Temple Farm - Some History of York County; William and Mary College Quarterly V.2, No.1
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"Temple Farm"
Lyon G. Tyler
William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Pepers, Vol. 2, No. 1
(Jul., 1893, pp. 3-21.
3
"Temple Farm"
---------
BY THE EDITOR.
On the 7 of January, 1633-4, court was held at
a place called "York," on Charles River. By deed
dated 2d May, 1634, "Martin Becker of Plimouth, Eng-
land, merchant" leased for 11 years a tract of land in
York plantation to Thomas Trotter, Thomas Jefferyes,
and John Baylis. Martin Baker patented 600 acres
"from Robert Bue's agst. Capt. Martur's(1) land," 24
April, 1635. Martin Becker was sheriff of New Kent
in 1657. "Baker" and "Becker" were the same name.
George Ludlow obtained a patent 26 July, 1646
for 1452 acres lyeing in Yorke Co., "beginning at the
mouth of Wormeley's Creek, and from thence running
up the River 555 poles unto certaine marked trees, "&c.
600 acres, part thereof formerly granted unto Martin
Baker by patent dated 24 April, 1635, and 750 acres
called "Yorke plantation," purchased from George
Menifie, Esq. unto whom the same was mortgaged
by Sir John Harvey. Ludlow's land adjoined on the
west the land patented by Capt. Nicholas Martian on
14 March, 1639. This land, and not Ludlow's, was
the present seat of Yorktown. Martian's daughter,
Elizabeth, married Col. George Reade of the Coun-
-----------
(1) Same as Capt. Martian, whose daughter, Elizabeth
m. Col. George Reade of the Va. Council, dau. Mary m. Major
John Scarsbrook of Warwick Cou., and dau. Sarah, m. Capt.
William Fuller, Gov. of Maryland.
4
cil, and his son Benjamin Reade sold fifty acres for a
town to the County in 1691.
Old "York" was quite a different place from
Yorktown. Court was often held there during the
early part of the 17th century. Kiskiack was the first
settlement in York County (1630). York was next
(1632) and the Middle Plantation (1632) was the
third. In September, 1632, and again in 1632-33,
York was represented by Lyonell Goulston,(1) a Justice
of York County.(2)
George Ludlow came of a prominent family (3)
of Wiltshire in England, and in Virginia was for
many years a member of the Virginia Council, with
rank of Colonel. He was baptized at Dinton 15th
Sept., 1596, and his will was proved Aug. 1st, 1656.
He left the farm on Wormeley's Creek, together with
the rest of his property to a nephew, Lt. Coll. Thomas
Ludlow, the sone of Gabriel and Phillis Ludlow. Thomas
was baptized at Warminster 1st Nov. 1624, and John
Ludlow, his brother, qualified on his estate in Vir-
ginia, 20 Dec., 1660. (4)
-----------
(1) Hen: Stats, i, 179,203. But in the York records and Hen. i,
148, the name is spelt, "Lyonell Rowlston." Commissioner for Eliza-
beth City in March, 1628-9. The following year he sent 2 men to Chis-
kiacke to plant corn. Hen., i, 139.
(2) It is to be kept in mind that until 1642-3 the County was
called Charles River.
(3) For the English pedigree of the Ludlow family, see "New
England Historic and Genealogic Register," Vol. 42, 181-184.
The arms of the family: arg: a chevron between three martins'
heads erased, sable. CREST: A demi-martin rampant sable; Motto,
omne solum forte patria.
(4) The inventory of Lt. Coll. Thomas Ludlow, deced, by vir-
tue of an order of Court, bearing date 20 Dec., 1660, was recorded
Jan. 26, 1660-1; amount, though all the personalty was not valued
113,686 pds. of tobacco and 449L 6s 5d. in money. Among the articles,
"Judge Richardson to ye Wast in a picture," 0050 (pds. tob.) The
books . . 0250. One rapier, one hanger and black belt . .0250; "three
----------
5
Mary Ludlow, widow of Thomas, married Rev.
Peter Temple of York Parish, and moved with her
three children to England. Her son, George, and
daughter, Mary, died without issue and her daughter,
Elizabeth, became the wife of Rev. John Wiles. In
1686, "Ludlow's Land" was sold (1) to Major Law-
rence Smith, of Gloucester County.
This gentleman was a man of great consequence
in his day. In March, 1675-6, the General Assem-
bly in order to stop Indian depredations appointed (2)
a number of forts, and Major Lawrence Smith
commanded "111 men out of Gloucester Co." at a
fort near the falls of Rappahannock river. These
forts helped to exasperate the people in Bacon's favor
and Major Smith, who led the "trained bands" of
Gloucester the next year against the rebels, was de-
serted on the field by his troops, who surrendered to
---------
p'r of new gloves and one p'r of worn buckskin gloves - - 070," one
small silver Tankard new, one new silver hat band, two pair of silver
breeches buttons, one wedding Ring, one scaled Ring, one flint-stone
ring of gold, "a pcell of sweet powder and two p'r of band strings,"
"several small bookes T. Ballard had weh hee rated at 00137," 12
white servants and ten negroes, 43 cattle, 54 sheep and 4 horses, &c.--
York Co. records No. 3, pp 108-09.
