Pedigree of a Representative Virginia Planter; Qm. and Qrtly., Vol. 1, No. 2

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Pedigree of a Representative Virginia Planter

   Lyon G. Tyler

   William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol. 1, No. 2.
   (Oct., 1892), pp. 80-88.

                   PEDIGREE OF A REPRESENTATIVE VIRGINIA 
                                   PLANTER.

                                 BY THE EDITOR

   At "Bellfield", York county, Va., stands a monument to the memory of "Edward
Diggs, Esq., sonne of Dudley Diggs, of Chilham, in Kent, Knt. and Bart., Master
of the Rolls in the reign of King Charles the First"(1).  Edward Digges or
Digges, as the name is also spelled, was one of a large number of English
gentlemen of culture and refinement who composed the society of York county
during the 17th century.  Beginning at the Back River, which divides the county
on the east from the county of Elizabeth city, and following the course of the
river York for about twenty-five miles to Skimeno creek, the western
___________________________________
   (1) Diggs' Epitaph, "Virginia Historical Papers", XI. p. 107.  The spelling
of the monument is "Diggs".

Page 81.

boundary, one met successively, about the middle of the century, with the
residences of Co. Christopher Calthorpe(2), grandson of Sir James Calthorpe,
of Col. John Chisman, of the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene in Bermondsea, Surrey
county, England, a noted merchant(3); of Col. John Chew(4), another leading
merchant, who is supposed to have come from Somersetshire, England; of Captain
Ralph Wormeley(5), son of Christopher Wormeley, Esq., and the descendant of
Sir John de Wormele, of Hadfield, County York, England; of Col. George Ludlow(6),
a descendant
__________________________________________
   (2) Calthorpe pedigree in "Le Neve", and Blomefield's History of Norfolk,
Vol. 1, folio 58.  His descendants lived for generations in Poquosin - a name
given to the neck of land between Back River and Poquosin River.
   "Upon the peticon of ye pishioners of new Poquosin in ye County of York", it
was ordered by the House of Burgesses "yt from hencefoth forever hereafter ye 
sd pish Church shall be called, and named Charles Church.  And ye River, formerly
called new Poquosin River shall from time to time and at all times hereafter be
called, named and written Charles River". - York Records, quoting an order of
the House of Burgesses dated Decemb. 11, 1692, signed by "Peter Beverley, clerk
of ye House of Burgesses."
   The change, however, only partially prevailed.  The parish became known as
Charles Parish, but the river is known to-day as Pocosin or Poqosin River.
   (3) The Chismans resided on Chisman's creek.  John Chisman returned to
England, but his brother Edmund remained, was father (1) of Major Edmund Chisman
of Bacon's Rebellion, who left a son John (died without issue) and (2) of Capt.
Thomas Chisman, the ancestor of the Virginia Chismans.
   (4) The Chew Pedigree and arms are given in the "Richmond Critic".  "Too's
Point" in York county preserves in a corrupt spelling the site of their ancient
settlement.
   (5) Wormeley lived on the east side of Wormeley's creek.  Pedigree in Hayden's
"Va. Genealogies", p. 230.
   (6) Col. George Ludlow lived on the west side of Wormeley's creek.  English
pedigree in "New England Historic and Genealogic Magazine".  His place is now
known as "Temple Farm", celebrated as the spot where Cornwallis surrendered.  It
became the property of Lt.

Page 82.

