DOCSLIB.ORG

Arrival in the Virginia Colony

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Arrival in the Virginia Colony 1 Arrival in the Virginia colony After the development of the colony of James City (Jamestown) in the 1620’s, the settlers moved northward along the waterways. One of these areas was Old Rappahannock, which later became Essex County, Virginia. It is here we find the earliest roots of Bartholomew Vawter, Cornelius Noel, William Hodgson, Thomas R. Page and many others. Most of these men and families arrived in the 1650’s to original “Kings” land; land that had never before been titled. We do not yet know the parents of Bartholomew Vawter but several Vawter names are found early in the history of Virginia. Bartholomew was an adult when first seen in 1687 and married in 1690 so the Vawter lineage at this time begins with him. To understand the development of this area, a brief history of Old Rappahannock County and the part the churches played in politics and community development is necessary. In the book, History of Old Rappahannock County Virginia 1656-1692 by Thomas Hoskins Warner pub. 1965, Warner publisher, Virginia, we find the explanation of the Vawter’s settlement and growth. Much of the business of the community revolved around the church and until the early 1700’s ministers were sent from England. The colonists in support of the King and the clergy paid a levy or tax each year. A vestry was chosen of the men of the parish to oversee this levy and take care of the day to day business of the area, along with the courts and Kings’ agents (governors). In 1653, the county of Lancaster was divided upper and lower, with the upper forming Rappahannock County. In 1656, it is shown the levy for the church was 10,716 pounds of tobacco. Tobacco was the currency for the entire area. Until the levy was paid to the church, tobacco could not be sent back to England for sale and no products could be returned for use. Only raw materials were allowed to be produced in the colonies. By law, the goods and commodities were brought from England. The people and churches were located on the waterways as that was the means of transportation. No roads were known and the Indian trails later became the first road ways and are still the highways in many part of today’s Virginia. The county was divided into parishes, which was the area a minister could cover and tend to the business of the church. The first known parish in Rappahannock was Sittingbourne parish. We find a deed as early as 1662 that states, “ John Barrow sold one acre of land to the parish of Sittingbourne, lying about the church for use of the burying place”. The people were buried in the “burying place” it was not called a cemetery for many, many generations. These “burying places” were deeded through the families and sometimes family “burying places” were established; especially if the church was across the river or a long journey. Evergreen trees planted in rows generally surrounded these family places. In some areas these trees can still be found, although no grave markers remain. The people were buried in funeral clothe as their best clothes were willed to children and grandchildren as great (winter) coats, boots, suits and dresses were scarce. Coffins were not always used but cloth was wrapped around the person and a marker was placed near the gravesite. A black arm band or black attire was worn for a period of 30 days to state the death of a family member, although during great epidemics of plague, cholera, malaria and small pox some times so many died that mourning was impossible. Bloodletting and alcohol were used as medicines and many times the minister was also the doctor. A Chirgeon (surgeon/doctor) was a blessing for the area, if available, but their talents were still limited. The churches had to be guarded during service from the Indians so locating them near water offered better protection. However, these beach areas were generally marshes, which held malaria and yellow fever so the churches were not attended well in the summer months. No fireplaces or other means of heat was available in the winter months and travel in snow treacherous. As more people moved into the area it became necessary in 1681 to divide Sittingbourne Parish again. The lower retaining the name and the upper area becoming St. Mary’s Parish. In 1688, Christopher Blackbourne (shown as Xpher because the colonists did not write the word Christ but showed it with an X when it was someone’s name) was fined 1000 pounds of tobacco for not collecting St. Mary’s Parish taxes. Mr. Blackbourne gave the name to the creek Blackburn’s creek, which is where Vauter’s Church of today now stands. In 1691, the courts fined the Parish of Sittingbourne and its inhabitants for not “entertaining” a minister or providing a reader and letting 2 the church go into disrepair. The sheriff was sent to the churchwardens for an answer. Although we believe our ancestors went to church every week or were