Miles Cary

• Dorman, John Frederick. 2004. Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5. Genealogical Pub. Co. 4th edition. Vol 3, Page 293, book lookup by Hill, C. [03/20/2024]

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cary-62

https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Cary_Miles_bap_1623-1667

Miles Cary was a member of the governor's Council. Born in England, Cary became involved in the tobacco trade, perhaps as a result of the losses his father suffered during the English Civil Wars. By 1645 Cary had arrived in Elizabeth City County. He resided in Warwick County and opened a store. Successful at this business, he became a justice of the peace by 1650. He patented 3,000 acres of land in Westmoreland County and by 1660 was a colonel of militia. In 1659 he was elected to the House of Burgesses and was a member of the governor's Council at some point before 1664. He helped plan for the defense of Virginia during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. He died in 1667; family tradition holds that he was mortally wounded during a fight against Dutch men-of-war at the mouth of the James River.

Cary was baptized in All Saints Parish, Bristol, England, on January 30, 1623. He was the son of a woolen draper, John Cary, and his second wife, Alice Hobson Cary. Both of his grandfathers had been mayors of Bristol, and as a member of a socially prominent and respected family he received a good education, the details of which are not known. The English Civil Wars divided the family, and Cary's father suffered substantial losses. Perhaps as a consequence, Cary became involved in the tobacco trade and moved to Virginia, probably early in the 1640s and certainly no later than November 1645, when a mariner deposed that "one Miles Cary, a Bristoll man" then in Elizabeth City County, had failed to deliver 250 pounds of tobacco. Copies of Virginia records that refer to him often spell his given name as Myles or Mylles and his surname as Carey.

Cary initially resided in the Warwick County household of Thomas Taylor, who may have been a kinsman, and by about 1646 he had married Taylor's daughter Anne. Before she died on an unrecorded date before June 1667, they had at least three daughters and four sons, including Henry Cary (ca. 1650–1720), who became a successful builder in Warwick County, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, and Miles Cary (d. 1709), who became an influential member of the House of Burgesses and surveyor general of Virginia. Opening a store and acting as an agent in various business transactions, Cary prospered and became a commissioner, or justice, of the peace by 1650. At that time he was still called Mr. Cary, but in 1654 when he patented 3,000 acres of land in the new county of Westmoreland he was identified as a major in the militia. When he renewed that patent three years later he was a lieutenant colonel, and by 1660 he was a colonel. He acquired more than 2,200 acres of land in Warwick County, some of which he inherited from Taylor. At the time of his death Cary also owned two lots in his native Bristol, a tract in Jamestown, and four plantations. His financial success exposed him to some criticism. In January 1650 a local woman denounced him as a "scabbed fisted knave," likened him to a "pox," and declared that if Cary could become a commissioner of the peace, "they will make Comrs of black doggs shortly."

Cary became a collector of taxes in Warwick County in 1658 and was elected to the House of Burgesses the following year. He was present in the spring of 1660 when the General Assembly elected Sir William Berkeley governor, pending receipt of a new royal commission from Charles II, and was also a member of a committee of burgesses that later in that year drafted a petition to the king requesting forgiveness for submitting to Parliament and seeking the restoration of colonial privileges. In addition the committee asked that Virginia-born children be declared denizens of England.

Cary was a burgess again from 1661 to 1663 and on May 15, 1661, became escheator general of the colony, with responsibility for taking possession for the Crown of land that was forfeit for nonpayment of quitrents. He became a member of the governor's Council on an unrecorded date before March 23, 1664. The scant surviving Council records from the period indicate that Cary participated in planning for the defense of the colony during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665–1667). One of his last recorded acts as a Council member was to sign a protest that the governor and Council sent to the king complaining that Maryland's governor and Council refused to join in a voluntary reduction in the production of tobacco in order to raise its price.

On June 5, 1667, at the mouth of the James River four Dutch men-of-war captured an English frigate and approximately twenty merchant vessels. Four days later Cary drew up his will. According to family tradition he was shot and killed defending against the Dutch incursion, and it is possible that he had been wounded and then prepared the will, with its two codicils, while on his deathbed. Cary died on June 10, 1667, and was buried in a brick tomb on the grounds of his home at Windmill Point.

