Charles Bruce of Soldiers Rest

This summary is written to clarify some of the misinformation about Charles Bruce of Soldiers Rest. There is very little recorded of his estate. His estate was appraised in 1792 (Orange County, Virginia Will Book 3, pages 270, 288.) This would indicate he d. a resident of Orange Co.

He was married twice. Each wife bore him three children for a total of six children. His first wife was Diana Banks. Their children were: James, b. Mar 1763, Henry, b. 4 Dec 1764 & Charles, b. Sep 1768. His second wife was Mary Frances Stubblefield. Their children were: Thomas, b. 1 Feb 1773, William, b. 7 Nov. 1774 and Elizabeth, b. 4 Feb 1777. See The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol 11, No. 2 (Oct, 1903), pp. 197-200. Elizabeth married James Williams. See The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol 11, No. 3 (Jan, 1904), pp. 328-332. The published article refers to Charles’ wife as Mary. His will refers to her as Frances. Frances’ will confirms Elizabeth Bruce was her daughter.

His estate was originally divided into five parts. One part went to each of James, Charles, William and Elizabeth. Either Thomas Bruce or Henry Bruce were deceased. The fifth part went to either Thomas Bruce or Henry Bruce whoever was still alive. At this time, it is impossible to tell which of the two sons was alive and which was dead. William died before Sep 1797, without wife or children and his share was divided among his four surviving siblings. The proof of this is found in several deeds: Orange County, Virginia, Deed Book 21, pp. 260; and Culpeper County, Virginia, Deed Book T, pp. 210, 212. In those deeds, James Williams, husband of Elizabeth Bruce purchased the shares of James Bruce, Charles Bruce and the dower interest of Frances Bruce after she passes away. This left James Williams with 4/5 of the estate of Charles Bruce and 3/4 of the estate of William Bruce.

Frances Bruce made her Will on 17 Mar 1829 (probated 24 February 1834) in Orange County. There were no Bruce beneficiaries, although she did name several grandchildren, all of which were children of her daughter Elizabeth Bruce who m. James Williams.

What is left for later research is the determine which of Charles sons Henry or Thomas was alive when Charles of Soldiers Rest died. This summary is written without the benefit of reviewing Orange County Chancery Case 1793-003, Frances Bruce vs. Charles Bruce, Admr., which may change some of the conclusions herein. This file is only available as an original at the Library of Virginia.

Compiled By: David H. Robertson, 159 Hickory St., Roswell, GA 30075 davidhr@hushmail.com