LSA Families and Individuals
Notes
John FINCHER
John and Elinor Fincher with children moved to Unchlan Township untl the spring of 1716, when they removed to London Grove, Chester Co., PA. John had 200 acres deeded him, 13th and 14th March 1722 by Tobias Collett & Company. John and Elinor were both active members of Friends Meeting. They removed their certificate of membership to Newark MM (Old Kennett Mtg.) in 1716, and in 1718 when New Garden MM (Chester Co., PA) was established they became members of that meeting. Elinor had no children by her second husband. The last mention of her is found in 1726 and the date of her death is not known.
THE FAMILY NEWS
Vol I, No. I
Norfolk, VA
Nov 1903
(*1) No. 219. Marriage Register of Cheshire and Stradfordshire Quarterly Meeting of the Society of Friends, General Register Office, Somerset House, London, England
A copy of "The Family New" was obtained from Mary Louise Reynolds, wife of Thomas Hamm of Spiceland, IN.
Peter frequently had to pay tithes even though he no longer belonged to the Church of England. This and the size of their family undoubtedly contributed to his lack of money. Peter Cook was a poor man and required assistance for the voyage, as many did. Frandly Meeting, Frodsham, undertook the job of raising money for the passage to America.
Frandly Meeting 1P. 11s. 4d.
Newton Meeting 3P. 10s.
Chester Meeting 1P. 1s. 6d.
Norton Meeting 12s. 2d.
Total 6P. 15s. 2d.
This information was obtained for Albert Cook Myers some years ago (c. 1910) by an Englishman named Isaac Sharpe. The original record showed a total of 16 pounds, 5 shilllings and 2 pence. Mr. Sharpe's comment to this was ".. either someone's addition was poor or Peter Cook was done out of 10 shillings."
"-- The Albert Cook Myers Collection
R. L. Cooke, Jr.
c. 1953
Martha TAYLOR
Dorothy Tuttle of Murray, Ut. has birth date as 6 Dec. 1680. She also had date of death. There were at least 4 girls and 3 boys at the time John Fincher m. secondly to Eleanor.
John Capt. SMITH
Smith had left for England following the accidental gun power burns, and trial, banished to England in September 1609.
Dear Bill, thanks, for myself, I believe that your mention of a marriage of Pocahantas to Kocoum would in fact be Cpt. John SMITH. Are you familiar with the story of John SMITH? IT is very detailed and fun, there are many things that lead to conclusion of that union. Wish I had time to really spell them all out, I can do much better orally then thru letters. I will send you the brief I have made several years ago but it really is much more by now, more learned the more the evidence to support.
Just real brief, the natives had watched these "invaders" from the first day the arrived. They would have seen them building, preparing forts, adventuring out, etc. and at some point there were clashes. Still, they would have seen SMITH as the power of the group in organizing forts and defense at least. He stood out even though he was only 5 ft 4 inches, he probably was wearing his armor, he was 27 years old but already had been in many battles and many adventures. He has been with women since he says "I was introduced to the ways of woman by a street walker by the age of 17", he had always been in the company of women, many princess even who he had saved from plight. SO he would have stood out and watched with interest. The natives would have been impressed by his bearing and strength. SOOOO
When he went on a hunting expedition and was ambushed by natives, his two partners with him were killed. They would have likely killed and wounded some of the natives, but as he tried to escape he fell into a bog or water and his powder wet or unable to fire, was overcome by his pursuers. Taken captive back to the camp, he was presented as quite a prize and interest. There he was treated respectfully as they would an honored enemy but in the end his sacrifice also was honorable. It is interesting also, that he does not tell his story until after Pocahantas was dead. WHY? Easy to answer really.
So as he was prepared for execution the youngest daughter of Powahaton intervened and threw hereself over his body to protect and protest. WHY? And as it has been previously claimed, she was only 10 years of age, it would not be feasible. WHY? Because she would have had no stature or understanding or feelings as a woman. BUT, if she was older, even in those days of Europe as the Ameicas amongst natives as in many cultures, once a woman is in puberty she is eligible for marriage. What is the meaning of a native that saves a captive? It is common in many of the native cultures when a woman saved a man, perhaps a widow of a slain warrior, or a maiden, as was Pocahantas, she would claim him as a replacement or a husband. SINCE SMITH was already known and honored and respected for who he was, it was feasible that this was permissible and an advantage to King Powahotan. WHY? As SMITH describes later, there was following great merriment and celebration? WHY? What was the cause. SMITH was held in the long house, later he says following morning, he was greeted as SON and given an Indian name by Powahaton. Powahaton had laid his hands, standing over 6 feet tall, upon SMITH and called him his son and after pronouncing him a warrior chief, gave him responsibility of protecting his village thru the most important passage towards his capital, why? Because SMITH was known as a warrior who had protected the fort. Who was strong and wise. SO OF COURSE IN THE WAYS OF TREATY IT WAS BENEFICIAL TO POWAHATON. Following days of revelry and celebration SMITH was taken back to Jamestown with a large company of these natives. SHORT in story, lots of detail. These natives presented to the fort food and supplies to keep them the winter, WHY? They loved the settlers all of a sudden? NO, because it was now a pact with SMITH and the village to protect their village from other tribes that were traditional enemies of the Powahaton tribe.
