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[Page 299]
Norvell, William, a
descendant of Hugh Norvell, an early immigrant, was burgess at the last assembly under the royal
government, 1775-1776,a dn member of the conventions of 1775 and 1776. He died in 1802, leaving
his property to his great-nephews and nieces, children of William Lightfoot, of James City
county.
[Page 299]
Norwood, Captain Charles,
was a near kinsman, perhaps a brother, of Colonel Henry Norwood, and served in the army of
King Charles I. From 1654 to 1657 he was clerk of the general assembly of Virginia. He was
afterwards a captain under Colonel Henry Norwood at Tangier in 1667.
[Page 299]
Norwood, Colonel Henry,
was an officer in the royal army during the civil wars; emigrated to Virginia in 1649, and
afterwards wrote an account to his voyage; was sent by governor William Berkeley to King Charles
II. in 1650, and in 1653 went to England, where he was arrested and confined for several years in
the Tower of London; at the restoration was made treasurer of Virginia and captain of Sundown
Castle, lieutenant-colonel of Lord Rutherford's regiment, and lieutenant-governor of Tangier. He
was living as late as 1682.
[Page 299]
Nottingham, Benjamin,
was a burgess for Northampton county, 1703-1705 and 1710-1712. He left issue, and the family
is still prominent on the "Eastern Shore."
[Page 299]
Ogle, Cuthbert, a
musician, residing in Williamsburg. He died in 1735, leaving an interesting collection of songs
and other musical literature.
[Page 299]
Oldis, Thomas, settled in
Elizabeth City county and was burgess in January, 1640. His grandson Thomas was living in
Elizabeth City in 1691. William Oldis, merchant, and his wife Jane, were living in Isle of wight
county in 1665. William Oldis had a brother Valentine, an apothecary of London.
[Page 299]
Opechancanough, chief
of the Pamunkey Indians; he planned the massacres of 1622 and 1644. He was captured by Sir
William Berkeley and was killed while a captive at Jamestown in 1646 by a soldier out of revenge.
He was also known as Apachisco. He was able, resourceful and unforgiving.
[Page 299]
Opitchapam, brother of
Powhatan, who was succeeded by him in 1618 as chief of the Powhatan confederacy. He was also
known as Taughaiten, Itopatin, Istan, Sassapen, etc. He was succeeded by Opechanough.
[Page 299]
Opie, Thomas, was a ship
captain from Bristol, England. He married, about 1672. Helen Lindsay, daughter of Rev. David
Lindsay, of Northumberland county, who was son of Sir Hierome Lindsay, of Scotland. he died in
1702, leaving issue in Virginia.
[Page 299]
Opussoquionuske, Queen
of the Appomattox Indians. In 1610 she surprised some of the members of the company sent by Lord
Delaware to find gold mines and killed fourteen of them at a feast. Captain Yardley then landed
and burnt her town. When Dale founded Bermuda Hundred in 1613, he drove the Indians away
entirely.
[Page 299]
Osborne, Edward, Jr.,
was a son of Edward Osborne, of Chesterfield county. He was a justice in 1749 and member of the
house of burgesses in 1769 and 1770.
[Page 300]
Osborne, Jenkin, was
born in 1600, came to Virginia in 1617, and was living at Shirley Hundred in 1624. In 1635 he
patented 400 acres in Charles City county on the south side of James river, between the lands of
Captain John Woodlief and William Bailey.
[Page 300]
Osborne, Richard, was a
delegate to the house of burgesses for Fairfax county in 1748-1749.
[Page 300]
Osborne, Captain Thomas,
came to Virginia in November, 1616, and settled at Coxendale, in the present Chesterfield county,
about 1625. He also patented land on Proctor's creek, Henrico county (now Chesterfield); was a
commissioner (justice) for the "upper parts" in 1631, and member of the house of burgesses, 1629,
1629-30, 1631-32, 1632-33.
