"Francois Poschet, or Francis Posey, as he will be designated here-after, obtained boat passage through William Farrar, Sr. whose family was associated with the Virginia Company, and landed in Henrico Co., VA. in 1636. He moved into what is now Charles Co., MD, by 1640 where he acquired land and became the representative of his district, known as St. Clement's Hundred, in the Maryland legislature, known as the House of Burgesses (William and Mary Quarterly, 5:132-133)."

"His wife, Elizabeth, surname as yet unknown, was brought to America by Cuthbert Fynwick as an indentured servant (one who contracted to work for a specific time in repayment for boat passage). Her debt was paid off by her husband, Francis Posey (Jordan, IV:495). Whether she married Francis in England before he came to the colonies, or in Maryland after she came, is not known, but the marriage likely occurred in Maryland. Francis died in 1654, leaving his wife and three children, Benjamin, John and Anne, perhaps named for Anne de Colnet Poschet of France."

"The Pochets were Huguenots (French Protestants who suffered extreme persecution by Catholics). Francis Posey and his brother (Martin) seem to have been the two who escaped from France to England. In London, the Church at St. Anthony's Hospital on Threadneedle Street was set aside for the use of the French refugees in 1546 due to the interest of King Edward VI. The stream of Protestants arriving in London became so great that eventually many churches were reserved for their use."

"The Threadneedle St. Church burned during the great fire of London in 1666. It as rebuilt, only to be torn down during the 1800s when the congregation was removed to a new church at St. Martin's le Grand. Many records of the French Huguenot Churches have been lost. In 1867 it was said that 13 volumes of records of the Threadneedle St. Church were preserved at Somerset House in England (Smiles, 114, 270, 368-370)."

"Research done by William Campbell Posey discovered the records of two marriages for Martin Poschet and some records of his descendants. According to this same source, the name of Posey is not to be found in England to day nor are their Poschets in France after 1750 except as found in descendants of Catherine Therese Poschet who married Louis deLancey in 1723 (Jordan, IV:495)."

"Heraldic authority (Rietstap) indicates that the coat of arms belonging to the Poschet family of France is as follows and as pictured opposite: "ARGENT, A CHEVRON GULES, BETWEEN THREE MULLETS OF SIX POINTS GULES." The Chevron, or v-shaped band, is silver and signifies peace and sincerity. The mullets or six pointed stars are red. Red is said to have been used to denote military prowess. The mullets, some of which are five pointed in other coats of arms, signifies learning, virtue, and faithful service."

"The six-pointed "Star of David" seen presently as a symbol of the nation of Israel, is usually depicted with the lines of two equilateral triangles showing. Rietstap and other authorities make no mention of any connection between the six-pointed mullet of heraldry and the Tribes of Israel. The six-pointed star is seen in the coats of arms of other Gentile families of Medieval times as well as that of the Poschets."

--------------------

Born 1600 or 1615? -------------------- He came with William Farrar, Sr., landed on June 11, 1637 and settled in Henrico

County, Virginia. In 1640 he moved to St Mayr's (now Charles)

County, Maryland.

He may have received land grants in Maryland for the transport of other people

into the providence.

The first record found of him in America was in Henrico County,

Virginia in 1636. His name appears as "Fr. Posey" on a list of 40

headrights for 2,000 acres of land in Henrico County that belonged

to a William Farrar. His name appears along with two others on an

"oath of Fealty" dated January 2, 1640 in Maryland. He received

100 acres of land, not the normal 50 acres that was given to an

individual. This might indicate that he was known by friends in Maryland

before his arrival. On March 16, 1641 he was present, along with all freemen, at the Assembly and was recorded as a citizen from St Clements Hundred.

He was a Planter and grew tobacco. Records show that he had

purchased 3,450 acres over a period of 10 to 15 years. Records

also show that he paid 170 pounds of tobacco for suit of clothes,

the payment due on March 1, 1642. He served as proxie for seven

other persons, therefore casting eight votes. He served on many

juries over the years and as the Burgess in the Assembly from 1641

to 1650.

He was married to Elizabeth about 1643 in Charles

Co., Maryland. Francis transported himself into MD in 1640, and

a warrant was issued for land in what was Charles County. In 1650 Francis

POSEY demanded 50 acres "in right of his now wife whom he bought off Mr. Fenwick

whose Servant she was being for her Transportation into this Province about

7 Years Since."

 She made a deposition under oath as "Elizabeth Posey" on

November 30, 1647 in Charles County, Maryland.

