Chapter II - THE SECOND GENERATION

Colonial Westmoreland offered an expanded frontier and a vast new wilderness to James Hawley's family. They settled in the forests on Nominy Creek between the two great rivers of the Northern Neck, the Rappahannock and the Potomac.

HENRY HAWLEY was born 1643/4¹ and I place his birth in Isle of Wight County.² The first mention of Henry is in a 1669 document of copartnership with Samuel Muns in Westmoreland when Henry is about 24.³ They agreed to share "all lands, goods, cattle F, hogs". One month later they purchased 300 acres from Robert and Mary Edwards.⁴ These lands were part of the 1000 acres which Edwards purchased from Col. Nicholas Spencer, opposite the plantation of Daniel Hutt and Thomas Youle. They resold this land in 1671 to Michael Willington.⁵

In Feb. 1677/8 Henry received headrights for 300 acres of land from Mr. Jer. Jerdine.⁶ It is not known whether or not he exercised those rights. Henry purchased land from James Hawley in 1671/2 adjoining Jacob Lucas, Walter English, John Payne, Lewis Markham,. James Clark and land that was formerly John Wilson's.⁷ The exact acreage is unspecified but 100 acres were sold by Henry to Samuel Munns in 1673⁸ and an additional 100 acres were sold to Arthur King in 1691.⁹     This latter sale names Henry's wife, Mary. A subsequent sale of these lands names the parcel as being part of James' original patent."

From these transactions, I believe that it is a good possibility that Henry is the son of James Hawley. Fur­ther evidence to support this theory is found in Westmoreland records when Henry Hawley is named as administrator and "next of kindred" to Edward Hawley, son of James.¹¹ Henry Hawley also gave a brown heifer to Elizabeth Lucas, daughter of Jacob Lucas who was married to Mary Hawley, daughter of James, in 1671.¹²

The proprietor, Lord Fairfax, opened up thousands of acres of land in Stafford County in 1690 and many settlers from Westmoreland moved into the county to take up new land grants. Although Henry did not take advantage of new lands, he did sell his lands and move northward into Stafford County. Henry was last mentioned in Westmoreland records as a plaintiff in the 1693/4 suit against John Bolton and his wife, the widow of Nicholas Spencer.¹³ Since a plaintiff did not have to reside in the county to bring suit, it is impossible to know where Henry was living at this time. Sarah Hawley Lewis stated that her father, Henry Sr., became a tenant on Nicholas Spencer's patent in Stafford County around 1693, which places his departure even earlier."

Spencer's patent of 5000 acres was held with Lt. Col. John Washington and included Mount Vernon. After the patent was partitioned in 1690 by George Brent, Henry was one of the earliest known Spencer tenants¹⁵ and lived there for several decades. His dwelling house was about one-half mile south of Spencer's back line. In 1703 Henry Jr. deposed for Westmoreland courts that Christopher Woolcock died at Henry Sr.’s house the pre­ceding year and that was in Stafford.  In a 1748 trial between Thomas Marshall and Sampson Darrell, Anne Drakeford testified that "... upwards of thirty years ago, old Henry Hawley said ..."" Thus Henry Sr. was still alive around 1718. He would have been well into his 70's by that time and no doubt died soon after the 1718 date.

 The children of Henry and Mary Hawley were:

            Henry Hawley, Jr., as noted above.

William Hawley, named in the 1748 suit.

Sarah Hawley, who declared she was the daughter of Henry Sr. in the same suit."

(possibly) Edward Hawley.

A further discussion of these children appears in the third generation.

         EDWARD HAWLEY was born around 1644/5 since he stated his age as around 26 in a 1671 deposition.¹⁹ A deposition taken from "Mr. James Hawley and his son, Edward" in Westmoreland County in 1662 by Peter Knight proves the relationship of the second son of James Hawley. ²⁰

Edward Hawley and William Beasley surveyed and patent­ed 1000 acres on the Nominy branches between the Rappa­hannock and Potomac rivers in March 1665/6.²¹ These lands had been surveyed earlier for Thomas Dias, but he apparently allowed the patent to lapse. One year later Edward and William assigned their interest to Jacob Lucas and Samuel Munns.²² Edward must have retained his share because in Oct. 1667 he sold "one-half moiety of my part" to Martin Cole and in November "for valuable considera­tion" he sold 250 acres to Samuel Bradly.²³ Edward purchased 150 acres in Nov. 1669 from Randolph Kirke which lay next to his original patent.²⁴

During the next eleven years Edward witnessed deeds served on juries, was an Escheat Commissioner, and was part of the colonial community.²⁵ He died prior to 28 July 1680, the date his estate was brought into court. Jacob Lucas, his brother-in-law, and Henry Hawley, his brother (?), were named to administer Edward's estate a they were next of kindred.²⁶ John Crabb and Samuel Munns were securities for the administrators. Patrick Spence, Edward Franklyn, John Crabb and Samuel Munns appraised the estate, but no record of their work re­mains.        Several bills were presented to the estate for services, administrator's costs and two coffins. The mention of two coffins leads to speculation that Edward wife may have died also. It is doubtful that he had a living wife, since the widow was usually named as administrator of her husband's estate. There is also some confusion whether Lucas and Henry were administrators or executors of the estate. Both terms were used in the order book records and at least one mention was made of an annexed will.²⁷ Jacob Lucas was noted as guardian for Ann Hawley in a 1682 Westmoreland record, which indicates a possible child for Edward.²⁸ If he had sons, no mention of them has been found in the Westmoreland records..  More research is needed to clarify Edward's family and estate.

