Notes for RICHARD SLEDGE:
The first record found of the Sledge family in America, to my knowledge, is found in
hargreaves-Mawdsley "Ship Lists in Bristol and America" p. 174, which states that Richard and Ann
Sledge, immigrants, arrived in the "Alithea" in 1681, sailed from Bristol, England, named Penford as their
homeplace. It is believed Charles is their son. - Historical Southern Families - Boddie - Vol XV p. 174.

Back to Richard Sledge
Notes for CHARLES SLEDGE:

Charles Sledge's will is found on B. 7 , p. 623, Surry County, VA. It was made on November 3, 1725. Proven on 16 February, 1725.

Their wills are on file in the VA Archives, Richmond, VA, and also Surry County, VA. Their daughter, Martha, was the wife of Peter Hays. Peter was the executor of Mary Sledge's will. The will was also witnessed by Peter and Thomas.

Charles Sledge came from England to the Jamestown Colony in Virginia in 1686. Charles received a land grant November 7, 1710 for 50 acres of land for importation of himself into this colony. Surrey County order book 1691-1713, page 353.

Charles received two land grants on August 1716, 100 - A and 150 - A, south of the Blackwater River, now Sussex county. Recorded Surrey County, Land Grant Book, 10.

"Will and Admos. Surry County, VA 1671-1750" DAR Library: States:

Sledge, Charles: leg. - To son-in-law, John Ellison, 75 acres for his life, this land on Pigin Swamp, where he now dwells; and at his decease, to my granddaughter, Judy Ellison. To my son, John Sledge, 100 acres of land in Surry, bounded by Samuel Chappell's land on one side and Col. Wm. Randolph'sland on the other side. To my daughter, Rebecca Ivey, one cow.  To
daughter, Martha Sledge, one cow. To granddaughter, Judy Ellison, one cow, rest to wife. Will made - November 3, 1725. Proven, February 15, 1725.
Book 7 - page 623.

Charles was the son of Richard and Ann Sledge, immigrants who arrived in the "Alithea" in 1681. In Bristol, England they named Penford as their old home-place. (Hargreaves-Mawdsley, Ship Lists in Bristol and America, p. 174.)

Charles married Mary Clark of Isle of Wight County, thus establishing connections with the Flake, Hayes, and Clarke families. Charles Sledge died in 1726, and his wife, Mary, in 1728. Their wills are on file in the Virginia archives. Peter Hayes was the executor of Mary (Clarke) Sledge's will (Boddie, Southside VA families, Vol. I. p. 366). Historical Southern Families, by John Bennett Boddie, Volume XV, 1971

Back to Charles Sledge
Notes for MARY CLARKE:

Mary Sledge's will is found in B7, p. 826, Surry County, VA; it was made on January 8, 1726. Proven on July 17, 1728.

Surry County, Virginia Deeds, Wills, etc., (FHL #034101-034102) (5:2888, 5:322, 5:351, 7:522, 7:534, 7:542) Will states:

"Wills and Admons Surry County, VA 1671-1750" DAR Library.

Sledge, Mary: leg. - Makes small bequests to son, John Sledge; daughter Rebecca Ivie; granddaughter, Judit Ellison, when the latter is 21 years old,. Gives her daughter, Martha Hayes, all the rest of the estate; Peter Hayes, exer. Made - January 8, 1726, Proven on July 17, 1728. witnessed by : Edward Prince, Eliza. Prince, Thomas Hay. Book 7, Page 826.

Back to Mary Clarke
 

Notes for MARTHA SLEDGE:

Notes for Martha Sledge/ wife of PETER HAYES:

Peter joined the migration of settlers pushing south into the great virgin forests of the Tidewater, after the Tuscarora War. From the earliest records it would seem that Peter who homesteaded on Urashaw Swamp, and his sons, were more interested in buying and selling land than in farming. The many grants and estate transfers in which they were involved would indicate that
the Hayes men obtained a omfortable living from real estate, or what would be considered comfortable in those frontier days.

Peter Hayes of Urashaw born on the Hayes Blackwater plantation in Isle of Wight Co. Just across the river in Surry County was the plantation of Charles Sledge. Peter married Martha Sledge, daughter of Charles. Peter Hayes was the executor of Mary (Clarke) Sledge's will (Boddie, Southside Va. Families, Vol. I, p. 366).

