Capt. Thomas Graves, Gent.

From the Graves Family Association page covering ongoing research into the Graves family history:

http://www.gravesfa.org/research.html

CAPT. THOMAS GRAVES OF VA, ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS

WHAT IS KNOWN:

Not only is Capt. Thomas Graves of VA the first settler with the Graves surname in America, but he is also believed to be the immigrant ancestor of many Graves descendants in America. Capt. Thomas Graves was probably born about 1580, in England or Ireland, and arrived in Jamestown, VA in 1608. He was recorded as from Dublin, Ireland, in 1608, but was perhaps originally from the vicinity of London, England. His wife is believed to have been Katherine Croshaw (or Crosher), possibly daughter or sister of Raleigh Croshaw.

From the will of William Crashawe, PCC 97 Hale, 1 Nov. 1621, proved 6 Oct. 1626, as published in Virginia Settlers and English Adventurers, by Currer-Briggs: "William Crashaw, Bachelor in Divinity, Preacher of God's Word first in Bridlington, then at Beverley in Yorkshire, afterwards at the Temple, since then Pastor of the Church of Agnes Burton in the Diocese of York, now pastor of that too great parish of Whitechapel in the suburbs of London... (indicates he is married, and then bequeaths books to many libraries in Cambridge, London, Ireland, and Yorkshire, etc.) ... To the parish church of Hausworth in Yorkshire where I was born ... To my brother Thomas all my civil law books he hath not and 20 (pounds) to bestow on a fair Bible for my sister his wife." The will goes on to list other relatives and also mentions Sir Edwyn Sandys and others involved with the Virginia Company of London. It is possible that this may refer to Thomas Graves married to William's sister Katherine Crashaw.

It is possible that Capt. Thomas Graves studied law and was a barrister. Note the bequeathing of law books "to my brother Thomas" in the will of William Crashawe.

Articles about the Croshaw family in the Graves Family Newsletter (pages 52-54, 1995, and page 81, 1994) are pertinent. They state that Capt. Raleigh Croshaw arrived in Oct. 1608 in Jamestown, VA with Capt. Thomas Graves. One of his sons, Joseph Croshaw, was a barrister, believed to have been trained in England, and apparently his father, Capt. Raleigh Croshaw, also had been a barrister there before he emigrated. A search for a barrister named Thomas Graves in England might be helpful.

In spite of much research over many years, this family has been shown to be the most difficult of any major Graves family to accurately define. The amount of new information gathered from our DNA study has been of tremendous value in giving us a much better understanding of the structure of the family of Capt. Thomas Graves of VA than we could ever have gotten by traditional research alone. However, many of us have been surprised and puzzled by the discovery that the descendants of Capt. Thomas Graves are apparently actually descended from a total of 3 or 4 immigrant ancestors, not just one.

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See the chart summary of this family: http://www.gravesfa.org/charts.html#Capt

and especially the discussion of the rationale for the several groups http://www.gravesfa.org/gen169groups.html

and the chart. http://www.gravesfa.org/chart169-changes.pdf

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One question that needs answering is how this can be. A second question is, assuming this is correct, which of the 3 or 4 immigrants was Capt. Thomas Graves.

The four apparent lines are:

• Thomas1, John2, Ralph3, Ralph4
• Thomas1, John2, Thomas3, John4
• Thomas1, Thomas2, Thomas3, John4, John5
• Thomas1, Francis2

With the first 3 lines, the generations at the end (that is, the 4th generation for the first two and the 5th for the third) are the earliest ancestor in that line for whom the DNA result has been confirmed by finding at least two descendants for whom this is the common ancestor. For Francis Graves, we do not have even a solid common ancestor that far back (only back to generation 6). Note: The results of the Graves DNA Study indicate that Francis was a son of another Graves immigrant, see profile.

Adventurers of Purse and Person, 4th edition, 2005, does not seem to support the conclusion that there were 3 or 4 separate immigrant ancestors of the descendants traditionally attributed to Capt. Thomas Graves.

Possible explanations for the surprising results from DNA testing and the lack of agreement with Adventurers of Purse and Person are:

• (1) male descendants of only one of the sons of Capt. Thomas Graves survived and had male children,
• (2) there were events such as adoptions or children fathered by non-Graves men, causing lines of descendants that didn't have the DNA of Capt. Thomas Graves, or
• (3) this book and previous researchers are wrong and have included people who are not really descendants.

The first option is a definite possibility, but the second option is extremely unlikely. That is because 3 of the 4 lines exactly match known Graves lines. The likelihood of a Graves couple adopting an unrelated Graves child, or of a Graves man fathering a child by the wife of an unrelated Graves man, seems remote. Option 3 is at least part of the problem; even with the best research, when documentation is incomplete there is a tendency to rely on less rigorous proof.

RESEARCH ALREADY DONE:

The ancestry of Capt. Thomas Graves has been given variously be different people. Some of the more common claims (none with credible evidence) are:

According to Mr. Jefferson James Graves of Ross, California (in a paper dated 1938, filed as a transcript in the Filson Club, Louisville, KY), Capt. Thomas Graves was the second son of John Graves, Jr., Mayor of Hull (the commonly-used name for Kingston upon Hull), England in 1598, who was a son of John Graves, Lord Mayor of York, England in 1570. That John Graves was a son of Hugh Graves, son of Robert Graves of Cleckheaton. According to Jefferson J. Graves, the sons of John Graves, Jr. were Hugh, Thomas, Benjamin and John. This ancestral line is that of the Graves family of Yorkshire and Mickleton Manor (genealogy 68).

Mr. Ken Smallbone of Basingstoke, Hants, England, a researcher I hired in 1996, conducted a search of wills at the Borthwick Institute, York. Among other documents, he found the wills of Hugh Graves of York (will proved 1589) and of John Graves of Kingston on Hull (will proved 1615), and an administration for the estate of Thomas Graves of Kingston on Hull (granted to his widow Margaret in 1627). The conclusion is that this cannot be Capt. Thomas Graves, since Thomas of Hull inherited considerable property in England, his wife was not named Katherine, and he had died by 1627 (rather than 1635-36 for Capt. Thomas Graves).

According to various contributors to the LDS Ancestral File and elsewhere, his parents were Thomas Graves (b.c. 1556 of Lamborne, Berkshire, England) and Joan Blagrove (b.c. 1560, of Lamborne, daughter of Thomas Blagrove and Joan Bellame). Various spellings of the place have been used, and there is a Lambourn in Berkshire, west of London, between Reading and Swindon.

I contacted all those who provided this ancestry, and was not able to obtain any substantiation from anyone. Mrs. Jean Wall did a limited search in Salt Lake City and was not able to either substantiate or disprove this ancestry. She did find a Blagrove genealogy book there. It showed a Thomas Blagrove and Joan Bellame with children John and Mary. No mention of a Thomas Graves marrying a Joan Blagrove was on the chart.

However, John Blagrove was shown with wife Joane. According to James Lawler: "The will of Thomas Graves (wife Joan) (Blagrove from marriage license) with child son Thomas is extant."

But this will has been neither found nor examined. I also hired genealogist Neil D. Thompson of Salt Lake City to investigate this possible ancestry; he was not able to find any substantiation.

Another unsupported source gives his father as Capt. Henry Graves.

Another unsupported source said he was descended from the Greaves family of Beeley, Derbyshire (genealogy 228).

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The Historic Jamestowne website:

www.historicjamestowne/biographies/

gives a possible place and date of birth as Feb. 9, 1587 in Leeds, Yorkshire. There is a reference on the LDS website to this event on film 170475, with father as Edward Graves. No evidence is given to support this Thomas being the same person as the 1608 settler.

WHAT IS NEEDED:

1. DNA tests are needed on other direct male lines from generations 2 and 3 of the first 3 lines. For Francis Graves, DNA tests are needed on other direct male lines to get back to generations 2 or 3. To see which lines have already been tested and which lines need participating descendants, look at the charts for Capt. Thomas Graves http://www.gravesfa.org/charts.html#Capt

or the chart for Francis Graves

http://www.gravesfa.org/chart220.pdf

(which has been separated from the Capt. Thomas Graves genealogy and charts).

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2. The records should be searched to find the basis for the claim that Capt. Thomas Graves was a son of Thomas Graves and Joan Blagrove of Lamborne, Berkshire, England. Although research has already found there is no merit to this claim, it has been so widely disseminated that more evidence to support or disprove it needs to be provided.

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3. Three of the four lines match families found in England. The first line matches with genealogies 168, 65, etc., and is known to have come from the area around Hertford, England. Line 2 matches with genealogy 47 from Northamptonshire. Line 4 (Francis Graves) matches with genealogies 28, 28A, 228, etc., from London, Derbyshire, etc. These families need to be researched in England, with the hope that the connection with America may be found by this research.