Following the departure of these natives SMITH was then accused by his compatriots of betraying them, of participating in the murder of the two fellow settlers who were with him as he was captured and FOR PLANNING TO MARRY PRINCESS POCAHONTAS TO MAKE HIM KING OVER THEM! Preposterous? NO, in their days it was the method of all nations to marry for alliance and strength. SO it was believable. There was also a law called, ha, can't spell off hand, especially French, but meant against the law to have any relationship between upper class, especially Royalty and a more common person. In further discovery, SMITH had actually be ordered by King James to coronate King Powahaton according to English custom to King under himself. This SMITH did in reluctance of King Powahaton. But SMITH had to give a round kick to bring the giant Powahaton to his knees whereupon he thrust the crown upon him. Powahaton springing to his feet and throwing the crown had to be quickly humored by SMITH and made light but the deed was done. SO BY EUROPEAN LAW, the family of Powahaton were now first line ROYALTY. This was also apparent later as she was married to ROLFE who had to get special permission by the King to marry her. Also, in the trial of SMITH over the charges, he was found guilty and put upon a barrel ready to hang just as Cpt. Newport arrived to find him in such a predicament and talked the leaders into letting him go. It was not long after that when the principle figures of Jamestown were in a boat together and a storm came up to sink and drown them. SMITH then became president of Jamestown during the most critical times, starvation and destitution, SMITH traded and bartered and befriended the natives and allowed other settlers to do the same. As SMITH was president, there was peace between Jamestown and the natives. SMITH also lost favor and friends amongst the Jamestown inhabitants, many of whom were offspring of upper crusts, Gentlemen and Royal figures of England. They had come to get wealth and lands, extend the inheritances for their families who had run out of room to divide in England. These men would not work, never had worked, had brought German workers to do everything for them like slaves. BUT SMITH SAID, NO WORK NO FOOD! He kept that philosophy as he was president which angered many and who then had quite a challenge against him. When SMITH was fed up with these settlers, he was moving into the village he was assigned by Powahaton and had already built and English style house for him so he was planning to build his own when during that move he somehow blew up some powder while moving across some water. He was burned badly and taken back to Jamestown where he was treated and decided to send him back to England as he was such a pain to the rest, at that time they drew up the same charges against him as before, was put in irons and sent back to England for trial. There is no record that I have found as to what happened at that time. However, SMITH would not have admitted to anything that was going to put a noose again around his neck. BEDSIDES, SMITH was loyal to the crown and his desires to see Jamestown succeed. He had written several books, maps and spoke constantly of the fantastic opportunities and lands in this new land. He did not maintain any communication with Pocahantas.
The Pocahontas story is also more also is much more, she had saved many of the English settlers even from her own people as they were pursued by misleading the would be attackers, spoke for them in the council and persuaded her father and tribe to save them in times of crisis. She was the most outstanding person to be credited with America as it is today, without here and John SMITH America would be completely different, perhaps Spanish or French, but what of the Constitution, the Revolution and it's spill over for so many nations around the world. Etc. all events in history would be so different we could not recognize the world or powers of the world today.
After SMITH left for England Pocahontas came to Jamestown to search for him. There she was told he was dead but she was shown no grave. The peace between the natives and Jamestown broke down and led to many wars and massacres which would not have happened while SMITH was there and who honored and respected these friends of his. It was about 3 years later when she came to Jamestown and was tricked by her cousin to visit one of the ships in harbor, her cousin then abandoning her and she was held captive and hostage in order to attempt to bribe the natives to stop the attacks, which did not work so well. Then in meeting ROLFE, perhaps and probably, they saw a hope to renew the friendship and ties they had while SMITH was there, but it never happened that way. She also accepted Christianity, but I question rather she really was convinced of Christianity or she was a wise and diplomatic person who saw the power and means of the English who could held or destroy her people. I also do not believe she really loved ROLFE as she had SMITH, her ties to him were diplomatic and never the ideal of a young woman who marries her prince in shining armor as was SMITH to her.
However, as SMITH was about his ways in England, tried to convince the King to send him back, etc. wrote books and articles of his times in America and strove in every way to promote settlement in the new America as his native WIFE was left to wonder and mourn. When ROLFE brought her to England she was hailed by the people as Princess Rebecca, really loved as a person more like themselves. She was greeted and honored by thousands. She had her royal painting made showing her as a fragile, thin, white and skinny lady without defects. As was the belief of the time, the princess so tender that could feel a pea under a dozen mattresses as the old story goes. She entertained and welcomed guests in her home and at one time the friends of SMITH convinced him to see her, the one he always spoke of. SO in company of others, asked audience and was able to see and greet this princess Lady Rebecca. Remember though, she was now married and honored, she was first line Royalty, she represented the American connection and had ties to the King of England as well as the people. FOR HIM TO BE ANYTHING MORE THEN A FRIEND would threaten not only his life by hers and the entire fate of the new lands and settlements in America. SO WHAT WAS HE TO DO or WHAT DID HE EXPECT? Just to see his love from America? Or to silence his critics he as his friends.
