B. 2 Jun 1729 in Boston, Massachusetts1
M. about 1759 in (probably) Virginia2
Wife: Phoebe (maybe) Parker
D. about 1818 in Burke County, North Carolina2
Early in the military career of George Washington, he led a few hundred men into the frontier of the American colonies, and John Franklin was one of them. The events John experienced firsthand were an important part of history — a precursor to the American Revolution.
John was born on June 2, 1729 in a place far from his later adventures: Boston, Massachusetts.1 His parents were David Franklin and Elizabeth Ayers and he was the seventh of their eight children. The obvious question is: Was he related to Benjamin Franklin, also born in Boston a generation earlier? And the answer is no — at least not on this side of the Atlantic. David Franklin was a sailor working in the Boston harbor,2 and when John came of age, he followed his father in this line of work.
In early 1754, John was in Prince William County, Virginia, perhaps lying over for the winter. At the age of 25, John seemed to have had enough of working on ships, and on February 11th, he enlisted in a military unit to serve on the frontier.2 The colony of Virginia wanted to secure their claims on the Ohio River Valley, which was being encroached upon by the French. So orders were given to recruit a force of 300 men, with a 22-year-old lieutenant to lead them named George Washington. Their mission was to build a fort at “the source of the Ohio,” and to defend it from attackers.3
The record of John’s enlistment described him as being five feet six inches tall, with brown hair, and “large eyebrows.” He was also said to be “well-made,” and a sailor from New England.3 His experience on ships was probably good preparation for the stamina he’d need during the next few years of his life.
The military force led by Washington had no idea what they were getting into. The future of the western frontier was at stake, and all these men knew was that they had to drive the French away from the Ohio River Valley. Getting there wasn’t easy; roads didn’t exist, and since they were crossing the Appalachians, there was no waterway that went directly there. Rain hampered their march, and the terrain was said to be so rough that they sometimes only made three miles a day. As they marched, they cleared enough vegetation to make a sort of road where others could follow, so perhaps this slowed them down, too.
The French were waiting for them in the area, but under orders not to attack unless the Virginians attacked first, which is what Lieutenant Washington did in a small skirmish on May 28th. This was a strategic mistake, and left the Virginians scrambling to prepare for the battle they knew was coming. In a field in present-day Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the men built a makeshift structure which was dubbed Fort Necessity, little more than a crude cabin for their arsenal, surrounded by a stockade. On July 3rd, the French showed up with their Indian allies, quickly outnumbering Washington’s men, and after a short battle, the Virginians abandoned the fort to the French. It was the only time in Washington’s career that he ever surrendered to the enemy.
What made this event so historical wasn’t just the learning experience Washington gained as a military leader. This was the first confrontation of the French and Indian War, a 7-year conflict which England ultimately won. And in the aftermath, the leaders in England tried to get the American colonists to pay for the war, which of course led to the American Revolution.
As for John, his service continued. He seems to have deserted his company for a time along with many others; this happened after the Battle of Fort Necessity, but he was likely rounded up and brought back.3 Washington’s force participated in the Battle of Monongahela in July 1755, and John was likely involved; this was an attempt to capture Fort Duquesne (present-day Pittsburgh), and the Virginians were in support of a British Army force — and the French roundly defeated them.
The rest of John’s service was under Captain Thomas Waggoner, and his company’s duty was to secure a series of forts along the South Branch of the Potomac, an area that extended into present-day West Virginia.2 Some records for Waggoner’s Company are missing, but circumstantial evidence points to the fact John served there until end of the war in 1763. Apparently this was where John found a wife, a woman named Phoebe (last name said to be Parker, but this is uncertain).2 Their oldest son later testified that he had been born at a place called “Fort Stump, Virginia,”2 and researchers have determined that Stump was the last name of a landowner near one of the South Branch forts — Fort George — and that “Fort Stump” may have been an alternate name for the stockade.
