Bell 660 & 661

660. George Bledsoe & 661. Anne Jennings {England, VA}


1636, George “Bletsoe” born in Bedfordshire, England. [There are no persons named “Bledsoe” in the UK National Archives database. There are persons named “Bletsoe” with 675 records as far back as 1330, including the Barons of Bedfordshire. There are many records for the town of Bletsoe in Bedfordshire.]
By 1652, George “Bletsoe” was transported by Col. Hugh Gwin from England. (S) C&P, P263.
11/8/1672 at James City, “ … James Ransom plaintiff and Geo. Bledshaw defdant about a parcel of land of nine hundred and fifty acres in Northumberland Ca. on the North Side of Divideing Creeke.” (S) Minutes of Gen. Court. of VA.
3/12/1673 at James City, … “It is ordered by consent of the Plaintiff and Defendant James Ransom and Geo: Blettsoe that the cause of last Court referred to this be continued …” (S) Minutes of Gen. Court. of VA.
1673, a child was born to George and Anne. (S) World Wide Bride Index.
1674, George Constable of Northumberland Co.
11/21/1678, Thomas Waddy “brought suit against Mr. George Bledsoe.” (S) W&MQ, 1917, P256.
6/1679 in Northumberland Co., VA, George brought suit against John Harris, John Waddy and Thomas Ingram. (S) W&M Qrtly, V25, N4, 4/1917, P254.
1698, George married 2nd widow Elizabeth Lattimore.
1/23/1704 [Jul. Cal.], George wrote his will in Northumberland Co., VA. [All children are named in the will.] (S) Northumberland Co., B4, P16.
Bef. 8/15/1705, George, age 70, died in VA.

Family notes:
• In the name of God, Amen, I George Bledsoe of the county of Northumberland: in the colony of Virginia, being sick and weak of body, but of sound and perfect memory, do make this my last will and testament, revoking and disannulling all former will and wills by me heretofore made. Imprimis: I bequeath my sould to God, my Maker, hoping to be saved by the merits of the blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, and my body I commit to the earth there to be buried in decent and Christian manner as my executors hereafter named shall think meet and convenient, and my worldly estate I dispose of as followeth: Item: I give to my loving wife Eliza. Bledsoe all that estate she finds upon the plantation she brought along with her, and if she thinks it not convenient to leave the same estate and take her proportionable part with the rest of my children and likewise allow one cow and the negro Nan, and if it please God to call me home before the crop is disposed of that she shall have her share with my children of the aforesaid crop. Item: I give and bequeath unto my son John Bledsoe the proportionable part of my land lying and adjoining Mr. Thomas Damerone, Senr's land and my will is that my son George Bledsoe have liberty to work upon the said land withouth trouble or molestation of the said John, provided he take care to manage the same during his natural life, but not to make waste of havoc of the same nor rent, sell or embezzle it to any one. Item: I give unto my son William Bledsoe the plantation I now live upon and his part of land, together with all houses, fences, orchards, etc. that are upon it. Item: I give unto my son, Abraham Bledsoe, my proportional part of land lying and adjoining next to John Nickless and running along the ridge next to the school house and my will is that if any of the three sons: Abraham, William and John Bledsoe should die without issue lawfully begotten of their body, that then their said land or lands to fall to my son Thomas Bledsoe his heirs and assigns forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Bledsoe one feather bed and my will is that my three sons: Abraham, William and John be at equal charge to keep my son Thomas three years at school, and to hire upon the plantation along with William till he comes to the age of 2l years, and for the remainder of my personal estate my will and desire is that my good friends: Mr. James Waddy, Mr. John Nickless and James Richardson, divide it proportionally to the best of their judgments and discretion amongst my children. Item: My will and desire is that what hogs I die possessed with not be shared amongst my children, but be left for the use and benefit of those that live upon the plantation. Lastly: I do hereby ordain and appoint my two sons: Abraham and William Bledsoe, sole executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 23d day of January 1704.

Children of George and Anne:

i. Abraham Bledsoe, born 1673 in VA
Abraham married Katherine Ball; d/o Thomas.
1722, John Richardson vs. Abraham Bledsoe, Spotsylvania Co., VA.
Abraham married 2nd Sarah Cave.
8/6/1729, On Petition of Joseph Hawkins about having the South West Mountain Road Devided into Two Precints, is granted, & Ordered that the same be 36 Divided from Craffords Tomb Stone, And that Abram Bledsoe be Surveyor of that part, …. (S) Spotsylvania Co. Road Orders.
5/2/1732, Abraham charged with not keeping his road in good repair. (S) Spotsylvania Co. Road Orders.
3/15/1753, Abraham wrote his will in Granville Co., NC.
Bef. 5/29/1753, Abraham died; will probated. Executors: wife Sarah, son-in-law Henry Thornton. 5 sons and “the rest of my family” are named in the will.

ii. Sarah Bledsoe, born ?.

iii. William E Bledsoe ( 330), born ~1680 in VA.

iv. John Bledsoe, born ?.

v. George Bledsoe, born ?.

vi. Thomas Bledsoe, born ?.