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Henry Awbrey[1]

Male 1625 - 1694  (69 years)


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  • Name Henry Awbrey 
    Birth 1625  Llanelieu, Breconshire, Wales Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death Sep 1694  , Essex, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I16989  Master
    Last Modified 7 Sep 2015 

    Father Sir William Awbrey,   b. 1583, Llanelieu, Breconshire, Wales Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1631, Tredomen, Wales Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 48 years) 
    Mother Elizabeth Johns,   b. 24 Dec 1595, Llandeilo Fawr, Carmarthenshire, Wales Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1650, , , Wales Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 54 years) 
    Family ID F903  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sarah Hoskins,   b. 1637, , , Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1672, , , Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 35 years) 
    Marriage Apr 1662  , , Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
    +1. Mary Frances Awbrey,   b. 1678, , Essex, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 17 Oct 1721, , Essex, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 43 years)
    Family ID F4339  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 27 Aug 2019 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 1625 - Llanelieu, Breconshire, Wales Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - Apr 1662 - , , Virginia, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - Sep 1694 - , Essex, Virginia, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • 1638-1694 , Old Rappahanock, Essex County, Virginia
      Henry Awbrey was Burgess of the County Court of old Rapphannock County and was a trustee in the formation of New Plymouth in 1682. For the last two years of his life, he was also Sheriff, perhaps an honorary position in view of his age. He also received many grants of land for the transportation of persons to the colonies.

      When Henry Awbrey made his will in 1694, he named his wife Mary; so apparently Sarah died sometime before 1694.

      On page 39-40, " The number of children of Henry Awbrey is not completely clear. Some researchers have maintained that there were sons named John and Francis; instead, these appear to have been sons of his brother, John Awbrey. It should be noted that in two deeds in 1690 (Rappahannock Co Deed Book 8, p. 254-6), Henry named Richard Awbrey as his "only son and heir apparent." In one of those deeds he gave Richard 500 acres from the 1050 acre grant on the south side of Hoskins Creek, which portion adjoined the lands of John Meador. When Henry Awbrey made his will in 1694 (Essex Co Court Order Book 1692-1695, p. 311), he named as heirs only his wife Mary [not SARAH] and son Richard.

      No proof can be found that Sarah remarried. It should be noted, however, that a very prominent, highly influential and prosperous settler of the same area, Henry Awbrey, about this time took a wife named Sarah, who is assumed to have been Sarah Meador, widow. Henry Awbrey is rumored to have a first marriage in England, but no trace has been found in Virginia records. For purposes of this family tree, it is assumed that Sarah did marry Henry Awbrey.

      Sarah is first mentioned as his wife in 1664 when Henry appointed her as his attorney to collect debts owed to him in his absence. She again appears in 1670 as party to a sale by Henry Awbrey and herself of a tract of 300 acres of land on the north side of the Rappahannock River.

      ...Meanwhile, the Rappahannock Indians had fled from their villages behind the settlers on the east bank of the river to sanctuary several miles upstream. In their absence, the lands were taken up by white settlers, and the Indians could not return. Decimated and broken, though having remained peaceful during the whole Bacon affair, their cause was championed by Henry Awbrey, the senior member of the County Court. Enlisting the help of about a dozen settlers, they were relocated, probably on Henry Awbrey's large grant lands, where there is a place which is still called Indian Neck. There is also a Rappahannock Indian church nearby, and there are reports that traces of an Indian settlement have been found on the Meador plantation. Participating in the resettlement in January, 1684, were Henry Awbrey, who served as overseer and go-between as well as furnishing his boat, Robert Tomlin, Jr. who supplied a sloop and a smaller boat, and several men, including John Meador. John was reimbursed by the court for 9 days service and the use of his horse.

      John (Meador - Henry's step-son) spent his childhood with his siblings, mother and stepfather, Henry Awbrey, on Awbrey's plantation on the upper reaches of Hoskins Creek.

      In 1661, an Indian raid took place on the neighboring plantation of Richard White. Richard's daughter, Elizabeth would later marry Thomas' son, John. Elizabeth was apparently not yet born, but her brother, Thomas White, and two other men were brutally murdered. Thomas' parents, Richard and Addra White, escaped this gruesome raid.

