The ancestry of Colonel Richard Lee of Virginia is not known. What is known is that past speculations have been treated as fact, which, with every repetition, is made to appear as truth, shared by a ‘majority of adherents’. It is this majority view that search engine AI systems reflect as an answer when questioned on Colonel Richard Lee’s ancestry – a case of artificial intelligence validating that which has relied on outdated references, which have not been queried. It is the quality of references, not their number, which matters. This is not to demean the work of ‘researchers of old’, for they did not live in a computer age, where research is made infinitely more easy.

SOCIAL CONTEXT
Whichever historical period under consideration, it is necessary to research within the context of the social norms of that time – what were the conventions within which families intermarried?; how did that shape their immediate environment? When considering the early medieval period a renowned historian stated that “the answer is in the soil”: neighbours were invariably kin of sorts; a method of mutual survival. The only change in this arrangement in the post-medieval period was that families also intermarried through consanguineous lines of cousins – the religious barriers to this had gone. Essentially, settlers of Virginia were English people in a foreign land, who maintained English traditions.

Some genealogical mythologies are riddled with impossible chronologies, and intermarriages between families that were total strangers, and/or of a differing social class; an anathema at this time. Kinship groups formed barriers to social interaction: ‘There were wide boundaries between socio-economic groups. These boundaries were rarely crossed. Marriages almost invariably took place between members of the same common interest group. “Kinship and family loyalty formed barriers to social interaction”. (Societies, Cultures and Kinship 1580-1850: Cultural Provinces and English, edited by Charles Phythian-Adams, p. 162, 2010).

The vital importance of kinship support in England and colonial America is well documented. Neel stated: ‘Marriage is not simply the union of two persons; rather, it binds together two kin groups. It reunites human society, which time and the divergence of family lines relentlessly pull asunder’. (Carol Neel, Medieval Families, Perspectives on Marriage, Household, and Children, p. 200, 204). This point was elucidated by Pounds: ‘Even the state in medieval England required people to be linked in small groups or tithings, so that each could vouch for the others’ good behaviour. Almost everyone is, by the accident of birth, a member of a family, of a more extended kinship group’. (J. G. Pounds, The Culture of the English People, p. 255, 1994). Such social-dependency arrangements were repeated by American settler families. Majewski pointed ou their evolvement into ever larger entities: ‘Constant intermingling of the same families in the same neighborhoods produced increasingly large kinship groups’. (John Majewski, A House Dividing: Economic Development in Pennsylvania and Virginia, p. 17, 2000). Hendricks studied the importance of kinship groups in a specific area of settlement: ‘Family connections and kinship groups were very important to the settlement of land south of the James River’. (Christopher E. Hendricks, The Backcountry Towns of Colonial Virginia, p. 52, 2006). When proposed pedigrees do not show English correlation to families that intermarried in Virginia they are most likely to be false.

CULTURAL BARRIERS TO RESEARCH
Essentially, many people reject the concept of the English settlement of Virginia being the result of a “collective enterprise” between closely related families, preferring to believe settlement was by individual effort, as promoted by Hollywood. These perspectives appear mutually exclusive, to the most fervent of the “individualistic” mindset, but, of course, they are not. In the bleak midwinters of early Virginia, individuals strove to survive by calling on the combined strength of their kin; that is, individuals, striving to support their families, assisted other individuals who attempted to do the same. As an 18th century Virginian recognised, “Many advantages arise from relations living near to each other … Their connection and interests are mutually strengthened … by a reciprocation of good offices, which cannot be exercised when they live far apart”. (Phillip Hamilton, Gentry Women and the Transformation of Daily Life in Jefforonian and Antebellum Virginia, p. 9, presented at the Southern Conference on Women’s History (6th, 2003, Athens, Ga.).

ESCAPING TYRANNY
Importantly, the family of Colonel Richard Lee and others were escaping from the tyranny of the hierarchial English class system – the shackles of the landlord dominated parish, and a State religion that stressed social order was given by Providence. Those who opposed this regime were brutally suppressed, as exampled by Hugh Norris (South Petherton in the Olden Time: A Lecture, p. 130, 1879), who described the sentencing of supporters of the Duke of Monmouth rebellion by Sir George Jeffries, Lord Chief Justice of England, also known as the ‘Hanging Judge’. (A contemporary account described him as always enraged or drunk, usually both). Jeffreys proceeded to Salisbury, where there were no political offenders, but at Dorchester he sentenced two hundred and ninety-two persons to death at one and the same time. At Exeter he sentenced twenty-one victims. Journeying thence to Taunton, he found five hundred and twenty-six persons in custody awaiting his arrival. The sight of such a number seemed to infuriate the judge, who declared “it should not be his fault if he did not depopulate the place”. One hundred and forty-four of these actually suffered death at the gallows, according to Macaulay.

The word “suffered” conveys not a slightest idea of the sentence as passed and carried out. The words uttered by the judge were: “You must every one of you be had back to the place from whence you came, from thence you must be drawn to the place of execution, and there you must severally be hanged by the neck till you are almost dead, and then you must be cut down, your entrails must be taken out and burnt before your faces, your several heads to be cut off, and your bodies to be divided into four parts, and those to be disposed of at the pleasure of the King – and may the Lord have mercy upon your souls”.
Whiting, the Quaker, then a prisoner in Ilchester Gaol, has left us a graphic account of the execution of eight fellow prisoners in the market-place of that town.—“Persecution Expos’d,” p. 153: “Poles for suspending when thus prepared, and waggons to convey them”, succinctly adding as a sort of postscript: “You are also to provide an axe and a cleaver for quartering the said rebels”. Amongst those condemned, three were hanged in this place, just inside the gateway leading into the courtyard behind the late Captain Anstice’s house in St. James’s Street, opposite Stuckey’s Bank. This was the home of the Anstices, and possibly the place was chosen for the purpose of striking terror into a family, one member of whom had taken so conspicuous a position among the rebels. Their names – Cornelius Hurford, John Parsons, and Thomas Davis – do not, of course, appear in the parish register of burials, for their bodies doubtless suffered mutilation in accordance with the barbarous sentence above recorded. Another mode of punishment which met the approbation of James II. and his favourite judge, was the giving of victims of property, or who possessed moneyed relatives, to the judge himself, or some other influential person, to “squeeze,” but not to kill, as the patriarch Job was given to the devil”, p. 104.

It was through such times that families lived, suffered, and emigrated. England had never been as portrayed by Hollywood – a happy band of yokels rallying to “Good King Richard” against “Bad King John”, or to “Good Queen Bess” against the Spanish invasion Armada (1588), which the dispossessed Catholic half of England prayed would succeed. England had been ruled by a succession of monarchial tyrants, surrounded by courtiers, as a modern-day mafia, which enacted gruesome punishments to any who dared dissent. Catholics had met the same bloody fate as the Monmouth rebels, or were burned at the stake. Their monuments had been destroyed; their lands taken. So it was throughout English history. The English hierarchy also subjugated the neighbouring countries of Scotland and Wales, for reasons of defense, but also of personal gain.

“The consolidation of the states into one vast empire, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of ruin which has overwhelmed all that preceded it”. (Robert E. Lee). “Sic semper tyrannis” – tyrannical leaders will ultimately be overthrown or meet their demise.

A great irony of many accounts of the ancestry of Colonel Richard Lee of Virginia is that he stemmed from an ancient, aristocratic family – the very aristocracy that he was esscaping from. A further irony is that many of the upwardly mobile English merchants in Virginia, such as he, sought to enhance their status by claiming aristocratic coats of arms, with the compliance of an “accomodating” herald. A case in point is that of John Lord Lumley, whose castle was visited by James I. in 1603. On being shown around by the Dean of Durham (a friend of Lumley, he being away), who recounted Lumley’s pedigree, commencing with a Saxon noble, killed by William the Conqueror, the acerbic wit of James was shown in his reply: “I did na ken Adam’s name was Lumley”. (Daniel R. Woolf, The Social Circulation of the Past: English Historical, p. 127, 2003). For the exposing of “pedigree-makers”, see J.H. Round, the Origin of the Finches, Sussex Arch. Collections, 70, pp. 19-31, 1929. Moreover, the coat of arms claimed for Colonel Richard Lee were not based on him, as a proven armiger, being able to prove direct male line of descent from such an ancestor; rather, they were an assumption of (generic) arms, based on a claim of descent.

Also, as noted most saliently by Edmund Jennings lee, Lee of Virginia, p. 37, 1895: “It seems certain that different members of the family in America called their places “Ditchley”, “Langley”, and “Coton”, and it appears from Colonel Richard’s Will, that none of these names were given in the testator’s lifetime. As to any inference which can be drawn from them, the presumption on either side is counterbalanced by that on the other“. “In the New England Historical aud Genealogical Register for Jan., 1890, there is an article written by Mr. J. H. Lea to which I would refer any one interested in this question. Therein are cited the Inquisition Post Mortem of Sir Henry Lee, K. G. (of Ditchley) and the Wills of the father, mother, three brothers, two nephews, and the great-nephew of the supposed Colonel Richard, not one of whom, though several had to provide for the succession to and entail of a large estate, ever mentions Richard’s name! The conclusion drawn is, of course, that the seventh son of Sir Robert Lee died in youth. But further, Mr. Lea has taken a photograph of the monument at Hardwicke, showing Sir Robert with his wife and family of eight sons and six daughters. He says: “Of the sons, five are bearded men, and three are smaller and beardless figures, the first five representing Henry, Edward, Thomas, George, and Robert, who we know attained their majority; while the latter depict Benedict, Antony, and Richard, who, unnamed in all the Wills, are thus still further proved to have died in infancy or early youth”. (Edmund Jennings Lee, “Lee of Virginia”, p. 38, 1895). The same depth of inspection regarding other supposed ancestral abodes results in the same conclusion – there is no proof of the family of Col. Richard Lee being descendants of armigerous ancestors.

A clear inference is that this family was seeking a “genteel” antecedance; one compatible with others claiming the same; a common event in England among merchant families seeking “gentrification”. It was a result an understandable need to prosper – there was less impetus to rise from the ranks of merchant/mariners if the advancement met with a ceiling of social status. Those whose ancestors were of a tenacious spirit saw no reason to be viewed as inferior by descendants of the “monarchial mafia”, so, in a sense, they created themselves their equal. Various ‘Visitation’ records were freely available, and avidly studied , as a sort of catalogue from which generic pedigree “coats” were obtained. Everyone in England (not just James I) knew what was happening, but generations of American researchers treated the Lee (and other) claims as fact. In general, much time has been wasted on analysing ‘aspirational ancestry’. The more likely and very strong case is that the ancestry of Colonel Richard Lee is to be found in the records of Stepney merchant/mariners. In 1982, J. Henry Lea, Esquire (The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, p. 162), made the case for Col. Richard Lee (who had purchased land in Stratford Langthorne) being associated with Stepney, 2 miles distant. He compounded various families of Lee residing in Stepney, one of which claimed the (generic) coat of arms of the Lees of Cheshire, without any proof. Another family of Lee mentioned was that of Gilbert and Fulke Lee, “sailler/maryners”, and it is of their ilk that I would suggest as the ancestors of Colonel Richard Lee. In this regard, consider their “continuation of asociation” concerning the family of Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay:

JONES OF FLEET’S BAY

1. “John Vassall of Ratcliffe in the parish of Stepney, Middlesex, mariner”, m. Judith.
1.1. Ann Vassall, m. John Jones, rector of St. Nicholas Acons, London.
1.1.1. Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay.
1.1.1.1. Samuel Jones, died in Oct. of 1697, estate appraised by Hancock Lee, Charles Lee, sons of Col. Richard Lee, who was surety for Henry Lee in an indenmity bond of Sept. 25, 1646; the said Henry being a kinsman, probably cousin, of George Lee, who Col. Richard Lee numbered among his headrights in 1648. Henry Lee was a son of a Stepney mariner, “John Lee of Balist Wharffe, Ratcliff mariner”, b. ca. 1580, who dec’d May 19, 1641. The proposition given hereinafter is that Col. Richard Lee was Henry’s brother. The giving of surety in an English context by and to those of the same surname was an invariable sign of a close kinship relationship.
1.1.1.2. Captain William Jones.
1.1.1.2.1. Captain Willam Jones, who died in 1741, in Northumberland Co., m. Leeanna Lee, dau. of the said Charles Lee.
1.1.1.2.1.1. William Jones, of Faquier Co., Virginia, who d. in 1800, was a tenant of Col. Robert H. Lee, the grandson of Richard Lee, brother of the said Hancock and Charles Lee. He m. Ann Gaskins, relict of Thomas Pinkard.
1.1.1.3. Elizabeth Jones, dau. of Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay, m. (1) Thos. Haynes; (2) John Pinkard. Her son by Thos. Haynes, James, was the father of Martha Haynes, who m. Thomas Gaskins. Their great-granddau., Ann Gaskins, m. (1) Thomas Pinkhard, (2) Richard Henry Lee. Such repetition of associations, over succeeding generations, in an English context, was an invariable trait of an English Kinship group.
1.2. … Vassall, m. Samuel Lee (who witnessed the Will of his mother-in-law, Judith Vassall), kinsman, it is reasonably proposed, of Henry Lee, George Lee, and Col. Richard Lee.