So what would she do, one who loved him, worshiped him as her true love and childhood fancy? One who she thought was dead and gave up on?
When she saw SMITH face to face, she could not contain herself. She threw the veil over her face and ran out ordering her servants to keep SMITH until she could compose herself. It was nearly 3 hours later when she came again to see him. Apparently it was fairly brief. She first scolded him as to not letting her know he was still alive, she said as much how dare you be alive and know that I had waited 3 years before giving you up for dead, finally being convinced to visit Jamestown again. SHE HAD KNOWN NO OTHER MAN!!! NO ONE AT ALL, what does that mean? NO WIFE, NO NOTHING except her love with SMITH. Her royal painting gives her age and date to prove she was at least 13 or 14 at the time she was with SMITH, already a woman thru Puberty, developed and ready for children. SMITH NEVER TO HIS DYING DAYS was ever without a woman for long. SO SURE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH HER and CHILDREN WOULD BE EXPECTED. According to law and custom of the time, however, any such marriage without the consent or power of the Church of England would not be honored and his resultant family would not have any claim to inheritance or title, they would be ILLIGITIMATE. SOOO POCAHONTAS scoldes and thrashes him , why had he not told her, left message for her. She had loved him, her father had loved him and given him such honors, how could he betray them, etc., with emotions of a distressed woman in love, love of her first love and eternal love as sprung from worship and childhood. She then says something perplexing to witnesses and threatening to SMITH. SMITH interprets it as saying, she asked that I would call her daughter and she would call me father. SO at that he runs out never to see her again.
NO THAT WOULD NOT BE WHAT SHE SAID, and if she had, why would it be a threat more then an honor? AND WHY WOULD HE SAY SHE WAS ONLY A PRECOCIOUS CHILD OF 10 YEARS OF AGE? BECAUSE HE WAS ALREADY CHARGED AND NEARLY HUNG FOR IT ALREADY. She was married to a landed gentleman, living in England as a princess, tied to the King and Queen of England. She already had child by ROLFE, etc. his head and honor was on the chopping block. SOOOO, what she would have said more accurately, "YOU ARE THE ONE I LOVED FROM THE BEGINNING, I MARRIED ROLFE FOR DIPLOMACY, NOT LOVE, I WANT YOU BACK, CALL ME YOUR WIFE AND I WILL CALL YOU MY HUSBAND! THAT is what she more then likely said. SO of course he had to run out or be the ruin of families and kings and of America and all his dreams and purpose, let alone his life.
More, in the royal painting as above, she is frail, thin, very thin fingers and so fragile and lovely, white skin, etc. BUT IN ANOTHER PAINTING, she is with a son, others claim this to be her son by ROLFE, but it is not, cannot be. The image of Pocahontas is more full, darker and short and the son at her side is fully at least 6 or older. NOT AN INFANT, when Pocahontas died her child was only 1 1/2 years of age at that time. These paintings also are dated with her age to prove her age at least 13 when she was with SMITH.
ETC., Sorry, my little quick story, wish I had talent to portray it as I see it in my mind, a remarkable woman who can with SMITH be responsible for all the modern world and events which has given so much to everyone thru the world to this day.
dated 2/8/2009 4:07:56 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, n.owl@worldnet.att.net writes:
Hi Larry,
I am not familiar with your line in the Hiatt family, but would be very interested in it if it connects to Pocahontas. I have a number of descents from the Patawomeck Tribe through Chief Wahanganoche, son of Japasaw. Many of my area families claimed descent from Pocahontas. The Mattaponi Tribe have a sacred oral history of Pocahontas having a child by Kocoum who was raised by the Patawomeck Tribe after Pocahontas was abducted by the English. They claim that many people in Stafford County are descended from that child, including the Newton family, of which Singer Wayne Newton, is a part. Wayne is my cousin many times over. I am the Tribal Historian of the Patawomeck Tribe. My cousin, Robert Green, is the current chief.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: LarryAndy@aol.com
To: n.owl@worldnet.att.net
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 8:32 PM
Subject: Re: Pocahontas
Dear Bill, thanks and would be glad to share what I have on Pocahontas and Cpt. John SMITH and that lineage to myself. Do you have a connection to our families? Of course I cannot track everyone but am trying to keep all my files growing and developing. The connections I do have are with the Hiatt/Smith families and contingent families. In 1986 and 1988 I wrote a brief on this story and the more I see of it the more it becomes realistic instead of just a lost family story. Glad to fill you in but really it is quite an interesting but detailed one. Wondering if you have connection to these families? I do have everything on record I can put out on DVD. Thanks, Larry Anderson In a message dated 2/6/2009 11:30:55 P.M. Mountain Standard Time, n.owl@worldnet.att.net writes: Hi Larry, Jim Wiggington told me to e-mail you, and you would tell me about your Pocahontas theory in regard to her first husband. Thanks! Bill Deyo
Time Line
January 9, 1580 - John Smith, the son of farmer George Smith and his wife, Alice Rickard Smith, is baptized at Saint Helen's Church in Willoughby, Lincolnshire, England.
1595 - John Smith is apprenticed to the wealthy merchant Thomas Sendall in King's Lynn, England.
