Godfrey Ridge Family of Essex, Prince William, Stafford, and Fauquier Counties, Virginia
Earliest Records of Godfrey Ridge in the Northern Neck
Essex County
Godfrey Ridge of Essex County, then Spotsylvania County, is the earliest Ridge whose descendents can be traced forward to those found later in Old Rowan County (Anson, Surry, Randolph, Montgomery, Davidson), North Carolina. His descendants were intimately related to the Pierce Cody family of Spotsylvania County. He owned lands on tributaries of the Occoquan River, namely Cedar Run and Broad Run.
Godfrey Ridge lived in Essex [later Spotsylvania] County in the Germanna colony records, arriving about 1719 "In April 1723, a number of headright certificates were granted including those of Jacob Holtzclaw, John Camper [Kemper], and Johannes [John Joseph] Martin, of the 1714 Germanna Colony, Frederick Cobbler of the 1717 Germanna Colony, and Meredith Holms [Helms], Godfrey Pidge, John Bell, Thomas Jackman, John B. Cowers [John Blowers] of the 1719 group." (from htttp://www.germanna.org/history.html.)
From this record, it can be assumed that Godfrey was at least 21 years of age, therefore, born before 1698. The above headright certificate of Godfrey Ridge is needed in order to know how many persons he claimed for headwright. In 1730, Thomas Jones claimed headright for importing Godfrey and six other Ridge family members into the Virginia colony (1):
1730 September 28. Thomas Jones of King & Queen Co., 350 acres new land in Spotsylvania County in St. George's Parish on head branch of the River Ny, adjoining Lewis Elsey & Colonel Spotswood. For importation of 7 persons: Godfry Ridge, Ann Ridge, Rebecka Ridge, Mary Ridge, Ann Ridge, Elizabeth Ridge, Thomas Ridge
The above record has been interpreted by others that Godfrey and Ann were husband and wife, and the other Ridge's were their children. Unfortunately, there is no corroborating evidence to assign relationships for the Ridge family from this single record. A Godfrey Ridge died intestate before Noveber 28, 1744, in Brunswick County, Virginia, and the administrator of his estate was Sarah Ridge, not Ann Ridge. Godfrey Ridge of Randolph County, North Carolina, had a wife named Ann- were they the same Godfrey and Ann imported by Thomas Jones? Thomas Ridge of Rowan County, North Carolina had a wife named Elizabeth, however, it is not clear that she was the same Elizabeth imported by Thomas Jones in 1730. As you can see, any assignments of family relationship are purely speculative.
Godfrey Ridge first appears in Virginia court records in Essex County in 1721 (2):
1721 October 17 Godfrey Ridge, Rich'd Jackman, John Blowers, John Toby, Margery Toby & John Bell attended this Day as Evidences for Andrew Glaspie adjoins Leonard Helmes
1726 September 28- October 10, 1726 John Blowers, assignee of Godfrey Ridge of Spotsylvania County, 402 acres on North Branch of Cedar Run; adj. Peter Lehew, Colo. Tarply. Surv. John Savage.
The names Helmes (Holms, Elms), Jackman and Blowers (Cowers) were associated with Godfrey Ridge in the Germanna records above. Helmes was later in Cody records in Prince William County, Virginia for a John Cody. Leonard Helmes was in Frederick Co. in 1754 (3).
Cedar Run: Stafford County
Godfrey Ridge owned land in Stafford, but he was always named as living in Spotsylvania County, and was found in court suits in Spotsylvania County (see Thomas and Godfrey Ridge of Spotsylvania County.) Only one court record references any land owned by Godfrey in Spotsylvania County on Lewis River (at various times also called Lewis Run, Scott's Run & Furnace Run).
1741/2 March 2, bridge over Lewis River by Godfrey Ridge's land.
His land in Stafford, later a part of Prince William, then later of Fauquier County, was on Cedar Run, a tributary of the Occoquan River. The first record below names John Blowers and John Bell, which connects Godfrey Ridge of Stafford County with Godfrey Ridge of Essex County (4).
