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  As early as 1693 there is a Will filed
in Barbadoes by a Wm. Weddington, leaving items to his grandson, John,
his brother, Peter, who is at St. Margaret's Hill, near London, and his
sister, Eleanor Martindale, in Kent, England. It is spelled 'Weddington'.
Wm. Weddington couldn't read or write and signed it with an 'X'.
Jacob Weddington couldn't read or write either. Wm. Weddington of
Barbadoes had been in the military.
The central figure
in all our history is "William Weddington I". To my knowledge,
with all the info I have, there was no Benjamin Weddington in our history.
If anyone can produce something to the contrary, I would love to have it.
William was left an orphan at the age of fourteen. He lived in the home of Richard Martin under whom he served his apprenticeship and became a carpenter and builder by trade. There are yet several homes in Concord that he built and several churches in this section of the country; namely Bethpage Presbyterian, Poplar Tent, Prospect, Ebenezer, Central Methodist (Concord), and the old brick structure, the N.C. College in Mt. Pleasant. This three story brick building of the N. C. College in Mt. Pleasant is a beautiful building on a hill and has been restored to an historic attraction. William Addison Weddington built this building in 1852 for $7,000. He built the Bethpage Presbyterian Church building for $700.00 of which he gave $50 of his own money. For a history of this building, one should see “Historical Shadows of Cabarrus County, N.C., by J. K. Rouse, which is held in the Cannon Historical Library in Concord, N.C. He was a member of Bethpage Presbyterian Church where he is buried. He was a member of the Lodge of Masons and the Masonic ritual was used at his burial on Thanksgiving Day, 1876. William Addison was married three times and had five sons and six daughters. His first marriage was to Eleanor Shive of Cabarrus County, and to this union were born John Allen, William Martin, Robert Lee, Samuel Alexander, and one daughter, Mary. Their mother, Eleanor Shive Weddington, died at the age of thirty-five, when Samuel Alexander, the youngest child, was ten days old. His second marriage was to Camilla Cress of Cabarrus County and to this union were born: Laura (Mrs. Frank Stirewalt), Martha (Mrs. Howard Cosby), Josephine (Mrs. James Brumley), and one son, Washington Taylor Weddington. His third marriage was to Margaret Rogers and to this marriage their were no children. Every era of history has its great benefactors who contributed to the growth and welfare of its people. The Weddington Family is shown to have added greatly to the Mecklenburg and Cabarrus County society. The following is related by Mrs. Eugenia Weddington Garrison of Charlotte, North Carolina, as told to James E. Weddington. The original William Weddington came to the present Weddington place in Cabarrus County in about 1745 which was bought from King George III for 75 cents per acre. William liked the place so well he returned to England and bought more land. The Weddington plantation contained 1200 acres and was located in the present area of Weddington Road and Coddle Creek, south of Charlotte. Samuel Weddington evidently wound up owning the William I property, which was passed down to Samuel’s son, John Randolph Weddington, then to his son Boyden Monroe Weddington. Boyden, on his death bed, was in the process of leaving everything to his second daughter, Mary, when he died. Eugenia inherited only a small portion, 56 acres. When Mary died in 1983, she left property valued at more than a million dollars to charity. This information was taken from the family bible handed down from John R. to Boyden upon John’s death. The earliest recorded data shows the Waddington's are the lineal descendants of the Divine Stock of Woden (Woutan or Odin) - He was the holiest God of the Northern Races and chief of Aesir, and was worshipped in numerous temples, where the most solemn festivals were held and where sacrifices were offered. He and his peoples inhabited Asia-Minor and in the year 70 B.C. migrated to Europe "being sore pressed by the Romans and threatened with destruction or slavery". The History of England records a Wada Dux, who was a descendant of this Woden, who lived in England in the year 798 A.D. He was a "stalward anglo-saxon warrior and chief of Lancaster and Yorkshire". He lived with his wife Belle in the castle of Wada - "hard by, upon a steep hill abouta mile from the sea." His domain included the hamlet or township of Waddingt6n, and extended over a large part of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Thus the name Waddington is derived. It signified the town (ton) of the children (mg) of Wada, the descendant of "him who possesses a garment." Other places were named after him - such as Wad-how, Wad'sworth and Paddington. Wada was the leader of a "goodly array of warriors who fought under him at Langhe, near Whalley, in Lancashire. Wada was defeated in a great battle and put to flight by King Eardulfus, and afterwards fell into a distemper which eventually killed him. We are the off shoots of the son of Wada, whose name was Wade. Thus it was in or near the Township of Waddington that the ancestors of all those who now bear its name, resided here and are of the Divine Stock of Woden. There are over 2,000 recorded Waddington's in the book "Who's Who in the Family of Waddington." Author - John Waddington, of Sussex, England. His earliest recorded date is 1157 A.D. 1157 - Richard de Wadyngton, Chamoine de Wadingham. 1180 - Robert de Wadetun, married Dionisia, daughter of William Constable and Odelua, his wife. Had issue - son Adam - 1205 1187 - Walter de Wadintone and wife, Goda. Had issue, Walter and Simon. From the Great Roll of the Pipe, 9th of King John: "Goda de Wadintone was fined 20 marks for having an Inquisition" - (for imposing orthodox doctrines of the church). 1206 - Nicholas de Waddington - whose name was mentioned in the Rolls of Ablations and Fines kept in the Tower of London, of the time of King John -regarding the Pledges of Thomas de Muleton, who was fined 500 marks and 5 palfreys 1216-72 - William I de Waddington, Norfolk and Suffolk. "William Waddington holds a third part of the knight's fee in Bern'ham of Hugh de Playz and Hugh of the Earl of Warren", from Fees from the Earl of Warren. 1216 - John I de Wodeton, at Waddington (twp) in 1216. 1216 - Henry I de Wadinton 1216 - Thomas I de Wodeton, married Mabel. Had issue - son - William. 1254 William de Wadyngton, his brother Adam and Alexander Chelloc, Senior of Len, were attached to answer a plea wherefore they took away the son and heir of Bartholomew de Brewer, who ought to be in the custody of the Lady, the Queen, by reason of the gift thereof made to her, etc. - "Abbreviation of the Pleas kept in the chapter House of Westminister." 1308 - Walter de Wadyngton married Nellie Ward. Tradition says "he was killed at Poitiers whilst protecting the Black Prince. 1473 - John de Wadyngton, of Waddinqton Old Hall, in the Township of Waddington, near Clitheroe West Yorkshire. 1490 - Edward I Wadyng'ton of Northowram and Hipperholme, Halifax. From the Wakefield Manor Rolls 1521: "1 Edward Wadyngton took on 'rood' from the waste of Northowram between Elysroide, Carr and Blakherwood, at rent of 5s -ld per annum." 1563 - William Waddington, mentioned in State Papers: - William Waddington, steward of Hamborough merchant, to navy commissions - "complains that John Bull, master carpenter, has embezzled 126 pieces of pork and beef with which the Steward has been charged by the victuallers." He also desires to order to John Green, the Master, to remove the cables so that they can get the remainder of the provisions ashore for the ship to be repaired. 1642 - Edward Waddington, of Horton was killed (1642), in the civil war at the siege of Skipton Castle at the age of 18 years. 1642 Jonathan I Waddington
of Warley, born 1618, M - 1642.
1690 - Joseph I Waddington, of Otterhurn, married Thomasine Walker 1690. 1879 - John Waddington, of Waddington (Twp)
- of Waddington Old Hall, Sussex, England He was the compiler
of the Waddington Pedigree and author of "Who's Who in the Family of Waddington".
