John Hägler was born abt. 1730 in maybe Switzerland. John Hägler met and married Elizabeth VanHooser (b. c1738 - daughter of Johannes VanHoesen/Hooser and Elizabetha Margrethem Lauck) abt. 1755
After their marriage John and Elizabeth lived in North Carolina in Anson Co., then locating on the Peedee River area of Wilkes Co. where they owned a fertil farm. From there they moved to Yadkin in North Carolina, purchasing about 250 acres of land. Most of the land was river bottom with a lot of timberland at the mouth of King's River. The original John Hagler home was a sizeable log house located overlooking the Yadkin River on a hill called Beacon Hill and Kendall. John and Elizabeth had nine children.
John Hagler, Jr., b. abt. 1760 in Anson Co., NC.; and married Dorthy Shanklin.
Jacob Hagler, b. abt 1761 in Anson Co., NC.; and married Frances (Frankey) Robbins (daughter of William Robbins and Nancy Ann Foster).
Abraham Hagler, b. abt. 1765 in Anson Co., NC.; and married Esther Nathery.
Ann Hagler, b. abt. 1772 in Anson Co., NC.; and married Joseph Brown.
Benjamin Hagler, b. abt. 1773 in Anson Co., NC.
Isaac Wilson Hagler, b. abt. 1777 in Anson or Wilkes Co., NC.; and married Susannah McGee.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Hagler, b. abt 1778 in Anson or Wilkes Co., NC.; and married William Kindall, Jr. (son William Kindall and Sarah Foster).
Christiana Hagler, b. 1780 in Wilkes Co., NC., and married Rev. Ralph McGee.
William Hagler, b. May 10, 1781 in Wilkes Co., NC.; and married Sarah Elizabeth Mullins (daughter of John William Mullins/Mullens and Sarah Triplett).
Will
of Johannes (John) Hägler - Born abt. 1730 (Maybe in Switzerland) Last WILL & TESTAMENT OF JOHN HAGLER In the name of God Amen Whereas I JOHN HAGLER of Wilkes County State of North Carolina being of sound and disposing mind & memory thought weak in body, do make & ordain this as my last Will & Testament as follows, viz. My just debts funeral expenses to be paid. The residue of my estate both real and personal I do give & bequeath my Negro woman Milly and her son John likewise my Negro girl Rosy during her life and also my plantation, farming tools, horses, cattle, hogs & sheep & bed & bedding & household furniture of every kind. The said Negroe Rosy to belong to my son Benjamin HAGLER at his mother’s decease. My Negroes Milly and John, household furniture and so forth to be divided as hereafter mentioned at my said wife Elizabeth’s decease.
Second, to my sons BENJAMIN & WILLIAM HAGLER I do give & bequeath my lands, buildings and so forth at (their) mother’s decease to be divided between them by a conditional line beginning upon a marked cherry tree near the bank of the river running an eastward course the upper part to belong to WILLIAM the lower part to belong to BENJAMIN. And in both cases I do give my said two sons BENJAMIN and WILLIAM my said land and (so forth?) to them their heirs or assigns forever free and clear of all encumbrances of claims whatsover.
Third, to my son BENJAMIN HAGLER I do give & bequeath my Negroe boy Jim and my Negroe girl Rosy forever together with my waggon & guns and farming tools his bed bedstead clothing & one pewter dish one Bason? and six pewter plates one pot & one oven such as he may choose knives, forks and tin ware at my said wife Elizabeth’s decease.
Fourth, to my son JOHN HAGLER I do give & bequeath the sum of fifty dollars exclusive of his equal part in the dividend of my estate.
Fifth, to my daughter BETSY KENDALL I do give and bequeath my Negro girl Bet valued by myself at one hundred dollars fifty whereof I allow her the balance left viz the other fifty dollars to be deducted out of her equal part of my estate.
Sixth all the residue of my Negroes or other estate not bequeathed as above sid to be valued by two or more such men as my children may appoint and the value to be equally divided between my several legatees hereafter named, viz: JOHN HAGLER, JACOB HAGLER, ABRAHAM HAGLER, ANNA BROWN, BENJAMIN HAGLER, ISAAC HAGLER, BETSY KENDALL, my daughter CHRISTIANA MAGEE’S children viz JOHN WILEY MAGEE & WILLIAM RILEY MAGEE to have their mother’s part of my estate equally divided between them and put out to interest upon sufficient security till they respectively arrive at the age of maturity and when the principal and interest to be delivered to them. My son WILLIAM HAGLER to have his equal part of my estate.
Seventh, I do constitute & appoint my sons, BENJAMIN, ISAAC & WILLIAM HAGLER executors of this my last will and testament & I do most earnestly recommend my said executors to see duly and faithfully carried into execution all and every part of this my last will & Test-ament. I the aforesaid JOHN HAGLER do annul, revoke and disallow all and every will and testament heretofore made by me and in the presence of Almighty God & the undersigned witnesses do publish, pronounce, and declare this to be my only true last Will and Testament. Sign’d Seal’d & delivered in presence of the undersigned Witnesses the 9th day of March 1815
ANDREW WALSH, Jus.
JOHN HAGLER (seal)
CORNELIUS HOWARD PETER
REAY
Codicil to be annexed to the foregoing Will & Testament:
I the aforesaid JOHN HAGLER of State & County as aforesaid being of sound and disposing Min and memory, seeing it hath pleaed Almighty God to remove from this transitory world my son BENJAMIN HAGLER all that part of my land that I bequeathed to my said son BENJAMIN as designa-ted in my foregoing Will & Testament I do give and bequeath to my sons ISAAC and WILLIAM HAGLER under the same restrictions and limitations as I did give it to my son BENJAMIN viz at their mother’s decease. It is my utmost desire that my sons ISAAC and WILLIAM divide the said land between them as equally as possible in the spirit of amity and brotherly love. My said sons ISAAC & WILLIAM to take care of my Negroe woman Luce during her life. Sign’d, Seal’d & (so forth?) the 3rd day of July 1816.
In presence of
ANDREW WALSH, Jus.
His PETER REAY
CORNELIUS HOWARD
John X Hagler (Seal)
Mark
North Carolina Nov. Term 1816 Wilkes County The within will was duly proven in open court by the Oath of ANDREW WALSH and WILLIAM HAGLER was duly qualified as Executor to said will.
It
is the goal of every amateur genealogist to find his or her American Immigrant.
It is no less with the hundreds of descendants of our southern branch of
Fosters. This treatis is not intended to influence, presuade, conjole,
or demand that anyone change anyone’s belief as to our Foster immigrant.
It is intended to present as many facts as is historically possible and
then let each one decide for him or her self.
For many years our Foster immigrant was believed to be the Richard Foster
who came to America in 1635 on the Ship Safety. From the best I can
find this premise originated from the research of Mrs. Julian Lane of Atlanta,
Georgia. Mrs. Lane, a Foster descendant and professional genealogist,
used the Richard Foster of the 1635 Safety to join the Colonial Dames.
Since then, Richard has appeared in numerous genealogical reports as the
immigrant without challenge or documentation.
