Ralph Shelton Jr.
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Ralph Shelton Jr. (1709 - bef. 1789)

Ralph Shelton Jr.
Born in Christ Church, Middlesex County, Virginiamap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of , , , [half], , , , , and
Husband of — married 10 Jun 1731 in Middlesex County, Virginia Colony, British Americamap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , , , , , , , , and
Died before before age 79 in Henry County, Virginia, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 12 Oct 2010
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Please be careful with merges and updates. There has been a lot of confusion around Ralph Sheltons. There were several of them in Virginia, and they all seemed to use similar names for their children. Add to that, their wives were all named "Mary".

Contents

Biography

U.S. Southern Colonies Project logo
Ralph Shelton Jr. was a Virginia colonist.

When Ralph Shelton was born in October 23, 1709, in Christ Church, Middlesex County, Virginia, and baptized at Christ Church on 23 Oct 1709. [1] His father, Ralph Shelton Sr. (1685-1733), was 30 and his mother, Mary Jane (Crispen) Shelton (abt.1690-1771), was 26. After the death of Ralph Shelton, Mary Jane married Thomas Clark (before October 1746).[2][3]

On June 10, 1731 he married Mary (Daniel) Shelton (bef.1713-abt.1766) in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia. [4]

They initially settled in Essex County, Virginia. (In May 1740, Ralph Shelton presented a certificate to the Essex Court for taking up a runaway slave Cheshire belonging to Mrs. Winifred Webb of Richmond.)[5] Shortly thereafter these Sheltons moved about 100 miles west and south to Amelia County, created in 1734 from Brunswick and Prince George Counties. Amelia at first also included the areas now in Prince Edward and Nottaway Counties. On Sept. 20, 1745, Ralph Shelton received a royal grant of 400 acres in Amelia County, on the lower side of Snales Creek and north of Great Nottaway River. (See Property subsection below.)

  • In Amelia County, Ralph Shelton was listed as having seen active militia service in 1758.[citation needed] During the Revolutionary War most of the Pittsylvania Sheltons were in active official or military service, against Indians, tories and the British. On Feb. 22, 1763, Ralph sold his 686 acres on the lower side of Snales Creek, Amelia county, to Richard Burks. John Shelton witnessed the deed. (See Property subsection below.)

On 21 July 1763, Ralph Shelton bought 400 acres on both sides of the Mayo River in Halifax, Virginia, about 125 miles west of Amelia. (Halifax successively became Pittsylvania, Henry, and Patrick Counties). In 1767, Ralph and four of his eleven sons are listed on the personal tax records of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. [citation needed]

By 1776 the western end of Pittsylvania had become so well settled that its citizens were demanding a new county. As the petition of Oct. 9, 1776, read “Its extreme inconvenient for us to attend upon any business, civil or military, it being a fact that in Pittsylvania some have seventy-five and eighty miles from the upper end of the county to the Courthouse and others forty-five and fifty miles from the lower end, and many large water courses in the way, and as we are frequently called together to the Courthouse on account of the unhappy dispute between Great Britain and her colonies (being ready and willing to do all in our power in the defense of our just rights and libertys) with many grievous burthens too tedious to mention.” [lxxxii] So the petitioners, numbering several hundred, asked for a division on a line drawn due south from Black Water on Stanton River. The result was the creation of Henry County, named for the already famous war Govenor Patrick Henry. Among the petitioners who brought about this division were Ralph Shelton and sons James, Eliphaz, Roger, John, and other Sheltons.

Three years after its establishment, the Henry County tax list numbered 497 names. This roll showed that Ralph Shelton and James Shelton and their sons, living on the South and North Mayo Rivers, respectively, were assessed for personal property taxes: Ralph, Palatia, Eliphas, John, James, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Azariah (Hezekiah?), Capt. James, and William Shelton. (see Property subseciton below.)

In 1782, Ralph Shelton was living in Henry County, Virginia (1 Tithe, 0 Negroes, 2 Horses, 7 Cattle). Also listed on the same page are Palatiah, Eliphaz Shelton, and Roger Shelton. (William Shelton, James Shelton, Samuel Shelton, and Ralph Shelton Jr are listed on other pages.)[6]

Sometime subsequent to the death of Mary Daniel Shelton and before 1788, John married Elizabeth Unknown (see Probate records under Will).

