Amelia County, Virginia Tax Lists 1736-1764, TLC Genealogy, Miami Beach, FL, 1993
1736a Benjamin Clements Above Flatt Creek
1737a Benj Clements Above Flatt Creek
1738a Benjaman Clement Above Flatt Creek
1739a Ben Clemmunes Above Flatt Creek
1740a Benja Cleamant Above Flatt Creek
1741f Benjaman Clemant between Flatt Creek and Appomattox River
1742f Benja Clement between Flatt Creek and Appomattox River
1746f Benja Clements between Flatt Creek and Appomattox River
1747a Benjamin Clements Above Flatt Creek
1748a Benjamin Clement Above Flatt Creek
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From Clements by Stucki and Herring, p 8: Patented land on Sycamore Creek, on Staunton River, and later made his home there in 1748. He lived in Amelia County, Virginia and sold the plantation in 1748 when he moved to the Staunton River land. When Halifax County became a county in 1751, Benjamin Clement, Gentleman, was a Justice of the Peace and appointed Captain of a Company of Rangers for Halifax County Militia in 1755. He was one of the first to manufacture gunpowder in the Colony and he and his neighbor, Charles Lynch, had a Mill which turned out 50 pounds a day.
Home known as "Clement Hill", on a knoll overlooking the Staunton RIver, a mansion with corner fireplaces. He was a neighbor of Colonel John Lynch. Charles Clement, a son of Adam and Agnes Clement, inherited the place, and in 1803 married Nancy Hamby of Patrick and made his home there. They property passed to John L Hunt through a marriage with Nannie Clement, granddaughter of Charles and daughter of Charles, Jr.
The Virginia Gazette published in August 5, 1775 a letter from Mr. Charles Lynch: "Sometime ago my having made powder was mentioned in this paper..., I inform the public that Mr. Benjamin Clement is a partner with me in making the powder and that he was the first in the colony I have heard of who attempted to make it, although he did not bring it to perfection. Since our partnership, we have brought it so such perfection with salt-petre on our own making, that the best riflemen approve of it; and with the little mill we now have, we can make 50 lbs a day. Salt-petre only is wanting, which may very easily be made by observing the following directions; and when it is considered how much we want powder and that salt-petre is the principal ingredient, it is hoped that those who have the good of their county at heart will exert themselves in making it. Without it, we can have no powder, consequently no means of defense; but with it we shall soon have booth in America, sir, your Humble Servant. Charles Lynch. August 5, 1775." The following directions for making salt-petre by digging up the dirt floors of old meat houses, boiling the soil and straining the liquor through straw in the process somewhat similar to making lye from wood ashes."
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At June Court Lunenburg County, VA, 1749, the appointments to take the list of tithables were made as follows:
Matthew Talbot, "from Falling River to Goose Creek.", p 99
No. Crows Sqrls.
Benjn. Clement
Stephen Clement
Frs. Pollard ..................... 3 11
Tithes for 1750, Lunenburg Co, VA, List taken by John Phelps, p 151
Benjn. Clements
Isaac Clements
Stephn. Clements ......................................... 3
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Will of Benjamin CLEMENT, dated 30 March 1780
Pittsylvania County, VA, Will Book 2, pages 115 - 116
Transcript by Marna L. Clemons, 11 September 1998
In the Name of God Amen I Benjamin Clement of the County of Pittsylvania in Virginia being sick in body but sound and perfect memory do make and declare this Then to be my last Will and Testament revoking and making void all other Wills by me formaly made and in order to dispose of my Worldly Estate to my satisfaction I have it in manner and form following Vis Item I do lend to my wife Susanna Clement one third part of my moveable Estate as the Law alows her Vis Item to give to my grand daughter Susana Clement daughter to Benj.a Clement one of my best Beds and furniture and five pounds in Cash to be delivered to her by my Executors when she comes of proper age to receive it Vis Item I do give to the heir at Law of my Daughter Jeriah Gilbert deceast one shilling Vis Item do give to the heir at Law of my daughter Rachel Abston deceast one shilling Vis Item do give to the heir at Law of my daughter Elizabeth Butterworth deceast one shilling I give and bequeth to my son John Clement the tract of Land he now lives fifty Acres more or less which Land I purchased of John Goad lying on the frying pan Creek Item do lend to my said wife Susana the use of the tract of Land I now live on with all my inclusive Survays joyning of it with the third part of the prophas of the Mill during the