|
a.
|
Note: n household members counting himself in 1679. Nevertheless he appears to have had children born as late as 1716. One has to wonder if a generation could be missing. Possible as every family ahd an Abel in every generation, and poor records were kept. There evidently are no birth or marriage records at all. The first three known generations of this family are a complete mess.
On that theme, Abel died in 1689, but his children were pretty much born after 1689. Abel died 1689 cannot possibly be the father of Abel Gower Sr who was born between 1690 and 1716, and could not have been born earlier than 1716 to have been helping two other men row a big boat full of enough corn to fill a cart, a bunch of horses and so forth down the river in 1680, when they were ambushed by Indians taht they knew were there. A feeble old man would not have been on that trip let alone one of three men rowing the boat. And how did Abel Gower Sr come to be born in a different place than his father was living? Father lived in Henrico County, and died there. Abel Gower Sr born in Wake County.
Will dated 25 Aug 1688, probated 1 June 1689, mentions his living wife Jane, and his daughter Tabitha Gower. He goes on to state that if his daughter Tabitha should die before age 21, then her inheritance would go to Obedience Branch and Priscilla Branch his step-daughters.
Do we know which Abel Gower died in 1689? Abel Gower the justice and burgher died in 1689, with only one child, a daughter Tabitha, and wife Jane. So it was the wife of the burger who was married three times, and was an ancestor of Thomas Jefferson. This means that Abel Gower who left male line descendants did not die in 1689 - not unless they were the same person. Jim Gower appears to think they quite possibly were the same person, as he has said, if I remember right, that Abel the founder wasn't the parent of future William/ Abel pairs and that his brother William must have been.
A Jane Gower died in 1709/10. She had been born in 1640. (assuming that was the same Jane Gower.) She did not have a daughter Tabitha. She didn't name any sons. She names two daughters, both married, and grandchildren with four different surnames, none of which match the surnames of either daughter. The residue of her estate went to the second daughter. However, Abel of Turkey Island left an entire handful of sons, if he was really their father. She mentions "sister Hatcher", giving rise to the notion that Jane the wife of one Abel Gower or the other was born Jane Hatcher, though it's unlikely her sister would have still had her maiden name.
Jean Mayo Hirsch, at Rootsweb World Connect, takes the position that the two Abels were the same person. Or seems to - it actually isn't clear why she includes him. She is tracting a Hatcher line. She gives Abel no descendants, just Tabitha who married and had no children. She points out that in her view teh daughters that Jane names in her will were daughters from her other marriages. She did have sons as well by her other marriages - I think. Certainly more than two children. She thinks that the people she mentioned were Priscilla and Obedience, daugthers of Jane Gower through her son John Branch; the will was transcribed wrong. Also mentions a deed dated Dec 1696, from Jane Gower for a tract of land given her by her father in law Christopher Branch of "Kingland" to JOhn Cocke and Obeidence his wife, who was Obedience Branch, daughter of John Branch, deceased, who was the son of Jane Gower.
On the other hand, Abel Gower of Turkey Island had a household of seven people in 1679. One thinks that didn't include his slaves, but only his family. Abel Gower the shefiff had only three household members.
Or, well, on the other hand, Jane would have brought her children with her to the marriage.
Someone on the Gower genealogy forum has this take on it. You need to look at the citation I offered as it couldn't be any clearer. Citation says, Abell Gower justice of county from 1677 until his death in 1689, sheriff in 1681, and a member of House of Burgesses in 1679. He married Jane, daughter of Edward Hatcher of Henrico county, and widow of ___ Branch of the same county. He had one child Tabitha. I offered the summary of the will up as confirmation of above cite. p.s. this Abell was also a surgeon, and had brothers William (Surrey, Virginia), and Thomas ( Edmunton England), and likely Richard (Henrico Co) who also married a Hatcher (Martha) Richard and Martha had at least one daughter, Mary Gower who married Richard Dennis who was related to many of the early families such as Eppes, Randolph, Wilkinson. All documented by Wills & Deeds. Certainly, there were other Abel Gower's around - both earlier, and later.
The other Abel did have a brother named Thomas who lived in Edmonton, near London, when he minded the estates of William Byrd's mother and grandmother in 1689. I don't see any evidence that William was the brother of either of them, except that he signed one document just a bit too early to be his son. In 1672, whatever children Abel had were children. I didn't see where it said where he lived.
Lived in Varina parish, Henrico Co, Virginia.
Christopher Branch 1678 will proved 2/20/1682. Buried Kingsland Plantation.
Had son Thomas who had son Christopher.
Also grandsons William and John Branch, ?
Precko? Creek near Abell Gower.
Mr. Gower's Island. Abel Gower a witness.
Christopher Branch supported Bacon's rebellion.
William Branch widow Jane Gower
had Wiliam or John accorded Plantation of Kingsland by deed of Christopher in 1659.
Jane Burton m 1 William Branch
2 William Baugh
3 Abel Gower. (It would be by William Branch that she would have been ancestor of Thomas Jefferson.)
But how was she called Jane Hatcher?
Orphans of William Branch deed and William Baugh deed Abel Bower 1678. William and John Branch. Priscilla, Mary Baugh.
Will of Abell Gower, to Jane wife, daughter Priscilla, else Obeidience and Priscilla Branch.
1686 Abell bought 487 acres on James River, disposed of by death.
1671 Jane has of late husband the land.
Notice that Abell was alive and well much later than 1671.
Bobby Carwile posted online that Virginia land grants show Gower settled in Virginia around 1637, but I didn't find that in the land grants reproduced in JSTOR, and haven't found this elsewhere, and it could be a mistake.
1685 William and Abell Gower to divide a piece of land of Charles Dugars or Dugass.
1710 - 11 John Gils? appr 1795 lived with Mrs. Jane Gower. Mt. Misery 101 acres Mrs Jane Gower lived. S side James R, bounded by Sheffield Swamp near Great Stone.
JSTOR. Henrico Co VA in 1679 as head of household listing 7 living family members during a meeting discussing defense of the county against Indian attacks. See also http://files.usgwarchives.org/va/henrico/census/1679tyth.txt - 1679 Tythables For Henrico County Att a Court holden att Varina for the County of Henrico the second day of June Anno Dom 1679... An account of ye several fortye Tythables ordered by this Wor'll Court to fitt out men and horse armes &c. according to act, vis:
Possibly on Turkey Island. Reference also to Bermuda Hundred (above). No other places listed. Mr. Abell Gower was ordered to give notice to a list of people who included Branch's, who were prominent among his neighbors. Mr. Thomas Branch, Mr. Christopher Branch, and nearby, Mr. Hatcher's Sen. Nearby, Edward Hatcher. Byrd family as well.
"I waas also once lead to some information claiming he had died on Turkey Island in VA, which is just east of Henricus on the James River. This area was originally owned by the Hatcher family, so this is quite possible."
William and Mary Quarterly.
BRANCH OF HENRICO
In connection with the previously published information as to the
Branch family, the following addenda has been communicated by Mr.
James Branch Cabell:
QUARTERLY, Vol. XXV., page 62. Thomas2 Branch is said to have
married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Matthew Gough of Henrico, a
burgess for the session beginning 2 March, I642-3.
Page 65. Thomas3 Branch, on 4 November, I685, patented 760 acres in
Henrico, on the south side of the river, in the parish of Varina, bordering
land owned by Mr. Abell Gower, John Clarke, and Mr. Thomas Branch,
Senior. Thomas3 Branch conveyed 280 acres of this tract to his brother
Matthew3 Branch, for 2,000 pounds of tobacco, by a deed dated and
recorded I February, I686-7; and on the same date conveyed to his
brother James3 Branch 200 acres of the same tract, "for love and affec-
tion." This transfer would seem to mark the coming age of James3
Branch.
I found a discussion of early churches in the Henrico County area; they were built by 1615.
"In the seventeenth century all of the work of a public char-
acter was done by the foremost men in the community .
the wealthiest and the most prominent citizens." This quotation
from Philip Alexander Bruce's Social Life of Virginia in the
Seventeenth Century (though Doctor Bruce makes the statement
in dealing with more strictly local, or county, affairs) is an excel-
lent summary of conditions in the colony at large and may be
justly applied to other time periods than the seventeenth century.
To this (in connection with the subject under discussion here)
should be added: every man, during the colonial period, had full
opportunity for enjoying the fruits of his personal labor. Ability
of even the crudest nature possessed the value of utility and
where a footing had been gained (however slender) there was
nothing to prevent a man's economic and social advance.
The earliest mention (so far discovered) in Henrico County
patents, and other sources, of other names which appear in the list
for 1679 are:... (very long list) Abell Gower (and also a
William Gower) was a headright to a patent granted to John
Davis in April I672;
Henrico records prior to 1677 were destroyed. Many of the early families lived there well before then.
