Matthew Robertson (abt. 1740 - bef. 1798)

Born about 1740 in Henrico County, Virginia, British Colonial America

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Robertson — married 17 Oct 1762 in Chesterfield County, Virginia

Husband of Elizabeth (Hurt) Robertson — married 25 May 1785 in Amelia County, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 22 Mar 1798 before about age 58 in Amelia County, Virginia

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Biography

Matthew Robertson served with Virginia Militia during the American Revolution.

Matthew Robertson was born about 1740 in then Henrico County, Virginia, He was the son of Jeffrey Robertson II and Judith Tanner Mills.

Matthew Robertson married Mary Robertson 17 Oct 1762 Chesterfield Co. Mary was born about 1741, the daughter of William Robertson and Sarah Townes. After Mary died c1783, Matthew married secondly Elizabeth Hurt 25 May 1785 Amelia Co. Elizabeth died in Amelia Co. before 22 November 1810. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Hurt and his first wife (Rachel??). Matthew Robertson served as one of the executors for William Hurt's estate in 1789 Nottoway Co.

Matthew and Mary moved to Amelia County some time around 1777, when they purchased about 230 acres on Flat Creek. Matthew eventually established a store in this area and was apparently quite successful. His inventory in 1798 includes one list for his personal estate, which included 21 named slaves, and a separate, multi-page list describes the detailed content of his store.

Matthew appeared in a number of court orders during the 1780's and 1790's in Amelia Co. He sat on several juries, helped to maintain roads and was appointed Overseer of the Poor in 1791. Only a few selected records from this activity are cited below.

Matthew apparently died intestate some time shortly before 22 March 1798. Elizabeth wrote her will 9 August 1810 (proved 22 November 1810) in Amelia Co. Her will mentions one son, Lloyd Robertson (by Matthew), her brother Obadiah Hurt, her half-brother John Hurt and several nieces and nephews.

Children of first marriage (Mary Robertson):

1. William Robertson, b. 1763, Chesterfield Co.; mar. Amelia Co., Cynthia Ford, dau. of Edward D. Ford.
2. Judith Robertson, b. 1765, Chesterfield Co.; mar. 9 Oct. 1806, Amelia Co., James Craddock.
3. Sarah "Sally" Robertson, b. 1767, Chesterfield Co.; mar. 14 Feb. 1799, Amelia Co., Joseph Brown.
4. John Sayer M. Robertson, b. 17 Apr. 1771, Amelia Co., d. 22 Feb. 1820, near Ft. Meigs, AL; mar. (1) 22 Jan. 1795, Amelia Co., VA., MARY "Polly" Motley, b. 1775, Amelia Co., VA, d. Jan. 1796, Amelia Co.; mar. (2) 24 Oct. 1799, Amelia Co. Martha Brown, sister of Joseph Brown, d. AL
5. Nathan Robertson, b. 1773, Amelia Co.; d. 1808.
6. Patience "Patsy or Pokey" Robertson, b. 1775, Amelia Co.; d. 1801 (Amelia Co., W.B. #7, p. 52); mar. 19 Oct. 1789, Amelia Co., James C. Mitchell.
7. Mary Robertson, b. 1777, Amelia Co.; mar. 12 Feb. 1799, Amelia Co. Claiborne Craddock

Children of second marriage (Elizabeth Hurt):

1. Lloyd Robertson, b. ca.1785, Amelia Co.; mar. 9 Aug. 1812, Amelia Co. Mary "Molly" Craddock Jackson. Her brother was Jordan Jackson.
2. Jeffrey M. Robertson, b. ca.1786, Amelia Co.; d. in 1806 at age 20, unmarried.
3. Elisha Robertson, b. ca.1788, Amelia Co., VA, d. 1808.

Sources

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 7, p. 15; 21 February 1772, William Robertson for natural love, good will and affection which I bear towards Matthew Robertson and Mary his wife of Amelia Co. and Raleigh Parish, one negro girl Phebe. Wit: John Cogbill, James Robertson, John Robertson. Signed without mark.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 340; 18 April 1774, Will of William Robertson,...Item. I give to my son-in-law Matthew Robertson one shilling sterling...I also make, appoint and ordain my two sons John and William Robertson and Mathew Robertson my executors of this my last Will and Testament.

• Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 14, p. 199 26 June 1777, Nicholas Vaughn Jr. and Elizabeth, his wife, to Matthew Robertson, 230 acres where Vaughn lives adjoining Robert Vaughn Sr., Bartholomew Vaughn, John Lanceford and others.

• Amelia County, Virginia Tithable Lists, FHL Film 7856500, Image 32 and 56; 1778, Matthew Robertson.

• Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 16, p. 353; 20 July 1783, Matthew Robertson to Richard Mayes, 214 acres adjoining John Baldwin, McGlasson, Peter Claybrook, Richard Johnson. No wit, No dower.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Book 3, p. 519; 16 December 1784, Will of Jeffrey Robertson (Jr.), ... Item I give and bequeath to my son Matthew Robertson one negro woman named Sue and a negro boy named Anthony to him and his heirs forever...Lastly I do nominate and appoint my sons Nicholas and Matthew Robertson Executors of this my last Will and Testament...

• Amelia County Marriages, FHL Film 4274607, Marriage bonds and register, 1735-1918, Image 75, 25 May 1785, Mathew Robertson and Elizabeth Hurt; Joel Mottley, security.

