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IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE READING! – While J. Gardner Bartletts research was primarily exemplary, he was mistaken in his belief that the Isaac Sheldon of Bakewell, Derbyshire, England was the same Isaac Sheldon found at Northampton, Massachusetts.  In recent years an extensive DNA study has proven that Isaac was a close relative (we now know brother) of John Sheldon of Kingstown, Rhode Island and that neither are related to any branch of Sheldons coming from Derby.  We now better understand that these two brothers were the son of an earlier Isaac Sheldon who was the first to settle at Windsor – as had originally been believed. In addition, in 2023 a marriage record was discovered for Isaac Sheldon, son of Ralph Sheldon of Derby, in Manchester.  Further research of this Isaac shows that he had several children in, and died in, Manchester, and therefore could not have been the same as the Isaac in Massachusetts.  Conversely, the descendants of Godfrey Sheldon of Maine, and his son William Sheldon of Salem, Massachusetts, as well as the John Sheldon of Providence, Rhode Island, are all a Y-DNA match to the Derby Sheldons, as well as a solid paper trail for Godfrey to Bakewell, Derby.  Apart from this error in connection between the colonies and England, the rest of this work is very well researched.

~ ~ ~

By J. Gardner Bartlett of Boston, Mass.

Reprinted from The New England Historical and Genealogical Register

For October, 1926

The Third Printing

for Dorothy Dean Scott (Mrs. Frank Merritt Sheldon)

and The Genealogical Committee of The Sheldon Family Association

by The Keystone Press – Buffalo, New York, 1962

For many years the English ancestry of Isaac Sheldon, who is found at Windsor, Conn., in 1652 and settled at Northampton, Mass., some three years later, has been a problem of interest to his descendants.  Extensive researches made in England in 1920 and 1921 by the writer of this article for Mr. Frank M. Sheldon of Newton, Mass., revealed an Isaac Sheldon of the parish of Bakewell in Derbyshire, who seems, beyond any reasonable doubt, to have been identical with the New England immigrant of that name.  The results of these investigations are herewith presented, and disclose the probable English ancestry of Isaac Sheldon of Windsor and Northampton, the founder of the principal Sheldon family in North America.

The English families named Sheldon derive their name from various places called Sheldon, viz., Sheldon in Derbyshire, Sheldon in Devonshire, and Sheldon in Warwickshire.

In the seventeenth century the name was most common in England in three groups: 1. The Sheldons of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, deriving their name from Sheldon in Derbyshire.  2. The Sheldons of Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, and Devonshire, deriving their name from Sheldon in Devonshire.  3.  The Sheldons of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, deriving their name from Sheldon in Warwickshire.  This last-named group was the most prominent one, including several lines of armigerous, knightly, landed gentry.  The Derbyshire-Staffordshire families were substantial yeomanry; and no use by them of any coat of arms is found until 1660, when Gilbert Sheldon, born in Ellaston, co. Stafford, in 1598, of yeoman ancestry, having risen to distinction in the Church, became Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England, and was granted a coat of arms, viz., Argent, on a chevron gules three sheldrakes of the field, on a canton of the second a rose of the first.  His crest was: On a wreath argent and gules a sheldrake argent, holding in the beak a rose gules.

Bakewell is an ancient parish in High Peak Hundred, Derbyshire, about twenty-five miles northwest from the borough of Derby and about one hundred and fifty miles northwest from London.  The parish was divided into twenty-three townships, nine of which had separate chapels, branches of the mother parish church.  Among these townships were Bakewell, Ashford, Baslow, Chelmorton, Flagg, Haddon, Monyash, Priestcliffe, Sheldon, and Taddington

In 1630 the population of the parish of Bakewell was about 4,000.  It is in a high, rough, rural region, most of the land being used for grazing; but there are lead mines and marble quarries which have been worked for over a thousand years and hot springs which have been famous even longer.  Haddon Hall, the celebrated and picturesque mansion of the Duke of Rutland, built in the fifteenth century, is situated in Haddon Township; and Chatsworth House, the magnificent estate of the Duke of Devonshire, built about 1700, is situated in Baslow Township.

The township of Scheladon appears in records soon after the Norman Conquest; in course of time the name was shortened to Sheladon and Scheldon, and about 1450 to Sheldon.  Appended are some early records of persons called Scheladon, Scheldon, etc., of Bakewell, Derbyshire, in the reigns of Henry III (1216-1272) and Edward I (1272-1307), in the muniments of Hadden Hall, * and also in two final concords of the first decade of the fourteen century.

[ * Journal of the Derbyshire Archaeological Society, vol. 15]

Roger de Scheladon, Shelladon, etc., appears as a witness in undated deeds, in the reign of Henry III, of Matthew, son of Henry le Surreis of Baucwelle [Bakewell] to Gervase de Nottingham, of Roger Tinctor of Bawquelle to Alande Pickeworth, of Robert, son-in-law of Thurbern de Baucwelle, to Elias Tinctor, and of William Gernum to Matthew Merchant, son of Serlo de Baucwelle.

Roger de Scheladon, Sheladon, etc., appears as a witness in undated deeds, in the reign of Edward I, of Ivo Merchant of Bauquelle to John, son of Hugh Martin, of Edusa de Daginhale to Alaan de Pickeworth, of Robert de Reyndon in Baucquewalle to John de Billiston, and of roger, son of Hugh Heringe de Baucquelle, to Robert, son of Roger, son of Michael de Bauquewalle.

Roger de Scheladon is a witness to a grant, dated on Monday, the Feast of St. James the Apostle, 34 Edward I [25 July 1306], by William Gernon, lord of Bakewell, to Thomas Billeston.

Roger de Scheladon, dwelling in Bakewell, grants to Gerard de Essex and Thoms de Billiston half a burgage and house and 9 1/2 acres of land in the fee of Bakewell at Crompforlong, 1 rood in Grenehull dale, half an acre at Asschefordeforthe, etc.  Ralph de Scheladon is a witness.  The grant, undated, was made in the reign of Edward I.

Ralph Scheladdon is a witness to an undated deed, in the reign of Edward I, of Richard de Derley, dwelling in Bauquelle, to Gerard de Wyston.

Ralph, the son of Roger de Scheladone in Baucquewalle, grants to Thomas, son of John de Billiston, a butt of arable land in the fee of Bakewell, called le Chikin, lying under Condone, between the land of Dionisia le Wyne on either side.  Witnesses: Nicholas de Cromford, Gerard de Essex, Ralph Becarius, Thomas Fuller, Robert de Walleye, all of Baucquewalle.  The grant, undated, was made in the reign of Edward I.

Ralph de Cubbele, rector of the church of Eyam, grants to John de Holewelle a piece of land, with the buildings thereon, which he formerly held of Richard de Sheladon, in the town of Bauquelle, on the north side of the church of Bakewell, nearest beside the staircase of the said church.  The grant, undated, was made in the reign of Edward I.

In Apr. 1304 a final concord was made between Ralph, son of Eustace de Scheladon of Bauquell, querent, and Hugh de Calnoure and Maude, his wife, deforciants, concerning a house in Bauquelle, the consideration being 5 marks.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Easter Term, 32 Edward I.)

In Jan. 1309/10 a final concord was made between Adam le Keu of Edenesoure, querent, and Roger de Sheladun and Lettice, his wife, deforciants, concerning a house and garden in Bauquell, the consideration being 10 marks.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Hilary Term, 3 Edward II.)

The Sheldon family from which it is probably that Isaac Sheldon the immigrant settler at Windsor, Conn., and at Northampton, Mass., was descended, is found at Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, as early as the closing years of the fourteenth century.  In 1662 Richard Sheldon, giving his age as 30 years, entered in the Visitation of Derbyshire of that year, which was made by William Dugdale, Norroy King-of-Arms, a pedigree of ten generations, showing his descent from a Richcard (1) Sheldon, through Hugh (2), Richard (3), Hugh (4), Hugh (5), Hugh (6), Hugh (7), Henry (8), and Hugh (9), to himself, of the tenth generation.  This pedigree sets forth only the succession in the male line, from one head of the family to the next, and gives no information about the wives of the heads of the family, their other children, their dates of birth, death, etc., their residences, or their stations in life, except that in the eighth generation the names of two brothers, Richard and Henry, appear, the descent being continued through Henry [the younger brother] and his son to the Richard who entered the pedigree.  On the pedigree is the annotation of the herald, “No Arms proved.” *

[ * This pedigree is printed in the usual tabular in the Visitation of Derbyshire, taken in 1662, London, 1879, pp. 32-33.  The superior figures given above to indicate the generations are not found in the pedigree, but have been inserted, for convenience, by the compiler of this article.]

In the following genealogy are given abstracts of records which prove the Visitation pedigree, supply much information about the wives and children of the successive heads of the family, the younger lines, and the family estates, and carry down the line of descent to the Isaac Sheldon, of the tenth generation, who was probably identical with the New England immigrant of that name.  From the New England settler the genealogy is continued briefly, through one line of his male descendants, ot the early years of the nineteenth century.

1. Richard (1) Sheldon † of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, born about 1385, is the earliest of the family given in the Sheldon pedigree of ten generations which was entered in the Visitation of Derbyshire in 1662 (Vide supra.). The name of his wife is unknown.

[ † For convenience in following the Sheldon descent the first named in this pedigree is considered as belonging to the first generation of the family, and from him the generations numbers are carried on through the following generations to the last generation that is given of the American line.]

On the Monday before the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, 6 Henry VI [21 June 1428], William Mon, chaplain, granted to John de Mere, Thomas Troch, William de Monyash, and Richard de Scheladon, all of Monyash, a parcel of land in Monyash lying between the mansion of the Chantry of St. Mary on the south and the tenement of William le Paynter on the north.  (Harleian Charters, 83, G. 40)

At an inquisition taken at Asscheburne [Ashborne], co. Derby, on the Thursday before the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, 10 Henry VI [20 Dec. 1431], Richard Scheledon of Monyash was one of the jurors and held a free tenement in Monyash.  (Feudal Aids, 1431, vol. 1, pp. 279-280).

• • Child:
• 2. i.  Hugh (2), b. about 1410

2. Hugh (2) Sheldon (Richard 1), of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, was born about 1410.  The name of his wife is unknown.  He appears as his father’s successor in the second generation of the Sheldon pedigree  in the Visitation of 1662.

