French Family Association

The Official Website of the Surname French

Chart #36, Hugh French Ist, 1636
St. Mary’s and Charles Co., MD
Westmoreland, Prince William, Stratford, Fauquier, King George, Richmond, Culpeper, Northumberland, and Loudoun Counties, VA

Also Mason Co., KY; Pike Co., MO; Independence Co., AR; and Zaneville, OH

Hugh French was in Charles County, then St. Mary’s. The records for St. Mary’s burned in a fire ca. 1730. The county seat was Leonardtown. St. Mary’s City was the first capital of Maryland in 1634.

First Generation

This chart updated by Mara French on 7/25/08. Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to the bibliography at the end of this chart. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Send any corrections or additions to this chart to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 1991, 1997, 2008. This revision is currently in draft format.

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Contents

Hugh French1 of England

Virginia During the Migration

Margaret French, Hugh’s Second Wife

·      List of Marriages

·      List of Children

Fathers of These Children

Details of These Children

What Was Margaret’s Maiden Name?

·      Was Margaret a Savage?

·      Was Margaret a Rawlings

·      Was Margaret a Mason?

·      Was Margaret a Banks?

·      Was Margaret an Anthony?

·      Was Margaret an Arnold?

·      Was Margaret a Pannell?

Records

Hugh French1 of England

1.1* Hugh French1, b. earliest 1636 [86] or latest 1648 [21] perhaps in London, England or in the surrounding area [86], m1. perhaps Mary ca. 1677, m2. Margaret Prosser Miller in 1685, d. 1701. Hugh was transported to Maryland by William Hatton who entered his claim 30 Apr 1663 [43]. See article on the Hatton French Mansion. Hugh was a Headright to William Hatton, the son of Thomas Hatton, an official with the Maryland government. Hugh was given land in Maryland.

Hugh’s First Wife

Hugh m1. perhaps Mary ca. 1677 while he lived at Chicamuxon in Maryland on the Pickawaxon River. They had a daughter, Mary, b. ca. 1678 in St. Mary’s Co., MD, who was born about 8 years before the rest of Hugh’s children to his second wife [21]. See Chicamuxon Rent Rolls. In Hugh’s will of 1701, he gave to his daughter, Mary, who at that time was 23 years old and at an age when she could marry, but apparently was not married. It is assumed that Hugh’s first wife d. ca. 1684 when his daughter was about 6. He had no more children by this wife. Sampson and Elizabeth Dowell of Gloucester Co., VA, assign John Battaile (b. 1658 in England) of Essex Co., VA, all their rights of the within deed of 300 acres on the other 200 acres being already passed by gift unto Mary French, daughter of Hugh French, dated 4 Oct 1699 (by using daughter Mary’s surname French, it would appear that Mary had not married by 1699). Hugh French of St. Mary’s Parish, Richmond Co., VA, in his will dated 20 Jan 1699/1700, proved 3 Dec 1701, gave 200 acres in Maryland to his daughter Mary. Witnesses were John Battaile, and John Miller’s 2 sons, Simon and John [144].

Hugh’s Second Wife

Margaret was b. ca. 1655/56 in VA. She named her sons Anthony, Daniel, and Mason, which names might lead to her father’s name. As Hugh’s parents did not reside in Virginia, but in England, these names may be connected to Margaret’s family.

Hugh French m2. Margaret Prosser Miller after 5 Mar 1684/85 and before 6 May 1685 [79] [21] in Old Rappahannock Co., VA [67] found in Book D18, p. 326, as the widow of Simon Miller.

Genealogist Bob Cawly believes Margaret died in 1717. He explains: “Some researchers have it as 1705, the year after she m4. John Somerville, but I thinks 1717 may be the issue as Margaret French had a life estate and this is the basis of the land cases. Katherine, wife of Thomas Pannell and sister of John Prosser or of Margaret herself, died in 1717 with a life estate on jointly owned land (Prosser and Pannell land) to make things more confusing.” Thomas Pannell’s daughter, Mary, married James Kay, the executor of Hugh French’s will. See the Thornton vs. Buckner case [87]. James Kay was on a Rappahannock land contract with William Thornton in Sep 1673 [133], which land was bought from Mott [133]. See Thornton Family genealogy [133]. Basically, John Prosser and Thomas Pannell surveyed and patented 2500 acres of land on the branches of Mattapony on 4 Nov 1673 received from Sir William Berkeley. John Prosser d. 28 Aug 1673 before the patent was granted. Prosser and Pannell must have had some family ties, and this land was inherited by their living heirs.

Hugh’s Will

Hugh made his will 20 Jan 1699/1700 in Richmond Co., VA [62]. The last time Hugh's name appeared in court records was 3 September 1701 when Matthew Linch appeared to gain his freedom. Presumably Hugh was there also, but the record does not say so. Based on the assumption he was there, Hugh died sometime after 3 September 1701, and before 12 November 1701 in Stafford Co., VA, when the suit against William Monroe was dismissed because the plaintiff died [21]. Hugh’s will was proved 3 Dec 1701. He gives to his children: Hugh, Mary, Daniel, Mason, and Margaret. No other children from his wife’s former husbands are listed, except sons-in-law Simon and John Miller signed his proved will.

Hugh’s Chronology

1669 - Hugh first appeared in the records functioning as a freedman in 1669 in Maryland. See the record “Hugh1 French, Indenture, 1669”. In this record, Stephen Mountague of Charles Co., MD, and Hugh French were planters of two parcels, and that Hugh French paid Mountague 10,000 pounds of tobacco in receipt of his land. This combined parcel of 800 acres now belonged to Hugh French and he named it Batchellours Harbour, on the East side of Piscataway riber about two miles from Piscataway Creek.

1670 - Hugh was the defendant in a suit brought by Mr. James Lendsy. Inferences drawn from this record imply Hugh was an adult in the eyes of the court [21]. Hugh accumulated enough wealth to buy property in 1670, only 7 years after immigrating, and before he had gained land wealth through his 2^nd wife’s many husbands who had died. A record shows Hugh driving cattle from Piscattay (Piscataway near WDC) to Nanjemoy (in south Charles Co., MD). By 1670, Hugh had accumulated 10,000 pounds of tobacco, enough to buy Batchelour’s Harbor from Mr. Stephen Mountague [21]. This land is described as follows:

...lying on the east side of Piscataway River about two miles from Piscataway Creek beginning at a marked Cedar standing at the mouth of a Creek in the said river called St. Georgio Creek and running south and East down the river for the length of three hundred & twenty perches to A marked red Oak standing at the mouth of a Creek called Jecomo Creek bounding on south with the said Creek & a line drawn East North East for the length of five hundred perches to a marked Oak on the East with a line drawn North West from the end of the former line to the head of a Creek that falleth into St. Georgio's Creek called Ash Creek on the north with the said Creek on the West with said river Continuing & now laid out for Eight hundred Acres more or less... (from the Archives of Maryland, Volume LX, pp. 264-265).

Batchelour's Harbor was part of the Piscataway Hundred and is located in present day Prince George County, near the Colonial Farm, off Indian Head Highway (Route 210), about nine miles south of the Washington beltway. Hugh probably m1. shortly after; therefore, any man he came in connection with during this time could have been his first wife’s father, surname unknown.

Map of Picawaxen (below) was the oldest settlement in Charles County, Maryland, on the Wicomico River.

1673 - Hugh settled in St. Mary’s County in Maryland [44] in 1673, and then at St. Mary’s Parish, Old Rappahannock County, VA 1687 [21], now Richmond County. Hugh was referred to as “King George” of Prince William County [5] [7]. Hugh sold land in Charles Co., Maryland, along Picawaxen Creek (also called Piccowaxen), which is north of Pope’s Creek. This is the same piece of 200 acres of land Hugh conveyed to his son, Hugh, in his 1701 will. Picawaxen was the oldest settlement in Charles County on the Wicomico River (see map above). By 1682 Hugh had indentured servants of his own, revealed in a court case relating to Thomas Swaney [21 – in Margaret’s book]. Hugh had been expanding his wealth since at least 1670. By 1680 he appears in Virginia in a court case with Charles Baldridge of Stafford Co., VA. On 9 Jan 1683, Hugh sold Bachelour’s Harbor to Philip Lynes. In 1686 another one of Hugh’s documents was signed by George Mason, the same year in which he m2. Margaret. In Sep 1693 Hugh bought 146 acres from John Ossaker. On 21 Sep 1693 Hugh bought 600 acres from David Darnell for 7,000 pounds of tobacco. Hugh was a tobacco and bean planter per several Charles County Court Proceedings. Hugh French may have inherited most of his wealth from his spouse’s (Margaret’s) earlier husbands, who had died. They include William Goffe, John Prosser, and Symon Miller, all men with ample land.

1679 - In a record between Hugh French and Thomas Swaney on 10 Mar 1679 on a work agreement whereby Thomas would work at Hugh’s tobacco plantation at Pickawaxon as his servant. See the record “Hugh1 French, 1679, Thomas Swaney.” Hugh French fraudulently deceived Thomas Swaney on 18 Jul 1682 over this contract. Hugh had to pay Thomas Swaney 2,400 pounds of tobacco and the sum of 3,180 pounds for other costs.

1693 Sep – John and Elizabeth Fosaker of St. Mary’s Parish, Richmond Co., received a 2000 pounds of tobacco for a 146 acre parcel of land sold to Hugh French. See the record “Hugh1 French, Land Records, 1692-1693”. This same year, Hugh also bought 100 acres bounded by Captain George Mason for 3,000 pounds of tobacco. This same year, Hugh also bought 600 acres for 7,000 pounds of tobacco.

Virginia During the Migration

From Albion’s Seed, Four British Folkways in America, by David Hackett Fischer, 1989. A section in this book tells about the migration of the south of England (especially London) to Virginia of indentured servants and distressed cavaliers, 1642-1675. The American beginnings of Virginia’s ruling families occurred during these years.

Sir William Berkeley, a nobleman from London, immigrated to Virginia in 1641 and became the Royal Governor of Virginia. He was b. in 1606 to a powerful family. When he reached Virginia in Feb 1642, it was a sickly settlement of barely 8,000 souls, and he transformed the state in 35 years from corruption to 40,000 orderly inhabitants. These “distressed cavaliers” founded what would later be called the first families of Virginia, in general between 1650-1660. The first Mason came in 1652. The first Washington crossed the ocean in 1657. Hugh French immigrated in 1663.

Sir William Berkeley’s recruiting campaign was highly successful. Nearly all of Virginia’s ruling families were founded by younger sons of eminent English families during Berkeley’s governorship. It was the eldest sons who inherited wealth in England, not the younger sons. Hundreds of prominent men are listed by name in this book, including Mason and Washington, but French is not listed nor is Hatton, Savage, Prosser, Miller, Goffe, Banks, Rawlings, or Marteaw; thereby, indicating that perhaps Hugh French was an indentured servant and did not pay his way to the new country. These names are not even listed among the lesser ranks. Most of these men lived in London before immigrating, and probably were originally from villages close to London. Virginia’s immigrants in the late 17th century were mostly indentured servants whose famlies had been poor tenant farmers and country laborers. Sir William Berkeley was known today mainly for the event that ended his long career – Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, named after Lieut. Nathaniel Bacon Esquire.

After a baby was born in Virginia, a complex set of cultural rituals was put in motion. Among them was the naming of the infant, which was very different from the Puritans in Massachusetts. The eldest son received the name of his paternal grandfather. Then, Virginians preferred to name their sons after Teutonic warriors, Frankish knights, and English kings. Special favorites included William, Robert, Richard, Edward, George, and Charles. Another custom for naming sons was to use the wife’s surnames as forenames to reinforce connections between families and strengthen the solidarity of the elite. Hence, you will see Mason French and French Mason as sons on Chart #36. The daughters of Virginian families received the names of Christian saints who did not appear in the Bible and also traditional English folk names, such as Margaret, Jane, Catherine, Frances, and Alice, as well as the universal English favorites of Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, and Sarah.

List of Marriages

In the mid-1600s in the New Colonies, men outnumbered women. Men died in battles, and women died in childbirth. When a spouse died, usually the other spouse remarried very soon thereafter to be able to care for the large families. Such was the case with Margaret French who married 4 times, shown in green.