The record of a grant of 640 acres in the Urashaw Swamp region has not been found,, but it is mentioned in a land transfer. In 1720 Peter Hayes and his eldest son William were listed as having arms and able to defend the colonies against the Indians. This list constitutes a military roster for Capt. Patterson's company, and was made up of all the male residents of the upper part of Chowan Precinct, an area today found in Hertford and Northampton Counties. (Hathaway, Register, Vol. I, p. 443). His will dated August 3, 1760 and probated in March 1761 in Halifax County, North Carolina, names his wife Martha as executrix and gives each of his younger children five shillings. His wife was to have the estate and to see that the children were educated and cared for. The three eldest children were not mentioned in the will; they had been established with their own families.
 

Back to Martha Sledge

Notes for PETER HAYES:

Peter joined the migration of settlers pushing south into the great virgin forests of the Tidewater, after the Tuscarora War. From the earliest records it would seem that Peter who homesteaded on Urashaw Swamp, and his sons, were more interested in buying and selling land than in farming. The many grants and estate transfers in which they were involved would indicate that
the Hayes men obtained a comfortable living from real estate, or what would be considered comfortable in those frontier days.

Peter Hayes of Urashaw born on the Hayes Blackwater plantation in Isle of Wight County. Just across the river in Surry County was the plantation of Charles Sledge. Peter married Martha Sledge, daughter of Charles. Peter Hayes was the executor of Mary (Clarke) Sledge's will (Boddie, Southside VA Families, Vol. I, p. 366).

The record of a grant of 640 acres in the Urashaw Swamp region has not been found, but it is mentioned in a land transfer. In 1720, Peter Hayes and his eldest son, William were listed as having arms and able to defend the colonies agaisnt the Indians. This list constitutes a military roster for Capt. Patterson's company, and was made up of all the male residents of the upper part of Chowan Precinct, an area today found in Hertford and Northampton Counties. (Hathaway, Register, Vol. I, p. 443).

His will dated August 3, 1760 and probated in March of 1761 in Halifax County, North Carolina, names his wife, Martha, as executrix and gives each of his younger children five shillings. His wife was to have the estate and to see that the children were educated and cared for. The three oldest chidren were not mentioned in the will; they had been established with their own families.

The Name

Various spellings in this line has been, HAY, HAYS and HAYES. There are other versions but only these have been used in our decendency.

PETER HAYES

Born about 1600 Isle of Wight, Va. Married Ann born about 1604. They had five children, Elizabeth, Thomas, Peter (1630) Ann and Mary. Still have some reservations about this connection.

PETER HAYES

Born about 1630 Isle of Wight, Va. Married (?). One child determined at this time, Peter in 1650. Still have some reservations about this connection.

PETER HAYES

Born about 1650, of Blackwater was forn in Va. at the Hayes Plantation on Pagon Creek. He lived his life on Blackwater River that flows south to North Carolina. At maturity, he was employed by Robert Flake, Sr., a wealthy landowner. Flake was said to be one of the richest men in the Isle of Wight (Boddie, 17 century Isle of Wight Country, page 202.

He married Elizabeth Flake (1669) the daughter of Robert Flake who died in 1698. Flake gave a distribution of gifts of 200 acres to each of his three grandsons, Richard, Samuel and Peter Hays. Robert was not born until 1700.  It would seem that Peter named his son Robert in honor of his father in law, Robert Flake.

Research indicates at this time, two children: Peter Hayes, born about 1696, married Martha Sledge born about (1700) in Surry County, Va. They had twelve children. Martha daughter of Charles Sledge and Mary Clarke. Robert Hayes married Elizabeth (?).

Robert Hayes

Born 1700. Married to Elizabeth (?). Two children, Belithia and Southey.  We are decended from Belithia. Probably named for his grandfather, Robert Flake who died two years before.

***Source***: Thanks to Rev. Cynthia Forde who made the connection of Robert to Peter of 1650. Her source was 82 year old researcher, Porter M. Gilliland who had researched the Martha Ivey line that connects to the Hayes/Clark/Flake/Sledge lines. Martha Sledge's brother, John about 1700-1750 in Surry County, Va., died in Albermarle Parish, Surry Co., Va., married Rebecca Ivey.

While there is little known about the life of Robert, it would be safe to assume that he likely migrated with his brother Peter, and other settlers, who pushed south into the great virgin forests of the Tidewater after the Tuscarora War. They homesteaded on the Urashaw Swamp. The Hayes men were more interested in buying and selling land than in farming. They apparently made a confortable living doing so.