extremely pious like the Puritans, the truth being, life was hard and travel to church dangerous and disease rampant. When the fevers were going around, no one wanted to be in a group where they might catch something for which there was no cure. The ministers often traveled to several churches to preach and acted more like county officials and businessman than preachers. The troubles with Sittingbourne not having a minister and keeping things going continued until 1693 when they finally petitioned for the parish to again be divided. The parish was on both sides of the river and travel was difficult; so the north side of the river and the south separated. Thus St. Ann’s parish came into being and eventually the Vauter’s Church was built. A church is known in the area very early; but the brick Vauter’s Church, which is still operating today as the 11 th oldest continuously used church in Virginia, was built in 1731. Roads were eventually developed and the land opened to new settlements. Indians had no horses and travel in early days was by water or on foot. These footpaths became the highways of today. Three famous paths marked the boundaries for many properties and markers for travelers. The road known as Kings highway was first called Rappahannock Path. It was developed into a cart path starting in 1662. This Kings’ Highway ran north and south winding uplands toward where Vauter’s Church stands today. Church road led to the church near the water and was later used for the hauling of lumber and tobacco for loading on to ships. The “rolling roads” were built by all able body men of the area and land owners were fined if they did not keep the “rolling roads” on their property in good repair. The “rolling roads” were to roll the large 700 to 800 pounds tobacco casks (hogs heads) by oxen and slaves to the ships for England. The ferries and wharves were established at regular places to accommodate travel across the oceans and to Jamaica where rum and sugar were returned in exchange for the tobacco. After the departure of the Indians, the hills and surrounding areas filled up rapidly and these “main” roads became the means of transportation. Canoes and small sailing vessels carried the people to church and to visit each other at their plantations and homes. Houses were located near water ways whenever possible as carts and carriages were only for the very rich. Single horse riding was done by men and women and continued as the migration started westward into Kentucky, southward to the Carolinas and other areas. Bartholomew Vawter is seen starting in 1687 in records of “old” Rappahannock County. In 1691, when Essex and Richmond Counties were formed from Rappahannock, his name is then seen continuously until his death in 1717. Bartholomew’s headright grant was recorded in 1691. A headright was 50 acres of land given to the person paying for the importation of a colonist. This could be from England, Jamaica or other areas. The fact that he is seen in public record in 1687 is not unusual, as headrights were often not recorded until the land transferred or was developed. A tax was paid on plantations and a house had to be built within a certain time so many times land speculators did not claim headrights for many years. John Vawter, son of Bartholomew, actually purchased 6 headrights in Caroline County, as the individuals did not want to develop their land. However, this does not prove that Bartholomew arrived from overseas at this time; he could have left Virginia, traveled to Jamaica or England and returned at a later date. He does not seem to have been an indentured servant that is currently found. The Vawter lineage spread out from Essex to Carolina, Orange and all the counties surrounding Essex. Essex lands were known as early as 1607 when Captain John Smith traveled through the area and where he was taken to be slain by the Indians but Pocahontas saved his life. He traveled the Rappahannock trail, which became Kings’ Highway. John Smith almost lost his life when at a point on the river he was stung by a sting ray, the area known as Stingray Point yet today, although few would know the reason for the name given almost 400 years before. In 1608, one of Smith’s men died of a fever on Essex soil, the first white man to be buried there.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Somerset Parish Registers. Marriages. IX
    S o m e rse t a ri s h e i s t R g e rs . "m a rria ges. ED ITED BY W . PH LL MOR E . I I M A. P W , . , A ND E M E . TC H . W . SEAGER, . , , O R mell Tamni n um o . f , I X VOL. I oubou SS U ED TO THE S U BS CR I BER S BY PHILLIMOR E Co . I , 1 HAN CER Y LANE . 24, C 1 907 . R P E F A C E . This ninth volume of Somerset Marriage Registers in clude s the first portion of the Registers of the important ’ parish of St . Mary s , Taunton , but the number of Marriages recorded in it are so numerous that it has been found t requisite to divide it into two por ions. The remaining l l X portion will fo low immediately in Vo ume . c For its trans ription , Mr . Seager has been responsible . c c s of As before, ontra tion have been made use = = f he r sh o f. w o . o t w idow e r or wid w . p pa i = = f in he o nt o . o m n o . t u s . s inste r s n e c c p , i gl w a , y = f. n f dio c . in the o ce se o or so o . di ' = Z = r e n e . o r e a n . z m r ia e . b b a che l or s n m c.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Copy 2019 01 23 Wilkin
