Capt John Lightfoot

Notes:

Records show that John II followed briefly in his father's footsteps attending both Lincoln College and Gray's Inn Law School (1641-1643). He does not appear to have practiced law for any extensive period leaving the family profession to his younger brothers William and Richard. John II is identified as a Captain of the Royal Navy operating in the waters off Virginia in 1666. His ship was lost in that year. He also commanded the HMS Covertine of London which returned from a voyage to Virginia in 1670. He migrated with his two sons to America shortly therefater. On 10 June 1670, he was appointed Auditor General of Virginia to replace Thomas Stegge who had died in office. English records clearly establish that John II died in the West Indies (Surinam) or the waters therof in 1686.

John Lightfoot II is probably the most elusive and mysterious link in the Lightfoot genealogy. His migration to America and profession as a Ship's Captain contributed to that somewhat. In addition, he was occasionally confused with his son John III by some early genealogy researchers. The inability of researchers to identify his wife is particularly vexing and curious. She apparently died young since they produced only two heirs ( John III and Phillip ) and since John II was identified as a "widower" at the time of his death in 1686.

The records do show that John II followed briefly in his father's footsteps attending both Lincoln College and Gray's Inn Law School (1641-1643). But he does not appear to have practiced law for any extensive period apparently leaving the profession and family business to his younger brothers William and Richard. He apparently migrated with family ( sons John III and Phillip ) to America shortly thereafter. But his residence there is uncertain.

John II is identified as a Captain of the Royal Navy operating in the waters of Virginia in 1666 when he lost his ship, and is also believed to have commanded the "Covertine of London" which returned from a voyage to Virginia in 1670. On 10 June, 1670 he was appointed the Auditor General of Virginia to replace Thomas Stegge who had died in office.

In any case English records clearly establish that he died in the West Indies (Surinam) or the water thereof in 1686. His brother William (in England) was subsequently appointed executor of his estate in England to administer the goods etc. of the said deceased during the absence and for the use of the said children ( John III and Phillip ) living in parts beyond the seas (America). His sons would have been in their mid-twenties and presumably beginning their own careers at that time.

John Lightfoot married Elizabeth Tailor, daughter of John Tailor of Maidstone, Kent, England. She died before him since he is listed as a widower who died at Surinam in the West Indies. We know that Capt John Lightfoot was in Virginia waters in 1666 when he lost his ship. We also think it is very likely he was the Captain Lightfoot who commanded a merchant ship, The Covertine of London, which had just returned from a voyage to Virginia in June 1670.

He was known as the "Honorable" Captain John Lightfoot of Middlesex County, England and he died before 7 Mar 1687 in Surinam, West Indies as War Captain of his Majesty's Ship.
A notation found in Herald's Visitation of London, 1687:
John Lightfoot a Captain of one of the H.M. Ships, died at Sea: Anno.1682 Aet: Circa 55 years, 1682.

He was admitted 18 Feb 1641 into Gray's Inn, aforesaid as the eldest son of John Lightfoot, one of the Fellows. We may assume that he was about nineteen years old at the time since that was the age at which his father was admitted to Gray's Inn.

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Tayloe. Elizabeth was born in 1622 in Stepney, London, England; died in 1686 in , Northamptonshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Philip Lightfoot was born in 1643 in London, London, England; died on 30 May 1708 in , Gloucester, Virginia, USA.
2. Colonel John III Lightfoot was born in 1646 in Grays Inn, Middlesex, England; died on 28 May 1707 in Saint Peter and Paul Parish, New Kent, Virginia, USA.

John married Elizabeth Phillips. Elizabeth was born on 16 Feb 1601 in Stepney, London, England; died on 24 Dec 1683 in , Northamptonshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]