Robert Howson (abt. 1640 - abt. 1720)

Born about 1640 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England

Descendants

Died about Apr 1720 at about age 80 in Northampton, Virginia

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Biography

Robert was born about 1640. He made numerous trips between England and Virgina and appears as a resident of Virginia as early as 1663 (McLean: The Antient Press, 1993). Robert used the title Gentleman, Stafford County in the colony. Robert worked in collaboration with other Howsons, Leonard (Howson-28), also of the colony, and William (Howson-27) of London, all 3 possibly brothers or one degree removed and working collaboratively in the tobacco merchant business. Robert also served the vestry of St. Paul's Parish and was a Justice of the Peace beginning in 1668 for Stafford County. He was Clerk of Court for Northampton County in 1655 and again in 1710. He had no surviving male heir and passed away about April 1720.

Robert's will is dated April 5, 1720, Northampton County, Virginia, he bequeathed:

... To Scarbrough Robinson her choice of my gold rings. To William Waters, Sarah Custis, Gartrude Harmanson, George Harmanson, Margaret Kendall, Tully Robinson and Sarah his wife, John Mapp and Esther his wife, to each of them £10 apiece for mourning apparel and 20s apiece for a gold ring. To my brother-in-law James Pume, Esq. and Ann his wife living af Foe Hall near London the money due to me from the Lords Comission. My extrs. to settle accounts with Mr. Christopher Smith, merchant, and my partner, concerning a cargo of goods and tobacco as appears in my book No. 12. To my godson Howsen Mapp my 300 acre plantation bought of Josias Cowdry and Samuel and Thomas Church lying on Mattawoman Creek in Hungars Creek, and two negroes, viz., Hary and Sarah his wife. But if my said grandson (godson?) Howsen Mapp dies before 21 then the land to John Custis Mathews, and the said negroes to John Mapp and Esther his wife. To my grandson John Custis Mathews the 200 acre plantation bought of Richard Nottingham, and negroes George, Malbrow, Mingo, Sam and Sussex. But if the said John Custis Mathews dies under age 21 then the land to Howsen Mapp, negro Malbow to Joseph Godwin (son of Deverix), negro Sussex to Littleton Kendall, and negroes George, Mingo and Sam to Severn Eyre. To Isaac Smith (the young man that lives with me), 1,000 pounds of tobacco. To Ann How ... Residual legatees John Custis Mathews and Howsen Mapp to be equally divided. Severn Eyre, Gent. and son-in-law John Mapp extrs. Witt: Sarah Custis, John (X) Sanderson, Thomas Baylye, Isaac Smith, James Locker, John Arlington, John Haggoman & Joseph Pinder.

Robert was a land holder of signifcant acreage, including the first proven patent in Arlington County, dated October 21, 1669. This patent was for a 6,000 acre tract of land granted to Robert Howson (Howsing) by Sir William Berkeley, Knight, the Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia, acting on behalf of King Charles II. The Howson Patent of 6,000 acres was the largest and only perfected grant issued in Arlington County under the headright system, and the last given under the Crown. Fairfax Harrison states that Robert Howson "previously had seated lands on Upper Machotic in the present Westmoreland, sued out a patent for 6,000 acres, described as 'upon the freshes of Potowmeck River above the dividing branches of the same.'" On November 13, 1669, Howson transferred his patent to the surveyor, John Alexander of Chotank, for 6,000 pounds of tobacco.

According to the official document, under the headright system, Howson provided for the transport of 116 persons on board a ship which included ten Black slaves. Howson was given a bonus of four accounting for his own four arrivals in the colony which added to the 116 persons transported, making a total of 120 persons. The Howson Patent was granted under the headright system of entitling a person to 50 acres for each person brought or for whom the cost of transport to colonial Virginia was paid by the sponsor. Therefore Howson was eligible to receive 50 acres multiplied by 120 persons which equates to 6,000 acres of land. Over the years, the original Howson Patent has been subdivided and fragmented into many smaller parcels and individual lots. Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Myer occupy a small portion of the original Howson Patent, as well as land from the present-day Rosslyn area in Arlington County and encompassing present-day Old Town Alexandria, Washington Reagan National Airport, the Pentagon, and north to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge which connects Washington, D.C., with the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Howson Patent of 6,000 acres was the largest and only perfected grant issued in Arlington County under the headright system, and the last given under the Crown. Most of the remaining land in Arlington County was granted by the Proprietors of the Northern Neck. John Ball's 12 1/2 acre tract was apparently the last parcel of land in Arlington County to be patented and it was a treasury grant from the State of Virginia. Land was a good investment for the speculator during the 18th Century. Despite the intensive development of Arlington County into a densely populated urban complex, some of the boundaries of the early land grants can still be discerned.

Above excerpts from EARLY LAND GRANTS IN ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA by Donald A. Wise <https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~kell/genealogy/dad/hooe/Early%20Land%20Grants%20in%20Arlington%20County,%20Virginia1.htm>

In 1669 Robert Howson conveyed the land patent of 6,000 acres to John Alexander in exchange for 6,000 pounds of tobacco and cask. Alexander dies in 1677 and decades later the land becomes the source of much litigation (see below).

Sarah Howson Calvert, Thomas Porter and Anne his wife, which Sarah, Thomas and Anne are of the County of Stafford, conveyed to John Pratt, 200 acres of land in Westmoreland county, part of a patent granted Robert Howson, April 15, 1667, whose heirs the said Sarah Howson Calvert and Anne Porter are” recorded March 30, 1714 (Westmoreland County Records, Book 5, p253).

URL (Click on link) http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=82&last=&g_p=G4&col lection=NN Grant Title Latham, Stephen. Publication 26 May 1712

Other Format Available on microfilm. Northern Neck Grants, reels 288-311. Note Location: Westmoreland County. Description: 50 acres on the north side of Petomak Road bounded by the land of John Franklyn, Thomas Buttler, Robert Howson, and John Pratt. Source: Northern Neck Grants No. 4, 1710-1712 , Page 82 (Reel 289).

1712-1716 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds-Wills No. 5, [John Frederick Dorman]; Page 253-58. 30-31 March 1714

Sarah Howson Calvert, Thomas Porter and Ann his wife (which Sarah, Thomas and Anne are all of the County of Stafford) to John Pratt of Westmoreland County. Lease and release; for 17,000 pounds of tobacco. 200 acres in Washington Parish, part of a patent granted to Robert Howson of 450 acres 15 April 1667 upon the branches of Upper Machotick river, part in Stafford County and part in Westmoreland County, which 200 acres is all that lyeth on the lower side of Upper Machotiques damms within Westmoreland County, which descended to Sarah Howson Calvert and Anne Porter as heires to Robt. Howson. Sarah Howson (X) Calvert Thomas Porter Anne (X) Porter Wit: G. Eskridge, Joseph (X) King, Robert (X) Bowling. 31 March 1714. Acknowledged by Sarah Howson Calvert, Thomas Porter and Anne Porter. 31 March 1714. Bond of Thomas Porter to John Pratt of Washington Parish, Westmoreland County. For 34,000 pounds of tobacco. Securities, Robert Bowling and Joseph King of Stafford County. To keep the agreements in the indenture of release. Thomas Porter Robert (X) Bowling Joseph (X) King Wit: G. Eskridge, John Thomas, Richard Sanford. 31 March 1714. Acknowledged by Thomas Porter, Robert Bowling and Joseph King, which said acknowledgment John Pratt junr. accepted on behalfe of John Pratt his father.

1712-1716 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds-Wills No. 5, [John Frederick Dorman]; Page 28-31. 29-29 May 1716

Mr. John Pratt of Westmoreland County to John Wright of same. Lease and release; for 1000 pounds of tobacco. Tract, part of land I bought of Sarah Howson Calvert and Thomas Porter and Anne his wife, on the south side the old usual horse road from Jordan's Bridge to a marked white oak standing near the road, soe along Wright's old reputed bounds ... houses, toba[cco] houses, gardens, orchards, fences ... Jno. Pratt Wit: John Popham, Richard Lawrence. 30 May 1716. Acknowledged by John Pratt.

1716-1720 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds-Wills No. 6, [John Frederick Dorman]; Page 427-33. 26-27 Jan. 1718 (1719)