Claims have been made by some that Francis was born in France, that he was

a son of Marteyn POSCHET of London, and descended from the Poschet family

of Voyaux, Cambrai, France. No one has ever provided evidence that Francis

POSEY of MD is related to Marteyn POSCHET, or indication that his ancestry

was French, and not English. No records of Francis POSEY prior to his

arrival in VA have been found. In no records in VA or MD did he use the

spelling POSCHET. It is has also been shown that the alleged ancestry of

Marteyn POSCHET in France was based on an 18th century fraud to buy a nobility

title.

Francis POSEY died between 3 Mar. 1653 [1653/4] and 23 May 1654 in Charles

Co., MD.5 He married Elizabeth, who probably died before 1669. There are

claims that her maiden name was "FOSTER" apparently because William FERRAR

claimed land for transporting 40 persons at the same time he claimed land for

transporting Francis POSEY to Virginia. One of these was Elizabeth FOSTER.

There are no indications that they even knew each other, much less that were

transported at the same time, only that William Ferrar claimed land for them

at the same time he did for others. There are also no indications that she

could be indentical to the Elizabeth, last name unknown, that Cuthbert FENWICK

transported into MD 3 years after Francis was already in MD. The other

claim to Elizabeth's maiden name is HUMPHREY, based on the fact that John

named a son HUMPHREY. Humphrey was a common given name in this time

period in MD, and to make an assumption that was Elizabeth's maiden name

without additional evidence is unwarranted

-------------------- Name: Francis POSEY , House of Burgess

Sex: M

Birth: ABT 1615 in (Francious Poschet a French Huguenot/Legis) Voyaux, near Cambrai, FRANCE - Immigrant 1637. Moved to Henrico Co., Virginia.

Death: MAR 1658 in (Note) Died on his Estate at the head of Wicamice Creek in St. Mary's, Maryland, Charles Co.

Note:

According to Drake and a 1966 non-copyrighted work done by the West Chester, Pennsylvania office of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Francis became a MEMBER of the Maryland HOUSE OF BURGESSES and died in Maryland in 1654 --------------------

1. ID: I058692
2. Name: Francis Posey
3. Sex: M
4. Birth: ABT 1625
5. Death: in Charles Co., MD
6. Note:

   Francis POSEY was transported to VA by 1637, and recieved land for his

   own transportation in 1640 to Charles Co., MD. In 1650 he demanded

   land in right of his wife, whom be bought of Mr. FENWICK, whose servant

   she was, being for her transportation about 7 years since. There are

   assertions by some he was born in France, and claims of descent from the

   Poschet family of Voyaux, Cambrai. Noone has ever provided reference to

   source documents to support these claims. If you have knowledge of any,

   please contact me at the e-mail address below. It is has also been shown that

   this alleged ancestry in France is based on FRAUD.

   Francis POSEY died before 24 May 1654 Charles Co., MD. He married

   Elizabeth, who probably died before 1669. There are claims that her maiden

   name was "FOSTER" apparently because William FERRAR claimed land for

   transporting 40 persons at the same time he claimed land for transporting

   Francis POSEY to Virginia. One of these was Elizabeth FOSTER. There are

   no indications that they even knew each other, much less that were transported

   at the same time, only that William Ferrar claimed land for them at the

   same time he did for others. There are also no indications that she could

   be indentical to the Elizabeth, last name unknown, that Cuthbert FENWICK

   transported into MD 3 years after Francis was already in MD. The other

   claim to Elizabeth's maiden name is HUMPHREY, based on the fact that John

   named a son HUMPHREY. Humphrey was a common given name in this time

   period in MD, and to make an assumption that was Elizabeth's maiden name

   without additional evidence is unwarranted.

   Children of Francis POSEY and Elizabeth:

   1. Anne POSEY b. Charles Co., MD; m. John MOULD; d. before 1683

   2. John POSEY b. Charles Co., MD ca. 1647; of age by Nov. 1672 when he

   served on a jury; d. before 24 July 1689;

   m. Susanna,

   She was NOT Susanna BELAINE, daughter of John BELAINE. For John

   BELAINE's will and a discussion of this subject, click below on

   his will. If anyone can supply a documented source showing a birth of

   20 July 1652 for John listed by James Wade EMISON in his book, please

   contact me. I believe this to be a forged/made up date, probably from

   the same source that he listed a "Lees Amalie BELAINE" as a possible

   first wife for John. NO records showing the existence of such a person

   have been found in Charles Co., MD records.

