Henry Spotswood Padgett (abt. 1794 - 1885)

Born about Aug 1794 in Virginia, United States [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Bridge — married 24 Nov 1824 in Amherst County, Va, , USA

Descendants

Died 10 Mar 1885 at about age 90 in Sherando, Augusta, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Laura McCurry [send private message]

Biography

Henry Spotswood Padgett was born about August 1794.^[1] His place of birth and parents are uncertain, but he lists VA on census records as place of birth. His death register lists only Nancy Collett as his mother.^[2]

Spotswood Padgett married Elizabeth "Betsy" Bridge in Amherst Co, VA on 24 Nov 1824 in Amherst Co, VA.^[3]

His adult married life was mostly spent in the Shenandoah Valley on a farm on Back Creek, near Sherando, Augusta County. He received the deed to his farm in 1850.^[4][5]

Spotswood was a slave owner.^[6][7][8][9]

On the 1850 and 1860 Census, he is listed on the Agriculture Census for Augusta County.^[10][11] His farm is moderate but successful. The value of his farm doubles from 2400 dollars in 1850 to 4800 dollars in 1860. Also in 1860, his son Reuben Beverly Padgett is running a small farm nearby.

On the eve of the Civil War, Spotswood and family seems to be caught in the middle of the political and public dialogue of the issues dividing the country being slave owners, but against succession because of slavery and generally supportive of conservative but Federal political interests. In 1857, he is appointed to a Vigilance committee by Whigs to get out and monitor the vote.^[12] And he is appointed Vice-President of a Bell and Everett Club to support the candidacy of John Bell as president and Edward Everett as vice-president, representing the Contitutional Union Party in the 1860 elections.^[13]

After the war, the family continues to live on the farm near Sherando.^[14]

By 1880, he and Elizabeth are living with their daughter Mary Frances Padgett Gibson.^[15]

Spotswood died 10 Mar 1885, and family records say he is buried in the Sherando United Methodist Chapel Cemetery, Sherando, Augusta County, VA.

Will: 3 Aug 1882. Staunton, Augusta County, VA, USA. ^[16]

Probate: 25 Mar 1885. Staunton, Augusta County, VA, USA. ^[17]