Doctor Philip Alexander Bruce in his Social Life in Virgini
in the Seventeenth Century (page 115) makes the following com
ment on the use of the term "mister" during the period of whic;
his work treats. "In conversation the term 'mister' was, no doubt
applied to both gentlemen and yeomen, but when it appears i1
legal documents as a prefix to a name, it signifies that a person s(
designated was entitled to a higher degree of social consideratiot
than was enjoyed by a mere yeoman; the term seems, in fact, to
have been reserved in those early times in all forms of writter
and printed matter, such as records and books, for persons whos{
claim to be gentlemen, in the broad social sense, was admitted b)
all. . . . The use of the term 'mister' is observed most con-
stantly in the lists of the county tax levies; in these lists, the word
'gentleman' does not appear, whilst the word 'mister' is employed
wherever the person whose name is mentioned could lay claim to
any special social consideration. .. "
In the Henrico list of Heads of Families in I679 we find the
following names before which the significant term "Mr." is
placed: Martin Elam, Francis Eppes, Richard Kennon, Richard
Cocke, John Pleasants, John Ball (who was minister of the
parish), Benjamin Hatcher, William Baugh, Henry Lound, Wil-
liam Clerke, Thomas Poulden, Gilbert Elam, Henry Gee, Gilbert
Platt, Richard Lyggon, Peter Field, Charles Featherstone, George
Worsham, Thomas Batte, Essex Bevill, John Goode, Richard
Ward, Senior, [Francis] Radford [Redford]), William Elam,
Thomas Branch, Senior, Thomas Osborne, Edward Osborne,
Abell Gover, [Robert] Hancocke.l
In Henrico, as in every community of great age, phenomenon
of "rise and decline" is apparent in the social, economic and po-
litical orders. In their "beginnings" in Henrico the Hatchers,
Farrars, Branches, Wards, Lyggons, Osbornes, Jeffersons,
Baughs, Royalls, Archers, Worshams, Bevills, and Peter Field,
Thomas Chamberlaine, Thomas Batte and Abell Gower, were
very "well-to-do people." Christopher Branch, William Hatcher,
Thomas Osborne, John Baugh, Thomas Lyggon, William and
John Farrar and Peter Field and Abell Gower were members
of the House of Burgesses from the county and the names of
Farrar, Ward, Baugh, Jefferson, Bevill, Batte, Worsham, Os-
borne, Archer, Royall are found among the early magistrates,
and Abell Gower, William Farrar and John Worsham occupied
the responsible office of sheriff. Members of the Farrar and
Lyggon families were prominent militia officers. But by the be-
ginning of the eighteenth century these families, which had been
so prominent in the earlier life of the community, were virtually
swamped by the accumulation of large wealth (for that day) and
political offices of greater responsibility and profit in the hands of (three families).
Henrico County lost her territory to the south of James
River, by the erection of Chesterfield County in 1749.
Peter Field, Thomas Batte, Thomas Chamberlaine and Abell
Gower left no male issue, at least so far as the extant records
show. Each of these men occupied a prominent position in
Henrico County and they were people of recognized economic and
social standing. Peter Field and Abell Gower were both members
of the House of Burgesses and Abell Gower was at one time
sheriff of the county. Thomas Chamberlaine and Thomas Batte
were magistrates of Henrico and Chamberlaine was sheriff, a
militia officer of rank and, in later years, a member of the House
of Burgesses from Charles City. Of Peter Field's antecedents
nothing is known, but Batte and Chamberlaine were both of dis-
tinguished descent and Gower was, in all probability, descended
from a family of prominence in England.2 Chamberlaine, Batte
and Gower were the first of their families to permanently settle
in the colony. - (these articles confuse two Abel Gower families who
lived in the area. The more prominent Abel Gower left no male line
descendants. )
Abell Gower died in I689. He married Jane (whose surname
is unknown). This Jane married, first, William Branch (son of
Christopher Branch), secondly, William Baugh, third, Abell
Gower. Abell Gower mentions but one child in his will, a
daughter, Tabitha.3 Of Abell Gower's descendants, if there are
any, nothing is at this time known. (From same article - not
clear which Abel Gower. )
3. William2 Branch (Christopher1) of Henrico County, who
died in 1676, many years before his father.* He married Jane
(whose surname is unknown).t She married second William
Baugh, Jr., and third, Abell Gower.
William2 and Jane Branch had issue:
i. William3 Branch, who died without issue.
7. ii. John3 Branch, of whom hereafter.
iii. Sarah3 Branch, nothing further is known of her.
iv. Mary3 Branch, married first, Thomas Jefferson; second,
Joseph Mattox.t
t Search in the remaining Henrico County Records for the maiden
name of Mrs. Jane Branch-Baugh-Gower has proved, so far, fruitless.
She was born about 1640 (Deposition, made Xber I, I688, stating her age
as about 48 years. Henrico Records, Vol. I688-97, p. 25.) The will of
Jane Gower, of Parish and County of Henrico, dated December 7, I709,
was proved in Henrico Court January, I7I0; grandson William Cox and
my daughter Mary Cox, all my outlands; granddaughters, Obedience
Turpin and Priscilla Wilkinson, to be equally divided between them, the
land I now live on called the great Stone; grandson William Farrar, feather
bed, rugg, pair blankets, pair sheets, pillow and boulster, grandson Abel
Farrar, feather bed, boulster, pillow, blanket, rug and pair sheets; grand-
daughter Mary Womack, four silver spoons; granddaughter Mary
Wilkinson 4 silver spoons,; granddaughter Obedience Turpin, four
silver spoons; granddaughter Martha Wilkerson, chest of drawers, oval
table, diaper table cloth, one dozen napkins; to Priscilla Farrar, bed,
boulster, blanket, rug; to John Spike, bed he lies on with furniture thereto
belonging; to William Womeck, two breeding sows; daughter Mary Cox,
all stock except 2 cows; granddaughter Priscilla Farrar, silver porringer;
my sister Hatcher, damask gown and petticoat; grandson Abell Farrar,
iron pot, silver tumbler, table standing in the chamber, two pewter dishes;
granddaughter Priscilla Farrar, iron pot, table with drawer in it, pewter
dish; grandson William Farrar, 2 pewter dishes, my biggest tumbler, silver;
granddaughter Judith Womack, box iron and heaters; daughter Mrs. Mary
Cox, residue of estate and she named as executrix. (Henrico Records,
Vol. I710-I714, p. 35.)
The mention of "my sister Hatcher" in Mrs. Jane Gower's will but ******
serves to make the problem of Mrs. Gower's family name more intricate.
It must suffice here to state that no positive, and very little circumstantial,
evidence has been adduced to settle the question. The statement in
Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XVII, p. 401, that Mrs.
Jane Gower was the daughter of Edward Hatcher of Henrico is erroneous
as the only Edward Hatcher (of that period) was born about i633 (Hen-
rico Records) and was therefore only about seven years old at the time
of Mrs. Gower's birth.
For an account of the Jefferson descent see Virginia Magazine of
History and Biography, Vol. XXIII, p. I73, et seq.
From this article on the Branch family in JSTOR, it is clear that whatever else is true, theoretical Jane Branch and theoretical Jane Hatcher are the same person.
However the matter of Hatcher family ties is considerably oversimplified. Below from Henrico land patents (JSTOR)
(341) WILLIAM HATCHER [I], 200 acres in Henrico on Appomattuck
River, extending north toward " Pearse his stile Creek " [2]. Due 5o for his personal adventure, and I50 for the transportation of three per-
sons, Richard Rodford, John Winchester and Alice Emmerton. By
West, June Ist, I636.
NOTES.
[I] William Hatcher was member of the House of Burgesses for
Henrico October, I644, November, i645, March, i645-6, October, I649,
and April, I652. At the beginning of the session of November, 1654,
the House made the following order: "Whereas Coll. Edward Hill,
unanimously chosen Speaker of this house, was afterwards maliciously
reported by William Hatcher to be an atheist and blasphemer according
to an information exhibited against him the last quarter court, from
which the honourable Governor and Council then cleered the said Coll.
Edward Hill, and now certified the same unto the house: And foras-
much as the said William Hatcher, notwithstanding he had notice given
him of the Governour and Council's pleasure therein, and of the said
Coll. Hill's being cleered as afforesaid, hath also reported, That the
mouth of this house was a Devil, nominateing and meaning thereby the
said Right Worp'll Coll. Edward Hill; It is therefore ordered by this
house, that the said William Hatcher, upon his knees, make an humble
acknowledgment of his offence unto the said Coll. Edward Hill and
Burgesses of this Assemblv; which accordingly was performed, and then
he, the said Hatcher. dismist paying his ffees."
William Hatcher was again Burgess in March, I658-9. So far as
the extant records show, this was his last public service; but the tem-
per which induced him to denounce Speaker Hill, got him into trouble
at the time of Bacon's Rebellion. At a court held by the Governor
and Council, March i5, I676-7, " William Hatcher being brought
before the court for uttering divers mutinous words tending to the dis-
quiett of this his Majesty's countrey, and it being evidently made ap-
peare what was layd to his charge by divers oaths, and a Jury being
impanelled to assesse the damages, who bring in their verdict that they
award the said Hatcher to pay ten thousand pounds of tobacco and
caske, which verdict of the jury this honourable court doth confirme;
but in respect the said Hatcher is an aged man, the court doth order
that the said Hatcher doe pay with all expedition eight thousand pounds
of drest porke unto his Majestie's commander of his forces in Henrico
county, for the supply of the souldiers, which if he fayle to doe, that he
pay eight thousand pounds of tobacco and caske the next cropp, and
pay costs." It is probable that he died soon after this time.