1596–1599 - Having terminated his apprenticeship, John Smith serves in the Low Countries under Captain Joseph Duxbury.
April 1596 - George Smith dies. His oldest son, John Smith, inherits half of his estate, including seven acres in Charleton Magne.
1599 - John Smith travels to France with Peregrine Bertie, thirteenth baron Willoughby of Eresby.
Late 1600 - John Smith joins the Habsburg armies, allied with Transylvanian forces, to fight the Turks in Hungary.
1601 - John Smith, fighting with a Hungarian regiment, is promoted to captain of cavalry.
1602–1603 - John Smith kills three Turkish challengers in hand-to-hand combat. In November, he is wounded and captured in a skirmish with Tatar allies of the Turks, and sold into slavery. Smith's owner, a young woman, sends him to her brother, the head of a government fief near the Black Sea. Smith kills him and escapes.
1604–1605 - John Smith returns to England, where he meets Bartholomew Gosnold, who is promoting a plan to plant an English colony in Virginia.
April 10, 1606 - King James I grants the Virginia Company a royal charter dividing the North American coast between two companies, the Virginia Company of London and the Virginia Company of Plymouth, overseen by the "Counsell of Virginia," whose thirteen members are appointed by the king.
December 20, 1606 - Three ships carrying 104 settlers sail from London bound for Virginia. Christopher Newport captains the Susan Constant, Bartholomew Gosnold the Godspeed, and John Ratcliffe the Discovery.
February 13, 1607 - John Smith, aboard the Susan Constant and bound for Virginia, is arrested and accused of plotting to "usurpe the governement, murder the Councell, and make himselfe kinge."
March 1607 - In the West Indies, colonists on the three Virginia-bound ships under the command of Captain Christopher Newport go ashore to hunt, fish, and rest. Newport builds gallows to hang John Smith, but Smith is spared when Bartholomew Gosnold and the Reverend Robert Hunt intercede on his behalf.
April 26, 1607 - Jamestown colonists first drop anchor in the Chesapeake Bay, and after a brief skirmish with local Indians, begin to explore the James River.
May 13, 1607 - The Jamestown colonists select a marshy peninsula fifty miles up the James River on which to establish their settlement.
May 21–27, 1607 - Captain Christopher Newport, Captain John Smith, George Percy, and others explore the James River, making mostly friendly contact with the Kecoughtans, the Paspaheghs, the Quiyoughcohannocks, and the Appamattucks.
May 28, 1607 - After an Indian attack, the settlers at Jamestown begin building a fort.
June 10, 1607 - Finally released from arrest, John Smith takes his seat as a member of the Council.
June 15, 1607 - English colonists complete construction of James Fort at Jamestown.
September 10, 1607 - Council members John Ratcliffe, John Smith, and John Martin oust Edward Maria Wingfield as president, replacing him with Ratcliffe. By the end of the month, half of Jamestown's 104 men and boys are dead, mostly from sickness.
September 19, 1607 - John Ratcliffe, president of Jamestown, designates John Smith the colony's cape merchant.
November 9–15, 1607 - John Smith makes three successful trading voyages up the Chickahominy River.
December 1607 - While exploring the upper reaches of the Chickahominy River, John Smith is captured by a communal hunting party under the leadership of Opechancanough.
December 1607 - Late in the month, John Smith is brought before Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomoco. He later tells of his life being saved by Pocahontas; in fact, Powhatan likely puts Smith through a mock execution in order to adopt him as a weroance, or chief.
January 2, 1608 - John Smith returns to Jamestown after being held captive by Powhatan. Only 38 colonists survive, Smith's seat on the Council is occupied by Gabriel Archer, and the Council accuses Smith in the deaths of his companions. Smith is sentenced to hang, but the charge is dropped when Christopher Newport arrives with the first supplies from England.
February 1608 - John Smith and Christopher Newport visit Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomoco, at his capital, Werowocomoco. Powhatan feeds them and their party lavishly, and Newport presents the chief with a suit of clothing, a hat, and a greyhound. The English continue upriver to visit Opechancanough at the latter's request.
June 1608 - John Smith sends with Captain Francis Nelson a long letter he has written to a friend in England, describing the events of the last two years, and a map of the region. The letter and the map (later known as the Zúñiga map) are published in London as A True Relation.
June–September 1608 - John Smith explores the Chesapeake Bay, without Powhatan's permission.
June 2, 1608 - John Smith and fourteen men embark from Jamestown on the first of two major Chesapeake Bay explorations. They visit the Eastern Shore and the falls of the Potomac River.
July 21, 1608 - John Smith and his party return to Jamestown after the first of two major Chesapeake Bay explorations.
July 24, 1608 - John Smith embarks on the second of his two major Chesapeake Bay explorations. He and his party explore the Susquehanna, Patuxent, and Rappahannock rivers and negotiate peace between the Rappahannock and Moraughtacund Indians.
September 7, 1608 - John Smith and his party return to Jamestown after the second of his two major Chesapeake Bay explorations.