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4. There are lines from Capt. Thomas Graves that have been shown by DNA analysis to be in the wrong place. These include: sample 1354, which belongs with Thomas2 and not Ralph3; sample 15646, which belongs with Francis (gen. 220) and not John2, Thomas3; and sample 3699, which belongs with John2, Thomas3. Research is needed to find the correct connection for these lines.

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5. There are family groups that have been shown by DNA analysis to be descended from specific parts of the Capt. Thomas Graves family, but the exact connection has not yet been found. These include genealogies 172, 443, 741, 877, and 935, all related to the family from Whitfield, Northamptonshire. More information on this group of families is available.

http://www.gravesfa.org/charts.html#Whitfield

Research is needed to find the connections.

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6. The descendants of Thomas2 Graves, son of Capt. Thomas Graves, are very incompletely known and proven, as shown on the complete chart of known male descendants.

http://www.gravesfa.org/chart169-Thomas2.pdf

Traditional genealogical research needs to be done on this part of the family, followed by DNA testing of descendants to confirm the relationships.

We need volunteers to organize and oversee this research. We also need money to hire people to do some of the research. With the clues we now have, I am confident that this effort will produce the results we want if we are willing to do what is required to make it happen. Let me know if you are willing to help.

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From Melissa Thompson Alexander's page on Thomas Graves: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=madagtene...

ID: I26910

Name: Thomas * GRAVES

• Sex: M
• Birth: 1 APR 1584 in Lambourne, Berkshire, England
• Death: 1635 in Accomack Co, VA

Fact: Original shareholder of the 1st Virginia Co, of London

Fact: Given title as 'Ancient Planter' bor those who came to VA before 1616

Fact: 1609 returned to England to mary and then returned to Jamestown 1617

Fact: BET 1629 AND 1632 Member House of Burgess for Accomac

Occ Planter

Migrated AUG 1619 Migrated to Eastern Shore (now part of Northampton Co)

•Religion: Episcopalean

•Immigration: 1608 To VA on the ship 'Mary & Margaret', the 2nd relief ship to the original Jamestown colony.

•Note: It is yet to be proven he is the son of Joseph Thomas Graves and Joan Blagrove (corroborated by the Graves Family Association above).

King James I of England, on April 10, 1606, granted letters patent (charter) to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hakluyt, Edward-Maria Winfield, Thomas Hanham, Raleigh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, in whose names the petition for the charter to the Virginia Company of London had been made, for the founding of two colonies in Virginia.

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

Unattributed assertion without citation:

Captain Thomas Graves arrived In Jamestown, Virginia on the second supply ship, the "Mary and Margaret", in October 1608. His line through the Eskridges has been proven.

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From the Graves Family Association:

http://www.gravesfa.org/gen169.htm#_ftnref75

CAPTAIN THOMAS GRAVES

1608 Settler of Jamestown, Virginia,

and His Descendants (ca. 1580-2008)

Thomas Graves (1), gentleman, arrived in Virginia in October of 1608, coming from England in the ship "Mary and Margaret" with Captain Christopher Newport's second supply. Thomas Graves was one of the original Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the very early Planters (settlers) who founded Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America. He was also the first known person named Graves in North America. Captain Thomas Graves is listed as one of the original Adventurers as "Thomas Grave" on page 364, Records of the Virginia Company of London, vol. IV. Although the Records of the Virginia Company state that in 1622 was granted "a patent to Thomas Graves of Doublin in the Realm of Ireland, gent.", this may be a clerical error. As stated in the original charter of the Virginia Co. of London, the first Adventurers to Virginia were to be from the city of London.

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Thomas Graves (1), gentleman, arrived in Virginia in October of 1608, coming from England in the ship "Mary and Margaret" with Captain Christopher Newport's second supply. Although John Card Graves (R‑915) states that Thomas was accompanied by his wife Katherine, sons John and Thomas, and eight others, including Henry Singleton and Thomas Edge, most other historians agree that he did not bring his wife and children over until later. It is likely that he did not even marry Katherine until 1610, and his first child was born about 1611.

Thomas Graves was one of the original Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the very early Planters (settlers) who founded Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America. He was also the first known person named Graves in North America. Captain Thomas Graves is listed as one of the original Adventurers as "Thomas Grave" on page 364, Records of the Virginia Company of London, vol. IV. Although the Records of the Virginia Company state that in 1622 was granted "a patent to Thomas Graves of Doublin in the Realm of Ireland, gent.", this may be a clerical error. As stated in the original charter of the Virginia Co. of London, the first Adventurers to Virginia were to be from the city of London.

King James I of England, on April 10, 1606, granted letters patent (charter) to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hakluyt, Edward-Maria Winfield, Thomas Hanham, Raleigh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, in whose names the petition for the charter to the Virginia Company of London had been made, for the founding of two colonies in Virginia.

In 1606 the name Virginia designated the North American coast north of Spanish Florida. The First Colony was to "begin their first plantation and place of their first sojourning and dwelling in any place along the aforesaid coast of Virginia or America where they thought it suitable and convenient, between the aforesaid thirty-four and forty-one degrees of the aforesaid latitude." The Second Colony was to locate at some point between thirty-eight degrees and forty-five degrees of northern latitude. (Rec. Va. Co., vol. IV, p. 368)

The First Colony (consisting of knights, gentlemen, merchants and others of the city of London) made a settlement at Jamestown on May 13, 1607, which became permanent. The Plymouth grantees (from the English cities of Bristol and Exeter, the town of Plymouth, and other places) established the Second Colony at Sagadagic (on the coast of what became Maine) in August 1607, but abandoned it in the spring of 1608.

On May 13, 1607, Captain Christopher Newport's fleet of three small ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed and the Discovery, with 105 colonists, reached the site of this first permanent English settlement, and called it James Towne. Captain Newport returned to Jamestown on Jan. 8, 1608 with the first supply in the John and Francis. The Phoenix, commanded by Captain Francis Nelson, which had sailed as part of the first supply, finally arrived on 20 April 1608. More than half the settlers died that first winter.

Captain Newport sailed again for England and arrived at Blackwell May 21, 1608. Capt. Nelson returned to England in the Phoenix early in July 1608, with requests from Virginia to be sent by the second supply. Capt. Newport left England in the Mary and Margaret, a ship of about 150 tons, with the second supply, probably in August of 1608. Many sources give the arrival date of this second supply as being early in October 1608. We do know that it was after Sept. 10, 1608.

A comparatively complete record, with the names, of the little band of first planters who came in 1607 and the two supplies of 1608 is given by Captain John Smith in his Historie. These three expeditions brought a total of about 295 people -- the first settlers numbering about 105, the first supply 120, and the second supply about 70. Of the whole number, 92 are described as "gentlemen."

Regarding the title of "Captain" which is attached to Thomas Graves in Virginia historical records, he had no such designation in the Charter of 1609 wherein all the Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company are listed, and is shown by Captain John Smith on his arrival in Virginia simply as "Thomas Graves, Gent." Thus it appears that he acquired the title of Captain after arriving in Virginia.

Thomas Graves early became active in the affairs of the infant colony. On an exploring expedition he was captured by the Indians and taken to Opechancanough. Thomas Savage, who had come to Virginia with the first supply on the John and Francis in 1608, was sent to rescue him, in which he was successful.

The winter of 1608-09 was much better than the previous winter, but soon after Capt. John Smith returned to England for medical treatment in October 1609, the "Starving Time" reduced the population of about 500 to no more than sixty men, women, and children. In June of 1610, the survivors were in the process of abandoning the settlement, when Lord Delaware arrived as governor of the colony. From that time on, there was apparently no further serious thought of abandoning the town. However, even by 1616, the colony had a total population of only 351, of whom 81 were farmers or tenants.

In 1617 the Virginia Company, hoping to expand population and agricultural production in the colony, encouraged private or voluntary associations organized on a joint stock basis to establish settlements in the area of the Company's patent. The Society of Smith's (or Smythe's) Hundred (later called Southampton Hundred) was organized in 1617. In addition to Captain Thomas Graves, the Adventurers included Sir Thomas Smith, Sir Edwin Sandys, and the Earl of Southampton. Soon after April 29, 1619, Governor Yeardley wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys: "I have entreated Capt. Graves, an antient officer of this company, to take charge of the people and workes."