[Page 300]
Osborne, Thomas, was
born in Chesterfield county, and removed to Prince William county, of which he was a burgess in
1736. He died before 1750, leaving a daughter Anne, who married John Randolph, and a daughter
Mary, who married William Henley, of Henrico.
[Page 300]
Owen, Goronwy (Gronow),
son of Owen Goronwy, was born at Llanfair, Mathafarn Eithaf, in the shire of Anglesea, Wales. he
attended the grammar school at Bangor, and was afterwards at Jesus College, Oxford, from 1741 to
1745. After this time he was curate of several parishes in Wales and England and taught school.
In 1757 he was appointed master of the grammar school of the College of William and Mary, and
came to Virginia. he held this place till about September, 1760, when he was compelled to resign
because of his drinking habits. He was soon after appointed minister of St. Andrew's Parish,
Brunswick county. He died in 1770. Mr. Owen was not only celebrated for his classical
attainments, but also for his poetic genius, which ranks him as the greatest poet of Wales. He
married three times (first) Ellen Hughes, (second) Anne Dawson, widow of James Clayton, (third)
Joan Simmons. He has descendants living in Alabama and Louisa. His most famous poems are "The
Last Day of Judgment" and an "Elegy" on his friend Lewis Morris.
[Page 300]
Ousley, Captain Thomas,
was burgess for Stafford county in 1692-93.
[Page 300]
Pace, Richard, came to
Virginia before 1620, when he received a grant for 400 acres on the south side of James river,
four miles above Jamestown, which grant he called "Pace's Paines." In 1622 he saved Jamestown and
other settlements by informing the authorities of the impending massacre which had been revealed
to h im by one of his servants, a converted Indian named Chanco. His widow, Isabella, married
(second) Captain William Perry, of the council. His son and heir, George Pace, married Sarah,
daughter of Captain Samuel Maycox.
[Page 300]
Page, Francis, eldest son
of Colonel John Page, of the Middle Plantation, was first clerk of the house of burgesses
commissioned by the governor, which he held till his death. He died May 10, 1692, aged
thirty-five. He married Mary Digges, daughter of Governor Edward Digges, and had an only daughter
Elizabeth, who married her cousin, John Page.
[Pages 300-301]
Pagett, Anthony,
came in 1623 as a servant; burgess for Flowerdieu Hundred in 1629.
[Page 301]
Palmer, John, was a clerk
in the office of the attorney-general, and in 1740 was admitted as an attorney to practice in the
county courts. he was bursar of the College of William and Mary and died in 1759. He married
Elizabeth Low Tyler, daughter of John Tyler, and left daughters.
[Page 301]
Palmer, Thomas, came to
Virginia with his wife and daughter in 1621, burgess for Shirley Hundred Island in Charles city
corporation in 1629.
[Page 301]
Panton (Penton), Anthony,
first rector of the first settlements on York river — Chiskiack and York; he came to
Virginia about 1630, and after several years incurred the displeasure of governor Harvey and
Richard Kemp, his secretary of state, and on October 8, 1638, he was heavily fined and banished
from the colony, on pain of death if he returned. He appealed his cause to the King, who upon the
recall of Harvey referred the complaint to his successor, Sir Francis Wyatt and his council. they
suspended Harvey's order and required that Panton should be indemnified for his losses out of
Harvey's estate which was done. His York plantation and his lots at James town were sold to
reimburse Panton and his other creditors.
[Page 301]
Paradise, John, was son
of Peter Paradise, of Greek extraction, who in 1753 was English consul at Salonica, where John
Paradise was born. He was educated at the University of Padua, but resided the greater part of
his life in London, where he was an intimate of Dr. Samuel Johnson. He married Lucy Ludwell,
youngest daughter of Hon. Philip Ludwell, of "Greenspring," Virginia, removed to Virginia but
about 1788 returned to London and died there December 12, 1795. A table at which Dr. Johnson and
other members of the Essex Street Club played, and formerly the property of Paradise, is still
preserved in Williamsburg. His daughter Lucy, born in England about 1770 married in 1787 Count
Barziza, a Venetian subject, and one of their sons came to Virginia and made Williamsburg his
home.