    This electronic thesis or dissertation has been downloaded from Explore Bristol Research, http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk Author: Wilkins, Vernon Title: A Field the Lord hath Blessed the Person, Works, Life and Polemical Ecclesiology of Richard Field, DD, 15611616 General rights Access to the thesis is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International Public License. A copy of this may be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode This license sets out your rights and the restrictions that apply to your access to the thesis so it is important you read this before proceeding. Take down policy Some pages of this thesis may have been removed for copyright restrictions prior to having it been deposited in Explore Bristol Research. However, if you have discovered material within the thesis that you consider to be unlawful e.g. breaches of copyright (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please contact [email protected] and include the following information in your message: •Your contact details •Bibliographic details for the item, including a URL •An outline nature of the complaint Your claim will be investigated and, where appropriate, the item in question will be removed from public view as soon as possible. “A Field the Lord hath Blessed” The Person, Works, Life and Polemical Ecclesiology of
    [Show full text]
  • Parish Ers. Tdarriag Es
    P i h r a r s e s . flDarria e s . t g GENER A L ED ITOR TH M . O S . BLA F . GG . S A , . K ] ; ' ' V X éL. V: ED ITED BY 5 . AN DREWS, Ion b on : [93 0 05 to r m : S U BSCRIBER S B l Lx mon E Cc . LTD . n p . , 1 2 H ANC ERY LA NE 4, C . 1 91 3. P R E F A C E . TH E present is a continuation of the tenth volume of the V ~ 1 0 ol. X u H am pshire Series . , iss ed in 9 7 , contai ned the f a M arriages of the im portant parish o St . Thomas Becket , XV 1 6 1 00 . Portsmouth , from 53 to 7 inclusive This , Vol , 1 0 1 1 continues them from 7 to 7 7 5. At least another volume will be required to bring these Marriages down to the year 1 8 i o . 37 , when C vil Registrati n began O f o 1 0 1 to 1 8 the abstracts here given , th se from 7 7 5 who we . re made by M r A T . Everitt and M iss G Barell , did of the former volume . The proofs these have been checked with the origi nal Registers and the abstracts conti nued to 1 7 7 5 by M r . S. Andrews . of The whole are printed by permission the Vicar, the i M dlcot . e t Rev. R S 1 37 9] It should be remem bered that previ ous to 1 7 52 the year on 2 th of of was calculated as beginning the s March, instead w t of u s o on the Jan ary, th at a marriage taki ng place say z oth 1 2 on 1 2 6 o February 7 5, would be that date in 7 , acc rding to our reckoning ;but as the civil and ecclesiastical year were z oth .
    [Show full text]
  • Wiltshire Parish Registers : Marriages
    Gc M, L 942.31019 Aalp V.6 l'^79270 •^•^ GENEALOGY COLLECTION "•^ ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00727 9315 / iy''-^-^^^ i-^^~^4iA iUjL^/.,!^^/o^^ 5^ '->^' \Si, J^U .44?^^/^,< WILTSHIRE ^7,.t- PARISH REGlStER^: phillimore's parish register series. VOL. CV. (wilts., vol. VI.) One hundred and fifty printed. : Wiltshire Parish Registers Edited by W. P. W. PHILLIMORE, M.A., B.C.L., AND JOHN SADLER. VOL. VI. Xondon Issued to the Subscribers by Phillimore & Co., 124, Chancery Lane. 1908. PREFACE. In this volume are printed the Marriage entries in the Registers of eleven parishes— six of which commence in the sixteenth century ; three in the seventeenth ; and the remaining two in the early years of the eighteenth. Once more evidence is afforded of the risks to which these important records have been exposed in the past. At Great Somerford the earlier Register has been lost as the result of a fire in 170^ at the house of the Parish Clerk; presumably the volume was kept there, for a memorandum in the earliest Register at present remaining states that it "was burnt with ye house." One naturally turns to the Transcripts supposed to have been sent regularly to the Bishop, and from this source the records of twenty-eight Marriages have been obtained ; but unfortunately the transcripts for the whole period have not been found. The Register of Little Somerford begins a year later, 1708, but there is no explanation of the absence of the earlier volume. At Patney a different kind of danger is reported. There the Register, which was begun in 1592, was "found by chance in parsson Biggs his garden 1635", and the entries were transcribed into the present earliest volume.