(1) "This Indenture made the 6th day of November, &c., 1686,
between John Wiles of the Parish of culford in the County of Suff,
Clerke and Elizabeth, his wife, sister and heir of George Ludlow, late
of the Parish and County of Yorke in Virginia, Gent Decd whoe was
sone and heire of Lieutenant Coll Thomas Ludlow, late of the said
Parish and County of York in Virginia Decd, who was nephew and hey-
re of Coll. George Ludlow, Esqr late of the said parish and county of
York in Virginia Decd And Peter Temple of Sible Henigham in
the county of Essex, Lerke and Mary his wife, Relict of the said
Lieutenant Coll. Thomas Ludlow of the one ptie and Laurance
Smyth of the County of Gloucester upon York River in Virginia,
Esqr of the other ptie," conveys to Lawrence Smith that tract "knowne
by the name of Ludlowe's Land now or late in the occupacon of the
said Peter Temple, &c., between the mouth of Wormeley's Creek and
the land of George Reade, Esqr &c., containing 1700 acres," &c. Wit-
nesses, Tho: Cracherode, Tho: Heyward, James Andrews.
(2) Henings Stats. i, p. 327.
----------
6
Ingram.(1) He was surveyor for the Counties of
Gloucester and York in 1686. (2) In 1691, he laid out
Yorktown on the land of Benjamin Read. In 1699,
the Governor recommended him among "the gentle-
man of estate and standing" suitable for appoint-
ment to the Council. (3) He died in 1700, and the honor
of which the father was deemed worthy fell upon his
son, John of Gloucester Co., who became Councillor
and County-Lieutenant, and died about 1719-1720.
Another son, Col. Lawrence Smith, became the
owner of the plantation at Wormeley's Creek. (4) We
have the title set out in 1716, as follows:
At a court held for York County: -----
----------
(1). The author of "Ingrams Proseedings," facetiously describes
Major Smith "as a gent : man that in his time had hued out many a
knotty piece of worke, and soe the better knew how to handle such
rugged fellows as the Baconians were famed to be." Force His-
torical Tracts.
(2). York records.
(3). Sainsbury MSS. (State Library.)
(4). the follwoing are on record in York County Court:
1. Deed, ack. June 25, 1703, from John Smith of the Parish of Ab-
ingdon to Laurence Smith, his brother, reciting the terms of
a clause of their father's will -- "Laurence Smith, late of ye
sd Parish of Abingdon & County of Gloster decd." The tes-
tator had given 1300 acres in Abingdon parish to John Smith
and his lands in York parish and county, to his son, Lau-
rence for life, remainder to his grandson, John, who died Oct.
12, 1701. Mutual confirmation of title between the two broth-
ers, Laurence and John. Witnesses: Wm. Buckner, Au-
gustine Smith, William Smith.
2. Deed, (ack. 1708), from "William Smith of Abingdon parish in the
Co. of Gloster Gentle" to the "Honble John Smith, brother
of the said William and of the parish and County aforesaid
Esq." for certain lands patented by John Jackson in Charles
Parish 17 Aug., 1637.
3. Deed, ack. May 11, 1735, from Laurence Smith of the Parish of
Abingdon in the County of Gloster, Gentleman, "son & heir
of John Smith, late of the same parish, Esq., decd who was
the eldest son & heir of Laurence Smith, late of the same
parish, Gentleman, also decd" confirms lands in York to
Lawrence Smith of the parish of York in the County of York,
gent.
----------
7
We the Jury Impannelled & Sworn to try ye matter in Is-
sue in ye Ejectione firmae between Robert Westlake plt. &
Lauce Smith, Deft. do find ye Patents granted by Nicholas
Spencer, Esp. for ye Land in question unto William Cole,
Esq., bearing date ye 20th day of November, 1683, being for
six hundred and eighteen acres of Land.
We also find ye deed of Wm Cole, bearing date ye 12th
day of June, 1685, whereby ye Lands mentioned therein are
conveyed by ye sd Wm Cole unto one Daniel Sheldon of
London & that ye Lands in Controversie are thereby con-
veyed by ye sd Cole to ye sd Sheldon by virtue of which ye
sd Daniel was seized of ye same & dyed seized thereof.
We also find that by ye decease of ye sd Daniel ye land
now in question & in ye Patents & deeds aforesd mentioned
is come or descended unto Gilbert sheldon, Son & heir to
----------
[Hening Stats, vi, 407 say, Lawrence Smith of Gloster,
whose wife was Mary, gave June 12, 1691, two plantations
in Gloster to his son, John, who was succeeded by his son
and heir, Lawrence, alive in 1753.]
4. Deed, dated 18 May, 1734, between Lawrence Smith of Abingdon
parish, Gloster Co., gent, and Henry Starchey of St. Margarets
parish, Westmr in the Co. of Middlesex, Gent.