[Page 301]
Parahunt, a son of Powhatan,
sometimes called "Tanx Powhatan," the little Powhatan. He was chief of the Indians at the falls
of James river in 1607.
[Page 301]
Parker, George, of
Accomac was son of Thomas Parker, 1633-1685, of Isle of Wight county. He was sheriff of Accomac,
for many years justice of the peace and major of the militia. He bought lands in Accomac county
called "Poplar Grove." He died in 1674, leaving a son, Major George Parker, who married Ann
Scarborough.
[Page 301]
Parker, Richard, son of
Dr. Alexander Parker, a prominent physician of Essex county, Virginia, was born in 1729, and died
in 1813. He studied law and settled at "Lawfield," Westmoreland county. In 1775, he was member of
the Westmoreland county committee of safety, and in 1788 was elected judge of the general court,
in which office he continued till his death. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Beale, of
Richmond county.
[Pages 301-302]
Parker, Richard,
son of Trangoe, Cornwall, England, emigrated to Nansemond county, Virginia, about 1654. He had
three sons, Thomas, Richard and Francis Parker, who were living in 1681. From Richard was
descended Dr. Richard Henry Parker, who died at Portsmouth in 1855.
[Page 302]
Parker, Sacker, was a
burgess for Accomac county in 1736-1738, and died in July, 1738.
[Page 302]
Parkes, William, born in
England, and emigrating to Maryland, he established in 1729 at Annapolis "The Maryland Gazette."
Soon after he established a printing press at Williamsburg, Virginia, and was employed by both
governments to print their laws. He issued in Williamsburg, on Friday, August 6, 1736, the first
number of a weekly called "The Virginia Gazette." IN 1742 he opened a book store in Williamsburg.
He died at sea on a trip to England, April 1, 1750. His daughter Sarah married John Shelton, and
their daughter Sarah was first wife of Patrick Henry.
[Page 302]
Parramore, Thomas, was
a burgess for Accomac county in 1748-1749, 1758-1761, 1761-1765, 1766-1768, 1769, 1769-1771.
[Page 302]
Pasteur, Dr. John, a
native of Geneva, came to Virginia in 1700 in the French Huguenot colony. He settled at
Williamsburg and practised his profession as surgeon, barber and wigmaker. He married and had
several children, among them: 1. James, rector of St. Bride's parish, Norfolk. 2. John James
"peruke maker." 3. Dr. William, mayor of Williamsburg.
[Page 302]
Pasteur, Dr. William,
was son of Dr. Jean Pasteur, and was partner with Dr. George Gilmer, as surgeon and apothecary;
justice of the peace of York county, and mayor of Williamsburg in 1775, when the powder was
removed from the magazine by Lord Dunmore. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Stith,
president of William and Mary College.
[Page 302]
Pate, Richard, was a
member of the house of burgesses for Gloucester county in July, 1653. He died in 1657, when his
nephew, John Pate, afterwards member of the council, qualified as administrator.
[Page 302]
Patton, James, was born in
1692 at Newton Limmavady, Ireland, and was for many years master of a merchant vessel, engaged in
bringing immigrants from Ireland to Virginia. He was largely interested with William Beverley in
investments in Virginia lands. He settled finally in Augusta county, and on May 27, 1742, was
commissioned county lieutenant, and was burgess for Augusta in the assembly of 1752-1755. While
still a member he was killed by some Indians at Draper's Meadow in Montgomery county. He left
issue Mary, wife of William Thompson and Margaret, wife of Colonel John Buchanan. His sister
Elizabeth was wife of John Preston, of Donegal, Ireland, who also came to Virginia.
