John Maderas (4) (Charles 3, Charles 2, Domingo 1) b. 19 May 1734, Middlesex County, Virginia, d. abt 1806 in Middlesex County, Virginia. John married Lucy ????. They were neighbors to John Owens and John Beamons per records. John first shows in 1790 Middlesex Co., VA Census.

John and Lucy had the following children:

  1. Judith Maderas (5) born likely in the 1750’s, she married Eli Dickerson
  2. Betsey Maderas (5) 
  3. Mary Maderas (5) married William Hardee
  4. Elizabeth Maderas (5) married Thomas Carter 09 Oct. 1787 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  5. James Maderas (5) born abt. 1759 in Middlesex County, Virginia; died about 1815.  James married Mildred “Milly” Ware. 
  6. Jude Maderas (5) born about 1760 in Middlesex County, Virginia.  The information on Jude is interesting.  The name appears mostly as witnessing the wills of James and Mary McHan, who would be Jude’s aunt and uncle.  When first found it was assumed this was Judy or Judith (5), the daughter of John (4) who married Eli Dickerson.  But Judith married Eli in 1776, and on the wills, Jude’s last name is still Maderas or Mederis instead of Dickerson, indicating this is a separate individual.  The fact that Jude is witnessing a document, indicates that this is either a male, or the wife of another witness.  It would be rare for a woman to witness a document as a sole witness.  On the James McHan will, it is James and Judy Maderas, but on the will of Mary, it is only Jude Mederis.  Lastly, if we consider the meaning of the name “Jude”, it likely holds the key to our answer.  Jude is a boy’s name of Latin origin.  Jude is a biblical name, a variant of Judah.  Jude was the brother of James.  It is likely symbolic that Jude was the youngest of the family, and the only brother to James.  Jude does not appear anywhere after 1794 and since he is not mentioned in John’s will in 1805, I believe it is likely that Jude died before 1800.

Supporting Documents

Middlesex County, Virginia. Wills and Inventories, 1637 – 1812 and Other Court Papers.
Will Book F. Page 297

James and Judy (sic) Maderas were witnesses to the will of James McHan., 1783.

Orders 1758 – 1767 Page 2,
Mary (Mederis) McKan 14 Aug 1793 / 24 Feb. 1794

Wit: Jude Mederis

Will book #2 p. 311 1799 – 1812
Middlesex Co., Virginia Courthouse, Saluda, Virginia.

John Medearres 15 Apr 1805 / 23 Jun 1806

John leaves his plantation to his son James Medearras during his life and to his grandson John Medearras & his heirs forever. He gives to his son his gun & clothes–to his daughter Betsey Medearras 1 bed & furniture etc and to his wife Lucy Medearras 1 bed & furniture–to grandson John Hardy 1 Shilling sterling– to give the residue of his estate to be equally divided between his 2 daughters, Judie Dickerson & Betsey Medearras

Exors: his friends John Street and John Clark
Wit. Major Wyatt, Eligha Wyatt and Major Turner.

(credits 00, 17, 280)

Generation 5

Judith Maderas (5) (John 4) born likely in the 1750’s, she married Eli Dickerson on 24 Oct. 1796 in Middlesex Co., Virginia. 

    Eli and Judith had the following known children:

  1. William Dickerson (6) died in a boating accident with his cousin John Madaris.  (See article under John’s listing).
  2. Henry Dickerson (6) married his cousin Alicy Maderas, daughter of her mother Judith’s brother James.

(credits 00, 17, 280)

Mary Maderas (5) (John 4) married William Hardee, 12 Jan. 1795 in Middlesex County, Virginia.  

Wiliam and Mary had the following known child:

  1. John Hardy (6)

(credits 00, 17)

James Maderas (5) (John 4) born abt. 1759 in Middlesex County, Virginia; died about 1815 in Middlesex County, Virginia. He likely fought in the American Revolution although no records have been found.  Because of courthouse burnings during both the American Revolution and the Civil War, many records are missing.   This would explain his not having children until he was in his 30’s. 

    James married Mildred “Milly” Ware, the daughter of Robert and ???? McHan Ware.  

