44. Capt. JOHN KNOWLER (KNOWLES) * (JOHN KNOWLER (KNOWLES), ROBERT KNOWLER , GEORGE, ROBERT, THOMAS (III), THOMAS (II), THOMAS (I), JOHN) was born about 1631/1635. He died 1676 in Henrico Co, VA.     [most often referred to as “Knowles”]

He was an Early settler of Jamestown VA

Family

Son of JOHN KNOWLER (KNOWLES) of Hearne (died 1655) & Mary Brodnax

We do not know the name of John’s wife.

Children

• 60 F i. Bethenia * KNOWLER (KNOWLES) was born Mar 1669 and died before Mar 1711.   Married WILLIAM GILES (GYLES]
• 61 M ii. William KNOWLER (KNOWLES) (probably died young).    Mentioned in his fathers will:   I give and bequeath to my son Wm. Knowles all the rest of my lands, tenements, herediments, all appurtenances and emoluments whatever and any ways appertaining or belonging to him and his heirs for ever.

John Knowles was the son of JOHN KNOWLER (KNOWLES) of Hearne (died 1655) & Mary Brodnax

"We do not know the name of John’s wife."

Do not confuse with her mother in law! Mary (Brodnax) Knowler

"April 2014: it appears Mary (Brodnax) Knowles was the daughter of Thomas Brodnax (d 1658) & Elizabeth Taylor. She married John Knowler & their children included Capt John Knowles of Henrico, the father of Bethania Knowles."

Final settlement of estate, 23 Feb 1677, Henrico County, VA

The Will of Capt. John Knowles:

(The edge of the paper was crumbled):

• In the name of God Amen Feb 5 1675 I John Knowles of Hen' County in Virginia gent though ____ and weake yet of perfect and sound memory blessed and praised be almighty God doe make, ordaine constitute and appoint this my last will and Testament in manner and form following viz.
• First I give my soul to God, hoping through the merits and mediation of my ever blessed Saviour Jesus Christ to obtain pardon and remission of all my sins and to inherit life everlasting. I order my body to ye earth from whence it came to bee decently buryed at ye direction of my executors and for ____ worldly goodes it hath pleased God to blesse me with I geve and bequeath as followeth:
• 1st I give and bequeath all my track of land adjoining on ye Woods? end and now in possession of Jno Partridge confirming by estimation about eight hundred acres to my dear daughter Bethenia Knowles to her and heirs forever.
• 2d. I give and bequeath to my son Wm. Knowles all the rest of my lands, tenements, herediments, all appurtenances and emoluments whatever and any ways appertaining or belonging to him and his heirs for ever.
• 3d. I give and bequeath all my present estate consisting a slave?, servants, cattell, horses, household, debts (and after my debts and funeral expenses once discharged) to be equally divided between my son William and Daughter Bethenia (line lost here in copying) to whom I commit the guardianship and tutelage of my dear children and the care and benefits of my lands to maintain my child till they shall come to age and I hearby desire my executors to be careful of my dear children as they may expect the like to theirs.
• Lastly I constitute this to be my last will and testament hereby forever revoking all former whether written or verball wills by me at any time heretofore made. In witness to ye ____ I have hereto set my hand and Seale the day and year before specifyed . /s/ Jno Knowles. Signed Seald and delivered as his last will and testament in ye presence of us.
• Jno his IB mark Burton Junr
• Robt his RB mark Burton Proved in court 1st June 1676 by the ____of Robert Burton
• Witnesses to the same As endorsed ____ the records of this county court of Henrico this first day of June 1676 /s/ Wm Randolph
• An abstract of wills by Benjamin B. Weisiger III shows the Executors appointed were loving friends Capt. Henry Isham and William Byrd.

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Henrico County, VA Court Records 1712

Richard Saywell, lessee of John Giles, plaintiff and Christopher Branch and Anne his wife, defendants, LB 100 damage claimed by reason of the defendants ejecting the plaintiffe from 125 acres of arable land, 125 acres of meadow and 125 acres of pasture, in the County and Parish of Henrico which John Giles devised for a term that is not yet past. A jury was sworn at last court and verdict now is as follows:

In case above, it will be found by order of Henrico Court, dated 1 Sep 1642 that Matthew Gough sold to William Cox and Isaac Hutchins and their heirs, 250 acres, bounded by the Falling Creek and extending north along the river. We find a deed, dated 1 August 1668 in which Thomas Cox did assign and surrender his right and Interest due unto him, to Mr. John Knowles. He was son and heir of William Cox, decd. Secondly, we find by Henry Sherman's deed with warranty to John Knowles for 125 acres, bounded and lying as appears by said deed dated 5 April 1671, Thirdly, we find that on 1 Oct 1683 Sicily Sherman, wife of Henry Sherman of this county, by her attorney, John Crowley, did relinquish her dower right in land sold by her husband to John Knowles. Finally we find that the land was in possession of Henry Sherman, William Cox and Isaac Hutchins and that Cox Hutchins made a division before their deaths of said land, and that Thomas Cox, son of William, sold the land in dispute to Capt John Knowles and received pay; and he (Knowles) died in possession of said land and left two children, Bethenia and William, and William died a child. Bethenia was married to William Giles, and that their said children wherof John Giles was the eldest, and that Bethenia was not above 42 years of age at time of her death, and Mrs. Sherman was never in possession of land in dispute. We find that William Giles, and Bethenia his wife, when she was about 18, deeded 125 acres to John Crowley 28 Dec. 1685. We find by deposition that Bethenia was of full age, but we find on oath of three evidences she was not of full age. We find by will of Isaac Hutchins dated 23 February 1656 "I give to my son Robert Hutchins all my lands when he be of full age, provided my wife Siclly Hutchins have for her maintenance 1/2 the land for her life, but if my son dies under age, then to my wife forever." We find that Henry Sherman and Sicily his wife by deed 29 Dec 1686 grant to their beloved daughter Anne, wife of John Crowley a certain tract called "Gardners" upon Cox Run, 125 acres. We find that John Crowley by will dated 9 Oct 1686 gives to his wife Anne Carowley all his land. We find by oath of Thomas Branch that Anne Crowley is now wife of Christopher Branch and she was daughter of afroesaid Sicily Sherman. Court finds that defendants have right to the land Plaintiff appeals to next General Court.

origins

He may be the son of Robert Knowles and Susannah Porduge. More research is needed.

Comments April 2014

From http://oursoutherncousins.com/knowler-knowles2.html

ROBERT Knowler married Susan PORDAGE daughter of Robert PORDAGE, on Sept 21 or Oct 6, 1596 in Chislet. Susan died 1631 and was buried in The Church of Herne, South Chantry Chapel ( "Knowler Chapel"), in Kent, England.

Children include

• 8. John Knowler b: Aug 1597 in Hearn, Kent

Capt John is estimated b 1612. Therefore disconnected from these parents April 2014

Sources

• Our Southern Cousins site
• http://www.genfan.com/getperson.php?personID=I32576&tree=MASTER