   Elizabeth, widow of Francis POSEY, secondly married

   John BELAINE who died between 23 May and 3 Nov. 1663 Charles Co., MD, the

   dates his will was written and probated.

   John BELAINE and Elizabeth had children:

   1. Nicholas BELAINE b. 10 Nov. 1658; m. Mary; he d. 1687-1690 Charles Co.,

   MD She was born ca. 1665 (age 60 in 1725 deposition); She secondly

   married Benjamin POSEY ca. 1690.

   2. Grace BELAINE m. Giles COLLIAR

   Elizabeth, widow of Francis POSEY and John BELAINE married a third time

   about 1665 to Alexander SMITH. Children of Alexander SMITH that are

   believed to be by his wife Elizabeth are:

   1. Elizabeth SMITH b. (ca. 1665?); m. before 1688 Jonas RIVETT

   2. Mary SMITH b. (ca. 1667?); m. (ca. 1685?) Edward TURNER; she d. before

   1702; Edward TURNER d. ca. 1720 Westmoreland Co., VA

   3. Sarah SMITH m.1. 1688/9 Henry HAWKINS, Jr.; m.2. ca. 1702-1706 Barton

   SMOOT

   Court records on 13 Jan 1690 (1691) state John POSEY had a will, but it does

   not survive. The petition of Susanna AUSTIN, als. POSEY, Exect. of the Last

   Will and Testament of John POSEY, stated:

   "That whereas the sd: John POSEY by his last Will & testament in Writeing did

   devise & give unto two of his sons two parcells of land and the rest of

   his Estate hee did give & bequeath unto his wife the sd Susanna POSEY

   dureing her widdowhood and in Case shee should marry then what was remaineing

   of the sd Estate to be divided amongst the rest of his Children as by the

   sd last will & testament...." Susanna remarried Thomas AUSTIN, and the court

   allowed her a one third share. (Charles Co., MD Ct. and Land Records Q1:22)

   On 10 Mar. 1690, a balance from the estate of 8893 lbs. tob. was divided between

   the widow Susanna (1/3=2964 lbs.) and 5929 lbs. between Susanna, wife of

   Edward PHILPOTT, Elizabeth POSEY, Mary POSEY, Jane POSEY, Humphrey POSEY,

   and John POSEY for their "part and proportion of the remaining part of the

   sd: Estate." (Q1:24-26)

   Note that Humphrey and John were included in the distribution. The court

   record shows the that this distribution was to be divided among "the rest

   of his children," and did not include "two of his sons." The statement about

   "give unto two of his sons" (not "his two sons") also implies there were more

   than two sons. It is believed one of these would be Benjamin. The other

   probably died unmarried, and his share would have descended to his eldest

   brother Benjamin.

   Some researchers have placed Benjmain as a son of Francis and Elizabeth,

   rather than of John and Susanna. See John BELAINE's will. He had left

   half his estate to his wife and her children. The other court documents

   there show there were only two children of Francis and Elizabeth, those

   being Anne and John. Note also that John BAYNE in his 1700 will (MD Wills

   11:217) bequeathed 2 tracts bought of Benjamin POSEY, obtained by Jno.

   POSEY from Nicholas BELLAINE by deed. One of these was stated to be "Muddle's

   Branch." "Middle Branch" had been patented by John POSEY in 1682. For

   Benjamin POSEY to have obtained these tracts from John POSEY, it would be

   by having inherited them from John POSEY. John POSEY in 1673 purchased the

   tract "St. John's" from Thomas ALLANSON. This tract would also appear to have

   have descended to his son Benjamin. Benjamin's son John in his 1716 will

   left "St. John's" to his brother Francis. (Md Wills 14:270)

   Additionally, some researchers have listed the births of John, Benjamin, and

   Belaine, sons of this Benjamin and his wife Mary, widow of Nicholas BELAINE

   as various dates in the 1680s. Simply, that can not be. Mary by her first

   husband Nicholas BELAINE had two children whose births were recorded in the

   court records, Jemima 15 Mar. 1686 and Elizabeth 25 Feb. 1688. After her

   marriage to Benjamin POSEY, they had recorded the births of Susanna on

   1 June 1691 and Mary on 10 Oct. 1693. It was about this time that births

   stopped being recorded in the court records. Most likely John, Benjamin, and

   Belaine were born in the period from ca. 1695 to 1699.

