My father, Wilford Latham Phelps, received a copy of the following research by Irene K. Phelps and M. D. Phelps, from Tamra Phelps of Somerset, Kentucky, in September, 2006. There has been much discussion about this "Pamphlet" among Phelps researchers lately. In the interest of sharing family, I am making this available as a text file for all to see.
Posted by,
Latham "Mark" Phelps --October 2006
THE PHELPS FAMILY IN KENTUCKY
By: Irene K. Phelps and M. D. Phelps Jr.
28 Walnut St.
Milton, Massachussets 02186
JOHN Phelps was the name of our Revolutionary War ancestor. He was born about: 1730 in Goochland (later Albermarle) County, Virginia. He was at Boonesborough with Daniel Boone and did his Revolutionary War service as Defender of the Fort. The principal battle here was the Great Siege of 1778 and JOHN and Thomas Phelps,* Junior were both involved in this, as were many of Thomas' children (more about this later).
Shadrach Phelps our great great grandfather, was born Feb. 3, 1775. He was probably still in Virginia during .:the Great Siege, but came to Boonesborough with his father and mother at a later date. He was still at Boonesborough (with Daniel Boone) in 1795. We know this because in December of that year he witnessed a deed from Daniel Boon (sic) to Catrine Sherly for 409 acres of land in Madison County. His father, JOHN (who was also at Boonesborough with Daniel Boone), died some time before 1798, when his will was accepted for probate in Madison County Court.
JOHN and his brother Thomas, Jr. and their 'wives and children were actively involved in the settlement and early defense of the area that was later to become the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Shadrach (son of JOHN Phelps) was married by Rev. Thomas I. Chilton on 8 Dec 1796 to Celia Stapp (Seley Step).They settled in what is now Russell County,, Kentucky, in about 1798. They built their first log cabin a few feet from an excellent "boiling spring" which has been tapped and still furnishes pure drinking water, almost two hundred years later, to many of their decendents. Their farm, "on the waters of Greasy Creek", is still home to their great great grandson, Carl Phelps (my Brother); his wife., Elizabeth Phelps, his son John Phelps, his daughter-in-law Judy Phelps and their son John (John Carl) Phelps.
Now known as "Phelps Acres"., the farm on Greasy Creek,originally in Greene (later Green) County, was in Adair County when Adair was formed from Green in 1801. It has been part of Russell County since 1825, when Russell was cut from Adair, Cumberland and Wayne Counties. (Thomas Lincoln, father of the 16th
President, was appointed Constable of Cumberland County in 1802 and again in 1804). Phelps Acres is in the Esto Community, near Jamestown. Esto Postoffice was established Aug. 1, 1877, and discontinued Oct. 2, 1935.
Celia and Shadrach had six children (Elizabeth, Polly, John M.(OurGreat Grandfather), Martha, Joseph Shadrach and William P.(Patteson?). Celia was born Oct. 29, 1772 and died April 29, 1855. Shadrach was born Feb. 3, 1775 and died Sept. 21, 1855. They are buried, (along with three of their children and many other decendents and close neighbors) in the Phelps Family Cemetery. The Cemetery is located on the farm, on high ground some three hundred yards northeast of the boiling spring and the site of their original log cabin. Also near the site of the present farmhouse, built in the late?eighteen hundreds by their grandson John Quincy Phelps (our grandfather).
Shadrach's grandfather, Thomas Phelps, Sr. died in Albermarle County, Virginia in 1751. He and his wife Elizabeth (Patteson) Phelps had at least five children. One son, William Phelps, preceded them in death in 1749. His will is recorded in Will Book I, Page 1 (Albermarle County Court Records). There were two other sons, Thomas Phelps, Jr. and JOHN Phelps (our John, Shadrach's father) and two daughters; Mary Phelps Patteson and Mrs.Richard (Mildred Phelps) Given. In his 1751 Will (preserved in Will Book Is, page 20) Thomas Phelps, Sr. left to Thomas, Jr. three hundred acres of land, on Bridle Creek "Joining' his own lines". To his son JOHN Phelps (Shadrach's father and our immediate ancestor) he left "The Plantation whereon I now dwell and the Islan (sic) I now tend in'' and three hundred acres of land on both sides of Hunt's Creek "JOINING NICHOLAS' LINE".
