John Coles Payne

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1790, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

John married Mary Winston Coles in 1761 in New Garden, Guilford, North Carolina, USA. Mary was born on 14 Oct 1743 in Coles Hill, Hanover, Virginia, USA; died on 8 Feb 1808 in Clarksburg, Harrison, West Virginia, USA; was buried in Clarksburg, Harrison, West Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Josias 'Sr' Payne was born on 30 Oct 1705 in Northam, Goochland Co, VA, USA as the first child of. He had one sibling, namely: John 'Colonel'. He died on 17 Dec 1785 in Pittsylvania Co, VA, USA. When he was 26, He married Anne Fleming Payne in 1732 in Goochland Co VA, and had the following children:

1. Josias Payne was born in 1735 in St. James Northam Parish, Goochland Co., VA. He died in 1804 in Nashville, TN.
2. William Payne was born on 10 Feb 1731/32 in Goochland Co, VA, USA. He died on 02 Mar 1822 in Fulvanna, VA.
3. George Payne was born in 1734 in Fluvanna, VA. He died on 13 Sep 1807 in Fluvanna, VA.
4. Susanna Payne Heale was born in 1737 in Goochland Co, VA, USA. She died on 30 Oct 1812 in Scott Co., KY.
5. Robert Payne was born in 1738 in Goochland Co, VA, USA. He died in 1791 in Pittsylvania Co, VA, USA. He married Anne Burton Payne on 22 Jul 1763.
6. John Payne was born on 09 Feb 1738/39 in Goochland Co, VA, USA. He died on 24 Oct 1792 in Philadelphia, PA.
7. Agnes Michel Payne was born in 1739 in St. James Northam Parish, Goochland Co., VA. She died in 1766.
8. Anna Payne Harrison was born on 27 Mar 1748 in Goochland Co, VA, USA. She died in 1779 in Dan River, Pittsylvania, VA.
9. Tarleton Payne was born in 1749.

Will of Josias Payne 12 January 1785 Pittsylvania Co., Virginia.
To son William in Fluvanna Co. containing Four Hundred Acres, the following slaves: LONG TOM, SQUIRE, PATT
To son, Josias and gives him land in Goochland Co. of seven hundred acres on the waters of Beaver Dam Creek with the following slaves: LONDON, NED, and NICE
To son George: Two hundred acres land on Licking Hole Creek, land on Three Chop ? Road with the following slaves: WILL, ROSIE?, JUDE.
To son John: Two Hundred acres Land on the Little Bird Creek and the following slaves: PETER, NED, BOB and IALIO.
To son in-law William Heale: m. DA. Susanna : Three hundred and sixty-five acres land on the waters of Little Bird Creek and the following slaves: PHILLIS, a girl named TILLER.
To son Robert Payne: all tract land in Gooochland co. on Licking Hole Creek and land where I formerly lived: and following slaves: JOE, NAN, SUSY, JAMES
To DA. Agnes Michel the Negroes she rec. of me after her Marriage with the following Negroes: JANE MOLE and her child HANAH
To DA. Anna Harrison the Negroes she has in her population with the following: TOM, HANAH his Wife and BON their son.
To Granddaughter Ann DA. of Robert: MILLEY
To Granddaughter Keturah DA. of Robert: BETTY

Will of Josias Payne, 1785 In the name of God Amen. I JOSIAS PAYNE of Pittsylvania County being at this time in perfect health, mind and memory do make an d ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following first I recommend my Soul to God hoping for a happy resurrection and my body the Earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the direction of Executor hereafter mentioned, And after all my just debts and funeral Charges are paid I give and dispose of my Estate in the following manner -------?

I give and bequeath to my Son WILLIAM the Negroes he has now in population. I likewise give to my Son WILLIAM the tract of Land whereon he now lives in Fulvanna County containing Four hundred acres, with the following Negroes, LONG TOM, SQUIRE, AND PATT.

Item I confirm the gift formerly made my son JOSIAS of Seven hundred acres of land in Goochland County on the Waters of Beaver dam Creek with the following Negroes, LONDON, NED, AND NICE,

Item I confirm the gift formerly made to my Son GEORGE of two hundred acres Land on Lickinghole Creek, also tow hundred acres on the Three chopt Road with the following Negroes, WILL, ROSIE, AND JUDE and fifty pounds I gave him in Cash in lieu of a Negroe.

