James Skelton

It is believed that James Skelton arrived in Virginia before 1723. On 14 June 1739 he became Sheriff of Hanover County and was made Justice of the Peace there on 10 June 1741. He was reappointed Sheriff on 11 June 1742.

NOTE: Though widely reported as the husband of Jane Meriwether, it is believed that this is a different James Skelton.

In 1750, James Skelton contracted to rebuild the state Capitol in Williamsburg, burned in 1746. In the “Diary of John Blair” is this paragraph, under date January 31, 1751: “Skelton set off to go up to bury his wife, having got a black coat for it.” (See William and Mary College Quarterly, VIII, p. 2)

In a letter of Francis Jerdone, 12 September, 1754, is this paragraph, “James Skelton is dead, as also Robert Miller, of Williamsburg.” (Quarterly, VII., p. 103) 238

See the following website for information concerning confusion over several James Skeltons in the 1750 period.

http://members.tripod.com/~Bonestwo/index-28.html
(no longer exists)

-Probably arrived in VA from England shortly before 1723.
-Sheriff of Hanover County on 14 June 1739; made Justice of the Peace there on 10 June 1741; and reappointed Sheriff on 11 June 1742 (Is this verifiable?)

Sources:
-Research of Michael Adams Neal, his source was 'The record of Nicholas Meriwether of Wales and Descendents in VA and MD' by William R, Griffith
-Skelton Family Newletter, Vol. 2, No. 7, 2-21-1994, published by Dr. Earl Skelton of Washington, D.C.
-R. Bolling Batte Papers, Biographical Card File, VA State Library & Archives, Richmond, VA

1723 grant for 2400 acres

James Skelton, a gentleman of wealth and social prominence, was living in St. James Parish, Goochland, in 1735. He married Jane Meriwether, a daughter of Francis Meriwether and his wife, Mary Bathurst, who was a descendant of the ancient family of English Bathursts. The Skelton arms are engraved on old silverware now in possession of the Skeltons of Kentucky, which were brought from Virginia, and is also found on the book plate of Reuben Skelton, son of James Skelton."

Virginia Heraldica: Arms: Azure a fess or between three fleur de lis. Crest: A peacock's head erased ppr. in the beak an acorn or, stalked and leaved vert.

Goochland County Court records show a bond executed by Jas. Skelton, of St. James Parish, dated June 10th, 1735, in which he binds himself in the sum of 600 pounds sterling, to convey on or before Mar. 25th next 1000 acres of land and divers slaves to one Wm. Meriwether in trust for his Skeltons wife Jane during her life, and after her death, to Sally Skelton, dau. of said James and Jane Skelton &c.
Witness
Frances Colston and T. W. Belfield.

(The said Colston was a dau. of Wm. Colston and Mary Meriwether, and the said Belfield was Thomas Wright Belfield who before the above date had m. Mar. 9th, 1723-4, the widow Mary Colston, dau. of Francis Meriwether and wife Mary (Bathurst). There is in the possession of the Jones family of Kentucky, descendants of Col. Thos. Jones who m. Sally Skelton, a large family Bible in two volumes, on the fly leaf of each is engraved a copy of the Skelton arms with crest. Under one engraving is written the name of Meriwether Skelton and under the other, Reuben Skelton.

The Virginia Land-Registry shows large grants of land to Dr. James Skelton. 24

W&M212:
James Skelton executed a bond in Goochland 10 Jun 1733 conditioned to make a deed to Willim Meriwether for 100 acres and certain slaves in trust for his wife Jane (Meriwether) Skelton. (PPP LVA 18Jun2024)

In the “Diary of John Blair” is this paragraph, under date January 31, 1751: “Skelton set off to go up to bury his wife, having got a black coat for it.” (See William and Mary College Quarterly, VIII, p. 2)

James Skelton married Jane Meriwether 1726. Land Trials Book, Old Rappahannoch and Essex Counties 532

Spring Garden Plantation

According to tradition it was built by James and Jane (Meriwether) Skelton in the 1750's, and on land inherited by Jane from her grandfather, Nicholas Meriwether. Descended to the eldest son Meriwether Skelton, who died about 1781, unmarried and bequeathed to his sister Sally (Skelton) Jones, wife of Col. Thomas Jones (1725-1785/6). He was clerk of Northhampton County Court. Retired to Spring Garden about 1771. The younger brother of Mrs. Skelton, Bathurst Skelton (1744-1768), married 1766, Martha Wayle (1748-1782) who married 2nd, in 1772, Thomas Jefferson.

Spring Garden was located between New Castle and Hanover Town and burned in 1784 or 1785. 533