He bequethed unto his loving daughter Mary Patteson one shilling sterling (i.e. he "cut her off with a shilling"). However, he left to her daughter Joyce Patteson and her son Peter Patteson "betwixt them both one child's part'. He wished all his personal estate to be equally divided among all his children (except his daughter Mary Patteson), and named as executors of his last will and testament his son Thomas Phelps Jr. and his son-in-law Richard Given. The will was witnessed by John Fearn, Theodoric C. Webb and Chiceley Crisp.
Albermarle County Will Book I Page 20
In the name of God amen I Thomas Phelps of Albermarle County being weak in body but in sound and perfect memory do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as followeth. Item I give my Soul to God as gave it & my body to the Earth to be buried in Decent Christian like manner as my Executors shall think fit. Item I lend unto my Loving Wife Elizabeth Phelps During her Widowhood all my whole Estate Real and personal Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Loving Son Thomas Phelps Three hundred acres of land Lying on Both sides of Bridle Creek Joining his own Lines to him and his heirs forever. Item I Give and Bequeath unto my loving son John Phelps the Plantation whereon I now Dwell & the Islan I now tend in and three hundred acres of Land on both' sides of' Hunt's Creek Joining
Nicholas' Line to him and his heirs forever Item I Give and Bequeath to my loving Daughter Mary Patteson one Shilling Sterling. Item I Give and Bequeath unto my GrandDaughter Joyce Patteson and my Grandson Peter Patteson Betwixt them both one Childs part. It is my will & Desire that all my Personal Estate shall be Equally Divided among all my Children Except my Daughter Mary Patteson & my Will and Desires that my Estate Shall not be appraised enduring my Wifes time & I do appoint and ordain my Son Thomas Phelps & my Son in Law Richard Givin to be executors of this my last Will and I do by these presents Revoke all other Wills heretofore by me made.
Signed Sealed & Delivered to be his last will and Testament In presence of us
Thomas Phelps (Ss)
John Fearn
Theodoric (his mark) C. Webb
Chicely Crisp
At a Court held for Albermarle County the 14th day of May 1751 This last Will and Testament of Thomas Phelps decd was proved by the Oaths of John Fearn Theodorick Webb & Chicely Crisp the witnesses thereto & ordered to be?recorded & on the motion of Thomas Phelps & Richard Giviu the Executors therein named who made Oath according to Law Certificate is Granted them for obtaining a probat thereof in due Form Giving security on which they with Theoderick Webb and Joseph Thomas their Securities entered Into and acknowledged their Bond accordingly.
Test.
John Nicholas C1k.
Albermarle County Will Book I, p.1
In the name of God amen. I William Phelps being weak in body but in sound and Perfect Memory do make this my last will and Testament In Manner a?ad Form as Followeth. First I give and Bequeth to my Loving Brother in Law William Baber Two hundred acres of Land on Nell Moores Creek of Slate River Joining John Sharps Line to him and his heirs forever on Condition he pay to my Executors hereinAfter named or their order the value of the Rights Surveyors & Secretarys Fees of the same. I give and bequeath to my Loving Father Thomas Phelps and to my loving Brother Thomas Phelps Jun.r all the Rest and residue of my Estate of what nature and kind so ever in trust nevertheless to be Equally Devided by them between my two sons James Phelps and William Phelps and their heirs forever and for no other Intent or Purpose whatever and do ordain and appoint my said Father and Brother to be Executors of this my last Will and do by these Presents' Revoke all other Wills by me heretofore made.
Signed Sealed Published and Declared to be his last will and Testament in Presence of us,
William Cabell
Thomas (his mark) Makdanal,
John Dunken,
John Blackle.
William Phelps S s
Albermarle Cty. May Court MDCCXliX This Writing was produced in Court & by the, oaths of William Cabell & Thomas McDaniel Proved to be the last will and Testament of William Phelps Decd & ordered to be Recorded.
Teste.
Jnot Henning DCSCr.
