John Whitledge was a Revolutionary soldier, born in Prince William County, Virginia, October 5, 1734.  Since he died before pensions were given in the early 1830’s, there is nothing to be found in those records for his service.  He is listed on the marker erected in 1927 by the Jemima Johnson Chapter DAR.  This memorial is located on the side of the steps leading to the courthouse doors.

John Whitledge’s will was written October 5th.  He knew death was near, dying six days later.  He and wife Alcey Fritter were married about 1775, leaving young children.  Alcey married Francis Hillis in April of 1789.  There are marriage records for two of the girls.  Susanna Whitledge married John Humphreys February 21, 1798.  Ursula Whitledge married James Ford December 16, 1802.

John Whitledge’s inventory was appraised at 509 pounds.  In today’s money that would be approximately $52,658.  He left a very colorful inventory of named horses, pewter, woodware, cattle and hogs, furniture and dishes.  And my favorite – a teapot!

Will of John Whitledge

Bourbon County Will Book A, Pages 13-14

October the 5^th day 1788

In the name of God Amen.  I, John Whitledge, being in an infirm state of health of body, but possessed with perfect sense and sound judgement.

Item.  I do give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Alcey Whitledge, Negro Jane during her natural life, then said Negro Jane and her increase to return and be equally divided between my orphans.  Likewise a Negro fellow named Bob, likewise a mare and saddle, also the third part of my stock of cattle and hogs and household furniture.

Item.  I do give and bequeath to my son John Whitledge a Negro boy named Simon to him and his heirs forever.

Item.  I do give and bequeath unto Susannah Whitledge a negro girl named Seth to her and her heirs forever.

Item.  I do give and bequeath unto my son Lina Whitledge a Negro boy named (?) and a negro fellow named Boson to him and his heirs forever.

Item.  I do give unto Ursula one Negro wench named Fan to her and heirs forever.

Item.  I do give unto my son Thomas Whitledge one Negro girl named Delfa to him and his heirs forever.

Item.  All my lands and personal estate to be equally divided among my above-mentioned five children.

Item.  I leave my brother Thomas Whitledge my whole and sole executor to this my last will and testament as witness my hand.

John Whitledge

Test. Thomas Strother, Peggy Coppage, Nancy Metcalfe, Zeley Reno

At a Court held for Bourbon County at the Courthouse on Tuesday the 18^th day of November 1788.

The last will and testament of John Whitledge, deceased, was proved by the oaths of Thomas Strother, Peggy Coppage, Nancy Metcalfe and Zeley Reno, witnesses thereto.  And Alcey Whitledge, wife of said decedent, having agreed to the said will in open Court, the same was ordered to recorded.  And upon motion of Thomas Whitledge, named Executor in said will, the administration of said John Whitledge is granted to said Thomas who made oath according to law, and together with James Morin, his security, entered in to and do acknowledge bond in the sum of two thousand pounds for the administration of said decedent’s estate.

Test.  John Edwards, Clerk Bourbon County

Inventory of John Whitledge

Bourbon County Will Book A, Pages 14-16

An inventory of the estate of john Whitledge, deceased, made December 13^th 1778:  One Negro fellow named Boson, one Negro boy named Simon, one Negro woman named Fanny, one Negro woman named Jenny, one Negro girl named Hetty, one Negro boy named George, one Negro girl named Delpha, one Negro fellow named Robert, one Negro child named Peter.  One bay mare called Jenny Hepper, one sorrel mare called Nancy Dawson, one bay mare called Phillip and sorrel colt, one eagle mare called Eagle, one horse colt called Scipio,

one mare colt called Kitty Fisher.  70 barrels of corn, two white cows, two black cows, two red cows, four heifers, three steer yearlings, six fatting hogs, six sows, fifteen shoats, 27 pigs, two saws, 500 lb. tobacco by computation, two wheat stacks, one rifle and pouch, one shot gun, two feather beds and furniture, one hair trunk, two small wheels, one jack and four plains, handsaw, one dozen pewter plates, three basins, three dishes, four plates, one basket of old pewter, one copper tea kettle, one box of knives and forks, one pair of cotton cards, one pair of wool cards, one tin pan, padlock, tin tumbler, one pair shoe brushes, one pewter tea pot, one stone jug and mug, twelve saucers and tin cup, one copper canister, glasses, bottles, pepper box, candle, snuffers, ink stand, six old books, one trunk, one box iron, two heaters and flat iron,

a small quantity of shoemaker’s tools, five axes, set of wedges, hoes, two Dutch ploughs, lock, chain, old iron, tanned leather, hemp and flax seed, two raw hides, one large kettle and bowl, pot, skillet, ladle pan and flesh fork, and two pot bowls, one Dutch oven and pot, woodenware, one black house called Penny, for a total of 509 pounds.

Bourbon County December 15^th 1788

Agreeable to an order of the worshipful court of the County tofore to us directed, we have appraised the personal estate of John Whitledge, deceased, agreeable to the within inventory.

John Waller, Robert Johnston, Jacob Spears