Mary Bernard

Mary Beheathland

• Born about 1617
• Died after 1651 in Virginia
• Daughter of Robert Beheathland and Mary
• Wife of Thomas Bernard — married 1631 in Warwick County, Virginia
• Mother of Beheathland (Bernard) Gilson

Origins

"Robert Beheathland is designated an “Original Planter” of the Jamestown Colony. His descendants can claim ancestry from one of the very first European families of this nation. Of the 105 or so colonists to land and stake claim to Virginia soil in 1607, it appears that only Beheathland lived long enough to have descendants who survived into the modern era."

Family

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bernard-107

Thomas appears to have immigrated to the Virginia colony about 1631. He is listed as sponsored by John George in 1638 to Charles City in Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666 by George Cabell Greer. An entry in Nugent records the grant of acreage to John George dated 25 July 1638 at Charles City; among those transported was Thomas Bernard.[1] Subsequent land grants record the grants of land to Thomas Bernard in 1637, 1641 and 1645. Included in the 1641 grant is a reference to a prior grant of 24 February 1631, which indicates an arrival date for Thomas in Virginia probably about 1630.

Capt. Thomas Bernard is listed as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from Warwick County in 1642, 1644, 1645.

The only marriage for which there is documentation is that of Thomas Bernard to Mary Beheathland about 1631 in Warwick County, Virginia colony. Capt. Thomas Bernard is said to have married Mary Beheathland in Adventures of Purse and Person Virginia, 1607-1625 by Annie Jester. He is also said to have owned land in 1631 in the area which later became Warwick County. Thomas Bernard served as a member of the House of Burgesses from Warwick, 1644-45 and was deceased by 10 November 1651, the date of the nuncupative will of Robert Nickolson of London, merchant, who made a bequest to "Mrs. Mary Bernard of Warwick River widdowe and to her daughters" and mentioned "Mistress Beheathland Bernard daughter to Mrs. Mary Bernard of Warwick River widdow." [3]

One child Beheathland Bernard , born about 1635 in Warwick River County, and married to first Francis Dade and second Andrew Gilson, is attached to these parents. Based on the entry above, Thomas and Mary had more than one daughter, but we do not have the confirmed names of any additional children.

Origins

Robert Beheathland of Cornwall & Jamestown is the earliest documented colonial immigrant ancestor to the Virginia colony, with descendants living today. He was survived by two daughters; therefore, his surname is not well known. Scion of a wealthy mining family, Captain Beheathland brought sheet copper for the 1607 Virginia expedition for trade with the Indians. He is the only man on the original three ships to have documented descendants living today."[1]

The surname of his wife, Mary, is not known. Some claim she was Mary Nicholson but there is no documentation to support that. The widow, Mary Beheathland, married second, Lieut. Thomas Flint of Warwick County, Virginia. [10].

The three children of Mary and Robert Beheathland were:

1. Dorothy born in England or Virginia in 1612 or 1613. In Nov 1628 she is listed in Virginia court records as the step-daughter of Lt Thomas Flint living in Elizabeth city.
2. Mary was born in 1614 or 1615. About 1631 she married Captain Thomas Bernard of Warwick county. They had a daughter named Beheathland Bernard who married 1st to Francis Dade, alias Major John Smith and married 2nd to Major Andrew Gibson.
3. John was born in 1616 or 1617. He wrote his will in 1636 saying he was on the way to Virginia and the administration of his estate was granted in Oct 1639 to his cousin Charles Beheathland, who stated "John and died abroad, unmarried.

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Research Notes

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Beheathland-1

"Robert Beheathland of Cornwall & Jamestown is the earliest documented colonial immigrant ancestor to the Virginia colony, with descendants living today. He was survived by two daughters; therefore, his surname is not well known. Scion of a wealthy mining family, Captain Beheathland brought sheet copper for the 1607 Virginia expedition for trade with the Indians. He is the only man on the original three ships to have documented descendants living today."[1]

"Until recently it was believed that one other original Jamestown colonist – William Spence(r) – also survived to marry and have descendants. There is a great deal of debate raging among historians, archeologists, and genealogists as to whether Spence’s descendants actually survived. Initially William Spence (no “r”), who arrived on the Susan Constant in 1607, was confused with William Spencer, who arrived aboard the Sarah in 1611. Spencer’s family has survived – that is not in question. However, he is not considered an “Original Planter”. It appears now that William Spence (no “r”, who arrived on the Susan Constant in 1607) and his wife were killed by natives during the Anglo-Powhatan war. Their 3 year-old daughter Sarah was left an orphan with no further indication of her survival past the single court record appointing a guardian for her in 1624. Given this new information it appears that only Beheathland’s descendants can, with any certainty, claim “first family” status." [2][13]

References

• CH Jones, Robert Beheathland – Jamestowne First Family Founder and Sole Survivor https://stumblingintheshadowsofgiants.wordpress.com/2014/08/11/robe...
• Gray, Violet Noland. Genealogical History of Robert Beheathland. Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, 1978. Dorman, John Frederick;Virginia M. Meyer. Adventurers of Purse and Person 1607-1624/5. Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press, Inc., 198
• John Bailey Calvert Nicklin. “Descendants of Captain Robert Behethland of Jamestown.” The William and Mary Quarterly 9, no. 1 (1929): 60–63. https://doi.org/10.2307/1920378 (Jan., 1929), p. 60