Captain Francis Eppes, I

Additional Curator's Notes

Francis Epes (or Eppes, in later spellings) was born c. 1597 in Ashford, Kent, England and died in Virginia by 30 Sept. 1674. He was the son of John Epes the Elder (b.1650) of Ashford, and Thomasine Fisher. He was baptized 14 May, 1597 in the parish church of Ashford. While his exact date of birth is not known, babies were routinely baptised in the first few days or weeks after birth, due to high infant mortality rates. His lineage can be traced back to the thirteenth century in Kent.

William, Francis, and Peter, the 5th, 6th, & 8th sons (10th, 11th, & 14th children) of John Eppes the Elder., all emigrated to Virginia. Captain William Eppes, older brother of Francis, and Peter Eppes, his younger brother, were in Virginia by 1623. William, whose wife Margaret was living on the Eastern Shore c.1628, had moved to St. Christopher's in the West Indies by 1630.

Peter left no descendants of record in the colony. Peter, mentioned in court records for Feb 1626, appears to have left the colony thereafter, for there is no further mention of him.

Francis Eppes married Mary (?) in 1620. She was born c. 1602, probably in England, since the earliest date for Francis being in Virginia is 1623. It is generally accepted (but not proven) that Mary's maiden name was Pawlett. Francis knew the Pawlett family well, being neighbors at Shirley Hundred and having served in the militia with Thomas Pawlett. Thomas Pawlett left Mary his bible and money for a ring in his will. From this will, dated 12 Jan 1643/44, we know that Francis Epes' wife accompanied him to Virginia.

We know Francis was in Virginia by April 1625 when he was elected from Shirley Hundred to sit in the Assembly of James City in May of that year, when he began a career of public service. He gained patents to huge tracts of land in the Virginia Colony, and was the most successful of the Eppes family that emigrated to the New World.

• He was an active officer (in grades Ensign through Colonel), Colonial Militia of Virginia.
• He testified 9 Jan. 1625/26 in the controversy between Mr. Thomas Pawlett and Rev. Greville Pooley.
• He was appointed commissioner for the Upper Parts, 8 Aug. 1626, and commander of forces with Capt. Thomas Pawlett to attack the Weyanoke, and Appomattox Indians, 4 July 1627.
• In 1627 Francis was a member of the House of Burgesses for Shirley Hundred, Mr. Farrar's and Chaplaine's, 1631-32, and for Charles City, 1639, as one of four persons 'resident in Virginia and fit to be called to the Council there.'
• He was appointed to the "Commission for a monthly Court in the Upper Parts," in March 1628.
• He served in the House of Burgesses for Charles City, 1639/40 and 1645-46, and after being recommended June 1637, was a member of the Council in 1652.

Francis returned to England c.1629, taking Mary and two small sons with him, to tend to the affairs of his father John Eppes, recently deceased. His son Thomas was born and baptized in London. The Eppes returned to Virginia by 1632, and he claimed headrights for his sons, along with a number of new colonists. Based on ships' logs, it is possible that Francis returned ahead of his family, and that Marie returned with the boys on a different ship at a later date.

Francis continued to expand his land holdings in the New World at every opportunity.

• In 26 Aug 1635, as Capt. Francis Epes, he was granted 1700 acres in Charles City County on Appomattox River, a portion of which tract remained in the family until 1978.
• He also held land on Shirley Hundred Island, now Eppes Island, and maintained his principle residence there.
• In 1653 he received a further grant of 280 acres adjoining the larger grant in Charles City County, these grants being given for the transportation of a number of individuals into the Colony, including his three sons.

During his two years in England, Francis not only attended to his inheritance from his father, but also organized a group on colonists for whom he later claimed headrights. It is likely that, as a person familiar with conditions in Virginia, so recently taken over by the Regal Government from the London Company, under which he had first served, his knowledge of conditions in the newly settled country would have been useful to Colonial officials living in London and would have found himself frequently in consultation with them.

Of Francis' sons, we know the following:

• Francis II gave a deposition he was born in 1628. As we know from documents that Francis I was active in Virginia in that year, this would mean that his son was born in Virginia.
• There is an entry in the register of the Church of St. Olave, in Hart Street, London, which says that, on 8 Sept 1630, Thomas son of Francis Eps and wife Marie, was born. In a deposition given by Thomas in 1665, he gives his age as 35 years, making his birth-year 1630, the same as the Thomas registered at St. Olave's.

Children of Francis Epes or Eppes and wife Mary Pawlett:

• John Epes (1626-Sept. 30, 1674), believed to be born in Virginia
• Francis Epes II (Lt-Col) b: 19 NOV 1627 in Virginia
• Thomas Epes, b. England, Sept. 8, 1630

Many thanks to the contributors who posted what they had learned about Frances Eppes on his profile. I have summarized and organized those notes in this biographical sketch.

Maria Edmonds-Zediker, Volunteer Curator, April 28, 2018

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Additional Sources and further reading material:

• "Adventures of Purse and Person", Ed. Annie Lash Jest er in collaboration with Martha Woodruff; (Sponsored by Order of 1st Families of VA 1607-24) 1964
• "Autographs of 65 gentlemen justices, militia officers and member of the grand jury from Charles City/Prince George and Surry counties who signed an oath of loyalty to protestant King William,I II of England in March 1701/2" by Elizabeth Lawrence-Dow, 1976
• http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/pete/butowsky.pdf Pg.9
• http://www.newrivernotes.com/va/vareg1.htm#burgess
• "Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia", Volume One, Edited by, John Frederic k Dorman, Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992. http://www.2fools .net/book-0001/0009-0005.html#CHILD5

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"Hundreds" in the early days of the Virginia colony, it was hard to recruit settlers to leave England and travel to Virginia. Life in the New World was hard. Most immigrants were dying in the new colony - about 90% over the "Starving Time" winter of 1609-1610. The Spaniards had experienced a New World with easy-to-steal gold and silver, but by 1614 it was clear that tobacco was the most-profitable export to come from Virginia's earth... and tobacco farming was hard, hard work.

The Virginia colony was a private venture, managed by the Virginia Company with the blessing of King James I. After the initial promises to make the investors rich did not pan out, the company was unable to sell new shares of stock to raise capital for shipping more people/equipment to Virginia. The labor of indentured servants was essential to tobacco production - and if most settlers died, it just meant the colony had to work even harder to recruit more people.

The Virginia Company shifted gears, recognizing that one item was the most effective inducement to attract new settlers. It began to offer land, a commodity which the company had in abundance, as the incentive to recruit new laborers. Anyone paying their own expenses to Virginia, or the expenses of someone else, would receive a warrant authorizing them to survey and "patent" 50 acres of land free.

In an even better offer, new investors could assemble a whole group of new settlers and start a "particular plantation" away from Jamestown. These plantations were allowed more self-government, an added inducement for a new investor to risk ("venture") their capital. (References in the early 1600's to "adventurers" are comparable to references today to "venture capitalists.") The company's chief manager in Jamestown (the governor) had control over the company's settlements. The new plantations had some autonomy, even before the formation of the first General Assembly in 1619.

The new plantations were called Hundreds, reflecting an old Norman term used to divide England into administrative units after their conquest of the island. The districts (in Norman Conquest time) were sized so each could provide 100 soldiers upon command, but by the time of James I the settlements in Virginia were closer to 100 people - including women and children. Each immigrant brought to Virginia, no matter what their age or sex, entitled the investor paying their way to 100 acres of land.

Bermuda Hundred was started in 1613, after the English settlers made peace with the Virginia natives - in part with Pocahontas' help. It was named after the traumatic shipwreck of the "Third Supply" bringing reinforcements to Virginia in 1609. The leaders of that expedition were shipwrecked in Bermuda and had to take their wrecked ship apart and build two smaller ships to finally get to Virginia. Shakespeare incorporated the tale into a play, The Tempest.

