $700 1 negro man Lewis $700 TOTAL $2179.20 1/2 1822 Rec'd (Due to Estate of John Arledge): By cash from John Arledge $17.50 By cash from Isaac Arledge $26.00 Total 43.50 CENSUS RECORDS In the 1790 Edgefield County, SC census (96 District), he is listed as JOHN AULDRIDGE, with 2 males over 16, 3 males under 16 and 4 females. Thus, he must have had a larger family than the 3 sons listed in his will. The same census also lists an ABSOLOM ALDRIDGE (who is later found in Kershaw County). The 1800 Edgefield Co, SC census (96 District) lists JAMES ALDRIDGE (30010-1001000) and JOHN ALDRIDGE (21001-0210104) as living in the same district (on the same page 187). JOHN had 2 males 10-16, one 16-26 and one over 45, and 2 females under 10, 1 10-16 and one over 45 and 4 slaves. JAMES was a younger family, with one male and female each 26-45 and one boy and 3 girls under age 10. Is this James the oldest son of John and Anna? It would make sense since he seems to have lost one older son between the 1790 and 1800 censuses. Or James might also be from the unrelated Aldridge family. 1800 SC/Edgefield Co: #187 James ALDRIDGE 10010-30010-00 #187 John ALDRIDGE 02101-21001-04 (John and Anna b. before 1755, with oldest son born 1774-1784, then two sons born 1784-1790. Daughters: one born 1784-1790, and 2 born 1790-1800. However, the 1800 census for Abbeville County section of 96 District lists a JOHN ALDRIDGE and a NATHANIEL ALDRIDGE (a Nathaniel was also listed in 1800 in Abbeville). The 1810 Edgefield County census has an interesting twist--it lists: ALDREDGE, JOHN Jr. 031 (one of these should be "Sr") ARLDREDGE, JOHN Jr. 031 ARLDRIDGE, ISAAC 035 John and Isaac are evidently two of the sons of John. Where is James? Update from another census source: 1810 SC/Edgefield Co: 031 ARLDREDGE, John (01001-20101-05 ) John and Anna (both b. bef 1765) and one son born 1794-1800; one daughter born 1784-1794 and two daughters born 1800-1810. 031 ARLDREDGE, John, Jr. (10100-00100-00) John born 1784-1794 and wife (same age range) with one son born 1800-1810. 035 ARLDRIDGE, Isaac (10010-30010-00) Isaac born 1765-1784, wife same age range, with one son and 3 daughters born 1800-1810. 1820 Edgefield County census lists JOHN ARLREDGE SR. (000100 11101) and ISAAC ALREDGE (11010 20110) and JOHN ALREDGE (310010 10010) The 1830 Edgefield census lists ANNA ALDRIDGE (widow of John, SR.) and ISAAC ALDRIDGE. Son Burrel is never mentioned except in his will. Could Burrel be the same as James? Or is James from another family altogether?