There is recorded in Henrico a deposition, dated I677, of William
Hatcher, then aged about sixty-three years. This was probably the
immigrant, as it seems usual at that period to have considered a person
above fifty-to be aged.
From the records of Henrico (which is now extant, begun in I677) it
appears that Wm. Hatcher had issue: I. Henry,' married Ann -, and died
intestate. In February, I677, his widow was granted administration on
his estate; II. Benjamin,' of Henrico, born 1644; he married on or before
June, i68o, Elizabeth, daughter of John Greenhaugh, and had at least
one son, William." There is on record in Henrico a partition deed dplted
April, i68o, between Benjamin Hatcher and Robert Sharpe, dividing a
tract of land called " Varina, " left Benjamin Hatcher by his father, Wil-
liam Hatcher, deceased, but since claimed by Sharpe. Also a partition
deed, same date, between Edward and Benjamin Hatcher, of Varina,
sons of William Hatcher, deceased. Edward to have " Neck of Land,"
and the plantation between Elam and Lounds, 65o acres in all; and
Benjamin to have " Varina, " " Pigg in the bole, " Turkey Island Point,
450 acres in all; III. Edward, born about 1633. In 1684 his wife was
Mary. There is a deed dated 1682 from Edward Hatcher, conveying
to his daughter Sarah, an Indian girl. Another in t686 from Edward
Hatcher to Henry Turpin, son of his daughter Sarah. There is a deed
dated March, I700o- 1, from Seth Hatcher, son of Edward Hatcher, Sr.,
deceased, conveying a tract of land which was patented by Wm. Hatcher
in I663. In i686-7 Edward Hatcher and Richard Gower made a deed,
recorded in Henrico, confirming a gift made seven years before by the
said Edward Hatcher to his grandchild, Mary Gower, daughter of his
daughter Martha, and her husband, Richard Gower. In December,
i69I, Martha Gower, aged about 28 years, made a deposition referring
to her father, Edward Hatcher. On Nov. Io, 1694, Edward Hatcher,
Sr., of Henrico, made a deed to his sons William, John, Edward, and
Seth.
THE HATCHER FAMILY
REV. FRANCIS CAMPBELL SYMONDS, D. D.
The name "Hache" in Norman-French means "a light battle-ax."
After the Norman invasion of England, the word was anglicized to
"Hatcher."
The Hatcher Coat-of-Arms is described in Fairbanks' Book of
Crests: "Hatcher Lines, an arm Embowed, vested azure, charged with
three bars argent, holding in the hand proper, a branch of olives Vert."
In Careby Manor, Lincolnshire, England, is an inscription on a
tombstone dated 1564, recording that the Hatchers buried there were of
the ancient family of Hatchers, for many generations the Lords of this
Manor.
I. From those Hatchers was descended William Hatcher, likewise
of Careby, England, who was a member of Parliament, and took up
arms against the King and for this, being seized by the King's forces,
was indicted for treason in 1643.
II. His son William was born in Careby, England, about 1614.
(25 W 91.)
"William Hatcher came into this country about 1635 and figured
conspicuously as a resident of Henrico." (25, W 91).
On June 1, 1636, he received a patent for land for the importation of
himself and three others into the colony. (5 W 133-138) (5 V 98)
In the land grant office in Richmond are recorded the several grants
of land issued to this William Hatcher, in Book 1, page 433, 850 acres;
Book 1, page 559, 150 acres; Book 6, page 529, 227 acres.
"In their beginnings in Henrico, the Hatchers . . . were very well
to do people." (24, W. 266.) William Hatcher, the immigrant became
a member of the House of Burgesses from the County of Henrico, and
served in that capacity in 1644, 1645, 1646, 1649 and 1652. (25, W 91;
24, W. 266.) Colonial Virginia Register, p. 65; 5 V. 98)
At the beginning of the Session of November 1654, the House of
Burgesses made the following order: "Whereas Coll. Edward Hill,
unanimously chosen speaker of this house, was afterwards maliciously
reported by William Hatcher to be an atheist and blasphemer.... And
forasmuch as the said William Hatcher . .. hath also reported, That the
mouth of this house was a Devil.... It is therefore ordered by this house,
that the said William Hatcher, upon his knees, make an humble acknowl-
edgement of his offence unto the said Coll. Edward Hill and Bur-
gesses of this Assembly; which accordingly was performed, and then
he, the said Hatcher, dismist paying his ffees."
"William Hatcher was again Burgess in March, 1658-9. So far as
the extant records show, this was his last public service; but the tem-
per which induced him to denounce Speaker Hill, got him into trouble
at the time of Bacon's Rebellion. At a court held by the Governor
and Council, March 15, 1676-7, "William Hatcher being brought before
the court for uttering divers mutinous words tending to the disquiett
of this his Majesty's countrey, and it being evidently made appeare
what was layd to his charge by divers oaths, and a Jury being impanelled
to assesse the damages, who bring in their verdict that they award the
said Hatcher to pay ten thousand pounds of tobacco and caske, which
verdict of the jury this honourable court doth confirme; but in respect
the said Hatcher is an aged man, the court doth order that the said
hatcher doe pay with all expedition eight thousand pounds of drest
porke unto his Majestie's commander of his forces in Henrico county,
for the supply of the souldiers, which if he fayle to doe, that he pay
eight thousand pounds of tobacco and caske the next cropp, and pay
costs."
There is recorded in Henrico County a deposition dated 1677 of
William Hatcher then aged about sixty-three years. (5 V. 98.) This
confirms our previous statement that William Hatcher was born about
1614.
The children of this William Hatcher, Sr., of Henrico County were:
1. Edward Hatcher. In Valentine Papers by Edward Pleasants, page
1976, we find: "Edward Hatcher, Sr., of Neck of Land, son of Wm.
Hatcher of Henrico County." This Edward Hatcher was born about
1633. (24 W. 208; 5 V. 99.)
"In June 1672 is recorded in Henrico an agreement of Edward
Hatcher, Thomas Shippey and John Davis to go on a trading expedi-
tion among the Indians. (6 V. 406.)
"In Oct. 1683 testimony was given in regard to a race arranged
between Edward Hatcher and Andrew Martin. The winner to have
the other's horse." (2 V. 295.)
Edward Hatcher's inventory in Henrico Records 1710-1714, p. 106,
is dated Sep. 28, 1711.
"In 1684 his wife was Mary." (5 V. 99) Valentine Papers, page
64; 27 W. 187) "Seth, among the sons of Edward Hatcher (1633-1711)
of Henrico may have come from Seth Ward, and hence Edward Hat-
cher's wife Mary, may have been a daughter of Ward."
The children of this Edward Hatcher were: (1) Edward. (Valen-
tine Papers, p. 1981) (2) John. (Valentine Papers, p. 1981) This
John Hatcher married Mary Hancock who was born 1675. Her lineage
is traced in Va. Mag. Vol. 33, page 109. The will of Robert Hancock
of Henrico County dated June 1, 1708 names his son-in-law, John
Hatcher and Mary his wife. This John Hatcher moved to Edgecomb
precinct, N. C., according to Valentine Papers, p. 2011 and the Henrico
County Deeds and Wills, Vol. 2, page 664.
(3) Seth. (5 V. 99; 27 W. 189).
(4) William. "Edward Hatcher, Sr., Wm. Hatcher, Sr., John
Hatcher & Seth Hatcher, sons of the afsd Edward Hatcher, Sr., July
7, 1712." (Valentine Papers, page 1982, 5 V. 99).
(5) Sarah. "August 2, 1682, Edward Hatcher .. . to his daughter
Sarah Hatcher." (Henrico County Records, 1677-92, p. 222) (5 V.
99) In 1686, Matthew Turpin married the daughter of Edward Hatcher.
(5 V. 100) In 1686 Edward Hatcher made a deed to Henry Turpin,
son of his daughter Sarah." Sarah Hatcher in 1689 (a widow of
Matthew Turpin) married Joseph Tanner. (25 W. 90)
(6) Martha who married Richard Gower.
The name Gower does not appear elsewhere in the article. It looks like the children
of William and also of Edward Hatcher are known, and the only family tie was to
Richard, who looks likely to have been a son of Abel the settler of Turkey Island.
However, I learned the source of the notion that Abell Gower married Mary Hatcher.
It comes from Virginia Gleanings in England, and refers to the other Abel Gower,
the one who left only one child, a daughter. This source has probably also
been used to connect Abel Gower (either of them) of Henrico, Virginia, to a
family of Boulton, Worcester with ties in Oxford. Also accounts for the
notion found on the Internet that St. John's, Boulton, Worcester, was in
Gloucestershire. But the tie is only based on the name coincidences.
GEORGE GOWER of Christ Churche in the University of Oxon,
Master of Arts. Will 24 November I624; proved 7 February
I624-5. To my brother William Gower my lease hold of
the Dean and Chapter of Worcester called Pittensaries Farm,
the profit to be divided between my sisters Barbara Etkens
and Amie Gower until my brother shall be 27, then he is to
have full possession. To my friend Mr. Gilbert Jones of All
Souls College, Sir Walter Rawleyes Historie, the Florentine
History written by Match avell, and my sanguine rapier.