He passed away by March 30, 1789 when his Will was proved in Henry County, Virginia, USA having lived a long life of 79 years, and is believed to have been laid to rest in the Eliphaz Shelton Cemetery, Patrick County, Virginia, United States. [7]

Will of Ralph Shelton

In the name of god Amen the Twenty Third Day of April One thousand Seven hundred Eighty Seven I Ralph Shelton Sen’r of Henry County being of perfect sound Memory and Calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die to make Constitute and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. (Viz.) First and principally I Recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty god who gave it me, and as Touching That Worldly Estate it hath Pleased him to bestow on me I Dispose of them as follows. I give and Divise to my son John Shelton five pounds Sterling Current Money of Virginia. The Intent of my Willing my son John Shelton five Pounds Sterling is to cut him from his heirship. And also my will and desire is that my four last children namely Easop Shelton, Abbigal, Shelton, Mary Shelton, Liberty Shelton, shall be ?asid of my Estate. And the Remainder paid of my Estate, Lands and Moveables to be Equally Divided between Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton, Eliphaz Shelton, James Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton, Jeremiah Shelton, Zariah Shelton, Roger Shelton, Easop Shelton, Abbigal Shelton, Mary Shelton, Liberty Shelton, Katherine Rutherford, Sarah Robertson, Elizabeth Arnold, Rina McGee, Susanah Jones. They or their heirs. I also appoint my sons Ralph Shelton and Eliphaz Shelton Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have to this my Last Will and Testament hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above Written. Signed Sealed, Published Pronounced and Declared to be my Last Will and Testament. Ralph Shelton S.S. Witnesses: John Fletcher, Henry Holt, John Branham

At a Court held for Henry County on the 30th Day of March 1789, The within Last Will & Testament of Ralph Shelton Deceased was Exhibited in Court by Eliphaz Shelton one of the Executors therein named who took the oath of an Executor. & The same was proved by the Oaths of Witnesses thereto bo be the Last Will & Testament of the said Ralph Shelton deceased & the said Eliphaz Shelton with Stephen Lyon & John Parr jr. his Surities entered into Bond & Acknowledged the same & was Ordered to be Recorded By the Court. The said Eliphaz Shelton having obtained a probate thereof in due form agreeable to Law. Teste. John Cox HC[8]

  • 26 March 1789, Ralph's will is proved and Elizabeth is named widow and relict. It appears she is objecting to the will because she wants what is her according to the law (she is not named in his will).[9]
  • 1789 Elizabeth Shelton relinquishes her claim on the estate of her husband.[10]
  • 14 May 1793 In Chancery. Samuel Staples...Complt. against Eliphaz Shelton as Gardian for Esop Shelton, Abigal Shelton, Liberty Shelton, & Mary Shelton. Abraham Penn Atto. in fact for Ralph Shelton Junr., Palitiah Shelton Jeremiah Shelton William McGehee & Julius Robertson. Also agst. Dudley Rutherford William Arnold, William Jones, Roger Shelton Azariah Shelton, Ezekiah Shelton & James Shelton Heirs of Ralph Shelton Deceased. Defendants.[11]
  • 14 August 1793 Eliphaz Shelton is appointed Guardian for Easop Shelton, Abigal Shelton, Mary Shelton & Liberty Shelton, Infants & Heirs of Ralph Shelton deceased. To answer a Bill in Chancery Exhibitted against them by James Shelton.[11]
  • 31 October 1794 In Chancery. Samuel Staples Complt. agt. Eliphaz Shelton Guardian for Esop Shelton, Abigal Shelton, Liberty Shelton & MaryShelton & Also Abraham Penn atto. in fact for for Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton Jeremiah Shelton William McGehe & Julious Roberson. Also Dudley Rutherford William Jones William Arnold Roger Shelton Azariah Shelton Ezekiah Shelton and James Shelton heirs of Ralph Shelton Decd. Defendants. The Defendants not having appeared according to the Rules of this Ct. On the motion of the Complt. by his attorney, It is Ordered and Decreed, That George Carter Edward Tatum, Nathaniel Smith, William Smith Sr. and David Hanby be appd. Commissioners to lay of and Divide the land Mentioned in the Complainants Bill, according to the Poayer thereof and make report thereof to the Court.[11]
  • In Chancery. James Shelton & Wife Complainants against Easop Shelton, Abigal Shelton, Liberty Shelton & Mary Shelton, Ralph Shelton, Palitiah Shelton, Jeremiah Shelton, William McGehe & Julious Roberson Dudley Rutherford, William Arnold, William Jones, Roger Shelton, AzariahShelton, Ezekiah & Eliphaz Shelton heirs of Ralph Shelton Deceased, Defendants. The Defendants Waving all Error and not Gain saying the Claim of the Complainants, It is Ordered that the land according to the Poayer of their said Bill be Divided to them.[11]

