Robert George (1666-1734) and Sarah (---) of Middlesex County, Virginia

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The author (Marty Grant) is a 8th Great Grandson of Robert George and Sarah (---).

Note: The George family is fully documented in the author's book "George Family History" now available. Click link for details. On the current web pages I am only presenting the most interesting documentation. There is a great deal more available that is not included here. Most of the available source documentation is in the book mentioned above. There are also many acknowledgments to be made. The book contains them all. Some are listed here.

Robert George was born 20 Feb 1665[/66] [per Thomas Blakey Bible, Library of Virginia Accession No. 34337] in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He is a proven son of Isaac and Hester (Fawdon) George as stated in the aforementioned Bible. That is the only evidence I've found linking Robert George to Isaac George. Thomas Blakey (1712-1777) was a grandson of Robert George, so it is reasonable to assume the Bible record is accurate. Here are some of the relevant entries (these are verbatim):

• Robert George son of Isaac & H. George was born Feb. 20, 1665.

• Isaac George was born Feb. 20, 1635 in Isle of Wight Co, Virginia.

• Churchill Blakey mar. Nov. 30, 1710 Sarah George, daughter of Robert George.

• My father Robert George, his father Isaac George and I Sarah Blakey were born the same month and day.

There were many other entries in the Bible record, but those above are the most interesting regarding the George family.

On 6 Jul 1687, Robert George married Sarah Elliott in Middlesex Co, VA. ["The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, page 35]

Sarah's maiden name isn't known. She was the widow of Thomas Elliott who died ca March 1686/87, and was buried 4 Mar 1686/87. This record for Thomas lists him as "of Chipping Orgur in Essex". That is a town in Essex County, England, near London.

Sarah's maiden name is unknown. One published source from the 1960's lists it as Elmore, but no documentation was included, and almost everything in the article was wrong anyway, so there is no point trusting this. I doubt Elmore is Sarah's correct name as no one of that surname lived in Middlesex Co, VA as far as I've been able to determine.

Thomas Elliott and Sarah had at least one child, Mary Elliott, baptized 27 Feb 1686/1687. It can probably be safely assumed that she was raised by Robert George.

A marriage was found for a Mary Elliott and John Goodwin 22 Apr 1705 in Christ Church (Middlesex Co, VA). Other researchers claim that Mary married a Herndon, but none have been able to provide any documentation for that. 

On 6 Jun 1699, Robert George received a Patent for 188 acres in Middlesex Co, VA "by the Church Road." 

On 23 Oct 1703, David George received a 80 acre patent on the Church road bordering Robert George's land. This David was born 1673 and was a son of David George and Mary of Middlesex Co, VA. No relationship has been established between David's family and Robert's, but they certainly knew each other if neighbors. The could be brothers (Robert and the elder David), for they were roughly the same age. There is no direct evidence they were related at all, but it seems there must be some sort of relationship there.

Robert George and David George were both listed on the 1704 Middlesex Co, VA Quit Rent list.

On 7 Feb 1706/07 Thomas Tinsley of Essex Co, VA sold 1,100 acres in Essex Co, VA to Robert George and John Chidell (Cheadle) of Middlesex Co, VA. This land was on the Rhappahanock River and branches of the Muttopony. This is in modern Caroline co, VA (formed 1728 partly from Essex). (Essex Co, VA Deed book 12, page 342).

On 8 May 1707, just a couple of months later, Robert George and his wife Sarah, and John Cheadle and his wife Hannah sold this land (or a different tract) back to Thomas Tinsley. This deed was for 1,150 acres, so might be different land though the rest of the description is the same. (Essex Co, VA Deed book 12, page 407).

The two deeds above in Essex Co, VA may help to determine what Sarah's maiden name was. Firstly, what was the connection between Robert George and John Cheadle? Purchasing land jointly may be strong indication that they were brothers-in-law (but not necessarily). If so, then either Robert's wife Sarah was a Cheadle (and sister to John Cheadle), or John's wife Hannah was a George (sister to Robert George), or the two wives, Hannah and Sarah, were sisters to each other. I can't prove any of these possibilities, but it is worth considering.