To John Chanse I forgive Lio out of the debts he owes me ot
/22. To my Aunt Mary Gower i is. To the poor of St.
Johns in Bedwardine 20S. To James Crouch a hlatt, too pair ot
cuffs, and doublet and hose. Residuary Legatee and Executor:
My Uncle Mr. Abell Gower. Overseers: Mr. Gilberte Jones,
Mr. Edwarde Meetekerke, anid Mr. Thomas Davis. City of Oxon.
Witnesses: James Crouche, Anne Caney[?] Adminiistration I
November x634 to Barbara Etkyni als Gower, sister of deceased.
Clarke, 24.
ABELL GOWER of Boulton, parish of St. Johns Bedwaedine,
county Gloucester Esquire. Will 30 July 1632; proved I6
Novemnber I632. To new building the Chancel of St. Johns
/io. To poor of parish ?5. To my wife the profits of my land
inl Sawfold untill Abell Gower my eldest son shall be 24, and
all my lands in Napton, county Warwick, in occupancy of
Nicholas Horrod, until my youngest son William Gower is 24.
To my daughter Elizabeth Gower L500. To my wife my lands
in Kington, county Worcester, and one salt Phate or Bullerie of
Salt Water in Droitwich Colvores now in tenure of - Davies
and two houses in St. Johns Bedwardine purchased from Hughe
Cotton. To my son in law Timothy Stampe of the Inner
Temiiple, London, a cup of silver. To the said Timothy, William,
Jolhn, and Marie Stamnpe, anid Anne the wife of Tlhomas Clent
of Martley. county Worcester, Clarke, my wife's children by
her former husband, Lio each. Residuary Legatee and Execu-
trix: Wife Marie Gower. Overseers: Son in law Timothie
Stampe and my Brother in law John Gunner of Whitney, county
Oxon, gent. Witnesses: William Stampe, John Burlie, John
Chanice, John Combey.
Audley, iI T.
[The maker of the first will above appears in Foster's Alunti
Oxon,ienses, as George Gower of the counitV of Worcester, gent., who
matriculated at Oriel College, December r5, 1609. aged 15; B. A., June
17, 1613; M. A., Tune 20, i6i6. Three Ahel Gowers, of Worcester-
shire, were at Oxford, matriculating in r58r, t66o and r69t. An Abell
Gower, who was dotubtless of this family, came to Virginia and settled
in Henrico county. He was a justice of the couinty from x677 until his
death in I689, sheriff in i68r, and a member of the House of Burgesses
in I679. He married Jane, daughter of Edward Hatcher of Henrico
county, and widow of Branch of the same county. He seems to
have but one child, a daughter Tabitha. His will was dated December
25, i6S8, and proved in Henrico, June, x689. He gave his wife Jane
the plantation he lived on for her life, with reversion to his daughter
Tabitha, and if she died without issue, to Priscilla and Obedience
Branch. His personal property was to be divided between his wife
and daughter. The inventory shows a comfortable estate and included
i silver-tankard, 2 silver porrinigers, 6 small silver salt cellars, 12 silver
spoons, a gold ring, a bible in quorto and two or three old books.
The will of Mrs. Jane Gower was proved in Henrico in October, I699.
She gave lands to her grandson Aim. Cox and daughter Mary Cox; land
she lived on called Great Stone, to her granddauighters Obedience
Turpin and Priscilla Wilkinson; personal property to grandson Wnm.
Farrar, granddaughter Mary Womack, Priscilla Farrar, John Spike,
Wm. Womack, her daughter Mary Cox, granddaughter Priscilla Farrar
(a silver porringer), sister Hatcher (a damask gown and petticoat), and
grandchildren Abell and William Farrar and Judith Womack. Rest of
estate to Mrs. Mary Cox. Through a child of her first marriage, Mrs.
Jane Gower was an ancestress of Thomas Jeffersoni.
It was Mary the wife of the poorer Abell Gower who married three times
and was an ancestor of Thomas Jefferson.
From the above the two families were hopelessly confused and it is not
clear that the well to do Gower did marry Mary Hatcher.
* Henrico Records, Vol. 1688-97, p. 710. See also a deed, dated Decem-
ber I, I696, from Jane Gower, of Henrico County, to John Cocke, Junior,
(son of Richard Cocke, Senior) of the parish and county of Henrico, who
had married Obedience, eldest daughter of John Branch, late of Kings
[Kingsland?] in Henrico County, son of the said Jane Gower. Henrico
Records, Vol. 1688-97, p. 670.
Varina parish 1680 to 1714. From Henrico parish (1634?) Original shires or counties formed 1634.
"Three stages may be distinguished in the development of the Par-
ishes of Colonial Virginia.
"First, from 1607 to about 1655, when each plantation formed a
Parish or the nucleus of one. Few of these had ministers, the tithe
system was not yet developed, and the intervening wilderness made
sufficient boundaries between them."
Brdn., 75, says :
"This parish [Henrico] may be said to date from the year 1611,
at which time a settlement was made at Henricopolis and a church
built. At that early date there was, of course, no regulations of par-
ish bounds, each Burough or Plantation, supplied with a church, being
called a parish."
The eight original shires (or counties) were formed in 1634 (H.
i, 224), but, so far as the text of this enactment is available, there is
nothing to designate these areas as parishes. If co-terminous parishes
of the same names actually resulted from the legislation forming the
counties of 1634, these new ecclesiastical jurisdictions absorbed such
existing parishes, which had resulted from the settlement of plantations,
buroughs and hundreds, as fell within the bounds of the original civil
The Henrico peninsula soon became known as Varina Neck and is
thus designated in land patents dated as early as 1632.a* It was named
for Varina plantation, which lay partly within the bounds of Charles City
Corporation, only a mile or two below Henrico, on the same side of the
river, and which was so called because the tobacco raised there resembled
the kind grown at Varinas in Spain. It is traditional that John Rolfe
owned this plantation and lived here with Pocahontas, after their mar-
riage in 1614, and if so, it was here that he raised the first tobacco suc-
cessfully cultivated by the Virginia colonists.
One of the first settlers at the site of Henrico after its destruction in
1622 appears to have been William Farrar, who is described as "of Hen-
rico" in a land patent of 11th June, 1637, to his son and heir, William
Farrar, Jr., for 2000 acres, apparently including the whole of Henrico
Neck.25 The fact that this land is bounded in the patent as "abutting
easterly upon the Gleab land of Varina" reveals that the early "Parsonage
or church land" at Rock Hall had been replaced by a later glebe at
Varina. This new parish farm continued to serve, for almost a century
and a half, as the home of the rectors of Henrico Parish, including the
historian, the Reverend William Stith, who wrote his history of Virginia
while living there.
It is apparent that, in accordance with early colonial custom, the glebe
land at Varina was made the site of a parish church, the first built for
Henrico Parish after its revival through the appointment of a new rector
in 1629. A General Court order of 9th December, 1640, condemning
Henry Elston to acknowledge his offense against Captain Thomas Harris,
commander of Henrico County, in "the p[ar]ish church of Henrico",
shows that this church had been erected prior to this date.26
Following the usual practice in early colonial times, one of the first
court-houses for Henrico County was erected near the parish church at
Varina. County courts were held at this place as early as 1640,27 and a
county ferry was established here, for the accommodation of south-side
residents in attending church and court.
12. JOHN4 BRANCH (James3, Thomas2, Christopher1). In
Chesterfield is recorded a deed, dated 27 November I749, from
Mary Branch (widow of James Branch) to John Branch, con-
veying 200 acres adjoining the land formerly owned by Mr. Abel
Gower, and another tract, of 31 acres, granted to James Branch
by a patent dated I8 March I7I7: witnessed by Rhod Easly,
John Howlett, and Olive Branch. There is also a deed, dated I3
November 1749, by John Branch, to Thomas Branch (Thomas,3
Thomas2, Christopher'), conveying these two tracts. John Branch
married Mary , and died intestate in 175I: an inventory of
his estate, taken 16 August I75I, was recorded in Chesterfield,
Will Book I, page 59. He had, with possibly other issue:
I. JOHN5 BRANCH, who has various deeds recorded in Chesterfield.
Deed, dated 6 November 1752, from John Branch, son and heir of John
Branch deceased, to Charles Stuart, merchant, conveying 600 acres, being
the land purchased of Henry Clay by the said John Branch deceased, and
by the death of his father is descended to the said John Branch, party to
this deed, lying and being in Chesterfield county, near Warwick: this is
a conveyance to secure a debt of ?I54, and ?314 due on a bond given by
John Branch and Jeremiah Rust, to David Bott, and by him assigned to
William Montgomery. Deed, 4 December 1755, by Mary Branch and
John Branch, son and heir of "James" Branch deceased, to John Markham,
conveying 20 acres on Bear Creek in Chesterfield county, described as
bordering on lands owned separately by the three parties to this deed.
Deed, 12 September 1763, by John Branch, to John Markham, conveying
38 acres in Chesterfield, in the parish of Dale, being part of a tract con-
sisting of 333 acres belonging to the said John Branch, on Bear Creek.