LEE OF STEPNEY, MARINERS AND MERCHANTS
This account will more certainly start with Gilbert and Fulke Lee of Stepney, but, as it is not improbable that a Hugh Lee, of an earlier time, was their ancestor, and/or of “John Lee of Balist Wharffe, Ratcliff mariner”, a brief notice is given of him: Elham v Lee. Plaintiffs: Robert Elham. Defendants: Hugh Lee, mariner, and Elizabeth his wife, executrix and late the wife of Robert Cowper. Subject: Debt of the said Cowper. Middlesex 1538-1544. (C 1/982/29-30) Elame v Moreys. Plaintiffs: Robert Elame, late of Chartham. Defendants: John Moreys, waterman, and Robert Cowper of Ratcliffe, co. Middlesex. Subject: Price of corn sold to the said Cowper and delivered to the said Moreys at Faversham. Kent. 1532-1538. (C 1/701/4). Elham v Lee. Plaintiffs: Robert Elham. Defendants: Elizabeth Lee, executrix and late the wife of Robert Cowper, and widow of Hugh Lee. Subject: Reviver of the above on the death of the said Hugh. Middlesex. 1538-1544. (C 1/982/31).

JENYN

1. Barnard Jenyn (d. 1490), m. Elizabeth Loxley.
1.1. John Jenyn, brother of Thomas Jenyn, and William Jenyn. 1.1.1. Nicholas Jenyn, of London, alderman; Will pr. Jan. 22, 1533; Master of the Company of Skinners, m. (2) Margaret, the daughter of the London goldsmith and Lord Mayor, Sir John Munday (d.1537). She married, secondly, as his third wife, Lord Edmund Howard (1478-1539), third son of Thomas Howard (1443-1524), 2nd Duke of Norfolk. By his ist wife, Edmund Howard was father of Queen Katherine Howard. 1.1.1.1. Bernard Jenyn, not be confused with his father’s first cousin, Barnard Jenyn (d. 1552), the son of Thomas Jenyn (d.1508). 1.1.2. Alice Jenyn (living 1531), m. John Pyke (living 1531), esquire, of Ilford, Essex, son of John Pyke (d. before 1486) and Margaret Rypon (living 1527), only child of John Rypon (d.1464) of Stoke by Guildford, Surrey, and his wife, Agnes.* Feoffment: (1) Marg Clegg, widow of Stoke-next-Guildford and next heir of John Repon; (2) John Pyke, her son (in-law) and Alice his wife, Nich. Jenyn, citizen and Alderman of London. Radulph Worsley, gent., Anthony Ilderton of London, stockfishmonger, and Robt Blakgreve of London, merchant tailor; all lands in Stoke and elsewhere inherited by (1) from her father. July 14, 1527.

PROB 11/5/87: Will of John Rypon of Stoke next Guildford, Surrey September 1464: “To be buried in the Church of St. John Evangelist of Stoke . I leave to the mother church of Winton six pence. To Margaret my daughter ten marks sterling”. Deeds relating to land in Ham; Deed of gift; (1) John Hew of West Molesey; (2) John Wockyng and Isabell his wife of Ham in Kingston; 1 yardland lying at Labbokes between lands of John Salman on east and of John Rypon on west, etc; Witnesses named.; Seal: red wax, no device. July 3, 1462. (Surrey History Centre, K58/2/3/1(vii). Alby v Olyve. Plaintiffs: Harry Alby, late the husband of Agnes, late the wife of John Ripon. Defendants: William Olyve or Olyff, surviving feoffee to uses. Subject: Messuages in Stoke by Guildford, Guildford, Merrow, Alfold, and Ham, Surrey. Messuage in Wiburgh: Sussex. Messuage in Hardelyngton, late of John Rypon: Middlesex. 1475-1480, or 1483-1485. (C 1/52/188). Ham in Kingston, bordering West Ham, in which Stratford Langthorne John Pyke’s widow, Alice Jenyn, married William Noble, whose son, by a ist wife, presumably the “William Noble, haberdasher”, who was bur. on Oct. 20, 1563 in St Mary Woolnoth (adjoining parish to St. Nicholas Acons; which later combined), was the father of Rachel Noble: June 19, 1552, Rachel Noble dau. of Willyam Noble bapt. She was bur. on on March 8, 1623/4: Rachell Jones, mother to John Jones, Rector of this parish bur. Debtor: William Noble, of Bowers Gifford in Essex, yeoman, and William Jenyns,* a citizen and skinner of London. Creditor: Oliver Leder, a citizen and fishmonger of London. Amount: 50m. Attached is the inquisition made at Brentwood [in Chafford Hundred] on 04/04/1528 before Edward Tyrell, Sheriff. On the day of the inquisition Edward Baker was seised in demesne of 40 acres of arable in Bowers Gifford; and on 01/09/1527 he demised them to William Noble to hold for a rent of 20s. a year. William has sown 20 of the acres with wheat, and the rest with oats; and they are worth £14 in all. He had 80 sheep and 120 lambs, worth £16; 40 cows and 12 calves, worth £26 13s. 4d.; 2 horses, worth 26s. 8d.; and 3 oxen, worth 48s. Twenty-two of the 40 cows are worth £11. All these and the 40 acres were seized into the King’s hands. The rest of the goods and chattels were hidden by William Noble in an unknown place. William Jennings had no lands or tenements, goods or chattels in the county. (C 131/109/20).

Nicholas Jenyn, Will extracts: Item, I give and bequeath unto John Pyke and to Alice, his wife, and to Thomas Pyke all that my lease and years to come in a tenement in Sydon Lane (Seething Lane) that Nevell dwelleth in. Item, I give to John Pyke and to Thomas Pyke all that my lease and years to come in the Sign of the Ram’s Head in Petty Wales and all th’ appurtenances and implements belonging to the same. Item, I give and bequeath unto John Pyke and to Thomas Pyke, his son, all my lands and tenements at Barking in Essex that I hold of the Abbess of Barking till my son, Barnard, come to the age of 21 years old. Item, I give unto John Pyke of Ilford and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever more my lands and tenements at Hamme besides Kingston upon Thames in the county of Surrey. Item, I give to Barnard, my son, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten all that my place set, lying and being in the parish of Streatham in the county of Surrey and all manner of implements and household stuff remaining and appertaining to the same place. Item, all my lands and tenements set, lying and being in the parish of Stepney, Poplar and Ratcliff.

1.1.2.1. William Pyke. Pyke v Noble. Plaintiffs: William, son and heir of John Pyke of South Shoebury. Defendants: William Noble, husband of Alice, late the wife of the said John. Subject: A messuage and land called `Spottelles’ in Barling, Essex. 1518-1529. (C 1/558/44). Debtor: William Noble, of Bowers Gifford in Essex, yeoman, and William Jennings (Jenyns}, a citizen and skinner of London. Creditor: Oliver Leder, a citizen and fishmonger of London. Amount: 50 m. Before whom: James Yarford, Mayor of the Staple of Westminster. Inquisition and return: Date to be returned:April 26, 1528. Attached is the inquisition made at Brentwood (in Chafford Hundred) on April 4,1528 before Edward Tyrell, Sheriff. On the day of the inquisition Edward Baker was seised in demesne of 40 acres of arable in Bowers Gifford; and on 01/09/1527 he demised them to William Noble to hold for a rent of 20s. a year. William has sown 20 of the acres with corn [?wheat], and the rest with oats; and they are worth £14 in all. He had 80 sheep and 120 lambs, worth £16; 40 cows and 12 calves, worth £26 13s. 4d.; 2 horses, worth 26s. 8d.; and 3 oxen, worth 48s. Twenty-two of the 40 cows are worth £11. All these and the 40 acres were seized into the King’s hands. The rest of the goods and chattels were hidden by William Noble in an unknown place. William Jennings had no lands or tenements, goods or chattels in the county.

1.1.3. *William Jenyns. Jenyns v The Mayor of London. Plaintiffs: William Jenyns, citizen and skinner of London. Defendants: The mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs of London. Subject: Action by John Pyerson, citizen and barber-surgeon of London, on a bond given on behalf of John Colman, citizen and grocer of London, for which he has goods in pledge. Certiorari. London 1518-1529. C 1/529/64. William Jenyns of London, skinner v John Rokes, Joan Jenyns and John Jenyns: lands held of the abbot of Stratford Langthorne Abbey, Essex, as of his manor of Cowbridge, Glamorgan. 1492-1538. (REQ 2/5/279).

William Jenyns of London, skinner, v John Jenyns and others: land called ‘Moresland’ in Billericay, in Great Burstead, Essex. 1 m. Between 1492 and 1547. (REQ 2/5/188). Jenyns v The Mayor of London. Plaintiffs: William Jenyns, citizen and skinner of London. Defendants: The mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs of London. Subject: Action by Thomas Par, citizen and grocer of London, for a ring left in pledge for a debt, and since lost Certiorari. London. 1533-1538. (C 1/831/34). As noted above, Nicholas Jenyn held tenements in Barking, Essex, which is ca. 18 miles from Billericay, and William Jenyns, citizen and skinner of London, a contemporary, was likely to have been his brother, who also received lands in Essex from their father, John Jenyn, who held land in Theydon and Epping, ca. 10 miles from Barking.

Release by John Prynce, gent., to William Sandes, grocer, and Thomas Clyfford, scrivener, of his right in the manor and advowson of Theydon Garnoun, and in the manor Theydon Boys alias Gregoryes, and all lands, etc., in Theydon, Epping, or elsewhere in Essex, formerly belonging to Jyhn Prynce, his father, deceased. Nov. 28, 14 Ed. IV. (1474). Enfeoffment by the Most Excellent Princess, Cecily, mother of the King, and Consort of the most illustrious Prince of noble memory, Richard, late true King (nuper veri Regis) of England and France and Lord of Ireland; John Howard, knt, Lord Howard, George Newell, knt, Lord Bervenny, etc., of John Prince, gent., and Lucy, his wife, Alured Cornburgh, esquire of the King’s body; William Scott, sen’, and Thomas Leventhorp, esquires; John Berdefeld and John Leventhorp, gents.; and John Pake (Pyke?), citizen and clothworker (pannarius), in their manor and advowson of Theydon Garnoun, and all lands, etc., in the same parish, Theydon Boys, Theydon atte Mount and Eppyng, to the use of John and Lucy for life. Appointment by Cecily of William Herde, husbondman and … as her attorneys to deliver seisin. Nov. 15, 22 Ed. IV. (1482). Release by John Prynce to Alured Cornburgh [and others as above of his right in Gregories, &c., which John Jenyn of Epping held to farm, and which he (Prince) and the late John Pake held of the gift of Thomas Seintleger, Thomas Bourgchier, and Thomas Howard, knights; Edmund Shaa, then Mayor of London; Richard Lessy; Richard Narburgh, LL.D.; Robert Plomer; Reginald and William Sandes; John and William Westbroke; Thomas Stoughton; Richard Brocas; and Thomas Clifford. Nov. 23, 2 Ric. III. (1484). (Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society, vol. 6, p. 119, 1898). The John Jenyn above noted (William Jenyns of London, skinner, v John Jenyns), was most likely to have been William’s brother, another son of John Jenyn Sr.

1.1.2.1. Thomas Pyke (d. Sept. 29, 1559), m. Joan Aleyn (d.1564), the illegitimate dau. of Sir John Aleyn (d. 1545), Lord Mayor of London. According to the Will of Sir John Aleyn (TNA PROB 11/31/16), Thomas Pyke had a son, Robert Pyke, who died bef. 1559, as in the inquisition post mortem taken after the death of Thomas Pyke, his heir was his son, Christopher Pyke, born ca 1553. (Fry, George S., ed, Abstracts of Inquisitiones Post Mortem Relating to the City of London, pt. 1, pp. 180-1, 1896). The Will of Joan (nee Aleyn) Pyke (d.1565) mentions her late husband, Thomas Pyke, and three daus., Judith, Pyke, and Mary. (TNA PROB 11/47/338). Joan Aleyn was the sister of Sir Christopher Aleyn (illegit. s. of Sir John Alleyn, ld. mayor of London, who m. Audrey (d.1587), dau. of William, 1st Baron Paget, 6s. 2da. Kntd. 1553. He was described in his father’s inquisition post mortem as Christopher Gyllet alias Carleton alias Alleyn. Under his father’s will he and his brother and sister were allotted between them half the remainder of their father’s moveables. Alleyn died 24 Feb. 1586 and was buried at Ightham. He ‘kept a vile, papistical house’ and his name is on a list drawn up in the interests of Mary Queen of Scots in 1574. In September 1585 a messenger from his brother-in-law, Lord Paget, arrived at his house and subsequently left with Alleyn’s eldest son Charles. As a result, Alleyn’s house was searched, his servants and others questioned and Lady Alleyn’s chamber searched for ‘relics’. His widow was listed as a recusant in 1587, the year of her death. (Hasler, Hist. Parl., p. 340, 1981).

1.1.2.1.1. Judyth Pyke, m. Roberte Jones, June 17, 1566, Westminster, St Margaret.

1.1.2.1.1.1. John Jones, rector of St. Nicholas Acons, m. Ann Vassall.

1.1.2.1.1.1.1. Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay, Northumberland Co., Virginia.

