ROBERT NICKOLSON, of London, Merchant, and son of Francis Nickolson, Esq. 10 November, 1651. Ten pounds sterling towards the relief of the English captives in Turkey. Forty shillings to Mr Pickett, sometime minister of Chappell alias Pontibridge, Essex, and twenty shillings to the poor of the said parish. To Capt. Sam: Matthewes of Virginia, Esq. one pair of Buckskin gloves, cost five shillings, and to Mr Matthewes his wife two pairs of kid skin gloves, To Sam: Matthewes, the son of said Capt., one pair of Buckskin gloves and to his brother one pair of corderont (sic) gloves. To Mrs. Mary Bernard of Warwick River six pairs of kid gloves and to her daughters three pairs of gloves apiece. Item fourteen shillings more of gloves or other ware which Stephen Wooderife oweth me. I give unto John Younge, Mr of the ship Peter of London twenty shillings sterling to buy his wife a ring and to himself a buckskin pair of gloves of five shillings. To Mr John Richards two pairs of cordevant gloves and Mr Lockers Sermons. To M' Thomas Fawne two pairs of cordevant gloves and Leo Afer, a History book. To John Stone twenty shillings, two pairs of Cordevant gloves, all the rest of the syrups and all the books in the cabin. Gloves to Mr Driver, Mr Freizby and Matthew Johnson. To John Corbin my coasting coat, my stuff coat and one turkey waistcoat and two pairs of cordevant gloves. To the seamen one case of Drams. To the steward, boatman, carpenter and gunner all my clothes and bedding, whereof the steward is to have one half. To the poors box five shillings. To Robert and Peter, each of them, one pair of gloves. To M" Veheath Land Vernald one diamond ring, one gold ring, the motto Idem qui pridem, which said M" Veheath Land is daughter to M" Mary Vernald of Warwick River, widow. To M' Murrell and the Doctor, to each of them one pair of gloves.

All the which gifts are to be given and satisfied unto every and several said party or parties by the said John Younge and John Corbin at or near the Barbadoes or at or near Virginia upon demand, if the said John Younge and John Corbin shall think fit. And the said John Younge and John Corbin are to lay out four or five pounds upon my burial at the Barbadoes or at Virginia, &c. All my goods or all goods consigned to me, Robert Nickolson, now shipped in the ship called the Peter, to be sold for the best advantage and the returns to be paid to my father Mr Francis Nickolson, Esq. in Ipswich.

All the rest of my estate to be distributed equally between my brothers and sisters. Eldest brother Francis Nicholson mentioned.

The witnesses were John Richards, Thomas Fawne and John Stone. The executors named in the will renounced the executorship and letters of administration issued 26 August, 1652, to Francis Nicholson the father, the testator being referred to as late in the parts beyond the seas deceased.

Bowyer, 228.

+

Nicholson, Virginia merent.

[I am indebted to Mr. Eedes for the sketch of the Nicholson coat of arms, of which an engraving will be found in the margin. It will be noticed that no colors are indicated on the shield.-H. F. W.

Robert Nicholson was granted 500 acres of land in Charles City County, Virginia, Jan. 3, 1655, Book No. 4, p. 11, Va. Land Reg. Office.

The Samuel Matthews mentioned in the will, is presumably "an ancient planter" who was a member of the Council of the Colony of Virginia as early as 1629. In March, 1630, he built the fort at Point Comfort, James river. He served continuously in the Colonial Council or House of Burgesses, and latterly as County-Lieutenant of Warwick County, deriving thence his title of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1656 he was sent as one of the agents of the Colony to England, and on March 13, 1658, was elected by the assembly Governor of the Colony to succeed Edward Digges. He was an honest, energetic and faithful servant of the Colony, and his death, which occurred in January, 1660, was universally lamented.

The following grants to the name Matthews are on record in the Virginia Land Registry: Thomas Matthews chirurgeon 1100 acres in Henrico County, May 11, 1639, Book No. 1, p. 646. Thomas Matthews "chirurgeon" 470 acres in Henrico County, Oct. 10, 1641, Book No. 1, p. 777. "Captain Samuel Matthews Esq." 3000 acres upon Warwick river, Aug. 20, 1642, Book No. 1, p. 814.

