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Biography
Birth and Immigration
Adam Dixon, yeoman, born in England c. 1582, was a master caulker of ships. He came to Jamestown in 1611/1612 with the fleet of Sir Thomas Dale,[1] perhaps traveling in the Starr.[2] Adam was one of about 300 men brought by Sir Thomas to strenghten the resources of the Colony: "artificers, carpenters, smiths, coopers, fishermen, tanners, shoemakers, shipwrights, brickmen, gardeners, husbandmen and laboring men of all sorts."[2] Thomas had agreed to work for the Colony for three years at a wage of thirty-six shillings per month.[3] But it didn't work out that way.
Petitions to the Courts
On 8 May 1622, Adam petitioned the Virginia Court for his wages, saying he had been in Virginia for twelve years and was not being paid. But the Court responded that the Company knew nothing of his contract, and he should come to Court better prepared with his proofs.[1]
On 19 Jun 1622, Adam returned with his petition, this time to the King, and followed it to England. He claimed that, not only was he "forceably detained" for seven years after his contract, but he had other grievances. Captain Samuel Argall had given a piece of land to him and his partner, John Berry, where they built a house at their own expense. Then Sir George Yeardley came and evicted them from their home.[4]
He returned to Virginia later that year on the Margaret and John,[5] bringing with him his wife, Ann; their daughter, Elizabeth; and a servant, John Martin.[6]
Adam continued to press his claim in England. On 21 Jan 1624, he testified before Virginia Company officials, stating that he was 42 years old. While he was away on this trip, his wife died.[7]
Muster of 1624/25
An official census, the muster of 1624/25, recorded Adam living alone at Pasbehay, James City Corporation.[8][9]
It appears that Adam was having a hard time growing corn in the poor soil he had been alloted. On 31 Jan 1625, the Court compensated him for part of his loss.[10] They also ordered Mr. Greene to compensate him for the damage done by his sow.[11]
Ancient Planter
Adam was an ancient planter.[12][13] When a report of landowners was sent to England in May 1625, he was credited with 100 acres at Warresqueak Plantation and downwards from Hogg Island by the riverside.[14]
Land Patent
On 8 May 1626, the Court approved an application for patent, as follows:[15]
The patent was filed on 8 Sep 1627, for 200 acres in Tappahannah, about one mile below the Upper Chippokes Creek, over against Dancing Point, in what would later become Surry County.[17]
Death
Finding no more information about the life or death of Adam Dixon, we record on this profile that he died "after 8 Sep 1627."
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 [Kingsbury, Susan Myra. The records of the Virginia Company of London Government Printing Office, 1906-1935, Vol. 1, p. 634.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Information about the ship Starr Research and compilation by Anne Stevens, packrat-pro.com.
- ↑ Tyler, Lyon Gardiner, Ed. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1915. p. 223.
- ↑ Kingsbury, Vol. 2, pp. 43,44.
- ↑ List of Passengers on the Margaret and John Research and compilation by Anne Stevens, packrat-pro.com.
- ↑ Nugent, Nell Marion. Cavaliers and Pioneers. Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666, Vol. I, Virginia State Library, Virginia Genealogical Society. Richmond, Press of the Dietz Print Co. 1934, page 8.
- ↑ McCartney, Martha W. Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers 1607-1635: A Biographical Dictionary; Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 2007, pp. 259, 260.
- ↑ Jester, Annie Lash., Hiden, Martha Woodruff. 1883. Musters of the Inhabitants in Virginia 1624/1625, Adventurers of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1625: FamilySearch International, Title No. 2058494., p. 23.
- ↑ Coldham, Peter Wilson. The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1660, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, p. 57.
- ↑ McIlwaine, page 46.
- ↑ McIlwaine, page 64.
- ↑ http://www.ancient-planters.org/ancestors.html Order of the Descendents of Ancient Planters]
- ↑ Nugent, page xxxii.
- ↑ Kingsbury, Vol. 4, page 556.
- ↑ McIlwaine, H.R., ed. Minutes of the Council and General court of Colonial Virginia, Richmond: The Library Board, 1924; repr. Richmond: Virginia State Library, 1979., p. 103.
- ↑ Note: Adam's wife was referred to as "Ann" and "Agnes," believed to be the same woman.
- ↑ Nugent, Nell Marion. Cavaliers and Pioneers. Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666, Vol. I, Virginia State Library, Virginia Genealogical Society. Richmond, Press of the Dietz Print Co. 1934, page 8.
See also:
- Virginia Shipwrights (Accessed 17 Aug 2021)