Col. John George (c1603-1679) and Jane Cole & Ann (---) of England; Charles City County and Isle of Wight County, Virginia

Col. John George (c1603-1679) and Jane (---) & Ann (---) of England; Charles City County and Isle of Wight County, Virginia

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Contents: Children | Researcher List | Register Report

Revision History:

· 12 May 2008 – Modified by Marty Grant. New format.

The author (Marty Grant) is a 10th Great Grandson of John George and Jane.

Note: The George family is fully documented in the author's book "George Family History" now available. Click link for details. On the current web pages I am only presenting the most interesting documentation. There is a great deal more available that is not included here. Most of the available source documentation is in the book mentioned above. There are also many acknowledgments to be made. The book contains them all. Some are listed here.

John George was born ca 1602/03 [per age of "50" given in a deposition dated 5 Apr 1653.] He was most likely born in England though his exact birth place is unknown.

I don't know who John George's parents are. No one does, though you’ll see numerous online “genealogies” listing him as a son of Henry George, or William George and Ann Green, or Richard George and Anne Gibson, or Isaac George and Ann Green. None of these are proven, in fact I’ve seen no documentation for any of them actually being John’s parents. Where does this information come from? It comes from bad research for the most part. See my George Commentary Page for a little more on the subject of John's parentage.

John George's wife was named Jane. Many believe her to be the daughter of Humphreys Cole who made his Will in Essex County, England in 1623 naming a son-in-law “John George” of Writtle (a small town in Essex County). Unfortunately this is incorrect. John George of Writtle died there in 1638 so it isn’t the same John George (with wife Jane) who came to Virginia. The name of the wife of John George of Writtle has yet to be discovered, though her maiden name was definitely Cole. That leaves our Jane’s maiden name a mystery.

John George migrated to Virginia before 7 Nov 1634 for on that date he received a patent for transportation of 17 persons including his wife "Jane George."

The patent was for 900 acres in Charles City County, VA, that is 50 acres for the personal transport of his wife Jane George, and 50 acres each for 17 other persons. This land was on Bayles Creek. * Bailey Creek (a.k.a "Bayles Creek") is currently part of the border between Prince George Co, VA and Hopewell (Independent City) and flows North East into the James River. Since Bailey Creek was the northern border of John George's property, this indicates his land is in modern Prince George County (formed in 1702 from Charles City County). [Virginia Land Patents Book 1 p. 297 from Marion Nell Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers ... 1623-1666, Vol. I.]

There are only a few other records for John George in Charles City County before he moved to Isle of Wight County ca 1642.

In 1647 and again in 1652, John George was listed as a member of the Virginia House of Burgess representing Isle of Wight County. [John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia. pp. 703-704.]

John George lived on or near Cypress Swamp (and Creek) and Castle Creek near the present town of Smithfield, Virginia. Nicholas George, his probable kinsman, lived just a little west of there.

During Bacon's Rebellion (1677) John George supported Governor Berkeley and didn't side with the rebels. [John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia. p. 161.]

Jane (---) George died at some point after her after the 1634 importation. Unfortunately that is the only record found with her name on it. She may have lived many years afterwards though. Sometime after her death, John George married Ann, presumably in Isle of Wight County (though he had dealings in neighboring Surry as well, so he could have met and married her in either place or even somewhere else.) Ann's maiden name is unknown. I've found no clues about that.

She outlived John by a few years at least.

John George's rise through the military ranks is noted in the records of Isle of Wight County. He was a Major in 1654; Lieutenant-Colonel by 1666, and a full Colonel by 1677.

On 2 Aug 1678 John George made his Will. It was recorded 9 Jan 1678/79 so he apparently died in between August 1678 and January 1679. [Isle of Wight Co, VA Wills & Deeds Book 2-170.] Here is a transcript:

In the name of God, Amen, I JOHN GEORGE of the Isle of Wight County in Virginia being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following vis.I bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty God my maker, hoping through his mercy and the Merits of Jesus Christ to obtain forgiveness for all my sins and my body to the earth to be decently buried without guns or much drink and for my worldly estate I dispose of as followeth:

Item I give and bequeath to my son ISAAC GEORGE all that part or parcel of land I now hold and enjoy from the mouth of Castle Creek, running up the creek to the spring commonly called the Quarter Spring being near this dwelling house and from thence running westerly to the extent of my land including all my land on the North side of the said Castle Creek and Run to my said son ISAAC GEORGE and his heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever, with all housing, orchards and appurtenances thereunto appertaining or belonging provided that my loving wife have full liberty and privilege to make use of my land at or upon the quarter now intended to be planted by me either with corn or tobacco for two crops after the finishing of this crop.