With the war’s end, many of the men who served as soldiers were awarded “bounty land,” an easy way to pay them because land was plentiful. There’s no hard evidence that John received any land, but a note written by Washington listed him among 88 men who were being charged for surveying costs,2 an indicator that this was in relation to bounty land. What is known is that after his military days were over, he joined a migration to the south — to Burke County, North Carolina — and this was where he spent the rest of his life.2
John and Phoebe had a large family that included at least 11 children; the oldest was John, born at Fort Stump in about 1760,2 with most of the rest born in Burke County. John was past 60-years-old when his youngest child was born in 1790.4 The Franklin family settled near the head of Silver Creek in what was Rowan County, then moved to near Lower Creek in Burke County.2 At Lower Creek, John was shown to have owned 700 or more acres. Census records indicate that he had no slaves.5
On June 4, 1813, John made out his will naming all eleven of his children.6 He lived about another six years, with the will being probated in 1819.2 His wife Phoebe survived him, and she died in about 1821.2
Children:
1. John Franklin — B. about 1760, Hardy County, Virginia;2 D. 30 Sep 1837, Burke County, North Carolina;7 M. Nancy Wallace (?-~1853), 12 Jul 1817, Burke County, North Carolina8
2. David Franklin — B. about 1762, (probably) Virginia;2 D. after Dec 18202
3. Moses Franklin — B. about 1765, (probably) Rowan County, North Carolina;9 D. about Feb 1830, Franklin County, Tennessee;9 M. Elizabeth ______, Burke County, North Carolina2
4. Jemima Franklin — B. Oct 1767, Burke County, North Carolina;10 D. 7 Jun 1854, Franklin County, Tennessee;10 M. (1) Daniel McCoy;2 (2) William Griffin, 8 Feb 1805, Pulaski County, Kentucky;11 (3) Thomas Wakefield, 1825, Franklin County, Tennessee2
5. Mary Franklin — B. about 1770, Burke County, North Carolina;12 D. before 1 Jun 1830, (probably) Putnam County, Indiana;13 M. William Sutherland (~1770-?), 1787, Lincoln County, Kentucky14
6. Jonathan Franklin — B. about 1773, Rowan County, North Carolina;2 D. after 1870, Owen County, Indiana;2 M. (1) Rachel ______ (?-~1803);2 (2) Jennie Hood (?-1826), about 1805;2 (3) Mary Johnson (1787-?)2
7. Lydia Franklin — B. 26 Aug 1774, Burke County, North Carolina;14 D. 18 Sep 1869, Putnam County, Indiana;14 M. Fendall Sutherlin (1767-1834), before 1791, (probably) Burke County, North Carolina14
8. Samuel Franklin — B. about 1780, Burke County, North Carolina;15 D. 12 Jul 1857, Linville Falls, North Carolina;15 M. Dorcas Burns, 6 Aug 1800, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina15
9. Phoebe Franklin — B. about 1781, Burke County, North Carolina;2 D. after 9 Nov 1821;2 M. Thomas Brown, 17952
10. Anna Franklin — B. about 1784, Burke County, North Carolina2
11. Rachel B. Franklin – B. 4 Feb 1790, Burke County, North Carolina;4 D. 12 Apr 1851, Franklin County, Tennessee;4 M. George Tipps (~1782-~1881), about 1805, Burke County, North Carolina2
Sources:
1 Birth record of John Franklin, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 “A Mystery Story: The Case Of the Origins of John Franklin, Sr. (1729-1819) of Burke County, North Carolina,” Franklin Family Researchers, V. 6, 1993
