George Alvis

Not the son of Alexander Alves and Margarete Andersone

George Alvis

• aka Alves
• Born before 1650 [location unknown]
• Died before 1733 at about age 83 in Hanover, Virginia
• Parents: unknown
• Husband of Unknown (Unknown) Alvis — married before 1670
• Husband of Alice (Unknown) Alvis — married 1679 in New Kent Co VA
• Husband of Mary (Unknown) Alvis — married about 1713 in Hanover Co., Virginia
• Father of Susannah (Alvis) Ellitt and David Alvis

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Family

George Alves (bef 1650-bef 1733) married

• 1) unknown, daughter Susannah
• 2) Alice, widow of William Harris; no children
• 3) Mary, son David

Mistaken Identity

It has been claimed that George Alves was the same man listed in the International Genealogical Index as follows: George Alves, male, christened 8 Jan 1660, Alves, Moray, Scotland, son of Alexander Alves. This identification is suspect for at least two reasons: it would require George to have been widowed and remarried by the age of 22 to a woman aged at least 40 (her first known son was born in 1661), with a daughter from his first marriage who was herself married by 1688, and it would also require a conversion to the Church of England.

This profile is part of the Alvis Name Study

Page 19 of an unidentified book, possibly Henrico Co VA records, gives the following mention of George Alves, the earliest known reference to his being in America:

"George m. bef. 1682, Alice (--) Harris, wid. of Maj. William. Henrico Orphans' Court, 1 Feb 1682."

"Three William Harrises in Hanover County," Malcolm Hart Harris in The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 22, p. 189: "William Harris, the patentee of this land on Cub Creek on 24 March 1725, had been closely associated with George Alves who had married the widow of Major William Harris of Henrico County. In the Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, William Harris and George Alves were closely associated in the processioning of land in the parish. Later, they owned land adjacent to Groundsquirrel on the South Anna River."

George Alvis (or Alves) originally came to America sometime before 1682 (George married before 1682, Alice (—) Harris, wid. of Maj. William. Henrico Orphans’ Court, 1 Feb 1682), but returned to Great Britain ca 1710 (the St. Paul’s Parish Vestry Book shows clearly that he was in Great Britain in 1711). He came back to America in 1712: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, Vol. 1, Gale Research: ALVIS, George, n.a. Boston, Mass., 1712. Boyer, Ship Passenger Lists, National and New England, p. 178 with three servants. George’s wife Alice was living in 1700, but may have died before George’s trip to Great Britain. She does not appear on his entry at Boston Harbor in 1712, although three servants were listed. He probably remarried about 1713 or later, and died in 1734 leaving one minor son, under 16, named David. If David was born in, say, 1714, his father would have been about 60 or 70.

"Evidence of the Descent of William Harris," by William R. Taylor in The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 22, excerpt from pp. 262-263: "The association of George Alves with William Harris, son of Major William Harris, is long standing and more than casual. Alice, the widow of Maj. Harris, married George Alves soon after her husband died.* George Alves is found as principal or acting as witness in five Henrico County deeds involving the known sons of Maj. Harris, William and Edward.*

"This close relationship of George Alves with his stepsons continued in New Kent County where on 4 June 1714 William Harris had a patent 'over against George Alves on South Anna River.'* This alliance continued as proved by the processioning records of St. Paul's Parish. In 1708/9, 1711, 1716, 1731, 1735, 1739 and 1743 the lands of William Harris and George Alves were in the same precinct. In 1708/9 the two men were the overseers.** Since it is known that George Alves died about 1734, the 1739 and 1743 appearance of his name must indicate that there was still land held in his name or that he had a son named George. From the records the former is more likely. The processioning records for the period 1719 to 1739 are not complete but it seems very likely that the same situation would be found if they were.

George Alvis (Alvey sometimes) was a widower from New Kent and deeded to his three daughters Jane,Mrs Martin Slaughter , Susan , Mrs Robt King, and Elizabeth who md Samuel McGEEHee 217 acres in New Kent co Va. on 27 August 1688 Perhaps to protect them if he did not survive the rebellion or because he was a sympathizer.

Estate

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Unknown-140775

Hanover Co VA Court Records 1733-1735. Deeds Wills & Inventories by Rosalie Edith Davis p. 342-343 INDENT. 16 July 1735.