Bermuda Hundred was initially intended to include several "hundreds" upstream and downstream of the Appomattox River. Just north of the mouth of the Appomattox, Bermuda City was founded. It was renamed Charles City to honor the king in England (hey, flattery matters...). City Point is the last remnant of that name south of the James River.

The Bermuda settlements were attacked severely in 1622, when the natives abandoned their efforts at peaceful coexistence. Bermuda Hundred never gained prominence again until 1864 when a Union Army occupied it. The Federal troops came very close to capturing Petersburg and ending the Civil War, before being bottled up on the peninsula.

Source: http://www.virginiaplaces.org/vacities/hundreds.html

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Laws of Virginia, February 1631/32 "NOWE KNOWE YEE, that according to the sayd orders these persons whose names are here inserted are for the tyme beinge assigned and appoynted to be the present comissioners of and for the upper parts within the precincts of Charles Citty and Henrico, William ffarrar, Esqr. Capt. ffrancis Epes, Captayne Thomas Pawlett, Captayne Thomas Osborne, Thomas Palmer gent. Walter Aston, gent. which sayd comissioners, or any fowre of them, whereof Mr. William ffarrar to be alwayes one, shall have power and authoritie to here and determine, all such suites and controversies betweene partie and partie, as exceede not the value of five pounds stirlinge; and farther, that they take in to their cares, matters of petty offences, the conservation of the peace, the quiett government of, and safetie of the people there residing or beinge; and that all orders, and proclamations be kept and observed, and accordinge to the same, and as neere as may be accordinge to the lawes of the realme of England, to inflict punishment, uppon the offenders and delinquents, and to doe and execute, whatever a justice of peace, or two or more justices of peace may doe, such offences onlie excepted, as concerne the taking away of life or members; Provided alwayes that it shall and may be lawfull for the plaintiff or defendant, in any suite before the sayd commissioners dependinge either before, or after judgment, yf it be before execution awarded, to appeale to the cort of James Citty there holden by the governor and counsell. And they are hereby required from tyme to tyme, to keepe records, of all judgments, orders, and other matters of moment, as by them shall be concluded and agreed on. And this comission to continue in force untill I by my comission under the seale of the colony shall signifie the contrarie. Given at James Citty, the first day of March, 1631, and in the seaventh yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Lord Charles, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, kinge, defender of the fayth, and in the 25th yeare of this plantation."

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"Francis Epes or Eppes first styled captain and afterwards lieutenant-colonel, settled before 1625, in what soon became Charles City county. In the same year he was a member of the house of burgesses, and in Feb., 1631-32, represented in that house "Both Shirley Hundreds, the Farrar's and Chaplayne's." He was appointed a commissioner (justice) for Charles City and Henrico counties in 1631, and in 1639 and 1645, was a burgess from Charles City. It was on April 30, 1652, that Epes was elected a member of the council, and he probably died before 1655. On Aug. 26, 1635, he patented 1700 acres of land in Charles City county, on the south side of James river, bounded on the east by Bayly's creek, and on the west by Cosons (Cawson's) creek and the Appomattox river. Some of this land is believed to be owned by his descendants. Col. Francis Epes probably married in England, and the arms borne by his descendants in Virginia are the same as those ascribed in English heraldic works to "Epes, or Epps, of Canterbury, Kent."

Henrico County, Virginia: Beginnings of Its Families: Part II. William Clayton Torrence William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 24, No. 3. (Jan., 1916), pp. 202-210. Francis Eppes, the first of his line in Virginia and in Henrico County, was a member of the House of Burgesses, magistrate and in 1652 was elected to the Governor's Council. His son John Eppes was a man of prominence in Charles City County and his son Francis Eppes, the second (circa 1628- 1678) was for some years a magistrate in Henrico County and lieutenant colonel of militia; he also engaged in merchandizing. The succeeding generations of the Eppes family (residing in Henrico, Charles City, Prince George and Chesterfield Counties) were prominent office holders and people of substantial means(2).

"Francis Eppes was a member of council, and his son, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Eppes, was mortally wounded in 1678, while defending the frontier against the Indians."

"FRANCIS Eppes (EPES)) was born May 15, 1597 in Kent, England, and died 1674 in Charles City, Virginia. He married MARIE PAULETTE.

Francis Epes, son of John Epes of Ashford, Co. Kent, Eng, and his wife Thomazine Bankes, was baptized, 15 May 1597, according to the register of the Parish Church of Ashford; though his birth date is not given, it must have been shortly before his baptism. He came to Virginia before 1625, in which year he represented Charles City Co. in the General Assembly. He was at first an Ensign, then Captain, and later Lieutenant-Col. o f Militia of that county. In 1635 he was granted 1700 acres of land (with renewal in 1638) in that part of Charles City Co. which then lay south of the James River, later Prince George , and in 1653 he received a further grant of 280 acres adjoining the larger grant , these grants being given for the transportation of a number of individuals into the Colony, including his three sons. In 1637, under Harvey's second administration, he was named one of four person's resident in Virginia and fit to be called to the Council there." He was probably soon after made a member of the Council and continued to be until he death about 1658. It does not appear in extant Virginia records that Col. Epes returned to England at any time, except that the large number of head rights transported by him to Virginia would seem to have been sent from England under his personal direction. News of his father's death late in 1627 would have reached him a few weeks later. Though he was still in Virginia in March, 1628, when he was appointed to the "Commission for a monthly Court in the Upper Parts," it seems probable that he went to England some time in that year, partly for the purpose of collecting his inheritance under his father's will and partly for the purpose of gathering the company or immigrant s who came to Virginia shortly after as his head rights. There is an entry in the register of the Church of St. Olave, in Hart Street, London, which says that, on 8 Sept 1630, Thomas son of Francis Eps and wife Marie, was born. This Francis Eps may have been a different person from the one under consideration , but the entry is significant from the fact that in a deposition of 1665 Thomas Epes of Virginia, son of Col. Francis Epes gives his age as 35 years , making his birth-year 1630, the same as Thomas Epes registered at St. Olave's. In the land patent granted Cap. Francis Epes (as he then was), for the transportation of sundry persons, including his sons John, Francis and Thomas. It is stated that all of them came over in a Spanish frigate in 1629. This is a date which conflicts with the fact that Thomas, born in 1630, was brought to Virginia as one of his father's head rights. He must have come from England in order to qualify. His brothers may have been born in Virginia, and probably were, but could be counted as head rights by going to England and returning to Virginia. Since the deposition of Francis says he was born in 1628, it must have been in Virginia where his father was then living. It is a surmise, but seems logical, that the broad statement that "all of them came over in a Spanish frigate in 1629," means that Captain Francis Epes and his immediat e family, who followed a year or so later. There is no reference to Captain Epes in Virginia records so far discovered from March 1628, when he was appointed a Commissioner of Justice in "the Upper Parts," until 1631, when he was appointed a Commissioner for the counties