In addition
to Mrs. Lane we are also in debt to a number of other Foster researchers
among them are Gerneva Foster Dennis of Texas, Miriam Dye, now of Chicago,
Illinois, Norman Foster of North Carolina, Richard Foster of Alexandria,
Virginia, and others who have researched early records in search of our
immigrant.
This
treatise is not intended to influence, persuade, cajole, or demand that
anyone change his or her belief as to our Foster immigrant. It is
intended to present as many facts as is historically possible and then
let each one decide for him or her self. Following is a chronicalogical
review and discussion of that research.
On July
3, 1624, Mrs. Dorcas Foster was married at St. Dunstan’s Church, in Stepney,
London, England to Bartholomew Hoskins of Jamestown, Virginia and London,
England. Dorcas Foster was described as a widow with several small
children. Bartholomew Hoskins, an ancient planter, was in Virginia
by 1616. He undoubtly made a number of trips from Virginia and England
as he maintained a home in each location. On one of these trips back
to England he married Mrs. Dorcas Foster. The maiden name of Dorcas
is yet unknown as is the name of her Foster husband. Bartholomew
and Dorcas made their home in Elizabeth City, Lower Norfolk County, Virginia.
Source:
The Marriage Registers of St. Dunstan’s Stepney in the County of Middlesex.
Edited by Thomas Colver Fergusson, Vol.1 1568–1639
The Virginia Genealogist,
Vol. 27, No. 2, p. 83
A Richard
Foster sailed from London on August 10, 1635 on the ship Safety and arrived
in Jamestown that fall. He was but sixteen years old; born in 1619/20.
We find on that same ship were: Bartholomew Hoskins, John Gloster (Foster),
age 23, Robert Fister (Foster), age 20, Robert Piscer (possibly Foster),
age 44, and Elizabeth Piscer (Foster), age 16. We make the assumption
that the surnames, Piscer, and Fister were misinterpreted because in subsequent
documents the name Foster appears. Some researchers have assumed
that Elizabeth Foster was a twin sister to Richard and that Robert Foster,
age 20, was Richard’s older brother. There is sufficient information
to make that assumption about Robert, but not about Elizabeth.
SOURCES:
Original List of Persons of Quality; Hotten, pp. 122-3
Early
Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666, Greer
The Original List of Persons of Quality 1600-1700, Hotton, p. 122
Bartholomew Hoskins, aged 35 years, came to Virginia on the Safety in 1635
(Hotten). As he was here in Dale’s time (1616), this must have been
a return from a visit to England. He was a vestryman of Lynhaven
Parish in 1640, and member of the House of Burgesses for Lower Norfolk
County, October, 1649, March 1651-2, and November, 1654 (Hening)
SOURCE: Abstracts of
Virginia Land Patents, Vol. 1, Stanard. p. 311
Note: It has been established that Bartholonew Hoskins first came to Virginia before 1616, however we do not know when his wife, Dorcas, first arrived. We know that Dorcas had “several” children. Could they have been Richard, Elizabeth, and Robert? We can assume that she did not leave them in England. Dorcas was born ca. 1601 in England as she was 34 in 1635. If the twenty-year-old Robert Foster, of the Safety, was her son, she must have been married ca 1615/16. She would have been young, but not too young to have born a child.
Assuming the above to be correct, Bartholomew, Dorcas and her and their children made their home in Elizabeth City County. In 1636 Elizabeth City County was divided into Elizabeth City County and New Norfolk. The next year New Norfolk County was divided into Lower County New Norfolk County and Upper County New Norfolk. Almost immediately Lower County New Norfolk was renamed Lower Norfolk County and in 1642 Upper County New Norfolk was renamed Nansemond County. Consequently the Hoskins family, without moving, found themselves living in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia before 1637.
Another
Richard Foster (ffoster) received 300 acres of land granted in Lower Norfolk,
Virginia on May 22, 1637. His land was on the north side of the East
branch of the Elizabeth River. We must assume that this Richard Foster
was not the stepson of Bartholomew as he would not be of the age to own
land; he being only eighteen years old. We do not know when this
Richard Foster of Lower Norfolk County came to Virginia. We do know
that he was born ca 1616 or before and is later referred to as attorney.
SOURCE: Cavaliers and
Pioneers, Nugent; Vol. II, p. 156
Note: We have two Richard Fosters in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia by 1637. To keep them separate the Richard Foster of the Safety will be designated (A) and the attorney (B). Richard Foster (B) will later marry Dorcas Hoskins, daughter of Bartholomew and Dorcas Foster Hoskins. Consequently one Richard Foster is a stepson (proof later) of Bartholomew Hoskins and one Richard Foster, attorney, will become his son-in-law. Both are literate.
By this
time Richard Foster (A) was ca.19 years of age and Richard
Foster (B) was 22.
Both are living in Lower Norfolk County. In 1638 Thomas Wallace transported
another Richard Foster (C) to Virginia for which he received a land patent
in James City County.
SOURCE: Cavaliers
and Pioneers, 1623-1666 Nugent; p. 94
Note: This Richard
Foster (C) is probably the Richard Foster that is illiterate.
SOURCE: Colonial Records
of Virginia, 1623-1666
Richard
Foster (A) refers to Bartholomew Hoskins as his father (we know that he
is actually his step-father.) Richard was only a child when his biological
father died according to a deposition in the county in which he lived (Lower
Norfolk County.) March 2, 1639/40: “Richard Foster sayeth
that his father Bartholomew Hoskins did buy 200 acres of land of Henry
Hawkins and Robert Taylor for one cowe and calfe and two yearlings about
five weeks before Christmas was two years and that he gave sixpence in
earnest of the said bargain to the said Henry Hawkins.”
SOURCES: Lower
Norfolk County, Virginia, Book A 1637-1646, Walters, p 12a; Carroway –
Foster – Williamson and Bartholomew Hoskins 1601
1707: Alice Granberry
Walter, p. 4
Richard Foster (A)
made a deposition in Lower Norfolk County
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
Minute Book 1637-1643, p. 27
Bartholomew Hoskins,
gent. and wife of Elizabeth City are on a ship to sail from England to
Virginia.
SOURCE: American
Colonists in England
A Richard
Foster married Ann Jackson. “Richard Foster and Anne, his wife were married
the 19th day of November 1940. Shee the said Anne as it it reported
hath deserved sic for child.” Later references names Anne’s name
as Jackson.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Court Receipts, Book A 1637-1646, p. 64
“Whereas it appeareth
by bill that Richard Foster is indebted unto M…?.. Utie the now wife
of Richard Bennett, Exqr.: in the same (sum) sic
260 lb tobacco old debt
and 1 barrel of corne in satisfaction where he is hereby ordered by the
24 December next to make payment on the some of 114 lb of tobacco stript
and smooth otherwise execusion.”
