The earliest known presence of the Gaulden (Galden, Gaulding) family in early Virginia was about 1665, with John Gaulding (Stuart) born about 1665 at New Kent, New Kent, Virginia. Parents unknown, John Gaulding passed away at some time between 1734-1740 at New Kent, New Kent, Virginia.[1]Source of birth info needed for John Gaulding (Stuart)
A legal record indicates the presence of the Alexander Gaulding family in the Prince Edward County, Virginia area by and/or before 1752. Alexander appears to have passed away, without mention of any wife, and his orphaned children are assigned by the parish for their upkeep: Ordered that the Church Wardens of this Parish Bindout Jacob Gaulding to James Sheart and the Daughter of Alex Gaulding to Thomas Scott.[2]County court Orders 1, 1754-1759, Prince Edward County, Virginia, image 158. Full record book available online at FamilySearch.org via full text search.
~~~~~~
The Legal Connection
In 1757, John Sheart was appointed as the guardian of the orphaned children of Alexander Gaulding. This record is found in the Barksdale Family History and Genealogy[3]The Barksdale Family History and Genealogy genealogy can be downloaded as a PDF from Archive.org. Originally pubished in 1940 by John Augustus Barksdale, b.1890, Richmond : William Byrd Press: “In 1757 Henry Barksdale was surety on the bond of John Sheart, gdn. of the orphans of Alexander Gaulding” as per the Prince Edward County Order Books (O.B. I, p. 115) available for search on FamilySearch.org.[4]Have looked and cannot find these Order Books online other than being available for search on FamilySearch.org. They should be available in the Library of Virginia, although it appears that they are … Continue reading
Alexander Gaulding lived in New Kent and Prince Edward counties before his death in 1752. The appointment of a guardian was typically given to a close relative, often a maternal uncle or a brother-in-law, which suggests that a marriage likely occurred between a Gaulding and a Sheart, or that Alexander’s wife, often identified in genealogies as Mary, may have been a Sheart by birth.
Key Family Details
The Gauldings: The family was prominent in New Kent County (St. Peter’s Parish) and Prince Edward County. Key figures include John Gaulding (the patriarch) and his son Alexander Gauldin Sr. (1717–1753).
The Shearts: This surname is less common in Virginia records of that era, appearing occasionally in legal documents and sometimes as a variation of other names like “Shearer” or “Short.”
The Orphans: The children placed under guardianship were Jacob and Susannah Gaulding.
Sheart Surname Variations
Sheart descendants also go by Short, Shart, or Shearer.
Significance of the Gaulding and Sheart Connection
In 18th-century Virginia, the court almost exclusively appointed close male relatives—usually a maternal uncle or the husband of an aunt—to serve as guardians for orphaned children.
The fact that John Sheart was chosen strongly suggests one of two scenarios:
A Marriage: Alexander Gaulding’s wife: (often cited as) Mary was likely a Sheart before her marriage.
A Sister’s Marriage: A sister of Alexander Gaulding may have married John Sheart.
Geographic and Temporal Context
Location: The Gauldings and Shearts were settled in the Saylor’s Creek area of Prince Edward County, near the Appomattox River.[5]This Google Maps link shows where Saylor’s Creek connects to the Appomattox River. This area was originally part of Amelia County before Prince Edward was formed in 1754.
Timeline: Alexander Gaulding died around 1752–1753. The legal process of finalizing the guardianship and bond in 1757 suggests the children had reached an age where a formal legal protector was required for their inheritance or that their mother had recently died or remarried.
1767: … A John and Elizabeth Gaulding petitioned the court for the binding (custody award) of Alexander Gaulding‘s children. The court rejected their request.[6]Petition of John and Elizabeth Gaulding listed within the records of County court Orders 1, 1754-1759, Prince Edward County, Virginia. Image 161 of 219; records available on FamilySearch.org
References
| ↑1 | Source of birth info needed for John Gaulding (Stuart) |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | County court Orders 1, 1754-1759, Prince Edward County, Virginia, image 158. Full record book available online at FamilySearch.org via full text search. |
| ↑3 | The Barksdale Family History and Genealogy genealogy can be downloaded as a PDF from Archive.org. Originally pubished in 1940 by John Augustus Barksdale, b.1890, Richmond : William Byrd Press |
| ↑4 | Have looked and cannot find these Order Books online other than being available for search on FamilySearch.org. They should be available in the Library of Virginia, although it appears that they are on microfiche (2026). |
| ↑5 | This Google Maps link shows where Saylor’s Creek connects to the Appomattox River. |
| ↑6 | Petition of John and Elizabeth Gaulding listed within the records of County court Orders 1, 1754-1759, Prince Edward County, Virginia. Image 161 of 219; records available on FamilySearch.org |