5. Deed between John Stachey, "late of Sutton Court in the Parish
of Chew Magna in the County of Somerset, Esq., now in
Virginia, and Laurence Smith of the County of Gloster, Gent,"
recites that "John Smith, late of Abingdon parish in the Co.
of Gloster in the Colony of Virginia, Esq." and Elizabeth, his
wife, were in right of said Elizabeth, seized of land adjoining
the Brewer house yard in the Parish of St. Margarets; that
they sold the same to said John Starchey by deed 30 Aug.,
1705, and, as security for the confirmation of the title by the
children of the said John Smith, they mortgaged 719 acres in
Ware parish, patented by major Laurence Smith 20 July,
1662, and 1200 acres in Abingdon parish, patented 20 Oct.,
1690; that said John Starchey, who is father of said Henry
Starchey, in the next above deed now releases the said mort-
gaged lands in Gloster Co. to Lawrence Smith, "son & heir
of said John Smith, Esp." The deed mentions also a suit
between the parties in the High court of chancery in Great
Britain and a decree therein dated 26 Oct., 1731.
----------
8
ye sd Danl w hich sd Gilbert (1) hath demised & leased ye
same to ye plts.
For ye Deft we find a Patent for six hundred acres
granted to Martin Baker and his heirs forever ye Twenty-
fourth day of april, 1635. We find a Patent dated ye 21st of
July, 1646, by which 1452 acres of Land are granted to Geo.
Ludlow, Esqr and his heirs forever in which Patent ye
Land granted to ye sd Martin Baker is included.
We find a Patent dated the 12th day of March, 1652, by
which 1500 acres of Land are granted to ye sd George Lud-
low & his heirs forever in which Patent ye sd 1452 acres are
included.
We find the ye sd Geo. Ludlow dyed seized of ye sd
Land in ye sd patents mentioned & that after his death the
Lands did descend to Tho: Ludlow, his nephew and heir
who dyed seized thereof.
We find ye sd Thomas Ludlow left only three children,
George, Elizabeth and Mary & that ye sd George, son of ye
sd Thomas, was seized of ye sd Lands & dyed so seized with-
out issue.
We find that after ye death of ye sd George Ludlow ye
----------
(1). In Berry's History of Sussex Co. Judith, eldest dau of
George Rose and of Judith his wife, dau. of sir John Chapman, mar.
(1) Sir Maurice Digges, (2) Daniel sheldon of Ham, Co. Surry and by
last marriage had 1. Gilbert. 2. Judith, 1680. 3. Mary. Sir Maurice
Digges was eldest son of Thomas Digges, heir of Sir Dudley.
In York Co. Court, Virginia, is the record of a power of Attorney
from "Gilbert Sheldon, Esq., only son and heir at law of Daniel
Sheldon, late of London, Esqr" decd to "William Sheldon of York
County in Virginia in partes beyond the seas, Jno Clayton of James
Citty County in Girga Esqr and Joseph Walker in York County
aforesd Mercht". Dated 7, Dec. 1715
Also a power of Atty. from "Gilbert Sheldon of Queen's Square in
a County of Middlesex, Esq." to Cole Digges of York Co. to ac-
knowledge a lease and release to Joseph Walker of York County in
the Dominion of Virginia, Esq. of lands formerly patented by Robert
Kinsey and conveyed 12 June, 1685 to Daniel Sheldon of York Coun-
ty, who by his last will dated 16 Feb., 1696, devised the same to Gilbert
Sheldon, his only son, parties to these presents." Proved March 21,
1719.
William Sheldon, above mentioned, died s. p., but his name is
preserved in the Sclater family of Virginia.
----------
9
son of ye sd Tho: ye lands did descend to ye Eliza his sis-
ter & heir.
We find that ye sd Elizabeth together with John Wiles,
her husband & Peter Temple & Mary, his wife, by Inden-
ture of bargain & sale, bearing date ye 6th day of Novembr
1686, did legally convey all ye Lands mentioned & contained
within ye bounds of ye sd Patents to Lawrence Smith, fa-
ther of ye sd Deft. & to his heirs forever.
We find ye sd Law Smith hyed Seized of ye sd Lands.
We find ye will of Colo Lawrence Smith dated ye 8th of
August, 1700, hereto annexed.
We find ye Deposition of Edwd Moss hereto annexed.
We do not find ye bounds of ye Land Claimed by ye
Plt. to have been ascertained or described otherwise than in
ye sd Patent to ye sd Wm Cole nor before the time of
granting ye sd Patent to ye sd Wm Cole.
We find that ye Lands in ye sd Patents & Indenture men-
tioned are part of ye Lands claimed by ye Plt. And if up-
on ye whole matter ye Law be with ye plt we find for ye plt
one shilling damage, if not we find for ye deft.
MATTHEW BALLARD, Form
The Court decided the law for Col. Smith. And
thereupon an appeal was taken by the plaintiff to
the General Court, but it does not seem with any
success, as Smith and his heirs held the land.
Lawrence Smith was Colonel, Justice, Sheriff of
York County, one of the feoffees of Yorktown, and
a member of the House of Burgesses. He married
1st Mildred, daughter of Capt. Thomas Chisman, (1)
brother of Major Edmund chisman of Bacon's Re-
bellion and 2dly Mildred, daughter of John Reade (1)
----------
(1) Will pr. 18, July 1715 [erroneously stated in Oct. (1892)
Quarterly to have died in 1722, by confusing him with son of the
same name who died that year]. Capt. Thomas Chisman, m. Eliza-
beth, dau. of Col. George Reade. Col. Augustine Warner, m. Mildred,
another daughter of Col. George Reade. Thomas Chisman, named
in text, mentions in his will, children: Thomas, Jane, Sarah, Anne,
Mildred Smith, Eliza Lucas.
