Fourth Generation

16. Francis "Frank" PLEDGE²⁴ was born about 1744 in Virginia.⁴ He died before November 1784 at the age of 40 in Goochland County, Virginia.²⁴

Goochland Co VA DB 10
p.41 21 May 1770 Strangman Hutchens to Richard Johnson. 32#'s 10sh. 60A N fork of Tuckerhoe. Singed: Strangman Hutchens. Wit: Jos Pleasants, Francis Pledge, Joseph Watkins. Ack. Elizabeth wife relinquished. 21 May 1770.

The Pettitt book says he served as an ensign in the American Navy in 1778, but this was obviously a misunderstanding of the word "ensign" at that time and place. An Ensign was an officer in the militia just below the rank of lieutenant. Francis was appointed Ensign on 20 Apr 1778, oath given 17 May 1779. Gwathmey's roster of Goochland Militia shows Francis Pledge, Ensign; Milner & Edford Redford, Lts.; and Edmund Curd; Capt. By 21 Aug 1779, he was recorded as a 2nd Lieutenant in Capt Edmund Curd's Co., Goochland Co Militia.

p.321 26 Dec 1776 Account of sale of goods & chattels of Thos. Mitchell dec'd by John Curd, Executor to be discharged at 12 months from this date.
Buyers: Francis Pledge, Richard Curd, Thos. Hatcher, etc. Elizabeth Michell
Oct 18 1779. Presented by John Curd.

Goochland DB 13
p.43 19 Mar 1780 Steph. Sampson, Joseph Woodson & John Woodson to Thomas Chancellor. For 30£. Tract adjoining lands of Benjamin Weaver, John Johnson, William Willis, the orphans of William Rountree D'd, Charles Johnson & John Neaves. 125 acres.
Wit: Willm. Pledge Junr, Francis Pledge, John Britt, Junr
Ack. By grantors. 20 Mar 1780 …fully proved

Francis was witness to several slave manumissions, several of which took place on the 21 of October 1782. The following deed from Mary Pleasants to her daughter was witnessed by Francis - then he witnessed the manumission by the daughter:
Goochland DB 13
p.254 Mary Pleasants for paternal love I bear unto my daughter Mary Younghusband give her seven slaves, equitable part of Negroes devised by the will of my late Husband Thomas Pleasants of Henrico to me during life and to be divided among his children. 4 Jul 1781. Signed: Mary Pleasants.
Wit: Robert Pleasants, Tho. Pleasants Jr., Francis Pledge, James Hunnicutt, David (X) Webster
21 Oct 1782. Proved by oaths of William Royster, Francis Pledge & David Webster
Mary Younghusband… freed Seven slaves 21 Oct 1781 [should have read 1782] Wit by William Royster & Francis Pledge, who proved deed 21 Oct 1782

Francis Pledge witnessed the inventory of the Estate of Capt Robert Woodson on 19 Jun 1784. The appraisal of his own estate was filed 16 Nov 1784, Goochland Co. Attesting to the appraisal: Milner Redford, Richard Sampson, John Payne. So he died between June and November of 1784. There is a report of settlement 28 Jul 1785.

Goochland DB 14
p.129 16 Nov 1784 Appraisal of Estate of Francis Pledge Dec'd
Cattle. Negro Robin, Negro Boy Jack, 2 black mares, 1 bay mare, 2 sheep, 2 feather beds, 2 yearlings, crops, household item. No total.
Milner Redford, Richard Sampson, John Payne Presented to Court 17 Jan 1785.

Apparently the court ordered a second appraisal.
p.178 Appraised estate of Francis Pledge. 237£ 6p
Included household goods, 3 chests, 4 old chairs, 1 old table, 1 womans saddle & bridle, 1 cradle, parcel of old books, 6 hogs, crop of wheat, 10 barrels corn, 6 bee hives, 10 head of cattle, 2 mares, 1 heiffer, Negro boy Jack, Negro man Robin.
Edward Redford, Richard Sampson, ?Richd Pleasants 28 Jul 1785
15 Aug 1785 presented in court.