of Charles City and Henrico, giving an interval of two years or more which he could have spent profitably in England in organizing his expedition of immigrants. If it was essential for him to accompany this group, he could have left his wife and small children in England and returned to them after seeing his head rights safely landed in Virginia. Besides the work entailed by the organization of the expedition, we can imagine that Cap. Epes found other work to do in London. As a person familiar with conditions in Virginia, so recently taken over by the Regal Government from the London Company, under which he had first served, his knowledge of conditions in the newly settled country would have been useful to Colonial officials living in London and would have found himself frequently in consultation with them. From the will of Cap. Thomas Pawlett, dated 12 Jan 1643/44, we know that Francis Epes' wife accompanied him to Virginia. Capt. Pawlett bequeather his lands to his brother, the second Lord Pawlett; to Captain Epes, one of the overseers of his will, he gave his drum; to Mrs. Epes, he gave his Bible and twenty shillings for a ring; and to their son Francis, who was his godson, he gave some silver plate. The virile characteristics of energetic, courageous Kentish man, were transmitted to his two older sons, who in their generation, filled places in their communities similar to the position he had hewed out for himself in the primitive colonial life of early Virginia with its sparse population, the difficulties of obtaining food and other necessaries of life, and constant danger from unfriendly Indians. The third son, Thomas, was living in 1665, as we know by his deposition, but we have no later information about him. Of Francis Epes' wife, we Francis Epes, know no more than we learn in the will of Captain Thomas Pawlett, unless we conclude that she was Marie, wife of Francis Eps, whose son Thomas’s birth was registered in 1630 in the Church of St . Olave, London. Even that gives little additional information. There is no evidence that there were other children of this marriage than those named at head rights, since individuals of whom we have knowledge in the third generation can easily be accounted for as children of the two eldest sons of Francis Epes. There may have been daughters (whose family name would have been lost in marriage) of whom we can learn nothing about without records. The mortality rate was high in those early days of Virginia, as it was elsewhere, even in England, and it seems reasonable to conclude that only two of the children of Francis Epes left children to continue the name. The Church of St. Olave, in Harts Street on the east side of Mark Lane and near the Tower of London, is interesting as having survived the Great Fire of 1666. The picturesque interior contains a number of curious old tombs, including those of Samuel Pepys (died 1703) and his wife. The skulls over the gate of the churchyard in Seething Lane are said to commemorate the fact that many persons who died of the plague in 1665 are buried here, but this tradition is not supported by the burials-register of the church. Tradition says Francis Epes came to Virginia in the ship Hopewell, which name he gave to his plantation on the south bank of the James River. Hotten gives sailings of the Hopewell in 1622, 1623 and 1624, but does not list Francis Epes among the passengers. However, Hotten's Lists are admittedly incomplete. Maude Pirtle Taylor No tes: Lt. Col. Francis Eppes, died 1656. Said to have been of an armorial family; from England to Prince George Co., VA 1625; patented 1700 acres in Charles City Co., 1635; received head rights for transportation of himself, 3 sons and 30 servants; settled on lands at junction of James and Appomattox Rivers still held by family; commr., 1632; burgess, 4 terms; justice for Charles City Co., VA., 1639-1645; Capt and Lt. Col Virginia troops; member Royal Council, 1652; m. in England. (Ref : Compendium of Am. Genealogy, Vol VII p. 849). Ref. Compendium of American Genealogy, VOL VII p. 101 Francis Eppes see above John (d. 1680) of Charles City, Co., VA m. Mary Daniel (probably son of John) Daniel (1672-1753, of Surry Co., V A, m. Mary 1676-1755 Edward d. 1780, of Sussex Co., VA.; m. ca 1738 Mary Anderson b. ca 172 1; James 8, m Mary, dau of Geo. Jordan of Surry Co. VA Anne b. 1743 m Thomas Gibbons 1734 -1809 or Charles Parish, York Co. , VA and Hawkins Co., TN see Vol. VI Elizabeth b 1774, Maj James Chisholm 1774- 1835 Capt Elijah) Mary Ann 1795-1853, m 1810 John Johnson 1790-185 2 Lavinia Johnson, m. John D. Thomas; Paris, Lamar Co. TX Mattie Thomas, m. Travis C. Henderson Fanny Henderson, m. Geo. A. Russ, Jan 8 1903 at Austin TX The above is copy of records of Mrs. Fanny Henderson Russ, of Eureka Springs, AR These notes were copied from the work of Patrick Anderson, via internet: Notes for Francis Eppes: Francis came to Virginia a with two brothers, William and Peter before 1625. He was a burgess from Charles City Count y in the assembly of 05/10/1625. Member of the Virginia Council in 1637. His original paten t was at City Point, Virginia called Appomattox Manor. Is now a National Park, the ranger can be reached as RangerTB@aol.com. Francis Eppes 08/26/1635 1700 acres Charles City County on the Appomattox River. Bibliography "Francis Eppes, His Ancestors and Descendants" , Eva Turner Clark "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1625", Annie Lash Jester and Martha Woodroof Hiden, Order of the First Families of Virginia, 1607-1620, 1956.

"Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia", Volume One, Edited by, John Frederic k Dorman, Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992. http://www.2fools .net/book-0001/0009-0005.html#CHILD5 ____________________________________

Francis Epes (or Eppes, in later spellings) was born c. 1597 in Ashford, Kent, England. He was the son of John Epes (b.1650) of Ashford, and Thomasine Fisher. He was baptized 14 May, 1597. His lineage can be traced back to the thirteenth century in Kent.

William, Francis, and Peter, the 5th, 6th, & 8th sons (10th, 11th, & 14th children) of John Eppes, Jr. Captain William Eppes, older brother of Francis, and Peter Eppes, his younger brother were in Virginia by 1623, but neither left descendants of record in the colony. William whose wife was Margaret, was living on the Eastern Shore, 1628, but had moved to St. Christopher's in the West Indies by 1630. Peter Eppes, mentioned in court records for Feb 1626, appears to have left the colony thereafter, for there is no further mention of him.

Frances Eppes married Mary (?) in 1620. She was born c. 1602. It is not clear if they were married in England or Virginia. It is generally accepted (but not proven) that Mary's maiden name was Pawlett. Francis knew the Pawlett family well, being neighbors at Shirley Hundred and having served in the militia with Thomas Pawlett. Thomas Pawlett left Mary his bible and money for a ring in his will.

Francis resided on Shirley Hundred Island, since known as Epes Island, in Virginia. He returned to England c.1629, taking Mary and two small sons with him, to tend to the affairs of his father John Eppes, recently deceased. His son Thomas was born and baptized in London. The Eppes returned to Virginia by 1632.

We know Francis Eppes was in Virginia by April 1625 when he was elected from Shirley Hundred to sit in the Assembly of James City in May of that year, when he began a career of public service.

He was an active officer (in grades Ensign through Colonel), Colonial Militia of Virginia. He testified 9 Jan. 1625/26 in the controversy between Mr. Thomas Pawlett and Rev. Greville Pooley. He was appointed commissioner for the Upper Parts, 8 Aug. 1626, and commander of forces with Capt. Thomas Pawlett to attack the Weyanoke, and Appomattox Indians, 4 July 1627. In 26 Aug 1635, as Capt. Francis Epes, he was granted 1700 acres in Charles City County on Appomattox River, a portion of which tract remained in the family until 1978. He served in the House of Burgesses for Charles City, 1639/40 and 1645-46, and after being recommended June 1637, was a member of the Council in 1652. He also held land on Shirley Hundred Island, now Eppes Island. He was dead by 30 Sept. 1674.

Children of Francis Epes or Eppes and wife Mary (?Pawlette):

John Epes (1626-Sept. 30, 1674) Thomas Epes, b. England, Sept. 8, 1630 Francis Epes II (Lt-Col) b: 19 NOV 1627 in Virginia Links to additional materials

Virginia immigrants and adventurers, 1607-1635: a biographical dictionary By Martha W. McCartney Pg.281 - http://books.google.com/books?id=orDbMGpInaQC&pg=PA281&lpg=PA281&dq... Lewis of Warner Hall: the history of a family, including the genealogy of ... By Merrow Egerton Sorley Pg.807. http://books.google.com/books?id=yeWgvfDpwbwC&pg=PA807&lpg=PA807&dq... http://our-royal-titled-noble-and-commoner-ancestors.com/p648.htm#i... "Adventures of Purse and Person", Ed. Annie Lash Jester in collaboration with Martha Woodruff. Sponsored by Order of 1st Families of VIrginia, 1964 http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/pete/butowsky.pdf Pg.9 http://www.newrivernotes.com/va/vareg1.htm#burgess PLEASE NOTE - The book by Merrow Egerton Sorley has many items that have since been disproved. It does give an idea of life in Virginia Colony during the time of Francis Eppes, and it is interesting to read, so it is listed as a source for additional material.