Time Line

January 30, 1623 - Miles Cary is baptized in All Saints Parish, Bristol, England. He is the son of John Cary and Alice Hobson Cary.

Early 1640s - Miles Cary moves to Virginia around this time.

1646 - By about this time, Miles Cary has married Anne Taylor. They will have at least three daughters and four sons.

1650 - By this year, Miles Cary is a commissioner of the peace.

January 1650 - A local woman denounces Miles Cary as a "scabbed fisted knave," likens him to a "pox," and declares that if Cary could become a commissioner of the peace, "they will make Comrs of black doggs shortly."

1654 - By this year, Miles Cary is a major in the militia of Westmoreland County.

1657 - By this year, Miles Cary is a lieutenant colonel in the militia of Westmoreland County.

1658 - Miles Cary becomes a collector of taxes in Warwick County.

1659 - Miles Cary is elected to the House of Burgesses.

1660 - By this year, Miles Cary is a colonel in the militia of Westmoreland County.

1661–1663 - Miles Cary serves as a member of the House of Burgesses.

May 15, 1661 - Miles Cary becomes escheator general of the colony, with responsibility for taking possession for the Crown of land that was forfeit for nonpayment of quitrents.

March 23, 1664 - Miles Cary becomes a member of the governor's Council sometime before this date.

June 9, 1667 - Miles Cary draws up his will following the Dutch capture of an English frigate and twenty merchant vessels four days earlier.

June 10, 1667 - Miles Cary dies, perhaps as a result of defending against the Dutch incursion.

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Primary Sources

Will of Henry Hobson of Bristol, innholder, dated 16 March 1634, proved 27 May 1636.
mentions:
my grandchildren, Henry Cary, Matthew Cary, Richard Cary and Myles Cary, children of my daughter Alice Cary, wife of John Cary draper
my grandchildren Alice Cary, Honor Cary and Mary Cary, daughters of my said daughter Alice Cary

Will of Alice Cary of Shadwell in the parish of Stebunheath, otherwise Stepney, Middlesex, spinster, dated 24 April 1660, proved 14 November 1660.
mentions: my uncle Myles Cary of Virginia

Notes

http://cynthiaswope.com/withinthevines/CaryFamily/TitlePage.htm

Our American Cary generational and historical study begins with the immigrant Miles CARY [AKA Hon Miles Cary, Miles Cary, Esq, Col. Miles Cary, and sometimes found as Myles Cary] of whom first record in America is found in Warwick county, Va in 1645. He was a gentleman of wealth and influence in early Virginia, Member House of Burgesses, and he settled, met his wife Anne TAYLOR, and lived in Warwick County, Va. His home involved both Magpie Swamps and Windmill Point-both of which were given to him by his father in law Thomas Taylor, and both of which remain important to direct Cary descendants for 8 generations. Miles died in 1667 at Hampton Roads [now the greater Newport News area] at the hands of the Dutch during the final throws of the second and last Dutch Anglo War; his wife survived him by at least 15 years. Miles Cary's tomb in Virginia clearly identified him and his parents, and it included upon it the coat of arms of the Devonshire, England Carys although he himself was from Bristol, England.