Capt. Thomas Graves was a member of the First Legislative Assembly in America, and, with Mr. Walter Shelley, sat for Smythe's Hundred when they met at Jamestown on July 30, 1619. The time of Capt. Thomas Graves' removal to the Eastern Shore is not known. It was, however, after August 1619, since he was then a representative from Smythe's Hundred to the first meeting of the House of Burgesses. It was also prior to Feb. 16, 1623, for "A List of Names: of the Living in Virginia, Feb. 16, 1623" shows Thomas Graves "at the Eastern Shore". His patent for 200 acres on the Eastern Shore is of record 14 March 1628 (Patent Book No. 1, p. 72, Land Registrar's Office, Richmond, Va.). This land was in what was then known as Accomack, now a part of Northampton Co. It was granted by Dr. Thomas Pott, Governor of Virginia, and was on the eastern side of the Bay of Chesapeake, westerly of the lands of Capt. Henry Flute, an explorer of the Bay, "by virtue of the adventure of five and twenty pounds paid by the said Capt. Thomas Graves to Sir Thomas Smyth, Treasurer of the Virginia Company." He paid a "quit rent" of one shilling for fifty acres, payable at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29) each year on a part of his land.

In the census of February 1625, Capt. Thomas Graves was one of only 51 people then living on the Eastern Shore. He was put in charge of the direction of local affairs later in 1625. In Sept. 1632 he, with others, was appointed a Commissioner "for the Plantacon of Acchawmacke". He was one of the Burgesses to the Assembly, representing Accomack, for the 1629-30 session and the 1632 session. He attended many of the meetings of the Commissioners, but he was absent from Dec. 30, 1632/3 until Oct. 23, 1633/4. It appears that he was out of the country.

The old Hungars Episcopal Church is located about seven miles north of Eastville, on the north side of Hungars Creek. Hungars Parish was made soon after the county was established, and the first minister was Rev. Francis Bolton, who was succeeded by Rev. William Cotton. The first vestry was appointed in 1635. The first vestry meeting was on Sept. 29, 1635, at which Capt. Thomas Graves headed the list of those present. The first church edifice was erected in 1690-95 and was still standing around 1900, one of the oldest churches in the country. In addition to Capt. Thomas Graves, the other persons named by the court as vestrymen of Hungars Church were William Cotton, minister, Obedience Robins, John Howe, William Stone (first Protestant Governor of Maryland), William Burdett, William Andrews, John Wilkins, Alexander Mountray, Edward Drews, William Beniman and Stephen Charlton.

Captain Thomas Graves died between November 1635 when he was witness to a deed and 5 Jan. 1636 when suit was entered against a servant to Mrs. Graves (Adventurers of Purse and Person, pp. 188-189). His birth date is not known, but is believed to be about 1580. That would have made him only about 55 years of age at his death.

Very little is known about Katherine, wife of Capt. Thomas Graves. Her maiden name may have been Croshaw. (There was a Raleigh Chroshaw, Gent., who arrived with the second supply with Thomas Graves.) Just when she came to Virginia is not recorded. She and her children are not included in the 1625 census of the Eastern Shore, although Capt. Thomas Graves is. The patent granted to John Graves (son of Capt. Thomas Graves) on Aug. 9, 1637 states that the 600 acres granted to him in Elizabeth City was "due in right of descent from his father Thomas Graves, who transported at his own cost himself, Katherine Graves his wife, John Graves the patentee, and Thomas Graves, Jr., and 8 persons." (Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent.) The 50 acres assigned for each person transported shows they came after 1616. The other 8 persons transported did not include any members of Capt. Graves' family. The girls, Ann, Verlinda, and Katherine obviously came later, and Francis was born in Virginia. The last reference to Mrs. Graves shows her living at the Old Plantation, Accomack, as of May 20, 1636.

Since Captain Thomas Graves had been active in the affairs of Virginia from his arrival, the absence of any mention of him during certain periods indicate he had returned to England. This is also confirmed by patents issued to him and to others in which he is mentioned. Mrs. Hiden stated: "Even a cursory reading of Northampton (formerly Accomack) records reveals how frequent were the trips to England, Ireland, Holland, and New England" of those living on the Eastern Shore. Mrs. Hiden also stated (R‑909, p. 34): "We know from the land patents that Capt. Thomas Graves made several trips out of the country, to England presumably, and on one of his return voyages his family accompanied him."

Thomas Graves was probably unmarried when he arrived in Virginia in 1608. He was young, and adventure was probably the reason for his coming to Virginia. He was obviously educated, of some "social status" and financial means, and a leader.

It is likely that he returned to England, possibly in Oct. 1609, either on the same ship with Captain John Smith (who left Virginia for England for treatment of his wounds resulting from an explosion), or on one of the other seven ships which arrived in Virginia in August 1609. In that way he would have missed the "Starving Time" of the winter of 1609-10, which so few survived.

He may have then married in England in about 1610, fathered John Graves and Thomas Graves, remained in England for several years, and returned to Virginia prior to the formation of Smythe's Hundred in 1617, or possibly a little later. It is known that he was "entreated to take charge of the people and workes" at Smythe's Hundred in April 1619, and was there then.

Also, there is no record of his being in Virginia after the meeting of the Burgesses in July-August of 1619 until he is shown as living on the Eastern Shore in 1623. It seems reasonable that he was in England at the time of the Indian Massacre of March 1622, and upon returning to Virginia settled on the Eastern Shore where it was less perilous to live. The fact that he fathered three children, the first three girls, during this period certainly lends support to his being in England.

One of the most disputed issues regarding his children is the last one, Fra. Graves, who has been believed by some to be a son Francis and by others to be a daughter Frances. This child was originally said by genealogist William Montgomery Sweeny in a published article in 1935 (R‑906) to be a son of Capt. Thomas Graves. This was repeated by Mrs. P. W. Hiden in 1936 (R‑907). However, others provided evidence that the last child of Capt. Thomas Graves was a daughter, and that the male Francis Graves was a son of someone else unknown. After a thorough search and examination of the documentary evidence, it was decided that this last child of Thomas probably was a son, as explained in the Appendix at the end of this book. However, the results of the Graves DNA Study indicate that Francis was a son of another Graves immigrant, and the child of Capt. Thomas Graves was a daughter. Since the documentary evidence is ambiguous and the DNA evidence is conclusive, there is now no question that the youngest child of Capt. Thomas Graves was a daughter. As a result, the male Francis Graves and his descendants have been removed from this genealogy and placed in a separate genealogy 220. (R‑14, R‑901, R‑915)

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Arrived Jamestown, VAin October, 1608 aboard the Second Supply ship Mary & Margaret

Probably returned to England late in 1608

Married Katherine Crowshaw, probably in England in 1610

Returned to America, probably with his wife, prior to 1617

Captured by Indians, later rescued

Member of first legislative assembly in 1619

Moved to Eastern Shore prior to 1623

Member, House of Burgess, 1630 and 1632

In England 1633-4

First Vestryman of Hungars Episcopal Church 635

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Captain Thomas Graves was one of the founding fathers of the Jamestown Colony.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gaines/gen169.htm

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Immigration: 1607 Jamestown, James City, Virginia, United States

Occupation: He was one of the original stockholders of The Virginia Co. of London 1608. He was one of the founders of Jamestown and served on the First Legislative of America

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GEDCOM Source

@R1603696126@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=162402834&pi...

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GEDCOM Source

@R1153583285@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created. Ancestry Family Trees http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=12906625&pid...

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Thomas Graves (1584 - 1635) was one of the original Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the very early Planters (settlers) who founded Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America. He was also the first known person named Graves in North America. Captain Thomas Graves is listed as one of the original Adventurers as "Thomas Grave" on page 364, Records of the Virginia Company of London, vol. IV.

Graves arrived in Virginia in October 1608 on the ship Mary and Margaret with Captain Christopher Newport's second supply. He paid 25 pounds for two shares in the London Company and thereby was entitled to 200 acres (0.81 km2).

Captain Thomas Graves settled at Smythe's Hundred, situated on the north shore of the James River ten miles from Jamestown. Governor George Yeardley placed Graves in charge of Smythe's Hundred on May 30, 1618, after one man killed another in a fight.[1]

Capt. Thomas Graves was a member of the First Legislative Assembly in America, and, with Mr. Walter Shelley, sat for Smythe's Hundred when they met at Jamestown, Virginia on July 30, 1619.[2] His name appears on a monument to the first House of Burgesses which stands at Jamestown today.

Smythe's Hundred was abandoned after the Indian uprising of 1622. The next record of Captain Graves showed him living on the Eastern Shore of Virginia by February 16, 1624.[1]

On February 8, 1627, Captain Francis West, Governor of Virginia, ordered that Thomas Graves have a commission to command the Plantation at Accomac. Graves was the second Commander. As an "Ancient Planter" he received one of the first patents there on March 14, 1628, consisting of 200 acres (0.81 km2). He lived on Old Plantation Creek, now in Northampton County, Virginia, and served as Commissioner for Accomac Shire in 1629.

Captain Graves and three others represented the Eastern Shore in the Assembly of 1629-30. He served again as a burgess in 1632. Because he was designated as "Esquire" on January 6, 1635, he may have been a member of the Council.