September 1608 - Christopher Newport returns from England with a plan to improve relations with Virginia Indians by bestowing on Powhatan various gifts and formally presenting him with a decorated crown. The subsequent crowning is made awkward by Powhatan's refusal to kneel, and relations sour.
December 1608 - Christopher Newport returns to England from Jamestown accompanied by the Indian Machumps. John Smith, meanwhile, attempts to trade for food with Indians from the Nansemonds to the Appamattucks, but on Powhatan's orders they refuse.
January 1609 - John Smith meets with Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomoco, at his capital, Werowocomoco. Against Indian custom, Smith refuses to disarm in Powhatan's presence, and the chief attempts, but fails, to have Smith killed.
May 1609 - With the Jamestown population at about 200, John Smith sends a third of the men downriver on the James to live off oysters. Twenty go with George Percy to Point Comfort to fish, and another twenty go with Francis West to live at the falls of the James. The rest stay at Jamestown.
May 23, 1609 - The Crown approves a second royal charter for the Virginia Company of London. It replaces the royal council with private corporate control, extends the colony's boundaries to the Pacific Ocean, and installs a governor, Sir Thomas West, twelfth baron De La Warr, to run operations in Virginia.
Summer 1609 - John Smith attempts to purchase from Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomoco, the fortified town of Powhatan in order to settle English colonists there. The effort fails.
Early September 1609 - John Smith sends Francis West and 120 men to the falls of the James River. George Percy and 60 men attempt to bargain with the Nansemond Indians for an island. Two messengers are killed and the English burn the Nansemonds' town and their crops.
September 1609 - John Smith is severely burned during a trip down the James River when a stray match ignites his powder bag and sets his clothing ablaze.
October 1609 - John Smith leaves Virginia. The Jamestown colony's new leadership is less competent, and the Starving Time follows that winter.
Late November 1609 - John Smith arrives in England from Jamestown.
1612 - Two works by John Smith, A Map of Virginia with a Description of the Countrey and The Proceedings of the English Colonie in Virginia, are published in Oxford, England.
March 1614 - John Smith sails for "North Virginia," a region he later names New England. After returning to England with furs and fish, he is authorized by the Virginia Company of Plymouth to plant a colony in New England.
March 1615 - John Smith sails to New England to establish a colony, but returns to England after losing a ship in a storm en route.
June 1615 - John Smith sails for New England again, but is captured by a French privateer. He returns to England in December.
June 1616 - John Smith publishes his work A Description of New England.
Late 1616 - John Smith visits Pocahontas in England and she chides him for neglecting their friendship.
1617 - John Smith attempts yet again to sail for New England, and is again thwarted.
1620 - John Smith's New Englands Trials is published.
1621 - John Smith asks the Virginia Company of London to reward him for his service during his time in Jamestown, but they refuse to do so. They also refuse to employ him as a military commander.
May 1623 - In response to the reports of the deaths of hundreds of settlers at Jamestown, a royal commission is formed to investigate the Virginia Company of London. John Smith testifies during the investigation, and it is during this time that he revises his Generall Historie.
1624 - John Smith's The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles, which emphasizes treacherous natives, a heroic Smith, and the one "good" Indian, "Princess Pocahontas," is published. Historians have since questioned its reliability.
1626 - John Smith's An Accidence, or The Pathway to Experience is published.
1629 - John Smith interviews several Virginia settlers then visiting England and inquires about conditions in the colony.
1630 - The True Travels, Adventures, and Observations of Captaine John Smith is published.
1631 - Advertisements for the unexperienced Planters of New England, or anywhere, by John Smith, is published.
June 21, 1631 - A seriously ill John Smith makes his will and dies the same day. He is buried in Saint Sepulchre, an Anglican church in London.
(Matoaka) Pocahontas SONACOCK (Princess)
Dated 18 Oct 2003. Date of birth was submitted bu L. D. Varallo, April 27, 2002. From ancestral line of Anna Rolfe, b. 1633 dau. of Thomas Smith Rolfe, Jan. 30, 1614/15 - died 1676, married Sep 13, 1632 to Elizabeth Washington. He was the son of John Rolfe II, May 6, 1585 - March 22, 1621/22, married April 5, 1614 to Matoaka Powhatan/ Pocahontas. 1595, March 21, 1616/1617. Daughter of Powahatan Winsinocock, 1569 - Apirl 1618, married 1592 Winanuske Nonoma 1572 -?. Son of Scent Flower 1539-?
To set the record straight, I started my interset in this story upon the oral history of my grandfather, Fred HIATT in 1964. At that time, of course not fully aware or interested in much family history, yet as I asked him of any special stories or history he did say that he was always told that we descend from Capt. John SMITH and an Indian maiden. Other then that he could only tell me that the HIATT family was along the MO river as long as they could tell but they had originated from the Carolinas where there were still many cousins.