SOURCE: Lower
Norfolk County Book B, p.105
A Richard Foster is a debtor
in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Minutes Book A 1637 – 1643, pp. 82-83, 91, 98, 128
March 15, 1640/41:
“Whereass it appears to this court by speciality that Owine Hayes is indebted
unto Richard Foster the quanity of 3 barrels of corne and 20 1 tob script
and smooth. It is therefore ordered that the said Owine Hayes shall
within 30 days make payment of the said corne and tobacco according to
the ….?… of this bill with charges of the Court otherwise executed to be
awarded.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Book A, p.105
Notes: Which of these Richard Fosters? (A), (B), or (C) married Anne Jackson? There is really no certain way of telling. However, Richard Foster (B) will later marry Anne Hoskins. We do know that Ann Hoskins did not marry Richard Foster (A) as some have fabricated. This leaves Richard Foster (A) and (C) for Anne Jackson’s husband. All indication points to her marriage to Richard Foster (C), but there is no proof!
April
15, 1641: Richard Foster was still the husband of Anne Jackson Foster who
was in court charged with fornication. These charges were brought
by an Ann Gaskine. She charged that Anne had a child not conceived
at home.
SOURCES:
Lower Norfolk County Minutes Book 1637–1648, p. 98, Hoskins of Virginia
and Related Families, Warner, p. 16
A Richard Foster met in Deposition.
SOURCE: Lower Norfork
County Minutes 163–1648
A Richard Foster was ordered to pay a debt in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds, 1637–1646, pp. 81,87,98,138
Dorcas Foster Hoskins was in England in 1641 for in that year she
presented a petition to the House of Lords “on behalf of her said husband
now in Virginia – that all proceedings in a suite commenced by John Carter
and Joane his wife against the said Bartholomew Hoskins may be stayed.”
SOURCE:
Hoskins of Virginia and Related Families, Warner, p.16
Note: After 1641 there is no longer a mention of Ann Jackson Foster in the Lower Norfolk County records. Whether she died or she simply remained married to Richard Foster and settled down we do not know. We do know that Richard defended her vigorously at court and the woman who brought the charges was given a sentence of 30 lashes.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County Wills and Deeds, p. 117
A Richard Foster was a Debtor in Lower Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County Minutes Book, 1637–1643, p. 175
A Richard Foster was Plantiff in Lower Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County Wills and Deeds 1637–1643, p. 158
January
16, 1642/43: “Richard Foster hath seet up his name to give notice that
by God’s Grace he intends to goe for England this present shipping.”
SOURCE: Carraway – Foster
– Williamson and Bartholomew Hoskins 1607 – 1706, Alice Granberry Walters
Note: Which of the Richard Foster identified as living in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia went to England, (A), (B), or (C)? It is important to know as the two Richard Fosters remaining are responsible for the further transactions in Lower Norfolk County. I believe that we will identify him later in our discussion as Richard Foster (B).
August
20, 1644 Robert Lawrence and Ellis Brown received 400 acres adjacent Richard
Worster (ffoster) in Lower Norfolk County
SOURCE: Cavaliers
and Pioneers, Nugent; Vol.1, Patent Book 2, p. 2
Note: This is probably
the land patented by Richard Foster (B) on May 22, 1637. However
does it matter?
A Richard
Foster is ordered to pay a debt in Lower Norfolk County. Richard
Foster is a Creditor in Lower Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Minute Book 1637 – 1648, p. 158
Note: Is this Richard
Foster (A), (B), or (C)? Does it matter?
November
17, 1646: a Richard Worster (ffoster) is indebted unto James Warner for
247 pounds of tobacco. Payment is ordered to be made.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p. 11
December 16, 1646: “The difference in suite between Mr. MATH PHILLIPPS,
plaintiff against ROGER WILLIAMSON and RICHARD FOSTER, defendents by consent,
is referred to the next court to bee heard and determined.” Roger Williamson
was the first husband of Ann Foster, brother to Richard Foster (A).
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, 1646-1751, p. 10a
December 16, 1646, “Paid to Richard Foster for the boyes keeping.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Deed Book, p. 19a
A Richard Foster is in debt to James Warner.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, 1646-1651, Walter, p. 27
Note: We know that Ann Foster (born 1620 and 43 years old in 1663) and Richard Foster (A) are siblings and that Roger Williamson, whom she married June 5, 1646, was her first husband. Who are the Richard Fosters involved in the above transactions?
February
15, 1646/47: A Richard Worster (Foster) ordered to pay unto Arthur Brown,
Merchant: 347 1 tob.o and caske (?)
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, and p. 27
August 16, 1647: at inquest concerning death of Jacob Bradshawe deceased
April 11, 1747; a Richard Foster is involved.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County 1646–1661/62, Book B, p.50
August 16, 1647: “It was ordered that Richard ffoster, Owen Hayes,
and Isabell, his wife, Johyn Wacey, and Edmond Lindsay, als yoeman doe
personaly appears at the next Court to answer unto such matter as they
bee demaunded.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Will and Deed Book B, p. 51A
December 16, 1647: “Richard ffoster doth promise to deliver upon
demand unto Mr. Car: Lloyd Gent:……..one cowe…being at Linhaven at the planation
of Edward Hall.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p. 59
Notes: It is likely that
the Richard involved in the investigation into the death of Jacob Branshawe
was a Richard Foster which will be designated (C). He is presumed
illiterate since he used a mark “W” on the document instead of signing
his name – both Richard Foster (A) and (B) are literate. Again we
are left with no indication which of the Richard Fosters is involved in
the above activities. The last entry on December 16, 1647 probably
referred to Richard Foster, (B) attorney?
A Richard
Foster returned to Virginia in 1648.
SOURCE: Early Virginia
Emigrants, 1628–1648, p. 18 George C. Green
A Richard Foster married Dorcas Hoskins around this date (give or take
a few yeras.) She was the daughter of Bartholomew and Dorcas Foster
Hoskins. This is not Richard Foster (A) as she (Dorcas) is his half-sister;
consequently it must have been Richard Foster (B), the attorney.
