Captain Peter “the envoy” Hayes, II

Notes for PETER HAYES, JR.:

Peter Hayes the envoy, son of Captain Peter Hayes, was born in Cheshire, England about 1600. His mother was Margaret Davyes, the captain's first wife. Margareta was a widow lady, her married name was Hewes. Missing documents in the parish records at Great Budworth leave us in the dark regarding the baptism, etc. of the early children in the family. It is known that Peter received a good education. His father sent him to college and he was matriculated as sizar in Queen's Collage, Cambridge, England. (Venn, Alumni Cantabrigense, p. 339, Sept. 1615). Following the practice of many young men, Peter did not stand for graduation, but moved on to London and entered one of the Law schools, the "Ins of Court". Here he could prepare himself for legal or secretarial profession. In London he came under the protection of his cousin, Sir Thomas Hayes, Lord Mayor of London 1614-1615. Just how Peter came to the notice of another relative, James Hay, Lord of Doncaster is not known, but in due time he was employed by him.

This James Hay was a young Scottish noble, brought to London in the entourage of King James 1. He held the high office of Master of the Wardrobe, and was an active councilor and diplomat. In 1622 he was created Earl of Carlisle. Responsibility came with honors and Peter Hayes shared in the work of his patron.

King James died 1625 and his son, Charles I ascended the throne. The Earl of Carlisle was a valued statesman, and was retained in the service of the new king. In 1628 a dispute arose over the govern ship of the West Indies, or Caribbean Islands. Montgomery claimed them, and had placed an illicit Governor in Barbados, pre-epting Carlisle's rights and income. After much wrangling, King Charles I, finally decided to settle the matter. He named a Royal Commission to go to Barbados, arrest the illegal governor and bring him back to London for a trial. A new Governor would be named by the rightful grantee, the Earl of Carlisle. Peter Hayes was appointed envoy with the Royal Commission to the West Indies. The dispute was settled in 1640.

The work of the Commission, completed, the gentlemen returned to London however, Peter Hayes decided to extend his travels as far as Virginia. His father was well established on his plantation on Pagen Creek, just across the river from Jamestown.

Serious political troubles between the king and parliament were agitation the nation, and did not end until Charles I was beheaded in 1649. No doubt Peter Hayes, who had been secretary to the Earl of Carlisle and had been named as the king's envoy to the islands, found it expedient to remain on his own plantation in Virginia, which he had inherited from his father, Capt. Peter Hayes.

It is not known when Peter the envoy married nor to whom. We do have his brief will, obviously written during his last hours, in which he mentions his mother, his sister Ann Cornish, and his nephew Thomas Bevan, Son of Thomas Bevan (D.blk. 2, Isle of wright Co. Records, Vol II,p.175,1661-1719).

In colonial times it was not unusual for the father in a family to give a portion of his estate to his sons as they came of age, married, and established themselves as heads of families. Evidently this is the reason that Peter the envoy, nor a planter, did not mention his sons in his short will, which was probated in the County Court, May 1669.

1. Peter Hayes, A planter

2. Thomas Hayes (I), a planter, (our ancestor)

3. Edward Hayes, a planter

4. Jacob Hayes, a sea captain

Source: Historical Southern Families, Vol XXIV

Children of PETER HAYES and UNKNOWN are:

i. PETER HAYES III, b. Abt. 1643, Isle of Wright Co. VA; d. 1720, Isle of Wright Co. VA.

ii. THOMAS HAYES, SR., b. Abt. 1645, Isle of Wright County, VA; d. Abt. 1715, St. Stephens Parish, Northumberland Co. VA.

iii. JACOB JOHN HAYES1, b. 16481; d. Unknown.

	Notes for JACOB JOHN HAYES:

Jacob John Hayes, ship captain lived at Salmon Ck., NC. He was master of the "Constant" out of London. He and his first mate Edward Cooke were subpoenaed to appear in court in London re. Bacon's Rebellion. Instead of Complying they left the sea and took up land "in Albemarle. NC" He dropped the use of his first name and went by John.

Source: Historical Southern Families, Vol. XXIV

iv. EDWARD HAYES1, b. 16491; d. Unknown.