Jon "The Immigrant" Barfield

Research by Fletcher Freeman on the arrival of the Barfield's to Virginia -

In the 1600's, the London Company, owners of the Virginia Colony in the New World, gave a headright of fifty acres of land to anyone who transported, at his own cost, one person to the Virginia Colony. The first mention of a "Barfield", was in 1643, when Philip Taylor received land in Northampton County, Virginia for the transport of a Thomas Barefield according to the book Early Virginia Emigrants. Cavaliers and Pioneers Vol I, (1623-1666) shows a Thomas Barfield transported Oct. 14, 1640 by Phillip Taylor who received 1000 acres in Northampton County, Virginia in 1643. Northampton County was across the Chesapeake Bay and northeast of Nansemond County.

On April 12, 1653, a Robert Brasseur received the headright of 1200 acres on the Nansemond River in Nansemond County, Virginia, for transporting twenty four persons, including a Jon. Barefeild. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 244)

"The Bristol Registers of Servants Sent to Foreign Plantations, 1654-1686" listed a Richard Brafield, grocer, as receiving a servant for 4 years in Virginia and then again a Richard Brafield received another servant for 4 years in Barbados. Both entries were dated October, 1659.

On Oct. 30, 1662, John Barefeild received two patents for 150 acres each (300 acres) on the south branch of the Nansemond River for transporting 6 persons to Virginia. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 494 and p. 504 of patent Book 5)

Back over in Northampton County, were Thomas Barfield came earlier, an Ester Barfield was transported around 1664 by John Beauchamp and Richard Cooke. . In 1668, a Lt. Col William Kendall imported a Wm. Berefield and received land in Northampton Cty., Va. Then in 1673 Wm and Mary Kendall, son and dau. to Wm Kendall received land in Accomack Co. Va. for importing Wm. Benefeild (or Berefeild). In 1678 a Seayward Bearfeild was imported by Edwin Thacker. A Wm. Brafeild (Brayfeild) died in April 1664 and left his land in Eliz. City Co to his son Wm. who apparently died in 1689 without heirs.

On Oct. 8, 1672, John Barefeild received 450 acres in Nansemond Co. Virginia by Somerton Swamp for transporting 9 persons, two of whom were negroes and hence probably his slaves. This grant bordered an area that later became Bertie County, North Carolina. (Cavaliers and Pioneers Patent Book 6, p. 113)

On April 20, 1694 Richard Barefeild received ninety acres in the Up. Par. of Nansemond county for importing two persons. Later in 1694, on 14 Nov., the will of James Loadman, Perquimans Pct., N.C. names among the legatees Jane Barfeild and Richard Barfeild of Somerton which was in Nansemond Co. Va. This is of interest because it shows Richard to be living on or near the land obtained by John Barfield in 1672--"Somerton Swamp".

English duplicates of lost Virgina records by Des Cognets lists only three Barefields in Virginia according to the 1704 rent rolls, all of whom were in Nansemond County: Rich'd Barefield 900 acres Tho Barefield 100 acres John Barefield 300 acres

As seen in Cavaliers and Pioneers, John Barfield Sr. acquired 750 total acres and then his son patented 400 "lost acres". This would explain why John is shown with only 300 acres in the 1704 Quit Rents.

Volume III of Cavaliers... makes reference to land owned by Richard Barefield in the "Up. Par. of Nansemond Co. on the E. side of Saram Sw." in 1702 and 1706 as boundary lines of someone else's land.

April 19, 1715: John Barfield acquired 100 acres on the S. side of the Chowan river at the mouth of Tuscete Branch of the S. side of Horse swamp.

On July 11, 1719, John Barefield's land "in Up. Par. of Nansemond Co; on S. Side of Somerton Sw." is used as a reference for land acquired by a Leonard Langston. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, patent book 10, p.215)

Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol IV 1732-1741, has a patent dated June 20, 1733 to John Barfield (Barefield) of 400 acres on SE side Sumertion Sw. being "surplus L. found within bounds of a pat. to John Barfield, father to sd John Barfield for 450 acres dated 8 Oct 1672." The same book also references the land of John Barfield "on the S. side of Sumertion Sw., up the Cypress Br." in 1737. The Vestry book of Upper Parish, Nansemond County, Virginia 1743-1793, shows that John Barefield "Processsioned the Chapple Land" on February 18, 1747/48 and that he processioned land on March 6, 1752". Processioning was a Church of England sponsored delineation of land boundaries. This John was probably the son of the John who arrived in 1653, or John Jr.'s son.