(1) John Reade was eldest son of Col George Reade and mar-
ried Mary, dau. of John Lilly (so stated in a deed, 1688). He was
----------
10
and widow of James Goodwyn, (1) Col. Smith's will
reads as follows: (2)
Will of Lawr Smith, dated 11th March, 1736-7, and wit-
nessed by John Buckner, John Ballard, William Nelson, Ish-
mael Moody.
I give and bequeath to my son, Lawrence Smith, one
parcel or moiety of Land lying on the other side of the Creek
on which Creek the mill stands and up the Southernmost
branch of the said Mill pond, commonly called Y known by
the name of Flowers branch, which parcel of Land is com-
monly known by the name of Miller's Field, containing about
one hundred acres be the same more or less and also one other
parcel or moiety of Land within the same patent joing to Esq.
Wormeley's Land, and running down over a Swamp, called
the Brook to Chisman's Land, containing three hundred
acres be the same more or les to him and his Heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Mildred
Smith, the neck of Land whereon I now live from the mouth
of Wormeley's Creek up the River to my Pasture fence, which
now is along the said fence to the Pasture Gate that now is,
and from thence South two degrees West to the Mill Swamp
during her natural life, and then to my son Robert Smith, and
his heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath to my son,
Edmund Smith all the remaining part of the Land within the
same patent, formerly known by the name of Ludlow's Pat-
----------
Justice of York in 1692, and for many years later. His will proved
16 march, 1712 mentions children: John of King and Queen; Mar-
garet, wife of Thomas Nelson; Thomas, George, Samuel and Mildred,
who married 1st, James Goodwin, 2d Col. Lawrence Smith. Wife,
Mary. Brothers, Benjamin and Thomas Reade. Overseers to see
his will performed, "brother Thomas Reade, Cossn Capt. Lawrence
Smith and my son-in-law, Mr. Thomas Nelson."
Will of Mary Read was proved 20 Nov., 1722; mentions sons, John,
Samuel and Francis; grand dau., Mary Nelson and her brother, John;
grandson, William Nelson: son of John Exor., and Mr. Benjamin and
Mr. Thomas Reade, trustees. (York records).
(1). "Lawrence Smith and Mildred, his wife, late Mildred Good-
win, complts. and John Goodwin, Exors. of James Goodwin, &c.,"
1720. York Records.
(2) tuesday morning last, at his house near Yorktown, died
Col. Lawrence Smith, many years Justice of the peace and representa-
tive. From the Va. Gazette, 1739.
----------
11
ent to him and his Heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath
to my son, Lawrence Smith one lott or half acre of Land ly-
ing in Yorktown, joining upon Mr. Robert Reade's Lott upon
the South side of the Main Street, to him & his Heirs forever.
Item, I give & bequeath my mill to my three sons and my
wife during her widowhood, but, if my wife should marry,
my will & pleasure is to give my mill to my three sons to be
equal sharers together with my old negro Jemmy among
them. I give and bequeath to my son, Edmund Smith all the
negroes, stocks, Goods, House-hold stuff and all other per-
sonal Estate that I have formerly Possessed him withall.
Item, I give and bequeath to my Loving wife and to my five
children, which I had by her, viz, Margaret, Catherine, Rob-
ert, Lucy and Lawrence and all the remaining part of my
Estate of what kind or nature soever within his Majesty's
Dominions to be equally divided among them. And it is my
further desire that my Loving wife should have the manage-
ment of my whole Estate during her widowhood without giv-
ing any security for the same, but if my wife should marry,
then it is my desire that she give good security for my chil-
dren's part of the Estate or deliver it up to my two trustees
hereafter named. Item, I constitute and appoint my beloved
friend, William Nelson, son to Mr. Thomas Nelson of York-
town and my son, Edmund Smith to be Trustees of this my
Last Will and Testament." &c Pr. March 19, 1738."
Edmund Smith, Col. Smith's eldest son by Mil-
dred (Chisman), married Agnes, (1) dau. of Richard
Sclater of York Co.
----------
(1) William Booth, J. P. of York Co. (w. dated 13 May, 1691; (d.
May 16, 1692, m. Margaret, (I think she was the d. of Col. James Bray)
had I, Hope m. John Tomer, dand d. Jan. 19, 1686, issue John Tomer,
Jr. II, Elizabeth, who m. Capt. Thos. Nutting, J. P. of York Co., d.
July 31, 1717; w. pr. Sept. 16, 1717, and had I. Booth, d. s. p. April
5, 1701-02. 2. Mary m. Richard Sclater. 3. Elizabeth m. John Dos-
well, Jr. (w. pr. Dec 15, 1717). 4. Katharine, who m. 1st Capt. Wil-
liam Sheldon, m. 2d Robert Armistead, son of Col. Anthony Armi-
stead of Elizabeth city Co. and had issue. 5. Jane.