As I started my real interest in this history as my mother and father handed all their life work over to myself, about 1970, work went slowly until we got fully involved by 1980. At that time my wife and myself began to become serious and soon started reaching so many that we started a newsletter for the HIATT-HIETT family. As we began to find many other HIATT-HIETT relatives, along with some SMITH connections thru brothers of Mary SMITH, the story and questions kept coming up of having INDIAN blood and many also related a very similar story, even more exact of being related to Cpt. SMITH and Pocahontas. Then thru contacts we exchanged information with Dr. Copeland, a Quaker and professor, who had also done a lifetime search, as had his mother and grandmother over 100 years of research. Dr. Copeland had much more then I and I did publish his report in one of my HIATT-HIETT Family newsletters. He had said he had much more but was going to write his own story of it and held back more information. He then died shortly after our contact and I was not able to get any further contact or information from his family. From questions and continued interst I felt there was more truth to this then just a family tale, it was so wide spread and so entrenched that it deserved more attention. So I did a good deal of work and research and can now say that I do fully believe and have substantial reason and back up materials to nearly prove this old tale. I have shared this with many and it has now shown up on many web sites, etc,. but often mis quoted and information, dates, etc. wrong and not from my report. Such as the birth date of Peregrine, that being about 1608 whereas some have it about 1624, that being rediculous and makes my work look laughable. I have seldom seen my name or Dr. Copelands' associated with any of the reports provided in different web sites or other sources. For those intersted, I would be happy to provide a full report and share my work and data to substantiate this tale. Larry Anderson, Pres. of the National HIATT-HIETT Family Organization since 1984.
Larry Anderson
LarryAndy@aol.com
14223 W Promise LN
Chubbuck, ID 83202
Tel 208-637-0953
Sent by Velma Appl. Pocahontas Accociation Plans to Meet in Lawton. From
the Norman N. Transcript. By Mary Goodard
Unverified Indiana princesses (usually Cherokee) lurk so pervasively in
Oklahoma family trees that anyone claiming actual descent from the legendary
Pocahontas may get a cynical grin and a "Yeah, sure.".
That's why it is so intriguing to be reminded that this maiden was the real daughter of a real Indian chief. Records exist of her short, eventful life and real descendants.
Even more intriguing: A national Pocahontas Trails Genealogical Association is busy researching her, assembling master files and sending quarterlies and newsletters to nearly 200 members.
It has four regional branches, including the year-old Texas-Oklahoma
Chapter, which will have a program meeting March 24 in Lawton.
This news sent me to the reference books. Sure enough, Capt. John Smith's
letters and journals prove Pocahontas was important to the Jamestown Colony for several years, once intervening to save his life.
She married John Rolfe and went with him to England. Pocahontas died there
in her early 20s, but first she born a son, Thomas Rolfe.
Young Thomas ventured to the New World and helped found several prominent
Virginia families, including Randolph, Bolling, Eldridge, Flemming, Gray and
Murray. The association has identified close to 120 other related lines, from Abbot to Yuillee.
Far from snobbish, the organization describes itself as "a really nice
group of people who don't take themselves too seriously in the serious pursuit of their ties to Pocahontas," Members include non-descendants who are just interested in her and in early Virginia history.
For details about membership or the Lawton meeting, write: Susan Braddord, Rt. 2 Box 40, Mangum, Ok 73554.
Following sent to my by Betty Millaway of Corinne, UT.
The Descendants of Pocahantas
An Unclosed Case
by Elizabeth Vann Moore and Richard Slatten
Richmond native James Branch Cabell is still remembered as a careful genealogist. He gained his reputation as such before achieving national notoriety as a writer of fiction, and in all his writing he sported with the shadowwy line between history and romance. In his punningly entitled "Let Me Lie" he termed the official history of Virgina a work of art; "Like all other praiseworthy histories known to mankind it has been compiled by prejudice and edited by fancy.(*1) "of Pocahontas he wrote, "her legend, the more thanks to Virginia's unfailing good taste in mythology, has been made immortal." *2 Through her intelligence, curiousity, and mythology, her winning ways, this Algokian girl captured early the imaginations of Virginians. When one turns from Pocahontas to her son Thomas, one finds an equally curious tapestry woven of fact and fantasy. Even as a reader moves from the 17th century references to Thomas Rolfe into 19th century reconstructions of his history, one is hardly prepared for the fabrications of the 20th. That some of the revered genealogists of our day have accepted the fabrications as fact, followed by the credulous, makes a conscientious researcher wonder to what extent printed sources can be trusted. The following review of the references to Thoams Rolfe, son of Pocahontas, follows a chronological order, from birth to apotheosis as progenitor of many illustrious Virginians.
Born in 1595 or 1596, Pocahontas first married an Algokian brave in 1610. *3 Four years later having become Christianized, she became the second wife of John Rolfe in April 1614. *4 Her English husband had established his fortunes and that of the fledling colony in 161l by planting seed of a superiour strain of tobacco from Trinadad. The tobacco trade flourished and established the financial basis of Virgina for three centuries. Two years after their marriage, Rolfe and hte Lady Rebecca, as Pocahontas was then styled, and their infant son, Thomas sailed to England. Although lodged in an unpretenious inn in London at "company" expense she met King James whose name supplanted that of her father, Powhatan, as the designation of the river on which the English had settled in her native land. Damp and smoky London undermined her health, but oddly she did not want to leave when her husband made plans to return to his plantation in Virginia. The George dropped down the Thames, but at Gravesend the gravely ill Pocahantas was taken ashore. She died there in March 1617 at the age of twenty two or twenty three. John Rolfe left the infant Thomas to be placed in the care of a brother and returned to Virginia and a third marriage.
