Robert Singleton had extensive land holdings in early Virginia. He lived in Gloucester County at the time of death, but also owned land in Stafford County. We find land records dealing with this Robert in Early Virginia records. In 1704, Robert paid quick-rent on 650 acres in Gloucester County, Kingston Parish. In 1705, Robert Singleton was granted 600 acres of land in Stafford County. In his will he indicates ownership of land in Richmond County.
The will of Robert Singleton was found as a copy in the Redwood Collection, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. The original Court Records have been destroyed early in history. At the time of his death, Robert had remarried and had two children with a second wife named Elizabeth. His first wife (Sarah Crow) had four children, including our Mary Singleton.
EXTANT WILLS FOR COUTIES WHOSE RECORDS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED
WILL OF ROBERT SINGLETON OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Transcribed by George H. S. King
"In the name of God Amen. I Robert Singleton being very sick &c; but in perfect sense and memory do make this my last will and Testament as Followeth.
Item: I give unto my loving son Joshua Singleton all my Lands in Richmond Count to him and his heirs forever and also I give unto my son Joshua Singleton three hundred acres of Land lying upon Ocaquan River in Stafford County and to have choice our of Pattent of six hundred acres which I have upon Ocaquan River and other three hundred acres belonging that Pattent. I give unto my two daughters Susannah, the wife of Thomas Smither and Mary, the wife of George Foster. I give it to them and their heirs forever and to be equally divided between them.
Item: I give unto my youngest son Isaac Singleton all my lands on Winter Harbour to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my eldest son Robert Singleton Thirty pounds to be paid him in current Money out of my estate and my Executors is for to have the time for to raise the thirty pounds in Current Money between this date now Present the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty and one pay sooner if they can. I likewise do ordain that my cattle (only six steers to be chose out of them for the use and raising of my youngest children) the rest of my cattle, horses and sheep to equally divided amongst my and all my children.
Item: I give all my household goods that is my bedding, pewter, potts, kittles, still, sider cast, and all my goods whatsoever belonging to house or plantation two thirds parts to my son Isaac Singleton and other third part of my daughter Avrilla Singleton to them and their heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my son Issac Singleton two Negro men named Dick and Tony to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give unto my daughter Averilla Singleton and her heirs forever. Likewise my will is that no land shall be cleared belong to my home Plantation or timber wasted whilst my son Isaac Singleton is under age and I do desire that the fences about my orchards may be made good and threes kept from damage and likewise I desire that my houses may be kept in repair…my son Isaac Singleton is to possess his estate at age twenty one years of age and my desire is that my son Isaac Singleton shall be put to school until he comes to the age of fourteen or fifteen and then to be bound an apprentice to some good trade by my executors or trustees which shall have the keeping of my youngest children Isaac and Averilla and if my son Isaac shall die without lawful Heir of his body and then the Land aforementioned given to him shall fall to my eldest son Robert singleton and his heirs forever my wife holding the third part of the land during her life. My son Robert Singleton has already received two pounds ten shillings of the thirty pounds above mentioned.
Lastly, I appoint my well beloved friend Robert Smith and my loving wife Elizabeth Singleton to be my Executor and my loving wife Elizabeth Singleton to be my Executor and Executrix of this my last will and Testament. As Witness my hand seal this 15th day of April 1724.
Robert Singleton SEAL
Sign'd Sealed in the presence of:
John Smith
John Foster
John dicken
At a Court held for Glouster County on the 25th day of March 1725.
This will was this day proved in open Court by oaths of John Smith and John Foster witnesses thereto and admitted to record and is recorded.
Source: Foster....Foster.....Foster Compiled by Henry Ashcroft, 1989
Retitled and retyped by Bill & Eva Roberts "Richard Singleton Foster & Elizabeth Mann Foster of Keysville, Charlotte County, Virginia and Stiversville, Maury County, Tennessee"
The first authentic record we find of this family in Virginia is of George Hardy, who came to the Colony prior to 1636, at which date he is spoken of as a "Shipwright." In 1644 he patented 300 acres,and is 1648 500 acres, situated upon Lawne's Creek, in Isle of Wight County. He was
the owner of the famous Hardy Mill, which was owned by the family for generations. He served as a member of the House of Burgesses from1641-52. He was a liberal supporter of the Established Church. He made his will March 16, 1654, which was probated April 14, 1655; he names his loving wife to whom he leaves all of his land, housing, etc., and after her death to be divided between his kinsmen, George Hardy, Jr., Christian Wilson and ThomasHardy; so he evidently left no issue.
