Martha Kennon

Family/Spouse: Robert Munford. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Richard Kennon, who was founder of the family in Virginia, was a prominent merchant living at Bermuda Hundred on the James River. In 1685 he was factor for William Paggen, a London Merchant. He was a constant visitor to London, justice of the peace for Henrico county in 1680 and other years, and burgess in 1686.

He married Elizabeth Worsham, daughter of William Worsham and Elizabeth his wife. He died in 1696 and in his will names his children Richard, William, Martha married Robert Munford, Mary married married Major John Bolling of Cobbs, Elizabeth married Joseph Royall Sr, Sarah, and Judith married Thomas Eldridge.

Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography. Vol. I-II. New York, NY, USA: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1915. p 271.

Richard married Elizabeth Worsham in 1675 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of William Worsham and Elizabeth Littleberry) was born in 1656 in , Chesterfield, Virginia, USA; died in 1705 in Conjurers Neck, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Remarkable Lady of Conjurer's Neck.
This article is from the book Chesterfield, An Old Virginia County, by Francis Earl Lutz. Published by William Byrd Press: Richmond, Virginia, 1954. p. 62.

In 1639 Richard Kennon patented land on a peninsula created by the bend of the Appomattox River and Swift Creek. Kennon was a representative for a large London firm and traded the goods he imported. Among the less admirable imports by Kennon was slaves. The site of his land patent was called "Conjurer's Neck" because when the white people came to the hand of the "Appomutucks," an old Indian conjurer occupied that site.

In 1611 Sir Thomas Dale had all the Indians from this area driven off in retaliation for an Indian attack on a white settlement; thus the fertile tilled land of the Indians became available for use by the white settlers. Kennon was public spirited and served in all offices to which he was called. In addition, he was a sportsman and prior to 1677 he was known to race many horses in the "Quarter" races held at the track in Bermuda Hundred. He built a residence called "Brick House" which is currently believed to be the oldest surviving house in the County. The dwelling was begun in 1685, and it is believed that the brick may have been manufactured on the peninsula, for in reality, few American buildings were actually built of English brick.

Richard Kennon married Elizabeth Bolling, daughter of Colonel Robert Bolling and his second wife, Anne Stith. Their first son was named Richard Kennon, Jr., and died at four years of age. He was buried just beyond the bay window of the house so that the bereaved young mother could watch over the grave.
It was not unusual, during the early colonial area, for a second son to bear the name of the first son who had died, so the Kennons also named their second son Richard. They were blessed with a third son whom they named William.

Richard Kennon, Sr. must have died prior to 1703, because in that year Elizabeth Kennon joined a group that included eight other people of influence and patented 4,000 acres on a creek called Winterpock in southwest Chesterfield. It appears that she entered this deal on behalf of her sons who were not of age. This lady seems to have been business minded because she was also listed as the proprietor of a ferry which operated from Point of Rocks to the Prince George side of the Appomattox. She operated this as late as 1720 when she would have been around fifty-five years old; an advanced age for a colonial lady.

By 1711 the Kennon's son William was one of William Byrd, II's subordinates in the Appomattox militia. When Chesterfield County was organized in 1749, William Kennon, Sr., and William Kennon, Jr., were among those charged by Governor William Gooch to be justices in the new county. In 1762 William Kennon, Jr., was given permission to operate a mill on the Appomattox River. A creek near this mill was renamed Kennon Mill Creek, in honor of the popular man. The Kennons, like many other County residents, were moving westward and continued to be outstanding County residents in their new location. This was indeed, one of Chesterfield's finer families.

Conjurer's Neck.
The neck of land at the northeast corner of the city lying between Swift Creek and the north side of the Appomattox River, was once known as Conjurer's Neck. A conjurer was an Indian magician found in the eastern United States. One early custom of the Indian was to place the conjurer at the confluence of streams to ward off evil spirits believed to inhabit the waters, so it is natural to assume the Appomattox Indians placed a conjurer at the point where Swift Creek runs into the Appomattox River.

On December 1, 1620, the Mayflower was still at sea off the coast of Massachusetts when the first known land patent was granted in Colonial Heights - the land known as Conjurer's Neck. In 1685, Richard Kennon, a merchant of Bermuda Hundred, built a brick plantation home, and another famous name attached to Conjurer's Neck, being that of "The Brick House Farm." The house was consumed by a fire in 1879, but most of the original walls still stand. Undoubtedly, it is the oldest home in Chesterfield County and by far, the oldest brick home in Colonial Heights. The Comstock family acquired the property in 1909, restored the old house, and have made it their home for since.

Brick House.
The oldest brick house in Chesterfield County, and thought by some to be the oldest in Virginia, is located on the promontory between Swift Creek and Appomattox River, and is simply called Brick House. The peninsula on which it stands is sometimes referred to as "Conjuror's Neck," because an old Indian conjuror used to live there. Brick House was built in 1685 by Richard Kennon, an English gentleman of wealth, whose family received large land grants in Virginia. Kennon came to Virginia prior to 1670, and became a merchant of Bermuda Hundred; he also represented Henrico County in the House of Burgesses. Richard Kennon, Jr. was also a member of the House of Burgesses. He married the daughter of Col. Robert Bolling, the emigrant, and his second wife, the former Anne Stith. Richard's sister was married to John Bolling, half-brother of Richard's wife - John was the son of Col. Robert Bolling and his first wife Jane Rolfe. They lived at Cobb's.

