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Captain William Powell's honorifics included: "Gentleman, Knight of Surrey, Adventurer, Captain of the Governor's Guard, Commander of Jamestown."
William Powell was born about 1577 in England.[citation needed]
[ merge these two Marriage sections once all is sourced]
William Powell first married in England to Elizabeth (Wyllys) Powell. There is conflicting info about whether she died in England or whether she emigrated to Virginia. No source has been located to verify this marriage. The information on her profile states she had 5 chldren with Powell between 1611 and 1626 and died in Isle of Wight County in 1635. This does not fit with the evidence that William Powell was married during this time period to Margaret (of uncertain maiden surname).[citation needed]
William arrived in Virginia by 1610 and was apparently married to Margaret by that date.[citation needed]
How many children Powell had, and what their names are, has not been confirmed.[1]
[ merge these two Marriage sections once all is sourced]
Captain William Powell passed away before 7 January 1623/4,[2] and before 9 May 1625, Margaret remarried to Edward Blayney/Blayny,[3] almost certainly in Virginia. Blayney tried to protect Powell's orphans' interest in Powell's property at Hog Island.[4]
Before 6 February 1625/6, Margaret remarried to Captain Francis West,[5] almosts certainly in Virginia.
Margaret passed before March 1638, presumably in Virginia.[6][7] [latest record currently reliably sourced in this profile]
William is presumably the same William Powel listed as one of some 650 noblemen, gentlemen, officials, companies, and individuals who subscribed as investors in the London Company, signing the Wikipedia: Second Virginia Charter dated 23 May 1609.[8]
On June 2, 1609, he leaves England for Virginia on board the “Sea Venture” along with 8 other ships. On July 25 the ships become separated in storm. One ship sink and the “Sea Venture” is run aground on a reef off of Bermuda on the 28th.The survivors spent the 9 months building 2 smaller ships out of salvaged material from the “Sea Venture” and island timber.
Capt. William Powell was an early Virginia colonist, landowner, and militia officer. His name does not appear on any of the extant passenger lists, but Wikipedia reports he arrived at Jamestown, Virginia before May 1610 and was one of the 500+ passengers aboard the nine ships which made up the "third supply".
Included in the "List of Settlers by Occupation in the 2nd Supply of Fall 1608" by Virtual Jamestown is, "Master [William] POWELL, tradesman,"[9] so apparently Captain William POWELL was in the 2nd supply of Sep 1608 (after the 1607 census). But both he and his wife Elizabeth WELLES [Wyllys] were in the 3rd supply of 23 May 1610, after the ill-fated "Sea Venture" ship wreck on a Bermuda offshore reef."
On 20 October 1617, Governor Samuel Argall appointed William Powell as Captain of the Governor's Guards and Company, Lieutenant-Governor and Commander of JamesTown, blockhouses, and people there.[10][11]
The first representative legislative assembly ever held within the limits of the present United States of America convened on 30 July 1619, at Jamestown, Virginia, and was in session until 4 August 1619.[12][13][14][15]
Captain William Powell and Ensign William Spence served as Burgesses for the James City Incorporation.
On the first day of the assembly, William was one of 16 representatives assigned to two committees, each with 8 members, to peruse two books containing the Great Charter and commission of priviledges, orders, and laws sent by Sir George Yeardley out of England. On 3 August, two additional books were read and referred to the same committees.
On 3 August 1619, during the first assembly, William Powell rasied a personal matter:[16]
This done Captaine William Powell presented to the assembly a petition, to have justice against a lewd and treacherout servant of his, who by false accusation given up in writing to the Governor sought not only to get him deposed from his government of James Citty, and utterly (according to the Proclamation) to be degraded from the place & title of a Captaine, but to take his life from him also. And so out of the said Petition sprang this order following.
Captaine William Powell presented a petition to the General Assembly against one Thomas Garnett a servant of his not only for extreme neglect of his business, to the great loss & prejudice of the said Captaine, and for openly and impudently abusing his House in sight of both Master and Mistress, through wantoness with a woman servant of theirs, a widow, but also for falsely accusing him to the Governor both of Drunkenness, & Theft, & besides for bringing his fellow servants to testify on his side, wherein they justly failed him. It was thought fit by the General Assembly (the Governor himself giving sentence) that he should stand four days with his ears nailed to the Pillory, viz Wednesday Aug. 4th and so likewise Thursday, Friday, & Saturday next following, & every of those four days should be publicly whipped. Now as touching the neglect of his work, what satisfaction ought to be made to his M'r for that, is referred to the Governor & Council of Estate.
