Individual Details

Goochland Co VA DB 10
p.41 21 May 1770 Strangman Hutchens to Richard Johnson. 32#'s 10sh. 60A N fork of Tuckerhoe. Singed: Strangman Hutchens. Wit: Jos Pleasants, Francis Pledge, Joseph Watkins. Ack. Elizabeth wife relinquished. 21 May 1770.

The Pettitt book says he served as an ensign in the American Navy in 1778, but this was obviously a misunderstanding of the word "ensign" at that time and place. An Ensign was an officer in the militia just below the rank of lieutenant. Francis was appointed Ensign on 20 Apr 1778, oath given 17 May 1779. Gwathmey's roster of Goochland Militia shows Francis Pledge, Ensign; Milner & Edford Redford, Lts.; and Edmund Curd; Capt. By 21 Aug 1779, he was recorded as a 2nd Lieutenant in Capt Edmund Curd's Co., Goochland Co Militia.

p.321 26 Dec 1776 Account of sale of goods & chattels of Thos. Mitchell dec'd by John Curd, Executor to be discharged at 12 months from this date.
Buyers: Francis Pledge, Richard Curd, Thos. Hatcher, etc. Elizabeth Michell
Oct 18 1779. Presented by John Curd.

Goochland DB 13
p.43 19 Mar 1780 Steph. Sampson, Joseph Woodson & John Woodson to Thomas Chancellor. For 30£. Tract adjoining lands of Benjamin Weaver, John Johnson, William Willis, the orphans of William Rountree D'd, Charles Johnson & John Neaves. 125 acres.
Wit: Willm. Pledge Junr, Francis Pledge, John Britt, Junr
Ack. By grantors. 20 Mar 1780 …fully proved

Francis was witness to several slave manumissions, several of which took place on the 21 of October 1782. The following deed from Mary Pleasants to her daughter was witnessed by Francis - then he witnessed the manumission by the daughter:
Goochland DB 13
p.254 Mary Pleasants for paternal love I bear unto my daughter Mary Younghusband give her seven slaves, equitable part of Negroes devised by the will of my late Husband Thomas Pleasants of Henrico to me during life and to be divided among his children. 4 Jul 1781. Signed: Mary Pleasants.
Wit: Robert Pleasants, Tho. Pleasants Jr., Francis Pledge, James Hunnicutt, David (X) Webster
21 Oct 1782. Proved by oaths of William Royster, Francis Pledge & David Webster
Mary Younghusband… freed Seven slaves 21 Oct 1781 [should have read 1782] Wit by William Royster & Francis Pledge, who proved deed 21 Oct 1782


Francis Pledge witnessed the inventory of the Estate of Capt Robert Woodson on 19 Jun 1784. The appraisal of his own estate was filed 16 Nov 1784, Goochland Co. Attesting to the appraisal: Milner Redford, Richard Sampson, John Payne. So he died between June and November of 1784. There is a report of settlement 28 Jul 1785.

Goochland DB 14
p.129 16 Nov 1784 Appraisal of Estate of Francis Pledge Dec'd
Cattle. Negro Robin, Negro Boy Jack, 2 black mares, 1 bay mare, 2 sheep, 2 feather beds, 2 yearlings, crops, household item. No total.
Milner Redford, Richard Sampson, John Payne Presented to Court 17 Jan 1785.

Apparently the court ordered a second appraisal.
p.178 Appraised estate of Francis Pledge. 237£ 6p
Included household goods, 3 chests, 4 old chairs, 1 old table, 1 womans saddle & bridle, 1 cradle, parcel of old books, 6 hogs, crop of wheat, 10 barrels corn, 6 bee hives, 10 head of cattle, 2 mares, 1 heiffer, Negro boy Jack, Negro man Robin.
Edward Redford, Richard Sampson, ?Richd Pleasants 28 Jul 1785
15 Aug 1785 presented in court.

Note: only six children of Frank Pledge have been determined - apparently there were seven in the year 1785 - William Clarkson became guardian of the two eldest. Who cared for the other five? It appears their mother died in early April of 1785. William Clarkson was married to Martha Pledge, the children's aunt.
Goochland DB 14
p.327 To the Estate of Francis Pledge Dec'd In Acct. with William Clarkson Guardian
1785 To the care etc. of 7 children from Apr 9th until July 28th
To making 4 Hives for bee
To making 32 1/4 yd Cloth
To Boarding Miley & Frankey from July 28th 1785 as Guardian to this date 28 Jul 1786
Balance: 15 pounds 5 shillings one pence
William Royster, Thos. Pleasants, Thos. T. Bates examined the above account of William Clarkson Guardian to Milly & Frankey Pledge Orphans of Frances Pledge dec'd and found the balance owing. 25 Sep 1786.
Archer Pledge not having fully administerd on his dec'd Brothers Estate, we could not proceed to a Settlement of his Acct. Signed: William Royster, Thos. T. Bates
16 Oct 1786 The above was presented and ordered recorded.