Captain Thomas Graves, Esquire, was recorded as being a Justice at a court held for Accomac on April 13, 1635.

He died between November 1635, when he witnessed a deed, and January 5, 1635/6, when suit was entered for Mrs. Graves concerning theft by a servant. 

He was survived by his wife, Katherine, and six children: John, Thomas, Ann, Verlinda, Katherine and Francis.[3]

Francis Graves, long thought to be Capt. Thomas Graves' youngest child, has been shown by DNA analysis to NOT be his offspring (see www.gravesfa.org).

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GEDCOM Note

Came to Virginia with the second band of

Came to Virginia with the second band of settlers in 1608. he came on the Margaret and mary, was accomplained by his wife, Katherine, his three sons, and others.

GEDCOM Note

!Records: family group sheet David A. Ri

!Records: family group sheet David A. Richardson - Q 942.29 H2Vp259 etc. F32816 pt 1--=Parish Reg Lamborne, Brkshr, Engl. "NECCESARY EXPLANATIONS: The husband was Grove at chr and when hired by Massachusetts 1629 but was GRAVES in Winthrop diary also in Virginia in several records. Child #2 was endowed born abt 1587."

GEDCOM Note

Occupation

One of the original stockholders of The Virginia Co. of London 1608. He was one of the founders of Jamestown and served on the First Legislative of America, planter

GEDCOM Note

!From Southside Virginia Families by Bod

!From Southside Virginia Families by Boddie p. 203: Capt. Thomas Graves came to VA in 1608 and represented Smythe's Hundred in the first general assembly of Virginia in 1619. He was Burgess from Accomac in 1630 and 1632, and a member of the Council 1635-36. His son John patented 600 acres in Accomac Aug 9, 1637, "due by descent from my father, Thomas Graves, who transported at his own costs, his wife, 2 sons and 8 persons," among whom were Katherine Graves, John and Thomas Graves. Francis Graves was a third son as he was described as "an orphan of Capt. Thomas Graves" in 1642. Besides these sons, he had daughters Verlinda, who Md. Gov. Wm. Stone of Maryland, and Anne, who md. the Rev. William Cotton of Hungars Parish, Accomac. !From The Graves Family of York Co. by Mrs. F. W. Hiden: The placement of Katherine as a Graves is based on the following: William Cotton in his will appoints his beloved friends and brethren in law, William Stone and William Roper to be overseers, and Capt. Stone, in his will, mentions Bro. Sprigg showing that both testators were brothers in law through Katherine. After Katherine's second marriage, the Spriggs removed to Maryland. !One narrative on Captain Thomas Graves stated: !Captain Thomas Graves arrived on Virginia Shores aboard the Mary and Margaret, Captain Christopher Newport, in 1608. His wife, Katherine, later arrived with their two sons, John and Thomas Graves, Jr. His name is familiar to students of early Virginia history as an active participant in the affairs of the Jamestown colony as well as exploring with Captain John Smith. On one occasion, while on an exploring expedition with Smith, he was captured by the Indians and taken to Opechancanough's town where he was held for ransom. Thomas Savage was sent by Smith to recover Graves and in this he was successful. Before he was able to secure Graves' release Savage and three others offered to right thirteen of the Indians at once, but the latter declined the challenge. !Governor Yardley wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys sometime after April 29, 1619, regarding affairs at Smyth's Hundred between Capt. William Epes, Commander and Capt. Stallings in which the latter was slain and the former placed under arrest, and states, "I have entreated Captain Graves, an antient officer of this company to take charge of the people and the workes." (The Records of the London Company of Virginia, III, 121.) !Graves, a member of the Virginia Company, transported 100 persons to Virginia and accordingly was allowed a patent for land 20 Nov 1622. He received a grant for 200 acres "on the Easterne side of the Shoare of the By of Chesepeacke and abutting Southerly on the Lane of Cap' Henry Fleet and recites that the land was due him "by virtue of an adventure." !Captain Graves was a member of the first Legislative Assembly in America meeting at Smyth's Hundred, Jamestown, July 30, 1619. He appointed Commander of the "Plantation of Accawmacke" by the General Courts 8 Feb 1627/8. He served as Burgess to the Assembly, 1630 and 1632, and was a member of the first Vestry of the parish, 14 September 1635. !Council and General Court minutes record the following account of Captain Graves: !Gilbert Peppett Sworne and Examined Sayeth that he asked Capt Graves why the Tobacco was so badd, to wch he replied it was the bst that he could gett, and that some of them said it was good enough to paye dewties, and that Mr. How asked Capt Graves how that Tobacco Cam to be so badd, he beinge so Curious in the takinge of hitt, Then Capt Graves brought in a bundle of good Tobacco about 30 or 40 waight, and said he paid that in him self for Mr. How and John Wilkins & This Examiner sayeth that he tooke exception against the rest of the Tobacco when he received it and said it would be burnt when it Cam to James Cytte. John How, Gent. sworne and exam sayeth, affrmeth that he hard Liut Peppett take exception against the Tobacco before it came abood and that he said it would be burnt when it cam upp to James Cyttie. (Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia, 46-47.) !A Court at James Citty the 11th of January, 1626: Capt John Martin sworne & examined sayeth taht about 4 yeeres agoe Mrs. Elizabeth Small[ey] being in England was as shee said, set on by ye Company, to deliver a petition to the king agst Sr Samuell Argoll to recover certain oxen of him wch hee had taken from her in Virginia, hee the said Sr Samuell Argoll did soe cleere himselfe that shee asked him forgiueness at my Lord of Warwickes house: And then afterwards Sr Samuell Argoll told her that the said oxen were in Virginia & noebody could tell her better where they were then Capt. Tho: Graues then liueing in Virginia. !Capt. Graves and Katherine made their seat at "Old Plantation." "It is ordered that Capt. Thomas Grayes shall hae a Commission to Comund the Plantation of Accawmacke." (Eastern Shore.) !Capt. Graves died between Nov 1635 when he was witness to a deed, and 5 Jan 1635/6 when suit was entered against a "servant to Mrs. Graves." Date of Katherine's death is unknown; however, she was living at Old Plantation, 20 May 1636. !Much has been written about Captain Graves. From a narrative entitled Captain Thomas Graves and Some of His Descendants by William Montgomery Sweeney (copyright 1935 by William Montgomery Sweeny, Astoria, NY) we learn: !Captain Graves was a member of the First Legislative Assembly in America and, with Mr. Walter Shelley, sat for Smythe's Hundred when they met at Jamestown July 30, 1619 (Va. Maga. of History, II, 60, 70; Brown: Genesis of the United States, II, 904; Meade: Old Churches & Ministers & Families of Virginia, I, 130.) We have a few details relating to the appearance of this first Virginia Assembly. They sat with their hats on, as in the English Commons, the members occupying 'the choir,' with the Governor and Council in the front seats. The Speaker, Master John Pory, with clerk and sergeant, faced them, and the s ession was opened with prayer by Mr. Bucke, after which the Burgesses took the oath of supremacy." (Cooke: Virginia, 115.) !In 1622 a Thomas Graves is recorded as receiving the following patent for land: !"At a Quarter Court held for Virginia in the forenoon the 20th Nov. 1622, the patente appointed to be drawne upp against this Court were read and compared and beinge found agreeable to the former presedentes were referred to the afternoone court confirmation Vizt: !52. A patent to Thomas Graves of Doublin in the Realme of Ireland, Gent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * all of which have undertaken to transport 100 persons a piece to Virginia." (Records of the Virginia Company, II, 132. Quoted by Alexander Brown in the First Republic in America.) !In 1623, Captain Thomas Graves was living in the Eastern Shore, as is recorded by Hotten: "Feby. 16, 1623. The Living in Virginia. At the Eastern Shore, Thomas Graves." (Hotten, 1, 188.) !A court at James Citty 8th ffebruary 1627. Present: Capt Francis West Esqr Gouernor &c., Doctor Pott Capt Mathewes Mr. Secretary Capt Tucker Mr. Ffarar, Comaund the Plantation of accawmacke. (Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia, 165.) !"By virtue of an adventure of five and twentie pounds" Captain Thomas Graves received a patent for 200 acres of land, located in the Eastern Shore. The document reads: !To all to whome these psents shall come I John Pott Esqe Gouvernr and Capt Generil of Virginia send greeting in or Lord God Everlasting whereas by the orders and constitutions formerly made and established for the affairs of this Colony it hath been ordered and apointed that all planters of what condition soever should be laid out and assigned to them according to the severall conditions in the same mentioned. Now know yee that I, the said John Pott, doo with the consent of the Councell of State, give and graunt unto Capt Thomas Graies an Antient planter and to h is heires and assignes for ever by these psents twoo hundred acres of land as his first divident and on a second division to be augmented and doubled to him and his said heires and assignes when hee or they shall sufficiently haue peopled and planted the land situate and lying on the Eastern side of the shoare of the bay of Chesepeiake and abutting southerly on the land of Capt Henry Fleete and thence extending northerly along the bankes by the water side one hundred poles westerly upon the said bay and easterly directly striking into the maine woods the said twoo hundred acres accruing by virtue of an Adventure of five and twentie pounds paid by the said Thomas Graves unto Sir Thomas Smith late Treasurer for the Company of Virginia, to have and to hold the said twoo hundred acres of land with the appurtenances and with his due share of all mines and mineralls there in contayned and with all rights and privileges of hunting, ffishing, ffowling and others within the premises and upon the borders of the same to the sole and express use benefitt and behoofe of him the said Thomas Graves his heires and asignes for ever in as large and ample manner to all intents and purposes as is expressed in the said orders and Constitutions or by Consequence may justly been collected out of the same or out of his Majties Letters Pattents whereupon they are grounded yeilding and paying for every fifty acres of land herein by these prsents given and graunted yearly at the feast of St. Michaell the Archangell the fee rent of one shilling provided alwaies that if the said Thomas Graies his heires or assignes doe not plante and seate upon the said lands within the time and course of three yeares now next ensuing the date hereof that then it shall and may be lawfull for any Adventurer or planter to make choice of and seat upon the same. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I, the said John Pott, have hereunto set my hand and the seale of the Colony the fourteenth day of March Anno Dom: one thousand six

