John "The Ranger" Taliaferro

John Taliaferro is qualifying ancestor # A7807 for membership in The Jamestowne Society; having served as Burgess for Essex County in 1699.

https://www.jamestowne.org/taberer---taylor.html

https://www.anamericanfamilyhistory.com/Virginia%20Early%20Families...

John Taliaferro, Sr. was born about 1654. He's called "The Ranger." He married Sarah Smith. Sarah was the daughter of Major Lawrence Smith and Mary Debnam.

NOTE: John Taliaferro is qualifying ancestor # A7807 for membership in The Jamestowne Society; having served as Burgess for Essex County in 1699.

During the ensuing summer of 1682, [Cadwallder] Jones ranged the great fork of the Rappahannock with John Taliaferro, of Snow Creek, son of the Robert "Talifer" from whose house on Rappahannock Lederer had set out ten years previously. It was then, as Taliaferro afterwards testified," that they explored to "the first Heads or Springs of the Two Branches of Rappahannock," and perhaps it was then also that they anticipated the achievement of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe and crossed the Blue Ridge to camp on the banks of the Shenandoah. (from Western Explorations in Virginia Between Leederer and Spotswood).

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John "The Ranger" TALIAFERRO was b. 1656, Essex, VA. He died on 21 Jun 1720 in Gloucester, Va. John married Sarah SMITH calculated 1680, Essex, Va. We find a number of large land grants recorded in the State Land Registry office, beginning with one to Robert Taliaferro (father of John) and Lawrence Smith jointly, of 6,300 acres of land in Rappahannock County, Virginia, on 26 May 1661 [Book No. 5, p. 597]. Notes for John "The Ranger" Taliaferro: Lieutenant, County Militia-Rangers, James City, VA 13 Jan 1692 Sheriff, Essex County, 1699 Member of the House of Burgesses for Essex County 17 Apr 1699. Justice of Essex Co., VA 8 Jul 1702, along with Francis Taliaferro [probably his uncle]. Quit Rent Rolls of 1704: has 2,000 acres in Essex Co., Va. Also listed in Essex Co. are Francis and Charles Called the Ranger; Colonel in the Caroline Company of Rangers His Will dated 1 June 1715 in Essex Co., VA; proved 21 Jun 1720, Essex Co., VA. [Will Book 3, page 157] Sarah SMITH b. 1661 in Gloucester or Old Rappahannock Co., VA; christened in Essex, Virginia. She d. 1720 in Essex County, VA. Sarah married John "The Ranger" TALIAFERRO calculated 1680 in , Essex, Va. Notes for Sarah Smith Taliaferro: Born in Gloucester Co., VA On August 9, 1692, John Smith, of Ware Parish, Gloucester County, made a deed to John Taliaferro, of St. Mary's Parish, Essex County, for 200 acres of land, "the one half moiety of the land taken up by Charles Grymes, dec'd, November 22, 1661, and bequeathed by him to Mary Dedman (Sarah's mother). (Essex County records, Book I, p. 40.) Daughter of Lawrence Smith and Mary Dedman Died in Essex Co., VA Other marriages: CONWAY, Francis John and Sarah Taliaferro had the following children: F
i Sara TALIAFERRO, b. 7 Jun 1727 in Caroline, Virginia. She died on 17 Jan 1784. M
ii John TALIAFERRO, b. about 1672 in Of Powhatan. M
iii Phillip TALIAFERRO, b. about 1676 in . M
iv Robert TALIAFERRO, b. 21 Jun 1720 Essex Co., VA. He d. 1728, Stafford, Virginia. M
v William TALIAFERRO, b. 21 Jun 1720 Essex Co. VA; d.1760 King & Queen, VA. M
vi Lawrence TALIAFERRO, b.1683 and d.27 Jun 1726. F
vii Mary TALIAFERRO, b, 1686. M
viii John TALIAFERRO, b. 1687 and d. 3 May 1744. M
ix Zachariah TALIAFERRO, b.1689 Essex, VA; d. before 21 May 1745 Caroline, VA. F
x Elizabeth TALIAFERRO, b.1698 Prince Wm. Co, Va. She d. 1720 in Prince Wm. Co, Va. Elizabeth may also have been married to John Catlett, born 1680 in Va. F
xi Sarah TALIAFERRO, b. 16 Oct 1695. M
xii Charles TALIAFERRO, b.13 Aug 1690 Taliaferro Mount, Essex, VA; d. 1721 Essex, VA M
xiii Robert TALIAFERRO, b. 1700. He died in 1728 in Spotsylvania County, VA. F
xiv Catherine TALIAFERRO, b. 1702 Powhattan Plantation, Essex Co., Va.. She d. 1748. M
xv Richard TALIAFERRO b. 1703 Caroline Co., VA; d. 27 Sep 1749 in Potomac River, Port Royal, Caroline, VA M
xvi William TALIAFERRO, b. 1704. He died in Of Patrick County. ____________________________________

John was called "The Ranger" from his service as Lieutenant of the York County Rangers about 1692 in conflicts with the natives.

John's will was proved 21 Jun 1720, in Essex Co., VA. He named most of his eleven children in his will, written in 1715 and of record in Essex Co. Will Book 3, pp 157-158.

"His will is dated 1 June 1715 in Essex Co., Va. It was proven 21 June 1720. Will Book 3, page 157. Information from an early researcher found in GS film #1316359, Item 6.

Notes from this film state: Nicklin's article on the Taliaferro's says this couple was the parents of John Taliaferro 1687-1744 who married Mary Catlett and of of Mary Taliaferro who married Francis Thornton 1683-1758."

!Laquita Armstrong to Janet Weston on Fido 8/6/94: "On 28 Sept.1681

John Taliaferro was granted land from his brother Francis, John 'then being about to marry Sarah daughter of Lawrence Smith." ...if she were b. 1631 ... that would fit with Sarah being married in 1682 (making her birthdate ca. 1662)..."

Jul 1702, along with Francis Taliaferro, probably his uncle. John was listed as Sheriff, Essex Co., 1699 and a member of the House of Burgesses for Essex County 17 Apr 1699. He is also listed as Lieutenant, County Militia-Rangers, John is listed as a Justice of Essex Co., VA.

James City, 13 Jan 1692. In the Quit Rents of 1704, he is listed with 2,000 acres in Essex Co., VA. John was also known as, "The Ranger" by family and friends.

Son of ROBERT3 TALIAFERRO (FRANCIS 2, BARTOLOMEO 1)

"John Taliaferro, the Ranger, d 1719 married his cousin, Sarah Smith, daughter of Col. Lawrence Smith 1629-1700 and Mary Debnam."

"Col. John-4 Taliaferro "The Ranger" was born before 1656 in Gloucester Co., VA. He died on 21 Jun 1720 in Essex Co., VA. He was married to Sarah Smith in 1682. Sarah Smith was born in 1661 in York Co., VA. She died in 1720 in Essex Co., VA. Col. John Taliaferro."

"Major John Taliaferro. A Colonel in the Caroline Company of Rangers, Sherrif of Essex Co, VA. Served in the Virginia House og Burgesses in 1699.

His will is dated 1 June 1715 in Essex Co., Va. It was proven 21 June 1720.

Will Book 3, page 157. Information from an early researcher found in GS film #1316359, Item 6.

Notes from this film state: Nicklin's article on the Taliaferro's says this couple was the parents of John Taliaferro 1687-1744 who married Mary Catlett and of of Mary Taliaferro who married Francis Thornton 1683-1758. He was married to Sarah SMITH about 1682."

Col. John TALIAFERRO, "The Ranger", born in 1656 and died in 1720, he married Sarah SMITH in 1682. His children include Lawrence TALIAFERRO; John TALIAFERRO [married Mary CATLETT]; Robert TALIAFERRO; Elizabeth TALIAFERO CATLETT [married John CATLETT III]; Zachariah TALIAFERRO; Sarah TALIAFERRO; Richard TALIAFERRO; Catherine TALIAFERRO; Mary TALIAFERRO THORNTON [married Francis THORNTON, Jr.]; William TALIAFERRO; and Charles TALIAFERRO. His son Zachariah and his brother Francis' son Zachariah, our ancestor, are often confused by researchers. John was called "The Ranger" from his service as Lieutenant of the York County Rangers about 1692 in conflicts with the natives. is a genealogist on this line.

Lt. Col. John TALIAFERRO, Sr., "The Ranger", b. 1656, m. 1682, in VA, Sarah SMITH, (daughter of Maj. Lawrence SMITH, and Mary DEBNAM)

Other: 1718, Will, Richmond Co., VA. John died 1720, Essex Co., VA, Made will on, 1-Jun-1715; Will Probated 21 June, 1720, "The Ranger" lived at Snow Creek, Spotsylvania Co.VA. "THE RANGER"--Lt. of Rangers in 1692. Colonel, Essex Militia in 1696; Burgess Essex County, 1699; Justice, Essex County, 1699-1700. John fought in the Indian wars. He had 11 children. He was the first to bear the name "John" in Virginia. John was also Sheriff of Essex Co. His marriage to Sarah Smith, 1682, is proved by deed of Francis Taliaferro to his brother, John, who was about to marry Sarah Smith. He was a large land holder in Essex Co., & the bricks for his beautiful house "Powhattan" were made in England.

Sarah was a daughter of Major Lawrence Smith--(Old) Rappahannock County Deeds (1682-1688), p. 7: "23 Sept. 1682-Francis Taliaferro..son & heir of Robert Taliaferro, late ...the said Robert T. and Lawrence Smith of the county of Gloucester did patent...6,000 ac. in Rappahannock Co...now I as heir ..give 3,150 ac. to my brother, JOHN TALIAFERRO, HE BEING ABOUT TO MARRY SARAH, THE DAUGHTER OF THE SAID LAWRENCE SMITH..." Recorded 7 Feb., 1682/83. John Taliaferro's will in 1715,1720 names his wife Sarah.