Deed, 7 June 1766, from Thomas Branch, to John Branch, son of John
Branch deceased, conveying oo00 acres, including the plantation whereon
the said John Branch now lives. Deed, 24 July 1769, by John Branch, to
James Lyle, conveying Ioo acres in Chesterfield, being the land the said
John Branch bought of Thomas Branch.
This is the last entry concerning John Branch that has been found in
the Chesterfield records. It is said that circa 1769 he removed, with his
wife, Martha Louise Henry, to Halifax County, North Carolina, and left
descendants there. Among his children, it is stated, was:
(I) John6 Branch, a colonel in the Halifax militia during the
Revolution, a member of the Colonial Congress at Hillsboro, a
member of the General Assembly, represented Halifax in the North
Carolina legislature 1781-82-87-88, and died in I8o6. He married,
first, Bradford, and, second, Elizabeth Norwood, and had
with other issue:
(a) James7 Branch.
(b) John7 Branch, Governor of North Carolina, &c.
(c) Joseph7 Branch.
(d) Martha7 Branch, who married Eli Whitaker.
(e) Patience7 Branch, who married Daniel Southall.
(f) Elizabeth Ann7 Branch, a child of the second marriage,
who married Alston.
In connection with the previously published information as to the
Branch family, the following addenda has been communicated by Mr.
James Branch Cabell:
QUARTERLY, Vol. XXV., page 62. Thomas2 Branch is said to have
married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Matthew Gough of Henrico, a
burgess for the session beginning 2 March, I642-3.
Page 65. Thomas3 Branch, on 4 November, I685, patented 760 acres in
Henrico, on the south side of the river, in the parish of Varina, bordering
land owned by Mr. Abell Gower, John Clarke, and Mr. Thomas Branch,
Senior. Thomas3 Branch conveyed 280 acres of this tract to his brother
Matthew3 Branch, for 2,000 pounds of tobacco, by a deed dated and
recorded I February, I686-7; and on the same date conveyed to his
brother James3 Branch 200 acres of the same tract, "for love and affec-
tion." This transfer would seem to mark the coming age of James3
Branch.
Page
Page 67. Matthew3 Branch married Frances , who was a
witness at the October Court, 1711. She was probably Frances Ware, a
sister of the Caleb Ware, whose will, dated 28 June, 1740, was recorded
in Chesterfield 5 October I750. Matthew3 Branch, by deeds dated 27
September 1689, recorded in Henrico I October 1689, exchanged 200
acres of the 280 deeded him in I686-7 by his brother Thomas3 Branch, for
the 200 then deeded to James3 Branch and eighty adjoining acres.
Matthew3 Branch, on 29 October 1696, patented fifty acres in Henrico,
escheat from William Jones deceased. Matthew3 Branch and James3
Branch, on 24 April 1703, patented 710 acres in Henrico, on the south
side of the river, on Bear's branch, Pockashock branch, Grindon's run,
and bordering land owned by John Brodnax. Matthew3 Branch, on 20
October I704, with Mr. Tho: Jefferson, Tho: Harris, and Tho: Turpin,
patented 628 acres in Henrico, on the south side of the river, on "ye branch
of Lucy's Spring." Matthew3 Branch and James3 Branch, by deeds dated
and recorded I August 1711, divided equally the 71O acres patented by
them in 1703.
Page 69. James3 Branch, in addition to the preceding data concern-
ing him, has a land patent, dated I8 March 1717-8, for thirty-one acres in
Henrico, on the south side of the river, bordering on Kingsland, Seafield,
the land of Richard Dennis, of Mr. Thomas Branch, and land owned by
the patentee. The will of James3 Branch was probated in Chesterfield
5 August I749.
QUARTERLY, Vol. XXV., page IO8. John3 Branch evidently married
Martha, daughter of Robert Griegg of Henrico, whose will, dated IO
February 1702-3, recorded 2 August 1703, names his grandchildren John
Cocke, Thomas Edwards, Jr., Mary Ward, and Edward Branch, and ap-
points Jane Gower to be executrix.
John Cox, Sr., had two sons, John Cox, Jr., who married Mrs. Jane Gower's
daughter Mary Baugh, and William Cox, whose wife was named Sarah, and who
has been confused, as above stated, with William Cocke3, youngest of the four sons
of Thomas Cocke2 "of Pick-thorn Farm in the County of Henrico"7 or Thomas
Cocke who was the first of the Henrico Cockes to live at Malvern Hills adjoining
Old Bremo.
Branch) to James Branch, dated April
* Henrico Records, Vol. 1688-97, p. 710. See also a deed, dated Decem-
ber I, I696, from Jane Gower, of Henrico County, to John Cocke, Junior,
(son of Richard Cocke, Senior) of the parish and county of Henrico, who
had married Obedience, eldest daughter of John Branch, late of Kings
[Kingsland?] in Henrico County, son of the said Jane Gower. Henrico
Records, Vol. 1688-97, p. 670.
The following is an abstract of the will of Richard2 Ward:
Richard Ward of parish and County of Henrico, to son Richard
Ward 300 acres in 2 parcells, one lying & being upon Mr. Abell Gower,
the other lying & being on Mr. John Knowles: to youngest son, Edward
Ward, 250 acres; to daughter Elizabeth Ward 15o acres; to eldest son
Seth Ward plantation I now live on and all the lands that shall be left
in what I expressed in my will above said. To eldest son, Seth Ward,
There is no record of his will.
Issue, first marriage: i6. Wi11iam;5 17. Abel.6 Mrs. Jane Gower, of
Henrico (mother of Mrs. Priscilla Baugh Farrar), in her will dated De-
cember 7, 17IO, made bequests to her grandchildren, William, Abel
and Priscilla Farrar. There was in Henrico, July, 172I, a suit: Abel
5. Seth4 Ward (Seth,3 Richard,2 Seth') of Henrico County.
He was doubtless the eldest son of Captain Seth3 Ward, and it
was he, who, in I713 was chosen guardian by his younger brother,
Joseph Ward (see ante p. i90). In the will of Richard2 Ward, of
Henrico, dated April i8, i682; probated August i, i682 (see
ante p. i87) the following bequests are made:
"Son Richard Ward, 300 acres in 2 parcels, one lying and being on
Mr. Abell Gower, the other lying and being on Mr. John Knowles."
"Eldest son Seth Ward, plantation I now live on and all the lands that
shall be left in, what I expressed in my will above said." The italicized
passage in the second quoted clause only becomes clear in the light of the
following record by which its obvious intention is that Richard Ward (the
son) should hold the land that the said land should revert to Seth Ward
(the eldest son) or his heir.
Copy of the Rent Rolls of the Sev" Countys in Virge for
the year I704 referred to in Col. Nicholsons Lres of the 25
July last.
Recd 8 October
Read
705
M. 6I Entred C. fol 365
A True and Perfect Rent Roll of all the Lands held of her
Majtle in Henrico County, Aprill 1705
James Gower, Griggs Land, 500. Why James Gower should have been paying quit rent on Griggs land is a good question.
Abel Gower, probably the burgess who left no male heirs, witnessed a deed
between a Byrd and someone else in Henrico in 1683.
Garys of Va., 49).
7 This is evidently meant for Abel Gower, Justice of Henrico 1677-85 ;
Sheriff 1681 ; Burgess April 25, 1679. He m. Jane, the widow Branch, who
was the dau. of Edward Hatcher. His will proved in Henrico Jan. 1689,
names dau. Tabitha who m. Oct. 20, 1700 (Bond) Richard Grigg. The
Gowers were probably of the old Worcestershire English family.? (Va.
Mag. XXV, 255; Cyc. of Va. Biography, 245; Stanard's Register, 82.
The following additional references to the name Gower are in
the Visitation:
P. Io. (Pedigree of Baugh of Twing, Co. Glouc.) Richard
Baugh, m. Anne dau. of John Gower, of Woodhall in Kempsey,
Co. Worc. (no date.) Thos. Baugh m. Dorothy dau. of John
Gower of Worcestershire. This pedigree also states that another
Thos. Baugh was "absent in Virginia, I634. "
Page 6o-(Pedigree of Hodges of Droitwich) "Henry Hodges
of Droitwich, aet. 37, 1683, and hath as yet no issue, "married
Alice, daughter of John and sister and heir of Thomas Gower,
of Droitwiclh. "
Page 6i-(Pedigree of Hornyold, of Blackmore Park) Thos.
Hornyold of Blackmiiore Park, son and heir, now living, aet. 55,
I683, married (ist) Margaret, daughter of Robert Gower, of
Colemarsh, Co. Worc.
P. 115, in a list of "Disclaimers," appears the name of Riclh-
ard Gower, of Hagley, Worcestershire.
This suggests that Gowers may have followed relatives to Henrico.
Someone with no name posted the following idea with no source
to an Ancestry board. "They (Abel Gower Sr who went to Tennessee)
go back to Lord Abel Gower who married his 2nd wife Jane Hatcher
(Baugh-Branch). Unclear what that is even referring to.
From "Books in Colonial Virginia",
Abel Gower, Henrico, 1689-A Bible and 2 or 3 old books.