On the Feats of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 15 Henry VI [2 Feb. 1437/7], John Asshley, chaplain, granted to Thomas Vernon, John Stafford, William de Monyash, Thomas in the Dale, William Perysson, William Clee, John Clee, and Hugh de Scheladon, all of Monyash, co. Derby, a toft and barn in Monyash.  (Harleian Charters, 83, D. 13)

• • Child:
• 3. i.  Richard (3), b. about 1440

3. Richard (3) Sheldon (Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, was born about 1440.  He married Elizabeth –.  He appears as his father’s successor in the third generation of the Sheldon pedigree in the Visitation of 1662.

On the Thursday next after the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, 5 Edward IV [8 May 1465], Richard, son of Hugh Scheledon, and Elizabeth, his wife, conveyed to William Smyth a cottage and 7 acres of land in Monyash, co. Derby.  (Derbyshire Charters, vol. 2, no. 16)

On 12 Nov. 1494 Richard Sheldon surrendered to his son John Sheldon a cottage and 4 acres of land in Asheford, co. Derby.  (Vide infra, No. 5.)

• • Children:
• 4. i. Hugh (4), b. about 1465
• 5. ii. John, b. about 1470
• — iii. Richard, b. about 1475.  On 4 Oct., 6 Henry VIII [1514], John Sheldon of Monyash and Richard Sheldon, his brother, were each fined 2d. for brewing.  Also on 12 Apr., 6 Henry VIII [1515], 15 Oct., 8 Henry VIII [1516], 25 Nov., 10 Henry VIII [1518], and 26 May, 11 Henry VIII [1519], Richard Sheldon of Monyash was fined 2d. for brewing.  (Court Rolls of the manor of High Peak Hundred, co. Derby, 41/423, 424.)

4. Hugh (4) Sheldon (Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, born about 1465, probably died before 1525.  He married first, about 1491, Parnell Bereforde, daughter of Dennis Bereforde; and secondly, about 1495, Alice –, who survived him but is mentioned as deceased in a deed to her grandson, Hugh Sheldon, in 1541.  (Vide infra, No. 8). He appears as his father’s successor in the fourth generation of the Sheldon pedigree in the Visitation of 1662, and was evidently the eldest son.  Most of the other available information about him is buried from the following suit in Chancery, brought by his eldest son.

In 1553 Denys Sheldon, complainant, showed that over sixty years ago his father, Hugh Sheldon, married Parnell Bereforde, daughter of Denys Bereforde, on which marriage it was agreed between the said Hugh Sheldon and on John Bereforde that all of the lands of the said Hugh, after his death, should descend to the issue of the said Hugh by the said Parell; and afterwards the said Hugh bought homes an land in Monyash and Chelmorton, co. Derby, and Carleton, co. Nottingham, to the yearly value of 20 marks (L13. 6s. 8d.].  The said Hugh and Parnell had issue the complainant, and afterwards the said Parnell died.  Later the said Hugh married again, and had issue Hugh and Henry Sheldon.  The said Hugh, the father, died, and left the said lands to his sons Hugh and Henry, contrary to his first marriage contract.  The evidences being in the hands of the said sons, Hugh and Henry, complainant has no redress in the common law, and prays for a summons in this Court.  (Early Chancery Proceedings, bundle 1383)

• • Child by first wife:
• –. i. Dennis (5) b. about 1492.  He was plaintiff in the Chancery suit of 1553, given above. No further information has been found about him.
  • Children by second wife:
• 6. ii. Hugh, b. about 1495.
• –. iii. Henry, b. about 1500.  He was assessed 40s at Monyash in the subsidy of 35 Henry VIII [1543-44].  (Lay Subsidies, 91/143.). He is also mentioned in the Chancery suit brought by Dennis Sheldon, given above. He seems to have been at one time a large landholder in the parish of Bakewell, disposing of property there by a final concord made on the Octave of St, Michael, 2 and 3 Philip and Mary [6 Oct 1555], between Richard Harper, gent., garden and orchard, and 524 acres in Monyash, co. Derby, in consideration of L100, and also by a final concord made fifteen days after Easter, 2 and 3 Philip and Mary [20 Apr. 1556] between John Morgan, surgeon, querent, and Henry Sheldon, gent. deforciant, of 12 dwelling houses, barns, gardens, orchards, and 4 tofts and 1,360 acres of various lands in Chelmorton, Monyash, Longesdon, Over Hadden, Flagg, Buxton, and Ashford, all in the parish of Bakewell, co. Derby, in consideration of 200 marks.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Michaelmas and Easter Terms, 2 and 3 Philip and Mary.). The later history of his Henry Sheldon has not been learned with certainty; but it seems almost certain that he was the father of Hugh Sheldon (1525-1577) of Stanton in Ellaston, co, Stafford (fifteen miles south of Monyash), the progenitor of the Sheldons of Ellaston. *

[ * Hugh Sheldon, of Stanton in Ellaston, co. Stafford, was born about 1525 and died at Stanton in 1577.  He married 21 Oct. 1554 Dorothy Hurte, who was buried at Stanton 23 July 1580.

Roger Sheldon, of Stanton in Ellaston, gent., one of the five children of Hugh and Dorothy (Hurte) Sheldon, was baptized in Stanton 11 Aug. 1561, and died in 1638.  He married 27 Nov. 1592 Helen Woodcocke, who was buried 18 Apr. 1631.  In Sept. 1615 the attorney general of the Duchy of Lancaster, in behalf of the Crown, sued Sir Charles Cavendish, Knight, in regard to land tenures in Chelmorton, co. Derby.  Among the witnesses for the defendant was Roger Sheldon of Stanton, co. Stafford, gent. aged 54 years, who on 18 Sept. 1615 deposed that Henry Sheldon of Chelmorton had paid a chief rent to the Earl of Shrewsbury.  (Depositions in the Duchy of Lancaster, 13 James I, no. 43.). It seems likely that the deponent was a grandson of Henry (5) Sheldon (4, iii, of the pedigree given above.)

The children of Roger and Helen (Woodcocke) Sheldon were: 1. Hugh, bapt. 12 Aug. 1593.  2. Ralph, bapt. 1 Aug 1595; m. Mary –, and had children; (1) Gilbert, bapt. 28 May 1627; (2) Joseph, bapt. 28 Dec. 1628, Lord Mayor of London in 1676; (3) Benjamin, bapt. 21 Feb. 1630/1, bur. 12 Feb. 1631/2; (4) Daniel, bapt. 13 Sept. 1632.  3. Gilbert, bapt. 22 June 1598; d. 9 Nov. 1677; a graduate of Oxford University; Archbishop of Canterbury, 1662-1677.  The Sheldonian Theatre at Oxford was built at the expense of Gilbert Sheldon, the Archbishop. In the grant of a coat of arms, made to him in 1660 by the College of Arms, it is stated that he was “descended from an ancient and honorable family of Derbyshire.”  See his biography in the “Dictionary of National Biography.”

5. John (4) Sheldon (Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, was born about 1470, and died in 1523.  The name of his wife is unknown.

The earliest mention found of him is on 12 Nov., 10 Henry VII [1494], when Richard Scheldon surrendered to the lord of the manor a cottage and 4 acres of land in Asheford, co. Derby, called Lowefield, to the use of his son John Scheldon and his heirs for ever.  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 41/423.). Probably this grant was in the nature of a marriage settlement on this younger son, to whose descendants this cottage passed for several generations.  But John Sheldon also acquired property in Monyash, where he resided.

On 4 Oct., 6 Henry VIII [1514], John Sheldon of Monyash and Richard Sheldon, his brother, were each fined 2d. for brewing.  On 15 Oct., 8 Henry VIII [1516], 25 Nov., 10 Henry VIII [1518], 26 May, 11 Henry VIII [1519], and 16 Oct., 12 Henry VIII [1520], the wife of John Sheldon of Monyash was fined 2d. for brewing.  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 41/423-425.)

• • Children:
• 7. i. John (5), b. about 1495
• –. ii. Roger, b. about 1500.  On 10 Oct., 23 Henry VIII [1531], Roger Sheldon of Monyash was fined 2d. for default of suit of court.  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 41/430)

6. Hugh (5) Sheldon (Hugh 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, born about 1495, died after 1553, when he was a defendant in the suit in Chancery brought by his elder half brother, Dennis Sheldon (vide supra, p. 382).  The name of his wife is unknown.  He appears as his father’s successor in the fifth generation of the Sheldon pedigree in the Visitation of 1662.

He was a juror at manor courts held on 12 Apr., 17 Henry VIII [1526], 5 May, 22 Henry VIII [1530], 26 Sept., 23 Henry VIII [1531], and 28 Oct., 33 Henry VIII [1541].  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 41/428-430, 434)

He appears also in the following subsidies, in assessments in High Peak Hundred, co. Derby: 35 Henry VIII [1543-44], Hugh Sheldon assessed 40s.; 37 Henry VIII [1545-46], Hugh Sheldon, Sen., of Monyasshe, assessed £1. 6s. 8d. on goods valued at £20; 12 Apr., 4 Edward VI [1550], Hugh Sheldon of Asheford assessed 10s. on goods valued at £10.  (Lay Subsidies, 91/143, 92/166, 187.)

• • Child:
• 8. i. Hugh (8), b. about 1520

7. John (5) Sheldon (John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1) was born about 1495, and was living as late as 1572, when he must have been nearly fourscore years of age (vide infra, No. 9, Star Chamber case).  He married twice, but the names of his wives have not been found.

About 1523 he succeeded to lands of his father in Monyash, Flagg, and Ashford, and also acquired lands in Taddington, where he lived during part of his life.  All these places are townships in the parish of Bakewell, co. Derby.

The earliest mention found of him is as a juror at a court of the manor of High Peak Hundred, held 9 Oct., 21 Henry VIII [1529]; he also appears as a juror at courts held 10 Oct., 23 Henry VIII [1531], 14 May, 30 Henry VIII [1538], 6 Dec., 32 Henry VIII [1540], 9 Oct., 33 Henry VIII [1541], and 31 May, 36 Henry VIII [1544].  The court rolls also show that on 7 Nov., 23 Henry VIII [1531], John Sheldon paid 2d. for a license to make a settlement with Robert Stadon, and that on 10 Oct., 10 Elizabeth [1568], Thomas Jackson and others were deputies for John Sheldon, frankpledge of Taddington and Priestcliffe.  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 41/429-436, 42/446.)

