John Knowles (abt. 1608 - bef. 1676)

Born about 1608 in England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 1 Jun 1676 before about age 68 in Henrico County, Virginia

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Biography

John Knowles is a Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society

John Knowles was a Virginia colonist.

John Knowles^[1] was born about 1608.

Included in list of passengers to be transported aboard the Expedition to the Barbados.

John Knowles, 20 Nov 1635, Expedition, age 27, (b 1608). Port of London, passenger list.^[2]

He passed away before 1676. His will is dated 5 Feb 1675, and was recorded in Henrico Co VA 1 June 1676. His daughter Bethaniah/Bethenia becomes heiress and married William Giles, his son William dies young with no heirs. He names no wife and no additional children in his will.

Will of John Knowles, Gent, 5 Feb 1675 My tract of land adjoining on “World’s End” and now in possession of John Partridge, to my daughter Bethenia Knowles, 800 A. All the rest of my lands etc to my son William. Rest of estate to be divided between my son and daughter when they are of age. Loving friends Capt. Henry Isham and William Byrd exors, wit John Burton Jr, Robert Burton. rec 1 June 1676. Colonial Wills of Henrico Co VA, 1654-1737, Weisiger, 1976, p 159.

Feb 1685, William Giles and Bethaniah his wife, only daughter and heiress of Capt John Knowles, late of Varina Parish, Henrico dec’d for 2200 lbs tobacco to John Crowley of Varina Parish, 125 A called Gardners. Henrico Co VA Deeds 1677-1705, Weisiger, p 32.

12 Oct 1688, Hon William Byrd Esq formerly purchase of William Giles who married Bethaniah Knowles daughter and heiress of Capt John Knowles, dec’d, 2 pieces of land, 300A on Falling Crk 29 Mar 1683. At the time Bethaniah was in her minority. This day she appears and relinquishes her dower right being of full age. Hen. Randolph, Cl Cnc. Henrico Co VA Deeds 1677-1705, Weisiger, p 47.

1 Feb 1688, Bethaniah wife of William Giles, daughter and heiress of Capt John Knowles dec’d relic dower right in land sold to John Crowley by her husband when in her minority Feb 1685. Henrico Co VA Deeds 1677-1705, Weisiger, p 49.

In case above, it will be found by order of Henrico Court, dated 1 Sep 1642 that Matthew Gough sold to William Cox and Isaac Hutchins and their heirs, 250 acres, bounded by the Falling Creek and extending north along the river. We find a deed, dated 1 August 1668 in which Thomas Cox did assign and surrender his right and Interest due unto him, to Mr. John Knowles. He was son and heir of William Cox, decd. Secondly, we find by Henry Sherman's deed with warranty to John Knowles for 125 acres, bounded and lying as appears by said deed dated 5 April 1671, Thirdly we find that on 1 Oct 1683 Sicily Sherman, wife of Henry Sherman of this county, by her attorney, John Crowley, did relinquish her dower right in land sold by her husband to John Knowles. Finally we find that the land was in possession of Henry Sherman, William Cox and Isaac Hutchins and that Cox and Hutchins made a division before their deaths of said land, and that Thomas Cox, son of William, sold the land in dispute to Capt. John Knowles and received pay; and he (Knowles) died in possession of said land and left two children, Bethenia and William, and William died a child. Bethenia was married to William Giles, and that their said children wherof John Giles was the eldest, and that Bethenia was not above 42 years of age at the time of her death, and Mrs. Sherman was never in possession of land in dispute. We find that William Giles, and Bethenia his wife, when she was about 18, deeded 125 acres to John Crowley 28 Dec. 1685. We find by deposition that Bethenia was of full age, but we find on oath of three evidences she was not of full age. We find by will of Isaac Hutchins dated 23 Feb 1656 "I give to my son Robert Hutchins all my lands when he be of full age, provided my wife Sicily Hutchins have for her maintenance 1/2 the land for her life, but if my son does under age, then to my wife forever." We find Henry Sherman and Sicily's wife by deed 29 Dec 1686 grant to their beloved daughter Anne, wife of john Crowley a certain tract called "Gardners" upon Cox run, 125 acres. We find John Crowley by will dated 9 Oct 1686 gives to his wife Anne Crowley all his land. We find by oath of Thomas Branch that Anne Cowley is now wife of Christopher Branch and she was daughter of aforesaid Sicily Sherman. Court finds that defendants have right to the land plaintiff appeals to next General Court.

Sources

1. ↑ Knowles, Jonathan / John - A4610; died 1676 Henrico Co.; Jamestowne Island: 1661, 1663 (Landowner). accessed 30 September 2021
2. ↑ Hotten, John Camden, Editor. The Original Lists of Persons of Quality; Emigrants' Religious Exiles; … and others who went from Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1600-1700. John Camden Hotten: London, 1874. Reprinted Empire State Book Co., New York. page (139)

• Colonial Wills of Henrico Co VA, 1654-1737, Weisinger, 1976, p 159.
• Henrico Co VA Deeds 1677-1705, Weisiger, p 32.
• Henrico Co VA Deeds 1677-1705, Weisiger, p 47.
• Henrico Co VA Deeds 1677-1705, Weisiger, p 49.
• Henrico Co VA, Addenda to Volumes I & II, Weisiger, p 24. (Corrections to Henrico County Colonial Wills, Volumes I & II)
• http://oursoutherncousins.com/knowler-knowles4.html