The following is a collection of quotes and paraphrases from "The Russell Family In Early Virginia", Chapter I "The Russell Family in England" by Louis des Cognets, Jr.

"... was a student at Gloucester Hall (now Worcester College, Oxford), 17 Jan 1600/1, aged 13, of Worcester county, equitis fil (knight's son). As there was only one Russell family in Worcester who were knights, and as his father Sir John (Zutphen) Russell, had named his younger son John in his will of 1587, the identification is definite."

"... a member of the Second Supply ... sailed to America under the command of Thomas West, Lord Delaware, a descendant of the Roger de la Ware who had possessed Strensham before the succession of James Russell in 1283. The bitter quarrel between his father and his mother's family, the Sheldons, might have been one factor that decided him to start life anew in a far country. ... is among a list of gentlement who landed at "James Cittie" in 1608."

The following is a collection of quotes and paraphrases from "The Russell Family In Early Virginia", Chapter II "The Russell Family in Virginia" by Louis des Cognets, Jr.

Presumed grandson John (Rappahannock) Russell was likely born by 1645, which implies that Dr. John Russell may have been born by 1623. As that was the year in which John (Chief) Russell was known to be alive and at his plantation near Jamestown, he is qualified to be the father of Dr. John Russell and grandfather of John (Rappahannock) Russell. One fact that sustains this relationship ... John Bilington was reported as the owner of the manor of Churchill, not far from Strensham in 1397.

Dr. John Russell owned land on Chikacone Creek in Northumberland County 29 Nov 1658 with Colonel John Trussell and John Chandler (Chandeler) as neighbors on the same stream. Both Trussell and Chandeler appeared on the list of 1623 in proximity to John (Chief) Russell. John Trussell had been born in 1605, came to Virginia in 1622, and was a Burgess for Northumberland County between 1649 and 1655. He was presiding Justice in 1659, and died 21 May 1660.

John (Chief) Russell was mentioned in 1608 as one of the "gallants" of the Second Supply, and as a "proper gentleman". Walter Russell, Doctor of Physicke, Francis West and George Yarrington (Yarranton) were also among those classed as gentlemen.

The following year of 1609 Captain John Smith and John (Chief) Russell were left alone in a house with the Powhatan and a few squaws, when suddenly the crafty Indian disappeared, and a crowd of armed warriors surrounded the place. Without a moment's hesitation Smith and Russell charged out with drawn swords. This was so unexpected that the savage tribesmen were taken by surprise, and fled in such haste that they tumbled over one another to get away from the sharp blades of the two Englishmen.

On another occasion Captain John Smith went to see Opekankano (Opecancanough) in his village, which was located where the Pamunkey and the Mattapony Rivers unite to form the York. He was accompanied by George Percy, a younger son of the Earl of Northumberland, Francis West, a brother of Lord Delaware, and John (Chief) Russell. ... Captain ... Smith ... followed by Percy, West and Russell he dashed into Opekankano's house, andthere they "seized him by his long scalp-lock", and then "dragged him before the astonished multitude, and held a pistol to his breast." Such resolute behavior won a bloodless victory. Opekankano ordered his fighting men to fall back, which they did, and the little party of settlers returned safely to Jamestown.

In 1621 John (Chief) Russell was fortunate enough to escape the massacre of that year, for in 1623 he was listed as living on his plantation over against "James Cittie." Among his immediate neighbors were John West, Morice Loyd and Aron Conway. John Trussell was located at West and Shirley Hundred, and nearby him were Francis West, Isaac Maddeson (Madison), Mary Maddeson and Thomas Maddeson. Ann Ashley was living in James Cittie, John Throgmorton on the Eastern Short, and John Chandeler (Chandler) at Bass's Choice. These names all recur along the trail of the Russell family.

In 1637 John (Chief) Russell transported "Jon Asley" to Virginia. By 1730 evolution in spelling had changed it to "John Ashley," with William Russell acting as a witness for the purchase of some land in Spotsylvania County.

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From Mark Freeman's WorldConnect tree http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=markfreem...:

It seems likely that Dr. John Russell descends from one of the earliest white men in Virginia, John (Chief) Russell and is likely his son. Unless there were men in two generations named Dr. John Russell, which is entirely possible, he was more likely a grandson. He married Elitia Billington in 1673, and is said to have had a son, George Russell, who was probably married soon after 1690. Of course, he could also have married another, sooner.

The author cited immediately below indicates that he is likely Dr. John Russell's son. He was Sheriff of Rappahannock County from 1688 to 1692, after Dr. John's death.

"Deeds & Wills No. 1 (Old) Rappahannock County 1665-1677". Luke Billington appointed Dr. John Russell to be a Trustee to his Last Will with Mr. William Travers and Mr. Giles Cale, May xx3th 1672. Right under the will is - "Henry Shears aged 35 years or thereabouts. John Russell aged 26 years or thereabts. Sworn and examined say that they saw the above named Luke Billington signe seale and publish this writing whereunto his hand & seale is annexed as his Last Will and Testamt and that then he was in perfect mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and further say not.

