Francis Lightfoot

Notes:

Phillip Lightfoot came to the colony of Virginia before 1670 from England, possibly with his brother John. He served as a Lt. Col of Militia and Justice of Gloucester Co in 1680; Justice of James City Co 1694-99; Collector of Customs for Upper James River and Surveyor General. He registered his will in 1708 and died thereafter (1708-1710). His tomb is without date and bears arms "Lightfoot Impaling Corbin." The coats of arms of both the Lightfoot and Corbin families are displayed side-by-side.

Phillip purchased three tracts of land at Sandy Point along the Chickahominy River, most of which he willed to his sons Francis and then Philip.

Source: Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, VA. Call number 2330.

From Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, VA, 1958:

p. 69
The Lightfoots were among the earliest colonists in Virginia. They seem to have settled originally in Gloucester and James City when the latter embraced what is now Charles City County. Col Philip Lightfoot was a vestryman of Petsworth Parish as early as 1683. By his last will he devised his lands to his eldest son Francis, remainder to his son Philip. Francis devised his lands to his daughter Elizabeth, who married Peter Randolph of Henrico; remainder to his brother Philip Lightfoot. The entail was docked by the House of Burgesses in 1740, and by agreement between the parties these lands were vested in Philip Lightfoot.

At Sandy Point there were at one time portraits of the old Lightfoots. There were three William Lightfoots in succession at Sandy Point, and their tombs are still there. The first died in 1727, the second in 1809, and the third in 1810. Tedington was one of the four farms which composed the splendid estate of Sandy Point, between the James and the Chickahominy Rivers.

In 1726 we find the name of Major Goodrich Lightfoot as a member of the vestry of St. George's Parish, Spotsylvania, when that parish and county embraced what was afterwards the parish of St. Mark's and the county of Culpeper. He was one of the lay readers at the Germanna Church, and he and Robert Slaughter were appointed to count all the tobacco plants from the mouth of the Rapidan to the north of Mountain Run, and up Mountain Run and across to the mouth of the Robinson River, in obedience to the Act of the Assembly limiting the number of plants to be cultivated by each planter.

Major Goodrich Lightfoot was chosen a vestryman for the first vestry at St. Mark's, for his home was within the limits of the new parish. He served as vestryman and churchwarden until his death in 1738, and was succeeded by Capt Goodrich Lightfoot in 1741, who served until he left the parish in 1771. William Lightfoot was also a vestrymann from 1752-1758, when he moved out of the parish.

Philip married Alice Corbin. Alice was born on 14 Feb 1659 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1713 in , Charles City, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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.

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

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]