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Chapter XXI the Taliaferro Family. Image Not Shown Taliaferro Coat-of-Arms. Of all the old family legends and traditions which have come down to us as to the origin of our colonial ancestors in America, there is no story more interesting and certainly none more ancient than that of the origin of the Taliaferro family, for it carries us back to Julius Cæsar and his campaign in Gaul, in the year 58 B. C. The old tradition tells us that Julius Cæsar, while inspecting his camp at twilight, was surrounded by Gallic barbarians, who would have killed him had it not been for the intervention of one of the barbarians, who so admired Cæsar for his bravery and courage in defending himself that he refused to let him be murdered. Cæsar, in return for this timely assistance made this man one of his personal attendants, and he was allowed to carry arms (a sword or dart), and thus the name of Taliaferro originated from the Latin tutum (a dart) and ferro (to bear). It was, of course, contrary to custom to allow a stranger or barbarian in the Roman camps to carry arms. A branch of the family wandered to Normandy, and thence came to England with William the Conqueror, Baron Taliaferro being called "the hero of Hastings," who received large grants of land for his bravery in County Kent, which descended to his posterity, who became the Earls of Pinnington. In Bulwer's novel, "Harold," we have the story of a troubadour named Taliaferro who was the personal friend of William the Conqueror. This Taliaferro died a gallant death at Hastings. In 804 a Taliaferro was created Duke of Angoulème by Charles the Bold of France, and in Hume's "History of England" we read that Isabel Taliaferro, daughter of the Count d'Angoulème, married King John of England, and from them descended a long line of kings and queens. They were also dukes of the Plantagenet line, thus linking them not only with the Norman kings, but also with the older line of English rulers, Edward the Confessor, and others. After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes there came to America, from France, two brothers, James and John Taliaferro, leaving behind them a brother who was a Catholic priest, through whom they saved a large part of their estates in Europe. John Taliaferro married a Miss Hay, descended from Lord Hay. James married a Miss Nicholson, who also belonged to the English nobility. The two brothers purchased a large estate on the James River extending forty miles. John Taliaferro, the ancestor of the Virginia family of Taliaferros, settled near Williamsburg, on the James River. He called his beautiful estate "Powhatan." "Hay" is the name of another of the old Taliaferro manors. It is in King George County. Originally this estate covered many acres. The bricks for building the house were brought from England. The situation is an ideal one, commanding a view of the surrounding country. This estate is still in possession of the Taliaferros. John Taliaferro((1)) and his wife left issue: I. John Taliaferro((2)), who inherited "Powhatan," but removed to Petersburg, founding that branch of the family. Married Miss Hannon. II. William Taliaferro((2)), who settled in King George County, on the Rappahannock, calling his seat "Hagley." III. Philip Taliaferro((2)), who settled in King and Queen County, calling his seat "Hockley." Married Lucy Baytops, granddaughter of King Carter. II. John Taliaferro((2)) (John((1))), son of John Taliaferro, emigrant, and Miss Hay, his wife. Married Miss Hannon. Issue: I. John Taliaferro((3)). II. Richard Taliaferro((3)), who emigrated to Georgia and gave his name to a county there. He returned late in life to Virginia, but left sons and daughters in Georgia. One of his sons, Richard, accompanied him to Virginia and married Miss Baldwin, of Augusta County, and settled in Amherst County. They were the parents of Judge Norborne M. Taliaferro, of General Court of Virginia. III. A son Taliaferro((3)), removed to Ohio, and has descendants living in Cincinnati. IV. A daughter Taliaferro((3)), who married Chancellor Wythe. In Bishop Meade's "Old Churches of Virginia," it is said that George Wythe of Williamsburg married for his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Eliza Taliaferro, of "Powhatan." They left no issue. II. William Taliaferro((2)) (John((1))), second son of John Taliaferro and Miss Hay, his wife. Settled in King George County, Va., on the Rappahannock, calling his seat "Hagley." Married - and had issue: I. John Taliaferro((3)), of "Hay," who married Betty Garnett, of Elmwood, in Essex County. II. James Taliaferro((3)). Married the widow of Sir John Peyton, of Middlesex County. III. Francis Taliaferro((3)), of Epsom, b. 1700; d. 1757. Married Elizabeth Hay. IV. Hay Taliaferro((3)). V. Lawrence Taliaferro((3)). VI. Baldwin Taliaferro((3)). VII. Elizabeth Taliaferro((3)). Married Mr. Brooke. VIII. Lucie Taliaferro((3)). Married Colonel Daingerfield. III. John Taliaferro((3)) (William((2)), John((1)).), son of William Taliaferro((2)). Married Betty Garnett, of Elmwood, in Essex County. They had issue: I. James Garnett Taliaferro((4)). Married Wilhelmina Wishart, a descendant of the martyr George Wishart, who was burned at the stake at St. Andrew's, Scotland, and daughter of the Rev. John Wishart, of Scotland, who was sent by the Church of England to preach in the colony of Virginia, his charge county. II. John Taliaferro((4)), of "Hagley," b. 1768; d. 1853. Married Lucie Thornton Hooe. John Taliaferro was member of Congress from 1801-1803, 1811-1813, 1824-1831, 1835-1843. In 1805 and 1821 he was Presidential Elector, and for three years before his death he was librarian of the treasury department at Washington. III. Lucie Taliaferro((4)). Married Thornton Alexander, a multimillionaire, for whom Alexandria, Va., was named. IV. James Garnett Taliaferro((4)) (John((3)), William((2)), John((1))), of Oakland, King George County, eldest son of John Taliaferro, of "Hay," and his wife, Betty Garnett Taliaferro. Married Wilhelmina Wishart Taliaferro, and had issue: I. John Wishart Taliaferro((5)), who was a surgeon on the Bon Homme Richard, under John Paul Jones, during the War of 1776. John Wishart married Sarah Brooke, daughter of Dr. Lawrence Brooke. John W. Taliaferro and his wife, Sarah, had two daughters-Elizabeth Taliaferro and Frances Taliaferro. Both married gentlemen of the name of White. II. William F. Taliaferro((5)), second son of James Garnett Taliaferro and his wife, Wilhelmina Taliaferro. Married Mary Turberville, of Pecatone, on the Potomac. The children of William F. and Mary Turberville Taliaferro were: I. Kate Taliaferro((6)). Married Dr. Gustavus Rose, of Stafford County. II. Fenton Taliaferro((6)). Married Dr. Brown. III. Mary Taliaferro((6)). Married Dr. Murphy. IV. Gavin Taliaferro((6)), who now resides in Baltimore. III. James Garnett Taliaferro((5)), third son of James Garnett Taliaferro, of Oakland. Married, first, Mary Brent, of Richmond; second, Anne Seymour Taliaferro, his first cousin, daughter of John Taliaferro, of "Hagley." Issue by second marriage: I. James Garnett Taliaferro((6)). II. William Hunter Taliaferro((6)). III. John Seymour Taliaferro((6)). IV. Betty Taliaferro((6)). V. Sally Taliaferro((6)). V. Lawrence Taliaferro((5)) (James Garnett((4)), John((3)), William((2)), John((1))), fourth son of James Garnett Taliaferro, of Oakland, was a major in the United States Army. He married Eliza Dillon. No issue. V. Hay Taliaferro((5)) (James Garnett((4)), John((3)), William((2)), John((1))), fifth son of James Garnett Taliaferro, of Oakland. Married three times: first, Helen Tyler, niece of President Tyler; second, Mary Brent, of Prince William Co., Va.; third, Rebecca Seymour Hooe, great-granddaughter of George Mason, of Gunston Hall, Fairfax County, Virginia. Rebecca Hooe Taliaferro left one daughter, Mary Austin, who married her first cousin, Lawrence Taliaferro. The children of Mary Brent Taliaferro, second wife of James Garnett Taliaferro, were Sarah Taliaferro (who married Thomas Goody Carter) and Edmonia Taliaferro. Gustavus T. Taliaferro((6)), seventh son. Muscoe Garnett Taliaferro((6)), eighth son. Charles E. Taliaferro((6)), ninth son. Elizabeth Fenton Taliaferro((6)). V. James Monroe Taliaferro((5)) (James Garnett((4)), John((3)), William((2)), John((1))), tenth son of James Garnett Taliaferro, of Oakland, was a godson of President Monroe and a classmate of Robert E. Lee, at West Point. James Monroe Taliaferro was born at "Oakland," the family estate; was senator for a number of years.He married, first, Valeria O'Brien, of Philadelphia, by whom he had one daughter, Emily, who married Mr. Brown, a banker, of Philadelphia. James Monroe Taliaferro married, second, Marion L. Grymes, great-granddaughter of George Mason Taliaferro, who married E. M. McDowell, of Fredericksburg, and their only child, Marion Mason, married Mr. P. V. Daniel, of Fredericksburg, Va., a member of the prominent family of that name. Another daughter, Martha Carter Stuart Taliaferro, married Mr. Mason Throckmorton. James Monroe Taliaferro married the third time Annie Coleman, of Stafford County. A great poet has told us we can find sermons in stones and good in everything if we only have eyes to see and ears to hear. Indeed, it is from the simple things in life we learn the fundamental principles which guide us, with this object in view, of learning what the stones can teach us. The Society for Historical Research, in which Governor Warfield and the colonial and patriotic societies are so much interested, have appointed certain members of the society to visit all the old churchyards in the State and copy the epitaphs and inscriptions on the tombstones. What sermons in stones these inscriptions will be to the descendants! If the little stone which lies in our pathway can teach us so much, what wonderful lessons, thrilling stories and even history could be found inscribed on the numerous tombstones scattered all over our land, carved by the hand of some patient artist long since passed away and set up to perpetuate the memory of our dead. If some industrious person would collect and compile for our reading epitaphs from all parts of the world, what an epitome of history it would make; from the magnificent mausoleums of Frederick the Great, and the Emperor Napoleon down to the lowliest tombstones in the quiet country churchyard, bearing to one and all its simple lesson-"Hic jacet in pace." The following inscriptions were copied from the tombstones in Hickory Neck churchyard in James City County, Virginia: Here lies interred the body of Col. John Taliaferro, of Snow Creek, in the County of Spottsylvania, who departed this life on the third day of May, anno Domini 1744, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. He left issue two sons and three daughters. Here lies the body of Lawrence Taliaferro, son of Col. John Taliaferro, of Snow Creek, in Spottsylvania County, who departed this life the first day of May, 1748, in the twenty-seventh year of his age. He married Susannah Power, of James City County, and left issue by her one daughter. John Taliaferro, of Hagley, born 1768, died 1853; second son of John and Betty Garnett Taliaferro; member of Congress from 1811 to 1843. Married Lucie Thornton Howe Taliaferro; had issue, first, John Seymour, who married Lucie Barbour. John Seymour Taliaferro married Lucie Barbour, daughter of Hon. John Barbour, at one time Governor of Virginia, and also Minister to the Court of St. James. (See Chapter XII.) Issue: I. Barbour Taliaferro. II. Lucy Taliaferro. III. Anne Burd Taliaferro. IV. Cornelia Taliaferro. V. Sarah Lindsay Taliaferro. Married William S. Waters, of Baltimore. Issue: I. John Seymour Waters. Married Mary Frances Donaldson, of Baltimore. II. Lucie Maria Waters. Married Charles F. Penniman. Issue: I. Son Penniman. II. Anne Seymour Penniman. Married, first, Major John A. Burd, United States Army; second, James Garnett Taliaferro. III. Francis Taliaferro((3)) (William((2)), John((1))), of Epsom, b. 1700; d. 1757, third son of William Taliaferro, of "Hagley." Married Elizabeth Hay. Issue: I. Col. Lawrence Taliaferro((4)), of "Rose Hill." Married Sarah Dade. Issue: I. Francis Taliaferro((5)). Married Henrietta Thornton. Issue: I. John Taliaferro((6)). Married Mary Cason. Issue: I. Edward Francis Taliaferro((7)). Married Eliza Dickenson, Baltimore. III. James Taliaferro((3)) (William((2)), (John((1))), son of William Taliaferro, of "Hagley." Married Mrs. Peyton, widow of Sir John Peyton, of Middlesex Co., Va. Issue: I. James Taliaferro((4)), d. unmarried. II. Francis Taliaferro((4)). Married Miss Willis, of "The Retreat," in Orange County. III. Bettie Taliaferro((4)). Married Henry Brooke, of Spottsylvania Co., and was the mother of Gov. Robert Brooke, of Virginia and of Judge Francis Taliaferro Brooke, of the Supreme Court of Appeals, of Virginia. (See Chapter XI, Brooke Family.) IV. Francis Taliaferro((4)) (James((3)), William((2)), John((1))), son of William Taliaferro and Mrs. Peyton, his wife, b. 1700; d. 1757. Married Miss Willis, of "The Retreat," in Orange Co., Va. Issue: I. Benjamin F. Taliaferro((5)), of "The Mount," a physician. Married Louisa Carter. II. John P. Taliaferro((5)), of Orange Co., Va. Married Miss Mallory. III. Charles L. Taliaferro((5)), an Episcopal clergyman. Married Miss Armistead. IV. Eliza Taliaferro((5)), d. unmarried. V. James P. Taliaferro((5)) (Senator), belongs to this branch of the family. 5. John P. Taliaferro((5)) (Francis((4)), James((3)), William((2)), John((1))), son of Francis Taliaferro and Mary Willis, his wife. Married Miss Mallory. Issue: I. John Taliaferro((6)). II. James Taliaferro((6)). III. Mary Taliaferro((6)). Married Samuel Maxwell, of Culpeper Co., Va. IV. Daughter Taliaferro((6)). V. Daughter Taliaferro((6)). 2. Philip Taliaferro((2)) (John((1))), son of John Taliaferro, emigrant and Miss Hay, his wife, settled in King and Queen Co., Va., calling his seat "Hockley." Married Lucy Baytops, granddaughter of King Carter. Issue: I. Dr. William Taliaferro((3)). Married two sisters, named Throckmorton. II. James Taliaferro((3)). Married, first, Katy Bootlee; second, Mrs. Thornton. III. Rev. Philip Taliaferro((3)), of the Baptist Church. Married, first, Miss Oliver; second, Elizabeth Premont. IV. Richard Taliaferro((3)), of "Hockley." Married Betsy Weddeburn. V. Thomas Taliaferro((3)). Married Sarah Oliver. VI. George Taliaferro((3)). Married Louisa Dixon, of Matthews County. VII. Elizabeth Taliaferro((3)). Married Col. Lyne Shackelford. VIII. Mary Taliaferro((3)). Married, second, Matthew Kemp. III. Dr. William Taliaferro((3)) (Philip((2)), John((1))), eldest son of Philip and Lucy Baytops Taliaferro. Married, first, Miss Throckmorton; second, Throckmorton. Issue: I. Warner Taliaferro((4)). Married, first, Fanny Boothe; second, Leah Seddon, of Fredericksburg. II. Alexander Galt Taliaferro((4)). Married Agnes Marshall. (Issue Volume I, Chapters VI and VII.) III. Dr. William Taliaferro((4)). IV. Philip Taliaferro((4)).