On 4 August 1619, the inhabitants of Paspaheigh, alias Argall's towne, presented a petition to be discharged from two bonds, £600 to Captain Samuel Argall for 15 acres of land and £600 to Captain William Powell for clearing the land and building houses. The General Assembly was doubtful they had the power and authority to do so, and requested the Treasurer, Council and Company in England to do so.[17]
On 8 April 1620, at a Court held for Virginia at Sir Edwin Sandys house:[18]
And wheras two complaints of wrong pretended to be done them by Sir George Yeardley had been heard before the Council the one of Captain Madison and the other of Captain Powell whereof the one upon examination did manifestly appear to be spleene and the other was upon title of land notwithstanding upon the motion of Mr Tfer it is ordered that a letter from the Company shall be written to Mr Thorpe and the Council of State and therein enclose their said complaint that they may examine the truth thereof and upon certificate from thence they may accordingly proceed to right either according to etiquette.
In a 12 April 1621 letter, William Powell wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys concerning a difference with Yeardley.[19][20]
In a 9 May 1621 letter, George Thorpe and John Pory wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys concerning a complaint against Powell and Madision.[21][22] The letter says the disputes had been resolved.
Note: See Wikipedia: Indian massacre of 1622, Jamestown forewarned. Powell is mentioned. Powell is also described as warning others. Need to source this.
In the surprise attack of 22 March 1622, Captain Nathaniel Powle [Powell] Esq. and his wife Joyce, along with ten (10) others, were killed at Powle-Brooke.[23] Apparently William Powell took advantage of them having the same last name and was given administration of the Estate of Captain Nathaniel Powle and his wife Joyce. Upon William's death, the Estate then transferred to Edward Blany who married the relict of Wm. Powell. Three years later, Nathaniel's brother Thomas Powell filed a petition on behalf of himself and his siblings requesting the Privy Council in London review their cause.
In a 20 January 1622/3 letter from the Governor and Council of Virginia to the London Company:[24][25]
Wee haue anticepated your desires by settinge uppon the Indyans in all pices, M'r Trer firste fell uppon the Tapahatonaks in to seuerall expeditions, Sir George Yardley uppon y'e Wyanokes, and in a second expedition uppon the Nancemonds, Warescoyks & Pawmunkie ye chiefe seate of Sassapen & Apochankeno, Capt John West uppon the Taux Powhatane, and Capt William Powell uppon the Checohominy, Capt Hamer being sent to the Patomecks to trade for corne slew diuers of y'e Necochincos y't sought to Circumuent him by treacherie. The like did Capt Madisone at Patomeck, Capt Hamer a second tyme ymployed to Pataomeck for corne slew some others y't pved our enemies, And now is Capt Tucker in the Riuer of Rapahanock to take reuenge uppon them as Confederates with Apochankeno.
On 24 January 1622/3, George Harrison wrote a letter to his brother John Harrison in London:[26]
Jan. 24. James City, Virginia.
17. Geo. Harrison to his brother John Harrison. Accounts with Mr. Bennett. Not above ten men and boys living, of the whole number of servants taken to Virginia in the Seaflower. More have died since than were slain in the massaere; and no hopes of life of a great many. Capt. Powell, gunner of James City, is dead; Capt. Nuce [?], Capt. Maddison, Lieut. Craddock's brother, and divers more of the chief men reported dead. Mrs. Heamer [?], her daughter, and Thos. Hamor are very sick. God has cast a heavy hand upon them, they cry for mercy for their sins. Sends three hogsheads of tobacco by the Little James, and instructions concerning it. Recommends that his brother's wife should make a private adventure by the next ship of good wines, butter, cheese, sugar, soap, &c., and that his brother and James Sampson should furnish a ship with 50 men and provisions for the colony; the profits will be 200l. or 300l. Begs him not to delay sending over his own men.
Based on the 20 January and 24 January 1622/3 letters, it is presumed William Powell was killed before 24 January 1622/3 while leading an expedition against the Chickahominy Indians.[1] This is however a presumption; he may have died of natural causes.
In a March 1622/3 letter to Mr. Farrer in London, George Sandys names Capt. Willm Powell (who is now w'th God).[27]
On 7 January 1623/4, the General Court examined Captain William Eden (alias) Sampson in a dispute between Thomas Luscam, Supre Clarke, and Captain William Perse, plaintiffs, and the successors of Captain William Powell, deceased, concerning an agreement for wages.[2]
After the March 1622 Indian attack, the General Court examined a number of persons about those that might have in the past taught Indians to use firearms. On 1 Novembert 1624:
On 9 May 1625, the Geneal Court conducted an extended examination of witnesses in a dispute between Mrs Blaney and Doctor Potts regarding "a piece of hog". During this dispute, Mrs Blaney miscarried.[3]
On 30 May 1625 and 13 June 1625, the General Court examined several persons in a land dispute over whether Captain Samuel Mathews or Captain Powell owned land on Hog Island.[4] Edward Blayney/Blayny claimed the land in the right of the children of Captain Powell, deceased.