Sources

1. ↑ Margaret, Reese C. Abstract of Augusta County, Virginia Death Registers 1853-1896. Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Company, 1983. Page 208. Line no. S85-27 Padgett, Spottswood W m 10 Mar 1885 90 7
2. ↑ Register of Death for Henry Spotswood Padgett, 10 March 1885. Line Number 49. August County Clerk's Office, Staunton, Virginia. Certified copy in possession of Laura Hutchison "The following is taken from the register of deaths in the Augusta County Clerk's oiffice, Staunton, Virginia. Line Number 49; Name: Spottswood Padgett; White/Colored: White; Sex: Male; Date of Death: March 10, 1885; Place of Death: Sherando; Name of Disease or Cause of Death: Old age; Age: 90 - 7 months; Name of Parents: Nancy Collett; Where Born: Augusta County; Occupation: Farmer; Consort of or Unmarried: Widower; Name of Person Giving Information of Death: R. B. Padgett; Designation of Informant: Son.
3. ↑ Dodd, Jordan R., et al.. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850. Bountiful, UT, USA: Precision Indexing Publishers. Ancestry.com. Virginia, Compiled Marriages, 1740-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.
4. ↑ August County, VA, Augusta County Deed Book 70:191, Eleanor Stuart Ex, Gerard B. Stuart, Alexander H. H. Stuart Exrs. of Archibald Stuart & Spotswood Paget, August 31, 1850; Augusta County Clerk's Office. Staunton, Augusta County, VA. THIS INDENTURE, made the 31st day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty, Between Eleanor Stuart Ext and Gerard B. Stuart & Alexander H. H. Stuart, Executors of Archibald Stuart deed of the county of Augusta of the one part, and Spotswood Padget of said County of the other part, WITNESSETH that the said Eleanor, Gerard B. & Alexander H. H. Stuart Extrs. of Archd Stuart decd for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand dollars lawful money of Virginia, to them in hand paid by the said Spotswood Padget & his heirs and assignes, a certain tract or parcel of land containing two hundred acres of the same more or less lying on back creek in the County of Augusta and bounded as follows: Beginning at a pine and two white oaks corner to G. B. Stuart on King’s line S. 11 W. 45 poles to two gum grubs between two dead pines S. 47 E 65 po. crossing Back Creek to two white oaks at two dead pines N. 34 E. 56 poles to a pine, white oak, black oak & pine stump N. 71 ½ E. 29 ½ poles to a pine S. 47 ½ E 49 ½ poles to a black oak & pine s. 35 ½ E 8 poles to a black oak & marked saplings S. 59 ½ E 214 poles to the beginning, being the same land on which said Padget now resides together with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of land with its appurtenances unto the said Spotswood Padget & his heirs and assign es forever, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Padget & his heirs and assignes forever, And the said Eleanor, G. B. & Alex. H. H. Stuart Extrs as aforesaid & their heirs, executors, and administrators do covenant with the said Spotswood Padget and his heirs and assignes, that they said Grantors & their heirs, executors, and administrators the said tract of land with its appurtenances unto the said Spotswood Padget and his heirs and assignes, against the claim or claims of them the said Grantors, & their heirs, and all and every person or persons whatsoever, claiming under their Testator, shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof the said Eleanor, Gerard B. & Alex. H. H. Stuart Extrs of A. Stuart decd have hereunto set their hands and seals, on the day & year first above written. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Eleanor Stuart (SEAL) Gerard B. Stuart (SEAL) Alex. H.H. Stuart (SEAL) Extx & Executors of Archd Stuart deceased STATE OF VIRGINIA, Augusta County, to wit, We Lyttleton Waddell & G.M. Cochran justices of the peace in the County aforesaid, and State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that Eleanor Stuart, G. B. Stuart and A. H. H. Stuart parties to the within deed, have duly acknowledged the same before us on the 31st day of August 1850, and desired us to certify the said acknowledgment to the Clerk of the County Court of Augusta in order that the said Conveyance may be recorded, as witness our hands and seals. L. Waddell (SEAL) G. M. Cochran (SEAL) Augusta County Court Clerk’s Office, Augt. 31st 1850. This deed from Eleanor Stuart Ex x Gerard B. Stuart & Alexr H. H. Stuart, Exrs. of Archibald Stuart decd to Spotswood Paget, was this day presented in the office aforesaid & being acknowledged by the Grantors before two justices of the peace for this County is with the certificate of sd justices hereon endorsed admitted to record. Teste Jefferson Kinney Clk.
5. ↑ VA HomeTownLocator
6. ↑ 1820 U S Census; Census Place: Amherst, Virginia; Page: 33; NARA Roll: M33_131; Image: 48 Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
7. ↑ Year: 1840; Census Place: Augusta, Virginia; Roll: 551; Page: 67; Family History Library Film: 0029684 Ancestry.com. 1840 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