[Page 302]
Payne, Florentine, was
a burgess for Elizabeth City county in 1641 and 1658-1659.
[Pages 302-303]
Payne, John, son of
George Payne and Mary Woodson, his wife, was born December 4, 1713, in Goochland county. He
served in the house of burgesses from 1752 to 1768, and was lieutenant-colonel commanding the
militia. He married twice, but the name of his first wife is not known. His second wife was Jane
Smith, daughter of Philip Smith, of Northumberland county, and widow of John Chichester. he died
July 28, 1784.
[Page 303]
Payne, Josias, son of
George Payne and Mary Woodson, his wife, was born October 30, 1705. He married Anna Fleming, and
was burgess for Goochland in 1761-1765, and 1766-1769. He removed to Pittsylvania county, and
died there in 1785.
[Page 303]
Peachey, Samuel, son of
Robert Peachey and Ann Hodgskin, his wife, of Milden Hall, Suffolk, England. He came to Virginia
in 1659, was justice of Richmond county, and in 1704 lieutenant-colonel of the militia. He died
about 1712. He was great-grandfather of William Peachey, colonel of the 5th Virginia Regiment in
the war of the revolution.
[Page 303]
Pead, Rev. Duell, came from
England in 1683 and was minister of Christ Church, Middlesex county, and held the charge seven
years. He then returned to England, and became minister, it is believed, of Newland St. Lawrence,
county Essex, England.
[Page 303]
Pecke, Thomas, a merchant
at Skiffe's Creek, Warwick county, in 1659. He was son of Mr. H. Pecke, of London, England.
[Page 303]
Peeine, William, was a
burgess in March, 1624.
[Page 303]
Peirse, Thomas,
sergeant-at-arms of the first general assembly at Jamestown, July 30, 1619.
[Page 303]
Pelham, Peter, son of
Peter Pelham, an early New England artist, committee clerk of the house of burgesses, organist
for Bruton church, living in 1776, father of Peter Pelham, Jr., clerk of Brunswick county.
[Page 303]
Pendleton, Henry, son
of James Pendleton, descendant from Philip Pendleton, who was born in Norwich, England, in 1650,
and came to Virginia in 1674. He was burgess for Culpeper county in 1769-1771, 1772-1774, and
1775-1776, and member of all the conventions of 1774 and 1775. He was nephew of the famous
statesman of the revolution, Edmund Pendleton.
[Page 303]
Pepiscumah, or Pipsico, a
chief of the Quiyoughcohannocks on James river in 1608. His name is still preserved in that of a
place in Surry county, called "Pipsico."
[Page 303]
Peppet, Lieutenant Gilbert,
was living at Flower de Hundred in 1624; in 1627 had 250 acres at the mouth of Warwick,
adjoining Stanley Hundred; burgess in 1625.
[Page 303]
Perkins, Peter, was a
burgess for Pittsylvania county in 1775-1776, and a member of the conventions of March and
December 1775.
[Page 303]
Perrin, Thomas, son of
Edward Perrin, merchant of Bristol, was living in Gloucester county, Virginia, in 1686. he
married Elizabeth ———, and was father of Captain John Perrin, of Sarah's Creek,
who died November 2, 1752.
[Page 303]
Perrott, Richard, was a
resident of York county in 1647. In 1657 he was appointed sheriff of Lancaster, and in 1670
sheriff of Middlesex county. He was presiding magistrate of the latter county, and burgess in the
assemblies of October 10, 1676, and October 10, 1677. He died November 11, 1686, leaving sons
Richard (q. v.) and Henry Perrott, who was the first American to enter Gray's Inn, 1674. Seals of
the Perrotts at Middlesex courthouse bear three pears for arms.