I confirm Gift made to my son JOHN of two hundred acres of land in the fork of James River with the following Negroes PETER, NED AND BOB, IALIO.

Confirm the Gift made to WILLIAM HEALE who married my daughter SUSANNA of three hundred and sixty-five acres of land on the waters of the Little Bird creek with the following Negroes PHYLLIS AND HER CHILDREN AND A NEGRO GIRL NAMED TILLER.

Item I give and bequeath to my son ROBERT PAYNE all that tract of Land in Goochland County on Licking hole creek contango eight hundred acres being the Plantation and Land whereon I formerly lived. I likewise confirm the gift of Negroes I formerly made him, which he has now in population with the following Negroes, JOE, NAN, SUSY AND JAMES, with their future increase, together with my Still my household and Kitchen furniture and all the plantation Utensils to him his heirs forever.

Item I give to my daughter AGNES MICHEL the Negroes she rec of me after her Marriage with the following Negroes JANE MOLE AND HER CHILD HANAH with their future Increase.

Item I give to my daughter ANNA HARRISON the Negroes she has now in population with Negroes following TOM, HANAH HIS WIFE AND BON their Son with their future increase.

Item I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter ANNA the daughter of my son ROBERT one Negro a Girl named MILLEY with her future increase to her and her heirs for ever.

Item I give to my Granddaughter KETURAH daughter of my Son ROBERT Negro Girl named BETTY, with her future increase to her and her heirs forever

And all the rest of my Estate not heretofore given consisting of Stock--? I desire my be sold and after my debts and funeral charges are paid the Money equally divided amonst all my Children.

I do hereby constitute and appoint my two Sons WILLIAM AND ROBERT PAYNE and my Son in Law WM HARRRISON Exuetors of this my last Will and Testament revoking and disannulling all and every Will or Wills by me heretofore made In --------? Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12 day of January 1785. JOSIAS PAYNE LS Signed, sealed and delivered published-d-? to be last will in presence of JAMES SANDERS, CHAS DIXSON SA HOPSON Will probated in Pittsylvainia County the 19th day December 1785 . Teste: WILL TURNBALL ?

Josias married Mary Anna Fleming in 1732 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. Mary was born on 30 Oct 1705 in Saint Peters Parish, James City, Virginia, USA; died on 6 May 1794 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA; was buried in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Mary Jane Woodson on 30 Oct 1705 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of Col Robert "Potato Hole" Woodson and Elizabeth Ferris) was born in 1678 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA; died on 15 Jan 1744 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Susannah Merriman in 1684 in , Lancaster, Virginia, USA. Susannah (daughter of Sir Richard Merriman and Susan Campion) was born on 1 Nov 1664 in , Lancaster, Virginia, USA; died in 1726 in , Lancaster, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1656, , , Virginia, USA

Col married Elizabeth Ferris on 21 Oct 1656 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard Ferris (Ferrar Fariss) and Sarah Hambleton (Ferris Ferrar)) was born on 8 May 1634 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA; died in 1689 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1660, Cedar Hill, Westmoreland, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Richard Payne
Sources:
(1) Payne, Col. Brooke, The Paynes of Virginia, (2nd Ed., Third printing C. J. Carrier Co., Harrisonburg VA 1998), 50.,
(2) Virginia Vital Records #1 1600s-1800s, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1982-1983, 261, Virginia Tax Records, Tithables of Lancaster Co. VA 1654: A deed from John Payne Sr. to his son Richard was dated Nov. 9 1656 and proved in Lancaster.,
(3) Sparacio, Ruth and Sam Sparacio, compilers, Deed and Will Abstracts of Lancaster County, Virginia, (Antient Press, 1991. McLean, VA), 33, Vol. 2: p. 106-07: I John Paine Senr. of ye County of Lancaster do give unto John Pine Junr. one heifer named Young Stewelin marked with 3 slits on ye right ear and crop and a halfe moon in ye left ear and a slit in ye crop. I John Paine do give unto my son Richard Paine one heifer named Young Coll marked with 3 slits in ye right ear a crop and a half moone in ye left ear. I do give the above written cattle and their increase to ye above written parties. John Paine Recorded in ye Court of Lancaster 10th day of September 1655.), born Aft. 1633; died Unknown. He was the son of John Sr. Payne and Margaret Robinson.