In the summer of 1984, Irene and I were able to locate the exact site of Thomas Phelps' Plantation south of the James River (called the Fluvanna River in this area before the Revolution). We were unable to find Bridle Creek, but Hunt's Creek of Slate River and Bear Garden Creek still bear the same names. Also "Phelps island" (so designated on an 1818 map of Virginia), while no longer an island, is easily identified. It encompasses nine acres and was surveyed for Thomas Phelps in 1746 by Thomas Turpin. (Thomas Turpin was an uncle, by marriage to Thomas Jefferson.) In July of 1985, we obtained a copy of the original land patent for the Island, dated 1746. Still intact is the Plantation of John Nicholas (See "Nicholas', Line" in Thomas Phelps Will). It is currently known as "Seven Islands Farm". ("Seven Islands" and "Nicholas"' are both identified on the map of Virginia published by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson in 1751).
John Nicholas became County Court Clerk of Albermarle County between 1749 and 1751, and was succeeded by his son, also named John. As Clerk, he knew most of the people in the county and was very helpful in promoting the early political career of his friend Thomas Jefferson. The last will and testament and the inventory of the estate of Thomas Phelps, Sr. are both preserved in Albermarle County Will Book I, inscribed and attested to by "John Nicholas, Clerk". During the Revolution, the Nicholas Plantation was the "breadbasket" of the Continental Army, and was slated for destruction by the British. Execution of this mission was foiled by, a sudden flood tide that prevented fording of the Fluvanna (James) by Tarleton's forces as they marched (fortunately north of the river) to Yorktown. During the Civil War, almost a hundred years later, General Dalghren, was similarly frustrated by flooding of the James. His. primary mission, which he accomplished, was to disable the Kanawha Canal, a vital avenue of supply for the Confederacy. His secondary assignment, was to destroy the Nicholas Plantation., which was again spared because flooding prevented Dalghren's troops (also advancing NORTH of the James) from, fording the river to carry out their mission of destruction.
This area north of the James (opposite Nicholas' Plantation and, the site of Thomas Phelps' Plantation), is still known as BREMO. The highway bridge there; where US-15 crosses the river; is "The John Hartwell Cocke Memorial? Bridge". Cocke was the builder of BREMO MANSION, visible today from the site of Thomas Phelps' Plantation on the other side of the river. "Bremo" was designed, in part, by Thomas Jefferson, who was Cocke's friend. While not as elaborate as Jefferson's Monticello, it is an excellent example of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century plantation architecture of Virginia.
We have found no direct connection between Thomas Phelps and John Hartwell Cocke or Thomas Jefferson. However, during the first day of Court in the new County of Albermarle (February 28, 1744), while Peter Jefferson . (Thomas father) , and Joshua Fry were busy swearing each other in as officials of the new County, Thomas Phelps was named as one of the appraisers of the estate of Wentworth Webb, deceased. As will be pointed out later, Wentworth Webb was witness to deed from John Phelps (Shadrach's Great Grandfather) and Mary, his wife, dated 1736, to Thomas Phelps. This was for two hundred fifty acres of land on "Rockie Branch" (now known as "Rocky Creek"). Rocky Creek empties into Slate River just upstream from Hunt's Creek. We also have a copy of a land patent, dated 1725, in which John Phelphs Acquired, from King George (later known as George I), 1OO acres of "New Land" in Henrico County "on the south side of the Fluvanna (James) River "at the mouth of Bear Garden Creek". (Land Patent Book #12, p. 406). The listed purchase price was ten shillings .
Bear Garden Creek empties into the James east of the mouth of Slate River and also eastward from "Phelps Island", acquired by Thomas Phelps in 1746. This area, south of the James and on the waters of Bear Garden Creek, Hunt's Creek, Slate River and the phantom "Brydle Creek" (the name no longer exists) was settled. by John Phelps (Phelphs) in 1725. This John Phelps is thought to be the father of Thomas Phelps, Sr.; the grandfather of JOHN Phelps (our John) and., as mentioned above, The Great Grandfather of Shadrach Phelps. This "Phelps" area south of the Fluvanna (James), was part of Henrico County in 1725. Later it was part of Goochland County (when John and Mary Phelps deeded laud here to Thomas Phelps (1736; deed witnessed by Wentworth Webb). In 1744, it became part of Albermarle County and in 1761, it was in Buckingham County, when Buckingham was cut from Albermarle. William Phelps, Thomas' son and brother to Thomas, Jr. and JOHN (our John), received 400 acres of land "on the East Branch of Bear Garden Creek" June 5, 1746.