Robert George's name showed up many times in the Middlesex Co, VA records. He was often named in estates as taking care of the Inventories, etc. He most often signed his named Robert (R) George. "R" being his mark, not a middle initial. I'll not include those records here for they don't provide any information on Robert other than that he was active in county work.

Robert George was often mentioned in the Christ Church records, he had numerous slaves entered for births, baptisms and deaths. Many of his own children were also listed. Between that and his Will, we have a really good handle on his family. 

Robert George (or his son Robert Jr) had several land transactions in Essex Co, VA in the 1720's, in each case referred to as "of Middlesex Co, VA," indicating he never moved to Essex. 

On 20 May 1723, Robert George purchased land in Essex (now Caroline) from Thomas Crowe and his wife Ann. This was 270 acres. (Essex Co, VA Deed book 17, page 217).

The above is the same land, that on 18 Nov 1729, Robert George Sr (of Middlesex Co, VA) gave to his son John George (of Essex Co, VA). (Essex Co, VA Deed Book 19 page 66).

Robert George wrote his will, probably in late 1733 (the will is in bad shape). It was proven 5 Mar 1733/34 in Middlesex Co, VA. The Will is torn, but many names can be made out. It was proven on 5 Mar 1733/34 in Middlesex County. He names his son John George, son Richard George, daughter Sarah wife of Churchill Blakey, [Elizabeth] wife of Robert Williamson, [Susanna] wife of John Thompson, grandsons Robert Mickleborough, Richard Thilman, John Thilman, Paul Thilman, Granddaughter Sarah Thilman, daughter Catherine McTyre, son Robert George. He named his sons [John George and Richard George] as Executors. (Their names were obscured, but they were the executors per other sources.) Witnesses were Richard Greenwood, George Blakey and Elizabeth McTyre. (Middlesex County, Virginia Wills 1713-1734 pages 416-418.)

Here is a transcript of the surviving portion of the Will. I have used dashes ("-") to show the approximate size of the missing sections and I have bolded the names mentioned:

In the Name of God, Amen, I Robert George of the parish of Christ Church in the County of Middlesex being sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory for which thanks be given unto God do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament vis Principally and first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and descent manner at the ----------------------tors hereafter named and as to willing such worldly -------------------d God to bless me with in this life I dispose of -----------------.

------------------------------------------------------ge all that tract of land which I purchased --------------------------Essex whereon the said John George now ------------------------orever together with the stocks of cattle -------------------------------ble estate on the said plantation.

-------------------------------------------hard George and to his heirs forever all ----------------- whereon I now live together with his ---------------------------- with their increase. I also give to --------- and furniture and two cows --------------------------

--------------------------------------------arah wife of Churchill ------------------with her increase from this --------------------------------

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter ---------------------------Robert Williamson-------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------wife of John Thompson---------------------- -------------------------------------egro boy named George ----- and her heirs forever.

Item: I give unto my grandson Robert Mickleborough one negro boy named Sampson to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson Richard Thilman one negro girl named Winny and her increase to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give unto my granddaughter Sarah Thilman one negro woman named Alice and her increase from this time to her and her heirs forever, provided that at her marriage or arriving the age of eighteen years she have the said negro and the child or children she shall happen to have born on this time and have valued and pay one third of the value thereof unto my grandson John Thilman and one other third of the value thereof unto my G-------aul Thilman.

Item: I give unto my daughter Catherine McTr--------

All the rest of my personal estate ---------- Dick and Jack I leave unto my loving wi--------------natural life and after her decease --------------------------------Jack to my son Robert George. --------------------personal estate to be appraised ----------------------daughters Catherine McTryor, Sa--------------------------------------Thompson, and my grandson Rob------------.

I do hereby constitute ---------------------------------------------------------George executors of this m-------------------whereof I have here-----------------------------------------1733.

Signed, Sealed publi-------------------------------said Robert George ---------------testament. In the presen------:

Richard Greenwood

George Blakey

Elizabeth McTryor

At a court continued and held for Middlesex County on the 5th day of March 1733 This will was this day proved in open court by the oaths of Richard Greenwood, George Blakey, and Elizabeth McTryor, witnesses thereof and admitted to record and is recorded.