1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Samuel Jones, whose estate appraisers were Hancock Lee and Charles Lee, sons of Col. Richard Lee.

1.1.2.2. Agnes Pyke (d. 1579), m. (1) Robert Blagrave (d.1534) of Reading, Berkshire, second son of Ralph Blagrave of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, by whom she was the mother of John Blagrave (ca. 1509-1597). (2) The London goldsmith, Robert Cowper, d. 1542. (TNA PROB 11/25/103). (3) William Grey, d. 1551. Robert Cowper’s 1st wife was Elizabeth, relict of Hugh Lee, mariner. Elham v Lee. Plaintiffs: Robert Elham. Defendants: Hugh Lee, mariner, and Elizabeth his wife, executrix and late the wife of Robert Cowper. Subject: Debt of the said Cowper. Middlesex 1538-1544. (C 1/982/29-30). Elame v Moreys. Plaintiffs: Robert Elame, late of Chartham. Defendants: John Moreys, waterman, and Robert Cowper of Ratcliffe, co. Middlesex. Subject: Price of corn sold to the said Cowper and delivered to the said Moreys at Faversham. Kent. 1532-1538. (C 1/701/4). Elham v Lee. Plaintiffs: Robert Elham. Defendants: Elizabeth Lee, executrix and late the wife of Robert Cowper, and widow of Hugh Lee. Subject: Reviver of the above on the death of the said Hugh. Middlesex. 1538-1544. (C 1/982/31). That is, the Lee family of Stepney of this account may have had a familial association with the family of Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay from an early period.

GILBERT AND FULKE LEE

1. ..There is no known relationship between the following Gilbert and Fulke Lee, nor between they and their contemporary, “John Lee of Balist Wharffe, Ratcliff mariner“. The commencing part of this genealogical construct is merely suggestive. 1.1. Gilbert Lee of Ratcliffe, in Stepney. 1610: Nuncupative Will of Gilbert Lee of Stepney. In the Name of God Amen abowte the first day of Jan. A. d. 1610, according to ye computation of the Church of England, Gilbert Lee of Ratcliffe in the pish of Stepney als Stebneth in the Com of Middx, Marriner, being at sea aborde the good shipp called ye vnion of London, being some what ill but of p’fect minde & memory, called for one Mr Bradshaw a merchant in the said shipp & signified vnto him that he hath made his will but was purposed to alter it, where vppon M’ Bradshaw demanded what his will or purpose was or words to this effect – Mary quoth the said Gilbert Lea my will or minde is that my brother Anthony Briant & his wife shall have all that estate I have or words to ye like effect, sauing twenty pounds that I give tomy brother, meaning his brother Lee, & other ten pounds that I give to one of myne name dwelling in St. Catherines And I make the said Anthony Bryant & his wife extors of my will & testm’ or words to the like effecte where vppon Mr Bradshaw made this will wch was acknowledged by the said Gilbert Lee the testator before diuers witnesses & his former will cancelled wch will soe composed in wrighting cannot yet come to the hands of the said Extors but was to ye effecte as aforesaid. Witnesses of the truth of the p’mises – Thos. Peerce his mark, Ralph Wilson, pilot, John Bingle, Mr. Bullock ye surgeant, Pro. 22 July 1611 by Anthony & Anne Briant”. (Com. Ct. Lond., vol. 21, fo. 353). Anthony Bryant, of Rye, sailor, a Frenchman born, hath dwelt in Rye forty years and hath served an apprentice in the said Town and divers times has been pressed and served in her Majesty’s ships. He has been married to two English women and had children by each. All which time he has behaved himself well. Sept. 11, 1602. (E.S.R.O, RYE/47/64/4). Gilbert Lee had a dau., Agnes, bapt. Aug. 10, 1595, a dau., Mary, bapt. Nov. 23, 1600, and a son, Andrew, bapt. June 25, 1598, presumably all d.v.p.

1.2. “Fulke Lee of Ratcliffe Sailler”, d. 1614. May 1604: Ffowlke Lee of Ratclif & Rabbidge Hawkins of ye same. Nov. 2, 1605, baptised: “John sonn of Ffookes Lee of Ratclif, Sailler”. He was “John Lee of Ratcliff maryner”, who m. Dorothy, having issue: John Lee, bapt. April 2, 1638. He was probably “John Lee of Whitehorse Street mariner”, who m. Tomalin, having issue: John Lee, bapt. April 15, 1664. Oct. 11, 1607, baptised: “Phillipp sonn of Ffowkes Lee of Ratclif, sailler”. He m. Prudence Usher, Jan. 10, 1641, dau. of John Usher of Mile End, bapt. May 13, 1600. Rabbage, a. French/Wallonian (Huguenot) surname, derived from the French Rabache, a maker of cloaks.

1. “John Hawkins, of Ratcliff”, m. … Rabbage, it is assumed. During Elizabeth I’s reign, Huguenot Protestants from France and Wallonia (southern Belgium) escaped to England, particularly after the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572, bringing their skills in various crafts, such as textiles, watchmaking, glassmaking, and printing. They establishing close-knit communities in which Shakespeare lodged with a Huguenot family. Rye in East Sussex served as a major port for French Huguenot refugees fleeing persecution. By 1582, over 1,500 Huguenots had settled in Rye, accounting for about a third of its population. It is almost certain that thebrother-in-law of Gilbert Lee and the wife of Fulke Lee were Huguenots of French/Wallonian extract. 1.1. Rabbage Hawkins, b. ca. 1588, m. Fulke Lee, in May 1604. Will of Ffolke Lee of Stepney: he is indebted to Thomas Steward, Purser, & to Luke Nott, who are to be payed out of Callicoes wich are in my Cheist; to wife one third of money or goods dewe me; youngest son John Lee other third; to Thomas Harris a motley gown; wiefe Executrix; Overseer, William Marten; Wit: William Hughes, Thomas Harris & Walter Woodwarde. Proved by Robridge, relict & extrx named in Will. July 14, 1614. Walter Woodward. The queen and Walter Woodward, fishmonger, v. Edward Walker. Whether Walker had sold any flesh victuals at his inn in Gracious Street (the Bull in St. Ethelburga parish) on Fridays, Saturdays or other fish days or fasting days. London. (E 133/10/1592). Gracechurch Street, 2 and a half miles W. of Stepney (Ratcliffe, Limehouse, Shadwell, etc.).

A CONNECTION TO HARRIS AND BARKER, St. Dunstan’s:

1…. 1.1. John Harris, of Mile End, Stepney, ca. 2 miles from Ratcliffe. 1.1.1. John Harris, bapt. March 22, 1589/90. (Sergeant John Harris?. 1.1.1.1. Dorothy Harris, b. 1620. 1.1.1.2. John Harris,* infant in 1624, witnessed a bond of Robert Mosley to John Felton in 1654.*(“William Lea and Alice (Feltham), his wife, to William Heath, 150 acres … formerly Thomas Felton’s … formerly (Robert) Moseleys … “joyneing upon the lands which was John Harryes lyeing in the County of Surry in Virginia commonly called Upper Chippoakes”. *John Harris m. a sister of William Barker: (1. … 1.1. John Barker, of Ratcliffe. 1.1.1. John Barker, bapt. Jan. 16, 1589/90. 1.1.1.1. John Barker, of Ratcliffe, mariner, and Elizabeth; he was later described as “merchant tailor”.1.1.2. William Barker of Ratcliffe, mariner“, m. (1) Mary*. He was captain and owner of the “Merchants Hope”, b. ca. 1592, d. bef. March 3, 1655. It was probably he who was a partner of Francis Derrick Sr. (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I, vol. 10), who bought land from Dorothy, dau. of Sergeant John Harris. “William Barker, of Ratcliffe, mariner, and *Mary Goulding, Feb. 6, 1623/4”. 1.1.2.1. William Barker, bapt. Dec. 1, 1634, of Ratcliffe, mariner. 1.1.2.1.1. John Barker Jr., bapt. Sept. 12, 1654, St. Dunstan, m. Grace Cotton. 1.1.2.2. … Barker, m. John Harris. 1.1.2.2.1. John Harris, estate admon by John Barker Jr. (1698). John Harris, b. ca. 1648, m. Elizabeth Nicholson. He d. bef. Feb. 11, 1699, when his estate was appraised by John Barker and (his br.-in-law) Patrick Lashley Sr. (B.5, p. 165). A Lashley family of Stepney: 1. James Lashley of Shadwell, mariner, b. ca. 1605, m. Elizabeth. 11. Walter Lashley, bapt. Jan. 2, 1630/31, St. Dunstan, Stepney). 1.2. Thomas Harris, “of Limhous sailler”, m. Margaret Burry, Sept. 22, 1586, St. Dunstan, Stepney. 1611.- Will of Folke Lee of Stepney, 1614.: to Thomas Harris, overseer, a motley gown. 1.2.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Feb. 2, 1605/6, “of Blackwell mariner”, m. Elizabeth. (Blackwell adj. “Limehouse”). Will of Thomas Harris, Sailor (“now outward bound on a Voyage” to Virginia) of Limehouse, probated July 24, 1637. 1.2.1.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. May 26, 1635/6. 1.2.2. James Harris “of Ratcliff Shoomaker”, m. Ann. 1.2.2.1. Edward Harris, bapt. Jan. 26, 1639/40. 1.2.2.2. Henry Harris, bapt. Aug. 4, 1641. 1.2.3. Robert Harris “of Limehouse marriner”, m. Dorothy Salter on April 1, 1641. Anne Salter m. William Lea, on Sept. 12, 1644. They are very likely to be sisters, daus. of “John Salter, of Ratcliffe, shipwright”, and sisters of Henry Salter, bapt. Oct. 3, 1628. 1.2.3.1. Thomas Harris, bapt. Jan. 6, 1641/42. 1.2.3.2. Robert Harris, bapt. Jan. 22, 1645/46, probably apprentice to his uncle James. Item I give to my son Robt Harris the plantation whereon he now lives, but if it should please God that my Son Robert should die without Issue lawfully begotten then I give the sd lands to my son Mathew & the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, but if it should please God that my son Mathew should die without lawful Issue, then I give the sd Land to my son Jno Harris & to his heirs for Ever. Item I give to my two sons Robt & Jno all my Leather, Thread, Shoemakers Tools, & Curriers Tools to be equally divided between them. It mentions his wife’s (Ann) two sons, George and Stephen Fuller; their portion is to come from her portion. Wit.: Robt Petters, Tho Hansford, Wm Lee. Will proved in Nov. 1716, Hampton parish, York Co. It is probably relevant that there were Peters and Fuller families of Stepney, e.g. 1. “Robert Fuller, Ratcliff Carpenter”. 1.1. George Fuller, bapt. March 16, 1612/13. 1.2. Thomas Fuller, bapt. March 16, 1612/13, etc. 1.2.3.2.1. Mathew Harris. His plantation was called “Prestons”, (Presson), which he left to his eldest son, William Lee Harris, who sold it to his mother’s second husband, Edward Baptist, before moving into Goochland Co., where he acquired a considerable amount of land in what is now present-day Albemarle Co., b.1, p. 286. Mathew Harris died on Sept. 20, 1731.

Henry Presson of Wentworth streeat Silckweaver & Charitie Rutlidge, M., July 1, 1625. (St. Dunstan’s reg.). George Presson, of St Botolph, Aldgate, London, Cooper, & Jane Smith, of Stepney, Middlesex, Widow; at Stepney. Jan. 18, 1624/5. (Joseph Lemuel Chester, Allegations for marriage licences issued by the bishop of London, p. 149, 1887). John Fuller of Prusons Iand mariner & Anne Crayford, Nov. 16, 1632. (St. Dunstan’s reg.). Will of Thomas Presson, Mariner of Stepney, Middlesex, probated Sept. 4, 1690. Presson, John of Stepney, Middx but in the ship the “Mary” upon the seas, probated Dec. 15, 1688. LEE cont. 1.2.1. John Lee (bapt. Nov. 2, 1605), “of Ratcliff maryner”, m. Dorothy. 1.2.1.1. John Lee, bapt. April 2, 1638. 1.2.2. William Lee of Wappingwall, mariner, m. Grace. 1.2.2.1. William Lee, bapt. April 23, 1634. 1.2.2. William Lee of Ratcliffe, mariner, m. (2) Joan. 1.2.2.1. George Lee, bapt. Dec. 14, 1645. 1.2.2.2. Thomas Lee, bapt. Jan. 16, 1647/8..

1.3. John Lee of Balist Wharffe, Ratcliff mariner”, b. ca. 1575, d. May 19, 1641: “It is therefore at this vestry ordered & decreed, so farre as in vs lieth, that in the Hamlet of Ratcliffe shalbe chosen two Churchwardens, one in Ratcliffe, the other upon Wapping Wall or elsewhere thereabouts, in maner & forme as other Churchwardens have beene formerly chosen & upon these condičons ensuing … that they shall content themselues wth such division, limitts & bounds1 as shalbe allotted unto them by such division as shalbe & is made among themselves, vizt the Churchwarden of Ratcliffe to have for his division, Stepney, Whitehorse street, Brookestreet, Ratcliffe Wall, Ratcliffe Street unto the old balist wharfe, And the Churchwarden for Wapping side to haue for his diuision, vpper Shadwell, lower Shadwell, Ratcliffe highway, Foxes lane, Wapping wall, Prusons Iland, Kingstreet Wapping, Knockfergus, Newgravel-lane & Old Gravel-Lane … that the said two Churchwardens of the Hamlet of Ratcliffe, shall no way be preivciall to the other Churchwardens of Limehouse, Mileend & Popler. The above still roughly describes the hamlet of Ratcliffe, but Wapping has been since subdivided considerably. (George William Hill, Memorials of Stepney Parish, 1891).

