Philip Lightfoot II
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Philip Lightfoot II (abt. 1689 - 1748)

Maj. Gen. Philip Lightfoot II
Born about in Gloucester County, Virginiamap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married about 1719 in York county, Virginia Colonymap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 59 in York County, Virginiamap
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Profile last modified | Created 14 Jun 2012
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Contents

Biography

U.S. Southern Colonies Project logo
Philip Lightfoot II was a Virginia colonist.

Philip Lightfoot was known as "The Merchant Prince". Philip's influence in early Colonial Virginia was substantial.

Philip Lightfoot was born about 1689, in Gloucester county, Virginia. Philip's father, Philip Lightfoot served as a Vestryman in Petsworth Parish in Gloucester county, Virginia and resigned this position in 1690.[1] Philip was the son of Philip Lightfoot and Alice Corbin

Philip was appointed the Clerk of York County, Virginia court. The court record appointing Philip reads in part as follows: "At a Court held for York County the 24th July 1707 . . . Philip Lightfoot Jun'r presenting a commission from the honorable Edm'd Jenings Esq to be Clerk of this Court & having taken the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken in stead of the Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy . . . accordingly sworn & admitted Clerk of this Court"[2] Philip held the position of Clerk of Court of York county until October, 1733 when he was sworn in as a member of Council of Colonial Virginia.

Philip purchased on the 4th of November, 1709, Lot 83 in York Town from the town Trustees to the port land in York Town, for 183 pounds of Tobacco. The deed reads in part as follows: "This Indenture made the fourth day of November in the eighty year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Anne by the grave of God of Great Brittain France & Ireland Queen defender of the faith &c: Anno Din 1709 Between Col: Thomas Ballard & Major William Buckner Trustees to the port land in York Town sayth of the one part & Philip Lightfoot of York Town aforesaid of the other part . . . for & in consideration of the sum of one hundred & eighty pounds of Tobacco to them in hand well & truly paid . . . all that Lott or half acres of land situate in York Town being part of the Port land there known by the number (38) as by the plott on the records of the said county doth appear the said Lott or half acres of land containing ten poles in length & eight in width To have and To hold the said Lott or half acres of land . . . in fee simple forever provided always that the said Philip Lightfoot jun his heirs &c shall & doe within twelve months after this present date build & finish on the said Lott or half acres of land one good house to contain at least Twenty foot wherein if he fail then this present grant to be void in Law & the land hereby granted lyable to the choice of any other person any thing herein contained to the contrary in any wise not withstanding In Witness whereof the party's above said to this present Indenture of Bargain & Sale their hands & seals have put the day & year first above written [signed] Tho Ballard Wm Buckner Signed sealed & delivered by Col Ballard in the presence Ma: Ballard . . ."[3] Between 1709 and 1742 Philip acquired many lots in York Town and additional land outside York Town in York county and other surrounding counties.

Philip Lightfoot II married the widow Mary Armistead Burwell, widow of James Burwell, sometime about 1719. No marriage record has been located. The year of marriage is based on Mary and Philip appearing in York county, Virginia court on the 21st of March, 1719 to obtain administration of the estate of Mary's deceased daughter Lucy Burwell. The court record reads as follows: "At a Court held for York County March the 21st 1719/20 . . . Philip Lightfoot & Mary his wife Exer'tx of the last Will & Testament of James Burwell dec'd come into court & made oath that Lucy Burwell daughter & legatee of the said James Burwell dec'd departed this life without making any will so far as they know or believe & he the said Philip Lightfoot having together with Thomas Nelson & Henry Hayward his securitys entered into an acknowledged their bond to the Court for his just & faithful admin on the said Lucy Burwells estate (which bond is admitted to Record) on his motion Certificate is granted him for a comission of admin on the said estate in due form."[4]

Philip was appointed one of the surveyors for York Town in 1720. The court appointment reads as follows: "At a Court held for York County August the 15th 1720 . . . Philip Lightfoot is appointed Surveyor of York Town & its ordered that he keep the roads & landings in repair accordingly . . ."[5]