time of her widowhood and my will is that my said Wife Susana shall not Lease, Sell nor lett the sd. Land nor Mill nor any part thereoff to any person or persons whatever and at her deseas or marrage the Land and Mill may be sold or any time after to the best advantage And all my Legaseas excepted movable to be sold to the best advantage Neagroes and all that can be collected before or after the Sale of the Land and that the whole amount of my Estate after charges taken oute may be divided into ten equal parts one part to be divided between James Gilbert and Rachal Gilbert Children of Jeriah Gilbert deceas'd one part to be divided between John Abston Frances Abston Susana Abston and Rachal Abston Children of Rachal Abston deceas'd one part to be divided between Isaac Butterworth, Stephen Butterworth, Jane Butterworth and Susanna hill Butterworth Children of Elizabeth Butterworth deceased the above mentioned Children of the deceased is to be paid these parts of the Estate by the Executors when they come of Lawful age to receive it, the other seven parts to be equally divided amongest my Children one part to Stephen Clement his heirs or assigns for ever, one part to Isaac Clement his heirs or assigns for ever, one part to Benj.a Clement his heirs or assigns for ever, one part to Adam Clement his heirs or assigns for ever, one part to John Clement his heirs or assigns for ever one part to Susanna Evans her heirs or assigns for ever. One part to be divided to Martha Clement Widow of James Clement deceased and her Children according as the Law provides Lastly I do appoint my Son Isaac Clement and my Son Adam Clement whole and Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament in Witness whereoff I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this the thirtyeth day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty
W Test his Benja Clement .LS.
John Bobbitt William M Cash
his Mark
Benjamin X Foster
her Mark his
Ruth R Cash Thomas T Roberson
mark Mark
At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the 18th day of April 1780 This last Will and Testament of Benjamin Clement deceased was exhibited into Court by Isaac Clement one of the Executors herein appointed and the same was proved by the Oaths of the witnesses hereto and ordered to be recorded and the said Executor having taken the Oath by Law prescribed and with John Wilson and William Todd his securities entered into bond and acknowledged the same Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the said Will in due form And afterwards, to wit, At a Court held for the said County the 20th day of June in the year aforesaid came here into Court Adam Clement the other Executor in the said Will named and prayed leave to be joined in the probate thereof which is granted him having first taken the Oath of Exor and together with John Wilson and Abraham Shelton Gent. His Securities entered into bond and acknowledged the same.Teste Will Tunstall CC.
Estate valued at 27,664 pounds, 4 shillings and 8 pence.
Land Office Patent to Benjamin CLEMENTS, 20 Aug 1741
Virginia Patent Book 19, 1739-1741, pages 1123 - 1124
Transcript by Marna L. Clemons, 17 December 2000
George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c. To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know ye that for divers good Causes and Considerations but more Especially for and in Consideration of the Sum of Fifteen Shillings of good and Lawful Money for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Revenues in this our Colony and Dominion of Virginia We have Given Granted and Confirmed and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors do Give Grant and Confirm unto Benjamin Clements one Certain Tract or parcel of Land containing One hundred and twenty nine Acres lying and being in the County of Brunswick on the South side of Staunton River on both sides of Sycamore Creek and bounded as followeth / to wit / Beginning at a forked Hagberry tree above the mouth of the said Creek at the upper end of a small Island thence South thirty three Degrees West twenty two poles to a white Oak thence South one Degree East eighty poles to an Ash on Sycamore Creek thence down the said Creek as it Meanders to an Elm on the said Creek thence South sixty four Degrees East thirty poles to a Spanish Oak thence South twelve Degrees West ninety four poles to a pine thence South seventy nine Degrees East seventy six poles to a white Oak thence North twenty Degrees East thirty eight Poles to a pine thence North seventy one Degrees East forty poles to a pine thence North eighteen Degrees East thirty eight poles to a Hiccory on Staunton River and thence up the said River as it Meanders to the beginning With all Woods Underwoods Swamps Marshes Lowgrounds Meadows Feedings and his due Share of all