Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Elizabeth Pierce

Female Bef 1610 - Aft 1641  (> 32 years)


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  • Name Elizabeth Pierce 
    Born Bef 1610  , , England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died Aft 6 Sep 1641  of, , Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I3872  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Thomas Pierce,   b. Abt 1580, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22/22 Mar 1621/2, Mulberry Island, James City, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 42 years) 
    Mother Alice,   b. Abt 1584, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. , Isle of Wight, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F461  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Anthony Barham,   c. 14/14 Mar 1595/6, Barham, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. From 6 Sep 1641 to 13 Sep 1641, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 45 years) 
    Married Abt 1624  of Mulberry Island, James City, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1877  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Richard Jackson,   d. Bef 19 Jun 1666, of, Isle of Wight, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married Aft Sep 1641  , , Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F459  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. From the book "Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight," by John Bennett Boddie, 1938, [Note the original founder of the Colony was Edward Bennett. Brothers of Edward involved with the Colony were Richard and Robert, one of which became Governor of Virginia. These Bennetts are not connected to Thomas Bennett in the book. References to this Thomas Bennett:
      P. 88: "A 'Muster of the inhabitants in Virginia' was taken in Feb., 1625, and the total number of inhabitants was 1,095. Those living at Basse's Choice are shown below... The Muster of Thomas Bennett. Thomas Bennett, aged 38, in the Neptune 1618. Mary Bennett, aged 18, in the Southampton 1622. Roger Heford, aged 22, in the Returne 1623. Benjamine Simes, aged 33, in the - - "
      P. 90: "Thomas Bennett, aged 38, who came in the Neptune in 1618, was probably the Thomas Bennett who appears as a tenant on the Governor's Land at the mouth of the Chickahomniny, January 1626/7. (Min. Counc., 136)."
      P. 91: "Anthony Barham, who owned 100 acres in 1626, moved to Mulberry Island which he represented in the House of Burgesses in 1629-30. He married a stepdaughter of Thomas Bennett and his career is given in a subsequent account of Thomas Bennett's family."

      2. FHL book 975.5 D2b5, "Southside Virginia Families," by John Bennett Boddie, vol. 1, 1976-1996, pp. 50-54; this section describes the great Indian Massacre of March 22, 1622, in which one quarter of the population of Jamestown was massacred:
      "…All of which is of interest in connection with Thomas Pierse:
      The official report of the slain shows that his plantation was the next one to the south of Martin's Hundred, near Mulberry Island. The dead at his place included Thomas, himself, "his Wife and Childe", two other men and a French boy. (3 Ibid. 570). Word of the massacre and the list of those slain or supposed to be, did not reach England until July, 1622. At a Quarter Court in London, October 2, 1622, "Edward Peirs Cittizen and Merchantaylor in London", petitioned for administration upon the estate of "one Thomas Peirs his Brother, late inhabitating neare Mulberry Islands in Virginia (who was there slain with his wife and Childe in the late massacre)". Edward satisfied the Court that he and sister Anne were the only heirs in England, so instructions were issued to authorities in Virginia to lend aid to Edward in salvag­ing his brother's estate. (2 Ibid. 106.)
      However, there is no indication anywhere in the records, that Edward Pierse and his sister acquired any part of the estate of their brother, Thomas. On the contrary, extant records show be­yond reasonable doubt that Thomas Pierse must have been one of the husbands and fathers slain in the presence of their terrified families who were carried off as captors of the savages… For subsequent rec­ords seem to prove that the Alice Peerce, widow, who married Thomas Bennett was the widow of Sergeant at Arms Thomas Pierse; and that her daughter, Elizabeth Peerce, who chose her step-father, Thomas Bennett to be her guardian, and who married, first, Anthony Barham; and then Richard Jackson, must have been the "Childe" of Thomas Pierse listed among those killed at his house.
      At a Court held at Jamestown, October 10, 1624, "Alice Bennett" testified that she and her husband and Richard Richards found a runaway servant of John Proctor's, and took her home. Richard Grove, a servant of Proctor's, deposed in this connec­tion that when "Mr Richards and Thomas Bennett brought her home last, she received no Corrections, but when they two and the wife of said Thomas Bennett brought her home, last, then she re­ceived Correction".