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"Hundreds" in Early Colonial VirginiaIn the early days of the Virginia colony, it was hard to recruit settlers to leave England and travel to Virginia. Life in the New World was hard. Most immigrants were dying in the new colony - about 90% over the "Starving Time" winter of 1609-1610. The Spaniards had experienced a New World with easy-to-steal gold and silver, but by 1614 it was clear that tobacco was the most-profitable export to come from Virginia's earth... and tobacco farming was hard, hard work.

The Virginia colony was a private venture, managed by the Virginia Company with the blessing of King James I. After the initial promises to make the investors rich did not pan out, the company was unable to sell new shares of stock to raise capital for shipping more people/equipment to Virginia. The labor of indentured servants was essential to tobacco production - and if most settlers died, it just meant the colony had to work even harder to recruit more people.

The Virginia Company shifted gears, recognizing that one item was the most effective inducement to attract new settlers. It began to offer land, a commodity which the company had in abundance, as the incentive to recruit new laborers. Anyone paying their own expenses to Virginia, or the expenses of someone else, would receive a warrant authorizing them to survey and "patent" 50 acres of land free.

In an even better offer, new investors could assemble a whole group of new settlers and start a "particular plantation" away from Jamestown. These plantations were allowed more self-government, an added inducement for a new investor to risk ("venture") their capital. (References in the early 1600's to "adventurers" are comparable to references today to "venture capitalists.") The company's chief manager in Jamestown (the governor) had control over the company's settlements. The new plantations had some autonomy, even before the formation of the first General Assembly in 1619.

The new plantations were called Hundreds, reflecting an old Norman term used to divide England into administrative units after their conquest of the island. The districts (in Norman Conquest time) were sized so each could provide 100 soldiers upon command, but by the time of James I the settlements in Virginia were closer to 100 people - including women and children. Each immigrant brought to Virginia, no matter what their age or sex, entitled the investor paying their way to 100 acres of land.

Bermuda Hundred was started in 1613, after the English settlers made peace with the Virginia natives - in part with Pocahontas' help. It was named after the traumatic shipwreck of the "Third Supply" bringing reinforcements to Virginia in 1609. The leaders of that expedition were shipwrecked in Bermuda and had to take their wrecked ship apart and build two smaller ships to finally get to Virginia. Shakespeare incorporated the tale into a play, The Tempest.

Bermuda Hundred was initially intended to include several "hundreds" upstream and downstream of the Appomattox River. Just north of the mouth of the Appomattox, Bermuda City was founded. It was renamed Charles City to honor the king in England (hey, flattery matters...). City Point is the last remnant of that name south of the James River.

The Bermuda settlements were attacked severely in 1622, when the natives abandoned their efforts at peaceful coexistence. Bermuda Hundred never gained prominence again until 1864 when a Union Army occupied it. The Federal troops came very close to capturing Petersburg and ending the Civil War, before being bottled up on the peninsula.

Source: http://www.virginiaplaces.org/vacities/hundreds.html

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FRANCIS EPES resided on Shirley Hundred Island, since known as EPES Islan d; he was an active officer (in grades Ensign through Colonel), Colonial Militia of Virginia, Member, House of Burgesses; grantee of several large patents for land, some of which remained in the tenure of his descendants for three and a half centuries.

The following from "Adventures of Purse and Person", Ed. Annie Lash Jest er in collaboration with Martha Woodruff (Sponsored by Order of 1st Families of VA 1607-24) 1964

"FRANCIS EPES, one of three brothers who came to Virginia before 1625, was the son of JOHN EPES and his wife THOMASINE BANKES of Ashford, Kent, England. In April 1625, FRANCIS EPES was elected from Charles City to set in the Assembly at James City 'on the next ensuing 10th of May'. At this session often referred to as the 'convention,' he signed a petiti on to be sent to England expressing 'extreme discouragement of the colonis ts over the change in government."

Captain WILLIAM EPES, older brother of FRANCIS, and PETER EPES, his younger brother were in Virginia by 1623, but neither left descendants of record in the colony.

Captain William whose wife was Margaret, was living on the Eastern Shore, 1628, but had removed to St. Christopher's in the West Indies by 1630.

PETER EPES, mentioned in court, Feb 5, 1626, appears to have departed fr om the colony thereafter, for there is no further mention of him.

FRANCIS EPES, appointed to Commissioner for the Upper Parts, August 8, 1626, Commander of forces with Captain THOMAS PAWLETT to attack the Weyano ke and Appomattox Indians.

1627, member of the House of Burgesses for Shirley Hundred, Mr. Farrar's and Chaplaine's, 1631-32, and for Charles City, 1639, as one of four perso,ns 'resident in Virginia and fit to be called to the Council there.'

On August 26, 1635, Captain FRANCIS EPES was granted 17000 acres of the Appomattox River, a portion of which tract has remained continuously in the family since that date. Headrights named in the patent were himself, his three sons, JOHN, FRANCIS, and THOMAS and 30 servants.

The only mention of his wife occurs in the will of Captain THOMAS PAWL TT of Westover, Jan 12, 1643/44, bequeathing to 'Mrs. Epps, 20 sh. for a ring and my Bible.'"

The following taken from "Autographs of 65 gentlemen justices, militia officers and member of the grand jury from Charles City/Prince George and Surry counties who signed an oath of loyalty to protestant King William,I II of England in March 1701/2" by Elizabeth Lawrence-Dow, 1976; "The first Captain FRANCIS EPES patented 1700 acres the 26th of August, 1635 on the upper Appomattox river in what would become Bristol parish. Fi ty acres was for his own importation, and 50 acres each for his three sons, plus 30 servants".

There are six autographs of the immigrant grandsons or great-grandsons, living in Charles City and Henrico counties, and of the three JOHN EPES living in Charles City/Prince George Co. in 1701/2, we have the autographs of two..

______________________________

FRANCIS Eppes (EPES)) was born May 15, 1597 in Kent, England, and died 1674 in Charles City, Virginia. He married MARIE PAULETTE. .

. Francis Epes, son of John Epes of Ashford, Co. Kent, Eng, and his wife Thomazine Bankes, was baptized, 15 May 1597, according to the register of the Parish Church of Ashford; though his birth date is not given, it must have been shortly before his baptism. He came to Virginia before 1625, in which year he represented Charles City Co. in the General Assembly. He was at first an Ensign, then Captain, and later Lieutenant-Col. o f Militia of that county. In 1635 he was granted 1700 acres of land (with renewal in 1638) in that part of Charles City Co. which then lay south of the James River, later Prince George , and in 1653 he received a further grant of 280 acres adjoining the larger grant , these grants being given for the transportation of a number of individuals into the Colony, including his three sons. In 1637, under Harvey's second administration, he was named one of four person's resident in Virginia and fit to be called to the Council there." He was probably soon after made a member of the Council and continued to be until he death about 1658. It does not appear in extant Virginia records that Col. Epes returned to England at any time, except that the large number of head rights transported by him to Virginia would seem to have been sent from England under his personal direction. News of his father's death late in 1627 would have reached him a few weeks later. Though he was still in Virginia in March, 1628, when he was appointed to the "Commission for a monthly Court in the Upper Parts," it seems probable that he went to England some time in that year, partly for the purpose of collecting his inheritance under his father's will and partly for the purpose of gathering the company or immigrant s who came to Virginia shortly after as his head rights. There is an entry in the register of the Church of St. Olave, in Hart Street, London, which says that, on 8 Sept 1630, Thomas son of Francis Eps and wife Marie, was born. This Francis Eps may have been a different person from the one under consideration , but the entry is significant from the fact that in a deposition of 1665 Thomas Epes of Virginia, son of Col. Francis Epes gives his age as 35 years , making his birth-year 1630, the same as Thomas Epes registered at St. Olave's. In the land patent granted Cap. Francis Epes (as he then was), for the transportation of sundry persons, including his sons John, Francis and Thomas. It is stated that all of them came over in a Spanish frigate in 1629. This is a date which conflicts with the fact that Thomas, born in 1630, was brought to Virginia as one of his father's head rights. He must have come from England in order to qualify. His brothers may have been born in Virginia, and probably were, but could be counted as head rights by going to England and returning to Virginia. Since the deposition of Francis says he was born in 1628, it must have been in Virginia where his father was then living. It is a surmise, but seems logical, that the broad statement that "all of them came over in a Spanish frigate in 1629," means that Captain Francis Epes and his immediat e family, who followed a year or so later. There is no reference to Captain Epes in Virginia records so far discovered from March 1628, when he was appointed a Commissioner of Justice in "the Upper Parts," until 1631, when he was appointed a Commissioner for the counties .