Byrd Titles. Appears to concern some mining property in
Bermuda Hundred, next to Turkey Island. Looks to concern
Abel Gower the burgess.
A Large Tract of Land lying above
Barmuda Hundred on the South Side
of James River containing 4250 Acres
had been formerly possest by John
Zouch2 Esqr who dying without Heir,
the Land was found to Escheat & was
thereupon granted to Abel Gower
Gentleman who Assigned the same to
Colo Byrd, & he took out an Escheat
Patent for it in his own Name Dated
the 20th day of April 1682 As follows
NOW KNOW YE that I the said Sir Henry Chicheley Knight
his Majesty's Deputy Governor &c DO with Consent of the
Council of State accordingly give & Grant unto Colo William
Byrd four Thousand Two Hundred fifty Acres of Land, accord-
ing to the most Ancient & Lawfull Bounds thereof lying & being
in Henrico County, which John Zouch Esqr died seized of &
was found to Escheat to his Majesty as by an Inquisition recorded
in the Secretary's Office, under the Hands & Seals of William
Byrd Esqr Escheator of the said County & a Jury sworn before
him for that purpose dated the One & twentieth day of October
1680, may more fully appear, which said Land was since granted
to Abel Gower, who hath made his Composition according to
Act, and by the said Gower assigned unto the said William Byrd
as by the said Records appears TO HAVE & TO HOLD the
said Land with his due Share of all Mines & Minerals therein
Contained with all Rights & priviledges of Hunting Hawking
Fishing & Fowling with all Woods, Waters & Rivers with all
profits Commodities & Hereditaments whatsoever to the said
Land belonging to him the said Colo William Byrd & his Heirs
for ever, in & large & ample Manner to all intents & Purposes'as
hath been used & allowed since the First plantation TO BE
HELD of Our Sovereign Lord the King his Heirs & Successors
as of his Mannor of Bast Greenwich in free & common Soccage
& not in Capite nor by Knights Service YIELDING AND PAY-
ING to our said Sovereign Lord the King his Heirs & Successors
for every fifty Acres of Land hereby granted at the Feast of St.
Michael the Archangel the fee Rent of one Shilling which pay-
ment is to be made from Year to Year according to his Majesty's
Instructions of the Twelfth of September 1662 GIVEN under
my hand & the Seal of the Colony this Twentieth Day of April
1682.
I can accept that two Abel Gowers who were not closely related to each
other lived in Henrico County, where Richmond now is, but not that one
lived in Bermuda Hundred and the other in adjacent Turkey Island, if
they weren't closely related to each other. Also why was a member of
the other family disposing of Grigg land. Henrico was a big territory.
Public Officers in Virginia, I68o.
The following list of the Civil and Military officers i
in i68o, is a copy of the onrginal, now in the British S
office, under the head of Colonial Papers, Virginia, No
HENRICO COUNTY.
Col. Wm. Byrd,
Lt. Col. John ffarrar,
Mr. Tho. Cock,
Mr. Rich' Cock,
Mr. Essex Bevill,
civ.
Mr. Abell Gower,
Mr. Tho. Batts,
Mr. Pete ffeild,
Mr. Rich. Kennon.
In the year that followed, the Commissioners were busy gathering evi-
dence for their report on the rebellion and collecting the grievances of
counties and individuals, while trying to calm down passions among the
colonists. Berkeley had gone to England only to die there after a few days.
His friends in Virginia, like Philip Ludwell, considered the new lieutenant
governor, Colonel Jeffreys, a worse rebel than Bacon.36 In the summer of
I677 a new Assembly was elected, and William Byrd was chosen burgess
for Henrico County, thus replacing Bacon himself in the House that con-
vened on October io, 1677.
We hear of him next a few months later when he was preparing to go to
England. At a court held at Varina for the county of Henrico on April i,
x678, he gave full power of attorney to "my trusty and well-beloved friends
Mr. Thomas Grendon of Charles City County and Mr. Abel Gower of
Henrico County."37 Did he make the journey to accompany his wife and
child on their return voyage to Virginia, to visit his English relatives, to
tighten business connections? There may have been another reason as
Abel Gower the friend of William Byrd seems to have been the burgess.
The following suggests that William Byrd had an employee or accountant
who was Abel Gower's brother Thomas. So where was William Byrd's
mother's and grandmother's estate in England? It also looks as if he
may have been writing to Thomas Gower in London, meaning that
these brothers were London gentry.
LETTERS OF WILLIAMI BYRD 255
To THOMAS GOWER.
Sr Virga April ye 16th 1688
This is only to give you an Accot of my Safe arrivall here after
a short & pleasant passage of little more then a Moneth; yor
Brother (3) here seems much out of order, complains of a pain
in his Side, wch hath troubled him for or five Moneths, that he
is not able to ride nor walk far; I believe he is in a decaying
condicon; pray if you have made up yor Accots & return'd an
Inventory of my NMothers & Grandmothers Estate, please to
send me a Coppy of them, for I have no reason to quitt my claim
to ye formner, you know some concerned therein have not
oblidged mee so much, & for ye latter it concerns my son, who
cannot be prejudiced by any Lapse during his Nonage. Pray
give my service to all our ffrds wee have frequently drank yor
good healths but not yett disposed of ye token, However wee
Intend a returne by this Ship; Remember mee to all ffrds at
Edminton & honest Dick ffaucett wth mv Cozn Seabright &
Cozn Hesther, & accept of my hearty Service to yor selfe wth
thanks for all yor favors I am
Sr
Yor
To mr Tho: Gower
To JACOB BOBERT (4).
Sr Virga Aprill ye 16th 1688
I must beg yor pardon yt I did not answer yoT8 at London,
considering what a Noble psent it brought mee, but I hope yor
goodnesse will Excuse mee considering wt a Hurry a man thats
so great a Stranger as I am in England must bee in, when he is
just parting wth all his ffriends, & bound to this other world,
all ye trees & Shrubs came in Extraordinary well by yor gTeat
care in packing of them. I doe not doubt their growth; &
now should bee happy did I know wch way Sufficiently to
acknowledge your Extraordinary kindnesse, I wish I might
any way bee Serviceable to you here whatever lyes in my
power you may freely Command
Sr Yor Oblidged
I gave vor Token to mr Banister who is marryed to a Young
Widow I did Expect him at my house last weeke, but hear since
hee was not very well. I suppose hee hath or will write to you
him selfe, my humble Service to all our ffrds at Oxon. To mr
Ja. Bobert.
(3) The brother was Abel Gower, who was a justice of Henrico County,
Va., 1677-85, Sheriff 1681, and a member of the House of Burgesses 1679.
His will was dated Dec. 25, 1688, and proved June 1689. He gave his
wife Jane his plantation for life, and then to his daughter Tabitha, and
if she died without issue, to Priscilla and Obedience Branch. Mrs. Jane
Gower had been a widow Branch. On Oct. 20, 1700, license was issued
for the marriage of Richard Grigg and Tabitha, orphan of Abel Gower.
Tabitha possibly died without issue, as in March 1711, Richard Dennis
and Mary his wife petitioned as heirs at lavw of Abel Gower. These
Gowers were probably of an old Worcestershire family of the name in
which Abel frequently appears as a Christian nam-e.
(4) Jacob Bobart was keeper of the botanical gardens at Oxford
William Byrd's mother was Grace Stegg. Her father was a leading merchant
of the colony of Virginia, but she was evidently born in Edmonton, near London,
in England. Her brother, Thomas Stegge, was also a leading figure. William
was sent to England to school and then lived on his uncle's estate, planning
to inherit it. So the Gowers evidently knew each other from Edmonton, and
that is why Thomas Gower the brother of Abel was managing William's mother's
and grandmother's estate. It must have been located in Edmonton.
Edmonton is a borough of London, part of a greater borough of Enfield, or
something of the sort. Once upon a time it was a day's ride from London.
In Henrico county there is recorded a deed, dated April, i68I, from
Wm. Byrd. Esq., to Richard Kennon, gent., conveying 657 acres at
Roxdale [still a well-known farm in Chesterfield county, on James
river], formerly the property of Sir John Zouch, Knight; but escheated
and afterwards granted to Abel Gower, who sold to Byrd. This land
was probably escheated, because abandoned by Zouch or his heirs.]
[2] In I626 Edward Grindon was included in a list Hot/en, as own-
ing I5O acres at Tappahanna over against James City, which he had
planted. He was a member of the House of Burgesses I625 (a session
which is not noticed by Hening, but is in Sainsbury's Abstracts of
English Records, now in the Virginia State Library). His land appears
from a later patent, to have been inherited by Thomas Grendon, or
Grindon, who was probably a brother or nephew. The latter was a
London merchant; but resided frequently in Virginia, where he was a
member of the House of Burgesses for " Smyth's Mount, the other side
of the water and Hog Island," in z632-'3.