 

Marriage Date	Wife	Husband
ca. 1641 in Essex Co., VA	Martha Baxter, b. ca. 1621, d. 1670 in New Kent, VA	William Goffe, b. 1605 in England, d. 1659-1662 in New Kent, VA
1673	Margaret, b. ca. 1655	John Prosser, b., d. 30 Jun 1677
1678	Margaret, b. ca. 1655	Symon Miller, b. , d. 1683-84
After 5 Mar 1684/85 and before 6 May 1685	Margaret, b. ca. 1655	Hugh French, b. d. between 3 Sep 1701 and 12 Nov 1701
Before 5 Sep 1705	Margaret, b. ca. 1655	John Somerville, d. after wife Margaret died.

List of Children

This list of children not only includes Margaret’s children, but those children of her husbands’ first marriages, whom Margaret took care of after their fathers had died, if the children were underage. Some of these children were also mentioned in their step-father’s wills. Hugh French was involved with these children as Margaret’s 4^th husband, and Hugh received land from Margaret’s first husbands. Margaret’s own 7 birth children are in “green”, but all 19 children are listed here from Goffe, Prosser, Miller, and French. If anyone has exact birthdates, Margaret’s maiden name, or any other data missing on this chart (with sufficient sources), please email marafrench@mindspring.com.

 

Child’s Name	Birthdate	Mother	Father
William Goffe Jr.	ca. 1630 [149], in England	Martha Baxter, b. 1610	William Goffe
Martha Goffe	ca. 1640 [149], in America	Martha Baxter	William Goffe
Robert Goffe, twin	ca. 1645 [149]	Martha Baxter	William Goffe
Thomas Goffe, twin	ca. 1645 [149]	Martha Baxter	William Goffe, d. 1660-62
John2 Prosser	ca. 1665	Martha Baxter Goffe	John Prosser1
Samuel Prosser	ca. 1666	Martha Baxter Goffe	John Prosser1
Roger Prosser	ca. 1667	Martha Baxter Goffe, d. before 28 Aug 1673	John Prosser1,
Anthony Prosser	ca. 1673, d. single before 14 Jan 1719 [21]	Margaret	John Prosser1, d. 30 Jun 1677
Symon2 Miller	ca. 1669 in England	First wife, name unk	Symon Miller1
William Miller	ca. 1671 in England	First wife, name unk	Symon Miller1
John Miller	ca. 1673 in England	First wife, name unk	Symon Miller1
Susannah Miller	ca. 1675 in America	First wife, d. ca. 1677	Symon Miller1
Isabella Miller, twin	Before 16 Feb 1679	Margaret	Symon Miller1
Margaret Miller, twin	Before 16 Feb 1679	Margaret	Symon Miller1, d. 2 May 1684
Mary French	ca. 1678, single in 1699	First wife, Mary, d. ca. 1684	Hugh French
Hugh2 French	1684	Margaret	Hugh French
Daniel French	ca. 1685-1688	Margaret	Hugh French
Mason French	ca. 1686-1690	Margaret	Hugh French
Margaret French	ca. 1687-1692	Margaret, d. shortly after 8 May 1723	Hugh French, d. before 12 Nov 1701

Fathers of These Children

Timeline for Margaret Prosser, Miller, French, Sommerville, from Margaret Amundson, 7 Sep 2003:

28 August 1673 John Prosser signed his will and named four sons including a son Anthony.

30 June 1677 Prosser’s will presented for probate.

16 February 1679 Simon Miller signed his will and named six Miller children as well as his wife’s son Anthony Prosser.

30 November 1683 Margaret as widow of Simon enters into a lease agreement with Andrew Harrison.

7 May 1684 Simon Miller’s will accepted for probate.

5 March 1684/5 Margaret’s last appearance in the records as relict of Simon Miller.

6 May 1685 Hugh French in court on behalf of the widow of Simon Miller whom he married.

William Goffe

William Goffe was not the Regicide who was born about the same time in England, but immigrated to the Boston area. The Maryland William Goffe2 (Willyam Goffe or Gough) was b. 1605 in Sussex, England [134], the son of William Goffe1 and Alice. He immigrated to Virginia on the ship “Amity” or “Amitee” ca. 1635 [146] [149]. He d. 1662 in Goffe Patent, Whorecocke Creek, Mattaponi River, New Kent Co., VA, (later King and Queen Co., VA) [146]. John was the immigrant ancestor of this family, who patented 200 acres on 21 Feb 1663 joining upon land formerly belonging to William Goffe. The deeds about the disputed land by John Prosser only mentions he married Goffe's "relict" it does not name her specifically.

Marriages

William m1. Martha Baxter ca. 1641 [134]. She was b. ca. 1610, d. 1670. He left Martha a widow with 4 children (William, Martha, and twins Robert and Thomas). Martha Baxter was b. ca. 1610 or 1621, the daughter of Roger Baxter1, who was b. ca. 1590 in England, and d. 1670 in Kent Island, Queen Anne’s Co., MD. Roger’s wife is unknown.

In 1687, Thomas Kendall, Thomas Goffe, and John Willis bought 403 acres jointed across the Rappahannock River in present day King George Co., VA. They lived in this area until around 1738 when Thomas Gough moved further north to Stafford Co., and his brother John Goff? or Prosser? moved west to Orange Co, VA. In 1750 John moved to the Tobacco Row Mtns. along Harris Creek and the James River, near present day Lynchburg, VA [146].

Dispute over who was William Goffe’s “Relict”

Ref [87] states that based on the fact that Martha, daughter of William Goffe, was given property by John Prosser in 1670 and she was already married to Thomas Kendall, I don't believe Prosser's first wife was William Goffe's widow. It is documented that by his first wife he had two children a daughter Martha and son John. I suspect John Prosser's second wife Margaret is Goffe's widow. Mara French agrees that Martha Goffe, being quite a bit older than Margaret by about 30 years, could not have had children through that great of a time span. Martha was b. ca. 1625 and Margaret was b. ca. 1655. Martha’s first child was b. ca. 1642, and Margaret’s last child was born ca. 1692. Another comment to make on this is that William Goffe usually used his 1^st wife’s name, Martha, but in the document about his land deeds, the word “relict” was used. Perhaps Margaret had married William Goffe for only a very short time before he died, and there was no issue. Therefore, when Margaret m. John Prosser as the “relict” of William Goffe, neither her maiden name nor the name “Goffe” seem to appear in records. But, Mara French doesn’t believe this could be afterall. William Goffe d. ca. 1660/62, and to be William’s relict, Margaret would have had to be married to him before that date, and she was only born ca. 1655.

William and Martha Baxter Goffe had 4 children (Martha, William, and twins Robert and Thomas). The twins are mentioned in John Prosser’s will as sons-in-law. But were these sons-in-law twins of William Goffe and Martha, or of William Goffe and Margaret? Later, Margaret has her own set of twin girls.

Martha Baxter Goffe died before 19 Aug 1670 in New Kent, VA, and John Prosser m2. Margaret (maiden name unknown).

Land Deeds

William Goffe owned 1000 acres in New Kent Co., on 7 Oct 1658 upon the N.E. side of Mattopany River and S.W. side of Whorecock Swamp and transported 20 men from England to work on this land. On 18 Feb 1663 (after William Goffe’s death), his wife, Martha Goffe, patented 650 acres of land in the same locality (next to land of Mr. Edward Diggs), formerly granted to William Goffe 22 Jul 1659, assigned unto John Madison who assigned same to said Martha Goffe [143].

The following contract is dated 1663 shortly after William Goffe had died. It is one of several documents during this time period between Martha Goffe’s marriages to William Goffe and then to John Prosser. It mentions Martha as being the “relict” of William Goffe, and at this time, John Prosser had not yet married Margaret, so the “relict” these papers talk about is Martha Goffe.

Honorable Francis Moryson (Morrison) Governour, and Capt. Robert Winn, Speaker. In the difference betwixt Capt. Martin Palmer and John Prosyer (Prosser) who marryed the relict of William Goffe concerning one thousand acres of land granted by patent unto Capt. Palmer at Whorecocke swamps in the county of (New) Kent, VA, and unto William Goffe the sonne of William Goffe deceased, by a later patent, for the avoiding of all further suites and troubles the said Capt. Palmer hath before us given one halfe of the said one thousand acres of land unto William Goffe orphant, and to his heires for ever, reserving to himself after survey made thereof the first choice, and if the house now built upon the said land happen to fall in the said Palmers five hundred acres of land, then the said Prosyer to have the use of the said house, and fiftie acres of land next adjoining thereunto for three yeares next ensueing, and then to returne to Capt. Palmer or his heires, and that Mr. George Morris survey or divide the said land, and at the division Lieutenant Collonel Abrahall to be present, which is the request of Lieut. Nathaniel Bacon Esquire in behalfe of the said Prosyer, and this to beare record of the said division betwixt them, and each party to beare his own charges."

Martha Goffe patented 650 acres of land formerly granted to Wm. Gough by patent July 22, 1659 and by William assigned to John Maddison and assigned by Maddison to Martha Goffe Feb. 8, 1663.

Martha Goffe owned 650 acres in New Kent Co., VA, on 18 Feb 1663, on the north side of Mattapony River next to land of Mr. Edward Diggs, originally granted to William Goffe on 22 Jul 1659, assigned unto John Maddison, who assigned to said Martha Goffe [143].

William Goffe owned 1000 acres in New Kent Co., on 7 oct 1658 upon the N.E. side of Mattopany River and S.W. side of Whorecock Swamp and transported 20 men from England to work on this land. On 18 Feb 1663, his wife, Martha Goffe, patented 650 acres of land in the same locality, formerly granted to William Goffe July 22, 1659, assigned unto John Madison who assigned same to said Martha Goffe [143].

Deaths and Wills

Martha Baxter Goffe d. in 1670 in New Kent Co., VA, right after her last son Roger (named after his grandfather) was born [134]. Martha’s uncle, Roger Baxter2, was b. 1616 in England.

Martha Goffe died before 28 Aug 1673, for that was the date her second husband, John Prosser, made his will which was probated 6 Jun 1677 [143]. He stated that he was of “Golden Vale, in the Parish of Sittingbourne in the Freshes of Rappahannock Co.”, desire to be buried by the side of first wife Martha (because his second wife, Margaret, was still alive). His legatees were “now wife, Margaret, 500 acres of land, ½ of moveable estate, and plantation of Golden Vale for life, then to eldest son, John Prosser; to son John also, plantation called Nutgrove; son Samuel Prosser 400 acres adjoining; to sons Roger and Anthony a divident of 1100 acres upon Mattaponi Swamp. Sons-in-law Robert and Thomas Goffe (who were twins) to have jointly 200 acres adjacent to Golden Value. Sons are under 18. Wife, Margaret, extrx., to be assisted by James Kay.