Children of Ralph Shelton

Possibly children of Elizabeth:

  • Easop Shelton[8]
  • Abbigal Shelton[8]
  • Mary Shelton[8]
  • Liberty Shelton[8]

Property

  • On 20 September 1745, Ralph Shelton was granted 400 acres north of Nottaway River, Amelia, Virginia for 40 shillings by William Hooch, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.[12]
  • On 20 June 1749, Ralph Shelton was deeded 400 acres on the lower side of Ledbetters Creek adjoining John Ingram, Lunenburg County, Virginia for 40 shillings by William Gooch, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,.[13] When the Lunenburg lands were processioned in 1760, this notation was made: “Ralph Shelton’s land not processioned, want of attendance,”[14]
    • 1 December 1778 Ralph Shelton of Henry County, VA, and wife Elizabeth sold to John Ingram of Lunenburg 400 acres in Lunenburg County on adj. sd. Ingram on Ledbetter Creek.[15]
  • On 23 October 1751, Ralph Shelton of the Parish of Nottaway bought 286 acres more on the lower side of Snales Creek from Samuel Jordan. Snail Creek, on the modern map, is a small stream scarcely five miles long in the southeast corner of Prince Edward County (created in 1753 from Amelia), emptying into the Great Nottaway where Prince Edward, Nottaway and Lunenburg meet. The Great Nottaway was then (1751) the boundary between Amelia and Lunenburg. This places Ralph Shelton’s 628 acre homestead in the extreme southwest corner of present Nottaway County and his land on Ledbetter Creek about 10 miles distant to the south and west.[16]
    • 22 February 1763, Ralph Shelton of Nottoway Parish, Amelia County, Virginia, sells 680 acres on SnaLes River to Richard Burks of Saint Patrick Parish, Prince Edward County, Virginia. in Amelia.[17] Court case involving property: Ralph, and then Ralph and Richard Burks, were sued for debt by Liddall Bacon and Richard Clough, executors of Samuel Jordan. Evidently Ralph’s land mortgage had not been paid off. Judgment was awarded by the Amelia court for 52 pounds and 7 shillings, with interest at 5% from Nov. 1, 1756.[18]
  • 21 July 1763, Ralph Shelton is deeded 400 acres on the Mayo River, Halifax, Virginia, by Darby Callahan.[19]
    • August 1772, Ralph Shelton is granted the right to build a water grist mill at the land he owns on both sides of the Mayo River.[20]
    • 13 March 1784: Ralph Shelton sells 400 acres on both sides of Mayo River, Henry County, Virginia, to son James Shelton; Witnesses: Jessee Raynolds, Hall Hudson, Elphoz Shelton [21]
  • 1781 Land deed to Ralph Shelton for 145 acres on Matthews Creek, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.[22]
    • 10 April 1788 Ralph Shelton and wife Elizabeth of Henry County, Patrick Parish, sell 145 acres on Matthews Creek to Jacob Adams[23]
  • 10 April 1788 Ralph Shelton and wife Elizabeth of Henry County, Patrick Parish, sold 250 acres on Matthews Creek to Jacob Adams.[24]

Research Notes

It is quite possible that Ralph Shelton (Shelton-2791) and Ralph Shelton (Shelton-54) are the same 2 people. I am postponing a merge until later when I am done adding my DNA matches.

  • After adding DNA matches to confirm connections the 2 were merged.