The early deed books of Duplin/Sampson county, N.C. indicate on 10/15/1755, a deed for 200 acres on the Six Runs in what is now Sampson Co., from Robert Hayes and his wife Elizabeth, to their son Belythia. Less than a year later, Belythia, now of Bladen Co., N.C. transfers the property from his father.

Belithia Hays

Born 1735 in Marlboro county, S.C. Married Amey Clark born about 1750 in Marlboro, S.C. Three children,  Elijah 1765, Keziah 1772 and Robert 1770.  Keziah married John Townsend. We are decended from Elijah.

On March 18, 1797, he applied for letters of administration on the estate of Phillip Clark but did not act as administrator. He apparently, on June 1, 1797, the day of the hearing had yielded to William Whitfield and Fereby Clark to service.

Elijah Hays and Amy Hays, inherited land from Phillip and this could be the reason he elected not to serve as Phillips administrator due to conflict of interest appearances.

The name Belithia is very unusual. In the Robert Hays deed transfer, the heading shows Belithia, whereas the body shows Alithia. According to Boddie the ship which brought Richard Sledge and his family to the new land, was the Alithea. Perhaps this is the name source.

Elijah Hays

Born 1765 in South Carolina and married Charity (?). Children were Aley, two infant daughters, John W., Robert William, William Riley and Elijah S. The Hayes' lived in southeastern Marlboro Co., in the Cashway Ferry-muddy creek area. This is next to Marion Co., now Dillion Co., S.C.

More detailed information relative to Marlboro is covered by Lynn Hayes

Having inherited land from Phillip Clark, he bought 50 acres close by.  Later he bought three additional tracts and sold the Clark acreage, leaving him a total of 174 acres. On March 17, 1820, he sold the 174 acres.

About 1820, they moved to the Sumter Dist., of S.C. There they were neighbors to the Arthur Lee family. Further migration to Barbour Co., Alabama took place around 1835 according to a local census there. Elijah and sons were listed there in the 1840 Federal Census. Charity died in S.C. before the Alabama migration. Aley did not move with the family to Alabama.
He moved his family to Coffee county, Georgia.

Aley was born in 1797 according to the 1860 census, but the 1850 shows as being born in 1805.

He married Kittie and they had nine children; Eli, Hugh, Keziah, Peter, Bryant, Richard Jefferson, Ceneth, Sintha and Benjamin Franklin. Later he married Rhoda. He moved his family from S.C. to Coffee county Georgia south of the Ocmulgee River,   where he died at home about 1875.

Peter and Benjamin were privates in the Confederate Army, Company "C", 50th Georgia Regiment, a Coffee County Company. Peter died while in the service. Richard Jeff died young. Benjamin (1845-1924) married Nancy Brantley and
they had 13 children.

Robert William Hays

Born 1809 in South Carolina and married Eliza Lee born 4/24/1810 in Sumter, S.C. They had nine children:

Aley L. About 1889 he became involved in a feud with the Peters family and killed one of the brothers. He fled to Georgia to escape retribution where he married a woman named Eliza. He and his family later moved back to Leeesburg, Fla., then to Plant City, Fla.

The feud had to do with some uncomplimentery remarks made by the Peters brothers to or about Lucinda in Aley's presence to which he took exception.  A short time later as the Peters brothers were returning from a trip, Aley had been sitting in wait whittling, and as they rode towards him, Aley stepped from behind a palmetto bush and fired his shotgun. The blast killed one brother outright and the blast caused the other's horse to rear and the second shot got the horse. Before he could reload, the surviving Peters fled.

George Franklin.

William Jefferson, married Mary Susan Matchet

Laura, married Irvin Williams. He died in the WBTS and is buried in Lexington, Ky.

Lucinda Jane, never married.

Robert William, Jr., married Lenora Caruthers

Elijah J., 1844-1879, married Mary J. Durance. He was captured twice during the WBTS and likely his early death could be attributed to his service in the confederancy.

Arthur H., nicknamed "Shug". He first married Frances and then Richael Robinson. He ran the ferry across the Withlacooche River.

Amanda.