Ancestors of the Misses Throckmorton-Smiths of Shooter's Hill. Augustine Smith, of Shooter's Hill, b. June 16, 1689; d. -. Married Sarah, daughter of Mr. Carver, b. April 25, 1694; d. March 12, 1726. Issue: I. Mary Smith, b. July 30, 1713; d. June 8, 1720. II. John Smith, b. Nov. 13, 1715; d. -. Married Mary Jaquelin, Nov. 17, 1737. III. Sarah Smith, b. Sept. 8, 1717; d. -. Married, first (Nov. 6. 1735), Mordecai Cooke, d. Jan. 1737; second, Major Robert Throckmorton. IV. Mildred Smith, b. Sept. 22, 1719; d. -. Married John Willis, Jan. 26, 1743. V. Elizabeth Smith, b. May 8, 1722; d. -. Married, first, Philip Aylett, March 16, 1749; second, Christopher Todd, of Toddsburg. VI. Ann Smith, b. Feb. 10, 1724; d. June 2, 1724. VII. Susannah Smith, b. April 27, 1725; d. -. Married (about 1745) Col. William Langbourne. VIII. Jane Smith, b. March 6, 1726; d. March 29, 1732. The third of the above, Sarah Smith, b. September 8, 1717, married, first, Mordecai Cooke, November 6, 1735. He was of Ware Parish, Gloucester Co., Va. Issue: I. Frances Mordecai Cooke, b. about 1737. Married Gabriel Throckmorton. Major Robert Throckmorton, of Ware Parish, Gloucester Co., Va., married, first (August 14, 1735), Mary, daughter of John Lewis, also of Ware Parish; second, Sarah Smith, widow of Mordecai Cooke, of Ware Parish. Issue: I. Philip Throckmorton, of Church Hill, Gloucester Co., Va. Married Mary Langbourne, daughter of Col. William Langbourne and Susannah Smith, first cousin. The seventh child, Susannah Smith, b. April 27, 1725, married Col. William Langbourne, b. 1723; was son of Robert Langbourne, of Fetter Lake, London, England, and Mary Dandridge, sister of Col. William Dandridge. Issue: I. William Langbourne, 6th Va., April 27, 1777. By an act of October 6, 1786, it was "Resolved that whereas William Langbourne had served from the commencement of the war in the Army of the United States with equal disinterestedness and reputation, that a brevet commission as Lieutenant Colonel be given him." He was aid-de-camp of Gen'l Lafayette, whom he visited at his home in "La Grange," in France, after the war. Married Miss Claiborne, of King William Co., Va., and his shattered tombstone on the Pamunkey marks his death in 1814. He left an only son, William, who died s. p. at the age of twenty-two, when the name Langbourne became extinct in Virginia. Mary, second child of Col. William Langbourne and Susannah Smith, of Shooter's Hill, married Philip Throckmorton, of Church Hill, Gloucester Co., Va., son of Robert Throckmorton, of Ware Parish, Gloucester Co., and Sarah Smith, of Shooter's Hill. Mary Langbourne and Philip Throckmorton had issue: I. A daughter. Married Dr. William Taliaferro. II. Another daughter. Married Dr. William Taliaferro. Ancestors of Susan Taliaferro, who married Judge Beverly R. Wellford. III. Another daughter. Married Judge W. T. Jones, Major Thomas S. Taliaferro and Gen'l William Booth Taliaferro. IV. Warner Taliaferro((4)) (William((3)), Philip((2)), John((1))), oldest son of Dr. William Taliaferro and Miss Throckmorton, his wife. Married, first, Fanny Boothe; second, Leah Seddon, of Fredericksburg, Va. Issue by first marriage: I. William B. Taliaferro((5)), Major General Confederate States Army. Married Sallie Vivison Lyons. (The record above says General William Boothe Taliaferro married a Miss Throckmorton; she may have been a second wife.) II. Philip A. Taliaferro((5)), M. D. Married Susan Byrd McCandlish, great-granddaughter of William Byrd, of Westover, on the James River. III. Thomas Taliaferro((5)). Married Hattie Lee, daughter of Cassius Lee. IV. Warner T. Taliaferro((5)). Married, first, Martha Paul; second, Fanny Hardy. V. Edwin Taliaferro((5)), Major Confederate States Army. Married Bland Tucker. VI. Seddon Taliaferro((5)), son of Warner Taliaferro and Miss Leah Seddon, second wife. VII. Susan Taliaferro((5)). Married Judge Beverly R. Wellford, Richmond, Va. 3. James Taliaferro((3)) (Philip((2)), John((1))), son of Philip Taliaferro and Lucy Baytops, his wife. Married, first, Katy Boothe; second, Mrs. Thornton. Issue: I. Thomas B. Taliaferro((4)). Married Mary Sinclair, of Shabby Hall, now Gherwood on the Ware River. III. Rev. Philip Taliaferro((3)) (Philip((2)), John((1))), son of Philip and Lucie Baytops Taliaferro; he was a Baptist minister. Married, first, Miss Oliver. Issue: I. James Taliaferro((4)). II. Benjamin Taliaferro((4)). III. Richard Taliaferro((4)). III. Richard Taliaferro((3)) (Philip((2)), John((1))), son of Philip and Lucie Baytops Taliaferro, of "Hockley." Married Betsy Wedderburn. Issue: I. John Taliaferro((4)), of Toddsburg. II. Andrew Taliaferro((4)), of King and Queen Co., Va. III. Thomas Taliaferro((3)) (Philip((2)), John((1))), son of Philip and Lucie Baytops Taliaferro. Married Sally Oliver. Had issue: I. William Lewis Taliaferro((4)). II. Thomas Taliaferro((4)). III. Martha Taliaferro((4)). Married Mr. Fox. IV. Gabriella Taliaferro((4)). Married Colonel Davis, of King and Queen Co., Va. V. Lewis Taliaferro((4)). Married Catherine Doswell, of Hanover Co., Va. Issue: I. Lewis Taliaferro((5)), of Augusta Co. II. Susan Taliaferro((5)). Married Mr. Pendell, of Richmond, Va. Zachary Taliaferro((3)), grandson of the emigrant, Robert Taliaferro, settled in Amherst Co., Va. Had issue: I. Benjamin Taliaferro((4)), soldier in the Revolution 1776. Married, first, Martha Merriwether; second Miss Cox. II. Zachary Taliaferro((4)), son of Zachary Taliaferro, Jr., removed to Kentucky. III. Sarah Taliaferro((4)). Married Daniel Harvie. IV. Richard Taliaferro((4)). V. Warner Taliaferro((4)). Married Mary M. Gilmer. VI. Burton Taliaferro((4)). Married, first, Sarah Gilmer; second, Miss Carter. VII. Nancy Taliaferro((4)). Married Thompson Watkins. VIII. Frances Taliaferro((4)). Married Moses Penn.

John Byrd. John Byrd, of London, married Grace, daughter of Thomas Stegg, of London, who lived at various times in London and Virginia, and who was a member of the House of Burgesses for Charles City County, Va., and speaker in 1642-43, and was appointed by Parliament one of the commissioners to reduce Virginia, was lost at sea in 1651 while in an English frigate on his way to the Colony. (Strausburg Abstract.) John and Grace (Stegg) Byrd had issue (besides other children, amongst whom were Thomas, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and Grace), a son, Col. William Byrd, b. 1652; d. December 4, 1704. He came to Virginia about 1674 to take possession of a large estate left him by his uncle, Thomas Stegg (who died unmarried), and first settled at "Belvidere," Henrico County, Va., within the present limits of Richmond, where there is a street bearing the name of his residence and another of his family, a county of which he was long a justice and officer of militia and which he represented in the House of Burgesses in 1679, 1680, 1682 (Henrico records), and in the latter years was appointed member of the Council (Council Journal). He was appointed auditor general in 1687. In April, 1679, the Assembly granted him a tract of land beginning at the south side of James River a mile and a half below the Falls, and extending up five miles and back one mile (all of which he accompts and presumes to be his own land), on condition that he should seat on said lands fifty armed men and other tithables not exceeding two hundred and fifty. (Hening, II, p. 448.) Col. Byrd and his descendants owned all the land here described as is shown by a volume of his land titles now in the possession of the Virginia Historical Society, and he also owned large landed estates elsewhere in Virginia and North Carolina. In 1688 he purchased and moved to "Westover," Charles City County. He married Maria, daughter of Warham Horsmander, of Charles City County, and formerly of Purleigh, Essex, England, to which he returned after the restoration, after having been a Burgess for Charles City County, 1657-58, and elected to the council during the session. Col. William Byrd is buried at "Westover," where his tomb remains and bears the following inscription:

The Byrd Family. Hic Recondentur Cineres Galicomi Byrd, Armigen Regii. Hugus Provincial Quaestoris, Qui Hanc Vitam Cum Eternitate Commutovit 4th Die December, 1704, Post Quam Vixisset, 52 Annis. His wife's tomb is also at "Westover": Here Lyeth the Body of Mary Byrd, Late wife of William Byrd, Esq., and Daughter of Warham Horsmander, Esq., Who died the Ninth Day of November, 1699 In the 47th year of Her Age. Col. William Byrd and Mary (Horsmander) Byrd had issue: First, William (of whom hereafter); second, a son; third, Ursula, married Robert Beverly, of "Beverly Park," King and Queen County, Va. (the historian), and died 1699; fourth, Susan, married John Brayne, merchant, of London; fifth, a daughter. Col. William Byrd, the eldest son, lived at "Westover," and was b. March 15, 1674; d. August 26, 1744; was county lieutenant of Henrico County and Charles City, 1715; a member of House of Burgesses, 1702; appointed receiver-general and member of the Council, 1705 (Council Journal); became president of that body and was sent three times to England as agent of the colony. Col. Byrd was a man of great sagacity and enterprise, and also besides collecting the largest private library in America (3,507 volumes), made several interesting and valuable contributions to literature which have been published under the title of "Westover Manuscripts." He married, first (in 1704), Lucy, daughter of Col. Daniel Parke, Jr. (who was a member of the Virginia Council, distinguished at Blenheim, and was sent with the first news of the victory to England, receiving as services the office of Governor of the Leeward Islands, where he was killed in a riot). The tomb of Col. William Byrd is at "Westover," bearing his arms and the following inscription:

Here lyeth the Hon. William Byrd, Esq. Being born to one of the amplest fortunes in this country, he was sent early to England for his education, where, under the care and instruction of Sir Robert Southwell, and ever favored with his particular instruction, he made a happy proficiency in polite and various learning; by the means of the same noble friend, he was introduced to the acquaintance of many of the first persons of the age for knowledge, wit, virtue, birth or high station, and particularly contracted a most close and bosom friendship with the learned and illustrious Charles Boyle, Earl of Onery. He was called to the bar in the middle temple, studied for some time in the lower countries, visited the court of France, and was chosen Fellow of the Royal Society. Thus eminently fitted for the service and ornament of his country, he was made Receiver-General of his Majesty's revenues here, was thrice appointed public agent to the court and ministry of England, and being thirty-seven years a member, at last became President of the council of this colony. To all this was added a great elegance of taste and life, the well-bred gentleman and polite companion, the splendid economist and proudest father of a family with the constant enemy of all exorbitant power and hearty friend to the liberties of his country. Nat. March 28, 1674. Mort. August 26, 1744, actat 70. Issue by first marriage: First, Evelyn, b. July 16, 1707; d. unmarried, November 13, 1737. (Her portrait, a lovely face, is preserved.) Second, Parke, b. September 6, 1709; d. June 3, 1710; third, Phillips Williams, b. February 23; d. December 9, 1712; fourth, Wilhelmina, b. November 6, 1715, married Thomas Chamberlayne of King William County. Issue by second marriage: Fifth, Ann, b. in London, February 5, 1725; d. September 11, 1757, married (in 1742) Charles Carter, of "Hampstead," afterwards of "Cleve"; sixth, Maria, b. January 6, 1727, d. November 29, 1744, married Landon Carter, of "Sabine Hall"; seventh, Jane, b. October 13, 1729, married John Page, of "North End"; eighth, Col. William, b. -; d. January 1, 1777, of "Westover"; was for several years a member of the House of Burgesses from Lunenburg County, and was appointed to the council in 1754 (Journal); was commissioned a colonel of the Second Virginia Regiment in 1758, and was in active service on the western frontier during the French and Indian War. He was a liberal supporter of the turf, owning some of the most celebrated horses of that day in Virginia, and is stated to have expended much of the great estate left him by his father. He married, first, Elizabeth Hill, daughter of John Carter, of "Corotoman," and "Shirley," and second, Mary, daughter of Charles Willing, of Philadelphia, Pa. He had children by both wives. In Virginia Gazette, of March 28, 1771, is the following marriage notice: Married.-James Parke Farley, Esq., to Miss Betty Byrd, eldest daughter of the Hon. William Byrd, Esq. The Byrds are distinctly descended from Edward III, King of England, who had: John Duke of Lancaster, who had Joan, married Ralph, Earl of Westmoreland, and had: Sir Edward Lord Bergavenny, of Ulcombe, who had: Ursula, married Sir Worsham St. Ledger, and had: Sir Worsham St. Ledger, of Ulcombe, who had: Ursula, married Rev. Daniel Horsmander, and had: Worsham Horsmander, of Ulcombe, who had: Maria, married Col. William Byrd, of "Westover."-"Americans of Royal Descent"-Browning.

Chapter XXII the Barton Family. Image Not Shown The Barton Arms. Arms-Argent, three boars' heads. Couped gules for Barton of Barton. "How lovely are the messengers who bring in the gospel of peace!" This exquisite versicle spoken so many thousands of years ago by the Psalmist is in one sense strangely, and in the way of prophecy, peculiarly applicable to the early history of America, for with the colonist came the priest and the preacher. We often speak of America as born grown up; or that, like Venus, she sprang beautifully adolescent from the foam of the sea. Yes, America was born grown up, but in no sense is this maturity more pronounced than in the deep and far-reaching sense of Christianity. At the time of the colonization of America Christianity had, we may say, reached a climax. Noble men and women were willing not only for a doctrine of their religion, but even for a mere dogma, the wearing or not wearing of a vestment, a black hat or a grey- to renounce forever home and country and friends, and take refuge in a savage-haunted wilderness, where they might worship God according to their own consciences. But what a magnificent parentage of conviction, such unswerving devotion to principle! No wonder we were born grown up. One of the most noted of the Protestant divines of the eighteenth century was Rev. Thomas Barton, b. in 1730; d. in 1780, and who was sent to America by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel of Foreign Parts. Rev. Thomas Barton was of English parentage. His ancestors were royalists and churchmen who, taking side with King Charles I in the rebellion, lost their estates for his cause. At the restoration of King Charles II, having received large grants of land in Ireland they settled in Mongan County. Rev. Thomas Barton was graduated from the University of Dublin and later took orders in the Church of England and was subsequently sent to the Colony of America by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Rev. Mr. Barton settled first in Philadelphia, and in 1758 was appointed chaplain in the expedition against Fort Duquesne. During this expedition Mr. Barton became the friend and intimate associate of the then Col. George Washington, Col. Hugh Mercer and Col. Boyd. From 1759 to 1777 Rev. Thomas Barton was rector of St. James, the Episcopal church at Lancaster, Pa. At the outbreak of the Revolution Rev. Mr. Barton, being a Tory in principle and unwilling to renounce the vows of allegiance to the King he had made at his ordination, resigned his rectorship, left Lancaster and went to New York, then in possession of the English. Rev. Thomas Barton married (in 1753) Esther Rittenhouse, daughter of Matthias and sister of David Rittenhouse, the great American astronomer. In the "Biography of David Rittenhouse" we read: In 1751 Rev. Thomas Barton, an alumnus of Trinity College, Dublin, who afterwards married the sister of Rittenhouse, became a professor in the University of Pennsylvania. Making the acquaintance of the young philosopher and clockmaker, they became warm friends. Barton supplied him with books, from which he obtained a knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages, and two years later brought him from Europe a number of scientific works. Mr. Barton was also instrumental in calling the attention of learned men to the young philosopher, among whom were Dr. William Smith, provost of the university; John Lukens, Surveyor General, and Richard Peters, Provincial Secretary. Esther Rittenhouse Barton, born 1737, died 1774, was a daughter of Matthias Rittenhouse, born 1702, who married Elizabeth Williams, of Wales, in 1727, and great-granddaughter of William Rittenhouse, who emigrated to America from Holland in 1688, and in 1690 established at Germantown, on the Wissahickon Creek, the first paper mill built in America, after the death of his first wife, Esther Rittenhouse. Mr. Barton married a second time, Mrs. Lee Normandie, whose maiden name was Braid, of New York City. Rev. Thomas Barton died in New York City on May 25, 1780, being only 50 years old, and was interred in the chancel of St. George's Chapel. The Rivington's Royal Gazette of May 30, 1780, contains a long obituary notice of him, in which it speaks of the love and devotion of his parishioners, who greatly respected him, and of his unshaken loyalty and attachment to the Constitution, which drew upon him the resentment of the rebels and exposed him to many hardships. After St. George's Church was destroyed by fire the bones of Rev. Thomas Barton were moved to the chancel of the new St. George's Church, New York. The children of Rev. Thomas and Esther Rittenhouse Barton were: I. William Barton((2)). II. Esther Barton((2)). III. Benjamin Barton((2)). IV. Matthias Barton((2)). V. David Barton((2)). VI. Thomas Barton((2)). VII. Juliana Barton((2)). VIII. Richard Peter Barton((2)). This last, the youngest child of Rev. Thomas and Esther Barton, Rittenhouse Barton, while still a young man moved to Virginia and settled in the Valley about six miles south of Winchester. Mr. Barton((2)) married Miss Walker, daughter of Dr. Walker, of Kingston in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. The children of Richard Peters and Martha Walker Barton were: I. Richard Barton((3)). II. Robert Barton((3)). III. David Barton((3)). Martha Walker Barton was the daughter of Dr. Robert Walker, of Kingston, Dinwiddie County, who married (in 1760) Elizabeth Stark, daughter of Capt. William Stark, who married (in 1727) Mary Bolling, eldest child of Col. Robert Bolling, Jr., son of Col-Robert Bolling, of Chellowe. David Walker Barton((3)), son of Richard Peters((2)) and Mary Walker Barton, was b. at Springdale the family estate of his father, in 1801. Mr. Barton was a graduate of Yale and was a scholar of no mean attainments. He was a forcible writer and contributed largely to the newspapers and literary periodicals of his day. Mr. Barton was a brilliant and successful lawyer. His professional life was spent at Winchester, Va., where he acquired a large fortune, which was lost during the Civil War. David Walker Barton((3)) married (December 18, 1828) Miss Frances L. A. M. Jones, b. at "Vaucluse," the plantation of her father near Winchester, Va., October 15, 1808. Frances L. A. M. Jones was the daughter of William Strother Jones and the granddaughter of Col. Strother Jones of the continental army and great-granddaughter of Gabriel Jones known as the Valley lawyer, he being the first lawyer who practiced law in the Valley of Virginia. The children of David Walker Barton and his wife, Frances L. A. M. Jones, were: I. Lieut. William Strother Barton((4)), educated at the Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Va.; wounded at battle of Mine Run; d. at Springdale from effects of wounds. II. Charles Marshall Barton((4)), killed in Civil War, 1861. III. David Rittenhouse Barton((4)), killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, 1862. IV. Jane Cray Barton((4)), b. at "Vaucluse." Married Rev. C. H. Shield, D. D., of Staunton, Va. Issue: I. Charles H. Shield((5)). V. Ann Maria Barton((4)), eldest daughter of David W. Barton. Married (Aug. 24, 1848) Col. Thomas Marshall, grandson of Chief. Justice Marshall. Colonel Marshall was b. at Oakhill, Fauquier County, Virginia, Jan. 17, 1836; d. in battle Nov. 12, 1864. (Descendants Volume I, Chapters VI and VII.) VI. Martha Walker Barton((4)), b. at "Vaucluse," near Winchester, Va. Married (in 1856) D. J. M. Baldwin. Issue: I. Maria Baldwin((5)). II. Stewart Baldwin((5)). VII. Capt. Robert T. Barton((4)), of Winchester, Va., served in the Civil War in the Rockbridge Battery. At the close of the war Mr. Barton studied law and was elected a member of the Virginia Legislature and served as chairman of the Committee on Courts of Justice. Mr. Barton is the author of Barton's "Law Practice" and of Barton's "Chancery Practice." These law books are standard authorities in Virginia. Mr. Barton married, first (Feb. 19, 1868), Miss Kate K. Knight; second, Miss Baker, of Winchester, June, 1890. Their children are: I. Robert T. Barton((5)), Jr. II. Gertrude Barton((5)). VIII. Randolph Barton((4)), b. at Springdale, was reared by his stepmother, Ann Cary Randolph. His course as a student at the Virginia Military Institute was interrupted by the breaking out of the Civil War, yet he was afterward granted a diploma. Mr. Barton entered the Confederate Army at the age of seventeen as sergeant major of the Thirty-third Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade. Captain Barton was wounded in the first battle of Manassas, was taken prisoner at the battle of Kernstown and confined in Fort Delaware until 1862. Mr. Barton on his release was appointed on the staff of Gen. Elisha Frank Paxton, of the Stonewall Brigade, with the rank of captain and was made assistant adjutant general. Captain Barton was severely wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, in 1863, and was at the side of his commander, Gen. E. F. Paxton, when he fell mortally wounded at Chancellorsville and caught the dying hero in his arms. At the close of the Civil War Mr. Barton settled in Baltimore and began the study of law, of which he has made a pronounced success. The firm of Barton & Wilmer is widely known and respected. Mr. Barton married Miss Agnes Kirkland, daughter of Mr. R. R. Kirkland, formerly member of the well-known firm of Kirkland, Chase & Co., of Baltimore. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Barton, Sr., reside at "Vaucluse," Baltimore County. Their children are: I. Robert K. Barton((5)). II. Randolph Barton((5)), Jr. Married Miss Eleanor Morrison. III. Charles Marshall Barton((5)), of Wilmington. Married Miss Margretta Ferraby. IV. Agnes Barton((5)). V. Bolling Barton((5)). VI. Carlyle Barton((5)). VII. Katherine Barton((5)). VIII. David Barton((5)). IX. Alexander Barton((5)). IX. Dr. Bolling Barton, son of David Walker Barton, married (in 1872) Miss Ellen J. Gibson, daughter of Dr. Gibson, of Newport, R. I. Mrs. Barton died in 1879 at the age of sixteen, Dr. Barton being then a student of the Virginia Military Institute. With a company of youths of his own age, in opposition to the wishes of the professors, they ran down, singing as they went, into the terrible and bloody battle of the Seven Days' fight before Richmond. More than one of these youths met the deaths of heroes. At the close of the war Dr. Barton went to Switzerland to study, and took his medical degree at Paris, France. Dr. Bolling Barton has been for years professor of botany and lecturer at the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Barton's great uncle, Dr. Barton, son of Rev. Thomas Barton, was the first professor of botany in this country. Among the descendants of Rev. Thomas Barton may be mentioned: H. Hamilton, Mrs. William West of Philadelphia, Mr. Marshall Duer, Miss Susie Holt, Miss Madge Holt, Mr. Barton Marshall, Miss Helen Marshall, Mr. Adgate Duer, Mr. Douglas Duer, Mr. Bolling Barton, Mrs. Charles Holt of New York, Miss Gertrude Barton of Winchester, Mr. Robert S. Barton, Jr.

