John Billingsley (1651)

Born 1651 in Nansemond County, Colony of Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Liz Shifflett [send private message]

Note: This John Billingsley is believed to have left no descendants past his three sons.

Biography

John Billingsley

Father: John Billingsley, son of Henry Billingsley and Agatha Houtmans, was born in 1625. His parents had married 22 December 1624.^[1] When he left Rotterdam for the Virgin Islands at age 23, he made a will, dated 31 August 1648, naming his widowed mother Agatha as one of his heirs.^[2] He is known to have corresponded with her from America in 1658 or 1659.^[3] Her 1666 will names her son John (dec'd) and his children.^[4]

Mother: Elizabeth was probably born c1635 & married c1650. She married (1) Major John Billingsley, (2) William Burg. March 1661/2 court records (held James City) name Elizabeth the relict of Maj. John Billingsley.^[5][6]

Birth: He is likely the oldest of Major Billingsley's three sons. Assuming that the c1650 marriage date is a good estimate, that puts his birth as c1650 or later. Also, since Elizabeth was born in Virginia, her children were most likely also born there. (Datafield information previously had his birth in Holland in 1647, which is said to be the birth information of a different John Billingsley, son of Francis.)

Land:

• John Billingsley made a claim for 700 acres of land in St. Mary's County which was patented in 1663 in the names of George, Henry and John Billingsley and called The Legacy.^[7]
  • Citing the same source: The patent for a 700-acre tract called Our Legacy was granted to George, Henry & John Billingslely, due on the certificate of their father, John Billingsley.^[8]
• On 18 November 1671, Governor Berkeley granted 500 acres in Cashkatuck Parish, Upper Norfolk County, to George and Henry Billingsley that was formerly patented by John Billingsley.^[9][10]

Depositions - November 1678:

• John Corbreath, "aged 48 or there abouts being sworn before me this 27th day of November 1678 saith that in the year 1658 or 1659 the said deponent carried letters from John Billingsley living then in Cuckahuck in Nansamum County in Virginia unto his mother, Agatha Billingsley, living then in ye city of Rotterdam in Holland"^[11]
• John Trosler, "aged 60 or thereabouts being sworn before me this 17 day of NOV 1678 saith that John Billingsley of Cuckahuck in Nansamum County in Virginia was ye son of Agatha Billingsley of ye city of Rotterdam in Holland, and that George Billingsley is ye son of ye said John Billingsley came into Virginia upon account of Mr. James Deham in Rotterdam Merchant and Treasurer of ye Company of Merchant Adventurers of ye said city of Rotterdam"^[9]

Descendants: Three known sons - George, Henry & John - were living in 1663, when they were granted a patent for 700 acres in Maryland. In 1671, only George and Henry are named in the grant for "500 acres in Cashkatuck Parish, Upper Norfolk County... that was formerly patented by John Billingsley."^[9] Whether that was because John had stayed in Maryland or had died is not currently known. ~ Noland-165, 17 March 2022

The "Orphans of Major Jo. Billingsley" are mentioned as such in the Proceedings of the Maryland Assembly, 23 May 1674 concerning the 700 acres "more or lesse according to Pattent" that belonged to them and which "the sd Billingsley having formerly Purchased it of the sd Indians" (the Mattapany & Patuxon).^[12] The passage does not give their names or their number (more than one, but that could be two or three).

The assumption that none of Major John Billingsley's sons had children is based on George's 1681 will, which names his step-sisters (children of his mother by William Burg). He does not name any children of his own or of his brothers, whom he also does not name.^[13]

Research Notes

Find a Grave: The unsourced Find a Grave memorial for John Billingsley (1647-1693), which at one point was the source for John, grandson of Henry & Agatha, says that the John born c1647 and died at sea in 1693 is the son of Francis and Ann Billingsley.^[14]

Davis Book: Note that much of the information in The Billingsley Family (Billingsly - Billingslea) in America by Harry Alexander Davis about the generation of immigrants to America and their ancestors has been found to be incorrect.^[15]

Died Childless: The children of John, son of Henry and Agatha, are said to have all died without issue. Therefore, John's son John (this profile, [Billingsley-58]) has been detached as husband to Sarah Ann Billingsley and father of her children Mary Billingsley and William Billingsley. The husband of Sarah Ann, daughter of William Billingsley, is said to have been a Billingsley cousin. Also removed from this profile: born in Holland in 1647 and died in Calvert, Maryland in 1693. Although that last is a possibility. ~ Noland-165, 14 March 2022

Died in 1693: If this John was not named in George's 1681 will because he was in possession of "Our Legacy", then the previous death place datafield entry of Calvert County might be correct (but 1693 is perhaps borrowed from Francis's son John - unless he borrowed it from this John). It also leaves open the possibility that George's brother John was living and could have left descendants who were simply not named in George's will.

