Edward Dale

Edward Dale (circa 1620-1695) was a Royalist who emigrated to Virginia, where he held various offices in Lancaster County, Virginia including as a member of the House of Burgesses. Early life Dale was born in England. It is unclear whether he was related to early deputy governor Sir Thomas Dale, who returned to England before his death in 1619 and whose estate included lands in both Virginia and England. Career Edward Dale emigrated from England to Virginia, as did fellow Royalist and his eventual brother-in-law, Grey Skipwith, 3rd Baronet of Prestwould. However, whereas Sir Grey Skipwith (then the second son of the 2nd Baronet) settled on the south side of the Rappahannock River in what became Middlesex County in the mid-1650s; Edward Dale settled on the river's north side in Lancaster County. Between 1655 and 1674, Dale served as the Lancaster County clerk, and was succeeded by John Stretchley, with Dale's son-in-law Thomas Carter becoming deputy clerk. Dale also served as one of the justices of the Lancaster County Court (which also administered the county in that era) from 1669 until 1684, as the county sheriff in 1670, 1671, 1679 and 1680, and became major of the county militia in 1680. During that period, in 1676 Bacon's Rebellion occurred, but Dale's only connection seems as Lancaster County's representative at a committee meeting to raise funds via levy to suppress the rebellion. Dale also served as the Lancaster County “Collector of Publique and County Levies”, and “Commissioner of the Fort”. Last but not least, Dale served as one of the Burgesses representing Lancaster County on four occasions.