of Charles City and Henrico, giving an interval of two years or more which he could have spent profitably in England in organizing his expedition of immigrants. If it was essential for him to accompany this group, he could have left his wife and small children in England and returned to them after seeing his head rights safely landed in Virginia. Besides the work entailed by the organization of the expedition, we can imagine that Cap. Epes found other work to do in London. As a person familiar with conditions in Virginia, so recently taken over by the Regal Government from the London Company, under which he had first served, his knowledge of conditions in the newly settled country would have been useful to Colonial officials living in London and would have found himself frequently in consultation with them. From the will of Cap. Thomas Pawlett, dated 12 Jan 1643/44, we know that Francis Epes' wife accompanied him to Virginia. Capt. Pawlett bequeather his lands to his brother, the second Lord Pawlett; to Captain Epes, one of the overseers of his will, he gave his drum; to Mrs. Epes, he gave his Bible and twenty shillings for a ring; and to their son Francis, who was his godson, he gave some silver plate. The virile characteristics of energetic, courageous Kentish man, were transmitted to his two older sons, who in their generation, filled places in their communities similar to the position he had hewed out for himself in the primitive colonial life of early Virginia with its sparse population, the difficulties of obtaining food and other necessaries of life, and constant danger from unfriendly Indians. The third son, Thomas, was living in 1665, as we know by his deposition, but we have no later information about him. Of Francis Epes' wife, we Francis Epes, know no more than we learn in the will of Captain Thomas Pawlett, unless we conclude that she was Marie, wife of Francis Eps, whose son Thomas’s birth was registered in 1630 in the Church of St . Olave, London. Even that gives little additional information. There is no evidence that there were other children of this marriage than those named at head rights, since individuals of whom we have knowledge in the third generation can easily be accounted for as children of the two eldest sons of Francis Epes. There may have been daughters (whose family name would have been lost in marriage) of whom we can learn nothing about without records. The mortality rate was high in those early days of Virginia, as it was elsewhere, even in England, and it seems reasonable to conclude that only two of the children of Francis Epes left children to continue the name. The Church of St. Olave, in Harts Street on the east side of Mark Lane and near the Tower of London, is interesting as having survived the Great Fire of 1666. The picturesque interior contains a number of curious old tombs, including those of Samuel Pepys (died 1703) and his wife. The skulls over the gate of the churchyard in Seething Lane are said to commemorate the fact that many persons who died of the plague in 1665 are buried here, but this tradition is not supported by the burials-register of the church. Tradition says Francis Epes came to Virginia in the ship Hopewell, which name he gave to his plantation on the south bank of the James River. Hotten gives sailings of the Hopewell in 1622, 1623 and 1624, but does not list Francis Epes among the passengers. However, Hotten's Lists are admittedly incomplete. Maude Pirtle Taylor No tes: Lt. Col. Francis Eppes, died 1656. Said to have been of an armorial family; from England to Prince George Co., VA 1625; patented 1700 acres in Charles City Co., 1635; received head rights for transportation of himself, 3 sons and 30 servants; settled on lands at junction of James and Appomattox Rivers still held by family; commr., 1632; burgess, 4 terms; justice for Charles City Co., VA., 1639-1645; Capt and Lt. Col Virginia troops; member Royal Council, 1652; m. in England. (Ref : Compendium of Am. Genealogy, Vol VII p. 849). Ref. Compendium of American Genealogy, VOL VII p. 101 Francis Eppes see above John (d. 1680) of Charles City, Co., VA m. Mary Daniel (probably son of John) Daniel (1672-1753, of Surry Co., V A, m. Mary 1676-1755 Edward d. 1780, of Sussex Co., VA.; m. ca 1738 Mary Anderson b. ca 172 1; James 8, m Mary, dau of Geo. Jordan of Surry Co. VA Anne b. 1743 m Thomas Gibbons 1734 -1809 or Charles Parish, York Co. , VA and Hawkins Co., TN see Vol. VI Elizabeth b 1774, Maj James Chisholm 1774- 1835 Capt Elijah) Mary Ann 1795-1853, m 1810 John Johnson 1790-185 2 Lavinia Johnson, m. John D. Thomas; Paris, Lamar Co. TX Mattie Thomas, m. Travis C. Henderson Fanny Henderson, m. Geo. A. Russ, Jan 8 1903 at Austin TX The above is copy of records of Mrs. Fanny Henderson Russ, of Eureka Springs, AR These notes were copied from the work of Patrick Anderson, via internet: Notes for Francis Eppes: Francis came to Virginia a with two brothers, William and Peter before 1625. He was a burgess from Charles City Count y in the assembly of 05/10/1625. Member of the Virginia Council in 1637. His original paten t was at City Point, Virginia called Appomattox Manor. Is now a National Park, the ranger can be reached as RangerTB@aol.com. Francis Eppes 08/26/1635 1700 acres Charles City County on the Appomattox River. Bibliography "Francis Eppes, His Ancestors and Descendants" , Eva Turner Clark "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1625", Annie Lash Jester and Martha Woodroof Hiden, Order of the First Families of Virginia, 1607-1620, 1956..

"Ancestors and Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia", Volume One, Edited by, John Frederic k Dorman, Society of the Descendants of Francis Epes I of Virginia, 1992. http://www.2fools .net/book-0001/0009-0005.html#CHILD5. _______________________________

Francis Eppes received 1700 acres in Charles City County in 1635 for the transportation of himself, three sons and 30 servants. This is confusing. No acreage was awarded for his wife. Perhaps this indicates that Francis, Jr. was also born in the Canary Islands?

Laws of Virginia, February 1631/32 "NOWE KNOWE YEE, that according to the sayd orders these persons whose names are here inserted are for the tyme beinge assigned and appoynted to be the present comissioners of and for the upper parts within the precincts of Charles Citty and Henrico, William ffarrar, Esqr. Capt. ffrancis Epes, Captayne Thomas Pawlett, Captayne Thomas Osborne, Thomas Palmer gent. Walter Aston, gent. which sayd comissioners, or any fowre of them, whereof Mr. William ffarrar to be alwayes one, shall have power and authoritie to here and determine, all such suites and controversies betweene partie and partie, as exceede not the value of five pounds stirlinge; and farther, that they take in to their cares, matters of petty offences, the conservation of the peace, the quiett government of, and safetie of the people there residing or beinge; and that all orders, and proclamations be kept and observed, and accordinge to the same, and as neere as may be accordinge to the lawes of the realme of England, to inflict punishment, uppon the offenders and delinquents, and to doe and execute, whatever a justice of peace, or two or more justices of peace may doe, such offences onlie excepted, as concerne the taking away of life or members; Provided alwayes that it shall and may be lawfull for the plaintiff or defendant, in any suite before the sayd commissioners dependinge either before, or after judgment, yf it be before execution awarded, to appeale to the cort of James Citty there holden by the governor and counsell. And they are hereby required from tyme to tyme, to keepe records, of all judgments, orders, and other matters of moment, as by them shall be concluded and agreed on. And this comission to continue in force untill I by my comission under the seale of the colony shall signifie the contrarie. Given at James Citty, the first day of March, 1631, and in the seaventh yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Lord Charles, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, kinge, defender of the fayth, and in the 25th yeare of this plantation."