3 John Franklin: An American Hero And His Progeny, Dorsey Wayne Franklin, 1987
4 Find-a-Grave listing of Rachel B. (Franklin) Tipps
5 1790 U.S. Census, Burke County, North Carolina
6 John Franklin’s will, North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970, images, FamilySearch.org
7 Find-a-Grave listing of John Franklin Jr.
8 Marriage record of John Franklin and Nancy Wallace, North Carolina, Marriages, 1759-1979, FamilySearch.org
9 Find-a-Grave listing of Moses Franklin
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Jemima (Franklin) Wakefield
11 Marriage record of William Griffin and Jemima McCoy, Kentucky, Marriages, 1785-1979, FamilySearch.org
12 Mary Franklin’s estimated birth year based on date of her marriage
13 William Sutherland’s household in the 1820 U.S. census had a woman of Mary’s age, but the 1830 U.S. Census did not
14 Sutherlands and Their Tangled Branches, Robert J. Walsh, 1985, p. 23-31
15 Find-a-Grave listing of Samuel Franklin
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Wife of a Puritan Preacher — Mary Greenway
B. before 9 Nov 1605 near Mildenhall, Wiltshire, England1
M. 1 May 1629, Southwark, England2
Husband: Thomas Millet
D. 5 Jun 1682 in Gloucester, Massachusetts3
The life of Mary Greenway typifies many of the women who found themselves part of the Great Migration to New England of the 1630s. She settled first with her husband and children in a town close to Boston, then moved to a community which was further away, all the while participating in various aspects of Puritan society. And near the end of her life, she experienced the dangers of living a remote settlement.
Mary was born in about 1605 near Mildenhall, Wiltshire, where she was baptized on November 9th.1 Her parents were John and Mary Greenway (also spelled Greenaway), and she was the third of six known children, all girls. (Because there is a gap in the ages of the sisters, it’s believed that John may have had two different wives named Mary, but this is uncertain.)
When Mary was in her early 20s, she moved to an area of London called Southwark, and this is where she married her husband Thomas Millet on May 1, 1629.2 Everyone in Mary’s life seemed to be Puritan followers, and in 1630, her parents and younger sisters migrated to the Massachusetts colony in America.4 This was the beginning of the Great Migration to New England, and after having two sons born in Southwark, Mary and Thomas moved as well.2 One of her boys had died, but she was pregnant with a third son on the trip, and he was born after they got settled in Dorchester,2 where Mary’s parents already lived.
Dorchester became Mary’s home for the next 20 years. She and Thomas were admitted as members of Dorchester’s Second Church on August 23, 1636;2 Mary’s parents were also admitted around the same time. Five more children were born in Dorchester, with the youngest in 1647. Mary’s husband took an active role in the church as an unordained preacher;2 he also served as the town clerk, and it was said that a fire at their house destroyed some of Dorchester’s earliest records.2
Mary was among 21 women who signed a remarkable petition in Dorchester in 1649.5 It was to support a midwife named Alice Tilly, who was accused of causing the deaths of several women and children in her care. Over 200 women signed six petitions in the Boston area. What makes this significant is that it’s the earliest example in America of women organizing around a cause without the involvement of any men; this is because issues of childbearing were strictly a female domain.
In 1655, Mary, Thomas and the children moved to Gloucester,2 which was in an area north of Boston. It’s likely that they were solicited because of John’s service as a preacher. During their time in Gloucester, Mary was known to have testified in court twice. The first time was in 1657 when she was witness to a conversation between two men that was pertinent to a dispute they had with each other.6 The other case happened in January 1668 involving a man accused of moving a boundary marker on Mary’s son’s property. She and John said in court that although they had no proof he did this, they were “vehemently suspicious” that the man did this.7
During the 1670s, Mary and Thomas made one last move, this time to the remote village of Brookfield.2 By this time they were in their late 60s, but Thomas was still in demand as a preacher. It turned out to be a fateful decision because Brookfield was attacked during King Philip’s War, and much of the town was destroyed.8 Soon after the violence, Thomas died,2 perhaps of injuries received in the raid. Mary returned to Gloucester where her husband’s estate was settled on September 26, 1675.2 She lived out her final years in Gloucester, and passed away on June 5, 1682.3
Children:
1. John Millett — B. before 6 May 1630, Southwark, England;2 D. before 13 Apr 1635, (probably) Southwark, England2
2. Thomas Millett — B. before 16 Aug 1632, Southwark, England;2 M. (1) Mary Eveleth (~1633-1687), 21 May 1655, Gloucester, Massachusetts;9 (2) Abigail Colt (1657-1726), 20 Dec 1689, Gloucester, Massachusetts10
