This part has NOT been proven
-------Contact: claudia FORSYTH <katclau@cybertrails.com>
rogers/edwardsID: I123
Name: Harry BEVERELY
Given Name: Harry
Surname: Beverely
Sex: M
Birth: 1669 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Death: 30 Nov 1730 in St. George Psh.,Spottsylvania,Virginia
Burial: 1730
LDS Baptism: 4 Nov 1933
Endowment: 30 Oct 1934
Ancestral File #: 8RJK-CQ
Change Date: 14 Apr 1998 at 08:58:48
PEDI: birthFather: Robert BEVERLEY b: 1647 in ,Yorkshire,Eng
Mother: Margaret BOYD b: 1 Mar 1637 in of,Hull,Yorkshire,EnglandMarriage 1 Elizabeth SMITH b: 1678 in Brandon,Middlesex,Virginia
Married: Abt 1695 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Sealing Spouse: 3 Feb 1965 in LANGE
Children
Elizabeth BEVERLEY birth b: 9 Nov 1697 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Mary BEVERELY birth b: 11 Nov 1699 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Robert BEVERELY birth b: 6 Nov 1701 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Margaret BEVERLEY birth b: 27 May 1704 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Susanna BEVERLEY birth b: 15 Nov 1706 in Christ Church Parish,,Middlesex,Va
Catherine BEVERELY birth b: 17 Dec 1708 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Judith BEVERLY birth b: 25 Oct 1710 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Peter BEVERLEY birth b: 2 Jul 1712 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Agatha BEVERLEY birth b: 22 Sep 1716 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Ann BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1718 in ,of Middlesex,Va
Lucy BEVERLEY birth b: 3 Jul 1720 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Catherine BEVERLEY birth b: 17 Dec 1708 in ,Middlesex,VaThis is NOT yet proven
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara June Ballard-Leedahl
Contact: Barbara Leedahl <barbron@inlink.com>ID: I69605005
Name: Harry BEVERLEY
Given Name: Harry
Surname: Beverley
Sex: M
Birth: 1669 in Middlesex County, VA
Death: 30 Nov 1730 in "Newlands", Spotsylvania, VA
Note:
Alias: Capt. Harry /Beverley/
CAPTAIN HARRY BEVERLEY, of "Newlands", married Elizabeth Smith (only
child and heiress of Robert Smith of Brandon) about 1696, and to them
were born ten children. Elizabeth Beverley was baptized 9 Nov. 1697, and
died between 19 Apr and 7 July 1747. (THE BEVERLEY FAMILY of VIRGINIA by
John McGill) Will dated 11-30-1730, proved 2-12-1731. Harry Beverley,
father of SUSANNA, moved to Spotsylvania 1720. He was a son of MAJ.
ROBERT BEVERLEY, a native of Yorkshire, who emigrated to Virginia, 1663,
and settled in Middlesex, where he was Justice and elected Clerk of the
House of Burgesses, 1670, and soon became a leader in the colony. (See
notes on Major Robert Beverley.)
Captain Harry Beverly of "Newlands," Spotsylvania Co, was the third son
of MAJOR ROBERT BEVERLEY, the immigrant, was a Magistrate in Middlesex
Co., 1702; Surveyor of King and Queen and King William Co. 1702-14;
assisted in surveying the Virginia-North Carolina boundary line. About
1720,
he removed to Spotsylvania Co., where for a number of years he was
Presiding Justice of the Spotsylvania County Court. He was also Clerk of
the House of Burgesses, and surveyed and laid off the Town of
Tappahannock in 1706, giving the town the names of its streets: Queen,
Church Lane, Water Lane, Marsh, Duke, Prince and Earl. (The ambitious
design did not spark immediate development, but the plan guided
Tappahannock to orderly growth for the next two centuries. Source:
Slaughter, History of Essex Co.) He patented 2,700 acres known as
"Portobago" in Essex County, which had been owned earlier by his wife's
grandfather Major General Robert Smith of Middlesex. He also owned 1,017
acres which the Upshaw family acquired in 1699. Capt. Beverley owned
land amounting to about 32,000 acres in several counties.
His title of Captain derives from the fact that Governor Spotswood sent
him on the sloop, "The Virgin" as it's Commander to acquire gold from
Spanish ship wrecks.
"In the summer of 1716, Governor Spotswood fitted out a sloop named THE
VIRGIN, which he put under the command of Harry Beverley (hence his title
of Captain), with instructions to go to the Bahamas and the Isle of
Providence in quest of Pirates, Spanish wrecks, etc. The Governor sent a
copy of the instructions to Beverley, which were dated June 5, to the
English authorities. The day after sailing 'she was surprised with a
violent hurricane and drove as far eastward as Bermuda On the 5th day,
the sloop was taken by a Spanish man-of-war (though the countries were at
peace), rifled and the men striped, abused and made prisoners. Captain
Beverley wrote from St. Domingo that he had petitioned for a trial, but
had been refused, and that all he had to expect was that he and his men
would be sent to the mines. He and his crew were taken to Vera Cruz,
where a trial was still refused, and no subsistence was allowed him or
his men, but what the Assiento factory (the English agency under the
Assiento treaty) bestowed out of charity. Several men perished for want
of necessities, and many of them reduced to beg about the street till
they could find an opportunity of getting off. After seven months
imprisonment, Beverley escaped and reached Virginia shortly before
August. 1717 (Spotswood Letters II, 245, 250, 259, and Sainsbury
Abstracts). Though ostensibly the chief object of this voyage was to
obtain information in regard to the pirates or to attack them, yet it
seems probable that 'Spanish wrecks' are mentioned in the instructions to
Beverley. Mrs. Elizabeth Churchill, in her will dated November 9, 1716,
provides that if Mr. Harry Beverley brings back any money or other
returns from the wrecks, her share should go to certain of her
grandchildren (Middlesex Records). (THE BEVERLEY FAMILY OF VIRGINA by
John McGill)Capt. Harry Beverley died at his plantation "Newlands" in Spotsylvania Co. in 1730. He and his wife Elizabeth (Smith) Beverley were the ancestors of several generations of Beverleys who lived at "Newlands." They were also the ancestors of many families in this section of Virginia--Roys of Caroline, King and Queen and Essex Co.: Birds of Kind and Queen Co.; Hoskins of King and Queen Co. and Essex Co.; Taloes of Mt. Airy, Richmond Co.: Chinns and Downmans of the Northern Neck; Suttons of King and Queen Co.; Montagues of Middlesex, Saunders of Middlesex and Essex Co.; and WINSLOWS (through daughter Susanna who married BENJAMIN WINSLOW) of Virginia, Missouri, Texas, and other descendants throughout the nation.
Witness to Will: John Gordon, John Henderson, William Chapman, Thomas Sellars. Executor was son Robert Beverley. "Leg. daughter Elizabeth Stanard, the lower part of my tract of land on the River Tappahannock, in Spotsylvania Co., that lies below the branch that is next to Col. John Robinson's bridge; daughter Mary, the residue of above tract; daughter Margaret; daughter Susanna; daughter Catherine; daughter Judith, 1000 acres adjoining the land I sold to Andrew Harrison; daughter Agatha; son Robert, balance of lands not disposed of." (Will Book A 1722-1749, p. 119. Source: Crozier, "Virginia County Records, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, p. 2)
Note of interest regarding The Octonia Grant by Ulysses P. Joyner, Jr., in his book "Joyner: The First Settlers of Orange County, Virginia": To the west of the Baylor tract lies the "Octonia Grant" containing 24,000 acres and extending along the south bank of the Rapidan from Laurel Run, just north of the Town of Orange, to Stanardsville in present day Greene County. This truly unique and beautiful tract of land was originally patented to the "Octonia Company" composed of eight Spotswood associates: Harry Beverley, John Robinson, Christopher Robinson, Bartholomew Yates, Lewis Ltane, William Stannard, Jeremiah Clowder, and Edwin Thacker. Many, if not all, of these gentlemen accompanied Spotswood in 1716 on his trek over the Blue Ridge which passed through the "Octonia Grant." The original grant was recorded in 1722. As happened so often, however, the original grant lapsed and the entire tract was repatented to Robert Beverley, the son of Captain Harry Beverley, in 1729. A full discussion of the "Octonia Grant" is not possible here, but the reader is referred to an excellent work by J. Randolph Grymes entitled: The Octonia Grant, published in 1977."
(NOTE: In about 1992, I was in Virginia and had a wonderful discussion about the Beverleys and Winslows with Mr. Grymes. He came down to the Orange County Historical Society to meet with me.)
Father: Robert BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1641 in Beverley, Yorkshire, Eng.
Mother: Mary KEEBLE b: 1 Mar 1637 in Hull, Eng.Marriage 1 Elizabeth SMITH b: 1678 in Of "Brandon", Middlesex Co., VA
Married: Abt. 1695 in Middlesex, VA
Children
Elizabeth BEVERLEY b: 9 Nov 1697 in Christ Church, Middlesex, VA
Mary BEVERLEY b: 11 Nov 1699 in "newlands", Spotsylvania Co., VA
Robert BEVERLEY b: 6 Nov 1701 in Christ Church Parish,Middlesex, VA
Margaret BEVERLEY b: 27 May 1704 in Middlesex Co., VA
Susanna BEVERLEY b: 15 Nov 1706 in Christ's Church Parish, Middlesex, VA
Catherine BEVERLY b: 17 Dec 1708 in Middlesex, VA
Judith BEVERLEY b: 25 Oct 1710 in Middlesex, VA
Peter BEVERLEY b: 2 Jul 1712 in Middlesex, VA
Agatha BEVERLEY b: 22 Sep 1716 in Middlesex, VA
Lucy BEVERLEY b: 3 Jul 1720 in Middlesex, VA
This is NOT yet proven
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara June Ballard-Leedahl
Contact: Barbara Leedahl <barbron@inlink.com>ID: I69605010
Name: Mary KEEBLE
Given Name: Mary
Surname: Keeble
Sex: F
Birth: 1 Mar 1637 in Hull, Eng. 1 2
Death: 1 Jun 1678 in Middlesex, VA 1 2
Note:
Alias: Mrs. Mary /Keeble/
"MIDDLESEX CO., VA in the 17th Century: On a sandy peninsula between
tidewater Virginia's Rappahannock and Piankatank river lies Middlesex
County, carved in 1668 out of sprawling Lancaster County. In the late
1640's, families had begun appropriating land here. Settlement was well
under way by February 1651, when little Richard Perrott became 'the first
Man Child that was gott and born in Rappahannock River of English
parents'. Richard's parents, like all the 83 families residing in
Middlesex by 1668, lived on isolated 'plantations' that raised corn and
live-stock for food and tobacco for sale.
"These 83 families comprised 513 free people. They accounted for roughly
half the county's residents and owned the other half of the population:
334 English indentured servants (mostly males aged 15-25) and 65 blacks
brought from the West Indies. Servants and slaves were as much the head
of household's responsibility as children. Blacks' conditions of
servitude were still fluid, although a trend toward lifetime bondage had
begun. Servants typically owed between four and twelve years' service,
and half of those with four or more years to go would not live to enjoy
freedom. Their lot was hard, but their labor essential. Each
hoe-wielding laborer could cultivate two to three acres of tobacco
plants, and owners could increase input only by adding to their labor
force. Because planters such as Peter Montague faced "the whole lost of
the...Cropp" when a servant ran away at the height of the season, unfree
workers had some bargaining leverage.