Chapter XXIII the Fisher History The following extracts are taken from an old ancestor's journal, commencing with a voyage from London, May, 1750, for Yorktown in Virginia, and ending in August, 1755, on his return from Philadelphia on horseback for Williamsburg, Virginia: Should this chance to come to your hands, it will, I presume, afford neither you nor good Mrs. Mosley any extraordinary satisfaction. I long ballanced with myself whether I should ever write a journal at all. It not being in my power if I wrote truely, to entertain you with any other than doleful instances of Anxiety, Disappointments, Misery, and Repentance. But being no stranger to your Equinim and good sense, inflicting at the same time; That the consideration of the short duration of the accutist misions in this Life, must be some consolation to reasonable People, I determined on presenting you with a sketch of some of our sufferings. Not that I have any great claim or Title to compassion: or reason to expect uneasy sensations in any of my English Friends for any injury I have endured; for I obstinately persisted in acting against all their sentiments and kind expostulations, and whatever Ills have happened are mainly the result of my own Vain conduct; and as to myself especcially, I must entirely acquiess that Providence is Just. As I have the utmost reason to believe-may shed a tender Tear for my poor Wife and Family (who though involved in my Calamities, are innocent of the occasion) I ought perhaps to desist; for what right have I to create concern or uneasiness in him, or indeed, in the Beast [Breast] of any Friend: Yet fortified in my idea of her and your generous and extensive consideration, I will proceed in Confidence, that she as well as you can pardon Errors, you are incapable of committing. I shall I believe trouble you with much scribbling, and without method, yet upon the whole I hope to express myself so, as to make our melancholy adventure Intelligible; endeavouring to maintain a sincere attachment to Truth by expressing upon all occasions by own wrong headedness with the same vivacity and freedom as I shall remark or point out the mistakes or meannesses of those People. When Persons in very needy or depressed circumstances are guilty of falsehood, Fraud, Injustice, or other meanesses, One may in some measure, account for, and in part excuse them; But when People of Affluence or large Fortunes, (superior one would think to all temptation), stoops to base and unworthy actions, the most generous and candid minds can hardly forbear writing their inward disdain in severe censures. If I have not heretofore fully informed you of the Chief motives of this my undertaking you will now I trust indulge my writing it. Being by the secret contrivance of two pretended "though false friends stript of my employ, It conduced greatly to augment my opinion of the World's Treachery, and as I had been brought up to no particular trade or occupation, I considered the savings of our united Industry and Frugality, for more than Twenty years, might be soon wasted in a Land abounding in luxurious Temptations. I moreover reflected that Trade in general was less intricate (not requiring so much Art or Skill) in Virginia than in England; commodities being usually rated according to the Invoices at so much per cent. Besides, as I fancy you will recollect, contrary to your and the opinion of all my Friends, I possessed with the fond Idea That People here were more Innocent, Just, and Good, than on your side of the water: Unhappily the most vehemently infected with those strange Notions, I incessantly teazed my poor reluctant wife to comply with my desires: and after several years struggling and controverting about this unhappy affair, I at length succeeded; what I believe did not a little contribute to vanquish my wife's prejudices (as I called them) was my assurance that her children would be removed from the infinite temptations, false Pleasures, Snares and Delusions, which every where abounded in Brittain, to a Land of Sober temporate regular Enjoyments, where Industry, Probity, and the Moral Virtues were only encouraged, cherished or regarded. Alas! what shame and confusion must arise, in being compelled to own the falacy and absurdity of all these charming Dreams. But however what determined the dispute in my favour, was an old acquaintance of mine, who had just married much as he thought beneath himself, joining with me in support of my argument. His pride could not bear the thoughts of the world reproaching him with this marriage, concluding he could no way so well conceal his indiscretion as by going with me to America, on which he was so very intent;-That being down at Gloucester some time before our setting out, and hearing that I was about to depart without him, he wrote me a most beseeching letter that I would wait the conclusion of his affairs. This ardour in Him for the Voyage, with the consideration of having a Female companion on Board, quite subdued my wife's Seruples, inducing her also to submit to the Voyage. Believing now I had no more to do than to obtain some worthy recommendation, I applyed myself to Mr. Dowdswell and you. Mr. Dowdswell gained me several Interviews with Mr. Alderman Bethel, and I had all the reason in the world to conclude they were both sincere in their intentions of serving me. Mr. Bethel at my first seeing him informed me he had already mentioned my Case to one Mr. Hanbury, an Eminent Virginia Merchant of his acquaintance who was he said to do me all the service in His power, and desired I would call upon him; but as to either of the Mr. Nelsons whom I, so anxiously desired to be recommended to, He (Mr. Hanbury) had no kind of dealings with them: however, I was told his acquaintance in the Country was otherwise very large and extensive, and with People of the First Rank and Fashion there. But so unfortunately infatuated was I, That I excused myself from waiting on Mr. Hanbury, acquainting Mr. Bethel that no other recommendation would content me, than the two Mr. Nelsons. My reason for this unhappy prejudice was, That I had in early Days lived in York, and had been acquainted with Old Mr. Nelson the Father of these Gentlemen. Mr. Bethel to do all that I could reasonably expect from him assured me he would endeavor to gratify my desire in finding out a Person who had some influence or acquaintance with the Mr. Nelsons, and accordingly in a few days he let me know he had met with such an One. He gave me also to understand, that my confining him thus to particular Persons had obliged him to make use of One with whom he was not at all acquainted, Yet he did not doubt of his procuring for me with those Gentlemen, Favour, continance and Practition, which was all I craved, and indeed all I was ambitious of. The Person's name who thus undertook to recommend me was Hunt, a Virginia merchant also, tho' not so considerable as Mr. Hanbury. My Friend (Mr. Kiddle) procured me another kind Letter from Mr. Sydenham, another merchant, to his Father in law in Virginia (Mr. Jordan) which Letter given to me unsealed would I believe have been very serviceable to me, had I not on our arrival in Virginia taken it out to seal and laid it upon a shelf in the State Room where mice got at it and unhappily utterly defaced it. The latter end of March, hearing that the Ship Berry, Capn. Belcher Master, was fitting out for Virginia, I went and viewed its conveniences, and then apply'd to the Captain for a Passage for my Family, and altho' besides paying for our Passage I offered him Twenty Guineas for the sole use of The Cabin, he hesitated about the matter pretending he had not conveniences for a Family, and that his Cabin was partly engaged. My Friend Mr. Sydenham observing the oddity of the Captain's behaviour, advised me to go directly to Alderman Whittaker who he said had chartered the Ship. I did so; and Whittaker at once assured me, the Cabin was wholly unengaged and that if he liked my proposal, he would treat with me for it. But when I intimated my inclination to agree with him for our passage only, and that tho' I would gladly engage the Cabin of him, Yet I should like to treat with the Captain about the Price, as I was desirous of pleasing a man I should be so long with, imagining it also to be a perquisite of his own. Herein the Alderman assured me I was mistaken, That the Captain was a mere Cypher, and could engage for nothing without his orders, and he himself was the only Person I could talk with to any purpose: where upon I made him the same offer for the Cabin I had done to the Captain,-viz-Twenty Guineas. He paused a little and then told me my offer was not amiss, and if I would call the next Day he would give me a positive answer. When I came at the time appointed, he assured me the affair was concluded: That I should have the Cabin entire and as I paid so well for it, he would take care my family should have the best of Treatment on Board. In paying Mr. Whitaker for our Passage (April 12th:) I freely opened to him that a week's time beyond the 27th: (the utmost time he had prescribed for the ship's sailing) would be very valuable to me, as it would afford me an opportunity of selling off my goods etc. to greater advantage. But I soon perceived distress was a wrong argument to use with him, for he immediately called his Clerk to witness, that if I was not on Board by the time he had set, the money I had paid should be forfeited: May - he said I ought to pay the expense of the ship from the 23rd, for if I was on board that Day, the Ship would infallibly said the Day after. This could admit of no reply; I concluded myself highly favoured, not supposing it possible that a Gentleman of so oppulent a Fortune and an Alderman of London could be guilty of a calm and deliberate untruth. Therefore I did not fail bringing my Family and Goods on Board on the morning of the 27th. But what was my disappointment and Vexation when on entering the Ship we found not the least preparation of a Vessel for the sea. Every kind of thing in litter and disorder. The Cabin in the utmost filth and nastiness. No cradels or Hammocks for our Beds, or other conveniency for Lying down to Rest: My poor wife in the utmost agony, bitterly exclaiming that here was a true specimen of the misery she must expect to endure in this wretched undertaking. When I mentioned to the Mate the assurance Alderman Whitaker had given of the Ship's sailing, the day after I came on board, he with a peculiar sneer only said when you have known the Alderman longer, you will know him better. He is now seeking after Freight, and you will be well off if you sail this month. I had disposed of my House, and had now no other remedy but Patience. One day upon chance talking with our Captain a Person came up to Him with these words: Pray Captain Belcher, do you know any thing of the character of One Fisher, who goes Passenger with you to Virginia! Belcher knew I heard the question-replyed-this is the man. This person proved to be Mr. Hunt, whom as yet I had never seen; but He and I seemed confounded, at I presume the absurdity of his behaviour, in applying to such a Fellow as Belcher, an utter stranger to me for a character, after having received one from such a man as Mr. Bethel. However, recovering himself, he accosted me civilly enough, but could find nothing more to say, than that his name was Hunt and the Person, who at Mr. Bethel's request had favored me with two Recommendatory letters to the Mess. Nelsons, nor had I any other reply for him than that I was his most humble Servant, and had both his Letters in my Pocket. After standing some time silent, we separated with, "Your humble servant," and "Your humble servant," as silly as our meeting. This incident, foolish as it is, a little mortified me, and if I do not mistake, I mentioned the same to you, when I took my leave, but never uttered the least syllable to Mr. Bethel; it being I thought too late: besides-I fancied it carried the appearance of meaness to betray any jealousy or suspicion. The letter you offered in my favor from Mr. Waller, and another in effect from Mr. John Walthoe, tho' subscribed by his nephews to their Brother Mr. Nath. Walthoe Clerk of the Council for this Colony, you will perceive the importance of hereafter. It was the 15th of May 1750 in the afternoon, before we as the sailors term it broke ground, hove out, and with the Tide drove down the Blackwall where we came to an Anchor, and loitered away the next day. On the 17th, we moved again, but did not reach Gravesend till the Day after, when we came again to Anchor about nine in the morning. About Ten, the Captain and one Pincell a young Student in Physic of Ireland tho' he had been in France came on Board. On Saturday May 19th, about Eleven o'clock in the morning, just as we were getting under said a Gentleman came on Board and rushing a little hasty into the Cabin demanded to speak with one Mr. Sweeney, who he said was a Passenger in this Ship. We assured him, as we could very truly, that we had never seen or heard of any such Person and that, we were pretty certain no such was then in our Ship. The Gentleman not believing us affirmed he was sure Mr. Sweeney had taken his passage in that Vessel, and that the Canary Birds in the Cabin, pointing to some Cages of them which hung up there, did belong to the said Mr. Sweeney. This the Captain, who was also questioned, steadfastly denyed; adding moreover that Mr. Sweeney was no