In I649 he sold certain land in James City county which had been
patented by Edward Grendon in 1620. He married Elizabeth, widow
of Thomas Stegge, Sr., of Virginia and London. and left a son, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Thomas Grendon, of Westover parish, Charles City county,
Virginia, who was a justice, and lieutenant-colonel commanding the
horse, in that county in i68o (Virginia Magazine &c.,January, I894, page
226). He married Sarah, widow of Colonel Thomas Stegge, Jr., (Audi-
tor-General of Virginia), and died at sea in i684-'5, without issue. His
442 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.
will dated 23d February, I683-'4, and proved April 4, I685, has been
printed in Mr. Waters' Gleanings (New Eng. H. & G. Reg. XLIV,
94). In it he gives his wife Sarah ?i,5oo sterling out of his personal
estate in Virginia, as if necessary for money due him in England; or
,?8o per annum out of the yearly rent of his real estate in Furtherly
als. Fartherly, in the parish of Shenton, county of Stafford, England,
and in Hidefield in the said county Other legatees are Wm. Byrd, Jr.,
of Virginia; Cousin Thomas Jennings, of London, merchant, son o f
Thomas Jennings, late of London, distiller; provided said Jennings
paid to " my aunt, his mother, Mrs. Hannah Archer, now wife of Cap-
tain Wm. Archer, of Charles City, Virginia," ,?o per annum; friends Mr.
Robert Coo, of London, goldsmith; Mr. Thomas Gower, of Edmington,
Mr. Abell Gowee, of Virginia, Hon. Wm. Byrd, Esq., Wm. Randolph,
of Henrico county, Virginia; and Mr. Arthur North and Mr. John
Harding, of London. Mentions leases granted March, i656, by Wm.
Lord Stafford, Henry Earle, of Kingston [Qu. Earl of Kingston ?], John
Earle, of Thanett Island, [Qu. Earl of Thanett], Wm. Peirpoint, Esq.,
&c., to his late grandfather Thomas Grendon, deceased.
His wife appears to have been an ardent supporter of Bacon's Rebel-
Byrds were evidently supporters of Bacon's rebellion.
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from Kinfolks : a genealogical and biographical record of Thomas and ELizabeth (Stuart) Harllee, Andrew and Agnes (Cade) Fulmore, Be <http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=11593&enc=1> , p2471, 2477, 2478, 2493, 2623 - 2631. At Ancestry.
"We are authentically informed by notes written about 1841 by Dr. Felix Robertson, born 11 Jan 1781, that his grandmother, Mary (Gower) Robertson, was the daughter of Abel Gower. These notes are now in the collection called "Draper MSS" of the state Historical Society of Wisconsin at Madison. " If Mary Gower and Abel Gower Sr were siblings, then their father was Abel Gower, regardless of whether that was Abel Gower who died in 1789. However, it adds that Mary Gower's father Abel Gower was from England. Conceivably he meant as opposed to from Ireland or Scotland?
Since the Robertsons lived in Brunswick VA they infer that the Gowers must have lived there at some point. (thought they met up in the Carolinas?) Then it discusses Wiliam Gower and Abel Gower of Brunswick Co, Virginia.
The earliest Gower records found in the Courthouse of Brunswick, 4 Nov 1741, for five shillings current money, by a lease, and on same date for fifteen pounds of good and lawful money by a release, conveyed to Henry Wilkins of Prince Geroge County 200 acres in the Parish of Saint Andrews in the County of Brunswick on the north side of Three Creeks, it being part of a tract or parcel of land granted by patent to the said William Gower bearing the date the first day of June in this present year fo r five hundred and fifty four acres and is bounded," etc., by the land lines of John Jackson, William Whittemore, and Richard Huckiby. Both lease and release were signed by "William Gower" adn "Anne (her x mark) Gower" and acknowledge by them the following day, 5 Nov 1741. (Deed Book 2, p 119)
The method of conveyinhg land at that time and place was by two documents, a lease stating the nominal consideration of five shillings and a release stating the actual price.
"William Gower and Anne Gower his wife of the Couty of Brunswick", by ... dated 1 Dec 1741, conveyed to John Collier of the County of Prince George 300 acres in the County of Brunswick on the north side of Three Creeks, the said land being granted unto William Gower by patent the first day of June in the present year," etc., "Begnning on Reedy branch on John Jackson's line and along the said line to James Loftin's corner, etc., to and along Huckabys line", etc. Deed Book 2, p 122.
Having patented, 1 Jun 1741, 554 acres of land and sold 200 acres of land 4 Nov 1741 adn 300 acres on 30 Nov 1741, he then still owned 54 acres of that tract.
The lands of William Gower were in the same locality in Brunswick Co., VA, as the land of "John Roberson" (spelled also Robinson) whose wife was Mary. They were doubtless our John Robertson and his wife, Mary (Gower) Robertson. This John "Roberson" and William Gower had the same neighbors - Richard Huckeby , Henry Wilkins, and John Collier. The Maclin family whose descendants intermarried with the Gower-Robertson descendants resided in this Three Creeks locality.
William Gower patented, 18 Feb 1722, 300 acres in Brunswick Co. John "ROberson" 6 Jun 1745, purchased from Richard Huckiby 351 acres, 100 acres of which was part of the 300 acres patented, 18 Feb 1722, by William Gower who still owned land adjoining that purchased by John "Roberson" 6 Jun 1745 (v777 Brunswick Co VA records)
William Gower's will is recorded in Will Book 5, p 12. He bequeathed to his wife Ann Gower his peronal estate. He made her and Frederick Maclin executors of his estate. He didn't mention any other family members. His will was proved 27 Apr 1778.
William who patented land in 1722 and 1741, and made his will in 1775, probated 1778, was probably a generation older than Mary Gower Robertson, as he must have been over 21 in 1722 when he patented land. She was probalby born about that time as her oldest child, James Robertson, was born 28 Jun 1742. The fact that William Gower's land adjoined her husband's suggests that he was related to her Gower family. H was probably brother to her father. He seems to have been childless as his will mentions only his wife.
Russell Blackley of County of Brunswick, 23 Mar 1761, for "six pounds current money of Virginia" conveyed to Abel Gower of the said county, 80 acres in the County of Brunswick , bounded by the lands of Isaac Adams, and others, adn by the Meherrin branch. Deed Book 6, p 640.
Abel Gower of the County of Brunswick, 25 Oct 1762, for nineteen pounds current money of Virginia, conveyed ot Richard Raines of the said county the 80 acres in the County of Brunswick described in the preceding deed. At a court held for Brunswick County on the 25th day of October 1762 this indendure was acknowledged by Abell Gower, party thereto, and ordered to eb recorded & Obedience, the wife of said Abell Gower, personally appeared in Court and having been first privily examined, as the law directs, freely and voluntarily reinquished her right of dower in the land within mentinoed. Deed book 7, p 187.
This Abel Gower who bought land 23 Mar 1761, and sold it, 25 Oct 1762, may have been the father of Mary Gower Robertson, but it is more likely that he was her brother, and was the abel Gower of whom we find later record in North Carolina adn still later in the part that is now Tennessee. The dates suggest that he was of the next generation after Abel Gower, father of Mary (Gower) Robertson, and the fact that he sold his land in Virginia suggests that he moved.
Colonial and state records of North cArolina inform us that Abel Gower was in North Carolina in 1768 and had been on an expedition and lost a gun. He then migrated wesward wtih the Robertson's to the Cumberland country.
The oldest son , James Robertson was born 28 Jun 1742. His mother probalby married about 1741 and was born abt 1722. She was probalby born in Virginia before her parents moved to Brunswick County, where few settlers yet lived. She probably married in Brunswick Co where her eldest son was born.
Her grandson, Dr. Felix Robertson wrote that my grandfather died in Wake County N Carolina but the date of his death I cannot ascertain, leaving a widdow with seven or eight children. My grandmother died several years after her husband but when I am not able to say... My grandmother was Mary Gower of an Englisih family. My father was bornin Brunswick County, Virginia, the 28 June 1742.
Mary Gower Robertson probably died in Wake Co, NC and before 1776. In that year a guardian was named for her son Mark Robertson, and if she'd been living she'd have been guardian. Her children moved over the mountains before 1776.
State records of NC misspell their name Gowen, and inform us that Russell Gower was engaged with them in defense of Davidson Co against Indian allies of the British governmetn during the Revolutionary War.
The following persons.. Russell Gower (and others including James Robertson) each and every one of them received grant of six hundred and forty acres of land, including their pre-emtpions, without being required to pay any price to the state... the heirs and devisees of.. John Robertson, Abel Gowen, Se., Abel Gowen, Jun. ... who were killed in the settlement and defense of the said County of Davidson received grants for the same number of acres in the same manner...
This Abel Gowen , Sen was prob a brother of Mary Gower Robertson. She was born about 1722. If this Abel Gower had been her father he must have been born not later than 1700 adn would have been 80 years old in 1780, too old for the pioneer expedition.
Other early Gower's in Virginia:
A Gower had arrived in Virginia from England in 1637. Virginia Land Grant Records, now in the Secretary of Sate's office at Richmond, show that Percival Campion receiveda grant of land, 18 Aug 1637, for transportation of Nich. Gower and others. Various others named Gower arrived before 1666 as shown by land grants made to them and grants to others in which various Gowers were named. Their names and datat are shown in Nugent's Cavaliers and Pioneers - Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants - Vol I, 1623 - 1666, recently published, an excellent work of inestimable value to researchers to be followed by other volumes to include the Virginia Land Book records to 1800.