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THOMAS GRAVES b 1584 BIOGRAPHY Biography

According to the Graves Family Association, no record of the marriage of Captain Thomas Graves has been found. He married a Katherine, whose last name may have been Croshaw[1

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Cool Facts

He was one of the original stockholders of The virginia Co. of London 1608. He was one of the founders of Jamestown and served on the First Legislative of America

Source: Capt. Thomas Graves, Gent.

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SIMMS FAMILY (of Virginia) Thomas born around 1702 probably Richmond Co., Va d between 21 Apr 1784 and 16 Jul 1785 in Culpeper Co., Va. m 30 Nov 1725 Richmond Co., Virginia Rebecca Petty ca 1705 Sittenbourne Parish, Richmond Co

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Thomas Graves Thomas Graves (1), gentleman, arrived in Virginia in October of 1608, coming from England in the ship "Mary and Margaret" with Captain Christopher Newport's second supply. Although John Card Graves (

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Representive

House of Burgess 1608 - Settled Jamestown Va

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Captain Thomas Graves was an "antient of

Captain Thomas Graves was an "antient officer" of the Virginia Company. He came to Virginia from London with the second band of settlers on the ship "Mary and Margaret" in 1608 and settled in Jamestown, Virginia. He made trips back and forth to England. After 1616, he brought his family over.

At one time, he was captured by Indians and was about to be slain when friends rescued him.

He settled on the Eastern Shore of Hungar's Creek (now Accomack and Northampton County, Virginia).

He was at the House of Burgess at Jamestown on July 30, 1619.
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LOTS of information on Thomas Graves at: http://www.gravesfa.org/gen169.htm
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The following information is from http://www.smsu.edu/contrib/BMS/county/graves.htm:

"My line descends from Captain Thomas Graves. The following information has absolutely nothing of mine that is original. All of it has been compiled from other researchers who have studied the early generations of Captain Thomas Graves. I have only tied into it and the information on Daniel and Mary "Polly" Spain Graves and the family of Narcissa Graves Harris is the only part of this that contains anything original of mine! There are numerous references to Captain Tom. Please visit the Graves Family Association for further information.

Thomas Graves was born April 1, 1584 in Beeley Parish, Derbyshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Graves and Joan Blagrove. Joan was the daughter of Thomas Blagrove and his wife Joan Bellame, who was the daughter of William Bellame of Lamborne, England. He came to American from London, England in 1607 or 1608 on the ship Mary and Margaret with Captain Christopher Newport in the Second Supply, which was the first relief to the original colony. Although conflicting reports exist, it is probable that he was not married to Katherine (Croshaw) at that time. He appears to have been young, educated, adventurous, and with some money. He was the first person named Graves in America. He returned to England in October of 1609, probably marrying Katherine at that time, returning in 1617 with sons John and Thomas.

Captain Thomas Graves was one of the original stockholders, or Adventurers, of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the very early planters who founded Jamestown, VA. He settled on the James River in James City County, Virginia. Thomas Graves early became active in the affairs of the infant colony. On an exploring expedition he was captured by the Indians and taken to Opechancanough where he was held for ransom. Thomas Savage, who had come to Virginia with the first supply on the John and Francis in 1608, was able to rescue him. He also held the title of "Ancient Planter" reserved for those who came to Virginia before 1616.

In 1617 the Virginia Company, hoping to expand population and agricultural production in the colony, encouraged private or voluntary associations organized on a joint stock basis to establish settlements in the area of the Company's patent. The Society of Smith's (or~Smythe's) Hundred (later called Southampton Hundred) was organized in 1617. Soon after April 29, 1619, Governor Yeardley wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys: "I have entreated Capt. Graves, an ancient officer of this company, to take charge of the people and workes". Capt. Thomas Graves was a member of the First Legislative Assembly in America and represented Smythe's Hundred in the House of Burgesses when they met at Jamestown July 30, 1619. The Records of the Virginia Company state that in 1622 was granted "a patent to Thomas Graves of Doublin in the Realm of Ireland, gent.."

Captain Tom moved to the Eastern Shore sometime after August 1619, since he was then a representative from Smythe's Hundred to the first meeting of the House of Burgesses, but before Feb 16, 1623, for "A List of Names of the Living in Virginia Feb. 1623" shows Thomas Graves "at the Eastern Shore". His patent for 200 acres on the Eastern Shore is recorded 14 March 1628 (Patent Book No. 1, p. 72, Land Registrar's 0ffice, Richmond, Va.). This land was in what was then known as Accomack, now a part of Northampton Co.It was granted by Dr. Thomas Pott, Governor of Virginia, and was on the eastern side of the Bay of Chesapeake, west of the lands of Capt Henry Flute, an explorer of the Bay, "by virtue of the adventure of five and twenty pounds paid by the said Capt.Thomas Graves to Sir Thomas Smyth, Treasure of the Virginia Company." He paid a "quit rent" of one shilling for fifty acres, payable at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept.29) each year on a part of his land.

Capt.Tom was one of only 51 people then living on the Eastern Shore in the census of February 1625. He was put in charge of the direction of local affairs later in 1625. In Sept. 1632 he was appointed as commissioner "for the Plantation of Acchawmacke". He was one of the Burgesses to the Assembly, representing Accomac, for the 1629-30 and 1632 session. He attended many of the meetings of the Commissioners, but he was absent from Dec 30, 1632/3 until Oct. 23, 1633/4 and it is widely believed he was out of the country.

Hungars Parish was made soon after the county was established, and the first minister was Rev. Francis Bolton, who was succeeded by Rev. William Cotton. The first vestry was appointed in 1635. The first vestry meeting was on Sept. 29, l635, and Capt. Tom headed the list of those present. Others, in addition to Capt. Thomas Graves, named by the court as vestrymen of Hungars Church were Minister William Cotton, Obedience Robins, John Howe, William Stone (first Protestant Governor of Maryland), William Burdett, William Andrews, John Wilkins, Alexander Mountray, Edward Drews, William Beniman and Stephen Charlton.

The exact date of his death is unknown but Captain Tom died between November 1635 when he was witness to a deed and 5 Jan. 1636 when suit was entered against a servant to Mrs Graves. That would have made him only about 55 years of age at his death. . The last reference to Katherine Graves shows her living at the Old Plantation, Accomac, on May 20, 1636.

Very little is known about Katherine, wife of Capt. Thomas Graves. Her maiden name may have been Croshaw. (There was a Raleigh Chroshaw, Gent., who arrived with the second supply with Thomas Graves.) Just when she came to Virginia is not recorded. She and her children are not included in the 1625 census of the Eastern Shore, although Capt. Thomas Graves is. She and her children would have come after 1616 as the patent granted to John Graves (son of Capt. Thomas Graves) on Aug 9, 1637 states that the 600 acres ranted to him in Elizabeth City was "due in right of descent from his father Thomas Graves, who transported at his own cost himself, Katherine Graves his wife, John Graves the patentee, and Thomas Graves, Jr., and 8 persons." (Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent.) The 50 acres assigned for each person transported shows they came after 1616.