 See - Colonial Families of the United States of America Vol 1 p 81

Miles Cary emigrated to England about 1645. He appears in records first on the bench of the Warwick County Court in 1652. He was a
merchant and owned and operated a mill. Miles died from wounds received while defending Fort Comfort from a raid by the Dutch Navy.
On 7 Feb 1645, Peter Wraxall, mariner, of Bristol, England, gave the following testimony: "He is of the company of the David [a ship] of Bristol, 200 tons, John Elson, master. On their last voyage to Virginia, there was a bill made by Miles Cary, a Bristol man, at Elizabeth City in Virginia, for delivery of 250 lbs of Virginia tobacco leaf to John Jones in Virginia on 10 November last; the tobacco was not delivered." This information appears in the Deposition Books of Bristol, 1643-1647, Abstracted by the Virginia COlonial Records Project Survey Report No. B. 1, The Virginia Library.
This information establishes that Miles Cary (I) of Virginia was from Bristol, England and was in Virginia by 1645. Several sources state that he emigrated to Virginia in 1640. See, e.g., DuBellet, Some Prominent Virginia Families, Vol II (1907) and Kennedy, Seldens of Virginia and Allied Families. I have not been able to confirm any earlier date than 1645 by reference to primary sources.
For a detailed study of the Cary family's English origins see the notes in Henry F. Waters' work, Genealogical Gleanings in England (1901). Waters is an extremely reputable genealogist who worked in England with English primary sources.
There are numerous references to Miles Cary (I) in the records of the Virginia Colony after 1645. Miles Cary (I) had a son Miles Cary (II) as evidenced by a deed on 20 Nov 1862 conveying 1590 acres in Warwick County, Virginia to "Mr. Miles Cary now in possession of his mother Mrs. Anne Cary," which land had been previously sold "to Col. Miles Cary, decd, who by his will devised same to his son Miles Cary the grantee." This conveyance is one of many reprinted in The Edward Pleasant Valentine Papers, published by the Valentine Museam in Richmond. Miles Cary (I) served as Escheator General of Virginia in 1666 and had the style of Colonel and Councellor of state in 1655. See Stanard, The Colonial Virginia Register (1902) and Hening's.
Miles Cary (II) appears in numerous Virginia records beginning in 1682 and continueing until 1702. He is known to be deceased by 17 May 1716 when his widow, Mary of Warwick County is shown as prosecuting a suit at court. Neal, Elizabeth City County Virginia Deeds, Wills and Court Orders, 1715-1721.
He immigrated to Virginia between 1640 and 1645. He received a grant of 3,000 acres in Westmoreland Co. in 1654. Was Mayor in 1654, Lieutenant Colonel in 1657, Colonel and County Lieutenant 1659-67, Burgess 1659- 63, Escheator General of Virginia 1665, Collector of Tobacco Duties of the Lower James River and member of the King's Council 1663-67. Maintained a water-mill and mercantile business which were mentioned in his will. Presumed to have died of wounds received when the Dutch navy invaded Hampton Roads and attacked Old Point Comfort. His tomb at Windmill Point is no longer visible, but the slab is extant.
Following is the will of the immigrant Mylles Cary, as transcribed by Guilford D. Eggleston from Warwick Co. records in 1851 and reported by Fairfax Harrison in his book The Virginia Carys; An Essay in Genealogy (New York: The Divinne Press, 1919), pp. 164-168. It was dated 9 June 1667 and proved 21 June 1667 in Warwick Co.,
Virginia (Will Book A, 448).
I, MYLLES CARY of Warwick County, in Virginia, being of sound and perfect memory (praysed bee God), doe make and ordain this my last will and testament, hereby renouncing all other will or testaments formerly by me made whatsoever. Imp s: I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the meritte of Jesus Christ to have free remission of all my sinns; and my body to the earth with Xtian buriall to be decently interred by my Loving Wife; and for that temporall estate which it hath pleased God to endow mee withall, I give and bequeath in manner and form following:--
I doe give and bequeath unto my sonn THOMAS CARY all that tract or parcell of land which I now reside upon, containing by the old pattent, taken by my father-in-law, Thomas Taylor, deceased, three hundred and fifty acres of land, but since surveighed and received by me 688 acres more or less, with all that tract or parcell of land, commonly knowne and called by the name of the "Magpy Swampe," according to a destrict pattent thereof taken by my father-in-law, Thomas Taylor, deceased, containing by said pattent two hundred and fifty acres of land, which quantity of two hundred and fifty acres of land is since joyned by mee unto another parcell of land bought by mee of Zacheriah Cripps, the son of Zacheriah Cripps, deceased; yet notwithstanding my will is that the said two hundred and fifty acres, more commonly knowne by the name of the "Magpy Swampe," according to the bounds of the first pattent taken up as aforesaid, be set apart and divided from the parcel of land which I bought of Zacheriah Cripps, and be and remain with the tract or parcell of land I now live upon with all the houses, aedifices, buildings, gardens, orchards, pastures, woods and underwoods, and trees growing and to bee growing, with all the rents and profits of all leases and conveighances made out of the several tracts of land with all the hereditaments and appurtenances to any or either of the aforesaid parcells of land belonging or any way thereto appertaining, unto him the said THOMAS CARY and the heyres of his body to [be] lawfully begotten.
