Margaret Druett

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sherwood-477

Margaret's estimated birth date and place appear to be based on the same information entered on the profile of husband, Richard Williamson. Additional research needs to be done to confirm her last name at birth, birth date and place.

Margaret's death date is unconfirmed. The Margaret who was the wife of Richard Williamson was known to be living in 1659 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.[1]

Birth

No record of Margaret's birth has been located. The other children of her purported parents, Richard Sherwood and Margaret Baldwin, were all born in Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England. Their christening dates, with parents named Richard Sherwood and Margaret _____, are all found in records. It is not confirmed that Margaret is their daughter.

Marriage & Children

A Margaret was the wife of Richard Williamson and they married about about 1620 in England. known children include:[1]

1. Richard Williamson
2. James Williamson, 1621-1656
3. John Williamson
4. Dr. Robert Williamson, 1625-1670
5. Henry Williamson

It is documented that Margaret was Richard's wife, what is uncertain is her last name at birth. Some sources give her surname as Sherwood, some as Brown.

Margaret is named as widow and administrator of the estate of Richard Williamson, deceased, in a land transaction dated 21 September 1655.

John Druett and wife Margaret, formerly widow of Richard Williamson dec. and admr. of his estate sell to Thomas Elmes land conveyed to said Margaret by George Brown and Elizabeth his wife 21 Sept. 1655 situated north east side Indian Field in Upper Parish [Isle of Wight, VA] containing 60 poles square to marked trees of the mile end of land some time belonging to Richard Bennett, Esq. By order of Council 24 Mrch 1654 to said Elmes. Rec. 2 Aug. 1659. Teste, Wm. Dawson, Wm. Lewer.[1]

Disputed Origins

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sherwood-477

No record of Margaret's birth has been located. The other children of her purported parents, Richard Sherwood and Margaret Baldwin, were all born in Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England. Their christening dates, with parents named Richard Sherwood and Margaret _____, are all found in records. It is not confirmed that Margaret is their daughter.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Williamson-1223

There is disagreement as to the surname of Richard's wife.

Margaret Brown

Some sources say she was Margaret Brown. This is based solely on one land transaction -- land conveyed to her by George Brown and Elizabeth his wife. The assumption is that she must have been their daughter or they would not have conveyed land to her. This assumption is not really supported. She could be a relative or friend, although not daughter. This transaction does not confirm Richard's wife was Margaret Brown.

John Druett and wife Margaret, formerly widow of Richard Williamson dec. and admr. of his estate sell to Thomas Elmes land conveyed to said Margaret by George Brown and Elizabeth his wife 21 Sept. 1655 situated north east side Indian Field in Upper Parish [Isle of Wight, VA] containing 60 poles square to marked trees of the mile end of land some time belonging to Richard Bennett, Esq. By order of Council 24 Mrch 1654 to said Elmes. Rec. 2 Aug. 1659. Teste, Wm. Dawson, Wm. Lewer.[5]
Margaret Sherwood

The only sources cited to support Richard's wife as Margaret Sherwood are based on circumstantial information. Since Richard named his home Cobham Hall, a relationship to the Williamsons of Cobham Hall, Kent, England, including Sir Joseph Williamson (born 1630-1633), is assumed. It is surmised that Richard was Sir Joseph's uncle.[2] However, Sir Joseph's father, Rev. Joseph Williamson, Vicar of Bridekirk from 1625 to 1634, is known to have had only one other son, George Williamson. And to complicate the question, this profile maintains Richard is the son of Robert Williamson, not the Rev. Joseph Williamson. If his father is Robert Williamson, Richard could not be the uncle of Sir Joseph Williamson of Cobham Hall. It is entirely possible there was a familial connection, but that connection is unknown and unsupported. Another kinsman, John Williamson (b 1687), settled in Surry County Virginia, and built another "Cobham Hall."[6]

The next chain in the relationship is the supposition that Margaret Sherwood was the sister of Judge William Sherwood who served, as a young man, in the London office of Sir Joseph Williamson. There is no evidence that Judge William Sherwood had a sister Margaret. The author of this text states: "(Unfortunately, the author has no proof of the information in this paragraph.)[6]

Margaret Unknown

I do not feel either of the above assumptions is proven. There is no confirmed documentation for the last name at birth of Richard's wife Margaret. It is my suggestion that the two profiles -- Margaret (Brown) Druett and Margaret (Sherwood) Williamson -- should be merged and Margaret's LNAB be changed to Unknown. Unless someone comes up with confirmed documentation to support one specific LNAB. (Shirley Dalton 18:55, 7 June 2021 (UTC))

concerns

This Margaret resembles wife of Richard Jarratt. Are they supposed to be the same person? Further research is warranted.

notes

Date of death might specifically be 1670.

comments

Date and place of death have also been (erroneously?) reported to be August 2, 1659 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

Date and place of marriage to Sir Richard Williamson have also been erroneously reported to be 1618 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

links

• http://myriddellfamilytree.x10host.com/index.php/sherwood-margaret/
• http://www.deuteronomyandmary.com/getperson.php?personID=I10726&tre...
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/discussions/LY2C-W66
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sherwood-477 cites
• Seventheenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie. Pgs 527/528 (Screens 17/18 on FamilySearch.org) John Druett
• Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie pgs 527/528 (Screens 17/18 on FamilySearch.org) "Richard Williamson"
• Williamson Family on FamilySearch.org
• "Margaret Druett"