[Page 304]
Perrott, Richard, son
of Richard Perrott, Sr., (q. v.), was born February 24, 1650, being the first male child of
English parents born on the Rappahannock river. He was justice of Middlesex county in 1673, and
other years. He married Sarah Curtis (born in Gloucester county, August 16, 1657) daughter of
Major Thomas Curtis, and widow of William Halfhide. He left issue.
[Page 304]
Perry, Peter, brother of
Micajah Perry, merchant of St. Catherine, London, came to Virginia about 1685 as agent for his
brother's great firm. Located first in York county and then in Charles City county, of which he
was burgess in 1688. He left descendants in Charles City.
[Page 304]
Peter, John, son of Thomas
Peter, and brother of Alexander Peter, of Glasgow, Scotland, settled with his brother Walter
Peter in Surry county, and died in 1763.
[Page 304]
Pettus, Thomas, was a
burgess from Lunenburg in the assemblies of 1769-1771, 1772-1774 and 1775-1776. Descended from
Colonel Thomas Pettus of the council, who lived at "Littletown," James City county in 1660. He
died in 1780.
[Page 304]
Peyronie, William Chevalier
de, was a French Protestant, settled in Virginia and highly esteemed; at Fort Necessity he
was ensign and was severely wounded; he received the thanks of the house of burgesses and was
given a captain's commmission, August 25, 1754. He was killed July 9, 1755, at the
defeat of General Braddock.
[Page 304]
Peyton, Francis, son of
Valentine Peyton, and brother of Colonel Henry Peyton (q. v.), was born in Prince William county,
and was burgess for Loudoun county in the assemblies of 1769, 1769-1771, 1772-1774, 1775, and the
conventions of 1775 and 1776. He was vestryman, justice, county lieutenant, 1781 and other years,
member of the house of delegates 1780 and of the state senate, 1798-1803. He died in 1808-1810.
Married Frances Dade.
[Page 304]
Peyton, Henry, son of
Valentine Peyton (q. v.), was a burgess for Prince William county in the assemblies of 1756-1758
and 1758-1761; sheriff 1751; justice, 1754-1761; county lieutenant in 1755. His will was proved
in Prince William county, August 6, 1781. He left issue.
[Page 304]
Peyton, Henry, brother
of Colonel Valentine Peyton (q. v.), was born in London, 1630-1631, was a citizen and merchant
tailor of that city, came to Westmoreland county, Virginia, about 1656, and died there in 1659.
He married Ellen Partington, daughter of Richard Partington, of London, and left issue.
[Page 304]
Peyton, Robert, son of
Thomas and Elizabeth Yelverton Peyton, and grandson of Sir Edward Peyton, Bart, of Isleham,
Cambridgeshire. He came to Virginia before 1679, was a lawyer and in 1680 was a major of the
Gloucester county militia. His grandson, John Peyton, succeeded to the title of knight baronet by
failure of title in England.
[Pages 304-305]
Peyton, Valentine,
son of Henry Peyton of Lincoln's Inn, Middlesex county, England, a royalist, was baptized in
St. Dunstan's Church, West End, London, July 31, 1627, and came to Virginia about 1650. he was
lieutenant-colonel of the Westmoreland county militia and one of the justices of the court. He
died in 1665. His wife who was Frances Gerard, daughter of Thomas Gerard, married (first) Colonel
Thomas Speke; (second) Valentine Peyton; (third) Captain John Appleton; (fourth) Colonel John
Washington.
[Page 305]
Peyton, Valentine,
son of Henry Peyton, and grandson of Henry Peyton, the emigrant (q. v.), was born in Hamilton
parish, Prince William county, circa 1686-1688, was burgess for the county in the
assembly of 1736-1740; was justice in 1743 and sheriff in 1749; and died 1751. He left issue
Henry Peyton (q. v.).
[Page 305]
Phelps, John, a burgess for
Bedford county in 1752-1755.
[Page 305]
Phettiplace, William,
was a member of the Virginia Company of London, came to Virginia in 1607, was a valuable
soldier. Probably returned to England.