James Hawley had at least three daughters.²⁹The data which follow are suppositions from sketchy deed book and record entries in Northumberland and Westmoreland counties. It is hoped other family researchers can expand upon these clues.

 FRANCIS ANN HAWLEY, born before 1641.

ALICE HAWLEY, born before 1641. One daughter of James Hawley was married to ---- Knight before 1660 when James gave a gift to his granddaughter Elizabeth Knight. It seems reasonable to assume that this daughter would have been either Francis Ann or Alice.  Note from Lucy DeYoung - Francis Anne married Peter Knight and we don't know who Alice married.  Some say it was William Clayton, others Samuel Munns.

MARY HAWLEY was married to Jacob Lucas as per re­lease of dower rights in 1670.³¹ Their daughter Elizabeth received a brown heifer from her uncle(?) Henry Hawley in 1671.³² Mary signed her dower rights through 1671 but no later releases were found. She was not recognized in the will of Suz. Rapier in 1673/4 with the rest of her family.³³ Two children were men­tioned in that will, Elizabeth and James Lucas.  A  Charles Lucas was granted the administration of her father Jacob's estate in 1703³⁴ and may be another son of Mary Hawley Lucas.

 

18 Ibid.

19 Ibid., Deeds, Patents, Etc. 1665-77, p. 113a.

20 Northumberland Co., Va., Order Book 1652-65, p. 164.

21 Virginia Patent Book 5, p. 475 (580).

22 Westmoreland Co., Va., Deeds & Wills 1, p. 309. 23 Ibid., pp. 319-20, 323.

24 Ibid., pp. 354-55; Deeds, Patents, Etc. 1665-77, pp. 51-52.

25 Ibid., Order Book 1675/6-1688/9, pp. 47, 62, 110 118, 120, 123; "Inquisitions on Escheated Lands," The Virginia Genealogist, v. 20, p. 111.

26 Westmoreland Co., Va., Order Book 1675/6-1688/9, p. 184.

27 Ibid., pp. 190-91, 193, 195.

28 Ibid., p. 261. The suit, Jacob Lucas vs. Patrick Spence & John Manley: "Whereas Jacob Lucas guardian of Ann Hawley, did --- an action against ..."

29 Virginia Patent Book 1, p. 125.

30 Northumberland Co., Va., Record Book 1658-66, p.

No wife given. William was son of Capt. Peter Knight of Jamestowne, Va., and his wife, Anne Hawley, daughter of James Hawley.

The Knight Name in New England, 1600's. Copies sent by Mary Knight.

Pg. 65-69. Gives Anne Hawley as wife of Capt. Peter Knight, instead of Peter's son, William. (Text refers to Peter Knight and
land records and grants, but I don't know which Peter they mean.) Peter Knight born 1620 came to America 1635-38 with the Puritans, was 
a Wiccomico Parish gentleman, Northumberland Co, Va., making him about 84 years of age at death. Children mentioned in his will: 
Leonard, James, Elizabeth, and Mary. If he had but one wife, she was Anne Hawley, daughter of James Hawley (Hauley). She was still living 
on 19 April 1676 when she acknowledged a deed. On 15 Feb 1660 Elizabeth Knight received a gift from her grandfather, James Hawley.

THE KNIGHT FAMILY OF VIRGINIA AND GEORGIA Lucian Lamar Knight

p 9 Grants of land in James City County were issued to Edward and Joseph Knight in 1650; in 1657 to John Knight; and in 1665 to 
William Knight, whose land was described as adjoining his brother Joseph's. William Knight's grant, dated September 14, 1665, was for 
909 acres of land "beginning on the west side of old Rochohoe path to James City". ...... These were probably sons of Capt. Peter Knight. 
The surnames are all familiar to the line.

THE KNIGHT FAMILY

of

VIRGINIA

An Account Gathered from various sources, including old. deeds, wills, letters, contracts, family Bibles, local traditions, etc. by Lucian Lamar Knight, L.L.D., State Historian of Georgia.

           The Knights were among the very earliest settlers in the Colony of Virginia and were active in founding the first permanent English settlement in the new world. Peter Knight was the name of the pioneer immigrant; and he was undoubtedly the first of the family in America, for, while there were Knights in the other colonies, they must of necessity have Come at a subsequent period.  The name is typically Cavalier; and, in keeping with its implications, those who bore it, in these pioneer days, were loyal followers of the King. The exact date of Peter Knight's arrival in Virginia is unknown.  It was not later, however, than 1638,and was doubtless much earlier.  He was probably a very young man when he first came to America, as were most of the settlers in the Cavalier Colony of Virginia, which was not lacking in adventurous spirits. The references to him in the early records are quite numerous and cover a period of nearly five decades.

