Fifth Generation


12. WALTER CLOPTON23 was born about 1688 in Virginia.24 He died after 1758 at the age of 70 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,25

The first appearance of Walter Clopton in the St. Peters Parish Vestry records of New Kent Co is September 29, 1719 when he is paid 275 lbs of tobacco. Discussion during the vestry meeting reveals that he was allowed this sum for burying (and other charges) one Thomas Burdenwin. Walter was to deliver to the church wardens (Richard Allen & his father William Clopton) the sevant man's mare which came out of Essex County until the owners pay the 275 lbs of tobacco, or equivalent, to the Parish. On 30 Jul 1723, Walter Clopton took the oath and was appointed Vestryman. He was appointed to view & number the tobacco plants each year from 1724-29. 20 Apr 1731 he was elected Church Warden.; he took the oath at the May meeting. In Sept of 1732, he was replaced by Carles Massie as Warden but continued to serve as a Vestryman. He was collector for the Parish levy for some of the years. On 29 Sep 1740, Walter was again chosen church warden (two-year term) to serve with Daniel Parke Custis whose wife Martha would marry George Washington after he died. In 1741, Walter was paid by the Parish for keeping a bastard child of Mary Ashberry. In 1751, Walter Clopton was appointed one of the processioners - to work with Robert Jarratt (likely his brother-in-law) - they were both appointed again in 1755. In 1758, when the minutes end, Walter is still serving as a Vestryman as he has done for 35 years.

One of the last entries of the Vestry minutes of St Peters Parish is dated 22 Nov 1758 and Mr. Walter Clopton is listed as one of the Vestrymen present at that time.


He was a slaveholder as were his brothers and father. The Register of St. Peters notes that Nanny, a Negro of Walter Clopten died 6 Apr 1720; Jammey a Negro belonging to Walter Clopton was born 31 Mar 1726; Richard a Negro boy belonging to Walt Clopton was born 12 Mar 1757 and baptized on 20 June; Sarah a Negro girl was born 16 Nov 1757 and baptized 22 Dec.

VA Patent Bk 11, p. 46 17 Aug 1720. 400A Henrico Co, N side James R.
and here is a neighbor:
John BOLLING, 4480 acs. (O.&N.L.), Henrico Co., on N side of James Riv., 2 May, 1721, p. 60. 753 acs. beg. at his 320 acs., on E. side of the W. br. of Licking Hole, or Treasurer’s Run, near WALTER CLOPTON’s fence, on sd. Bolling’s line of his survey joining to Rock Castle; 1388 acs. Bounded as by patent dated 23 Dec., 1713, granted sd. Bolling; 320 acs. Bounded as by his patent dated 1 Apr. 1717; 1019 acs. As by his patent dated 15 July 1717. 8 Lbs., 14 Shill.Source: Foley, Louise Pledge Heath; Early Virginia Families Along the James River: Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches; Vol. I: Henrico County – Goochland County, Virginia; Abstracts of Land Patents – Henrico County, p. 57


Married St. Peter's Parish Church

Hanover Co Court Record Book 1733-1735; Charles P. Blunt IV
1978
p.30/134
4 Oct 1734 Walter Clopton gent. Of St Peter's Parish in New Kent Co to James Hill, innkeeper of St. Peter's …for 2£ sterling, 200 acres south side of the South Anna River at mouth of Horse Shoe Creek. Part of 400 acres granted John Syme, patent 17 Aug 1725 and sold by said Syme to Walter Clopton by deed in Hanover Co 6 Jan 1726
Wit: J. Markland & Barttelot Anderson
Deed ack. Mary, wife of Walter relinq dower 4 Oct 1734

Here is evidence of that same tract that ended up in Louisa Co.
Lousia Co DB A
p.59   4 Dec1741   James Hill of St. ?Johns Parish,King William Co, to John Hill, St. Martins Parish, Louisa.  30#'s. 200 acres  South side South Anna River, mouth of Horseshoe Neck, up the River. part of 400 acres granted John Syme, Gent by patent 17 Aug 1725; conveyed to Walter Clopton by deed, 6 Jan 1726; conveyed  by Clopton to sd James Hill, Hanover Co, 4 Oct 1734.  Signed:  James Hill. Wit:  John Clarkson, John Bailey,William (x) Long.  Proved by wit. 14 Mar 1742.


Another possible daughter needs further proof. Found in the Clopton book - William Ballard and wife Elizabeth were of Lunenburg Co VA by December of 1735 when his first deed was dated 3 Dec 1735. (No mention of whether or not a wife was named in this deed - if he was then married, she would give dower release.) About 1760 they moved to the Scotland Neck of Halifax Co, NC, where he wrote his will on 10 Sep 1774. (no mention of how it is known these records in Virginia and then North Carolina was the same William Ballard - it is not an unusual name.) The will names wife Elizabeth and children: Mary Allen, Joyce Langley, Elizabeth Freeman, Martha Finch, Nancy Lenoir, Walter Clopton Ballard, Devereaux Ballard, Salumith Ballard, and William Sorrell Ballard. Some descendants have assumed Elizabeth was indeed a daughter of Walter Clopton & Mary Jarrett, but no child Elizabeth was baptized St. Peter's Parish.