1726 September 28- October 10, 1726 John Blowers, assignee of Godfrey Ridge of Spotsylvania County, 402 acres on North Branch of Cedar Run; adjoining Peter Lehew, Colo. Tarply. Surv. John Savage.
John Blowers also surveyed two tracts of land (5) in 1728 on Cedar Run, one adjoining Waugh Darnall and John McGuire on the south side of Pignut Mountain, and one adjoining Colonel Carter, part of the Carter Bull Run lands. Since Godfrey Ridge's land adjoined theirs, Godfrey's Stafford County land was located at the upper reaches of Cedar Run just north of Warrenton, Virginia.
Godfrey is named in land records in Stafford for a tract of land adjoining his on Cedar Run that was owned by first John Bell (6-8), a name that is associated with Cody and Ridge in Randolph County, North Carolina forty years later.
1728 May 23- September 4, 1728. John Bell; 343 acres on Cedar Run; adjoining John Hudnall, Godfrey Ridge, Debut., Surv. John Warner.
1729 February 14. John Bell of Stafford County 343 acres in Stafford County on Cedear Run adjoining John Hudnall, Godfrey Ridge, line of Debutts. 14 Feb 1728/9. Bell died, Deed returned. Deed to MacGuire.
1731 April 24 John MacGuire of Stafford County 343 acres in Stafford County on Cedar Run adjoining John Hudnall, Godfrey Ridge, line of DeButts. 24 Apr 1731. Deed granted John Bell is returned & cancelled.
Cedar Run: Prince William County & Fauquier County
The land adjoining Godfrey was sold by John McGuire to John Mercer in Prince William County, after its formation in 1731 (9). Importantly, in 1761 & 1768-72, the land was still listed as adjoining land owned by Godfrey Ridge in both Prince William and Fauquier County records (10-13).
1732 April 19, John MacGuire of Prince William planter to John Mercer of Stafford, Gent. 4,0000 lbs Tob. consideration, 343 acres in County of Prince William on north side of Cedar Run joining land of John Hudnall and Godfrey Ridge, same grant said John MacGuire was granted by Proprietors of North Neck on April 24, 1731. Deed of lease and release. John (x) MacGuire. Witnesses: Nath. Chapman, James Markham, Jn. Cooke. Rec'd of John Mercer 4,000 lb. Tob[acco] . Consideration. Wit. By same. At court April 20, 1732 this release with receipt endorsed from John MacGuire to John Mercer was acknowledged. At court July 20, 1732 Eleanor McGuire wife of John relinquished her right of Dower to land.
1761 May 1. John McGuire of Stafford County...343 acres in Stafford County on north side of Cedar Run joining land of John Hudnall and Godfrey Ridge..dated 24 Apr 1731 and never paid Quitrents. Land forfited. Thomas Bryan Martin Esq. of Fairfax County obtained second Grant for same land now in Fauquier County on Cedar Run adjoining John Hudnall & Godfrey Ridge, Debutts 1 May 1761
Cedar Run: Fauquier County
1768 December 12- January 2, 1769; Carr Bailey; 57 acres adjoining John Hudnall, Godfrey Ridge, John McGuire, heirs of William Wright, dec'd; chain carriers: George Green & John Bailey. Surv. John Moffatt.
1772 May 29 Carr Bailey of Fauquier County, 57 acres in said County Surv. John Moffett. adjoining John McGuire, Heirs of William Wright dec'd, Godfrey Ridge, John Hudnall. 29 May 1772
Broad Run: Prince William County
Prince William County was formed from Stafford and King George Counties in 1730. Godfrey's land on Catlett's Branch and Broad Run was at Thoroughfare Gap at Bull Run Mountain, east of Haymarket, Virginia. Godfrey sold this land in 1741 (14-21).
1730 August 21- 2 April 1731. Catesby Cocke, assignee of Godfrey Ridge of Spotsylvania County, for whom surv'd; 292 acres on Broad Run of Occoquon & Catlet's branch between Col'. Carter's & the mt. Surv. John Warner.
1731 April 2. Godfrey Ridge of Spotsylvania County, no warrant, surv'd. 2 Apr. 1731; 292 acres on thoroughfare of Broad Run, Catlet's branch, at foot of Mt.; adjoining Colo. Carter. Surv. John Warner.