of the Ludlows of Hill Deverill, Wiltshire; of Col. George Reade(7), who came
to the colony about 1637, and was brother of Robert Reade, private secretary to
Windebank, secretary of state to Charles I; of Col. (Dr.) Richard Townsend,
whose connections in England were of the best(8); of Maj. Thomas Ballard, clerk
of the county, and burges(9); of Col. Edward Digges, of whom
_________________________________________
Coll Thomas Ludlow (Nephew of George), whose widow married the minister of York
Parish, Rev. Peter Temple, from whom the place's name was probably derived.
Spotswood never lived there, contrary to popular tradition.
   (7) Neill's "Va. Carolorum", p. 142.  Reade married Elizabeth, daughter of
Capt. Nicholas Martian.  By his will proved 1657, Martian had 1. Elizabeth
married George Reade, Esq.  2. Mary married John Scasbrooke.  3. Sarah married
Capt. William Fuller, governor of Maryland.  Martian lived on the present site
of Yorktown.
   (8) He came over with Dr. John Pott in 1620, aged 19.  Neill seems to have
the wrong idea of what servants meant in the 17th century (Va. Carolorum, p.
279).  Servant meant any employee, as apprentice, secretary, clerk, etc., and
Townsend was a servant in so far as he was according to the custom apprenticed
to Pott to study medicine.  In this sense, Adam Thoroughgood, the brother of a
Knight, wa a servant.  "Neill", p. 133.  Servant did not mean a menial, as now.
At 29, Townsend was recommended to the Council.  See "Le Neve" in his use of
the word servant.  Townsend's family history is given by "Hayden", p. 732.  The
Doctors stood high in the Colony.
   (9) The Ballards resided for generations at a spot early known as "Pryor's
plantation".  "William Pryor, gent." was Justice of York Co.  Patented lands
next to Capt. Richard Townsend, in 1637 and 1642.  The grants show that his
wife's name was Margaret.  Will proved Jan. 25, 1646, mentions his brother-in-
law, Jasper Clayton, probably Sir Jasper knighted in 1660, and grandfather of 
John Clayton Atty. Gen. of Virginia.  Pryor had 2 daughters, Margaret to whom
he left Pryor's plantation, and Mary.  Margaret married "Thomas Edwards of the
Inner Temple", and Dec. 1st 1652, sold to Anna Bernard of Purton in Petsworth
Parish, Gloucester Co., "Pryor's plantation", and she sold the same, March 18,
1661, to Robert Baldry, who dying s.p. devised it to Thomas Ballard. - York
Records.
   An Inventory of Mathew Ballard (1720) mentions his "silver seal and silver
plate with his arms upon it".  The Ballard residence was sub-

Page 83.

we shall speak more fully presently; of the Felgate family, who gave their name
to the creek of that name on which they lived(10); of Col. Nathaniel Bacon(11),
grandson of Sir James Bacon, of Friston Hall, Suffolk, England; of Robert Vaulx,
who calls himself "brother" of Lewis Burwell, and was, perhaps, son of Robert
Vaulx, who married Margaret Ludlow, aunt of Col. George Ludlow; Maj. Joseph
Croshaw, whose daughter married Col. John West, son of Lord Delaware's brother,
Capt. John West; Capt. Richard Croshaw, his brother(120, and Capt. Arthur Price,
who lived at Skimeno creek, and was a burgess.

   About the same time, there resided in the county Capt. John West, who after-
wards removed to West Point; Maj. Lewis
________________________________________
sequently owned by Parson John Bracken, of William and Mary College.
   (10) Tobias Felgate was a ship captain and patented lands in 1626, adjoining
his brother, Capt. Robert Felgate, on the east side of West's or Felgate's
creek.
   A William Felgate was a member of the Virginia Company.  Robert was for many
years a Justice of York Co.  His wife Margaret, son Erasmus and daughter Judith
are among his head-rights.  He afterwards married Sibella ----, and a bond
signed by Henry Lee and Richard Lee, dated 29th of Jan., 1644, to indemnify
"Mrs. Sibella Felgate the relict and late wife of Capt. Robert Felgate gentleman
deced," refers to Capt. Robert Felgate as "having married the mother of John
Adkins, who is the brother of Marah, wife of the above Henry Lee".  His will
dated the last day of September, 1649 and proved in 1655, and mentions his
brother William of the city of London "Skinner", Thomas Newton, his grandchild,
and his wife, Sibella, etc.  In 1659, William Felgate was living on King's
creek, (York Co. Deed).  In 1660, his will was proved; devises L20 to his
daughter, Mary, "in case she came to Virginia in five years", mentions his son,
William Bassett, and wife Mary.
   (11) Long President of the Va. Council.  Epitaph and ARms, "Va. His. Pap,",
XI.
   (12) Probably of the family of Richard Crashaw, the poet.  The name being
spelt either Crashaw or Croshaw.  Major Croshaw's home was "Poplar Spring", and
was purchased by Edmund Jenings, son of Sir Edmund, and named "Rippon Hall",
after the Jening's place of habitation in England.  It is now known as Bigler's
Mill tract.

