Charles Medaris 
Charles was born about 1745 in Dragon Swamp, Middlesex County, Virginia. Charles' father was John Thomas Medaris and his mother was Rachael Davis. His paternal grandparents were Charles Medaris and Mary; his maternal grandparents were Edward Davis and Mary Reade. He had five brothers and a sister, named Abraham, John, Rice, Massey, Oliver and Sarah. He was the fourth oldest of the seven children. He died in August 1793 in Guilford County, North Carolina.General Notes
Charles Medaris was born about 1745 in Essex County, Virginia in the area known as Dragon Swamp. He married Elizabeth "Betsy" Gregory in 1765. Charles was a saddler by trade. The Medaris brothers kept close together during the 1700's and they all moved to Chatham County, North Carolina by the 1770's. By 1789 Charles and his brothers moved to the Belews Creek District of North Carolina on 200 acres purchased on 04 Nov. 1789. By the 1790 Census Charles was in Guilford County, Salisbury District.
When the American Revolution started, Charles was a member of Captain Elisha Cain's Company of the North Carolina Militia in Chatham County, North Carolina. Although many of the records from North Carolina were burned during the war, Charles was found in a list of Militia members of 1772. He lived in Chatham County until about 1780 when he moved to Guilford County, closer to his brothers. He was in good health at the time and it is a reasonable assumption that he did serve in the war. Many of these members recieved land grants in Ohio under the "United Brethren Warrant Act" of June 1, 1796. John's children moved to Ohio on land likely achieved through this grant from Charles' service. He is listed in a Reconstructed List of Participants of the Revolutionary War from Chatham County, North Carolina.
Most of what is known about Charles is found in his will, which was written March 15, 1793. Charles died in July or August of 1793, as that is when his will was probated. Charles apparently died from a long illness as he mentions at the writing of his will in March that he was in very poor health. He is most likely buried in Guilford County, North Carolina. It would be amazing to be able to locate his place of burial. It is interesting to note that in his will he mentions his "Sorrel Mare" who he named "Bet". When I first read that I wondered if Betsy knew the Mare's name before the will was read? I later found out that it was common practice to name your work mule or horse after your wife during this time period.
Brian Kelly Madaris
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Ancestor Pedigree Chart
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*There are earlier generations for the ancestor(s) indicated. See their page(s) for details (click name)
- b.~ 1620 in Maderia, Portugal or Virginia d.1680
- b.~ 1667 in Middlesex County, Virginia
- b.21 Feb 1704 in Middlesex County, Virginia d.1799
- d.07 Feb 1720
- b.~ 1745 in Dragon Swamp, Middlesex County, Virginia d.Aug 1793 in Guilford County, North Carolina
- b.20 Nov 1715 in Essex County, Virginia d.1795 in Tennessee
- b.~ 1571 in Linkenholt, Hampshire, England d.10 Dec 1626
- b.25 Oct 1608 in Linkenholt, Hampshire, England d.1674 in Gloucester County, Virginia
- b.21 Jul 1585 in Hiene Hill, Berkshire, England d.Aug 1631 in London, England
- b.1592 in France d.~ 1657 in Yorktown, Virginia
- b.12 Dec 1625 in Elizabeth City, Virginia d.1686 in Yorktown, Virginia
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