1739 November 4- April 5, 1740. Mr. Thomas Dent, 380 acres surv'd in name of Dent & James Waugh on South Run Mt., brs. Of Ocaquan, Broad Run to a mt. Called Blacklog's Mt.; adj. Colo. Carter, Godfrey Ridge, Cha's. Taylor. CC: Nicholas Robers & Martin Russell. Surv. Joseph Berry.
1740 November 24 Deed Book E, pp. 110-116. This indenture made the fourteeenth and fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1740 between Godfrey Ridge of the County of Spotsilvania of one part and Jonathan Chapman of the County of Stafford on the other part Witnesseth that said Godfrye Ridge for sum of Ten pounds Current money of Virginia doth grant unto said Jonathan Chaptman and to his heirs all that tract of land containing two hundred & ninety two acres in the County of Prince William on both sides of the Broad Run of Occoquan between Colo. Carters land & the Mountains & bounded as followeth beginning at a White Oak in the thoroughfare of Broad Run & Extending thence NE to Colo. Carters line on Catlets Branch thence So. W. To Broad Run then down the Run So. W. To a Poplar & Sycamore on the Run thence So. W. Then under the Mountain N.W. to the begining the said land being granted by Deed from the Proprietors Office bearing dated the 24th of June in the year of our Lord 1737 unto said Godfrey Ridge all which said premises now are in the actual possession of him the said Jonathan Chapman by vertue of Indenture of Bargain & Sale for term of one year and by Vertue of the Statute for transferring uses into possession To Have and To Hold the said parcel of land to the only proper use of him the said Jonathan Chapman & of his heirs. In Witness whereof said Godfrey Ridge hath set his hand and Seal in presence of Jno. Savage, Godfrey Ridge, Jno. Warner, Elliner Savage, Chas. Boreman, Geo. Williams. At a Court held for Prince William County November the 24th 1740 Godfrey Ridge acknowledged this Lease/Release with the Receit to be his acts and deeds and they were thereupon admitted to Record.
1741 Sept 17- Oct 5. Mr. Jonathan Chapman of Stafford County, no warrrant, date from survey; 650 acres on Broad Run of Occoquan on ye Mt. 295 acres taken up by Godfrey Ridge 24 June 1737 (the residue waste & surplus); adjoining Col. Carter, Waugh, Dent. Surv. John Savage.
1741 May 16 Mr. Thomas Dent of Stafford County 380 acres in Prince William County adjoining Col. Carter, Godfrey Ridge, Charles Taylor, South Run Mts, Blackley's Mt. Surv. by Mr. John Grant. 16 May 1741
1742 March 3 Mr. Jonathan Chapman of Stafford County 650 acres (355 acres surplus) in Prince William County, Surv. Mr. John Savage. Chapman purchased of Godfrey Ridge, who received deed 24 Jun 1737 for 295 acres, on Branch of Occoguan in Prince William County adjoining Col. Carter, Waugh, Dent. 3 Mar 1742
1744 March 6 Capt. John Grant of Prince William County, 555 acres in said County, Surv. Mr. James Genn. adjoining William Watkins. Col. Carter's Broad Run Tract, Godfrey Ridge now Chapman's on Catlet's Br. Run.
Twelve years after the last mention of Godfrey Ridge in land records above, a Margaret Ridge appeared in court. More records from Prince William County are required to determine if Godfrey left any family in that county (22).
1753 May 31. Jeremiah Redman, Plaintif, Margaret Ridge, defendant. In Chancery. The Defendant failing to Answer the plantifs Bill, an Attachment is Awarded the plantif against her returnable to the next Court
Godfrey's activities in Spotsylvania County are chronicled in Thomas and Godfrey Ridge of Spotsylvania County.
References Cited
1. Virginia Land Patent Book 14, p. 42 [Spotsylvania County], In: Nugent NM (1979) Cavaliers and Pioneers. Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1769-1732, vol. 3, Virginia State Library, Richmond, VA, p. 383
2. Essex County, Virginia Order Book 1716-1723, p. 613 17 October 1721. In: Sparacio, R. & S. Sparacio (1990) Virginia County Court Records. Order Book Abstracts of Essex County Viriginia 1716-1723 (Part IV), The Antient Press, McLean, VA 1990, p. 2.