I doe also give and bequeath unto my sonn HENRY CARY and unto my sonn MYLLES CARY all that tract or parcell of land which I bought of Zacheriah Cripps, being according to the Ancient Pattent taken out by Zacheriah Cripps, one thousand and fifty acres, with all that tract or parcell of land taken up by mee, adjoining to that taken out of Zacheriah Cripps, but all taken into one pattent (always excepting and reserving that two hundred and fifty acres commonly knowne and called by the name of the "Magpy Swampe" to the use and purpose before expressed) which said tract of land according to the last surveigh and pattent (the said "Magpy Swampe" excepted) I give unto my sonn HENRY CARY and unto my sonn MYLLES, to be divided between them, by the runne of water which is by the great poplar in Andrew Farmers field, being the first course marked tree of the said dividend which runne of water upwards as the main runne goeth up to the dams or ponds, and so to my outward line, which runne and dams or ponds my will is shall be the dividing line between them. That is to say, I give and bequeath unto my sonn HENRY CARY all that tract or parcell of land, bee it more or less of this side of the ponds or dams, adjoining upon the lands of Capt. Thomas Bernard, deceased, with the plantation commonly knowne and called by the name of the "Forest," with all the houses, aedifices, buildings, gardens, orchards, pastures, woods, underwoods and trees growing and to be growing, with all the rents and profits of all leases and conveighances made out of the said tract or dividend of land, with all the hereditaments and appurtenances to the said parcell of land any way appertaining, unto him the said HENRY CARY and to the heyers of his body lawfully to bee begotten. And I give and bequeath unto my sonne MYLLES CARY all that tract or parcell of land, bee it more or less, of the other side of the runnes or dams soe farr as my outward line extendeth, and along the said line, adjoyning upon the lands of one Calvert, and adjoyning upon the lands of John Lewis, and soe along the outward line to the heade of Potash Creek, and adjoining upon the lands of Capt: Samuell Stephens (excepting and reserving the two hundred and fifty acres of land, commonly knowne by the name of the "Magpy Swampe," for the use and purpose afore expressed) with all the woods, underwoods, trees growing and to bee growing, with all the hereditaments and appurtenances to the said tract or parcell of land (bee it more or less) belonging or in any way thereto appertaining, unto him the said MYLLES CARY, and to the heyers of his body lawfully to bee begotten.
I doe give and bequeath unto my sonne WILLIAM CARY all that tract or parcell of land which lyeth up Warwick River formerly belonging unto Capt: Thomas Flint, and since purchased by mee, with all the houses, aedifices, buildings, gardens, orchards, pastures, woods and underwoods, trees growing and to bee growing, with all the rents and profits of all leases or conveighances, made out of the said tract of lands, with all the hereditaments and appurtenances to the said tract or parcell thereunto belonging or in any way appertaining, unto him the said WILLIAM CARY, and the heyers of his body to bee lawfully begotten.
I give unto ROGER DANIELL that parcell or tract of land that Goodman Heskins now lives on, and the land called "Gaole," with all the rents and profits, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever, whether by lease or otherwise, to all intents and purposes whatsoever in full and ample manner as I myself now enjoy it, may, might, or ever may enjoy it.
My desire is that Mr. William Beaty may have the education and bringing up of my sonne WILLIAM, and Mr. Hurle of my son MYLLES in England.
My will is that my two houses in England, the one in Baldwin Street, the other in St. Nicholas Street, bee sold by Mr. Hurle and Mr. Richard Deans, and the money in Mr. Hurle hands already and the money of the said two houses soe sold to be equally divided between my three daughters, ANNE, BRIDGETT and ELIZABETH, and to continue in Mr. Hurle his hands untill their dayes of marriage; and my will is that my tobacco that goes for England this year, and the bills of Exchange, I now send home, bee also in Mr. Hurle hands towards my sonne MYLLES his education. My Plate and Rings to be equally divided between my children.
