A new theory of our English forebears Scruggs Family Association, based on Presentation at 12 th SFA Reunion, June 25, 2011
John Linge claimed Virginia headright in 1655 for transporting Richard Scruggs and 5 more. Headright was 50 acres per transported person. Unfortunately, just like Melchizedek, Richard of 1655 is currently Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. (Hebrews 7:3) SFA wants to change that!
Richard Scruggs, Sr., who came to Virginia about the middle of the 17 th century A.D. age 58 accompanied by his two sons Richard and Henry (of whom Ethel Scruggs Dunklin published in 1912 A.D. all she could then learn of their descendants) was of the Bedfordshire (England) family.
Where did Ethel Scruggs Dunklin (or Margaret Scruggs Carruth) get her information? Mrs. Dunklin provides no source citations, which is typical of the time that she published (1912).
Where did Ethel Scruggs Dunklin get her information? Letters to individuals
Where did Ethel Scruggs Dunklin get her information? Letters to individuals Published books
Where did Ethel Scruggs Dunklin get her information? Letters to individuals Published books While she deserves our gratitude for her impressive work, contemporaneous documentary proof has not been found for a number of Mrs. Dunklin s parent-to-child connections, despite many years of research. Some of these assertions could be her guesswork, especially those dating beyond the time when her correspondents would have direct, personal knowledge of the relationships.
Always suspicious of Carruth s assertion due to Richard s age in 1655
Always suspicious of Carruth s assertion due to Richard s age in 1655 Over the years, SFA collected basic information on other Richard Scroggs of more likely age for an immigrant.
Always suspicious due to age Over the years, collected basic information on other Richard Scroggs of more likely age Scruggs v. Scroggs lawsuit information on Bedfordshire family highlighted numerous Scroggs/Scruggs sons.
1. Mine Searching for Scruggs for any information on the English family. 2. Use additional sources available online. 3. Visit a library!
1537 Scroggs Richard Birth Hertford Albury Scroggs Thomas son Jane son Propst+S1 9/1 1597 3-Jul Scroggs Richard Baptism Bedford Northill Scroggs Alexand er son Propst+S1 /1+Gen Bdfds 212 1599 or 1600 Scroggs Richard appt Sheriff Bedford Renhold S19/1 1602 Scroggs Richard Death Bedford Renhold Scroggs multiple sons/dau 1602 Scroggs Richard heir/executor Bedford Renhold Scroggs Richard son Son of Thomas of Patmore TNA Probate 11/99 TNAPrb11 /99 1602 19-Jan Scroggs Richard marriage Bedford Tingrith Bundle Elizabeth spouse Propst 1603 3-Jul Scroggs Richard Christened Bedford Tingrith Propst 1603 3-Jul Scroggs Richard Burial Bedford Tingrith Findmypas t
Richard Scruggs Baptized 1627 in Middlesex, just outside London He would have been 28 in 1655!
Richard Scruggs Baptized 1627 in Middlesex, just outside London Son of Robert and Elizabeth Stannett Scruggs
Richard Scruggs Baptized 1627 in Middlesex, just outside London Son of Robert and Elizabeth Stannett Scruggs Apprenticed to a master vintner when he was 13 Worshipful Company of Vintners
Only one Robert in the spreadsheet, apparently, with 7 entries.
Only one Robert in the spreadsheet, apparently, with 7 entries. As an adult, 6 entries: Always at All Saints Parish, Edmonton, Middlesex Always spelled as Scruggs.
Only one Robert in the spreadsheet, apparently, with 7 entries. As an adult, All Saints Parish, Edmonton, Middlesex always spelled as Scruggs. A single entry found for a child named Robert: Robert Scroggs, son of William, baptized July 28, 1583, St. Giles, London. Would be 33 at time of marriage to Elizabeth
Only two possibilities on the spreadsheet:* On April 7, 1576, William Scroggs married Alice Marten at St. Martin Church, London. On August 3, 1579, William Scroggs, a butcher, married Rachel Prentice at Christ Church, London. Caveat: Newly transcribed archival information is being placed online almost daily. SFA must stay alert to the possibility of additional candidates.
Late 12 th century, two charters between: 1. Robert de Scrogges and David de Lyne, and 2. Their sons, Simon de Scrogges and Robert de Lyne. Charter of 1208: Simon has sold the land. He has two brothers, Huttig and William.
King Edward I of England requires 2000 Scottish nobles to swear allegiance to him in 1296. The so-called Ragman Roll includes: Adam del Skrogges, freeman of Haddington William del Skrogges, county of Peebles
Other instances of the surname appear in 1357, 1398, 1436, and 1439. The latter three are all in Aberdeen. Last is Alexander Scroggs, master of the ship Nicholas.
Beginnings in London: Richard Scroggs, citizen and pasteler, 1475 THEORY: Shipmaster Alexander Scroggs of Aberdeen or one of his sons moved to the busier port of London. NOTE: Alexander is a name passed down through English Scroggs.
By 1518, Thomas Scroggs had married a young heiress Agnes Harleston of Patmore Hall, Albury, Hertfordshire. The master of Patmore had the surname Scroggs for almost 200 years. Thomas two younger sons, Alexander and Richard, go to Bedfordshire.
Scrugges v. Scrogges breaks out in Bedfordshire in 1601. Both the land transfer due to King Henry VIII s break with the Catholic Church and the Penal Laws designed to cripple resistance to the change in religion appear to play a role. Multiple charges develop: fraudulent deed, assault, jury tampering
1475: 1 st Scroggs in London, England 1494-1558: Only Hertfordshire documents 1558: 1 st Bedfordshire document 1561: 1 st London document Subsequently, a mixture. See map of locations of Scroggs/Scruggs documents on upcoming slide.
Is there evidence of connections to London? Yes! Both Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire lines have London connections. See Summer 2011 article in Searching for Scruggs.
Age 28 in 1655 Scruggs spelling in both England and Virginia By 1622, wine was being shipped from Virginia to England. The Vintners fell into disfavor with the victors of the English Civil War (1642-49).
Corroboration? Debunking? Alternate theories? Please share ideas with Scruggs Family Association! Curious minds want to know...