Bridget Ann (Helm) Madden (bef. 1714 - 1759)

Born before 1714 in Frederick County, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of Jonathan Madden — married before 1734 in Prince William, Virginia

Descendants

Died 1759 after age 45 in Frederick, Virginia

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Biography

Bridget was born about 1714. She passed away about 1759.

These paragraphs from Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants; A History of Frederick County, Virginia by T. K. Cartmell, Clerk of the Old County Court, 1909

The Helm Family

This name appears in Virginia about 1700, ((this statement is the reasoning behind my using Frederick County Virginia as the birth place of Bridgett)) when we find Leonard Helm in the territory that was soon to be known as the Shenandoah Valley. His will was probated in Frederick County, Va., Dec. 5, 1745. He mentions his children: Meredith, Leonard, Mayberry, Joseph, Christopher and his youngest daughter, Bridget Madison. Meredith and Leonard qualified as executors.

Doubtless the founder of the Valley family left his native country, England, with other members of the older set, landing on Long Island 1675. Thomas Helm was a resident there for several years, and is supposed to be the father of the Leonard named.

"A history of the Parochial Chapelry of Goosnargh, Lancashire, England, by Henry Fishnick, F. H. S." gives interesting facts relating to the Helm family, who were prominent during the i6th and 17th Centuries. The family names, appearing in America far into the i8th and 19th Centuries, bear unmistakable evidence that this Leonard Helm was one of this English family.

Meredith Helm who appears as one of the Justices of the first court held in Frederick County, 1743, and Sheriff in 1753, and who frequently appears in public life until his death in 1768, lived near Winchester at one time. His plantations were in that part of the county known at this writing as Clarke. He died intestate; but the settlement of his estate shows two of his sons. Meredith and Thomas, as his administrators. Meredith married Margaret Neill; and Thomas married Elizabeth Neill. The descendants of these marriages are too numerous to mention in this connection.

The author is in correspondence with the line of Thomas Helm, the co-admr. of Meredith. He was a Justice of the Peace when the Revolutionary War began. Thomas had four sons, and probably more: William, Joseph B., Thomas and Meredith. One of Joseph's descendants, Mrs. John T. Doneghy, lives in Macon, Mo. Many of the name live in Kentucky.

Capt. Leonard Helm commanded a company in the George Rogers Clarke expedition to old Fort St. Vincent, and obtained land bounty for his services. (See list of Companies in this Vol.)

In the name of God Amen. ye Twentie fifth day of September 1745. I, Leonard Helm, in ye Parish and County of Frederick, a Colony of Virginia, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks to God. Therefore calling to mind ye Mortality of my body and knowing yt it Appointed for all men once to die, do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament, viz: principally and first of all, I Recommend my Soul to God and my body to ye Earth to be Buried at ye Discretion of my Executors; and as touching Such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, Demise and Depose of ye Same in ye following manner and form.

Item, I Give and Bequeath to my Son Mabry Helm ye first Colt of my young black Mare.

Item, I Give and Bequeath to my son Joseph Helm Forty Shillings Current Money of Virginia.

Item, I give to Christopher Helms forty Shillings Current money of ye above said Province.

Item, I give to Bridget Maddin my youngest daughter Three Cows.

Item, I give to Edward Broughton Fifteen Pounds Current Money of ye above said Province and an Horse; and to live with my Son Meredith till he be fifteen years of Age and then to be sent to my son Mabry Helm and Ten pounds with him only.

Item, I give to Leonard Helm, Junior my House and Household Goods (Ye Beds and Bedding Excepted) and ye Young black Mare; as also ye Plantation and his Share of ye Crop; and ye said Leonard shall give a Just Account of ye Two last years Crops of Tobacco; to ye Executor hereof According to Law; likewise, I appoint my son Leonard to be joint Executor with Meredith on Condition yt he Shall agree to this my Last Will; otherwise not.

Item, I give and Bequeath to my Eldest Son, Meredith Helm, whom I likewise appoint, Constitute and Ordain Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament, all and singular my whole Estate viz. ye half of ye Crop for this present year; ye Negroe Guy, ye Servant Woman together with all my Moveable Good and Chattles Whatsomever, by him freely to be Possessed and Enjoyed, (he paying and discharging ye above said Legacies and bequests) and I do hereby utterly Disannual and Revoke all and every other former Wills, Testaments, legacies, Bequests and Executors by manywise before Named, Ratifying and Confirming this and no Other to be my Last Will and Testament; in witness whereof I hereunto Set my hand and Seal ye day and Year above Written. Leo. Helm

Signed, Sealed and Delivered by ye said Leonard Helm as his Last Will and Testament in ye presence of us ye Subscribers.

John Gordon, James (X) Scott, Duncan D. (X) Stewart.

The will was proved 6 November 1745.

Sources

• Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants; A History of Frederick County, Virginia by T.K. Cartmell, Clerk of the Old County Court, 1909.

• https://web.archive.org/web/20231213230533/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I80093&tree=Tree1

See also:

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZNM-J41