1.3.1. “Henry Lea”, bapt. Feb. 19, 1606/7, “son of John Lee of Balist Wharffe, Ratcliff mariner”, probably he who was an early colonist in York Co., near present-day Norfolk. He owned tobacco plantations and ships that transported his produce to London. The parentage of his wife, Sarah, is not known*. His estates were in the newly created Charles Co., situated on both sides of the Pamunkey (Charles, York) River. This area was both a port and a site of official stores for tobacco inspection and repacking. Other Lees arrived in Charles River Co. before 1640. Henry Lee in context: It is a reality of this time that ship owners engaged in the London/Virginia tobacco trade came from families of merchant/mariners who already owned such ships or were associated with those who did. Such families were often comprised of mariners and those engaged in ancillary trades, such as shipwrights/carpenters. In 1647, Mr. Henry Lee patented 250 ac. in York Co. due for the importation of five people: *John Lee, Henry Lee, Elizabeth Blashfield, Anne Russell, and Thomas Johnson. Henry Lee was a burgess for York Co. in 1652.

1.3.1.1. Henry Lee, b. 1645, a physician and planter. In 1688, he sold Isaac Collier a tract of land adjoining Robert Potter’s land, which was to be held “according to the ancient bounds of Mr. Henry Lee, Sr., father of the said Henry Lee”. His Will was proved on May 24, 1693, naming his wife, Alice, and sons William and Henry, who was of age in 1711, when he inherited his father’s estate, and renderd an account for carpenter’s work. It is not improbable that Robert Potter was he baptised at St. Dunstans, Stepney on January 14, 1637/8, son of “John Potter of Ratcliff mariner and Mary”.

1.3.1.1.1. William Lee, requested that the court in 1696 to appoint Mr. William Wade as his guardian. (It is not unlikely that this was the William Wade who was bapt. at St. Dunstan, Stepney, on April 22, 1636, son of “William Wade of Wapping, mariner, and Elizabeth”). He inherited his father’s plantation in Yorkhampton Parish. In 1712; he rendered a claim for 23 days carpenter’s work done by his apprentice on the Battery at Yorktown, under the supervision of Edward Powers. He m. Rachel, dau. of Edward Baptist. His Will was proved on Dec. 13, 1728, naming his children: Francis, to whom he gave all his lands, Anne, who m. … Hunter; Sarah, who m. (1) Matthew Harris (died 1727), having issue, William Harris; (2) Edward Baptist (named in William Lee’s Will), having issue: Lee Harris, named as “son” in the Will of Elizabeth Baptist (2nd wife of Edward Baptist. (Wood, Albemarle Co., p. 219; Wills of Edward and Elizabeth Baptist, proved in 1747 and 1748.

1.3.1.1.1.1. Francis Lee. His Will was proved Dec. 17, 1753, naming sons: William Lee, eldest son, and heir at law, to whom he gave “the plantation whereon I now live”, Henry Lee, “all his land in Warwick Co.”; Francis Lee, under age, land in York Co. “for his life”, and to be maintained by his brothers William and Henry “in good board, clothes and schooling at their own proper costs”. 1.3.1.1.1.1.1. William Lee, live inspector of tobacco at York warehouse, in 1794, m. (in 1783), Rachel, dau.of Edward Baptist, of York Co., and Margaret, dau. of Col. William Harwood, of Warwick Co., a member of the House of Burgesses. 1.3.1.1.1.2. Sarah Lee, m. Mathew Harris, who d. on Sept. 20, 1731. His plantation was called “Prestons”, (Presson), which he left to his eldest son, William Lee Harris, who sold it to his mother’s second husband, Edward Baptist, before moving into Goochland Co. in 1739, where he acquired a considerable amount of land in what is now present-day Albemarle Co. (B.1, p. 286), along Beaverdam on the Hardware River, and along the Totier and Green Creeks. He m. Mary Netherland, and had issue, per his Will, proved on December 11, 1789: Matthew, John, William, Benjamin; Sarah (m. Mosby), Elizabeth (m. John Digges); Catherine (m. Steger), Mary (m. Woodfolk), Ann (m. Hawes Coleman); and Judith (m. George Coleman). 1.3.1.1.1.3. William Lee, of age ca. 1809, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Wynne. He d. Jan. 16, 1815, when his widow, with Haynes Lee, and William Lee, as sureties, gave bond in York Co. to administer her husband’s estate. 1.3.1.1.3.1. Haynes Lee. 1.3.1.1.1.4. Francis Lee. 1.3.1.1.1.4.1. John Lee, of Warwick Co., died before 1812. 1.3.1.1.1.4.2. Mary Lee, m. her first-cousin, Edward Presson Lee. 1.3.1.1.1.4.3. William Lee, d. 1817. 1.3.1.1.1.4.3.1. William Presson Lee. 1.3.1.1.1.4.3.2. Baker P. Lee. 1.3.1.1.1.4.3.3. Francis W. Lee 1.3.1.1.1.4.3.4. Lewis Lee. 1.3.2. … Lee, “son of John Lee of Ratcliffe, mariner”, bapt. July 13, 1608. (Possibly Mathew/RichardLee).

1.3.3. COLONEL RICHARD LEE?

It is claimed that the first record of Richard Lee’s in Virginia is in April and May 1640, where he is described as Clerk of the Quarter Court. This is not necessarily him, nor he who deposed that he was “Richard Lee Gentleman age 34 or thereabouts” in the Admiralty Court of London in 1654. Richard Lee, a burgess in 1647, and was surety for Henry Lee in an indenmity bond of Sept. 25, 1646, concerning the transfer of 9 cattle which were formerly in the custody of Robert Felgate,* who m. the mother of John Adkins, brother of Henry Lee’s wife.(W&MQ, iv., pp. 37/38). This bond was witnessed by William Lee. In 1648, Richard Lee patented 1,250 ac. on the N. side of York River, and among those for whom he claimed land were: Henry, Matthew, and George Lee.

Robert Felgate was the brother of Tobias Felgate: Captain Toby Felgate, mariner, 150 ac. at Kiskyacke, upon Pamunkey River, adjoining the land of his brother, Captain Robert Felgate, due as an adventurer into the Colony, April 25, 1632. They were probably sons of William Felgate. July 31, 1604: “William Felgate of Barkinge (5 miles E. of Stepney), Tower Street, skynner & Philippa Crooke of St. Dunstons in the east”. Tower Street, Stepney. Robert Felgate’s Will was proved in 1655, and mentions his brother William “of the city of London, “skinner”; Thomas Newton,* his grandchild, and his wife, Sibella etc. In 1653, the said William Felgate was living in York (York Records), and in 1659 was a justice of the county (Hening). In this year he deposed to be about 47 years old. His Will, proved in York in 1660, left his estate to his wife, Mary Felgate, and £20 to his dau., Mary, “in case she came to Virginia in five years”, also legacies to his stepson, William Bassett. (William and Mary College Quarterly, p. 83, 1892). Will of Phillip Newton, Mariner of Stepney, Middlesex, proved Jan. 17, 1663. Will of William Newton, Mariner of Stepney, Middlesex, proved Feb. 24, 1666. Will of Richard Newton, Mariner of Stepney, Middlesex, proved Feb. 10, 1659. In Nov. 1658 and in March 1659, “Richard Lee of London” purchased property at Stratford Langton, i.e. Langthorne, in the parish of West Ham, in the lower Lea Valley (from whence the family may have derived its name), planning to return to England. His steward, John Gibbon, stated of him: “hee was willing to end his days in England”. Richard Lee’s will was probated in London in Jan. 1665. His executors were Thomas Griffith and John Lockey, London merchants, and his eldest sons, John and Richard. He requested the early discharge of a debt due John Jeffreys. For Jeffreys, see as follows, under Jones.

Thomas Griffiths – cit. & merchant tailor of London, of psh of St. Michaell Queenehithe. (Dat. June 25, 1655). Wife Marg, Richard Downes jun. my wife’s kinsman; kinswom. Margerie Ford & her dau. Mary; kinsman Richard Griffith; sis-in-law widow Griffith-Godson; Thomas Griffith* son of sis-in-law-Godson; Abram Bentley son of John Bentley; Robt. Skrine, ironmonger; Persevall Stevenson, merchant tailor. Lands etc. in Queenhithe; sd wife extrix. Wit., Humphry Lewis Scr. (Pr. P.C.C., Jan 21, 1657-8). Queenehithe is 5 miles from Stratford Langthorne. John Lockey, imported tobacco with his brother, Edward. Lockey, Edward, of Virginia, planter, died in St Katherine Cree, London 1667. PROB 5/2782. Francis Morgan assigned 50 ac. in Charles River Co. (York Co.) upon “Cocke’s Thickett” to “John Lockey, citizen and merchant tailor of London, and Edward Lockey of York, merchant, on Oct. 26, 1657. (Fleet, Virginia Colonial Abstracts). In 1660, William Collis of York County deposed that Edward Lockey was a brother of Mr. John Lockey, merchant of London. (Tyler’s Quarterly, i, 401, 1981). Edward Lockey – admin. of the estate of Francis Morgan in 1657 – married the widow of John Reed in 1659 – married the widow of Major John Hansford in 1661.

March 11, 1658: Whereas &c. now know yee that I the said Sr William Berkeley Kt. doe wth the consent of the Councell of State doe accordingly give and grant unto Richard Lee gent his heirs or assignes for ever one thousand acres of Land situate on the North side of Charles river Called by the name of the Indian Spring on Poropotancke Creeke anglice vocatur fresh water Creeke running along the said Creeke and halfe a point Southerly thence South East for altitude hundred and sixtie chains along the marked trees of Francis Morgan thence for latitude twoe hundred and five Chaines thence North west one hundred and twentie Chaines to a running to a little Creeke including the said little Creeke to the great Creeke the said one thousand acres of Land being due unto him the said Richard Lee by and for his owne p’sonal Adventure his wife Ann and John Francis*.

CARTER AND FRANCIS

Many ancestries of prominent Virginia families are of a less exalted kind than claimed, but they can of a practical kind, with such as Robert “King” Carter having the familial background to the merchant/mariners who were the cornerstone of the Virginia tobacco trade.

Stepney: 1. William Carter, m. Alice Stile, Jan, 16, 1568/9. 1.1. John Carter, bapt. Sept 13, 1572, “s.o. William”. Oct. 25, 1611, married, John Carter of Stepney, Middlesex, mariner, and Jane Cleaves of All Hallows, Barking, widow of John Cleaves of same, mariner. 1.1.1. “John Carter. A clue to the ancestry of John Carter, the Virginia, Councillor, seemed to be afforded in the Will of Edward Carter of Edmonton, Middlesex, esquire, dated and probated in 1682 (New England Hist. and Geneal. Reg., vol. xlvii.), disposing of much property in Virginia, and speaking of having resided on Nansemond River, showing that he must have been the Col. Edward Carter who was in Virginia about 1660, and who may naturally be supposed to have been brother of John Carter.

William Meade, Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia, vol. 2, p. 121 – Notices of Old Christ Church: This incription is to the north of the chancel, in the east end of the church: “Here lyeth buried y body of John Carter, Esq, who died yo 10th of June, Anno Domini 1669; and also Jane, y daughter of Mr. Morgan Glyn, and George her son, and Elenor Carter, and Ann, y daughter of Mr. Cleave Carter, and Sarah, y daughter of Mr. Gabriel Ludlow, and Sarah her daughter, which were all his wives successively, and died before him”. “Blessed are y dead which die in yo Lord; even soe, saith y Spirit, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them”. The published lists of London marriage licenses include one of Oct. 25, 1611, for John Carter of Stepney, Middlesex, mariner, and Jane Cleaves of All Hallows, Barking, widow of John Cleaves of same, mariner, doubtless relations-in-law, and possibly parents of the Virginia Councillor, or of Cleave Carter. Mr. W. G. Stanard finds that John Carter married at least five times, inc. 3rd, Anne, dau. of Cleave Carter, she being buried with her husband, and appearing to have had no children by Carter, and to have d. in or before 1662, to allow time for Carter to have married again, and have had a son born after Aug. 4, 1663, and before Aug. 4, 1664; 4th, Sarah, dau. of Gabriel Ludlow, she being buried with her husband, and her daughter Sarah, and having died in or before 1668, having been mother not only of Sarah, but also, according to tradition, of “Robert, King Carter,” who d. Aug. 4, 1732, in his 69th year”. (Charles Penrose Keith, The Ancestry of Benjamin Harrison: President of the United States of America, p. 87, 1893).