"Francis Epes or Eppes first styled captain and afterwards lieutenant-colonel, settled before 1625, in what soon became Charles City county. In the same year he was a member of the house of burgesses, and in Feb., 1631-32, represented in that house "Both Shirley Hundreds, the Farrar's and Chaplayne's." He was appointed a commissioner (justice) for Charles City and Henrico counties in 1631, and in 1639 and 1645, was a burgess from Charles City. It was on April 30, 1652, that Epes was elected a member of the council, and he probably died before 1655. On Aug. 26, 1635, he patented 1700 acres of land in Charles City county, on the south side of James river, bounded on the east by Bayly's creek, and on the west by Cosons (Cawson's) creek and the Appomattox river. Some of this land is believed to be owned by his descendants. Col. Francis Epes probably married in England, and the arms borne by his descendants in Virginia are the same as those ascribed in English heraldic works to "Epes, or Epps, of Canterbury, Kent."

Henrico County, Virginia: Beginnings of Its Families: Part II. William Clayton Torrence William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 24, No. 3. (Jan., 1916), pp. 202-210. Francis Eppes, the first of his line in Virginia and in Henrico County, was a member of the House of Burgesses, magistrate and in 1652 was elected to the Governor's Council. His son John Eppes was a man of prominence in Charles City County and his son Francis Eppes, the second (circa 1628- 1678) was for some years a magistrate in Henrico County and lieutenant colonel of militia; he also engaged in merchandizing. The succeeding generations of the Eppes family (residing in Henrico, Charles City, Prince George and Chesterfield Counties) were prominent office holders and people of substantial means(2).

"Francis Eppes was a member of council, and his son, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Eppes, was mortally wounded in 1678, while defending the frontier against the Indians.""

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Below from - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94174438/francis-epes

The spelling of the surname has taken on the following 3 main forms in America - Epes, Eppes, Epps.

Note: Francis could not be born on May 15 as some claim as he was baptized on May 14. His birth had to be before he was baptized. Depending on how long after his birth May might not even be the correct month of birth. The same applies to his death date. There are some claims of even several different years for his death. Any correction requested to change what is shown currently will not be made without good documentation.

Charles City, is the seat of Charles City Co. Named for a proposed city, the county is one of the oldest political units in America, the four "incorporations" into which settlements in VA were divided in 1619.

Francis Epes, Born at Ashford, Kent County, England, Baptized May 14, 1597, Died September 1674 at Charles City County, Shirley's Hundred Island, Virginia, Married Marie Pawlett. (Note: There has been some debate on the death date for Francis as all are not in agreement)

Francis Epes was the son of John Epes of Ashford England and his wife Thomaszine (Banks) Fisher. He Came to Virginia before 1625. He brought people (called headrights) for the King of England to Virginia, making six trips back and forth to England. The first people he brought were killed by Indians when he was making his second trip to England. On the third trip he brought his family. Among the headrights he claimed were himself, his three sons, John (from whom most in the phone book are descended. Also, John's son Daniel would adopt the Eppes spelling.), Francis, Thomas and 30 servants. There is some question about the place of birth for the children of Francis Epes. Some records show he brought the three sons from England as shown above but other information claims they were born in Virginia. This is an issue that needs more work. It is possible he brought over his brothers by the same names. Francis was first called Ensign, Captain, and then Lt. Colonel or Colonel.

Francis had an older brother, Captain William Epes, who came to America in 1618 on the ship "William and Thomas". William was a rather controversial person involved in a number of fights and killed at least one person. However, he left no descendants of record in America and moved back to Ashford, England by 1640.

In April 1625, Francis was elected from Charles City to sit in the Assembly at James City. At this Assembly often referred to as the "Convention", he signed a petition to be sent to England expressing "extreme discouragement" of the colonists over the change in government. This change refers to the new King, Charles I, who succeeded his father, King James I. King Charles would set the course that would one day lead to the American Revolution. King Charles was beheaded on January 30, 1649, by his countryman for his decisions as King and his methods used in ruling England.

Francis received a number of appointments some of which were: Commissioner for the Upper Parts, 8 August 1626, Commander of forces with Captain Thomas Pawlett (Thomas could be a cousin, brother or father to Marie, Francis' wife) to attack the Weyanoke and Appomattox Indians, 1627, Member of the House of Burgesses (It should be noted that the actions of the Burgesses could not bound the London Company, but from this small seed sprang the model and system of representative government that became the American pattern.) for Shirley Hundred, and for Charles City, 1639 and 1645, was named a member of the Council after having been recommended, 1637, as one of four persons "Resident in Virginia and fit to be called to the Council there."

On August 26, 1635, Captain Francis Epes was granted 1,700 acres on the Appomattox Manor, Hopewell, Virginia (formerly City Point). This location and home was in the possession of the Eppes families for over 344 years until its acquisition by the National Park Service in 1979. During the Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant used the dwelling as his Headquarters (1864-1865) while besieging Petersburg and Richmond. Gerneral Grant attacked Petersburg in June 1864 and for 10 months the Confederate forces withstood the longest siege on American soil, but Petersburg finally fell in April 1865, forcing Robert E Lee to surrender a week later at Appomattox. The house is now part of the Petersburg National Battlefield and is open for visitors.

One descendent of Francis was that of Martha Wayles. Martha married the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Then in a twist of the family tree on October 13, 1797, Senator John Wayles Epes married his 1st half-cousin Mary, Daughter of Martha Wayles and her husband Thomas Jefferson. Nicholas Trist, who married the Francis Epes descendant Virginia Randolph, negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Mexico in February of 1848. By its terms Mexico accepted the Rio Grande as the boundary of Texas and ceded New Mexico and Upper California to the United States.

The virile characteristics of Francis Epes, energetic, courageous Kentish man, were transmitted to his two older sons, who in their generation filled places in their communities similar to the postions he had hewed out for himself in the primitive colonial life of early Virginia.

Of his wife we know little except through will of Capt. Thomas Pawlett. She may have been Marie whose son Thomas's birth was registered in 1630 in the Church of St. Olave in Hart Street (east side of Mark Lane and near Tower of London. There may have been some daughters in the marriage, but none are referred to in records.

There are 7 books with information of Thomas A Eppes or his Children. They are:
1. "History of Concho County" by Mrs. Lafevre.
2. "Fort McKavett" by Miss Margaret Bierschwale.
3. "Nueces Headwater County" by Allen A Stovall
4. "Fort Concho and the Texas Frontier" by J. Evertt Haley.
5. "History of Bell County" by George W Tyler.
6. "Free State of Menard, Menard, Texas" by N. H. Pierce.
7. "Eppes, Epps, Epes Genealogy & History & Related Families" by Edna Finney Allison 1974. This covers mostly the descendants of Thomas Anderson Eppes
(This last two books give the most information)

For additional Genealogy information of the Epes/Eppes family and their part in early American history before 1800 A.D. read the following works:

(A) "Adventurers Of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1625", pages 160-164, by A. L. Jester (Princeton,
1956).
(B) "Francis Epes, His Ancestors and Descendants", by Eva Turner Clark (New York, 1942). (Note: Known to contain a number of errors)
(C) The Pulitzer Prize-winning six-volume biography of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United
States, by Dumas Malone (Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1948).