      "Mr. Anthony Barram" also testified in this case. (Minutes of the General Court, 23.) These people all lived at or near Warrasqueake on the southside of James River, at the time of these occurances, where the Bennetts, Barhams, Proctors and Richards had lands. (4 Records of the Virginia Company, 552-554; C. P. 10).
      At a General Court held November 1, 1624, George Fadom re­ported that "about the 4th of July last past", he had written a will for John Phillimore (Filmer), who "signed and sealed it". But when Phillimore died the will could not be found. Fadom testified that "said Philimore did give all of his estate to Elizabeth Peerce to whom he was assured and meant to have married". One Sully, to whom Fadom had read the will, also said that Phillimore had bequeathed to said Elizabeth all of his "goods, lands and Chattells". Others gave the same testimony. Whereupon the Court ordered that the guardianship and administration of the lands and goods of John Phillimore be granted to "any friende whom the said Eliza­beth Peerce shal choose to her use". Elizabeth "made choyce of Thomas Bennett her father in law" (stepfather). (Minutes of the Court, 27.) Three months later, the bereaved Elizabeth was mar­ried to another - none other than the Anthony Barham or Baram (Barram &c), who lived in the neighborhood with the Thomas Ben­netts on the southside; but at the time of the census or Muster of 1624/25, Anthony Baram and wife Elizabeth were listed as living at Mulberry Island. This is on the northside of the James River, and where Thomas Pierse had his plantation. The record shows that Anthony came in the Abigail (1621); and Elizabeth in the Wil­liam and Thomas (1618). (Hotten's Lists). Anthony was Burgess from Mulberry Island, 1629-30. Thomas Bennett represented Mul­berry Island in 1632. In that day, however, in Virginia as in Eng­land, a man did not have to live in the community he was Burgess from, but as a rule they did. (Jour. H. B., 1619-1658/9, pp. xi; xiii.)
      That Elizabeth, wife of Anthony Baram, was the foregoing Elizabeth Peerce, is borne out by the will of "Anthony Barham, Gent. of Mulberry Island, Virginia and at present residing in England": This will dated September 6, 1641, was probated in England September 13 as follows:
      Wife Elizabeth, goods for her to be sent over to Virginia.
      Daughter Elizabeth, ₤100 to be sent to my wife for her use.
      To Mother Bennett
      to brother in law Richard Bennett
      to my sister Mrs. Mary Duke; to sister Groves and her son.
      to friend Edward Major; to friend and gossip William Butler
      To Mrs. Joan Pierce wife of Mr. William Pierce.
      To Martha Major, wife of friend Edward Major
      To Goddaughter Sarah Butler daughter of William Butler
      To friend Edward Aldey minister of Canterbury
      To Thomasine David.
      Executors: Edward Major and William Butler.
      (N. E. list. and Genealogical Register, Vol. 42, p. 393; Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight, p. 291.)
      This will leaves no room for doubt that Barham's wife, Eliz­abeth, listed with him in the Muster of 1624/5 as having come in the William and Thomas, 1618, was the Elizabeth Pierse (Peerce) who, in November, 1624 chose her stepfather, Thomas Bennett, as her guardian and administrator of the estate left Elizabeth by her deceased fiance; nor can there be any doubt "Mother Bennett" of the will was the Alice (Peerce) Bennett, wife of Thomas Bennett and mother to said Elizabeth, wife and widow of Anthony Barham. It is equally evident that the Richard Bennett of the will was the son of Alice and Thomas Bennett, and so, half brother to Elizabeth (Pierse) Barham.