Children of Richard* Payne are:

i. John Payne, died Unknown. 192
ii. William Payne, born 1660 in Red House, Rappahanock Co. VA; died Abt. 1700 in Lancaster Co. VA; married Susannah Merriman 1684 in Lancaster Co., VA.

Richard married Sarah Anne Sheppard in 1657. Sarah (daughter of Major Robert Sheppard and Elizabeth Spencer) was born in May 1644 in Jamestown, James City, Virginia, USA; died on 20 Mar 1711 in , Westmoreland, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Richard Merriman, died April 1696 in Lancaster Co. VA (Source: Torrence, Clayton, Virginia Wills and Administrations 1632-1800, 291.).

He married 387. Susanna* Campian November 07, 1658 in St. James Church, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, Eng. (Source: Virginia Colonial Records 1600s-1700s, (Reproduced by), 158, VA Colonial Abstracts, p. 347: Rich. Merryman sells to Abraham Bush 200 acres during his natural life and after the decease of the sd Abraam Bush unto Daniel, son of the sd Abra. Dated 25th July 1663. Signed Rich. Merryman. Wit: Edward Dale, Diana Dale. Dear Harrison These are to desire and authorize you for me in my behalf to acknowledge at the next Court held for the County of Lanc. my free and absolute consent to the sale of 200 acres of land made by my husband Rich. Merryman unto Abraham Bush in the behalf of his son Daniel Bush, 2nd day of May 1666". Signed Susannah Merryman. Wit: Michl. Arme, Jo Boring. Recorded 1st Jun 1666.).

Susanna Campian, died Unknown. She was the daughter of John Campian.

Notes for Richard Merriman:
Per Virginia Vital Records #1, 1600s-1800s Virginai Tax Records, Tithables of Lancaster Co. VA 1654: pg. 260 #50 Richard Merriman, of Lancaster, gent., who in behalf of Mr. Thos. Kelland and Mr. Anthony Haywood, "residing in the town of Boston in New England," made a deed dated may 11, 1681, and recorded in Middlesex, to Mr. Richard Perrott, of the county of Middlesex, VA. His wife Susanna joins in a deed in 1665.

Source: Deeds and Will Abstracts of Lancaster Co. Virginia. Compiled by Ruth and Sam Sparacio. Antient Press 1991, McLean, VA p. 257-258
KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I Richard Merriman of the County of Lancaster; Planter, as wel for a valuable consideracon in hand reced of John Payne of the County of Rappah:, Planter, as also for divers other good causes & consideracons me the sd Richard Merriman hereunto moving have granted unto the sd John Paine all that Plantacon whereon Mr. Edward Dale now liveth together with all houses edifices & buildings thereunto belonging and appertaining or together with the same now used occupyed & enjoyed which premisses are scituate lying and being in the aforesd County of Lancaster: and were hereunto demised unto the sd Edward Dale by the sd John Paine To have and to hold the sd plantacon with all houses edifices and buildings thereunto belonging and appertaining together with all other the appurts. whatsoever appertaining unto the sd John Paine his heirs and assignes forever according to the tenor and contents of the Patent thereof And by the Rents and services therein menconed to be due and payable and I the sd Richd. Merriman do for me my heirs grant with the sd John Paine his heirs and assignes to warrant and defend the before menconed with all and every its appurts. against all and every persons claiming from by or under me or my heirs and I do likewise grant make further assurance hereof unto the sd John Paine his heirs when thereunto lawfully required And I do likewise promise to acknowledge this Writing in the County Court of Lancaster provided always upon this condicon nevertheless that if the sd Richd. Merrimans Bil of Exchange for Seventy pounds Sterl. charged up against Mr. John Champion and payable to Mr. John Saffin or his order shal be satifyed and paid according to the tenor of the sd Bills and also if the sd Merrimans Bil of Exchange for 25 pounds sterl: charged upon the aforesaid Mr. John Champion and payable to Capt. John Whittey or his order shal be satisfyed and paid according to the tenor of the sd. Bills and also if he the sd Richd Merriman his Exrs. Admrs. or assignes shal wel and truly pay and deliver unto the sd John Paine or his assignes at or upon the arrival of the first or second ship which shal imediately come from London to Rappah: River the next year, Four able Servts. for their ful hire they come in for with all cloths bedding and other necessarys which they shal bring in with them; three of the sd Servts. to be men Servants and the other a maid Servt., and also if the sd Richd. Merriman shal upon arrival of the first or second ship as aforesd. pay unto the sd John Paine or his assignes five pounds of goods at the first penny; That then and from thenceforth this grant writing and every article herein menconed and contained shal be utterly void frustrated and of none effect anything herein menconed contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In Witness whereof I the sd Richard Merriman hath hereunto put my hand and seale dated the 6th of January, Ano Dom: 1662
Richard Merriman
Sealed and delivered in the presence of:
William Blase and Edward Dale
Recognit in Cur Com Lancr: 13d Maii Ano 1663 record at 14th p Edwd. Dale, Cl Cur.