1.1.1.1. “Robert, King Carter”. See as follows: May 28, 1701: Letter from Robert Carter to Francis Lee. 1.2. “William Carter of Limehous”, m. “Martha Rainam of Ratcliff”, on October 15, 1599. 1.2.1. Edward (Carter), difficult to read, bapt. July 20, 1608, s.o. “William … of Lymehous, mariner” – adjacent the hamlet of Ratcliffe. 1.2.2. William Carter, bapt. Sept. 11, 1611, s.o. “William Carter of Ratcliff, Marriner”. 1.2.2.1. John Carter, bapt. Nov. 28, 1630, s.o. “Wm. Carter of Ratcliff, Marriner, and Hanna” (Reignolds), m. June 11, 1620. 1.2.2.2. Thomas Carter, bapt. Aug. 17, 1636 (son of “Wm. Carter Mariner of Prusens Iand”, and Elizabeth), m. Dorothy Francis, cousin of *John Francis.

FRANCIS

1. … 1.1. John Francis, Wappingwall Mariner, m. Margaret. 1.1.1. John Francis, bapt. Oct. 12, 1631, m. Judith Witheredge, May 3, 1660. *Associated with Col. Richard Lee in a land grant of 1658, supra. 1.2. Samuel Francis Whitehorse Streete, Maryner, m. Joan. 1.2.1. Dorothy Francis, bapt. Oct. 25, 1640, m. Thomas Carter, Dec. 11, 1666. 1.2.2. John Francis, bapt. Jan. 15, 1646/7.

WOODWARD

1. John Woodward, bapt. 10 March 10, 1615/16. “To all &c Whereas now Know ye that I the said Edward Diggs Esqr. &c give and grant unto William and Hancock Lee sons of Col Richard Lee Eight hundred and Fifty acres of Land Situate in the County of Gloucester upon the branch of Peanketank Swamp. John Woodward of Middlesex, Stepney (St. Dunstan, per Will), who died at Jamaica. Admin granted in 1659 by Perogative Court of Canterbury. (Peter Wilson Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants, p. 451, 1987). Robert Felgate was the brother of Tobias Felgate: Captain Toby Felgate, mariner, 150 ac. at Kiskyacke, upon Pamunkey River, adjoining the land of his brother, Captain Robert Felgate, due as an adventurer into the Colony, April 25, 1632. They were probably sons of William Felgate. July 31, 1604: “William Felgate of Barkinge (5 miles E. of Stepney), Tower Street, skynner & Philippa Crooke of St. Dunstans in the east”.

Possible Stepney associations: 1. John Hancocke, of Whitehorse Street, mariner, m. Ann … 1.1. John Hancocke, bapt. Feb. 4, 1634/35. 1.2. William Hancocke, bapt.Aug. 8, 1639. 1.3. Anne Hancocke, bapt. April 8, 1644.1. George Constable, of Westminster, m. Alice Griffin, bapt. Jan. 9, 1604/5, dau. of Wm. Griffin, of Poplar, Stepney, shoemaker, possibly related to a namesake: Hill v Constable. Plaintiffs: Richard Hill of Shere, Surrey, esq. Defendants: George Constable of London, esq. Subject: to recover an unwitnessed loan. Surrey. 1558-1603. (REQ 2/222/32). 1.1. Anne Constable, bapt. March 26, 1619, in Stepney. There is no proof that Col. Richard Lee m. a Anne Constable, and not one of an elevated social status.

1.3.3.1. Francis Lee. Will of Francis Lee, Merchant of Saint Dionis Backchurch, City of London, dated 9 July, 1709; probated, London, Nov. 23, 1714. Francis Lee, of London, Merchant. I doe declare my sons Richard and Thomas Lee and my daughter Anne, wife of Henry Watson, to be fully advanced. Yet nevertheless I doe give unto them 5f a piece for mourning. Unto my Honoured ffriends Sir Jeffery Jefferies, Knight,* and John Jefferies, Esqr., Rings. Unto my nephew Richard Lee, Merchant, and my friend Mr. Hanbury Walthall, of London, Haberdasher. The Residue to my youngest son, Arthur Lee, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, at twenty one years. The said Richard Lee and John Hanbury Walthall to be Executors in trust for said Arthur. They shall during his minority loan out the moneys not expended in his education and maintenance for the increase of his fortune. To my eldest Brother Richard Lee, £20. Witness. Edwd. Gilbert, Snr., Tho. Reason, Wm. Hodgdin. Jeffreys and his younger brother John were ‘adopted and educated’ by their uncle John Jeffreys, a tobacco merchant and an alderman of London. He had agreed in March 1702 to be responsible for sending remittances to the armed forces stationed in New York, using his own trading contacts. (D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, “Hist. Parl.”, 2002). See as follows under “Jones”: 1. Samuel Vassall. 1.1. Francis Vassall. Vassall v Jeffries. Plaintiffs: Francis Vassall. Defendants: John Jeffries. Subject: property in Fleet Street, London. 1667. (C 6/179/70). *To whom, Col. Richard Lee was indebted, as given supra.

June 30, 1691, John Walthall, of Hatfeild, Herts, Bach, aged 23, & Anne Wiseman, of the same, Spr, 22 & upwds, at own disp., her parents dead & no guardian; alleged by Hanbury Walthall, of St Catherine Creechurch, Lond., Haberdasher; at Hatfeild or (blank). (‎Sir George John Armytage, “Allegations for Marriage Licences”, p. 186, 1890). The register of St. Dionis Backchurch has the following entries: Abigail, daughter of Mr. Francis and Tamar Lee, Merchant, born and baptised, July 9, 1694. John, son of Mr. Francis Lee, Merchant, buried in ye Great Vault, June 9, 1694. Mrs. Tamar Lee, wife of Mr. Francis Lee, Merchant, buried in ye Great Vault, May 1, 1694-5. Tamar, daughter of Mr. Francis Lee, Merchant, buried in Ye Great Vault, January 18, 1699-1700. Mr. Francis Lee, Merchant, buried in Ye Great Vault in the Chancel, Nov. 19, 1714. St Catherine Creechurch, borders Stepney. St. Dionis Backchurch, 2-3 miles from Stepney.

A power of atty recorded Sept. 3, 1699, from Francis Lee citizen and merchant of St. Dionis Backchurch, London, to William Churchill in Virginia. On October 5, 1703, Churchhill married Elizabeth Armistead Wormeley after executing a detailed marriage contract to secure the property that she and her children had inherited from her father, John Armistead, formerly a member of the governor’s Council, and her first husband, Ralph Wormeley, of Rosegill in Middlesex County, who had also been a member of the Council and secretary of the colony when he died in 1701. Their one son and two daughters included Priscilla Churchhill, who married first the namesake, son of the land baron Robert “King” Carter and then John Lewis, a member of the Council. Following his marriage, Churchhill undertook the management of Rosegill, and his influence in the county and colony increased through his alliances with these prominent Virginia families.

May 28, 1701: Letter from Robert Carter to Francis Lee: Robert Carter writes to London merchant Francis Lee concerning the death of Secretary of State Ralph Wormeley, Wormeley’s unhappiness with Lee’s handling of his affairs and Lee’s need to do better on behalf of his estate, a consignment of 16 hogsheads of tobacco, and that Lee’s supervision of Wormeley’s sons, then in England for their education, should be stringent. (Give my) kind Respects to my Cozens Ralph & John Wormeley whom if you keep Short in point of pockett Money, & not Extraordnary in fineness neither, i’tis my Opinion twill be no Diservice to them, I hope if the times hold as they have bin for some yeares past, Wee may be Able to lay up a Little Money for them, before they Come to manage. for your fuller. Satisfaction, I have herein sent a Coppy of Mr. Secretarys Will I am Sr Your humble Servant. See – Carter of Stepney, St. Dunstan’s, and Virginia, previous post.

Carter often referred to in their youth as his “Cozns.” Ralph Wormeley (ca. 1681-1714), Ralph Wormeley’s (d.1701) oldest son; and John Wormeley (1689-1727) because their parents were his brother-and sister-in-law. He was one of the boys’ trustees under their father’s Will. (Christ Church Parish, Lancaster County, Processioners’ Returns, 1711-1783, Wormeley Estate Papers, 1701-1710, 1716). On March 4, 1677, in Middlesex County, Virginia, Francis Lee of London and formerly of Dividing Creek, Virginia, appoints Ralph Wormeley his attorney, or Col. John Burnham. Middlesex Co. (Virginia Wills, Inventories & Accounts, 1673-1812 by William Lindsay Hopkins, p 103).

1.3.3.2. Hancocke Lee.

1.3.3.3. Charles Lee. They both appraised the estate of Samuel Jones, son of Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay. Samuel Jones was the brother of Captain William Jones, whose son, Captain Willam Jones, married Leeanna Lee, dau. of the said Charles Lee, Sr. It is suggested that this familial context originated in the London port of Stepney. That which may point the way of genuine researchers is the fact that a Thomas Pinckard was a headright of William Wright in Nansemond in 1655, and that several Pinckard Wills concerning Pinckard families near Stepney have not been digitalised for downloading, and may have connected to either: William Wright, baptised Nov. 12, 1615, s.o. “William Wright of Ratcliff mariner”, and Amie; or William Wright, baptised Feb. 1, 1621/22, s.o. “Thomas Wright of Lymehouse mariner”, and Mary; both of Stepney.

1.3.3.3.1. Charles Lee, m. Mrs. Elizabeth Pinckard, per marriage certificate. 1.3.3.3.2. Richard Lee, “the scholar”, m. Laetitia, dau. of Henry Corbin. 1.3.3.3.2.1. Thomas Lee, m. Hannah, granddaughter of Phillip Ludwell. 1.3.3.3.2.1.1. Richard Henry Lee. In July 1769, he m. the widow Anne Gaskins/Pinckard, dau. of Thomas Gaskins of Westmoreland Co.1.3.3.3.2.1.1.1. Ann Lee, b. Dec. 1, 1770, m. Charles Lee, son of Col. Henry Lee II, son of Captain Henry Lee, d. Aug. 25, 1747, son of Richard Lee, “the scholar”, supra.

See as follows – there was such a dense familial relationship between the families of Col. Richard Jones and Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay – with repeated intermarriages between them and the Gaskins and Pinkards – that, in terms of the social frameworks within which families of English descent intermarried, preserving and promoting wealth and power with a kinship network – these families were almost certainly “connected” in England, and they to the family of Lee of Stepney.

1.3.4. William Lee, m. Anne Salter, Sept. 12, 1644. Robert Harris “of Limehouse marriner”, m. Dorothy Salter on April 1, 1641. They were probably brothers-in- law. 1.3.5. Samuel Lee, a witness to the Will of Judith Vassall, mother of Ann Vassall, wife of Robert Jones, of Fleet’s Bay, whose son Samuel Jones died in October of 1697 without male issue, and a few months after, Capt. Wm. Jones, his brother, was appointed administrator, and petitioned the court to appoint as appraisers: Hancock Lee, Charles Lee, sons of Col. Richard Lee, and kinsmen of the deceased. Samuel Lee was probably the father of John Jones. His capacity to witness Judith Vassall’s Will was most likely as a result of him marrying a dau. of Judith Vassall’s sons, brothers and half brothers of Ann Vassall; thus, as the husband of Judith Vassall’s granddau. Clearly, this points to a familial connection between a Stepney family of Jones and that of Col. Richard Lee, which is evident in the notes as follows. A point is that such a relationship is suggested as early as 1648, when Col. Richard Lee patented 1,250 acres on the N. side of York River, and among those for whom he claimed land were Henry and George Lee*. The earlier relationship was the precursor of an ongoing one.

1.4. “Edward Lee, of Lymehous shoemaker”, possibly: Lee v Jones. Plaintiffs: Edward Lee and Joyce Lee his wife. Defendants: John Jones. Subject: the Chequer Inn, in St Bride, London etc. 1643. (C 5/514/83). That is, Edward Lee was almost certainly a member of the Cordwainers Guild, which were included in the thirteen ” misteries which sent members to the Common Council. The first Charter was granted to the Guild of the Cordwainers by Henry VI in 1439. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers helped finance Captain John Smith’s expedition to Virginia in 1607, and he was subsequently inducted to the Guild. The Secretary for Virginia recorded the establishment of a successful leather/shoemaking industry in 1616.

1.4.1. *George Lee, merchant of London, bapt. Dec. 22, 1605. “He was probably the George Lee, who Col Richard Lee numbered among his headrights in 1648. After residing in Virginia for sometime and patenting lands in York County he returned to England. After George Underwood* (probably a son-in-law), he appointed Robert Whitchare as his agent in Virginia in 1661, then Daniel Park,* and in 1674 he appointed Captain Richard Johnson, of New Kent. He shipped servants and goods, and brought back tobacco, and among the servants sent over by him were two “nephews”, *John Jones and John Symons”. (WMQ, xi. pp. 35, 37). George Lee was associated with the Underwoods of Stepney. 1.4.1.1. Francis Lee.