Rolfe prospered in Virginia, and c1619 he married Jane Peirce, daughter of Lieut. William Peirce. A daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1620. Falling ill, John signed as a witness as did John Malwarde, an undentured servant of John Pott, Doctor n Phisck. *5 This will was doubtlessly probated in James City County, but since that county's recorsd later burned we owe its preserveation to the copuy proved 21 May 1630 at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury by William Pyers, Rolfeps father-in-law and executor. *6 Rolfe commended his two small children to the care of Lt. Pyers, gentleman. To his son Thomas he left the parcel of land "in Toppahannoh between the two creeks over against James City County," land on James River opposite Jamestown which had been given by Powhatan and ratified by the "Kings Majestys council for Virginia." Another noteworthy item in Rolfe's will was the provision for Thomas to receive his inheritance before the age of twenty one should he marry within the time of his minority with the consent of his guardian. The land left near Mulberry Island for the use of his wife, to be inherited by their daughter, is mentioned in connection in the records six years later. Lt. Thomas Flint was granted land 20 September 1628 (Calfaliers and Pioneers, I,9) on the Warwicke River. "Adj. next unto the ground graunted by patent unto John Rolfe, Esqr., dec'd. & Capt. William Pierce, & S. upon the Maine River(James)."
Thomas Rolfe enters the records in Virginia as a headright for Cpt. William Peirce 22 June 1635 (C&P, I, 29). This land lay opposite Jamestown between Lawnes Creek and Lower Chippoakes Creek. Thomas was then about twenty. Four years later he is mentioned in connection with his patrimoney, as a landowner in the area of James City which would become Surry County, on S. side of the maine river over against James City called Pyney Point, ... upon land of Thomas Rolfe" (C&P, I, 121). By 26 Nov 1640, Thoams Rolfe acquired land on hte north side of the James lying "upon S. side of Tanckes Pasbyhaies Cr." (C&P,I,126). At the age of twenty six, Thomas Rolfe is alleged to have petitioned the govenor 17 Dec 1641 to be allowed "to see Opachankeno to whom he is allied and Cleopatra, his mother's sister." *7 From this record which reminds us that Thomas was half Indian, we turn to one that depicts him as a trusted Englishman. The General Assembly of Virginia determined to make certain grants of lands to individuals who would maintain forts, thereby relieveing the inhabitants of the burden of maintaining them by "publique charge."
And it is further enacted and granted, That Left. Thomas Rolfe shall have and enjoy for himselfe and his heires for ever ffort James alias Chickahominy for with fowre hundred acres of land adjoining to the same, with all houses and edifices belonging to the said ffort; Provided that he the said Leift. Rolfe doe keepe and maintain sixe men upon the place duringe the terme and time of three years, for which tyme he the said Leift. Rolfe for himselfe and the said sixe men are exempted from publique taxes. *8
The grand was recorded in the Patent Book (C&P, I, 234) 6 October 1646 with an additional 125 acres for the transportation of three people, Henry Berkeley, Esqr., acquired 2,400 acres 1 April 1651. (C&P, I, 206) "Lyeing on N. side of Chicohomyny Riv., neare the head of sd. river, up the swwamp which divides this and the land of Mr. Thomas Rolfe.: On 6 April 1655 Richard New patented 750 acrds adjoining "Mr. Rolph's land" (C&P, I, 306). Three weeks later Rolfe acquired more land.
Thomas ROLFE, Gent., 300 acs. James City Co., 25 Apr. 1656. On N.E. side of Wallingford Riv., alias Chichohominy. Adj. his own, land of Mr. Edard Digges & Richard New and on a branch if Ravebets Ryb, Trabs if 6 pers. (C&P, I, 328)
Another fifty acres was acquired 16 September 1658 (C7P, I, 384) adjoining his own and Richard New's land. The latter renewed the patent on his 750 acres boundying "Mr. Roplh's land" on 20 October 1662 (C&P, I, 384.) Thomas Rolfe as an established householder in the colony was obviously flourishing, and one can accept the assessment attributed to Stith that he "became a person of fortune and distinction in the Colony" (Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, XXI, 210).
Thomas Rolf's principal land holdings, however, were on the south side of James River, his inheritance. A gift by Powhatan on the occation of his daughter;s marriage to John Rolfe, the latter, as his will indicates, had established his title by letters patent. The Indian King did not think in terms of acres, but by modern estimates it comprised some 2000 acres lying between Gray's and Crouches Creeks, an area known since the 18th century as Scotland Kneck, immediately across from Jamestown. *9 There is no record of land being granted there between 1614 and 1637, but after Thomas arrived from England he obviously sold much of it as repatents by others indicate. When Thomas Gray, whose name is still associated with the creek in Surry, received his patent in 1635, the creek was then known as "Rolfe's Cr." (C&P, I, 31). Christopher Lawson's patent in the same area in 1638 was also on "Rolphes Cr." (C&P, I, 89). When Nicholas Williams, a headright of Lawsons, received a grant in 1647, it was on the "N. Side of Ralphs Cr." (C&P, I, 169).
