Jerdone, Francis, 1721-1771.

Francis Jerdone was a Scots merchant who arrived in Virginia in 1740 to manage the Hanover store of William Johnston, factor for Neill Buchanan. In 1746, Jerdone moved to Yorktown to act as factor for Buchanan & Hamilton, London merchants. He married Sarah Macon in 1753 and in that year moved with her to Louisa County. Just before his death, he purchased, with Wm. Holt, the forge and mills at Providence, New Kent County. He died in November, 1777 leaving a considerable fortune to his several children.

From the guide to the Francis Jerdone Account Book, 1751-1752., (John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)

Francis Jerdone was a Scottish merchant who had made his fortune as a tobacco factor in Yorktown.

From the guide to the, 1748-1809, (John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)

Francis Jerdone (1721-1771)

Francis Jerdone (1721-1771) was born in Jedbury, Scotland, the son of John Jerdone, a magistrate and treasurer of the town. At the age of nineteen, 1752, he immigrated to Virginia from Scotland and settled in Hanover County, Yorktown; and Louisa County. He made his living as a merchant (factor), running a mercantile business with George Pottie until his death in 1771. Francis Jerdone (1721-1777) married Sarah (Macon) Jerdone (1732-1818) in 1753. The couple had several children including; Mary Jerdone Pottie (1754-1837); Francis Jerdone (1756-1841); Sarah Jerdone Braikenridge (1757-1793); Elizabeth Jerdone Macaulay (1759-1830); Isabella Jerdone Mitchell (1761-1825); Anne Jerdone Thompson (1763-1794); John Jerdone (1764-1786); Martha Jerdone (b. 1767) who died in infancy; and William Jerdone (1769-1772).

Children of Francis Jerdone(1721-1771)

Mary Jerdone Pottie(1754-1837) married George Pottie, a business partner of her father's. Mary helped run this business after her father's death in 1771. They had three children; George Pottie, Isbella Pottie and Mary Pottie Honeyman. Mary Jerdone Pottie later remarried to Adam Toler. They had several children, including; Sarah Toler, Adam Toler, Elizabeth Toler, and William Toler.

Francis Jerdone (1756-1841) made his living as a farmer. He married Polly (Mary) Byars Jerdone (1781-1821) in 1799. The couple had four children who survived infancy; John Jerdone (b. 1800) who married Barbara Callis Jerdone; Francis Jerdone (b. 1802) who married Eliza Watkins Jerdone; William Jerdone (1805-1865) who married Anna Burfitt Jerdone; and Sarah Jerdone Coleman (1807-1863) who married General Clayton G. Coleman. The family were absentee landowners of "Providence Forge," New Kent County and "Mount Sterling,"Charles City County. Eventually William Jerdone would reside at "Mount Sterling."

Sarah Jerdone Braikenridge (1757-1793) married George Braikenridge. They had five children; George Weare Braikenridge (b. 1780), Sarah Braikenridge, Maria Braikenridge, John Braikenridge, and William Braikenridge.

Elizabeth Jerdone Macaulay (1759-1830) married Alexander Macaulay (1745-1798) in 1782. They had six children; Helen Macaulay (b. 1784) who married Peyton Southall in 1802 and Robert Anderson in 1814; Alexander Macaulay (b. 1787); Sally Macaulay (1789)who died in infancy; John Macaulay (1791-1795); Francis Macaulay (1793-1811); and Patrick Macaulay (b. 1795).

Isabella Jerdone Mitchell (1761-1825) married William Mitchell (d. 1816) in 1783. They had three children; William Mitchell; Sarah Mitchell Thompson (1785-1831) who married Garland Thompson (1787-1835) in 1810; and George Mitchell.

Anne Jerdone Thompson (1763-1794) married Charles Thompson (1743-1836) in 1778. They had five children; John Thompson; Garland Thompson (1787-1835) who married Sarah Mitchell Thompson in 1810; Charles Thompson; Francis Thompson; and Sally Thompson.

John Jerdone (1764-1786) spent nine years studying abroad from 1777 until his death in 1786. He studied in England for three years and studied medicine at Edinburgh University in Scotland for six years.

From the guide to the Jerdone Family Papers, 1753-1890, 1771-1845., (Special Collections, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary)