John Hatchett (abt. 1674 - abt. 1756)

Born about 1674 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Elizabeth (Bass) Hatchett — married about 1701 in Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died about Feb 1756 at about age 82 in Chesterfield County, Colony of VIrginia

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John Hatchett resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies

Biography

John Hatchett was born around 1674.^{[1] [2]} His place of birth is not exactly known, but family histories by two great grandsons and one grandson agree that he came from England.^[3][4][5] The court entry adjudging his age is typical for children arriving at Virginia Colony without indenture (often against their will). There is no evidence that John was from Jamestown, or was even ever there. All his records are centered around the area of present day Chester, VA, and an area a few miles west of there. This was originally Henrico county, but near the end of John's life, the area became Chesterfield county. He married Elizabeth Bass around 1701 in Henrico Co., had several children and died in Chesterfield Co. in 1756.

Family Histories

There are three family histories written by members of the Hatchett family in the 1800's. The following are extracts of the parts mentioning John Hatchett.

"John Hatchett came from England when a boy (date not known, say 1700) he married a daughter of Josiah Bass, a wealthy man, against the will of her parents, who in consequence disinherited her. The children of John Hatchett were William the eldest of the boys, Thomas the 2d, John the 3d, & Edward the youngest. John Hatchett the Englishman had 3 daughters who married men named Belcher, Perdue, & Mann" - Edward Hatchett Jr. (grandson of John Hatchett)^[5]

"My Fathers grandfather came from England a little boy. he was name John Hatchitt. he Maried a Miss Bass and settled in Chesterfield County where they rais.d a famely, and the old people livd and died in Chesterfield." - John Hatchett (great grandson of John Hatchett)^[3]

"I have penned this short genealogy account, as I have received it from my parents. ... Perhaps about the year 1685, a youth by the name of John Hatchett came from England to Virginia and lived three years with a Mr. Edward Bass, a wealthy farmer of Chesterfield County to pay his passage across the Atlantic. Although the said John Hatchett had by accident lost the sight of one of his eyes he was said to be a handsome young man, and at the end of his apprenticeship married a daughter of the said Mr. Bass. Contrary to his will, for which he forgave them. This John Hatchett was my Great Grandfather. He had four sons VIZ: John, Thomas, William and Edward and several daughters." - Joseph Hatchett (great grandson of John Hatchett)^[4]

Early Years

John's parents are unknown, and of his life before arriving in Virginia, nothing is known. The first record of him is being brought to court as "a servant boy belonging to John Farley" to adjudge his age in 1685.^[1] This was the common practice for people arriving in Virginia without indenture. They had to be brought to court by their masters within four months of arriving in the Colony. The courts adjudged the age so the term of indenture could be set. For younger children like John, that meant his indenture to Farley would last until he reached the age of 24 according to Virginia law at the time. Having judged his age to be 10, that meant 14 years of servitude.

The next record of John is in 1693 where he gave a deposition in a case that involved John Farley who was still described as his master. John's age was stated to be 20 years old in that record.^[2] For attending that court case, he was awarded 40 pounds of tobacco, as was the law for compensating people for the trouble of travelling and attending court.^[6]

In the latter part of the 1690's John's indenture ended, and he was free. He began working for John Steward, whose land lay a short distance south of Farley's plantation. There was a court case in 1699 between Hatchett and Steward, but the record of it is missing likely because of badly damaged court records during those years. All that remains is a reference in March 1699 that the case was referred to the next court.^[7]

In 1699, while working as an overseer for John Steward, one of Steward's hands named Siegfried Clemmetton-Talselius "did furiously assault & wound this complain't (John Hatchett) in the body by stabing of him with a knife". The case went to court, and was resolved by Seigried paying damages of 15 pounds sterling and promising to behave.^[8]

He married Elizabeth Bass about 1701 in Henrico Co.^[9]

Mid-Life

He and his wife likely lived at first in the area of the Farley and Steward plantations. This is born out by debt actions between 1707 and 1709 in the courts with people who lived in the Chester to Bermuda Hundred area. One of the historically interesting things about these otherwise routine debt cases are two of the people involved. Thomas Jefferson II (President Thomas Jefferson's grandfather) gave evidence on behalf of John Hatchett in one case, and in another, William Randolph II (President Thomas Jefferson's great uncle) was the lawyer on the opposing side.^{[10][11][12][13][14]} Some time between 1710 and the 1730's, John and his family settled on land 5 miles west, which he would later patent. There are few records of him during this period. There was a levy in 1736^[15].

He and Elizabeth raised four sons - John Hatchett, Thomas Hatchett, William Hatchett, Sr. and Edward Hatchett, Sr. - and several daughters - Elizabeth Hatchett, Hester Hatchett, Mary Hatchett and B. Hatchett.^{[16][3][4][5]}

Later Years

In 1747, John drafted a will in which he identified his wife as "Elizabeth" and his children as "Edward," "Thomas," "John", "William," "Mary," "Elizabeth" and "Hester."^[16] On 20 Aug 1748, he received a patent for 390 acres in Chesterfield Co.^[17] Since the land granted in the patent was mentioned in his will written the previous year, it appears he had been living on that land for some time before receiving his patent. In 1755 he sold 195 acres (half of his original patent) to his son Thomas Hatchett. He died in Chesterfield county. in 1756. His will was proven in court in March 1756.^[18] His estate was inventoried and appraised on 5 April 1756.^[19]

Research Notes

Sometimes John Hatchett and his son John Hatchett Jr. can be confused, because the son did not always use the Jr. suffix. An example of this is the Henrico deed of 1749.^[20] One way to tell the difference is to note that John Hatchett Sr. always signed with a mark, whereas John Hatchett Jr. signed his name rather than use a mark. In the case of the deed of 1749, the other way we can tell the record is associated with the son is because some of the bordering lands, such as Cobb adjoined the land patented by John Hatchett Jr., not John Hatchett Sr.

The early Henrico court record^[2] that talks about his master Farley removing stuff to Blackwater is sometimes interpreted as referencing Farley and/or John Hatchett moving away from the Chesterfield area. That is likely not the case. This was about a dispute between Farley and Womack. Depositions from other people about the case immediately precede Hatchett's . Farley and Womack leased and traded some land between them. The dispute was about Farley moving various items from one property to another, that Womack thought improper. Clarksfield was land Farley leased from Womack in the area near present day Chester VA. Blackwater referred to the remnant land of an older Farley plantation on the waters of the Blackwater river, about 5 or 10 miles SSE of present day Chester VA.

An early Henrico court record from 1679^[21] has caused some Hatchett researchers to doubt that John Hatchett arrived from England at the age of 10, and was in fact there (or his father was there) earlier. Abraham Womacke gave a deposition that he "did notice Major Chamberlaine touch a Hatchett only Mj. Chamberlaine said that if he did abuse him as he did before he would thrash his Jacquett, & called him some abusive names as blockhead or loggerhead or the like". This in fact had nothing to do with anyone named Hatchett. It's a misreading that's an unfortunate result of folks in those days being very lax about what words are capitalized. Another deposition gives a better picture of the event, and proves it had nothing to do with the Hatchett family: "Wm Puckett aged 22 years or thereabouts deposeth that at the house where the deponent and John Puckett lived about a fortnight since, Majr. Chamberlaine told John Puckett that they were Pick? and Womacks plants (wch he sued him for) as ye said Womacks told him and allso told the said Puckett that he was a blockhead, a sonne of a whore, and that his mother was a whore & such like words when which Jno. Puckett answered, his mother was not more a whore then the mother that bore him (speacking of Majr. Chamberlaine) upon which the said Chamberlain strucke ye said Puckett one blow, & asked ye said Puckett whether he compared himself to him or noe, & Puckett replyed noe he did not, and said he would obey? him in his office? as he was in, upon which the said Chamberlaine took up a Hatchett, & swore that if he spoke a word more he would finde in his head to cleave the braines of him with several such words"^[22]

The John Hatchett diary^[3], which also contains the Edward Hatchett family history^[5] has been authenticated by an appraiser familiar with colonial American documents. It will soon be available for researchers through a Virginia history library. It was also believed authentic by Dr. Eggleston who published a transcript in the Farmville Herald around the 1940's. A physical copy of his transcription is available at the Library of Virginia. Copies may also be available in scattered genealogical libraries. I have a photostatic copy made from the copy at the Library of the Southern California Genealogical Society. The Farmville Herald gave permission to provide an online transcription of the contents. However, since the Eggleston transcription is abridged, and the full manuscript has resurfaced, it's best to use the full transcription^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Henrico County, Virginia, court records: "Henrico County, Virginia, court records"
   Catalog: Henrico County, Virginia, court records Record book, Vol. 1-2 1677-1693
   Film number: 007642295 > image 300 of 439
   FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9GY-Q4BR and Film number: 007898204 > image 39 of 415
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4V-YSZ2-V (accessed 26 October 2023) (accessed 26 October 2023).
   April 1 1685. Henrico County Record Book 2, pg 182.
   "John Hatchett a servt. boy belonging to Jno. Farley being by him brought before this wor. court is adjudged ten year of age."
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Henrico County, Virginia, court records: "Henrico County, Virginia, court records"
   Catalog: Henrico County, Virginia, court records Record book, Vol. 3, Deeds, wills, settlements of estates, 1694-1699; vol. 4, Orphans' Court, 1677-1739; v. 5, deeds, wills, settlements of estates, 1688-1697
   April 1 1693. Henrico County Court Record Book 2, pg 413
   Film number: 007676115 > image 502 of 667
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9TC-6H51 (accessed 27 October 2023)
   "John Hatchett aged about 20 years Depo: That his master John Farley upon his removall from Clark's field to Womacks brought from there and carryed away one plank door two hogsheads without tobacco in them some plank shelves one meal barrell about 20 pieces of hogshead heading one connon? one trough one morter one formerly three plank doors to Blackwater. Jurat in Cu-? John Hatchett his mark 1st Ap 1693 teste Jas Cocke Ct c--"
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Narrative of the Life of John Hatchett (1769-1840). online transcription
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Joseph Hatchett Letter 1847. online transcription
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} Genealogical account of the Hatchetts as given by Edward Hatchett Pittsylvania Cty Va 1842. online transcription
6. ↑ Henrico County, Virginia, court records: "Henrico County, Virginia, court records"
   Catalog: Henrico County, Virginia, court records Record book, Vol. 1-2 1677-1693
   Film number: 007642295 > image 438 of 439
   FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9GY-Q4GF (accessed 26 October 2023)
   1693 April/May. Henrico County Court Order Book 2, pg 446.
   "John Hatchett being supd. as an evidence by Mr. John Worsham in his suite against John Farley and haveing attended one day hath order granted him agst the sd Worsham for forty pounds of tobacco according to Law with costs"
7. ↑ Henrico County, Virginia, court records: "Henrico County, Virginia, court records"
   Catalog: Henrico County, Virginia, court records Record book, Vol. 3, Deeds, wills, settlements of estates, 1694-1699; vol. 4, Orphans' Court, 1677-1739; v. 5, deeds, wills, settlements of estates, 1688-1697
   Film number: 007676115 > image 128 of 667
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9TC-6Z95 (accessed 26 October 2023)
   March 1 1699. Henrico County Court Order Book 3, pg 259.
   "John Steward vs. John Hatchett referd to next court"
8. ↑ Henrico County, Virginia, court records: "Henrico County, Virginia, court records"
   Catalog: Henrico County, Virginia, court records Record book, Vol. 3, Deeds, wills, settlements of estates, 1694-1699; vol. 4, Orphans' Court, 1677-1739; v. 5, deeds, wills, settlements of estates, 1688-1697
   Film number: 007676115 > image 123 of 667
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9TC-6Z9G (accessed 27 October 2023)
   Dec 1 1699. Henrico County Court Order Book 3, pg 240.
   "The complaint of John Hatchett against Sigfred Clemetton Talsilius otherwise called Sigfred Clemet for that the sd. Sigfred some time in July last past at the house of John Steward Junr. within this county where the complainant then dwelt and was overseer of the sd Sigfred and others of the sd Steward's hands he the aforesaid Sigfred did furiously assault & wound this complain't in the body by stabing of him with a knife & to his damage fifteen pds sterl'g & c. Being by this court considered and both parties heard finds that the sd Clemet hath been of good behaviour eversince and hath fully performed the bond past in that behalfe and doth promise for the future to d------? and behave himself as he ought to do as well towards the sd Hatchet as all other his maj'tied? Leige? people and the complainant in open court confessing that he doth not fear any further bodily harm or mischief from the hands of ye sd. Sigfred, Ordered that the sd complaint be dismissd"
9. ↑ Marriage: "U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900"
   Source number: 606.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: LLH
   Ancestry Record 7836 #545865 (accessed 27 October 2023)
   John Hatchett marriage to Elizabeth Bass in 1701.
10. ↑ Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807: "Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807"
    Catalog: Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807 Court Orders 1678-1701, 1707-1709
    Film number: 007898204 > image 327 of 415
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4V-YSZT-R (accessed 26 October 2023)
    Nov 1 1707. Henrico County Court Orders 1707-1709, pg 5.
    "In the action of debt brought by Essex Bevill against John Hatchet for six pounds fifteen shillings credit or sterling mony in my Kennons Store, alledged due by bill dated under the defendants hand and seale the 12th day of August 1706. The defendt. in his proper person doth appeare and confess judgt. to the plt. for the aforesaid sum to be paid according to specialty with costs"
11. ↑ Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807: "Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807"
    Catalog: Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807 Court Orders 1678-1701, 1707-1709
    Film number: 007898204 > image 349 of 415
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4V-YS8Q-L (accessed 26 October 2023)
    June 1 1708. Henrico County Court Orders 1707-1709, pg 48.
    "John Hatchet being summoned to this court by writ of scire facias to shew cause why the judgement which Abraham Womack and Allanson Clarke obtained against him at a court held for the sd. county the first day of May 1707 for three pounds current money with costs etc should not be renewed and executed: Issue thereon: The said John Hatchet faileth to appeare; wherefore on the prayer of Allanson Clarke on of the Pltfs. the aforesaid judgement is renewed and ordered that the defendant do pay the plaintiff the aforesaid sum of three pounds current money with former & present costs"
12. ↑ Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807: "Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807"
    Catalog: Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807 Court Orders 1678-1701, 1707-1709
    Film number: 007898204 > image 363 of 415
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4V-YSZ1-1 (accessed 26 October 2023)
    Sep 2 1708. Henrico County Court Orders 1707-1709, pg 77.
    "Joseph Wilkinson being Supd. as an evidence in behalf of John Hatchet in suite against Richard Womack and having attended two days hath order granted him on his prayer against the sd. Hatchet for eighty pounds of tobacco with costs"
    "Capt. Thomas Jefferson being supd. as an evidence in behalf of John Hatchet in his suit against Richard Womack and having attended two days hath order granted him on his prayer against the said Hatchet for eighty pounds of tobacco is ordered"
13. ↑ Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807: "Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807"
    Catalog: Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807 Court Orders 1678-1701, 1707-1709
    Film number: 007898204 > image 407 of 415
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4V-YSZG-7 (accessed 26 October 2023)
    July 1 1709. Henrico County Court Orders 1707-1709, pg 162
    "Essex Bevil having caused John Hatchet to be summoned to this court to shew cause (if he could) why a judgment with the sd Essex obtained agst. ye sd. John at a court held for this county the 1st day of November 1707 for six pds fifteen shillg. & costs should not be renewed etc: the defdt. in proper person appeared but pleaded nothing in discount or otherwise sufficient to wave the pltfs. action, wherefore at ye prayer of Will: Randolph Junr. Gent. his attorney the sd judgt. was renewed, and orderd that the defdt. should pay ye plt: aforesd. sum of six pounds fifteen shillgs. with the former and present costs"
    "John Hatchet being arrested to this court at the suite of Richard Womack for fifty five shillings alledged due by bill dated etc The defdt. in his proper person appered but would not plead wherefore at the motion of the pltf. judgmt. by nihil dicit is awarded him against the defdt."
14. ↑ Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807: "Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807"
    Catalog: Court orders and minutes and miscellaneous court records, 1650-1807 Court Orders 1678-1701, 1707-1709
    Film number: 007898204 > image 410 of 415
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4V-YSZR-V (accessed 26 October 2023)
    Aug 1 1709. Henrico County Court Orders 1707-1709, pg 167.
    "In the account of debt brought by Richard Womack plantif against John Hatchett defdt. for fifty five shillings alledged due by bill the defdt. by William Randolph Junr. Gent: his attorney appeared and prayed that the judgment by nihil dicit which was granted at the last court might be continued till the next court, that he might have time to produce his discount, and the pltf. consenting thereto the samd? is accordingly continued"
15. ↑ Book: "Virginia colonial abstracts V. 21"
    https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/37255-virginia-colonial-abstracts-v-21 (accessed 2 November 2023)
    Identifier: 1949959_21; Creator: Fleet, Beverley, 1883-1970; Language: English; Page Count: 105; Owning Institution: Midwest Genealogy Center; Publisher Digital: FamilySearch International; Access Level: Public.
    1736, pg 18.
    John Hatchett Senr. Dr. 1736. 3 Levys. Store debt. Yr debt to J Worsham last year. Paid by Butter. And by Inspector's note.
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} Will books, 1749-1873, 1928-1931, 1967 ; index, 1749-1958: "Will books, 1749-1873, 1928-1931, 1967 ; index, 1749-1958"
    Catalog: Will books, 1749-1873, 1928-1931, 1967 ; index, 1749-1958 Will books, v. 1-2 1749-1774 (Vol. 1 is in two parts. Both volumes are photostatic copies.)
    Film number: 007644373 > image 232 of 964
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-99PC-3JJ1 (accessed 27 October 2023)
    31 May 1747. Chesterfield County Will Book No. 1, pg 204. Will of John Hatchett.
17. ↑ Patents, 1623-1774, 42 vols. ; index, land patents, [to] volumes 1-42: "Patents, 1623-1774, 42 vols. ; index, land patents, [to] volumes 1-42"
    Catalog: Patents, 1623-1774, 42 vols. ; index, land patents, [to volumes 1-42] Patents, v. 26, 1747-1748
    Film number: 008570213 > image 561 of 737
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C37Q-GS59-J (accessed 27 October 2023)
18. ↑ Order books, 1749-1865: "Order books, 1749-1865"
    Catalog: Order books, 1749-1865 Order books, v. 1-2 1749-1759
    Film number: 007898130 > image 400 of 584
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS4V-BSW1-W (accessed 27 October 2023)
19. ↑ Will books, 1749-1873, 1928-1931, 1967 ; index, 1749-1958: "Will books, 1749-1873, 1928-1931, 1967 ; index, 1749-1958"
    Catalog: Will books, 1749-1873, 1928-1931, 1967 ; index, 1749-1958 Will books, v. 1-2 1749-1774 (Vol. 1 is in two parts. Both volumes are photostatic copies.)
    Film number: 007644373 > image 233 of 964
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-99PC-3JJP (accessed 27 October 2023).
    5 Apr 1756. Chesterfield County Will Book No. 1, pg 205. Inventory of estate of John Hatchett.
20. ↑ County Court records, deeds, wills, settlements of estates, etc., (Henrico County, Virginia), 1677-1787: "County Court records, deeds, wills, settlements of estates, etc., (Henrico County, Virginia), 1677-1787"
    Catalog: County Court records, deeds, wills, settlements of estates, etc., (Henrico County, Virginia), 1677-1787 1744-1750.
    Film number: 007645096 > image 467 of 567
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-89P6-KHYR (accessed 27 October 2023)
21. ↑ Henrico County, Virginia, court records: "Henrico County, Virginia, court records"
    Catalog: Henrico County, Virginia, court records Record book, Vol. 1-2 1677-1693
    Film number: 007642295 > image 38 of 439
    FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9GY-Q4GL (accessed 28 October 2023)
22. ↑ Henrico County, Virginia, court records: "Henrico County, Virginia, court records"
    Catalog: Henrico County, Virginia, court records Record book, Vol. 1-2 1677-1693
    Film number: 007642295 > image 37 of 439
    FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9GY-Q4GG (accessed 28 October 2023)

See also:

• Hatchett, Bessie M. "Genealogy of the House of Hatchett". 1967. online digital copy.
• Hatchett, Steve. "Origins of John Hatchett". online digital copy
• Bowden, Lillie Hatchett. "House of Hatchett". Valley Head, AL. Feb 2008.