From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_County,_Virginia
York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Situated on the York River and many tributaries, the county seat is the unincorporated town of Yorktown [1], and the county shares borders with the independent cities of Williamsburg, Newport News and Poquoson, as well as James City County.
Formed in 1634 as one of the eight original shires (counties) of the Virginia Colony, York County is one of the oldest counties in the U.S. Yorktown is one of the three points of the Historic Triangle of Colonial Virginia, and the location where victory was accomplished in 1781 at the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War to gain independence from Great Britain.
History
Native Americans
The area which is now York County was long inhabited by Native Americans. These were hunter-gatherer groups during the late Woodland Period (1000 BCE to 1000 CE) and earlier.
By the late 16th century, much of the coastal plain draining to the Chesapeake Bay of the current Commonwealth of Virginia was called Tenakomakah ("densely-inhabited Land")[3]. There, a weroance (or chief) named Wahunsunacock (1547-1618) created a powerful empire of eastern-Algonquian language-speaking people known as the Powhatan Confederacy by conquering or affiliating by agreement with approximately 30 tribes. Wahunsunacock was originally from a village near the fall line of the James River known as "Powhatan" (located close to the Powhatan Hill neighborhood of the current City of Richmond). He was known as Chief Powhatan, and later established a second capital village in a centrally-located position in Tenakomakah which was known as Werowocomoco. It was located along the north bank of the York River in present-day Gloucester County (which was subdivided from York County in 1651). [4]
The Chiskiack tribe of the Powhatan Confederacy lived in York County on the south side of the York River on the grounds of the present-day Naval Weapons Station Yorktown near Yorktown until the 1630s, when escalating conflicts with the expanding English colony based at Jamestown caused them to move. The former site of the village of Chiskiack (also sometimes spelled "Kiskiack"), as well as the Cheesecake Road and Cheesecake Cemetery (names also thought to have derived from the Powhatan), remain on the military base.
Long-lost after Chief Powhatan moved his capital from there in 1609, the site believed to have been Werowocomoco near Purtan Bay has been under continuing archaeological study projects since the early 21st century. The discoveries and ongoing research led by the College of William and Mary hold great promise in expanding understanding of the lives of the Native Americans in the area during that era of York County's history.
For more details on this topic, see Powhatan Confederacy.
Ajacan Mission
In 1570, the Ajacan Mission was a failed attempt to establish a mission by Spanish Jesuit priests, guided by a Native American convert to Christanity who had been christened Don Luis, and educated in Spain. However, he returned to his native life, and a few months later, led an attack in which the Europeans were slain.
Virginia Colony
About 30 years later, English colonists arrived and established Jamestown in 1607 on the opposite side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. In 1619, the area which is now York County was included in two of the four incorporations (or "citties") of the proprietary Virginia Company of London which were known as Elizabeth Cittie and James Cittie.
In 1634, what is now York County was formed as Charles River Shire for King Charles I, one of the eight original shires of Virginia. Charles River Shire took its name from the younger son of King James I. In the 21st century, it was one of the five original shires considered extant in esstentially its same political form, making it one of the oldest counties in the United States.
During the English Civil War, Charles River County and the Charles River (also named for the king) were changed to York County and York River, respectively. The river, county, and town of Yorktown are believed to have been named for York, a city in Northern England.
The first courthouse and jail were located near what is now Yorktown although the community, founded as a port for shipping tobacco to Europe, as variously called Port of York, Borough of York, York, Town of York, until Yorktown was established in 1691, when the House of Burgesses required each county to designate a port of entry and build warehousing. Although never formally incorporated as a town, Yorktown is the county seat of York County. The only town ever incorporated within the county's boundaries was Poquoson, which was incorporated in 1952 and became an independent city in 1975.
It is most famous as the site of the surrender of General Cornwallis to General George Washington in 1781, ending the American Revolutionary War. Yorktown also figured prominently in the American Civil War during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862.
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Cavaliers And Pioneers Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623-1666 – Abstracted and Indexed by Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia Land Office, Richmond, VA. – Volume One.
WILLIAM GINSEY (GUINSEY), 300 acs. Yorke Co., 3 Apr. 1651, p. 310. Upon Swd. side of Mattapony Riv., which tract is about10 mi. up the river. Trans. of 6 pers: Wm. Guinsey, Geo. Talker, Thomas Anderson, Ben. Dudley.
MR. WILLIAM HOCCADAY, 1000 acs. Yorke Co., 14 Apr. 1653, p. 89. Near the head of Ware Creek, N. W. by N. upon former devdt. & N. W. by N. towards Waraney Cr. Trans. of 20 pers: Alexander Watson, Wm. Mackgahye, Andrew Sharpe, Jane Johnson, Randall ------, Isabell Grace, Mary Reeise (?), Tomasin Madero (or Maders), Mary Graham, James ------, Edward Hodge, Richard Gillman, Willm. Moline, Fra. Peppett, Richard Jones, Michaell Barrow, Richard Moore, Joane Rivers, Ja. Nicholson, Wm. Gowin. Renewed 20 Nov. 1654.