"Death lurked everywhere. On average, adult men and women died at ages
48 and 39 respectively--a life expectancy of fifteen years less than that
of New Englanders. Thirty percent of all children under 18 lost both
parents. The appearance of a highly lethal strain of malaria (which
coincided with increasing imports of African-born slaves after 1680) kept
death rates high.
"The prevalence of early death produced complex households in which
stepparents might raise children with two or three different surnames.
MARY KEEBLE (George Keeble's wife) bore seven children before being
widowed at age 29, whereupon she immediately became ROBERT BEVERLEY's
wife. MARY died in 1678 at age 41, after having five children by
BEVERLEY, who then married Katherine Hone, a widow with one child. Upon
Beverley's death in 1687, Katherine quickly wed Christopher Robinson, who
had just lost his wife and needed a mother for his four children.
CHRISTOPHER and KATHERINE's household included children named Keeble,
Beverley, Hone, and Robinson. This tangled chain of six marriages among
seven people eventually produced twenty-five children who lived at least
part of their lives with one or more stepparents.
"For a sense of belonging, residents relied primarily on kin networks.
Twice monthly, however, they could gather in the parish church for a
short sermon, communion, and a chance to gossip, trade news, and sell
livestock--always using tobacco as the medium of exchange. Monthly court
sessions, likewise, brought people together to resolve disputes and see
the county's prominent men installed in the petty local offices that
helped define their status. (The Enduring Vision, A History of the
American People, p. 75a (1990)
"p. 75b: CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON arrived in Virginia from England about
1666, and built this stately brick home in 1678. Robinson, who served
two terms in the Virginia House of Burgesses, was named England's
secretary of foreign plantations in 1692, but he died the following
year." (Source: View Hewick at: http://www.hewick.com/ A PLACE IN
TIME; Middlesex Co., VA in the 17th Century.)
Mary Keeble appears to have born a CARTER.
Marriage 1 George KEEBLEMarriage 2 Robert BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1641 in Beverley, Yorkshire, Eng.
Married: 1 Apr 1666
Children
Harry BEVERLEY b: 1669 in Middlesex County, VA
Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1668 in Middlesex, VA
Robert, Jr. BEVERLEY b: 1673 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Mary BEVERLEY b: Jun 1678 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VASources:
Title: bjb.FTW
Repository:
Title: bjba.FTW
Repository:
this part NOT yet proven---------
Contact: claudia FORSYTH <katclau@cybertrails.com>
rogers/edwardsID: I136
Name: Robert BEVERLEY
Given Name: Robert
Surname: Beverley
Sex: M
Birth: 1647 in ,Yorkshire,Eng
Christening: 17 Feb 1647 Aberford,Yorkshire,England 1 2
Death: 15 Mar 1687 in Jamestown,Middlsex,Va
Burial: 19 Mar 1687 Jamestown,Middlesex,Va
LDS Baptism: 9 Oct 1937
Endowment: 27 Jan 1938
Ancestral File #: 8MZ6-KB
Change Date: 14 Apr 1998 at 10:16:57
Note: Ancestral File birth\christening date: 5 jan 1643\45, St. Mary's Lowgate, Hull, York, England.
PEDI: birth
Sealing Child: 22 May 1969 Temple: LOGANFather: Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt 1610 in Hull,York,England
Mother: Susanna HOLLIS b: 1613 in Hull,Yorkshire,EnglandMarriage 1 Margaret BOYD b: 1 Mar 1637 in of,Hull,Yorkshire,England
Married: Abt 1666 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
Children
Peter BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1667 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
Harry BEVERELY birth b: 1669 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Robert BEVERLEY birth b: 1673 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Mary BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1677 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
William BEVERLEY birth b: Jan 1680 in ,Middlesex,Va
John BEVERLEY birth b: Jan 1680 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Thomas BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1682 in <,Middlesex,Virginia>
Catherine BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1686 in <,Middlesex,Virginia>
Christopher BEVERLEY birth b: 19 Feb 1686 in ,Middlesex,VirginiaMarriage 2 Catherine ARMISTEAD
Married: 28 Mar 1679 in ,Middlex,VaSources:
Author: L D S Church
Title: Igi
Author: Genealogical Pub Co
Title: Virginia Will Records
Repository:
Name: Snowflake Family History Center
Snowflake, Az 85937Call Number: US Va 5213
This is NOT yet proven
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara June Ballard-Leedahl
Contact: Barbara Leedahl <barbron@inlink.com>ID: I69605009
Name: Robert BEVERLEY
Given Name: Robert
Surname: Beverley
Sex: M
Birth: Abt. 1641 in Beverley, Yorkshire, Eng.
Death: 15 Mar 1687 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Title: Major
Christening: Bet. 5 Jan 1643 - 1645 St. Mary Logate, Hull, Yorkshire, England
Burial: 19 Mar 1687 Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Emigration: 1663 Jamestown, VA from Yorkshire, Eng.
Occupation: 1670 Clerk of the House of Burgesses, Middlesex Co., VA
Occupation: 1673 JUSTICE of Middlesex Co., VA
Note:
ROBERT BEVERLEY, the Immigrant, (of Middlesex) became known in Virginia
history as "Major" , and was probably the son of Peter Beverley, of the
City of Hull and his wife Susannah Hollis. He came to Virginia in 1663
and settled in Middlesex County. It is obvious that he had acquired a
good education for he was a lawyer and a surveyor. (Source: ESSEX
COUNTY HISTORICAL, ESSEX COUNTY BICENTENNIAL, Tappahannock, Virginia,
article from Vol II, dated May 1977, titled "Major Robert Beverley and
His Three Sons: Peter, Robert and Harry." (Death date varies re files
of Richard Peltway Winslow stated 1687.) At the time of his death,
through patents and purchase, he had become the largest landowner to that
date in Virginia, over 38,000 acres of land. (Ref: Above mentioned
article.)
"John Beverley, of England, adhered to Charles I, and at the Restoration
his name appears in the list of those on whom it was intended to confer
the Order of the Royal Oak. Maj. Robert Beverley (d. 1686),
Lawyer; settled in Lancaster Co., VA; Justice, 1673; clerk House of
Burgesses, 1670; married first, Mary
Koeble (Keeble), widow (d. 1678). Capt. Harry Beverley (1669-1731), his
son was justice, Middlesex Co. 1700, surveyor King and Queen and King
William counties, 1702-14; burgess, 1705-06; commanded the "Virgin",
1716, which was captured by the Spanish man-of-war; he escaped and came
to VA 1717; was presiding Justice Spotsylvania Co., ca 1720; married ca
1700, Elizabeth Smith." (Family Group Records of Mary Ruth C. Spencer,
Carmel, CA.)
"Robert Beverley, who subsequently became known as MAJOR BEVERLEY, came
to Virginia in 1663. There is no doubt about the date because he wrote
in the plea he hoped to make in court in 1683, "My abode in this country
hath now been twenty years", (See Henings Statutes, Vol. II, p. 559.) He
settled in Middlesex County about twenty miles from Jamestown and soon
became prominent in the colony. He must have had a good education
because in addition to growing tobacco, he was a lawyer and a surveyor.
He further said in his plea, "From the year 1668 to the year 1676, I
served his Majesty in military and civil offices of trust with fidelity
and approbation". He was elected Clerk of the House of Burgesses in 1670
and 1673, he was a Justice of Middlesex County. (See VIRGINIA HISTORICAL
MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p. 405.)
The following chapter on MAJOR ROBERT BEVERLEY is taken from THE BEVERLEY
FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, by John McGill, Dec. 1951):
"Whether or not he had done any military service against the Indians or
in colony prior to the Bacon Rebellion is not known but he acquired the
title of Major in that controversy and showed marked qualities of
leadership and decision.
"This not the place to argue the rights or wrongs of the Bacon
Rebellion. As in most such matters, there was probably some right on
both sides. From the outset, Robert Beverley was a hearty supporter of
Governor Berkeley and Bacon named him in his proclamations as one of the
"wicked and pernicious councellors aiders and assistors (of Berkeley)
against the Commonality in these our Cruell Commotions". (See VIRGINIA
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p. 405.)
"It will be recalled that Nathaniel Bacon was a young man of
unquestionably great qualities as a leader and orator who after only
about a year of residence in the colony, led an expedition against the
Indians, defeated them, and then quarreled with Governor Berkeley and
defeated him and burned Jamestown, and died of fever a few days
thereafter. When Jamestown was burned, Governor Berkeley with such
forces as he had, fled to the Eastern Shore, Accomack and Northampton
Counties.
"Whether or not Robert Beverley had any part as a leader while Bacon was alive is not known. If so, neither he nor any other of the Berkeley men were able to make head against him. But after Bacon's death, Major Beverley was sent back from the Eastern Shore with a command and was very active and successful in suppressing the insurgents. On the 13th of November, 1676, Governor Berkeley gave him a commission appointing him Commander of all his (Berkeley's) forces. It begins: Whereas by many frequent and successful services to his Sacred Majesty, this country and me, his Majestie's Governor of it; Major Robert Beverley hath approved himself to be most Loyal, circumspect and courageous in his Majestie's service for the good of his country, and the suppressing of this late horrid Rebellion began by Bacon, and continued since his death by Ingram. Lawrence, Hansord and others, the last of which he, the said Robert Beverley, with courage and admirable conduct, never to be forgotten, this day brought to me." (Hening Vol. III, p. 567.)"At that time, Major Beverley was operating with a little band of about forty men and with these he captured the opposing leaders, Hansford, Harris, Wilsford and others and their bands.
"When the rebellion was over, the bitterness stirred up by it continued. King Charles had sent over Commissioners with Governor Jeffreys to take the place of Governor Berkeley and these arrived in Virginia after the rebellion was over.
Governor Berkeley had undoubtedly been very cruel and ruthless in his treatment of the followers of Bacon and the bitterness of the feeling toward him and toward his chief commander, Robert Beverley, was intense. He appointed Beverley a Member of Council which was a great honor in the colony, and the Burgesses elected him their Clerk, but like very many men before and since, he was destined to find political office no bed of roses. Largely through Major Beverley's influence, the House of Burgesses supported the old Governor, and the Commissioners and the new Governor Jeffreys were soon in violent opposition to Governor Berkeley, who went to England to answer charges against him.
"The many charges, arrests, and counter charges relating to Major Beverley are not here set out. They may be found in Mr. Stanard's well documented article on Major Beverley and his descendants in the VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p.405, et seq. Therein Mr. Stanard says, "Beverley, Ludwell, Ballard and others maintained after his (Gov. Berkeley's) death, a contest for the lawful independence of
the colony against the corrupt tribe of creatures of Charles and James, and on this account are entitled to respect"."The three offenses with which Major Beverley was charged and which incurred the ill will of King and Council, were his refusal to surrender the records of the Burgesses, his efforts to curtail the production of tobacco and his opposition to the Effingham unjust tax. It may be pointed out that all of these offenses, if they can be deemed such, were of a political nature and none of them was he serving a purely personal cause and in all, he had the support of the House of Burgesses who continued to the last, to elect him as their Clerk.