Capt. Tom and Katherine had at least six children:

John Graves was born about 1611 in England and died before 30 April 1640 in Elizabeth City Co, VA. It is believed he married Miss Perrin about 1628. Thomas Graves born about 1617 in England and died about. 1675 in Gloucester Co, VA. He married Elizabeth or Katherine. Verlinda Graves was born about 1618 in VA and died 13 July 1675 in Charles Co, MD. She was married in VA about 1634 to Governor William Stone who was born in 1603 and died 21 December 1660 in Charles Co, MD. Ann Graves was born about 1620 in VA and died 2 March 1682/83 in Charles Co, MD. She married three times: First to Minister William Cotton before 10 July 1637. He died in 1640. She then married Nathaniel Eaton about 1641 and he died in 1642. Her third husband was Francis Doughty whom she married June 8, 1657. Katherine Graves was born about 1622 in VA and died before 4 July 1668 in Reservation Manor, Calvert, Prince George Co, MD About 1636 she married Lt. William Roper who died about 1650 in Virginia. She then married Lt. Thomas Sprigg who was born about 1630 and died about 1704 Francis Graves was born about 1630 in Accomack, VA and died before 5 August 1691 in Rappahannock Co, VA. He married Mrs. Jane (Davenport?) McGuffey."

Children of Thomas Graves and Katherine Unknown are: 135 i. Ann Graves, born Abt. 1620; died 1683; married (1) Nathaniel Eaton; married (2) Francis Doughty; married (3) William Cotton, Reverend Abt. July 10, 1637 in Accawmack County, Virginia. ii. John Graves, born 1625. iii. Thomas Graves, born 1617. iv. Ann Graves. v. Verlinda Graves, married William Stone, Governor. vi. Katherine Graves. vii. Francis Graves.

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"Captain Thomas Graves was a member of t

"Captain Thomas Graves was a member of the Virginia Company. He came toVirginia in the Mary and Margaret and is listed as arriving in the SecondSupply. Shortly after his arrival while on an exploring expedition he was takencaptive by the Indians who held him in Opecananough's town subject to anuncertain fate when a timely rescue was effected by Ensign Thomas Savage. An undated letter from Governor Yeardley to Sir Edwin Sandys concerning Smythe's (Southhampton) Hundred, written after 29 April 1619 recitescircumstances of the affair between Captain William Eppes, Commander andCaptain Stallins in which the latter was slain and the former placedunder arrest, and states "I have entreated Captain Graves, an AncientOfficer of this company to take charge of the people and the workes.Capatin Graves was sent as one of two representatives from Smythe'sHundred to the first Representative Legislatiuve Assembly which convenedat Jamestowne 30 July 1619. As a member of the Virginia Company Captain Graves had agreed totransport 100 persons to Virginia and accordingly was allowed a patentfor land 20 November 1622. His grant for 200 acres on the eastern shoreof the Bay of the Chesapeake and abutting the southerly side of CapatinHenry Fleete is of record 14 March 1628/29 and recites that the land wasdue him by virtue of an adventure of 25 Pounds paid to Sir Thomas Smithlate treasurer for the Company of Virginia. Captain Graves referred to as Esquire in the Accomack- Northampton Countycourt records was appointed Commander of the Plantation of Accomack bythe General Court 08 February 1627/28 and headed the list ofCommissioners as the first extant court of record held for Accomack 07January 1633/34. He served as Burgess to the Assembly 1630 and 1632 andas a member of the first vestry of the Parish, 14 September 1635. Hisdeath occurred between November 1635 when he was a witness to a deed and05 January 1635/36 when suit was entered against a servant to Mrs.Graves. Thomas Graves married Kat herine who with his two sons came to Virginiaafter 1616 as is shown in a patent granted to John 09 August 1637reciting that the 600 acres granted to him in Elizabeth City was due...in Right of descent from his father Thomas Graves who transported at hisowne proper costs himself, Katherine Graves his wife, John Graves thepattentee and Thomas Graves, Jr. and eight persons. Mrs. Graves was living at the old Plantation 20 May 1636." The above is taken from the Adventurers of Purse and Person, 1987, Page 326

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SOURCES: The Graves Family Newsletter,

SOURCES: The Graves Family Newsletter, Nov 1980 Vol 5, #29, p. 127 Genealogies of Va. Families, from Tyler's Quarterly, Vol. III, 1981,p. 253

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Immigrated to Jamestown, Va 1608 on the

Immigrated to Jamestown, Va 1608 on the "Mary & Margaret", the second supply ship for Jamestown

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Thomas Graves deed

http://trees.ancestry ===
Thomas Graves deed http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=c28d5bb7-12cf-491f-b113-f...

Activites http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=93d25493-e33c-40a4-a2d7-2...

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"Captain Thomas Graves was a member of t

"Captain Thomas Graves was a member of the Virginia Company. He came to Virginia in the Mary and Margaret, Captain Chistopher Newport, and is listed as arriving in the Second Supply. Shortly after his arrival, while on an exploring expedition he was taken captive by the indians who held him in Opecananough's town, subject to an uncertain fate, when a timely rescue was effected by Ensign Thomas Savage.

An undated letter from Governor Yeardley to Sir Edwin Sandys concering Smythe's (Southampton) Hundred, written after 29 April, 1619 recites circumstances of the affair between Captain William Eppes, Commander and Captain Stallins in which the latter was slain and the former placed under arrest, and states "I have entreated Captain Graves, an Ancient Officer of this company to take charge of the people and the workes." Capatin Graves was sent as one of two representatives from Smythe's Hundred to the first Representative Legislatiuve Assembly which convened at Jamestowne, 30 July, 1619.

As a member of the Virginia Company, Captain Graves had agreed to transport 100 persons to Virginia and accordingly was allowed a patent for land 20 November 1622. His grant for 200 acres on the Eastern shore of the Bay of the Chesapeake and abutting the Southerly side of Captain Henry Fleete is of record, 14 March 1628/29 and recites that the land was due him by virture of a adventure of 25 Pounds paid to Sir Thomas Smith, late treasurer for the Company of Virginia.

Captain Graves referred to as Esquire in the Accomack-Northampton court records was appointed Commander of the Plantation of Accomack by the General Court 08 February 1627/28 and headed the list of Commissioners as the first extant court of record held for Accomack 07 January 1633/34. He served as Burgess to the Assembly 1630 and 1632 and as a member of the first vestry of the Parish, 14 September 1635. His death occured between November 1635 when he was a witness to a deed and 05 January 1635/36 when suit was entered against a servant to Mrs. Graves.

Thomas Graves married Katherine who with his two sons came to Virginia after 1616 as is shown in a patent granted to John 09 August, 1637, reciting that the 600 acres granted to him in Elizabeth City was due... in Right of descent from his father Thomas Graves who transported at his owne proper costs himself, Katherine Graves, his wife, John Graves the pattentee and Thomas Graves, Jr. and eight persons.

Mrs. Graves was living at the old Plantation 20 May, 1636." Adventures of Purse and Person. 1987. Page 326

Checkout: www.gravesfa.org/gen169.htm page 7

"...came to Virginia in 1607 and was Representative from Smythe's Hundred to the First Legislative Assembly in America held at Jamestown, 1619."

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Historical Account by a descendant: Mike Graves

Welcome Hungars Church (1890)

I want to start by saying this site is my own and is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not owned by, affiliated with or endorsed by The Hungars Episcopal Church or any other group or organization. There is quite a bit of misinformation posted on the Internet regarding this subject, and I felt it necessary to attempt to set the record straight. The first of these is an undated pamphlet titled “ The History of Hungars Church.” In this article it is claimed that the church was built in 1645 by a will made by Richard Vaughn for a gift of tobacco "Toward the building of a house for God's service." A thorough search of the records on file at the Northampton Courthouse will show this research to be both incorrect and highly improbable. I have no quarrel with their version of the building of the second and third church buildings on this site as they do agree with the records. To believe this first account you would have to consider the building only lasted nine years and have to discount Wm. Cotton being the first minister. (Anne Graves, daughter of Capt. Thomas Graves, married the Reverend William Cotton by 10 July 1637. He was deceased by 1640, by the previous account he could never have been the pastor of Hungars Church!) If you take the correct first account of the first building listed below and compare the records of the second building dated 9 July 1679, two things are apparent (1) the original structure lasted 43 years (2) the roof was saved for the second structure and interestingly the dimensions are very close to the first building 40’ X 20’ X 10’, the first building being 40’ X 18’ X 9 ‘. In addition, there is yet another website saying the first church building was constructed around 1679, clearly this was the date of the second building and not the first. There are so many correct references of the following account that I could not list them all on this page so I am providing instead a transcription of the original records and the reference sources.

