John White of Lower Norfolk County

Not the same as John White of York County

Grace (White) Sherwood was born in Virginia around 1660 to carpenter John White and his wife, Susan White. Around 1680, when Grace married farmer James Sherwood, her father gave his new son-in-law fifty acres of land. After White's death in 1681, James Sherwood received the remainder of his estate.

GEDCOM Note

Life Sketch

By a patent dated 26 Sept. 1674 John1 White was granted 195 acres in Lower Norfolk Co. in the northern branch of Curratuck by Mr. Basnett’s land. The patent was given for transport of 4 persons; i.e. John White, Susan White, John White, Jr., and Solomon White.[11] On 24 May 1680 John White gave James Sherwood 50 acres of land in Lower Norfolk Co. on Basnett’s Creek.[12] John White left his will in Lower Norfolk Co., dated 9 Feb. 1680/1. He left “unto my loving Sone in Law James Sherwood all my land.” Also mentioned were John Sevell, Mary Sevell, James3 the son of James Sherwood, and Edward Atwood, Sr. He named James Sherwood his sole executor.[13] By a deed, dated 16 May 1690, James Sherwood and Grace2 (White) Sherwood sold part of the land “given unto said Sherwood his heirs exc., admr., or assigns by John White, carpenter.”[14] Grace (White) Sherwood attained some notoriety as the Virginia Witch. She was examined by the county court and in 1706 her case was heard by the Virginia council.[15] She left a will in Princess Anne Co. dated 20 Aug. 1733.[16]

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/White-56432

The Sims Genealogy[1] makes reference to a John White's Will, and various deeds including a deed from John White to James Sherwood (citing William & Mary Quarterly, first series, p 96). Sims also mentions a 1690 deed from James Sherwood to John White in 1690 but this either a typographical error or not the same John White who was deceased 1680/81. The wife of this John White, father of Grace Sherwood, is named Susan.

A Will for a John White is found in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia.

Last Will and Testament: Dated 9 Feb 1680, Proved 11 May 1681. [2]

• Sone in law James Sherwood all my land; Jno Sewell a Cow; unto Mary sewell a Cow; until James ye son of James Sherwood...; unto Jno. Ceuell my great gun; unto Edward Atwood segr; James Sherwood my sole Exequetor...
• Witnesses: Alexandr Keeling, Jno Corperhew.
• Signed: John White (& Seale).
• The full text of John White's Will may be found a page 89 of Vol. 2, Part 3 in The Lower Norfolk County Virginia antiquary, Vol. 2, Part 3, pp. 90-91.[3]

Notes

Though sometimes conflated, this is not the same man as Capt John White who served in the House of Burgesses for James City in 1641 and whose wife Elizabeth married second Capt William Corker.

• http://jimserver.net/the-white-family-of-norfolk-county/
• https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/sherwood-grace-ca-1660-1740/