passenger of his; was not on board his ship, nor did he know of any intention he had of going with Him. All this, in the Captain especially, was I doubt a mistake; For after we had got under Sail, and the Gentleman, reluctantly, had quitted the Ship [Here, unfortunately, a part of two leaves of the old Journal have been torn from the book-and the next leaf commences with] 68 Pounds, which he told us from the Captain was all our allowance of that kind for the voyage husband it how we would. As we were nine Persons, this was not quite Eight pounds each. We had seen yet no Flesh save Beef, which neither I nor any of my Family could taste; worse can hardly be conceived. One of the men said, to his knowledge, Whitaker had victualled the Ship with damaged Provisions from a Man-of-War, which had been in the West Indies a long time. This account was generally credited by the whole Ship's company, and when the men came to be served with Pork, that also appeared so bad that the crew to a man unanimously refused taking any other Provisions besides Bread and Flour and that too, bad enough. It was moreover observed by them, that the Pieces of Flesh for four men weighed no more than 2 1/4 pounds, which as they said ought to have weighed 4 pounds, that had not the men proved uncommonly sober and orderly: (a strange wrong headed fellow of a mate ready at hand) a meeting must have ensued. However, the Captain affecting to concur in their Invectives against Whitaker, and the mate (honest Stephen) swearing horridly that on his return to England he would go immediately upon the Exchange with one of the Pieces of Meat in his hand, beat the same about Whitaker's Ears with these words-Here you R-ge, this is the Provision and allowance you laid in for your honest Seamen for a day. The men made a Virtue of necessity, and shifted the best they could. We for our Parts never eat any of their meat in all the Voyage, unless my son did sometimes put in with Mr. Saunder and his wife, who having been accustomed to gross feeding could not so easily govern their appetites. But myself and the most of my family subsisted almost entirely on Coffee, Tea and Chocolate, wherewith we were well provided; and now and then a starved Fowl boiled to pieces in a Sauce Pan. The latter part of our Voyage, My Wife and Children being almost at Death's door, were prevailed on by my Son to taste their nasty Pease Soup, which with a deal of dryed mint rubbed in, that we also happened to be stocked with, they were soon reconciled to, and it is to their sipping a little of this greasy stuff hot, every other day, that I sincerely attribute the preservation of their Lives. As the Captain found he could distress us in nothing so much as water, he would not suffer a cask, as is usual it seems, in other ships not distressed, to be brought upon Deck imagining we could none of us go down into the hold and fetch it; and the Cabin Boy said he had strict orders to do nothing for us; but necessity pressing, my Son soon found the way, which the Captain no sooner perceived than he put himself in a great Passion, swearing he would Clap a Lock up on the Pump; the mate Stephen also never failed to insult him whenever he catched him with a Tea Kettle of Water, having no other convenient utensil to fetch it in. However, so long as our strong beer, wine and brandy lasted we did pretty well, for a bottle of beer, a glass or two of wine, or a Dram, would commonly engage the Carpenter, or one or other of the Sailors, by stealth to slip a Tea Kettle full now and then into the Cabin. At length our Liquor save a Bottle or two of Brandy being all gone, my son continually abused and insulted, I determined on throwing off taminess. Accordingly about a week before we reached the Land, I came upon Deck and in the Presence of all the Gentlemen and many of the ship's crew demanded an allowance of water: six quarts or rather than fail, Pints a day; that is a Pint for each Person I informed him should make us easy. The Captain tho' in awe of none save Mr. Randolph, was a good deal confounded at this public and unexpected attack; hardly knew what to say, but at length answered-He could not justify putting one part of the Ship's Company to an allowance, unless all; he said too he did not deny me water, but I offering to prove the contrary by many witnesses, he did not choose to put me to the trouble, but calling the Boy, ordered him in future to supply us with water whenever we required, and we did not want afterwards. But I must now return back to: Tuesday May 29th. Mr. Sweeney's illness favoured the Small Pox in my and my Wife's opinion. A kindly sort; and altho' in the eruptions they appeared very thick, yet in general they were distinct, the Fever arising and the Postules filling very orderly, from whence we presumd to pronounce, there was no apparent danger. However-the Doctor and every other person who pretended to the least skill affirmed the Pock to be of a very bad sort, the confluent kind, and that the Gentleman was in a very dangerous Condition, and proposed bleeding and blistering as the only means of saving his Life. As the Doctor was regularly bid, I no further presumed to interfere, than by professing my ignorance in not perceiving more than ordinary danger; My wife too had happily conducted her four children (without any Doctor) thro' the same disorder, and was no more apprehensive than myself. Yet bleeding and blistering was attempted but thro' the unrulyness of the Patient, or the badness of the Flies which even supplied by the mate, the operation in either case was not very successful. Whether it is that People in general are pleased with what flatters their wishes; or that Mr. Sweeney might imagine his putting himself under the Doctor's care would considerably affect his purse; or whatever other motive he might have, I cannot say; but he (most unfortunately for us) earnestly requested that I and my Family would take him entirely under our care. Mr. Sweeney was a young married man. His wife whom he left at Hampton in Virginia about seven or eight months past was said to be there sick, and now supposed to be impatiently expecting his return. These moving considerations induced my family cheerfully to comply with his request, doing that which they never did for any other Person, myself and children only excepted; and that he might be the better accommodated and attended, we proposed removing him into the Cabin to us; but to this Mr. Saunder objected, his child never having had the distemper. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the difficulty and their own indisposition, this did not hinder my wife and Daughter from visiting and attending him daily, so long as there was the least appearance of danger. My son also at Mr. Sweeney's earnest importunity, tho' a thing very disagreeable to me, constantly sat up with him every other night. And as we were luckily stored with Sago, Pearl Barley, Wine, Saflron, all kinds of Spices, Hartshorn, etc., with every kind of Drug or Herbs as could be wanted in his disorder, we broke open our Boxes containing the several requisites, and became both his cooks and nurses. The weather was fine, moderately warm-we treated him with a cool regime, not too low. No salt meat, but now and then a chicken boiled to broth or soup. His water gruel, sago, or barley water, was generally encouraged with a glass of Wine and a little Saffron; he happening to say Rhinish was his most favorite wine; and there being none on board save what I had, and which was exceeding good, we sometimes refreshed him with a glass of that and a little sugar. And so by such sort of treatment as we gave him, notwithstanding the discouragement of his Companions, and his own too nervous and dreadful apprehension of his being always dying, and that he should never live to see his dear wife any more; he got thro' the distemper without so much as one unfavorable symptom. But to my Journal. Saturday, June 2nd. The Blister Plaster was put on Mr. Sweeney by the Doctor, but tore off again by the Patient before it had taken any effect, greatly to the displeasure of the Doctor and Mr. Swaddle, who thereupon abandoned him to our treatment. We caught two Bonettas (Fish) to Day, on which we all (Mr. Sweeney excepted) agreeably dined the next day, vizt. Sunday June 3rd, upon the quarter Deck under the awning, we had also a quarter of fresh roast Pork. We all esteemed Bonetta a good fish, as its name indeed seems to imply, and thus we spent Whitsunday. Monday the 4th. Weather still fine, we took six Turtles or Tortioses. Whether the fault may be in the cooking (an office which the mate undertook) I cannot tell, but nobody liked the fashionable viand, it being strong and Oily, tho' these were of the Hacoks bill and Loggerhead, and it seems it is the Green Turtle only which forms the modern Elegant Entertainment, not but I have heard it insisted on a good Cook will make a good dish of either of the other, and at sea especially. Tuesday, June 5th. At Two this afternoon we saw the Island of St. Morris (one of the Azores) braving W. by S., distant about 8 Leagues. As we did not keep to the Northward at the Azores or Western Islands, the Carpenter and Boatswain affirmed we ought to have run to the Southward for a trade wind. The Winds in these Latitudes, Vizt, from 30° to near 40° between those Islands and the Coast of America, are generally westerly and subject to storms and calms, hinting often their suspicion of the Captain's design of prolonging the Voyage upon account of the ship being chartered. But no man seen could be so wicked. Yet certain they said it was, that Whitaker had chartered the Ship at so much a month of Belcher Bro: in law and the mate's own brother, Swaddle. From the 10th to the 15th. Little winds, contrary or calm, and from thence to the end of the month. Contrary winds blowing hard with a great Western sea, Shipping much water, the men often pumping. Saturday June 30-was 39°, 29", Long. 41, 15. I had been ill a few days, afflicted as was supposed at our frequent visits to Mr. Sweeney. On hearing that I was not well, the Dr. asked Mr. Saunder (it seems in scorn) why I being a Quack did I not cure myself; this spoke upon the Quarter Deck, being heard by my Daughter who was sitting by my bed side near the Cabin door. She acquainted her Mother, and that Mr. Saunder far from resenting the Doctor's indecent behaviour seemed to concur in the Fun of the Company. My wife in a day or two after instanced this to Mr. Saunder as a piece of unkindness, or breach of Friendship in him; upon which hot words arose. I however entirely concurred with Mr. Saunder that he was under no obligation to enter into any dispute with Dr. Purcell upon the subject, or to disclose to us the subject of their conversation, till Mr. Saunder on being accused of joining in the ridicule began to use very foul expressions; as it is a "Lie Madam," and let me tell you once more it is a "Lye." This behaviour quite silenced me, and I said, not one word more on either side. A great reservedness ensued, in so much that we ceased to eat or drink together. Yet still this was private and among ourselves, till Sunday July the 8th, when one of the men who used to procure us water informed us that he overheard Mr. Saunders relating the cause of our difference to the Doctor and the rest of the Company in the Steerage, adding more over his Mr. Saunder's opinion that our intelligence could come from no other Person than my son, for which reason he advised them to forbid his approach to the Steerage. The Captain and honest Stephen it seems readily closed in this advice, but the Gentlemen would not agree to it. Not only the unjust charge upon my Boy, but the malicious manner of betraying our hitherto private conversation, exasperated me to that degree that I could not forbear going immediately upon the Deck, and in the presence of all the Gentlemen and sailors too reproach him with the unworthiness of his behaviour; the consequence of which was an irreconcilable difference. Doctor Purcell on this discovery came up to me, made a very civil and handsome apology for the words he had used, which I readily accepted, so he and I became and continued quite Friends. A melancholy accident happened on Board Sunday July the 1st, about Six in the Evening, wind at S. by E. a brisk Gale. Two men being sent up to hand the Fore Top Gallant Sail, the mast being rotten broke, and the two men who were aloft fell with it. One of them, Abram Bosdet, into the sea and was never seen more; the other Wm. Waterfield a Virginian born, was saved by a man (James Delridge, The Tailor) catching him in his fall on the Gunwall of the Ship. He was much bruised, but soon came to himself, and appeared in his business the next day. Poor Abram was a native of the Island Jersey, esteemed an honest, useful, sober, inoffensive man. He left a wife and family behind him at London. The Ship at this time went more than six miles an hour, Yet honest Stephen like one frantic ran backwards and forwards in the Ship and upon the Poop, calling out Abram! Abram! using some obscure expressions that as there was a man lost some enquiry should be made or somebody called to account: But nobody heeded him. There were no mutinous spirits in the Ship, unless one Passenger was such, and he was a Person of no greater Consequence than Stephen. The Carpenter indeed who was a sober thinking man said he had frequently even while the Ship lay in the River complained