The Court "see no such right invested in Captain Powell and his Children in the land now in controversy whereby we can by a legal order put Captain Samuel Mathews is presently seated thereon, (owt of possession)."
Petition of Thomas Powell[29]
(Abstract)
21 July 1626
Petition of Thomas Powell in behalf of himself and his poor brothers and sisters to the Privy Council—That whereas Capt. Nathaniel Powell died about three years (since) seized of lands in Virginia to a good value, whereupon, pet'r being the elder brother, took out letters of administration in London—that the Gov. and Council of Virginia have certified that one Wm. Powell, no way of kin to the deceased, had before administ'red to said estate—That said Wm. Powell being since dead & said estate come to the hands of one Mr. Blany that married the relict of Wm. Powell, the late Comm'rs for Virginia by letter of 3 Nov. 1624 desired the Gov'r and Council there to examine the cause—but the ships for Virginia having departed hence before said letter was obtained & sickness immediately after spreading thro' the City of London pet'rs had no means of sending it—Said Commiss'rs being dissolved pray their Lordships to renew the like letter in pet'rs behalf.
On 2 February 1619/20, the "Petition of Captain Powell and Mr John Smith [not the famous Captain] being presented (to the Virginia Company of London) by their brother Provest Marshall of Middlesex to have granted to them 400 acres of land for £50 Adventure between them, vizd, 100 lying in one parcel between the Sunken Marsh on the other side of the River against James Citty Land, and Choapooks Creek, and one parcel of Marsh Land containing 300 acres called Hog Island. The Court held it inconvenient to grant Land in that kind, picked out by the Planters themeselves not knowing who already may lay claim thereunto or otherwise how necessary it may be for the public. Mr Treasurer in regard of the good affection declared by their brother to the Company's service hath promised to write to the Governor that the said 400 acres ahsll well set out for them and to their content with reason."[30] See May 1625, Land Dispute.
Before May 1625, William was granted two tracts in James City Incorporation by Sir Thomas Dale and Sir Samuel Argall:[31]
The two grants above are in a May 1625 list of patented land sent back to England. The 550 acres was known as Captain William Powell's Plantation. The 200 acres was to the southwest of the Plantation, south of the Treasurer's Plantation.[32]
1646 Oct 20 - Colonel Henry Bishop was granted 1,200 acres, in James City County, Virginia, on the South side of James River, commonly called by the name of Lower Chipoak, bounded Northerly upon James River, Easterly upon Chipoak's Creek, Westerly upon Sunken Marsh, and Southerly upon the Land of William Carter and William Nusum, being due him as followeth, viz 600 acres part of a patent granted to Cap't William Powell, which land descended to George Powell, son and heir to the said Cap't Powell, since deceased and afterwards for want of an heir was escheated, then granted Sir William Berkeley by order of Court 4 November 1643, by whom it was assigned with rights thereunto belonging to Colonel Bishop, and 600 acres for transportation of 12 persons.[33] See citation for list of names.
1657 Sep 17 - William Edwards was granted 490 acres, in Surry County, Virginia, on the South side of James River, opposite James City, West West upon Crouches Creek dividing it from land formerly Mr. Thomas Rolfe's, East iupon the run of a little swamp dividing it from land of John Senrior, 200 acres being long since granted unto Captain Powell and his heirs dying and leaving no heirs the said land escheated and granted until Sir William Berkeley by order of court and he assigned same unto Colonel William Claiborne, who assigned unto said Edward.[34] The grant was for transportation of 6 persons into the Colony. See citation for list of names.
William's children, confirmed with reliable sources, include:
McCartney lists these sources (see front of book for Sources and Abbreviations):
CBE = Coldham, Emigrants
DOR = Dorman, AP&P 3rd Ed.
MCGC = McIlwaine, Minutes of the Council and General Court
MEY = Meyers & Dorman, AP&P 3rd Ed.,
PB = VA Land Patents
VCR = Kingsbury, Records of VA Company of London
Nugent lists (Cavaliers and Pioneers, pxxx):
That this Thomas Garnett arrived on the Swan in 1610 is almost certainly based on a Thomas Garnett listed in the 1624/5 Musters of the Inhabitants in Virginia:
This family is also listed in the 1623/4 A List of Names; of the Living in Virginia.
It is not clear William Powell's servant is the same Thomas Garnett listed in 1623/4 and 1624/5, considering that one was a servant (1619) and the other the head of a household (1623/4, 1624/5). Was the Thomas that arrived in 1610 an indentured servant from 1610 until after 1619, and his indenture contract then ended before 1624/5?