1774 - Halifax County North Carolina Wills - In the name of God Amen I
William Ballard of the County of Halifax being much indisposed in body but in
perfect memory and calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die,
do make & ordain this my Last Will & Testament, That is to say .. Principally &
first of all I recommend my Soul unto the hands of God that grant it and as
to what Temporal Blessings it hath pleased the Almighty to Bless me with I give
and dispose of it in the following manner.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Allen, a Negro Wench named
Anness & her increase that now is or may be here after.
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Joyce Langley, a negro Wench named
Jean & her increase that now is or may be hereafter.
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Freeman a Negro Wench
named Bech and her daughter Milley & their increase
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Martha Finch a Negro Girl named
Lydia and her increase
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Lenoir a Negro Girl named
Judy and her increase
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Walter Clopton Ballard all my Lands
lying in the County as also a Negro Fellow named Cuffy
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Devereux Ballard a Negro boy named
Harry, and a Bay Mare about one year & five months old and one old Gunn
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Salumith Ballard a Negro Girl named
(illegible) & her increase, one feather bed & furniture, one horse of about
Ten pounds price Virg money & one Womans saddle & Bridle
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my son William Sorrell Ballard a Negro Boy
named Bristol & my small Gunn
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Ballard a Negro
Girl named Jean & her increase, as also a Debt due me John Hyde of Fifty Pounds
Virginia Money & Bond with Interest thereon. And in case the said Elizabeth
Ballard dies before she comes to the age of Twenty One Years, then and in such a
Case my Daughter Salumith Ballard shall have the Negro Girl Jean & her
increase (if any) and the -Debt due from John Hyde shall be divided as follows to Wit
Twenty five pounds to the said Hyde and Twenty five pounds to my Daughter
Martha Finch
I give and bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth Ballard a Negro Girl named Cinder
and it is my Will and Desire that my said Wife shall have the Loan of all the
residue of my Estate, and also all my Debts dues & demands whatsoever due to
me from any person of persons during her Natural Life, first paying my funeral
expenses, and all just debts due by me and at her decease everything she has
the loan of to be equally divided among my Children first letting my Sons
Devereux & William take their choice of a Negro a piece
It is my Will & desire that my son Walter C Ballard give unto my Son Wm S
Ballard when he comes of age a Horse of Ten Pounds Virginia Money Value
It is my Will & Desire that in case my Son Walter C Ballard should die
without Heirs Lawfully begotten then the Lands bequested unto him revert to my Son
Devereux Ballard and in case he should die without Heirs Lawfully begotten
then the said lands shall revert to my Son William S Ballard and if he should die
without Heirs Lawfully Begotten then the said Land to be sold and the money
equally divided among my surviving children. - I do hereby Constitute Ordain &
appoint my Beloved Wife Elizabeth Ballard my Executrix and Walter C Ballard &
John Faulcon Exers of this my Last Will & Testament. In Witness Where of I
have here unto set my hand and seal this tenth day of September Anno almer 1774
Signed & Sealed in presence of Wm Lenoir, Edward Finch, & John Hyde. William
Ballard and a mark Halifax (LST?) Febry Court 1775 - Then this Will was
exhibited in Open Court by the Extria and proved by the Oath of John Hyde a
Witness thereto Whereupon the Extrix within named was qualified according to law
& Motion Ordered to be Recorded. Test Jas Montfort C.C.

WALTER CLOPTON and MARY JARRATT were married on 4 September 1711 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,26 MARY JARRATT, daughter of ROBERT JARATT and MARY [JARRATT], was born in Virginia.24

Robert and Mary Jarratt were Mary's parents. Records:

CAVALIERS & PIONEERS; Vol II, p.6: As early as 9 Jun 1666, a Robert Jarratt received a patent for 284 acres in the neck between the York & Chickahomamy Rivers.
p.270: On 20 Nov 1683, Mrs. Elizabeth Terrell & Thomas Corell patented 720 acres in New Kent Co on the south side of the York River on branches of the Chickahominy Swamp. This tract was adjacent PoyntDexter's path; Mr. Boothe; and the land of Thomas Mishell [Mitchell] & Mr. Robert Jarrett.

CAVALIERS & PIONEERS; Vol II, p.253 Thomas Mitchell, Planter of New Kent Co., 2436 acs. in sd. Co. being the land he lives on; 28 Feb 1682/3 PB 7, p.232. Beg. at Mr. ROBERT JARRETT, by Westover Path; by an Indian field, to line tree in the bounds of the County line, neere a branch of the Skimino; by Mr. Lancelett Bathurst's fence; by Towwink Sw., by the Rotten Br; by the horse roade, etc. Bounded on all sides by marked lines. Part of sd. land granted to Thomas Mitchell by patent dated 15 Jan 1662 and the other part granted to John Lewis & the said Thomas Mitchell on the same day, which sd. Lewis sold his title to sd. Mitchell & acknowledged same in the Co. Ct. of New Kent on 18 Feb 1672.