Note: only six children of Frank Pledge have been determined - apparently there were seven in the year 1785 - William Clarkson became guardian of the two eldest. Who cared for the other five? It appears their mother died in early April of 1785. William Clarkson was married to Martha Pledge, the children's aunt.
Goochland DB 14
p.327 To the Estate of Francis Pledge Dec'd In Acct. with William Clarkson Guardian
1785 To the care etc. of 7 children from Apr 9th until July 28th
To making 4 Hives for bee
To making 32 1/4 yd Cloth
To Boarding Miley & Frankey from July 28th 1785 as Guardian to this date 28 Jul 1786
Balance: 15 pounds 5 shillings one pence
William Royster, Thos. Pleasants, Thos. T. Bates examined the above account of William Clarkson Guardian to Milly & Frankey Pledge Orphans of Frances Pledge dec'd and found the balance owing. 25 Sep 1786.
Archer Pledge not having fully administerd on his dec'd Brothers Estate, we could not proceed to a Settlement of his Acct. Signed: William Royster, Thos. T. Bates
16 Oct 1786 The above was presented and ordered recorded.

Goochland DB 14, p.475
July 1787 The Estate of Francis Pledge, Dec'd in account with William Clarkson, Guardian.
To Boarding etc Mildred Pledge from July 1786 to this date 6£
To ditto and finding apparel for Frankey M. Pledge till this date 6£
In obedience to order of Goochland Court we find the above amount of Twelve pounds due William Clarkson as Guardian of the children of Francis Pledge deceased. Given under our hands this 11 Aug 1787.
Thos. Pleasants, Wm. Royster, Tho. T. Bates
Presented in Court and ordere recorded.

Goochland DB 15
p.106
Goochland Court May 1788
Wm Royster, Thos. F. Bales & Thomas Pleasants, Gent appointed to settle account of Arch Pledge admir. Of Eliz Pledge who was admin of Frances Pledge dec'd and also his account as guardian to Malinda [Matilda?] Pledge
Reported 28 Jun 1788. Found balance from estate to the Admr of 10lbs 17s 11p
21 Jul 1788 - Ordered recorded

DB 15 168-169 Guardian accounting of Mildred and Frankey M Pledge to July 1788.

Goochland DB 15 pp 287-290.. The accounts recd report of Archer Pledge Administrator, of Eliza. Pledge as ordered by the Goochland Co Court, 15 Jun 1789.
The accounting begins "The estate of Francis Pledge in act. with Archer Pledge, Administrator [apparently Archer Pledge served as administrator for Francis and then Elizabeth]
pg 288 "To boarding of `Matilda` 2 years and 9 mo .... to boarding 2 children..... To boarding 'Paschal' 3 Months .... The date appears to have been Apr 1786 indicating Elizabeth was probably deceased by then. ... further on the page "goods for 'Matilda" Pledge 1788 and 1789... last item 'goods' for Betsy Pledge 1788
Accounting of "Archer Pledge representing the estate of Elizabeth Pledge" is ordered recorded 13 Aug 1789.... signed Tho. Pleasants, Geo. Payne, Archd. Pleasants.
__ Aug 1788 Teste Wm Miller.

Goochland DB 16
25 Nov 1794 Archer Pledge to Joseph Woodson & Stephen Ellis
10 sh. Nine Slaves and livestock. Archer Pledge has entered into bond of 1000£ for the office of administrator of good & chattels of Francis Pledge, Dec'd. Signed: Archer Pledge
Presence of Josiah Woodson
10 Jan 1795 Presented & ack by Pledge and ordered recorded

Francis "Frank" PLEDGE and Elizabeth POINDEXTER were married in September 1766.^8,25 Elizabeth POINDEXTER, daughter of THOMAS POINDEXTER and SARAH (?Bond) VEALE, was born about 1747 in Fredericksville Parish, Louisa County, Virginia.⁸ She died in April 1785 at the age of 38 in Virginia.⁸

Archer Pledge was the administrator of Elizabeth's estate. Presumably her brother-in-law.