      Perhaps as many as 300 people were killed in these Indian raids. Demanding protection, the settlers petitioned the Jamestown Government for arms, forts and soldiers. From Rappahannock County was sent a "Petition of 15 Grievances" signed by, among others, Henry Awbrey and Col. Thomas Gouldman. They begged that: "the war with the heathen...may be prosecuted effectually and managed in such sort that some Counties may not be totally ruined whilst others live in...peace and quietness, whilst poore Rappaahannock lies ableeding whose number of people murdered and estates destroyed can find no parallel in Virginia...for while we are tending corn to feed our wives and children, the Indians...would butcher us in our fields, tey being so frequent about us that we dare not stir from our plantations."
    • Henry Awbrey was for years the most influential citizen of the county, being a very large landowner, burgess (1659-1692) from Rappahannock County, justice of the court, high sheriff, Indian interpreter and friend of Thomas Gouldman I, and in 1692-93 the first burgess of Essex County after its formation in 1692.

      Ancestry.com. Hoskins of Virginia and related families : Hundley, Ware, Roy, Garnett, Waring, Bird, Buckner, Dunbar, Trible, Booker, Aylett, [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: Warner, Charles Willard Hoskins,. Hoskins of Virginia and related families : Hundley, Ware, Roy, Garnett, Waring, Bird, Buckner, Dunbar, Trible, Booker, Aylett, Carter, Upshaw. Tappahannock, Va.: unknown, 1971.
    • Will of Henry Awbrey

      August 1, 1694 , Old Rappahanock, Essex County, Virginia

      (Old) Rappahannock/Essex Co., VA
      WILL OF HENRY AWBREY
      "In the name of God, Amen. I, Henry Awbrey of ye County of Essex in Virginia. Gentlemen, being sick and weake in body but sound and perfect memory, and calling to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory life, and that all flesh must yield unto death when it shall please God to call, doe make, Constitute, and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner for me following. "First, I give and bequeath my Soule to God that gave it, in sure and Certaine hope of a joyful resurrection at the last dy, and my body to the Earth from whence it came, to be decently interred after my decease and for what Tangible Estate it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, I give and bequeath as followeth:

      "..give and bequeath unto my loveing Wife Mary Awbrey the Plantation whereon I now live with all the Orchards, buildings, improvements, and all the land belonging to it. She not clearing nor tending any ground beyond the Church Road which now is during her natuall life, and after her decease I give and bequeath the said lands with all improvements whatsoever unto my loveing Son Richard Awbrey and his heirs foe Ever.

      Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Awbrey seven hundred Acres of land more,Scituate on Hodgkin's Creeke, being part of that dividend of Land whereon he now liveth and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for Ever, my wife not to Claime any thirds of the Same.

      Item, I give unto Francis Awbrey, the youngest Son of my Brother Jon. Awbrey, dec'd, two hundred acres of Land being a part of a tract of four hundred Acres of Land Scituate as aforesaid purchased by me of Coll. Hill and to his heirs for Ever.

      Item, ye other two hundred acres of Land Scituate as aforesaid I give and bequeath unto Katherine Long, Daughter of Alice Long (att Sheppey?) dec'd, to her and her heirs for Ever.

      Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Awbrey on negro man called Sam, one negro woman called Kate, one negro boy called Robin, one negro boy called Nero, one Negro boy called Zobey, to him and the heirs lawfully begotten of his body for Ever.

      Item, I will and bequeath unto my Loveing Wife Mary Awbrey five Negros called by the names of Price, Nanny, Will, Joons (?), and Jamy, likewise I give and bequeath to my wife one Silver Tankard and three horses Calld by the names of Thourogood, Smoakes, and Mush, with ye Cart and wheeles, and harness belonging to the Same, likewise I will and bequeath to my wife one halfe of all my Cattle in quantity and quality.

      Item, I give to my wife one Servt. Woman called Martha.

      Item, I give unto my Son Richard one Servt. called Miles Dixon.

      Item, I will and bequeath unto my wife all my Stock of hoggs, She paying after my decease unto my Sonn Richard Awbrey three barrows or Splayed Sows yearly for four years, together to be all of ye age of three years old or more.