"Major Beverley's neighbor, Sir Henry Chickley, said the Council could "allege nothing material against him except some idle words let fall in his cups, on which occasions he is not compos mentis and Governor Lord Culpeper said, "I could find no evidence against him except for general sauciness".
From these quotations we may infer that drunk or sober, the old man was not afraid to speak his mind, a trait he passed on to some of his descendants."In April, 1677, the Commissioners ordered Major Beverley to give up the journals of the House of Burgesses but this he refused to do without their consent and thereby brought down on his head the wrath of Governor Jeffreys and the Commissioners at Jamestown and of the managing Board in London. The Burgesses, however, continued to support and elect him as their clerk.
"In 1682, the price of tobacco had gone down to such an extent that there was great dissatisfaction in the Colony and petitions were up for the calling of an Assembly to restrict the growing of tobacco in the Colony, but this Assembly was dissolved without action and riotous groups went about cutting down the
tobacco plants. Robert Beverley was accused of being a chief promoted in this "plant cutting" and was
imprisoned without trial on a ship in the Rappahannock River. On June 17, 1682, King James, in council, acting on reports sent from the Colony, ordered that Robert Beverley be put out of any office he held. These offices are referred to as pleading as an attorney and practicing the mystery of a surveyor besides Clerk of the Assembly and Deputy under the Auditor General."For several years, the controversy went on and it seems to have centered chiefly around Robert Beverley. At one time, the old man, for such he had now become, was so broken in spirit as to abjectly ask for pardon, but the Burgesses again chose him as their clerk and when Governor Lord Howard of Effingham endeavored to levy a tax called the Effingham tax without the consent of the Burgesses, he had enough spirit left to incite the Burgesses to refuse it. As a result of this King James on August 1, 1686, wrote his Governor "Whereas Robert Beverley, Clerk of the House of Burgesses, appears to have chiefly occasioned and promoted those disputes and contests, our will and pleasure is that he be declared incapable of any office or public employment within our colony of Virginia". The order further directed that he be prosecuted to the utmost severity of the law.
"But his old staunch friend, Colonel Philip Ludwell, of the days of Bacon's Rebellion, stood by him and contrived to have his oldest son, Peter Beverley, given the father's place as surveyor, described as "the best in the country".
"On the 15th of March, 1687, Major Beverley died largely as a result, historians think, of the persecutions to which he had been subjected. Mr. Stanard of the Virginia Historical Society wrote of him that he was "a man loyal to the King, yet an ardent supporter of the liberties of the colony of Virginia and
of the House of Burgesses, of which he was long a faithful and useful officer; a courageous and active soldier, a true and staunch friend, and the possessor of very general popularity and influence among the people." (VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p.412.)"Nearly a hundred and fifty years after his death, there was found at "Blandfield", now and for over two hundred years a home of the Beverleys, a very old bundle of papers dealing with this long controversy. These, the old man believing in the justice of his cause, had handed down to his children and his children's children. They have been printed in Hening's Virginia Statutes, Vol. III, p. 548. Among them is the return he prepared for the trial he demanded but was never given. In it he says among other things: "My lord, I believe it lyes heavy on every loyall mind, to apprehend himself under his Majestie's disfavour, I am sure 'tis to me so great a burden as would sinke me to the ground, had I not the prop of an innocent conscience."
"How my heart hath been filled from my youth up with loyalties to my King and duty to his ministers, and still continues soe to be, the All-knowing God I call to witness, and appeale to." (Hening Vol. II. p. 565.)
"Anyone who examines these records will come to the conclusion that he was a very earnest and probably a much wronged man.
"This writer regrets that he cannot give a picture of Major Beverley or at least a description of his life in the colony. Of course, no picture has survived, and we have felt that it was best to write the simple facts and let each reader picture as best he can, the man in his surroundings and with his difficulties.
"One of the Bacon sympathizers referred to him as "the hard faced old Beverley", and he doubtless was so to those who were opposed to him. There is no doubt that he was a member of the Church of England. The Bruton Parish Church records, 1674-1683, have the listing "Attorney of the Vestry, Major Robert Beverley" and a further notation "June 5, 1679, the Vestry appointed Major Robert Beverley their lawful attorney to answer the suit of George Marable and to procure judgment for carrying out his agreement".
"In addition to his military and political activities, Major Beverley was a planter and acquired very considerable property and in his Will disposed of some thousands of acres of land evidently acquired through tobacco planting and trading.
"Those of his descendants who go to Jamestown Island and especially to the old remnant of a church still standing will perhaps be able to picture to themselves that far off day when he attended church there and later with other Berkeley supporters, sought to defend Jamestown from the Bacon forces. but very little of the record has been left.
"Major Robert Beverley was married twice after he came to Virginia. The first time was to Mrs. Mary Keeble, widow of Mr. George Keeble of Lancaster, and his second marriage was to Mrs. Catherine Hone, widow of Major Theophilus Hone and sister of Col. John Armistead of Gloucester County. (See VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. III, p. 169.) There is some evidence as hereinafter set out that he may have been married in Hull, England, and lost his wife just before coming to Virginia.
"The best record of his married life with Mrs. Mary Keeble Beverley is the inscription on her tomb found a few years ago under the floor of Christ Church, Middlesex, VA. It is almost a model of concise information and shows her to have been a fit wife for a man who was destined to have thousands of descendants. It reads:
"Here lyeth interred the Body of
Mrs. Mary Beverley, wife of
Major Robert Beverley
Mother of nine sons and three daughters
Who departed this Life the 1st Day of
June 1678 aged forty-one years and three
Months, having been married to him
12 years and 2 months - and was
A careful Mother teaching Vertuous Life
Happy and making happy when a wife
Religious to Example, may all strive
To imitate her vertues whilst alive.""It is fairly certain that Mrs. Mary Beverley had one or more children by her first husband.
"The children of Major Robert and Mary Beverley who survived them were Peter, Robert, Harry and Mary. The three sons, Peter, Robert and Harry, were very prominent in the colony and they and their many descendants are dealt with later in this book.
"Major Beverley having lost so good a wife doubtless felt the necessity of replacing her as soon as possible. However that may have been, ten months after her death he married Mrs. Catherine Hone on the 28th of March, 1679.
"Major Robert and Catherine Beverley had issue William, John, Thomas, Christopher and Catherine. The last of these married Hon. John Robinson, member of Council and Speaker of the House of Burgesses.
"Origin of Beverley Family in England: The exact place, date of birth and ancestry of Robert Beverley, the Immigrant, have never been definitely determined although there is considerable evidence thereabout. There is no doubt that he came from Yorkshire, England, because such is the entry in the Parish Register made at the time of his death; just where in Yorkshire is uncertain, probably from the town of Beverley or Hull or Selby.
"The surname Beverley doubtless was taken originally by someone who had lived in the town of Beverley as surnames were acquired in that way. For instance, John of Beverley became John Beverley so the name is very frequent in Yorkshire.
"The following additional facts may be mentioned as indicating possible origin: In 1597, Robert Beverley of the Parish of Fiskertonn in the County of Nottingham, Gent, married Frances, daughter of Henry Fairfax of Bilboro, County of York, and in 1598, Henry Fairfax named his son-in-law Robert Beverley trustee under his Will. In 1650, William Beverley, the grandson of Robert Beverley, the Immigrant, went to England with his wife and his son and daughter and Mrs. Beverley's nephew, Robert Munford and William Henry Fairfax, son of Col. William Fairfax of Belvoir of the Lord Fairfax family in Virginia. The brief diary kept by William Beverley on this trip shows that they visited the Fairfax home "Toulson" in Yorkshire and that they later went to the city of Hull where they met a cousin, Mrs. Pheobe Beverley, and received a letter from another cousin, a William Beverley, then living in Norwich.
"William Beverley (who made the trip to England as aforesaid) was named by Lord Fairfax as one of his commissioners in Virginia in the great Northern Neck land controversy and the association of the families appears to have been very close, leading to the surmise that Major Robert Beverley may have been descended from the Robert Beverley who married Frances Fairfax.
"There were at least two Peter Beverleys living in Yorkshire in about 1640, one in Hull and one at Rillington, and either of them might have been the father of the Immigrant, who named his first son Peter. It was customary then to name the first son for the father or grandfather.
"Perhaps the most probable line may be through Peter Beverley of the city of Hull, a man of humble origin who married Susannah Hollis in 1634. He was elected a Free Burgess of St. Mary's Parish in the Borough of Hull. He appears to have had a son, Robert Beverley, who was baptized in 1635. Susannah Hollis seems to have been the daughter of Robert Hollis who in November of 1626, was a member of the Society of Merchant Adventurers of Hull, and in 1647, was Assistant to the Governor of the Company.
"In the Parish Register of St. Mary's, Bourough of Hull, there is a record of the death of Elizabeth, wife of Robert Beverley, in 1663. There is also a record on the 14 of September 1680, of the burial of Thomas, son of Mr Robert Beverley of Virginia. This was evidently one of the sons sent back for schooling.
"These facts would appear to be quite conclusive if it were not for the frequencey of the names Robert Beverley and Peter Beverley in the Yorkshire area.
"William Beverley of the fifth generation in Virginia, was sent to school in England and never came back to Virginia. He married Mary Midgely, an heiress, and was Mayor of the town of Beverley in 1806. His son Robert McKenzie Beverley became Lord Scarborough and he may have determined the origin of his ancestor, the Immigrant, but if he did, he left no record of it.
"In about 1915, Mr. Edward Simons Lewis of St Louis Missouri, a descendant of the Immigrant, became interest in genealogy and believed the descent of Major Robert Beverley could be traced to the well known Beverley family of Selby and Great Smeaton in Yorkshire by identifying Major Robert Beverley who came to Virginia as the third son of Thomas Beverley of Selby and Great Smeaton in Yorkshire and Elizabeth Vincent and thence, through John Beverley and Phillipa Mechum to King Henry III, and so to Charlemagne. Mr. Lewis was a prominent Lawer and we do not mean to cast doubts on his findings and conclusions, but a study of the Selby family, dates, etc., shows that if such a descent exists, it must be through a younger son whom we have not been able to identify.
"Burke's Landed Gentry says the Beverleys sold their land in Yorkshire to the Pennymen family about the time Robert Beverley came to Virginia.
"The Immigrant sent at least three of his sons back to England to school and as above stated, according to the Parish Register of St. Mary's in Hull, his son Thomas died there and was buried on the 14th of September, 1680.
"From the position the Immigrant soon took in the Colony, and the offices he held, it is evident he was well educated for those days and a man of culture and attainments but so far as we know, the above fairly well sums up the evidence of his origin.
Children born to Robert and Mary Keeble were:
1. Peter Beverley, b. 1668, d. 1728
2. Robert Beverley, Jr., b. 1673, d. 1722
3. Harry Beverley, b......d. 1730
4. Mary Beverley, b.........d. 1694 William Jones of King and Queen Co., No issue.Second marriage, 3-28-1679, Catherine Hone, dau. of Theophilus Hone of James City Co.