In June of 1698, Robert Jarrat was asked to help "Cleer the Roades" in his Parish precinct.
Sarah, a Negro girl belonging to Mr. Robt Jarrott was born in August of 1708.

"Mr. Robt Jarrott Departed this Life January the 21st, 1709."

Grandson, Rev. Devereux Jarratt stated Mary was a native of Ireland.
"Mary ye Wife of Mr. Robt Jarret obijt 31st Mar 1707."

WALTER CLOPTON and MARY JARRATT had the following children:

31

i.

Ann CLOPTON was born on 3 July 1712 in New Kent County, Virginia.24 She was christened on 3 August 1712 in Saint Peters Parish, New Kent County, Virginia.16

Baptized 3 Aug 1712

32

ii.

William CLOPTON27 was born on 19 November 1714 in New Kent County, Virginia.24 He was christened on 19 December 1714 in Saint Peters Parish, New Kent County, Virginia.18

The Parish Records of St Peters include the birth of Mary, daughter of William & Cassandra Clopton on 13 Nov 1736, bapt on 5 Jan 1737; and Walter, son of William & Cassandra born 29 Apr 1739, bapt May 27. This appears to be this William as the sons of Robert and William named William were too young, unless the uncle William married a second time.

However, a Clopton article in The William and Mary Quarterly, states that William married Elizabeth Dorrall Ford, sister of Rev. Reuben Ford and had the following children:
Robert, eldest, will dated 17 Apr 1783, Cumberland Co, proved 22 Apr 1793 - died without issue.
John, b. St. Peter's Parish, New Kent, 7 Feb 1756
Reuben
George

33

iii.

Mary CLOPTON was born on 29 August 1716 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,28

34

iv.

Walter CLOPTON was born on 24 March 1721 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,29

Died in infancy

35

v.

Robert CLOPTON was born on 4 January 1725 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,30

36

vi.

Devereaux CLOPTON31 was born on 30 August 1727 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,32

In 1751 and 1755, Devereux Clopton was a Processioner for Precinct 11 in St Peters Parish. He signed the list of Freeholders found undated in the Parish records; based on the fact that his name (rather unusual) is there, I'd place that list in the 1750's.

37

vii.

Margaret CLOPTON was born on 9 September 1729 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,33

Baptized 12 Oct 1729.

The Clopton Chronicles online state that Margaret died about 1824, Buckingham Co, VA. She married (1) Thomas Pasley, b. 7 Jul 1724, New Kent, died in Buckingham between 1762-1766. Then the claim is made that she married James Bristow Jr. in 1766 - he was born 28 Sep 1751, Dinwiddie Co. this seems unlikely since he was 15 and she was 38 - I suspect this was a very different Margaret, or a different James - perhaps his father.
Children with Thomas Pasley, born in New Kent Co
Mary Frances, b. 16 Jan 1753
Anne "Nancy", b. 14 Feb 1754 - both these daughters said to have died Clark Co KY
William, b. 12 Jan 1757
Lucy, b. 21 Feb 1760
Then a Thomas Clopton Pasley, b. 29 Jan 1762 in Strafford Co NH (I think NOT!), died Owen, KY.

Children with James Bristow, born Buckingham Co
John, b. 1767
Geideon, b. 15 Nov 1768
James III, b. 17 Jan 1771
Archibald Owen, b. 17 Feb 1772


38

viii.

Richard CLOPTON was born in 1731 in New Kent County, Virginia.

Married Mary Davis about 1758, Goochland.

Children of Richard Clopton and Mary Davis are:
i. Richard19 Clopton, Jr.28, born Abt. 1759 in Goochland County, Virginia; died Bef. March 1807.
ii. Susannah Clopton, born June 27, 1760 in Goochland County, Virginia; died March 9, 1837 in St Clair County, Alabama.
iii. Archibald Clopton29, died Abt. 1811 in Granville County, North Carolina. He married Sarah Blackwell.
iv. Benjamin Clopton, of South Carolina30, died Aft. March 1807 in South Carolina. He married Nancy Winston.
v. David Clopton, of South Carolina, born Abt. 1767 in Granville County, North Carolina; died Bef. 1820 in Laurens County, South Carolina.
vi. Elizabeth Clopton, of South Carolina31, died Aft. March 1807. She married John Haygood.
vii. Guy William Clopton, born 1777 in Franklin County, North Carolina; died Aft. May 3, 1841 in Dade County, Missouri and buried at Carlock Cemetery.

Birthdates of these last two are questionable...
viii. Mary Clopton32, born July 4, 1791. She married (1) Tabby Hunt33 Bef. 1806. She married (2) Phillimore Bradford Aft. 1807.
ix. William Clopton, of Virginia, born July 14, 1791 in Goochland County, Virginia; died October 1871 in Louisiana, buried Bayou des Glaises Baptist Church near Big Ben, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.)
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~clopton/walterc.htm

+39

ix.

BENJAMIN CLOPTON.

40

x.

Naomi CLOPTON was born on 11 January 1735 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,34

Baptized 21 Mar 1735

41

xi.

Walter CLOPTON was born on 18 February 1740 in New Kent County, Virginia.24,35

Baptized 30 Mar 1740.