It took 35 years to complete this Genealogy research. He was also
the restorer of Waddington Old Hall in 1900. 1593 - William Waddington of Cullingsworth, near Bradford, M - 1593 -died 1634. Had issue - 2 sons - William and *John Waddington 1624 * 1624 - John Waddington of
Cullingsworth. Had issue - Richard, and
1656 - William Waddington of Binqley, born 1633, married 1656. Had issue - 2 sons, John and *William, born 1657. (No further data) 1685 - William Waddington, married 1685 - Alice Williamson at Waddington (Twp.) 1689 - William Waddington, of Walton Hall in Walton-in-the-Dale. The above Williams are the only two listed around the year 1690, when our William lineage came to America. Unfortunately there is no other information in this Waddington Pedigree to prove our ancestry. The ancient Waddington Old Hall is located in the township of Waddington, near Clitheroe, West Yorkshire, England. It "lies back from the river on the Yorkshire side of the Ribble Rivert." It was constructed of strong old masonry and the Hall consists of a center with two gables and axe hewn beams of oak forming the roof of the many apartments. The very thick walls speak of war and tumult, as painted by a famous artist, depicting hosts of warriors marching on to conflict. There are richly carved masterly chairs and heavy oak tables with ancient crockery. It has been despoiled by its original beauty until John Waddington, of Susses, restored it in 1900, into a true spirit of a past splendor. The origin and age of this ancient Hall is unknown, but it definately goes back to the Saxon Period. In 1464 - Waddington Old Hall afforded an asylum to the unfortunate King Henry VI. He was obligated to flee for his life following the battle of Hexham, in Northerland. He concealed himself in Waddington Hall for twelve months, when he was betrayed by a black Monk of Abyngtone. His retreat was discovered by the King's enemies while quietly sitting at dinner. The royal fugitive managed to escape by a secret narrow and winding stone staircase and out a back door. He fled across the River Ribble and while attempting to ford it, he was captured by his too numerous pursuers. They placed him on horseback, tied his legs together under the horse's belly, and conveyed him disgracefully through London to the Tower. Imprisoned in the London Tower, he was allowed to live unmolested, either by pity or contempt. Even such a King could not excite strong feelings of respect, always having been weak in mind and body and "the slenderest of reeds". His distempered body (inflicted) maladies and at times, almost idiocy on his mind, and so was scarcely fitted to hold the reins of government in such troublesome times. He died, May 1471, seven years following his imprisonment. "What a chore to assemble all the data, for there were 7 extracts from English chronicles published in 1473, 1770, 1842, etc. referring to Waddington Old Hall, and the capture of King Henry VI, and 10 extracts referring to the Waddingtons of Ancient times. Each short extract varied in the descriptions, while others were incomplete, so I pieced together the one final composition. There are over 2,000 Waddington names in the book "Who's Who in the Family of Waddington". I checked out all the numerous Williams, down to one of the two Williams who came to Jersey around 1690. The two Williams I have in the parenthesis are the only names listed near the years 1690 - 1696. They unfortunately have not data, so it could be either one, for all the other Williams listed - the children did not fit our William and his offspring. What a pity, for will we ever have the true lineage to pass on to future generations?" To the Honorable the Judge of the Pike Circuit Court. Your ordained (sic), Rebecca Ford hereby complains and sayeth unto your Honor that she had by Henry Weddington, who has departed this life intestate, five children - to wit: William, Charlotte, Polly Ann, Andrew J., and Harrison Ford. All of whom were not born in wedlock, but were recognized by the said Henry Weddington as his children. One of whom is now twenty one years old, the second is nineteen years old, the third, is fifteen years of age and the fourth is twelve years old and the fifth and last is ten years of age all of whom are now living. The seperate answer of Wm. Weddington to a bill filed against him and James Weddington in Pike circuit court by Rebeca Ford. It is true that Henry Weddington departed this life about the time the complainant charges in her bill the respondent admits that he and his co defendent is his only lawful children and that