John Garner, Jr.

The Witches of Shropshire - the Wives of Richard and Thomas Garner

Was it about witchcraft or was it about gaining control of the Lion Inn?

Summary

John Garner, born 1578 in Solihul, Warwickshire, England had three sons - Thomas, John, and Richard. They had each inherited a 1/3 interest in the Lion Inn, a carriage inn at Shrewbury, from their mother Joan Underwood’s dowry about 1631.

Thomas married Mary Lacye. She was drowned as a witch in 1635 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England.

Richard married Katharn. She was drowned as a witch in 1636 in Shropshire, En- gland.

Thomas and Richard took their children and immigrated to Virginia in 1636 and 1637. Richard “freely gave” his share of the inn to brother John, or so John said.

John stayed in England. It is assumed that he was married. He still owned the inn in 1643 and he wanted quiet title to it. For information about the inn, which still exists, see: http://www.thelionhotelshrewsbury.co.uk