      Item, I will unto my wife one half of my sheep in quality to quality.

      Item, I will and bequeath the other halfe in quantity and quality to my Son Richard Awbrey and to have privilege to let them remaine here for three years.

      Item, ye one half of my Cattle not yet bequeathed I give to him and his heirs for (Ever), likewise I will and bequeath unto my Son my black Gelding cald Nego, with two Saddles, two bridles, pistolle, holsters, and all other furniture thereunto belonging. Item, I will likewise unto my Son my pendulum watch, all my wearing Clothes both linen and wooling, all my french gold wearing Shooes, Stockings of all Sorts, and hatts.

      Item, two feather beds with the furniture belonging to them and Six pair of Sheets, one pair of ?nd Irons, all the parcells of
      broadCloth for my owne wearing with Buttons, Silk and other furniture belong to it. Likewise I will and bequeath unto my wife, all my Serges and Stuffs, Except one parcell of Sad Collored Serge which I give and bequeath unto my Son Richard's wife to make her a gowne and petty coat, be it more of less. Item, I will and bequeath unto my Son all my books, my wife having choice of the three of four for her owne particular use.

      Item, my will and desire is that all my Kerseyes, Cottons, Canvass, fine linen, and (Cowepe?) that is not made up in garments, plain Shoes, Irish Stockings, and all ye yarn Stockings which are kniting to be equally divided in quantity and quality between my wife and my Son.

      Item, I give and bequeath unto my wife three feather beds and furniture, one new feather bed Ticking with bolster and pillow Ticking, all ye table linen with all the rest of ye sheets not before bequeathed.

      Item, I give unto my wife all the Lumber belonging to the house as bedsteads, Chairs, Chests, all the pewter Brass, Iron potts and irons, except one desk and one Chest in the old dwelling house loft, which I give unto my Son Richard.

      Item, I give unto my Son Richard's daughter Mary after my wife's decease Six large pewter dishes.

      Item, it is my will and desire that my Executors hereafter named be diligent and careful in the prosecution of ye dwelling house
      (unreadable) which is to be built by Jon. Milbourne according to agreement.

      Item, my desire is that the Brass yall [bell?] be set up on this plantation and not hereafter to be removed. Item, my will is that all
      ye woole in the house be equally divided between my wife and my Son.

      Item, my will is that my boat be sold and produce be equally divided between my wife and my Son. Likewise, two mares, one branded HA, and the Ha, I give equally to my wife and my Son.

      Item, my will and desire is that before any division be made of ye Sheep after my decease, yt Robert Brooke, Son of Robert Brooke, have four ewes out of ye sheep.

      Item, it is my will and desire that immediately after my decease my Executors draw bills on Mr. Robert Bristow Jun. for 40 od. pounds to be paid Mr. Will Howell, Merchant, and take in my bond.

      Lastly, I make constitute and ordain my Loveing Son Richard Awbrey and my Loveying Wife Mary Awbrey joynt Executors of this my last will & Testament, in Testimony whereof I have hereunto putt my hand and Seale this first day of August 1694.

      Henry Awbrey (Seale)
      Signed, Sealed and Delivered in ye presence
      Willm. Mosely 1694 Rob. Brooke
      "I, the Subscriber, do depose that the within mentioned Henry Awbrey Seale and declare this within written Will to be his last Will and Testament and that he was in perfect sense and memory at ye sealeing and publishing thereof to the best of ye deponents knowledge & farther saith not Will. Mosely
      Sworne to in Essex County Court 7 ber 10th. 1694

      Sources: Will of Henry Awbrey,1694, Virginia\\\'s Who\\\'s Who, Boddie\\\'s Historical Southern Families John Awbrey, son of Sir
      William Awbrey of Tredomen and Abercynrig, Wales, arrived in Virginia with two of his brothers--Henry, later a member of the House of Burgesses and Sheriff of Essex County, and Richard. John married Jane Johnstone in Westmoreland County, Virginia. They had two sons: John Awbrey, Jr. and Francis Awbrey. Francis was later Sheriff of Prince William County, and a large planter in Northern Virginia. Awbrey, Henry Burgess, 1682-92 Rappahannock

