The name associated with the binding out of Alexander Gauldings children? The name is not Stuart. Jacob is bound out to a man named James Sheart. Susannah is bound out to a man named Thomas Scott. Amazing how looking at the original document gives insights into poor transcriptions or down right wrong information.
An Image of the Original is Worth…
Professionals Weigh In
Once I discovered this image, I new the ramifications to long held inaccuracies for the transcription of this document. I asked other genealogists to look it over. Of the 51 who looked at the original the majority agree that it is not Stuart. Of the professional genealogists who work with early English writing? All agreed it was “Sheart”.
It is very obvious to my eye, what do you think?
From Google AI: The surname Sheart is a rare, likely variant spelling of English surnames derived from Anglo-Saxon or Norman roots, such as Sheard, Shears, or Shear.
Here is the citation: “Prince Edward, Virginia, British Colonial America records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4N-SVK2?view=fullText : Mar 24, 2026), image 158 of 744; Virginia. County Court (Prince Edward County). Image Group Number: 007897268
This document was found by using Family Search Full Text Search: https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/full-text There are other discoveries just waiting to found.
Are there other possible Gaulding men in Virginia prior to John Gaulding of New Kent? I have found two that look very interesting.