Thomas Stegge, I

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In 1637 Captain Stegg(e) was a merchant trading on the James River. Thomas Steege of England and Colony of Virginia was a Burgess for Charles City County Virginia and speaker of the House 1642-1643. Colonel and member of King's Colonial 1650-1651. Died at sea in 1651 on a voyage to England

As Royal Commissioner, he dealt with the rebellious Virginians who refused to acknowledge the rule of "regicides and tyrants." At the execution of King Charles I, Governor Sir William Berkeley of Virginia, with the approbation of the colonists, proclaimed the late King's son, Charles II, "King of Virginia" and invited the exiled monarch to come and reign in his colony. The young King was so touched that he referred to Virginia as "My Old Dominion", which Virginians have cherished since.

He was sent to America by the English crown, Cromwell, to subdue the colonies of Maryland and Virginia. In 1651, he was returning to England after doing so, he was lost at sea on the passage from Virginia to England. He left his estate in Virginia to his son Thomas Stegg(e), who settled in Henrico County. He left his houses in London, England to his daughter Grace Byrd. His will probated July 4, 1652 mentions two children, a daughter Grace Stegge, who married John Byrd, goldsmith, of London and a son, Thomas Stegge, Jr.

According to "The Byrds of Virginia" by Alden Hatch, 1967:His home "was a square two story house with one chimney in the exact center of the roof. The house was built in a flat meadow where the river made a broad bend below the cliffs, and it was more a fortress than a dwelling. For this place, where Richmond now stands, was the very spearpoint of civilization beyond which the untouched, savage forest stretched for thousands of miles."

[Brenda Keck Reed]

The real beginning of the BYRD family in the Colony of Virginia dates back to 1669 when THOMAS STEGGE II, uncle of WILLIAM BYRD I, lived in Charles City County and engaged in trading activities along the James River. His father Sea Captain Thomas Stegge was born 1600 in England; he wrote his last will at sea 6 October 1651 between England and Virginia. Sea Captain Stegge was a man of importance, being elected Speaker of the Virginia Assembly in 1643 and member of the Council in 1644. He was one of the leading merchants of the Colony of Virginia. Upon his death, his property in Virginia was bequeated to his son, Thomas Stegge II who was also a member of the Virginia Council and later Auditor-General. In 1671 Thomas Stegge II died without heirs, leaving the Virginia property to William Byrd, I, son of his sister, Grace Bird (Stegge) of London. The records of his life denote the following:

On 26 May 1637 RICHARD MILTON filed a land patent being at Westover, S upon the main river, E upon JOHN CLAY, West upon WILLIAM THOMASON & N upon Herring Creek, which land is half of a plantation formerly belonging to JOHN DAVIS & JOHN CLAY in equal portions with all buildings etc which said Davis sold to THOMAS STEGG, Merchant, and due by deed of sale from said STEGG. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol 1, p 59)

On the 18th of ___ 1640 THOMAS STEGG, Merchant, patented 1,000 acres in Charles City County, page 694, being at a neck of land between the old mans Creek & Queens Creek on the Sly. side, etc, 200 acres beng formerly granted unto THOMAS WHEELER & later assigned unto PATRICK KANNADAY, Mariner, by JAMES TURNER & THOMAS HARRIS, assisgnees & attorneys of said Wheeler & Kannaday to Stegg. Due by order of court dated October 15,1640 and for transport of 8 persons: RICHARAD HOW, RICHARD JAMES, THOMAS ROBINSON, JOHN GULTON, SILVESTER WARD, THOMAS BESSEN (or Beffen), THOMAS OLIVER, RICHARD RICROFT, RICHARD HASLEWOOD, GEORG POTTEETE, THOMAS PATTMAN, NICHOLAS WOOFED, WILLIAM FANELL, HUMPHRY CHAPMAN, ROWLAND DEMSON, & THOMAS PENTON. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol 1, pp 118-119 from Patent Book #1, Part II, p 694)

On 23rd or 28th August 1644, JOHN WATSON patented 1 acres in James City near the Brewere poynt, near the land of MR. THOMAS STEGG & ISAAC WATTSON, due by virtue of an Act of Assembly. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol 1, p 154, Patent Book 12, p. 10)

On July 3, 1650 in the commission issued by the King from Breda, THOMAS STEGGE was appointed a memer of the Virginia Council (CAl. Eng. Col. State Papers, Vol. 1). In August 1651 as he was evidently friedly to the Parliament, he was sent to reduce Virginia and Maryland. He embarked on the frigate John and was lost at sea together with CAPTAIN DENIS, another commissioner. He was lost at sea while returning from a government mission to Virginia on 6 October 1651.