Other Records

The Goffe and Kendall families stuck close together. The name Goffe was also spelled Gouge or Gough. The Gough and Baxter families are also listed at St. Leonard Shoreditch Church in London, as well as French and Mason families. Here are Goughs born at Shoreditch, London, where I found Masons and Frenches, see website: (Note the name Anthony – could he have been Margaret’s father?)
http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~ahnelson/PARISH/baptisms.html

 

Births	Sex	Father	Mother	Birth Date
Anthony Gough	s	Edward Gough		7 JAN 1615
Barbara Gough	d	Edward Gough	Mary	30 MAY 1624
Elizabeth Gough	d	Edward Gough	Mary	16 MAR 1618
Elizabeth Gough	d	Thomas Gough	Mary	7 JUL 1633
Francis Gough	s	Edward Gough		17 FEB 1610
Hanna Gough	d	Richard Gough		11 JUL 1613
Mary Gough	d	Edward Gough	Mary	21 OCT 1621
Paul Gough	s	Thomas Gough	Marie	5 JUL 1629
Rebecca Gough	d	Francis Gough		8 DEC 1616
Thomas Gough	s	Thomas Gough		19 SEP 1572
William Gough	s	William Gough		29 JUN 1595

Websites

http://www.retracing-our-family-legacy.com/fam/fam00299.html
http://www.retracing-our-family-legacy.com/fam/fam00429.html
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hwbradley/aqwg555.htm#9351
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/VAAMHERS/200006/0961288858
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/a/c/Rebecca-J-Pacey/FILE/0048text.txt
http://genforum.genealogy.com/goff/messages/2735.html
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/o/l/s/Richard-O-Olson/PDFBOOK1.pdf, see p. 148
Genealogies of Virginia Families, Volume II, Gooch Family, page 414
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/KENDALL/2006-05/1147038922
http://www.retracing-our-family-legacy.com/fam/fam00429.html
http://www.retracing-our-family-legacy.com/fam/fam00299.html
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hwbradley/aqwg555.htm
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/VANEWKEN/2006-01/1137646584
I believe this Margaret was b. 1728. Look at
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/o/f/Jerry-Goff/PDFBOOK1.pdf
http://ftp.rootsweb.ancestry.com/pub/usgenweb/special/afas/unpub/anthonyarnold.txt
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hwbradley/aqwg555.htm#9351
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/VAAMHERS/2000-06/0961288858
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/a/c/Rebecca-J-Pacey/FILE/0048text.txt

John Prosser

John Prosser was b. ca. 1624 in England [136]. Another source says John Prosser was born ca. 1640 in VA, New Kent, VA, which may have been Old Rappahannock Co., VA at that time. He m1. Martha Baxter Goffe, m2. Margaret ca. 1672, d. 1677. He signed his will on 28 Aug 1673 and named all four sons including a son Anthony by his wife’s previous marriage. His will was presented for probate on 30 Jun 1677.

Marriages

John Prosser m1. Martha Goffe (born Baxter), widow of William Goffe, ca. 1663/64 in New Kent, VA. John Prosser m2. Margaret (last name unknown) ca. 1670-71. John Prosser sold 200 acres of land with a dower release from wife Martha in 1665 [21].

Death and Will

John d. between the day he wrote his will on 28 Aug 1673, and the will was approved and probated on 30 Jun 1677. Symon Miller signed John Prosser’s will on 16 Feb 1677 naming six children [21]. Therefore, all children would have been born by that date in order to be named in his will. See John Prosser’s will, dated 28 Aug 1673, sworn by 30 Jun 1677, and signed by Anthony Savage and James Kay, which mentions his wife Margaret, his eldest son John Prosser, his second son Samuel Prosser, and his two youngest sons, Roger and Anthony Prosser. He also mentions his sons-in-law Robert and Thomas Goffe. John gave his wife, Margaret, 500 acres of land, his plantation of the Golden Valle and the land in the neck [21]. He stated that he was of “Golden Vale, in the Parish of Sittingbourne in the Freshes of Rappahannock Co.”, desire to be buried by the side of first wife Martha. John Prosser’s legatees were “now wife, Margaret, 500 acres of land, ½ of moveable estate, and plantation of Golden Vale for life, then to eldest son, John Prosser; to son John also, plantation called Nutgrove; son Samuel Prosser 400 acres adjoining; to sons Roger and Anthony a divident of 1100 acres upon Mattaponi Swamp. Sons-in-law Robert and Thomas Goffe (who were twins) to have jointly 200 acres adjacent to Golden Value. Sons are under 18. Wife, Margaret, extrx., to be assisted by James Kay.

Martha d. before John Prosser, and before 19 Aug 1670, as stated in a land deed shown below. John Prosser deeded land in his will to Martha, the only daughter of his deceased wife Martha Prosser on 19 Aug 1670. John Prosser was buried next to his first wife [120], Martha Prosser, because he died before his second wife died.

He m1. Martha Baxter, and he died in the 1660s leaving Martha a widow, and she is mentioned among the John Prosser family [82]. The deeds about the disputed land by Prosser only mention he married Goffe’s “relict”, it does not name her specifically [82]. There is a deed reference to a Martha Goffe, but we are not sure if she was William Goffe’s widow [82]. William and Martha may have had 2 children: Robert Goffe, b. ca. 1656 and Thomas Goffe, b. ca. 1658, both mentioned in John Prosser’s will as sons-in-law.

Symon Miller

Captain Symon Miller was b. 1642-47, and sailed out of Bristol, England ca. 1673 [120] [21]; therefore, his first 3 sons were born in England, and Susannah was born in the U.S. He was imported by Andrew Monrowe who received 920 acres in Westmoreland Co. on 26 Oct 1666. If this importation date is correct, all Symon’s children would have been born in America; otherwise, the first 3 were born in England. Symon received 817 acres in Rappahannock Co. on the South side of the River, on head of Pewmanesee (Peurmansend) Creek adjacent among others, Prosser and Cadwaller Jones. He later sold 625 acres of this land to Cadwaller Jones [150].

Symon d. 1683. His will was proved 5 Jul 1683 by Francis Thornton and James Taylor.

See Symon Miller website:
http://www.maierassociates.com/Genie/gbmil020.html

Marriages

Symon’s first wife, named unknown, probably died ca. 1677, as Symon’s first will was probated in Old Rappahannock Co., VA in 1677. and he Symon then m2. Margaret ca. 1678.

Deeds

Simon Miller was imported by Andrew Monrowe who received 920 acres in Westmoreland Co. on 26 Oct 1666. Miller received 817 acres in Rappahannock Co. on the South side of the River, on head of Pewmanesee (Peurmansend) Creek adj. among others, Prosser and Cadwaller Jones. He later sold 625 acres of this land to Cadw. Jones. His will proved 5 July 1683 by Francis Thornton and James Taylor. Simon Miller’s wife was Mrs. Margaret Prosser, widow of John Prosser. He came to America ca. 1673 and patented land, 817 acres in old Rappahannock County, VA. Nov. 5, 1673 for the transportation of sixteen persons to the Colony. He is mentioned in Vol. II, Emmons History of Va., by Dr. Phillip Bruce as a noted ship builder of Colonial VA., possessed a considerable estate, having bought 625 acres in one tract.

Death and Will

Symon made a will on 16 Feb 1679 to include his twins by Margaret. Therefore, Symon’s first 4 children (above) were from his first wife in England [21]. Symon Miller survived the attacks during Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. Symon’s will was proved 2 May 1684. See Symon Miller's will. He gave to his children: Symon, William, John, Susannah, Isabella, and Margaret, and to his wife’s son by a previous marriage, Anthony Prosser.

Symon was a noted shipbuilder during Colonial times and a large landowner. Symon Miller was a Boatwright, living on the frontier of the colony, where there was much trade with the Indian tribes to the west [21]. He and Margaret Prosser were married by 1678 probably in Rappahannock Co., VA [21]. The current Rappahannock County is on the east side of the Virginia mountains, but the original county was on the south side of the Rappahannock River.

Symon Miller signed Anthony Savage’s will in 1679.

Symon’s will was probated on 2 May 1684 naming six children. Therefore, all children were born before 1677. Symon wrote Capt. Symon Miller was b. in Bristol, England in 1642 as per his will on 7 May 1684 in Old Rappanhannock Co., VA. . He sailed out of Bristol, England about 1673. Symon was a noted shipbuilder during Colonial times and a large landowner. See his will.

Symon Miller was a Boatwright, living on the frontier of the colony, where there was much trade with the Indian tribes to the west [21]. From Symon’s will of 16 Feb 1679 at his age of 37, Margaret received even more land on the south branch of Puemendson Run, sometimes called Mill Creek, and land on Golden Vale Creek above Port Royal. On 16 Feb 1679, Symon Miller signed his will and named 6 Miller children as well as his wife’s son, Anthony Prosser. He signed his will probably shortly after Margaret gave birth to twins [21].

Symon died by Nov 1683 because Margaret entered into a lease agreement with Andrew Harrison for rental of property. If she had a living husband, she could not have addressed the court on her own [21]. Acting as a widow, she had standing before the court.

Symon died 5 years after his marriage to Margaret in Nov 1683. His will was proved 2 May 1684. Margaret and Symon Miller had 6 children born between 16 Feb 1679 and 1684. They were all mentioned in Symon’s will: Isabella, Margaret, Symon, William, John, and Susannah. These 6 children were also underage by the time Margaret married Hugh French in 1685.

When Symon Miller made his will on 16 Feb 1679, he states that all his children were under 14 years of age. He also mentions his wife Margaret’s son, Anthony Prosser, by her previous marriage to John Prosser. Because he mentioned only Anthony, this would indicate that John Prosser’s other children (John, Samuel, and Roger) were by John Prosser’s first wife, Martha Goffe. There is no mention of a Jane Prosser, b. ca. 1675, who m. John Grigsby, as mentioned in other online websites.

Captain Simon Miller married Margaret Prosser, widow of John Prosser of "Golden Valley" whose will was proved in Old Rappahannock Co., VA. 30 June 1677. Captain Simon Miller's will was dated 16 Feb. 1679 and was proved in Old Rappahannock County 02 May 1684.He directs that "in case I dye my son Simon be sent HOME the next year to England." He bequeaths large tracts of land to his children, mentions his wife Margaret Miller and makes bequests to the "Sons of Mr. Prosser", his wife's first husband.

John Hord was b. ca. 1664 in England. His son, Thomas Hord, b. ca. 1701, m. Jane Miller, sister of Simon Miller. Their son, James Hord, b. 28 Jan 1635/36 in King Geore Co., VA, m. his cousin Mary Susan Miller ca. 1755 in Culpeper Co., VA, and d. before 17 Dec 1802. Mary Susan Miller was b. ca. 1737 in VA and d. after 1816 in VA. She was the daughter of Simon Miller 3^rd who died ca. 1799, very aged, and 1^st wife Isabelle or Isabella Miller, a Miller cousin. James Hord was not only the son-in-law, but also a nephew of Simon Miller. Simon Miller's second wife was also named Isabelle and has been confused with being the only wife of Simon, but she wasn't. I am not sure if she also was a Miller cousin or not. Simon Miller was also the son and grandson of other Simon Millers', all descendants of Captain Simon Miller [85] [137].

John Prosser died between 28 Aug 1673 and 30 Jun 1677, having made his will 28 Aug 1673. Anthony Savage and James Kay signed John Prosser’s will in 1677. John proclaims that his 4 sons (John, Samuel, Roger, and Anthony) are under 18 years of age in 1673, and assigns James Kay to assist in performing the will. This means that all his children were born after 1655.

Anthony Savage’s will was signed by Francis Thornton and Thomas Parker on 5 Jun 1695. This shows a possibility that Anthony Savage might have been Margaret’s father. Margaret m. Symon Miller after 30 Jun 1677.

Symon was dead by November 1683 because Margaret entered into a lease agreement with Andrew Harrison for rental of property. If she had a living husband she could not have addressed the court on her own. Acting as a widow she had standing before the court. There is a will in King George County for a James Scott who named his Aunts Isabella Triplett, Margaret Taliaferro and Margaret Amon [sp] and Uncle Hugh French. Several years later Hugh French sells the land his sister Mary was deeded in Hugh their father's will. Therefore it is reasonable to assume Isabella Triplett was Margaret's child and Margaret2 French, married Robert Taliaferro. I do not know who Margaret Amon was but she could have been on the paternal side [21].

Symon Miller signed his will on 16 Feb 1679 and named 6 Miller children as well as his wife’s son Anthony Prosser. Symon’s will was proven 22 May 1684, but before that, on Symon died before 30 Nov 1683 when Margaret, entered into a lease agreement with Andrew Harrison as a widow of Symon Miller. Andrew Harrison was to farm and improve her land, but he did not. Symon Miller’s will was accepted for probate on 7 May 1684 when he was 37 years old. Margaret’s last appearance in the records as relict of Simon Miller was on 5 Mar 1684/5.

Symon mentions his children in order of their births, but most important, he mentions his children by his first wife first, and mentions the twins last. It is strange, however, that in his will he would request that his son, Symon, be sent the next five years for England. Why would he want his son to be sent to England unless Margaret was not his mother and unless he were close to 14, the age he talks about in his will. Also in his will he mentions Margaret’s step-sons by John Prosser: John, Samuel, Roger, who probably were living with them when he first married Margaret. In his will he says that these sons were not yet 18 years of age; therefore, they were born after 1665. Furthermore, in Symon’s will he does not state a future husband who will take over after he dies, but he does mention James Ashton to be overseer of his estate and children who will dispose of the children at 16 years of age as he shall think fit. All his children were born after 1667 when they would have been 16.