George Franklin was born in S.C. The middle children born in Alabama and the two youngest were born in Florida.  Barbour County, Alabama, had been Creek Indian territory and had been opened for settlement even though the Creek situation had not been resolved. In 1836 Robert volunteered to serve with Col. John Currie in the 42d Alabama Militia, mounted volunteers commanded by Capt. Moses E. Bush. Enlisted in 3/1/1836, honorably discharged 12/31/1836.

Robert and his brother in law, Evander Lee, owned adjoining land in Barbour Alabama between 1846-1849. They later moved to newly opened land that later became Sumter County, Florida. He owned a section and a half in the Indican Hill area. When the third Seminole War, or Billy Bowlegs War began, he and his two oldest sons, Frank and Jeff, enlisted in Capt. Abner D.
Johnston's Company and saw limited action. Robert probably earned his living herding cattle on the open ranges with some subsistence farming. When the WBTS began in 1861, he did not serve but two of his sons did. In the 1860 census (Sumter) he owned a female slave and what was likely her young son. This is unusual since there does not appear to be any Hayes slave holders. It could be that he had taken them for some benovelent reason.

Eliza died 1866 and Robert in 1868 and are buried at the Indian Hills cemetery near Wahoo. Grave sites are now lost, were known in 1939, but are somewhere between Jeff and Lucinda.

Eliza's father was Arthur Lee who can be traced back to General Robert E. Lee and two signers of the Declaration of  Independence, Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard Henry Lee. The Lee connection can be traced back to Thomas Lee in 1509.
Barb Waters writes to Cynthia Forde: Barb Waters, "We are decended from William Jefferson."

William Jefferson Hays

Born 11/1/1834 in Barbour county, Alabama. He died 3/1/1915 in Webster, Sumter County, Florida. He is buried in the Indian Hills Cemetery near Wahoo, Florida in Sumter County. He married Mary Susan Matchet on 3/2/1856.  Born 11/21/1837 in Georgia and died 3/6/1889 in Sumter county, Florida.  Mary was daughter of Wells and Susan William Matchet. They were of the original Scotch/Irish settlers in Duplin, N.C. They had eleven children;

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) 10/21/1856, Married Charles R. Norman

John Wesley 8/21/1859

William Lawrence 9/21/1861, married Isabelle Beach

Thomas (Tom) Leroy 7/23/1864, married Orrie R. McGuire

Frances Caroline (Callie) 6/27/1866, married James W. McClamma Robert Wells Lee 12/29/1869, married Lucy Henry Grant and Sarah Willie Skipper.

Wiley Henry 3/15/1872, married Idella Swain

James Monroe (Aley) 1/4/1875, married Lee A. Robbins

Stephen Calvin (Doc) 3/23/1877, married Elizabeth Castell

Charles Mays (Charlie) 12/1/1879 married Mary E. Woodard

Joseph Ostine 1/17/1884.married Mary E. Swain

After the death of Mary Matchet, he married Susan Ann Grant Hayes, his step-sister. No children from this marriage.

Jeff was friendly with the Seminoles and would let them stay in his old barn. They would bring him fresh meats.

We are decended from Robert Wells Lee.

Robert Wells Lee Hayes

Born 12/29/1869 in Sumter county, Florida. He died 12/15/1950 and buried in the Indian Hills cemetery at Wahoo, Florida in Sumter county. He married Lucy Henry Grant 5/31/1892. Their children, five in all, were;

Rosa Lee 5/30/1894 married C.A. Thomas.

William (Bill) Wells 5/22/1897 married Beaulah Collins. Bill served in WWI in the Rainbow Division. He was mustard gassed by the Germans and died in 1940, his life shortened by the gas injury.

Ruth Glee 3/22/1900

Dewey David 10/19/1902 married Louise (?)

Carrie Elizabeth 3/1/1904 married William Charles "Charlie" Deas. He was the son of Nolie Cornelius Deas and Vera Earnestine Johns. Their children: Nolie Charles, Norris Lindner, Rachel Elizabeth, L. Lee, Miles Reginald, Gene Raymond and Darlene.

He married Sarah Willie Skipper on 4/28/1909 having divorced Lucy Henry Grant between 1907-1909.  Their children:

Gladys Mae Lorine 10/14/1910, married Joseph Mickle. They had twin daughters, Jody and Judy

Roy Oliver Lewis 9/15/1916, married Gladys (?)

Garland (Red) Griffith 6/301918 married Billie Sanders

L. Lee Deas

August 1, 2000

Back to Sledges