3. John Millett — B. 8 Jul 1635, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 3 Nov 1678, Gloucester, Massachusetts;11 M. Sarah Leach (~1635-1725), 3 Jul 1663, Gloucester, Massachusetts12
4. Jonathan Millett — B. 27 Jul 1638, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 15 Aug 1638, Dorchester, Massachusetts2
5. Mary Millett — B. 26 Aug 1639, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 23 Jan 1695, Gloucester, Massachusetts;13 M. Thomas Riggs (1633-1722), 7 Jun 1658, Gloucester, Massachusetts2
6. Mehitable Millett — B. 14 Mar 1642, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 28 Sep 1699, Gloucester, Massachusetts;14 M. Isaac Elwell (1643-1715), before 16662
7. Bethiah Millett — B. about 1646, (probably) Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 15 Apr 1669, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 M. Moses Ayers, before 10 Sep 1667, (probably) Dorchester, Massachusetts2
8. Nathaniel Millett — B. 1 Dec 1647, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 9 Nov 1719, Kettle Cove, Massachusetts;15 M. Ann Lester (1650-1718), 3 May 1670, Gloucester, Massachusetts2
Sources:
1 Baptismal record of Mary Greenway, England, Wiltshire, Church Records, 1518-1990, FamilySearch.org
2 The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Robert Charles Anderson, 1999
3 Death record of Mary Millet, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, FamilySearch.org
4 The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to NewEngland, 1620-1633, Robert Charles Anderson, 1995
5 1649 petition in support of Alice Tilley signed by the women of Dorchester, FamilySearch.org
6 Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol. 2, FamilySearch.org
7 Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol. 4, FamilySearch.org
8 Thomas & Mary Greenway Millett: Milletts In America, Donald Glen Millett, FamilySearch.org
9 Marriage record of Thomas Millett and Mary Eveleth, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
10 Birth record of Thomas Millett (Mary’s grandson), Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
11 Death record of John Millett, M., D. & B.
12 Marriage record of John Millett and Sarah Leach, M., S. V. R.
13 Death record of Mary Riggs, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
14 Death record of Mehitable Elwell, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Death record of Nathaniel Millett, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
M. 1 May 1629, Southwark, England2
Husband: Thomas Millet
D. 5 Jun 1682 in Gloucester, Massachusetts3
The life of Mary Greenway typifies many of the women who found themselves part of the Great Migration to New England of the 1630s. She settled first with her husband and children in a town close to Boston, then moved to a community which was further away, all the while participating in various aspects of Puritan society. And near the end of her life, she experienced the dangers of living a remote settlement.
Mary was born in about 1605 near Mildenhall, Wiltshire, where she was baptized on November 9th.1 Her parents were John and Mary Greenway (also spelled Greenaway), and she was the third of six known children, all girls. (Because there is a gap in the ages of the sisters, it’s believed that John may have had two different wives named Mary, but this is uncertain.)
Mildenhall Church. (AI-generated image)
When Mary was in her early 20s, she moved to an area of London called Southwark, and this is where she married her husband Thomas Millet on May 1, 1629.2 Everyone in Mary’s life seemed to be Puritan followers, and in 1630, her parents and younger sisters migrated to the Massachusetts colony in America.4 This was the beginning of the Great Migration to New England, and after having two sons born in Southwark, Mary and Thomas moved as well.2 One of her boys had died, but she was pregnant with a third son on the trip, and he was born after they got settled in Dorchester,2 where Mary’s parents already lived.
Dorchester became Mary’s home for the next 20 years. She and Thomas were admitted as members of Dorchester’s Second Church on August 23, 1636;2 Mary’s parents were also admitted around the same time. Five more children were born in Dorchester, with the youngest in 1647. Mary’s husband took an active role in the church as an unordained preacher;2 he also served as the town clerk, and it was said that a fire at their house destroyed some of Dorchester’s earliest records.2
Mary was among 21 women who signed a remarkable petition in Dorchester in 1649.5 It was to support a midwife named Alice Tilly, who was accused of causing the deaths of several women and children in her care. Over 200 women signed six petitions in the Boston area. What makes this significant is that it’s the earliest example in America of women organizing around a cause without the involvement of any men; this is because issues of childbearing were strictly a female domain.
Petition in support of Alice Tilley signed by Mary.