   For John's three daughters that were unmarried when he died, the following is

   known. In 1720, John POSEY appealed to the court for better care of 3

   orphan relatives Cornish, former wards of John GRAY. Richard, John, and

   Elizabeth CORNISH were bound to Richard PRICE, William STONE, and Thomas

   ALLANSON, respectively. (Charles Co. Court and Deeds K2:71) These would

   be children of Edward CORNISH and wife Jane. Edward was deceased by 20 June

   1713 when Jane was administratrix. Her sureties were Humphrey POSEY, and

   Thomas AUSTEEN. (MD Test. Proc. 23:66, FHL 12935) That the 1720 record

   called the orphans relatives of John POSEY, and Jane CORNISH chose Humphrey POSEY

   (who would be her brother) and Thomas AUSTIN (who would be her step-father)

   as her sureties, the circumstantial evidence is strong that Jane, daughter of

   John POSEY, and Jane, wife of Edward CORNISH are identical.

   It can be proved that one daughter of John POSEY, married Charles ALLANSON

   (ALLISON). Charles ALLISON in his 1698 will, stated for his "father-in-law"

   Thomas ASTEN to be guardian of his son Thomas ALLISON. (MD Wills 7:393)

   Thomas AUSTIN would be his step father-in-law. In 1722 Thomas ALLANSON/

   ALLISON sold all his right in the tract "St. John" to Francis POSEY. (Deeds

   L2:21) This tract had been patented by Thomas' paternal grandfather Thomas

   ALLANSON, but sold to his maternal grandfather John POSEY. Thomas ALLISON's

   only right in this tract was by being the the only child of his mother, a daughter

   of John POSEY. When Thomas ALLISON died about 1733, John POSEY and Benjamin

   POSEY signed the inventory as next-of-kin. (Inv. 17:349) Note also that

   Thomas ALLISON was guardian in 1720 for Elizabeth CORNISH, who would be his

   cousin. Whether Thomas ALLISON married Elizabeth or Mary is unknown. Further

   records of both have not been found.

   It had been thought at one time that Mary DUNAWAY who in Nov. 1710 bound

   her son Richard WISE, age 10, unto Edward CORNISH until age 21, and her son

   Francis WISE, age 8, to Thomas AUSTIN until age 21, may have been indentical

   to John's daughter Mary. If it had been true Edward CORNISH would have been

   Mary's brother-in-law, and Thomas AUSTIN her step-father.

   It has been found that this Mary was actually the youngest daughter of

   Garrard BROWN, whose widow [Martha] secondly married Dr. John CORNISH.

   Mary first married Richard MARSHALL, second Richard WISE, and third Timothy

   DUNAWAY. John CORNISH and wife Martha were the parents of Edward CORNISH,

   making him a half-brother to that Mary.

   John POSEY and wife Susanna had children:

   1. Benjamin POSEY b. ca. 1668; m. Mary, widow of Nicholas BELAINE; he died

   before 1716 Charles Co., MD

   2. Susanna POSEY b. ca. 1670; m. Edward PHILPOTT ca. 1687

   3. Elizabeth POSEY b. ca. 1676; either she or sister Mary m. Charles ALLISON/ALLANSON)

   4. Mary POSEY b. ca. 1678

   5. Jane POSEY b. ca. 1681; m. Edward CORNISH; living 1713

   6. Humphrey POSEY b. 1 Feb. 1683 Charles Co., MD; m. Sarah; d. ca. 1718

   Charles Co., MD

   7. John POSEY b. 30 July 1685; m.1. Lydia (SHUTTLEWORTH) widow of Richard

   ROBINS; m.2. Elizabeth MADDOX; d. between 6 Jan. and 17 Feb. 1759 Charles Co., MD

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   Fredric Z. Saunders

   5186 S. Cobble Creek Rd. #6K

   Salt Lake City, UT 84117-6723

   Last revised: 30 Mar. 2001

   __________________

   It has been said that the Posey Family was

   descended from the French family POSCHET of Voyaux, Cambrai,

   France. This is incorrect. " . . the fairy tale claims of the

   POSEY family's POSCHET ancestry with a French family tree that

   is loaded with nobles of every degree. That fabricated tree,

   alleged to have counts and countesses and barons and baronesses

   scampering around in very bough, is known to even the French

   government as BOGUS . . ."

   Francis POSEY migrated to America when quite young. He came

   with William FERRAR Sr to Henrico County Virginia in 1636.

   Francis received land for his own transportation in Charles

   County, Maryland in 1640. From 1641 to 1649, Francis

   represented St Clements Hundred in the Maryland Assembly. He

   was a Burgess in from 1640 to 1654. He and John BELAINE had

   tracts Arthurs Hope, 700 acres and

   Posey or Batchelor, 450

   acres.

