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Richard Williamson (abt. 1593 - abt. 1654)

Richard Williamson
Born about in London, Middlesex, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Husband of — married about 1620 in Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Died about at about age 61 in Isle of Wight, Colony of Virginiamap
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Profile last modified | Created 20 Nov 2011
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Contents

Biography

U.S. Southern Colonies Project logo
Richard Williamson was a Virginia colonist.

Richard was born about 1593 in London, Middlesex, England. He might be the son of Robert Williamson and Ann Allen observed in unsourced genealogies[citation needed]. He might be the "Sir Richard Williamson, Knt" (Kent Co.) mentioned in the 1609 in the second charter to the treasurer and company of Virginia[1]. He further might be the Richard Williamson of London who left a Will on 30 Jun 1643 (WP 5 Dec 1646) "To my loving brother Roger Williamson residing in Virginia, twenty shillings of lawful English money and I doe forgive him all the money which he owes me"[2]. Roger is further mentioned in the Will of Maj. Thomas Walke of Lynnhaven, Princess Anne Virginia[3].

It is absurd to think he is the ancestor of all the Virginia Williamsons as alluded by one Landon Bell[4] as there are many more Williamsons immigrating to southern Virginia at the same time.[5]. Worth S Ray is suggesting in his 1930's publication, "the Williamsons of Virginia, instead of being descendants, were "of the same family"[4] or "kinsmen".

He was transported to Virginia before June 23, 1641 when Ambrose Bennett claimed/patented 1,150 acres in Isle of Wight Co.[5] but returned[citation needed] to England shortly thereafter:

Ambrose Bennett, 1,150 acs. Isle of Wight Co., June 23, 1641, P. 746. Upon the maine head of the Lower baye Cr. called Cypress Swamp. Trans. of 23 servants: Richard Williamson ....[6]. Another granting of 150 acres in Isle of Wight County for transport of Richd. Wmson. (Williamson) twice, and Wm. Thomas, by assignment from the sd. Williamson.[6] was made in 1653 by Gregory Perrot. It does not provide details of the passage only for the claim. It is unlikely for an 'indentured' servant to indenture himself a second time on a long voyage. However, claims were frequently made for shorter transport within the colony such as across the bay. Water being the major form of transportation and the ubiquitous amount in southern Virginia, it's more likely he traveled to another location within the colony. The evidence indicating his knighthood doesn't necessarily indicate wealth at the time of emigration if he were banished.

His period of servitude may have been brief when in 1640 Isle of Wight County, Virginia he witnessed a deed to Capt. John Upton. In 1646 as Richard Williamson, Sr., he witnessed another deed by William Yarrett in Isle of Wight County.[4][7]

Settling in Isle of Wight County, Richard soon began acquiring property[citation needed]. He named the family home "Cobham Hall."[citation needed] thought to have been purchased in 1641. A general notation for the Williamsons settling in Surrey and the naming of an estate, "Cobhan Hall" has been alluded for the lineal family line of John Williamson (abt.1680-aft.1757) but with no specific time or acquisition[8].

Marriages & Children

His wife is only known as Margaret ---- although several unsourced genealogies[9] show her as Brown and Sherwood. More research is needed. (Strutton-11).

Richard married Margaret ---- about 1620 in England. known children include:[10]

  1. Richard Williamson
  2. James Williamson, 1621-1656
  3. John Williamson
  4. Dr. Robert Williamson, 1625-1670 --> Dr in Physics "Physick" member of House of Burgess Sep 1663-Oct 1666[11]
  5. Henry Williamson

Margaret is named as widow and administrator of the estate Richard Williamson, deceased, in a land transaction dated 21 September 1655.[10]

Death

He died before 21 September 1655 when his widow Margaret wife of John Druett acted as administrix of his estate and the sale of land from "John Druett and wife Margaret, formerly widow of Richard Williamson dec. and admr. of his estate..." confirmed "By order of Council 24 Mrch 1654/5," finalized on 21 September 1655, recorded 2 August 1659.[10].

Research Notes

There is disagreement as to the surname of Richard's wife.

Margaret Brown

Some sources say she was Margaret Brown. This is based solely on one land transaction -- land conveyed to her by George Brown and Elizabeth his wife. The assumption is that she must have been their daughter or they would not have conveyed land to her. This assumption is not really supported. She could be a relative or friend, although not daughter. This transaction does not confirm Richard's wife was Margaret Brown.

John Druett and wife Margaret, formerly widow of Richard Williamson dec. and admr. of his estate sell to Thomas Elmes land conveyed to said Margaret by George Brown and Elizabeth his wife 21 Sept. 1655 situated north east side Indian Field in Upper Parish [Isle of Wight, VA] containing 60 poles square to marked trees of the mile end of land some time belonging to Richard Bennett, Esq. By order of Council 24 Mrch 1654 to said Elmes. Rec. 2 Aug. 1659. Teste, Wm. Dawson, Wm. Lewer.[12]