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Ahnentafel Report for Francis Epes (This report is now more that 20 years old and may not contain the latest up todate information on any new findings)
Based mostly on letter dated 26 April 1990 from The College of Arms, London, England to Rob Walker of Oklahoma and provides the link to John (Eps) Ips

Generation 1

1. Francis Epes son of John (Epse) Epes and Thomasina (Banks) Fisher was born before 14 May 1597 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He died between 04 Oct 1668-30 Sep 1674 in Charles City County, Shirley's Hundred Island, Virginia.

Marie Pawlett was born between 1586-1600 in England (dob?=Abt 1597). She died between Jan 1642/43-1690 in Virginia.

Francis Epes and Marie Pawlett were married between 1613-1624 in England.They had 4 children.

Generation 2

2. John (Epse) Epes son of Allan (Alan Epse) Epes and Agnes was born in 1550 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He died in Nov 1627 in Kent County, Brook, England. (Note: The current stone shown on FAG for John at St Mary the Virgin Church, Ashford, Ashford Borough, Kent, England is a memorial marker and not John's actual burial location. Burial may be on the grounds of the church.)

3. Thomasina (Banks) Fisher daughter of Alexander Fisher and Katherine (Maplesden) Maplisden was born about 1559 in Kent County, Ashford, England. She died after Aug 1625 in Kent County, England.

John (Epse) Epes and Thomasina (Banks) Fisher were married on 16 Jan 1578/79 in Kent County, Saint Martin's Church, Ashford, England.They had the following children:

i. Elizabeth Epes was born in 1593 in Kent County, England. She died before Aug 1625 in Kent County, England.

ii. Daniel Epes was born between 1590-1595 in Kent County, England. He died between 1619-1625.

iii. Peter Epes was born in 1601 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He died between Aug 1625-1691 in England?.

iv. Katherine Epes was born about 1588 in Kent County, England. She married Peter Maplesden on 18 Nov 1606 in Surrey County, Rotherhithe, England. She died before 1678.

v. Allen Epes was born in 1598 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He died before 1625.

vi. William Epes was born about 1584 in Kent County, England. He died between 1592-1593 in Kent County, England.

vii. William Epes was born on 07 Mar 1594/95 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He married Margaret between 1621-1623 in Virginia?. He died on 03 Mar 1642/43 in Kent County, Ashford?, England.

viii. Thomas Epes was born in 1589 in Kent County, England. He died before 1619 in Kent County, England.

ix. Mary Epes was born in 1599 in Kent County, Ashford, England. She married William Roper on 03 Mar 1622/23 in Surrey County, Kennington, England. She died before 1689.

x. John Epes was born about 1586 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He died between 1625-1676.

+1. xi. Francis Epes was born before 14 May 1597 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He married Marie Pawlett between 1613-1624 in England. He died between 04 Oct 1668-30 Sep 1674 in Charles City County, Shirley's Hundred Island, Virginia.

xii.
Katherine Epes was born about 1579 in Kent County, England. She died in Jun 1582 in Kent? County, England?.

xiii. Ann Epes was born about 1594 in Kent County, England. She married Edward Hudson on 13 Sep 1619 in Kent County, Eustivell, England. She died before 1684.

xiv. Thomasina (Thomasine) Epes was born in 1592 in Kent County, England. She died between Aug 1625-1682 in Kent County, England.

xv. Edward Epes was born between 1602-1607 in Ashford, Kent County, England. He died between Aug 1625-1692 in Virginia? or England?.

Generation 3

4. Allan (Alan Epse) Epes son of John (Epse) Epes and Alice was born on Jan 1508/09 in England (Isle of Thanet) (dob?=1507). He died before 22 Sep 1551 in Kent County, Lydd, England.

5. Agnes was born between 1504-1527 in England. She died before 1599 in Kent County, England.

Allan (Alan Epse) Epes and Agnes were married before Apr 1542.They had the following children:

i. Johane (Epse) Epes was born between 1541-1551 in Kent County, England. She died before 1631 in England.

+2. ii. John (Epse) Epes was born in 1550 in Kent County, Ashford, England. He married Thomasina (Banks) Fisher on 16 Jan 1578/79 in Kent County, Saint Martin's Church, Ashford, England. He died in Nov 1627 in Kent County, Brook, England.

iii. Margaret (Epse) Epes was born about 1546 in Kent County, Lydd, England. She married Thomas Smythe on 05 Feb 1567/68 in Kent County, Lydd, England. She died between 1585-1636 in England.

iv. Thomas (Epse) Epes was born in 1544 in England. He married Mary (Maria Struppeny) Stupeney on 16 Aug 1572 in Kent County, England. He died on 21 Apr 1585 in Kent County, England.

v. Alyce (Epse) Epes was born on Feb 1545/46 in Kent County, England. She died on Feb 1559/60 in Kent County, England.

vi. William (Epse) Epes was born before 1545 in Kent County, Maidstone, England. He married Anne Greene on 07 Feb 1563/64 in Kent County, Maidstone, England. He died on Jan 1577/78 in Kent County, New Romney, England.

vii. Alyn (Epse) Epes was born before 07 Nov 1542 in Kent County, England. He died before 21 Jul 1544 in Kent County, Lydd, England.

6. Alexander Fisher son of Mr. Fisher and Thomazine Bentenham was born about 1540 in Kent County, England. He died in Sep 1590 in Kent County, Detling, England.

7. Katherine (Maplesden) Maplisden daughter of Peter (Maplesden) Maplisden and Wife Of Peter Maplisden was born about 1543 in Kent County, England. She died before 1590 in England.

Alexander Fisher and Katherine (Maplesden) Maplisden were married between 1559-1587 in England.They had the following children:

i. Elizabeth Fisher was born about 1562 in England?. She married Mr. Woode between 1590-1624 in England? or Virginia?. She died between 1590-1656.

ii. Mary Fisher was born about 1560 in England?. She died between 1561-1654 in England?.

iii. John Fisher was born about 1561 in Kent County, Maidstone, England. He married Benetta Dering in 1595 in England?. He died in 1639 in Northhampton County, Virginia.

+3. iv. Thomasina (Banks) Fisher was born about 1559 in Kent County, Ashford, England. She married John (Epse) Epes on 16 Jan 1578/79 in Kent County, Saint Martin's Church, Ashford, England. She died after Aug 1625 in Kent County, England.

Generation 4

8. John (Epse) Epes son of John (Epes or Ips) Eps and Margaret was born about 1480 in Kent County, Lydd?, England. He died on 01 Feb 1526/27 in Kent County, Old Romney, England.

9. Alice was born between 1466-1507 in England. She died before 03 Jun 1527 in Kent County, Old Romney, England.

John (Epse) Epes and Alice were married between 1494-1507 in England.They had the following children:

i. John (Eps) Epes was born on Jan 1513/14 in Kent County, England. He married Joane Browne on 27 Feb 1540/41 in Kent County, Old Romney, England. He died about 08 Nov 1544 in Kent County, Old Romney, England.

+4. ii. Allan (Alan Epse) Epes was born on Jan 1508/09 in England (Isle of Thanet) (dob?=1507). He married Agnes before Apr 1542. He died before 22 Sep 1551 in Kent County, Lydd, England.

iii. John (Espe) Epes was born after 1522 in Kent County, England. He died before 1591 in England.

iv. Thomas (Epse or Epes) Epps was born in 1522 in Kent County, New Romney, England. He married Ellen Browne on 25 Jan 1544/45 in Kent County, Old Romney, England. He died in Oct 1580 in Kent County, Old Romney, England.

v. Joan (Eps) Epes was born on Feb 1514/15 in Kent County, England. She married Peter Godfrey before 1542 in Kent County, England. She died in Jun 1556 in Kent County, Lydd, England.

vi. William (Eps) Epes was born on Jan 1506/07 in England. He died before 25 Nov 1581 in Kent County, Old or New Romney, England.