This was followed by an indenture executed by John Payne to Richard Merryman dated Feb. 6th 1662 regarding this same property.

More About Richard* Merriman:
Emigration: November 08, 1658, From London on the White Dove (Source: (1) Coldham, Peter Wilson, The Complete Book of Emmigrants, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, Section III, Chapter 2, 1661 page 145: "11 Nov. 1661-24 Feb. 1662 Depositions regarding the voyage of the White Dove, Mr. Thomas Stanton, from London to Barbados, but intending for Virginia, in 1658-59 with passengers including Stephen Pett, Robert Hendray, David Griffith and Richard Merriman.", (2) Nugent, Nell Marion, Cavaliers and Pioneers, (Reprint Edition, 1992 Virginia State Library and Archives), 514, Patent Book 5 in Vol. 1 1623-1666: "George Vezey, Nathaniell Browne and Stephen Tomling, 480 acs. N. side of Lancaster Co., Nov 1 1664, pg. 371 (406). Bounding upon land of Wm. Thomas, Brian Stott (or Scott) and Tho. Chetwood and land which was formerly Parson Grimes. Transport of 10 persons: Christopher Young, Robert Stagg, John Penn, Ann (or Wm.) Price, Mary West, Jno. Copping, Rich. Merriman, his wife twice, Rebecca Patent." This may indicate that Richard and Susan Merriman returned to VA after a visit to England only.)

Indentured: December 25, 1663, To John Campan of London (Source: Virginia Colonial Records 1600s-1700s, (Reproduced by), 152, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. 1, Lancaster Co. Record Book No. 2, 1654-1666. Pg. 310 of record book: Richard Merryman of Lancaster Co., Rappahannock River in Virginia, planter, to John Campian of London, pewterer. Refers to "one pair of indentures bearing date the 25th of December 1663". These to remain in full force as of this date. Parts of this record in Latin. Involved and difficult to decipher. Signed Richard Merryman. Wit: Edward Dale, Thomas Kendall. Recorded 29th May 1665.)

Military service: December 14, 1687, Lancaster Co. VA (Source: Virginia Colonial Records 1600s-1700s, (Reproduced by), 230, VA Colonial Soldiers, Militia Misc. County and Misc. loose papers: Lancaster Co. VA 14 Dec 1687 Court Orders for the returning an account of all such persons that are able to bear arms both for horse and foot service in this county we have duely examined ye list o the freeholders and housekeepers inhabiting ye said county . . . Persons appointed for horse service: William Therriat; Thomas Martin; Richard Merryman, Persons appointed for foot service: Hugh Brent.)

Property: January 01, 1664/65, Lancaster Co.-sells 1,000 acs. (Source: Virginia Colonial Records 1600s-1700s, (Reproduced by), 156-57, Vol. 1, Lancaster Co. Record Book No. 2, 1654-1666. Record at pg. 338. Richard Merryman of Lancaster planter, sells to Will Hall of London, marrynor, 1000 acres for 10,000 lb. tobacco. Dated 1st Jan. 1665. Signed Richard Merryman, Wit: Jo Dawe, Dan Harrison. Recorded 1st April 1665. "Daniel Harrison, These are to desire and authorize you x x to ack x x my consent to the sale of 1000 acres of land made by my husband Richard Merryman unto Mr. Will Hall of London marrynor". Dated 13th March 1665. Signed Susan Merryman. Wit: Thomas Chatwyn, Edward Stevens. Recorded 1st April 1665.)