January 1648: Bartholomew
Hoskins received a land patent of 1350 acres on the southside of Rappahanock
River for the transport of several persons, including “Richard Foster,
2 times”;
SOURCE: Calaliers and
Pioneers, Patent Book 5, p.182
February
15, 1648: “Richard Foster (B), attorney of Richard Foster (A) to deliver
unto John Caraway who hath intermarried with the relict of Roger Williamson,
dec’s for the use of Sarah Williamson the cowe and all her increase which
was bequeathed until Sarah by Richard (A), the god-father of Sarah when
he went to England the said John Caroway (sic) in security for same.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, 1646-1651, 106a
March 6, 1648: “400 acres Lower Norfolk County – Lying on the Nwd side
of Broad Creek being a branch of the Ewd branch of Elizabeth River sd land
granted to Henry Watson 10 June 1639 & by the relict of Watson assigned
to Richard Foster & by him assigned to Richard Day & Richard Woodman
(or Woolman) & 200 acres the residue due sd Woolman for trans. Of 4
persons & the whole 400 acres purchased of Day & Woolman.:
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Records, Alice Granberry Walter
June 15, 1648: “Richard Foster (A) att his going for England being ffive
years or thereabouts did give and bequeath unto Sarah Williamson daughter
of Roger Williamson one Cowe Calfe…..Richard Foster, attorney of Foster
ordered to give the cowe calfe & her increase to the child for her
use.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County 1646–1651/52, p.78
June 18, 1648: Richard Foster (B), attorney promises to deliver a Plantation
upon demand of Edward and Mrs. Car: Lloyd Hale
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p. 6
February 1647/48: Richard Foster’s bell 0 6 0 0.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p. 66
June 15, 1648: Richard Foster (A) “att his goeing for England being ffive
years or thereabouts did give and bequeath unto Sarah Williamson, daughter
of Roger Williamson one cow calf……Richard Foster (B), attorney of ffoster
(A) ordered to give cow calf and her increase to the child for her use……..Richard
Foster (A).”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p. 78
February 15, 1647/48: “Richard Foster (A) to look after David Neals bels
of 215; 1 barrell from Richard Foster, next year.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p. 67
Notes: If it was Richard
Foster (B) who went to England in 1642 he was obviously back in Lower Norfolk
County serving as attorney to Richard Foster (A) who is preparing to go
to England. It is obvious that Richard Foster (B) who married Dorcas
Hoskins, served as attorney to Richard Foster (A) and that Dorcas Hoskins
was a half-sister to Richard (A). It is also clear that it was Richard
Foster (A) who left for England, as he is seen leaving a deed of gift (some
say will?) to his niece, Sarah Williamson with Richard Foster (B) acting
as his attorney. Richard Foster (A) and Richard Foster (B) are now one-half
brother-in-law. We will find later that Richard Foster (A) did stay
in England his full five years returning to Virginia in 1654. We
can now assume that the entries after Richard Foster (A) left for England,
are those of Richard Foster (B) and/or Richard Foster (C).
February
1, 1648/49: Richard Foster (B) “to pay Will: Shipp 500 1 tobo with allowance
for Caske….dur Specialty.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, and 106
February 15, 1648/49: “Richard Foster (B), attorney to deliver unto John
Carroway who hath intermarried with Relect of Roger Williams (on) sis dec’d
for use of Sarah Williamson the cowe and all of her increase which was
bequeathed unto Sarah by Richard Foster (A), the godfather of Sarah, when
he went to England. The said John Carroway putting in security for
same.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County 1646–1652/3. Book B, p. 106a
April 9, 1649: James Warner was appointed Administrator of the estate of
Benjamin Foster who died inestate, leaving an estate.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County 1646–1651/52
Benjamin’s widow was Joane. She married a second time, Richard Yeats,
August 31, 1649
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County 1646–1651/2, pp. 123-124
June 15, 1649: Richard Foster (B) appointed Constable for the Eastern Shore
of Linhaven
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County 1646–1651/52, p. 118
August 15, 1649: “It was ordered that Richard Foster, Joseph Burch,
Abraham Thomas, Thomas Wright and Lawrence Phillips, Constables shall take
a list of Tythable psons with in their limits and exhit the same unto the
Court to bee holden on the first of October next.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1646–1651/52
November 30, 1649: “Upon mutual concent of Richard Foster (B) plt and John
Carroway deft. Certifyed to ye court by Mr.Tho.Lambert and Thomas Tooker…case
depending on next Court.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, and 130a
Richard Foster ordered to pay in Lower Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1646–1651/52, p. 134
February 15, 1648/49: “Richard Foster (B) att of Richard Foster (A) to
deliver unto John Carroway which has intermarried with relect of Roger
Williamson, dec’s for use of Sarah Willamson the Cowe and all her increase
which was bequeathed unto Sarah by RICHD: the god-father of Sarah, when
he went for England. The said John Caraway putting in security for
same.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B p 106a
April 9, 1649: “James Warner was apptd. To be Adm of the estate of Benjamin
Foster, dec’d of Lower Norfolk County, Virginia. Benjamin’s wife.
Joane m 2nd time to Richad Yeats.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p.113
November
1, 1650: a Richard Foster received a certificate for a land patent for
the transportation of himself, his wife Dorcas Foster, Sr. anddaughter,
Dorcas Foster, Jr. and a Richard Streete and Henry Williams.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p. 155 and Cavaliers and Pioneers 1623–1666, p. 249
February 15, 1649/50: “The difference depending between Rich. Foster and
John Carroway is referred to ye next court of ye sd Foster in ye (interim?)
shall procure Mr: Jno: Meares in his oath that ye sd Meares had never had
any dealings with ye sd Foster but only 6 hhad (hogshead) of tobo. that
was paid Mr. Marsh for him at plunt point. (This might refer to Blunt
Point on the South side of the James River in Warwick County.)”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, p.134a
February 27, 1649/50 ‘Upon the Peticon of John Workman…..ordered the Rich.
Foster Constable, shall deliver unto ye sd Workman such clothing and other
things as he hath of his having been brought to him by an Indian Man……………”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book B, and p.134a
February 27, 1649/50: Tobacco payd Richard Foster for bt……160 total debts
amt to 3804
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County, Book A, p.139a
A Richard Foster…”also known as Richard ffoster in Lower Norfolk County,
Virginia.”
SOURCE: Abstracts of
Lower Norfolk County, Charles F. McIntosh
July 8, 1650: Land patented to Ralph Greene, “Being a neck of land on the
N. side of York R. within Bennetts Crk. HR (Headright): Gilbert Mace,
George Turner, Mary Turner, Mary Foster, Thomas Williams.”
SOURCE: Records of Colonial
Gloucester County, Virginia, p. 67
November 15, 1650: Note: The top of this page is torn and the following
could be a will of deed of gift. “Unto Sarah Williams (on) sic…(cows
with descriptions)…until said Sarah arrives at the yeres of 16…….in case
shee should dye before shee is at age to owne cows them, that then they
should be equally divided amongst the rest of the children of Roger Williams(on)
sic and John Carraways that shall be livinge, Dated July 31, 1650. …..”
witnessed by Robert Eyre and Simond , S.H. Hancocke.
Signed,( Richard Foster)
SOURCE: Abstracts of
Lower Norfolk County, Book B, p. 160
Note: We do not know who
this Benjamin Foster, who died in 1650, is or how or if he is related to
Richard Foster (A), (B) or (C). It now seems logical that the
Richard Foster that went to England in 1642 was Richard Foster (B) as we
see that he received a certificate for a land patent in 1650 for the transport
of himself, wife, Dorcas, and daughter, Dorcas, Jr. It is of little consequence;
however, as we have seen that Richard Foster (B) cannot be our immigrant.
The remaining entries in 1650 obviously involve Richard Foster (B), attorney
or Richard Foster (C). Who is this Mary Foster mentioned above?
April 15, 1651: Thomas Watkins received a certificate for land for paying the transportation of a Sussan Foster from England to Virginia. A Richard Foster payed for the transportation from England to Virginia, a Mary and Ellen Foster.
April 29, 1651: “Bartholomew Hoskins of Elizabeth River….Planter have freely given and delivered unto Henry Barlowe living in ye said river a cowe calf of a year old which he hath marked.” (Signed) Richard Foster (B)
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County, Book B, 178
June 1651, 1651: “To next Court” Richard Pinner agst Richard Foster to next court (this is all that is written.)