The goods in the store to be sold by my Executors, and also the houseing at Towne (which I bought of Mr. Randolph and have paid him for, as by his receipt it may appear) to be sold by my Executors, and the remainder thereof, after my debts are paid, to bee equally divided amongst my children.
I give unto ANNE CARY a negro girl called Nan, and one boy called Harry. I give unto BRIDGETT CARY one negro girl called Bridgett.
To ELIZABETH CARY one negro girl called Sarah. The rest of my negroes to be equally divided between my four sonns THOMAS, HENRY, MYLLES and WILLIAM; and what English servants I have I give unto my four sonns THOMAS, HENRY, MYLLES and WILLIAM.
My will is further that my stock of sheep be equally divided between my children; as also my stock of cattle be equally divided between my said children: my horses and mares--my will is that they be equally divided between my children. My grey mare [name illegible] I give and bequeath unto Roger Daniell.
As for my Tobacco [debts] my will is they bee equally divided between my children; as also household Stuffs.
And my will further is that (whereas I have given and bequeathed unto my four sonnes, THOMAS, HENRY, MYLLES and WILLIAM, several tracts and parcells of land, as, by foregoing clause in this Will, may and doth appear) if any of the said Thomas, Henry, Mylles and William Cary shall happen to depart this natural life without heyers of his body lawfully begotten, that then his land goe and pass unto the next heire or brother, viz: if Thomas Cary shall happen to dy without issue of his body lawfully begotten, then his land to descend to the next brother Henry; and if Henry dy without issue of his body lawfully begotten, his land to descend to Mylles Cary; and if Mylles Cary dy without issue of his body lawfully begotten, his land to descend to William Cary; and if William Cary dy without issue of his body lawfully begotten, then his lands, and the other tracts soe falling to him, pass and descend to my three daughters, Anne, Bridgett & Elizabeth.
My will is that my debts be equally paid by my Executors, hereafter to be named, before any division or diminution of my Estate, and that no division be made but by the joynt consent of my Executors hereafter to be named, provided that my Executors be all alive at the time of division, and [in] the Colony of Virginia--that is to say, so many of Executors as are to be had [but] that no division be made untill my eldest sonne come of age.
My will further is that when division is made, that my Loving friend Mr. William Beaty have and keep in his possession my sonne William's Estate, and keep it for my said sonne William's use, untill he shall accomplish the age of one and twenty. My said sonne's maintenance for his education only to be deducted. And that the said Mr. William Beaty have my sonne Mylles Cary's part also of my Estate to possess and keep for the said Mylles Cary his use and behoof untill the said Mylles Cary shall accomplish the age of one and twenty. My will is that Henry Cary, when the Estate is divided, have his part and share of my Estate in his own possession, as also his land, formerly bequeathed to him in his own possession notwithstanding he bee not of full age.
As for my three daughters' parts or shares of my Estate (when divided) my will is, that those guardians (whom my said daughters shall then choose) with the consent of Executors, shall take it into their care and custody for the proper and sole use of my said daughters until they or any of them shall accomplish the age of one and twenty, or dayes of marriage (their maintenance only excepted); that is each or any one of the said daughters to have her part or share as she accomplish the age of one and twenty or marryeth.
I do hereby nominate and appoint my four sonnes THOMAS, HENRY, MYLLES and WILLIAM CARY, and my three daughters, ANNE, BRIDGETT and ELIZABETH CARY my joynt Executors and Executrices of this my last Will and Testament, with strict charge that they agree and act with mutual love and amity.
I doe also hereby nominate and appoint my well-beloved friends Mr. Thomas Ludwell, Col_o: Nath: Bacon, Major Edward Grifith and Mr. William Beaty my Executors of this my last Will and Testament, earnestly requesting them to take the said charge and care upon them. And in token of my love to my said Executors I doe hereby give and bequeath to each of the five pounds sterling.
IN WITNESS whereof I have set my hand and seal to each syde and part of this my last Will and Testament, this ninth day of June, 1667.
MYLLES CARY [His seal]
Signed and Sealed in the presence of us:
FRANCIS HADDEN
THOMAS J. KEN
WILLIAM X TANDY.
his marke
Probat. in Curia XXI die Junij 1667
Pr. Testament: THOMAS J. KEN & GULIELMUS TANDY
Test: WM. WOYDEN, Sub. Cler.
Recordat: XXIX die Junij 1667
WM. WOYDEN, Sub. Cler."