Philip's indentured servant Anne Guilliams gave birth to a bastard child, which resulted in Philip filing a petition with the court in York county. The court record reads as follows: "At a Court held for York County December the 19th 1720 . . . Lightfoot vs Guilliams - On the petition of Philip Lightfoot agt his servant woman Ann Guilliams for service according to law for the trouble of his house in the time of her lying in. It is thereupon ordered that the said Guilliams serve her said master one whole year after her time by Indenture custom or former order is expired . . . Philip Lightfoot agrees to pay the parish of Yorkhampton fifty shillings or five hundred pounds of Tobacco as the law directs for the fine of Anne Guilliams for her bastard child the said Guilliams having before the court agreed, and it is accordingly ordered that she serve her said master one year for the same after her time by Indenture order is expired . . ."[6] Philip would appear again in court in 1728 when his indentured servant George Whithereu was required to serve an additional six months due to offences he had committed. The court record reads as follows: "At a Court held for York County Sept. 16th 1728 . . . George Withereu to serve Maj.'r Lightfoot Six Months - George Whithereu a servant by Indenture to Philip Lightfoot Gent being before the Court for several offences commited he proposed and agreed as a recompence to serve his said Master the space of six months after his time by Indenture is expired which was accepted and accordingly ordered."[7]

Philip petitioned the court in York county in 1723 to value an acre of land belonging to Robert Jackson that was opposite to the land where Philip was planning to build a mill. The court record reads as follows: "At a court held for York county of 20th May 1723 Philip Lightfoot by his petition set forth his intention of building a publick water grist mill on Kings & Ubys Creek in this county having land on one side and praying that an acres of the opposite side in the possession of Robert Jackson may be laid off Joseph Walker and Thomas Nelso Gent are desired to lay off and value an acre and posses the per't thereof pursuant to the said petition having regard to houses orchards or other immidiate conveniences and make report" . . . "York County July 13th 1723 Pursuant to the within order we the subscribers did meet on the land in the possession of Robert Jackson & there lay off an acre thereof accordingly beginning at a spanish oak . . .and do value the acre at twenty shillings current money given under our hands the day & year above written [signed Jo Walker, Thos Nelson . . ."[8]

Philip built a large brick mansion in York Town that is described as being on a bluff overlooking the harbor of Yorktown. It is believed this mansion was built about or after 1724 when Philip purchased Lot 22 from Warren Cary for 150 pounds English currency.[9]

Philip appears as the plaintiff in many York county, Virginia court records; however, the court records for York county show for June and July, 1726, Philip was the defendant in charges brought by the York county Grand Jury. The court record reads as follows: "At a Court held for York county June 20th 1726 . . . Grand Jury vs Lightfoot Philip Lightfoot Gent presented by the Grand Jury for not keeping sufficient road over his Mill on the beaver dams ordered that the Sheriff summons him to appear & answer the said punishment at the next Court."[10] The July court record reads as follows: "At a Court held for York County July 18, 1726 . . . Grand Jury Vs Lightfoot &c On the presentment of the Grand Jury ordered that Philip Lightfoot & Lewis Burwell Gent keep the road below their dam in repair (the decay of the bridge excepted) until they make lawfull dam."[11]

Philip is listed in court records in 1727 as being one of the Church Wardens of Yorkhampton Parish. The court record reads as follows: "At a Court held for York County July 17th 1727 . . . Lightfoot &c vs Walters In the action upon the case between Philip Lightfoot & John Hansford Church Wardens of Yorkhampton parish Plts vs Robert Walters Marriner Deft on the Deft's motion an import is granted him till next court."[12] In 1728,

Philip was sworn in as a member of the Council of Colonial Virginia on the 25th of October, 1733. The Council record reads as follows: "October 22d 1733 . . . Pursuant to His Majesty's Warrant under his Royal sign Manual bearing date the 9th day of April 1733 Philip Lightfoot Esq'r having first taken the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, the abjuration Oath mentioned in the Act of Parliament made in the first year of His late Majesty's Reign and subscrisbed the Test, was this day sworn & admited one of His Majesty's Council . . ."[13]

Philip appeared in the court records of York county, Virginia in 1745 in an action against his son Philip Lightfoot who was acting as administrator of the estate of Theophilus' Pugh dec'd. The court record reads in part as follows: "At a Court held for York County the 17th day of February 1745 . . . Philip Lightfoot of the Town and County of York Esq. Plt ag'st Philip Lightfoot Jun'r Adm'r & of Theophilus' Pugh Dec'd Deft} In Debt upon Bond - This day came the parties by their attornies and the said Deft saith that he cannot gainsay the Plaintifs action therefore the Pltfs assent it is considered by the Court that he recover against the Defendt two thousand and fifty three pounds ten shillings and six pence half penny the Debt in the Declaration mentioned and his costs by him in this behalf expended to be levied of the goods and chattels of the Decedent when sufficient thereof shall come to the hands of the said Defend't to be administered. But this Judgment is to be discharged by the paiment of five hundred eighty nine pounds sixteen shillings and three pence three farthings together with interest for the same to be computed after the rate of five per centum per annum from the fourth day of November 1745 to the time of payment and the costs."[14]

Philip made his last Will & Testament on the 31st of July, 1747. Philip's will reads as follows: "In the name of God Amen I Philip Lightfoot of the Town of York Esq being of sound and disposing mind and memory but considering the uncertain state of this transitory life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following - Imprimis I commit my soul into the lands of Almighty God my creator hoping to obtain perfect and free remission of all my sins through the merits of his ever blessed son Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour and my body to the earth to be buried in such decent manner and place as shall please my Exrs hereafter named to appoint and as to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose thereof in manner following my just debts and funeral expenses being first paid and satisfied. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife during her natural life my dwelling house with the appurtenances two lots and one third of land thereto adjoining purchased from Richard Cary, John Buckler and Herriot Ratchford and the lots whereon my stable now stands in the Town of York together with the use and service of ten house slaves and the coachman at her own election as well as all my slaves at Kings Creek for her life. I also give to my said wife for her life the use of all or as much plate as she shall choose with all the household and kitchen furniture belonging to the new house my coach and six horses the number of horses always to be kept up out of my estate my four wheeled and two wheeled chairs with the use of all my stocks of cattle sheep and hogs at the Plantation at Kings Creek and so much necessary provisions as she may require to be added from any of the Plantations hereafter given to my sons for the support of her family together with fire wood and pastureage of and on my land near York Town I also give and bequeath unto her the sum of four hundred pounds sterling and four hundred pounds current money to be annually paid her during her life the first payment to be made with in one month after my decease and so continued yearly I also give her all the bottled liquor and two pipes of wine in the cellers with the Town Cows and two horses for common uses and I do appoint my friends Col Thomas Lee and William Nelson Esq in special trust to see that this part of my will be clearly performed. I give and bequeath unto my son William Lightfoot and to the heirs of his body male lawfully begotten forever all my lands and tenaments lying and being in the counties of Charles City and Surry (Except the land called Troopers purchased of William Grey in Surry) and in that a fee simple together with sixty slaves including the number of those in his possession at the time of my death their quality to be proportioned by my Executors to those remaining to my sons John and Armistead and in default of such male heirs then I devise the said lands to my son John Lightfoot and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten and in default thereof to my son Armistead Lightfoot and his heirs forever and in case either of my said sons shall have a Daughter or Daughters then the next in remainder shall pay out of the estate the sum of fifteen hundred pounds sterling for a provision for her or them. Item I give and devise unto my son William Lightfoot and his heirs forever the lot and appurtenances whereon he now dwells in York Town and those two adjoining (except the stable and lotts to his mother during her natural life) four lotts bought of Groin Reade the storehouse and lott bought of Joseph Mountfort the warehouses under the bank together with the mill and land thereto adjoining I also devise unto my said son William all the money and household goods he's in possession of with all my household goods stocks of cattle horses hogs and sheep not otherwise disposed of in Charles City and Surry Counties and one third of my place after his mothers decease I also give him two hundred pounds to repair the Sandy Point House. I give and devise unto my son John Lightfoot and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever all my lands purchased of Col. Nathaniel Harrison and Robert Mountford in the County of Brunswick together with sixty slaves including those he shall be possessed of at my death to be proportioned out of my slaves to those given my other sons by my Executors Mulatto Harry being one after his mothers decease I likewise give unto my son John and his heirs forever all my lots and houses in the City of Williamsburg and lots at Blandford in Prince George I also give him two thousand pounds sterling one third part of my plate after his mothers decease the furniture in the house at Williamsburg thirty Ewes one Ram from Sandy Point as well as the grey mare and horse by black colt Othello and Roan philly and as many cattle from Kings Creek after his mothers decease as will make the Brunswick stock one hundred and in case my son John dies without issue of his body then I give the Brunswick land and slaves to my son Armistead and in case he leaves no issue of his body as above then I give the said land and slaves to my son William Lightfoot and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my son Armistead Lightfoot and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten my dwelling house in York and appurtenances after his mothers decease and all other lots and houses in the said town not already disposed of with the pasture land all my lands in Goochland together with sixty slaves (if so many remains) those in York Town and county after his mothers death to be part but if it shall so happen that my son Armistead dies without such issue then I give the said lands and negros to my son William and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. I also give to my son Armistead my lands in New Kent and Hanover counties purchased of Matthew Anderson to him and his heirs forever I likewise give unto my son Armistead two thousand pounds sterling and after his mothers interest is determined the remaining one third of my plate all the furniture of the house and kitchen stocks of cattle sheep hogs and horses at Kings Creek and Goochland except the cattle to his brother John. I give and bequeath unto my grandson Francis Lightfoot two negros (to wit) Lucy & Jacob, children of Sarah and the sum of three hundred pounds to be delivered and paid him at the age of twenty one if so long he lives otherwise to go into the bulk of my estate. In case the heirs of William Clayborn dec'd neglect to redeem the land slaves and stock mortgaged to me for thrity five hundred pounds then I give the same to my son William Lightfoot and his heirs forever he paying his brothers John and Armistead their proportion of the said mortgaged premises in cash. I give unto the Parish of Yorkhampton the sum of fifty pounds current money to be laid out in the purchase of a handsom flaggon and challace with my arms engraven thereon for the use of York Church and the sum of forty pounds current in goods to be paid by my Executors into the hands of William Nelson Esq. and son William Lightfoot to be by them distributed according to their discretion amongst the poor of Yorkhampton Parish. I give unto Elizabeth Burwell the Daughter of N. Bacon Burwell dec'd three hundred pounds to be paid her when she shall arrive to the age of twenty one or marry with the approbation of her grandmother Lightfoot but in case she dies before she becomes entitled then I will and direct that it go with the residue of my estate the legacy being void. I give to the College of William and Mary the sum of five hundred pounds current for a foundation for two poor scholars forever to be brought up to the ministry of the Church of England on such other publick employment as shall be most suitable to their capacitys which sum I desire my Executors to pay to the President and Masters of the College within twelve months after my decease to be laid out for that purpose and it's my will and desire that my son William Lightfoot have the nomination and preferance of the first six scholars. I give & bequeath unto the widow of my son Philip Lightfoot one thousand pounds current money to be paid her (if not before) soon after my death in full of any dower she might expect from the lands designed my said son. I give unto Mary Philips as much money as will make my debt to her one hundred pounds current. I give unto Mrs. Susanna Lightfoot all sums of money due and owing from her for money advanced for the benefit of her son Francis Lightfoot. I give to each of my Executors hereafter named mourning and a ring all the residue of my slaves goods chattels money outstanding debts and personal estate whatsoever not herein before particularly disposed of I give and bequeath unto my three sons William John and Armistead Lightfoot to be divided equally among them in case my son Armistead dye in his minority that his share of the money goods and chattels be equally divided between the survivors and I will and desire that the legacy and residuary part of my estate devised to my son Armistead be as soon as conveniently can be laid out by my Executors on good securities for his benefit until he attains the age of twenty one and that he be educated in the best manner and the expenses thereof born out of the profits of his estate and its my will and desire that he continue under the care of Mr. Edward Athawes Merch't [Merchant] but in case he should be removed by death that he be put under the directions of Mr. John Hanbury Merch't [Merchant] and it's also my desire that my friends Thomas Lee and William Nelson Esq will accept of and become his guardians to all purposes. And of this my last will and testament I do constuite and appoint the Honble John Grymes, Thomas Lee and William Nelson Esq., Col. Anthony Walke and William Lightfoot to be Executors revoking all former and other wills by me made and declaring this to be my last will and testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of July 1747. [signed] Phil Lightfoot (L.S.) Signed sealed published and declared by the testator to be the last will and testament of the testator /with the interlineations made by his own hand/ in the presence of Edmund Tabb, John Amson, Richard Copley

At a Court held for York County the 20th day of June 1748. This will was presented in Court by William Lightfoot Gent one of the Executors and was proved by the oaths of Edmund Tabb and John Amson Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said William Lightfoot who made oath according to Law Certificate was granted him for obtaining a Probate in due form giving security on which he together with Wm. Nelson Esq. and John Lightfoot Gent his securities entered into and acknowledged Bond according to law reserving liberty for the other Ex'rs named in the said will to join the probate when they shall think fit. Teste Tho Everard Ct. Cor."[15]

Philip died the 30th of May, 1748, in York county, Virginia. Philip was buried at Teddington, Charles City County, Virginia.[16]

Children of Philip and Mary Armistead Lightfoot

Philip Lightfoot - born about 1721 based on Philip being at least 21 years of age in 1745 when he appears in court as administrator of an estate - died before 1747 as Philip is named in the will of his father as being deceased. Philip's son Francis is named in his grandfather's will. Francis is believed to be deceased by 1771 as he is not named as a grandson in the will of his grandmother Mary Lightfoot, which includes bequest to her grandchildren.
William Lightfoot - born about 1722 - died 1764
John Lightfoot - born about 1725 and died in 1751 leaving only his wife and no children.
Armistead Lightfoot - born about 1730 - died 1771

All of Philip and Mary's children were deceased when Mary Lightfoot made her last Will & testament on the 9th November, 1771.[17]

Sources

  1. Petsworth Parish Vestry Book 1677-1793 (no page numbers given in book - see image 20 of 224 on microfilm for October 1690 entry listing Col. Phil Lightfoot as member of Vestry; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C377-NQKM-Q
  2. York County, Virginia Deeds Orders Wills Etc. No. 13 (1706-1710) page 82; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-992Z-C42W
  3. York County, Virginia Deeds and Bonds No. 2 1701-1713, pages 334 & 335; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9LP-HSQ6
  4. York County, Virginia Orders Wills, etc. No. 15 Part 2 (1716-1720) page 565; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G92Z-Z93J-5
  5. York County, Virginia Orders Wills, etc. No. 15 Part 2 (1716-1720) page 668; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G92Z-Z93N-3
  6. York County, Virginia Orders, Wills, etc. No. 15 Part 2 (1716-1720) pages 678 & 679; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G92Z-Z93D-4
  7. York County, Virginia Orders Wills etc. No. 16 (1720-1729) page 544; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-892Z-ZT27
  8. York County, Virginia Orders Wills etc. No. 16 Part 1 (1720-1729) page 220; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-892Z-ZTZQ
  9. Page 284; The Lightfoot Family in Yorktown, by Barbara A. Sorrill; The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 3 (Jul., 1967), pp. 280-289 (10 pages), Published by: Virginia Historical Society; JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4247321
  10. York county, Virginia Orders Wills etc. No. 16 Part 1 (1720-1729) page 387; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-892Z-ZTZ7
  11. York county, Virginia Orders Wills etc. No. 16 Part 1 (1720-1729) page 397; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-892Z-ZT2F
  12. York County, Virginia Orders Wills, etc. No. 16 Part 1 (1720-1729) page 468; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-892Z-ZTKF
  13. Executive Journals, Councils of Colonial Virginia Vol. 4 October 25, 1721-October 28, 1739, Published by The Virginia State Library, H.R.McIlwaine Editor; First Edition 1930; ISBN: 0-88490-015-0.
  14. York county, Virginia Wills and Inventories (1740-1746) page 412; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS9H-DHZK-6
  15. York County, Virginia Wills & Inventories Book 20 (1745-1759) pages 103 - 106; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS9H-DHDR-4
  16. Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #42226872 (accessed 18 March 2024)
    Memorial page for Gen Philip Lightfoot (1689-30 May 1748), citing Lightfoot Graveyard at Tettington, Tettington, Charles City County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Michael Logue (contributor 47042252).
  17. York County, Virginia Wills & Inventories Book 22 (1771-1783) pages 299 to 303; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSSC-C9Y5-8

See Also

  • Tyler, Lyon G. Lightfoot Family, in The William and Mary Quarterly vol:3 no:2 (Oct., 1894), pp. jstor.org 104-111
  • Tyler, L.G. "Old Tombstones in Charles City County", in William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 4, no. 2 (Oct 1895), p. 122-123.
  • Advertisement in The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Virginia), Monday, 29 Sept 1738, page 4. Database and Images at Newspapers.com [1]. Advertisement placed by Philip Lightfoot of Queen's Creek (York County, Virginia) for runaway Amos.




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Comments: 4

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Lightfoot-1602 and Lightfoot-245 do not represent the same person because: They have different mothers; no real sources noted on Lightfoot-245
posted by Jim Miller
Lightfoot-1602 and Lightfoot-245 appear to represent the same person because: clear duplicate, suffix # is different but I see that often.
can someone look at the possiblity that Lightfoot-1603 into Lightfoot-255 are the same person?
posted by Wendy Browne
Lightfoot-1120 and Lightfoot-245 appear to represent the same person because: identical biographies, wife and children
posted by Robin Lee

Rejected matches › Philip Lightfoot (abt.1646-1708)