Robert Bristow, of Virginia and London

content to clean up

Robert Bristow was appointed, with his brother- Richard Bristow, to the Grocers Company and came to Virginia about 1660. He favored Governor Berkeley, during Bacon's Rebellion, and for a time was imprisoned. He returned to England in the summer of 1677 and was reported in the "List of Persons Whose Sufferings have been most signal," 15 Oct. 1677, as "an Inhabitant in Tower Street, London, ag[ains]t Berking Church," and as "a man of good understanding in the Virginia affaires, and one of Integrity and Moderacion." He, shortly afterward, moved to the Parish of St. Gabriel Fenchurch, London, where he was a wealthy merchant engaged in Virginia trade. On 17 June 1692, he was elected a Warden of the Grocers Company, and he was a member of Parliament for Winchelsea, Sussex, 1798 and 1700, and a Director of the Bank of England.

Robert Bristow was not only named as a headright several times, but also as a patentee of several tracts of land. Much of the land he acquired remained in possession of his family for many years after his death and, despite the fact that he had returned to England, supposedly leaving none of his heirs in Virginia. He was probably a merchant, trading in Virginia, from his first voyage there until his final return to England; this would account for his being named a headright on several occasions. Each time he returned to the colony, he was claimed. He married (1st) Avarilla Curtis, a daughter of Major Thomas Curtis and Avarilla, his wife, of Ware Parish, in Gloucester County, Virginia. Avarilla Curtis patented 410 acres in Gloucester County, Virginia, 3 April 1661, adjoining Major Curtis, which included a 350 acre tract to John Curtis assigned to her. On 25 Oct. 1665, Mr. Robert Bristow patented land on Mockjack Bay, which included part of her grant, assigned to "said Bristow her husband."

Robert Bristow married (2nd) Susanna (______) Madgwick, in Nov. 1680. His will, dated 20 Sept. 1700 and proven 29 Nov. 1707, named his daughter-in-law, Catherine Bristow, widow of his son- Robert Bristow, lately deceased, and all of their children.

Manor of Micheldever, Hamps.

Freeman of London

Also owned land in Essex, at Winchelsea and at Rye, in Sussex