John Owen

Notes:

OWEN FAMILY
Richard OWEN - b. about 1550. Married Jan. 14, 1580, Steventon Parish, Berkshire. Joane DANIELL - b. about 1555-1560; d. after 1604. Daughter of Robert DANIELL.

Robert OWEN - bap. Nov. 7, 1583, Steventon Parish, Berkshire. Son of Richard OWEN and Joane DANIELL. Married Nove. 21, 1613, Steventon Parish, Berkshire. Joane WHITE - b. about 1595.

Bartholomew OWEN - bap. Aug. 24, 1619, Steventon Parish, Berkshire, England; d. 1677/8, Surry Co., VA. Probable son of Robert OWEN and Joane WHITE. The earliest record of Bartholomew in America is 1658, but the related Court records in Surry Co., VA from 1658 to late 1660 indicate he was probably well established had some sort of dispute with Thomas GRAY, an early Planter. The Court found that Bartholomew was guilty of scandalous and defamatory language in the case. On Oct. 17, 1659, Bartholomew served on an Inquest Jury in an accidental death. He was a Church Warden of Southwark Parish in 1661. In a land sale of Mar. 1, 1661 and cattle sale of Apr. 1, 1662, Bartholomew was called Gentleman. On Nov. 3, 1663, Bartholomew lost a suit and forfeited 2129 pounds of tobacco, and in 1664 he was co-surety on a King's bond of 10,000 pounds of tobacco. These and other land and Court records between 1658 and 1670 indicate that Bartholomew OWEN held considerable wealth in land and commodities and was called upon to serve the community in positions of trust and responsibility. Bartholomew may have been married first on May 9, 1641 in England to Ann CHARLES, by whom he had no known children. Bartholomew's wife is named as Joanna in a conveyance dated Jan. 3, 1670, and in the Sep. 9, 1674 sale of 150 acres in Surry Co., VA to William FOREMAN. A 648 acre land patent by Bartholomew on May 14, 1673, and a 1689 patent by Edmund JENNINGS including headrights for Robert OWEN, Jone OWEN and William OWEN, together the absence of Bartholomew from Court records from early 1670 to mid 1673, suggests that the family may have made a trip to England during this time. Bartholomew granted a power of attorney to Nicholas Meriweather on Oct. 8, 1677, and on Jan. 31, 1677/8, Joanna OWEN was granted administration of the estate of Bartholomew OWEN, deceased. The estate was inventoried and appraised at 30 pounds by Will FOREMAN and John MORING on Feb. 14, 1677 in Surrey Co., VA. Married Joanna about 1666.

Joanna - b. about 1652; d. after 1704, New Kent Co., VA. It has been suggested that she was the daughter of Edmond JENNINGS. On Apr. 17, 1693, Joanna deposed that she was "about 40 years." She had four minor children when she was name administrator of her husband's estate.

Married second in James City to Thomas BROOKES (1695, Henrico Co., VA; will dated Feb. 23, 1694/5 and proved Oct. 1695).  I was likely born in the Colony of Virginia. Since the early records of Henrico County where I lived are mostly missing, I can tell you nothing about my father, who died when my brother, William, and I were very young. Our mother, Joanna, who was born about 1655, married second Thomas Brookes. His 1694-will in Henrico County left one shilling each to Thomas and William Owen, whom he called his “sons-in-law,” a term that then meant stepson. In 1704 mother was living in Henrico County on a large farm belonging to Capt. William Walker of New Kent County and I had my own 68 acres. Mother was likely dead by 1710 when Captain Walker’s son sold the land, calling it the plantation where Joan Brooks formerly lived. William and I lived on the south side of the Chickahominy River near Seth Rench, whose will I witnessed in 1704. Elizabeth and I were the parents of 3 sons and 2 daughters. Since I deeded property to sons, John and William, in March 1740, my 1741-will left them one shilling each. I divided two slaves between the families of daughters Priscilla Fuqua and Elizabeth Britton and expressed my desire that Thomas receive the remainder of my property after the death of his mother. Since I outlived Elizabeth, I deeded my home plantation to Thomas in 1743. I was dead by May 1744.  Land activity Thomas Owen purchased 100 acres on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp 2 February 1712/3, of which he deeded half to Daniel Fitzpatrick 7 February 1714/5. After Rench’s daughter Sarah Rench married Lancelot Armstrong, they sold her half of Rench’s land to Owen 1 September 1728. Thomas deeded 50 acres to Watson Brumfield 3 March 1734/5 and 350 acres to Isaac Winston 30 May 1735. As Thomas Owen of Henrico County, he purchased a tract of land on the north side of the James River in Goochland County 2 June 1737. His wife, Elizabeth, relinquished her dower right when he deeded 190 acres in Goochland County to John Simkins 17 September 1737, the same day Simkins sold Owen a neighboring 150 acres in Henrico County. Thomas Owen, planter living in Henrico County, appointed “loving friend Ralph Fuqua” his attorney 5 April 1743. Thomas Owen, in his own words If he could speak to us today, Thomas Owen might describe his life as follows.  I was likely born in the Colony of Virginia. Since the early records of Henrico County where I lived are mostly missing, I can tell you nothing about my father, who died when my brother, William, and I were very young. Our mother, Joanna, who was born about 1655, married second Thomas Brookes. His 1694-will in Henrico County left one shilling each to Thomas and William Owen, whom he called his “sons-in-law,” a term that then meant stepson. In 1704 mother was living in Henrico County on a large farm belonging to Capt. William Walker of New Kent County and I had my own 68 acres. Mother was likely dead by 1710 when Captain Walker’s son sold the land, calling it the plantation where Joan Brooks formerly lived. William and I lived on the south side of the Chickahominy River near Seth Rench, whose will I witnessed in 1704. Elizabeth and I were the parents of 3 sons and 2 daughters. Since I deeded property to sons, John and William, in March 1740, my 1741-will left them one shilling each. I divided two slaves between the families of daughters Priscilla Fuqua and Elizabeth Britton and expressed my desire that Thomas receive the remainder of my property after the death of his mother. Since I outlived Elizabeth, I deeded my home plantation to Thomas in 1743. I was dead by May 1744.  Land activity Thomas Owen purchased 100 acres on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp 2 February 1712/3, of which he deeded half to Daniel Fitzpatrick 7 February 1714/5. After Rench’s daughter Sarah Rench married Lancelot Armstrong, they sold her half of Rench’s land to Owen 1 September 1728. Thomas deeded 50 acres to Watson Brumfield 3 March 1734/5 and 350 acres to Isaac Winston 30 May 1735. As Thomas Owen of Henrico County, he purchased a tract of land on the north side of the James River in Goochland County 2 June 1737. His wife, Elizabeth, relinquished her dower right when he deeded 190 acres in Goochland County to John Simkins 17 September 1737, the same day Simkins sold Owen a neighboring 150 acres in Henrico County. Thomas Owen, planter living in Henrico County, appointed “loving friend Ralph Fuqua” his attorney 5 April 1743. 