of the rottenness of the masts, but was never regarded, and that (in anything of a Gale) if he had been ordered aloft, he would not have gone, and would have given the obvious reason of his refusal. On Monday July the 2nd we set now about those kind of repairs, which considerably retarded our Sailing for some Days. The 9th we had 24 hours a fair Gale at N. and N. E. but then came about again to the old quarter S. W. Took a small Dolphin. Lat. 37° 57" Long. 51°, 22". All our ginger bread is now gone, and no white biscuit left but what is seen extremely mouldy and full of Maggots. July 20th had a fine Easterly wind for about 30 hours, when it returned to the old point till the 24th. Lat. 39°, 29"; Long. 63°, 31". Caught a small shark, about 7 foot long. Small breeze at W. E. till the 28th, when we caught Three fine Dolphins. We all dined together again upon the Quarter Deck, except my wife and children who excused themselves; Yet Mr. Randolph sent his servant with some Fish to them into the Cabin. This Fish was generally liked by all the Company, tho' some said they preferred Bonetta, of which number, I was one. Our Biscuit is now entirely expended, but we procure some of the Seamen's bread by the same means we used to get a supply of water. Mr. Saunder, his wife and Child, Since they left us, are acquainted with more of our distresses, they being upon very cordial terms with the Captain and Stephen. If this was the poor man's view in breaking with us, I could almost excuse him. July 29th we spoke with a scow of White Haven, who left Virginia 5 Days ago. They told us Cape Henry was distant about 77 Leagues. Wednesday August 1st: at 12 last night, we found ourselves in Soundings-Twenty Fathom water, and about Two o'clock this afternoon, saw the Land about Twelve Leagues distant, and as was judged about 70 or 80 miles to the Southward of Cape Henry. Dark weather, wind Easterly, blowing hard with much rain. We ran along the shore at the distance of ten or twelve leagues, hoping to make Cape Henry before night, but failing therein we stood off as well as we could all night, having enough to do to claw off the shore, the wind blowing very hard and setting right in. Thursday, August 2nd, having weathered the Coast last night, we at Daylight found ourselves about the same distance from the Land: Rains still very hard but wind abated; discovered Cape Henry 15 or 20 miles to the Northward. About dawn this morning we entered the Bay of Chesapeake, soon after which a Pilot came along side to offer himself; but our Captain, declined taking in or so much as speaking to him, but taking the advantage of a fine, fresh gale, and all our sails set and full, rushed by and soon left the Pilot a good way astern. The Pilot however still attended us as near as he was able, till we were terribly alarmed with the apprehension of our destruction, finding ourselves in less than Three Fathoms water. Mr. Sweeney assured the Captain all along that he was running up on a shoal called Willoughby's Point; but the Captain superior to all caution, was as confident we were passed it. However, now in the utmost terror and confusion, backed all sails and looked out Astern emploring the Pilot's assistance, who still followed us and seeing our danger good naturedly kept waving his hat (being out of hearing) to bear off to the Northward. We did so and he soon came up with us, himself came on board and put all things to rights. Thus through the avarice of the Captain in aiming to save about Forty Shillings (tho' nobody doubts but he would have charged it to the voyage) the Ship, a large cargo and all or most of our lives were upon the brink of being cast away, even in sight of our Port. Mr. Whitaker assured me when I engaged with him that the Ship was bound directly to York River. But as it appears, he afterwards Contracted to take the goods for Norfolk, a town upon Elizabeth river, which empties itself into James River. So having no remedy, we passed by Hampton when Mr. Randolph, Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Saunder, Doctor Purcell and John Thorpe went ashore with the Captain in the Pilot Boat, and about two in the afternoon came to an anchor off Sewill's or Sowles Point, at the mouth of Elizabeth River, where we continued nine days. Friday, August 3rd-The boat going this morning with the Captain to Norfolk, I and my Daughter Molly took the opportunity of going also to procure some provisions and refreshments. We were very civilly entertained at dinner at one Captain Trigs, to whom I brought a letter from a Person at home, who fancied himself related to him, but it did not prove so. In the Evening we returned on board with Bread, Poultry, Fruits, Wine, etc. We now live very well with our Fresh Stores; and our worthy Captain wears a softer Countenance, condescending to mess with us very cordially, as does also poor Mr. Saunders. A boat came off the next day from Hampton, for Mr. Sweeney's things, and he intending an entertainment on the Sunday. Mrs. Saunder was ordered by her Husband in a letter to come on shore by that opportunity. Mrs. Saunder who cannot write herself, or will read writing, shews me the letter (for we were grown quite friendly) in the postscript; there was added, you may tell Fisher if he had a mind to come on shore, he may come in Mr. Sweeney's Boat; but not a word to me of any entertainment or any mention of my being civilly invited to it. One of the sailors who used to help us to Bread and Water one day informed us that Mr. Saunder since our difference had acquainted the Gentlemen by way of reproach to me, that it was entirely owing to my persuasions that he ever engaged in the Voyage, and that I owed him a large sum of money, for which he had no security. Mr. Sweeney too, I might have observed, when the danger of the small Pox was over, and he quite recovered, in a transport of Joy told us all at Sea how gloriously he would entertain us when he arrived at Hampton. Tho' the acceptance of his favor was one of the remotest things in my thought, yet I was much more offended at Mr. Sweeney's rudeness, than Mr. Saunder, and I determined upon letting him know it. I must further take notice that when Mr. Sweeney quitted the Ship, he took no kind of leave of any of us; not so much as calling at the Cabin door to bid one of my family farewell. Now besides the utmost kindness and care, my wife son and Daughter constantly manifested in his distress, even while his most intimate companions when the Pock was turning used to damn his stinking carcass, and wish it was thrown overboard, and his receiving nothing but the greatest Civility from all of us, ever since my Daughter Molly all the time we were at Sea had the sole care and trouble of feeding and nursing his Five Canary Birds, which otherwise must have perished, they being utterly abandoned by every other Person; nor did he after his recovering name the least care of them. Now what excuse or pretense Mr. Sweeney could have for affronting me, I could not conceive. If it was the concisest, it was not I am sure the handsomest way of dropping an acquaintance with one who showed not the least ambition or inclination of keeping any up. So I wrote to him, that if (as it was probable) Mr. Saunder (whose difference with me he was no stranger to) was authorized by him to give me that rude intimation that I might come a shore in his Boat, if I thought fit, his behaviour therein was so offensive and ungenteel, as his quitting the ship without so much as saying farewell to me or any of my family. Yet if he could recollect a single instance tho' ever so slender that we had any of us failed in point of civility to him, I should esteem him entirely justified. As to what was reported of Mr. Saunder's saying he thro' my persuasion engaged in this undertaking, I would, with Mr. Saunder have proved the contrary under his own hand. On Wednesday August 8th Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Saunder came on board full of resentment; Mr. Sweeney denyed his giving Mr. Saunder any authority for saying I might come on shore in his boat, and made very sensiless apologies for his manner of quitting the Ship, which, however, I accepted, to avoid further disputes with him, and matters between us were easily and seemingly very well accommodated, for we shook hands and he paid great thanks to me and my family for what we had done for him, saying he should be glad to see any of us at his House if we ever came to Hampton. These extraited compliments I received as he delivered them with great Civility; resolving inwardly at the same time never to give him any trouble. Mr. Saunder (poor man) could hardly speak for rage. He demanded £120 which he said I owed him, and he insisted should he paid him in a month at farthest; denyed his being under any agreement with me as to sharing any part of my goods, or anything else; and that nothing but money should content him. He further urged, that by my own Rule, it would be unjust in me to expose a private litterary correspondence which had been carried on in Friendship. In this last, I concurred entirely, assuring him I would produce no Letter nor part of a Letter without His leave, tho' I insisted in the presence of Mr. Sweeney, and two other Gentlemen who were with him (strangers to me) that he should acquit me of being the cause of his coming to America, any farther than (as I said willing to suppose) the Company of one with whom he had been so long acquainted might be an inducement. To this he readily assented. The paragraph which I proposed to have produced, was no more than this, taken from the last letter I ever received from him, dated Gloucester, March 20th, 1749, "I cannot give you the least Idea how discontented I am least I should be prevented going with you, but I should hope, you will not go without me; tho' I should not have it in my power to come up time enough in April." (I having acquainted him that April was the farthest time limited by Whitaker for the Ship sailing.) I also referred to my own letter to which this was an answer, for my having vehemently therein urged him to acquit his mother and sister (with whom he was then) with his circumstances and motives to this undertaking, and to take their opinion and advice therein; but this, as he afterwards confessed to me, he never did. To obviate this money affair between us, I must observe that on our determination upon this Voyage he actually did put the sum he mentions (£120) into my hands, desiring I would lay it out in Goods most proper for Virginia. I here upon showed him my Bills of Banks of all the goods I had already purchased, signifying likewise that I should gladly take over a large quantity of Tea which I had bought; also, of any part of which Goods, if he pleased, he should be a sharer so far as his money would extend, or indeed of the whole, allowing me Common interest only for so much money as I should employ more than him. This he gladly accepted, calling it an instance of Friendship and great kindness. But to all this we had no articles drawn, no witnesses, our friendship, as we both then vainly imagined, being superior to all forms. Shocked and surprised as I was at this demand of Mr. Saunder's, and as sensible as he or any of his advisers could be of the distresses I must inevitably be exposed to, I promised to exert my uttermost endeavors to satisfy his ungenerous, unreasonable demands. But previous to this we came to an immediate settlement before Mr. Sweeney and his friends wherein we quickly concurred there was a balance of £117 due Mr. Saunder, for which I gave my note payable in a month. Some of Mr. Saunder's best things, as his wife's best clothes, Linen, Plate, etc., being either for convenience or safety at his request put into some of our best Packages, he immediately demanded them, tho' York was the Port we and our Goods were shipped for. I submitted to his unreasonable demand, had the Ship's hold rummaged, and the required packages brought upon the Deck, uncased and opened before all the Ship's Crew. In thus tumbling them about, my Two best Chests of Drawing (of mahogany) in particular, tho' well matted, even grievously broke and injured by a Villanous and careless mate. And all this I endured because Mr. Saunder should not have the shadow of a pretence to reproach me. This affair over; On Saturday August 11th at six in the morning we weighed Anchor and again passed by Hampton: (Solis Point, the place where we lay, I should have noted, was just in the mid way between Hampton and Norfolk, twelve miles from each, The Ferry Boats constantly passing by our Ship all the time we lay there) with a southerly wind, we again turned into the Bay of Chesapeake, and lay that night off a shoal called the Horse Shoe. Next Morning Sunday the 12th, by the assistance of the Tide and a Small breeze at East, we got into York River. A little after noon the Captain and I went off into the boat leaving the Ship under sail about a League below York, where (it being little wind) we arrived before her. I called first at the Eldest of the Mr. Nelsons, who was not in town, nor expected home till the middle of the ensuing week. From hence I went to Captain Reynolds, whose wife I was formerly acquainted with, being the daughter of a Mr. Wm. Rogers, a particular Friend and intimate Companion of mine about Thirty years ago. She knew me at first sight. Here I dined. After dinner I waited on the Secretary the Honourable Thomas Nelson Esq., and delivered