CERTIFICATE: to Richard Foster (B) for 250 acres for transportation of himself, Dorcas Foster, his wife, Dorcas Foster, his daughter, Richard Steete, and Henry Lewis.”
SOURCE: Abstracts of Lower Norfolk County Wills, p. 7
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County, Book B, p. 181
October 30, 1651: “Richard Foster (A) agst. Roger Williams (on) sic ordered that ye land in question be equally divided between sd Foster and the children of the wife of sd William (on) sic being orphans - by Richard Whitenshurst, Richard Foster (B), John Chandler, Henry Nicholls, Mr.s, sic John Sidney and William Mosely are requested to be there present and to be done by the 23 October 1651.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County, Book B, p.1881
October 30, 1651: Richard Foster ordered to pay unto John Martin 747 lbs. tobacco and caske with “forbarence and court charges.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County, Book B, p.188a
Same court October 23, 1651: “At a peticon (petition) of Richard Water. John Carroway ordered to pay his share of the debt due Richard Pinner as per order of the last court.”
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County, Book B, p.189a
“LEIFT THOMAS LAMBERT appointed collector for ye Eastern and Southern Branches in Elizabeth River from 104 tytheable psons at 65 p poll which amounts to……….
To MR. BARTHOLOMEW HOSKINS in full for Burgesses charges 1170
To Mr. Ffoster for killing one woolfe.” 0100
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, 2 November–15 January 1651/2, Walter, p. 200a
Note: These entries
and others which deal with legal matters in the year 1651 are assumed to
involve Richard Foster (B) as Richard Foster (A) is in England and Richard
Foster (C) is illiterate.
It is Richard Foster’s (A) fourth year in England. We have no knowledge
what he is doing there, if he is married, if he having children, etc.
July 5, 1652: Thomas Watkins
received land patent on Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Lower
Norfolk County for the transport of Sussan Foster from England to Virginia
SOURCE: Cavaliers and
Pioneers
Richard Foster: collector of tithables in Lower Norfolk County
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1651–1656, p.12
Notes: One would like
to say that the Sussan (Garnett?) Foster transported from England
to Virginia by Thomas Watkins was the wife of Richard Foster (A).
However, all we can really say is that which is stated. If she was
the wife of Richard, why is someone else paying her passage to Virginia?
Why is she leaving Richard in England? (as he has another year to live
there.) If she is the wife of Richard Foster (A), does she have children?
Were they left in England or transported? Who are Mary and Ellen
Foster transported from England to America by a Richard Foster? Are
these the children of Richard and Sussan Foster? If so, then why
are they leaving England on a separate ship than their mother? Ship manifests
do not give the ages of the passangers so we do not know if Mary and Ellen
are chidren or adults. All we can really say is that they are transported
by a Richard Foster that we cannot identify.
Richard Foster (A) is in his fifth and final year in England. In
Lower Norfolk County, Virginia a Richard Foster (B) is being called Captain
Richard Foster in some deeds and wills.
October 28, 1853/54: Deed.
Dated October 28, 1652, “Richard Foster sells Wm Warde 50 acres in Bennetts
Creek and adj. SW on land which did belong to William Est and now belongs
to John Stratton the son of John Stratton, and is part of land belonging
to James Sterling.”
(Signed)
Richard (X ) Foster
Wit. James Sterling
SOURCE: Virginia Colonial
Abstracts, Lower Norfolk County 1641–1654, p. 466
November 26, 1653: a Richard Foster received a land patent 250 acres in
Linnhaven Parish in Lower Norfolk County. Virginia at the head of the Broad
Creek runing s.s.w.near a swamp thence w.n.w. etc. for the transport of
himself, his wife, Dorcas, and his daughter, Dorcas, Jr.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
Wills and Deeds, Book C 1651-1656, p. 12a
The same year, 1653, Richard Foster is a member of the House of Burgesses
SOURCE: Journals of House
of Burgesses 1619-1659, pp. 33, 99, 415.
July 5, 1653: Thomas Watkins received 50 acres lying in the Eastern Branch
of the Elizabeth River……….(Patient Book 3, p.24) for the transport of Sussan
Foster
SOURCE: Cavaliers and
Pioneers, 1623–1666, Nugent, p. 239
Notes: If Richard Foster (A) is still in England in 1653, and we have no reason to believe that he is not, then the Captain Richard Foster who is a member of the House of Burgesses cannot be Richard Foster (A) as is believed by some Foster researchers.) Could he be the illiterate Richard Foster (C)? I don’t think so! Is he the son-in-law of Bartholomew Hoskins, Richard Foster (B)? Most likely he was. We see on November 26 that Richard Foster (B) received a land patent for the transport of himself, his wife, and daughter. When did they go to England? Did he marry Dorcas Hoskins in Virginia or in England? He wasn’t away from Virginia long enough to marry and have a daughter in England, so we must assum he married in Virginia and either had his daughter, Dorcas, Jr. in Virginia or in England (maybe he took his pregnant wife to England for better child birth care)?
SOURCE: Carroway-Foster-Williams (on) and Bartholomew Hoskins, 1601-1706, Watkins and Bristal/Bristol and America, Reprinted in 1967
March 25, 1653/54: A Richard Foster sold 50 acres on Bennetts Creek in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia. He signed with an “X”.
SOURCE: Virginia Colonia l Abstracts; Fleet, Vol. III, p 466
Richard Foster was called a Land Owner in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County Wills and Deeds 1651–1656, p.114
Richard Foster, Juror, Lower Norfolk County, Vriginia
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County Wills and Deeds 1651–1656, p.114
December 4, 1654, Edward Simpson received land, “300 acs. adjoining his land, Ashwell Battern and Leo. Chamberlaine on Pepetico Creek, HR: Robert Foster
SOURCE: Records of Colonial Gloucester County, Virginia, p. 67
Notes: Are we to assume
that the Richard Foster that signed his name with an “X” is either Richard
Foster (C) or a fourth Richard Foster (D) in Lower Norfolk County and must
then join the list of Richards who could be our immigrant? Now, since
we know that both Richard (A) and (B) are literate we have an urge to disregard
(C) and/or (D) as possible candidates – should we? We also
must assume that the Richard Foster who sailed from England to Virginia
was Richard Foster (A). Do we really know that? No, but likely
it was him. How who is this Robert Foster mentioned above?
April
1, 1655: A Richard Foster received a land patent on head of the Southard
Creek in Severne, in Mockjack Bay (Abbingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., Virginia.)
Source: Cavaliers and Pioneers
Book 5, p. 490
Land to Richard Foster,
“On the head of the southward creek in Severne R. of Mockjack Bay, on Coll:
Lundlows line. HR: Ellen Foster, Mary Foster, Sarah Davis, Robert
Bynam, Fran. Bignall. Land due for last. Renewal.”
SOURCE: Virginia Land
Patents of the Counties of Norfolk, Princess Anne, & Warwick, Books
O-G 1666-1679, Walters, p. 64
Records of Colonial Gloucester
County, Virginia, p. 67
Note: This entry is
most critical in determining our immigrant. Is Richard Foster (A)
selling his land in Lower Norfolk County and moving to Gloucester County
or is the Richard Foster living in Gloucester County an entirely new Richard
Foster (E)? It is interesting that George Ludlow must have known
both Richard Fosters in Lower Norfolk County and that he bought land in
Gloucester close to another Richard Foster. Are (A) and (E) the same?