      A thorough check of every contemporary Pierce - including every variant of the name shows that Alice and Elizabeth could not have belonged to any Pierce or Peurce &c, in Virginia, other than Sergeant at Arms Thomas Pierse of the Convention and As­sembly of 1619. This being the case, then the fact that Elizabeth is shown to have come in the William and Thomas, which sailed for Virginia in August, 1618, indicates that Thomas Pierse with wife Alice and daughter Elizabeth, emigrated to America on that ship. The William and Thomas was a "magazine ship" - that is, contained merchandize to be retailed to the colonists for their personal use. In other words, the "department store" of that time. In as much as Thomas was given an official position in the Con­vention and Assembly, it suggests that he probably came in some official capacity in connection with the Magazine. (3 Rec. Va. Comp. 239.) When we remember that twelve years was a legal marriageable age for girls in early Virginia; and we take into consideration the scarcity of young girls in the Colony, it is easily deducible that Elizabeth may have been engaged even before she was twelve - this in 1624; and therefore, she might well have been a "Childe" of ten or less at the time of the massacre in 1622.
      Another inference to be drawn from this will is that Alice Bennett, as Alice Pierse, had but the one child, Elizabeth; and as Alice Bennett, she also had but one child, Richard Bennett. This seems conclusive from the fact that no sister whatever, of Elizabeth, his wife, nor of her brother, Richard Bennett, is mentioned in Barham's will. Neither is there any brother mentioned save the half-brother, Richard Bennett. It is logical to assume that had there been either a sister or other brother of his wife, she or he would have been remembered by Anthony, in view of the wide range of relatives and friends named as beneficiaries. (The Mr. William Pierce and wife Joan mentioned in the will, were Captain William Pierce who, as Lieutenant Pierce sailed in the Seaventure, 1609, under Yeardley as Captain of the Governor's Company of soldiers. William's wife, Joan, and daughter Joan (or Jone), came in the Blessing which sailed at the same time. The daughter be-came the third wife of John Rolfe and later, of Captain Roger Smith.)
      The last heard of Thomas Bennett is as Burgess in 1632. As he is not mentioned in Barham's will, he probably had died before September, 1641. On June 10, 1642, George Hardy received a patent for land adjoining that of Alice Bennett on the easternmost side of Lawne's Creek, Isle of Wight County. (1 Nugent, 140). On April 2, 1644, Justinian Cooper sold to his neighbor, Alice Bennett, widow, for a cow and a calf and barrel of corn, 150 acres in Isle of Wight, between Castle and Cypress Creeks. On July 19, 1647, Alice Bennett deeded the said 150 acres of land to her granddaughters, Mary and Sarah Jackson, daughters of Richard Jackson, to be possessed immediately after her death - the land and housing on the side of swamp "where I dwell", to Mary; the land on the other side, to Sarah. If either die without issue, the other to inherit. (17 C-513) They were not in the Colony when the census or Muster was taken in January and February, 1624/25, there were many absentees from the Colony at that time, partly on business but also to learn what it was all about, after the Commis­sioners appointed to report to the King on the state of the Colony, attempted to get the Assembly of February and March, 1623/4, to consent to relinquish the Virginia Charters. Among those out of the country at that time were William Claiborne, Hon. John West, Francis Eppes, John Pountis, the Justinian Coopers, Sergeant John Harris and family, William Perry &c &c, all of whom re­turned to the Colony later. There are two other Thomas Bennetts in that Muster, however, but there is no indication whatever, of any connection between them and any of the other Bennetts: One was Thomas Benett, with wife, Margery, living in the "Neck of Land neare James City". The other was Thomas Bennett, aged 38, and Mary Bennett, aged 18, presumably his wife, living down below Basse's Choice on the south side, several miles below the Bennett Plantation of Edward Bennett and his brothers, Robert and Richard. There is no proof that Thomas Bennett who married the widow of Thomas Pierse, was connected with the family of Governor Richard and no indication thereof aside from the fact that the widow, Alice Bennett, is known to have had land in the vicinity of the original Bennett plantation; and two of Richard Bennett's land patents contained the name of Thomas Bennett as headright.
      Since Elizabeth (Pierse) Barham is the only daughter of Alice (Pierse) Bennett found anywhere in the records, said Elizabeth must have been the mother of Alice Bennett's granddaughters, Mary and Sarah Jackson, as already noted; and wife of Richard Jackson, their father.