• Amelia County, Virginia Order Book 17, p. 133a; 24 November 1785, Ordered that John Townsend Jr., James Vaughan, Matthew Robertson and Sherwood Walton or any three of them view a way for a road from John Foster’s into the Old Road leading to Farley’s Ordinary, and report to the Court the conveniency and inconveniency attending the same.

• Amelia County, Virginia Order Book 18, p. 133a; 28 June 1787, Ordered that James Vaughan, Matthew Robertson, George Baldwin and John Harper, or any three of them do view a way for a road from Baldwin’s around Joel Motley’s fence, and report to the court the conveniency and inconveniency thereof. Ordered that the same persons view a way to turn a road from Baldwin’s to Mayes bridge around John Mitchell’s fence, and report to the court the conveniency and inconveniency thereof.

• Amelia County, Virginia Order Book 19, p. 122; 26 February 1789, John Harper, Robert Vaughan, Matthew Robertson, and William Craddock or any three of them are ordered to appraise the slaves if any and personal estate of Josiah Hundley, deceased, and return their appraisment to the Court.

• Amelia County, Virginia Order Book 19, p. 154; 25 June 1789, John Foster and Booker Foster, P vs. Richard Foster, D} In Chancery - Court orders that William Cross Craddock, Richard Ogilby, Matthew Robertson, and James Vaughan and Charles Craddock, or any three of them do lay off the land of the said William Foster, deceased, in his will mentioned, and ascertain John Foster’s part thereof, and make report thereof to this Court, in order to a final decree.

• Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 1, p. 247; 31 August 1789, Will of William Hurt, proved 1 December 1796; will mentions wife Charity, 5 "living" children: Benjamin Hurt, William Hurt, Obadiah Hurt, John Hurt and Elizabeth Robertson; grandsons John Beesley and Edwin Beesley (sons of William Beesley), granddaughter Sarah Beesley, granddaughter Ann Beesley; Executors: Sons Benjamin, Obadiah and John, and Matthew Robertson; Elizabeth Robertson given three slaves - Fanney, Williboy and Dick. Wit: William Cross Craddock, John Hill Craddock, William Cross Craddock, Jr., John Hill, Samuel Craddock.

• Amelia County, Virginia Order Book 19, p. 312; 28 July 1791, John Pervail (?), Archer Johnson, Thomas Elmore, George Booker and Matthew Robertson, Gentlemen are appointed Overseers of the Poor. They took the oath prescribed by law.

• Amelia County, Virginia Deed book 19, p. 300; 10 August 1793, Power of Attorney, Robert Beasley to Matthew Robertson.

• Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 20, p. 140; 24 December 1795, James C. Mitchell and Polly, his wife, to Matthew Robertson, 200 acres on southeast side of Flat Creek adjoining Anthony Webster, John Mitchell and Matthew Robertson, Mayes old bridge.

• Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 20, p. 172; 11 April 1796, Booker Foster and Tabitha, his wife, to Matthew Robertson, 310 acres on west side of Flat Creek adjoining Anthony Webster, Richard Johnson, Sherwood Walton and Deaton. Wit: Thomas Ellmore, John Baldwin.

• Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 20, p. 212; 1 October 1796, Matthew Robertson to Anthony Webster, 310 acres adjoining Anthony Webster, Richard Johnson, Levy Deaton, Sherwood Walton. Wit: John Morris, James Macnool, David Delaney. No dower.

• Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 20, p. 288; 13 March 1797, Joshua Atkinson to Joshua Chaffin, John Truly and Matthew Robertson, 55 acres on both sides Flat Creek and including a mill, adjoining Estate of Frances Anderson, John Hill, Estate of Richard Ogilby. Wit: John Harper, George Scott, Samuel Rucker.

• Amelia County, Virginia Will Book 5, p. 440; 22 March 1798, Inventory of Matthew Robertson, performed by George Scott, Richard Broadus, George Baldwin; list includes household and farm items, 21 slaves and a separate, multi-page list of “store goods”.

• Amelia County, Virginia Will Book 7, p. 594; 9 August 1810 (written, 22 November 1810 (proved); Will of Elizabeth Robertson (widow of Matthew Robertson); Will mentions: Son Lloid (Lloyd); Children (not named) of my half-brother John Hurt; Children of my brother Obadiah Hurt by his first wife: Lloid Hurt, Eliza Hurt, Charita Hurt, Hiram Hurt; Children (not named) of John Huff Stout (?) by his first wife Ann Beasley; Nephew Edwin Beasley; Executors: Son Lloid, John Mottley Jr., Nathaniel M. Mottley; Wit: Thomas Howell, Nathaniel M. Mottley, Obedience Mitchell, Polley C. Jackson. Signed: Elizabeth H (?) her mark Robertson

• "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3Q-HFLN-S?cc=2546162&wc=WD6Q-RM9%3A1588791495 : 24 January 2018), Virginia > image 685 of 886; citing various published state rosters, United States.

Older Sources (may contain errors)

• Robertson Family History, compiled by Minnie Robertson Smith and published by her son, George Robertson in the 1950's.
• D.A.R. papers submitted by Martha Bryan, Opelika, AL, dtd. 1910: Matthew furnished beef, bacon and wheat to the Rev. Army in 1780 and 1781 (Ref.: Virginia Public Service Claims, Courts Docket, p. 38).
• http://www.robisonandblythe.org/getperson.php?personID=I24196&tree=RobisonandBlythe
• Research of Angus Robinson (link no longer functional): http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/ROBINSON/1997-06/0867103875
• " Matthew migrated to Georgia in the early 1800's but returned to Virginia prior to his death". Editor's note: The subject of this profile was dead before 1800??

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to Allan Thomas for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Allan and others.