B. about 1627 in (probably) Bedfont, Middlesex, England
M. before 26 Jun 1648 in England
Wife: Alice Luken
D. 23 Jan 1692 in Middle Plantation, Virginia
During the mid-17th century, Virginia became a colony with a distinct class structure; if you came from England, you were either from a rich family, or were an indentured laborer. Somewhere near the top of the social pyramid was John Page, a man who brought his wealth and status to Virginia, and left a mark on some of its institutions.
John was likely born in Bedfont, Middlesex, England in about 1627. This was just outside of London; in fact the location today is very close to Heathrow Airport. His father was Francis Page, said to be a wealthy “gentleman” (John’s mother’s name is unknown). There was at least one other child in the family, a sister named Elizabeth. Little is known about John’s early life until when he was about 20, he married a woman named Alice Lukin, also of the London-area. Soon after, they had their first child, a daughter named Mary.
During this time, John was described as being a merchant, and there was talk of opportunity in colonial America among some of his peers. Tidewater Virginia was the object of their interest because of the lucrative tobacco crop, and the offer of vast amounts of plantation land to those who could afford it. This was also the era of Oliver Cromwell, and many upper class men were Royalists. All of these factors likely played a part in what motivated John to leave England.
The first mention of John in Virginia was for a land claim on the south side of the York River. The headright system gave any man an additional 50 acres for each person he transported to the colony, and on September 11, 1653, John filed papers naming himself, his wife Alice, his young daughter Mary and his sister Elizabeth as headrights. At some point, Elizabeth married another Virginia elite, Edward Digges, who served as governor of the colony from March 1655 to December 1656. John’s association with his brother-in-law no doubt brought him into the circle of men who governed the colony. From 1665 to 1677, John served in the House of Burgesses (the lower house of Virginia’s bicameral system). Then from 1677 to 1692, he served in the Governor’s Council (the upper house of Virginia). Together, it gave him 30 years of influence in the colony.
John’s family settled at a place called Middle Plantation, where at least two more children were born. Middle Plantation was located on high ground between the York and James Rivers, and it had been established in 1632, but it wasn’t until John moved there that it became a significant town. He built his house from brick, an early example of Virginia architecture, and also a sign of his status. In 1678, he donated the land and money for Bruton Parish Church, a structure that stood until it was replaced in 1715.
At some point, John acquired the title of “Colonel,” which was noted on his tombstone, but there doesn’t seem to be any military role appearing in any of the data about his life. He did have some involvement in Bacon’s Rebellion, firmly standing with the Royalists. Governor William Berkeley took refuge at John’s house during the rebellion, and John’s wife Alice was kidnapped by Bacon near the end of the insurrection to be used as a human shield.
Not everything John did is to be admired. Like the men around him, he had many enslaved people working for him, but in addition to that, he was also an agent for the Royal African Company. The RAC was a business set up by the crown of England in 1660 to monopolize trade along the coast of western Africa. Early charters of the company forbade the trading of slaves, but that changed in 1672, and this was the period when John was said to be an agent. So no doubt some of his wealth was made from the brutal practice of enslaving Africans.
John did have two notable achievements in his life. One was that he was involved in the founding of William & Mary College, the second oldest university in the colonies (Harvard being the oldest). John was said to have played “a pivotal role in supporting the efforts of Reverend Doctor James Blair,” the man who worked with authorities in England to set up a place of higher learning in Virginia. John’s other claim to fame was that he was an advocate for moving the colony’s capital from Jamestown to Middle Plantation. In this way, he was a sort of a visionary regarding the future of Virginia.
Unfortunately for John, he didn’t live to see either plan carried out, because he died on January 23, 1692. William & Mary was founded a year later, and by the end of the decade, the capital was indeed moved to Middle Plantation, which was renamed in honor of the King: Williamsburg. John’s wife Alice survived him, and she passed away in 1698.
The bloodlines of John found their way into many of the First Families of Virginia, including Byrd, Chiles, Dilliard, Tyler, Pendelton, Burwell, Nelson, Randolph, Carter, Harrison and Waller. One of his grandchildren was Mann Page, who accumulated over 70,000 acres of land. Great-great grandson John Page served as governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805, and a 4G grandson was President John Tyler. The site of John’s home is today in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, a place that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Perhaps this was John’s greatest legacy.
Children:
1. Mary Page — B. about 26 Jun 1648, (probably) London, England; D. about 1669, Jamestown, Virginia; M. Walter Chiles (1630-1671), before 1665, (probably) Jamestown, Virginia
2. Francis Page — B. about 1657, Middle Plantation, Virginia; D. 10 May 1692, Williamsburg, Virginia; M. Mary Digges (1658-1690), Gloucester County, Virginia
3. Matthew Page — B. 19 Jan 1659, Middle Plantation, Virginia; D. 9 Jan 1703, Gloucester County, Virginia; M. Mary Mann (~1672-1707), 1689, Gloucester County, Virginia
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