Re: Christian Gissage to John Pointdexter

Dear Doris Ann:Thank you for your reply. The research I have done has been using names "Shelton and Gissedge" mainly.I seach under various names with French origins and luckily found information under Gissedge. These records are from the Virgina Land Records, Some King William County Records. They have Sarah Shelton Gissedge widow with son Ralph Shelton. No mention of Christian Gissedge.There are four such records that mention Joseph Bickley(also Beckley)as her husband and that Sarah is the relict of Richard Gissedge. One record is a fragment of will or obligation to Ralph Shelton and if he should die to Sarah Shelton Bickley, relict of Richard Gissedge. There is also a bond for2 years of education made by Bickley for Ralph Shelton, also mentioning Sarah. Then in 1705 there is a land transaction between Bickley and Sarah Shelton Gissedge Bickley and Wm Noyes. One of the references mentions that Richard Gissedge lately deceased and that his relict, Sarah married Joseph Bickley.
The History of Pittsylvania County, Va. mentions Sarah Shelton and her marriage to a Richard Gassage of New Kent. It also mentions Ralph Shelton who kept his mother's maiden name but does not state a reason. I agree with you that it is probably due to legacy from the Shelton family. It also mentions that Sarah brother's name was Richard Shelton and were the emigrant children of a ship's captain who was drowned in the Englsih channel in 1691. It also mentions that Joseph Bickley was the first sheriff of Louisa county, Va. My next reference is from the History of Louisa County,page 40 6. Under the heading of Poindexter family.That the wife of John Poindexter, son of Thomas, wife was Miss Christian. Unfortunately no last name. It does say her will was probated Jan 1779, written in January 25, 1778. It also lists children including my ancestor,Frances who was married to Robert Anderson at the time.(there were two Robert Anderson living in Louisa Ct at the same time and they are often confused. This one is also referred to as Col Anderson and was Justice of the Peace and Sheriff of Louisa) Then in this same source under Anderson family.It list Frances Anderson as the daughter of Christian and John Poindexter. The History of Pittsylvania County has a number of references to Ralph Shelton and the next generations.
From my reseach I can find no link with the Gorsuch family at all in any spelling. I looked into that family in Va and Md where a number of the Gorsuch family settled. The mixed spelling of Gissedge or Gissage or other is confusing but understandable since the name went from French spelling to a more English spelling, not unlike Poindexter.
I would appreciate keeping in touch. I have a little more and in more detail should you want to email me. I am still looking for the birth of Christian in some document. I also found a reference to Richard Gossage in the Twelve Virginia Counties as being a early settler and an officer in King William Ct in 1702.There was a large community of French Huguenots in King William County.Many of the officers listed in 1702 also show up as witnesses in the transaction for Sarah Shelton and Joseph Bickley. I hope this is not confusing. Mary