Elizabeth Povall

Owner of black leather trousseau trunk now belonging to Elizabeth Harrison Court. Story of Trunk:

Robert or Robin Povall (sometimes called Povey) was born at St. Martin on the Field, London. He was indentured for six years to Robert "King" Carter of Carrotoman. Upon the adjoining farm of Solomon Knibbs (so runs the assumption) was employed a young girl, Elizabeth Hooker, whom Robert knew, loved and hoped to marry. One day, in attendance as a servant at a dinner given by Carter, Carter read a letter from England in which inquiry was made concerning Elizabeth Hooker, daughter of Lord Hooker, who had died leaving a large estate named "Malvern Hills", this Elizabeth being his daughter and only heir. Robert at once married her and sailed for England where they were remarried to establish their claim. The estate was leased for 99 years and at the end of it escheated to the crown.

Robert and Elizabeth returned to Virginia and located in Henrico Co. at a place called Malvern Hills, where they were living in 1685. In the records of Henrico County, June 2, 1679, occurs the following: “Elizabeth Hooker, aged 22, that she did see in the custody of Katherine Knibbs since the death of her husband, Solomon, a small trunk or cabinet about half full of money which she said her husband had resolved to carry with him to England because he would not be beholden to his friends, likewise in his custody a dozen pewter plates, one tankard, salt seller, 2 pewter porringers.”

This is all there is but it is fascinating to speculate. Did she know Robert before in England? Did she follow him against her father’s wishes to be near him while he worked out his indenture? Lord Hooker must have had some idea where she was or why inquire for her in Virginia?

Indenture was a common way to come to Virginia. Passage was expensive and an ambitious young man could work out his indenture and then receive free land. He could then plant, prosper, and pay passage for indentures himself. The planter also received land for every indenture he brought over.

According to Clifford Dawdy’s The Great Plantation, by the mid 1600’s 75% of all landowners had come as indentures. In the 1629 House of Burgesses, 7 of the 16 representatives had begun as indentures.

Elizabeth Hooker was a daughter of Joseph Hooker.

Wife of Robert "Robin" Povall.

Elizabeth Hooker Spouse: Robert Povall Parents: Hooker Birth Place: Halifax, VA Birth Date:

1657 Marriage Place: Charles City, Henrico Henrico, VA Marriage Date: 3 Sep 1683

Death Place: Henrico, VA Death Date: 1728

from Chapter VII of the Selden book:

Elizabeth Hooker's identity was established as the daughter of Lord Hooker of Malvern Hills, England.

At his death she, being his rightful heiress, sailed for England to claim the estate. Before sailing Elizabeth married Robin Povall.....After abandoning the English estate the Povalls obtained possession of their home "Malvern Hills" in Henrico Co., VA.

Robin and Elizabeth H. Povall had a number of children: John, Robert, Mary and Sarah.

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There is an interesting story about the naming of Malvern Hill.

The story may be fact or fiction, but it lends an interesting sidelight to Malvern Hill's history. About the year 1658, two small children, Robert Povall and Elizabeth Hooker, were brought to Virginia and bound as indentured servants.

Robert Povall was bound to Charles Carter of Shirley Plantation and Elizabeth Hooker was bound to Solomon Knibbs, Carter's nearest neighbor.

The two children remained close and as they grew up, they fell in love. One day, Governor Francis Nicholson came to Shirley Plantation to see Carter on business. He said he had received a letter from a high official in England asking him to search for a girl named Elizabeth Hooker who had disappeared from her father's estate while just a small child. Her father was Lord Hooker recently deceased. He had left an immense estate to her.

Robert Povall, serving as Carter's butler, overheard the conversation and revealed that Elizabeth Hooker was at the Knibb's farm. It was determined that this girl was indeed the daughter of the wealthy Lord.

She married Robert Povall and they returned to her father's estate in England known as Malvern Hill. Here the couple remained for a few years, but longed for Virginia the only home either of them had ever known. So they decided to leave England and return. They bought a large farm in Henrico County and named it Malvern Hill in honor of their home in far away England.

Sources:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Hooker-453

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156861063/elizabeth-povall

https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/povall/24/

https://www.oregonpalmerfamily.org/Povall%20Hooker%20Ancestors%20Ju...