Item I give and bequeath to my son ISAAC GEORGE my horse Jading, with my plush saddle and bridle, with all my wearing apparel both linen, wool or Etc., with my Rapier and new spanish leather belt and a long gun and also one new feather bed.

Item I give to my grandchild JOHN GEORGE, one negro woman called DIDO to be delivered to my son ISAAC for the child's account two years after the finishing of the present crop, and also one young mare with the whole increase both male and female of the Negro and mare to the property account and benefit of my said grandchild and his heirs forever and my will is that said grandchild after he is six years old be brought up to reading and writing with my wife at her charge and to her best convenience so far as writing and accounts may here be taught.

Item I give to my two daughters, REBECCA and SARAH to each of them forty shillings a piece to be paid them in money or goods within six months after my decease.

Item I give to my grandchildren JOHN and JOYCE LEWIS to each of them a heifer of two years old and to the and the children of PHILIP PARDOE one heifer of two years old to run in a joint stock betwixt them and the survivors of them to be paid to my said grandchildren's account in 1680.

Item I give to my daughter SARAH PEDDINGTON's two children she had by my son MORGAN LEWIS a cow and a cow calf to run in a joint stock betwixt them or the survivors of them and to be paid them in Anno 1681.

Item I give my kinswoman MARY BAUGH twenty shillings to buy her a ring.

Item I give and bequeath to my loving wife ANN GEORGE all the remainder of my whole estate viz my land I now live upon lying upon the south side of the Castle Creek and Quarter Spring with all houses fences orchards and appurtenances thereunto belongings, or in any wise appertaining, with all the rest of my lands goods and money or tobacco or whatsoever else it be herein not bequeathed,being properly mine in Virginia or England to my said loving wife ANN GEORGE and her heirs forever and I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife to by my whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills by me made.

Desiring all my just debts may be fully paid and I do hereby request my friends Major JAMES POWELL and THOMAS TABERER to see this my Last Will and Testament fully performed and I do hereby give my said friends as a legacy twenty shillings a piece as a token of my love, confirming this my Last Will and Testament with my hand and seal this 2nd day of August Anno Domini 1678.

John George (Seal)

Signed Sealed and Delivered

in presence of

ROBERT PARDOE

THOMAS TABERER

EDWARD BECKINOR

GEORGE BRANCH

Proved by the oaths of Mr. ROBERT PARDOE, Mr. EDWARD BECKINOR and Captain GEORGE BRANCH in open court held for the Isle of Wight County the 9th day of January 1678 and ordered to be recorded.

John Bromfield, Ctr, Cur.

By June 1681, widow Ann (---) George had married Col. John Lear of Nansemond County, Virginia. He had been married before (perhaps several times.)

Ann apparently died before Col. Lear for she was not named in his Will dated 5 Nov 1695.

Others, going all the way back to Mr. Boddie at least, thought that Ann survived Col. Lear and married Robert Randall, but this is incorrect. Robert Randall's wife Ann was not the same one who had been married to Col. John George and Col. John Lear.

Children of Col. John George and Jane: The Will of John George proves the names of three children: Isaac, Sarah and Rebecca. Of course there could have been other children left out of the Will for some reason or another (dead by then with no heirs; dead with heirs, but otherwise taken care of; disowned for some reason.) All the children are probably from John's first marriage to Jane since they all seem to be close in age to one another, though there is room for debate on that subject.

1. Isaac George

2. Sarah George

3. Rebecca George

Isaac George (1636-c1689) Isaac George was born 20 Feb 1635/36 in Charles City Co, VA. He came to Isle of Wight with his parents ca 1642 and lived there most of his life. He married Hester, probably a daughter of Major George Fawdon. They died sometime after 8 Feb 1685 in Isle of Wight County, though it is possible they moved to Middlesex County around that time and died there shortly after. See their own page for more information.

Sarah George (c1638-c1700) Sarah George was born ca 1638 (an educated guess) probably in Charles City County, Virginia.

She married Morgan Lewis who made his Will on 26 Jan 1676/77 and was dead by 9 Jun 1677. Sarah then married Thomas Peddington (descendants later changed to Pennington) before 2 Aug 1678.

By the 1690's Thomas and Sarah moved to neighboring Surry County, Virginia where she died sometime between 7 Jul 1696 and 1702 for by then Thomas was married to Abigail (---).