[Page 305]
Phettiplace, Michael,
was a member of the Virginia Company, came to Virginia in 1607. Probably returned to
England.
[Page 305]
Pilkington, William,
came to Virginia in 1620, at his own expense; his wife Margaret came at her own expense. He
patented 300 acres in 1635 on the east side of Lawne's Creek, which separates Surry and Isle of
Wight counties.
[Page 305]
Pinkard, Captain John, was
a resident of Lancaster county, Virginia, and in 1688 was a burgess in the assembly. He died in
1690. He left sons John, Thomas, and James, daughters, and wife. Elizabeth.
[Page 305]
Pleasants, John, son of
John Pleasants, of St. Savior's, Norwich, England, worsted weaver, was baptized February 27,
1644-1645, and emigrated to Virginia about 1665. He acquired a large property, but, having
adopted the religious tenets of the Quakers, was not allowed to take his seat in the house of
burgesses to which he was elected from Henrico in 1692-1693. He married Jane Larcom, widow of
Samuel Tucker, of Bristol. He died in 1698, leaving three children John, Joseph and Elizabeth.
[Page 305]
Proby, Peter, believed to
have been the Peter Proby, who was son of Emmanuel Proby, lord mayor of London, was a justice of
the county court of Elizabeth City. He married Jane, daughter of Bertrand Servant, a Frenchman
naturalized, and died in 1692, leaving sons Peter, Bertrand, Thomas and John.
[Pages 305-306]
Pocahontas, the
celebrated daughter of Powhatan, head warchief or werowance of the Powhatan confederacy of
eastern Virginia. In December, 1608, she saved the life of John Smith, and at various times
afterwards brought supplies to the famished colonists. In April, 1613, while on a visit to the
Potomac Indians, she was captured by Captain Samuel Argall and brought to Jamestown, where a year
later she married John Rolfe. She is believed to have lived afterwards at Varina with her husband
till she accompanied him to England in 1616. He she was made much of, wined and dined and taken
to the play. Lord and Lady Delaware introduced her at court. He portrait was engraved by the
celebrated artist, Simon de Passe. When about to return to Virginia, with her husband, she died
at Gravesend, and was buried there March 21, 1617. She left an only son Thomas Rolfe, who was
reared in England by his uncle, Henry Rolfe, and afterwards came to Virginia, where he was
captain, etc. His daughter Jane married Robert Bolling.
[Page 306]
Pochins, a son of Powhatan,
and chief of the Kecoughtan Indians in 1607. In 1610, because of the murder of Humphrey Blunt by
some of his tribe, Gates drove him and all his tribe away from the neighborhood of Hampton.
[Page 306]
Pole, David, one of the vine
dressers sent in 1620 to Buckroe to teach the colonists how to plant mulberry trees and vies,
raise silkworms and make wine. In 1627 he leased sixty acres at Buckroe for ten years.
[Page 306]
Pollard, Joseph, born in
1687, in King and Queen county, and moved to Goochland in 1754. He married Priscilla Hoomes, and
had nine children — two sons and seven daughters. Sarah, one of his daughters, married Judge
Edmund Pendleton, the great Revolutionary patriot. The present attorney-general of the State,
John G. Pollard, is a descendant.
[Page 306]
Pollington, John, came
to Virginia before 1619, where he was a member of the first general assembly from Henrico. After
the massacre of 1622 he removed to Warwicksqueak plantation, in the present Isle of Wight county,
and represented it in the general assembly of 1624.
[Page 306]
Poole, Henry, member of the
house of burgesses from Elizabeth City in 1647.
[Page 306]
Poole, Robert, probably
the minister "Mr. Poole," who preached at Jamestown on the afternoon of the arrival of Sir Thomas
Dale, May 19, 1611. He had two sons Robert and John. The former in 1619 was an interpreter, and
in 1627, as heir of his father and brother John he received a patent for 300 acres east of the
church in Mulberry Island.