8. ↑ Year: 1850; Census Place: District 2 and a half, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: M432_934; Page: 410A; Image: 407 Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
9. ↑ Year: 1860; Census Place: District 1, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: M653_1333; Page: 558; Family History Library Film: 805333 Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
10. ↑ Census Year: 1850; Census Place: District 2 1/2, Augusta, Virginia; Archive Collection Number: T1132; Roll: 1; Page: 260; Line: 36; Schedule Type: Agriculture Ancestry.com. U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
11. ↑ Census Year: 1860; Census Place: District 1, Augusta, Virginia; Archive Collection Number: T1132; Roll: 5; Page: 303; Line: 23; Schedule Type: Agriculture Ancestry.com. U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
12. ↑ "Vigilance Committees." Staunton Spectator, May 6, 1857, Page 2 Column 3. Civil War-Era Newspapers Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War, University of Virginia Library (http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/govdoc/popcensus.html). Accessed August 2, 2017.
13. ↑ Myers, J. S. "For the Spectator." Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser, October 31, 1860. For the Spectator Pursuant to notice, a meeting of the friends of Bell and Everett was held at Sherando, Augusta county, Va, on Saturday, the 29th of September. A large flag was raised to the height of one hundred and eighteen feet, inscribed upon one side with the name of our faithful champion-"Bell and Everett;" on the other with "The Constitution and the Union." A good deal of enthusiasm prevailed. After the raising of the pole and flag, we repaired to the Church for the purpose of organizing a Bell and Everett Club. The object of the meeting was explained by Mr. B. G. Lewis, and on his motion MR. Johns S. Ellis was called to the Chair, and Dr. J S. Myers, Secretary. A Committee was then appointed to select suitable persons to act as permanent officers. The report of the Committee was as follows: James M. Lewis, President; Miles K Manley, James A. Fitch, Spotswood Pagett, H. D. Hensley, S. A. Hunter and James Irwin, Vice Presidents; Dr. J. S. Myers, Secretary; and Daniel Hiserman, Treasurer. Very appropriate addresses were then made by Meers, Kinney and Christian of Staunton, after which the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That this Club be called the "Blue Ridge" Club. Resolved, That our thanks be tendered to Meers, Kinney and Christian for the very excellent addresses they honored us with on this occasion. Resolved, That our thanks be returned to the Ladies of this vicinity for taking so great an interest in our cause and assisting in making our flag. Resolved, That the Ladies be invited to attend the meetings of the Club. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Staunton "Spectator." Resolved, That the members of this Club shall meet every Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock P. M. On motion the meeting adjourned until 7 o-clock, P. M. Tuesday evening. JAMES M. LEWIS, President, J. S. Myers, Secretary.
14. ↑ Year: 1870; Census Place: South River, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: M593_1634; Page: 471A; Image: 367909; Family History Library Film: 553133 Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.
15. ↑ Year: 1880; Census Place: South River, Augusta, Virginia; Roll: 1354; Family History Film: 1255354; Page: 294B; Enumeration District: 021 Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
16. ↑ Augusta County, Virginia, Will Book 51:39, 23 March 1885; Augusta County Clerk's Office, Staunton, Augusta County, VA. Spottswood Padgett of the County of Augusta State of Virginia, being advanced in years, and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time made. In the first place, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my just debts shall be paid out of any money or other property of which I may die seized and possessed. In the second place, I direct that my real estate shall remain subject the support and maintenance of my wife Elizabeth Padgett during the remainder of her natural life and after her death the same shall be divided in two equal tracts and sold by my Executor upon such terms as shall be deemed best to promote the objects of this my last will and testament. I direct that my son James W. Padgett shall have credit, should he be the purchaser of the tract now occupied by him, for the sum of Six hundred dollars on account of improvements made by him, and should he not purchase the same, he shall receive said sum out of the proceeds of sale of same said sum to be paid him out of the first payments upon same. I also direct that my said son James W. shall in like manner have credit for, or receive the sum of Two hundred dollars for two years services or labor after he became of the age of Twenty one years. I further direct that the said tract of land now occupied by my said son James W. shall be liable for the further sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars which sum shall be applied to the payment of the bequests hereinafter specifically made; the residue of the proceeds of said land shall go to my said son James W. I direct that my home place now occupied by son Reuben B. Padgett shall be liable for the sum of Seven hundred and ten dollars which sum shall go to make up the remainder of the bequests hereinafter made. The residue of the proceeds of said tract shall go to my said son Reuben B. The division of my real estate shall be made by three disinterested men of sound practical judgement but the line heretofore run by Martin Coiner, Daniel Hiserman and James A. Fitch, shall govern as far as practicable in said division. I give and bequeath to my four daughters Elizabeth Shreares, Kate Farnsworth, Mary Wagner and Martha W. Coiner, the sum of Two hundred and fifty dollars each, of which sum or legacy Kate Farnsworth has received the sum of Forty dollars making the sum payable to her Two hundred and ten dollars. I further direct that the sum of Four hundred dollars paid by me on account of my son Reuben B. Padgett shall not be held as a claim against him, his services or labor after he became of age being accepted by me as an equivalent for said amount. I hereby declare that all former wills devises or obligations made by me at any time are hereby revoked and forever annulled. Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of November 1879. The foregoing last will and testament of Spottswood Padgett was this day signed by the testator in our presence & at his request we here subscribed our names as attesting witness. G. W. Sutler Jas. A. Fitch Spottswood X Padgett (SEAL) I Spottswood Padgett having executed the foregoing as my last will and testament do add the following as a codicil thereto, which shall be held to be part of my said will. I direct that should my two sons James W. and Reuben B. Pagett purchase the respective tracts of land named in my will hereto annexed, the time of payment of the bequests to my daughters shall be one, two, three, four and five years without interest payable in equal installments. Witness my hand and seal this 27th day of November 1879. The foregoing was signed by Spottswood Padgett and declared to be a codicil ) his to his last will and testament and wit- ) Spottswood X Padgett (SEAL) nessed by us at his request. ) mark G. W. Sutler Jas. A. Fitch We the undersigned being selected by Spottswood Padget and his sons Jas. W. and Reuben Padgett as Commissioners to divide said Spottswood Padgett's farm near Sherando on both sides of Back Creek and to lay off to Jas W. Padgett 109 acres at the lower end of the farm, did on the 16th day of August 1871, lay off to Jas W. Padgett 109 acres by designating the points as laid off in the accompanying plat marked A. B. C. & D. with the line running from D. to some point at E. to make 109 acres, the fences at or near the said division lines to be moved upon said lines by the join labor of both parties, also that the said Reuben Padgett to have a right of way along the present private road to the public road, as it now runs between the Barn & house of said J. W. Padgett. There having been some misunderstanding as to some of the lines, we again reassembled on the premises on the 3rd day of August 1882, and having with us John G. Stover surveyor of Augusta County and pointing out to him the several lines and corners (as by us) made heretofore, all of which is show in his plat herewith submitted. Which we do certify is the correct division by us made. Given under our hands this 3rd day of August, 1882. Martin Coyner Jas. A. Fitch Commissioners Daniel Heiserman Surveyed and established the lines between J. W. Padgett's 109 acres and Reuben Padgett's land laid out by Martin Coiner, Jas. A. Fitch & Dan'l Hieserman on 16th August 1871, by the direction and consent of all the parties interested in the division viz: Beginning at a pine on Shaws line at A. thence N. 70 ½ W. 92 poles to white oak at B. N. 65 ½ W 49 poles crossing Back Creek to pile of stone at C./N. 17 ½ E. 15 1/5 po. to pile stone at D. (38` ½ E. 4.68 po. from marked walnut thence N. 61 W. 205 ¼ poles to pine at E. on Bear's line thus cutting off for J. W. Padgett 109 acres of the Spottswood Padgett's land as per plat, by red lines. In Augusta County Court March 23rd 1885. This last will and testament of Spottswood Padgett deed, with a codicil thereon endorsed dated the 27th day of November 1879, was presented in Court and said will and codicil proved by the oaths of George W. Sutter and James A. Fitch the subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. The estimated value of estate real and personal passing under said will being $4,000.00 it is ordered that the State tax of Four Dollars be paid hereon, which tax was paid by Reuben B. Padgett. Teste William A. Burnett Clk
17. ↑ "Wills Admitted to Probate." Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser (Staunton), March 5, 1885, Column 3 sec. The Wills of Spotswood Padgett, James R. Burhand and George Swartzel were admitted to probate.