The abstract of the will of THOMAS STEGGE, SR.. from Water's Gleanings reads as follows: "THOMAS STEGGE, now bound forth in a voygable to Vergenia 6 Octover 1651, proved 14 July 1652, by ELIZABETH STEGGE, relict and sole executrix. To sister ALICE ten pounds per annum during her natural life to be paid her every half year. To my brother CHRISTOPHER's two daughters, twenty pounds apiece, to be paid them within two years after my decease. To my wife's sister EMELION READE one full sixteenth part of the good ship now called the Seven Sisters, with all the provits, etc. I give to my son THOMAS STEGGE in Virginia all my whole estate in Virginia, as also one quarter part of the (sic ship) Seven Sisters now bound to Virginia and all goods and apparel I have in that ship or any other servants and ought else belonging to me; as also one quarter part of the ship Increase and all that shall accrew her for the voyage now at sea; and for more I leave it to the coniseration of his mother. To my daughter GRACE BYRD and her children the houses I bought of Mr. Neale in Bedlam, as also, after the decease of my wife or at the next marriage of my wife, I give her and her children my houses in the cloisters at St. Katherines that I bought of Mr. Tokely; also in like kind and case, I give her and her children my annuity at Elinge, if it so long continue, until the death of my said wife or her second marriage. To ELIZABETH BYRD, my daughter's eldest daughter, 100 pounds if she live until the age of fourteen years. To wife ELIZABETH STEGG, during her natural life or widowhood, my whole estate, after debts and legacies are paid, excepting what is directly given away before to my said wife should marry again I giver he out of my estate 800 pounds; and the rest to be equally divided between my two children. Wife ELIZABETH to be executrix and loving friend Mr. ___ Loton, Mr. Roger Draiton and Mr. Robert Earle to be overseers, and ten pounds apiece to buy them each a cloak. Bowyere, 202."

In 1678 Thomas Stegge's granddaughter, ELIZABETH "BETTY" BYRD, also died at sea, while enroute to Virginia from England, naming her brother, WILLIAM BYRD I, and his wife, MARIA HORSMANDEN BYRD, in her will.

...

[Sharen Neal.FTW]

Thomas was the Puritan Commissioner to Virginia; member of House of Burgesses for Charles Cit y Co. and elected Speaker of the House 1642-1643. He was a merchant and planter.

BIOGRAPHY: Was appointed Royal Commissioner to deal with the rebellious Virginians who refuse d to acknowledge the rule of "regicides and tyrants." At the execution of King Charles I, Gov ernor Sir William Berkeley of Virginia, with the approbation of the colinists, proclaimed th e late King's son, Charles II, "King of Virginia" and invited the exiled monarch to come an d reign in his colony. The young King was so touched that he referred to Virginia as "My Ol d Dominion", which Virginians have cherished since

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[Brderbund WFTVol. 6, Ed. 1, Tree #3374, Date of Import: Jan 24, 1998]

BIOGRAPHY: From The Writings of Colonel William Byrd of Westover in Virginia, Esquire, edite d by John Spencer Bassett, 1901, New York, Doubleday, Page and Company.

BIOGRAPHY: In 1637 Captain Stegg(e) was a merchant trading on the James River. He was a speak er of the Assembly in 1643, and in 1644, a member of the Council.

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EXTRACTS from "AMERICAN DESCENDANTS of ROYALTY" VIRGINIA BYRDS & STEGGES WESTOVER, VA

BIOGRAPHY: "Wm. Byrd-Advisor toSir John Byrd of London---Grace Steege b. 1625. mar. 1651--dau ghter of Col. Thomas Stegge of London and Virginia. Born in england. died 1651 at sea while r eturning to England.

BIOGRAPHY: Col. Thomas Steege of England and Colony of Virginia was a Burgess for Charles City County VA and speaker of the House 1642-1643. Colonel and member of King's Colonial 1650-1651 Died at sea in 1651 on a voyage to England

DEATH: In 1651, he was sent to America by the English crown to subdue the colonies of Maryland and Virginia. As he was returning to England after doing so, he was lost at sea on the passage from Virginia to England.

DEATH: He left his state in Virginia to his son Thomas Stegg(e), who settled in Henrico County. He left his houses in London, England to his daughter Grace Bird.

Berkeley of Virginia, with the approbation of the colinists, proclaimed the late King's son , Charles II, "King of Virginia" and invited the exiled monarch to come and reign in his colo ny. The young King was so touched that he referred to Virginia as "My Old Dominion", which Virginians have cherished since

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Marriage 1 Elizabeth Reade b: 1600 in England Married: 1625-1651

Children

• Grace Elizabeth STEGGE b: 1625 in Edmonton,Middlesex England
• Thomas Stegge Jr b: 1630, d: 1671, Henrico County, Virginia
  • ************ Thomas was the Puritan Commissioner to Virginia; member of House of Burgesse s for Charles City Co. and elected Speaker of the House 1642-1643. He was a merchant and pla nter.
    • ***********

References

• Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Under the Editorial ..., Volume 1 edited by Lyon Gardiner Tyler. Page 248 GoogleBooks