[Page 306]
Pope, Nathaniel,
immigrant, settled in Maryland as early as 1637 and was a member of the Maryland general
assembly. About 1648, he removed over to Virginia, to escape the turmoils of Maryland, and lived
in Westmoreland county till his death in 1660. He was one of the magistrates, and a
lieutenant-colonel of militia. He had several children, one of whom, Ann, married Colonel John
Washington, ancestor of President George Washington.
[Page 306]
Popeley, Lieutenant Richard,
patented in 1637 700 acres in the lower county of New Norfolk, due in right of his marriage
with Elizabeth, widow of Henry Sothell, and for the transportation of fourteen persons. He was
born in 1598 in the parish of Wooley, Yorkshire, England, and in 1620 came to Virginia, where in
1624 he was living in Elizabeth City. In 1631 he accompanied William Claiborne to Kent Island. In
1639 he was captain at middle plantation, where he patented 1,250 acres west of the palisades. He
died about 1643.
[Page 306]
Popleton (Popkton),
William, came in 1622 as a servant of John Davies; burgess for "Jordan's Jorney" in Charles
City corporation in 1629.
[Page 306]
Portlock, William, a
burgess for Norfolk county in 1748-1749.
[Pages 306-307]
Pott, Captain Francis,
brother of Governor John Pott (q. v.), came to Virginia
before 1628, captain of Point Comfort in 1630; removed from office in 1634, when Captain Francis
Hooke was put in command; took part in a meeting at York in 1635 to protest against the tyranny
of Sir John Harvey; went to England on the same ship with the deposed governor as one of the
agents of the assembly; arrested on arrival there and confined in Fleet prison; released and
patented 2,000 acres in Northampton county. Burgess in 1635; died about 1658 in Northampton
county, Virginia.
[Page 307]
Powell, John, came to
Virginia in the Swallow in 1609, and in 1624 John Powell, of Newport News, "an ancient
planter" received a patent there for 150 acres. In September, 1632, he was a burgess for the
district from "Waters' Creek to Marie's Mount." He was probably father of John Powell (q. v.).
[Page 307]
Powell, John, probably son
of John Powell, "ancient planter," (q. v.), was a member of the house of burgesses for Elizabeth
City county in 1657-1658, 1659-1660, 1663, 1666-1676.
[Page 307]
Powell, John, was a
burgess for Northampton county in 1700-1702.
[Page 307]
Powell, Captain William,
came to Virginia with Sir Thomas Gates in 1610, was the commander of the fort at Jamestown, one
of the two first members for James City corporation in the general assembly, 1619, repelled the
Indians when they attacked Jamestown in March, 1622. He afterwards led an expedition against the
Chickahominy Indians and was probably killed by them between January 20 and January 24, 1623. His
widow married Edward Blaney. He left a son George Powell, who died in Virginia about 1650. The
family seems to have come from Surrey county, England, and in 1656 William Powell of Southwarke
in the county of Surrey, England, baker, as heir of George Powell, sold certain lands in Surrey
county, Virginia, patented originally by Captain William Powell, brother of the said William
Powell. Two brothers were often given the same name.
[Page 307]
Power, James, an eminent
lawyer, who came to Virginia form Ireland, was a member of the house of burgesses for King
William county in 1742-1747, and for New Kent in 1752-1755 and 1756-1758. His daughter married
Peter Lyons, the counsel for the parsons in the famous case in Hanover in 1763. His armorial
book-plate is well known to collectors.
[Page 307]
Power, Dr. John, was son of
John Power, a Spanish merchant, of England, of ancient family. He settled in York county, where
he married Mary, daughter of Rev. Edward Folliott, of Hampton parish, York county. He died about
1692, and left issue, Major Henry Power, of New Kent county, who died in 1739, John Power who
died in 1720, and Elizabeth Power who married Colonel Cole Digges.
