Vaulx-Custis connection
John Custis (II) of Northampton County, VA (c.1628/29-1696) lived at Arlington plantation. He had three wives. The first was Elizabeth Eyer whom he married c.1652. His second wife was Alice Traveller Burdett Walker whom he married c. 1656. His third wife was Tabitha Scarburh Smart Browne whom he married c. 1681.
The maiden name of his second wife is unknown. She married first George Traveler, second William Burdette, third Maj. Peter Walker, and fourth John Custis (II). In some records, her given name is written as Alice, but it appears in other records as Alicia and as Elisheba. By her marriage to George Traveler, she had a son George and daughter Elizabeth who married William Andrews by whom there was a daughter Elisheba Andrews who married Peter Reverdy.
John Custis (II) by his wife Elizabeth Eyer had a son John Custis (III) who lived at a plantation called Wilsonia. When he died in 1713, the following provision was made in his will: "I give to my sister in law Elishe Frank two cows and cafs and as much stuff as will [make] her Gown and Petticoat as much new good Linen as will make her three shifts." The will was witnessed by Elishe Frank and others, and she was also was one of the witnesses when the will was proved in court. Elishe Frank was literate as she wrote her name and did not sign by mark.
As noted, John Custis (II) refers to Elishe as his sister in law, but the exact nature of their relation is not clear since that term could also mean "step-sister" and perhaps other things.
Elishe Frank was in fact Elishe Vaulx, the widow of James Vaulx who died in York County, VA in 1677. This James was the son of Robert Vaulx, merchant of VA and London. Following James' death, Elishe moved to Northampton County, VA where she married John Frank. As will be seen, she probably moved to Northampton because she had long-standing family connections there, including one to the Custis family.
In some records, the name the Elishe Vaulx Frank appears as Elisheba and as Alicia. She is discussed in the 2003 book "Brabbling Women: Disorderly Speech and the Law in Early Virginia," by Terri L. Snyder, and in the 1999 book "Over the Threshold: Intimate Violence in Early America," by Christine Daniels and Michael V. Kennedy.
She was called Elisheba Frank in the will of Frances Waterson of Northampton County (13 Dec 1702) who included this bequest: "I give to Elisheba Frank my riding horse." This Frances was actually Frances Wilkins, the wife of John Waterson. Frances was the daughter of Ann by her first husband John Wilkins. Ann married secondly Rev. Thomas Higby of Northampton County and thirdly a man named Henry Voss. Incidently, in other records involving Ann and Henry Voss, the name is spelled Vos, Vosse, Vaus and Vaux. In another Northampton County will there is this: "To said Frances Waterson two chests at the house of John Daniel, and to obtain a rug in the custody of Mrs. Anne Vosse widow, and hold it for the use of (Capt.) Isaac Foxcroft of Hull, mariner."
There seems to be several documents that suggest a connection between the Vaulx and Custis families. One of the earliest is a letter written by Elizabeth Vaulx, the wife of Robert Vaulx merchant of VA and London, and mother of James Vaulx (whose wife was Elisheba/Elishe/Alicia) to John Custis (II). After Robert Vaulx left VA and returned to London, his wife Elizabeth often represented him in VA in business matters as the following letter, dated 18 Oct 1655, illustrates. It reads as follows: "Mr. John Custis, I have enclosed sent you my order and execution drawn against Mr. Isaac Foxcroft. Lt. Col. Kendall hath since your going been here with me to deliver a suspension of ye execution for a month or thereabouts saying that Mr. Foxcroft takes all the care possible to contrive me payment & presumes in that time he will do it and also says it is probable he shall be my paymaster. Now sir I shall wholly leave the business to yourself either [to] receive the whole debt or compound it as you shall think fit not doubting of your certain pain to act in it as for your self. And I do by the said presents empower you to receive or compound and upon receipt of the whole or so to discharge the said Foxcroft for what you shall receive. But provided there be but part paid presently to take security for the remainder only be pleased to take notice of this that in case the payment be in tobacco unless the whole sum be received it will not be worth while to land over a sloop and William Kendall says if he and Mr. Foxcroft agree upon what they have proposed between themselves he will pay the whole sum in tobacco down and I hope to come and see you ere long and give you thanks. In the interim I subscribe your real friend to serve you." Signed "Eliz: Vaulx." Witnessed by William Andrews, Robert Whitehowse. "Subscribed this Coll. John Custis of Ackamacke als Northampton. Recorded the 29th ofAugust 1666."
On 31 Jul 1682, Mr. Tankred, on behalf of "Mr. John Custis Jun'r" went into court and claimed Alicia Vaulx owed him the sum of 450 pounds of tobacco and cask."
On 28 Feb 1704, Major John Custis (this would be John (III)) commenced a suit againt a John Vaux.
On 8 Feb 1715/16, Thomas Custis obtained an attachment from Mr. Henry Custis (a justice) of 233 pounds of tobacco against the estate of James Vaulx recently of this [Northampton] County. It is believed that this James Vaulx was another son of Elisheba and James Vaulx who removed from Northampton County, VA to Dorchester County, MD where he died. This James Vaulx was deposed in Dorchester, County MD (on the eastern shore)in 1741/1741 at which time he said he was about 75 years old, hence born c. 1666/67.
As noted, John Custis (II) married as his third wife Tabitha Scarburgh Smart Brown. Her father was Edmund Scarburgh whose wife was Mary. Interestingly, the land records of VA show that on 3 Aug 1640, this same Edmund Scarburgh claimed 600 acres of land for the importation of himself, his wife Mary and 10 headrights. One of these headrights was an Alice Vaulx.
Alice/Alicia/Elisheba who married first George Traveler was accused in 1641 of having a sexual liaison with Capt. Francis Yardley. Her accuser was a man named George Vaux.
It is believed that James and Elisheba (Elishe/Alicia) Vaulx had at least three sons: Robert, James and John, and perhaps Thomas. Robert's wife was named Elizabeth.
John Franke died in Northampton some time before 17 Nov 1713 and Elishe Vaulx Frank died there some time before 17 Feb 1718/19.