Simon Miller [1] was a Captain in Bacon's Rebellion and an adherent of Nathaniel Bacon. "Thus our enemies reigned till at last that Fire Brand (Nathaniel Bacon)---sent to our assistance on Capt. Simon Miller, a Liver among us and since his time we have had no men killed nor grt damage in our stocks though scince this War begun wee have lost 600# sterl. Now scince by an evil hand wee his Majesties alway leige men have in a manner our lives defended by ye sd. Miller. In gratitude wee desire he be looked upon with an eye of favor" [From a document setting forth the grievances of the Inhabitants or Cittenb orne Parish, Rappahannock Co., VA. March ye 8th 1676/7. Published in the VA. Mag.III, p. 37]. Captain Simon Miller was born in England in 1642. In his will dated 16 Feb. 1679, he says he is "aged seven and thirty yeares or thereabout". He probably came to Virginia about the year 1673, as he patented 817 acres of land in old Rappahannock County, 05 Nov. 1673 for the transportation of sixteen persons into the colony. Will proven 02 May 1684, Old Rappahannock Co., VA.

In Doctor Phillip A. Bruce's "Economic History of Virginia", Vol. II, p. 439, he is mentioned as one of the noted ship builders of Colonial Virginia, the possessor of considerable estate, and having "bought 625 acres of land in one tract". The fact that he was a ship wright, considered in connection with the following notices relating to his family, suggests that his home before coming to Virginia might have been Bristol, England, one of the important ship building ports at that time in England.

Deed Book 9- 1696-1699, page 333, of Old Rappahhannock County "John Miller of the City of Bristol Mariner appoints Captain Arthur Spicer of the County of Richmond Gent. and Thomas Gregson of the County of Essex attorneys for me at the General and County Courts in any case wherein I may be concerned , 15 Sept. 1698. This "John Miller, Mariner" was probably the son who is mentioned in Capt. Simon Miller's will, as he had property interests in Essex County where the children of Capt. Miller resided.

Deed Book 1724-26 Essex County, pp. 208,209- "Noblet Ruddock of the City of Bristol, Merchant, Attorney of Locy Flower, widow, mother of Jeffery Flower, late of Virginia deceased---- I have to these presents set my hand and seal in the City of Bristol in Great Britain 12th year of the reign of our sovereign, Lord George, etc. 1723". This paper was signed and witnessed in Bristol, England and Simon Miller (2), one of the witnesses was certainly residing at that time in Bristol.

Deed Book Essex Co., VA 1728-33, p 206, "Power of Attorney from John Athom Lambert, Mariner of the City of Bristol in Great Britain to my beloved d friend, Simon Miller of Essex County, VA." These items certainly indicate a close connection with Bristol, England. Captain Simon Miller married Margaret Prosser, widow of John Prosser of "Golden Valley" whose will was proved in Old Rappahannock Co., VA. 30 June 1677. He came to America ca. 1673 and patented land, 817 acres in old Rappahannock County, VA. Nov. 5, 1673 for the transportation of sixteen persons to the Colony.

He is mentioned in Vol. II, Emmons History of Va., by Dr. Phillip Bruce as a noted ship builder of Colonial VA., possessed a considerable estate, having bought 625 acres in one tract. Captain Simon Miller's will was dated 16 Feb. 1679 and was proved in Old Rappahannock County 02 May 1684. He directs that "in case I dye my son Simon be sent HOME the next year to England." He bequeaths large tracts of land to his children, mentions his wife Margaret Miller and makes bequests to the "Sons of Mr. Prosser", his wife's first husband. Witnesses: Francis Thornton, James Taylor, Nathaniel Tomlin.

The original will of Captain Simon Miller was still preserved in the Clerk's Office of Essex County, some years ago.

Children of Captain Simon Miller named in will:

1. Simon Miller

2. William Miller [descendents u/k]

3. Isabella Miller, married William Triplett. She lived to an advanced age. Her will dated April 1758 was proven in King George County, 06 March 1760. See Wm. & Mary Quarterly, Vol. XXI, 33:43, 115-134, Vol. X XII, p. 175 for her descendents.

3. Margaret Miller

4. Susannah Miller married Henry Brice and her will is dated 24 Nov. 1724 and proved in Essex County 19 Jan. 1724/25. No children are mentioned in her will but she refers to her husband who is deceased. He was an officer in the colonial militia and a man of affairs in the early settlement of Rappahannock Co., VA.

John Somerville

After Hugh’s death in 1701, Margaret m4. John Somerville on 5 Sep 1705 as her 4^th and last husband [46] [21]. No issue from this marriage. Margaret d. between 1710 – 1717.

Details of These Children

 

St. Mary's Parish was formed from Sittenburne Parish in Old Rappahannock County around 1677. By 1713 it covered a portion of Essex County. St. Mary's Parish at first extended on both sides of the Rappahannock River until its northern half, in Richmond County, was organized as Hanover Parish in 1713. The remaining portion of the parish was entirely in Caroline County when that county was formed in 1728.

Thomas Goffe’s Children by Martha Baxter Goffe

(somewhat odd???) Margaret Goffe, wife of George McDaniel, was the daughter of John and Anne Goffe. John’s will (Amherst Co. W.B. 1, pp. 25-26, 29) was written 30 Nov 1762, probated 2 March 1763. Anne was still living at the time of John's death. Neither dau. Margaret McDaniel nor dau. Martha McDaniel (Martha was married to Henry McDaniel, possibly a brother of George) were mentioned in the will, but George McDaniel and John Rucker provided security. John's parents were Thomas and Margaret Goffe. Thomas died before 1726. Thomas' parents were --?-- Gough or Goffe and Margaret --?--. Margaret married 2nd John Prosser, who died in old Rappahannock Co. in 1671. Above is from The Rucker Family by Sudie Rucker Wood. This information from Thomas Lee (twlee@qzip.net), 2000, if this is needed, reread
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/VAAMHERS/2000-06/0961288858

1. Martha Goffe, b. ca. 1640 in VA, the only daughter of Martha Goffe, m1. Charles Kendall in 1669 and he died a year later. Martha m2. Thomas Kendall in 1671 [134]. Thomas Kendall was b. 10 Jun 1648 in England. Their son Thomas Kendall was b. 27 Jun 1672. Martha Goff was the step-daughter of John Prosser, and of age and married by the time John Prosser (below) died in 1672, therefore not mentioned in John Prosser’s will. She d. in 1708 on the Family Farm, Jett Creek, King George Co., VA [134].

12. William Goffe Jr., b. ca. 16451630 in England [149], was the step-son of John Prosser, and probably of age and married by the time John Prosser (below) died in 1672, therefore not mentioned in John Prosser’s will. William m. Alice Thacker on 31 May 1688 in Christ Church, Middlesex, VA [148]. He d. in 1704 in James City Parish, VA, and had 3 children: John, William, and Martha [134]. William Goffe had patent land in Maryland in 1677, just two years before he died on 18 May 1679??? Or delete – which Wm was this? William Goffe had patent land in Maryland in 1677, just two years before he died on 18 May 1679.

2. Martha Goffe, b. ca. 1640 in VA [149], the only daughter of Martha Goffe, m1. Charles Kendall in 1669 and he died a year later. Martha m2. Thomas Kendall (his brother) in 1671 [134] [148]. Thomas Kendall was b. 10 Jun 1648 in England. Their son Thomas Kendall2 was b. 27 Jun 1672. Martha Goff was the step-daughter of John Prosser, and of age and married by 1672, before John Prosser (below) died in 1677, therefore not mentioned in John Prosser’s will in 1677. William Goffe, her father, deeded her land (see below)in 1670 while she was already married to Thomas Kendall. She d. in 1708 on the Family Farm, Jett Creek, King George Co., VA [134].

On 19 Aug 1670 John Prosser (before his will) deeded to Martha, the only daughter of his deceased wife, Martha Prosser, now the wife of Thomas Kendall, 300 acres adjacent to George Sheperd, on south side of Rappa. River [143]. On 24 Mar 1694 Thomas Kendall and wife, Martha, of St. Mary Parish, sold this 300 acres to Charles Taliafero . They moved north of the Rappahannock River and lived on 105 acres patented by Thomas Kendall in 1697, adjoining Grimstead and Thomas Goffe [143]. Thomas Kendall lived on Kent Island in 1631 which was the year Captain William Claiborne coloized that Island. He served Claiborne 1631-36. Thomas Kendall, with John Sturman and Thomas Youell, moved from Kent Island in 1636 to St. Marys because of Lord Baltimore’s disturbance of William Claiborne [143]. Thomas d. in 1646. His will was dated 9 Nov 1646, no county shown. He gave personalty to the son of Roger Baxter of Kent Island and leaves a trust for three children, not named, under the guardianship of Thomas Youell with John Sturman as a witness. Roger Baxter, in his deposition of 1660, states that they had moved to St. Marys as Puritans. Who died here? Thomas Goffe or Martha Baxter Goffe

3. Robert Goffe, twin, b. ca. 16461645 in VA (legatee or son-in-law in John Prosser’s will), still underage (probably 16) when his mother married John Prosser ca. 1662. He d. Feb 1726 in Westmoreland, VA [134] [148]. He m. Anne Wheeler in 1666 in Westmoreland, VA [134]. She was b. in 1645 in Westmoreland, VA [136].

4. Thomas Goffe, twin, b. ca. 16471645 in VA (legatee or son-in-law in John Prosser’s will), still underage (probably 15) when his mother married John Prosser ca. 1662. He d. before 1726 (the year his twin died) in Hanover Parish, King George, VA, m. Margaret Arnold in 1680 in Old Rappahannock, VA [134], and had 4 children [149]. Margaret Arnold was b. ca. 1660 [136]. In Jan 1723 in King Co., Thomas sells 200 acres of land in St. Mary’s Parish, Essex Co., which was bequeathed to Thomas and Robert Goffe by John Prosser. Thomas and Margaret had dau. Margaret, b. ca. 1688, m. 5 May 1707 Isaac Arnold, Sr. at St. Mary’s Parish, Richmond, VA, d. 1775. Also living on the Mattaponi River was Anthony Arnold, Benjamin Arnold, and Martin Davenport. See also the Anthony Arnold Research Project.

John Prosser’s Children by his First Wife, Martha Goffe Prosser

5. John Prosser2, b. ca. 1665 in Old Rappahannock Co., VA, had son Samuel Prosser before 4 Nov 1673 according to the Thornton vs. Buckner case. John died by 1717 and his son Samuel was living in 1717, as he sold his inheritance in the case on 21 Jan 1717 to Francis and Anthony Thornton..

6. Samuel Prosser, b. ca. 1666 in Old Rappahannock Co., VA, died before 4 Nov 1673 without issue according to the Thornton vs. Buckner case.

7. Roger Prosser, b. ca. 1667 in Old Rappahannock Co., VA [82]. He was alive on 10 Jan 1709, he sold his inheritance in the Thornton vs. Buckner case and died before 14 Jan 1719, died later without issue according to the Thornton vs. Buckner case.

John Prosser’s Children by his Second Wife, Margaret

8. Anthony Prosser, b. ca. 1671 when his mother was about 16, d. before Roger Prosser (above) died, in Gloucester Co., VA [87]. According to the Thornton vs. Buckner case, Anthony was alive in 1717 and d. ca. 1719and sold his inheritance in the case on 21 Jan 1717 to Francis and Anthony Thornton. Anthony Prosser had no issue.

