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George Eskridge "Kentucky George"
& his family

.

The Eskridge family history really starts with George Eskridge of Grayson County, Kentucky of known as “Kentucky George”. Though is seems clear that Kentucky George is a descendant of the well known George Eskridge who was a major figure in early Virginia colonial government, the actual lineage has been difficult to establish. This is in part due to the great loss of records for the State of Virginia both during the American Revolution and during the Civil War. The earliest research on the Eskridge family history was originally complied by Mrs. Henry Litchfield West of Washington, DC who surveyed the records on the Eskridge family at the end of the 19th century and during the early part of the 20th century. The information that was held in the Wilson family was found to have dated from 1929 and obtained by Kathryn Wilson Waite for her DAR membership. The validity of this evidence is somewhat in question. The Eskridge family is an old Virginia family whose genealogy has been well recorded; however, it should be cautioned that even the best of these early genealogies have errors in them. Mrs. West suggested that Kentucky George was the son of George Eskreige who married Hannah Damonville. This George Eskridge was in turn a son of William & Elizabeth (Coulbourne) Eskridge; William being the son of the original emigrant George Eskridge. This turns out to be untrue. Ms. Elizabeth Coiner of the Eskridge Family Association indicates that George Eskridge who married Hannah Damonville died in 1749 in Dorchester County, Maryland.

George Eskridge, the Emigrant

Col. George Eskridge has not been positively identified an ancestor of Kentucky George Eskridge; however, I will include information on him, as a blood connection between these two men seems hightly probable. Col. George Eskridger was a prominent personage in 18th century Virginia politics. Despite his high position and wealth in Virginia, it is believed that George Eskridge originally arrived in Virginia an indentured servant. In an account of the Eskridge family found in the “Virginia Magazine of History and Biography” (Vol. 7-8), one oral history recalls that George was a law student in England, when he was kiddnapped and forced into endentured servatude for eight years. There is no known record contemporary with Eskridge’s life that establishes this fact, though it seems unlikely that he could have risen to such a high rank. Like most early Virginia families the origins are obscured by the lack of surviving records. An article concerning the life of George Eskridge is found in the “Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine” by Charles Willard Hoskins Warner. Eskridge came to Virginia about 1670, probably from Lancastershire, England. He was a member of the Virginia elite and served in the House of Burgess from 1705 to 1735, the governing body of the colony. He had been the guardian of Mary Ball, mother to George Washington; the latter was Eskridge’s namesake. George Eskridge married twice, first to Rebecca, the daughter of Samuel & Margaret (Philpot) Bonum of Virginia. George Eskridge married secondly Elizabeth, the daughter of Robert Vaulx an early Virginia merchant with Quaker roots in England. George Eskridge made his will on the 27th of October 1735 and it was proved in Westmoreland County, Virginia on the 25th of November 1735. His will list his sons as Samuel, William, Robert, and George (deceased). George also listed his daughters Elizabeth who married first Capt. James Aylett and secondly Col. James Steptoe; Margaret who married Howson Kenner; and Sarah who married Willoughby Newton. Eskridge left his son Samuel and his daughter Elizabeth Aylett land in Prince William County, the same area that George Eskridge of Kentucky is later found. Elizabeth (Vaulx) Eskridge, second wife of George Eskridge the emigrant, made her will in 1744 and it was proved in the same year. A great deal of research has been done on this family due to the political role Eskridge played in the colony. None of these works works have been able to identify an ancestor for George Eskridge of Kentucky.