Page 84.

Burwell, son of Edward Burwell(13), of Harlington, Bedfordshire, and whose
mother married Roger Wingate, Esq., treasurer of Virginia; Richard Lee, who was
of "Stratford Langton, in Essex Co."(14); Dr. Henry Lee, from whom the Virginia
York county Lees are descended(15); Col. John Page(16), son of Francis Page, of
Bedfont, Middlesex county, England; Mr. Peter Efford(17); Col. James Bray(18),
Mr. George Poindexter(19), George and Edward Wyatt, sons of Rev. Hawte Wyatt(20),
brother of Sir Francis Wyatt; John Clarke, son of Sir John Clarke, of Wrotham
in Kent county, England(21); Maj. Otho Thorpe, of the
___________________________________________________
   (13) Dorothy Wingate, widow of Roger Wingate, Esq., gift of the quit rents,
remaiing due to her husband to her "only and well beloved son, Lewis Burwell",
dated 21st of July, 1648.  Visitation of Bedfordshire (pub. by Harleian Society)
shows that Edward Burwell's wife was Dorothy, daughter of William Bedell of
Catworth, Huntingdonshire, and married, secondly, Roger Wingate, Esq.
   (14, 15) Richard and Henry Lee were both justices of York, and unite in a
bond together.  They were probably brothers.
   (16) Dr. R. C. M. Pge found epitaph at Bedfont,
        "A vertuous Life and a good old Age
        Perfumes the Memory of Francis Page.
        Ob Oct. 13, Anno Dom. 1678,
        Et aetatis Suae 84.
        Ex dono Johannis Page filii ejus de
        Comitatu Ebor in Virginia Mercatoris".
   Col. Page was a member of the Council, and found of the Page family in 
Virginia.
   (17) Will proved Oct. 2, 1666.  His only child, Sarah, was left to the care
of "Jno. Welden, minister of the Parish of St. Mary Newington, England" and to
"Albertus Skinner, gent."  Mentions his kinsman, "Mr. Terrell, the prebend of
Winsor".  Sarah married Major Samuel Welden, J.P. of James City Co., Va., son

doubtless of Jno. Welden.  See also deed to Edward Malin, recorded August 24,
1682.
   (18) Of the Council; arms and epitaph, "Va. Hist. Pap." XI. 79.
   (19) Efford, Bray, Poindexter, Clarke,  Higginson, the Wyatts, Thorpe and
Tyler lived at the Middle Plantation.
   (20) "Boxley Register" and "York Records".
   (21) Dead before 1644.  His admr. was Edw. Wyatt and his widow,

Page 85.