Symon Miller’s Children by his First Wife

9. Symon Miller2, b. ca. 1669 in England, d. 1 Jul 1726. Another record says he was b. 31 Mar 1670, m. Elizabeth, d. 4 May 1720 at Cockelshell Creek, Richmond Co., VA [123].
10. William Miller, b. ca. 1671 in England, might have m. Martha Taylor, d. before 1 Jul 1726 in King George Co., VA [123]. William was not listed in Hugh French’s will of 1701, , but his brothers Symon and John were.
11. John Miller, b. ca. 1673 in England, d. 20 Dec 1743 in Essex Co., VA [123]. He served on a jury 19 Sep 1723 and on the Grand Jury in 1724. He was probably the Captain John Miller, sometimes of Bristol, England. He was probably the Captain John Miller, command of the ship “Sarah” bound for Virginia mentioned in the will of John Payton of Ham Green, Parish Porthy, Somerset, England, being sick on board, proved 4 Aug 1699, (VA. Mag. Vol. XII, p. 177) [139 – this information is from the will of James Hord]. This will was the cause of a long Chancery Suit brought by Thomas Hord and his wife, Jane Miller Hord (see Order Book, Essex County, 1725-29, page 241). John Miller's Will dated 15 April 1742 proven in Essex County, December 30, 1743, mentions his wife Mary and the following children: Simon, Francis, Thomas, John, William, Isabella, and Margaret.
12. Susannah Miller, b. ca. 1675-1684 in Old Rappahannock Co., VA, d. 19 Jan 1724 in Essex Co., VA, m. Henry Brice in 1722. Susannah and Henry both died in 1724 after only a 2-year marriage. Her will was dated 24 Nov 1724 and proved in Essex Co., VA on 19 Jan 1724/25. No children are mentioned in her will, but she refers to her husband who is deceased. He was an officer in the colonial militia and a man of affairs in the early settlement of Rappahannock Co., VA. His first wife is unk, but she was the mother of Henry Brice’s children [137].

Symon Miller’s Children by Margaret

13. Isabella Miller (twin), b. before 16 Feb 1679 (when Symon made his will) in Old Rappahannock Co., VA, m. William Triplett in 1694, d. 6 Mar 1760. They had 10 children: Margaret, Isabella, John, William, Elizabeth, Thomas, James, Francis, Mary, and Daniel. Isabella lived to an advanced age [137]. Her will dated Apr 1758 was proven in King George County, 6 Mar 1760 [153].
14. Margaret Miller (twin), b. before 16 Feb 1679 (when Symon made his will) in Old Rappahannock Co., VA, m. Mr. Smyth ca. 1699 probably in King George Co., VA. Ref. [141] says Margaret m. James Hord.

Hugh French’s Children by his First Wife

15. Mary French, b. ca. 1678

On 6 Mar 1685, Hugh French was in court on behalf of the widow of Simon Miller whom he married. Hugh French m. Margaret Miller probably in 1686 (as per Book D 18, p. 326). When Hugh d. in 1701, and in his will, he first gave to his son, Hugh, and then many listed items he gave to his daughter, Mary, who at that time was 23 years old and an age when she could marry, but apparently was not.

Hugh French’s Children by his Second Wife, Margaret

16. Hugh French2, b. ca. 1686, m. Mary Triplett Browne
17. Daniel French, b. ca. 1688, m. Margaret Burkett
18. Mason French, b. ca. 1690, d. 23 Apr 1752, m. Catherine Ellis after 1718.
19. Margaret French, b. ca. 1692 (if Margaret’s mother had this last child in 1692 at age 38, she probably was born ca. 1655/56). She m. Robert Taliaferro ca. 1710. They had a daughter, Elizabeth Taliaferro, who m. Roger Madison, the grand-uncle of President James Madison. Her other children were Anne, Robert, and Samuel. Margaret d. before Sep 1726 when Robert Taliaferro m2. Ann Pittman.

What Was Margaret’s Maiden Name?

There has been much speculation about the surname of Hugh French’s wife, Margaret. According to Virginia culture at this time, the first son received the name of his paternal grandfather. Margaret’s first son was named Anthony. Her three other sons were Hugh, Daniel, and Mason.

Margaret was b. ca. 1656. This is the most accurate date we have for her. She had her first child, Anthony Prosser, ca. 1673 when she was about 17. She had her last child, Margaret French, ca. 1694, when she was 38. Margaret and Hugh French met and married in the U.S. We do not know if their families knew each other in England.

Hugh died in Richmond County, VA, in 1701, and left his estate to his five children. There was no mention of his wife’s surname. Could it be Savage, Goffe, Rawlings, or Mason? There is evidence that she may be the daughter of Anthony Savage, having named her first son Anthony. There is also evidence that Hugh was “interrelated” to the Mason family, having immigrated in 1663, the same year as many members of the Mason family, plus they named sons Mason French throughout the generations. Goffe is also a likely candidate and interrelating to the Prosser family.

Was he a Savage or a Mason? The families involved with Margaret’s family during the period 1665-1670 , especially with the Prosser family, would most likely reveal Margaret’s family name, such as Savage, Thornton, Thacker, Wheeler, Prosser, Mason, Strother, Parke, Kay, Mott, Goffe, Kendall, Baxter, Hord, or Pannell. On the other hand, perhaps the reason no one has found records of any Margaret born ca. 1655 might be because she was not related to one of these men, but came from a different area or was an orphan such as Margaret Rawlings.

Consensus

Was Margaret a Savage, Goffe, Mason, Rawlings, or someone else. Send me your sourced detective research on this topic, Mara French, marafrench@mindspring.com.

Was Margaret a Savage?

Was Margaret a Savage?

By Bob Cawly

The Savage family was so closely tied to both the Prosser and Miller families that one would tend to think they were relatives. However, so far we have not found a perfect source for a Margaret Savage. The name Savage had other spellings: Savedge and Savidge.

Anthony Savage was b. 1605 in Elmby Castle, Gloucester, Worcester, England, d. 1695 in Gloucester Co., VA, now Richmond Co., VA. Capt. Anthony Savage is first found in VA in 1660 in Glouscester Co. He was an adult at this time as he served on the Commission and was chosen Sheriff. In 1670 he purchased 1000 acres on the north side of the Rappahannock River. This land has been traced and part can be seen to belong to his son, John. There does not seem to be any connection between the Thomas Savage of Jamestown and Anthony Savage of Glouscester. The line of Thomas and son John stayed in the same area and did not move towards the area Anthony settled in. None of the names overlap but John. No wife's name is seen in any records. In his will he names his daughter Alice and her husband, Col. Francis Thornton who was b. 1651. Anthony Savage also leaves his granddaughter, Margaret Thornton, 200 acres of land in his will. This is proven when Margaret Thornton Strother and her husband William Strother sell the same land. See Thornton Family genealogy [133].

Anthony Savage m. Alice Stafford. His father, Anthony Savage, was b. ca. 1556 in Elmby Castle, and m. Elizabeth Hall ca. 1600. You will not find Anthony Savage with a daughter Margaret between 1650-1670, just an Alice who married a Thornton [86].

Ralph Savage, Anthony’s father, was the son of Walter Savage and Elizabeth Hall. See websites:
http://www.jenforum.com/thornton/messages/3548.html
http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=23551559&st=1
Anthony Savage and Elizabeth Hall had a son, Charles Savage, b. 1590 in Broadway, Worchester, England, d. 1652. He m. Elizabeth Abington in 1610 in Broadway, Worchester, England. She was b. ca. 1595, d. 2 Feb 1663. They had son Anthony Savage, b. ca. 1611. He may have been Margaret’s father, but no more information is given, but at least we know there are many Anthonys in the Savage family.
Another website says that Ralph Savage’s son, Anthony Savage, m. Sarah Constable, and had daughter Alice Savage who m. Francis Thornton.

http://www2.muw.edu/~bparker/savage.html http://www.geocities.com/tetbury1737/qs/savage.html

Not much else is known about the parents of Anthony Savage, although he could have been the son of John Savage of Castleton, Derbyshire, and his wife, Alice Stafford. In the year 1670 Anthony Savage of Gloucester, “Bought one thousand acres of land on the north side of the Rappahannock River in the upper precinct of Cittenbourne parish”, which in 1692 became a part of Richmond county, and in 1720, of King George county. This 1,000 acre tract was called Mongoheocala. In 1678 he deeds 300 acres of this tract to Francis Thornton and wife Alice Savage, who was Anthony Savage’s daughter, with reversion to his granddaughter Margaret Thornton who m. William Strother and in 1727, then a widow, conveys the same 300 acres to her son, William Strother, Jr. The last record of Anthony Savage is found in Richmond county Order Book No. 2, page 55, June 5^th, 1695, on which date his Will was presented for probate by his son-in-law, Francis Thornton, its executor; the book in which the Will was recorded is missing.

Anthony's will was filed, but was lost and is no longer available. The circumstantial facts are related to land deeds.....the most notable one being the land bought together by Roger Pannell and John Prosser. Pannell died and left a life-estate to his wife Katherine. Land transactions were made prior to Katherine’s death in 1717 of which court claims were made to also include John Prosser’s heirs:

- Son Samuel Prosser and grandson Anthony Prosser had already sold their claims to Francis and William Thornton, sons of Alice Savage
- The heirs of Roger Pannell also sold their claims to the Thornton's as well.
- The Thornton's pursued the land claims against a gentleman named Buckner that bought the land when Katherine used it as a life-estate.

It appears that the Thorntons and Prossers are heirs that can dispute the sale by the Pannell heirs. The key to this is looking at the Thornton vs. Buckner case file, and there are other items that point to Margaret being a Savage as well.

There is also an Anthony Savage, b. 1623 the son of Ralph Savage, d. 1695, m. Alice Stafford and had daughter Alice Savage, b. 1647, d. 1716, m. Major Francis Thornton 13 Apr 1674. They also had a daughter, Dorothy Savage, who m. William Strother.

Francis Thornton, who m. Alice Savage, had twins William and Sarah, plus other children Francis, Rowland, Annie, and Anthony Thornton. The name Anthony is also in this family, plus the gene of having twins, as Margaret’s second and third children were twins. See Thornton Family genealogy [133]. Could Margaret’s maiden name be Thornton?

The Name Anthony

·      Margaret named her first son Anthony. He was the only son with her first husband, John Prosser. He was b. ca. 1671, so the families involved with Margaret’s family during 1665-1670, especially with the Prosser family, would most likely reveal Margaret’s family name, such as Savage, Goffe, Thornton, Strother, Parke, and Pannell. According to Virginia naming conventions at this time, the first son received the name of his maternal grandfather – Anthony could have been his Christian or surname.

Land Deeds

·      John Prosser2 sold land to Anthony Savage and lived next to Margaret and John Prosser1.

·      Anthony Prosser and sons of William and Alice Thornton, Francis and Anthony Thornton, witness a number of land records involving sale of Margaret’s land. Francis Thornton, Sr. married Alice Savage, daughter of Anthony Savage of Gloucester County, Virginia on 13 April, 1674. William Thornton (I) came from London, England, and settled in Gloucester County, Virginia, in 1673. Maiden name of wife not recorded. He had three sons, William, Francis, and Rowland. Francis Thornton (2) married Alice Savage, daughter of Captain Anthony Savage, of Gloucester County, Va. Issue: 1. Margaret Thornton, born 1678; died 1756; married William Strother V Abt. 1694. 2. Elizabeth Thornton. 3. Francis Thornton. 4. Anne Thornton. 5. Sarah Thornton. 6. William Thornton. 7. Rowland Thornton. 8. Anthony Thornton. Anthony Savage’s daughter, Alice Savage, m. Francis Thornton. Land purchased from John Prosser was sold to Francis and Alice on 20 Nov 1678 in Sittinburne Parish. Anthony Savage had another daughter (as indicated by Strother family history), Dorothy Savage who m. William Strother.

·      Margaret m2. Symon Miller whose will was witnessed by Francis Thornton, son-in-law of Anthony Savage, a strong primary link as he would be the lead male figure in the family after Miller’s death. Simon Miller2 (son of Capt Simon Miller) Essex County makes a gift to Thomas Parke, School Master. He was later a resident of Richmond County in which is father left him an estate: was witness to the will of Robert Pannell, dated March 16, 1716, and witness to the will of Hugh French, proved in Richmond County, December 3, 1701. Simon Miller2's will dated December 1, 1719, was proved in Richmond County, May 4, 1720.