It seems too concidental that ole George would known three Richard Fosters
in that day and time. Who knows? It is certainly possible and
doesn’t prove or disprove a thing. In addition, who are Ellen and
Mary Foster and who/which Richard Foster paid for their passage?
He lived on the head of the southward Creek in Severne River where we find
Richard Foster (C)
Richard Foster is a Member
of the House of Burgesses Jamestown
SOURCE: Journal of the
House of Burgesses 1619–1659, H.R: (Headright) McIlwayne, Ed., p. 99
Richard Foster appraised
an Estate in Lower Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1651–1656, p.146
Note: Again, it is
critical to identify the above Richard Fosters. It is most likely
that the Richard who is a member of the House of Burgesses is Richard Foster
(B). Did (B) also appraise the estate? We have no way of knowing
if these are the same Richards. If these are (A) and (B), then the
Richard Foster who patented land in Gloucester County is (E) and possibly
ours as we know that both John and Robert Foster (sons of our immigrant)
were “of Gloucester County”.)
Richard
Foster (B) member of the House of Burgesses from Lower Norfolk Co., VA
SOURCE: Journals of the
House of Burgesses 119-1659, p. 33
Richard Foster (B) called Capt Richard Foster was a member of the House
of Burgesses, Lower Norfolk County, Virginia.
SOURCE: The Statutes
at Large, Vol. 1, p. 414
Captain Richard Foster (B) Present at the General Assembly, Jamestown.
SOURCE: The Statutes
at Large, Henning, Vol.1, p. 414
Richard Foster (B), Commissioner (Justice of the Peace) in Lower Norfolk
County, Virginia.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1651–1656, pp. 1,42, 44, 557, 64, 170, and
225.
Richard Foster (B) Present in Court in Lower Norfolk County
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 165-1656, p. 217
Notes: Are we to assume
that these entries involve only Richard Foster (B). If so, where
is Richard Foster (A)? If we assume that both Richard Fosters participate
in the above entries, then the Richard Foster in Gloucester County is Richard
Foster (E).
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County Wills and Deeds 1656–1666, p.72
Richard Foster, High Sheriff of Lower Norfork County p. ?
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk County Wills and Deeds 1656–1666
Richard Foster, Commissioner (Justice of the Peace)
SOURCE Wills Lower Norfolk County and Deeds 1656–1666, p. 72
Note: This is critical!
Are both of these Richard Fosters (B) or is one of them Richard Foster
(A). If they are not the same then, our Richard (E) is probably on
his plantation in Gloucester County. If they are the same, then Richard
(A) could be the Richard on the plantation in Gloucester County.
Can the same man be Sheriff, High Sheriff, and Commisioner at the same
time or in the same year?
Richard Foster: Member of House of Burgesses
SOURCE: The General Assembly
of Virginia, 1619–1678
Richard Foster, Commissioner in Lower Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfollk
County Wills and Deeds, 1656–1666, p.197
Richard Foster petitioned the Court in Lower Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1656–1666, p. 70
Richard Foster, Commissioner in Lower Norfolk County; Judgement for Lower
Norfolk County.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1656–1666, pp.143, 147, 166, 183, 190, and 199
Richard Foster was nvolved in a Court Case.
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1656–1666, p.152
Richard Foster was a Member of the House of Burgesses
SOURCE: Journal
of the House of Burgess es
August 31, 1658: Land to Ralph Green, “On N side of York R., from Jones
Crk to creek dividing……………….HR:…….Geo.
Foster
SOURCE: Records of Colonial
Gloucester County, Virginia, p.67
Note: Again, are these
the same Richard Fosters? Who is this George Foster?
Richard Foster Commissioner
in Lower Norfolk County. Judgement for Lower Norfolk County
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1656–1666, p. 210, 223, 234
Richard Foster appraised
an estate in Lower Norfolk County
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
Wills and Deeds 1656-1666, p.217
Note: Are these the
same Richard Fosters or are they (A) and (B)?
Richard Foster, Commissioner,
Lower Norfolk County
SOURCE: Lower Norfolk
County Wills and Deeds 1556–1666, p. 264
“Margaret Foster and Richard
Foster, yeoman, bound to Thomas Willis, mariner, to serve 4 years in Virginia.”
SOURCE: The Complete
Book of Emigrants 1607–1660, Coldham, p. 463
Note: Here we have
another Richard Foster, however, can he be discounted from being our ancestor?
No records of significance could be found
March
18, 1662, Richard Foster (A) or (E) renewed his patent on the Southern
Creek on Mockjack Bay, Gloucester County.
March 18, 1662 Richard
Foster (B) renewed the patent on his land of 250 acres in Linhaven Parish,
Lower Norfolk Co., Virginia. Renewal of patent dated 25 November
1653
SOURCE: Cavaliers and
Pioneers, Patent Book 1, Part 1, p. 473
“Robert Coleman, 110 acs. Gloster “sic” March 18, 1662. On main branch
of Burnts Creek……..land runing N.W. by N. & to Richard Foster land
then ……………”.
SOURCE: Cavaliers and
Pioneers 1623–1666, p. 508
Note: A Richard Foster
renewed his patent on land on Southern Creek on Mockjack Bay in Gloucester
County, Virginia the same day that Richard Foster (A) was renewing his
patent on land in Linhaven Parish, Lower Norfolk County, Virginia.
Is there something significant about both patents being renewed on the
same day? Did they know each other? Were they kinfolk?
If the Richard Foster who patented land in Gloucester County was Richard
Foster (A) then the two men were brothers-in-law as Richard Foster (B)
is married to Richard Foster’s (A) half sister, Dorcas Hoskins. If
the Richard Foster who patented the land in Gloucester County is Richard
Foster (E) could not they still be kin even though we have no records to
indicate such? If they are not kin does it have any bearing on his
being our immigrant?
Richard
Foster (B) and his wife Dorcas Hoskins Foster of Lower Norfolk County moved
with Dorcas’ brother, Bartholomew Hoskins, Jr. to Albermarle County, North
Carolina (present day Carrituck County). Bartholomew Hoskins, Sr. is dead
by this time. This land in Old Albermarle County is just across the
state line adjacent to Lower Norfolk County. So they were not moving
far. They were in North Carolina on March 24, 1662/63.
Richard Foster (B),
son-in-law of Bartholomew Hoskins, was called Major Foster in North Carolina.
He was a Councilman in Albermarle County.
SOURCE: Old Albermarle
County, North Carolina Miscellaneous Records 1678 – 1737, Weynette Parks
Haun
April
22, 1663: ‘Endoresed September 7, 1683 – an Indenture made 22 April 1663
between Thomas Willoughby, Lemuell Mason and Richard Foster in Lower Norfolk
County…..we the said partyes Covneated, concluded and agree with the other
mutually that we will settle a plantation to the southward upon a certaine
tract of land which goes by the name of WHITE’s ISLAND and another piece
of land right over the western end of the afsd Whites Island (inniconed?)
which marsh called WALNUT NECK wherein each of us have an equal share and
proportionable Right and….?….proportionable charge boath for building and
stock boath in Catl & hoggs for profitt and cost till such time as
it bee further concluded between.”