In the subsidy of 37 Henry VIII [1545-46] John Sheldon was assessed 3s. 4d. at Holmehill in Taddington on goods valued at £5. (Lay Subsidies, 92/166.)

In 1563 John Sheldon of Taddington, co. Derby, yeoman, complainant in Chancery, sheweth that he is seised by lawful conveyance of a farmhold and 20 acres of land Monyashe, co. Derby, and hath long held and enjoyed the same.  But of late divers evidences thereto pertaining have casually come to the hands of Rauff Buxston and William Buxston, husbandmen, who under colour thereof have seized the premises.  Complainant prays for a writ of subpoena against them.  (Chancery Proceedings, Series 2, 160/67.)

In Apr. 1555 a house, with 40 acres of land, in Monyash was bought in the name of Henry Sheldon, young son of John (5) Sheldon; and in 1591 this property became a subject of litigation between Richard (6) and Henry (6) Sheldon, the sons of John (5) Sheldon, in the Court of Star Chamber, as will be duly shown.  (Vide infra, No. 9.)  The names of the children of John (5) Sheldon are learned from this important lawsuit.

• • Children by first wife:
• –. i. Roger (6), b. about 1520; d. s.p. in Mar. 1590/1.  His father is said to have conveyed to him in 1572, as eldest son, the house and 40 acres of land in Monyash above mentioned.  (See Star Chamber case, infra, No. 9)
• 9. ii. Richard, b. about 1525
  • Children by second wife:
• –. iii. Henry, b. about 1530; d. at Dronfield, co. Derby, in 1600; m. (1) Alice –; m. (2) at Dronfield, 28 June 1596, Elizabeth Cartwright.  Fifteen days after Easter, 1 and 2 Philip and Mary [29 Apr. 1555], a final concord was made between Henry Sheldon, querent, and Richard Staley and Alice, his wife, deforciants, concerning a dwelling house, 30 acres of arable land, and 10 acres of pasture in Monyash, co. Derby, the consideration being £20.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Easter term, 1 and 2 Philip and Mary.). In 1591-92 the true status of this transaction and the title to this property became the subject of a lawsuit between this Henry Sheldon and his elder half brother, Richard Sheldon.  (Vide infra, No. 9.). On 24 Apr., 5 Edward VI [1551], Hugh Roland was fined 3s. 4d. for assaulting Henry Sheldon of Monyash; and on 24 Oct., Edward VI [1551], Henry Sheldon and Thomas Newton were each fined 10s. for assaulting each other.  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 41/438, 42/439.) On 6 Oct. 1591 John Manners, Esq., and others were querents in a final concord with Henry Sheldon and Alice, his wife, and Robert Mower and Joane, his wife, deforciants, concerning a dwelling house, two cottages, a barn, three gardens, an orchard, and 72 acres of land in Taddington, Priestcliffe, and Bakewell, co. Derby, the consideration being £100.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Michaelmas Term, 33 Elizabeth.). About this time Henry Sheldon settled at Holmewood in the parish of Dronfield, co. Derby.  In his will, dated 4 July 1600, Henrie Sheldon of Holmewood in the parish of Dronfield, co. Derby, mentions his wife Elizabeth, his brother George Sheldon, his son-in-law William Trubshaw and the latter’s wife Agnes and their children, his son-in-law Robert Mower and the latter’s wife Joane and their children, and his godchildren Henry Sheldon, Ellen Cutlove, and Edward Drabbe, and makes his brother George Sheldon executor.  The will was proved by the executor 19 Nov. 1600, the inventory amounting to £28. 19s. 4d.  (Lichfield Wills, book 4, fo. 43.)
• –. iv. Thomas, b. about 1535; d. before 1591, according to testimony in the suit in 1591-92 between his brothers Richard and Henry Sheldon (vida infra, No. 9).  In the subsidy of 1571 he was assessed 3s. at Ashford on good valued at £3, and in that of 1581 he paid 5s. on good valued at £3.  (Lay Subsidies, 92/229, 244.)
• –. v. George, b. about 1540.  He was executor of the will of his brother, Henry Sheldon, in 1600.

8. Hugh (6) Sheldon (Hugh 5, Hugh 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, born about 1520, died between 1590 and 1597.  The name of his wife is unknown.  He appears as his father’s successor in the sixth generation of the Sheldon pedigree in the Visitation of 1662.

The earliest mention found of him is on 1 Mar., 33 Henry VIII [1541/2], when an indenture was made between Humfrey Stafford of Eyam, co. Derby, Esq., and “Hew Sheldon of Monyasshe, Co. Derby, the younger, yeoman,” whereby the said Humfrey demised to the said Hew a dwelling house and lands in Monyasshe late in the occupation of Alice Sheldon, widow [Hew’s grandmother], for a term of twenty years at an annual of £1. 1s. 4d.  (Derbyshire Charters, vol. 7, p. 47.)

In the subsidy of 37 Henry VIII [1545-46] Hugh Sheldon, Jr. was assessed 3s. 4d. at Monyash on goods valued at £6.  (Lay Subsidies, 92/166.). After the death of his father, about 1555, Hugh Sheldon appears in two more subsidies for lands in Asheford, paying 16d. in the subsidy of 13 Elizabeth [1570-71] and 8s. in the subsidy of 23 Elizabeth [1580-81].  (Lay Subsidies, 92/229, 244.)

Fifteen days after Easter, 16 Elizabeth [26 Apr. 1574] a final concord was made between Hugh Sheldon, Sr., querent, and Thomas Foljambe and Elizabeth, his wife, deforciants, concerning two houses, gardens and orchards, and 60 acres of various lands in Derby, the consideration being £100.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Easter Term, 16 Elizabeth.)

On the Octave of St. Hilary, 20 Elizabeth [20 Jan. 1577/8], a final concord was made between Humphrey Dakyn and Richard Sleigh clerk, querents, and Hugh Sheldon, Sr., and Hugh Sheldon, Jr., and Joane, his wife, deforciants, concerning three houses, a cottage, four gardens, four orchards, 100 acres of arable land, 20 acres of meadow, 30 acres of pasture, 4 acres of woodland, 200 acres of brushwood, and 200 acres of moorland, in Monyash and Flagg, in Bakewell, co. Derby, the consideration being £80.  (Feet of Fines, Hilary Term, 20 Elizabeth)  Probably this transaction was in the nature of a mortgage and not a sale.

Hugh (7) Sheldon, Jr. of Monyash was a defendant in lawsuits in 1586, 1588, and 1590, so that it is evident that Hugh (6) Sheldon, the father, was living in 1590.

• • Children:
• 10. i. Hugh (7), b. about 1545
• 11. ii. George, b. about 1547

9. Richard (6) Sheldon (John 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), born about 1525, died about 1600.  The name of his wife is unknown.

On the death, without issue, of his elder brother, Roger Sheldon, in Mar. 1590/1, Richard Sheldon became the latter’s heir.  This circumstance cause litigation between Richard Sheldon and his younger half brother, Henry Sheldon, and important genealogical information is derived from the following abstracts of the voluminous documents in the various actions, counteractions, and depositions in this case in the Court of Star Chamber:

In Trinity Term, 33 Elizabeth [June 1591], Richard Sheldon of Taddington, in Bakewell, co. Derby, complainant, sheweth that about 1 and 2 Philip and Mary [1554-55] his father, John Sheldon, bought of Richard and Alice Staley certain lands, etc., in Monyash and Flagg, co. Derby, the premises being conveyeed through one Henry Sheldon, a younger son of the said John, in trust, to the end that he said Henry should assure them to the said John, his father; and in 4 and 5 Philip and Mary [1557-58], the said Henry did assure the said premises by deed to this said father, John Sheldon, who thus became fully possessed thereof.  About 14 Elizabeth [1571-72] the said John Sheldon made an enfeoffment of the said premises to his eldest son, Roger Sheldon, and the heirs male of his body, and, for lack thereof remainder to the complainant, Richard Sheldon, the next brother of the said Roger, with further remainder to Roger Sheldon, son and heir of the said complainant, and the heirs male of the body of the said Roger, and, for lack thereof, remainder to the right heirs of the said John Sheldon of the said John Sheldon.  The said Roger Sheldon, brother of the complainant, died in March last past [1590/1], without issue, whereupon the said premises descended to the complainant, as next heir, with remainder to the said Roger Sheldon, son and heir of the complainant, and with further remainder to one Arthur Sheldon, son and heir of the said Roger Sheldon and grandson of the complainant, according to the enfeoffment aforesaid,.  But the said Henry Sheldon, younger brother of the complainant, denies the said conveyance by him to his father, John Sheldon; and one Hugh Eley, i confederacy with the said Henry Sheldon, has entered on the premises, claiming a title therein from the said Henry Sheldon.  In consideration thereof the complainant prays for a writ of subpoena to be directed to the said Henry Sheldon, Hugh Eley and Alice, his wife, requiring them to answer, etc.