·      Thomas Pannell (and wife Katherine) and John Prosser (and wife Margaret) bought land together indicating a close relationship. The land patented jointly by Thomas Pannell and John Prosser may hold the key to this mystery. The court actions all involve the Pannell heirs, the Prosser heirs and the Thornton heirs, which leads to the possibility that might be cousins attempting to resolve title dispute on land. (Thornton vs Buckner)

·      Anthony Savage had land adjacent to Simon Miller which he sold to Thomas Arnold in 1679. It was on Prosser’s Creek in Sittingbourne Parish in Old Rappahannock Co., VA [150].

Wills

·      Anthony Savage witnessed the will of John Prosser, dated 28 Aug 1673, sworn by 30 Jun 1677, and signed by Anthony Savage and James Kay, mentions John Prosser’s wife Margaret, his eldest son John Prosser, his second son Samuel Prosser, and his two youngest sons, Roger and Anthony Prosser. This proves that an older Anthony Savage existed in 1677.

·      Anthony Savage’s will of 5 Jun 1695 was presented by Francis Thornton and witnessed by Thomas Parke. The will was lost as no early records survive from Richmond County. The name “Anthony” was used in the Thornton line (daughter Alice Savage married Francis Thornton, b. 1682) and is used in the Strother line (William Strother and his wife Dorothy), and one of the French daughters, Margaret French, married a Strother, James Strother, and named their son, French Strother. Francis Thornton was the son of the emigrant, William Thornton, b. 5 Nov 1651, d. 1726, m. Alice Savage, daughter of Capt. Anthony Savage.

·      Thomas Parke also witnessed Symon Miller’s will and was noted on several land records with Symon Miller2.

·      John Prosser’s will dated 28 Aug 1673, sworn by 30 Jun 1677, and signed by Anthony Savage and James Kay, mentions his wife Margaret, his eldest son John Prosser, his second son Samuel Prosser, and his two youngest sons, Roger and Anthony Prosser. (James Kay married Mary Pannell daughter of Thomas Pannell and Katherine. Kay was also the co-administrator with Margaret on Hugh French’s will.) From King George County Deed Book I, 1721-1726. The Deposition of Edward Tayler of King George Co being 80 years of age or thereabout, deposes that he knew James Kay and William Kay, two brothers who were reputed to be Lancashire men and that James was the Elder and intermarryed with one Sarah Golson, by whom he had issue five children, James, Robert, Ann, William & Richard, of which James was the Eldest and said James Kay the Son intermarryed with one Mary Pannell and had issue by her several Children of which James was his Eldest Son who is now living in King George Cout. Recorded 2 Sept 1726.

·      Francis Thornton witnessed the will of Symon Miller (d. 1679) of Rappahannock Co. Sealed and delivered in the presence of us Nathaniell Tomlin, Francis Thornton, SYMON MILLER, James Taylor. Mr Francis Thornton aged about 32 yeares or thereabouts saith that on Febby 18 1679 was at the house of Capt Symon Millers and he then and there called me into his inner room and presented this Will to me and said it was his which accordingly I witnessed it further saith not. FRANCIS THORNTON Juratus est THORNTON in Cur Com Rappa quinto die 7bris Anno 1683.

·      William Strother (born 1630 - died 1702) married Dorothy Savage (1651), daughter of Captain Anthony Savage and his wife, Alice Stafford. About this time (1650 or 1651), William Strother immigrated to Virginia and settled near Richmond. Anthony Savage was son of John Savage and Alice Stafford (?) Alice Stafford, wife of Anthony Savage, was daughter of Sir Humphrey Stafford. William Strother, son of William and Dorothy Strother, was born about 1663 and died 1726. He was High Sheriff of King George County, Virginia, and a vestryman of Handover Parish and was called "Captain Strother". He was Gentleman Justice of King George County. On March 6, 1723, a meeting of the Justice Court was held in King George County, with the following members present: William Strother, Joseph Strother, Samuel Skinker, Benjamin Strother, Thomas Vivian, Meredith Price, Roland Thornton, William Strother III. William Strother, son of the above William Strother and Dorothy Savage, married his first cousin, Margaret Thornton. Their mothers, Dorothy Savage Strother and Alice Savage Thornton, being sisters and daughters of Captain Anthony Savage and his wife, Alice Stafford. William Strother V was b. 1665 in King George Co., VA, d. 26 Jul 1726 in King George Co., VA. His father was William Strother IV, b. 1630 in Northumberland, England, and his mother was Dorothy Savage, b. 1635 in England. His parents probably met and married each other in Virginia ca. 1663. William Strother V m. Margaret Thornton, b. 2 Apr 1678. Children: William Strother, b. 1697; Francis Thornton Strother, b. bet. 1698 and 1702 in Culpepper, Culpepper Co., VA.

·      Virginia Colonial Abstracts by Beverly Fleet, Volume 1 Richmond County Records, Page 90: Deed September 1693. John Fosaker and Elizabeth his wife to Hugh French, for 3000 lb tobo, 200 acres adj land of Capt Geo Mason, land of Mr. Wm Colston, land of Capt John Clendenen and land of John Forsaker. Signed John Forsaker, Eliz Fosaker. Wit Alexander Doniphan, Fran Thornton, Tho Parke, Anthony Prosser. Rec 10 Oct 1693. (On 1 March 1705/06, Margarett French, Spinster daughter of Hugh French, late of Richmond County, deceased, purchased a parcel of land in St. Mary's Parish, Richmond County, containing 36 acres from John Fossaker and his wife Elizabeth. This 36 acres were contained within the land her father bought in 1693 from David Darnell, who in turn had purchased it from John and Elizabeth Fossaker. Hugh bequeaths 130 acres to Margaret in his 1701 will. There was confusion as to the exact metes, bounds and acreage of this land. This purchase of 36 acres appears to be an effort to fulfill the intent of Hugh's 1701 will. A new survey was made of the entire 136-acre tract. The metes and bounds were clearly recorded.) (Elizabeth Forsaker’s maiden name is Mott, Alexander Doniphan is the husband of Margaret Mott, sister to Elizabeth and daughter of George and Elizabeth Mott, Thomas Parke married Sarah Miller the daughter of Simon Miller, Anthony Prosser is Margaret French’s son from marriage to John Prosser. Francis Thornton is the son of William Thornton Sr and Alice Savage. Page 86: Deed September 1693 John Forsaker and Elizabeth his wife of the par of St Marys in Richmond Co., to Hugh French of same parish and Co. for 2000 lb tobo, 1146 acres :being the remaindering part of the said Fosaker back land which came by his said wife Elizabeth the Daughter of Mr. Mott.” Adjs land sold to David Darnell. Signed John Fosaker, Eliz. Fosaker. Wit. Tho Parke, Anthony Prosser Rec 25, Oct 1693

·      (David Darnell was born in St Mary’s County Maryland in 1657 and married Margaret Morgan.) Page 92: Deed 21 Sept 1693. David Darnell and Margaret his wife of St Mary’s Par Richmond Co to Hugh French of sd Par and Co. for 7000 lbs. tobo, 600 acres, adj land of Mr Wm Thornton, land of Col Wm Fitzhugh, land of Mr Sampson Darnell, land of Richmond Shipways and land of James Orchard, “being part of a patent for land lying in Rappahannock and Stafford Countys granted to Mr. Motts.” Signed David Darnell, Margaret Darnell. Wit John Forsaker, John Carter Mauser Hubbert Rec 10 Oct 1693

(James Orchard was married to Rebecca Thomas. William Thornton, Jr is the son of William Thornton and Elizabeth Rowland; the brother of Francis Thornton, and son of William Thornton and Alice Savage)

Abstracts of Land Records of Richmond County, Virginia 1692-1704 by Mary Marshall Brewer Richmond County Deed Book 1 1692-1693

Sep 1693 Deed. John Fosaker and Elizabeth his wife of St Mary’s Parish, Richmond County for 2000 pounds of tobacco sold to Hugh French OF SAME PLACE A 146 ½ acre parcel of land being the remaining part of Fosaker’s back land which came by hissaid wife Elizabeth daughter of Mr Mott adjoining land sold to David Darnell. Wit: Tho Parke, Antho Prosser. Mrs Fosaker came before Alexander Doniphan and Francis THORNTON & declared she was not compelled but did it freely and willingly. Acknowledged 4 Oct 1693. (Book 1 page 86)

1693. Bond John Fosaker of St Mary’s Parish Richmond County am firmly bound unto Hugh FRENCH of same place in the quantite of 10,000 pounds of tobacco and caske the condicon of this obligation is such that if John FOSSAKER & Elizabeth his wife shall keep all the covenants in the above deed , then this present obligacon to be void. Wit: Alexander Doniphan, Francis Thornton. Book 1 page 89.

Sep 1693 Deed John Fosaker & Elizabeth his wife of St Mary’s Parish Richmond County for 3000 pounds of tobb sold to Hugh French of same place.. 100 acre parcel of land bounded by Captain Geo Mason, Wm Coston, Capt John Glendening, and the said Fosaker, Wit: Wit Alexander Doniphan, Fran Thornton, Tho Parke, Antho Prosser, Acknowledge 4 Oct 1693 (Book 1 page 90)

Deed of Gift. Simon MILLER of Essex County planter for several good consideration and the love and affection I bear unto Tho Parke of Essex County schoolmaster being in perfect memory give unto the said Tho Parke a tract of land adjoining Hugh French, Anthony Savage, Robert Paine during the life time of the said Tho Parke, and after his death, what improvements shall be upon said land except his moveable estate shall return to me the said Simon Miller. Wit Rees Evans, Samll Jacques. Acknowledged 3 Jan 1693 (book 2 page 2)

Just one note: The Thomas Parker mentioned as witnessing Hugh French’s will was a School Master and was gifted property in 1692 by Simon Miller, Margaret’s step son by Simon Miller. [Records of Richmond County].

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/a/f/Mary-D-Taffet/PDFGENE2.pdf search for Savage

·      Thornton vs. Buckner; Early Virginia Decisions. This was a landmark case in Virginia law in that land could be assigned in a will without the patent being issued. The interesting facts are the role of Francis and Anthony Thornton, sons of Francis Thornton and Alice Savage. Both the Processor and Pannel heirs sold their interest to the Thorntons…..a claim that they could only pursue if they were related to Katherine Prosser or Margaret French. Were Katherine and Margaret daughters of Anthony Savage? Was Katherine a sister of John Prosser?

More on the Savage Family from Mara French

Thomas Savage was b. 1594 in England and d. 1635. He m. Hannah Tying and had son John Savage. John was b. 1624 and d. 1678, m. Ann Elkington, and had children Susanna Savage and Grace Savage. Susanna Savage was b. Jun 1649 and d. 1729 in Williamsburg, VA. She m. John Kendall in Jun 1667 and had 4 children: Thomas, John, Susanna, and William. She m2. Capt. Henry Warren in Sep 1680 and had 4 children: Joseph, William, Elizabeth, and Hester. She m3. Col Hammon Firkettle in 1702. Ref if needed:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/7723/d0000/g0000076.html#I649. Thomas Savage came to America in 1607 with the Jamestown Kendalls. He settled in Savage’s Neck in Accomac Co., VA. As a boy, he was exchanged for one of the sons of the great Indian Chiefs, Pwhatan, for the purpose of one to learn the Indian language and the English so they could become government interpreters for the Indian and Colonial Governements. Thomas Savage d. by an Indian arrow while trying to negotiate. The main problem with considering Margaret to be Margaret Savage is that no records ever showed a Margaret Savage during this time period.

Miscellaneous Records

Source: From the NUGENT, NELL MARION. Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666. Vol. 1. Richmond [VA]: Dietz Printing Co., 1934. 767p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1983. Page: 181

Name: Margt Savage

Year: 1649

Place: Virginia

Source Publication Code: 6220

Primary Immigrant: Savage, Margt

Annotation: Record of 20,000 very early immigrants, with much relevant information. Taken from Patent Books 1 through 5. Title page states, "In 5 volumes," but up to 1979 only three had appeared. See nos. 6221 and 6223 for second and third volumes, published in 1977 and 1979. Issued originally by Nugent in parts between 1929 and 1931; the parts were then largely incorporated in this work, no. 6220. Stewart, item no. 9025, compiled the article, "Ancient Planters [1607]," pages xxviii-xxxiv.