Ims. Hare. 1085.70.57)

"Captain Samuel Matthews Esq." 200 acres upon Warwick river, Aug. 20, 1642,

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Book No. 1, p. 815.

Captain Samuel Matthews Esq." 4000 acres on the North-side of Rappahannock river, Jan'y 6th, 1639, Book No. 1, p. 882.

In regard to the name Barnard, mentioned in the will, it may be said that to Mrs. Anna Barnard was granted 1000 acres in Northumberland County, Apl. 3, 1652, and among the or head-rights was Mr. Richard Bernard," Book No. 2, p. 306. Va. Land Reg. Office. R. A. BROCK, of Richmond, Va.]

transports

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THOMAS STEGGE, now bound forth in a voyage to Vergenia, 6 October, 1651, proved 14 July, 1652, by Elizabeth Stegg, relict and sole executrix. To sister Alice ten pounds per annum during her natural life, to be paid her every half year. Το my brother Christophers two daughters twenty pounds apiece, to be paid them within two years after my decease. To my wife's sister Emelion Reade one full sixteenth part of the good ship now called the Seven Sisters, with the profits, &c. I give to my son Thomas Stegg in Virginia all my whole estate in Virginia, as also one quarter part of the Seven Sisters, now bound to Virginia, and all goods and apparel I have in that ship or any other servants and ought else belonging to me; as also one quarter part of the ship Increase and all that shall accrew unto her for her voyage now at sea; and for more I leave it to the consideration of his mother. To my daughter Grace Byrd and her children the houses I bought of M' Neale in Bedlam, as also, after the decease of my wife or at the next marriage of my wife, I give her and her children my houses in the cloisters at St. Katherines that I bought of Mr. Tokely; also, in like kind and case, I give her and her children my annuity at Elinge, if it so long continue, until the death of my said wife or her second marriage. To Elizabeth Byrd, my daughter's eldest daughter, one hundred pounds if she live until the age of fourteen years. To wife Elizabeth Stegg, during her natural life or widowhood, my whole estate, after debts

and legacies are paid, excepting what is directly given away before to my son and houses at Bedlam to my daughter. But in case my said wife should marry again I give her out of my estate eight hundred pounds; and the rest to be equally divided between my two children. Wife Elizabeth to be executrix and loving friend M .... Loton, Mr. Roger Draiton and Mr Robert Earle to be overseers, and ten pounds apiece to buy them each a cloak.

Bowyer, 202.

[Thomas Stegge, "merchant," was granted 1000 acres of land between "Old man's and Queen's Creeke," January 6th, 1639, Book No. 1, p. 694.- Virginia Land Records.-R. A. BROCK, Richmond, Va.]

THOMAS STEGGE of the county of Henrico in Virginia Esq. 31 March, 1669-70, proved 15 May, 1671. To beloved wife Sarah Stegge, for ornaments for her person and as a token of my loving remembrance of her affectionate and tender care for me in sickness and in health (sundry personals) and more one Indian girl named ..... And if she resolve to go for England my will is that she have free power to accommodate herself with bedding, provisions and other necessaries for her voyage without the contradiction of any person whatsoever. And further she is hereby given free power to bestow upon her friends at her departure the value of twenty pounds sterling. I desire Mr Thomas Grindon of London to pay unto my said wife or her order as soon as conveniently he may after her advice received all such sums of money as are due, belonging or appertaining to me in his hands or custody. To my dearest mother Elizabeth Grindon, wife of M2 Thomas Grindon, citizen of London, twenty pounds sterling yearly &c. during her natural life. To my loving sister Mr Grace Byrd wife of Mr John Byrd,' citizen and goldsmith of London, two hundred & forty pounds due to me in the hands of her said husband, as by his account sent me last year doth appear, and to my said sister one diamond ring given me by my mother when I was last in London, which I promised to give my sister if I died before her. To every child of my said sister and brother Bird of London now living one hundred pounds sterling to each of the sons at the age of twenty one years respectively and to the daughters at the age of twenty one or day of marriage. I give and bequeath all the right, title and interest I at present have or hereafter shall have to part of a house bought by the Honorable Thomas Ludwell Esq. and myself of Henry Randolph and now in the possession of us together with all my interest in the furniture in the house and all lands &c. thereto belonging, to him the said Thomas Ludwell and his heirs forever, requesting him to pay out of the same to the Right Honble Sir William Berkley Knt, Governor, fifty pounds sterling within six months after my decease, as a token of that unfeigned respect I am and ever shall be obliged to pay his Honor for his many graces and favors.