In Hilary Term, 35 Elizabeth [Jan. 1592/3], Henry Sheldon of Holmewood, co. Derby, yeoman, brought a countersuit, setting forth that thirty-six years before [i.e., in 1555] he bought by final concord certain lands, etc., in Monyash and Flagg, co. Derby, from Richard and Alice Staley, then in the occupation of Hugh Eley, and for this purpose he borrowed 20 marks [£13. 6s. 8d.] from his father, John Sheldon, and £10 from his master, Sir George Vernon, Knight, and thereupon he entered the premises, and has since taken the rents and profits therefrom.  But recently  the complainant’s elder half brother, Richard Sheldon, and one Jervis Yate of Taddington, clerk, have forged a false deed purporting to be a conveyance of the said premises by the complainant, Henry Sheldon, to his father, John Sheldon.  And in Trinity Term, 33 Elizabeth [June 1591] the said Richard Sheldon sued the complainant regarding these premises, and on 5 June 1591 witnesses were examined at Monyash.  Among the witnesses, the said Jervis Yate falsely deposed that the said John Sheldon bought the premises about 1555 from Richard Staley and Alice, his wife, and that he had heard that the said John paid 40 marks for the same, and that the said premises were conveyed by fine from the said Staleys to the said Henry Sheldon only in trust, to convey them to his father, John Sheldon, in which deposition the said Jervis committed willful perjury.  Further, the said Jervis Yate falsely deposed that he had heard the said John Sheldon claim that the premises were conveyed to him by the said Henry Sheldon, but he was not privy to the passing of any deed thereto, but he had heard that Ottywell Allen, John Needham, Richard Newton, and Thomas Sheldon, brother of the said Richard and Henry, all now deceased, were witnesses to such a deed, in which deposition the said Jervis Yate committed willful purjury.  Further, the said Jervis Yate falsely deposed that about twenty years ago, when he first came to Taddington to live, the said John Sheldon conveyed the premises to his son Roger Sheldon by a deed, at the sealing of which deponent was present, in which deposition the said Yate committed willful perjury.  Futher, the said Yate has forged a false deed purporting to be a conveyeance of the premises by the said John Sheldon to Roger Sheldon, eldest brother of said Richard Sheldon, and his heirs, with divers remainders; whereas neither the asserted feoffors or feoffees had any rights in the premises.  Further, the said Jervis Yates falsely deposed that he was present when livery of the premises was made to the said Roger Sheldon by Anthony Blackwell and Hugh Lowe, as attorneys for John Sheldon, and that the said Roger Sheldon thereupon entered the premises and leased them to one Hugh Eley, who gave to the said Roger Sheldon a horse and a sheep in part payment, and that deponent was privy to these matters, as at that time he was “tabled” at the house of the said John Sheldon and was “bedfellow” with the said Roger Sheldon, in which depositions the said Yate committed willful perjuries.  All said perjuries were procure by the subornation of the said Richard Sheldon.  In consideration thereof the complaint prays for a write of subpoena to be directed to the said Richard Sheldon or Jervis Yate., etc. requiring them to answer, etc.  (Court of Star Chamber, Elizabeth, S, 16/4, 29/9, 53/35, 71/18, 75/15)

On 6 Oct. 1596 a final concord was made between William Trubshaw, querent, and Richard Sheldon, deforciant, concerning a house and 32 acres of land in Monyash and Flagg, the consideration being £40.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Michaelmas Term, 38 Elizabeth)

• Children:
• 12. i. Roger (7) Sheldon, n. about 1550
• –,  Richard, b. about 1555, probably bur. at Bakewell 7 Mar. 1621/2.

10. Hugh (7) Sheldon (Hugh 6, Hugh 5, Hugh 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Monyash and Ashford, in Bakewell, co. Derby, born about 1545, died at Monyash 17 Aug 1610.  He married, about 1570, Joane –.

He appears as his father’s successor in the seventh generation of the Sheldon pedigree in the Visitation of 1662, and in various records between 1572 and 1590 is called “Hugh Sheldon, Junior,” to distinguish him from his father, Hugh (6) Sheldon.

On 21 Jan. 1577/8 Hugh Sheldon, Jr., with his wife Joane, joined with his father, Hugh Sheldon, Sr., in mortgaging certain lands to Humphrey Dakyn and Richard Sleigh.  (Vide supra, p. 10)

On 25 Jun 1586 George Sutton and other inhabitants of Over Hadden, co. Derby, complain that from time immemorial they had sole rights of commons of pasture on a certain moor there held of the Crown.  But of late Hugh Sheldon the younger and divers other inhabitants of Monyash have pastured their cattle on said moor without right.  On 25 May 1590 Hugh Sheldon the younger and others, defendants, answer that the said towns of Monyash and Over Haddon both lie in the manor of High Peak Hundred, so that the inhabitants of both towns have common rights in the moors referred to.  (Pleadings in the Duchy of Lancaster, Elizabeth, S. 140/11, 151/10.)

On 19 June 1588 Nicholas Booth of Ashford, co. Derby, bailiff to George [Talbot], Earl of Shrewsbury, complainant, sheweth that the Crown was seised in the Duchy of Lancaster of 130 acres called Haddonheye, etc. in the manor of High Peak, co. Derby.  On 8 May 1568 Her Majesty demised said lands to one Thomas Pynner for twenty-one years from the expiration of a former lease to one George Abell.  By later conveyances from the said Pynner, Charles Paget, and Nicholas Blackwall the term in the premises lawfully came on 13 May 1577 to the said Earl of Shrewsbury.  But of late one Hugh Sheldon, Jr., and others have forcibly seized the premises.

Hugh Sheldon was assessed at Ashford for lands in three subsidies: in 39 Elizabeth [1597-97] he paid 4s. on lands valued at 20s.; in 42 Elizabeth [1599-1600] he paid 8s. on lands valued at 40s; and in 44 Elizabeth [1601-02] he paid 2s. 8d. on lands valued at 40s.  (Lay Subsidies, 93/295, 291, 305.)

Inquisition taken at Bakewell, co. Derby, 7 Oct., 14 James I [1616], after the death of Hugh Sheldon, late of Monyash, yeoman.  The jurors say that Hugh Sheldon died seised of four dwelling houses and 33 acres of arable land, etc. in Monyash, and of a dwelling house and 12 acres of arable land in Flagg, and that he the said houses and lands were held of Gilbert [Talbot], late Earl of Shrewsbury, as of his manor of Monyash, in free and common socage, and are worth clear 33s. 6d. per year.  The said Hugh Sheldon died at Monyash 17 Aug., 8 James I [1610], and Richard Sheldon of Monyash, yeoman, is his son and heir and was 38 years of age at the time of the death of the said Hugh Sheldon.  (Inquisitions Post Mortem, Chancery Series 2, 691/174.)

• • Children:
• –. i. Richard (8), b. in 1572; d. s.v.p. 17 July 1617; m. in 1598 Katherine –, who m. (2) about 1618 John Gregory.  He appears as his father’s eldest son in the Sheldon pedigree in the Visitation of 1662, and was heir to his father in 1610, being then 38 years of age.  On his marriage in 1598 his father conveyed to him certain lands in Monyash, etc., and in the subsidy of 7 James I [1609-10] he was assessed at Ashford on lands valued at 40s.  (Lay Subsidies, 93/331.). His widow claimed that he left a will but it cannot now be found.  On 10 Nov. 1619 John Gregory and his wife Katherine, sometime the the wife of Richard Sheldon of Monyash, deceased, complain that the said Richard was seised of estates in Monyash, etc., at his death on 17 July 1617, to which estates the said Katherine is entitled for life.  But Henry Sheldon, brother and heir of Richard and heir to the said estates, has ejected her, and he and Hugh Sheldon, another brother and an executor of the will of the said Richard Sheldon, will not give to the complainant Katherine her third part of the goods of her late husband.  The defendants, Henry and Hugh Sheldon, answer that their father, Hugh Sheldon, Sr., was seised of the premises, and on 27 Feb. 1597/8 enfeoffed the premises to himself and his wife Joane for life and to his eldest son, Richard Sheldon, upon the latter’s marriage to his wife Katherine, with remainder to the heir male of the body of the said Richard, and, for lack thereof, remainder to Henry Sheldon, second son of the said Hugh Sheldon, Sr., and his heirs male.  The said Hugh Sheldon, Sr., died about eight years ago [17 Aug. 1610], Joane died next, and afterwards the said Richard Sheldon died without issue, whereupon the premises came to the defendant, Henry Sheldon.  The defendants, Henry and Hugh Sheldon, have given to the said Katherine her full dower in Richard’s goods totalled less than £195.  (Chancery Proceedings, James I, G. 13/62.)
• –. ii. A Daughter, b. about 1575; m. Robert Maddock.
  • • Children (surname Maddock):
  • 1. Agnes, b. about 1600; m. — Wilcockson
  • 2. Anthony
• 13. iii. Henry, b. about 1577.
• –. iv. Hugh, of Monyash, yeoman, b. about 1580; d. s.v.p. at Monyash in 1623; m. 1 Mar. 1620/1 Agnes Ferne, daughter of Lawrence and Jane Ferne of Biggin, in Wirksworth, co. Derby.  the settlements made at the time of this marriage caused a lawsuit in 1634 between Henry Sheldon, elder brother and heir of Hugh Sheldon, and the said Lawrence Ferne (vide infra, No. 13).  In 1619 Hugh Sheldon was a defendant in the suit brought against him and his brother Henry by Katherine Gregory, formerly widow of their eldest brother, Richard Sheldon.  In his will, dated 15 Aug. 1622 and, proved 10 Apr. 1623, Hugh Sheldon leaves to his “now wife,” Agnes, his house in Monyash, to Anthony Maddock, son of Robert Maddock, £20, to Hugh Sheldon of Youlgreave and Hugh, his son, 20s. each, to John Sheldon [of Youlgreave] 10s., to Anne, wife of Francis Carrington, 10s., to Francis Sheldon [of Youlgreave] 10s., to his brother-in-law, Thomas Boam, 10s., to various friends and servants, to his nephew, Hugh Sheldon, son of his brother Henry Sheldon, certain furniture, and all the residue of his goods to his wife Agnes, whom he makes sole executrix.  (P. C. C., Swann, 29.)
• –. v. Alice [?], b. about 1583; m. Thomas Boam.

11. George (7) Sheldon (Hugh 6, Hugh 5, Hugh 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Youlgreave, co. Derby, born about 1547, died at Youlgreave in 1616.  He married first, about 1572, –; and secondly, about 1576, Elizabeth –, who survived him and died in Jan. 1623/4.

His children were given legacies in the will of his nephew, Hugh Sheldon of Monyash, dated 15 Aug. 1622 (vide supra, 10, iv).

The earliest mention found of him is in the record of a youthful quarrel with his distant kinsman, Roger Sheldon (12), the court of 30 Oct., 8 Elizabeth [1566], fining George Sheldon of Monyash 3s. 4d. for assault on Roger Sheldon of the same.  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 42/444.)

At a court held on 25 Oct., 27 Elizabeth [1585], George Sheldon was one of the frankpledes. (Ib., 42/454)

Early in 1593 he acquired by the following fine an estate in Youlgreae, co. Derby, where he settled: Final concord made 21 Jan., 35 Elizabeth [1592/3], between George Sheldon, querent, and William Knyveton, Esq., and Maud, his wife, deforciants, concerning a dwelling house, three cottages, four gardens, three orchards, 20 acres of arable land, 5 acres of meadow, 8 acres of pasture, and 40 acres of underbrush, in Youlgeave, co. Derby, the consideration being £80.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Hilary Term, 35 Elizabeth.)