Miles Cary emigrated to Virginia about 1645. He appears in records first on the bench of the Warwick County Court in 1652. He was a merchant and owned and operated a mill. Miles died in 1667 from wounds received while defending Fort Comfort from a raid by the Dutch Navy.

He settled in Warwick County, Va., where he married Anne, daughter of Thomas Taylor, one of the earliest settlers. He lived on an estate known as "Magpy Swamps," obtained from his father-in-law, Capt. Taylor, which he devised to his son, Thomas Cary. He mentioned in his will two houses in England, presumably in Bristol, one in Baldwin Street the other in St. Nicholas Street-to be sold for the benefit of his daughters. He owned 2,000 acres of land, well stocked, and numerous slaves, a mill and a store. His children were born between 1645 and 1666."

In September 1851, Mr. Eggleston found on a farm called "Bensalls," near Warwick Inn, then occupied by Mr. Lucas, a dilapidated tombstone in five fragments. Putting the pieces together, it was found to bear a coat-of-arms and the following inscription:

"Here lyeth ye body of Miles Cary, Esq., Only son of John Cary and Alice his wife, Daughter of Henry Hobson of ye city of Bristol. Alderman, he was born in ye city and departed this life ye 10th day of June, 1667, about the forty-seventh year of his age, leaving four sons and three daughters (viz:) Thomas, Ann, Henry, Bridget, Elizabeth, Miles and William."

Aliases: Colonel 1

Christening: 29 JAN 1620/21 in All Saints, Bristol, Gloucester, England Baptism: 30 JAN 1622 in All Saint's Occupation: 1652 in Justice, 1654 Mayor Military: 1657 in Lt. Col Occupation: BET 1659 AND 1663 in Burgess Military: BET 1659 AND 1667 in Colonel and County Lt. Occupation: 1663 in Council member Burial: Cary's Quarters, Warwick Co., VA Aka (Facts Pg): Myles Died: killed in action with the Dutch while defending the fort at Point Comfort (now Ft. Monroe) Will proved: 21 JAN 1667

Spouses & Children Anne Taylor (Wife) b. 1 MAR 1620 in Warwickshire, , VA Marriage: ABT 1645 in Warwick, Virginia Children: Thomas Cary b. 1646 in Windmill Point, Warwick, VA Anne Cary b. 1649 in Warwick, Virginia Henry Sr. Cary b. 1650 in The Forest, Warwick, VA Bridget Cary b. 1652 in Warwick, Virginia Elizabeth Cary b. 1653 in Warwick, Virginia Miles II Cary b. 1655 in *Warwick, Virginia William Cary b. 1657 in Warwick, Virginia

He was justice of Warwick County, Virginia, 1652; and member of council, 1665. He was killed in an engagement in Hampton Roads. He and his wife, Anne Taylor, inherited the original holding of Thomas Taylor and acquired much more land, ranking among the top 20 families in taxable property in Virginia. He died from wounds received in the attack by the Dutch fleet upon Old Point Comfort. He came to Virginia about 1645. At his death he had four separate plantations,"Windmill Point," "The Forest," "Magpie Swamp," and the former Thomas Flint property which "lyeth up Warwick River." He also owned a 3000 acre patent in the Northern Neck and two houses in Bristol, in Ballance Street and St. Nicholas Street, which he directed in his will be sold for the benefit of his three daughters.

Sources: 1.Title: R. Bolling Batte Papers, LVA Digital Library

GEDCOM Note

Miles Cary (bap. 1623-1667)

Contributed by Katharine E. Harbury and the Dictionary of Virginia Biography

Miles Cary was a member of the governor's Council. Born in England, Cary became involved in the tobacco trade, perhaps as a result of the losses his father suffered during the English Civil Wars. By 1645 Cary had arrived in Elizabeth City County. He resided in Warwick County and opened a store. Successful at this business, he became a justice of the peace by 1650. He patented 3,000 acres of land in Westmoreland County and by 1660 was a colonel of militia. In 1659 he was elected to the House of Burgesses and was a member of the governor's Council at some point before 1664. He helped plan for the defense of Virginia during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. He died in 1667; family tradition holds that he was mortally wounded during a fight against Dutch men-of-war at the mouth of the James River. MORE...