We have as yet., found no connection between Thomas Phelps of Albermarle County (died 1751) and the "Thomas Phelps, Artisan" listed by Captain John Smith as a member of the "Second Supply" of immigrants to James Towne, arriving in 1608. It was the opinion of the late Dr. Ransom B. True, Director of Historical Research for THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF VIRGINIA ANTIQUITIES (APVA), that this Thomas Phelps, the first Phelps known to have arrived in America, probably perished during the "starving time" (1609-1610). In any event there is no record of his marrying or having decendents, and there is no record of any connection with the Thomas Phelps whose will was proved in Albermarle County in 1751.
Speculation can be disastrous, but it is interesting to note that Sir Edward Phelips, builder of Montacute House in the County of Somerset, Speaker of the House of Commons and prosecuter of Guy Fawkes, was the youngest son of Thomas Phelips, who was the son of John Phelips. Even more interesting is the fact that Sir Edward Phelips: `Master of the Rolls" was one of the investors in The Virginia Company of London. "The Virginia Company of London" consisted of a group of "Adventurers", who, by subscribing 12 Pounds 10 Shillings each, subsidized the initial, voyage to James Towne in 1606 and provided all financial support to the Colony until control was assumed by the Crown in 1624.
Speculation aside, we know that Thomas Phelps, Artisan, arrived with the Second Supply in 1608. Many of the 26 "'Gentlemen" in this Supply were accompanied by sons, nephews or cousins that were designated as "Laborers". A son, brother or nephew of Sir Edward Phelips, Adventurer, could well have been listed by Captain Smith as an Artisan,, since this ?social class ?included Yoemen and Merchants and laborers with special skills. Others listed among the 200 persons in this "Supply" were Mistresse Forest and Anne Burras "her maide" (who later contracted the first marriage in English America) and "8 Dutchmen and Poles". We don't know the names of the Dutchmen, But the 5 Poles are listed on a bronze plaque at Jamestown Village as (1) Michal Lowicki (2) Zbigniew Stefanski, (3) Jan Bogdan (4) Jan Mata and (5) Stanislaw Sadowski. With characteristic incongruity "Michaelle Lowicke" is also listed as one of the 26 "Gentlemen" arriving I Oct 1608 on the same British Sailer as the others, the "MARY AND MARGARET"., The aforementioned plaque was donated in 1958 (commemorating the 350th anniversary of the event) by THE POLISH FALCONS OF AMERICA.
In the summer of 1985, Irene and I spent a week in the Village of Montacute. We spent several days exploring Moutacute House (Sir Edward Phelips' historic Elizabethan mansion "of glowing Hamstone", completed in 1599). We climbed the "steep hill' for which Montacute("monsacutus") was named., We stayed at "The Kings Arms Hotel" on Bishipton Street, where we learned from the DOMESDAY BOOK that the village of Montacute, then known as BISHIPSTONE, was a going concern for centuries before the arrival, in 1066, of William the Conqueror. his half brother, the Count de Mortain, William gave the Village of Bishopstone and other properties in the area, including "Steep Hill" (Mons Acutus) whereon the Count built his castle,''naming it MONTACUTE. We found no trace of the castle, but the site is marked by a FOLLY TOWER, erected in 1760. We also had a few pints in THE PHELIPS ARMS, the village pub,, and had dinner at The Milk House Restaurant. Some of the buildings' date back to the eighth and ninth century (and probably farther).
Assuming that Thomas Phelps 'of Albermarle County (died 1751) lived out his Biblical fourscore years and ten (as have most of his decendents), he must have been born about, 1690-1710. He purchased land from his father, John Phelps and his mother Mary Phelps, in what was then Goochland County, in 1736. The deed, dated March 15, 1736, from John Phelps and Mary (??Burgess) Phelps, his wife, to Thomas Phelps, is preserved in Goochland County Will Book 1, witnessed by Arthur Hopkins, David Duncan and Wentworth (his X mark) Webb. Wentworth Webb (brother of Theodorick C. Webb, witness to the Will of Thomas Phelps, Sr.), had died prior to the first day of Court in the new County of Albermarle(Feb. 28, 1744) and one of those named on that date as assessors of the estate of Wentworth Webb, deceased, was Thomas Phelps.