Residence: 1662, Happy Harbor creek, Lancaster Co. (Source: (1) Payne, Col. Brooke, The Paynes of Virginia, (2nd Ed., Third printing C. J. Carrier Co., Harrisonburg VA 1998), 57, Happy Harbor creek was adjacent to Poplar Neck. The land was purchased from John Payne in 1662 who in turn had purchased the land from Thomas Brice in 1653. It is located on the west side of Corrotoman River., (2) Virginia Colonial Records 1600s-1700s, (Reproduced by), 142, VA colonial abstracts: p. 257: Richard Merriman of Lanc., planter sells to John Payne of the County of Rappahanock, planter, "my plantation whereon Mr. Edward Dale now liveth and was heretofore demised unto the sd Edward Dale by the sd John Paine". Dated 6th Jan. 1662/3. Signed Richard Merryman. Wit: Will Blase, Edward Dale, Rec. 14th May 1663.)

Will: April 08, 1696, Lancaster Co. VA (Source: (1) Payne, Col. Brooke, The Paynes of Virginia, (2nd Ed., Third printing C. J. Carrier Co., Harrisonburg VA 1998), 57, Of White Chapel Parish left "to beloved son and daughter William and Susannah Payne my present dwelling and all my land in forest by name of Islington". Col. Payne notes that Susannah was Richard Merriman's only child. He also left land on south side of Merriman's creek to his grandson Richard Payne, where Richard resided., (2) Virginia Vital Records #1 1600s-1800s, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1982-1983, 260, VA Tax Records, Tithables of Lancaster Co. VA 1654. States will of Richard Merriman was proved in Lancaster June 10 1696. Legatees: son and daughter William and Susanna Payne, grandsons Wm. Payne Jr., and Richard Payne.)

Will Proved: June 10, 1696, Lancaster Co. VA (Source: Virginia Vital Records #1 1600s-1800s, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1982-1983, 260, VA Tax Records, Tithables of Lancaster Co. VA 1654. States will of Richard Merriman was proved in Lancaster June 10 1696.)

More About Susanna* Campian:
Emigration: November 08, 1658, From London on the White Dove (Source: Coldham, Peter Wilson, The Complete Book of Emmigrants, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, Section III, Chapter 2, 1661 page 145: "11 Nov. 1661-24 Feb. 1662 Depositions regarding the voyage of the White Dove, Mr. Thomas Stanton, from London to Barbados, but intending for Virginia, in 1658-59 with passengers including Stephen Pett, Robert Hendray, David Griffith and Richard Merriman.")

More About Richard* Merriman and Susanna* Campian:
Marriage: November 07, 1658, St. James Church, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, Eng. (Source: Virginia Colonial Records 1600s-1700s, (Reproduced by), 158, VA Colonial Abstracts, p. 347: Rich. Merryman sells to Abraham Bush 200 acres during his natural life and after the decease of the sd Abraam Bush unto Daniel, son of the sd Abra. Dated 25th July 1663. Signed Rich. Merryman. Wit: Edward Dale, Diana Dale. Dear Harrison These are to desire and authorize you for me in my behalf to acknowledge at the next Court held for the County of Lanc. my free and absolute consent to the sale of 200 acres of land made by my husband Rich. Merryman unto Abraham Bush in the behalf of his son Daniel Bush, 2nd day of May 1666". Signed Susannah Merryman. Wit: Michl. Arme, Jo Boring. Recorded 1st Jun 1666.)

Child of Richard* Merriman and Susanna* Campian is:

193i. Susannah* Merriman, born Abt. 1663 in Sittingbourne, Rappahanock, VA; died Unknown; married (1) William* Payne 1684 in LancasterCo., VA; married (2) Hugh Ladner Bet. November 1706 - 1707 in LancasterCo., VA.