Long discussion of Abel Gower of Henrico - he thinks there was just one of these, who married Jane (Hatcher) Branch and had Tabitha. Taht Abel was probably dead before the father of Abel and Mary was born. He also appears to have had just one child.
Author thinks that Abel and Mary were most likely descended from another of the Gower antecedents of Virginia but their father could have come from England more recently. He missed the mentions of Richard and William Gower in the Henrico records. If this one Abel had no children, then Richard and William, who clearly were associated with him, must have been his siblings or cousins. Abel and William witnessed a document together.
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Discussion of Abel Gower in the above source. Author thinks there was just one Abel Gower in Henrico County. He missed William and Richard who were clearly associated with this family.
An Abell Gower, who was doubltess of this family, came to Virginia and settled in Henrico County... He married Jane, daughter of Edward Hatcher of Henrico County and widow of... (William WCH) Branch of the same county. He seems to have but one child, a daughter Tabitha. His will was dated December 25, 1688, and proved in Henrico, June, 1689. He gave his wife Jane the plantation he lived on... with reversion to his daugther Tabitha, and if she died without issue, to Priscilla and Obedience Branch...
"The will of Mrs. Jane Gower was proved in Henrico in October, 1699. She gave lands to her grandson Wm. Cox and duaghter Mary Cox... etc. (See Jane for the will and its provisions and her children's identities.)
The Jane (Hatcher ) Branch who married Abel Gower was widow of William Branch. William and Jane (Hatcher) Branch had one daughter, Mary, who married Thomas Jefferson and was great grandmother of Thomas Jefferson, author of our Declaration of Independence adn President of the United States.
Abel Gower was member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1679, from Henrico Co.
"The said land (four hundred acres lying in Henrico County) being formerly granted to Mr. Abell Gower by patent dated the 7th day of November 1673 adn by him deserted adn is since granted to the said Capt. Wm. Randolph by order of the Generall Court dated at James City the 21st of April 1791." (Patent Book 8, p. 171, in office of Secretary of Commonwealth of Virginia).
The next mentioned Henrico County records are now in Virginia Sate Library, in Richmond.
"Henrico Records, 1677 - 1692, Book 1, p. 256. At a court holden at Varina for laying ye levy for the County of Henrico the eighth day of October, by his Ma:ties Justices of ye Peace. in ye year of our Lord God 1683 & ... The honble William Byrd esq., Capt. Thomas Cocke, Mr. Richard Cooke, Capt. William Randolph, Mr. Abell Gower, Justices of the Peace"
Henrico Records 1677 - 1692 Book 1, p 456; 30 Jul 1687 Jaen Gower executed release of dower on property conveyed by her husband Abell Gower.
Saudners' Early Settlers of Alabama, p 482:
In 1680, Col. Wm Byrd of Henrico county, made him (Thomas Wells) a deed to 100 acres of land, now in possession of Richard Holmes, the said lands being imagined to be a part of Sir John Zouche's Pattent, lately escheated and granted to Mr. Abel Gower, and since assigne dto me. Recorded in 1690.
Virginia Magazine of History adn biography, Vol 32 (1924) p 390, under "Vriginia Council Journals, 1726 - 1753 - (Footnote)
In April 1681, William Byrd, of Henrico, Esq, sold to Richard kennon, gent, 657 acres at Rochdale, now in Chesterfield County, which had been formerly sold by Bowman to Kennon, but which has been really the property of Sir John Zouch, and had been esceated and granted to Abel Gower who sold to Byrd.
Torrence's Virginia Wills and Administrations, 1632 - 1800, lists numerous Gower wills, etc., , etc among them the wills of Abell Gower, 1688 and Jane Gwoer 1710, both in Henrico Co to which refernce has been made. Teh earliest was James Gower, 1676, Rappahannock Co. Abell Gower is not mentioned in the will of James Gower, 1676, Rappahannock County. We do not have here the other wills mentioned in your letter. (Virginia State library. All the Gower wills listed by Torrence, except those of Abell, Jane and James were metnioned in the ltter.
This was sent to me by Jim Gower, my brother's Y DNA match. It makes a little more sense of this theory of Abel Gower's origins, though notice that three Abel Gowers matriculated at Oxford. It does look as though this family had connections to merchants in London, though it doesn't name any Gowers who were merchants in London. Abel Gower of Himilico County appears to have come from a family of quite well to do London merchants/ overseas traders.
On that subject I did find an email from Margaret Gower Crossley in the UK that gives a few more hints on Gowers in Virginia (and connections with the Stampe family). It follows:
<snip> > Abell Gower of Boulton, parish of St. Johns Bedwardine,Worcester. Will 30 > July 1632; proved 16 November 1632: ..To new building the Chancel of St. > Johns £10. To poor of parish £5. To my wife the profits of my land in .... > until Abell Gower my eldest son shall be 24, and all my lands in Napton, > county Warwick, in occupancy of Nicholas Horrod, until my youngest son > William Gower is 24. To my daughter Elizabeth Gower £500. To my wife my > lands in Kington, county Worcester, and one salt Phate or Bullerie of > Salt.....in Droitwich...now in tenure of ----- Davies and two houses in St. > Johns Bedwardine purchased from Hughe Cotton. To my son in law Timothy > Stampe of the Inner Temple, London, a cup of silver. To the said Timothy, > William, John, and Marie Stampe, and Anne the wife of Thomas Clent of > Martley, county Worcester, Clarke, my wife's children by her former husband, > £10 each. Residuary Legatee and Executrix: Wife Marie Gower. Overseers: Son > in law Timothie Stampe and my Brother in law John Gunner of Whitney, county > Oxon, gent. Witnesses: William Stampe, John Burlie, John Chance, John > Combey.
> [The maker of the first will above appears in Foster's Alumni Oxonienses, as > George Gower of the county of Worcester, gent., who matriculated at Oriel > College, December 15, 1609, aged 15; B.A., June 17, 1613; M.A., June 20, > 1616. Three Abel Gowers, of Worcestershire, were at Oxford, matriculating in > 1581, 1660 and 1691. An Abell Gower, who was doubtless of this family, came > to Virginia and settled in Henrico county. He was a justice of the county > from 1677 until his death in 1689, sheriff in 1681, and a member of the > House of Burgesses in 1679. He married Jane, daughter of Edward Hatcher of > Henrico county, and widow of Thomas Branch of the same county. > > Stampe lineage(excerpted): > > - Timothy Stamps, the 2nd son, gentleman of Bruern Abby, Oxon. He married > Mary Gunner. He died and in ca 1618, his widow married Abell Gower. > > ISSUE: > > a. Timothie Stamps of the Inner Temple > > b. William Stamps, The Divine, born 1611. > > c. John (Thomas) Stamps, born 1603 and landed in Virginia in 1635 > > d. Clark Stamps > > e. Marie Stamps > > f. Ann Stamps, wife of Thomas Clent of Mortley, Worcester, Com. Ref: Vol 17 > Virginia Magazine, page 400; "Will of Abell Gower, Esquire..dated 30 July > 1632. > > Thomas Stampe was born in1603. He departed from the Port of London, aboard > the ship "Plaine Joan" - shipmaster Richard Buckham. He arrived in Virginia > May 15, 1635. REF: Hottens Persons, page 79 and Croziers Virginia Records of > Cavaliers and Pioneers. > > Accompanying Thomas Stampe to Virginia was Edward Clarke, age 27 - > apparently Mr. Clarke had been in Virginia previously. He probably was the > son of Edward Clarke and Elizabeth Stampe, daughter of Thomas Stamps and his > wife Elizabeth Walron. > > Abell Gower, his step-brother, in 1686 owned land in Accomac county, > Virginia. He later settled in Henrico county, Virginia. In 1679 he was a > member of the House of Burgess. > > Ref: see "Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia" - John Boddie. > "Cavalier & Pioneers Virginia Land Patents and Grants" 1623-1800. - Nuer > > Thomas Stamps settled in the Isle of Wight County, patented land there. In > 1639 Thomas Stampe was a tobacco viewer at James City. He operated a mill on > Lawnes Creek. He signed the Accomac Records, and we believe that he was a > justice of the peace. We do not know when or where or to whom Thomas Stamps, > the immigrant married. Did he marry Jane Mallory? Ref: Virginia Historical > Magazine, pVol 12. > > There is no record of Thomas Stamps after 1663. Did he return to England? > > Family tradition is that seven Stampe brothers settled in Virginia. I have > tried to give him seven brothers. We know the following brothers: > > 1. Timothy Stamps > > 2. William Stamps > > 3. Clark Stamps > > 4. Abell Gower > > 5. William Gower Thanks for your help, Margaret.
A William Gower also owned land in Accomac County. Not clear that these people were tied to the Henrico group. Record of Abel and William Gower transported to Henrico County 1672, in time to appear in the records there beginning in 1672. Abel and William were clearly friends of William Byrd II and closely tied to the gentry of London. It isn't impossible these were teh same people.
Note: Makes far more sense to think he was born in 1640, or atleast not after 1650. He had seve
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