      Richard Jackson patented 450 acres, March 13, 1641, upon Sewards Creek, 350 acres by assignment from Thomas Stamp and John Sweete and 100 acres for the transportation of himself and one other person. (C.P.128) On Aug. 28, 1643, he patented 110 acres near head of Sewards Creek. (C.P.147)
      Richard Jackson appears in the picture about the time Elizabeth (Peirce) Barham became a widow. The date of their marriage is unknown but they had at least two children, Mary and Sarah, in 1647 according to deed of Alice Bennett to her granddaughters heretofore mentioned.
      Richard Jackson was a "Viewer of Tobacco" from Lawne's Creek to Castle Creek in 1639-40 (17 C-172). He was deceased before June 19, 1666, for on that day Capt. George Hardy made a deed to land which belonged to his wife Mary, whom he refers to as the daughter of Richard Jackson, deceased. (17 C-294).
      The children of Elizabeth (Pierce) Barham and Richard Jackson were: Mary, who married George Hardy; Sarah, who married Col. Arthur Smith II; (see 17C.) and probably Richard2 Jackson, who made his will April 4, 1703, Pro. Dec. 9, 1703. He names his wife Priscilla, Sons Richard and John, daughters Mary, Ann and Sarah, and wife's daughter, Ann Clark. (Wills 1-62). Richard Jackson of Nottoway Parrish made his will, Oct. 14, 1740, pro., June 22, 1741, legatees, wife, Sarah, daughters Mary, Sarah and Katherine, granddaughters Ann Stuart.(Bk. 2l04) (The foregoing pages were kindly written by Mrs. Henry Lo­well Cook, of Chicago, Illinois)."

      3. The book "17th Century Isle of Wight County Virginia," by John Bennett Boddie, 1938, chapter XVI, Descendants of Richard Bennett of Isle of Wight: "Richard Bennett (1625-1709) of Isle of Wight was probably a son of Thomas and Alice Bennett who were residing on the south side of the James River, near Lawne's Creek in 1624. On October the 4th, 1624, Alice Bennett was a witness before the General Court at the trial of one John Proctor for cruelty to his servants. (John Proctor was a member of the Virginia Company. He came over on the Sea Adventure in 1607 and Allis, his wife, in the George in 1621.) She was sworn and examined as to the beating of Elizabeth Abbott, serving maid of Mr. Proctors, and stated that she "found her by the waterside by Mr. Burroughs plantation lying behind a boat wrapped in a rug... whereupon this examinat, with Her Husband and Richard Richards carried her and delivered her to her master." (Va. Mag., 19, page 389.)
      "Richard Grove, servant of Mr. Proctor saith that the said wench often times ran away and that she was corrected for it, but that she never received over 20 or 30 lashes, etc., that when Mr. Richards and Mr. Thomas Bennett brought her home last she received no correction, but when they two and the wife of Mr. Thomas Bennett brought her home last she received correction from William Moyle servant of Mr. Proctors."
      The above testimony seems to prove that Alice Bennett was the wife of Thomas Bennett. Several other witnesses testified at this trial among them was John Burroughs by whose plantation on the waterside Alice Bennett and her husband had found Elizabeth Abbott. John Burroughs was living at Jamestown in 1625 but had a plantation called "Burrow's Hill" on the south side of the James in James City County, now Surry. James City's records were destroyed in the Civil War.
      At the same court Anthony Barham swore that "he saw Mr. Proctor strike Elias Hinton one of his servants." In 1626 Anthony Barham had a patent of 100 acres next to Captain Nathaniel Basse's on the James River in Isle of Wight. (V.M. 7, page 218) in March, 1629-30 he was a member of the House of Burgesses from Mulberry Island across the James from Basse's Choice. He came to Virginia with Captain Bass on the Abigail in 1621. His wife Elizabeth came on the William and Thomas in 1618.