WILL OF THOMAS OWEN 13 October 1741 To wife Elizabeth, use of Negroes for life and then 2 of them to my son Thomas. Also to wife, items and parts of land, as law directs, for life, and then to son Thomas. To son Thomas, all my lands, except that Martha Robards may have life on the land; also to him, Negroes & items. To son John, 1 shilling. To son William, 1 shilling. To Martha Robards, 1 cow and calf. After wife’s death, my Negro girl to Ralph Fuqua and Priscilla, his wife, for life, and then to their son John, if he live to 21. If he dies, then to Elizabeth Fuqua, daughter of said Ralph & Priscilla. Elizabeth Fuqua also to get the Negro Jack, after the death of her parents provided William Britton Sr. will give his son William Britton one Negro to the value of the Negro girl Lucy, then I give my grandson William Britton, if he reach 18 years of age, the Negro girl Lucy. If he dies, said Lucy goes to his sisters, Elizabeth and Mary Britton. All rest of estate divided between wife and son, Thomas. Thomas did not identify Martha Robards as a daughter, although perhaps she was. 

John Owen (-1767) John Owen, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Owen, married first Sarah Brackett. Sarah joined John on a deed in August 1731 but was dead by 1739 when John’s wife was Phoebe. William Bratchett, perhaps Sarah’s brother, was residing in John’s household in 1749. During his lifetime, John acquired large tracts of land in present-day Prince Edward County, including 4,273 acres by patent. A resident of St. Patrick’s Parish, he helped procession farms in the fork of the Sandy River in 1760. John left a will in Prince Edward naming wife, Phoebe, and twelve children (will dated 24 Feb. 1767, recorded 28 Aug. 1767). Prince Edward County charged the estate of John Owen on five tithables and 773 acres in 1767.

William Owen (-1804), a patroller, was charged on one tithe in Amelia County in 1749. He was deeded 100 acres on the upper side of Mountain Creek by his father 25 December 1750 and got a neighboring 100 acres from Mumford DeJarnette 13 April 1762. After selling DeJarnette 8 acres in 1759, he was left with 192, which he deeded to his brother Brackett Owen 7 October 1762. William secured a patent to 400 acres in present-day Halifax County 29 May 1760. Pittsylvania County charged William Owen Sr. on one tithe and 100 acres in 1770. William deeded 100 acres to son John in 1772, 42 acres to son William in 1774, 41 acres to son Hatcher in 1783, 100 acres to son Hatcher in 1790, and 100 acres to son Thomas in 1797. During the Revolution, William escorted prisoners and contributed oats and corn, for which he was later compensated. William was head of a household of seven whites in Halifax County in 1782 and five whites in 1785. William left a will in Halifax County naming sons John, Hatcher, and Thomas Owen, daughters Lucy Powell, Susanna Brady, Agnes Thomas, Hatcher’s son William, and Thomas’ son William (will dated 10 Aug. 1804). Hatcher Owen married first Elizabeth Roberts in Halifax County 27 July (bond) 1781. She died soon afterwards because Hatcher was living alone and owned one “Negro” slave in 1782 and 1785. He married second Mary Abbott 16 October 1787. Daughters of Hatcher Owen who married in Halifax County Rebecca Owen married Edwin Vaughan in Halifax County 29 November 1819.