(2) Richard Sclater, (d. Nov. 7, 1718; w. pr. Nov. 17, 1718) appointed
by Peter Beverley, Gent, surveyor of York Co., 21 May, 1715, and
Mary (Nutting), his wife, issue: I. Elizabeth, b. Oct. 4, 1703, m. 1st
James Sclater, son of Rev. James Sclater, 2d Daniel Moore. 2. Agnes
of the text, b. May 6, 1707. 3. Mary, b. Mch 9, 1712, m. Samuel
Reade, brother of Mildred (Reade) Smith.
----------
12
They had a daughter, Mildred, (1) who married
David Jameson, a prominent Merchant of
Yorktown Va., but she left no children. David
Jameson, her husband, was from Scotland, with
which Yorktown before the Revolution drove a
flourishing trade. He became Lt. Governor of the new
----------
(1) Her tomb, ornamented with the Jameson arms impaled with
the arms of Smith, is found at Temple Farm. The inscription is
(Va. Hist. Society Coll. vol. xi, p. 102).
Underneath this marble lies the Body of
MILDRED JAMESON,
Wife of David Jameson,
and Daughter of
Edmund and Agnes Smith
of York County.
She departed this Life
the 10th Day of December, 1778
in the Forty-sixth Year of her Age.
David Jameson had a brother, Thomas, died 1771, who married
Mary, dau. of Rev. Thomas Robinson, Master of the Grammar School
in the College of William and Mary, and Edith Tyler, his wife, aunt of
Judge John Tyler. Mary Jameson's will pr. 19, Aug. 1771. The
children of Thomas and Mary were: Dolly Graham and Thomas
Jameson. the former married Samuel Ayres and David J. Ayers of
Keokuk, Iowa, is his grandson.
David Jameson was Lieutenant Governor, a member of the State
Senate, &c., and his will is recorded in the Hustings Court Record
book of Yorktown. He gave one-half of his property to John Jame-
son to whom Major Andre was delivered and w ho was Lt. Col. in the
Continental line and one-half to David Jameson of Culpeper and
David Jameson, Jr. of Caroline, his nephews.
The arms on the tomb above mentioned are dexter: a saltire can-
toned with four ships. Sinister: a chevron betw: 3 acorns slipped and
leaved. Crest: a ship. Motto: viv -- * * * ut vivas (partially worn away).
The first corresponds in Burke to the arms of Jameson of Scot-
land, and the sinister, in Grazebrook's "Family of Smith," to the
arms of Smith of Tottne, Co. Devonshire, England.
----------
13
commonwealth. Edmund Smith died (1) in 1750, in
Yorktown. His son, Lawrence, apprenticed himself
to David Jameson "to learn the mart of merchantdize
and book keeping," 15 June, 1753. Lawrence's will,
dated 7 July, 1787, pr. 15 Dec., 1788, mentions wife,
Elizabeth and children. An Elizabeth Smith died
about 1812, and her will proved Oct. 19, 1812 men-
tions sons, Peyton and George.
The will of Lawrence, son of Col. Lawrence
Smith, was proved Feb. 15, 1779, and in 1805, Rob-
ert, Lawrence's son, sold to Robert Gibbons of York-
town, 120 acres on Wormeley's Creek devised to him
by his father's will after a life estate in his mother
Damaris (Gibbons). Robert (3) dies about 1814.
By the will, however, of Col. Lawrence Smith,
the neck of land whereon he now (1750) lived at the
mouth of Wormeley's Creek went to Mrs. Mildred
(Reade) Smith for life. He will (4) was proved Jan.
21, 1754, and the land under her husband's will went
to her son, Robert, (5) who by deed ack. 20, Feb.
----------
(1) Will, pr. 18 March, 1750, mentions sons, Lawrence and
Thomas, daus. Mildred and Mary. Witnesses, Gwyn Reade, Samuel
Reade, John Payras and Robert Smith.
(2) Damaris m. afterwards William Mitchell, Merchant of
Yorktown. Her will, pr. 17 Mch., 1806, mentions son, Robert Smith,
dau Lucy Smith, and Lucy's children, Mary Calthorpe Smith and Eliza
Smith, Bro. Robert Gibbons and friend John Smith.
(3) Will of Robert Smith, d. Feb 1, 1813 -- proved, 16 May, 1814,
mentions his uncle, Robert Gibbons.
(4) Disposes of lots in Yorktown to her sons, Robert and Law-
rence Smith; mentions her dau. Lucy Moore; her Bro. Samuel Reade.
(5) Robert Smith's will pr. 21 Apr., 1777 bequeaths to his wife,
Rachel, his portion of the undivided personalty of her father, John
Kerby.
From Charles Parish register, Robert Smith, (who m. 1st Mary
Calthorpe, b. Feb 8, 1733, dau. of Elimelech Calthorpe, son of James,
who was son of Col. Christopher Calthorpe of York Co) had
----------
14
1769, sold it for 1200L to Augustine Moore, (1) who
married his sister Lucy. On his death (2) in 1788,
without issue, Moore left the estate to his "ever
----------
i. Calthorpe Smith, b. Sept. 14, 1767, ii. Lucy and George, twins,
b. Oct. 4, 1769; m. 2d Rachel (Kerby) and had iii. Mary, b. Aug. 29,
1772.