The Will of George Sheldon of Youlgreave, co. Derby, yeoman, dated 28 Dec. 1616.  To my son John Sheldon and my daughter Anne Sheldon.  To my two unmarried sons, Hugh and Francis Sheldon.  To my wife Elizabeth Sheldon.  To my children, Hugh, John, George, Richard, Anne, and Francis Sheldon.  To Richard Slator.  Executor: my kinsman Francys Bradbury and my kinsman [nephew] Richard Sheldon of Monyash.  Witnesses: Hugh Sheldon of Monyash and Thomas Swetnam.  Proved by the executors 13 May 1617.  Inventory, taken 11 Dec. 1616, £23. 19s. 8d. (Lichfield Wills, book 4, fo. 224.)

The Will of Elizabeth Sheldon of Youlgreave, widow, dated 1 Jan. 1623/4.  To my son-in-law [stepson] Hugh Sheldon and to his son Hugh.  To my son George Sheldon and to each of his children.  To my son Francys Sheldon.  To my daughter-in-law Elizabeth Sheldon [widow of Richard] and her three children.  To the children of my son John Sheldon.  To my daughter Anne Caryngton and to her two children.  Executor: my son-in-law Francys Caryington.  Supervisors: Thomas Swetnam, vicar of Youlgreave, Francys Bradbury, and my son John Sheldon.  Proved by the executor 16 Feb. 1623/4.  Inventory, taken 28 Jan. 1623/4, £14. 4s. 8d.  (Lichfield Wills, book 4, fo. 220.)

• • Children by first wife:
• –. i. Hugh,⁸ b. about 1573; living at Youlgreave in 1624; m. about 1618 —
  • • Child:
  • 1. Hugh, ⁹ b. about 1620.  As “Hugh Sheldon, Jun.,” he was taxed for three hearths at Youlgreave in the hearth tax of 1663.
  • Children of the second wife: 
• –. ii. John, b. about 1577; d. in 1635; m. about 1601 Anne –, who survived him.  He succeeded to part of his father’s lands in Youlgreave.  On 6 Oct. 1617 a final concord was made between Richard Garratt, querent, and John Sheldon and Anne, his wife, deforciants, concerning 4 acres of arable land, 1 acre of meadow, 4 acres of pasture, a common of pasture for one ox and fifteen sheep in Youlgreave, co. Derby, with a warranty by the deforciants against themselves and the heirs of the said John against Elizabeth Sheldon, mother of the said John, and her heirs, and against Sir William Knyveton, Bart., and Maud, his wife, and his heirs.  On 6 Oct. 1626 a final concord was made between John Bridden and Samuel Roberts, querents, and John Sheldon, Sr., and Anne, his wife, and John Sheldon, Jr., deforciants, concerning two cottages and 26 acres of land in Youlgreave.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Michaelmas Term, 15 James I, and Michaelmas Term, 2 Charles I.). On 6 May 1635 administration on the estate of John Sheldon was granted to his son Richard Sheldon, the widow Anne renouncing.  (Lichfield Administrations, 5, bundle for 1635.)
  • • Children:
  • 1. John, b. about 1602. He joined with his parents as deforciant of property in Youlgreave on 6 Oct. 1626; and on 20 Jan. 1637/8 a fine was levied between Francis Fox, querent, and John Sheldon, deforciant, concerning a dwelling house, three cottages, and 21 acres in Youlgreave.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Michaelmas Term, 2 Charles I, and Hilary Term, 13 Charles I.). On 25 Jan. 1648/9 John Sheldon of Youlgreave, co. Derby, aged 47 years, deposed at Bakewell in a suit of the attorney general of the Duchy of Lancaster v. Walton and others.  (Depositions in the Duchy of Lancaster, 24 Charles I, no. 2.)
  • 2. Richard, b. about 1605.  He was administrator of his father’s estate in 1635.
• –. iii. George, b. about 1580; living in 1624; m. —
  • • Child:
  • 1. Hugh, b. about 1608. As “Hugh Sheldon, Sen.,” he was taxed for one hearth at Youlgreave in the hearth tax of 1663.
• –. iv. Richard, b. about 1582; d. between 1617 and 1624; m. Elizabeth –.  Three children
• –. v. Anne, b. about 1585; m. Francis Carrington
• –. vi. Francis, b. about 1588; living in 1624.

12. Roger Sheldon (Richard 6, John 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), born about 1550, was buried at Bakewell, co. Derby, 30 Sept. 1623, aged over 73 years.  The name of his wife is unknown.

The earliest mention of him is as a youth in Monyash, when in an altercation he was assaulted by his remote and youthful kinsman, George Sheldon (11), who was fined therefor 3s. 4d. at a court held 30 Oct., 8 Elizabeth [1566].  (Court Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, 42/444.)

Roger Sheldon also appears as a frankpledge of Monyash at a court held 2 Nov. 1575 (Ib., 42/451.)

He is mentioned as son and heir of Richard Sheldon in the lawsuit in 1591-92 between the latter and his half brother, Henry Sheldon.  (Vide supra, No. 9)

Upon the death of his father, about 1600, Roger Sheldon succeeded to the little cottage with 4 acres in Ashford, co. Derby, called Lowefield, which had come to his great-grandfather, John Sheldon, in 1494 (Vide supra, No. 5)

• • Children:
• 14. i. Arthur, b. about 1575
• –. ii. Anne, d. unm.l bur. 4 Jan. 1619/20
• –. iii. George, bur. 26 Mar. 1622
• –. iv. Thomas, of Ashford, husbandman.  In the spring of 1630 Thomas Sheldon of Ashford, co. Derby, husbandman, was summoned to answer William Tattersall, in the Court of Common Pleas, in a plea of debt of £6. 13s. 4d., by bond of 25 June 1628.  Verdict for the plaintiff, with costs of £1. 13s. 4d.  (Plea Rolls, 6 Charles I, Easter Term, no. 2261, m. 1494, and Trinity Term, no. 2265, m. 1800.)

13. Henry Sheldon (Hugh 7, Hugh 6, Hugh 5, Hugh 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, yeoman, born about 1577, died in the spring of 1640, aged about 63 years.  He married, about 1603, Mrs. Margaret Buxton, widow of William Buxton.

He appears as his father’s second son, but eventual successor, in the eighth generation of the Sheldon pedigree of the Visitation of 1662.  On the death, without issue, of his elder brother, Richard Sheldon, in 1617, he became heir to the family estates in Monyash, etc., and his succession resulted in a lawsuit which was brought against him and his brother Hugh in 1619 by his brother Richard’s widow, Katherine, then the wife of John Gregory.  (Vide supra, No. 10, i.)  In 1623 he obtained further estates as heir at law to his younger and childless brother, Hugh Sheldon, and from this inheritance there arose, a decade later, litigation, as follows:

On 13 June 1634 Henry Sheldon of Monyash, co. Derby, yeoman, complainant in Chancery, sheweth that in Feb. 1620/1 a marriage was arranged and took place 1 Mar. following between Hugh Sheldon, brother of the complainant, and Agnes, one of the daughters of Lawrence Ferne of Biggin [in Wirksworth], co. Derby, by which arrangement the said Hugh paid £150 to the said Lawrence and £6. 13s. 4d. to each of the other two daughters of the said Lawrence, and the said Lawrence conveyed certain lands in the Ible to the said Hugh and Agnes and enfeoffed his lands in Biggin, held of the manor of Hartington, to the use of himself and wife Jane for their lives, with remainder to the use of the said Hugh and his heirs.  Shortly after his marriage the said Hugh Sheldon fell sick, made a will giving the lands in Ible (after his wife’s death) to his sister’s son, one [Anthony] Maddox, and died without issue.  Upon the death of the said Hugh, the complainant claimed the remainder in the said lands in Biggin, as heir to his brother, and at a court of the manor was admitted as such heir on payment of a heriot fine of £2. 6s. to the lord.  But the said Lawrence Ferne, to whom the said lands descended from his parents, William and Agnes Ferne, has refused to make a common recovery of the said lands to perfect their title, according to the custom of the said manor.  On 4 Oct. 1634 Lawrence Fern and Jane, his wife, answer, admitting the settlements stated, but they claim that the said Hugh Sheldon failed to make the agreed payments to their two daughters, and that the said Hugh died before he was admitted to the said copyhold lands, so that he had no estate in law in them to descend to the complainant, wherefore the defendants are not called upon to make a common recovery.  (Chancery Proceedings, Charles I, S. 127/51.)

In the subsidy of 4 Charles I [1628] Henry Sheldon was assessed at Ashford 8s. for lands valued at £2.  (Lay Subsidies, 93/362/)

In Michaelmas Term, 14 Charles I [Oct. 1638], the attorney general of the Duchy of Lancaster, in behalf of the Crown, sued Henry Sheldon of Monyash and other concerning rights of pasturage on the moor of Haddon Hey.  Henry Sheldon, defendant, states that he is seised of three dwelling houses, a cottage, and about 50 acres in Monyash, and that he and his predecessors, holding these estates from time out to mind, have enjoyed common of pasture for their cattle, at all times of the year, on the waste land called Haddon Hey, and a right of way to Laightell Water.  (Duchy of Lancaster Pleadings, James I and Charles I, bundle 356.)

A final concord was made on the Octave of St. Michael, 5 Charles I [6 Oct. 1629], between John Buxton and Thurston Dale, querents, and Henry Sheldon and [his son] Hugh Sheldon, deforciants, concerning two dwelling houses, a cottage, and 104 acres of Monyash and Flagg, the consideration being £100.

A final concord was made on the Octave of St. Michael, 13 Charles I [6 Oct. 1637], between William Buxton, querent, and Henry Sheldon and [his son] Hugh Sheldon, deforciants, concerning a dwelling house and 37 acres in Monyash and Flagg, the consideration being £60.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Michaelmas Term, 5 Charles I, and Michaelmas Term, 13 Charles I.)

The Will of Henry Sheldon of Monyash, co. Derby, yeoman, dated 18 Feb 1639/40.  To my wife Margaret £5, certain goods, and a life annuity of £6.  To the poor of Monyash, Taddington, Priestcliffe, Hartington, Bakewell, Ashford, Sheldon, Yougreave, and Earl Sterndale. *  To my wife’s sons George and William Buxton, £2 each.  All the residue of my estate to my son Hugh Sheldon, sole executor.  Proved 8 May 1640.  (P. C. C., Coventry, 56.)