The first record {Northampton Order Book 1, 1632-40 page 58} dated 14 September 1635 states the following:

“At this court Mr. William Cotton (Minister) presented an order of court from James City for the building of a Parsonage House upon the Glebe land. …Which by this board referred to be ordered by the Vestry, and because there has been here to fore no formal Vestry and no Vestrymen appointed. We have from this present day appointed to be vestrymen those whose names are underwritten; Wm. Cotton (Minister), Captain Thomas Graves, Obedience Robins, John Howe, William Stone (first Protestant Governor of Maryland), William Burdett, William Andrews, John Wilkins, Alexander Mountray, Edward Drews, William Beniman and Stephen Charlton . And further we order that the first meeting of the vestrymen shall be held upon the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, being the 29 th of September (1635)”

The first Vestry meeting was held according to the orders of the court and the following is a transcription of the record made:

“ It is agreed by this Vestry that a parsonage house should be built upon the glebe land by Christyde next (the coming of the new year) and that the said house shall be forty feet long and eighteen feet wide and nine feet to the wall plates and that there shall be a chimney at each end of the house, and upon each side of the chimney a room, one for a study, the other for a buttery, also a petition near the midst of the house with two doors, one to go into the kitchen the other the chamber (sanctuary). Also it is agreed that the now churchwardens shall have power to agree with workmen for the building of the said house and to provide nails and at the next session bring to the vestry the full charge of said building of all unto there belonging”

Captain Thomas Graves died between November of 1635 and the 5 th of January 1636 when suit was entered against a servant of Ms. Graves. The court was petitioned by Anthony Wills that a John Culpepper (servant of Mrs. Graves) had killed two hogs belonging to the said Wills. The court ordered Mrs. Graves to pay unto the said Wills a sow of one and one half years old for default thereof, and that the said Culpepper be whipped presently and have thirty lashes.

So now we must say “how do we know the church was actually built?” Again, we turn to the original records {Northampton Order Book 1, 1632-40 page 73} the following is stated:

“At a vestry holden at Acchawmach this 20 th day of May 1636, Having taken into account the remote living of the members of the Parish from the church, It is agreed that all such persons as live at the Old Plantation from the land of Mrs. Graves unto ……. The head of the old plantation creek that they shall cause bodies to be buried on one part of the land of Wm. Blower where Wm. Berryman liveth and likewise that they give notice unto the minister and provide convenient means for his coming there to bury the dead”.

This record establishes the fact that the church had been built by May 1636 and it also gives us the date of one of the first recorded cemeteries of English origin in the new colony. This group known as Smythe’s Hundred was led by Captain Thomas Graves. The cemetery still exists on the eastern shore near Hungars and is over 369 years old! For photos and additional info please visit my website at www.tsgraves.com and go to the God’s acre photo album. For additional info on the Reverend William Cotton please visit www.colonialclergy.org for an excellent biography by William R. Gann If you have comments or questions my e-mail is listed on my website. I have posted all that I have here and on my home page. If you don’t find it here, I have no further information*.

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Life Sketch

Those proving direct descendancy from Thomas Graves are eligible for membership in the "Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters." Eligibility also exists for membership in the Jamestowne Society.
Note: Thomas Graves, gentleman, arrived in Virginia in October of 1608, coming from England in the ship "Mary and Margaret" with Captain Christopher Newport's second supply. Although John Card Graves states that Thomas was accompanied by his wife Katherine, sons John and Thomas, and eight others, including Henry Singleton and Thomas Edge, most other historians agree that he did not bring his wife and children over until later. It is likely that he did not even marry Katherine until 1610, and his first child was born about 1611. Thomas Graves was one of the original Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the very early Planters (settlers) who founded Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America. He was also the first known person named Graves in North America. Captain Thomas Graves is listed as one of the original Adventurers as "Thomas Grave" on page 364, Records of the Virginia Company of London, vol. IV. Although the Records of the Virginia Company state that in 1622 was granted "a patent to Thomas Graves of Doublin in the Realm of Ireland, gent.", this may be a clerical error. As stated in the original charter of the Virginia Co. of London, the first Adventurers to Virginia were to be from the city of London. Regarding the title of "Captain" which is attached to Thomas Graves in Virginia historical records, he had no such designation in the Charter of 1609 wherein all the Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company are listed, and is shown by Captain John Smith on his arrival in Virginia simply as "Thomas Graves, Gent." Thus it appears that he acquired the title of Captain after arriving in Virginia. Thomas Graves early became active in the affairs of the infant colony. On an exploring expedition he was captured by the Indians and taken to Opechancanough. Thomas Savage, who had come to Virginia with the first supply on the John and Francis in 1608, was sent to rescue him, in which he was successful. In 1617 the Virginia Company, hoping to expand population and agricultural production in the colony, encouraged private or voluntary associations organized on a joint stock basis to establish settlements in the area of the Company's patent. The Society of Smith's (or Smythe's) Hundred (later called Southampton Hundred) was organized in 1617. In addition to Captain Thomas Graves, the Adventurers included Sir Thomas Smith, Sir Edwin Sandys, and the Earl of Southampton. Soon after April 29, 1619, Governor Yeardley wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys: "I have entreated Capt. Graves, an antient officer of this company, to take charge of the people and wrkes." Capt. Thomas Graves was a member of the First Legislative Assembly in America, and, with Mr. Walter Shelley, sat for Smythe's Hundred when they met at Jamestown on July 30, 1619. The time of Capt. Thomas Graves' removal to the Eastern Shore is not known. It was, however, after August 1619, since he was then a representative from Smythe's Hundred to the first meeting of the House of Burgesses. It was also prior to Feb. 16, 1623, for "A List of Names: of the Living in Virginia, Feb. 16, 1623" shows Thomas Graves "at the Eastern Shore". His patent for 200 acres on the Eastern Shore is of record 14 March 1628 (Patent Book No. 1, p. 72, Land Registrar's Office, Richmond, Va.). This land was in what was then known as Accomack, now a part of Northampton Co. It was granted by Dr. Thomas Pott, Governor of Virginia, and was on the eastern side of the Bay of Chesapeake, westerly of the lands of Capt. Henry Flute, an explorer of the Bay, "by virtue of the adventure of five and twenty pounds paid by the said Capt. Thomas Graves to Sir Thomas Smyth, Treasurer of the Virginia Company." He paid a "quit rent" of one shilling for fifty acres, payable at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29) each year on a part of his land. In the census of February 1625, Capt. Thomas Graves was one of only 51 people then living on the Eastern Shore. He was put in charge of the direction of local affairs later in 1625. In Sept. 1632 he, with others, was appointed a Commissioner "for the Plantacon of Acchawmacke". He was one of the Burgesses to the Assembly, representing Accomac, for the 1629-30 session and the 1632 session. He attended many of the meetings of the Commissioners, but he was absent from Dec. 30, 1632/3 until Oct. 23, 1633/4. It appears that he was out of the country. The old Hungars Episcopal Church is located about seven miles north of Eastville, on the north side of Hungars Creek. Hungars Parish was made soon after the county was established, and the first minister was Rev. Francis Bolton, who was succeeded by Rev. William Cotton. The first vestry was appointed in 1635. The first vestry meeting was on Sept. 29, 1635, at which Capt. Thomas Graves headed the list of those present. The first church edifice was erected in 1690-95 and was still standing around 1900, one of the oldest churches in the country. In addition to Capt. Thomas Graves, the other persons named by the court as vestrymen of Hungars Church were William Cotton, minister, Obedience Robins, John Howe, William Stone (first Protestant Governor of Maryland), William Burdett, William Andrews, John Wilkins, Alexander Mountray, Edward Drews, William Beniman and Stephen Charlton. Captain Thomas Graves died between November 1635 when he was witness to a deed and 5 Jan. 1636 when suit was entered against a servant to Mrs. Graves (Adventurers of Purse and Person, pp. 188-189). His birth date is not known, but is believed to be about 1580. That would have made him only about 55 years of age at his death. Very little is known about Katherine, wife of Capt. Thomas Graves. Her maiden name may have been Croshaw. (There was a Raleigh Chroshaw, Gent., who arrived with the second supply with Thomas Graves.) Just when she came to Virginia is not recorded. She and her children are not included in the 1625 census of the Eastern Shore, although Capt. Thomas Graves is. The patent granted to John Graves (son of Capt. Thomas Graves) on Aug. 9, 1637 states that the 600 acres granted to him in Elizabeth City was "due in right of descent from his father Thomas Graves, who transported at his own cost himself, Katherine Graves his wife, John Graves the patentee, and Thomas Graves, Jr., and 8 persons." (Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent.) The 50 acres assigned for each person transported shows they came after 1616. The other 8 persons transported did not include any members of Capt. Graves' family. The girls, Ann, Verlinda, and Katherine obviously came later, and Francis was born in Virginia. The last reference to Mrs. Graves shows her living at the Old Plantation, Accomac, as of May 20, 1636. Since Captain Thomas Graves had been active in the affairs of Virginia from his arrival, the absence of any mention of him during certain periods indicate he had returned to England. This is also confirmed by patents issued to him and to others in which he is mentioned. Mrs. Hiden stated: "Even a cursory reading of Northampton (formerly Accomack) records reveals how frequent were the trips to England, Ireland, Holland, and New England" of those living on the Eastern Shore. Mrs. Hiden also stated (R-509, p. 34): "We know from the land patents that Capt. Thomas Graves made several trips out of the country, to England presumably, and on one of his return voyages his family accompanied him." Thomas Graves was probably unmarried when he arrived in Virginia in 1608. He was young, and adventure was probably the reason for his coming to Virginia. He was obviously educated, of some "social status" and financial means, and a leader. It is likely that he returned to England, possibly in Oct. 1609, either on the same ship with Captain John Smith (who left Virginia for England for treatment of his wounds resulting from an explosion), or on one of the other seven ships which arrived in Virginia in August 1609. In that way he would have missed the "Starving Time" of the winter of 1609-10, which so few survived. He may have then married in England in about 1610, fathered John Graves and Thomas Graves, remained in England for several years, and returned to Virginia prior to the formation of Smythe's Hundred in 1617, or possibly a little later. It is known that he was "entreated to take charge of the people and workes" at Smythe's Hundred in April 1619, and was there then.