2

All other lands, messuages, tenements &c. in Virginia or England to William Bird, eldest son of the aforementioned John and Grace Bird in London, to him and his heirs forever. But because my cousin is yet young and not so well experienced in the transactions of the world I desire my loving wife, for a year or two that she continues in the country, to continue the managing of the estate &c., charging my cousin not to be led away by the evil instructions he shall receive from others but to be governed by the prudent and provident advice of his aunt; further desiring and charging my cousin, in all matters of moment and bargains of consequence, to make his address to the Honble the Secretary for his assistance, whom I earnestly

entreat, for the dear friendship we have so long mutually enjoyed, that he will please to continue his kindness to my Remains and accept the trouble of being overseer to this my last Will and Testament.

The witnesses were Henry Randolph, Edward Hill and John Knowles. The above will was proved by the oath of Sara Stegge, relict and executrix. Duke, 69. ["Captain Thomas Stegge, Gentleman," received the following grants of land: 800 acres in Hen

rico county Dec. 29th, 1662, Book No. 4, page 583; 1280 acs. in Henrico county, on the north side of James river [in

Thomas Sregge

cluding the present site of the city of Richmond], January 5th, 1663, and 1850 acres in the same county, December 29th, 1663, Book No. 5, pp. 200 and 528. Va. Land Rec. It is recorded in the family Bible of the Byrds of "Westover," that "he was an Officer in King Charles's Army." He was for several years a member of the county court of Charles City, and was a man of prominence and influence. 1 Of the family of Byrd, Brexton, Cheshire.

2 The ancestor of the prominent Virginia family of Ludwell [REGISTER, Xxxiii. 220]. He was appointed a member of the Colonial Council in 1674. He appears to have been previously Clerk of the House of Burgesses. The following grants of land are of Record: Thomas Ludwell, 961 acres in Henrico county, June 16th, 1663, Book No. 4, p. 599. Thomas Ludwell and Thomas Stegge [they were probably merchants and partners in business], one-half acre in James Cittie," January 1st, 1667, Book No. 6, p. 223. Thomas Ludwell, 1432 acres in Westmoreland County, October 15th, 1670, Book No. 6, p. 327. His son Philip Ludwell, who was successively governor of North Carolina and secretary of the colony of Virginia, who married Lady Frances (she was thrice married, her first husband being Samuel Stephens; no issue by the first or second marriage), the widow of Sir William Berkeley, and was the ancestor, maternally, of the distinguished patriots of the Revolution, Richard Henry, Francis Lightfoot, Thomas Ludwell, William and Arthur Lee, was a beneficiary in the following grants of land:

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Philip Ludwell, 200 acres in Rappahannock county, April 17, 1667, Book No. 6, p. 121; Collonel" Philip Ludwell, 400 acres in New Kent county, October 22d, 1673, Book No. 6, p. 474. Philip Ludwell, Robert Handfort and Richard Whitehead, 20,000 acres in New Kent county, Oct. 24th, 1673, Book No. 6, p. 467.

There appears to have been a John Ludwell, "planterin," Charles City county in 1662.

West

3 According to the family Registry, "The Honorable William Byrd Esquire the first of the name who settled in this Colony was born in 1652 and died in 1704 at over, Virg. came from Brexton in Cheshire to inherit the effects of his uncle Captain Stagg." Oc

He

How Byrd Perg . Apully 70451665

66

a

1688

tober 27th, 1673, Captain William Bird" was granted 1280 acres of land on the north side of James river, "formerly granted Collo. Thomas Stegg, by patent dated January 5th, 1663." Va. Land Records. He subsequently received other extensive grants, was a member of the Council, and for a number of years Receiver General of the Colony. He married Mary, daughter of Colonel Warham Horsmonden of "Purley in Essex, England," a member of the Virginia Council.