On 10 June 1654 Thomas Rolfe sold William Corker 150 acres "between Smith's Fort old field and the Divell's Woodyard Swamp ... Being due unto the sd Rolfe by Guift from the Indyen King" (Surry Book II, p. 54). On 17 September 1657 William Edwards patented land in Surry "on S. side of James River, opposite James Citty, W. upon Crouches Cr. dividing it from land formerly Mr, Thomas Rolfe's (C&P, I, 353). Rolfe, however, still had extensive holdings in Surry. On 20 March 1657 John Corker patented land on the "S. side of the head of Grayes Cr. called the Weyer (Ware) necke; beg. on the N. side of the Cr. opposite to the mill, over the swamp to Mr. Rolfe's line &c. to the cart path & the path leading from Mr. ....
_______________________________
References given:
1) New York, 1947, p. 37
2) p. 55
3) Philip L. Barbour, Pocahontas and Her World, Boston, 1969, p. 99
4) John M. Jennings has commented on the problems besetting the Rolfe history: "The subject of the ancestry of John Rolfe ... fairly bristles with legends, traditions, heresay, uncertainties, and downright discrepancies. The authors of the articles on Rolfe in The Dictionary of National Biography and in the Dictionary of American Biography have accepted - on what documentary basis the present writer is unable to fathon - the traditoinal account of birth .. that he was born in 1585 at Heacham, a village ... in the county of Norfolk, England." (John Rolfe, A True Relation of the State of Virginia, Charlottsville, VA, 1971, p. xv).
5)John B. Boddie gives a transcription of Rolfe's will in Colonial Surry, Richmond, 1948, pp. 60-3. John Milward is listed as a headright of John Pott, Doctor in Phisick, in Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers. Richmond, 1934, p. 15.
6) Rolfe's will is also included in the "Colonial Records Project," Virginia Society 3904-4011.
7) See Genealogical notes in VMHB, XXI (1913), 208-11.
8) Hening, Statues at large, 21 Oct 1646, I, 327.
9) James D. Kornwolf, Guide to the Buildings of Surry and the American Revolution, n.p., 1976, pp. 111, 182.[Hiatt 1.FTW]
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A NOTE FROM SOURCE PROVIDED OVER INTERNET
Pocahontas was born about 1595-96, a daughter of the Chief over some forty Algonkian Indian villages; these were spread about the shores of the rivers now called the James and the York, which flow into Chesapeake Bay. Her father called Powhatan after his chief village named her Meto-aka and later "Pocahontas", meaning "Playful little Girl".
Powhatans rule was threatened by the arrival of the Spanish, French and English mariners, exploring for a NorthWest passage to the (East) Indies. After the death of Elizabeth 1, the end of Englands struggles with Spain and Scotland released capital and manpower for trade, and the conversion of the "savages". The English claim to North America was split between two companies; one based in Bristol, took North Virginia. In spring 1607, three London ships appeared in Chesapeake Bay and though permitted to land, Powhatan discouraged their would-be settlers from staying. When they started to build a fort the Indians attacked, but were repulsed by ships cannon. The ships sailed home before the winter, leaving 105 men & no women having been brought & who were only saved from starvation by the success of Captain John Smith in obtaining corn from more distant Indians.References:
(1) Ancestors of the American Presidents, Gary Roberts.
(2) The Magna Charta Sureties.
(3) Royal Ancestors of Some American Families, Michel L. Call.
(4) The Lineages of Members, The National Society of the Sons and Daughters of
the Pilgrims.
(5) Americans of Royal Descent, Browning.
(6) Pedigrees of the Descendants of Charlemagne.
(7) Information received from Barbara Thomas, Prodigy Number PBSJ03B.
Historical Notes:
(1) Pocahontas or Matoaka went back to England with John
Rolph where she died 21 March 1617 and she is buried in Gravesend Kent,
England.
(2) Her father is Mighty Chief Powhaten or Winsonocock and her mother is
Winanuske.
Mary SMITH
There is no proof as to the existance or name of this child at this point,
other than family tradition and some historical notes from Jamestown and
records pertaining to that period of settlement which refers to there being two
children of Powahotan, father of Pocahontas who escaped capture and hostage by
the settlers of Jamestown. This is, at this point, speculation which coincides
with family stories.
Alice S. RICKARD
Sent by Joseph Copeland. Name given as Rickard but also as MIL.
I have worked this line up since 1986, published in newsletter and researched on SMITH/POCAHONTAS.
RECORD:
1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R) - FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org), Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, 35 N WestTemple Street, Salt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitter(s):
CONNIE B. DABEL
6168 W 3935 S
WEST VALLEY CITY UT USA 84120.
2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R) - FamilySearch.org (http://www.familysearch.org), Family History Library, 35 N West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA, 35 N WestTemple Street, Salt.
Submitter(s):
KATHLEEN EMMETT WRIGHT
16970 NE HERD RD
NEWBERG OR USA 16970 NE H
DENNIS SHERWOOD LOGUE
C/O GERALDINE CAPPS
BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD ROUTE
DINOSAUER CO USA 81610.
Juana ALO
Listed as died as a Child,
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