• • Child:
• 15. i. Hugh, b. about 1605.

[ * He probably had land in all of these townships]

14 Arthur Sheldon (Roger 7, Richard 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Ashford, in Bakewell, co. Derby, born about 1575, died in the summer of 1651, aged about 75 years.  He married about 1600, but the name of his wife is unknown.

The earliest record found of him is in 1591-92, when, as a youth, he is mentioned as heir in remainder to his father Roger Sheldon, in the lawsuit between his grandfather, Richard Sheldon, and the latter’s half brother, Henry Sheldon.  (Vide supra, No. 9). He also succeeded to the little cottage, with 4 acres, in Ashford, called Lowefield, which was in the family as early as 1494.

In the rental roll of the manor of High Peak Hundred, dated 7 June, 2 Charles I [1626], Arthur Sheldon is recorded as holding in Ashford a cottage and 4 acres called Lowefield, at a rental of 3s. 4d.  (Rolls of the Manor of High Peak Hundred, Duchy of Lancaster, 1/28.)

In a subsidy of 4 Charles I [1628] Arthur Sheldon was assessed at Ashford, in High Peak Hundred, co. Derby, and paid 8s. on good valued at £3.  (Lay Subsidies, 93/362)

The Will of Arthur Sheldon of Ashford, co. Derby, yeoman, weak in body, dated 10 June 1651.  To be buried in the chapel of Ashford, near William Lowe his seat there.  To my son Ralph Sheldon 2s. 6d., and to his wife Barbara 2s. 6d.  To my grandchild Isaak Sheldon £8.  To [grandson] Samuell Sheldon, £4.  My grandson Solomon Sheldon is to be kept one and one-half years with meat and drink after my decease, at the cost of my executor.  To my grandsons William, Thomas, and John Wright 5s. each. To [daughter] Anne White, wife of Ralph White of Sheldon, £20.  All the residue of my goods to [daughter] Elizabeth Lowe, wife of William Lowe of Ashford, and she is to be sole executrix.  Supervisor: Ralph White of Sheldon.  [Signed] The mark of Arthur Sheldon.  Witnesses: John Wright and John Ragge.  Proved at Westminster 20 May 1653 by the executrix, Elizabeth, the wife of William Lowe.  (P. C. C., Brent, 254.)

• • Children:
• –. i. Jane, b. about 1600; m. at Bakewell, 9 July 1620, William Wright.  In the hearth tax of 1663 he is enrolled at Ashford in Derbyshire and is assessed for one hearth.
  • • Children (surname Wright)
  • 1. William, b. about 1622
  • 2. Thomas
  • 3. John
• –. ii. Mary, b. about 1602; d. unm.; bur. at Bakewell 13 Jan. 1617/18.
• 16. iii. Ralph, b. about 1605.
• –. iv. Arthur, b. about 1607; bur. at Bakewell 17 Apr. 1618.
• –. v. John, b. about 1610; bur. at Bakewell 20 Apr. 1619
• –. vi. Anne, b. about 1612; in. at Bakewell, 24 May 1635, Ralph White.  They resided in Sheldon, where he was assessed for two hearths in the hearth tax of 1663.
• –. vii. Elizabeth, b. about 1615; m. William Lowe of Ashford, who was assessed there for two hearths in the hearth tax of 1663.

15. Hugh Sheldon (Henry 8, Hugh 7, Hugh 6, Hugh 5, Hugh 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), of Monyash, in Bakewell, co. Derby, yeoman, born about 1605, died in the summer of 1659.  He married, about 1629, Dorothy –, who was living in 1663, when, as ‘Mrs. Dorothy Sheldon,” she was assessed for one hearth in Monyash in the hearth tax of that year.  He appears as his father’s successor in the ninth generation of the Sheldon pedigree in the Visitation of 1662.

On 8 June 1629 a final concord was made between Hugh Sheldon, querent, and Thomas, Agnes, and James Trubshawe, deforciants, concerning a dwelling house and 32 acres in Monyash and Flagg, co. Derby, the consideration being £41.  (Feet of Fines, Derbyshire, Trinity Term, 5 Charles I.)

On 21 Jan. 1636/7 a final concord was made between Hugh Sheldon, querent, and William Boam, deforciant, concerning 10 acres of land in Monyash.  (Ib., Hilary Term, 12 Charles I.)

On 21 June 1647 a final concord was made between Hugh Sheldon, querent, and Thomas Newton and his wife Gertrude, William Frost and his wife Anne, and Thomas Boam and his wife Alice, deforciants, concerning a dwelling house, two gardens, and 65 acres in Monyash and Hartington, the consideration being £100.  (Ib., Trinity Term, 23 Charles I.)

Besides these fines by which Hugh Sheldon acquired lands, he also joined with his father as a deforciant (or grantor) of lands in 1629 and 1637.  (Vide supra, No. 13.)

In the subsidy of 17 Charles I [1641] Hugh Sheldon was assessed at Ashford in Derbyshire 16s on lands valued at £2.  (Lay Subsidies, 94/373.)

The Will of Hugh Sheldon of Monyash, co. Derby, yeoman, dated 20 May 1659.  To my wife Dorothy a dwelling house in Monyash, etc., for life, with remainder to my son Richard Sheldon.  To my wife Dorothy and my daughter Dorothy Sheldon all the goods I had of my aunt Dorothy Leigh, and also £100 I had from her will.  To my son Richard Sheldon another dwelling house, he to pay my daughter Dorothy Sheldon £50 at her marriage or when she be twenty-one.  To Hugh Sheldon, my son and heir, the mansion where I now dwell and all my other lands in Monyash, etc.  Executors: my wife Dorothy and my sons Hugh and Richard Sheldon. Witnesses: Ralph Rhodes, Thomas Boam, William Buxton.  Proved 21 Sept. 1659 by Hugh Sheldon, the other executors renouncing.  (P. C. C., Pell, 478.)

• • Children:
• –. i. Hugh, b. about 1630; d. unm. between 1659 and 1662.  He is called eldest son and heir and is also named an executor in his father’s will of 1659.
• –. ii. Richard, b. about 1632; dead in 1671; m. at Rawmarsh, co. York, 15 Jan. 1662/3, Rebecca Shaw, b. at Sickhouse [? Sykehouse, co. York] 18 Apr. 1638, third daughter of Rev. John Shaw, M.A., and his first wife, Dorothy (Heathcote).  She m. (2) not later than 1671 Gilbert Rene (or Kene), gent.  Between 1659 and 1662 Richard Sheldon succeeded his elder brother as head of the family and possessor of the ancient hereditary estates in Monyash and other townships in the parish of Bakewell.  In 1662 he entered his pedigree of ten generations in the Visitation of Derbyshire, his age being then given as 30 years; but the herald, William Dugdale, notes on it: “No arms proved.”  (Vide supra, p. 5.)  In this article this pedigree has been proved to be correct by means of contemporaneous evidences in each generation.  In the hearth tax of 1663 “Mr. Richard Sheldon” was assessed for two hearths in Monyash, co. Derby. *
  • •  Child:
  • 1. Hugh, b. about 1668; d. 19 Apr. 1708, aged 40; bur. at Monyash; m. 6 May 1685 Lenox Truman of Mansfield [sic, ? Manfield, co. York], who d. 10 May 1725 and was bur. at Mansfield [sic], daughter of John Lenox (Rodes) Truman.  They had issue. *
• –. iii. Dorothy, living unm. in 1659.

[ * For Richard and Hugh Sheldon, see Familiae Minorum Gentium, vol. 1, pp. 327-329 (Publications of the Harleian Society, vol. 37) ]

16. Ralph Sheldon (Arthur 8, Roger 7, Richard 6, John 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), born at Ashford, in the parish of Bakewell, co. Derby, about 1605, probably died at sea in 1651.  He married at Bakewell, 27 Apr. 1629, Barbara Stone.

The earliest mention found of him is the record of his marriage to Barbara Stone.  On 10 Jan. 1650/1 a license was issued to Ralph Sheldon to pass beyond the seas.  (State Papers, Interregnum, Licenses to Leave the Country, 1650-1653, 1-111, fo. 17, in the Public Record Office, London.). The last mention found of him is in the will of his father, dated 10 June 1651, in which he and his wife Barbara were given legacies of 2s. 6d. each.  This will also provides for three grand-children, Isaac, Samuel, and Solomon Sheldon, apparently children of Ralph Sheldon, and gives the bulk of the estate to two daughters, making one of them sole executrix.  (Vide supra, No. 14.). From the terms of this will and the issue of the emigration license it seems likely that Ralph Sheldon had already received his share of the paternal estate and therefore he and his wife were given merely nominal bequests, and that he had emigrated from England in the spring of 1651, leaving temporarily his three sons in the care of their grandfather, until he should send for them.  In the emigration licenses at that period a destination on the Continent of Europe, such as Spain, France, Holland, etc., is thus specifically named, while the term “beyond the seas” generally refers to America.  If Ralph Sheldon started in the spring of 1651 for New England, it is probable that he never arrived there, but either died on the voyage or was lost at sea; at least, no mention of him has been found in New England, nor did he return to Derbyshire, for his name does not appear on the rolls for the hearth tax for that county in 1663, in which every householder is named.  It therefore seems probably that Ralph Sheldon died at sea in 1651.

As the registers of Ashford before 1687 are missing, the records of the baptisms of the children of Ralph and Barbara Sheldon are probably lost; but they were doubtless the parents of the three Sheldon children who were named as grandsons in the will of Arthur Sheldon (No. 14), Ralph Sheldon’s father.