Sir married Susan Campion on 7 Nov 1658 in St James, Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England. Susan was born in 1638 in St Mary, Islington, Middlesex, England; died in 1666 in , Lancaster, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1619, , , Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1624, Fleur de Hundred, Prince George, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Dr. John Woodson was born in 1586 in Devonshire, England. He matriculated at St. John's College in Oxford on March 1, 1604. He lived in Dorsetshire until 1619, when he and his wife Sarah decided to join an expedition to the new colony of Jamestown. On January 29th, 1619, the ship George sailed from England and landed the following April at Jamestown, Virginia. The ship carried Sir George Yeardley and a company of his men to the Virginia colony, where Sir George had been appointed the new governor. Among the passengers on the George was Dr. John Woodson, attached to Sir George's company as surgeon. His wife Sarah accompanied him, and was one of only a handful of women to voyage to the colony before 1620. At the time of their arrival the Jamestown colony was just over a dozen years old and numbered no more than 600 residents. Drought, disease, starvation, and war with the local tribe of Powhatan Indians meant that only about half the colonists who arrived between 1607 and 1624 survived.

Dr. John Woodson settled on Governor Yeardley's plantation, known as Flowerdew Hundred, which was about 15 miles up the James river from Jamestown. Dr. Woodson lived in a small, fortified compound on the plantation with about 10 other families. Dr. Woodson and his wife arrived at the start of the second major wave of colonists to Jamestown. Between 1619 and 1622, the number of colonists grew to about 1000. This tide of newcomers upset Chief Opechancanough of the Powhatan Confederacy of Indian tribes, who saw the influx as proof that the English planned to expand in to Powhatan lands.

The Massacre of 1622
On March 22, 1622 Chief Opechancanough launched a series of coordinated attacks on all the English plantations and towns developing around Jamestown. Powhatan Confederacy braves entered each settlement with trade goods, looking as if they wished to barter. When the colonists approached them, the braves grabbed any weapons or tools that were at hand and attacked the unprepared colonists. 347 people were killed, a quarter of the colony's total population. Only the most fortified positions survived. The fortifications at Flowerdew Hundred held and the Woodson family survived the attack.

The settlement at Flowerdew Hundred plantation was one of the few that was allowed to remain outside the walls of Jamestown after the 1622 attack. The next ten years involved attacks of retribution by the colonists. The time passed relatively peacefully for the Woodsons. Two sons were born to them, John in 1632 and Robert in 1634. In 1634 the colonists built a palisade defense wall across a six-mile wide strip of land between the James River and York River estuaries. This structure may have lulled the colonists in to a false sense of security. The Powhatan tribes were in no state to attack, having been nearly wiped out by English reprisal attacks. Emboldened, the colonists started building plantations outside the palisade around 1640. Chief Opechancanough was once again outraged by the English encroachment on his lands.

The Indian Massacre of 1644
An account of the Woodson family's ordeal during this attack was handed down through the Woodson family and first printed by a Woodson family genealogist in the early 19th century. On the morning of April 18, 1644, Thomas Ligon, a soldier in the Governor's employ, stopped by the Woodson's house seeking Dr. Woodson's services. Sarah Woodson informed him that her husband was out on his rounds through the nearby plantations, and Ligon elected to wait for the doctor to return. When Ligon saw the Indians approaching, he raised an alarm and told Sarah to hide inside with her two sons. Ligon grabbed his eight-foot muzzle-loaded rifle, and bracing his gun in the fork of a tree, fired on the approaching Indians. Meanwhile, Sarah gathered her boys together and desperately searched for a place to hide her 10 and 12 year old sons. She spied the root cellar where the family kept potatoes during the winter. She put Robert in the pit and covered it. Then she upturned a washtub and had John hide beneath it. With the boys hidden, she grabbed her husband's rifle and proceeded to load and fire upon the Indians from the window of the cabin. Before she could get off a second shot, the Indians had made their way around the back of the cabin and out of her sight. Then she heard sounds on the side of the cabin and on the roof. The Indians climbed atop the cabin and two of them attempted to come down the chimney. The fire had gone out, but she still had a pot of hot water sitting in the hearth. Thinking quickly, she upended the pot in to the fireplace just as the first Indian descended in to view, scalding his face. His companion then climbed out over his wounded fellow and came towards her. Sarah grabbed an iron roasting spit hanging next to the hearth and swung it at her attacker, knocking him senseless. Sarah grabbed her children from their hiding places and fled the house. She ran towards Ligon, who was still firing upon the Indians, who were now in retreat. Ligon struck another Indian as they fled. In total, he and Sarah killed seven of their attackers. As she watched the Indians flee back in to the woods, Sarah noticed a familiar horse wandering riderless through the field from which the Indians had attacked. It was her husband's horse. Running to it, she found her husband lying beside the road to their house, an arrow in his chest. He had evidently returned just as the Indians attacked, and having forgot his musket at home, was defenseless against them.

