Philip Lightfoot (abt. 1646 - 1708)

Born about 1646 in London, Middlesex, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Alice (Corbin) Lightfoot — married 28 Sep 1679 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia

Descendants

Died 1708 at about age 62 in Charles City County, Virginia, Colonial America

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Biography

Philip Lightfoot of "Teddington", Sandy Point, Charles City County, Virginia^[1][2]

Philip Lightfoot was born in London about 1646.^[3]

His mother, Elizabeth Phillips, daughter of Francis Phillips, Esq., "Auditor of the Exchequer",^[3] married 16 January 1626, St Andrews, London, England.^[4]

Philip's father was John Lightfoot, Esq., son and heir of the Reverend Richard Lightfoot and his wife Jane [Mary] Aske (married in London 7 February 1593/4). John and Elizabeth had eight sons and five daughters.^[3][5][6]

Philip married Alice Corbin, daughter of Henry Corbin.^[7]

In 1671, Philip Lightfoot was a resident of Gloucester County, Virginia. About 23 September 1679 (date of license),^[8] he married Alice Corbin, daughter of Henry Corbin of "Buckingham House" in Middlesex County^[2] and Alice Eltonhead.^[3] Alice Corbin was born 4 February 1660.^[1][9]

Philip Lightfoot "appears to have been a lieutenant in his majesty's royal navy in the 1600's."^[3] He was 'called "Mr." in 1677, lieutenant-colonel in 1680, captain in 1690, in which year he resigned his position as vestryman... (Petsworth Parish, Gloucester county, Vestry Book); lieutenant-colonel of militia of Gloucester and justice of the peace in 1680 (Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, January 1894)... justice of James City in 1694 (York Records); justice of James City in 1699....^[2]

Philip Lightfoot left a will dated 1708 and was buried at Sandy Point, Virginia.^[3][10]

The following tombstone inscription, recorded by Lyon G. Tyler at Sandy Point, Charles City County, is said to be for this Philip (with an error in giving "John" [instead of Richard] as minister of Stoke Bruain):

Arms[1]^[11]

Philip Lightfoot

son of John Lightfoot, Esq.,

Barister at Law, son of John

Lightfoot Minister of Stoke

Bruain in Northamptonshire

Immigration

Philip Lightfoot was a Virginia colonist.

The eldest son [of John and Elizabeth], John 2nd and his younger brother Phillip migrated with their families to America about 1670, long after the death of John Sr. In the case of the older brother this is somewhat odd given his status as first-born and heir. But he was apparently a seagoing adventurer whose exploits are only hinted at in the family records. The fourth son, William, appears to have followed in his father's footsteps, also graduating from Gray's Inn in 1653 and pursuing a career as a barrister in England where he and his brother Robert secured and extended the family fortune. The descendants of brothers John and Phillip would eventually comprise the "Lightfoots of Virginia" whose family members served honorably in the State Legislature, the Church and the Militia. They frequently intermarried with the famous "Lee Family of Virginia" and one such union produced Francis Lightfoot Lee, a member of the Continental Congress from Virginia and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.^[12]

Children

Philip and Alice (Corbin) Lightfoot had two sons:^[3]

• Francis Lightfoot,^[3] born 1686 (died 7 January 1727, "in the forty-first year of his age"; wife Elizabeth died 1727 in her 34th year); son Francis d 1730 (age 8) and daughter Elizabeth married Beverley, the eldest son William Randolph^[2]
• Philip Lightfoot,^[3] born 1689,^[13] married Mary Armistead (widow of James Burwell); one of their their sons was William (who married Mildred Howell); died 30 May 1748.^[2] Mary (Armistead)'s will (codicils 1773, 1775)^[2] - a reference that speaks of 1773 grandmother's will is referring to Mary (Armistead) Lightfoot, not Alice (Corbin) Lightfoot

Other children have been attributed to them (and considering marriage in 1679 and son Philip born 1689, it is likely they had more children than Francis and Philip. ~ Noland-165 18:45, 11 February 2018 (EST) /^[3][11][13]

Known children were Francis and Philip. Following are profiles attached as children (aside from Francis and Philip) as of 11 February 2018, with information from their profiles. Additional sources are needed to support them.:

• Nancy Lightfoot, unknown birth date/location^{[citation needed]}
• Lewis Lightfoot, b 1680, Port Royal, Caroline County^[14][15]
• William Lightfoot, b 1680, Sandy Point, Gloucester County^{[citation needed]}
• John Lightfoot, b 1682, Port Royal, Caroline County^[14]

Research Notes

The following information supports Philip of Virginia, born about 1646, grandson of Rev. Richard Lightfoot by John, from SGM thread (soc.genealogy.medieval): "Aske-Lightfoot Update" by Larry W. Cates, Charlotte, NC, Dec. 2, 2005.

'(5) discovered the pedigree of the London Lightfoot family in the recently published 1687 Herald's Visitation, which states that Rev. Richard Lightfoot and Jane [sic] Aske were the parents of John Lightfoot, Esq., barrister at law and that John, who married Elizabeth Phillips was the father of, among many others: (a) "John Lightfoot a Capt. of one of his Maties. Ships died at Sea A o. 1682 aetat. circa 55 an. sine prole [married] Elizabeth dar. of John Tailor of Maidstone in Com. Cantii" (b) "Philip Lightfoot now in Virginia circ. 41 An."

* * * *

'The most exciting part is that Philip of Gloucester Co., VA, is explicitly identified as a son. This leaves John of New Kent somewhat up in the air, but I believe that he was the son of Capt. John Lightfoot of the above pedigree despite the "sine prole" notation. As we all know, the Heralds were not infallible. I have been able to confirm, through my agents, Dr. Tyler's contention about a record in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury granting administration of Captain Lightfoot's estate. The entry in the P.C.C. index of administrations [manuscript on microfilm] is the only one for Lightfoot recorded from 1682 to 1688 and states that administration for John Lightfoote who died in parts beyond the seas, was granted 31 March 1688. A marginal note in Latin records that on 7 Mar [1686/7] William Lightfoot, father's brother ("Patruo") of John Lightfoote and Philip Lightfoote, in parts across the seas, sons of John Lightfoote, late of Surinam, widower, deceased, was granted administration of the goods of the deceased during the sons' absence. I feel certain that John of this list is John Lightfoot of New Kent, as he had close ties to Phillip of Gloucester. He actually made Philip the trustee of his wife, Ann Goodrich's, dower property from her father in 1681. Philip was probably John's uncle.'^[5]

In his majesty's navy?

Perhaps the Capt. Lightfoot of this story?

"At the request of the colonists, the English guard ship "Elizabeth" of forty-six guns, Capt. Lightfoot, was sent to the mouth of the James River, to protect merchant vessels from Dutch war ships. Early in June, 1667, the "Prince William" with two or three other Hollanders, attacked the merchant shipping in Chesapeake Bay near Point Comfort, and Conway, captain of one of these ships fought them for six hours, but was obliged to surrender. The enemy then sailed up the James River, and found the captain of the " Elizabeth " absent, with his mistress, at a wedding. After firing one gun, the "Elizabeth" surrendered, and was burned. Having destroyed seven merchant ships, and captured thirteen more, the enemy sailed away leaving the people in consternation."^[16]

Major Philip "Col" Lightfoot, Sr.

A duplicate profile (Lightfoot-1000) for Major Philip "Col" Lightfoot, Sr. (1643-1708) had profiles for unknown family attached, which were detached before the merge (see this page for changes to that Philip's profile). ~ Noland-165

Elizabeth Unk

• mother Elizabeth Unk (born before 1627, married to John Lightfoot - probably should be merged with profile of John's wife, Elizabeth Philips
• wife Elizabeth Unk (born before 1654), mother of William John Lightfoot (b 1670)

Son William John Lightfoot (1670-c1765), married Mildred Armistead (perhaps confused version of son William who married Mildred Howell?). Father of Richard Bassett Lightfoot (b 1698, England) and Elizabeth Lightfoot (b before 1725, m James Roberts).

• see Mary Armistead, married about 1721, in Virginia, Philip Lightfoot (parents of William Lightfoot who married Mildred Howell)
• see also this post (re: Richard Bassett vs Richard Bassett Lightfoot)
• Mary (Armistead) Lightfoot's will and codicils are in Lyon G. Tyler's "Lightfoot Family" - The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Oct., 1894), pp. 104-111 (Published by: Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture; DOI: 10.2307/1914585). Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1914585
• Geni: Mary Armistead Lightfoot
• other pages of possible interest:
  • Geni: Richard Basset Lightfoot
  • Find A Grave: Memorial #95699056 for Mildred (Lightfoot) Coles (Lightfoot-277, daughter of William Lightfoot and Mildred Howell)
  • Mildred Lightfoot m Walter Coles, included in The Cabells and Their Kin: A Memorial Volume of History, Biography, and Genealogy, by Alexander Brown (1895: Houghton, Mifflin & Company), online (see page 534)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "The Corbin Family (Continued)," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 29, No. 3 (Jul., 1921), pp. 374-382 (Published by: Virginia Historical Society). Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4243833 (see p 381, footnote 6).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Lyon G. Tyler, "Lightfoot Family," The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Oct., 1894), pp. 104-111 (Published by: Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture; DOI: 10.2307/1914585). Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1914585
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9} Douglas Richardson, Royal Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, 5 vols., ed. Kimball G. Everingham (Salt Lake City, Utah: the author, 2013), Vol I, p 171 ASKE #20.ii
4. ↑ Ancestry Public Member Trees, database online. Record for John Lightfoot (Ancestry links: 1, 2).
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} SGM thread (soc.genealogy.medieval): "Aske-Lightfoot Update" by Larry W. Cates, Charlotte, NC, Dec. 2, 20015
6. ↑ Apparently, records show marriage to Mary Aske in 1593/4, yet Jane is named as wife in Richard's will. Discussion in SGM following Cates' 2005 post has details. See also "[[Aske-59#Not_Jane_Jones|Not Jane Jones]" on Aske-59. ~ Liz Shifflett
7. ↑ Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, Royal Ancestry series, 2nd edition, 4 vols., ed. Kimball G. Everingham (Salt Lake City, Utah: the author, 2011), Vol I, p 535 CORBIN #17
8. ↑ The parish register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, Va., from 1653 to 1812 (published by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America), page 18
9. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #179227965 for Henry Corbin has her birth in 1659, so it was probably February 1659/60.
10. ↑ Ancestry has his death in Gloucester County, 30 May 1708. However, that may be a confusion with his son Philip, who died 30 May 1748. His tombstone is not dated; death date is based on "his will dated in 1708 (Hening's Stats., V., p. 111)". (Tyler)
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} "[1] This is the tomb of Major Philip Lightfoot, the immigrant, who married Alice Corbin, daughter of Hon. Henry Corbin, September 28, 1679—Middlesex (Christ Church) Parish Register. The Arms are: Lightfoot impaling Corbin; the crest, a griffin's head. In this coat the lines are raised, the space between on the level. For Lightfoot Family, see Quarterly, Vol. II., 91, 204, 259; Vol. III., 104, 137. The tombstone errs in giving John Lightfoot as minister of Stoke Bruain. It was Rev. Richard Lightfoot."
    • Lyon G. Tyler, "Old Tombstones in Charles City County," The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 4, No. 2 (Oct., 1895), pp. 122-125 (Published by: Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture; DOI: 10.2307/1915056). Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1915056 (see pages 122, 125).
12. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #125184112 for John Lightfoot (excerpt; no sources cited, but nice biography!) Memorial created by Ken Smith, 15 February 2014 (accessed 11 February 2018).
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography (1915), entry for Philip Lightfoot (born 1689).
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} R.T. Green, Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, Virginia (1900), page 70, following information about Philip Lightfoot of Sandy Point, says "There is a family of Lightfoots at Port Royal, Caroline, represented by the late Philip Lightfoot and his sons, Lewis Lightfoot and his brother John." (but no indication of which Philip Lightfoot, or even which century)
15. ↑ The profile, Lightfoot-262, had no other attachments. I detached him from parents (adding a note in profile about changes); he's now in a proposed merge with Lewis (Lightfoot-1124), b 1727, son of Philip and Mary. ~ Liz Shifflett
16. ↑ Edward Duffield Neill, Virginia Carolorum: the colony under the rule of Charles the First and Second, A. D. 1625-A (1886), see page 320.