Veins Mines and Quarries as well discovered as not discovered within the bounds aforesaid and being part of the said Quantity of One hundred and twenty nine Acres of Land and the Rivers Waters and Water Courses there in contained together with the Privileges of Hunting Hawking Fishing Fowling and all other profits Commodities and Hereditaments whatsoever to the same or any part thereof belonging or in any wise Appertaining To have hold possess and Enjoy the said Tract or Parcel of Land and all other the before Granted premises and every part thereof with their and every of their Appurts unto the said Benjamin Clements and to his Heirs and Assigns forever To the only Use and Behoof of him the said Benjamin Clements his Heirs and Assigns forever To be held of us our Heirs and Successors as of Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in Free and Common Soccage and not in Capite or by Knights Service Yielding and paying unto us our Heirs and Successors for every fifty Acres of Land and so proportionably for a lesser or Greater Quantity than fifty Acres the Fee Rent of one Shilling Yearly to be paid upon the Feast of Saint Michael the Arch angel and also Cultivating and Improving three Acres part of every fifty of the Tract above mentioned within three Years after the Date of these Presents Provided always that if three Years of the said Fee Rent shall at any time be in arrear and unpaid or if the said Benjamin Clements his Heirs or assigns do not within the space of three Years next coming after the Date of these Presents Cultivate and Improve three Acres part of every fifty of the Tract above mentioned Then the Estate hereby Granted shall Cease and be Utterly Determined and thereafter it shall and maybe Lawful to and for us our Heirs and Successors to Grant the same Lands and premises with the appurts unto such other person or persons as we our Heirs and Successors shall think fit In Witness whereof we have caused these our Letters Patent to be made Witness our Trusty and Welbeloved William Gooch Esq Our Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburgh under the Seal of our said Colony the twentieth Day of August one thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign.
William Gooch
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Research on the Clement Family of Pittsylvania County done by Madalene V. Fitzgerald, dec'd.
1780 April Court C.O. 4. p 302 Isaac Clement was appointed Executor of the Estate of Benjamin Clement, appraisal ordered
1788 Nov 20 C.O. 6, p 195 Isaac Clement appointed administrator of the estate of Susanna Clement
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FIRST LIST OF TITHABLES OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, YEAR 1767, The History of Pittsylvania County by Maud Carter Clement
List of Tithables Taken by Thomas Dillard, Jr in June 1767
Benjamin Clement, James Clement, negroes Yourk, Robert & Tamor
Benjamin Clement, Jr.
Issac Clement
Adam Clement
A List of Tithes taken by John Wimbish, Gent., for the Year 1767
Adam Clement
A List of Land and Tithes Taken by Hugh Innes for Pittsylvania County Anno. Dom. 1767
Joseph Clements, Gabriel Clements & Vardiman Clements
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Mixed Probate Records - Pittsylvania County, VA
Book 1, 1770 - 1788
Clements, Benjamin
Clements, James - widow Martha - Isaac Clements, adm
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"Long Hunters Were First White Settlers Coming To Pittsylvania County"
Star-Tribune Newspaper Bicentennial Issue Thursday, June 15, 1967
"On Stanton near Altavista stands the old home of Captain Benjamin Clement, one of the pioneer settler of the county and the first man to successfully make gunpowder in Virginia. "
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"Gunpowder Made At 'Clement Hill' During War -1775 Star-Tribune Bicentennial Issue 6/15/1967
Captain Benjamin Clement, one of the early settlers made a contribution to the Revolutionary War by making gunpowder for the Continental army.
When he was an old man and living at 'Clement Hill' in northern Pittsylvania , he and a neighbor, Colonel Charles Lynch who lived across the river in Bedford County, worked out a formula to make pure salt-petre to produce good gunpowder badly needed in the American cause. A historical marker to this effect is erected on Highway 29 near Clement Hill'.
Captain Clement had the neighbors save their drippings from the smokehouses which was distilled in a manner to produce the ingredient for gunpowder. The gun powder supplied Greene's Continental army. Captain Clement's house, which stands today overlooking a high bluff on Stanton River, has been left to the town of Hurt by its last owner, John L. Hurt, Jr.
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