1 … 1.1. Edward Underwood, “poticary” (apothecary), m. Jane. 1.1.1. George Underwood, bapt. Nov. 30, 1628, St. Botolph, adjoining Stepney. 1.2. William Underwood*. Nov. 19, 1632, William Underwood of Ratcliffe (Stepney) taylor and Frances Glascock W. (St. Dunstan’s, Stepney, reg.). 1.2.1. *George Underwood, b. ca. 1633. Clerke v Garland. Plaintiffs: Thomasine Clerke, John Clerke, Dorothy Clerke, Grace Clerke and Samuel Clerke. Defendants: Robert Garland, Jeremiah White and George Underwood. Subject: personal estate of Roger Garland, Stepney*. 1685. (C 10/498/13). Bathurst v Garland. Plaintiffs: John Bathurst. Defendants: Robert Garland and Roger Garland. Subject: money matters, Middlesex. 1648. (C 10/5/11). *Roger Garland of Shadwell maryner”. Underwood’s gift to the hospital of St. Thomas: William Underwood, by Will, proved 29th April 1658, gave to the governors of this hospital all his hereditaments in the parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, for the relief of the poor there, subject to the payment of an annuity to his wife for her life. By indentures of lease and release, bearing date 19th and 20th January 1674, between William Scrimshire and George Underwood, son and heir of the said William Underwood, of the one part, and the mayor, &c., governors, &c., of the other part; reciting that the said William Underwood had purchased to the use of himself and his heirs, “two messuages or tenements, with their appurtenances, situate on the west side of the High-street of the Borough of Southwark, in the said parish,” to hold the same to them and their successors, to the uses mentioned in the said Will. 1652, Daniel Parke was deeded land in York Co.

He was named a Justice of the Peace in 1653, and later, Sheriff, and Burgess (1666). He m. (ca. 1658), Rebecca, widow of Bartholomew Knipe, of Virginia, gent., and dau. of George Evelyn. Bartholomew Knight was a brother of Edwarde Knipe, (bapt. Oct. 1, 1609, St Katherine Coleman), sons of Christopher Knipe of London. 2 miles from Stepney. On March 24, 1662-3, he bought 528 ac. in James City, adjoining the land of Col. Pettus, from Christopher Harris, and Mr. Robert Sorrell. Will proved Sept. 16, 1679: All money remaining in England and coming from the sale of tobacco and profits of shipping to be put into the Chamber of London for my said daughters’ benefit. To my friends Coll. Edward Carter, Mr. Michaiah Perry, Mr. Thomas Lane, James Bray, Esq., and Mr. Robert Cobb, £ 5 apiece to buy them rings with. His son, Daniel Parke, m. … Ludwell, and had issue: Lucy, who m. Col. Wm. Byrd, of “Westover,” and Frances who m. Col. John Custis. Daniel Parke Sr. was the son of a namesake: Will of Daniel Parke, Merchant Tailor of London, probated September 11, 1649. Hothersall v Bragg. Plaintiffs: Henry Hothersall. Defendants: Francis Bragg, Ninian Cuningham, and Daniel Parke. Subject: property in St Bride, London. 1648. (C 10/43/101). *3 mile W. of Stepney. A power of Atty dated May 18, 1684, from George Lee of London, merchant, to Francis Lee, his son, giving him power to collect debts from the estates of Daniel Wild and John Martin. (Lothrop Withington, Virginia Gleanings in England, p. 170, 1980).

Captain Richard Stephens was granted sixty roods of land at James-town in 1623, adjoining a dwelling-house already owned by him; the land being donated “that others may he encouraged by his example to enclose some ground for gardens”. He was a burgess for the session beginning March 5, 1623-4. Stephens had meanwhile married Elizabeth Piersey, a great heiress as the times went, apparently by 1629 at latest. He had patented 500 acres on Water’s Creek in Warwick county, by right of ten persons transported into Virginia by his father-in-law, Piersey, who died in 1628. The last meeting of the Council which he is positively known to have attended was held in September 1632. Shortly before his death, he had paid for the importation of forty persons into the Colony, but did not live long enough to make application for the 2,000 acres due him, so that this land was subsequently patented in the name of his elder son, Captain Samuel Stephens, born circa 1629, in whose name was patented, Sept., 20, 1636. Samuel Stephens in 1652 married Frances Culpeper, and in 1667 was commissioned Governor of Albemarle – that is, North Carolina – which office he retained until his death in 1670.

William Stephens, the younger son, was bom circa 1631. He inherited from his mother land in Warwick county. He died before reaching twenty-seven; His will was drawn up 6 April 1656, and, living in Nov. 1656, he was dead by April 1657. Shortly before his death “William Stephens had made application for a land-patent, for 570 additional acres in Warwick, which was eventually granted, May 1,, 1657, to his only son, another William Stephens — “as son & heire to William Stephens, Cooper, deceased”. William Stephens had married circa 1650 Margaret Vaulx, by whom he had two children; and shortly after his death his widow married Daniel Wild of York county. Thus, at an Orphans Court held in York, 10 Sept. 10, 1658, “Uppon ye motine of Daniel Wyld, Guardyan of William Stephens, sonne & heyre of William Stephens, late of Warwicke County, dece’d (whose relict the said Wild married), that he may be accomptable to ye said orphan when hee comes of age for the cattle, horses and mares (according to his accompt to ye Court this day on Oath). The younger William Stephens died a minor in 1668, the land thus passing outright to his mother, now the wife of Daniel Wild: and meanwhile, the widow of the elder William Stephens had borne Daniel Wild a daughter, to whom Margaret Wild at her death, on February 12, 1675-6, in turn left this land. The daughter, another Margaret Wild, married Captain John Martin, the master of a ship in the Virginia trade, and died in England circa 1680, leaving one child, Margaret Martin. Martin inherited after his wife, and remarried.

The Will of “John Martin of Stepney, County Middlesex, marriner” (P. P. C: Hare, 128), proved Oct. 23, 1684, bequeathed to his daughter by his first marriage: the estate in Virginia, upon her reaching eighteen or marrynng. This daughter, as yet unmarried – described as “Margaret Martin, spinster, of Cheshunt Parish, Herts, England” — in 1703 sold this much-disputed plot of ground, which thus passed finally to the possession of anyone even remotely connected with Abraham Piersey. (James Branch Cabel, The Majors and their marriages, pp. 124-129, 1879).

ROBERT JONES OF FLEET’S BAY

PARISH REGISTER OF ST. NICHOLAS ACON

Stephen Aborowghe and Johanna Overye of the parish. Νον. 17, 1571. William Aborowghe gent and Judith Joanes widow of Stepney, to be married at Stepney. Dec. 2, 1586. Thomas Skott gent of Colchester, Essex, and Judith Aborough spinster, of Limehouse in the parish of Stepney, Middlesex, daughter of Stephen Aboroughe late of Chatham, Kent, Esq., deceased, to be married at Stepney. March 23, 1593-4. John Vassall of Ratcliffe in the parish of Stepney, mariner, and Judith Scott of the city of London, widow of Thomas Scott of the said parish gent. March 5, 1603-4. George Bartlett of Stepney merchant, aged about 40, bachelor, and Elizabeth Burroughe of the same parish spinster, aged about 23, daughter of Stephen Burroughe of Chatham, Kent, mariner, deceased, her mother also deceased, and the said Elizabeth Burroughe dwelleth with her sister Mrs. King at Ratcliffe, who giveth her express consent. June 9, 1613. William Vassall of Eastwood, Essex, yeoman, bachelor, aged about 20, son of John Vassall of the same parish gen’t, with his said father’s consent, and Anne Kinge of Cold Norton, spinster, about 20, daughter of George Kinge of Cold Norton, yeoman, who appeared and did give express consent, to be married at Cold Norton. Feb’y. 26, 1619. Robert Salmon mariner and Joan Vassall daughter of John Vassall of Eastwood mariner. Oct. 14, 1623. Henry Clarke of St. Faith’s, London, merchant tailor, bachelor, about 30, and Joane Cartwright of St. Andrew’s, Undershaft, spinster, about 18, daughter of Abraham Cartwright of the same parish draper, to be married at St. Andrew’s, Undershaft. Jan’y. 19, 1624-5. Henry Church of Wapping, seafearing man, bachelor, about 22, at his own disposal, and Elizabeth Vassall of Ratcliffe, spinster, about 17, daughter of John Vassal of Stepney, mariner, to be married at St. Nicholas Acon. June 25, 1625. Thomas Vassall of St. Leonard’s Eastcheap draper, bachelor, about 24, at his own disposal, and Ann Dickinson of the same parish, spinster, at her own disposal, to be married at St. Nicholas Acon. Oct. 12, 1661. Robert Arnold of St. Mary Aldermary citizen, bachelor, about 28, and Mary Vassall spinster, about 20, with consent of her father Samuel Vassall of St. George’s Southwark. 1636, May 15. Mr. John Jones, Rector of this Parishe departed this life at Higate in the Contie of Middesex on Saturdaye the 14 of Maye and was Buryed in St. Nicholas Churche in the Chansell under the Comman Tabell on Sondaye. 1619-20, Feb. 28. Robert Salmon of ye parish of Deptforde, and Joane Vassall of this parish.

1. Robert Jones, mariner, as deduced by his Will, dated May 22, 1570 (PROB/11/53/2), in which he names a son, William, a brother, John, and his wife, Judith, daughter of Thomas Pyke. Judyth Pyke, m. Roberte Jones, June 17, 1566, Westminster, St Margaret. Wylliam Jones, bapt. Feb. 3, 1568/9, son of Robert Jones, Westminster. Grant in fee simple to Judith Jones, relict of Robert Jones, Audrey Mershe , wife of John Mershe , and Mary Pyke , the three sisters and heirs of Christopher Pyke , son and heir of Thomas Pyke, of the following in London – four mess. in the p. of St. Andrew hubberde; a great mess. on “le Freshe Wharfe Gate in the p. of St. Bottolph by Billingate; a mess. in Sydon lane in the p. of St. Olave in the tenure of Sir John Alleyne, alderman of London (Thomas Pyke was his son-in-law and exec.); held of the manor of Eastgreenewiche in socage, etc. Cal. Pat., Eliz. ii, 172: Gressham v Pyke. Plaintiffs: John Gressham, knight, alderman of London. Defendants: Thomas Pyke and others, executors of John Aleyn, knight, alderman of London. 1544-1551. (C 1/1222/53). Cowper v Pyke. Plaintiffs: Robert Cowper of London, goldsmith, and Agnes his wife, executrix and late the wife of Robert Blagrave of London, merchant tailor. Defendants: Thomas Pyke, brother of the said Agnes. Subject: Threat of action on a bond for a loan already repaid. London. 1532-1538. (C 1/755/7). Gybson v Pyke. Plaintiffs: Nicholas Gybson, citizen and grocer of London, and Alice, his wife, daughter and heir of Henry Mortelman. Defendants: John and Thomas Pyke. Subject: Lease of a messuage called the “Rammys Hed” in Petty Wales. (Defendants plead that a house in Ratcliffe was given in exchange therefor, with acquittance of a debt. Decree in favour of complainants is endorsed.). London. 1533-1538. (C 1/806/43-46). Pyke v Heathe. Plaintiffs: Judith Pyke, Awdrey Pyke and Mary Pyke. Defendants: James Heathe and another. Subject: estate of the deceased Thomas Pyke of London. 1558-1579. (C 3/143/64).

Inquisition taken at the Guildhall, Oct. 27, 1 Eliz. (1559), before Thomas Leigh, knight, escheator, after the death of Thomas Pyke, citizen and skinner of London, by the oath of Thomas Lytton, John Haddon, Robert Davys, Henry Roberts, Robert Shurlocke, Thomas Diwxall, John Jackson, Robert Lee, Andrew Kempe, Robert Danbye, William Swanson, Henry Callys, Guy Awood, Walter Mekyns, Thomas Popellwell and Michael Smith, who say that Thomas Pyke was seised of 1 large messuage situate in and upon the Fresshe Wharffegate and beyond the said gate and wharf in the parish of St. Botolph, London, near the gate there called Billingesgate within the City of London, now or late in the tenure of Lancelot Harryson; I messuage in Sydon Lane, in the parish of St. Olave, London, now or late in the tenure of Mark Anthony Erizi; I messuage with stables in Sydon Lane, now or late in the tenure of Thomas Page; I messuage, together with other messuages in Sydon Lane, now or late in the tenure of John Anthony Erizi; I other messuage in Sydon Lane, now or late in the tenure of Eden; and 2 stables in Sydon Lane, now or late in the tenure of Christopher Draper, citizen and Alderman of London. All the said premises are held of the Queen by fealty only, in free socage and not in chief: the large messuage is worth per ann., clear, f10; the messuage in the tenure of Mark Anthony Erizi, £8; the messuage with stables, £11 35. 4d.; the messuage with 2 other messuages, £9; the messuage in the tenure of Eden, 40s.; and the 2 stables, 205. Thomas Pyke died 29 September, 1 Eliz. [1559]; Christopher Pyke is his son and next heir, and was then aged 6 years and more. (Inq. p.m., 1 Elizabeth, p. 1, No. 86).