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From: http://www.virtualjamestown.org/practise.html
October 25, 1657-The Manumission of Mihill Gowen.
[Christopher Stafford decided to free his black servant, Mihill Gowen, in his will. Stafford's sister, Amy Barnhouse, carried out his wishes in 1657. The widow Barnhouse also freed Mihill Gowen's son, William. She did not free her enslaved woman, who was William's mother.]
Bee itt known unto all Christian people that whereas Mihill Gowen Negro of late servant to my Brother Xopher Stafford deced by his last will & Testament bearing Date the 18 of Jan 1654 had his freedom given unto him after the expiration of 4 yeares service unto my uncle Robert Stafford Therefore know all whom itt may concern that I Anne Barnehouse for divers good couses mee hereunto moving doe absolutely quitt & discharge the sd Mihill Gowen from any service & for ever sett him free from any claim of service either by mee or any one my behalf as any part or parcell of my Estate that my be claimed by mee the said Amy Barnhouse my heyres Exers Admrs or Assignes as witness my hand this 25 Oct 1657 Amy (AB) Barnhouse Bee itt knowne unto all Xcian people that I Ame Barnehouse of Martins hundred widdow for divers good causes & consideracons mee hereunto moving hath given unto Mihill Gowen Negro hee being att this time servant unto Robert Stafford a Male child borne the 25 Aug 1655 of the body of my Negro Prosta being baptised by Mr. Edward Johnson 2 Sept 1655 & named William & I the said Amy Barnhouse doth bind my selfe my heyres Exer Admr & Ass never to trouble or molest the said Mihill Gowin or his sone William or demand any service of the said Mihill or his said sone William In wittnes whereof I have caused this to be made & done I hereunto sett my hand & Seale this present 16 Sept 1655 Amy (AB) Barnhouse.
Source: York County Deeds, Orders, and Wills (3) 16, 26 January 1657/8.
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Gawen, John, son of William by Ann, bap. March 1, 1668
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From: Genealogical Services – Price & Associates Incorporated
http://pricegen.com/index.htm
With permission from:
Nathan W. Murphy, MA, AG®
Researcher and Marketing Director
Name
Surname: Gowin
Given Name: Christopher
Birth, Christening and Other Information
Gender: Male
Date of Birth or Christening: about 1649
Orphan: Unknown
Position in Parent's Family: Unknown
Landowner: Unknown
Literate: Unknown
Convict: Unknown
Length of Indenture
Year of Indenture: by 1673
Place of Indenture
County: York Colony: Virginia
Research Notes
Source Citations: Benjamin B. Weisiger, York County, Virginia Records 1672-1676 (n.p.: n.p., 1991), 60, quoting York County, Virginia Record Book 5:49.
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From: York County, Virginia Deeds, Orders, Wills, Etc., No. 8 – Part One 1687-1691 – Abstracted and Compiled by John Frederick Dorman
Att a Court held 24 May 1689
In the difference betweene Mr. Danll. Parks and James Whaley executor in trust to the estate of William Rice, itt is ordered that Mr. Samll. Timson, Mr. Robt. Broadley and Mr. John Gowen audit all the accounts betweene them on 24 June next.
An order against the Sherriff is granted John Gowen for the nonappearance of Edward Malen.
An attachement is granted the Sherriff against the estate of Edwd. Maylen for £4.12– sterling for his nonappearance att the suite of Mr. John Gowen.
Upon the petition of Mr. James Dora mitt is ordered that hee bee licensed to keepe an ordinary att the Middle Plantation in the roome of Mr. John Gowen late ordinary keeper.
24 May 1689.
Bond of Henry Thomspson, Robert Bee and John Gowen. For £100 sterling. To keep the Court harmless from any damages that may at any time arise concerning the estate of Francis Hurd, orphant, and pay the same to the orphan.
Henry Thompson
Robert Bee
John Gowen
Wit: Samll. Bainton, J. Sedgwick
Judgment is granted John Gowen against Edward Hayton for £4.12.-sterling.
Itt is ordered that William Pinkethman, Thomas Feere, Robert Martin and John Gowen appraise the estate of John Dannell on 15 august next att the house of John Dannell.
Judgment is granted Mr. John Gawen against Mr. Tho: Ballard Junr. And John Weyman executors of Edwd. Jones for 447 pounds of tobacco.