    [Show full text]
  • Chaucer Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture
    A New Companion to Chaucer Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture This series offers comprehensive, newly written surveys of key periods and movements and certain major authors, in English literary culture and history. Extensive volumes provide new perspectives and positions on contexts and on canonical and post‐canonical texts, orientating the beginning student in new fields of study and providing the experi- enced undergraduate and new graduate with current and new directions, as pioneered and developed by leading scholars in the field. Published Recently 78. A Companion to American Literary Studies Edited by Caroline F. Levander and Robert S. Levine 79. A New Companion to the Gothic Edited by David Punter 80. A Companion to the American Novel Edited by Alfred Bendixen 81. A Companion to Literature, Film, and Adaptation Edited by Deborah Cartmell 82. A Companion to George Eliot Edited by Amanda Anderson and Harry E. Shaw 83. A Companion to Creative Writing Edited by Graeme Harper 84. A Companion to British Literature, 4 volumes Edited by Robert DeMaria, Jr., Heesok Chang, and Samantha Zacher 85. A Companion to American Gothic Edited by Charles L. Crow 86. A Companion to Translation Studies Edited by Sandra Bermann and Catherine Porter 87. A New Companion to Victorian Literature and Culture Edited by Herbert F. Tucker 88. A Companion to Modernist Poetry Edited by David E. Chinitz and Gail McDonald 89. A Companion to J. R. R. Tolkien Edited by Stuart D. Lee 90. A Companion to the English Novel Edited by Stephen Arata, Madigan Haley, J. Paul Hunter, and Jennifer Wicke 91.
    [Show full text]
  • The Newsletter of Trinity College Oxford | Winter 2009
    The Newsletter of Trinity College Oxford | Winter 2009 | Chapel Choir | College manuscripts | Trinity chefs | Old Members' news | qeb=mobpfabkq n a university where the nation’s most prominent atheist is in Iresidence, it might seem odd to muse about dons’ private hell. Yet putting Richard Dawkins’ views to one side for the moment and taking soundings of how Oxford’s tutorial fellows would not like to spend eternity, I’m sure that a 24/7, 365 days a year admissions process would score highly. For both applicants and interviewers the process is usually stressful, though many (admittedly successful) candidates assure me that they enjoyed the experience. (I keep an eye on these burgeoning masochists.) For the tutors, wading through on average between four and five times the number of applications as there are places is a heavy and, for once to use the adjective without exaggeration, I make no apology for dwelling on the admissions process. It awesome responsibility. Once the tutors have made their decision, generates more myths than the Ancient Greeks managed and is one balancing exam results real and projected with the personal of the sticks used most often to beat Oxford by the ill-informed or statements, references, tests (increasingly used to supplement other the ill-intentioned. The Laura Spence affair was of course the locus information) and the interview itself, the outcome has to be classicus of both schools. Among the many myths, here are a couple communicated as quickly as possible but, above all, accurately. At of facts. Nobody is discriminated against in the admissions Trinity, the Senior Tutor and her team in the College Office triple process – other than on academic potential.
    [Show full text]
  • Sorted by County, Then Plaintiff
    CP40/ Hilary 1135 1548 For text go to the AALT: http://aalt.law.uh.edu by Rosemary Simons Frame Side County Action Plaintiff Defendant 164 f [illegible] concord Bennett, Thomas; Heron, John, gent Dorothea, his wife 2454 d alias? debt Bonner, Edward, Bishop Popley, William, of Chittern All Saynts, of London Wilts, gent 186 f Beds trespass: Awerthe, George, esq; Clamber alias Hulsey, John, of close(?) Butler, Edward, gent Dunstaple, husbandman 1650 d Beds debt Balderne, John Bryan alias Fawkener, William, of Dunstaple, innholder 45 f Beds debt Barnardyston, George, Dey, John of Bolnest, yeoman administrator of; (Barnardyston, John) 1962 d Beds debt Bray alias Hall, William, Chace, Thomas, of Little Graunsdem, of Bykelswade, maltman Hunts, husbandman; Scotte, Thomas, of Eyton, yeoman 1658 d Beds debt Cave, Anthony, of Ryley, Robert, of Leighton Buzard, glover; Tyckford, Bucks, esq Gray, Thomas, of Leighton Buzard, tanner 859 f Beds trespass: Cobbe, William Barenger, Thomas, of Sharnebroke, close laborer; Gregorye, William, of Sharnebroke, laborer 1958 d Beds debt Danyell, Edward Pedder, Thomas; Pedder, Robert execution 179 f Beds debt Denell, John Perott, William, of Lygrave, Luton, husbandman; Mademale, Richard, of Whippesnade, husbandman 512 f Beds debt Dyve, Lewis, esq Manyngham, John, of Baldok, Herts, draper; Manyngham, of Luton, draper 504 f Beds debt Fetherston, John, brother Fetherston, Thomas, of Potten, vicar, of Thomas executor of; (Atkynson, Thomas, of Lydlyngton, tanner) 187 f Beds debt Flecher alias Cooke, Smyth, William, of
    [Show full text]