[Murphys & others in "Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents & Grants, 1623-1666", by Nell Marion Nugent, 1963.] [excerpted by Mark A. Murphy, 11 Mar 2002], p. 181 Capt. Ralph Wormeley, 3200 acs, 16 June 1649, p. 170.

On the S. side of Rappahanock Riv. about 10 mi. up the river, including the Indian Townes of old & new Nimcock, bounded N.W. upon Rosegill Cr., E. towards land of Thomas Trotter, N.E. & N. upon the river; Trans. of 3 score & 4 pers: John Price, Pet. Sterkey, Lewis Comquest, Xpian Frederick, John Styam, Mary Bennet, John Pinford, William Leigh, Saliman DeCarvalco (or Carvalox), (name altered), Margt. Savage, John Jackson, Fra. Ferewether, Eight Negroes- (Transported in Capt. Jno. Williams Shipp)- John Hampton, William English, Samll. Jones, Edwd. Murferry, Wm. Ginsey, Thos. Sackes, Richd. Marmaduke, Jere Linch, Richd. Lewis, Wm. Robinson, Erasmus Cole (or Cobe), Wm. Ginkin, John Cornish, Edward Gaprell, George Wilson, Thomas Jackson, Cristian Best, Edward Tyball, Wm. Baycock, .........[end of page]

Websites: (search for Savage)

http://orphanlegacy.anna-leeaton.com/64.html

http://ftp.rootsweb.ancestry.com/pub/usgenweb/special/afas/unpub/anthonyarnold.txt

http://www.frenchfamilyassoc.com/FFA/CHARTS/Chart036/Chart36Records.htm

Anthony Savage by William Buckner McGroarty, plus the Thornton Family by W. G. Stanard

Anthony Savage b. 19 Jun 1623, d. 1695, m. Sarah Constable, had dau. Alice Savage m. Francis Thornton. Website: http://www.charlemagne.org/ui183.htm (Ancestry of Charlemagne).

Was Margaret a Rawlings

By Mara French

Margaret Rawlings, daughter of Anthony Rawlings, was in her father’s will written 14 March 1651 and proved 22 Jan 1652. He gave to son John, 200 acres on the north side of Patuxent River in Maryland, to young son Anthony Rawlings, 200 acres and west side of Patuzent River adjoining his brother John. To eldest dau. Anne Rawlings, and to young dau. Margaret Rawlings. Wife Jane execx.

New Look

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/md/state/wills/01/001.html

Rawlings could be spelled Rowlings and Rawlins.

Anthony Rawlings (b. 1615 in England the son on Henry Rawlings, d. 1652 in St. Marys, MD), and wife Jane (b. ca. 1619, d. after 1688) had children:
John Rawlings, b. 1641, d. 1727 or 1675?
Anthony Rawlings, Jr., b. 1643, d. 1709
Anne Rawlings, b. 1645
Margaret Rawlings, b. 1647 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (later Frederick and Berkeley Co.)

On 30 Oct 1649, Anthony Rawlings writes a transaction regarding his 2 daughters, Anne and Margaret, who are not of age. See Archives of Maryland, p. 508.

Margaret Rawlings was born in 1647 and her father died when she was 2 years of age. Perhaps the name Rawlings was overlooked because of this early death date. Did her mother, Jane Rawlings, remarry? If Margaret Rawlings first child were born in 1671 (Anthony Prosser), she would have been 24 years of age. If her last children was born in 1690 (Margaret), she would have been 43 years of age. The name “Daniel” is also in this line. I always wondered why Margaret named her sons Daniel and Anthony.

Websites:

http://mosesrawlings.freeservers.com/anthonyrawlingspg2.html
http://family.gradeless.com/degindex.htm
http://www.mosesrawlings.freeservers.com/anthonyrawlings.html (great website)
http://www.aacounty.org/AboutAACo/history.cfm
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdannear/surname/surm_z.htm#R
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdannear/
http://www.rawlingsrollingshistory.com/index.htm

Was Margaret a Mason?

By Mara French

A custom for naming sons was to use the wife’s surnames as forenames to reinforce connections between families and strengthen the solidarity of the elite. Hence, you will see Mason French and French Mason as sons on Chart #36. In fact the first Mason French of this line is the 3^rd son of Hugh1 and Margaret French.

To keep you all out of suspense, it has been proven that Margaret was not a Mason, but you may read on to understand the situation better. See Some Prominent Virginia Families by Louise Pecquet du Bellet, pgs. 616-617. Margaret Mason may have married “a” Hugh French, but they lived in England and Margaret Mason was many years younger than Margaret French, and therefore, could not have been the same person. Also read Margaret Cheeseman’s will which mentions Margaret Mason living in England who was Margaret Cheeseman’s goddaughter.

The French and Mason families named at least one child after the other’s family; in other words, there is a French Mason and a Mason French. French Mason was the son of George Mason and he m. Mary Ann Major and d. in 1801. Mason French is a name that appears in almost every generation of FFA Chart #36.

Look at the names of Margaret’s children with Hugh French: Hugh, Daniel (most likely after Daniel Mason or Daniel French), Mason French (after the Mason family), and Margaret. It is still unclear why no children were named Lemuel or George, but why did Margaret name a child Mason if her father’s name wasn’t Mason?

The first son was usually named after the paternal grandfather (could have been Hugh), second son after maternal grandfather (could have been Daniel Mason – but not Daniel Gaines). Subsequent sons were normally named after both paternal and maternal uncles.

Hugh got many acres of land from these dying husbands through Margaret, including Goffe. Maybe in England he wasn't so rich afterall. Then, all of a sudden, there is a strong connection to the Mason family -- a very strong connection – one so strong that would allow George Mason to be guardian of Daniel French. It seems as strong as if Margaret were a Mason.

 

Anthony Mason

According to Ref. 126, an Anthony Mason was the son of a George Mason who m. Christian. Anthony was baptised on 11 May 1623 at the Shoreditch Church in London, England, where many other Masons and Frenches were baptized. Anthony could have been Margaret’s father, because Margaret named her first child Anthony. This George Mason did not have any other children born at Shoreditch during this time period. But wait . . . . Anthony Mason, the son of George Mason, d. 12 Sep 1624, and his mother Christian Mason d. 10 Sep 1625. He lived only 1 year, so this is not the father of Margaret. George Mason d. 15 Aug 1625. Were there any other Anthony Masons in this line?

Lemuel Mason

1. Francis Mason was b. 1566 in London.

2. His son was Francis Mason, b. 1584. Francis arrived at Jamestown in 1613 with his first wife Mary, and their daughter Ann Mason. Francis m2. Alice Ganey, and was the mother of Colonel Lemuel Mason [76]. Lt. Francis Mason1 b. 1584, d. 1648 age 64, immigrated to Virginia in 1613, aged 29 years; in Norfolk, Norfolk Co., VA. He arrived at Jamestown in 1613 on the ship, John and Francis with his first wife, Mary Dickman, and their daughter Ann Mason. He m2. Alice Ganey ca. 1624 in Norfolk, VA. She was b. 1596 in St. Mary Magdelen, Bermonsey, Surry Co., England, d. 17 Nov 1653 in Virginia.

Francis was Justice of Norfolk County from its formation until his death; Lieutenant of Militia 1640; Church Warden and Sheriff of County in 1646. He died 15 Nov 1648 in Elizabeth City, Norfolk Co., VA. He was a Cavalier and Adventurer, and Ancient Planter of Jamestown, Virginia Company.

3. His son was Colonel Lemuel Mason, b. ca. 1628 the 2nd son of Lt. Francis and Ann (Ganey) Mason [76], d. ca. 1693, who m1. Ann Sewell. Lemuel and Ann (Sewell) Mason had a daughter, Margaret Mason, who married Hugh French of England [75]. Lemuel and Ann had a total of 11 children; Margaret Mason was their 9th child. Colonel Lemuel Mason was the 2nd Mason generation in America, who was of Lower Norfolk, VA and who was b. ca. 1628, the fourth child of Lt. Francis Mason (1st), Cavalier & Adventurer, and Ancient Planter of Jamestown, Virginia Company.

See Mason Genforum (posting #7772, dated 21 Dec 2007). This forum shows that Margaret Mason was the ninth child of Colonel Lemuel (third generation) and Ann Sewall, and that this daughter Margaret Mason married Hugh French of England [26].

Francis Mason

Issue of Francis Mason and 2^nd wife Alice Ganey [118]:

1. Elizabeth Mason

2. Francis Mason

3. James Mason

4. Colonel Lemuel Mason, b. 1628 in Norfolk, VA, resided at Elizabeth City in the Colony of VA, d. 15 Sep 1702 in Norfolk, VA. Lemuel m. Anne Sewell or Sewall or Seawell ca. 27 Feb 1649/50 in Norfolk Co., VA6, and he. Lemuel died 17 Jun 1695. Anne was b. ca. 16350, a dau. of Captain Henry Sewell, who was b. ca. 1610 and who resided at Elizabeth City and Lower Norfolk, and his wife Alice Willoughby. This Henry Sewell/Sewall represented the "Upper Parish of Elizabeth City" in the House of Burgesses of Virginia for the Sessions 4 September, 1632; in the Lower Norfolk, at Sessions 6 January, 1639, and died about 1644, as per the settlement of his estate 'Shown at Orphans' Court, 25 February, 1649. Sewall's Point, at the mouth of the Elizabeth River, was named in his honor.

Anne Sewell d. in 1695 in Norfolk, VA. Lemuel was Justice from 1649 until his death on 15 Sep 1702. He was High Sheriff in 1668, Burgess 1654, 1657, 1660, 1663, 1675, 1685, and presiding Justice and Colonel of Militia of Lower Norfolk County, 1680. Lemuel and his mother, Alice Ganey French, administered his father’s estate.

Issue of Lemuel Mason and Anne Sewell [118]:

1. Frances Mason, oldest daughter, born 1661 in Norfolk, VA, m1. before 1691 Capt. George Newton, m2. before 1705 Major Francis Sayer. She was named in both of her parent’s wills.

2. Thomas Mason, oldest son, b. ca. 1662 in Norfolk, VA, member of the House of Burgesses, m. Elizabeth [76]. They had 3 children: Lemuel, Ann who m. Thomas Willoughby, Mary who m. William Ellison. Thomas was named in both of his parent’s wills.

3. Lemuel Mason2, b. ca. 1663 in Norfolk, VA, married Mary Thelabell between 1698-1702. She was the dau. of James Thelabell and Eliz Mason, Lemuel Mason’s 1^st cousin. . He d. intestate 1711-1714. Lemuel was named in both of his parent’s wills.

4. Capt. George Mason, b. 1664 in Norfolk VA, d. 1710/11 in Norfolk Co., VA, m. Phyllis (Philia or Mary) Hobson. George was named in both of his parent’s wills.

51. Elizabeth Mason, b. ca. 166546, m1. William Major of York Co. before 1677, m2. Capt. Thomas Cocke in 1683, d. ca. 1696 and they. had 5 children. This family connects to the Thomas Ballard family of York, one of the Colonies’ most distinguished men, the Founder of Yorktown [76]. Elizabeth must have died before 1705 because she is not mentioned in her mother’s will.

2. Lemuel Mason, b. ca. 1647 in Norfolk, VA, married Mary Thelabell. Ref. [76] states he did not marry and was Justice of Norfolk, 1714.

3. Capt. George Mason, b. 1648 in Norfolk VA, d. 1710, m. Phyllis (Mary) Hobson.

4. Thomas Mason, b. ca. 1649 in Norfolk, VA, member of the House of Burgesses, m. Elizabeth [76].

5. Frances Mason, born 1650 in Norfolk, VA, m1. Francis Sayer, m2. George Newton.

6. Alice Mason, b. ca. 1666 in Norfolk Co., VA51, m1. Robert Hodges before 1681 and he died that same year; m2. William Porter before 1692 and he died within a year; m3. Samuel Boush ca. 1694 and he d. ca. 1739. Alice is mentioned in both of her parent’s wills.