The following passage from the profile of this John's father (Billingsley-549, copied 17 March 2022) places his father in Calvert County before his death:

It is not clear whether Major John Billingsley died in Maryland or Virginia, but he was deceased by 1659 and left property in Maryland. An inventory of his estate was presented to the Testamentary Court by John Cobreath, administrator, in that year. The document in the record book is very difficult to read and does not list very many items, but you can easily read the name of the deceased as Major Billingslea. There appears to be a quantity of fabrics as the word "yards" appears several times and there are also cows listed.^[16] Another document proves that Jno Billingsley was living in the area of Calvert Cliffs by 1657 and deceased by 1659 when his estate was sued for a debt of 5,000 pounds of tobacco.^[17] John Cobreath, the attorney of Elisabeth the widow of John Billingsley had been granted administration on his estate William Burgh who married said Elisabeth is granted administration in his place. ^[18]

5,000 pounds of tobacco: In trying to find records about the 5,000 pounds of tobacco that his father's estate had been sued for, I found this instead (from 1661):

"Receiued of Thomas and James Billingsley fiue thousand pounds of tobacco and Caske Anno 1660 for one hundred and fifty acres of land which I sould thm lying next to Francis Chalkes I say receiued by me Signed Will: Parker."^[19]

The next record was a petition from John Cobreath, admiistrator of Major Billingsley's estate:^[19]

"To the honoble the Gouernor and Councell of the Prouince of Maryland

"The humble peticon of John Cobreth Administrator in trust of John Billingsley Sheweth that Billingsleys heire has noe right or tytle to the said land

"Yor petr humbly craues yor honors to Comand the said William Parker that justly he warrt the said land and to giue reasonable assurance thereof And he shall pray &c.

"The plt desireth p[ro]ut in peticon and it appeareing to this Cort by a coppy of the record beareing date 24th June 1652 that the said Parker did condiconally convey a certaine Tract of land vpon the Cliffes condiconally that the said Burbage and Billingsley should Seate the land pay the Surveyor and retourne unto the deft Parker soe many rights as amounted to soe much land as was by the said Parker to the sd Burbage and Billingsley conveyed, And whereas by another coppy of the Record dated december 10th 1652 it Likewise appeareth to this Cort that the said Billingsley did Rights for the said six hundred acres of land unto the said Parker reassigne, and that the said land is by the said Billingsley seated as is averred.

"Ordered that if the said Parker doe not appeare by the last day of this Cort to answere this Cause Attachmt to be Granted for two thousand pounds of tobacco till he doe appeare to answere the sd Cause.

"neither plt nor deft appeareing the Cause is dismist...."

Immigrant Brothers (father & uncles to this John): Several immigrant Billingsleys are said to be brothers of this John's father, but perhaps some were cousins. "It is certain that Agatha Billingsley was the mother of the various brothers who emigrated from Rotterdam to Virginia and then onto Maryland", says Billingsley researcher Luke Potter, but does not specifically name which of the various Billingsley immigrants he means.^[20] Various sources group the immigrant Billingsleys who were born c1620-c1650 differently.

The generation of immigrant Billingsleys born in or near the 1620s appears to include Francis, James, John, Thomas, and William. The next generation appears to include a Francis, Thomas, and William; probably another John (in addition to this John, son of John) and this John's brothers Henry and George. James apparently died without issue. An Edmund Billingsley is found in one abstract, but that may be in error.

Maryland will abstracts connect Thomas, James, and Francis as brothers.^[13]

• James Billingsley of Calvert County left a will dated 9 November 1663 that named his brother Thomas Billingsley and mentions 3 unnamed cousins in "Rapahanock", Virginia - perhaps brother John's sons ("cousins" often used to refer to nephews at the time).^[21] ~ Maryland calendar of wills (page 27; 35 of 292) 1. 200.^[13]
• Thomas Billingsley of Calvert County left a will dated 26 March 1672 that named his brother Francis Billingsley. Thomas's will also names son Thomas, who is not yet 18. ~ Maryland calendar of wills (page 79; 87 of 292) 1. 597.^[13]

The will of Susanna Billingsley, widow of James, is dated 7 December 1663 and has her in Anne Arundel County. The 1904 edition of The Maryland calendar of wills names her brother-in-law Thomas Billingsley (page 27; 35 of 292) 1. 199.^[13] The 1901 edition names him Edmund Billingsley.^[13]

One transcription of James' will says "To my three cousins which I have living in Rapahanock whose names I can't have in writing, when they shall demand them to each one a cow calf."^[22] Perhaps their names could not be written down because of the debt (5,000 pounds of tobacco)? If so, it would argue against this John having settled in Calvert County. Davis's book refers to an estrangement between brothers John and Francis, but he is referring to Francis's sons. If he has the wrong generation, and the estrangement was between this John's father and brother Francis, that supports John, Francis, Thomas, and James being brothers (Francis, Thomas, and James of Calvert County shown to be brothers by will abstracts).