      It seems that Thomas Bennett's wife, Alice, was formerly the widow of one Pierce, for at that same General Court in October, 1624, "Elizabeth Pierce chose her father in law (stepfather), Thomas Bennett, as her guardian." (V.M. 20, page 155.) She was unmarried and then because John Filmer to whom she was engaged had just died and left all his property to her. This was the reason for her choosing a guardian. It is probable that this Elizabeth Pierce afterwards married Anthony Barham.
      Thomas Bennett was also a member of the House of Burgesses as he represented Mulberry Island in 1632. (Burgess Journals 1619-59, page 13) Mulberry Island is in Warwick County and as Warwick's records were destroyed in the Civil War nothing more can be found out about Thomas Bennett. However, a clue to his family is found in the will of Anthony Barham, the former Burgess of Mulberry Island who died in England in 1641. His will was as follows (N.E. G. R. Vol. 42, p. 393): "Will of the Anthony Barham of Mulberry Island, Virginia, and that present residing in England; dated 6th September, 1641. To my wife Elizabeth, goods for her to be sent over to Virginia; to my daughter Elizabeth 100 pounds to be sent over to my wife for her use; to my mother Bennett, 5 pounds; to my brother in law Richard Bennett, 5 pounds; to sister Mrs. Mary Duke, sister Groves 40 shillings; friend Edward Major 10 shillings; Gossett William Butler; to son of the my Sister grows 40 shillings; to Mrs. Joane Pierce, wife of Mr. William Pierce 50 shillings to make her a ring; to Martha Major, wife of my loving friend Edward Major 50 shillings to make her a ring; to my god daughter Sara Butler, dau. of Wm. Butler, 30 shillings for a wine cup; to friend Edward Aldey, minister of St. Andrews in Canterbury; to Thomas Dove 40 shillings for a ring: 226 pounds owed me by Thomas Lyne. Edward Major and William Butler, exrs. in Virginia. Probated 13th Sept.1641."
      With reference to the persons mentioned in Anthony Barham's will it is important to ascertain whom some of them were and where they lived or owned land because Alice Bennett, wife of Thomas Bennett, appears to have resided near them in the Lawne's Creek district and probably on Mulberry Island, if she and her husband removed there when he represented Mulberry Island in the House.
      "Mr. William Pierce" was Captain of Governor Wyatt's guard and Lieutenant Governor at James City in 1629. He was in Ancient Planter having come over with Sir Thomas Gates in 1609, also was a member of the Virginia Council in 1631. Captain Pierce owned land both upon Lawne's Creek and Mulberry Island. In 1628, one Lieut. Thomas Flint received a grant of 1000 acres two upon the Southern Shore of Warwick River (Mulberry Island) adjacent to land patented by John Rolfe, Esq., deceased, and Capt. William Pierce. (C & P, page 9.) Jane Pierce, daughter of Captain Pierce, was the third wife of John Rolfe, whose first wife was the celebrated Pocahontas.
      On June 22, 1635, Captain William Pierce, "one of the Council of State," patented 2000 acres upon Lawne's Creek near the land of William Spencer. (C & P, page 29.) This Creek was the dividing line between Surry and Isle of Wight. Pierce's Creek which flows into Lawne's Creek was evidently named after him. In 1640 Captain William Pierce of Mulberry Island conveyed 50 acres on Lawne's Creek adjacent to William Spencer. (C & P, page 147.)
      An important grouping of persons and places is shown in a grant to one John Sweet of 1,540 acres in Isle of Wight, September 26, 1643, as follows: "lying upon the eastern branch of the Blackwater, adjacent Francis England, Mr. Justinian Cooper and north towards Capt. Pierce's."
      Francis England obtained a patent 26th July, 1652, for 1066 acres, same "being in Isle of Wight County lying on a swamp running to Blackwater upon the eastern most branch pointing to Upper Chipoaks in Surry... 120 acres adjacent Richard Jackson."
      Justinian Cooper and Francis England will be found in subsequent transactions with Thomas Bennett's wife Alice, his son Richard, and his grandson James Bennett.
      "My said gossip William Butler," mentioned in the will of Anthony Barham also patented 700 acres in Surry, August 29, 1643, "upon the south side of the James River at the head of Lawne's Creek" adjacent to Captain William Pierce for the transportation of himself and family. (C & P, p. 146.)