From: "The Yazoo Herald" edition printed 12 November 1986. Barefield family hails from Cork, Ireland and Virginia - written by Earl Barfield of No Mistake Plantation in Yazoo County, Mississippi.

"Around 1670 three English brothers sailed from Cork, Ireland on a trip to the new world of America. New land and new opportunities awaited them. John, Jesse and a bachelor brother, Richard were just three of many who would be making this trip.

They landed in Virginia and were ascribed land in what is now southern Nansamond County bordering the territory of the Carolinas. Very soon they migrated south and established plantations on the Chowan River off the Albemarle Sound.

Richard returned to England and never married.........."

It is surmised that Jane Loadman is John Barfield's wife, but no actual marriage record has been recorded.

The Will of James Loadman/Lodman, Albemarle Co, NC 14 Nov 1694 probated Apr 1695, is listed twice. Note the different spellings used for the same people. Richard and Jane Barfield are missing in the Lodman redition and William Butler becomes William Barfield.

LOADMAN, JAMES.

Albemarle County.

November 14, 1694. April Court, 1695. JANE BARFIELD, RICHARD BARFIELD, WILLIAM BUTLER, SARAH BEASLEY, TIMOTHY CLEAR, ELIZABETH PHELPS, JAMES KENIDAY. Executor: WILLIAM BOGUE. Witnesses: JOHANNA BEASLEY, JANE BYARD, PATRICK CENADY. Clerk of the Court: JOHN STEPNY.

LODMAN, JAMES.

November 14, 1694. April 8, 1695. Legatees: WM. BARFIELD, SARAH BASLY, TIMOTHY CLEAR, ELIZABETH PHELPS, JAMES KENEDY, WILLIAM BOOGE (Executor). Witnesses: JOHANA PASLY, JEANE BYRD, PATRICK KENEDY. Clerk of the Court: JOHN STEPNEY.

(Grimes 218, 218)

Children were:
1. Richard Barfield

2. John Barfield Jr. was born about 1673 in Virginia Colony, Nansemond Co. (prob.). He signed a will on 24 November 1742 in North Carolina Colony, Onslow Co..1445 Barfield, John 1742-43 Onslow

Barefield, John, on New River. Onslow County.

November 24, 1742. Son: Luke. Daughters: Mary Edwards, Sarah Jones, Rose, Judith. Wife and Executrix: Elizabeth. Witnesses: James Barefield, Richard Johnstoun, John Quarlay. No probate. He died after 24 November 1742 in North Carolina Colony, Onslow Co.. This John, who left a will in 1742, might not be a son of Jon the immigrant. Pat Edwards suggests that his father could be William the Quaker. He also could be a grandson of John the immigrant, son of John Jr.

John of Chowan to Onslow Co. NC m. twice; brother James; 1742 will wife Elizabeth, children- Luke, Mary Edwards, Sarah Jones, Rose, Judith; 1715 Grant Deed from "friend" Lazerus Thomas; 1738 Grant Deed to William Curlee, John is now listed in Craven Co. Several deeds buying and selling land; prob. son of "William the Quaker" (Edwards)

Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol IV 1732-1741, has a patent dated June 20, 1733 to John Barfield (Barefield) of 400 acres on SE side Sumertion Sw. being "surplus L. found within bounds of a pat. to John Barfield, father to sd John Barfield for 450 acres dated 8 Oct 1672." The same book also references the land of John Barfield "on the S. side of Sumertion Sw., up the Cypress Br." in 1737. The Vestry book of Upper Parish, Nansemond County, Virginia 1743-1793, shows that John Barefield "Processsioned the Chapple Land" on February 18, 1747/48 and that he processioned land on March 6, 1752". Processioning was a Church of England sponsored delineation of land boundaries. This John was probably the son of the John who arrived in 1653, or John Jr.'s son. (Freeman)

FROM THE MILTON/MELTON POT QUARTERLY V. 3 pgs. 1-3 & V. 4 pgs.82-84. NORTH CAROLINA BERTIE COUNTY

BK B PG. 112 1715 - Elinor Merrett/Meriet to William Nixon/Mixon (melton) 16 Apr 1715 p of atty to act in open Court 130 A for ye said William Merret unto James Peeke. Witnesses: Peter Evens, Rich Barfield. BK A PG. 32