Dr. John Woodson was one of 500 colonists who died that fateful day in 1644. Although the number was even greater than that killed in the 1622 attack, it represented less than 10% of the colony's population in 1644. Nevertheless, the retribution by the colonists was severe. A counterattack on all the nearby Powhatan-allied tribes nearly wiped them out. In 1646 Chief Opechancanough was captured and brought to Jamestown. He was nearly 100 years old at the time. While being held at the stockade awaiting trial, he was killed by one of his guards in revenge for a family member killed in the 1644 attack. After the death of their leader, the Powhatan Confederacy fell apart, and the individual tribes were either confined to reservations or left the area.

Sarah Woodson remarried twice and outlived all her husbands. She died in 1660. Her sons both married and had large families. Their descendants passed on the story of Sarah saving her sons from the Indian massacre, and referred to themselves as being either "potato hole" or "washtub" Woodsons. The Woodson musket was also passed down from generation to generation, until in 1925 it was donated to the Virginia Historical Society, where it is on display in Richmond.

Dr. Woodson and Sarah were also one of the first recorded slaveholders in Colonial America. In 1619 a Dutch privateer ship called The White Lion, and an English privateer called the Treasurer, captured a Portuguese slave ship São João Bautista in the Caribbean. The privateers took the slaves aboard their ships and set sail for Jamestown to sell them to the colonists. The ships arrived at Point Comfort, on the James River, late in August 1619, with "20 and odd" Africans aboard the White Lion and at least a few more aboard the Treasurer. Dr. Woodson bought some of these Africans. In 1623 a census of the colony listed 23 Africans, six of whom appear in Dr. Woodson's household. Notably, Dr. Woodson's six African servants are the most of any colonist, and one of only two households that did not give names for their African servants on the 1623 census. The fact that all the other Africans listed in the census were named could be interpreted as them having been indentured at the time of the census, while Dr. Woodson's servants were slaves. This is similar to how slaves were counted but not named on future census. If so, then the record of Dr. Woodson's servants on this census could be considered the first recorded mention of African slaves in Colonial America.

It should be noted that in the early stages of Colonial America, Africans, though imported against their will, were not necessarily considered slaves as we understand it today. Instead, they were considered indentured servants, similar to poorer English who agreed to work off their passage to the colonies under the headright system. Several Africans were able to gain their freedom and become planters with headright contracts of their own. Anthony Johnson was one such man, transported prior to 1622. By 1651 he was a free man with 250 acres and five indentured servants of his own. But Anthony Johnson is the exception. By 1650 there was already some distinction made between indentured servants based on race. The records of the early colony in Virginia show a number of African indentured servants having "life terms" of servitude, while their white counterparts only served a limited seven-year term. This was the first step towards the racial, hereditary institution of slavery in America.

It is not clear what happened to Dr. Woodson's servants. There is no further record of them in his household (it is possible they were killed in the Indian attack of 1644). When Sarah died in 1660, her will did not mention any servants. Around 1670 the first laws defining slaves were enacted in the colony. When their son John Jr. wrote his will in 1699, he bequeathed several slaves to his children. The idea that one man could be another man's property was fully accepted by 1700 in Colonial Virginia.

Selected sources:
"Virginia's First Africans" from the Encyclopedia Virginia.
Archaeological Excavation of Flowerdew Hundred, by University of Virginia
J.C. Schreiber, "The Woodson Family"
Paul E. Pennebaker, "Dr. John Woodson"

Dr married Sarah Isabelle Winston. Sarah was born in 1600 in , Devonshire, England; died on 17 Jan 1660 in Fleur de Hundred, Prince George, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Sarah Hambleton (Ferris Ferrar) in 1637 in Jamestown, James City, Virginia, USA. Sarah was born in 1616 in , James City, Virginia, USA; died on 5 Feb 1690 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]