Us……………….
Wit: Richard Thompson
Tho. Willoughby
Warner Eth….?… Lem Mason
Richard Foster
No records of significance
are found in Lower Norfolk County Records or Gloucester (what there is
of them.)
March
18, 1672/73: On swamp dividing this land of Daniel Clark and Richard Foster.
SOURCE: Records of Colonial
Gloucester County, Virginia; Mason, p. 34
October 28, 1672: “Bartholomew Williamson (son of Ann Foster Williamson
Carroway, sister of Richard Foster (A) received land of Robert Foster that
is escheat.”
SOURCE: Cavaliers and
Pioneers, Nugent
There could be found no significant records in Lower Norfolk County.
Note: If this is the
Robert Foster of the 1635 Safety, could it then signify a relationship
between Richard, Robert, and Elizabeth – brothers and sister? This
leaves us little doubt that the Captain Richard Foster of Lower Norfolk
County is the Major Richard Foster that we fine in Old Albemarle Co., North
Carolina.
1678
In Kingston Parish, Gloucester
County, Virginia there is land patented by a Mr. Deggs which adjoins the
land of a James Foster
SOURCE: Cavaliers
and Pioneers Book 6, p. 658
Note: It has been suggested
that this James Foster is the father of Robert, John, and Richard Foster.
However there is no reason to believe that he is. There is also no evidence
that he is the son of Richard Foster, immigrant (which he probably is.)
He patented land across the bay from Richard Foster.
1683
September 7, 1683: “Coll Richard Foster before us acknowledge the within writtne to be his voluntary act and deed, butt as to the hoggs therein menconed there is none in the island but that belongs paticularly to Coll. Foster and what Catls belong to Coll Mason & Major Willoughby’s Ayers (ears) are marked with a piece cut in the upper part of the left ear. The produce of which catte…….?………. to be soo marked for their use Coll Lemuell Mason…?…acknowledge the within writing as his ect. & Ceed (?)
Note: Now, who is the
Coll. Richard Foster and what does Coll. stand for? Is he a new Richard
(F) or is it Richard Foster (A) who is still in Lower Norfolk County.
If so, then Richard Foster (E) is the Richard in Gloucester County.
What do you think?
Richard Foster is found on
the Rent Rolls of 1704 as being in Abbingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., Virginia
James Foster is found
on the Rent Rolls as being in Kingston Parish, across from Mockjack Bay.
Also on the 1704 Rent
Rolls we find Robert and John Foster, sons of the immigrant in Essex County.
Note: If this is the same James Foster that some think is the father of Robert, John, Richard, and James Foster (?), he would certainly be an old man. This is probably James Foster, son of Robert Foster, who is the son of our immigrant
Note: If this is
Richard Foster, son of our immigrant Foster then he is ca. 85. It
is more likely that this is Richard Foster, Jr. son of Richard Foster,
Sr. that we alluded to earlier.
There seems to be four significant Richard Fosters in Lower Norfolk County,
Virginia during the critical period for determining our immigrant, Richard
Foster. Two of these are illiterate. Can they be eliminated?
Yes?, No? Why? I do think that we can eliminate Richard Foser (B)
as he is clearly the son-in-law of Bartholomew and Dorcas Foster Hoskins
and it is he who was a member of the House of Burgesses in Lower Norfolk
County. It is also this Richard Foster who was, Commissioner- ---
sheriff, I don’t know! Could it be that Richard Foster (A) was our
immigrant? If so, he would have married (Sussan Garnett, we are told),
gone to England for five years and, we assume sired babies in Virginia
and in England. We find no transport records of the known children of our
immigrant, i.e., Richard, Robert, and John. He could have had them
in Virginia, of course. Who are Mary and Ellen Foster transported by a
Richard Foster? Are they daughters of our immigrant? After Richard
Foster (A) returned from England he and his family would have moved to
Gloucester County and continued their lives and raised their families.
Both died on this plantation? How many children did they have? We do not
know. Robert, Richard, John, James and most certainly some daughters.
Our immigrant, Richard Foster may have never lived in Lower Norfolk County,
Virginia. He could be Richard Foster (E) who patented the land in
Gloucester County, Virginia after arriving in Virginia, a date of which
we do not know.
Since Richard Foster (E) is a viable choice for our immigrant we must turn
our attention to him and trace his immigration and migration, if possible.
When and at what age Richard Foster (E) immigrated to Virginia, we do not
know. It is through his association with other families that we get
a sense of his age. It was quite common in colonial days and in the
days of the great migration from Virginia that families lived in close
proximity with close friends and/or relatives. We find this is true
with the Fosters, Colemans, and Garnetts. Consider the following.
Robert Coleman was named as head right in a grant to Thomas Symons, by
grant dated, March 2, 1638.
SOURCE: Gloucester County
Patent Book I, Part II, p. 830.
It is established
that Robert Coleman was settled in Gloucester County in 1658, for by deed
dated August 2, 1658, Francis Carpenter conveyed a tract of land in Weastmorland
County to “Robert Coleman of Monjack, sic Gloucester County” Thereafter
he acquired by grant a tract of land on Burnt Creek in Gloucester County,
adjoining Daniel Clark, Richard Foster and another development of his own.
The grant is dated March 18, 1662.
SOURCE: Westmoreland
County Deed and Will Book 1, p. 830 and Patent Book 5, p. 352
March 18, 1672: Robert
Coleman land: “On a swamp dividing this land of Daniel Clark & Richard
Foster.”
SOURCE: Cavaliers and
Pioneers, p. 508
Consider
the following: Richard Foster and Robert Coleman had lived as near neighbors
for a decade. It is likely to assume they were friends and probably
went to the same church. There is no evidence for this, of course.
Calculations and a leap of faith have Richard Foster being born ca. 1620.
Robert Coleman’s death as been calculated to be ca 1680, then his birth
date could be close to that of Richard Foster. If so he was 60 years
old when he died. I believe that Robert Coleman and Richard Foster
were near in age with Robert Coleman being a little older (don’t ask me
why I just have a feeling). We know by 1692 that Robert Coleman, Sr. is
dead and most likely Richard Foster. If he was still alive he would
have been 72 years old. I believe that Richard Foster was either
dead by1692 or he moved with his sons, Robert, and John from Gloucester
County to Essex County by 1692.
September
7, 1692: DEED – John Baker to Robert Foster – 1672; John Baker of Kingston
Parish, Gloucester County sold to Robert Foster of same Parish and County,
200 acres (part of Button’s Range). This tells us that Robert
Foster moved to Gloucester County earlier than September 1692 as he is
said to be “of same Parish and County” as John Baker which is Kingston
Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia. There is a similar deed for
John Foster, Robert’s brother. Also in 1692 we find: POWER OF ATTORNEY
– Robert Yard to Robert Coleman (this has to be Junior) – Robert Yard of
Gloucester County appoints Robert Coleman of Essex County his true and
lawful Attorney.