Brother George's Will

Billingsley, George, Upper Norfolk, Va., 21 December 1681; 13 February 1681

(page 149; 157 of 292); 4. 118.^[13]

• To sister Eliza:, wife of Thomas Jordan, and her hrs., plantation in Va.
• " sisters Mourning and Margrett, sd. plantation in event of death of sister Eliza: without issue.
• " sister Mourning and hrs., 300 A. in Calvert Co.
• " " Margrett at age, and hrs., 500 A., part of "Billingsley's Point."
• Barnaby Kearne and hrs., 200 A., residue of "Billingsley's Point;" also certain money left testator by grandmother Agatha Billingsley of Rotterdam.
• " Sarah Bainbrig and hrs., Patrick Coven and hrs., and Capt. John Cobreath, personalty.
• Overseers: Barnaby Kerne, Thos. Bainbrig.
• Test: Jno. Brassieur, Jno. Carter, Jas. Sumner, Henry Mills.

Note that Our Legacy is not named, although the 500 + 200 acres he refers to as "Billingsley's Point" could be the same 700-acre tract called Our Legacy in the 1663 patent.^[7] And if all 700 acres were George's to dispose of, that strongly supports the conclusion that his brothers had died without issue.

Locations

An abstract of the 1681/2 will of George Billingsly (son of John) includes that he identified himself as being of "Upper Norfolk Co., Va."^[13][23]

Upper Norfolk County was formed in 1637 from New Norfolk County. In 1646, it was renamed Nansemond County. The county seat was Suffolk.^[24]

• New Norfolk formed from Elizabeth City --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1636^[24]
• Upper Norfolk formed from New Norfolk --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1637^[24]
• Northumberland formed from Indian District of Chickacoan --- 1645^[24]
• Nansemond (name changed from Upper Norfolk) --- --- --- --- --- 1645^[24]

Chuckatuck Parish was founded after 1643 and served Nansemond County to 1737.^[25]

The 1663 will of James Billingsley refers to cousins in Rapahanack, presumably Rappahannock County - today referred to as Old Rappahannock County, which existed from 1656 to 1692.^[26] It was created from Lancaster County, which had been created in 1651 from Northumberland County. Rappahannock County became extinct in 1692 when it was split into Essex County and Richmond County.^[24] It may be that James was referring generally to the region of the Rappahannock River rather than to the county. The 1663 will of Susannah (James's widow)^[27] includes

• To my brother-in-law Thomas Billingsly the head of cattle which I have below at the Clifts considering that he pay three calves to his cousins at Accomack which was left them by my husband James Billingsly.

Accomack County was one of the original shires, in 1634 ("Accawmack"); it ceased to exist in 1643, when it was renamed as Northampton County.^[24]

Billingsley's Point

The Maryland Historical Trust describes the Billingsley site at Billingsley's Point in Prince George's County as having "a storied history that includes Major John Billingsley (who acquired the land in 1662, but never personally occupied it), Colonel James Hollyday (who built a home there in 1695), and the prominent Weems family (who built a home in 1740 that still stands)".^[28]

The site is of historical interest due to the Native Americans who were known to have been living there in the 1600s, when Major Billingsley owned the property. From the Maryland Historical Trust's FY20 Annual Report:

"A late 17th century settlement of Mattapany and Patuxent Indians on the property has guided the research interest of both the 2019 and the upcoming 2021 Field Sessions. The proceedings of the Maryland Assembly of May 23, 1674, make it clear that Major Billingsley purchased the land from the "Mattapany and Patuxon [sic] Indians," at least some of whom ". . . doe [sic] Continue upon the Land." MHT staff conducted a magnetic susceptibility survey of the floodplain in 2018, a non-invasive remote sensing technique that can detect the location of ancient fires and other human activity. Staff identified an area approximately one acre in size of highly magnetizable soil between the Patuxent River and the Western Branch and followed up with a magnetometer/gradiometer survey, which revealed a large number of magnetic anomalies that became the focus of the 2019 Field Session investigation. While every anomaly represented the location of a Native American pit or fire feature, no 17th century artifacts were recovered. The planned 2021 return to Billingsley will focus on areas adjacent to the 2019 target site to continue the quest to locate and study the Mattapany and Patuxent Indian settlement."^[28]