      Alice Bennett, seemingly the "Mother Bennett" of Anthony Barham's will, in 1641 was residing in the vicinity of Lawne's Creek, for on June 10, 1642 George Hardy received a grant of 300 acres upon the eastermost side of Lawne's Creek adjacent to Alice Bennett. June 19, 1642, one John Stocker patented 200 acres adjoining Mr. Hardy's land and the widow Bennett.
      She bought 150 acres from her neighbor Justinian Cooper the 2nd of April 1644 for a cow and a calf and a barrel of corn. Justinian Cooper had previously patented 1050 acres in 1636 lying at the head of Lawne's Creek.
      Alice Bennett, sometime after purchasing the above mentioned 150 acres from Justinian Cooper, deeded the same to her granddaughters Sarah and Mary Jackson. They were probably very young at the time as she seems to have married Thomas Bennett about 1624. Her granddaughters were married by 1666 as shown below.
      Children of Thomas and Alice Bennett:
      1. Richard. (See later, may be stepson of Alice.)
      2. (Daughter) [Mary?] married Richard Jackson who patented 450 acres in Isle of Wight adjacent to Justinian Cooper, March 1641. Children:
      a. Mary Jackson, married Capt. George Hardy who besides the grant formerly mentioned patented 500 acres on July 17, 1648 "lying on east side of Lawne's Creek extending to main river and along the great river to the creek dividing the same from land of Alice Bennett." On 19th of June 1666 he made a deed to land which belonged to his wife Mary whom he refers to as the "daughter of Richard Jackson, dec."
      b. Sarah Jackson, married Col. Arthur Smith II, as evidenced by a deed. (See deed.)
      Richard Bennett, son of Thomas, is mentioned as "brother-in-law," in the will of Anthony Barham of Mulberry Island, 6th of September, 1641, as heretofore shown. (A Richard Bennett patented 300 acres in Isle of Wight, 2 Mar. 1638, "due by right of transportation of 6 persons by John Miles. 150 acres were upon the bay behind Ambrose Meders Point and 150 acres at the Miles end upon west side of Thomas Davis." This may be the Richard Bennett of our sketch.) He resided at Blackwater in the vicinity of the plantations of Justinian Cooper and Francis England, for in 1669 Thomas Wood, "son of Arthur Wood, and Sarah Wooten his mother, relict of Arthur deceased," deeded him land and in the deed he is mentioned as "Richard Bennett of Blackwater." Colonel Arthur Smith in 1666 made a deed to land at "Blackwater" inherited by his wife Sarah Jackson from her grandmother Alice Bennett."
      In 1682, Richard Bennett patented 630 acres in the Lower Parish of Surry County, bounded by the land of Francis Mason, William Edwards and Hollybush Swamp, for the transportation of 13 persons, his name not being among those mentioned. As he did not receive any land for his own transportation it seems therefore he was born in Virginia.
      Soon after receiving the above grant he sold George Morrell part of land as evidenced by the following deed (Deed book 2, pages 30-31): "Richard Bennett, ye elder of the Upper Parish of Isle of Wight with the free will and consent of my wife Anne, have for a valuable consideration to me and hand paid before the sealing, grant unto George Morrell of Lawne's Creek Parish in the County of Surry, 150 acres situate on the west side of Pocatink Swamp in Surry, the same parcel of land being part of a patent for 630 acres to me granted the 22nd July 1682 - near Mr. Thos. Binns."
      On the fourth of September, 1694, he made a gift of 200 acres on the west side of Pocatink Swamp to his son James Bennett of the Lower Parish of Surry County. (Deeds 1694-1709, page 18) July 5, 1699, as Richard Bennett of the Upper Parish of Isle of Wight he deeded to his "son and heir" Richard Bennett, Jr., of the same parish "all right and title in land that belonged to Edward Jones then taking in plantation Richard Bennett now lives, being part of land bought of William Miles in 1656." (Book 1688-1704, page 292.)