   Birth: 1615 in France

   Death: BEF 24 MAY 1654 in Charles County, Maryland

   Reference Number: In 1650 he demanded land in right of his wife, whom he bought

   of Mr FENWICK, whose servant she was, being for her

   transportation about seven years since.

   ____

   In Gust. Skordas' "Early Immigrants to Maryland", 1912, "Robert Holt, immigrated 1646 with wife and 4 children" (2, fol, 229, 550)

   Robert Holt was issued a land warrant to lay out 400 acres "in any place within this province southward of Patuxtent River". (Patents ABH.32) Edward (Edmund) Hudson was associated with Robert Holt and was living in the same household.

   Edward defaulted on a bond in 1650 and the court allowed Robert Holt to "attach his estate" for the cost. (p. 135)

   In the Maryland Archives continued (10-109/112): November 6, 1651: The St. Marys court heard depositions concerning domestic problems between Robert Holt and his wife, Dorothy Heywood Holt. Robert reported that Dorothy threatened to murder Him. A witness reported that he saw Dorothy and Edward Hudson "goe to bed together as if they were man and wife", with other witnesses stating the same thing. One witness stated that Dorothy "hoped her husband might rott limb from limbe" and that her "heart was soe hardened against him she would never darken his door again." She held resentment toward her son, Richard, stating that she hoped he would end his days on the gallows. As punishment, Edward Hudson was to be whipped and to live a least 30 miles from the Holts. Dorothy was to be whipped and live at least five miles from Robert, not with Edward Hudson.

   In "Crime and Punishment in Early Maryland", by R. Semmes, p. 184. This book recounts the above. It states further: "After hearing all the evidence, the court found Dorothy and Edward Hudson guilty of adultery. Hudson was sentenced to receive thirty lashes, while Dorothy was to be given fifty stripes. In order to prevent Edward from having further adultery with Dorothy , he was to leave St. Marys. If he returned without the permission of the Governor, he would receive another whipping. Dorothy was told that she must live at least five miles away from her husband's house, and if in the future she soiled his reputation by loose living, she would be severely whipped. After this sentence was pronounced, the court reversed itself. The judge told them if they made a humble submission, acknowledged their offense, asked for pardon and promised amendment, then the Governor might be willing to remit the punishment which the court had ordered. Dorothy and Robert would be allowed to live together as man and wife if they came to an agreement.

   On December 4, 1654, Robert and Dorothy divorced by clerk William Wilkinson, the clerk later denying that the divorce was granted.

   On January 28, 1657, Robert was married to Christian Bonnefield by William Wilkinson, clerk.

   On October 6, 1658, a jury heard charges of bigamy against Robert Holt, hearing that he married Christian Bonnefield "his owne wife Dorothy being then & yett living". Clerk Wilkinson testified as to the marriage but denied granting a divorce from his wife, Dorothy. The jury convicted him of bigamy, but Holt appealed and asked for a Protestant jury. (MD Archives 41-149/151, 228/230, 243/244.)

   In "Crime and Punishment", ibid., p. 205: ......................

   "Court and Testamentary Business, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland", Volume 3, p. 325. (1647) (Note: spellings, for the most part, are copied from original papers.)

   August 30th. This bill byndeth me Francis Posey hy heirs or assignes to pay or cause to be payed, unto Robert Holt or his assignes one thousand and thirty pounds of sound merchantable tobbaco in caske, and five barrells of good sound Indian corn, to be payed the tenth day of November next, ensuing the date hereof, likewise, I Francis Posey do bind my crop for his security, and am not to dispose of it untill the sayd Holt be satisfied. Witness my hand this eighteenth of March, one thousand six hundred and fowerty six. X Francis Posey.

   p. 330, 1647:

   Robert Holt complaineth against Cuthbert PHENICK gent in an action of damage to the value of 1030 pounds of tobbaco and caske by wrongfully attaching a crop of Francis Posy made over to him. 

Father: Miscellaneous Posey b: ABT 1600

Marriage 1 Ann Rodham? b: ABT 1630

Children

  1. Has Children ?XY... Posey

  2. Has Children Ann Posey b: ABT 1650

  3. Has Children Benjamin Posey b: ABT 1651

  4. Has Children John Posey b: 20 JUL 1652

  5. Has Children Susannah Posey

  6. Has No Children Elizabeth Posey

  7. Has Children Mary Posey b: ABT 1665

  8. Has No Children Jane? Posey

  9. Has No Children Humphrey Posey