SOURCE: Records of Colonial
Gloucester County; Mason, p. 143
We see from these documents that both of the Foster brother and Robert
Coleman, Jr. have moved from Gloucester County to Essex County. It
seems most likely that the fathers, Richard Foster and Robert Coleman,
Sr. were friends. Certainly their sons, Robert Coleman, Jr. and Robert
and John Foster were. They all have removed from Gloucester County
to Essex at approximately the same time. Robert Coleman, Jr. died
in 1713 and Robert Foster died in 1716.
Another family that we find in close association with this Richard Foster
was the Garnett family. Thomas Garnett was the first of his line
to come to Virginia. He was an ancient planter that survived the
Indian massacre in 1622 and was present for the first muster in 1623.
Present, also were: his wife, Elizabeth, and their three year old daughter,
Sussan. Tradition has our immigrant marrying into this Garnett family while
in Gloucester County. Thomas had patented 200 acres of land for the
transport of four persons (we do not know who they were). We do not hear
from this family again in the patent and wills book of Gloucester County,
which are available. Most of the books of Gloucester County were
burned during the Civil War.
It has been accepted
by most Foster researchers that Robert Foster, son of Richard and Sussan
Garnett Foster married an Elizabeth Garnett. In his will of 1715/16
he names his wife, Elizabeth (no family name) and even though he wills
the plantation on which he lives, to his first son, Robert Foster,
Jr., he provides for Elizabeth, Robert Jr’s mother, to remain on the plantation.
Thomas, Sr. another son of Robert Foster acknowledges that the Elizabeth
in the will was his mother. He gave his mother, who was now married to
Robert Charlesworth and living on his land, a gift of deed to the land
on which they were then living. In the deed he states that Elizabeth
was his mother. I mention this as there are so many researchers still using
the wife (Sara Biggs) given Robert Foster, Sr. by Mrs. Lane in her research.
I have found no documentation that he married a Sarah Biggs, or even Elizabeth
Garnett. However, he had a better chance of marrying a Garnett in
Gloucester County than in Lower Norfolk County. There were Biggs
in Gloucester County at the same time as there were Garnetts. Read
the will of Robert Foster, Sr. carefully – it is most difficult.
The Garnetts of Virginia do not recognize Thomas Garnett as their ancestor
or even a close relation. They state, “The earliest Garnett from
whom descent at this time can be traced is John Garnett to whom under date
of April 16, 1673 the governor, Thomas Lord Culpeper, issued a grant of
260 acres of land lying on the sourth side of Garden Creek in Gloucester
County, between lands of John Smither and John Diggs.”
SOURCE: Gloucester County
Record Book 7, p. 239
John Garnett had two
sons that lived to maturity, John, Jr. and Thomas. Anthony died while
still young.
John Garnett, Jr.
the eldest son of John Garnett, Sr. lived in Kingston Parish, Gloucester
County, Virginia. Shortly after the birth of his first son, James
in 1692, he moved to St. Anne’s Parish, in Essex County, where we find
his name as a witness to deeds in 1703 and 1710. The land that he
bought was a part of Button’s Range and was adjacent to the 200 acres each
bought by Robert and John Foster, brothers. Button’s Range was subdivided
in 1789. John Garnett and the Foster brothers bought their land in
1692 (some say that John Foster bought his in 1709 and is not even a brother.)
SOURCE: Gloucester Records
from Other Virginia Counties, pp.?
SOURCE: Essex Deed Book
No. 14, p. 109
Thomas Garnett, of
St Anne’s Parish, Essex, planter, is described as “one of the sons and
devisees of John Garnett late of the Parish of Kingston in the County of
Gloucester”.
SOURCE: Essex Deed Book
No. 13, p. 225
We now have the sons
of Richard Foster, the sons of John Garnett, and the son of Robert Coleman,
Sr. all moving to Essex County, Virginia at about the same time, 1692.
For two generations the Foster, Garnetts, and Colemans had been close friends.
June 8, 1709: “Bond
of Thomas Garnett of St. Anne’s Parish, Essex County, to John Foster of
same, planter. For 7000 pounds of tobacco. To fulfill conditions
of deed. Signed (Thomas Garnett)”
SOURCE: Essex County
Records, 1717 – 1731, Dorman, p?
February 13, 1719:
“John Foster, Jr. of St. Anne’s Parish, Essex County to Robert Charlesworth
of same. For 4000 pounds of tobacco. 125 acres in said Parish on
south side of Gilson’s Run…..Corner tree of John Foster….bequeathed unto
the said John Foster by the last will of Robert Foster, Sr. dec’d and is
part of 200 acres purchased by the said Robert Foster off Mr. John Baker,
dec., out of a tract commonly known by the name of Button’s Range.”
Robert Charlesworth, you will remember, married Elizabeth Foster after
the death of her husband, Robert in 1715/16.
SOURCE: Essex County
Records, 1717 – 1731, Dorman, pp. 156-59
May 20, 1720: “John
Ridgdails of St. Anne’s Parish, Essex County, to Robert Foster of same.
For 850 pounds of tobacco.” This is Robert Foster, Jr. as his father,
Robert Foster, Sr. died in 1715/16
1741: Thomas Foster,
son of John, son of Robert and (Sussan Garnett?) married Ann Garnett,
daughter of Thomas Garnett (son of John, the immigrant) and Elizabeth
Muscoe
May 13, 1743: “It
is ordered Robert Coleman, Jr. be overseer of road from the County line
by Wm. Riddle’s to the fork of the road by Jno. Beasley’s and the Church
road to the Church bridge and half the bridge from thence unto the road
down the creek to the county line. Andrew Lyons, Harry Annomy, Charles
Hart, Rowld, Thomas, Robert Foster, Robert Coleman…….”
SOURCE: Virginia County
Records, Vol.1; Crozier. P.178
June 4, 1745: Robert
Coleman and Sarah, his wife of St. George Parish, Spotsylvnia County, Virginia
to Thomas Foster, Surgeon of Parish and County afsd L50 curr. 400 acres.
(Signed) A(nthony) Foster, John Gordon, Jno Parish.” Anthony, Thomas, and
John Foster are sons of Robert Foster, and granndsons of the immigrant.
SOURCE: Virginia County
Records, Vol. 1; Crozier. P. 297?
1760: Anthony Foster,
Jr. son of Anthony Foster and Martha (Taliaferro?), son of Robert and Elizabeth
(Garnett?) married in Fairfax County, Virginia to Rose Coleman.
We could go on and
on, but we see that there was a close relationship between the Foster,
Coleman, and Garnett family. They married each other, they moved
with each other. One researched suggested that our Richard Foster,
our immigrant, was one of the headrights of the first Thomas Garnett.
He certainly would have been acquainted with Sussan Garnett. However
this is simply speculation.
I hope I have not left you completely confused. You must read and reread this treatis and then come up with the answer to our “Elusive Immigrant”.
Dr. B.G.”Bill” Foster
2130 Santa Fe Trail
Tyler, TX 75703
(903) 839-1036
bfoster@prodigy.net
or
tehg75a@prodigy.com