[Page 307]
Powhatan, head warchief, or emperor, of the Powhatan confederacy,
numbering about thirty-four tribes. He is said to have been the son of an Indian, who was driven
by the Spaniards from the West Indies. He was born at the falls of Richmond, lived at
Werrowocomoco, Purton Bay, York river, till about three years after the arrival of the English,
when he took up his residence at "Orapakes," at the head of White Oak Swamp. He died in April,
1618. He was also called Wahunsenacawh, Ottaniack, and Manatowick.
[Pages 307-308]
Poythress, Francis,
came to Virginia about 1633, and patented lands on James river, in that part of Charles City
county now known as Prince George. He was burgess for Charles City county in 1645 and 1647, and
for Northumberland county in 1649. He had the rank of captain. he married, and had a daughter who
married Thomas Rolfe and a son Francis.
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Poythress, John, was son
of Major Francis Poythress, of Charles City county, and grandson of the immigrant, Captain
Francis Poythress. he was burgess for Prince George county in 1723 and 1726.
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Poythress, Peter, of
"Flower de Hundred," Prince George county, was son of John Poythress, and was member of the house
of burgesses from Prince George from 1768 to 1775, and also member of the revolutionary
conventions of 1774, 1775 and 1776. He was also a member of the house of delegates. His only
daughter and heiress Anne, born December 13, 1712, died April 9, 1758, married Richard Bland, of
Jordan's Point, Prince George county.
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Prentis, William, was a
prominent merchant of Williamsburg. he married Mary Brooke, daughter of John Brooke. He died
about 1769, leaving among other sons Joseph Prentis, a prominent patriot of the revolution, and
for many years judge of the general court.
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Presley, Peter, son of
Peter Presley (q. v.), lived at "Northumberland House," Northumberland county. he was a justice
of the peace and lieutenant-colonel of the militia, and a burgess for Northumberland from 1711 to
1748, about which time he was murdered by two of his white servants. His will was proved
September 10, 1750. He married Winifred Griffin, daughter of Colonel Leroy Griffin, and left an
only daughter, Winifred, who married Anthony Thornton. His grandson Colonel Presley Thornton (q. v.) inherited all the
Presley estates and was a member of the council 1760-1769.
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Presley, Peter, son of
William Presley (q. v.), was burgess for Northumberland county in 1677, 1684, 1691, also one of
the justices of the county. He was father of Peter Presley, of "Northumberland House."
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Presley, William, son
of William Presley (q. v.), was burgess in the long assembly 1661-1675, but was returned to
Bacon's assembly in June, 1676. After the restoration of Berkeley, he was again a representative
and is remembered for his saying that "he believed that the governor would have hanged half the
country, if they had let him alone."
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Presley, William, was
an early inhabitant of Northumberland county and was burgess in 1647, 1648. He died in 1657,
leaving two sons, William (q. v.), and Peter (q. v.).
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Preston, William,
was son of Rev. William Preston, of Brougham, Westmoreland county, England. He was master of arts
of Queen's College, Oxford. In 1752 he came to Virginia and became professor of moral philosophy
in William and Mary College. In 1755 he was minister of James City parish. In 1757 he resigned
and went back to England where he was rector of Ormside and died in 1778. He married Mary Tyler,
daughter of John Tyler, of James City county, Virginia.
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Preston, William,
son of John Preston, a ship carpenter from Newton, Limmavady, in the north of Ireland, and
Elizabeth Patton, his wife, was born December 26, 1729, and came with his father to Virginia in
1735. He was a man of marked energy and decision, and served as surveyor and county lieutenant of
Fincastle, and Montgomery counties, and was a burgess for Augusta county in 1765, and 1766-1768,
and for Botetourt county in 1679-1771. He married Susanna Smith, daughter of Francis Smith, of
Hanover, and was progenitor of a very distinguished Virginia family. He died June 28, 1783.