Test Gray Skipwith, Cl Cur

Robert George died 21 Jan 1733/34 in Middlesex County and was buried 23 Jan 1733/34.  

An estate record shows that John George and Richard George were executors of Robert's estate.

Sarah, widow of Robert George, died 14 Apr 1734 in Middlesex Co, VA.  

Children of Robert George. Robert George left a Will naming his children, and the parish records of Christ Church identify many of them.  His family is well documented and this list of children is complete at eight. Some researchers have placed James George (who married Agatha Watts and moved to Goochland County) as the youngest child of Robert, but that is incorrect. That James George was a son of David George.

Sarah, wife of Robert George, had at least one child (Mary) by her first husband Thomas Elliott. Mary married John Goodwin in Middlesex County. Other researchers claim she married a Herndon, but I've found no evidence to support that. There could be some, but I haven't been able to confirm it yet.

The Christ Church records prove 5 of Robert's children. (John was named twice for some reason). (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page listed after each entry below).

• Christened a the Upper Chappell ye 11^th day Xember 1689. Catherine daughter to Robert George and Sarah his wife (ibid, page 40)
• Sarah daughter of Robert and Sarah George baptz 12^th of March 1692/3 (ibid, page 51)
• Jane the Daughter of Robert & Sarah George baptz 19^th of Aprill 1702. (ibid, page 55)
• John George ye son of Robert & Sarah George was Baptized ye 3d day of September 1704. (ibid, page 62)
• John George ye son of Robert & Smith George was Baptized ye 24 day of September 1704. (ibid, page 62)
• Richard son of Robert & Sarah George baptized ye 29^th day of May 1709. (ibid, page 79)

Catherine George (1689)

Sarah George (1693)

Robert George Jr (c1697)

Elizabeth George (c1698)

Jane George (1702-1730)

John George (1704-1784)

Susannah George (c1707)

Richard George (1709-1773)

Catherine George is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. She was baptized 11 Dec 1689, and listed as a daughter of Robert and Sarah. "Christened a the Upper Chappell ye 11^th day Xember 1689 .. Catherine daughter to Robert George and Sarah his wife" (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 40). 

Catherine George married 5 Jan 1708/1709 to Hugh McTyre. On the same date, and recorded in the same record, is a marriage for James Mctyre and Hannah Boseley. I'd assume this was Hugh's brother, but I don't know that for sure. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 81).  

The births and/or baptisms of 7 children of Hugh and Catherine are recorded in the Christ Church Parish register. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page listed after each entry below).

• Eliz^a daughter of Hugh & Catherine McTyre born 28^th Sept batpizd 19^th October 1712. (Ibid, page 87)
• Sarah daughter of Hugh & Catherine Mactire born Ap 10, baptized May 22 1715. (Ibid, page 91)
• Lucretia daughter of Hugh & Catherine Mactire born June ye 17, baptized July ye 21, 1717. (Ibid, page 97)
• Betty daughter of Hugh & Chatherine Mactire born July ye 27, baptized Sept 4 1720. (Ibid, page 105)
• Anne daughter of Hugh & Catherine Mactyre born Febry ye 15 baptized March 10, 1722. (Ibid, page 112)
• Hugh son of Hugh & Catherine Mactire born July ye 19, baptized Setpemr ye 4, 1726. (Ibid, page 120)
• James son of Hugh & Catherine Mactire born July ye 14, baptized July ye 20, 1729. (Ibid, page 126)

Hugh McTyre died in Middlesex on 12 Apr 1731. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 188).

Catherine was named in her father Robert George's Will (1733) as his daughter "Catherine McTyre".

I have no record of her after being mentioned in her father's Will.

Sarah George is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. Her family bible records her birth as 20 Feb 1692/1693. She was baptized 12 Mar 1692/1693 and listed as a daughter of Robert and Sarah George.  (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 51).

Sarah George married Churchill Blakey on 30 Nov 1710 in Middlesex County, Virginia. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 82).  

Apparently the Family Bible gives 30 Nov 1717 as their marriage date, but that doesn't work with their oldest children's birth dates.

The births and/or baptisms of 11 children of Churchill and Sarah are recorded in the Christ Church Parish register. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page listed after each entry below).