George Eskridge

Kentucky George According to his Revolutionary War Pension records, George Eskridge who settled in Kentucky was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia and died in Grayson County, Kentucky. His parents have not been established; however, if naming patterns are consistent with Virginia naming traditions, William or Alfred are likely to be his father’s name. Fauquier County, Virginia, where George Eskridge emigrated to Kentucky from, shows record of a Charles Eskridge who in 1770 was forced to sell off a large amount of property for debt. It is probable that this Charles Eskridge was the son of Samuel & Jane (Steptoe) Eskridge; however, it is not known if he had a son named George. Another intriguing possiblity for “Kentucky George’s” lineage is found in teh records of the Kenner family. Margaret Eskridge, daugther of the original emigrant and counil man, married Howsen Kenner. Howsen made his will and names a grandson Samuel Eskridge “alias” Kennor, son of his daughter Susannah. Susannah was give the use of Kenner’s estate after his death in 1778. It is not clear if Samuel was born out of wedlock and therefore legally used his mother’s maiden name or if he adopted the name in order to please his wealthy Eskridge relatives; however, it does suggest there could be some complicated family connection here. The Kenner connection also is important in that Kentucky George’s first wife was a Frances Kenner.
George Eskridge served in the American Revolution as a Sargent and was at the Battle of Cowpens and the surrender of Cornwallis. It is not known where he enlisted, since records for Fauquier soldiers as listed in the County Minutes, does not mention any Eskridge in their ranks. He received money for his service and a land grant of 400 acres in Ohio. George Eskridge married first Frances Kennor who was probably a cousin and by Frances had two children, William Kennor Eskridge born the 10th of December 1782 and Molly Eskridge born the 15th of December 1785. Upon Frances Kennor’s death, George remarried to Elizabeth Robinson (or Robertson) on the 17th of February 1792 in Prince William County, Virginia. Elizabeth was probably the daughter of Nathaniel Robinson. George is found in Fauquier County, Virginia listed on the 1800 tax list with one Free White male over the age of 16; five horses; three adult slaves; and two slaves between the age of 12 and 16. The Robinson and Wilson families are both shown on the Fauquier tax list as are Samuel Rust Sr. and his children. Samuel Rust may be a descendant of George Eskridge’s, the emigrant, daughter Martha who married a Samuel Rust (died 1718).
It appears that Elizabeth Robsinson is the daughter of a Nathaniel Robinson who signature is found on her marriage bond to George Eskridge in Prince William County, Virginia. Some researcher question her last name, indicating that her marriage bond shows it as “Robertson”; however, records in Fauqier County, Virginia and her association with William Robinson who settled with the Eskridges in Kentucky suggest that her maiden name was Robinson and that early records use the names Robertson and Robinson interchangeably. Little if any research has been done on this family; however, records in Fauquier County, Virginia provide strong indication for Elizabeth’s lineage. It is known that Elizabeth’s brother William Robinson came to Kentucky with the Eskridges. William is also found on the 1800 tax list for Fauquier County, Virginia along with George Eskridge. In this tax record William is specifically listed as “son of Nathaniel Robinson” apparently to distinguish him from other William Robinsons in the county. Eliza also names her second son “Nathaniel Robinson Eskridge,” which is consistant with naming patterns of the time and culture. Though Nathaniel Robinson does not appear in Fauquier’s tax records for 1800, it is believed that he resided in neighboring Prince William County that was also the parent county of Fauquier. Though few records survive of Prince William County, excellent record are found both in Fauquier and Stafford Counties, are the “child” and “parent” counties to Prince William. In Stafford County, the will of Henry Robinson is found record in 1753. Henry married first Mary and secondly Winifred Bailes. From his first marriage, Henry had sons Christopher and Benjamin; both men turn up in Fauquier County and both have children whose baptisms are found in the Overwharton Parish Register. Benjamin Robinson married first Catherine, whose maiden name is unknown and secondly to Sarah Stacy in on th 02nd of January 1750. By Sarah Stacy, Benjamin Robinson had a son Nathaniel who was baptized at Overwharton on the 20th of April 1750. Nathaniel’s birth four months after his father’s marriage, may indicate he was Catherine’s child and not Sarahs. It is quite possbile that Catherine