the respondent is his representative. The respondent admits that the complaimant had the number of illegitemate children in her bill mentioned, whos names is correctly stated, the ages of whom the respondent is not advised of. The respondent dos not know who is the father of the complainants children further than comon reputation in the neighborhood sayeth they are the decedents (H. Weddingtons) children. The respondent states that he has and dos yet recognize the children named in the bill of the complainant to be his half brothers and sisters from comon reputation in the neighborhood. This is taken from "Kentucky, A History of the State" by Perrin, Battle and Kniffen, 1888, Louisville, KY. "ROBERT H. WEDDINGTON, a native of Pike County, Ky., was born September 18, 1837, and is a son of William and Mary (Mead) Weddington, of the same county. His paternal grandfather, Henry Weddington, was a native of Virginia, and with his brother Jacob was one of the early settlers of Pike County, where he was a merchant for many years. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Rhodes Mead, was a Baptist preacher, who died in Indiana. William Weddington was born in 1805, was a farmer and county judge of Pike County, and died in December, 1878. Robert H. Weddington is the third son and fifth child of a family of twelve, was reared on the home farm, and was educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky. He taught school for awhile, and began reading law in Pike County. He removed to Prestonburg (sic), Floyd County, in 1861, and was admitted to the bar in 1862. He was elected county attorney in 1864 by the Democrats, and has also served as school commissioner. In 1861 he married Miss Emily Harkins, daughter of Hugh Harkins, a lawyer and merchant (deceased), and to this union have been born eleven children." Again, a man usually subscribed and paid a fee to have his biographical sketch placed in a book of this sort. I assume he provided the material which he wanted in the book. This Robert H. Weddington is the same man whom William Ely called Robert M. Weddington in his book "The Big Sandy Valley". Aside from this minor error, there is inaccurate lineage information in Ely's book. And on page 492 he writes, "Hon. R. H. Weddington (in the Weddington biographical sketch starting on page 151 he calls him R.M.) furnished a long and valuable paper on the early history of his house and collaterals; but unfortunately the article, unintentionally, was lost or misplaced, and was afterwards reproduced from memory, robbing it of much of its intrinsic value." He has given his readers fair warning. By the way, Ely didn't say that the elder Henry Weddington was buried in Shelby County. He said he was buried "on Shelby". This referred to the watercourse in the area where he was buried in Pike County. Wallace Weddington's book, "Weddington History U.S.A." is a valuable resource as a starting place to begin family research, but can't be used as a documentary source. Most of the material on the Kentucky Weddingtons is taken from letters and oral interviews with Weddington descendents and from secondary sources. It is obviously a labor of love, but has a lot of gaps and inaccuracies. He assumed that Henry and Jacob were brothers of William and John of North Carolina, but he offered no proof - or even a sound theory. Enjoy his book as I do and use it as a starting place for research, but use it with a grain of salt. I enjoyed meeting Wallace at the Weddington Reunions near Lexington, KY, and I know how much of himself he invested in gathering the material for the book. Take what I send you with a grain of salt, too. From "Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol I", taken from Virginia Patent Book #1: - pg 61, Hanna Waddington, transported in 1637 with thirteen other persons by Lieutenant Richard Popeley, who received land on the Chesapeake near Lyn Haven, Virginia. [Men who could pay the passage of others from England to the Colonies were rewarded with grants of land. These people were not prisoners. Sometimes they were close or extended family members of the person paying the passage.]From "The Early Settlers of Maryland", by Skordas: Jacob Waddington (Liber 10, Folio 324, Transported 1666) From "Ship Passenger Lists, New York & New Jersey 1600-1825", by Boyer: "Shourds, in his "History of Fenwick's Colony", says that William Waddington was a French Huguenot and emigrated to this country about 1695. He purchased a large tract of land in Salem County, [New Jersey] shortly after his arrival. His son Jonathan married