• SGM thread (soc.genealogy.medieval): "RA Addition - John Lightfoot" by Nathan Murphy, Jan. 21, 2017
• John Lightfoot, "Our Royal, Titled, Noble, and Commoner Ancestors and Cousins" (website, compiled by Mr. Marlyn Lewis, Portland, OR; accessed 11 February 2018)
• Virginia Heraldica: page 36 (mostly about brother John)

See also:

• Barbara A. Sorrill, "The Lightfoot Family in Yorktown," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography," Vol. 75, No. 3 (Jul., 1967), pp. 280-289 (Published by: Virginia Historical Society). Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4247321 (login required)
• Ancestry link (subscription required)

Acknowledgements

Magna Carta Project

Although Douglas Richardson's Magna Carta Ancestry does not list him as such, Philip Lightfoot is considered a Gateway Ancestor because:

1. He is documented by Richardson in Royal Ancestry (vol. I, pages 164-171 ASKE) in a trail to Magna Carta Surety Baron Hugh le Bigod, whose father, Roger le Bigod, was also a surety baron.
2. He immigrated to Virginia prior to 1700.

The trail from Philip and his brother John to the Bigods needs to be developed by the Magna Carta Project and is set out in the Magna Carta Trails section, below.

• Needs Family Verified: This profile was developed in 2018 by Noland-165. Discussions in SGM group (here and here) have raised questions about whether or not his father was John Lightfoot. ~ Thiessen-117 16:32, 2 September 2020 (UTC)

See Base Camp for more information about identified Magna Carta trails and their status. See the project's glossary for project-specific terms, such as a "badged trail".

Magna Carta Trails

Undeveloped Richardson-documented trail to the Bigods (RA I:164-171 ASKE):

Gateway Ancestors:

Philip Lightfoot (trail pending/5-star needs development)

John Lightfoot (trail pending/5-star needs development)

1. Philip and John are sons of John Lightfoot (trail pending/needs development)

2. John is the son of Jane Aske (trail pending/needs development)

3. Jane is the daughter of Robert Aske (trail pending/needs development)

4. Robert is the son of Robert Aske (trail pending/needs development)

5. Robert is the son of John Aske (trail pending/needs development)

6. John is the son of Robert Aske (trail pending/needs development)

6. Robert is the son of Elizabeth Bigod (trail pending/needs development)

7. Elizabeth is the daughter of Ralph Bigod (trail pending/needs development)

8. Ralph is the son of John Bigod (trail pending/needs development)

9. John is the son of John Bigod (trail pending/needs development)

10. John is the son of Roger le Bigod (badged/100% 5-star)

11. Roger is the son of John le Bigod (badged/100% 5-star)

12. John is the son of Ralph le Bigod (badged/100% 5-star)

13. Ralph is the son of Magna Carta Surety Hugh le Bigod

14. Hugh is the son of Magna Carta Surety Roger le Bigod