may have been a member of the “Nash” family, since the Nash name is used in naming patterns of the Eskridge and Robinson families, as is Catherine. Benjamin Robinson made his iwll on the 11th of January 1785 and it was proved in Fauquier County on the 28th of February 1785 anming his chidren: Nathaniel; George; Catherine Campbell; Elesha; Dixon; Stephen; Mary; Lydda; Elijah; James; Ann Masters; and John. Benjamin was a man of some wealth leaving behind 26 slaves, although most were children. Record in Fauqier indicate that some of his children lived and had issue in Fauquier, but as stated before it is believed Nathaniel settled in Prince William County. Marriage bonds for the late 18th century in Fauquier County show that David Robinson married Sally Wilson; Dixon Robinson married Ann Pinkstone; and William Robinson married Polly Pinkstone. Kentucky records indicate that William and his wife Polly Pinkstone removed to Kentucy with the Eskridges, suggesting that pershaps David and Dixon were brothers to Elizabeth (Robinson) Eskridge as well and also indicates another early family connection to the Wilson family. Elizabeth Robinson Eskridge died in Breckenridge County, Kentucky on the 21st of July 1844 at the age of 73. Her husband’s pension file provides her vital statistics.
Though no one has researched and proven a clear linearge for either George Eskridge or Elizabeth Robinson, the couple did leave behind excellent records. George Eskridge left a detailed will, naming his wife, children, and property. This included part of the 400 acres in Ohio which he recieved for his service in the War and an additional 400 acres of land in Grayson County. The 200 acres of land in Ohio, which are not accounted for in his will, but of which was granted for his war service, had been given to his eldest son William Kenner Eskridge in 1809 by evidence of a deed in Fauquier County, Virginia. Eskridge also had nine people enslaved in his household, which he distributed to his heirs. Four of these were children or young adults: Peter, Jerry, Rachel, and Hannah. Three of the slaves were adult women: Grace, Marien, and Harriat. Two were adult males Jim and James Bradly. The latter was unusual not only in being called by his full name, but also due to the fact that James Bradly was a Blacksmith and by being a skilled craftsman was of great value. With four “full hands” on his farm, Eskridge was far from the idle planter, but probably worked the farm along with his slaves and children. The enslaved adults were to be held by Eskridge’s widow and upon her death sold and the profit to be divided amongst his children and heirs.
The Revolutionary War Pension file on George Eskridge (W.8693) provides the best source and is certainly most detailed information on his life. However, much of the inforamtion given was provided by depositon from people long after the death of both George and his wife. The file includes a sheet from the family Bible in George Eskridge’s hand listing the names and birth dates of all his children. The file also includes a marriage bond from the Prince William County, Virginia proving the marriage between him and Elizabeth Robinson (found as Robertson on the bond). In addition to these documents there are several depositions of people acquainted with George Eskridge, including his children. It is not clear why they had to testify to their knowledge of his service nine years after their mother had died, but there appears to have been some need to establish the facts at this point. On the 09th of April 1853, Elijah R. Eskridge appeared before the county court and testified as to his father’s service. Two days later Geroge Matthew a family acquaintance who was also from Fauquier County, Virginia testified as well. From these depositons and other records presented it is found out that George Eskridge moved from Westmoreland County, Virginia to Fauqueir County, Virginia. About 1811, George Eskridge moved his family to Grayson County, Kentucky. Details are provided about his war serviced indicating he sereved as an officier for part of the three years he was in the war and that he was present at the battles of Guilford Court Hosue and at Cowpens. It appear he served under Capt. Ball and Col. Parker. Also the exact date of death for both George Eskridge and his wife are listed in the records.
George and Elizabeth (Robinson) Eskridge had large family including Eliza Eskridge who married Samuel Long Wilson and are the grandparents of Bertha (Wilson) Midkiff. The other children are listed from a page in the family Bible submitted by Eskridge’s widow for his Revolutionary War Pension additional information prided by researcher Roscoe Mitchell who has drawn upon Kentucky marriage records, family notes, and tombstones in the Eskridge family cemetery:

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