Goochland DB 14, p.475
July 1787 The Estate of Francis Pledge, Dec'd in account with William Clarkson, Guardian.
To Boarding etc Mildred Pledge from July 1786 to this date 6£
To ditto and finding apparel for Frankey M. Pledge till this date 6£
In obedience to order of Goochland Court we find the above amount of Twelve pounds due William Clarkson as Guardian of the children of Francis Pledge deceased. Given under our hands this 11 Aug 1787.
Thos. Pleasants, Wm. Royster, Tho. T. Bates
Presented in Court and ordered recorded.



Goochland DB 15
p.106
Goochland Court May 1788
Wm Royster, Thos. F. Bales & Thomas Pleasants, Gent appointed to settle account of Arch Pledge admir. Of Eliz Pledge who was admin of Frances Pledge dec'd and also his account as guardian to Malinda [Matilda?] Pledge
Reported 28 Jun 1788. Found balance from estate to the Admr of 10lbs 17s 11p
21 Jul 1788 - Ordered recorded


DB 15 168-169 Guardian accounting of Mildred and Frankey M Pledge to July 1788.

Goochland DB 15 pp 287-290.. The accounts recd report of Archer Pledge Administrator, of Eliza. Pledge as ordered by the Goochland Co Court, 15 Jun 1789.
The accounting begins "The estate of Francis Pledge in act. with Archer Pledge, Administrator [apparently Archer Pledge served as administrator for Francis and then Elizabeth]
pg 288 "To boarding of `Matilda` 2 years and 9 mo .... to boarding 2 children..... To boarding 'Paschal' 3 Months .... The date appears to have been Apr 1786 indicating Elizabeth was probably deceased by then. ... further on the page "goods for 'Matilda" Pledge 1788 and 1789... last item 'goods' for Betsy Pledge 1788
Accounting of "Archer Pledge representing the estate of Elizabeth Pledge" is ordered recorded 13 Aug 1789.... signed Tho. Pleasants, Geo. Payne, Archd. Pleasants.
__ Aug 1788 Teste Wm Miller.

Goochland DB 15, p.310 #7645029, img 160
Thos. Pleasants, Archbd Pleasants J. W. Pleasants & George Payne or any three to settle accts of Wm Clarkson, guardian to Mildred and Frankey Pledge, orphans of Frs Pledge, Dec'd and report to next Court July 1789.
Boarding Mildred and Frankey Pledge one year 12#s
We have settled the board of Mildred and Frankey Pledge - due him this 13 Aug 1789. tho Pleasnats, Geo. Payne, Archd Pleasants.
19 Oct 1789 Returned to court and ordered recorded.


Goochland DB 16
25 Nov 1794 Archer Pledge to Joseph Woodson & Stephen Ellis
10 sh. Nine Slaves and livestock. Archer Pledge has entered into bond of 1000£ for the office of administrator of good & chattels of Francis Pledge, Dec'd. Signed: Archer Pledge
Presence of Josiah Woodson
10 Jan 1795 Presented & ack by Pledge and ordered recorded

Birth	Abt 1744	Virginia
Marriage	Sep 1766	Elizabeth Poindexter
Death	Bef Nov 1784	Goochland County, Virginia

Spouse	Elizabeth Poindexter (1747 - 1785)
Child	Mildred Pledge (1769 - )
Child	Francis M. "Frankey" Pledge ( - )
Child	Caroline Matilda Pledge ( - )
Child	Nancy "Nanny" Pledge (1774 - 1861)
Child	Elizabeth "Betsey" Pledge (1778 - )
Child	Pascal Paoli Pledge (1781 - )

Father	WILLIAM PLEDGE ( - 1779)
Mother	ANN REDFORD (1716 - )
Sibling	Dorothy PLEDGE (1736 - 1796)
Sibling	Martha Pledge (1739 - )
Sibling	ELIZABETH PLEDGE (1740 - 1816)
Sibling	William Pledge Jr. ( - 1781)
Sibling	Archer Pledge (1747 - 1806)