Henry Sheares John Russell "

The following is a collection of quotes and paraphrases from "The Russell Family In Early Virginia", Chapter II of "The Russell Family in Virginia" by Louis des Cognets, Jr. The three John Russell names are separated as "Dr. John Russell" (the proven ancestor who married Elitia Russell), John (Chief) Russell (in Virginia in 1608) and John (Rappahannock) Russell, sheriff of Rappahannock Co., VA around 1690 (after Dr. John died).

Dr. John Russell was appointed a trustee in the 1671 will of Luke Billington, and was evidently a close friend, and John (Rappahannock) Russell acted as a witness and must also have been a frequent visitor in his household [Since the will was dated 1671, and John (Rappahannock) Russell must have been 21-26 years old, the author presumes a birth date of about 1645]. That two Russells should have been so intimately connected with the Billingtons, but in no way related to one another would be highly improbable. The most reasonable relationship for the two Russells would be that of father and son. In 1688 John (Rappahannock) Russell was Sheriff of Rappahannock County, a post he held until 1692, the year that Rappahannock was abolished by division into Essex and Richmond Counties. John (Rappahannock) Russell was likely born by 1645, which implies that Dr. John Russell may have been born by 1623 [presuming one to be the father of the other]. As that was the year in which John (Chief) Russell was known to be alive and at his plantation near Jamestown, he is qualified to the father of Dr. John Russell and grandfather of John (Rappahannock) Russell.

Dr. John Russell owned land on Chikacone Creek (Coan Creek) in Northumberland County 29 Nov 1658 with Colonel John Trussell and John Chandler (Chandeler) as neighbors on the same stream. Both Trussell and Chandeler appeared on the list of 1623 in proximity to John (Chief) Russell. John Trussell had been born in 1605, came to Virginia in 1622, and was a Burgess for Northumberland County between 1649 and 1655. He was presiding Justice in 1659, and died 21 May 1660. [John Trussell may be an ancestor of Mark Freeman on another line, though the exact link is not known.]

(end of quotes and paraphrases from "The Russell Family In Early Virginia", Chapter II of "The Russell Family in Virginia" by Louis des Cognets, Jr.

In May, 1675, Thomas Erwin deposed to the county court about some activities he had observed at John Russell's house, saying, "that on or about the beginning of March last past this Deponent being at the house & plantation called Island where John Russell then lived and the sd Russell being at the prsent deprived of his Speech but according to my Judgment in perfect Sence and memory did first according to this Deponts. understanding make signes to William Serjeant to follow him the sd Russell they went into a little Shed and the sd Russell took two pewter dishes in his hand & made signes to his Sonne to give him one of the sd Dishes and according to this Deponents understanding the sd Russell make signe to give the other Dish to his Daughter & coming out of the sd Shed went & opened a Small box & tooke out two Silver Spoones & delivered the one of the sd Spoones to his aforesd Son & the other Spoone according to this Deponents understanding the sd Russell made signes to give to his aforesd Daughter and afterwards the sd Russell took out a small box of which he took one Gold ring & one Silver seale & delivered the same to William Serjeant and sd Serjeant saying to the sd Russell what to me the sd Russell made signes to the Contrary, then the sd Serjeant said to the sd Russell what to my Wife the sd Russell then made Signes according to this Deponents understanding that he did give the same to the sd Serjeants Wife after all which signes the sd Russell put up the severall things above mentioned in the respective places where they were And there they continued till the sd Russells decease to the best of this Deponents Judgment & farther saith not May the 17th 1675. Thomas Erwin."

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https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3WGD-B99

          "......was a student at Gloucester Hall (now Worcester College, Oxford), 17 Jan 

           1600/01, aged 13, of Worcester County, equitis fil (knight's son). As there was 

           only one Russell family in Worcester who were knights, and as his father Sir 

           John (Zutphen) Russell, had named his younger son John in his will of 1587, 

           the identification is definite. The original will 20 April 1697 had appointed  

           Edward Russell, the 3rd Earl of Bedford, and Gilbert Littleton as Overseers. 

           Then in a codicil 13 Dec 1587 he had appointed his "good cousin, Sir William

           (Thornhaugh) Russell and Edmond Colles" in their place. Probate did not occur 

           until 31 July 1598, although his death has been reported as 18 Sep 1593.

           What caused the delay in probating the will is not known, and it is possible that 

           his death was later than the date quoted".

Moreover there is a bit about his journey and arrival in America:

          ".......Having been born in 1587 John (Chief) Russell came of age in 1608,

           so it was natural that his thoughts should turn, as his father's had done, "

           unto the parte beyond the Sea". As a younger son with limited prospects

           in England, it is not difficult to see why he became a member of the 

           Second Supply, that sailed to America under the command of Thomas 

           West, Lord Delaware, a descendant of the Roger de la Ware, who had 

           possessed Strensham before the succession of James Russell in 1283.

           The bitter quarrel between his father and his mother's family, the 

           Sheldons, might have been one factor that decided him to start life anew

           in a far country".

".......Whatever his reasons "John Russell, armiger" is among the list of

           gentleman who landed at "James Cittie" in 1608. Here he maintained

           the family tradition of courage in battle, and here he contributed to the 

           genesis of the United States".