Margaret Sherwood

The only sources cited to support Richard's wife as Margaret Sherwood are based on circumstantial information. Since Richard named his home Cobham Hall, a relationship to the Williamsons of Cobham Hall, Kent, England, including Sir Joseph Williamson (born 1630-1633), is assumed. It is surmised that Richard was Sir Joseph's uncle.[4] However, Sir Joseph's father, Rev. Joseph Williamson, Vicar of Bridekirk from 1625 to 1634, is known to have had only one other son, George Williamson. And to complicate the question, this profile maintains Richard is the son of Robert Williamson, not the Rev. Joseph Williamson. If his father is Robert Williamson, Richard could not be the uncle of Sir Joseph Williamson of Cobham Hall. It is entirely possible there was a familial connection, but that connection is unknown and unsupported. Another kinsman, John Williamson (b 1687), settled in Surry County Virginia, and built another "Cobham Hall."[13]

The next chain in the relationship is the supposition that Margaret Sherwood was the sister of Judge William Sherwood who served, as a young man, in the London office of Sir Joseph Williamson. There is no evidence that Judge William Sherwood had a sister Margaret. The author of this text states: "(Unfortunately, the author has no proof of the information in this paragraph.)[13]

Margaret Brown

I do not feel either of the above assumptions is proven. There is no confirmed documentation for the last name at birth of Richard's wife Margaret. It is my suggestion that the two profiles -- Margaret (Brown) Druett and Margaret (Sherwood) Williamson -- should be merged and Margaret's LNAB be changed to Unknown. Unless someone comes up with confirmed documentation to support one specific LNAB. (Shirley Dalton 18:55, 7 June 2021 (UTC))

Sources

  1. "Hening's Statutes at Large" Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia from the first session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619, William Waller Hening; https://vagenweb.org/hening/vol01-04.htm#page_82 and p. 90
  2. Virginia Magazine Vol 15 (15V180)
  3. Virginia Magazine Vol 26 (26V413)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Ray, Worth S. (1877-1946)The Mecklenburg signers and their neighbors. Austin, Texas . Williamson Family
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666", George Cabell Greer (Clerk, Virginia State Land Office), W.C. Hill Printing Company (Richmond, Virginia), https://archive.org/details/early-virginia-immigrants-1623-1666/page/363/mode/2up
  6. 6.0 6.1 Nugent, Nell Marion, Abstracted and Indexed by. Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800. In Five Volumes. Richmond, VA.: Press of the Dietz Printing Co., 1935. Page 125, 229
  7. Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie. Search Results Richard Williamson accessed 5 June 2021
  8. "Virginia Magazine of History and Biography", (6V76-80), Volume 6, page 76-80, edited by Philip Alexander Bruce, and William Glover Stanard, published by the Virginia Historical Society., 1898; four pages describing the lineal descent and four generations from John and Rebecca in Surrey to son Thomas and Judith Fleming in Henrico than John and Sarah Price in Henrico and finally Thomas and Anne Walke that moved to Norfolk
  9. Ray and Boddie
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie. Pgs 527/528 (Screens 17/18 on FamilySearch.org) John Druett
  11. VA Magazine Vol 25V377 p. 377
  12. Seventheenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie. Pgs 527/528 (Screens 17/18 on FamilySearch.org) John Druett
  13. 13.0 13.1 Rollins, Sarah Finch Maiden. The Maiden family of Virginia and allied familes, 1623-1991. Wolfe City, Tex,: Henington Oub. Co.; Houston, Tex.: Order from S.F.M. Rollins; 1991. Pages 259-261

See also:

  • Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Source number: 774.004; Source type: Pedigree chart; Number of Pages: 4, Name: Richard Williamson Gender: Male Spouse Name: Margaret Sherwood Marriage State: of VA [Unrelated source; this citation refers to a "Richard Williams" with no other information to confirm it applies to this Richard Williamson. No parents' names are included in the entry].
  • "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JM71-J9F : 11 February 2018, Richard Williams, 23 Feb 1592); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 370,924, 370,925, 370,928.




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Comments: 6

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This profile and related profiles have been reviewed on behalf of the US Southern Colonies Project in an effort to provide documentation and sourcing for them. As a result of that review, the following suggestions are being made.

There is no evidence indicating that either Margaret (Brown) Druett or Margaret (Sherwood) Williamson was the wife of Richard Williamson. No evidence is presented for the birth date/place or parents of either woman. No marriage record has been found for the marriage of either Margaret to Richard Williamson or his widow's subsequent marriage to John Druett. It is suggested that the two profiles of Margaret be merged and her last name at birth be changed to "Unknown" to reflect the actual state of documentation.

If anyone has sources to prove a LNAB for the wife of Richard Williamson, please enter it here.

I am going to disconnect Robert Williamson (Williamson-3621) from his "parents" Richard Williamson (1593 - 1659) (Williamson-1223) and his wife Margaret Brown.

Per records attached to the Family Search profile for Robert Williamson (1635-1689) (Williamson-3621) I believe his correct parents are Thomas Williamson and his wife.

posted by Erik Granstrom
Yates Publishing is not a valid source. His will and probate records from ancestry.com should be cited instead.
posted by Virginia Winslett
Family Search has his wife's name listed as Margaret Sherwood, daughter of Richard Sherwood and Margaret Baldwin.

"Sir Richard Williamson Knight." Family Search. Accessed Feb. 16th, 2108. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L87T-V23.

posted by Erik Granstrom
Did he really have 2 sons named Robert?
posted by Marj Adams
Hello everyone, how do we know this person had three sons named Robert? Do we have sources to show this?
posted by Summer (Binkley) Orman

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Categories: Isle of Wight County, Virginia Colony | Virginia Colonists