Arthur Upshur

Arthur Upshur was named as a headright on Aug 28 1653 in Northampton Co., VA on a certificate granted to Anthony Hodgskins for 400a of land for transporting the following people to the colony of Virginia: Mr. Phill Risden, Tho. Usher, Henry Vose, Wm. Willis, Mary Hardwige, Peter Derrickson, Derrike Johnson & Rich. Turner.

From the preceding, and from the "Miles Files", what Thomas Teackle Upshur II wrote that Phillip Risden, Gent. of London, came to Virginia about 1652, and that with him came Mary Hardwige who it was suspected became Mrs. Risden. In this connection it should be noted that Arthur Upshur received headrights in 1655 on Mary Risden and her two daughters (Cavaliers and Pioneers, page 330). This Mary Risden was unquestionably Phillip Risden's widow who married Arthur Upshur soon after Risden's death. (MF notes: "There is no doubt that Upshur married the widow Mary Risden, however, since Hugh Yeo and Arthur Upshur both claimed Mary, Jane and Blandina 'Landina' Risden as headrights in 1655, it is more likely that Phillip Risden left his wife Mary and their two daughters behind in England when he came to Virginia 2 years earlier. He and others and a Mary Hardwige (Northampton Co. records) or Mary Harding (State Patent Books) were headrights for Anthony Hoskins in 1653. It seems unlikely that, after arrival in Virginia, Phillip Risden married Mary Hardwige/Harding and then had the two daughters who were then claimed as headrights in 1655, since being headrights implied they were all three brought into Virginia, not already in Virginia.")

Arthur Upshur (as Upshott) patented land on Mar 11 1655 in Northampton Co., 300a in the county near the head of Occahannock Creek, near land of Wm. Taylor and adjacent his own land for transporting 6 persons: Mary Risden, James Risden, Landma Risden, Arth. Carpenter, Phillip Sococohack, John Alber (sic, Albee). On May 7 1655, the Northampton court ordered that "Arthur Upshott" (who hath married Mary the widow & relict of Mr. Risden lately dec'd) shall have a commission of administration granted him upon the said Mr. Risdens estate provided that he put in security to the court & pay the Clerks fee. This indicates he had married Mary (?) Risden by May 1655.

Upshur was granted a certificate for 300a more of land in Northampton Co. on Jun 28 1655 for transporting Mary Risen, Jane Risden, Landina Risden, Anthony Carpentr, Phillip Soccohocke & Jno Albert to the colony of Virgina On Oct 30 1655, he was an adminitrator for the estate of "Phillipp Risden" when he submitted its inventory. In 1664, Arthur Upshur was granted executorship in righ tof his wife of Barbary Badum's will. This had been originally granted to Mary Jacob but she had since married Upshur. Arthur and Mary "Upshott" also witnessed the will of Thomas Jacob (wife Jane) on Nov 20 1676 in Northampton Co.

He made his will on Feb 12 1707 at Accomack Co, VA and it was proven on Feb 1 1708/9. To son Arthur Upshur, Jr. plantation where I now dwell containing 2000a, 1000a being formerly given by me to my son John Upshur. To daughter Ann, now the wife of Benjamin Dolby 300a where she now dwells at Naswadox for life, then to her husband for life & then to my grandson Abel Upshur - Grandaughter Susanna Upshur. To grandson Abel Upshur (under 19) 250a adjcent the aforesaid 300a. To son Arthur Upshur, Jr. the remainder of my land. To 5 grandchildren Amy Stott, Lydia Stott, Margaret Stott, Bridget Stott & Jonathan Stott. To daughter in law Sarah Upshur. Grandson Arthur Upshur. Grandaughters Sarah & Abigail Upshur. Son Arthur residual legatee & Exr. Witt: William Bradford, John Layler, John Willis, John Washbourne.

Arthur was buried at Warwick, Quinby, Accomack Co., VA. His tombstone, which is a rare very early stone for the shore area, shows him as Arthur Upshur, born in County Essex England, died 26 Jan 1709, age 85 years.

Arthur married Mary White? before May 1655 in Northampton Co., VA. (Mary White? was born about 1632 in VA.)

Arthur next married Mary Clarke, daughter of George Clarke and (?) (?). (Mary Clarke was born in 1618 in England, died before 03 Jul 1703 in Northampton Co., VA and was buried in 1703 in Warwick, Quinby, Accomack Co., VA.)