Clatterbuck Richard, Betty Massey
      Richard Clatterbuck
      and
      Elizabeth Massey


      Richard "Dick Clatterbuck was born about 1736 in Caroline County, Virginia. Little is know about him. In 1782 he was listed as a taxpayer (2 polls). Known by the nickname "Dick" this was the name used by William Callahan in an affadavit in support of Richard's son, Reuben's survivorship pension claim made by his wife Martha in 1846. Richard and his wife, Elizabeth lived in the vicinity of Mounty Church. There is an 1764 court action by a Richard Clatterbuck against a Harry Beverly. We do not know if this is the same Richard Clatterbuck or possibly his father.

      Richard married Elizabeth "Betty" Massey on May 7, 1759 in Mount Church. Dick and Betty had four known children and there is speculation about a 5th child. Richard and Betty were not married when their son, John was born. We know this from the legal action that John took after his father's death to settle his father's estate. Richard died approximately 1793. His estate was not settled until 1804.

      It is speculated that Richard's parents were Richard Clatterbuck and Alice Guy. Although there is little evidence to support this. Some researchers have tried to attribute Alice Guy as Richard "Dick" Clatterbuck's wife, but because of the legal proceedings around Dick's estate, it is clear that his wife was Elizabeth Massey. Richard and Alice were the parents of William P. Clatterbuck, who is the progenitor of the Virginia branch of the Clatterbuck family and we believe this is where the two branches connect.

      Children of Richard "Dick" Clatterbuck and Elizabeth "Betty" Massey were:

      John Massey Clatterbuck b.May 11, 1753
      Sally Clatterbuck born between 1753 and 1759
      Lucy Clatterbuck born after 1759
      Note: There is a Lucy Clatterbuck listed in the 1810 census in Caroline County, VA
      Reuben Clatterbuck b. December 20, 1759 d. October 12, 1838
      Henry Clatterbuck b. abt 1762 d. July 26, 1776 in Sunbury, Georgia.
      It is only speculated that Henry is Dick and Betty's son. Henry was 14 years old at the time of the Revolutionary War, he was a drummer boy in the 8th Virginia regiment, and died of pneumonia at Sunbury, Georgia.

      Here is a transcript of the legal actions taken by John Massey Clatterbuck against the estate of his father, Richard Clatterbuck.

      Massey, alias Clatterbuck bs Clatterbuck, 1803

      John Massey, alias John Clatterbuck, states that Richard Clatterbuck, decd., and Betty Massey afterwards Betty Clatterbuck cohabitated and lived together before their mearriage and that he, John Massey (alias John Clatterbuck) is the unfortuante offspring of their unlawful connection. After their marriage, they had several children viz Reuben Clatterbuck, who is administrator of Richard Clatterbuck's estate, Lucy Clatterbuck and Sally Clatterbuck. John Massey (Clatterbuck) further states that Richard Clatterbuck always acknowledged him as his son.

      August 4, 1803

      Reuben Clatterbuck states that his father, Richard Clatterbuck lived with his mother several years before their marriage and during that time had by her three children Viz John, Sally and yet another who is dead. They then married and two children, namely, Reuben Clatterbuck and Lucy Clatterbuck. He admits that his father died years ago and that his mother is alive and has rendered all of her claim to the estate to Reuben Clatterbuck and Lucy Clatterbuck in consideration of her being supported during her lifetime.

      March 6, 1804

      A. Waugh, Rector of St. Mary's certifies that there are the following entries in the parish registry. " John- NS of Eliz Massey born May 11, 1753, Richard Clatterbuck and Eliz Massey were married May 7, 1759- s of Ricd and Eliz Clatterbuck born 20, Dec 1759".

      March 14, 1808

      John Massey alias John Clatterbuck sends a message to the court stating that he and Reuben CLatterbuck have "now compromised our affairs without any further recourse."


      Home