5. William Beverley, bapt. 1-4-1680
6. John Beverley
7. Thomas Beverley, b..........d. 9-10-1686
8. Christopher Beverley, bapt. 3-19-1686
9. Catherine BeverleyIn "The Beverley Family of Virginia" by John McGill, he states that "he was a member of the Church of England." The Bruton Parish Church records, 1674-1683, have the listing "Attorney of the Vestry, Major Robert Beverley" and a further notation "June 5, 1679 the Vestry appointed Major Robert Beverley their lawful attorney to answer the suit of George Marable and to procure judgment for carrying out his agreement."
He was buried at Jamestown. The many old inscriptions on the tombs there, however, are almost impossible to read, and his may have been one of the graves that was encroached upon by the river."
WILL OF ROBERT BEVERLEY, of Middlesex County in Virginia, Gentl. 16th August 1686. Item I give & bequeath unto my eldest son Peter Beverley...all my land in Gloucester County Lying upon Peanketank River betwixt the creeks called Cheesecake Creek and Hoccadies alias Bayles Creek and adjoining to and including in a patent with 500 acres which (were) formerly by me sold and passed away to Mr. Mann of Gloster County by deed under my hand & seal but in case my said son Peter should happen to die without heirs of his body, my will is that the ...lands above (should go) to my second son Robert Beverley...Item I give to my second son Robert Beverley...my plantation & Devident of Land on Poropotank Creek Glouster County...920 Acres...To Harry Beverley 1600 acres in Rappahannock...To John 3000 acres in Rappahannock & New Kent...on the run commonly known...by the name of Beverley Park..to William Beverley 1 land in Middlesex on Rappahannock River...called Griffin's Neck adj. Mr. Robert Smith and Col. Christo; Wormeley & purchased of Mr. Thos. Elliot...To wife Catherine during her natural life...my plantation in Middlesex County...on Peankatanke River whereon I live...now called Old plantation 165 acres according to patent. Also all one half parte of 100 acres of Land & plantation in Gloster County or the whole if I happen to purchase same before my death commonly called and known by the name of North River quarter and now held in partnership betwixt by Brother Coll John Armistead...Provided by wife...accept same in full of...right of dower...After wife's decease I bequeath all the 3 sd plantations to...my daughter Catherine Beverley...I give to the child my wife now goes with be it male or female...all my other lands & plantations...not household goods at my dwelling plantation...for her life...then to daughters Mary and Catherine...all other property to be disposed in equal parts...betwixt my wife and children either in specifical kind or in money sterling...Wife Catherine executor. Signed, Robert Beverley; witness, Ralph Wormley, Robert Smith, Willm Kitts, Walter Keeble, Thomas Ballard. Recorded, Middlesex, 4th April 1687."
Father: Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1610 in City of Hull, York, England
Mother: Susanna HOLLIS b: 1613 in Hull, Yorkshire, EnglandMarriage 1 UNKNOWN ELIZABETH b: in England
Married: Bef. 1663 in St. Mary's, Hull, Yorkshire, EnglandMarriage 2 Mary KEEBLE b: 1 Mar 1637 in Hull, Eng.
Married: 1 Apr 1666
Children
Harry BEVERLEY b: 1669 in Middlesex County, VA
Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1668 in Middlesex, VA
Robert, Jr. BEVERLEY b: 1673 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Mary BEVERLEY b: Jun 1678 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VAMarriage 3 Catherine Hone ARMISTEAD b: 1643 in Middlesex Co., VA
Married: 28 Mar 1679 in Christ Church, Middlesex, VA
Children
John BEVERLEY b: 4 Jan 1687 in Middlesex Co., VA
William BEVERLEY b: 1680 in Blandfield, Middlesex, VA
Thomas BEVERLEY b: 1686 in Middlesex, VA
Christopher BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1686
Catherine BEVERLEY b: 1686 in Middlesex, VAMarriage 4 Margaret BOYD b: 1 Mar 1637 in Of, Hull, Yorkshire, England
Married: Apr 1666 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
This is NOT yet proven
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara June Ballard-Leedahl
Contact: Barbara Leedahl <barbron@inlink.com>ID: I69605010
Name: Mary KEEBLE
Given Name: Mary
Surname: Keeble
Sex: F
Birth: 1 Mar 1637 in Hull, Eng. 1 2
Death: 1 Jun 1678 in Middlesex, VA 1 2
Note:
Alias: Mrs. Mary /Keeble/
"MIDDLESEX CO., VA in the 17th Century: On a sandy peninsula between
tidewater Virginia's Rappahannock and Piankatank river lies Middlesex
County, carved in 1668 out of sprawling Lancaster County. In the late
1640's, families had begun appropriating land here. Settlement was well
under way by February 1651, when little Richard Perrott became 'the first
Man Child that was gott and born in Rappahannock River of English
parents'. Richard's parents, like all the 83 families residing in
Middlesex by 1668, lived on isolated 'plantations' that raised corn and
live-stock for food and tobacco for sale.
"These 83 families comprised 513 free people. They accounted for roughly
half the county's residents and owned the other half of the population:
334 English indentured servants (mostly males aged 15-25) and 65 blacks
brought from the West Indies. Servants and slaves were as much the head
of household's responsibility as children. Blacks' conditions of
servitude were still fluid, although a trend toward lifetime bondage had
begun. Servants typically owed between four and twelve years' service,
and half of those with four or more years to go would not live to enjoy
freedom. Their lot was hard, but their labor essential. Each
hoe-wielding laborer could cultivate two to three acres of tobacco
plants, and owners could increase input only by adding to their labor
force. Because planters such as Peter Montague faced "the whole lost of
the...Cropp" when a servant ran away at the height of the season, unfree
workers had some bargaining leverage.
"Death lurked everywhere. On average, adult men and women died at ages
48 and 39 respectively--a life expectancy of fifteen years less than that
of New Englanders. Thirty percent of all children under 18 lost both
parents. The appearance of a highly lethal strain of malaria (which
coincided with increasing imports of African-born slaves after 1680) kept
death rates high.
"The prevalence of early death produced complex households in which
stepparents might raise children with two or three different surnames.
MARY KEEBLE (George Keeble's wife) bore seven children before being
widowed at age 29, whereupon she immediately became ROBERT BEVERLEY's
wife. MARY died in 1678 at age 41, after having five children by
BEVERLEY, who then married Katherine Hone, a widow with one child. Upon
Beverley's death in 1687, Katherine quickly wed Christopher Robinson, who
had just lost his wife and needed a mother for his four children.
CHRISTOPHER and KATHERINE's household included children named Keeble,
Beverley, Hone, and Robinson. This tangled chain of six marriages among
seven people eventually produced twenty-five children who lived at least
part of their lives with one or more stepparents.
"For a sense of belonging, residents relied primarily on kin networks.
Twice monthly, however, they could gather in the parish church for a
short sermon, communion, and a chance to gossip, trade news, and sell
livestock--always using tobacco as the medium of exchange. Monthly court
sessions, likewise, brought people together to resolve disputes and see
the county's prominent men installed in the petty local offices that
helped define their status. (The Enduring Vision, A History of the
American People, p. 75a (1990)
"p. 75b: CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON arrived in Virginia from England about
1666, and built this stately brick home in 1678. Robinson, who served
two terms in the Virginia House of Burgesses, was named England's
secretary of foreign plantations in 1692, but he died the following
year." (Source: View Hewick at: http://www.hewick.com/ A PLACE IN
TIME; Middlesex Co., VA in the 17th Century.)
Mary Keeble appears to have born a CARTER.
Marriage 1 George KEEBLEMarriage 2 Robert BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1641 in Beverley, Yorkshire, Eng.
Married: 1 Apr 1666
Children
Harry BEVERLEY b: 1669 in Middlesex County, VA
Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1668 in Middlesex, VA
Robert, Jr. BEVERLEY b: 1673 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Mary BEVERLEY b: Jun 1678 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VASources:
Title: bjb.FTW
Repository:
Title: bjba.FTW
Repository:
this part NOT yet proven---------
Contact: claudia FORSYTH <katclau@cybertrails.com>
rogers/edwardsID: I136
Name: Robert BEVERLEY
Given Name: Robert
Surname: Beverley
Sex: M
Birth: 1647 in ,Yorkshire,Eng
Christening: 17 Feb 1647 Aberford,Yorkshire,England 1 2
Death: 15 Mar 1687 in Jamestown,Middlsex,Va
Burial: 19 Mar 1687 Jamestown,Middlesex,Va
LDS Baptism: 9 Oct 1937
Endowment: 27 Jan 1938
Ancestral File #: 8MZ6-KB
Change Date: 14 Apr 1998 at 10:16:57
Note: Ancestral File birth\christening date: 5 jan 1643\45, St. Mary's Lowgate, Hull, York, England.
PEDI: birth
Sealing Child: 22 May 1969 Temple: LOGANFather: Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt 1610 in Hull,York,England
Mother: Susanna HOLLIS b: 1613 in Hull,Yorkshire,EnglandMarriage 1 Margaret BOYD b: 1 Mar 1637 in of,Hull,Yorkshire,England
Married: Abt 1666 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
Children
Peter BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1667 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
Harry BEVERELY birth b: 1669 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Robert BEVERLEY birth b: 1673 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Mary BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1677 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
William BEVERLEY birth b: Jan 1680 in ,Middlesex,Va
John BEVERLEY birth b: Jan 1680 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Thomas BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1682 in <,Middlesex,Virginia>
Catherine BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1686 in <,Middlesex,Virginia>
Christopher BEVERLEY birth b: 19 Feb 1686 in ,Middlesex,VirginiaMarriage 2 Catherine ARMISTEAD
Married: 28 Mar 1679 in ,Middlex,VaSources:
Author: L D S Church
Title: Igi
Author: Genealogical Pub Co
Title: Virginia Will Records
Repository:
Name: Snowflake Family History Center
Snowflake, Az 85937Call Number: US Va 5213
This is NOT yet proven
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara June Ballard-Leedahl
Contact: Barbara Leedahl <barbron@inlink.com>ID: I69605009
Name: Robert BEVERLEY
Given Name: Robert
Surname: Beverley
Sex: M
Birth: Abt. 1641 in Beverley, Yorkshire, Eng.
Death: 15 Mar 1687 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Title: Major
Christening: Bet. 5 Jan 1643 - 1645 St. Mary Logate, Hull, Yorkshire, England
Burial: 19 Mar 1687 Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Emigration: 1663 Jamestown, VA from Yorkshire, Eng.
Occupation: 1670 Clerk of the House of Burgesses, Middlesex Co., VA
Occupation: 1673 JUSTICE of Middlesex Co., VA
Note:
ROBERT BEVERLEY, the Immigrant, (of Middlesex) became known in Virginia
history as "Major" , and was probably the son of Peter Beverley, of the
City of Hull and his wife Susannah Hollis. He came to Virginia in 1663
and settled in Middlesex County. It is obvious that he had acquired a
good education for he was a lawyer and a surveyor. (Source: ESSEX
COUNTY HISTORICAL, ESSEX COUNTY BICENTENNIAL, Tappahannock, Virginia,
article from Vol II, dated May 1977, titled "Major Robert Beverley and
His Three Sons: Peter, Robert and Harry." (Death date varies re files
of Richard Peltway Winslow stated 1687.) At the time of his death,
through patents and purchase, he had become the largest landowner to that
date in Virginia, over 38,000 acres of land. (Ref: Above mentioned
article.)