William Byrd, son of the preceding, was born at "Westover" March 10, 1674; died there August 26th, 1744. He was educated in England; "called to the bar in the Middle Temple, studied for some time in the Low Countries, visited the Court

66

of France and was chosen Fellow of the Royal Society." He succeeded his father as Receiver General of the Colony, was thrice appointed public agent to the court and ministry of England, and, being thirty-seven years a member, at last became President of the Council." His genius is embalmed in our national literature as the author of the Westover Manuscripts, which contain, with other papers, the "History of the Dividing Line between Virginia and North Carolina as run in 1728-29," Colonel Byrd being one of the Commissioners on the part of Virginia. He was the founder of Richmond, Va., which was laid off by Major William Mayo in April, 1737. He married twice. First, Lucy, daughter of Colonel Daniel Parke, Governor of the Leeward Islands; secondly, May 9th, 1724, Mrs. Maria Taylor, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Taylor of Kensington, England," born November 10th, 1698, died August 25th, 1771.

William, the eldest son by the second marriage, born September 6th, 1728, died January 1st, 1777, was a member of the Virginia Council; and in 1756 served as Colonel of the 2nd Virginia regiment in the French and Indian war. He was married twice-first, April 10, 1748, to Elizabeth (born October 13th, 1731; died July 14th, 1760), daughter of John Carter of Shirley," James river; secondly, January 29th. 1761, to Mary, daughter of Charles and Ann (daughter of Joseph Shippen) Willing of Philadelphia, Pa., who survived him. Charles Willing was son of Thomas and Ann Willing of Bristol, Eng.

4 Major Robert Beverley, the father of the historian of Virginia.
Henry Randolph, long the clerk of Henrico county. Joseph W. Randolph,

the veteran bookseller of Richmond, is a descendant.

6 Colonel Edward Hill, Senior, a member of the Council.-R. A. BROCK.]

REBECCA SAINTBURY of St. Olave Southwark, in County of Surrey, widow, 30 November, 1677, proved 2 January, 1678. To grandson John Leeson my houses in Shoreditch for term of my lease. To Sarah Leechfield twenty shillings, to Susanna Leechfield twenty shillings, to Anne Leechfield, their mother, twenty shillings to buy her a ring. To niece Rebecca Tapley forty shillings. The remainder of my ready money, legacies & funeral expenses being thereout first paid, born and discharged, I give to my grandsons Thomas & James Spicer, equally. All the residue of my estate (excepting twenty pounds which I give unto my niece Elizabeth Griffin' now inhabiting in Virginia, and excepting my iron and brass goods which I give to my grandson John Leeson and granddaughter Anne Spicer, to be divided betwixt them &c., and excepting two silver spoons which I give to the children of my grandson John Tomlinson) I give unto Anne, Elizabeth, Sarah and Mary Spicer, daughters of John Spicer, gentleman, to be divided amongst them, share and share alike. John Spicer, gentleman, to be the sole executor.

The witnesses were Mary Bowder, Ruth Halsey (by mark) and George Miniett.

King, 11.

[The following early grants of land to the name of Griffin are of record : Thomas Griffin, 1064 acres in Lancaster county, July 4th, 1653, Book No. 3, p. 79. Samuel Griffin, 1155 and 1046 acres in Rappahannock county, April 16 and Jan. 1, 1660, Book No. 4, pp. 472 and 473.

William Griffin, 400 acres in Northampton county, December 9, 1662, Book No. 4, p. 570.

Humphrey Griffin, 200 acres "in the south branch of Nancimond river on Matthews Creek," March 11th, 1664, Book No. 5, p. 67.

Richard Griffin, 57 acres in Westmoreland county, September 30th, 1664, Book No. 5, p. 129. Judge Cyrus Griffin, last president of the Continental Congress, was the son of Leroy Griffin and his wife Mary Ann, daughter of John Bertrand and his wife Charlotte Jolly, Hugnenot refugees-all of Rappahannock county. The family tradition is that the paternal ancestor of Judge Cyrus Griffin was from Wales. From the christian names of the first two grantees cited above, Thomas and Samuel, which were borne by two brothers of Judge Griffin, and have been perpetuated in succeeding generations, I am inclined to think that they were brothers, and that one or the other of them was the ancestor of Judge Griffin.-R. A. B.]

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