           According to a number of entries, he held the rank of Captain, a title which he seems to have acquired in the Indian wars (William and Mary Magazine, VIII, p. 25). He began in 1638 to receive land grants from the Crown and continued for upwards of twenty years to procure extensive patents. These lands were scattered all over tidewater Virginia, but chiefly in the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, New Kent, Accomac., Northumberland, and on the Potomac. It was in Isle of Wight County that his earliest lands were pat­ented, and here in 1641 we find him one of the youngest com­missioners (Virginia Historical Magazine V, p. 368).

In 1657, he appears for the first time in the House of Burgesses as a member from Northumberland. With John Haynie, Esq., he was the first burgess to represent this county at James City. He next appears as a member from Gloucester, which county he represented in the years 1659 and 1660.

           Then we find him back in Northumberland.  This county returned him for the years 1684 and 1685, when he must have been quite an elderly man. (Records of the Virginia House of Burgesses).  He was justice of Northumberland in 1671 (William and Mary Magazine LXVII, p. 229)

At one time he was engaged in mercantile operations at Jamestown, for there is a reference in the records to "Pe­ter Knight's store", at this place.  The following entry appears in an old volume, entitled "Virginia Carolorum", a work which treats of Virginia during the reigns of Charles I and II; we quote from page 203: "A public market was established in 1649 at Jamestown and the space allowed it was from Sandy Hollow₎ on the west, to Peter Knight's store, on the east".

He probably had a good trade in the Colony, which he kept sup­plied with articles received from England.    He did nothing in a small way, and all of his enterprises were of a large character. He was directly instrumental in bringing over to Virginia some three hundred laborers or indented servants, which he distributed chiefly over three counties: Northumber­land, Gloucester, and Isle of Wight; on his various tobacco plantations.  In a work entitled: "Early Virginia Immigrants", the name of Peter Knight appears on almost every page as the one by whom passage was defrayed.

           In the celebrated uprising of indented servants, known as "the Servants' Plot of 1663", it was on one of Pet­er Knight's plantations in Gloucester that a rendezvous of the^-conspirators was discovered. For the reason that he employed labor on a some what extensive scale, he was doubt­less marked for an early victim; but happily an insurrection which might have ended in wholesale murder was checked in its incipient stage, and no fatal results are recorded.

           At the trial which was held in Jamestown, then called James City, four witnesses testified that the plot was hatched at "Peter Knight’s little house in ye woods".  On September 16, 1663, the^-House of Burgesses gave a reward to Birkenhead, the servant, who revealed the plot, while the date of the providential deliverance, September 13, was designated by the assemblage as Thanksgiving Day, to be perpetually observed in recognition of God's mercy in preserving the country "from a desperate conspiracy entered into by certain mutinous vil­lains". (Virginia Historical Magazine, XV pp. 38-43). This

attempted insurrection is the subject of Lary Johnston's famous novel, "The Prisoners of Hope".

           That Captain Peter Knight was a conspicuous figure in the Colony of Virginia, during the early years which followed the landing at Jamestown and for at least half a cen­tury of active life, cannot be gainsaid.  However, it is chiefly as a land-owner that he is mentioned in the records; and since he appears to have alienated only a small part of what he acquired, his holdings at the time of his death, ex­tending over several counties, must have been little short of baronial.  In the will of Arthur Smith, dated 1645, recorded in Isle of Wight, he is designated as one of the executors. (Virginia Magazine, VI p. 115).  On May 17, 1657, he was "added to the quorum of Gloucester". (Virginia Historical I, Magazine, VIII, p. 166).  He sat at different times, for two separate counties, in the House of Burgesses, and served these constituencies for an aggregate period of six years; besides which he was a justice for Northumberland.   Certainly a good record this, to survive the mutations of three hundred years, and it gives substantial credit to a pioneer whose biography has drifted down to us only in fragments.

            Mention is made in the Virginia records of a cer­tain John Knight who, in 1666, was living in Isle of Wight County and was then over seventy years of age.  (William and Mary Mag., Vol. 19, p. 101). This was the county in which Captain Peter Knight first patented land.  He also obtained a grant of 150 acres in this county, in 1640, at what is known as Bassets Choice. (ibid. Vol. 7. p. 214)

      Prom this purchase, the supposition has arisen that possible he married one of Basse’s daughters.  In 1655, he obtained an additional grant in Isle of Wight.  If the John mentioned above, therefore, was not an elder brother of Captain Knight, he was more than likely his father, who may have joined him in America, after the way was paved by the success of his son, who was now one of the most import­ant men in the young colony of Virginia.  There is no
other reference to this particular John in the records. There is mention, however, of 'one Leonard Knight, of Lancaster county, who, in 1706, in Isle of Wight, sold land which was patented by his father, Peter Knight, in 1655.

We know that Francis Anne died sometime between 1663 and 1702.  1663 is the last legal document she witnesses and when Peter wrote out his will in 1702 he did not include her.