"John Beverley, of England, adhered to Charles I, and at the Restoration
his name appears in the list of those on whom it was intended to confer
the Order of the Royal Oak. Maj. Robert Beverley (d. 1686),
Lawyer; settled in Lancaster Co., VA; Justice, 1673; clerk House of
Burgesses, 1670; married first, Mary
Koeble (Keeble), widow (d. 1678). Capt. Harry Beverley (1669-1731), his
son was justice, Middlesex Co. 1700, surveyor King and Queen and King
William counties, 1702-14; burgess, 1705-06; commanded the "Virgin",
1716, which was captured by the Spanish man-of-war; he escaped and came
to VA 1717; was presiding Justice Spotsylvania Co., ca 1720; married ca
1700, Elizabeth Smith." (Family Group Records of Mary Ruth C. Spencer,
Carmel, CA.)
"Robert Beverley, who subsequently became known as MAJOR BEVERLEY, came
to Virginia in 1663. There is no doubt about the date because he wrote
in the plea he hoped to make in court in 1683, "My abode in this country
hath now been twenty years", (See Henings Statutes, Vol. II, p. 559.) He
settled in Middlesex County about twenty miles from Jamestown and soon
became prominent in the colony. He must have had a good education
because in addition to growing tobacco, he was a lawyer and a surveyor.
He further said in his plea, "From the year 1668 to the year 1676, I
served his Majesty in military and civil offices of trust with fidelity
and approbation". He was elected Clerk of the House of Burgesses in 1670
and 1673, he was a Justice of Middlesex County. (See VIRGINIA HISTORICAL
MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p. 405.)
The following chapter on MAJOR ROBERT BEVERLEY is taken from THE BEVERLEY
FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, by John McGill, Dec. 1951):
"Whether or not he had done any military service against the Indians or
in colony prior to the Bacon Rebellion is not known but he acquired the
title of Major in that controversy and showed marked qualities of
leadership and decision.
"This not the place to argue the rights or wrongs of the Bacon
Rebellion. As in most such matters, there was probably some right on
both sides. From the outset, Robert Beverley was a hearty supporter of
Governor Berkeley and Bacon named him in his proclamations as one of the
"wicked and pernicious councellors aiders and assistors (of Berkeley)
against the Commonality in these our Cruell Commotions". (See VIRGINIA
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p. 405.)
"It will be recalled that Nathaniel Bacon was a young man of
unquestionably great qualities as a leader and orator who after only
about a year of residence in the colony, led an expedition against the
Indians, defeated them, and then quarreled with Governor Berkeley and
defeated him and burned Jamestown, and died of fever a few days
thereafter. When Jamestown was burned, Governor Berkeley with such
forces as he had, fled to the Eastern Shore, Accomack and Northampton
Counties.
"Whether or not Robert Beverley had any part as a leader while Bacon was alive is not known. If so, neither he nor any other of the Berkeley men were able to make head against him. But after Bacon's death, Major Beverley was sent back from the Eastern Shore with a command and was very active and successful in suppressing the insurgents. On the 13th of November, 1676, Governor Berkeley gave him a commission appointing him Commander of all his (Berkeley's) forces. It begins: Whereas by many frequent and successful services to his Sacred Majesty, this country and me, his Majestie's Governor of it; Major Robert Beverley hath approved himself to be most Loyal, circumspect and courageous in his Majestie's service for the good of his country, and the suppressing of this late horrid Rebellion began by Bacon, and continued since his death by Ingram. Lawrence, Hansord and others, the last of which he, the said Robert Beverley, with courage and admirable conduct, never to be forgotten, this day brought to me." (Hening Vol. III, p. 567.)"At that time, Major Beverley was operating with a little band of about forty men and with these he captured the opposing leaders, Hansford, Harris, Wilsford and others and their bands.
"When the rebellion was over, the bitterness stirred up by it continued. King Charles had sent over Commissioners with Governor Jeffreys to take the place of Governor Berkeley and these arrived in Virginia after the rebellion was over.
Governor Berkeley had undoubtedly been very cruel and ruthless in his treatment of the followers of Bacon and the bitterness of the feeling toward him and toward his chief commander, Robert Beverley, was intense. He appointed Beverley a Member of Council which was a great honor in the colony, and the Burgesses elected him their Clerk, but like very many men before and since, he was destined to find political office no bed of roses. Largely through Major Beverley's influence, the House of Burgesses supported the old Governor, and the Commissioners and the new Governor Jeffreys were soon in violent opposition to Governor Berkeley, who went to England to answer charges against him.
"The many charges, arrests, and counter charges relating to Major Beverley are not here set out. They may be found in Mr. Stanard's well documented article on Major Beverley and his descendants in the VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p.405, et seq. Therein Mr. Stanard says, "Beverley, Ludwell, Ballard and others maintained after his (Gov. Berkeley's) death, a contest for the lawful independence of
the colony against the corrupt tribe of creatures of Charles and James, and on this account are entitled to respect"."The three offenses with which Major Beverley was charged and which incurred the ill will of King and Council, were his refusal to surrender the records of the Burgesses, his efforts to curtail the production of tobacco and his opposition to the Effingham unjust tax. It may be pointed out that all of these offenses, if they can be deemed such, were of a political nature and none of them was he serving a purely personal cause and in all, he had the support of the House of Burgesses who continued to the last, to elect him as their Clerk.
"Major Beverley's neighbor, Sir Henry Chickley, said the Council could "allege nothing material against him except some idle words let fall in his cups, on which occasions he is not compos mentis and Governor Lord Culpeper said, "I could find no evidence against him except for general sauciness".
From these quotations we may infer that drunk or sober, the old man was not afraid to speak his mind, a trait he passed on to some of his descendants."In April, 1677, the Commissioners ordered Major Beverley to give up the journals of the House of Burgesses but this he refused to do without their consent and thereby brought down on his head the wrath of Governor Jeffreys and the Commissioners at Jamestown and of the managing Board in London. The Burgesses, however, continued to support and elect him as their clerk.
"In 1682, the price of tobacco had gone down to such an extent that there was great dissatisfaction in the Colony and petitions were up for the calling of an Assembly to restrict the growing of tobacco in the Colony, but this Assembly was dissolved without action and riotous groups went about cutting down the
tobacco plants. Robert Beverley was accused of being a chief promoted in this "plant cutting" and was
imprisoned without trial on a ship in the Rappahannock River. On June 17, 1682, King James, in council, acting on reports sent from the Colony, ordered that Robert Beverley be put out of any office he held. These offices are referred to as pleading as an attorney and practicing the mystery of a surveyor besides Clerk of the Assembly and Deputy under the Auditor General."For several years, the controversy went on and it seems to have centered chiefly around Robert Beverley. At one time, the old man, for such he had now become, was so broken in spirit as to abjectly ask for pardon, but the Burgesses again chose him as their clerk and when Governor Lord Howard of Effingham endeavored to levy a tax called the Effingham tax without the consent of the Burgesses, he had enough spirit left to incite the Burgesses to refuse it. As a result of this King James on August 1, 1686, wrote his Governor "Whereas Robert Beverley, Clerk of the House of Burgesses, appears to have chiefly occasioned and promoted those disputes and contests, our will and pleasure is that he be declared incapable of any office or public employment within our colony of Virginia". The order further directed that he be prosecuted to the utmost severity of the law.
"But his old staunch friend, Colonel Philip Ludwell, of the days of Bacon's Rebellion, stood by him and contrived to have his oldest son, Peter Beverley, given the father's place as surveyor, described as "the best in the country".
"On the 15th of March, 1687, Major Beverley died largely as a result, historians think, of the persecutions to which he had been subjected. Mr. Stanard of the Virginia Historical Society wrote of him that he was "a man loyal to the King, yet an ardent supporter of the liberties of the colony of Virginia and
of the House of Burgesses, of which he was long a faithful and useful officer; a courageous and active soldier, a true and staunch friend, and the possessor of very general popularity and influence among the people." (VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p.412.)"Nearly a hundred and fifty years after his death, there was found at "Blandfield", now and for over two hundred years a home of the Beverleys, a very old bundle of papers dealing with this long controversy. These, the old man believing in the justice of his cause, had handed down to his children and his children's children. They have been printed in Hening's Virginia Statutes, Vol. III, p. 548. Among them is the return he prepared for the trial he demanded but was never given. In it he says among other things: "My lord, I believe it lyes heavy on every loyall mind, to apprehend himself under his Majestie's disfavour, I am sure 'tis to me so great a burden as would sinke me to the ground, had I not the prop of an innocent conscience."
"How my heart hath been filled from my youth up with loyalties to my King and duty to his ministers, and still continues soe to be, the All-knowing God I call to witness, and appeale to." (Hening Vol. II. p. 565.)
"Anyone who examines these records will come to the conclusion that he was a very earnest and probably a much wronged man.
"This writer regrets that he cannot give a picture of Major Beverley or at least a description of his life in the colony. Of course, no picture has survived, and we have felt that it was best to write the simple facts and let each reader picture as best he can, the man in his surroundings and with his difficulties.
"One of the Bacon sympathizers referred to him as "the hard faced old Beverley", and he doubtless was so to those who were opposed to him. There is no doubt that he was a member of the Church of England. The Bruton Parish Church records, 1674-1683, have the listing "Attorney of the Vestry, Major Robert Beverley" and a further notation "June 5, 1679, the Vestry appointed Major Robert Beverley their lawful attorney to answer the suit of George Marable and to procure judgment for carrying out his agreement".
"In addition to his military and political activities, Major Beverley was a planter and acquired very considerable property and in his Will disposed of some thousands of acres of land evidently acquired through tobacco planting and trading.
"Those of his descendants who go to Jamestown Island and especially to the old remnant of a church still standing will perhaps be able to picture to themselves that far off day when he attended church there and later with other Berkeley supporters, sought to defend Jamestown from the Bacon forces. but very little of the record has been left.
"Major Robert Beverley was married twice after he came to Virginia. The first time was to Mrs. Mary Keeble, widow of Mr. George Keeble of Lancaster, and his second marriage was to Mrs. Catherine Hone, widow of Major Theophilus Hone and sister of Col. John Armistead of Gloucester County. (See VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. III, p. 169.) There is some evidence as hereinafter set out that he may have been married in Hull, England, and lost his wife just before coming to Virginia.
"The best record of his married life with Mrs. Mary Keeble Beverley is the inscription on her tomb found a few years ago under the floor of Christ Church, Middlesex, VA. It is almost a model of concise information and shows her to have been a fit wife for a man who was destined to have thousands of descendants. It reads:
"Here lyeth interred the Body of
Mrs. Mary Beverley, wife of
Major Robert Beverley
Mother of nine sons and three daughters
Who departed this Life the 1st Day of
June 1678 aged forty-one years and three
Months, having been married to him
12 years and 2 months - and was
A careful Mother teaching Vertuous Life
Happy and making happy when a wife
Religious to Example, may all strive
To imitate her vertues whilst alive.""It is fairly certain that Mrs. Mary Beverley had one or more children by her first husband.