Like much of eastern Virginia, the site of Colonial Heights was located within the Algonquian-speaking confederation known as Tenakomakah, ruled by Chief Powhatan, when the English colonists arrived at Jamestown on May 14, 1607. Captain John Smith's early map of Virginia testifies that the present area of Colonial Heights included the principal town of the Appamattuck subtribe, led by their weroance, Coquonasum, and his sister, Oppussoquionuske. In the aftermath of the Indian attacks of 1622 and 1644, they became tributary to England and relocated to nearby Ettrick, and its opposite bank, near Fort Henry (within modern-day Petersburg, Virginia).

The area including present-day Colonial Heights was made a part of "Henrico Cittie", one of 4 huge "incorporations" formed in the Virginia Colony in 1619 by the London Company. English colonists first settled in the Colonial Heights area in 1620. A small group sailed up the Appomattox River looking for clear land, and finally settled in an area where Swift Creek runs into the Appomattox River, which they named Conjurer's Neck. This confluence was formerly the residence a Native American healer (known as a "conjurer") who was thought to have cast spells over the waters.

Shortly thereafter, Charles Magnor registered the first land patent in the area for 650 acres (2.6 km2), which he later developed into a plantation before selling it in 1634. That same year, by order of King Charles I of England, the Virginia Colony was divided into the 8 original shires of Virginia by the House of Burgesses, one of which was Henrico County, which included the future land of Colonial Heights.

In 1635, the English had a small town called Appamattucks near the "Old Towne" Creek,[5] thought to be located near the intersection of Temple Avenue and Dimmock Parkway.[6] Also in that year, Captain Henry Fleet and Francis Poythress built a small fort nearby, on "Fleet's Hill" just west of the current city, now occupied by the campus of Virginia State University.

During the period from 1677 to 1685, one of the area's historic landmarks was constructed with the building of the Old Brick House. Richard Kennon came to Virginia prior to 1670, and became a merchant of Bermuda Hundred. He represented Henrico County in the House of Burgesses. His son, Richard Kennon, Jr., was also a member of the House of Burgesses and married the daughter of Col. Robert Bolling, the emigrant, and his second wife, the former Anne Stith. Richard's sister, Mary Kennon, was married to Major John Fairfax Bolling, half-brother of Richard's wife. Major Bolling was the son of Col. Robert Bolling and his first wife Jane Rolfe, who was granddaughter of the early colonist John Rolfe and his Native American wife, Pocahontas. The Bollings lived at Cobb's, a plantation in eastern Chesterfield near Point-of-Rocks.

The manor house built by Richard Kennon (later known as the "Brick House") is now thought to be the oldest permanent structure in Colonial Heights. One wall of the house survived a disastrous fire in 1879, and the rest was rebuilt. [3]

John married Elizabeth Blair Bolling. Elizabeth was born in 1625 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA; died in 1705 in Conjurers Neck, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William Worsham arrived in the Colony of Virginia by 1640 when Seth Ward sold him 200 acres at the old Indian Town, near Swift Creek, in what was then Henrico County.

A George Worsham, who may have been his brother, got a neighboring 200 acres 15 February 1652/3. William and his wife Elizabeth lived at “Jordans” on Bailey Creek in what was then Charles City County and is today Prince George. They were parents of five children. William was a county commissioner of Charles City County from April to August 1657, and George was justice of the peace for Henrico in 1656. After William's death, probably in the late 1650s, Elizabeth married Francis Epes, the second of his name in the Colony, who was by then the father of the third Francis Epes. He became father to William's children. Charles and Mary were still minors 20 August 1678 when Epes gave the court an accounting of some livestock that belonged to them.

Elizabeth’s wills of 1678 remembered children of both marriages.

It has been suggested that William’s wife was Elizabeth Littleberry since she gave one of her sons by a 2nd marriage that peculiar name. Yet there is no evidence.

Elizabeth’s 2nd husband was the son of Francis Epes who was in the colony by 1625. A patent issued to the elder Epes 26 Aug 1635 stated that the land granted to him was for the “personal adventure” of himself and for the transportation of his sons John Epes, Francis Epes, Thomas Epes, and 30 others.

Elizabeth left a will in Henrico County in 1678 remembering daughter Elizabeth Kennon and her daughter Mary Kennon, daughter Mary Epes, son John Worsham, and her husband Epes’ children, whom she did not name (will dated 28 Aug 1678 and proved 1 Oct 1678 ). She amended the will 23 Sep 1678 to confirm gifts to children by her 1st husband, William Worsham, including John and Charles, and to divide the rest of her estate among children she had by her late husband Francis Epes, namely William Epes, Littlebury Epes, and Mary Epes. She appointed executors son-in-law Richard Kennon and stepson Francis Epes

The first record of William Worsham in Virginia was a patent for William & George Worsnam for 400 acres of land in Henrico Co., VA dated 15 Feb 1652. Two hundred acres was part of a patent which WILLIAM WORSNAM purchased in 1640 from SETH WARD and two hundred acres was for transporting four persons. George was probably William's brother. William married Elizabeth by 1646. . . . [The land was at "the old Indian town" at Swifts Creek in what was then Henrico County.]