Ordered that Mr. John Gowen and William Pinkethman carefully examine all the Articles in the inventory and appraisment of John Donnell’s estate and finde whether the appraisment doth agree in every particular with the inventory or not. It is ordered that Capt. Francis Page, Mr. Martin Gardner, Mr. Edmund Jenings and Mr. John Gowen meete att the house of Mrs. Ann Jones, widow, on 10 October next and appraise of her late husband Mr. Rowland Jones, being first sworne before Mr. Robert Booth, whoe is desired to be present.
17 Aug. 1689. Henry Thompson of James City County, planter, and Mary his wife, one of the daughters of Morris Hurd, to John Gowin of York County, For £10 sterling. Land bounding on the Reedy swamp which was sett apart for Mary’s share of the land given to her sister Ann.
Att a Court held 7 November 1689
A nonsuite is granted Richard Farre against John Gawin as hee not appearing to prosecute his action.
John Donnell. Inventory, 16 Aug. 1689. No total valuation; includes a servant boy named Thomas Clarke.
William Pinkethman
Thomas (I) Feere
John Gawen
Robt. Martin
7 Nov. 1689. Produced in Court.
Att a Court held 18 December 1689
Itt is ordered that Mr. John Gawen, Mr. William Pinkethman, Mr. Tho: Feere and Mr. Edmd. Bruer meet on 1 January next to make an equall division of the estate belonging to John Dannell according to the last will and testament, that every on of Dannell’s orphants may know their part of the estate.
Judgment is granted Mr. John Gawen against Richd. Rogers for £7.6.-sterling, the full balance of accounts between them.
Mr. Rowland Jones. Inventory. 10 Oct. 1689.
Made in obedience to order of 24 September last. Appraisers sworn before Mr. Robert Bouth 17 Dec. 1689…………..
Francis Page
Martin Gardner
E. Jennings
Jno. Gawen
Signed by Ann Jones.
John Daniell, Inventory, 16 Aug. 1689. No total valuation; includes a servant boye named Thomas Clarke.
Wm. Pinkethman
Tho: Feere (I)
John Gowen
Robert Martin
7 Nov. 1689. Produced in Court.
1689/1690
An order against the Sherriffe is granted James Gawen for the nonappearance of Richard Davis.
An attachment is granted John Gawen against the estate of John Spillman for 423 tobacco, returnable to the next Court for judgment.
An order against the Sherriff is granted John Gawen for the nonappearance of Joseph Fryth.
Att a Court held 24 march 1689/90
Judgment is granted John Gawen against Joseph Fryth for 303 pounds of tobacco.
York County, Virginia - Deeds, Orders, Wills, Etc., NO. 10 - 1694-1697 - Part Three - Abstracted and Compiled by John Frederick Dorman
Att a Court held 24 [sic: 25?] March 1696 [1697]
John Layton arresting Henry Goaring in an action of the case and noe further proceedings had therein, the suite is dismist.
York County, Virginia - Deeds, Orders, Wills, Etc., NO. 10 - 1694-1697 - Part Three - Abstracted and Compiled by John Frederick Dorman
Att a Court held 24 [sic: 25?] March 1696 [1697]
John Layton arresting Henry Goaring in an action of the case and noe further proceedings had therein, the suite is dismist.
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Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol III, 1695-1732 - Nell Marion Nugent
26 Apr 1698, York Co, Daniell Park , Esqr, 30 ac. Escheated from JOHN GAWIN by inquisition under Danll Park
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From: Genealogical Services – Price & Associates Incorporated
http://pricegen.com/index.htm
With permission from:
Nathan W. Murphy, MA, AG®
Researcher and Marketing Director
Nathan W. Murphy, MA, AG®
Researcher and Marketing Director
Name
Surname: Gwin
Given Name: Thomas
Birth, Christening and Other Information
Gender: Male
Date of Birth or Christening: about 1651
Orphan: Unknown
Position in Parent's Family: Unknown
Landowner: Unknown
Literate: Unknown
Convict: Unknown
Length of Indenture
Year of Indenture: 1667
Place of Indenture
County: York Colony: Virginia
Research Notes
Source Citations: Benjamin B. Weisiger, York County, Virginia Records 1665-1672 (n.p.: n.p., 1987), 73, quoting York County, Virginia Record Book 4:148.
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Name
Surname: Gwin
Given Name: Thomas
Birth, Christening and Other Information
Gender: Male
Orphan: Unknown
Position in Parent's Family: Unknown
Landowner: Unknown
Literate: Unknown
Convict: Unknown
Length of Indenture
Year of Indenture: by 1668
Year of Freedom: about 1675
Place of Indenture
County: York Colony: Virginia
Research Notes
Comments: Described as a boy in 1668. Source Citations: Benjamin B. Weisiger, York County, Virginia Records 1665-1672 (n.p.: n.p., 1987), 103, quoting York County, Virginia Record Book 4:186.
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