      "As found in the records of Isle of Wight, Lancaster, (Old) Rappahannock, Richmond, Essex and Caroline Counties, Virginia."
    • Immigrated: 1663 to Rappahannock County, Virginia
      Origin

      Henry was born c. 1625 in Llanelieu, Breconshire, Wales.[3] His parents were Sir William Awbrey (born c. 1581 in Llanelieu) and Elizabeth Johnes.[3][4]

      Janet Ariciu writes:

      Henry Awbrey and John Awbrey are mentioned in the will of Sir William Awbrey, and in other contemporary sources as the sons of Sir William Awbrey.[3]
      Apparently, others agree that there is good circumstantial evidence supporting Sir William Awbrey and Elizabeth Johnes as parents of the immigrant to Virginia, but as Colby Morgan writes (quoted on Janet Ariciu's page):

      What we don't have is a primary document or coat of arms stating that the father of Henry Awbrey of Virginia was Sir William Awbrey of Wales.[3]
      Youth

      Henry Awbrey had excellent upbringing in England. Sir William Awbrey, the father, had addressed Henry's education in his Will. Henry was a learned man in colonial Virginia; he even owned a small library of books.[5]

      Immigrated to Virginia

      Brothers Henry and John Awbrey were among the first Awbreys/Aubreys to immigrate to the Colony of Virginia.[5] They settled in Westmoreland and Rappahannock Counties and were followed later by their brother, Thomas.

      Henry Awbrey arrived first, during the year 1663.[6] On April 9, 1664, Henry paid the passage for 21 persons, and he received in return a patent of 1050 acres at the head and on the south side of Hoskins Creek in Rappahannock County, Virginia.[7] This land was bordering land owned by Thomas Browning (Vol 1, 477).[5]

      On September 3, 1669, Henry Awbry ("Awberry") paid for the transportation of 10 persons, one of whom was brother, John "Awberry," and was granted 480 acres of land adjoining his own land "near the road path Puscaticon Creek" in Rappahannock County, Virginia (Vol 2, page 62).[6] On March 23, 1671/2, a patent was secured from Gov. Berkeley covering these two large grants.[7]

      Thomas Awbery was transported by Charles Edwards on April 27,1686, and Edwards received 150 acres, in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, for the transportation of Thomas and two other persons (Vol 1, pages 298, 477).[5]

      Family

      Henry married 3 times.

      Henry married while still in England, as his 1st, to and unknown wife. All of his children were with this first wife.[citation needed]
      Henry married 27 February 1664 at (Old) Rappahannock/Essex, Virginia, as his 2nd, to Sarah (b: 1637 d: 1672), the widow of Thomas "the orphan" Meador. Sarah and Henry had no children.[5]
      Henry married 11 Mar 1714, Essex, Virginia, as his 3rd, to Mary Unknown.[citation needed]
      Henry married an unknown wife while still in England and had children:[5]

      Richard Awbrey b 1651 (or 1661?); mar Dorothy North
      ? John - (probably the son of Henry's brother, John Awbrey)
      ? Francis - (probably the son of Henry's brother, John Awbrey)
      Daughter Awbrey; mar Philip Maguire
      Alice Awbrey; mar Thomas Gouldman
      The actual number of children attributed to Henry Awbrey varies. Some believe the two sons, John and Francis were not Henry's, but were his brother John's sons. In two different deeds in 1690, Henry called Richard his "only son and heir apparent" (Rappahannock Co Deed Book 8, p. 254-6).[5] When Henry made his will, the only heirs he named were his son Richard and his wife, Mary (no other children).[5]

      Dorothy Awbrey, the daughter of Henry's brother, Thomas, lived with Henry's family for a while, and then with brother John's family. Dorothy married John Wright c. 1705 at Westmoreland County.[5]

      Tobacco Planter

      Henry Awbrey, like all the wealthy planters along both sides of the four large rivers, owned small boats: sail boats, ferry boats, and row boats. These were large enough to be rowed by several slaves, but not so large that they were called ships and he was called a Captain.[5] Waterways were merely the highways of their day.