In 1655, Mary, Thomas and the children moved to Gloucester,2 which was in an area north of Boston. It’s likely that they were solicited because of John’s service as a preacher. During their time in Gloucester, Mary was known to have testified in court twice. The first time was in 1657 when she was witness to a conversation between two men that was pertinent to a dispute they had with each other.6 The other case happened in January 1668 involving a man accused of moving a boundary marker on Mary’s son’s property. She and John said in court that although they had no proof he did this, they were “vehemently suspicious” that the man did this.7
During the 1670s, Mary and Thomas made one last move, this time to the remote village of Brookfield.2 By this time they were in their late 60s, but Thomas was still in demand as a preacher. It turned out to be a fateful decision because Brookfield was attacked during King Philip’s War, and much of the town was destroyed.8 Soon after the violence, Thomas died,2 perhaps of injuries received in the raid. Mary returned to Gloucester where her husband’s estate was settled on September 26, 1675.2 She lived out her final years in Gloucester, and passed away on June 5, 1682.3
Children:
1. John Millett — B. before 6 May 1630, Southwark, England;2 D. before 13 Apr 1635, (probably) Southwark, England2
2. Thomas Millett — B. before 16 Aug 1632, Southwark, England;2 M. (1) Mary Eveleth (~1633-1687), 21 May 1655, Gloucester, Massachusetts;9 (2) Abigail Colt (1657-1726), 20 Dec 1689, Gloucester, Massachusetts10
3. John Millett — B. 8 Jul 1635, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 3 Nov 1678, Gloucester, Massachusetts;11 M. Sarah Leach (~1635-1725), 3 Jul 1663, Gloucester, Massachusetts12
4. Jonathan Millett — B. 27 Jul 1638, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 15 Aug 1638, Dorchester, Massachusetts2
5. Mary Millett — B. 26 Aug 1639, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 23 Jan 1695, Gloucester, Massachusetts;13 M. Thomas Riggs (1633-1722), 7 Jun 1658, Gloucester, Massachusetts2
6. Mehitable Millett — B. 14 Mar 1642, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 28 Sep 1699, Gloucester, Massachusetts;14 M. Isaac Elwell (1643-1715), before 16662
7. Bethiah Millett — B. about 1646, (probably) Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 15 Apr 1669, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 M. Moses Ayers, before 10 Sep 1667, (probably) Dorchester, Massachusetts2
8. Nathaniel Millett — B. 1 Dec 1647, Dorchester, Massachusetts;2 D. 9 Nov 1719, Kettle Cove, Massachusetts;15 M. Ann Lester (1650-1718), 3 May 1670, Gloucester, Massachusetts2
Sources:
1 Baptismal record of Mary Greenway, England, Wiltshire, Church Records, 1518-1990, FamilySearch.org
2 The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Robert Charles Anderson, 1999
3 Death record of Mary Millet, Massachusetts, Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910, FamilySearch.org
4 The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to NewEngland, 1620-1633, Robert Charles Anderson, 1995
5 1649 petition in support of Alice Tilley signed by the women of Dorchester, FamilySearch.org