parish of All Hallowes the Wall, London(22); Capt. Robert Higginson, "of the
ancient family of Higginsons"(23); Henry Tyler, gent., J.P. of York county(24);
Capt. William Brocas(25), a distinguished member of the council; Mr. John
Hayward(26), Maj. Daniel Parke(27), Lt. Col. Thomas Beale(28), Maj. William
Gooch(29), Maj. Philip Stevens(30), Maj. James Goodwyn(31), Lt. Col.
______________________
Ann Clarke, was executor of Sir Dudley Wyatt, who was dead in 1652, Sir John
Clarke was younger brother of Sir William whose son, John, inherited the 
estate at the Middle Plantation.  See Deed pr. Sept. 19, 1672.
   (22) Will proved Feb. 18, 1686-7.  See epitaphs of his nephew and niece,
"Va. Hist. Pap." XI., p. 74.
   (23) Commander in 1646, and earlier at the Middle Plantation, a pallisadoed
settlement.  Father of Lucy Bernard-Burwell-Ludwell, whose epitaph inscribed on
her tomb at Carter's Creek praises his services to the country in subduing the
Indians - Richmond "Critic".  For these services he received 100 acres at the
Middle Plantation, so stated in a deed by Welden and ux. rec. Aug. 24, 1682.
   (24) Ancestor of President John Tyler.  His son, Henry, married a daughter
[Elizabeth] of Lt. Col. Walter Chiles, Page's son-in-law.
   (25) Brocas Note. - "Hayden", p. 229.  March 24, 1645, the court ordered
Brocas to appear in a difference "long depending" between Martin Westerling,
and Capt. Ralph Wormeley and Mrs. Mary Wormeley, executrix of the estate of
Capt. Christopher Wormeley - "the said Brocas", having intermarried with said 
Mrs. Mary Wormeley".  Elinor, another wife of Capt. William Brocas, makes a deed
to Eltonhead, the daughter of Edwin and Martha Connaway, "My niece and god-
daughter," dated June 7, 1648.
   (26) The name was pronounced and is now spelt Howard. Will proved 1661.
Probably a son of Rev. John Hayward (Brown's Genesis).
   (27) Of Essex Co., Eng.  Epitaph in "Va Hist. Papers", XI., p. 85.
   (28) Ancestor of Gen. R.L.T. Beale.  His son, Capt. Thomas, married Anne,
dau. of Maj. Wm. Gooch.
   (29) Epitaph and Arms "Va. Hist. Papers" XI. 102.  His tomb is still on
"Temple Farm", where doubtless the old York church stood previous to its
building at Yorktown.
   (30) Died in 1658.  An officer in the Civil War in England.
   Neill's Macallester College contributions, sketch of George Ludlow.
   (31) J. P. of York Co. called in the records, the brother of Henry Gooch.

Page 86.

Henry Gooch, Capt. Philip Chesley(32), Mr. John Hansford(33), and numerous
others of equally high standing, increasing as we approach the end of the
century in swelling numbers, - Edmund Jennings, Esq., secretary of state, son
of Sir Edmund Jenings; Martin Gardiner(34), Gent, J.P., who was a leading
grocer of London; Samuel Timson, merchant of London (35); Dr. Archibald 
Blair(36), brother of Commissary Blair; Dr. Henry Power(37), William Munford(38),
William Aylett, gent(39), Joseph Ring(40), James Whaley(41), Maj. Lawrence
Smith(42), Robert Hyde(43)
__________________________________________
   (32) Of Welford Parish in Gloucestershire, Eng.  Will proved July 24, 1674.
He left two nephews, Williama nd Philip Chesley, "to be sent to school in
London and afterwards to be sent over to Virginia."
   (33) Believed to be the sone of John Hansord, merchant talior and brother
of Sir Humphrey,  grocer of London.  See "Va. Hist. Papers", XI., 191.
   (34) He married Anne Tyler, widow of Henry Tyler.
   (35) Arms and epitaph on monument at Travis' Point, York Co.
   (36) Ancestor of the Blair family of Virginia.
   (37) Se note under  Digges pediegree, next number of Quarterly.
   (38) Brother of John Munford, citizen and grocer of London.
   (39) J. P. Of York Co.
   (40) See epitaph and arms "Va Hist. Coll" XI, p. 103.  Will proved May 24,
1703.  Sons - Edmund, Joseph and Isaack; daughters - Elizabeth, Sarah and
Mary; Legacy to Isaac Sedwick; appoints "his loving brothers, Capt. Matthew
Page and Mr Edmund Bartlett [Berkeley?]" exors.
   (41) The Ambler MS. describes him "as a rich man who first lived in England
and afterwards emigrated to America".  His wife, Mrs. Mary Whaley, who lived
at the Parish of St. Margarets, Westminster Co., Middlesex, at the time of her
death founded a free school in honor of their only son, Mathew, who died a boy.
The Amblers had the boy's protrait till lately.  It may yet be found.  The
school is now connected with the College of William and Mary.  See College
Historical Catalogue.  For Whaley epitaphs, see "Va. Hist. Papers," XI.
   (42) He was originaly from Gloucester Co.
   (43) Probably, Robert Hyde, the sone of Dr. James Hyde of Oxford, mentioned
in the will of Sir Robert Peake, Knight, citizen and goldsmith of London, who
mentions his "cousin and sometimes servant,