      In addition to the properties received for transportation of persons which included himself and his brother John, Henry also received property by grant of the Governors of Virginia. On October 4, 1675, Gov. Berkeley granted 5,100 acres to "Henry Aubrey" for the transportation of 102 persons into the Virginia Colony; this land lay between the Pascattaway and Hoskins Creeks and the Mattaponi River.[7][8] On July 10, 1680, Gov. Thomas Lord of Culpeper granted 6, 600 acres to "Mr. Henry Awbery," this on the south side of Hoskins Creek.[7] On May 20, 1684, Governor Francis Howard awarded him 189 acres at the mouth of Occupation Creek.[7] On 30 May 1688, he received a grant for 1,200 acres on the south side of the river, some 5 miles into the woods and lying on the main portion of Hoskins Creek; this was for the transportation of 24 people.[5]

      He also made various purchases and sales of land, such as when "Henry Abery" sold 480 acres granted to Mr Robert Bishopp (Vol 2, page 317).[5]

      Burgess and Sheriff

      Henry served in the Virginia House of Burgesses for Rappahannock County, as Henry Awbrey in 1684, 1688, and "Awbry" in 1691-92.[2] Henry Awbrey's name does not appear on the list of Burgesses for the year 1692/3; Capt. John Battaile and Capt. Edward Thomas were elected on March 3, 1692/3 as the Burgesses of the newly formed Essex County (Vol 2, P. 412).[2] Henry Awbrey also served as sheriff, and justice of the court in Rappahannock County.[5]

      During a battle with Native Americans in 1661, some 300 people were killed. The European settlers of Rappahannock County sent a "Petition of 15 Grievances," demanding protection: arms, forts and soldiers. Henry Awbrey and Col. Thomas Gouldman were among the signers of the petition.[9]

      Death

      When Henry Awbrey made his will August 1, 1694, he named only his wife Mary [not SARAH] and son Richard as his heirs (Essex Co Court Order Book 1692-1695, p. 311).[5] He was considered living by those in England on October 28, 1694, when he was mentioned in the will of Maximillion Robinson in England.[7] Henry Awbrey died in 1694 at Essex County, Virginia Colony.

      Sources

      [1] [3] [5] [6] [2] [7] [8]

      ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ariciu, Janet. Awbrey/Aubrey Family accessed June 24, 2015
      ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Virginia. General Assembly. House of Burgesses; McIlwaine, H. R., Journals of the House of Burgesses of VA, 1659/60-1963. (Vol 2 1659/60 - 1693, Pages xi, xiii, xiv, 189, 210, 222, 288, 339, 375, 379, 380, 412) Richmond, VA: [Virginia State Library] Archive.org accessed June 24, 2015
      ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Ariciu, Janet. Elizabeth Johnes (accessed December 1, 2014)
      ↑ I deleted "probably" - see additional sources on John's profile
      ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 Ariciu, Janet. Henry Awbrey (accessed 4/-6/14)
      ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Ariciu, Janet. Henry Awbrey, citing Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol 1, pages 298, 477, and Vol 2, pages 62, 317, by Nell Marion Nugent (accessed November 28, 2014)
      ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Hoppin, Charles Arthur, The Washington Ancestry ... (Vol 3, Pages 366-67) Greenfield, OH: Priv. print., 1932, HathiTrust accessed June 25, 2015 (has errors)
      ↑ 8.0 8.1 Virginia Land Grants, Book 6. Page 665 (cited in Hoppin, Vol 3, Page 366
      ↑ Journals of the House of Burgesses of VA, 1659/60-1963. Winder Transcripts II, p 228.
      See also:
      Germanna Colonies, History of County Formations in Virginia 1617-1995. Germanna Colonies Family History: The State of Virginia, accessed June 25, 2015
      Stickels, Mark, Dorothy Wright Mark Stickels Family Website, December 6, 2010, accessed December 1, 2014
      Awbrey family - summary of evidence that Henry, John, and Thomas were the sons of William Awbrey, posted by Jon Awbrey in 2003 (accessed May 19, 2015)
      Aubrey, Cole. Henry Aubrey (accessed May 14, 2015)
      Wikipedia: Llanelieu, Brecknockshire, Wales

  • Sources 
    1. [S761] Yates Publishing, Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Tree.
      http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=82294308&pid=33