7. Mary Mason, b. ca. 1667 in Norfolk Co., VA52, m1. Walter Gee before 1702on, m2. Walter Cocke before 1705, brother of Thomas Cocke. She was named in both of her parent’s wills.

8. Abigail Mason, b. ca. 1668, mar. George Crafford, and named in a deed dated 1690. Also m. Francis Thelabell who d. 1726, and m. last after 1726 to Anthony Moseley. However, she was not mentioned in either of her parents’ wills or 1702 and 1705, therefore, the marriage information could be false.

9. Anne Mason, b. 1669, m1. William Kendall Jr., m2. Rev. Peter Collier before 28 Feb 1698/99. She died a widow, and she is mentioned in her father’s will of 1702, but not in her mother’s will of 1705.

.10. Margaret Mason, b. ca. 1670. Reports of her marrying Hugh French of FFA Chart #36 of England have no validity. It is now known that at Margaret Mason’s father’s death in 1702 (will written on 17 Jun 1695), Margaret Mason was living in England and died there before her mother died in 1705 because she was not mentioned in her mother’s will.

118. Diannah Mason, b. ca. 167154, m1. Robert Thorogood, m2. Samuel (or Lemuel) Wilson, m3. William Trevethen by 1705. She was named in both her parent’s wills.

Will of Lemuel Mason June 17, 1695, probated 1702

-- sons, Thomas, Lemuel and Géorge

-- daughters, Frances, wife of Mr. George Newton;
    
Alice, wife of Samuel Boush, and widow of William Porter;
     
Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Cocke; 
     
Margaret, wife of [paper torn], in England; 
     
Anne, wife of Mr. Cron [or something like this, but the paper here is also mutilated];
 
  Mary, wife of Walter Gee, and
      
Dinah. 


9. Margaret Mason, b. ca. 1656, married Hugh French of England.

10. Anne Mason, b. 1658, m1. William Kendall, m2. Peter Collier

11. Abigail Mason, b. ca. 1660, mar. George Crafford, and named in a deed dated 1690.

Ann Sewell’s Will of 1705, Wife of Lemuel Mason

Will of Ann Mason of Elizabeth river Parish in ye County of Norfolke Gentlewoman, dated 30 Oct 1705 - proved 15 Mar 1706/5 by Coll. Thomas Willoughby & Mrs Ann Porter. Recorded 22 Mar 1706/5.
 ye death of my decd husband Coll. Lemuel Mason... Christian buriall at ye discretion of my executors here-after Named or at ye descretion of my there Sonnes Thomas, Lemuell & George Mason. 

... unto my Loveing daughter ffrancis Sayer ye sume of seven pounds ten shillings... without being accountabel to her husband.

.. unto my loveing daughter Alice Boush... with out being accountable to her husband..

.. unto my Loveing daughter Mary Cock... without being accountable to her husband.

.. unto my Loeing daughter Dinah Thorowgood.

.. unto my sonne Thomas Mason.. the pair of and jrons that are in ye Chimney wher I commnly ate my Selfe, my decd. husband promising ye same to my said son Thomas above twenty years past. 
... my seal Kinnned trunk.
.. and three sons ... sold Executors..
. Wit. Tho Willoghby, Elizabeth Newton, Ann Porter.

The Real Keys as to Why Margaret Was Not a Mason

The Gunston Hall website of Masons does not mention a Margaret Mason nor a Hugh French.

The will of Margaret Cheeseman, 15 Jan 1679, proved 21 Jul 1680, gives to all the children of her very loving kinsman (and cousin), Mr. Lemuel Mason the elder in Virginia. To my goddaughter Margaret Mason, who lives with me, one hundred and fifty pounds and the lease of my house and all the plate I had of John Harrison. This proves that Margaret Mason was living with Margaret Cheeseman in 1679. In this year, “our” Margaret was married to Symon Miller and had twins. Even if she was the same as Margaret Mason, Margaret Cheeseman would have addressed her by her married name, Miller, and not Mason. Margaret Cheeseman mentions Margaret Mason first as a very special child to her, being that she was her goddaughter, but she was of age because Margaret Cheeseman states her to be executor in trust only for the use and benefit of Lemuel her father. There is no husband mentioned for Margaret Mason. In Lemuel Mason’s will, his daughter Margaret could not have been more than 12 years old, therefore, she was b. 1667 which is far too young for our Margaret French. Margaret Cheeseman was from St. Mary Magdalen Bermondsey in south London, England. It is further indicated at this above website that Margaret Mason was of Elizabeth River Parish, Norfolk Co., VA, married to a Mr. ….. (unreadable), who was in England in 1695. “Our” Hugh French could not have been in England in 1695 because of his large family, youngest 3 years old.

Andrew Harrison made a claim in a Virginian suit document that he knew Margaret in London before she immigrated. Therefore, Margaret had lived in London and could be the same Margaret as the daughter of Lemuel. Note that in Margaret Cheeseman’s will, she mentions a John Harrison, who was the son of Andrew Harrison and Elizabeth Battaile.

Below is a list of early settlers of Maryland, an index to names of immigrants compiled from records of land patents, 1633-1680, in the Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland, by Gust Skordas, Assistant Archivist of the State of Maryland, 1968. “A” Margaret Mason was transported in 1663-4, the same year as Hugh French immigrated.

 

Websites:

http://www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Neighbors/calverts_of_jackson2.htm

The work of Mark Freeman, website:
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/e/t/Mildred-Methvin-Lafayette/PDFGENE1.pdf

http://www.allredroster.com/scripts/foxweb.exe/allred/hgetit?00000000000000000000000000000000117

Was Margaret a Banks?

A correspondent of Margaret Amundson sent her a record of a John Prosser who married a Margaret Banks in England about the same time John Prosser’s first wife disappeared from the records, ca. 1670. This Margaret Banks had connections with the Hatton family, the family who brought Hugh French to America.

Richard Hatton m. Margaret (unk) before 1640. When he d. ca. 1649, his brother Thomas Hatton helped Margaret and their children emigrate to Maryland. Her children were Mary, Elinor, Elizabeth, Barbara, Richard, and William, all listed as being transported according the Gust Skordas “The Early Settlers of Maryland” (page 126) [43]. William Hatton, the son of Richard and Margaret Hatton of England, transported Hugh French to Maryland. William was burgess for St. Mary’s County from 1671 to 1675. In the year 1652 Lieutenant Richard Banks and Margaret, his wife, widow and relict of Mr. Richard Hatton, brother of Mr. Thomas Hatton, convey to the latter their right in Richard Hatton’s estate in consideration of the entertainment, etc., of the said Margaret Hatton and her children by the said Thomas Hatton. The book goes on to say that the “Hattons for generations married and intermarried with the best blood of the land, and no name was more distinguished for patriotism, fidelity, and stanch loyalty than that borne by the Hattons of England and Maryland. More research needs to be done on this family.

Was Margaret an Anthony?

A custom for naming sons was to use the wife’s surnames as forenames to reinforce connections between families and strengthen the solidarity of the elite. Hence, you will see Mason French and French Mason as sons on Chart #36. But could Margaret be an Anthony, such as in Mark Anthony? You may do research for yourself at the Anthony Forum: http://genforum.genealogy.com/anthony/all.html.

Was Margaret an Arnold?

Ref [150] as well as other records state that William Goffe m1. Martha Baxter and had only the first two children (daughers), born 1630 and 1640. And, that William Goffe m2. Margaret (unk) and had the twins, Robert and Thomas in 1645. We need more accurate birthdates and information. The twin Thomas Goffe m. Margaret (unk), had daughter Margaret Goffe who m. Thomas Arnold. Margaret Arnold and Thomas Arnold had 2 children. Margaret Arnold was b. ca. 1660 [136], m2. John Prosser [150]. It would seem quite logical that the twins were by another woman because they were born much later than the first 2 daughters, but for authenticity, we will leave the chart as is until this information becomes solid.

In Jan 1723 in King Co., Thomas Goffe sells 200 acres of land in St. Mary’s Parish, Essex Co., which was bequeathed to Thomas and Robert Goffe by John Prosser. Thomas and Margaret had dau. Margaret, b. ca. 1688, m. 5 May 1707 Isaac Arnold, Sr. at St. Mary’s Parish, Richmond, VA, d. 1775. Also living on the Mattaponi River was Anthony Arnold, Benjamin Arnold, and Martin Davenport. See also the Anthony Arnold Research Project.

Was Margaret a Pannell?

By Bob Cawly

Thomas Pannell was b. in 1623 in England, m. Katherine ca. 1664, made his will on 3 Sep 1677 in Rappahannock Co., VA, giving to his wife, Katherine, and 4 children William, Mary (who m. James Kay – signer of Hugh French’s will), Isabella, and one unborn, and to Anthony Prosser, son of John and Margaret Prosser, land of co-ownership between Thomas Pannell and John Prosser. Note that Anthony was b. in 1671, but John Prosser had 3 children born before Anthony by another wife. It is therefore suspected that there was a close relationship between John Prosser’s second wife, Margaret, and the Pannell family. See will of Thomas Pannell.

Thomas Pannell Relationship. Thomas Pannell’s father was Robert Pennell and his mother was Isabel. According to Pannell family network, Thomas Pannell, "Came to US (Richmond) in 1642 aboard "HESPERIDIES"." Website:
http://genforum.genealogy.com/pannell/messages/409.html. On 26 Sep 1668, he was granted 646 acres by the Gov. of VA. This land was on the south side of Rappahannock River and four miles inland. It is recorded in Record Book 1671-1676, page 66. He bought more land on the south side of the river in Nov 1668. Thomas Pannell and John Prosser were granted 2400 acres in St. Ann's Par., Richmond Co., VA for transportation of 49 persons. This is listed in 4 Nov 1673 - Royal Grant Book, vol.3, page 89. On 12 April 1673 Thomas purchased land from John and Margaret Prosser on the north side of the river in Sittenbourne Parish. I have been told that Thomas's wife, Katherine, could be their daughter. No proof. Have also been told her name was Prow. No proof.

John Pannell, born c1595, md. Mary Streven 1 May 1617, St. Laurence Par., Thanet, Kent. The children were all christened at St. Laurence Par.—

1 - Edward ch. 4 Jul 1619 md. Jane Couchman 17 Jan 1638, St. Laurence
2 - John, ch. 1 Jan 1620/1
3 - Thomas ch. 11 May 1623; wp 1 Aug 1677 Rappahannock Co., VA. md Katherine abt 1664 (2nd marr?)
4 - Mary, ch. 5 Oct 1628
5 - Roger, ch May 1631
These records were all taken from the Parish Register FHL film #477645.

Note the use of the name Roger in the Prosser/Pannell lines. Thomas Pannell’s mother was believed to be the daughter of Roger Cleveland, early immigrant to Maryland. Also, Isabella is used by Katherine Pannell and Margaret Prosser/Miller/French. Each named a daughter Isabella.

Margaret Goffe

Was Margaret a Goffe? (also spelled Gough)

By Mara French

One might start from the beginning of time and place, such as, Margaret was b. ca. 1655 and in Virginia. The families nearby here at that time and place would indicate a possible father. These names seem to point to Mason, Prosser, Goffe, etc.

Records

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/APG/2004-01/1072978911
http://www.jenforum.org/gaines/messages/1892.html
http://home.swbell.net/koplend/miller_a.htm
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tazewell/wlksb-dft.html
http://www.maierassociates.com/Genie/gbmil020.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~ngmann/Anderson/smiller.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/il/ClevelandFamilyChron/index2.html
http://www.w4ze.com/descendan/pafg01.htm#210
http://ftp.rootsweb.ancestry.com/pub/usgenweb/special/afas/unpub/anthonyarnold.txt

Contents

Background

First Generation

Second Generation

Third Generation

Fourth Generation

Fifth Generation

Sixth Generation

Seventh Generation

Eighth Generation

Ninth Generation

Tenth Generation

Eleventh Generation

Twelfth Generation

Bibliography

Chart #36 Records (Wills, Court Cases, etc.)