Goochland DB 15, p.106
Goochland Co Counrt May 1788
Wm Royster, Tho. F. Bates & Thomas Pleasants, Gent, appointed to settle accounts of Archer Pledge admin. of Eliza. Pledge who was Admr. of Francis Pledge, Dec'd and also his accounts as Guardian to Malida [sic - Matilda] Pledge and make report thereof to the Court.
28 Jun 1788 The commissioners did report and found a balance due to the admr. of 10£ 17sh and 11p.
21 Jul 1788 The report was submitted to the Court and ordered recorded.

p.287-290
Jun 15 1789
Thos. Pleasants, Archd Pleasants, Isaac W. Pleasants & George Payne or any three to audit and settle Accounts of Archer Pledge as adm of Eliza. Pledge, dec'd and report to the court.
There follows the list of accounts of the estate of Francis Pledge, Archer Pledge Administor. The accounts begin 15 Aug 1785. The following are accounts for the minor children.
3 Apr:
To Wm Clarkson, schooling [he was guardian of Mildred & Franky]
To Boarding Matilda Pledge, 2 years and 9 mo
To boarding 2 Children 7 months
To boarding Paschal 3 months
To making Sundry Cloaths for the Children
to Jos. Lewis goods for Matilda Pledge in 1788
good for Betsey Pledge in 1788

13 Aug 1788 [should have been dated 1789 since the Court Order was made Jun of 1789]. Thos. Pleasants, Geo. Payne, and Archd Pleasants made their report - the estate owed the Administrator over 21 pounds. They stated, "taken into consideration the situation of the Estate Regard to the Debts due at this time and from it together with the yearly income thereof and are of opinion that the whole Interest and yearly income arriving from the estate is not sufficient to maintain the orphans."
17 Aug 1789. The report was returned and ordered recorded.

Francis "Frank" PLEDGE and Elizabeth POINDEXTER had the following children:

35
i.
Mildred PLEDGE² was born on 3 September 1769.²⁶ She was baptized on 26 November 1769.²⁶
Goochland DB 15
p.168
In obedience to order of Goochland Court we have examined the acct of Wm Clarkson Guardian to Milley & Frankey Pledge orphans of Frances Pledge dec'd and find balance due to him of 12 £. [12 £ appeared to be his yearly charge for boarding.]
5 Dec 1788 J. W. Pleasants, Archd Plesants, Geo Payne
p.169
Jul 1788 Estate of Francis Pledge Dec'd in acct with Wm Clarkson.
To boarding of Mildred & Frankey M. Pledge from July 1787 until this present date. 12 £.
15 Dec 1788 Ordered Recorded
p.310
Thos. Pleasants, Archbd Pleasants, I. W. Pleasants & George Payne to settle accts of Wm Clarkson as guardian to Mildred & Frankey Pledge orphans of Frs. Pledge and report to next Court July, 1789
July 1788 Estate of Francis Pledge
To Wm Clarkson Boarding of Mildred & Frankey Pledge one year 12£
Account returned 19 Oct 1789

Mildred married Joel Wilkerson 14 Oct 1790. Her guardian and uncle, William Clarkson, was her witness.
Goochland Deed Book 15
p.487 Marriage returns of Charles Hopkins, 12 Apr 1791
1790
Joel Wilkerson to Mildred Pledge, October 16th
36
ii.
Francis M. "Frankey" PLEDGE²⁴ was born (date unknown).
Named in guardianship provision after father died - his uncle William Clarkson was his guardian. His birth was not recorded in Goochland Co. Not listed in file from Poindexter Assn. Since nothing else has been noted about him, perhaps he did not live to reach his majority.
Goochland DB 15
p.168
In obedience to order of Goochland Court we have examined the acct of Wm Clarkson Guardian to Milley & Frankey Pledge orphans of Frances Pledge dec'd and find balance due to him of 12 £. [12 £ appeared to be his yearly charge for boarding.]
5 Dec 1788 J. W. Pleasants, Archd Plesants, Geo Payne
p.169
Jul 1788 Estate of Francis Pledge Dec'd in acct with Wm Clarkson.
To boarding of Mildred & Frankey M. Pledge from July 1787 until this present date. 12 £.
15 Dec 1788 Ordered Recorded
p.310
Thos. Pleasants, Archbd Pleasants, I. W. Pleasants & George Payne to settle accts of Wm Clarkson as guardian to Mildred & Frankey Pledge orphans of Frs. Pledge and report to next Court July, 1789
July 1788 Estate of Francis Pledge
To Wm Clarkson Boarding of Mildred & Frankey Pledge one year 12£
Account returned 19 Oct 1789
+37
iii.
Caroline Matilda PLEDGE.
38
iv.
Nancy "Nanny" PLEDGE² was born on 22 December 1774.²⁶ She was baptized on 23 February 1775.²⁶
Nancy, or Nanny as her birth and baptism, was recorded in The Douglas Register, does not appear in the estate accountings of her parents. The other children are named - Milly & Frankey as wards of William Clarkson as early as 1785; Matilda, Pascal & Betsey all named in Archer Pledge's accounting of Elizabeth Pledge's estate that was recorded in August of 1789. Nancy was certainly still a young child. In one record, it states there were seven children, I have identified only six even by counting Nancy.
In a letter dated 27 April 1907 from Mr. Pleasant H. Poindexter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Mr Poindexter relates the following; “ … and Francis Pledge married my grandfather Thomas Poindexter’s sister. I was acquainted with one of their children Nancy, was born in Va Jan 5th 1775 died in Yad. Co May 15 1859, came to this Co when a girl 10 or 12 from Patrick Co, Va.”[3]. Mr Poindexter was born in Yadkin Co, NC in 1837. According to Peter Apperson’s application #24906 “My grandmother Nancy Pledge”…“my grand mother was only 12 yrs old when she came into NC” [Jordan: 239] . Martha Sharp, claim 33265, “ My grand mother Nancy Vest”…[Jordan:: 241] By this account Nancy Pledge came to Yadkin then Surry Co ca 1786." This is either from
Letter: "Mr. P. H. Poindexter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, “ Eastern Cherokee Applications Aug 29, 1906- May 26, 1909, #13401- 13550” Family History Library film # 378632, Salt Lake City, Utah. Application # 13489 of Pleasant Poindexter or
Jordan, Jerry Wright, Cherokee by Blood, Record of Eastern Cherokee Ancestry in the United States Court of Claims, 1906-1910, Heritage Books 1987, pp 235-266 Claim 664 “Poindexter.