Children - Graves 2. John Graves, b.c. 1611, m.

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Perrin, c. 1624 or later, d.c. April 1640. +3. Thomas Graves, b.c. 1616, wife unknown, d.c. 1674. +4. Verlinda Graves, b.c. 1618, m. William Stone, d. 13 July 1675. +5. Ann Graves, b.c. 1620, m(1) William Cotton, before 10 July 1637 , m(2) Nathaniel Eaton, by 1642, m(3) Francis Doughty, 8 June 1657, d. 2 March 1683/4. +6. Katherine Graves, b.c. 1622, m(1) William Roper, c. 1636, m(2) Thomas Sprigg, 3 March 1650. +7. Francis Graves, b.c. 1630, m(1)

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, m(2) Jane Maguffey, d.c. 1691

GRAVES, THOMAS (listed as Graues) Gentleman Listed as Capt. (Captain) in Virginia Muster, February 7, 1624/5, as on the Mary & Margrett in 1607, but correct date would have been 1608. Cargo: "Elizabethan-style bed as a gift for Powhatan Database: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index (PILI) Immigrant: Graves, Thomas Location: Virginia Year: 1608 Page Number: 126 PROPERTY: "Captain Thomas Graves, ancient planter (as his first divident) 200 acres on the Eastern Shore of the 'Bay of Chesepei

GEDCOM Note

Updated Graves History after New DNA evidence

his genealogy is gradually being revised as a result of the findings of the Graves/Greaves DNA Study. http://www.gravesfa.org/gen169.htm

GEDCOM Note

Arrived in Virginia on the "Mary & Marga

Arrived in Virginia on the "Mary & Margaret" with Raleigh Croshaw in October 1608, with Capt. Christopher Newport's second supply. Thomas GRAVES was one of the original Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Co. of London, and one of the very early planters (settlers) who founded Jamestown, VA, the first permanent English settlement in North America. 'Thomas GRAVE' is listed on pg 364, Records of the Virginia Co. of London, Vol IV. Regarding the title of 'Captain', which is attached to Thomas GRAVES in Virginia historical records, he had no such designation in the charter of 1609 wherein all the Adventurers of the Virginia Co. are listed, and is shown by Capt. John Smith on his arrival in Virginia simply as 'Thomas GRAVES, Gent.' Thus it appears that he acquired the title of Captain after arriving in Virginia. Thomas GRAVES early b ecame active in the affairs of the infant colony. On an exploring expedition, he was captured by Indians and taken to Opechancanough. Thomas Savage, who had come to Virginia with the first supply on the 'John & Francis' in 1608, was sent to rescue him, which he did successfully. In 1609, the 'starving time' reduced the population of about 500 to no more than 60 men, women and children. In 1609, he returned to England where he married and fathered John and Thomas, then returned to Virginia prior to 1617. By 1616 the colony had a total population of only 351, of whom 81 were farmers or tenants. In 1617, the Virginia Co., hoping to expand the population and agricultural production in the colony, encouraged private or voluntary associations organized on a joint stock basis to establish settlements in the area of the Company's patent. The Society of Smith's (or Smythe's) Hundred (later called Southampton Hundred) was organized in 1617, and Capt. Thomas GRAVES' name appears as a member. Soon after April 29, 1619, Gov. Yeardly wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys: "I have entreated Capt. Graves, an antient officer of this company, to take charge of the people and worker." Capt GRAVES was a member of the First Legislative Assembly in America and, with Mr. Walter Shelley, sat for Smythe's Hundred when they met at Jamestown on 30 Jul 1619. The time of Capt GRAVES' removal to the Eastern Shore is now known. It was, however, after Aug 1619, since he was then a representative from Smthe's 100 to the first meeting of the House of Burgesses. It was also prior to 1623, for 'a list of names of the Living in Virginia, 16 Feb 1623' shows Thomas GRAVES 'at the Eastern Shore'. His patent for 200 acres on the Eastern Shore is of record 14 Mar 1628 (Patent Book No 1, pg 72, Land Registrar's Office, Richmond, VA). In the Census of Feb 1625, Capt Thomas GRAVES was one of only 51 people then living on the Eastern Shore. He was put in charge of the direction of local affairs later in 1625. In 1632 he, with others, was appointed a commissioner 'for the plantation of Acchowmacke'. He was one of the Burgesses to the Assembly, representing Accomac, for the 1629-30 session as well as the 1632 session. He attended many of the meetings of the Commissioners, but he was absent from 30 Dec 1632 until 23 Oct 1633. It appears he was out of the country. The old Hungars Episcopal Church is located about 7 miles N of Eastville on the north side of Hungars Creek. Hungars Parish was made soon after the county was established and the first minister was Rev. William Cotton. The first vestry was appointed 1635, and the first vestry meeting was held 29 Sept 1635 at which Capt Thomas GRAVES headed the list of those present.Capt GRAVES died between Nov 1635 when he was witness to a deed, and 5 Jan 1636 when suit was entered against a servant to Mrs. GRAVES. (Adventurers of Purse and Person, pp 188-189). His birthdate is not known, but is believed to be about 1580. Since Capt GRAVES had been active in the affairs of Virginia from his arrival, the absence of any mention of him during certain periods indicates that he had returned to England. This also confi rmed the patents issued to him and to others in which he is mentioned. Mrs. Hiden states, 'even a cursory reading of Northampton (Accomack) records reveals how frequent were the trips to England, Ireland, Holland, and New England' of those living on the Eastern Shore. Mrs. Hiden also states, 'we know from the land patents that Capt. Thomas GRAVES made several trips out of the country, to England presumably, and on one of his return voyages his family accompanied him '. After 15 years of studying the early records of Virginia, reviewing the analyses of other researchers, and applying reasoning, Miss Louise GRAVES arrived at the following conclusion: Thomas GRAVES was unmarried when he arrived in Virginia in 1608. He was young and adventure was probably the reason for him coming to Virginia. He was obviously educated and of some 'social status' and financial means, and a leader. She thinks he returned to England possibly in Oct of 1609, either on the same ship as Capt John Smith (who left Virginia for England for treatment of wounds resulting from an explosion), or on one of the other 7 ships which arrived in Virginia in Aug 1609....Her guess is that he then married in England about 1610, fathered John and Thomas GRAVES, remained in England for several years, and returned to Virginia prior to the formation of Smythe's 100 in 1617, or possibly a little later. It is known that he was 'entreated to take charge of the people and workers' at Smythe's 100 in April 1619, and was there then.Also, there is no record of his being in Virginia after the meeting of the Burgesses in Jul-Aug 1619 until he is shown as living on the Eastern Shore in 1623. It seems reasonable that he was in England at the time of the Indian Massacre of March 1622,, and upon returning to Virginia settled on the Eastern Shore where it was less perilous to live. The fact that he fathered 3 children, the girls, during this period certainly lends support to his being in England. (This information was copied from WFT Vol 1, CD)

GEDCOM Note

Captain.

To Virginia in 1608 on the "Mar ===
Captain. To Virginia in 1608 on the "Mary and Margaret"; he returned to England or Ireland and family came later May have been the Thomas Graves christened 1 Apr 1584 Lamborne, Berks, England, son of Thomas Graves and Joan Blagrove.

GEDCOM Note

Virginia Company of London - settler at Jamestown Virginia Thomas Graves (ca 1580 - 1635) was one of the original Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the very early Planters (settlers) who founded Jamestown, Virginia, the

References

• Adventurers of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1624/5. Fourth Edition. Volume Two, Families G-P. Page 158. < GoogleBooks >

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https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Graves-73
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5LR-52F