    James and Milly had the following known children:

  1. Henry Maderas (6) b. abt 1795 in Middlesex County, Virginia.  
  2. John Maderas (6) b. abt. 1800 in Middlesex County, Virginia; d. 03 Nov. 1821 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  3. Moriah Maderas (6) abt. 1803
  4. Harriett Maderas (6) abt. 1796, married Thomas Hundley bond 11 Feb. 1823. Her father James is listed as deceased on the marriage bond. Her brother Henry acted as surety in his place.

Supporting Documents

Middlesex County, Virginia. Wills and Inventories, 1637 – 1812 and Other Court Papers.
Will Book F. Page 297

James and Judy (sic) Maderas were witnesses to the will of James McHan., 1783.

Will Book 3 1812-1821 Middlesex Co. Courthouse Saulda VA p. 181
Will of James Medearres–June 9, 1810

James leaves to his loving wife Milley Medearras all his estate–son Henry Medearris his plantation–daughter Moriah Medearris 1 negro girl by the name of Fanney–daughter Harriat Medearras 1 negro girl

Harriet Maderis

Hundley, Thomas Sr. & Miss Harriet Maderis Bond 11 Feb. 1823.  James Maderis, deceased, father of Harriet. Sur & Wit. George M. Hundley & Henry Maderis p. 87   (this book p. 48)

Will of Robert Ware, King and Queen County, 12 March 1781

Robert Ware, first desire that my aunt Frances who has attended me in my illness should be fully satisfied for her trouble out of my estate.  The remainder part both Real and personal unto my two daughters Milly and Nancy to be equally divided.  I do nominate and appoint my father in law James McHan whole and sole exr.  Published in the presence of Henry Vass and Jane Ware.

(Credits 00, 280)

Generation 6

Henry Maderas (6) (James 5, John 4) b. 1794’s, lived in New Kent County, VA, in 1790.  He married Elizabeth ????, who was born abt. 1805 in Virginia.

Henry and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. Alicy Medearis (7) b. abt 1824 in Middlesex County, Virginia. She married Henry Dickerson on 06 Jun 1845 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  2. Ann Medearis (7) b. abt. 1825 in Middlesex County, Virginia.  She married Benjamin F. Carlton on 10 Jun 1846 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  3. Ophelia D. Medearis (7) b. Sept 1826 in Saluda, Middlesex County, Virginia. She married Thomas M. Bray. 
  4. Jonathon H. Medearis (7) b. 1829 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  5. Robert P. Medearis (7) b. 1833 in Middlesex County, Virginia.

(Credits 00, 280)

John Maderas (6) (James 5, John 4) b. abt. 1800 in Middlesex County, Virginia; d. 03 Nov. 1821 in Middlesex County, Virginia.  It does not appear that John ever married or had children. He died young in a boating accident on the Rappahannock River along with his cousin, William Dickerson.

The Baltimore Patriot
Nov. 16, 1821

Melancholy,–On Saturday morning, the
3d instant, Mr. William Dillard, living in
the upper end of Middlesex county, with
two young men, William Dickerson and
John Madaris, were taking a boat up the
Rappahannock river, with a sail–the
boat upset, and all three were unfortun-
ately drowned.–Mr. Dillard has left an
amiable wife, and four small children, to
deplore the loss of an affectionate hus-
band and indulgent parent.

Fredericksburg Herald

Generation 7

Ophelia D. Medearis (7) (Henry 6, James 5, John 4) b. Sept 1826 in Saluda, Middlesex County, Virginia. She married Thomas M. Bray in 1851, Middlesex County, Virginia.  Thomas was born Apr. 1821 in Virginia.  Ophelia’s middle initial was “E” in the 1860 census, “D” in the 1900 census. This family lived their entire life in Saluda, Middlesex County, Virginia.

  1. Charlie H. Bray (8) b. 1855 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  2. Fanny B. Bray (8) b. 1856 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  3. Thomas E. Bray (8) b. 1858 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  4. John H. P. Bray (8) b. 1859 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  5. Mason M. Bray (8) b. 1861 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  6. Larkin Madison Bray (8) b. Sept. 1864 in Middlesex County, Virginia.
  7. James E. Bray (8) b. 1867 in Middlesex County, Virginia.

To be continued