"Contemporary research has shown that Ralph Shelton of Middlesex Co. was not the son of Peter (Shelton) Chilton (abt.1664-1718) and Susannah Jackson. This fable was one of the errors made by Mildred Campbell Whitaker's work, The Sheltons in England and America.[9] Ralph Shelton transported to Virginia in 1702 as a headright of Thomas Meriwether who also left him some land in his will. No connection between the two men has been proven. All of Peter's children are listed in the Christ Church register and in his will; no son Ralph was mentioned. Primogeniture was in place so there would have been no choice as to whether Ralph was listed if he were the oldest son. Currently, there is no primary record of evidence of Ralph Shelton's origin other than the fact that he first came to America in 1702."[25]

Sources

  1. ↑ "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRRQ-1NL : 28 January 2020), Ralph Shelton, 1709.
  2. ↑ The heirs of Thomas Clarke acknowledge receipt of their inheritance from Mary Clark on 12 October 1746. (https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/M9XT-2ZW)
  3. ↑ Will of Mary Clark. Pittsylvania County, VA Deed & Will Book #5, pgs. 369-371. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-G9F5-H?i=194&cat=415497) Will Dated 30 June 1750; Probate 29 August 1771. On June 30, 1750, Mary Clark, calling herself “of the Parish of Nottaway in the County of Amelia”, wrote her will. She left one shilling sterling each to her grandchild Reuben Shelton, son Ralph Shelton, son Crispin Shelton, son John Shelton, son Benjamin Shelton, son James Shelton, and grandchild Patient Catey Blackey. To her daughter Elizabeth Davis she gave “the best of my wearing clothes.” All the rest of her estate, including “negro wench Janey”, she bequeathed to Daniel Shelton, her youngest son (nearing his 21st birthday) and named him “sole Executor and so-forth”.
  4. ↑ "Maine, Church Records, 1734-1907," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG2T-MY5S : 29 May 2020), Ralph Daniel and Mary Daniel, 10 Jun 1731; citing Marriage, Christchurch, Middlesex, Virginia, United States, Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 007896982.
  5. ↑ Essex County Court Order Book 12, p. 5 (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-V3BZ-G(
  6. ↑ 1782 Henry County Virginia Personal Tax List (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQ2-SQM3-H)
  7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 October 2020), memorial page for Ralph Shelton II (23 Oct 1709–Mar 1789), Find A Grave: Memorial #61769576, citing Eliphaz Shelton Cemetery, Patrick County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Shelton Mitchell Woods Family (contributor 47679940) .
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 Will of Ralph Shelton in Will books, Henry County, 1777-1867; general indexes, 1777-1949 (not indexed) (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-3W49)
  9. ↑ Will Proved (names wife Elizabeth): Henry Virginia court record Volume 5 page 26 March court. (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84608254)
  10. ↑ 1789 Elizabeth Shelton Relinquishes Claim to Estate. Henry County General Index to Ended Law and Chancery Book 5 page 51 - film 7898572 (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84180315)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Transcribed by Mary C. Smith from Patrick County, Va., Order Book "O," 1791-1800, unpaged, Library of Virginia Microfilm Reel #18.
  12. ↑ 1745 Land Deed Amelia, VA; Land Office Patents no. 22, 1743-1745 (v.1 & 2, p. 1-631), p. 561 (Reel 20). Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=561&last=&g_p=P22&collection=LO Patent)
  13. ↑ 1749 Land Deed Lunenburg, Virginia; Land Office Patents No. 28, 1746-1749 (v.1 & 2 p.1-730), p. 592 (Reel 26). Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=592&last=&g_p=P28&collection=LO Patent )
  14. ↑ FHC Film 1036822 Item 2 or DGS 7899296 Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg, Va by Landon C. Bell – not yet digitized (I think page 508)
  15. ↑ 1778 Sale of Lunenburg Land:(https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84179482)
  16. ↑ 1778 Amelia County, VA Land Deed. Amelia County deed book 4 pages 179-183; (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-MS59-K)
  17. ↑ 1763 Sale of Amelia, VA Land. Amelia Virginia deed book 8 page 374. (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84608806)
  18. ↑ Liddall Bacon and Richard Clough, Executors and etc. of Samuel Jordan, decd. Plt. vs Ralph Shelton, deft. In debt. Judgment for Plts. [pounds]104, 14, 0. 1763 Order Book p. 46. EP Valentine papers with the abstract of the court case (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015051124116;view=1up;seq=56)
  19. ↑ 1763 Halifax, VA Land Deed. Halifax Deeds - book 4 page 357; deed 21 July 1763; film #8151690 image 314; page 45 of that section. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4V-R3X9-5)
  20. ↑ August 1772 Court Case permits Water Grist Mill (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84763687)
  21. ↑ 1784 Sale of Henry County, VA Land. Henry county deed book 3 page 29. (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84608362)
  22. ↑ 1781 Pittsylvania, VA Land Deed. 1781 Land Deed, Matthews Creek, Pittsylvania County, VA. (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84179482)
  23. ↑ 1788 Sale to Jacob Adams. Henry county book 3 page 470. (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84608617)
  24. ↑ 1788 Sale to Jacob Adams. Henry deed book 3 page 468. (https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/84608478)
  25. ↑ Entered by Richard Ragland, citing the research of Pam Shelton-Anderson-- more source information requested.

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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Ralph by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. Y-chromosome DNA test-takers in his direct paternal line on WikiTree: It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Ralph:

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Images: 1
Will of Ralph Shelton Sen'r
Will of Ralph Shelton Sen'r


Comments: 7

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Lee-5956 Robin Lee
Shelton-5564 and Shelton-54 appear to represent the same person because: Identical dates, incorrect parents removed, these can be merged
posted by Robin Lee
Sarah Sharpless
Ralph Shelton's will says he is of Henry Co., VA, and the will was probated in Henry Co., VA. Henry Co. was originally called Patrick Henry Co., VA, and then shortened to, simply, Henry Co.
posted by Sarah Sharpless
Fesmire-8 Alice Ann Fesmire
Shelton-3197 and Shelton-54 appear to represent the same person because: Death date error, but same person. Please merge. Thank you.
posted by Alice Ann Fesmire
Yvonne (Shelton) Spitek
Hello. I'm new at this. But I think there may be a connection in our trees. I'm very hesitant to make changes or merges because I'm so unsure. My first cousin Kyle Shelton has in DNA on here and 23andme and ged.com. He is the son of Ralph Shelton who is the son of Joseph D Shelton. My biological mother is Sarah Louise Shelton sister of Ralph Shelton and Aunt to Kyle. Please contact me if this helps you or if you are able to help me. Thank you very much. Yvonne Spitek.
posted by Yvonne (Shelton) Spitek
L Attebery
Shelton-54 and Shelton-3257 appear to represent the same person because: I assume both profile managers are familiar with the work here:

http://tinasgenealogy.ushalls.com/dna.html

and here http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~janicekmc/ralphjr.htm?cj=1&sid=725X175X5a4101699fd7cdb882d8ed727b23a625&netid=cj&o_xid=0003662453&o_lid=0003662453&o_sch=Affiliate+External

The second site does list Jeremiah as a son of Ralph Jr (II).

posted by L Attebery
Strutton-11 Shirley Ann (Strutton) Dalton (1943-2023)
Shelton-2791 and Shelton-54 appear to represent the same person because: same birth/death dates & places; both married to Mary Daniel in 1731.
posted by Shirley Ann (Strutton) Dalton (1943-2023)
[Living Baxter]
Shelton-2791 and Shelton-54 are not ready to be merged because: These 2 Ralph's are probably the same 2 people, I am only adding DNA matched relatives to my tree. since Ralph has quite a few children with matches to my tree it will be quite interesting to see how his page ends up..
posted by [Living Baxter]

Rejected matches › Ralph Shelton Esq (abt.1520-bef.1592) › Unknown Shelton (abt.1720-)

Featured National Park champion connections: Ralph is 12 degrees from Theodore Roosevelt, 19 degrees from Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, 13 degrees from George Catlin, 10 degrees from Marjory Douglas, 17 degrees from Sueko Embrey, 15 degrees from George Grinnell, 22 degrees from Anton Kröller, 14 degrees from Stephen Mather, 20 degrees from Kara McKean, 12 degrees from John Muir, 13 degrees from Victoria Hanover and 21 degrees from Charles Young on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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Categories: Middlesex County, Virginia Colony | Virginia Colonists