According to a bond dated 21 August 1780, given by Thomas
Nelson, Jun., "as guardian of Augustine and Thomas Smith, orphans
of Robert Smith, deceased," there appear to ahve been two other sons,
probably by Mary Calthorpe as the Calthorpe name appears among
the children of Augustine Smith -- "Page Family," p. 71. John Smith,
who makes his will in 1814, was another son, as he calls Augustine
Smith, brother.
(1) Augustine Moore, patent June 29, 1652, headrights, Anne
is wife, Augustine 2 his son.
Capt. Augustine2 Moore lived in the "old pocoson" precinct in
Elizabeth City County, of which he was Justice, High Sheriff, &c. in
1697, probably the son mentioned in the patent above (June 29, 1652.)
Daniel3 probably the son of Augustine2 lived in the "new po-
coson" in York County, was Justice, Sheriff, &c. W. pr. 16, Mch
1767, m. 1st Elizabeth, d. of James Sclater, (and Mary Sclater) son of
Rev. James Sclater, issue:
i. Mary, b. Oct. 27, 1729; w. pr. 19 Apr., 1790, m. Edmund Tabb,
(w. pr. 15 Mch, 1762), who had Elizabeth, m. ----- Smith, Augustine,
and Fanny m. ------ Powell.
ii. Augustine b. March 6, 1731; w. pr. 15, Sept. 1788.
iii. Martha b. May, 1734, m. ----- Sweny.
Daniel Moore, married 2d Mary, daughter of John Lewellin, who
survived him.
The Moore families of Elizabeth City, York and King William in
whom the name, Augustine, appeared to be a family name, were prob-
ably all descended from Augustine (1) Moore above mentioned.
(2) An order of court in 1746, binds Augustine Moore as ap-
prentice to President William Nelson, (father of Gen. Thomas Nel-
son) who inherited the large business at Yorktown, founded by his
father, "Scotch Tom," of Penrith, Cumberland Co., England.
In the will of Gen. Nelson, pr. 16 Feb., 1789, Doctor Augustine
Smith [his name was not John Augustine Smith] "not to be called
upon to repay one shilling that I have expended on his maintenance
and education." Dr. Smith, m. Alice Page, dau. of Gov. John Page
and died in 1805. His widow married Dudley Digges. (See Quarter-
ly Jan., 1893, p. 96).
The Nelson arms are: Per pale, argent and sable, a cehvron be-
tween three fleurs counterchanged.
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15
worthy friend, Gen. Thomas Nelson," subject to the
life estate in his wife.(1)
These researches make it very evident that the
conclusion of Mr. Wm. H. Shield in his letter (2) to
Bishop Meade, that Temple Farm was once the resi-
dence of Gov. Spotswood, and that he lies buried
there, is ill founded. I doubt not that Mr. Shield
out of fragments of tombstones put together the
name of Spotswood, but without further words this
is not conclusive of its being his tombstone. The
weight of evidence is that he was buried at
his home at Germanna. The name, "Temple
Farm," does not appear to have been used in desig-
nating the place till after 1818. (3) Or if an earlier
date shall be assigned to it, it is more natural to re-
fer the origin of the name to Rev. Peter Temple
who married the widow of Ludlow, and occupied it at
the time of its transfer to the Smiths.
What is pointed out as an ancient temple is
evidently the ruins of old York Church situated
at or near the old York plantation described in the
patents. This suggestion is confirmed by the simple
fact that Christian settlers did not build Greek tem-
ples, but churches; and within the enclosure (proving
the antiquity of the ruins) were several defaced and
broken monuments of which only one, ornamented
with the Gooch arms, is now legible, placed there
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(1) Her will pr. 16 Oct., 1797, mentions her nieces, Mildred and
Lucy Smith, and nephews John, Thomas, George and Dr. Augustine
Smith. Witnesses, Wm. Reynolds, Abraham Archer. ex'or Dr.
Augustine Smith.
(2) Meade's "Old Churches," & c., I. p. 227.
(3) It was then called "Temple Field." In this year the proper-
ty was surveyed and found to contain 454-1/2 acres. Robert Smith es-
timated the acreage at 500 in 1768. (Deed).
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16
55 years before Spotswood came to Virginia in mem-
ory of Major Gooch, (1) a member of the Virginia
Council.
The old York church and its monuments were
abandoned when Yorktown was laid out in 1691. To
this once busy emporium of trade the Court
House and the Church of York parish were soon
transferred -- the one from the Half-way house, near
the "French ordinary" on the road leading into Mar-
tin's Hundred and other other (2) from the old forgotten
plantation of Martin Baker and George Menifie.
the articles of surrender were signed in 1781, in the
old Smith mansion, then occupied by Augustine
Moore, who was not the Bernard Moore, whom Kate
Spotswood married. The present building, inhabited
by Mr. John Cruikshank, was originally the centre
building to which was attached two wings.