• Thomas, son of Churchill & Sarah Blacky baptized Do. Day &c (6 Aprill 1712) (Ibid, page 86)
• ... Margarett daughter of Churchill & Sarah Blakey all 4 baptized the 18^th day of Aprill 1714. (Ibid, page 88)
• George son of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born Ap 3. Baptized May 6, 1716. (Ibid, page 94)
• John son of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born Decemr ye 14, baptized Janry 25, 1718. (Ibid, page 101)
• Robert son of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born March ye 7 1720, baptized AP ye 2, 1721. (Ibid, page 107)
• Betty daughter of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born Novembr ye 20, baptized Decemr 15, 1723. (Ibid, page 113)
• Jane daughter of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born Febry 24, 1725, baptized April ye 3, 1726. (Ibid, page 119)
• Sarah daughter of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born Novemr 28 baptized Decemr 22, 1728. (Ibid, page 125)
• William son of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born Janry ye 17, baptized Janry ye 30, 1731. (Ibid, page 133)
• Susanna daughter of Churchill and Sarah Blakey born Janry 13^th, Baptized Feb 16, 1734. (Ibid, page 140)
• Catherine daughter of Churchill & Sarah Blakey born July ye 2^nd, baptized July ye 16, 1738. (Ibid, page 147)

Sarah was named in her father Robert George's Will (1733) as "...arah, wife of Churchill ...", it was torn here, but it is obvious who he was referring to.

Churchill Blakey died on 8 May 1738 in Middlesex Co, VA. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 192).

I don't know when Sarah George Blakey died. .

Robert George is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. His birth was not found in the Parish registers, but he was named in the Will of Robert George (1733). 

Robert George (referred to as Robert "Jr" while his father was still living), married Anne Allen, widow of Arthur Nash, in 1718, and they later moved to Caroline Co, VA.

See his own page for more about him.

Elizabeth George was born ca 1698 (rough guess), in Middlesex Co, VA. She is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. For some reason her birth, nor baptism were recorded in the Christ Church Parish records.

She is proven indirectly, but I think, conclusively as a daughter of Robert George. She is named in the Will of Robert George (1733) in a torn section. All that remains is "...Robert Williamson". This seems to be a son-in-law being named. Also elsewhere in the will a grandson Robert Mickleborough is named. A check of the Christ Church parish register clears this right up, for an Elizabeth George married Edmund Mickleborough on 19 Nov 1719, and he died in 1721, and then an "Elizabeth Mickleborough" married Robert Williamson in 1727.  See below for the evidence of all this.

On 19 Nov 1719, Edmund Mickleburrough married Elizabeth George in Middlesex Co, VA. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 163).

Parish records show that Edmund was born 22 Dec 1696, and was a son of Edmund and Jane (---) Mickleborough. The same record shows his siblings as Robert (24 Oct 1698) and John (15 Dec 1701). (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 61).

The parish register shows "Ropert, son of Edmund and Elizabeth Mickleburrough born Sept 11, baptized Sept 25, 1720".  (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 106).

On 15 April 1721, Edmund Mickleborough Junr died, and was buried on the 17th. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 179).

On 13 Feb 1726/27, Elizabeth Mickleburrough married Robert Williamson in Middlesex County. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 165).

The above marriage record does not say that Elizabeth Mickleborough is a widow, and therefore is not conclusive proof that she is the same person as Elizabeth George, but I feel there is little doubt. Records show that Robert Williamson and Robert Mickleborough (now his step-son) both went to Caroline Co, VA and were associated with John George, Richard George and Robert George there. 

I found a birth record for a Robert Williamson showing him born 19 Jan 1695/96, and baptized on 23 Feb 1695/96, a son of Robert and Katherine (---) Williamson. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 44).

Christ Church Parish records also show that there was another Robert Williamson, who also had a wife named Elizabeth Minor (married before 1718), so there is a good chance of mixing up some of their records. This may be the same Robert Williamson having been married prior to his marriage to Elizabeth George.

Robert Williamson and wife Elizabeth George were in Caroline County, Virginia by 1743 (possibly earlier) and Robert was listed on many court records, quite often with his George brothers-in-law and nephews.