• Martin Slaughter and Jane his wife, Robert King and Susannah his wife, Samuel Macgehee and Elizabeth his wife to Isaac Winston of the Co. of Hanover, Gent; 170£ current money; 217 acres that George Alvis by deed 27 Oct 1688 did convey to Susannah Ellite which sd land by the death of the sd Susanna did descend to the sd Jane, Susannah, and Elizabeth, daughters and coheirs of the sd Susannah Ellite. Signed:
• Martin Slaughter Jane (+) Slaughter
• Robert King Susannah (+) King
• Samuel Mackgehee Elizabeth (+) Magehee
• Wit: John White, Junr.; William Winston, Junr.; Isaac Winston, Junr.; John Talley 7 Aug 1735 ack. by Martin Slaughter and Jane his wife, Robert King, Samuel Mackgehee and Elizabeth his wife; as to Susannah King wife of Robert King was proved by oaths of John White Junr., William Winston Junr., Isaac Winston Junr.

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POSSIBLE ANCESTRY

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Alvis-44

The following information is the result of research by Mary Alvis Overstreet (Alvis-2382) and Brian Thomson, Bsc PhD, Edinburg, Scotland, with notes and sources from the Old Parish Register for Alves Parish, Morayshire, County of Moray, Scotland. Alves Parish is located in the Highlands on the North Sea.

This information presents the possible conclusion that the George Alves born in Alves Parish, Morayshire, Scotland in 1660 is the George Alves who is documented in the Virginia Colony.

George Alves was the child of Alexander Alves (born about 1604) and Margaret Anderson whose marriage was recorded in the Alves Parish Register in June 1651. George was baptized on January 8, 1660. The first born child of Alexander Alves was David who was baptized June 27, 1655. The second child was Alexander who was baptized October 25, 1657. The third son was John who was baptized September 12, 1658. A daughter, Issobel, was baptized on March 16, 1662. A daughter, Jean Alves, was baptized on March 20, 1670. Jean is shown as a "natural" daughter which indicates she is the daughter of Alexander but not Margaret. It was typical of baptism records of that period for the father's name to be recorded, but not the mother's name.

Alexander resided in different places within the Alves Parish which suggests that he was probably a poor farm servant which would require him to move with his wife and children to different farms in search of work. A Parish entry in 1685 indicates that Alexander Alves and David Alves were Church elders in the Parish Church of Alves. There is no further mention of George in the Alves Parish Register or the Alves Parish Elgin Church cemetery records. It is probable that George left Scotland as a young boy to seek a better life. At that time boys aged 15 or younger were considered men. No record has been found of George's departure from Scotland or England. Most 17th Century ships between Scotland and North America were trading vessels and most carried a few passengers and some passengers worked on the ship to pay for passage and bondage.

Questions to be considered in the conclusion of George of Scotland.

1) Why did George marry the older Widow Alice Harris? This might best be answered by considering his meager upbringing. The wealthy Widow presented George with an opportunity to acquire wealth and position in the Colony.

2) Why was George a Vestry in the Church of England if he had a Church of Scotland background? It would have been to George's advantage to change faith in order to prosper in the Colony. Alice could have had an influence in this regard.

3) Was George a bonded servant when he arrived in the Colony? If so was he bonded to Maj. William Harris? This would explain the close connection to the Harris family.

4) Was George married before he married the Widow Harris? If so there should be a Parish record of the marriage.

5) Did George father Susannah? If so there should be a Parish record of the birth and/or baptism. If Susannah's birth date is correct there is a conflict with George's baptismal date which usually relates closely to birth date. There is no proof to support that George Alves (Alvis) fathered a daughter.

6) Did George marry Mary (Last name unknown)? If so there should be a Parish record of the marriage. There is no proof to support this marriage.

7) Was it a coincidence that George named his son David and that George's elder brother was named David?

Sources

• http://www.wellsclan.us/History/generatn/d259.htm#P734
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Alvis-44
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G6QK-2PL
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145677528/george-alves
• - Alves Parish, Morayshire, County of Moray, Scotland Old Parish Register (copies on file). - Alves Parish Elgin Church Cemetery records (copies on file). - Elgin Old Parish Record, Moray, Scotland, Marriage of Alexander Alves and Margaret Anderson, June 15, 1651. - Alves Old Parish Record, Moray, Scotland, Birth and Christening of Children of Alexander Alves and Margaret Anderson. - Alves Old Church and Cemetery, Alves Parish, Moray, Scotland, ISBN 978-0-9557032-3-2, October 2006. - Elgin Cathedral Churchyard Records, Alves Parish, Moray, Scotland. - Historic Scotland, Moray Council, Alves Parish, Scottish Ministers' Statutory List, HB No. 2330, Item No 9, April 25, 1989, Reference: This Church of Alves, 1900, p. 119, George Hay. - Historic Scotland, Moray Council, Old Parish Church and Walled Burial Ground, The Church of Alves, 1900, p. 119, William Gramond.