about 1728."I saw Weddingtons in the early deed records of Frederick County, Maryland. Frederick County is at the top of the Shenandoah Valley above Virginia. From "Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol. II", taken from Virginia Patent Book #6: John Matthews was granted 1567 acres in Virginia on 2 July1669, in the freshes and on the northwest side of the Potomack River, on the southwest side of Mussell Creek and adjoining land of Mr. Thomas Bunberry, for transportation of thirty-one persons, including Fra. Waddington.From "The Quit Rents of Virginia". Among those who paid quit rents were: Francis Waddington, 1694, Stafford Co, 500 acresFrom "Deed & Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Va (1699-1709)", by Sparacio: - pg 24, Know all men...that I Francis Waddington of Stafford County do assign over with my wife Joana Waddington all our right and title of the within deed for 500 acres to John Trammell of aforesaid County. 25 Oct 1700. signed: Francis (his x mark) Waddington. Test. Wm Williams and Lewis Watkins. (pp. 67-68)From "Virginia Taxpayers", by Fothergill - Francis Wadlington, Prince George Co, Va, 1782, 1 poll, 2 slaves. From "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia", pages 440-441: Taken from "Original Petitions and Papers Filed in the County Court 1745-1748." Petition for road from Joseph Long's mill to James Young's mill and by William Hall's on the North River, and into the Great Road on James Thompson's plantation. It is our course to meeting, mill and market." William Waddington was among those signing the petition in 1753. [This was in the Valley of Virginia]From "Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, Vol II 1742-1775", Compiled by Gertrude E. Gray: K-175: Thomas Wadlington of Frederick Co, 36 A. in said Co. on Shanandoah. Surv. Robert Rutherford. Adj. Johnston, Pennington, John Vance, Isabella Jump. 5 July 1760 [Most of the Shenandoah River is in present day Shenandoah County, Va.]From "Deed Books A, B, C, D, 1772-1784, Shenandoah Co, Va", by Gilreath: Deed Book B. "Page 105 on 20 Jan 1775 - Between William Wadlington [also indexed as Waddington] of Dunmore County [renamed Shenandoah County] to Lawrence Snapp of County aforesaid...Consideration of One hundred Pounds Current money...Tract of land on the North River of Shannandoah...corner to George Boands [sic]...containing four hundred and thirteen acres of Land...signed William Wadlington. Wit. Jona. Clark, Richd. Campbell, John Clark, Junr. Recorded 23 Jan 1775"From "The 1787 Census of Virginia, Vol I", by Schreiber-Yantis, pages 1 - 784: Shenandoah County Personal Property Tax 1787 - List "B" John Waddington, No white males above 16 and under 21, no slaves, 1 horse, mare, colt or mule, and 1 "cattle".From "Shenandoah Co, Va Marriage Bonds 1772-1850", by Bernice M. Ashby: - Wm Worthington to Eliz. Macher 28 Aug 1788, bondsman James MacherFrom "Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1790", by Linn and Egle: - 28 June 1764, Benjamin Watherington to Sarah Niles - 1 Oct 1768, Richard Waddington to Mary Hartley. Could Benjamin Watherington be Benjamin Waddington? Probably not, but isn't it interesting to speculate? I would like to see the actual record and look at other county records there. I have two references to slave ownership by Weddingtons.
The first is from Floyd County, KY Deed Book A, page 381, 30 Jan 1817:
"This day came Henry Weddington before me the subscriber one of the Commonwealth
Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid and made oath that he was
a resident of the County aforesaid for some years past and about the 15th
day of December last past he brought into this state from the State of
Virginia one Negro girl, named Charlot, aged 12 or thereabouts which said
Negro aforesaid he purchased for his own use and not with the view of selling
her." The second mentions William Weddington's slave.
Jacob Weddington age 38, merchant, value of real estate $1,600, Sarah age 28, Henry age 13, Wm. age 12, Marietta age 10, Nancy age 8, Loudena age 4, French age 3, Elizabeth age 2. Jacob and Sarah born VA, all others in KY 1860 - Dwelling #468
1870 - Dwelling #10 Piketon, Dist. #5
1880 - Dwelling #359
The above mentioned William wasn't the one who
married Elizabeth
From "Kentucky. A History of the
State", Eighth Edition, Published in 1888 by F. A. Battey and Company,
Louisville, KY., page 1006:
In order to get their biographies in books of this sort, men subscribed and paid a fee. I imagine they provided the information they wanted in the book about themselves.   |