Page 87.

attorney at low; Peter Perry, merchant, brother of Micajah Perry, Lord Mayor
of London; William Lee, brother of George Lee, citizen and merchant of London;
the two ministers, Rev. Rowland Jones(44) and REv. Edward Foliott(45), and a
host of other men who had enjoyed university training, and prided themselves
upon their family and pedigree.

   Colonists are proverbially more conservative than the people in the mother
country, and whilst the term "gentleman" assumed a very general meaning in the
succeeding century, its signification at this time was perhaps what Sir Edward
Coke ascribed to it - qui gerit arma - one who bears arms(46).

   Merchants stood in high repute in the 17th century, and the prominent 
Virginia planters were all merchants, who had close connection with English
firms.  Indeed, it was from this latter class that the English knights were
recruited in the 17th century.

   Taking Edward Digges as a representative of the York county planters, I 
proceed to trace the pedgree of his family.

   [English pedigree of Digges.]
   The Digges family was, according to the "Biographia Britannica"(47), ancient
and considerable in the county of Kent, "where they lived for generations". 
The first of the name admitted in the list "of the most eminent persons who
have flourished in Great Britain and Ireland" was

                                 I.

   LEONARD DIGGES, b. at Digges' Court, in co. Kent, second
____________________________________
George Lyddall in Virginia, gentleman", and "Michael Tucker in Virginia,
husbandman".  Published in Waters' "Gleanings", New England "Hist. and Gen.
Register".
   (44) Rowland Jones, the first minister of Bruton Parish, studied at Oxford.
See epitaph in "Va. Hist. Papers", Vol. XI, p. 76.
   (45) Rev. Edward Foliott was a university graduate.
   (46) The Herald visitations continued in England till 1682.
   (47) See also Burke's "Extinct and Dormant Baronetage", Berry's "Kentish
genealogies", Brown's "Genesis of the United States", "Beauties of England
and Wales".

Page 88.

son of James Digges, Esq., and Philippa, his second wife, dau. of John Engham,
of Chartham in co. Kent; ed. at University College, in Oxford; was an excellent
mathematician, a skillful architect, a most expert surveyor, and a considerable
author; d. 1574; m. Bridget, dau. of Thomas Wilford, Esq., and sister to
James and Thomas Wilford, two brave knights; son and heir.

                                 II.

   THOMAS DIGGES, ed. at Oxford; d. Aug. 24, 1595; became one of the most
excellent mathematicians of his time, an author, muster-master-general of the
forces sent tot he assistance of the oppressed inhabitants of the Netherlands;
buried in the Church of St. Mary, Aldermanbury, London, where a monument was
erected to him, afterwards destroyed in the fire of London in 1666; m. Anne,
dau. of Sir Warham St. Leger, and Ursula his wife, dau. of George Nevil, Lord
of Abergavenny.  Issue, two sons and two daughters, namely, Sir Dudley,
Leonard (1588-1635), the poet, Margaret, wife of Sir Anthony Palmer, and
Ursula.

                               III.

   SIR DUDLEY, b. 1583; educated at University College, Oxford, ambassador to
Russia, M.P., and Master of the Rolls.  In the struggle between prvilege and
prerogative, he took the part of the people.  Constantly interested in Virginia.
He married Mary, dau. of Sir Thomas Kemp. of Chilham.  Issue, eight sons and
three daughters. Thomas, the oldest sone, succeeded to Chilman manor and 
castle, acquired by his marriage.  His fourth son was Edward, who settled in
Virginia.

                 [Virginia Pedigree of Digges.  See next No.]