The planned dig in 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.^[28]

Sources

1. ↑ Henry & Agatha married 22 December 1624 (record online (accessed 1 June 2020).
   • Church records marriages. Collectie Doop-, Trouw- en Begraafboeken van Delft, Delft, archive 14, inventory number 00006, Ondertrouwboeken, met vermelding van trouwdatum, 1621 april - 1626 december 27 (1627 januari 3), folio 56v (permalink, page 115).
2. ↑ Rotterdam records (accessed 16 March 2022).
3. ↑ Per 1678 deposition.
4. ↑ See sources on Agatha's profile and depositions on this profile, as well as additional details on his brother George's profile. Different sources give different details of Agatha's 1666 will (some leaving out John from the grandchildren she names). We know that her will was dated 21 November1666 because of the 12 November 1669 record of additions she made to it. (Rotterdam records, accessed 17 March 2022).
5. ↑ Hening (accessed 15 March 2022).
6. ↑ Previously thought to be John Corbreath's sister, text on the profile for John Billingsley, her husband, identifies John Corbreath as her lawyer (although that does not preclude him from being her brother).
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Maryland Land Patents Liber 6 folio 237
8. ↑ From his father's profile, citing
   • Maryland Land Patents Liber 6 folio 237
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Testamentary Proceedings Liber 11 folio 284
10. ↑ An online tree's entry for John Billingsley has death before 18 November 1671, apparently based on this grant.
11. ↑ Testamentary Proceedings Liber 11 folio 283
12. ↑ Extracted from a fuller transcription of the entry on his father's profile, citing
    • Archives of Maryland Vol. 2 pg. 354
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7} Jane Baldwin, The Maryland calendar of wills, 1904 edition (pdf, accessed 17 March 2022). From the introduction: "The county of testator follows the name in the same line if it is given in the will itself". The wording in some abstracts is different in the 1901 edition (archive.org).
14. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #71190498 for John Billingsley (1647-1693), son of Francis and Ann Billingsley (not this John). Text of memorial:
    • John Billingsley was the son of Francis and Ann Billingsley. He was born in Rotterdam, Holland in 1647 and he died at sea during a storm. The book '17th Century Colonial Ancestors", Volume 1, page 25 shows John Billingsley (1647-1693) as a maritime trader and land owner.

    No other source information; no images (as of 15 March 2022). This John ([Billingsley-58]) was not named in the will made by in 1648 by this John's father when he left Rotterdam (see comment posted to Billingsley-549 on 16 March 2022).

15. ↑ The Billingsley Family (Billingsly - Billingslea) in America, Harry Alexander Davis, Washington, D.C., 1936. Online courtesy of archive.org's Wayback Machine.
16. ↑ Testamentary Proceedings Liber 1D folio 20
17. ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 41 pg. 353
18. ↑ Testamentary Proceedings Liber 1C folio 18 & 1F folio 1
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} Proceedings of the Provincial Court of Maryland, 1658-1662, volume 41, pages 517- (1661), accessed 18 March 2022.
20. ↑ Luke Potter, GenForum post 1001 of 18 July 2004: "Re: Our John NOT s/o Francis and Bridgett Vernon - sorry!" (accessed 15 March 2022).
21. ↑ From this page:
    • According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) one meaning of cousin is: A collateral relative more distant than a brother or sister; a kinsman or kinswoman, a relative; formerly very frequently applied to a nephew or niece. Obsolete.
22. ↑ From abstract of James's 1663 will on his profile, accessed 17 March 2022, citing
    • Prerogative Court Wills Liber 1 folio 200
23. ↑ Abstract in Abstract in The Maryland calendar of wills, 1904 edition (page 149; 157 of 292), accessed 17 March 2022.
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6} Virginia Formation Maps (accessed 17 March 2022).
25. ↑ Freddie Spradlin, "Parishes of Virginia" (accessed 17 March 2022).
26. ↑ See Category: Rappahannock County, Virginia Colony.
27. ↑ See abstract on Susannah's profile (accessed 17 March 2022).
28. ↑ ^{28.0 28.1 28.2} Maryland Department of Planning, FY20 Maryland Historical Trust Annual Report, page 67 (69 of 76 pages in the pdf, accessed 25 March 2022). The Billingsley site is operated by Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation.

WikiTree profile Billingsley-99 created through the import of Hughes Family Tree.ged on Aug 26, 2011 by Kenneth Hughes. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Kenneth and others.