The following facts gleaned from the York
records may be added in support of these conclu-
sions. Till Jan 20, 1679-80, the Court for York
County met at private residences. Then the place
of adjournment was changed to the French ordi-
nary. Then Court was held at the Half-way house
near the "French ordinary." In 1691, pursuant to
an act (3) establishing ports, the Justices purchased
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(1) Gooch arms: Per pale, ar. and sa. a chev. between three
talbots pass counterchanged; on a chief gu. as many leopards; heads
ar. Crest -- A talbot pass. per pale. ar. and sa. Motto -- Fide et virtute.
For inscription see Va. Hist. So. Coll. vol. xi, p. 102. Major William
Gooch's dau. Anne m. Capt. Thomas Beale, son of Col. Thomas (and
Alice Beale) of the Council.
(2) Near the "Half-way" house long kept by the Hansfords, are
the ruins of old Hampton parish (formerly Chiskiack) Church. Some
years after the establishment of Yorktown, in 1706, York and Hampton
parishes wre united in one and called -- York-Hampton parish. The
silver service in use at the church at Yorktown is inscribed with the
name of old Hampton Church.
(3) Hen. Stats.
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17
50 acres from Benjamin Reade, for port on York
river. The town was laid out in half acre lots by
Major Lawrence Smith, surveyor. Lots were pur-
chased by Francis Nicholson, Governor from 1690 to
1692, and by other leading citizens. Nicholson was
Governor of Maryland from 1694 to 1698, and in
1699, was Governor a second time of Virginia. In
1695, the Governor of Maryland presented his three
half acres of land and houses thereon to the Court of
York County "to be disposed of for the use of Mr.
Robert Leightenhouse, the present schoolmaster,
and afterwards to the use and advantage of such per-
sons as shall teach school by ye approbacon and al-
lowance of ye Court aforesd."
At a court held Novemb. 26th, 1696, the follow-
ing letter of gift was recorded:
York County, October ye 26th, 1696.
I promise to give five pounds sterl. towards building the
cort house att Yorke Town. And twenty pounds of sterl. if
within two years they build a brick Church att ye same Town.
As wittnesse my hand ye day and year above written.
FFRA: NICHOLSON,
STEPHEN FFOUACE (1)
ROBERT BILL
Finally, march 24, 1697-8, the following order
was entered:
Itt is Ordrd by this Cort yt ye sherr remove to York
Town ye standard of this County and all other implements &
materiales yt are moveable & belonging to this County from
ye old Cort House, ye prison stocks & pillory And yt ye
same be duly pformed sometimes betwixt this and ye next
cort.
The following is an abstract of title to Temple
Farm since the day of Gen. Nelson, prepared by the
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(1) Minister York Parish.
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18
distinguished lawyer, J. F. Hubbard, Esq. of York
Co.
-----------
ABSTRACT OF TITLE TO TEMPLE FARM IN YORK COUNTY
FROM 1789.
1. By the will of General Thomas Nelson, admitted to
probate at the Court held for the County of York on the
16th Day of Feb: 1789 General Nelson devised the reversion
in fee, subject to the life estate of Mrs. Lucy Moore, in the
said tract of land, to his son, Hugh Nelson.
2. By deed bearing date 22nd May, 1818, recorded in D. B.
No. 8, p. 507, York Co. Clerk's Office, Hugh Nelson conveyed
to Thomasin Nelson, Thomas Nelson and George W. Nelson,
heirs of Thomas Nelson deced, the said tract of land,
(then called "Temple Field") "and his interest in a grist mill
adjoining the above named tract of "Temple Field."
3. By deed dated 8th May, 1821, Recorded in D. B. No.
9, p. 92, Thomas Nelson, George W. Nelson, Carter Berkeley
and Francis N. his wife, and William Meade and Thomasin,
his wife, conveyed to John Bailey, said tract of land called
"Temple Farm" containing 454-1/2 acres.
4. By deed dated 28th August, 1824, recorded in D. B.
No. 9, p. 450, John Bailey conveyed the said tract of land to
Matthew Guy.
5. By deed dated 27th Feby: 1830, recorded in D. B.
No. 11, p. 106, Matthew Guy conveyed to Thomas Newman,
the said tract of land described as "containing 454-1/2 acres, by
survey made in 1818, and bounded as follows: beginning at
small cedar on York River shore opposite the end of a ditch,
which divides from the land of Major Thomas Griffin, running
with the meanders of the River to Wormeley's Creek, thence
with the meanders of the Creek to an old mill pond, thence
with the meanders of the said mill pond, on the north side, to
the intersection of a line drawn due south from a small syca-
more at the distance of two poles from the said mill pond,
thence to the said sycamore, thence a due north course 192
poles.
6. By deed dated Jany. 1st, 1835, recorded in D. B. No.
12, p. 26, Thomas Newman and wife conveyed "Temple Farm"
to Wm H. Sheild, containing 474 Acres, "with the Mill Seat
thereto attached, and with the privilege to said W. H. Sheild
19
to rebuild the mill without claiming any damages, which may
arise or may be assessed from the overglowing any portion of
the land recently purchased by the said Newman of the heirs
of the late Robert Gibbons -- opposite the said Temple Farm
tract and runing along the former mill pond of said Temple
Farm tract.