Nanny is probably the Nancy Pledge who married Isham Vest and resided in North Carolina in what is now Yadkin Co. The marriage record curiously is in Stokes Co NC - Isham Vest to "Nanzey Page" on 13 Jun 1795. There seems to be no reason she was not included as one of the children during the years of the settlement of the estate of Francis Pledge.
1810 Census. Stokes Co NC
Isham Vest: 2m under 10, 1m 10-16, 2m 16-26, 1m 26-45. 3f under 10, 1f 10-16, 1f 26-45.
1820 Census. Stokes Co NC [indexed as Johann Vest]
Isham Vest: 1m under 10, 1m 16-18, 1m 16-26, 1m +45. 1f under 10, 1f 10-16, 1f +45
1830 Census. Stokes Co NC No Isham or Nancy Vest. Nancy should have been about 56 in 1830; perhaps she lived with a child
John Vest, age 50-60 with spouse of the same age and several children
Charles Vest, age 50-60 with spouse of the same age and several children.
Frances Vest, age 20-30 with spouse of the same age, two young teen-age boys and a young female under 5
William Vest, age 40-50 with spouse of the same age, several children, and an older woman, age 70-80.
There were only 64 heads of household named Vest in the entire U.S.
1850 Census. I believe I found Nancy living in Surry Co, quite possibly with a daughter and family. Household 1181
John Kirk, age 40. Nancy age 38.
Martha M. 19. William F. 17. Nancy C. 15. Lithy J. 14. Sally 11. James 8. John C. 5
and
Nancy Vest, age 75, b. VA - the rest of the household born in NC.
39
v.
Elizabeth "Betsey" PLEDGE was born on 27 November 1778.²⁶ She was baptized on 9 August 1779.²⁶
Record states baptized in 1778, but she couldn't have been baptized before she was born. Possibly dates were transposed.
In the accounting of the estate of her parents presented to the Goochland County Court, August of 1789, there is a line item for "goods for Betsey Pledge in 1788".
40
vi.
Pascal Paoli PLEDGE²⁴ was born on 10 August 1781.²⁶ He was baptized on 21 February 1782.²⁶
At some point after his parents died Isham Vest, husband of his sister Nancy, was appointed guardian to Pascal Paoli Pledge in Stokes County NC. Pascal probably died about age 15.
In the accounts presented to Goochland County Court by Archer Pledge, administrator of Elizabeth Pledge, dec'd, who was admin of the estate of her husband Francis Pledge, there is a single mention of Pascal. On Apr 3, 1786, 1# 10 sh was paid for boarding Paschal for 3 months, but does not say to whom this was paid. The other children were boarded for a long period of time - two of the children, not named, for 7 months. and Matilda for 2 years, 9 months.