      This date, 1656, is interesting for it shows that Richard Bennett must have been grown in 1656 and therefore could have been the Richard Bennett mentioned by Anthony Barham in his will in 1641. When the above Richard Bennett, Jr., made his will in 1720 he was still living on this land as he speaks of "my plantation and land whereon I now live, it being part of ye land which was bought formerly of William Miles." Miles patented land on the second branch of the Blackwater adjoining Mr. England's land at an early date and died in 1698. He was age to 75 years on the 8th of March 1697-98, which would make him 23 years of age in 1656.
      Richard Bennett's first wife was named Anne. She was probably the mother and his children. The wife mentioned in his will was named Sarah and she subsequently married Robert Lancaster whose will is probated in 1720. (See will.) Sarah Bennett-Lancaster made her will the 31st of October, 1722, and same was probated 29 January, 1723.
      Richard Bennett, Sr., died in 1709. He was then probably between 80 and 85 years of age as he had several sets of great-grandchildren. 15 years before his death he made a deed of land in Surry to Ann Bell a married granddaughter. He made his will as "Richard Bennett, Sr.," on the 4th of December, 1709 and same was probated February, 1710..."

      4. FHL Film 1697868 and book "The Mangums of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Utah, and Adjoining States," by John T. Palmer, Ph.D. Santa Rosa, CA 95409, 1993, 3rd ed., P. 4, has the following information; however, the data seems to be erroneous in regards to additional marriages of Alice to other men besides Pierce and Bennett: "Alice Pierse was the widow of Thomas Pierse, her maiden name is unknown. The Pierse family came to America in 1618 aboard the "William & Thomas," a magazine ship supplied with goods for sale to the colonists. Thomas Pierse was probably aboard the ship. He was slain at the Indian massacre of 26 Mar 1721/22 at Martin's Hundred. Alice had one child by Thomas Pierse, a daughter Elizabeth. She may have had children by her second husband, Anthony Barham, and she did have at least two children by her third husband, Richard Jackson. Her daughter Mary married Captain George Hardy, and daughter, Sarah, married Colonel Arthur Smith, II. Thomas and Alice Bennett had one child, Richard Bennett, Sr. from her fourth marriage."

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Concerning Elizabeth's engagement to potentially her first husband from the 14 Oct 2006 website http://bjhughes.org/benntdoc.html: "General Court held November 1, 1624, Jamestown, George Fadom reported that "about the 4th of July last past," he had written a will for John Philimore(Filmer), who "signed and sealed it." But when Phillimore died the will could not be found. Fadom testified that "said Phillimore did give all of his estate to Elizabeth (Pierse) to whom he was assured and meant to have marriage." One Sully, to whom Fadom had read the will, also said that Phillimore had bequeathed to said Elizabeth all of his "goods, lands and Chattells." Others also gave testimony. Whereupon the court ordered that the guardianship and administration of the lands and goods of John Phillimore be granted to "any friende whome the said Elizabeth Peerce shal choose to her use." Elizabeth "made choyce of Thomas Bennett, her father in law(stepfather). (Minutes of the Court, 27) (Submitted by Barham researcher: Bill Barham )"

      2. Anthony Barham & wife, Elizabeth, were living at Mulberry Island in the census of 1624/5 This is on the north side of the James River just east of Jamestown, where Thomas Pierce had his plantation.

      SOURCES_MISC:
      1. LDS Archive Record family group sheet with temple dates stamped. Submitted by Shirley B. Matern, 4198 S. 755 E., Salt Lake City, Utah 84107. References: "Southside Virginia Families Va 112 Vol 1 pg. 51-54; 17th Century Isle of Wight Va I 1c pg. 289-294; DAR National Number of Mrs. Perry Belle Bennett Hough, 410 Chesterfield Ave., Lancaster, So. Carolina. #325731; Records Checked (Nil) The Secretary, Public Record Office, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2. Necessary explanations: Two spellings for name Peerce-Pierce James & Warwick County Records destroyed during the Civil War - see "17th Century Isle of Wight," pp. 290-291."