Cary was baptized in All Saints Parish, Bristol, England, on January 30, 1623. He was the son of a woolen draper, John Cary, and his second wife, Alice Hobson Cary. Both of his grandfathers had been mayors of Bristol, and as a member of a socially prominent and respected family he received a good education, the details of which are not known. The English Civil Wars divided the family, and Cary's father suffered substantial losses. Perhaps as a consequence, Cary became involved in the tobacco trade and moved to Virginia, probably early in the 1640s and certainly no later than November 1645, when a mariner deposed that "one Miles Cary, a Bristoll man" then in Elizabeth City County, had failed to deliver 250 pounds of tobacco. Copies of Virginia records that refer to him often spell his given name as Myles or Mylles and his surname as Carey.

Cary initially resided in the Warwick County household of Thomas Taylor, who may have been a kinsman, and by about 1646 he had married Taylor's daughter Anne. Before she died on an unrecorded date before June 1667, they had at least three daughters and four sons, including Henry Cary (ca. 1650-1720), who became a successful builder in Warwick County, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, and Miles Cary (d. 1709), who became an influential member of the House of Burgesses and surveyor general of Virginia. Opening a store and acting as an agent in various business transactions, Cary prospered and became a commissioner, or justice, of the peace by 1650. At that time he was still called Mr. Cary, but in 1654 when he patented 3,000 acres of land in the new county of Westmoreland he was identified as a major in the militia. When he renewed that patent three years later he was a lieutenant colonel, and by 1660 he was a colonel. He acquired more than 2,200 acres of land in Warwick County, some of which he inherited from Taylor. At the time of his death Cary also owned two lots in his native Bristol, a tract in Jamestown, and four plantations. His financial success exposed him to some criticism. In January 1650 a local woman denounced him as a "scabbed fisted knave," likened him to a "pox," and declared that if Cary could become a commissioner of the peace, "they will make Comrs of black doggs shortly."

Cary became a collector of taxes in Warwick County in 1658 and was elected to the House of Burgesses the following year. He was present in the spring of 1660 when the General Assembly elected Sir William Berkeley governor, pending receipt of a new royal commission from Charles II, and was also a member of a committee of burgesses that later in that year drafted a petition to the king requesting forgiveness for submitting to Parliament and seeking the restoration of colonial privileges. In addition the committee asked that Virginia-born children be declared denizens of England.

Cary was a burgess again from 1661 to 1663 and on May 15, 1661, became escheator general of the colony, with responsibility for taking possession for the Crown of land that was forfeit for nonpayment of quitrents. He became a member of the governor's Council on an unrecorded date before March 23, 1664. The scant surviving Council records from the period indicate that Cary participated in planning for the defense of the colony during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667). One of his last recorded acts as a Council member was to sign a protest that the governor and Council sent to the king complaining that Maryland's governor and Council refused to join in a voluntary reduction in the production of tobacco in order to raise its price.

On June 5, 1667, at the mouth of the James River four Dutch men-of-war captured an English frigate and approximately twenty merchant vessels. Four days later Cary drew up his will. According to family tradition he was shot and killed defending against the Dutch incursion, and it is possible that he had been wounded and then prepared the will, with its two codicils, while on his deathbed. Cary died on June 10, 1667, and was buried in a brick tomb on the grounds of his home at Windmill Point.

Time Line

January 30, 1623 - Miles Cary is baptized in All Saints Parish, Bristol, England. He is the son of John Cary and Alice Hobson Cary.

Early 1640s - Miles Cary moves to Virginia around this time.

1646 - By about this time, Miles Cary has married Anne Taylor. They will have at least three daughters and four sons.

1650 - By this year, Miles Cary is a commissioner of the peace.

January 1650 - A local woman denounces Miles Cary as a "scabbed fisted knave," likens him to a "pox," and declares that if Cary could become a commissioner of the peace, "they will make Comrs of black doggs shortly."

1654 - By this year, Miles Cary is a major in the militia of Westmoreland County.

1657 - By this year, Miles Cary is a lieutenant colonel in the militia of Westmoreland County.

1658 - Miles Cary becomes a collector of taxes in Warwick County.

1659 - Miles Cary is elected to the House of Burgesses.

1660 - By this year, Miles Cary is a colonel in the militia of Westmoreland County.

1661-1663 - Miles Cary serves as a member of the House of Burgesses.