1.1. William Jones, Captain of ‘the Crane’, an English navy ship that patroled the English Channel in 1602, replacing Thomas Mansell (Dr. C. S. Knighton, Professor David Loades, eds. The Navy of Edward VI and Mary I, p. 473, 2011), a likely younger brother of Sir Robert Mansell, vice-admiral of England, who mentions ‘Capt. Jones’ in his tract of 1602, “A true report of the service done upon certain gallies passing through the narrow seas; written to the Lord High Admirall of England, by Sir Robert Mansell, Knight, Admiral of Her Majesty’s forces in that place”. The contributor of Archaeologia Cambrensis (1873), in which this is published, either assumed Capt. Jones to be of the Jones family of Fonmon, being from the same locality as the Mansells and having their patronage, or knew some detail of a kinship link which he did not specify. Robert Mansell served in the 1596 raid on Cadiz under the Earl of Essex, ‘the Crane’ being deployed in this action. William Jones had m. Rachel Noble, who was bapt. on June 19 1552, in St. Nicholas Acons, as “Rachel Noble dau. of Willyam Noble”. She was bur. on March 8, 1622/3, as Rachel Jones, “mother of John Jones, rector of this parrish”. Rachell Jones, daughter of John Jones p’son of this p’ishe. Dec. 18, 1614 bur. John Jons, the son of Mr. John Jons, the rector of this parish, and Ann his wife, bur. Nov. 30. 1630. Oct. 9, 1614, Charles Jones sonne of John Jones parson of the p’she bapt. Oct. 20, 1615, Rachel Jones daughter of John Jones parson of this parish bapt. Dec. 8, 1616, Allen Jones, the sonne of John Jones p’son of the p’she bapt. Oct. 22, 1618, Robert Jones, sonne of John Jones p’son of the p’she bapt. Aug 1, 1620, William Jones ye sonne of John Jones rector and Ann His wife bapt. Jan. 3, 1652/3, Willeam Jons the sonne of Mr. John Jons some tims Rector of this parish dessed and Ana Renolds of the parish of Stepney in the Countie of Middel. Oct. 17, 1622, Richard Jones the sonne of John Jones rector and Ann his wife bapt. Sept. 29, 1624, Samuel Jones the sonne of John Jones rector and Ann his wife bapt. March 26, 1626, Thomas Jones the sonne of John Jones rector and Ann his wife bapt. April 16, 1629 Joseph Jones the sonne of John Jones rector and Ann his wife bapt. 1636, “Mr John Jons, Rector of this Parishe, departed this Life at Higate in the Contie of Middesex on Saturdaye the 14 of Maye and was Buryed in St. Nicholas Churche, in the Chansell, vnder the Comman Tabell on Sondaye”.

1.1.1. Rev. John Jones, m. Ann, dau. of John Vassall, who married three times, first, at Stepney on Sept. 25, 1569, to Anna Hewes, who evidently d. sine prole. He then m. on Sept. 4, 1580, at Stepney, Anna Russell, of Ratcliff, co. Middlesex, who d. and was bur. there May 5, 1593, having had the following children: Samuel, of whom hereafter; John, born March 24, d. Aug. 30, 1591; William, of whom hereafter. On the death of his second wife John Vassall m. Judith, dau. of Stephen Borough, of Stepney (and and Northam, Devon), by Joan Overye, his wife, at Stepney, March 27, 1594, marriage licence dated March 23; she d. in Jan., 1638-9. She had m. firstly Thomas Scott, of Colchester, co. Essex, gent. Her husband Vassall predeceased her, and was bur. in Stepney Church Sept. 13, 1625. Children of third marriage were Thomas, born April 7, 1602, m. at St. Nicholas Acons, London, June 27, 1625, marriage licence dated London, June 25, to Anne Dickenson; he was mentioned in his father’s will, April 29, 1625, and was alive Aug. 29, 1650. Anne, born Jan. 10, 1595, bapt. at Stepney, Jan. 10, 1595, m. Rev. John Jones, rector of St. Nicholas Acons, of whose estate she was executrix and who d. at Highgate, co. Middlesex, May 14, bur. in St. Nicholas Acons May 15, 1636; Will dated April 18, 1636, proved May 3, 1637, in the Consistory of London, 259 Allen; she was bur. in St. Nicholas Acons July 24, 1640; will dated May 9, 1640, proved July 27, 1640 (P.P.C., 104 Coventory), bequesting: “To son William Jones my little gilt silver tankard which my husband’s father took in Cadiz”.

Elizabeth, m. at St. Nicholas Acons, Jan. 20, 1625; licence dated Jan. 10, then aged 17 years, to Henry Church, of Wapping, co. Middlesex, mariner, aged about 22, Jan. 19, 1624-5, living May 9, 1640; she was mentioned in the Will of Peter Andrewes, her brother-in-law, of Aug. 29, 1650. Rachel, m. Peter Andrewes, merchant, of London; she was the administratrix of her husband, whose Will was dated Aug. 29, 1650, and on which administration was granted Oct. 3, 1650 (P.P.C., 104 Pembroke). Mary, m. Edward West, of Ratcliffe, mariner, who was living Nov. 9, 1638; she was mentioned in the Will of her sister Anne, May 3, 1640.

John Jones Sr. of St. Nicholas Acon, London, clerk, Will made April 18, 1636, proved May 3, 1637. To my sons Allen Jones, Robert Jones, William Jones,* Abraham Jones, Richard Jones, Samuel Jones, Thomas Jones and Joseph Jones twelve pence apiece. All but Allen Jones to have their proportionable parts out of my lands &c. which are to be sold. My wife Anne to have a double part and the rest divided among them (except Allen). Wife Anne to be sole executrix. The families to which John Jones was allied through marriage were much connected to the English Navy: Stephen Burough’s brother, William, served Elizabeth I., being Controller of Her Navy at Sea” in 1583; and as second in command to Drake in the expedition to Cadiz, 1587. John Jones’s father-in-law, John Vassell, fitted out at his own expense, and commanded, two ships: the ‘Samuel’ and ‘Little Toby’, with which he joined the English Navy to oppose the Spanish Armada.

John Vassall of Ratcliffe in the parish of Stepney, Middlesex, mariner, Will proved Sept. 16, 1625. To be buried in the parish church of Stepney where I am now a parishioner. To my wife Judith all my household stuff whatsoever, my plate only excepted. To my son Samuel my great gilt salt, to my son William my plain white silver salt and to my daughter Ann Jones my great white silver bowl. The rest of my plate to Judith my wife during her natural life, and after her decease it shall be divided amongst other five of my children, viz. Rachel the wife of Peter Andrewes, Stephen Vassell,* Thomas Vassell, Mary the wife of Edward West and Elizabeth the wife of Henry Church, at the discretion of my said wife according as she shall dispose thereof in her life time. I give to the said William Vassell to his use forever all the wainscot, portals of wainscot, cupboards and benches of wainscot affixed and fastened in the house wherein I now dwell and all the dresser boards, shelves, iron backs for chimnies, locks and other ironworks upon the doors and windows now standing and being in and about my said dwelling house in Racliffe. I give him also the great table of walnut tree now standing in my great parlor. I give to my son Thomas Vassell my lease and term of years unexpired of the parsonage or rectory of Eastwood in the County of Essex, which I bought of John Coggen and Mary his wife, and all my messuages, lands, tenements &c. in Eastwood. Judith my daughter, the relict of John Freeborne late deceased, hath had and received divers and sundry large sums of money far surpassing and surmounting the portions of the rest of my daughters. I give her therefore only twenty shillings to buy her a ring. I give to Judith my wife for life, my messuages, lands, tenements &c. in Seething Lane (Sydon), in the several parishes of All Sts Barking, in Tower Street, and St. Olaves, White Hart Street, London, and after her decease I give and bequeath them all to my son Stephen Vassell. I give all my lands, messuages &c. at Brookstreet in the parish of South Weale (Weald), Essex, unto Judith my wife and her heirs forever. I make and appoint the said Judith Vassell sole executrix. And to be overseers I do appoint my sons Samuel Vassall, William Vassell, and my son in law John Jones.

1. Stephen Borough, 1525-1584 (memorial plaque, St. Mary’s Church, Chatham). His first wife was Eleonora, ‘dau. of John Smithe of the parish of Clive’ in Shropshire (probate records, February 1562, F.R.C., vol. 1, p. 36, f. 182 (1), p. 58). By his second wife, Joan Overye, of Stepney, he was the father of: 1.1. Judith Borough, who m. John Vassall. 1.1.1. Anne Vassall, baptised at Stepney, Jan. 10, 1597, bur. at St. Nicholas Acons, July 24, 1640, m. John Jones, rector of St. Nicholas Acons, London. Reverend John Jones, Rector of St. Nicholas Acons, October 27, 1612; Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, B.A, 1597; M.A, 1600; B.D, 1607; died at Highgate co. Middlesex, May 14; bur. in St. Nicholas Acons, May 15, 1636. The Overye family were of Kent: John Overye, husbandman of Gravesend, Kent (9 miles from Chatham), and his wife Emma v Beatrice Harbert of the City of London, widow: matters of account as to board and lodging. 1543/4. (REQ 2/12/91). Their earliest record: Robert and Beatrice Overye grant to Alexr. At Welle ½ acre of arable land lying at Maydoune in Fordwich. 10 Hen. IV. 1409. (Canterbury Cathedral Archives and Library, U/4/1/41). Parties: John Laurence, feoffee of Stephen Davy to the use of Emma or Emmota his wife for life, then of Richard Davy, his brother and his heirs and in default to Beatrice Harbert (afterwards Beatrice Tilly widow). Subject: Petition of right, commissions, inquisition, copies of final concords by which Henry Wyatt, knight, entered into the premises which descended to Sir Thomas Wyatt, his son who gave them to Henry VIII Places: Shorne, messuage called Austen, lands, etc; Chalk, Merston, Higham, Milton and Gravesend, lands, etc County: Kent. 5 Edw VI. (C 43/4/12).

Judith Vassall of Eastwoode in the Co. of Essex, Nov. 9, 1638, proved at Chelmsford Jan. 29, 1638: I give unto my son Thomas Vassall all such sums of money as he is indebted unto me. I give unto my daughter Rachel the wife of Peter Andrewes of Ratcliffe one great leather chair (and other household effects). I give unto Judith West and Jane West, the children of my daughter Mary the wife of Edward West, to each of them twenty shillings. I give unto the said Mary West my daughter ten pounds. I give unto Elizabeth my daughter, the wife of Henry Church, some of my wearing apparell, at the disposal of my executor. I give unto my daughter Ann Joanes, the late wife of John Joanes, one of my best gowns. I give unto all my grandchildren not named, to each of them five shillings. The rest of my estate, goods and chattels and moveables unbequeathed I give unto my son Stephen Vassall of Raleigh, in the county aforesaid, towards the payment of my debts and funeral charges and the better enabling him to help such of my children as shall have most need. And I make the said Stephen my sole executor &c. Wit: Thomas Oresby, Samuel Lee* and the mark of Rebeccah West. (Original Wills, Com. of London for Essex and Herts. File for 1638-9. No. 137). July 28, 1643, James Smith, Gent., of Gray’s Inn, Bachelor, 24, & Anne West, of Putney, Surrey, Spinster, 17; consent of father Edward West, of St Olave’s, Southwark, Gent.; at Christ Church, Lond. It may be suggested that a niece of Ann Vassall Jones married Samuel Lee (witness, thus, to the Will of his wife’s grandmother), by whom he had a son, John Jones.

Ann Jones of London, widow, late the wife of John Jones late of St. Nicholas Acon, London, clerk, May 9, 1640, proved 27 July 27, 1640. Reference to Will of said husband (dated April 18, 1636). I have labored and endeavored, as much as in me lay, sithence my husband’s decease, to sell and dispose of the lands, according to the true meaning of said will, but hitherto could not meet with or hear of any person that would give near the true worth thereof. I give the said lands and all other my lands, tenements &c. in Much Wakering or elsewhere in Essex to my loving and kind brother Mr. Samuel Vassall, to be sold and the money arising to be disposed by him as hereafter is mentioned. Then follow bequests. Son Allen Jones. To son William Jones my little gilt silver tankard which my husband’s father took in Cadiz. Son Abraham Jones. Son Richard Jones. Son Samuel Jones. Son Thomas Jones. Son Joseph Jones. Cousin Judith Hill. Sister Andrewes. Sister Church. Sister Vassall, wife of the said Samuel Vassall. My servant Anne Bradford. My sister West. My brothers Stephen Vassall, William Vassall, Peter Andrewes, Henry Church. My cousin Winterborne. Thomas Bagnall. My four sisters Frances Vassall, Mary West, Rachell Andrews and Elizabeth Church. My brother Samuel Vassall to be sole executor. My seven children, Allen, William, Abraham, Richard, Samuel, Thomas and Joseph at five and twenty. The children of my said brothers Samuel, William and Stephen Vassall and of my said sisters Mary West, Elizabeth Church and Rachell Andrewes. My brother Thomas Vassall. Coventry, 104. Key v Vassall. Plaintiffs: Robert Kay alias Robert Keye, citizen and clothier of London. Defendants: Thomas Vassall and Judith Vassall, widow. 1631. (C 2/ChasI/K17/34). The brothers Samuel and William Vassall were founder members of the Massachusetts bay Company in 1629. Samuel Vassall, alderman, and London M.P in 1640, was a Levant Company merchant, who imported Chesapeake tobacco.