  • The Registers of Wath-Upon-Dearne, Yorkshire
    M. U Gc 942.74019 W333W 1325194 GENEAL.CGY COL-L-ECTION I'n'lM'^lllSm'Mril/. PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00721 5046 tibe publications ot tbc l^orksbire Parisb IRcGistev Sodetig IDol. 14. 50sue5 to Sttb0cr(bec0 tor tbe J^ear 1902. XLhc IReoisters of Math ^ upon^^earne l?or[?0bire Baptisms anb Burials, 1598—1778 nDarriages, 1598—1779 TRANSCRIBED AND EDITED BY J. W. CLAY, F.S.A. PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR THE YORKSHIRE PARISH REGISTER SOCIETY T902. W. H. MILNES, PRINTER, WAKEFIELD. 1325191 f^ PREFACE. \ The First Volume, containing Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, consists of three parchment volumes of unequal size bound together. first has entries from The 1598 to 1629, 7^ by 13^ inches ; the second, from 1630 to 1652, 9 by 13^ inches; the third, 1652 to 1724, 6^ by 15 inches. It has been badly bound, the leaves not being in consecutive order. In addition the entries in the third part are very ^ mixed up, so it has been considered the best plan to place them all in their proper yearly order. The edges of many of the leaves are much frayed, which makes the deciphering sometimes difficult. The Second Volume, also parchment, contains the Baptisms and Burials, 1725 to 1778, and the Marriages, 1725 to 1753. The Third Volume is solely Marriages, 1754 to August, 1779, and is paper with the modern printed forms. The thanks of the Society are due to the Vicar (the Rev. H. W, Ward, M.A.) for allowing the Register to be printed and also for the kind way he has assisted the Editor.
    [Show full text]
  • The Archdeacons of Leicester, 1092-1992 by Terence Y
    The Archdeacons of Leicester, 1092-1992 by Terence Y. Cocks The Archdeaconry of Leicester was founded in or shortly before 1092 by Remigius, first bishop of Lincoln. It formed part of the diocese of Lincoln until 1839, when it was transferred to that of Peterborough, with which it remained until the bishopric of Leicester was restored in 1926. In extent the archdeaconry was practically co-terminous with the county of Leicester, until 1921 when it was pivided and the archdeaconry of Loughborough was formed. Archdeacons .were the bishop's principal administrative officers, and for centuries the position was one of considerable prestige, influence and wealth (the last not always acquired by praiseworthy methods) . Consequently archdeaconries were often held by men who were already prominent or who later became so. This is certainly the case with that of Leicester, which over the centuries has been held by clerics who achieved celebrity in a variety of ways: scholars, social reformers, future bishops and senior churchmen, and, prior to the Reformation, statesmen. This paper deals with the careers of the archdeacons themselves and their achievements in other spheres rather than with their archidiaconal activities. The present-day bishopric of Leicester was established by an Order in Council dated 5 November (effective 12 November) 1926. The see must therefore be regarded as one of recent creation, though there had been nine Saxon bishops of Leicester and three suffragan bishops (in the diocese of Peterborough) who bore the title between 1888 and 1926. 1 Far different is the case of the archdeaconry of Leicester, which is one of the oldest in the Church of England; the year 1992 is taken as marking its 900th anniversary.
    [Show full text]
  • The Royal Funerary and Burial Ceremonies of Medieval English Kings
    The Royal Funerary and Burial Ceremonies of Medieval English Kings, 1216-1509 Anna M. Duch Doctor of Philosophy University of York History May 2016 2 Abstract When Ernst Kantorowicz published The King’s Two Bodies in 1957, far greater importance was placed upon the body politic, the office of King, than on the body natural, the king as a man. In part, this thesis sets out to overturn this notion: the royal corpse was the central and most vital element of the royal funerary and burial ceremonies, and concern for the royal body and its soul lasted for centuries. Although the King always lived, the mortal king did not become inert or null upon death. The English royal funeral has been understudied. The practical mechanics of English kings’ funerals (including the preservation of the body, the role of the Church, and the events of the ceremonies) have not been laid out clearly. This thesis seeks to update the analysis of both individual kingly funerals and the overarching development of royal exequies over three centuries, from John in 1216 to Henry VII in 1509. It is my argument that the language used in the royal prescriptive funerary and burial texts permitted individual variation based on personal preferences, the unique circumstances of the death, and the requirements of the Church for a Christian burial. The royal prescriptive texts were elastic, enabling a wide variety of kings during the medieval period to be laid to rest fittingly and honorably, according to their station. These prescriptive texts did not cover commemoration, an omission that allowed flexibility in celebrating the legacy of a deceased king.
    [Show full text]