12. Mr. Fisher was born before 1522 in Kent County, England. He died before 1599 in England.

13. Thomazine Bentenham was born before 1523 in Kent County, England. She died before 1599 in England.

Mr. Fisher and Thomazine Bentenham were married before Dec 1539 in Kent County, England.They had the following children:

i. Robert Fisher was born about 1551 in Kent County, England. He died on 30 Apr 1602 in Surrey County, Rederith, England.

ii. Daughterseven Of Thomazine Bentenham Fisher was born about 1550 in England. She died before 1640. She married Mr. Allen after 1669 in England.

iii. Daughterfive Of Thomazine Bentenham Fisher was born about 1548 in Kent County, England. She died before 1638. She married Mr. Browne after 1664 in England.

iv. Daughtersix Of Thomazine Bentenham Fisher was born about 1549 in Kent County, England. She married Mr. Bell after 1566 in England. She died before 1639.

v. Daughterfour Of Thomazine Bentenham Fisher was born about 1547 in Kent County, England. She married Mr. Reder after 1563 in England. She died before 1630.

vi. Daughtertwo Of Thomazine Bentenham Fisher was born about 1545 in Kent County, England. She died before 1630. She married Peter Hilles after 1661 in England.

vii. Thomazine Fisher was born about 1552 in Kent County, England. She married Richard Allarde after 1579 in England. She died before 1640.

viii. Son Of Thomazine Bentenham Fisher was born about 1550 in Kent County, England. He married Sister Of Richard Allarde after 1577 in England. He died before 1640.

ix. Daughterthree Of Thomazine Bentenham Fisher was born about 1546 in Kent County, England. She died before 1630.

x. Walter Fisher was born about 1553 in Kent County, England. He died before 1640 in Kent County, Maideston, England.

+6. xi. Alexander Fisher was born about 1540 in Kent County, England. He married Katherine (Maplesden) Maplisden between 1559-1587 in England. He died in Sep 1590 in Kent County, Detling, England.

14. Peter (Maplesden) Maplisden was born between 1500-1534 in Kent County, Lydd?, England. He died before 1599 in England

Peter (Maplesden) Maplisden was married before 1543 in Kent County, England.They had the following children:

i. Daughter Of Peter Maplisden was born about 1551 in Kent County, England. She married Mr. Goldsmithe after 1567 in England. She died before 1640.

+7. ii. Katherine (Maplesden) Maplisden was born about 1543 in Kent County, England. She married Alexander Fisher between 1559-1587 in England. She died before 1590 in England.

iii. Dorothy Maplisden was born about 1552 in Kent County, England. She married Mr. Gosling after 1568 in England. She died before 1640.

iv. George Maplisden was born about 1550 in Kent County, England. He married Thomazine Fisher between 1566-1585 in England. He died on 28 Jan 1589/90.

v. Peter Maplisden was born about 1555 in Kent County, England. He died before 1640 in Rochester?, England.

vi. Son Of Peter Maplisden was born about 1554 in Kent County, England. He died before 1640 in Rochester?, England.

Generation 5

16. John (Eps) Ips son of Alan (Epes or Ips) Eps and Benet was born between 1457-1471 in Kent? County, England. He died on 03 Dec 1524 in Kent County, Old Romney, England.

Johane (Joan) was born between 1453-1472 in England. She died on 11 Feb 1526/27 in England.

John (Epes or Ips) Eps and Johane (Joan) were married between 1483-1506 in England.They had the following children:

i. Johane (Epes or Ips) Eps was born between 1483-1513 in Kent County?, England. She died before 1583 in Kent County?, England.

ii. Anne (Epes or Ips) Eps was born between 1483-1513 in Kent County?, England. She died before 1584 in Kent County?, England.

iii. Amye (Epes or Ips) Eps was born between 1483-1513 in Kent County?, England. She died before 1595 in Kent County?, England.

iv. Joan (Epes or Ips) Eps was born between 1483-1513 in Kent County?, England. She died before 1586 in Kent County?, England.

17. Margaret was born between 1440-1465 in England. She died before 1565 in England.

John (Epes or Ips) Eps and Margaret were married about 1479 in England.They had the following children:

i. Alice (Epes or Ips) Eps was born between 1479-1500 in Kent County?, England. She married John Roger after 1499 in Kent County, England. She died before 1571 in Kent County?, England.

+8. ii. John (Epse) Epes was born about 1480 in Kent County, Lydd?, England. He married Alice between 1494-1507 in England. He died on 01 Feb 1526/27 in Kent County, Old Romney, England.

iii. Agnes (Epes or Ips) Eps was born between 1479-1500 in Kent County?, England. She married John Garrard after 1493 in Kent County, England. She died before 1572 in Kent County?, England.

Generation 6

32. Alan (Epes or Ips) Eps was born between 1406-1435 in Kent?County, Brenzett?, England. He died before 09 Sep 1471 in Kent County, Lydd, England.

33. Benet was born between 1415-1438 in England. She died before 1499 in England.

Alan (Epes or Ips) Eps and Benet were married between 1447-1467 in England.They had the following children:

i. Agnes Eps was born between 1447-1485 in Kent County, England. She married James Huggelyn after 1466 in Kent County, England. She died before 1530 in England.

ii. Robert Eps was born after 1457 in Kent County, England. He died before 1540 in England.

iii. William Eps was born between 1457-1485 in Kent County, England. He died before 1550 in England.

iv. Johane Eps was born between 1447-1485 in Kent County, England. She died before 1530 in England.

+16. v. John (Eps) Ips was born between 1457-1471 in Kent? County, England. He married Johane (Joan) between 1483-1506 in England. He died on 03 Dec 1524 in Kent County, Old Romney, England.

We know Francis was in Virginia by April 1625 when he was elected from Shirley Hundred to sit in the Assembly of James City in May of that year, when he began a career of public service. He gained patents to huge tracts of land in the Virginia Colony, and was the most successful of the Eppes family that emigrated to the New World.

He was an active officer (in grades Ensign through Colonel), Colonial Militia of Virginia.
He testified 9 Jan. 1625/26 in the controversy between Mr. Thomas Pawlett and Rev. Greville Pooley.
He was appointed commissioner for the Upper Parts, 8 Aug. 1626, and commander of forces with Capt. Thomas Pawlett to attack the Weyanoke, and Appomattox Indians, 4 July 1627.
In 1627 Francis was a member of the House of Burgesses for Shirley Hundred, Mr. Farrar's and Chaplaine's, 1631-32, and for Charles City, 1639, as one of four persons 'resident in Virginia and fit to be called to the Council there.'
He was appointed to the "Commission for a monthly Court in the Upper Parts," in March 1628.
He served in the House of Burgesses for Charles City, 1639/40 and 1645-46, and after being recommended June 1637, was a member of the Council in 1652.

In 1625 Francis (I) was a member of the House of Burgesses and in 1631-1632. He was appointed a justice for Charles City and Henrico counties in 1631, In 1652 he was elected a member of the council. He probably married in England. In 1635 he patented 1700 acres in Charles City County on the south side of the James River.
Origin
Francis was baptized on 14 May 1597 at St. Mary the Virgin, Ashford, Kent, England.[1] His parents are assumed to have been John Epes and Thomazine (Banks) Fisher[2]
Immigration
Tradition suggests that he came to America on the ship Hopewell in 1622 with his brother Peter, both following their elder brother William to the new world.[1]