James (Ashcroft) Ashcraft (abt. 1711 - abt. 1766)

Born about 1711 in New Kent, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Ashcraft — married 1739 in England

Descendants

Died about 1766 at about age 55 in New Kent County, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

James (Ashcroft) Ashcraft was a Virginia colonist.

James sent his sons, John and Thomas to Brunswick County, Virginia. Here John and Thomas were to clear 178 acres of land that their father had patented on May 12th, 1759. The property as described in the land deed was located at the fork of Cedar Creek. The deed also makes reference to Little Cedar Creek, Middle Cedar Creek and the adjoining acreage of Robert Moore. (John and Thomas’ sister, Elizabeth, married a Robert Moore.) In 1761, James patented another 186 acres on the Brunswick/Lunenburg County line. The Moore family, friends of the Ashcrafts, had previously moved from New Kent County to Brunswick County. They befriended John and Thomas, looked out for their well-being and taught them the trade of milling.

Following the death of their father, in 1766, John and Thomas continued to work the two parcels of land. However, in 1768, the government of Brunswick County began to seek proof of ownership. The brothers, having no deeds to the inherited property, chose Robert Moore as guardian to protect their interests. Moore, well established and respected in the Cedar Creek area, attested to Ashcraft ownership in a court case held the 26th of September 1768. Thus, without benefit of official documents, Thomas - being the older of the two brothers - was able to sell both parcels of land in August of 1770. ^[1]

Research Notes

Name is seen both Ashcraft and Ashcroft in this family.

For consideration and comparison:

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NYXT-W29 : 11 February 2018, James Ashcroft, 22 Nov 1713); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 374,917. Rock, Worcester, England. Parents Thomas and Jane.
• "England, Lancashire, Parish Registers 1538-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDD-9S6V : 13 October 2017), James Ascroft, 12 Jul 1713; citing Christening, St Mary's Church, Rufford, Lancashire, England, volume , Lancashire Record Office, Preston; FHL microfilm 1,526,059. Father William.

Sources

1. ↑ Brunswick Co. VA Court Records 1768 and 1770

• Research of Mary Davis Elmore; Brunswick Co. VA 1720-1975 by Gay Neale, Pg. 36;
• Notes from "New Kent County, Virginia St. Peter's Parish Vestry Book and Register, 1684-1786.