"The children of Major Robert and Mary Beverley who survived them were Peter, Robert, Harry and Mary. The three sons, Peter, Robert and Harry, were very prominent in the colony and they and their many descendants are dealt with later in this book.
"Major Beverley having lost so good a wife doubtless felt the necessity of replacing her as soon as possible. However that may have been, ten months after her death he married Mrs. Catherine Hone on the 28th of March, 1679.
"Major Robert and Catherine Beverley had issue William, John, Thomas, Christopher and Catherine. The last of these married Hon. John Robinson, member of Council and Speaker of the House of Burgesses.
"Origin of Beverley Family in England: The exact place, date of birth and ancestry of Robert Beverley, the Immigrant, have never been definitely determined although there is considerable evidence thereabout. There is no doubt that he came from Yorkshire, England, because such is the entry in the Parish Register made at the time of his death; just where in Yorkshire is uncertain, probably from the town of Beverley or Hull or Selby.
"The surname Beverley doubtless was taken originally by someone who had lived in the town of Beverley as surnames were acquired in that way. For instance, John of Beverley became John Beverley so the name is very frequent in Yorkshire.
"The following additional facts may be mentioned as indicating possible origin: In 1597, Robert Beverley of the Parish of Fiskertonn in the County of Nottingham, Gent, married Frances, daughter of Henry Fairfax of Bilboro, County of York, and in 1598, Henry Fairfax named his son-in-law Robert Beverley trustee under his Will. In 1650, William Beverley, the grandson of Robert Beverley, the Immigrant, went to England with his wife and his son and daughter and Mrs. Beverley's nephew, Robert Munford and William Henry Fairfax, son of Col. William Fairfax of Belvoir of the Lord Fairfax family in Virginia. The brief diary kept by William Beverley on this trip shows that they visited the Fairfax home "Toulson" in Yorkshire and that they later went to the city of Hull where they met a cousin, Mrs. Pheobe Beverley, and received a letter from another cousin, a William Beverley, then living in Norwich.
"William Beverley (who made the trip to England as aforesaid) was named by Lord Fairfax as one of his commissioners in Virginia in the great Northern Neck land controversy and the association of the families appears to have been very close, leading to the surmise that Major Robert Beverley may have been descended from the Robert Beverley who married Frances Fairfax.
"There were at least two Peter Beverleys living in Yorkshire in about 1640, one in Hull and one at Rillington, and either of them might have been the father of the Immigrant, who named his first son Peter. It was customary then to name the first son for the father or grandfather.
"Perhaps the most probable line may be through Peter Beverley of the city of Hull, a man of humble origin who married Susannah Hollis in 1634. He was elected a Free Burgess of St. Mary's Parish in the Borough of Hull. He appears to have had a son, Robert Beverley, who was baptized in 1635. Susannah Hollis seems to have been the daughter of Robert Hollis who in November of 1626, was a member of the Society of Merchant Adventurers of Hull, and in 1647, was Assistant to the Governor of the Company.
"In the Parish Register of St. Mary's, Bourough of Hull, there is a record of the death of Elizabeth, wife of Robert Beverley, in 1663. There is also a record on the 14 of September 1680, of the burial of Thomas, son of Mr Robert Beverley of Virginia. This was evidently one of the sons sent back for schooling.
"These facts would appear to be quite conclusive if it were not for the frequencey of the names Robert Beverley and Peter Beverley in the Yorkshire area.
"William Beverley of the fifth generation in Virginia, was sent to school in England and never came back to Virginia. He married Mary Midgely, an heiress, and was Mayor of the town of Beverley in 1806. His son Robert McKenzie Beverley became Lord Scarborough and he may have determined the origin of his ancestor, the Immigrant, but if he did, he left no record of it.
"In about 1915, Mr. Edward Simons Lewis of St Louis Missouri, a descendant of the Immigrant, became interest in genealogy and believed the descent of Major Robert Beverley could be traced to the well known Beverley family of Selby and Great Smeaton in Yorkshire by identifying Major Robert Beverley who came to Virginia as the third son of Thomas Beverley of Selby and Great Smeaton in Yorkshire and Elizabeth Vincent and thence, through John Beverley and Phillipa Mechum to King Henry III, and so to Charlemagne. Mr. Lewis was a prominent Lawer and we do not mean to cast doubts on his findings and conclusions, but a study of the Selby family, dates, etc., shows that if such a descent exists, it must be through a younger son whom we have not been able to identify.
"Burke's Landed Gentry says the Beverleys sold their land in Yorkshire to the Pennymen family about the time Robert Beverley came to Virginia.
"The Immigrant sent at least three of his sons back to England to school and as above stated, according to the Parish Register of St. Mary's in Hull, his son Thomas died there and was buried on the 14th of September, 1680.
"From the position the Immigrant soon took in the Colony, and the offices he held, it is evident he was well educated for those days and a man of culture and attainments but so far as we know, the above fairly well sums up the evidence of his origin.
Children born to Robert and Mary Keeble were:
1. Peter Beverley, b. 1668, d. 1728
2. Robert Beverley, Jr., b. 1673, d. 1722
3. Harry Beverley, b......d. 1730
4. Mary Beverley, b.........d. 1694 William Jones of King and Queen Co., No issue.Second marriage, 3-28-1679, Catherine Hone, dau. of Theophilus Hone of James City Co.
5. William Beverley, bapt. 1-4-1680
6. John Beverley
7. Thomas Beverley, b..........d. 9-10-1686
8. Christopher Beverley, bapt. 3-19-1686
9. Catherine BeverleyIn "The Beverley Family of Virginia" by John McGill, he states that "he was a member of the Church of England." The Bruton Parish Church records, 1674-1683, have the listing "Attorney of the Vestry, Major Robert Beverley" and a further notation "June 5, 1679 the Vestry appointed Major Robert Beverley their lawful attorney to answer the suit of George Marable and to procure judgment for carrying out his agreement."
He was buried at Jamestown. The many old inscriptions on the tombs there, however, are almost impossible to read, and his may have been one of the graves that was encroached upon by the river."
WILL OF ROBERT BEVERLEY, of Middlesex County in Virginia, Gentl. 16th August 1686. Item I give & bequeath unto my eldest son Peter Beverley...all my land in Gloucester County Lying upon Peanketank River betwixt the creeks called Cheesecake Creek and Hoccadies alias Bayles Creek and adjoining to and including in a patent with 500 acres which (were) formerly by me sold and passed away to Mr. Mann of Gloster County by deed under my hand & seal but in case my said son Peter should happen to die without heirs of his body, my will is that the ...lands above (should go) to my second son Robert Beverley...Item I give to my second son Robert Beverley...my plantation & Devident of Land on Poropotank Creek Glouster County...920 Acres...To Harry Beverley 1600 acres in Rappahannock...To John 3000 acres in Rappahannock & New Kent...on the run commonly known...by the name of Beverley Park..to William Beverley 1 land in Middlesex on Rappahannock River...called Griffin's Neck adj. Mr. Robert Smith and Col. Christo; Wormeley & purchased of Mr. Thos. Elliot...To wife Catherine during her natural life...my plantation in Middlesex County...on Peankatanke River whereon I live...now called Old plantation 165 acres according to patent. Also all one half parte of 100 acres of Land & plantation in Gloster County or the whole if I happen to purchase same before my death commonly called and known by the name of North River quarter and now held in partnership betwixt by Brother Coll John Armistead...Provided by wife...accept same in full of...right of dower...After wife's decease I bequeath all the 3 sd plantations to...my daughter Catherine Beverley...I give to the child my wife now goes with be it male or female...all my other lands & plantations...not household goods at my dwelling plantation...for her life...then to daughters Mary and Catherine...all other property to be disposed in equal parts...betwixt my wife and children either in specifical kind or in money sterling...Wife Catherine executor. Signed, Robert Beverley; witness, Ralph Wormley, Robert Smith, Willm Kitts, Walter Keeble, Thomas Ballard. Recorded, Middlesex, 4th April 1687."
Father: Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1610 in City of Hull, York, England
Mother: Susanna HOLLIS b: 1613 in Hull, Yorkshire, EnglandMarriage 1 UNKNOWN ELIZABETH b: in England
Married: Bef. 1663 in St. Mary's, Hull, Yorkshire, EnglandMarriage 2 Mary KEEBLE b: 1 Mar 1637 in Hull, Eng.
Married: 1 Apr 1666
Children
Harry BEVERLEY b: 1669 in Middlesex County, VA
Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1668 in Middlesex, VA
Robert, Jr. BEVERLEY b: 1673 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Mary BEVERLEY b: Jun 1678 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VAMarriage 3 Catherine Hone ARMISTEAD b: 1643 in Middlesex Co., VA
Married: 28 Mar 1679 in Christ Church, Middlesex, VA
Children
John BEVERLEY b: 4 Jan 1687 in Middlesex Co., VA
William BEVERLEY b: 1680 in Blandfield, Middlesex, VA
Thomas BEVERLEY b: 1686 in Middlesex, VA
Christopher BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1686
Catherine BEVERLEY b: 1686 in Middlesex, VAMarriage 4 Margaret BOYD b: 1 Mar 1637 in Of, Hull, Yorkshire, England
Married: Apr 1666 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
this part NOT yet proven---------
Contact: claudia FORSYTH <katclau@cybertrails.com>
rogers/edwardsID: I136
Name: Robert BEVERLEY
Given Name: Robert
Surname: Beverley
Sex: M
Birth: 1647 in ,Yorkshire,Eng
Christening: 17 Feb 1647 Aberford,Yorkshire,England 1 2
Death: 15 Mar 1687 in Jamestown,Middlsex,Va
Burial: 19 Mar 1687 Jamestown,Middlesex,Va
LDS Baptism: 9 Oct 1937
Endowment: 27 Jan 1938
Ancestral File #: 8MZ6-KB
Change Date: 14 Apr 1998 at 10:16:57
Note: Ancestral File birth\christening date: 5 jan 1643\45, St. Mary's Lowgate, Hull, York, England.
PEDI: birth
Sealing Child: 22 May 1969 Temple: LOGANFather: Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt 1610 in Hull,York,England
Mother: Susanna HOLLIS b: 1613 in Hull,Yorkshire,EnglandMarriage 1 Margaret BOYD b: 1 Mar 1637 in of,Hull,Yorkshire,England
Married: Abt 1666 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
Children
Peter BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1667 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
Harry BEVERELY birth b: 1669 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Robert BEVERLEY birth b: 1673 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Mary BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1677 in Jamestown,Middlesex,Virginia
William BEVERLEY birth b: Jan 1680 in ,Middlesex,Va
John BEVERLEY birth b: Jan 1680 in ,Middlesex,Virginia
Thomas BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1682 in <,Middlesex,Virginia>
Catherine BEVERLEY birth b: Abt 1686 in <,Middlesex,Virginia>
Christopher BEVERLEY birth b: 19 Feb 1686 in ,Middlesex,VirginiaMarriage 2 Catherine ARMISTEAD
Married: 28 Mar 1679 in ,Middlex,VaSources:
Author: L D S Church
Title: Igi
Author: Genealogical Pub Co
Title: Virginia Will Records
Repository:
Name: Snowflake Family History Center
Snowflake, Az 85937Call Number: US Va 5213
This is NOT yet proven
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barbara June Ballard-Leedahl
Contact: Barbara Leedahl <barbron@inlink.com>ID: I69605009
Name: Robert BEVERLEY
Given Name: Robert
Surname: Beverley
Sex: M
Birth: Abt. 1641 in Beverley, Yorkshire, Eng.