Thomas married Elizabeth Brookes in 1693 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Brooks and Joana Brookes) was born on 18 Feb 1665 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA; died in 1746 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bartholomew Owen was born in Steventon Parish, Berkshire, England, ca. 1619, and was christened on 24 August 1619. His parents were Robert Owen, born in Steventon Parish ca. 1583, christened 7 November 1583, and Joanne White, born in Stevento n Parish ca. 1592, christened 20 July 1592. Robert was the son of Richard Owen, born ca. 1555 in England and Joanne Daniel, born ca. 1560. Bartholomew came to Surrey County, Virginia in the 1650's and married ca. 1663, Johanna Jennings, born ca . 1640 and died after 1693, believed to be the daughter of Edmund Jennings. There are four known children: Katherine (ca.1667-1719), Robert (ca. 1668-1717), William (ca. 1671-1752) and Thomas (ca. 1673-1744). Bartholomew died intestate ca. 167 7 with the inventory and appraisal of his estate made on 14 February 1677, and filed in the Surrey County, VA court on 17 January 1678. Johanna was appointed administrator of the estate (see inventory below). After Bartholomew's death, Johanna mar ried Thomas Brooks, and moved with her two younger sons, William and Thomas, to James City, Virginia and then to Henrico County.

After his arrival in Virginia, Bartholomew immediately made a name for himself. The Surrey County, Virginia 1652 - 1663 court records are full of his dealings and escapades. In 1658 he was involved in a fight with Thomas Gray, a prominent plant er. A suit was filed in Surrey County and several witnesses testified that they had heard Bartholomew Owen making many "disparaging, malicious and threatening remarks" against Gray. On 29 January 1658, the Court granted a continuance in the differ ence between Gray and Owen.

On 5 September 1660, in Court held at Southwarke Parish for Surrey County, further evidence was introduced in the case. In a deposition, dated 16 August 1660, Robert Spenser, aged 30, son of Edmund Spencer, undersheriff of Surrey County, state d that he had heard Bartholomew, on several occasions and in various places speak very "scandulous" words against the Commissioners of Surrey County, saying he would never have justice done him in that Court." Further, both in James City an d in Surrey County, Bartholomew had highly reviled Captain George Jordan, calling him "Raskell and Rogue" and "shouten Raskell" and several other such base terms. Spenser rebuked Owen for his "mullitious" words. Owen replied, swearing, "God Dam m him, of that raskell" George Jordan.

In the second deposition in James City, 19 August 1660, Roger Rawlins, aged 26, said that he heard Owen "disparrage" Captain Jordan and the Court, threatening him "publicky" in company saying "he longed to kick that man's arse." In Septembe r 1660, Mrs. Fortune Mills, a relative of the reviled Captain George Jordan, "deposeth" that Bartholomew Owen of Surrey County, hath several times, in her hearing, spoken "dispairaging and scandalous" words against the Commissioners and wholly aga inst Captain Jordan saying "he never had justice done him in that Court." The court found Bartholomew guilty of scandalous and defamatory language and appointed Captain George Jordan to sue and prosecute the said Owen at the next Quarter Court wi th full power and authority to use all lawful means, for their consideration. Robert Stanton, the court clerk recorded this judgement, on 10 September 1660.

Despite this verdict and the controversy, Bartholomew was apparently considered a man of some substance since he was referred to as a gentleman in the records. He was a Church Warden of Southwarke Parish Church, Surrey County, served on seve ral juries and coroners juries, sold and bought land and appeared to have served as a cattle broker.
Bartholomew owned a 648-acre plantation, but was far from being considered well off. He died intestate and his estate was valued at a modest £30 and probably, for inheritance tax purposes, was inventoried as follows: "one ould diseased horse an d ould saddle and bridle, a bull, heyfer 12 years old, and a heifer calf, 6 shoates and 2 sows with 12 pigs." His household goods "comprised a passell of ould pewter, 2 ould iron pots, 2 pair pot hooks, 2 spits, and a pair of ould tongs." Furnitur e included "2 very ould thin feather beds and boulsters and 1 very ould, woolen cloth blankit, 2 tables and a fourme (bench) very ould, and 1 ould chest without a lock. A parcel of lumber and ould iron and 1 barrill of a gun and an unfixed lock an d an ould rifle" completed the inventory. Will Foreman and John Moring made the appraisal on 14 February 1677, Jone Owen also signed by mark.

Bartholomew married Joanna Jennings in 1666 in , Surry, Virginia, USA. Joanna was born in 1650 in , Surry, Virginia, USA; died in 1700 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Joana Brookes. Joana was born in 1640 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA; died in 1665 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]