• • Children, probably born at Ashford:
• 17. i. Isaac, b. probably about 1629-30.
• –. ii. Samuel, b. about 1632; bur. at Ashover, co. Derby, 31 Jan. 1684/5, aged about 53 years; m. about 1656 Dorothy –, who was bur. at Ashover 6 Jan. 1701/2.  He received a bequest of £4 by the will of his grandfather, Arthur Sheldon of Ashford (No. 14), dated 10 June 1651.  In 1657 he and his brother, Solomon Sheldon, settled in Ashover, co. Derby, a parish about ten miles southeast from Ashford, where he had children baptized between 1657 and 1668.  In the hearth tax of 1663 Samuel Sheldon was assessed at Ashover for one hearth.  (Hearth Tax for Derbyshire, 1663, in Lay Subsidies, in the Public Record Office, London.)
  • • Children, b. at Ashover:
  • 1. Mary, bapt. 13 July 1657; m. at Ashover, 9 Sept. 1688, John Roades.
  • 2. Arthur, b. about 1660.  “An infant boy of Arthur Sheldon buried 26 April 1689.” (Ashover registers.)
  • 3. Frances, bapt. 16 Mar. 1663/4; bur. at Ashover 18 May 1664.
  • 4. Sarah, bapt. 16 Nov. 1666.
  • 5. Samuel, bapt. 22 Sept. 1668; bur. at Ashover 13 June 1679.
• –. iii. Solomon, b. about 1634; living at Ashover, co. Derby, as late as 1693; m. at Ashover, 3 Mar. 1657/8, Mary Wheatcroft, daughter of Leonard Wheatcroft, Jr., of Ashover (1627-1706). *. “My grandson Solomon Sheldon [is] to be kept 1 1/2 years with meate and drinke after my decease, at the cost of my executor,” according to a provision in the will of Arthur Sheldon of Ashford (No. 14), dated 10 June 1651.  In 1657 Solomon Sheldon moved with his brother Samuel to Ashover, where he afterwards resided.  In the hearth tax of 1663 he was taxed at Ashover for one hearth.  (Hearth Tax for Derbyshire, 1663, in Lay Subsidies, in the Public Record Office, London.)
  • • Children:
  • 1. Anne, b. about 1660; bur. at Ashover 4 Mar. 1686
  • 2. Sarah, b. at Ashover 5 Mar. 1662/3.

[ * Leonard Wheatcroft, Jr., was for many years parish clerk of Ashover and a Puritan of local note.  His wife was Elizabeth Hawley, a relative of Thomas and Joseph Hawley, who settled in New England before 1650.  (See Journal of the Derby Archaeological Society, vol. 18. p. 31.)]

S#5. 17 Isaac Sheldon (Ralph 9, Arthur 8, Roger 7, Richard 6, John 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1) was born probably at Ashford, in the parish of Bakewell, co. Derby, presumably late in 1629 or early in 1630, his parents having been married on 27 Apr. 1629.  As the registers of Ashford before 1687 are lost, the record of his baptism has not been found; but he was evidently the eldest child of his parents, and, as his younger brothers, Samuel Sheldon and Solomon Sheldon, married in 1656 and 1657 respectively, it is apparent that he was born as early as 1630.  By the will of his grandfather, Arthur Sheldon (No. 14), dated 10 June 1651, he was to receive a legacy of £8; and this provision in his grandfather’s will is the only record of him that has been found in England.  In 1663 a hearth tax was assessed on every fireplace in England; the rolls of this tax for Derbyshire are preserved at the Public Record Office in London and give the name of every householder in the country, with the number of hearths in each house.  While the names of his brothers, Samuel Sheldon and Solomon Sheldon, appear in these rolls of 1663 as living at Ashover, co. Derby, no trace of this Isaac Sheldon is found in them, and presumably he was not then living in his native county.  What had become of him between 10 June 1651 and 1663?  It is probably, beyond any reasonable doubt, that he was identical with the Isaac Sheldon who, as “Isaac Shelding Senr.,” deposed at Northampton, Mass., 29 Apr 1679, “aged 50 years or thereabouts,” regarding property there at Thomas Mason, * and who first appears in New England records on 13 Sept. 1652, when, at a meeting of the townsmen (or selectmen) of Windsor, Conn., the following order was passed:

“It is asented yt Isack Shelden and Samuell Rockwell shall keepe house together in ye house yt is Isackes, so [long] thay cary themselves soberly and doe not intertayne Idel persones to ye eveill Expec of time by night or daye.”  (Windsor, Conn., Town Acts, 1650-1714, fo. 11.)

[ * Hampshire (Mass.) Court Records, vol. 1, p. 25. ]

~ ~ ~

#5 Isaac Sheldon of Windsor, Conn., and of Northampton, Mass., was born about 1629 (according to his deposition of 1679, quoted in part above), a date which agrees with the supposed date of the birth of Isaac Sheldon, son of Ralph and Barbara (Stone) Sheldon of Ashford, in the parish of Bakewell, co. Derby, England, and died at Northampton, Mass., 27 July 1708, aged 78 years.  He married first, in 1653, Mary Woodford, who was born about 1636 and died at Northampton 17 Apr. 1684, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Blott) Woodford of Hartford, Conn., and Northampton, Mass.; and secondly, in 1686, Mrs. Mehitable (Gunn) Ensign, who was born at Windsor, Conn., 28 July 1644 and died at Northampton, Mass., 30 Jan. 1720/1, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Gunn and formerly wife of David Ensign of Hartford, Conn.

Between 1640 and 1650 a number of Derbyshire families settled at Concord, Mass., at Stratford, New Haven, and Branford, in the New Haven Colony, and at several other places in New England; and shortly before 13 Sept. 1652, when the order quoted above was passed at a meeting of the townsmen of Windsor, Isaac Sheldon bought of John Stiles a house and three-acre lot in Windsor.  In 1656 he moved from Windsor to Northampton, Mass., which was thenceforth his home.  In his will, dated 21 June 1708 and proved 1 Sept. 1708, he named his wife Mehitable, his sons Isaac, John, Thomas, Joseph, Samuel, Ebenezer, and Jonathan Sheldon, and his daughters Mary Bridgeman, Ruth Strong, Thankful Edwards, Mindwell Lyman, and Hannah Chapin.  (Hampshire Probate Records, vol. 3, p. 188.)

• • • Children by first wife, all except the first recorded at Northampton:
  • S#33. i. Mary, b. probably at Windsor, about 1654; m. 11 Dec. 1670 John Bridgeman.
  • S#34. ii. Isaac, b. 4 Sept. 1656
  • S#35. iii. John, b. 8 Dec. 1658
  • S#36. iv. Thomas, b. 6 Aug. 1661
  • S#37. v. Ruth (twin), b. 27 Aug. 1663; m. (1) 6 Nov. 1679 Joseph Wright; m. (2) 28 Oct. 1698 Samuel Strong.
  • S#38. vi. Thankful (twin), b. 27 Aug. 1663; m. 23 Feb. 1680/1 Benjamin Edwards.
  • S#39. vii. Mindwell, b. 24 Feb. 1665/6; m. (1) 30 Apr. 1684 John Pomeroy; m. (2) 19 Apr. 1687 John Lyman
  • S#40. viii. Joseph, b. 1 Feb. 1667/8.
  • S#41. ix. Hannah, b. 29 June 1670; m. 24 Dec. 1690 Samuel Chapin of Springfield, Mass.
  • S#42. x. Eleazer, b. 4 Aug. 1672; d. 13 Feb. 1672/3.
  • S#43. xi. Samuel, b. 9 Nov. 1675.
  • S#44. xii. Ebenezer, b. 1 Mar. 1677/8.
  • S#45. xiii. Mercy, b. 4 Feb. 1681/2; d. 24 Feb. 1681/2
    • Child by second wife:
  • S#46. xiv. Jonathan, b. at Northampton 29 May 1687.

S#44. 18. Ensign Ebenezer Sheldon (Isaac 10, Ralph 9, Arthur 8, Roger 7, Richard 6, John 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), born at Northampton, Mass., 1 Mar. 1677/8, died there 18 Mar. 1755, aged 77 years.  He married at Northampton, 16 Dec. 1701, Mary Hunt, born there 24 Mar. 1679/80, died there 10 Nov. 1767, aged 87 years, daughter of Jonathan and Clemence (Hosmer) Hunt, granddaughter of John and Mary (Webster) Hunt, and great-granddaughter of Gov. John Webster (born in 1590, died in 1661) of Hartford, Conn., and Hadley, Mass., who was a magistrate, 1639-1654 and 1657-1659, Deputy Governor in 1655, and Governor of the Connecticut Colony in 1656.

He succeeded to his father’s homestead on Bridge Street, Northampton, where he spent his life, engaged in farming.  This homestead later passed to Ensign Ebenezer Sheldon’s youngest son, Elias Sheldon (born in 1721, died in 1793), next to Elias’s youngest son, Isaac Sheldon (born in 1774, died in 1862), next to the latter’s youngest son, Rev. George Sheldon, D.D. (born in 1813, died in 1881), and then to the latter’s sons, thus continuing in the family for over two hundred and twenty years.

Ebenezer Sheldon became ensign of one of the Northampton companies of militia, but held no civil offices; in fact, he paid 20s. fine for declining to serve as a fence viewer in 1738.  In 1749 he was assessed on an estate valued at £118, and drew 27 ½ acres in a division of meadow lands.

• • Children, born at Northampton:
• S#190. i. Ebenezer, b. 14 Sept. 1702
• S#191. ii. Miriam, b. 6 Mar. 1703/4
• S#192. iii. Noah, b. 20 Mar. 1705/6
• S#193. iv. Stephen, b. 2 Feb. 1708/9
• S#194. v. Catherine, b. 7 Mar. 1710/11
• S#195. vi. Aaron, b. 4 Mar. 1712/13
• S#196. vii. Israel, b. 15 May 1715
• S#197. viii. Moses, b. in Nov. 1716
• S#198. ix. Esther, b. 12 Mar. 1718/19
• S#199. x. Elias, b. 13 Mar. 1720/21
• S#44-11. xi. Jemima, b. 16 Oct. 1722
• S#200. xii. Mary, b. 8 Dec. 1724

S#197. 19. Dea. Moses Sheldon (Ensign Ebenezer, Isaac, Ralph, Arthur, Roger, Richard, John, John, Richard, Hugh, Richard), born at Northampton, Mass., in Nov. 1716, died 12 Jan. 1807, aged 90 years.  He married at Durham, Conn., 20 Apr. 1749, Mrs. Elizabeth (Grave) Grave, born there 21 June 1723, died at Salisbury, Conn., 19 May 1782, daughter of Noadiah and Sarah Grave and widow of her cousin, Ezra Grave of East Guilford, Conn.

When a young man he settled in Durham, where he continued to reside about a score of years.  His name appears in a list of inhabitants of Durham in 1760 who subscribed for the investigation of a grant of land in Nova Scotia.  About 1765 he moved to Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., where he was enrolled in the United States Census of 1790 as head of a family of two males over 16 years, two males under 16 years, and four females.  He long held the office of deacon in the church.