Nathaniel Jones and Sarah Howson his wife, Thomas Porter and Anne his wife, all of Stafford County, to John Pratt of Westmoreland County. Lease and release; for 17,000 pounds of tobacco. 300 acres in Washington Parish, being part of a patent granted to Robert Howson for 450 acres, 14 April 1667, on the branches of Upper Machotiqe river, part thereof in Stafford County and part in Westmoreland County, being that part of the patent that lyeth on the lower side of Upper Machotiqes drama which came to Sarah Howson Jones and Anne Porter as heirs of Robert Howson ... Nathanaell Jones Sarah Howson (X) Jones Thomas Porter Anne Porter Wit: Joshua Hudson, Anthony Buckner, Fras. Lacon. 25 Feb. 1718 [1719]. Acknowledged by Nathaniel Jones, Sarah Howson Jones, Thomas Porter and Ann Porter. 27 Jan. 1718/9. Bond of Nathaniel Jones and Thomas Porter, both of Stafford County, to John Pratt of Washington Parish, Westmoreland County. For 34,000 pounds of tobacco. To keep the covenants in the indenture. Nathaniel Jones Thomas Porter Wit: Joshua Hudson, Anthony Buckner, Fras. Lacon. 25 Feb. 1718 (1719]. Acknowledged by Nathll. Jones and Thos. Porter.

Howson Patent Litigation in Stafford, Prince William & Fairfax Counties, Virginia

The following is related to the Howson Patent Litigation – related to the Going family of Stafford County & Fairfax County, Virginia.

HOWSON PATENT LITIGATION:

John Alexander who dies in 1677 acquired the 6000 acre patent from Robert Howson in November, 1669, which included the land from the present-day Rosslyn area in Arlington County to the Great Hunting Creek. John Alexander’s will dated October 5, 1677, devised this estate to his two sons Robert and Philip. John, Jr., had died during his father’s lifetime. In February, 1693, Philip Alexander conveyed to his brother, Robert, his half interest in the Howson Patent.

Original Patent:

1669 Oct 21 – To all whom these present shall come I Sir William Berkley Knt Governour etc now know ye etc accordingly give and grant unto Mr. Robert Howson 6000 acres of land scituate lying and being in the freshes of Potomack river on the west side thereof above the dividing branch of the same beginning at a red oak standing by a small branch or run of W [Wampakan] opposite to a small Island commonly called and known by the name of my Lord’s Island [Theodore Roosevelt Island] Extending down Potomack river various courses 3152 pole making a south westerly line to a marked pohickory standing at a north point of a Creek named by the English Indian Cabin Creek which Creek divides this Land and a Tract of Land surveyed for John Mathews from the said Pohickory north west & by west up the said Creek & main branch 520 pole from thence north 1940 pole finally east 720 to the red oak begun at including several small Creeks or inlets for the said Quantity the Land being due the said Robert Howson by and for the transportation of one hundred and twenty persons into this Colony & To have and to hold etc Yielding & paying etc provided etc Given etc 21st Day of October anno 1669 annog. Domini R. C. 2. 21. WILLIAM BERKLEY Land records of long standing, 1742-1770. p. 205. Fairfax County, Virginia https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-D99Q-T?i=89&cat=193246

Conveyance to John Alexander:

1669 Nov 13 – Know all men by these presents that I Robert Howson of the county of Stafford Gent. do hereby assign make over and confirm from me my heirs Executors and adm’rs unto John Alexander of the said county Gent. his heirs and assigns for ever all and every part of this patent & the land therein contained it being for and in consideration of 6000 of Tobacco and cask received before the signing and sealing hereof of the said John Alexander. In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my hand and set my seal the 13th of Nov 1669 An. R. 21. Signed: ROBERT HOWSON LS. Wit: Thomas Bunbury, Samuel Hayward. Acknowledged and recorded 17 Nov 1669. Copy Test. H Tyler cl. Staff.

Sources

<"The Howson Patent," The Arlington Historical Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 3 (1959), p. 64.>

<Lucy Ames Edwards, Edwards, Lucy - Ames, Mears & Allied Lines, (Lucy A. Edwards, 1967), p. 310 (Mapp Family), 20.>

<Lucy Ames Edwards, Edwards, Lucy - Ames, Mears & Allied Lines, (Lucy A. Edwards, 1967), p. 320 (Mathews Family), 20.>

Description: 50 acres on the north side of Petomak Road bounded by the land of John Franklyn, Thomas Buttler, Robert Howson, and John Pratt. Source: Northern Neck Grants No. 4, 1710-1712 , Page 82 (Reel 289). <http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=82&last=&g_p=G4&col>

Land records of long standing, 1742-1770. p. 205-206. Fairfax County, Virginia <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-D99Q-T?i=89&cat=193246>

• Book: Maryland Historical Magazine, Maryland Historical Magazine Summer 1929
  1929-06; page: (34 of 101)
  Internet Archive (accessed 7 February 2024)

• Allied Families, Stone: "Colonial Virginians and Their Maryland Relatives"
  Allied Families, Stone
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 7 February 2024)