There is disagreement as to the surname of the wife of Richard Williamson.
Some sources say she was Margaret Brown. This is based solely on one land transaction -- land conveyed to her by George Brown and Elizabeth his wife. The assumption is that she must have been their daughter or they would not have conveyed land to her. This assumption is not really supported. She could be a relative or friend, although not daughter. This transaction does not confirm Richard's wife was Margaret Brown.
- John Druett and '''wife Margaret, formerly widow of Richard Williamson dec. and admr. of his estate''' sell to Thomas Elmes land conveyed to said Margaret by George Brown and Elizabeth his wife 21 Sept. 1655 situated north east side Indian Field in Upper Parish [Isle of Wight, VA] containing 60 poles square to marked trees of the mile end of land some time belonging to Richard Bennett, Esq. By order of Council 24 Mrch 1654 to said Elmes. Rec. 2 Aug. 1659. Teste, Wm. Dawson, Wm. Lewer. (''Seventheenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia'' by John Bennett Boddie.)
Margaret Sherwood as wife is assumed based solely on circumstantial information. Since Richard named his home Cobham Hall, a relationship to the Williamsons of Cobham Hall, Kent, England, including Sir Joseph Williamson (born 1630-1633), is assumed. It is surmised that Richard was Sir Joseph's uncle. However, Sir Joseph's father, Rev. Joseph Williamson, Vicar of Bridekirk from 1625 to 1634, is known to have had only one other son, George Williamson. And to complicate the question, this profile maintains Richard is the son of Robert Williamson (unconfirmed), not the Rev. Joseph Williamson. If his father is Robert Williamson, Richard could not be the uncle of Sir Joseph Williamson of Cobham Hall. It is entirely possible there was a familial connection, but that connection is unknown and unsupported. Another kinsman, John Williamson (b 1687), settled in Surry County Virginia, and built another "Cobham Hall."
The next chain in the relationship is the supposition that Margaret Sherwood was the sister of Judge William Sherwood who served, as a young man, in the London office of Sir Joseph Williamson. There is no evidence that Judge William Sherwood had a sister Margaret. The author of this text states: "(Unfortunately, the author has no proof of the information in this paragraph.)
'''Margaret Unknown'''
I do not feel either of the above assumptions is proven. There is no confirmed documentation for the last name at birth of Richard's wife Margaret. It is my suggestion that the two profiles -- Margaret (Brown) Druett and Margaret (Sherwood) Williamson -- should be merged and Margaret's LNAB be changed to Unknown; unless someone comes up with confirmed documentation to support one specific LNAB.
Sources cited for this information are found on Richard Williamson's profile.
