The Skaggs-Files

Middlesex Co VA was established in 1669 from Lancaster Co VA

1679-1716 of Christchurch, Middlesex Co., VA [Source: Lt. Col. Dave Underwood underwoo@earthlink.net on UNDERWOOD-L@rootsweb.com]

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Posted Sunday, 03/05/2000 by Lt. Col. David Underwood

This is my contribution for the day. I thought I would share the starting point of my family tree. Lots of Underwood kin trace back to this member of our family. Still trying to discover who Nathan Underwood's (1679-1715) parents were to break the jam in my research.

V/R Lt Col Dave Underwood

Anchorage AK

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA STARTING POINT

Our oldest ancestor discovered during my research was Nathan Underwood. He was born in 1679 and died 22 March 1715. He settled in Christchurch, Middlesex County, Virginia. His wife's name was Diana, but we lack her family's last name. They were blessed with five children. Records indicated four children; Elizabeth, John, Nathan, and Thomas. During our search of the Parish records reflected below we discovered another daughter, Ruth. Elizabeth was born on 22 November 1700. John was born 29 September 1702 and died 24 October 1706. Nathan was born on 1 February 1707. On 13 September 1710 Ruth was born. Thomas' birth was recorded as 20 August 1713.

The Middlesex Parish Register provided some insight to the family. Carolyn Hodges researched the document and revealed the following entries which are quoted exactly as written:

pg 54....John Ye Son of Nathan Underwood & Diana his wife departed this life October Ye 24th And was Buried Ye 25th of Ye Same Anno Domini 1706.

pg 67....Elizabeth Ye Daughter of Nathan & Diana Underwood his Wife was Born Ye 22nd Day of November & Baptized Ye 22d of December it being Ye Lords day In Statton Major Parrish in King & Queen County, By Emmanuel Jones Minister of Petsoe Parish in Gloucester County her Sureites being James Overstreet & Elizabeth Potter, Derby Cauniff & Hannah his Wife Ye day & time of her Nativity being Wednesday About Ye Dauwing of Ye day Anno Domini 1700.

pg 67....John Ye Son of Nathan & Diana Underwood his Wife was Born Ye 24th Day of August About Ye dawning of Ye day it being Saturday & St. Bartholomew day, And was Baptized September Ye 29th being the Lord's day, by ye Reverend Bartholomew Yates In Christ Church his Sureties being John Townsend, Robert Johnson & Mrs. Elizabeth Dudley Anno

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pg 71....Nathan Underwood Ye Son of Nathan Underwood & Diana his Wife was Born Ye 9th being friday about nine of Ye Clock in Ye Morning & Was Baptized february Ye 1st being Septuagesima Sunday. In Christ Church by Ye Reverend Mr. Bartholomew Yates Minister of Ye Same; his Sureties being Joseph Goear, John Gibbs & Elizabeth Murry; Anno Domi 1707/08.

pg 76....Ruth daughter of Nathan & Diana Underwood born 13th September baptized October 22d 1710.

pg 85....Nathan Underwood dyed ye 22 March & was buried March 24 1715.

pg 87....Thomas Son of Nathan and Diana Underwood born August 20th baptized August 24th 1713.

Elizabeth married twice. First to John Shorter in 1722 in Middlesex County and they had a son Henry Shorter in 1724. She then married Thomas Walker in 1729 in the same county. Her son, Henry Shorter moved to Wilkes County, Georgia.

A descendant of Ruth revealed that she married a James Mayo and died 6 February 1734, two days after giving birth to a son named Valentine.

Christchurch is on the Chesapeake Bay northeast of Williamsburg, Virginia. Part of Virginia's Middle Peninsula, Middlesex county lies between the Rappahannock and Piankatank Rivers with Deltaville and Sting Ray point extending out into the bay. The town of Urbanna located in the middle of the county has historical roots as an important seaport in the area and is a popular spot for recreational boaters today. Deltaville, known over the years for its commercial fishing industry, is also transforming into a recreational tourist attraction.

During this time period there was natural migration flow up the Rappahannock-Rapidan Valley, from Middlesex to Green and Madison Counties.

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Was Nathan UNDERWOOD, Sr. of Christ Church Parish kin to Col. William UNDERWOOD of IofW and Old Rappa. whose widow, Elizabeth, m next Archdale Combs of Old Rappa.? In 1715/16 Dianna, w/o Nathan UNDERWOOD, Sr., wit. a power of attorney for one William HAMMETT.