See:
Regarding "When Capt. William Powell died in January 1623, (note I said died not killed),":
From Wikipedia: William Powell (Virginia colonist).
"A great Native American (Indian) massacre of at least 347 of the 1,258 Virginia colonists occurred on March 22, 1622. Captain Powell, who was described as the "gunner" of James City County, was one of a few who received early word of the planned massacre and was "instrumental in giving warning to the plantations nearest Jamestown."[12][13] Most sources state that the friendly Native American (Indian) who gave warning of the impending attacks told Richard Pace of the planned attack. Since Powell and Pace lived near each other and were business associates, it appears that Pace warned Powell and that both men proceeded to warn other people in the neighborhood of Jamestown, as stated in William Stith's 1740 history of the colony.[14] Immediately after the attack, Powell went to Martin's Hundred to help evacuate the survivors. He took possession of the estate of Nathaniel Powell, who was killed along with his wife during the attack. It was later determined Powell was not related to Nathaniel as he had claimed. Nathaniel's older brother, Thomas Powell, succeeded to ownership of the property.[1]
"Soon after beginning the Chickahominy River enterprise mentioned above, Captain William Powell was killed leading a party of militia against the Native Americans (Indians). The militia were seeking revenge for the March 22, 1622 massacre. Captain William Powell, as he is identified in the list of Burgesses,[8] may have died in late 1622 or possibly in January 1623. A letter of January 24, 1623 from colonist John Harrison to his brother, Richard Harrison, states that Captain Powell, and others, were dead."
Parents
Two sets of possibilities for his parents include:
Marriages
[Deleted content copied from Collins and interpreted with no apparent change in conclusions. See Collins Post].
Some contend that William left a widow, Margaret, and children. This is disputed by researcher Collins, who reports that the London Company took possession of William's estate on the grounds that he had no heirs. [40] Margaret is also assumed to have married secondly to Edward Blayney, but his name is alone in the Musters of 1624/5.[41] Possibly Margaret was deceased by these dates.
Margaret is also purported to be Margaret (Whitney) Powell (abt.1590-abt.1640).
Children
No children which could be William Powell's were recorded in the Musters of 1624/5. William Powell also was not recorded on any census or Muster since he died before the first census was taken in 1623/24. He is recorded as having been granted 750 acres by Sir Thomas Dale and Sir Samuell Argall, but those grants took place before 1619.[41] The London Company claimed his estate, because he had no heirs. [40]
1608 - A soldier, John Powell, was with Capt. John Smith. [42]
1609 - A "Master William Powell" was mentioned by Smith (p191). [42] Unclear whether this is the identical William Powell.
1609 - A John Powell arrived aboard the Swallowe,[41] but no known relation to Capt. William Powell.
1610 - A William Powel, Gentleman, signed on 23 May 1609 in London, England, "The Second Charter of Virginia". [43] He left England for Virginia on board the "Sea Venture" along with eight other ships. On 25 July 1609 the ships became separated in a storm. One ship sank and the "Sea Venture" ran aground on a reef off of Bermuda on 28 July 1609. The survivors spent nine months building two smaller ships out of island timber and salvaged material from the “Sea Venture”. They arrived in Jamestown on 23 May 1610. [40]
1618 - There was a Thomas Powell aboard the Sampson.[41]
There was a Capt. Nathaniel Powell in early Virginia, but according to Collins, he was not a close relation (if any relation) to William Powell. [40] When Nathaniel Powell and his wife were killed by Native Americans on 22 March 1622, the brother, Thomas Powell of Howelton, Suffolk, England, inherited the estate. [40]
Citation Sources:
See also - for more information:
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William is 26 degrees from Herbert Adair, 19 degrees from Richard Adams, 18 degrees from Mel Blanc, 23 degrees from Dick Bruna, 16 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 32 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 18 degrees from Sam Edwards, 15 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 17 degrees from Marty Krofft, 14 degrees from Junius Matthews, 13 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 20 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
Please continue to manage normally, and review US Southern Colonies Project Editing Guidance before editing.
Thanks!
I edited the profile to remove the Jamestowne Qualifying Ancestor sticker, since he is not listed as such. For the list of Qualifying Ancestors, see http://www.jamestowne.org/qualifying-ancestors.html & for a Descendant sticker tailored for Jamestowne descendants, see https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/651316/new-sticker-for-qualifying-ancestors-the-jamestowne-society?show=654028#a654028
I have left a detailed message regarding the profile with the honorifics, punctuation, and descriptors in the LNAB; it's possible that the LNAB of that profile should be changed to "Powell" before the merge but may not be absolutely necessary.
Thanks!
These two may represent the same man. Have been unable to find an appropriate source for either parents or wife of Capt. William Powell, early immigrant to Virginia and burgess for James City in 1619. Thanks!
Paula