*Source: "Colonial Families of the Southern States of America", A History and Genealogy of Colonial Families Who Settled in the Colonies Prior to the
Revolution, by Stella Pickett Hardy, originally published New York,1911, Reprinted Genealogy Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1965,1968 & 1974.pg 260
WILL OF GEORGE HARDY
Will of George Hardy, dated March 16, 1654, proved April 14, 1655. After the decease of his wife all his land, housing and g. to be divided between his kinsmen George Hardy, Jr. and Christian Wilson, for lack of heirs of G. H. then to fall to Thomas Hardy and Christian Wilson. My seal ring to my kinsman George, and my wife my other ring. "100 pds of tobacco towards the building of the Church in this parish in case it be built with Brick." To my kinsman George H. 3,000 lbs of tobacco to buy 2 servants. In case of return of 27 hds of tobacco I sent Home last year doth come in I then ordain that George Hardy "shall have a feather bed, Rugg sheets, and Blankets out of the produce of it, also I give him all my wearing apparel.
Signed and Sealed in the presence of us Karby Kigan, Jno Jennings, George Woodward, John Pit Clk Cur."
*Source: Virginia Land Records, Isle of Wight County Deeds and OtherRecords Reproduction of actual records Virginia Vital Records #1,1600-1800's, Broderbund Software CD #174
George Hardy was Burgess from 1641 until his death in 1654. in 1636 in a patent to Peter Hayes, to whom he has assigned land, he is called "shipwright".
About 1647, he, together with Thomas Wombell and Peter Hayes, patented, 100 acres of land, for the transportation of himself the second time and his wife the second and third time. And also one Christian Wilson who is mentioned later in his will. In 1648 he patented 500 acres of land on Lawne's Creek next to Alice Bennett for the transportation of ten persons including himself and Thomas Hardy. George Hardy died in 1655 and in his will he bequeathed 1,000 lbs of tobacco towards the building of a church in the Upper Parish provided it be built of brick. He owned Hardy's mill on Lawne's Creek, the oldest mill mentioned in the records and noted for its long and continued operation. To his kinsman George Hardy he left his seal ring and requested his wifeto look upon Thomas Hardy "as his next kinsman"...
*Source: Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, by John Bennett Boddie, Originally published Chicago, 1938, pg 225-226
Likewise, in Virginia, George Hardy, of Isle of Wight County, took an active part in public affairs. He served as a member of the House of Burgesses from 1641 to 1652. One of his descendants, Honorable Samuel Hardy, who was educated at William and Mary College and whose remains rest in Philadelphia with those of Innes, Tazwell, Macon, Reade and other gallant and patriotic Virginians, was a contemporary of George Washington. He served as a member of the House of Delegates in 1781,and was a member of the continental Congress from 1783 to 1785. He was a lawyer and his magnificent power, it is said, placed his at once in the front rank of statesmen. He was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1772 to 1774...
*Source: "Hardy and Hardie Past and Present" Authors and Compilers H.Claude Hardy and Rev. Edwin Noah Hardy, 1935 Printed by The SyracuseTypesetting Co., Inc. Third printing, 1977 The Village Press, Inc.Concord, NH. 03301, pp. 18
He was probably the first to erect a grist-mill, which became quite famous, locally; and is still in operation and known as "Wrenn's OldMill."
George Hardy (c.1577-c.1655)
Some individuals recorded as Bell or Bale in the Land Office seem to have later changed their names to Beale or Beall. All immigrants were entitled to 50 acres of land from the Provincial Government, and if they claimed the 50 acres, the said claim caused their names to be recorded in the Land Office. Manyimmigrants for cogent reasons, did not claim the 50 acres of land. Their failure to do so prevented any record being made of their arrival. (The listing below was found in the List for VIRGINIA)
RICHARD BELL 1648 patentee Geo. Hardy. Went to Isle of Wight Co.
*Source: Colonial Families of the United States Descended from theImmigrants Author: Fiedler M. M. Beall, Call Number: CS71.b384, Thisbook contains the genealogy of Bell, Beal, Bale, Beale, Beall colonialfamilies who arrived before 1700. Most of the individuals originatedfrom England and Scotland who are now settled in Maryland. *Source: FROM DATA COLLECTED AND EDITED BY LIEUT.-COLONEL FIELDER M. M. BEALL, U. S. ARMY, Printed by Chas. H. Potter & Co., Inc. Washington D.C. 1929. pp.10-11&15
IMMIGRATION RECORDS
The following persons are listed as being immigrated by Geo. Hardy,Tho. Wombwell and Peter Hall, Isle of Wight Co in 1648:
Richard Bell, Mary Booth, Tho. Clanc, Ann Garner, Tho Greene, Edwd. Hlat, Geo. and wife Harvey, Eliza Holmes, Pete Medcalfe, John Mouser, John Olivee, Robert Ward, Scpian Wilson, Ann clarke, James Louder, Ann Peeroy, Ellin Sleeve, Tho Soopson, Wm Taylor, John Taylor and Antho. Tyngle.