I have not done a comprehensive search of Middlesex and Caroline County, Virginia records, so there may be many records available, as yet unknown to me.

At some point, Robert and Elizabeth eventually moved to Halifax Co, NC where he left a Will in 1764. In the Will, Robert named sons John and George Williamson, and daughter Susannah Hackett and  Frances Williamson, and grand-children Elizabeth and Thomas Hackett, and wife Elizabeth.

Jane George is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. Her baptism was recorded as 19 Apr 1702 and she was listed as the daughter of Robert and Sarah George.  (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 55). 

Jane George married Paul Thilman on 17 Apr 1723  (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 164). 

Paul Thilman's baptism record is recorded at Christ Church on 23 Feb 1703/04, showing him the son of Paul and Sarah (---) Thilman. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 62).

Three of Paul and Jane's children's births and /or baptisms were recorded in the Christ Church Parish register. Those three and one other were named as grandchildren in Robert George's Will (1733). (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page listed after each entry below).

• Sarah daughter of Paul & Jane Thilman born Janry ye 5, baptized Janry ye 26, 1723. (Ibid, page 114)
• Paul & Richard sons of Paul & Jane Thilman born Janry ye 17, baptized Janry 21, 1729. (Ibid, page 128)

Jane (George) Thilman died 18 Jan 1729/1730 in Middlesex Co, VA. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 187). 

Paul Thilman died 4 Feb 1730/1731 in Middlesex Co, VA. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 187).

John George (their uncle) was appointed guardian to two of the orphans, and his brother Robert was appointed guardian of the other two.

In his 1733 Will, Robert George named his grandsons Richard, John and Paul Thilman and his granddaughter Sarah Thilman.

John George is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. His birth was recorded as 18 Aug 1704 in Middlesex Co, VA.  (Christ Church Parish Register).  

He was baptized 3 Sep 1704 and named in that record as a son of Robert and Sarah George.  (Christ Church Parish Register).

John George married Mary Jordan before 1724, possibly in Essex Co, VA. They lived there a few short years, then moved to neighboring Caroline Co, VA where they remained.

John was named as a son, in Robert George's Will (1733). 

Mary Jordan George died, probably in the 1740's or early 1750's, in Caroline Co, VA. John George then married Ursula Dudley.

See his own page for additional information.

Susanna George was born ca 1707 (rough estimate) and is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. Her birth is not recorded in the parish registers for some reason. She is named (in a torn section) of her father's Will, and all that is legible is "wife of John Thompson", and marriage records show a Susannah George married to John Thompson, so that is that.

On 9 Jan 1727/1727 John Tomson (Thompson) married Susanna George in Middlesex County. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page 165). 

Robert George's Will (1733) names her, but she is in a torn section. All that remains is "... wife of John Thompson". I have no doubt that it was Susanna. 

Six children of John and Susanna were recorded in the Christ Church Parish register. (From "The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, VA from 1653-1812" by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Virginia, 1897, Page listed after each entry below).

• Susanna daughter of John & Susanna Tomson born Octo ye 21, baptized Novemr ye 10 1728. (Ibid, Page 124)
• Jane daughter of John & Susanna Tomson born Novemr ye 1, baptiazed Novemr 29, 1730. (Ibid, Page 130)
• John son of John & Susanna Tomson born Janry ye 27, baptized Febry ye 11, 1732. (Ibid, Page 135)
• Sarah daughter of John & Susanna Thomson born Novr 13^th baptizd Dec 7^th 1735. (Ibid, Page 142)
• Richard son of John & Susannah Tomson born Sepr ye 9^th baptized Septr ye 17^th 1738. (Ibid, Page 147)
• Anner daughter of John & Susanna Thomson born April 14^th 1741. (Ibid, Page 152)

I have no additional data on the Thompson family.

Richard George is a proven child of Robert and Sarah. Richard was baptized on 29 May 1709 and listed as a son of Robert and Sarah.  (Christ Church Parish Register).  

His marriage to Elizabeth Mayo was recorded 20 Apr 1734.  (Christ Church Parish Register).  

Richard was named in the Will of Robert George (1733) as a son. 

Richard moved to Caroline Co, VA right after this. See his own page for additional data on him.

Register Report