On 1 November 1640 SETH WARD sold 200 acres purchased of WILLIAM WORSHAM 200 acres in Henrico County. [Wm. Worsham :& George Worsham, 400 acres, Henrico County, 15 Feb 1652, p 23. 200 acres part hereof lying at the old Towne at Appomattox River siding SW by the Old Towne Creek upon John Coogney's land extending NE upon Mrs. DOROTHY CLERK (sic Clarke), widow; and 200 acres being part of the old Towne aforesaid, bounded from the S by W corner of said Worshams first 200 acres upon the head of the said land N by E, thence into the woods towards Swifts Creek &c 200 acres being part of a patent granted unto William Clarke deceased, 6 May 1638, and by said Clarke sold unto Seth Ward from whom it was purchased by Willliam Worsham, 2 November 1640; and 200 acres for transport of 4 persons: Henry White, Jo. Plummer, Susan Chiles, Sarah Chiles; Oliver Green, land due for.] Source: Cavaliers & Pioneers, p 237-238. This patent was mentioned as follows in a patent to JOHN WILSON, 100 acres, Henrico Co., N side of Appomattox, 24 Sep 1667 (Patent Book 6, p 54) beg. at the river side @ by N. Nly along an old known fence being line parting his & Orphants of George & Will Wworsham &c. adj. his own land &c. Due for trans of 7 persons dated 6 May 1638 & the other 25 Sep 1663. Sd. 100 acres being part of a dvdt. purchased by WM. CLARKE containin 1100 acs. granted him by Sir John Havey late Govt. 6 May 1638; sold to LEONARD LANGTON 29 Oct 1638 who sold to SEATH WARD 3 Jan 1639 as by record of said deed at James City 24 Sept 1640 & assighnment endorsed may appear & for better confirmation the Widow DOROTHY CLARKE did afterwards surrender same to SEATH WARD at a court held at Varina 25 Mar 1640, who at a Ct. held at Varina 9 Nov 1640 assigned to Wm. Worsham 3200 acs. part oe 300 acs. lying at the Old Towne Cr. ^ by dec dated 2 Nov 1640 & endorced & C. Said WARD for good consideration assigned the other 100 acres to MICHAEL MASTERS 28 Oct 1642 at a Court held at Varina at which Court said Masters surrended up said 100 acres to HENRY ROWEN who in like manner at the same Court surrendered same to PETER FEEPOND who at the same Court surrended to said WILSON.

From Patent Book #3: WM. WORSNAM & GEORGE WORSNAM, 400 acs., Henerico Co., 15 Feb 1652, p. 23, 200 acs. part herof lying at the old Towne att Appamattox Riv., bouding Ely, upon sd. Riv., sideing SW by the Old Towne DR. upon John Cooneys land, extending NE upon land of Mrs. Dorothy Clerk, widdow; & 200 acrs, being part of the old Towne aforesaid, bounded from the S by W corner of sd. Worsnams first 200 acs., upon the head of woods towards Swift Creek &C. 200 acres being part of a patent sould unto Seth Ward, from whom it was purchased by Wm. Worsnam, 2 Nov 1640; & 200 acs. for trans. of 4 pers: Hen. White, Jo. Plummer, Sasan (or Susan) Chiles, Sarah Chiles, Oliver Green, land due for.

George Worsham, probably brother to William Worsham, died before 6 Jun 1666. On that date John Wilson patented 100 acres of land which was on the North side of Appomattox along a fence which line parted said Wilson and the orphans of George & William Worsham. After William died his wife, Elizabeth married Col. Francis Eppes II of Henrico Co., VA about 1661. Elizabeth Worsham Eppes made a will with a codicil and both were recorded in Henrico Co., VA Oct 1678. In her will, she named her daughter, Elizabeth Kennon; her granddaughter, Mary Kennon; daughter, Mary Worsham; daughter, Mary Epes; son, John Worsham; son, Charles Worsham. In the codicil she states she is Elizabeth Epes, widow & relict of Col. Frances Epes of Henrico Co. She also mentions former husband Wm. Worsham, dec'd. This time she names her Epes children: William, Littleberry & Mary Epes." Source: Worsham & Warsham Family History

William & Elizabeth Worsham lived at "Jordans" on Bailey Creek in what was then Charles City County, and is now in Prince George County.

On 20 August 1678 COL. FRANCIS EPES was present at an Orphans' Court in Henrico County, when he gave an account of the cattle belonging to CHARLES and MARY WORSHAM, orphans of Mr. WILLIAM WORHSAM. (Source: Adventurers of Purse & Person, page 858]

William married Elizabeth Littleberry. Elizabeth was born in 1620; died in 1678. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]