1722 - John Molton, Sen to John Jernigan 5 pds for 100 A on SS Ahotsky Swamp adj John Molton Jr., John Barfield. Part of 400 A patent dated 1717 Witnesses: John Barfield, Thos. Jenkins. Feb. Court 1722

BK A PG. 38

1722 - John Moulton to John Barfield 8 Oct 1722 10 pds for 50 A on SS Ahotsky Swamp adj John Jernigan. Part of 400 A patent to Moulton dated 1717. Witnesses: Thos. Jenkins, Richard Barfield, Henry Baker. Feb. Court 1722.

BK B PG. 432

1723 - Lords Proprietors to Steven Howard Aug 4, 1723 Grant. 235 A on SS Ahotsky Swamp & SS Turkey Swamp adj John Molton, John Barfield. Recorded in Sec't'y Office. John Lovick Sec't'y. Signed Rich'd Sanderson, William Reed, C. Gale, Thomas Pollock

BK A PG 389

1723 - Henry Baker to Richard Barfield 9 Feb 1724 10 pds for 200A on WS Ahotsky Marsh, part of patent granted to Baker for 840 A dated 1 Apr 1723. Witnesses: John Molton, John Henerd (Lenard?)

BK C PG. 190

1729 - John Barfield to Jonathan Standley, Sen. 10 pds for 260 A on SS Ahotsky Swamp. Part of patent formerly granted to John Molton in 1717 adj John Molton and Turkey Swamp. Witnesses: Thomas Crew, Alexander Southerland, William Sholar Feb Court 1729

BK D PG. 16

1733 - Edward Moor to Jonathan Standley Nov 13, 1733. 30 pds for 250 A on SS Ahotsky Swamp adj John Davidson whereon Stephen Howard did live at Turkey Swamp adj John Molton and John Barfield.

Witnesses: Thomas Crew, John Collins Nov Court 1733

Bertie Precinct Deed Index:

Year Grantee Grantor Book&Page

1735 Daniel Ward from John Barfield F 29 John Barfield to David Ward Oct 16 1735 20 £ for 125 A on Wattom at Huckleberry Branch adj. Richard Hines, Nathan Rowland at Cashy Swamp. Wit: William Whitfield, Edward Roberts, John Jenkins. NC Ct Oct 16 1735. W. Smith, CJ

3. Thomas Barfield was born about 1670 in Virginia Colony, Nansemond Co. (prob.). Which Thomas Barfield?

Bertie Will Index

1740 ref. Thomas Barefield's daughter Elizabeth Wit. Mary "M" Barfield

MacCrary, Robert. Bertie Co.

May 30, 1740. July 30, 1740. Legatees and devisees: Elizabeth Barfield, Mary Brown, Sarah Brown, Priscilla Brown, Elizabeth Brown. Executor: Thomas Barfield. Witnesses: P. Roche, Thomas Barfield, Mary Barfield. Proven before W. Smith, C. J. (Grimes 228).

http://sonic.net/~prouty/prouty/b1076.htm#P3149

http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/search/results.aspx?t=bar...

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Last known location of John Barfield: obtaining a 1682 land grant near Somerton, NC. He died at some point following this transaction.

    In the 1600's, the London Company, owners of the Virginia Colony in the New World, gave a headright of fifty acres of land to anyone who transported, at his own cost, one person to the Virginia Colony. 

On April 12, 1653, a Robert Brasseur received the headright of 1200 acres on the Nansemond River in Nansemond County, Virginia, for transporting twenty four persons, including a Jon. Barefeild. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 244)
On Oct. 30, 1662, John Barefeild received two patents for 150 acres each (300 acres) on the south branch of the Nansemond River for transporting 6 persons to Virginia. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 494 and p. 504 of patent Book 5)
On Oct. 8, 1672, John Barefeild received 450 acres in Nansemond Co. Virginia by Somerton Swamp for transporting 9 persons, two of whom were negroes and hence probably his slaves. This grant bordered an area that later became Bertie County, North Carolina. (Cavaliers and Pioneers Patent Book 6, p. 113)

GEDCOM Note

Ancestor 2M7(6M1)8F1; 2M8(6F5)10M1; 2M8(6M1)10M1
≤p>Person # 1818≤/p>
≤p>≤/p>