6 Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol. 2, FamilySearch.org
7 Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol. 4, FamilySearch.org
8 Thomas & Mary Greenway Millett: Milletts In America, Donald Glen Millett, FamilySearch.org
9 Marriage record of Thomas Millett and Mary Eveleth, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
10 Birth record of Thomas Millett (Mary’s grandson), Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
11 Death record of John Millett, M., D. & B.
12 Marriage record of John Millett and Sarah Leach, M., S. V. R.
13 Death record of Mary Riggs, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
14 Death record of Mehitable Elwell, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Death record of Nathaniel Millett, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
Monday, May 11, 2026
One of the Colonial Virginia Elites — John Page
B. about 1627 in (probably) Bedfont, Middlesex, England1
M. before 26 Jun 1648 in England2
Wife: Alice Luken
D. 23 Jan 1692 in Middle Plantation, Virginia1
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 1627.1 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”3 (John’s mother’s name is unknown). There was at least one other child in the family, a sister named Elizabeth.3 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.4
During this time, John was described as being a merchant,3 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.3 At some point, Elizabeth married another Virginia elite, Edward Digges,3 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 Burgesses3 (the lower house of Virginia’s bicameral system). Then from 1677 to 1692, he served in the Governor’s Council3 (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,3 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,3 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,5 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.6 Governor William Berkeley took refuge at John’s house during the rebellion,6 and John’s wife Alice was kidnapped by Bacon near the end of the insurrection to be used as a human shield.7
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.3 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,”3 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.3 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, 1692.1 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 1698.8
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.3 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.3 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. before 26 Jun 1648, (probably) London, England;4 D. about 1669, Jamestown, Virginia;9 M. Walter Chiles (1630-1671), before 1665, (probably) Jamestown, Virginia9
2. Francis Page — B. about 1657, Middle Plantation, Virginia;10 D. 10 May 1692, Williamsburg, Virginia;10 M. Mary Digges (1658-1690), Gloucester County, Virginia10
3. Matthew Page — B. 19 Jan 1659, Middle Plantation, Virginia;11 D. 9 Jan 1703, Gloucester County, Virginia;11 M. Mary Mann (~1672-1707), 1689, Gloucester County, Virginia11
Sources:
1 Find-a-Grave listing for John Page
2 Marriage date based on the baptism of his oldest known child
3 John Page (planter) (Wikipedia article)
4 Baptismal record of Mary Page, England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, FamilySearch.org
5 “Bruton Parish Church” (Wikipedia article)
6 Rosewell, Garland of Virginia, Claude O. Luciano, 1978
7 “Bacon’s Rebellion: America’s First Revolutionary?” Military History Online
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Alice (Lukin) Page
9 WikiTree listing of Mary (Page) Chiles
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Capt. Francis Page
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Col. Matthew Page
M. before 26 Jun 1648 in England2
Wife: Alice Luken
D. 23 Jan 1692 in Middle Plantation, Virginia1
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 1627.1 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”3 (John’s mother’s name is unknown). There was at least one other child in the family, a sister named Elizabeth.3 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.4
During this time, John was described as being a merchant,3 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.
John Page. (AI-enhanced illustration)
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.3 At some point, Elizabeth married another Virginia elite, Edward Digges,3 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 Burgesses3 (the lower house of Virginia’s bicameral system). Then from 1677 to 1692, he served in the Governor’s Council3 (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,3 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,3 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,5 a structure that stood until it was replaced in 1715.
Building a brick house in Virginia. (AI-generated image)
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.6 Governor William Berkeley took refuge at John’s house during the rebellion,6 and John’s wife Alice was kidnapped by Bacon near the end of the insurrection to be used as a human shield.7
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.3 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,”3 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.3 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, 1692.1 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 1698.8
Original tombstone of John Page. (Source: Find-a-Grave)
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.3 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.3 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. before 26 Jun 1648, (probably) London, England;4 D. about 1669, Jamestown, Virginia;9 M. Walter Chiles (1630-1671), before 1665, (probably) Jamestown, Virginia9
2. Francis Page — B. about 1657, Middle Plantation, Virginia;10 D. 10 May 1692, Williamsburg, Virginia;10 M. Mary Digges (1658-1690), Gloucester County, Virginia10
3. Matthew Page — B. 19 Jan 1659, Middle Plantation, Virginia;11 D. 9 Jan 1703, Gloucester County, Virginia;11 M. Mary Mann (~1672-1707), 1689, Gloucester County, Virginia11
Sources:
1 Find-a-Grave listing for John Page
2 Marriage date based on the baptism of his oldest known child
3 John Page (planter) (Wikipedia article)
4 Baptismal record of Mary Page, England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, FamilySearch.org
5 “Bruton Parish Church” (Wikipedia article)
6 Rosewell, Garland of Virginia, Claude O. Luciano, 1978
7 “Bacon’s Rebellion: America’s First Revolutionary?” Military History Online
8 Find-a-Grave listing of Alice (Lukin) Page
9 WikiTree listing of Mary (Page) Chiles
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Capt. Francis Page
11 Find-a-Grave listing of Col. Matthew Page
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)