Rebecca George (c1640-aft 1695) Rebecca George was born ca 1640 (an educated guess), either in Charles City County or possibly in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

She married Thomas Lewis who died before 9 Aug 1670 in Isle of Wight County. Rebecca then married Phillip Pardoe sometime shortly afterwards.

Phillip Pardoe was dead by 6 Apr 1678.

Rebecca George Lewis Pardoe was still alive as of November 1695, assuming she was the "poor widow Perdue of Isle of Wight" mentioned in the Will of Col. John Lear (who had married her step-mother Ann.)

Researcher List

See the John George Family Researcher List

Register Report

First Generation

1. Colonel John George was born in 1602/1603 in England. He died in Jan 1678/1679 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

John married Jane before 7 Nov 1635 in England. Jane was born about 1604 in England. She died before 1679 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

They had the following children.

+ 2 M i. Isaac George was born on 20 Feb 1635/1636. He died in 1685/1696.

+ 3 F ii. Sarah George was born about 1638. She died in 1696/1702.

+ 4 F iii. Rebecca George was born about 1640. She died after 1695.

John also married Ann before 1679 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. Ann died in 1681/1691 in Nansemond Co, VA.

Second Generation

2. Isaac George (John) was born on 20 Feb 1635/1636 in Charles City Co, VA. He died in 1685/1696 in Isle of Wight Co, VA or Middlesex Co, VA.

Isaac married Hester Fawdon, daughter of Major George Fawdon and ?, about 1654 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. Hester was born about 1635 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. She died in 1685/1696 in Isle of Wight Co, VA or Middlesex Co, VA.

They had the following children.

5 M i. Robert George was born on 20 Feb 1665/1666 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died on 21 Jan 1733/1734 in Middlesex Co, VA. He was buried on 23 Jan 1733/1734 in Middlesex Co, VA.

Robert married Sarah on 6 Jul 1687 in Middlesex Co, VA. Sarah died on 14 Apr 1734 in Middlesex Co, VA.

6 M ii. John George was born in 1674/1678 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in 1711 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

John married ? before 1693 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. ? died before 1696 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

John also married Frances Servant, daughter of Bertrond Servant, on 16 Jun 1696 in Elizabeth City Co, VA.

7 M iii. Thomas George was born after 1681 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died after 1702 in Surry Co, VA.

3. Sarah George (John) was born about 1638 in Charles City Co, VA or Isle of Wight Co, VA. She died in 1696/1702 in Surry Co, VA.

Sarah married Morgan Lewis before 1677 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. Morgan died before 9 Jun 1677 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

They had the following children.

8 F i. Sarah Lewis was born before 1677 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

9 F ii. Jane Lewis was born before 1677 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

Jane married Thomas Sidway before 1695 in Surry Co, VA. Thomas died in 1695 in Surry Co, VA.

Jane also married John Griffin in 1695 in Surry Co, VA.

10 F iii. Ann Lewis was born before 1677 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

Ann married Robert Andrews before 1696 in Surry Co, VA.

Sarah also married Thomas Peddington in 1677/1678 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. Thomas died in 1702 in Surry Co, VA.

They had the following children.

11 M iv. Thomas Pennington was born about 1683 in Surry Co, VA. He died in 1727 in Surry Co, VA.

Thomas married Mary in Surry Co, VA.

12 M v. Edward Pennington was born about 1685 in Surry Co, VA. He died in 1727 in Surry Co, VA.

Edward married Tabitha in Surry Co, VA.

13 M vi. John Pennington was born about 1687 in Surry Co, VA.

4. Rebecca George (John) was born about 1640 in Charles City Co, VA or Isle of Wight Co, VA. She died after 1695 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

Rebecca married Thomas Lewis before 1670 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. Thomas died about Aug 1670 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

They had the following children.

14 M i. John Lewis was born before 1670 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in Dec 1692 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

15 F ii. Joyce Lewis was born before 1670 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

Joyce married Phillip Brantley, son of Edward Brantley, before 1692 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. Phillip was born in 1655 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in 1725 in , VA.

Rebecca also married Phillip Pardoe in 1670/1678 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. Phillip died in 1678 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

They had the following children.

16 M iii. Phillip Pardoe was born in 1670/1678 in Isle of Wight Co, VA. He died in 1721 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

17 F iv. Elizabeth Pardoe was born in 1670/1678 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

18 F v. Sarah Pardoe was born in 1670/1678 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.

Sarah married Dadway before 1 Dec 1692 in Isle of Wight Co, VA.