Mr. Hunt's letter of recommendation. He spoke civilly, but said he must confer with his Brother before he could talk particularly to me. This was the first and indeed the last time of my having the honor of a Conference with this Gentleman. In the Evening I returned on Board. Monday the 13th I again went on shore, delivered the certificate for my Tea to the Custom house Officer, Richard Ambler Esq. who remembered me perfectly, as I did him. He staid me to dinner, and at his Lady's request promised to accommodate me with a Home, tho' he could not conveniently spare it; the favour was the greater as there was none other to be had. [This Richard Ambler married Elizabeth Jaquelin.] Returned again on Board. The two next days, I likewise came on shore and visited several male old acquaintances, all of the other six, Mr. Ambler excepted, being dead. Thursday 16th, employed in getting my family and goods on shore; but through the mate's drunkenness and laziness, it was far into the afternoon before we could get quit of the Ship; however it happened several of our packages were broke open, one large chest all to pieces and many things lost, and a large Box containing sheets and Table Linen never came to hand at all; yet all things considered we were glad of our escape, and thankful to Providence that we came off even so well. In a day or Two after we had landed, I called again at the Honourable Wm. Nelson Esquires now returned, and delivered my other letter from Mr. Hunt. This Gentleman I thought received me with a conscious Dignity and great reserve blamed my enterprise, admitting that any one could be so weak as to prefer living in Virginia to Brittain, insinuating at the same time that without peculiar circumstances or reasons few Persons of sense would ever make the exchange, and the best advice he could give me was to repair my oversight by returning again to London, which if I was inclined to do, there was he said a ship of Mr. Hunt's in the River that would sail in a few days (a fortnight's time). This (greatly mortified as I was) I could not yet bear to think of, but said in case of receiving no encouragement here, I should rather Choose to try my Fortune in some other Colony upon the Continent; mentioning Pennsylvania. To this he replied pretty eagerly if I would go thither he would give me a letter of recommendation to one Mr. Allin, a considerable Person of his acquaintance in Philadelphia. But even this I desired to suspend. I then mentioned my having two recommendatory letters to Mr. Walthoe, to which he replied very coldly, "Perhaps now Mr. Walthoe may have it in his power to serve you." "(By the emphasis he placed upon the word now! I should imagine he meant to insinuate there was a time when Mr. Walthoe had it not so much in his power to serve me, but surely the observation was no more just or generous than for another to have remarked; That a time was when this great man's Father thought to bring a Boatswain to a Merchant Ship, no mean Preferment."). You will easily conceive with what a heavy heart, I departed from this great Person to meet the reproaches of my poor wife, tho' in truth my affliction was unutterable. My wife perceiving my grief and dejection, determined upon trying her success in obtaining at least his Honor's advice or opinion in this anxious state of our affairs. She was received with very great complaisance, both by his Honor and his Lady, but no council or advice, save that of returning again to Brittain, my wrong headedness in coming hither being the general topic of their discourse. On his saying he heartily wished himself and Family in England, my wife presumed to inquire whether he was sincere in that assertion. He assured her upon his word that if he could get out of business here, and had his substance in his own hands, he would remove to England with the utmost expedition. When I brought my family on shore, there stood upon the wharf an ancient grey headed Gentleman who called me by my name, took me by the hand, welcomed me into the country again. Told me he remembered me perfectly when I was Clerk in the office of Mr. Lightfoot; tho' I could not so well recollect him, I acknowledged his civility. This Person wears the name of Captain Gooding. (G.) As I wanted some silver to distribute among the sailors who brought my family ashore he obliged me in Changing a Guinea. In about a fortnight after this, as I was attending Mr. Nelson's store till he was at liesure to be spoke to, this same Captain G. happening to be there assumed a quite different behaviour to what he had manifested by the water side, for with a malicious sneer he began thus: I remember you Mr. Fisher ever since Coln. S. paid you the Ten Pounds that you recovered against him for his striking you. The widow and sons of the Coln, Smith (S.) being now living attached to and intimate with, if not allied to the Nelsons Family, I was extremely confounded to be thus accosted, and a difference revived which had been cemented Thirty years ago; and what augmented my confusion (if capable of being augmented) was a Pragmatical store keeper of Mr. Nelsons catching the opportunity with the highest Glee of demanding a relation of the story by Cox Comically saying, "Aye do Mr. Fisher, tell us how that affair was." I had hardly Spirits to bring out, that Col. (S.) and I were very good Friends long before I left the Colony, and that in the suit I brought against him no more than sixpence damage was given, and not one farthing of either Costs or damage was ever levied or taken of the Col. Captain G. in a most insolent overbearing tone replyed: "Nay, but you must not tell me! I remember the payment of the money myself as well as if it was but yesterday, and that it was absolutely Ten Pounds." This so astonished me, that I could not utter a word for some time; at length recollecting myself a little, I beseeched the Captain would reflect this matter might easily be decided; for as I humbly presumed the Record of the Court were still in being, it would thereby appear whether he or I was in the right, without any further contest about the matter. Upon my mentioning the Record, the change in these two persons countenances was very extraordinary, and whether they ever looked into the Record or not, I cannot tell-but neither the storekeeper nor the honest Captain, tho' I have frequently met them since in various places, would never know or speak to me any more, yet this is all that I ever did to offend them. If the honest Captain did not conceive by this extraordinary piece of evidence he might some how recommend himself to some body or other, I am unable to account for the difference of his behaviour at the Wharf, and in Mr. Nelson's Store; for the rest, I am at no difficulty. Nothing is more common than for the injured to forgive; but that is not so frequently the case with him, who does or but attempts to do the injury. Indulge me with Patience, and I'll give the foundation of this Story concerning Col. Smith. "When I was in the country before (about the year 1722) Deputy Clerk of the Court to Mr. Lightfoot, Col. Smith was a Justice of the Peace and a Representative in the House of Burgesses, for the said County of York. This gentleman who was drinking at a Public house just by my office on Saturday evening sent for me and required I would forthwith issue a writ against some Person he then named, and made it returnable to the next Court, which was the ensuing Monday. This I told him very civily could not be, as the Law required Three Days between the issuing of a Writ and the return thereof. He said I might date the writ the day before, for he would have it done, alleging that such things had been done by my Betters. This last I said I would not presume to dispute, but that the dating of a writ backwards never had yet, nor never would be done by me; whereupon he struck me with his cane, but I then being a younger man than he took hold of his collar with one hand and his cane with the other, laid him on the floor and his cane by him, and departed. And tho' it was said he broke Two of his ribbs in falling on the Hilt of his sword, I was for several reasons prevailed upon to bring an action: One was that as it was more scandalous in a Magistrate than an indifferent person to break the Peace, it was but just to expose him in his own Court. The action was brought and Six pence damage given, which, nor the Costs were never levyed. My Master Mr. Lightfoot said I was quite right in all I did." And if I have any remembrance of this said Capt. Gooding (G) it seems to me to be by his being one of the Jury for conversation once on Shipboard in our passage and John Randolph in speaking of the disposition of the Virginian, very freely cautioned as against disobliging or offending any person of note in the Colony we were going to; for says he, either by blood or marriage, we are almost all related, or so connected in our interests, that whoever of a Stranger presumes to offend any one of us will infallibly find an enemy of the whole nor right nor wrong, do we ever forsake him, till by one means or other, his ruin is accomplished. I refused then to acquire use in these sentiments, and I wish I could truly say I had no reason to do it now; yet I never offered the least injury to any of them, nor can I hitherto have offended either of the Mr. Nelsons, unless my unfortunately obtaining a recommendation to them from Mr. Hunt can justly be termed an offense. In the midst of these discouragements and heaviness at heart, I determined however on seeing Mr. Walthoe, and accordingly went over to Williamsburg, (about 12 miles) delivered my two letters from his Brother Mr. Walthoe and his nephew Mr. Hart. He received me very civilly, but used very few words. I found him at breakfast or Tea and at his invitation drank two dishes with him. He said if I inclined to settle in Williamsburg or elsewhere, I might expect any friendly offices in his power. Seeing me afterwards in the Town, he called to me and recommended me as his Friend to some of his acquaintance who were there with him. They all welcomed me to Virginia, and I dined with them at a Tavern where he treated me. In the evening I returned home more easy than I had been any time since my arrival. I don't know how it was; but I was too much dejected and dismayed by my reception at York to say anything to Mr. Walthoe concerning my difficulties with Mr. Saunder: a great unhappiness that I omitted it. Three weeks of Mr. Saunder's month were now gone, and what to do I could not tell. At last, I resolved to set forth my case clearly by letter to the great man. This I did by informing him of our agreement, and our differences, with all the circumstances, together with Mr. Saunder's demand, earnestly imploring his aid in the most supplient abject terms that I had ever used to any Mortal in my life. Assuring him he should have my Tea or any other of my goods made over to him to double or treble the value of what would be necessary to enable me to get quit of Mr. Saunder. That I should request the loan of the Money for six months only, for which with greatest thanks and gratitude, I would pay any interest. Having sent this letter, I waited Three Days with the utmost anxiety for an answer, which not then coming I assumed the resolution of going myself to his house, to learn if possible his pleasure; but what was my anguish on enquiring for him when I was told by a servant his Master had set out yesterday (the day before this) on a journey to an Estate a great way up the Country, and would not return in less than three weeks, and that he had left no kind of word or message concerning me. The humanity of an answer tho' a peremptory refusal, I thought, I might reasonably have expected. Mr. Saunder who remained at Hampton 25 miles below York came up with a deal of Fury demanding his money with great threats. I had sent him an account of the steps I had taken and now showed him a copy of the beseeching letter I had wrote to Mr. Nelson; but this availed nothing. If I did not make over my goods, he said, directly to him, enabling him to sell them immediately for what they would fetch, he would without further ceremony throw me into jail. Exasperated with such various distresses, and these additional insults, I calmly bid him do his worse, for I would endure any kind of misery sooner than persist any longer in craving his compassion, or even so much as changing another word with him. This, how strange so ever, had a better effect on him than all my submissions and entreaties. He became cool at once, declared his distressing of me would afford him no pleasure, and that he would readily acquiess in my proposal of receiving my supplication to Mr. Nelson on his return and would wait the event. He staid with me two days, grew friendly, open and communicative: said he had an inveterate dislike to the People;-the best of those whom he had met with being malicious, subtil, treacherous, Said he was determined on returning to England; advised me to sell off all, and do so too; for that in the end he was sure I would find Mr. Nelson advising my immediate return would be the best I should ever receive from him. However, if we must part, let it be amicably, and that the least mention of our unhappy animosities might not be made hereafter to any of our English Friends. I declined all engagements save this, that he might rely upon my never aiming to do him the least prejudice either at home.

GEDCOM Note

Sue Meinha