• 1820 US Census Amherst County, VA 7 Aug 1820.
• 1840 US Census David Points Division, Western Territory, VA. Researcher's note: he's indexed as "Badget" in Ancestry.com.
• 1850 US Census District No 2, Augusta County, VA 25 Sep 1850.
• 1850 US Census Agriculture Schedule District No 2, Augusta County, VA 14 Sept 1850.
• 1860 US Census District No 1, Augusta County, VA 19 Jul 1860.
• 1870 US Census South River Township, Fisherville Post Office, Augusta County, VA 1870.
• 1880 US Census South River Township, Augusta County, VA 2 Jun 1880.

Research Notes

The following document was among the files passed down through the family from Thelma Louise Kohler Padgett

A Brief History of the French Huguenots by the great granddaughters of Henry Spotswood Padgett

On May 24, 1624, Atmand Richilieu, a famous Catholic warrior entered the King’s counsel. The destruction of the Huguenots was his policy and he pursued it to a triumphant conclusion. On October 28, 1628, La Rochelle, the last stronghold of the Huguenots was obliged to surrender, after a siege rendered famous for all time by the heroism of its defenders and of its mayor. The peace of Alais, signed June 28, 1629, marked the end of the Civil Wars. The Huguenots had ceased to exist as a Political Party and were assured that liberty of conscience would be granted them. On the death of Louis XIII the declaration of July 8, 1643 had guaranteed to the Protestants “free and unrestricted exercise of their religion,” thus confirming the Edict of Nantes, established in 1598.

The Roman Catholic clergy, however, which had never accepted the Edict of Nantes, directed their efforts to obtaining its revocation. When Louis XIV attained this majority, he commenced legal persecution to destroy the Reform Churches. The Edict of Nantes, established in 1598.

The Roman Catholic clergy, however, which had never accepted the Edict of Nantes, directed their efforts to obtaining its revocation. When Louis XIV attained this majority, he commenced legal persecution to destroy the Reform Churches. The Edict of Nantes which was part of the law of the land, might seem to defy all attacks, but the Catholic clergy in 1661 successfully reported infractions, of the Edict and thus began a judicial war that was to last 20 years. All churches built since signing of the Edict of Nantes in 1598 were condemned ad their demolition by the Protestants was ordered. Protestant schools were closed, and privileges were suppressed. More than 400 proclamations, edicts or declarations attacking Huguenots households, civil freedoms, property rights, and liberty of conscience were published during the years which preceded the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. In spite of all suffering which this rigorous legislation inflicted upon them, they did not cease to resist, or give way to the torture inflicted upon them, in order to compel them to accept the “King’s Religion.”

On October 18, 1685, Louis XIV pronounced the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which in the course of a few years caused France the loss of 400,00 inhabitants. The surviving Huguenots emigrated to England and Prussia and became useful citizens in their adopted countries. In 1688, 1500 French Huguenots came to America and settled on the Boston Post Road. They named their settlement New Rochelle, after their beloved La Rochelle, France, the city we know today 12 miles outside of New York City. Our Padgett ancestry could have come from any of the above places, and after reading the history of the French Huguenots, we are very proud to be of their lineage.

One of the outstanding early leaders of the Huguenots was John Calvin (1509-1564) of Geneva, Switzerland, French divine, reformer, leader, and founder of the Society called Aggressive Christians, which culminated in Calvinistic Methodistism and the Methodist Religion that we know today, founded by John Wesley (1703-1792) the noted English divine.

As great granddaughters, we will be forever grateful for information concerning Henry Spottswood and wife Betsy Padgett of Waynesboro, Augusta County, Virginia.

Researcher's note: This note while tied to Henry Spotswood Padgett, doesn't seem to connect at this time to his direct line. If the ladies had information, the documentation has been lost over time. However, the Huguenot family line seems to be from Viola Jane Balsley the wife of Reuben Beverly Padgett, Spotswood's son. Specifically her great-grandfather, Christian Balsley married Elizabeth Koiner, the grand-daughter of Huguenot refugees Caspar Elias Diller and Anna Barbara Dorniss . I have left this note with Spotswood's record to maintain the original connection of the notes with family as they were passed down in the historical family record.