7. By deed dated Jany. 1st, 1840, recorded in D. B. No.
13, p. 542, W. H. Shield & wife conveyed to Wm M. Petitt,
Temple Farm, containing 474 A: bounded on the north by
York River, on the east by Wormeley's Creek, on the south
by land of Thomas Newman and on the west by the lands
of Peter Goodwin and Bailey I. Elliott.
8. By deed dated Jany. 1st, 1854, recorded in D. B. No.
16, p. 39, Wm M. Pettit & wife conveyed Temple farm and
Water grist mill to James P. Selby.
9. By deed dated Jany. 1st, 1854, recorded in D. B. No.
16, p. 41, James P. Selby conveyed to James W. Custis, trus-
tee, the Temple Farm tract of land and water grist mill to se-
cure the payment of certain notes to Wm. M. Pettitt. This
deed has been released. Se below, No. 10.
10. By deed dated 10th, Decr. 1857, recorded in D. B.
No. 16, p. 263, James P. Selby & wife, James W. custis, trus-
tee, and Wm M. Pettitt, (Custis & Pettitt uniting to release
the trust deed just above recited) conveyed to Samuel C.
White Temple Farm, containing 475 A: more or less, and a
"water grist mill, the dam of which abuts one side against
the said tract of land and on the other side against the lands
of Thomas Newman's devisees."
11. By deed dated 10th, Decr: 1857, recorded in D. B.
No. 16, p. 261, Samuel C. White conveyed to Wm S. Peachey,
trustee, Temple Farm & water grist mill, described as above,
to secure to James P. Selby, the payment of eight bonds
(being part of the purchase money: This deed of trust has
been released. See No. 18, below.)
12. By deed dated 12th, April 1866, recorded in D. B.
No. -----, p. -----, Samuel C. White & wife conveyed to Nathaniel
Williams, trustee, Temple Farm, described as above, subject
to deed of trust last recited, to secure the payment of a bond
to Martha E. Williams and another to Clara M. Hewson.
13. By deed dated 6th Feb: 1868, recorded in D. B. No.
----, p. ----, Samuel C. White conveyed to Isaiah H. White the
Temple Farm tract, subject to all liens, sales and encum-
brances.
20
14. By deed dated 22nd, July 1869, recorded in D. B. No.
17, p. 231, Nathaniel F. Williams, trustee, conveyed Temple
Farm to Clara M. Hewson, subject to deed of trust from Sam-
uel C. White to W. S. Peachey, trustee, dated 19th Decr: 1851.
This conveyance was passed on and sustained by the Court
of Appeals of Va. See Shurtz & als. vs. Johnson & als. 28th
Gratt: 657.
15. Quit Claim Deed dated 13th, Nov. 1869, recorded,
D. B. 17, p. 265, from Anthony M. Kember, Richard Cadburry
and Ellisston P. Morris to Clara M. Hewson, releasing inter-
est in Temple Farm.
16. By deed dated 28th Feb., 1870, recorded in D. B. No.
17, p. 293, Clara M. Hewson conveyed to W. D. Shurtz
Temple Farm tract in York County.
17. By deed dated 28th Feb., 1870, recorded in D. B.
17, p. 294, W. D. Shurtz & wife conveyed to Nathaniel F. Wil-
liams, trustee, Temple Farm in York containing between 475
& 500 A: to secure payment of certain debts to Clara M. Hew-
son. (See No. 19 below.)
18. By deed dated 29th March, 1881, recorded in D. B.
No. 19, p. 491, W. S. Peachy, trustee in deed of trust executed
by Samuel C. White, dated Decr: 10th, 1857, released his title
& estate to W. D. Shurtz. (See No. 11, above.)
19. By deed dated 16th April, 1881, recorded in D. B.
No. 19, p, 504, N. F. Williams, trustee for Clara M. Hewson,
released Temple Farm from deed of trust executed by W. D.
Shurtz. Bearing date Feb: 28th 1870 -- (See No. 17, above.)
20. By deed recorded in D. B. No. ----, p. ----, W. D. Shurtz
& wife conveyed to Walter B. Brooks, trustee, Temple Farm
with other property, to secure payment of certain debts.
21. By deed dated 4th April, 1881 recorded in D. B.
No. 19, p. 503, Walter B. Brooks, trustee, conveyed to W. D.
Shurtz, all his right and interest in "Temple Farm."
22. By deed dated 5th May, 1881, recorded in D. B.
No. 19, p. 555, W. D. Shurtz & wife conveyed Temple Farm,
including the mill seat, dams & abutments, etc. to the York-
town Centennial Association.
23. By deed dated 3rd May, 1881, recorded in D. B. No.
19, p. 521, The Yorktown Centennial Association conveyed to
R. Foster, trustee, Temple Farm upon certain trusts, among
others to secure the payment of part of the purchase money
to W. D. Shurtz.
24. Under decree of the Cir: Court of York County en-
tered in the Chancery Cause therein pending under the style
of R. J. & Jno. R. Neely vs. The Yorktown Centennial Associ-
ation, etc., Temple Farm was sold to satisfy debts thereon &
bought by B. W. Ford.