May 15, 1661 - Miles Cary becomes escheator general of the colony, with responsibility for taking possession for the Crown of land that was forfeit for nonpayment of quitrents.

March 23, 1664 - Miles Cary becomes a member of the governor's Council sometime before this date.

June 9, 1667 - Miles Cary draws up his will following the Dutch capture of an English frigate and twenty merchant vessels four days earlier.

June 10, 1667 - Miles Cary dies, perhaps as a result of defending against the Dutch incursion.

Categories
Colonial History (ca. 1560-1763)
Colonial Government

Further Reading

Harbury, Katharine E. "Miles Cary (bap. 1623-1667)." In The Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Vol. 3, edited by Sara B. Bearss et al., 111-112. Richmond: Library of Virginia, 2006.

Harrison, Fairfax. The Virginia Carys: An Essay in Genealogy. New York: The De Vinne Press, 1919.

Harrison, Fairfax. The Devon Carys. Vol. 2. New York: The De Vinne Press, 1920.

Cite This Entry
APA Citation:
Harbury, K. E., & the Dictionary of Virginia Biography. Miles Cary (bap. 1623-1667). (2013, August 21). In Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved from http://www.EncyclopediaVirginia.org/Cary_Miles_bap_1623-1667.

MLA Citation:
Harbury, Katharine E. and the Dictionary of Virginia Biography. "Miles Cary (bap. 1623-1667)." Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, 21 Aug. 2013. Web. 31 Jul. 2016.

First published: May 2, 2013 | Last modified: August 21, 2013

Contributed by Katharine E. Harbury and the Dictionary of Virginia Biography.

Attorney and Colonel.

Birth: 1622, England
Death: Jun. 10, 1667
Newport News City
Virginia, USA

Miles Cary (the immigrant)was the son of John Cary and Alice Hobson of Bristol, England. He was "shot by ye Dutch" at Hampton Roads. He married Ann Taylor, daughter of Capt. Thomas Taylor.

Miles Cary baptized All Saints Bristol, England Jan 30 1622 Emigrated to Virginia between 1640 and 1645 where he received a grant of 3,000 acres of land in Westmoreland Co. Virginia in
1654. Mayor of Westmoreland Co. Va.
in 1654, Lt. Colonel 1657, Burgess 1659,
to 1663, Ex. Gen. of Va. 1665, Collector of Tabacco duties of the Lower
James River and memeber of Kings Council, 1663-67, He married not later than 1646 Anne Taylor daughter of Thomas
Taylor They were the parents of
Thomas born 1647, Anne born 1649,
Henry born 1659, Bridgett born 1652,
Elizabeth born 1653, Miles born 1655,
William born 1657.
Miles Cary the father, will dated June 9 1667,proved June 21 1667. He died
June 10, 1667.
Tombstone of Miles Cary-- The monument was a brick alyar tomb surmounted by heavy iron stone slab carved in England
The grave is on a high bluff over the moth of Potash Creek on Warwick River
Virginia. In 1868 described as at the foot of a giant walnut and in the deep shade of bower formed by the festoons of a mighty grapevine wich embraces the entire grove. on April 10 1919 both the walnut and grapevines became
extant the brick tomb had entirely disappeared. while the slab which borne the inscription is shattered into many peices, some of which were carried away.
The fragments of the tombstone were assembled including the coat of arms which was found in the Mariners Museum at NewPort News Va. the tomb restored
on May 8 1932.
Arms of Cary of Devon
Here lyeth the Body of Miles Cary Esq.
Only son of John Cary and his wife
Alice, daughter of Henry Hobson of the city of Bristol,
Alderman:
He was born in ye said city and departed this life the 10 day of June
1667, about the 47th year of his age.
Leaving four sons and three daughters,
Viz: Thomas, Anne, Henry, Bridgett, Elizabeth, Miles and William.

"Windmill Point
This plantation was homesite of Miles Cary, Sr. who came from England in 1845 at the age of 22. He was killed defending Old Point Comfort against the Dutch June 10, 1667. His grave nearby is said to be the oldest in Newport News. Father of Miles Cary, Jr. of Richneck. His descendents left an indelible mark on the development of this nation. Originally the Baynham patent, his father-in-law, Thomas Taylor, willed the Warwick County land to Col. Cary."

Findagrave:

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9702282/miles-m-cary