1.1.1.1. Robert Jones, died at Fleet’s Bay, Northumberland County, Virginia. He is recorded in the registers of St. Nicholas Acons in a baptismal entry of October 22, 1618: ‘Robert Jones the sonne of John Jones p’son of this p’ishe’. His brothers are also recorded, an entry of March 26, 1626 recording: ‘Thomas Jons the sone of Mr John Jons Rector and Ano his wife’; other entries being: William Jones (1620), and Richard Jones (1621). The registers of St. Nicholas Acons also contain entries for families associated with the Jones in Virginia, such as the baptism of ‘John Hewes the Soonne of Richard Hewes’ in 1563; and of ‘Thomas Dogget ye soonne of Thom: Dogget’, on July 24, 1609. Mrs. Martha Jones, the wife of Robert Jones, was mentioned as executrix of Robert Hughes, on April 7, 1677. The Va. Historical Mag. gives an abstract of the Will of Daniel Lluellen, of Chelmsford, Essex, planter, dated Feb. 6, 1663, in which his dau. is named as Martha Jones, and James Jauncey is named an executor (Va. Historical Mag., July, p. 53, 1905).

1.1.1.1.1. Captain William Jones,* m. Margaret, dau. of Thomas Haynes. On March 21, 1694, the three brothers Capt. Wm. Jones, Samuel and Robert, united in a suit against Mr. Jno. Eustace for trespassing. Samuel Jones died in October of 1697 without male issue, and a few months after, Capt. Wm. Jones was appointed administrator of his deceased brother, and petitioned the court to appoint as appraisers Hancock Lee, Chas. Lee, Jno. Curtis, Thos. Curtis, and *James Haynes. Robert Jones had married Elizabeth Brereton.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Captain Willam Jones, who died in 1741, in Northumberland Co., married Leeanna Lee, dau. of Charles Lee, Sr. and Elizabeth Medstand. Charles Lee was the son of Richard Lee and Anne (Constable?).
1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. William Jones, of Faquier Co., Virginia. His Will was proved Dec. 22, 1800 (W.B. 3, p.320), naming wife Mary, sons James and William, and daughters Cary, Hannah, Sarah, and Lucretia. William Jones was a tenant of Col. Robert H. Lee, grandson of Richard Lee, brother of Charles and Hancock Lee. He m. Ann Gaskins, relict of Thomas Pinkard. Lease between Col. R. H. Lee of Westmoreland Co and William Jones … for yearly rent of 247 acres … Signed Richard Henry Lee. Rec. May 24, 1764 (Fauquier Co. D.B. 2, pp. 1-33, April 9, 1764).

(Elizabeth, m. (1) Thos. Haynes; (2) John Pinkard, after May 1679. Her son by Thos. Haynes, James, was the father of Martha Haynes, who m. Thomas Gaskins. Their great-granddau. Ann Gaskins, m. (1) Thomas Pinkhard,* (2) Richard Henry Lee. This William Jones is recorded as m. Margaret, dau. of Thomas Haynes. Lancaster Court of 14 Sept. 1681 “The difference depending att this Court between John Pinckard & Elizabeth his wife, Relicte of Mr. Thomas Haynes (deced) & William Jones as marrieing Margaret, Eldest Daughter of the sde Haynes ( deced) is to be referred to the next Court.”
Mrs. Keach, in surmising that Elizabeth was a dau of Robert Jones, seems not to have known of this record. This William Jones, son of Robert Jones of Fleet’s Bay, appears in other records with his wife Margaret, who as a widow refused admin of her husband’s estate, which the court turned over to their son William Jones (he who m. Leeanna Lee). It was he who received the first land grant on Town Run, Elk Run and Deep Run, neighboring land granted to his brother Robert Jones who m. Elizabeth Brereton. His son, William Jones of Fauquier, continued to associate with the Pinckards/Picketts and with his second cousin R. H. Lee’s Gaskins in-laws in Fauquier, as would be expected. It’s only a matter of replacing Mrs. Keach’s guess about Elizabeth’s identity with what’s now known. (B.T. Shannon).

1.1.1.1.2.1. James Haynes, born ca. 1659, d. Jan. 1, 1712, in Lancaster Co. The will of Thomas Haynes was probated on May 24, 1679 in Lancaster Co., which bequested his plantation to his son, James.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. James Haynes, Will probated May 13, 1748, naming father and mother (Sarah), wife Amy; friends William Dymer and Thomas Pinckhard, guardians of his children; Wit. Thomas Pinckhard. (W.B. 14, p. 194).
1.1.1.1.2.1.2. Margaret Haynes, b. bef. 1665, d. after 1710, in Northumberland Co.
1.1.1.1.2.1.3. Martha Haynes, b. ca. 1670, d. April 18, 1733, in Northumberland Co., m. Thomas Gaskins.
1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1. Thomas Gaskins, m. Mary, dau. of Edwin Conway Esq.
1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1.1. Thomas Gaskins, m. Sarah (dau. of Captain William Eustace and Ann, dau. of Hancock Lee), on Feb. 14, 1741, in Christ Church, Middlesex.
1.1.1.1.2.1.3.1.1.1. Ann Gaskins, m. (1) Thomas Pinkhard,* (2) Richard Henry Lee.
1.1.1.1.2. Elizabeth Jones, m. (2) John Pinkard as his 2nd wife; by his 1st wife he was the father of John Pinkard, Jr. who d. Nov. 13, 1734. Thomas Bonnison, son of Abiah of Lancaster Co., sold 259 ac. to John Pinckard on July 7, 1682, who sold this to James Haynes the next day. (Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants: 1694-1742, p. 18, 1987).
1.1.1.1.2.1. Thomas Pinkard, d. Oct. 10, 1740, in Lancaster Co.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1. Thomas Pinkhard.
1.1.1.1.2.1.1.1. *Thomas Pinkhard, m. Ann Gaskins, who m. (2) Richard Henry Lee.
1.1.1.1.2.1.2. Elizabeth Pinhhard, m. Charles Lee Jr.. son of Charles Lee Sr., br. of Hancock Lee, and son of Col. Richard Lee.

Peter Andrewes of London, merchant, Will proved October 3, 1650. My lands in the parish of Shadwell and Muckinge. Rachell my wife. My daughter Judith Andrewes. My daughter Frances Andrews. Peter Andrews, son of my brother Thomas. My brother Samuel Vassall and his wife. John, Francis, William, Henry, Samuel and Mary Vassall. My brother Thomas Andrewes. My brother Thomas Vassall, sister Church and sister Stillimon. Grace Jarret. Jane Lyne and her children. Margaret Andrews. Retorne Jarret. Edward Pike my servant. Rachell Clerke. Alice Morrison. Ann Knight. The poor of All Hallows the Wall and the poor of St. Mary Acts. Major Thomas Chamberlin, Capt. John Crowder and Mr. John Heather to be overseers and my daughter Judith sole executor. (Elizabeth Church a witness.) The greater part of my estate doth consist in ships, voyages and adventures. Commission issued (at above date) to Rachell Andrews the relict &c. to administer during the minority of Judith the daughter and executrix. Pembroke, 152.

Journal of William Penn, Service in the Irish Fleet, August 16, 1646: At four in the morning, the Lizard bore N.N.E. two leagues off, the wind at E. by N., a fresh gale and clear weather. We cast about to the southward till six of the clock, and then to the northward. We spied a sail, oft Black-head; who having discovered us, clapt close upon a wind, and so bore between us and the Lizard; but cutting him off from bearing about, we spoke with him, got out our pinnace, fetched the master on board, which was one Ladd, in a small fly-boat of eight guns, bound for Guinea, Peter Andrews, of London, merchant. We set the master on board again, and so stood to the southward”.

William Vassall, second son of John of the Armada, was the assistant in our Massachusetts Bay Co. He married, 1613, Anne, daughter of George and Joane King of Cold Norton, Essex, and came here in 1635. (See reg., xvii., 57 et seq.). After a brief residence at Scituate, he departed, and died in Barbadoes in 1655. An only son, John, survived him; married Anna, daughter of John Lewis; was called Colonel; lived in North Carolina, Virginia and Jamaica; and left at least five sons. Samuel Vassall, baptised in Stepney in 1586, alderman of london, was a factor for Abraham Cartwright, draper, a member of the East India and Virginia companies, whose daughter Frances (by Joan Wade) he married. Samuel was a wholesale clothier, who apart from trading in cloth, also imported tobacco, and, along with Mathew Craddock, was a founder of the Massachussets Bay Company. He began a long association, in the late 1620’s, with his br0ther-in-law, Peter Andrews, a ship captain and Virginian merchant, and George Menefie.

CARTWRIGHT
1….. 1.1. Abraham Cartwright. 1.1.1. … m. Samuel Vassall, factor for his father–in-law, Abraham Cartright. 1.2. … Cartwright. 1.2.1. Ralph Cartwright, of London, merchant, Will proved August 17, 1647. Wife Elizabeth. My son in law Mr. Aron Baker and Elizabeth his wife my daughter. The said Mr. Aron Baker alis Cocke. The children of my brother Abraham Cartwright. My grandchild Thomas Baker, son of the said Mr. Baker and Elizabeth his wife. My grandchild Elizabeth Baker. My loving cousins Mr. Samuel Vassall and Mrs. Frances Vassall his wife. My friend Mr. Richard Swinglehurst now secretary to the Hon. English East India Company, and Mrs. Swinglehurst, his now wife, and their daughter Mrs. Ursula Tomblings. Every other of his children. My cousin Isaac Cartwright the son of my deceased uncle Mr. Abraham Cartwright (in remembrance of the love and duty I owed unto him for the fatherly care he had of me). My sister Elizabeth Kent and her two daughters. My sister Frances and the two children she now hath. My sister in law Mrs. Anne Cartwright and her daughter Isabel Cartwright. Raphe Cartwright, one of the sons of my brother Abraham, and Thomas Cartwright, another, and Abraham and Susan Cartwright, the two other children of my said brother. The now wife of my said brother. The poor of Tewksbury in the County of Gloucester. The poor of the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft in London. Abraham Cartwright brother, executor. Ralph Cartwright, John Jeffries and Christopher Willoughby at Bantam to the East India Company in London, 13 Jan 1643, with a postscript on the Blessing out of the Straits of Sundae. Jan. 13-Jan. 25, 1643. (British Library, IOR/E/3/18 ff 160-66). Ralph Cartwright, John Jeffries, and Thomas Winter on the Blessing at Bantam to the East India Company in London March 13-20, 1643. (British Library, IOR/E/3/18 ff 198-201).

JEFFREYS

1. Edward Jeffreys, of Brecknock. 1.1. Ann Jeffreys, m. Morgan Jones (Morgan ap John, d. 1660. P.C.C., Nabbs, 268, p. 69. Jones, Morgan, Wenallt, Llanthetty, Brecon. 9th Jan 1659. Estates of Glyn Collwng in p. Lanvigan, Lanthety, Llangasty Tal Y Llyn, Llanvihangell to Elanor, Anne, Jane, Mary for 9 years to receive profits, after to s.William & £10 a year, residue to s.Charles & £10 a yr. Glyn Collwng to eldest s. John. Francis wife, Manor house, goods, crops, animals & messuages, if she marries goods to s. John. Executor s. John. Witness: Lewis Morgan, William Whitney, Henry Morgan. Proved Sept.6, 1660. Morgan ap John ap Morgan ap Daffyd. 1.2. John Jeffreys, alderman of london b. 1614, d. Nov. 5, 1884, d.s.p., bur, St. Andrew Undershaft, left his estate to nephews, Sir Jeffrey Jeffreys, sheriff of London, and John Jeffreys. John Jeffreys and his nephews were leading merchants in the London/Virginia tobacco trade. 1.3. Watkin Jeffreys.

VASSALL, JEFFREYS, AND LEE

1. Samuel Vassall. 1.1. Francis Vassall. Vassall v Jeffries. Plaintiffs: Francis Vassall. Defendants: John Jeffries. Subject: property in Fleet Street, London. 1667. (C 6/179/70). Jeffreys v Vassall. Plaintiffs: John Jeffreys. Defendants: Francis Vassall. Place or subject: property in St Andrew Undershaft, London. 1682. (C 7/191/80). Vassall v Williamson. Plaintiffs: Francis Vassall. Defendants: Thomas Williamson. Place or subject: personal estate of Henry Vassall, London. 1668. (C 7/494/43). 1.2. Henry Vassall. Petition of Edward Kingswell against Samuel Vassall, merchant of London and his brother-in-law Peter Andrews, master of a ship, for failing the petitioner contrary to an agreement for the establishment of a plantation in Corolana [Carolina]. The Board orders Vassall and Andrews to attend the Lords Commissioners at their next sitting in the Council for Foreign Plantations along with the petitioner who will prosecute his complaint there. Sept 29, 1634. (PC 2/44/261, p. 136).

In March 1659, “Richard Lee of London” purchased property at Stratford Langton, i.e. Langthorne, in the parish of West Ham, in the lower Lea Valley, planning to return to England. His steward, John Gibbon, stated of him: “hee was willing to end his days in England”. Richard Lee’s will was probated in London in January 1665. His executors were Thomas Griffith* and John Lockey, London merchants, and his eldest sons, John and Richard. He requested the early discharge of a debt due John Jeffreys.

by m stanhope, copyright B.T. Shannon, 2025