3. Frederick County, Virginia Fee Book 1754 of Sheriff Meredith Helm. (1996) privately published by Wilmer L. Kerns, Arlington, Virginia.
4. Stafford County, Virginia, 28 1726 September - October 10, 1726, In: Joyner, P. S. ( ) Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Vol. III, p. 148.
5. Stafford County, Virginia, 16 July 1728 & 3 September 1728, In: Joyner, P. S. ( ) Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Vol. III, p. 148
6. Stafford County, Virginia, 23 May 1728, In: Joyner, P. S. ( ) Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Vol. III, p. 147.
7. Stafford County, Virginia, Northern Neck Patent Book C, folio140, In: Gray, G.E. (1987) Virginia North Neck Land Grants, 1694-1742, Vol. I, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD
8. Stafford County, Virginia, Northern Neck Patent Book B, folio 175, In: Gray, G. E. (1987) Virginia North Neck Land Grants, 1694-1742, Vol. I, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD
9. Stafford County, Virginia, Northern Neck Patent Book I, folio 69, In: Gray, G. E. (1987) Virginia North Neck Land Grants, 1742-1745, Vol. II, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD
10. Prince William County, Virginia Deed Book Liber B, pp. 216-222, 19 April 1732. In: Johnson, J.W., Prince William County, Virginia. Deed Book Liber A 1731-1732. Deed Book Liber B 1732-1735, Fairfax, VA, 1982, p. 15
11. Prince William County, Virginia Deed Book Liber B, pp. 216-222, 19 April 1732. In: Johnson, J.W., Prince William County, Virginia. Deed Book Liber A 1731-1732. Deed Book Liber B 1732-1735, Fairfax, VA, 1982, p. 15
12. Farquier County, Virginia 12 December 1768. In: Joyner, P. S., Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, 1653-1781, Vol. V, p. 137
13. Farquier County, Virginia, Northern Neck Patent Book I, p. 209. In: Gray G. E. (1987) Virginia North Neck Land Grants, 1742-1745, Vol. II, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD
14. Prince William County, Virginia. In: Joyner, P. S. (1986) Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Dunmore, Shenandoah, Culpeper, Prince William, Fauquier, & Stafford Counties, 1710-1780, Vol. III, p. 99
15. Prince William County, Virginia. In: Joyner, P. S. (1986) Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Dunmore, Shenandoah, Culpeper, Prince William, Fauquier, & Stafford Counties, 1710-1780, Vol. III, p. 125.
16. Prince William County, Virginia. In: Joyner, P. S. (1986) Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Dunmore, Shenandoah, Culpeper, Prince William, Fauquier, & Stafford Counties, 1710-1780, Vol. III, p. 98.
17. Prince William County, Virginia Deed Book E, pp. 110-116, 24 November 1740. In: Sparacio, R & S. Sparacio (1989) Virginia County Court Records. Deed Abstracts of Prince William County, Virginia 1740-1741, McLean, VA, pp. 20-21.
18. Prince William County, Virginia. In: Joyner, P. S. (1986) Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Dunmore, Shenandoah, Culpeper, Prince William, Fauquier, & Stafford Counties, 1710-1780, Vol. III, p.104.
19. Prince William County, Virginia, Northern Neck Patent Book E, p. 252 In: Gray, G. E. (1987) Virginia North Neck Land Grants, 1694-1742 , Vol. I, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD.
20. Prince William County, Virginia, Northern Neck Patent Book F, p. 80 In: Gray, G. E. (1987) Virginia North Neck Land Grants, 1694-1742 , Vol. I, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD.
21. Prince William County, Virginia, Northern Neck Patent Book B, p. 212 In: Gray, G. E. (1987) Virginia North Neck Land Grants, 1694-1742 , Vol. I, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD.
22. Prince William County Virginia Court Order Book. In: Sparacio, R. & Sparacio,
A. Virginia County Court Records. Order Book Abstracts of Prince William County,
Virginia 1752-1753. McLean, VA, 1988, p.108.
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