Death: 15 Mar 1687 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Title: Major
Christening: Bet. 5 Jan 1643 - 1645 St. Mary Logate, Hull, Yorkshire, England
Burial: 19 Mar 1687 Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Emigration: 1663 Jamestown, VA from Yorkshire, Eng.
Occupation: 1670 Clerk of the House of Burgesses, Middlesex Co., VA
Occupation: 1673 JUSTICE of Middlesex Co., VA
Note:
ROBERT BEVERLEY, the Immigrant, (of Middlesex) became known in Virginia
history as "Major" , and was probably the son of Peter Beverley, of the
City of Hull and his wife Susannah Hollis. He came to Virginia in 1663
and settled in Middlesex County. It is obvious that he had acquired a
good education for he was a lawyer and a surveyor. (Source: ESSEX
COUNTY HISTORICAL, ESSEX COUNTY BICENTENNIAL, Tappahannock, Virginia,
article from Vol II, dated May 1977, titled "Major Robert Beverley and
His Three Sons: Peter, Robert and Harry." (Death date varies re files
of Richard Peltway Winslow stated 1687.) At the time of his death,
through patents and purchase, he had become the largest landowner to that
date in Virginia, over 38,000 acres of land. (Ref: Above mentioned
article.)
"John Beverley, of England, adhered to Charles I, and at the Restoration
his name appears in the list of those on whom it was intended to confer
the Order of the Royal Oak. Maj. Robert Beverley (d. 1686),
Lawyer; settled in Lancaster Co., VA; Justice, 1673; clerk House of
Burgesses, 1670; married first, Mary
Koeble (Keeble), widow (d. 1678). Capt. Harry Beverley (1669-1731), his
son was justice, Middlesex Co. 1700, surveyor King and Queen and King
William counties, 1702-14; burgess, 1705-06; commanded the "Virgin",
1716, which was captured by the Spanish man-of-war; he escaped and came
to VA 1717; was presiding Justice Spotsylvania Co., ca 1720; married ca
1700, Elizabeth Smith." (Family Group Records of Mary Ruth C. Spencer,
Carmel, CA.)
"Robert Beverley, who subsequently became known as MAJOR BEVERLEY, came
to Virginia in 1663. There is no doubt about the date because he wrote
in the plea he hoped to make in court in 1683, "My abode in this country
hath now been twenty years", (See Henings Statutes, Vol. II, p. 559.) He
settled in Middlesex County about twenty miles from Jamestown and soon
became prominent in the colony. He must have had a good education
because in addition to growing tobacco, he was a lawyer and a surveyor.
He further said in his plea, "From the year 1668 to the year 1676, I
served his Majesty in military and civil offices of trust with fidelity
and approbation". He was elected Clerk of the House of Burgesses in 1670
and 1673, he was a Justice of Middlesex County. (See VIRGINIA HISTORICAL
MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p. 405.)
The following chapter on MAJOR ROBERT BEVERLEY is taken from THE BEVERLEY
FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, by John McGill, Dec. 1951):
"Whether or not he had done any military service against the Indians or
in colony prior to the Bacon Rebellion is not known but he acquired the
title of Major in that controversy and showed marked qualities of
leadership and decision.
"This not the place to argue the rights or wrongs of the Bacon
Rebellion. As in most such matters, there was probably some right on
both sides. From the outset, Robert Beverley was a hearty supporter of
Governor Berkeley and Bacon named him in his proclamations as one of the
"wicked and pernicious councellors aiders and assistors (of Berkeley)
against the Commonality in these our Cruell Commotions". (See VIRGINIA
HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p. 405.)
"It will be recalled that Nathaniel Bacon was a young man of
unquestionably great qualities as a leader and orator who after only
about a year of residence in the colony, led an expedition against the
Indians, defeated them, and then quarreled with Governor Berkeley and
defeated him and burned Jamestown, and died of fever a few days
thereafter. When Jamestown was burned, Governor Berkeley with such
forces as he had, fled to the Eastern Shore, Accomack and Northampton
Counties.
"Whether or not Robert Beverley had any part as a leader while Bacon was alive is not known. If so, neither he nor any other of the Berkeley men were able to make head against him. But after Bacon's death, Major Beverley was sent back from the Eastern Shore with a command and was very active and successful in suppressing the insurgents. On the 13th of November, 1676, Governor Berkeley gave him a commission appointing him Commander of all his (Berkeley's) forces. It begins: Whereas by many frequent and successful services to his Sacred Majesty, this country and me, his Majestie's Governor of it; Major Robert Beverley hath approved himself to be most Loyal, circumspect and courageous in his Majestie's service for the good of his country, and the suppressing of this late horrid Rebellion began by Bacon, and continued since his death by Ingram. Lawrence, Hansord and others, the last of which he, the said Robert Beverley, with courage and admirable conduct, never to be forgotten, this day brought to me." (Hening Vol. III, p. 567.)"At that time, Major Beverley was operating with a little band of about forty men and with these he captured the opposing leaders, Hansford, Harris, Wilsford and others and their bands.
"When the rebellion was over, the bitterness stirred up by it continued. King Charles had sent over Commissioners with Governor Jeffreys to take the place of Governor Berkeley and these arrived in Virginia after the rebellion was over.
Governor Berkeley had undoubtedly been very cruel and ruthless in his treatment of the followers of Bacon and the bitterness of the feeling toward him and toward his chief commander, Robert Beverley, was intense. He appointed Beverley a Member of Council which was a great honor in the colony, and the Burgesses elected him their Clerk, but like very many men before and since, he was destined to find political office no bed of roses. Largely through Major Beverley's influence, the House of Burgesses supported the old Governor, and the Commissioners and the new Governor Jeffreys were soon in violent opposition to Governor Berkeley, who went to England to answer charges against him.
"The many charges, arrests, and counter charges relating to Major Beverley are not here set out. They may be found in Mr. Stanard's well documented article on Major Beverley and his descendants in the VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p.405, et seq. Therein Mr. Stanard says, "Beverley, Ludwell, Ballard and others maintained after his (Gov. Berkeley's) death, a contest for the lawful independence of
the colony against the corrupt tribe of creatures of Charles and James, and on this account are entitled to respect"."The three offenses with which Major Beverley was charged and which incurred the ill will of King and Council, were his refusal to surrender the records of the Burgesses, his efforts to curtail the production of tobacco and his opposition to the Effingham unjust tax. It may be pointed out that all of these offenses, if they can be deemed such, were of a political nature and none of them was he serving a purely personal cause and in all, he had the support of the House of Burgesses who continued to the last, to elect him as their Clerk.
"Major Beverley's neighbor, Sir Henry Chickley, said the Council could "allege nothing material against him except some idle words let fall in his cups, on which occasions he is not compos mentis and Governor Lord Culpeper said, "I could find no evidence against him except for general sauciness".
From these quotations we may infer that drunk or sober, the old man was not afraid to speak his mind, a trait he passed on to some of his descendants."In April, 1677, the Commissioners ordered Major Beverley to give up the journals of the House of Burgesses but this he refused to do without their consent and thereby brought down on his head the wrath of Governor Jeffreys and the Commissioners at Jamestown and of the managing Board in London. The Burgesses, however, continued to support and elect him as their clerk.
"In 1682, the price of tobacco had gone down to such an extent that there was great dissatisfaction in the Colony and petitions were up for the calling of an Assembly to restrict the growing of tobacco in the Colony, but this Assembly was dissolved without action and riotous groups went about cutting down the
tobacco plants. Robert Beverley was accused of being a chief promoted in this "plant cutting" and was
imprisoned without trial on a ship in the Rappahannock River. On June 17, 1682, King James, in council, acting on reports sent from the Colony, ordered that Robert Beverley be put out of any office he held. These offices are referred to as pleading as an attorney and practicing the mystery of a surveyor besides Clerk of the Assembly and Deputy under the Auditor General."For several years, the controversy went on and it seems to have centered chiefly around Robert Beverley. At one time, the old man, for such he had now become, was so broken in spirit as to abjectly ask for pardon, but the Burgesses again chose him as their clerk and when Governor Lord Howard of Effingham endeavored to levy a tax called the Effingham tax without the consent of the Burgesses, he had enough spirit left to incite the Burgesses to refuse it. As a result of this King James on August 1, 1686, wrote his Governor "Whereas Robert Beverley, Clerk of the House of Burgesses, appears to have chiefly occasioned and promoted those disputes and contests, our will and pleasure is that he be declared incapable of any office or public employment within our colony of Virginia". The order further directed that he be prosecuted to the utmost severity of the law.
"But his old staunch friend, Colonel Philip Ludwell, of the days of Bacon's Rebellion, stood by him and contrived to have his oldest son, Peter Beverley, given the father's place as surveyor, described as "the best in the country".
"On the 15th of March, 1687, Major Beverley died largely as a result, historians think, of the persecutions to which he had been subjected. Mr. Stanard of the Virginia Historical Society wrote of him that he was "a man loyal to the King, yet an ardent supporter of the liberties of the colony of Virginia and
of the House of Burgesses, of which he was long a faithful and useful officer; a courageous and active soldier, a true and staunch friend, and the possessor of very general popularity and influence among the people." (VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. II, p.412.)"Nearly a hundred and fifty years after his death, there was found at "Blandfield", now and for over two hundred years a home of the Beverleys, a very old bundle of papers dealing with this long controversy. These, the old man believing in the justice of his cause, had handed down to his children and his children's children. They have been printed in Hening's Virginia Statutes, Vol. III, p. 548. Among them is the return he prepared for the trial he demanded but was never given. In it he says among other things: "My lord, I believe it lyes heavy on every loyall mind, to apprehend himself under his Majestie's disfavour, I am sure 'tis to me so great a burden as would sinke me to the ground, had I not the prop of an innocent conscience."
"How my heart hath been filled from my youth up with loyalties to my King and duty to his ministers, and still continues soe to be, the All-knowing God I call to witness, and appeale to." (Hening Vol. II. p. 565.)
"Anyone who examines these records will come to the conclusion that he was a very earnest and probably a much wronged man.
"This writer regrets that he cannot give a picture of Major Beverley or at least a description of his life in the colony. Of course, no picture has survived, and we have felt that it was best to write the simple facts and let each reader picture as best he can, the man in his surroundings and with his difficulties.