• • Children, born at Durham:
• S#1412. i. Ezra, bapt. 11 Nov. 1750
• S#1413. ii. Moses, bapt. 12 Apr. 1752
• S#1414. iii. Mary, b. about 1754
• S#1415. iv. Hannah
• S#1416. v. Sarah

S#1412. 20. Ezra Sheldon (Dea. Moses 12, Ensign Ebenezer 11, Isaac 10, Ralph 9, Arthur 8, Roger 7, Richard 6, John 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), born at Durham, Conn., and baptized there 11 Nov. 1750, was living in 1815.  He married at Salisbury, Conn., 4 July 1776, Abigail Reed, born there 15 Jan. 1754, died there 8 Sept. 1815, daughter of Elias and Mary (Todd) Reed.

In boyhood he was taken to Salisbury, Conn., by his parents, when they moved to that place, and there he appears in the United States Census of 1790 as head of a family of one male over 16 years, one male under 16 years, and seven females.

• • Children, born at Salisbury:
• S#1456. i. James, b. 6 Feb. 1777
• S#1457. ii. Abigail, b. 8 Feb. 1779
• S#1458. iii. Polly, b. 15 Nov. 1780
• S#1459. iv. Elizabeth, b. 13 Dec. 1782
• S#1460. v. Sally, b. 18 Mar. 1785
• S#1461. vi. Laura, b. 13 Sept. 1787
• S#1462. vii. Calista, b. 15 Oct. 1790
• S#1463. viii. Elias, b. 1 June 1793.
• S#1464. ix. Joel Reed, b. 24 Aug. 1795.

S#1456. 21. James Sheldon (Ezra 13, Dea. Moses 12, Ensign Ebenezer 11, Isaac 10, Ralph 9, Arthur 8, Roger 7, Richard 6, John 5, John 4, Richard 3, Hugh 2, Richard 1), born at Salisbury, Conn., 6 Feb. 1777, died 6 Feb. 1859.  He married in Bethlehem District (now Otis), Mass., 8 Jan. 1797, Sarah Kingsbury, born at Hartland, Conn., 11 Aug. 1776, daughter of Dea. Phineas and Hannah (Hutchinson) Kingsbury, who moved to Sandisfield, Mass., in 1778.

He resided in Salisbury until 1826, and then moved to Monroe, Mass.

• • Children, born in Salisbury:
• S#3782. i. William, b. in 1797; d. young.
• S#3783. ii. Elizabeth, b. in 1799; d. young.
• S#3784. iii. Esther, b. in 1801; d. young.
• S#3785. iv. William O., b. in 1802.
• S#3786. v. Hiram G., b. in 1805.
• S#3787. vi. Mary Caroline, b. in 1807; d. young.
• S#3788. vii. James, b. in 1808; d. young.
• S#3789. viii. James Kinsbury, b. 12 Jan. 1810
• S#3790. ix. Esther Caroline, b. in 1812
• S#3792. x. Henry Sidney, b. in 1816

S#3789. James Kingsbury Sheldon, was born in Salisbury, Litchfield Co. Conn. 12 January 1810.  In 1826, when sixteen years of age he accompanied his parents to their new home in Monroe, Franklin Co. Mass.  He resided in this town but eventually in the adjoining town of Readsboro, Bennington Co. Vermont, where he died 1 November 1889.  He married in Monroe, 1 January 1835, Maria Kicks, born there 6 December 1814.  she was the dau. of the Rev. Jonathan and Abigail (Holbrook) Hicks of Monroe.  She died in Readsboro, 2 June 1900.  Both James and Maria are buried in South Readsboro, Vermont.

• • Children, all born in Monroe, Franklin Co. Mass.
• S#8537. James Emory born 21 March 1826.  He married 14 Aug. 1858 to Hannah M. Hicks.  He died 9 June 1913.
• S#8538. William Nelson, see below.
• S#8539. Henry Lafayette, born 26 January 1842.  He married on 19 March 1865 Marietta Hines, who was born in Monroe, 21 January 1844.  He died 19 March 1911 in Springfield, Mo. She died in Galveston, Texas 25 February 1930.  Both are buried in Minneapolis, Kansas.

S#8538. William Nelson Sheldon, born 7 October 1838, Monroe, Mass. died in North Adams, Mass. 21 October 1872.  He married 20 November, 1861 Eliza Flavilla Thayer, born in Florida, Berkshire Co. Mass.  1 September 1842.  She was the dau. of Daniel and Flavilla (Holbrook) Thayer of Florida, Mass.  She died in Hopkinton, Mass. 29 January, 1928.  She and her husband are buried in Hillsdale Cemetery, North Adams, Mass.

• • Children, two sons, born in Clarksburg, Berkshire Co. Mass.
• S#8538×1. Frank Merritt, see below.
• S#8538×2. William H.

S#8538×1. Frank Merritt Sheldon, was born in Clarksburg, Berkshire Co. Mass. 13 June 1865.  He married in Searsport, Maine, 17 September, 1895, Jeanette Carlton Trundy, dau. of Levi and Laura (Eames) Trundy.  She was born in Searsport, Waldo Co. Maine, 31 May 1869 and died in Newton Mass. 14 March 1923. They had one son and adopted a daughter.

• S#8538×1-1. Alfred Trundy, born in Somerville, Middlesex Co. Mass. 25 June, 1902.
• S#8538×1-A. Natalie, who was born in Middlesex Co. Mass. 31 May, 1907.

Mr. Sheldon was an executive with Braman Dow and Co. of Boston, Mass., pipe and valve manufacturers, designers of iron and steel fixtures and distributors of industrial machinery.

He became interested in genealogy, especially in the forebears of the first Isaac of the Sheldon Family to come to America.  This Isaac had been a problem to his descendants for almost three hundred years.  Mr. Sheldon undertook to solve this long standing uncertainty.  In 1920 and 1921 he financed an extensive search for this ancestor in England.  The well known genealogist, J. Gardner Bartlett of Boston, was engaged to make this study.  His report first appeared in the October 1926 issue of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.  Later, a reprint was made in pamphlet form and in 1962 a third printing was made, including five later generations.

Mr. Sheldon became interested in an abandoned pioneer cemetery on Florida Mountain over the Hoosic Tunnell near North Adams, Mass.  He had it restored, resetting all the grave stones.

He married 2 June, 1928 Dorothy Dean, born 29 August 1891 in Boston, Mass.  She was the dau. of Henry B. and Anna (Schadt) Dean of Boston, Mass.  Mrs. Sheldon has been a very gracious and unselfish supporter of the Sheldon Family Association and its purposes at both Middlebury, Vermont and Deerfield, Mass.  On 24 May, 1949 she married Frank A. Scott, son of Walter and Sarah (Pugsley) Scott of Ossining, New York.  He was born in South New Berlin, Chenango Co. New York, 10 July, 1880.  They as of this date (1962) reside in Berkeley, California.

Mr. Sheldon died at Lexington, Mass. 20 September 1935 and is buried at Searsport, Maine.

S#8538×1-1. Alfred Trundy Sheldon, was born 25 June 1902 in Somerville, Middlesex Co. Mass.  He married 25 July 1930 Florence Pauline McInnis dau. of Stephen E. and Ruth (Mortenson) McInnis.  She was born 17 September 1909 in Gloucester, Essex Co. Mass.  Alfred and Florence had one daughter.

• S#8538×1-1-1. Janett.  See below.

Alfred and Florence were divorced and she later married Richard L. Horne.

Alfred married Caroline Greenleaf Tyler in Fairhaven, Mass. 23 April 1938.  She was born in Concord, Merrick Co. New Hampshire 19 August 1912, the dau. of George and Madaline (Daniels) Tyler of Georgetown, Mass.

• • Children:
• S#8538×1-1-2. Cynthia, born in Gloucester, Essex County, Mass. 24 August, 1939.
• S#8538×1-1-3. Mark Tyler, born in Boston, Suffolk County, Mass. 5 December, 1942.
• S#8538×1-1-4. Frank Merritt 2nd, born in Gloucester, Essex Co. Mass. 4 February 1948.

Mr. Sheldon was graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, class of 1926.  He is (1962) an engineer with the Bethlehem Steel Co. at Quincy, Mass.  He resides at Rockport, Mass.

S#8538×1-A.  Natalie Sheldon, was born 31 May 1907 in Middlesex County, Mass.  She married F. Stuart Friend in Newton, Mass.  1 December 1928.  He was the son of Archer and Frances (Niver) Friend of Newton, Mass. and was born in Boston, Mass. 12 July 1903.  He died in Newton 17 July, 1962.  He was the office manager of the Boston plant of the International Paper Co. at the time of his death.  Three daughters and two sons were born of this marriage.

• S#8538×1-A-1. Judith Sargent, born Newton, Middlesex County, Mass. 31 August 1930, married Paul Strohm in 1953.  They reside in New Rochelle, New York.
• S#8538×1-A-2. Susan Cabot, born 3 August, 1931 in Newton, Mass.  Married in 1954, Franklin J. Lane Jr.  They reside in Winchester, Mass.
• S#8538×1-A-3.  Gretchen Stuart, born 3 August, 1931 in Newton, twin to Susan, married in 1955, Maxime F. LeRoyer.  They reside at Ipswich, Mass.
• S#8538×1-A-4.  Frank Sheldon, born in Boston, 12 July, 1935 was unmarried in 1962.
• S#8538×1-A-5.  William Stuart, born in Boston, 12 July, 1936 was married to Judy Bishop of Weston, Mass. 9 Sept. 1961.

S#8538×1-1-1. Janett Sheldon, born in Newton, Middlesex Co. Mass. 1 May 1931, married Frederick Louis Hyman in Weston, Conn. 21 December 1953.  He was born in New York City, 28 October 1931, son of Eliot and Ethel (Barbour) Hyman of Westport, Conn.  He was graduated from the University of Connecticut, class of 1953.  He is president (1962) of the American Corp. and Scope Advertising Co. of New York.  They have three sons, all born in Norwalk, Fairfield Co. Conn. and reside at this date (1962) in Weston, Conn.

• S#8538×1-1-1-1. Richard Eliot, born 8 July, 1955.
• S#8538×1-1-1-2. Mark Stuart, born 21 October, 1958
• S#8538×1-1-1-3. Dean Frederick, born 11 February, 1961.