"One of the Bacon sympathizers referred to him as "the hard faced old Beverley", and he doubtless was so to those who were opposed to him. There is no doubt that he was a member of the Church of England. The Bruton Parish Church records, 1674-1683, have the listing "Attorney of the Vestry, Major Robert Beverley" and a further notation "June 5, 1679, the Vestry appointed Major Robert Beverley their lawful attorney to answer the suit of George Marable and to procure judgment for carrying out his agreement".
"In addition to his military and political activities, Major Beverley was a planter and acquired very considerable property and in his Will disposed of some thousands of acres of land evidently acquired through tobacco planting and trading.
"Those of his descendants who go to Jamestown Island and especially to the old remnant of a church still standing will perhaps be able to picture to themselves that far off day when he attended church there and later with other Berkeley supporters, sought to defend Jamestown from the Bacon forces. but very little of the record has been left.
"Major Robert Beverley was married twice after he came to Virginia. The first time was to Mrs. Mary Keeble, widow of Mr. George Keeble of Lancaster, and his second marriage was to Mrs. Catherine Hone, widow of Major Theophilus Hone and sister of Col. John Armistead of Gloucester County. (See VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE, Vol. III, p. 169.) There is some evidence as hereinafter set out that he may have been married in Hull, England, and lost his wife just before coming to Virginia.
"The best record of his married life with Mrs. Mary Keeble Beverley is the inscription on her tomb found a few years ago under the floor of Christ Church, Middlesex, VA. It is almost a model of concise information and shows her to have been a fit wife for a man who was destined to have thousands of descendants. It reads:
"Here lyeth interred the Body of
Mrs. Mary Beverley, wife of
Major Robert Beverley
Mother of nine sons and three daughters
Who departed this Life the 1st Day of
June 1678 aged forty-one years and three
Months, having been married to him
12 years and 2 months - and was
A careful Mother teaching Vertuous Life
Happy and making happy when a wife
Religious to Example, may all strive
To imitate her vertues whilst alive.""It is fairly certain that Mrs. Mary Beverley had one or more children by her first husband.
"The children of Major Robert and Mary Beverley who survived them were Peter, Robert, Harry and Mary. The three sons, Peter, Robert and Harry, were very prominent in the colony and they and their many descendants are dealt with later in this book.
"Major Beverley having lost so good a wife doubtless felt the necessity of replacing her as soon as possible. However that may have been, ten months after her death he married Mrs. Catherine Hone on the 28th of March, 1679.
"Major Robert and Catherine Beverley had issue William, John, Thomas, Christopher and Catherine. The last of these married Hon. John Robinson, member of Council and Speaker of the House of Burgesses.
"Origin of Beverley Family in England: The exact place, date of birth and ancestry of Robert Beverley, the Immigrant, have never been definitely determined although there is considerable evidence thereabout. There is no doubt that he came from Yorkshire, England, because such is the entry in the Parish Register made at the time of his death; just where in Yorkshire is uncertain, probably from the town of Beverley or Hull or Selby.
"The surname Beverley doubtless was taken originally by someone who had lived in the town of Beverley as surnames were acquired in that way. For instance, John of Beverley became John Beverley so the name is very frequent in Yorkshire.
"The following additional facts may be mentioned as indicating possible origin: In 1597, Robert Beverley of the Parish of Fiskertonn in the County of Nottingham, Gent, married Frances, daughter of Henry Fairfax of Bilboro, County of York, and in 1598, Henry Fairfax named his son-in-law Robert Beverley trustee under his Will. In 1650, William Beverley, the grandson of Robert Beverley, the Immigrant, went to England with his wife and his son and daughter and Mrs. Beverley's nephew, Robert Munford and William Henry Fairfax, son of Col. William Fairfax of Belvoir of the Lord Fairfax family in Virginia. The brief diary kept by William Beverley on this trip shows that they visited the Fairfax home "Toulson" in Yorkshire and that they later went to the city of Hull where they met a cousin, Mrs. Pheobe Beverley, and received a letter from another cousin, a William Beverley, then living in Norwich.
"William Beverley (who made the trip to England as aforesaid) was named by Lord Fairfax as one of his commissioners in Virginia in the great Northern Neck land controversy and the association of the families appears to have been very close, leading to the surmise that Major Robert Beverley may have been descended from the Robert Beverley who married Frances Fairfax.
"There were at least two Peter Beverleys living in Yorkshire in about 1640, one in Hull and one at Rillington, and either of them might have been the father of the Immigrant, who named his first son Peter. It was customary then to name the first son for the father or grandfather.
"Perhaps the most probable line may be through Peter Beverley of the city of Hull, a man of humble origin who married Susannah Hollis in 1634. He was elected a Free Burgess of St. Mary's Parish in the Borough of Hull. He appears to have had a son, Robert Beverley, who was baptized in 1635. Susannah Hollis seems to have been the daughter of Robert Hollis who in November of 1626, was a member of the Society of Merchant Adventurers of Hull, and in 1647, was Assistant to the Governor of the Company.
"In the Parish Register of St. Mary's, Bourough of Hull, there is a record of the death of Elizabeth, wife of Robert Beverley, in 1663. There is also a record on the 14 of September 1680, of the burial of Thomas, son of Mr Robert Beverley of Virginia. This was evidently one of the sons sent back for schooling.
"These facts would appear to be quite conclusive if it were not for the frequencey of the names Robert Beverley and Peter Beverley in the Yorkshire area.
"William Beverley of the fifth generation in Virginia, was sent to school in England and never came back to Virginia. He married Mary Midgely, an heiress, and was Mayor of the town of Beverley in 1806. His son Robert McKenzie Beverley became Lord Scarborough and he may have determined the origin of his ancestor, the Immigrant, but if he did, he left no record of it.
"In about 1915, Mr. Edward Simons Lewis of St Louis Missouri, a descendant of the Immigrant, became interest in genealogy and believed the descent of Major Robert Beverley could be traced to the well known Beverley family of Selby and Great Smeaton in Yorkshire by identifying Major Robert Beverley who came to Virginia as the third son of Thomas Beverley of Selby and Great Smeaton in Yorkshire and Elizabeth Vincent and thence, through John Beverley and Phillipa Mechum to King Henry III, and so to Charlemagne. Mr. Lewis was a prominent Lawer and we do not mean to cast doubts on his findings and conclusions, but a study of the Selby family, dates, etc., shows that if such a descent exists, it must be through a younger son whom we have not been able to identify.
"Burke's Landed Gentry says the Beverleys sold their land in Yorkshire to the Pennymen family about the time Robert Beverley came to Virginia.
"The Immigrant sent at least three of his sons back to England to school and as above stated, according to the Parish Register of St. Mary's in Hull, his son Thomas died there and was buried on the 14th of September, 1680.
"From the position the Immigrant soon took in the Colony, and the offices he held, it is evident he was well educated for those days and a man of culture and attainments but so far as we know, the above fairly well sums up the evidence of his origin.
Children born to Robert and Mary Keeble were:
1. Peter Beverley, b. 1668, d. 1728
2. Robert Beverley, Jr., b. 1673, d. 1722
3. Harry Beverley, b......d. 1730
4. Mary Beverley, b.........d. 1694 William Jones of King and Queen Co., No issue.Second marriage, 3-28-1679, Catherine Hone, dau. of Theophilus Hone of James City Co.
5. William Beverley, bapt. 1-4-1680
6. John Beverley
7. Thomas Beverley, b..........d. 9-10-1686
8. Christopher Beverley, bapt. 3-19-1686
9. Catherine BeverleyIn "The Beverley Family of Virginia" by John McGill, he states that "he was a member of the Church of England." The Bruton Parish Church records, 1674-1683, have the listing "Attorney of the Vestry, Major Robert Beverley" and a further notation "June 5, 1679 the Vestry appointed Major Robert Beverley their lawful attorney to answer the suit of George Marable and to procure judgment for carrying out his agreement."
He was buried at Jamestown. The many old inscriptions on the tombs there, however, are almost impossible to read, and his may have been one of the graves that was encroached upon by the river."
WILL OF ROBERT BEVERLEY, of Middlesex County in Virginia, Gentl. 16th August 1686. Item I give & bequeath unto my eldest son Peter Beverley...all my land in Gloucester County Lying upon Peanketank River betwixt the creeks called Cheesecake Creek and Hoccadies alias Bayles Creek and adjoining to and including in a patent with 500 acres which (were) formerly by me sold and passed away to Mr. Mann of Gloster County by deed under my hand & seal but in case my said son Peter should happen to die without heirs of his body, my will is that the ...lands above (should go) to my second son Robert Beverley...Item I give to my second son Robert Beverley...my plantation & Devident of Land on Poropotank Creek Glouster County...920 Acres...To Harry Beverley 1600 acres in Rappahannock...To John 3000 acres in Rappahannock & New Kent...on the run commonly known...by the name of Beverley Park..to William Beverley 1 land in Middlesex on Rappahannock River...called Griffin's Neck adj. Mr. Robert Smith and Col. Christo; Wormeley & purchased of Mr. Thos. Elliot...To wife Catherine during her natural life...my plantation in Middlesex County...on Peankatanke River whereon I live...now called Old plantation 165 acres according to patent. Also all one half parte of 100 acres of Land & plantation in Gloster County or the whole if I happen to purchase same before my death commonly called and known by the name of North River quarter and now held in partnership betwixt by Brother Coll John Armistead...Provided by wife...accept same in full of...right of dower...After wife's decease I bequeath all the 3 sd plantations to...my daughter Catherine Beverley...I give to the child my wife now goes with be it male or female...all my other lands & plantations...not household goods at my dwelling plantation...for her life...then to daughters Mary and Catherine...all other property to be disposed in equal parts...betwixt my wife and children either in specifical kind or in money sterling...Wife Catherine executor. Signed, Robert Beverley; witness, Ralph Wormley, Robert Smith, Willm Kitts, Walter Keeble, Thomas Ballard. Recorded, Middlesex, 4th April 1687."
Father: Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1610 in City of Hull, York, England
Mother: Susanna HOLLIS b: 1613 in Hull, Yorkshire, EnglandMarriage 1 UNKNOWN ELIZABETH b: in England
Married: Bef. 1663 in St. Mary's, Hull, Yorkshire, EnglandMarriage 2 Mary KEEBLE b: 1 Mar 1637 in Hull, Eng.
Married: 1 Apr 1666
Children
Harry BEVERLEY b: 1669 in Middlesex County, VA
Peter BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1668 in Middlesex, VA
Robert, Jr. BEVERLEY b: 1673 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA
Mary BEVERLEY b: Jun 1678 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VAMarriage 3 Catherine Hone ARMISTEAD b: 1643 in Middlesex Co., VA
Married: 28 Mar 1679 in Christ Church, Middlesex, VA
Children
John BEVERLEY b: 4 Jan 1687 in Middlesex Co., VA
William BEVERLEY b: 1680 in Blandfield, Middlesex, VA
Thomas BEVERLEY b: 1686 in Middlesex, VA
Christopher BEVERLEY b: Abt. 1686
Catherine BEVERLEY b: 1686 in Middlesex, VAMarriage 4 Margaret BOYD b: 1 Mar 1637 in Of, Hull, Yorkshire, England
Married: Apr 1666 in Jamestown, Middlesex, VA