page 306-327
Colonel Thomas Ligon, of Madresfield, Worcestershire, England, born 1586, the founder of the Ligon Family in the New World, accepted his portion of his father’s estate in England, and came to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1641, with his near kinsman, Sir William Berkeley, Royal Governor of Virginai. He had full knowledge of the history of the illustrious family from which he descended, and evidently realized that his success or failure in life in the new surroundings depended entirely upon his own efforts and ability to win in the face of adverse conditions. The colony consisted of English settlers distributed over a few straggling plantations along the James, Extending to The Falls, in the neighborhood of the present city of Richmond. At this time, the territory to the north, south and east had so far, enticed few adventurers, and the total number of English in the colony did not exceed 15,000 white settlers. From a standpoint of hardship and deprivation in an effort toward colonization, the history of this period has been handed down as not being equalled at any time, in any other part of the world Colonel Thomas Ligon was a man of substance and ambition, with aspirations to a public career in the New World, which could not have been achieved in England. He soon established himself in Henrico county, and not long afterwards, we find his first patent appears in the Virginia records, followed by others at various times up to 1672.
In the various records of the counties of Virginia, in reference to Colonel Thomas Ligon and his descendants, the name Ligon is spelled Lygon, Lyggon, Liggon, Liggan, Liggin, Ligon, and Legan.
The Lyggons in the early days of Henrico with other pioneers, mvoed up the James RIver to new lands and are found holding offices in Goochland, Cumberland and Powhatan.
Governor Berkely appointed Thomas Lygon surveyor of Henrico county, a lucrative office in that day and time. As shown by the following Colonial Records of Henrico Co, Book 2, p 50. Thomas Ligon surveyed Mawburne Hills (Malvern Hills) in 1667 with Richard Cocke, Gilbert Jones and Henry Watkins: Mr. Rich: Cocke:
You are to swear whether Mr. Rich: Cocke Snr surveyed the land of Mawburne Hills with Coll: Lygon yer selfe being there present with Henry Watkins and Gilbert Jones, beginning at Prices Corner tree, and from thence to the path at the goeing over Popler brook and soe running along the path at the bindeing upon the Creek up to the Mill and from the sd Mill bindeing upon the Creek untill they come to York path and soe running along the run till they came to
a Marked line that carryed them to a gumm w:ch they termed a Corner tree and from thence along a marked line of trees till they came to Popler brook.
In Answer to the wthin proposall Richard Cocke deposeth the very same Words w:ch is Exprest in his deposition taken the 20th of Xber 1675, and alsoe after the Surveyor and psons went from the gum termed a Corner tree, he see one or two Marked trees upon the Westerne branch or thereabouts, and alsoe he doth remember that Watkins and Jones was psent when the sd land was surveyed, And further saith not.
Jr. in Cur. 20 die Junii 1678. Richd Cocke, Senr
Test W. R. Cl.H.Co. Recordatr P. Wm Randolph Cl. H. Co.
That Mr. Cocke was wth Me and he did not forwarne but for his line I knew Not and therefore know not.
Sworne to June ye 20th 1678 in Court. Wm Harris,
Test W. R Cl. H. C. Recordatr P. Wm Randolph C. H. Co.
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 2, p. 48; Wee the subscribre impanelled and sworne according to order of Henrico Coty Court dated the first day of Aprill 1678, to come upon the land of Mr. George Worsham to fine out a divideing line between the said Worsham and John WIllson, upon w:ch Wee finde by three evidences as well as by the course the surveyor run according to pattent, that the line wch was formerly runn by Coll. Lygon, and extends from the Corner tree of the sd Worshams tract upon the River to a hickory Marked foure wayes, and is aboute forty or fifty paces on the North Side Mr Chandlers Cornefield fence near Swift Creek to be the divideing line betweene the sd Worsham and WIllson, they being both then prsent at the sd survey of Coll. Lygon, and consented to have it be the divideing line between them as appears by the Sd Evidences, to this our verdict. We subscribe our hands this 15th day of May 1678…
At a Court Holden at Varina for the County of Henrico the first day of Aug:st by his Ma.ties Justices of the peace for the sd County in the thirtieth year of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord Charles the Second by the grace of god of great Brittaine france and Ireland King defendr of the faith &c &c And in the yeare of our lord god 1678.
Wee the Subscribers doe for ever for us our heirs assigns and legatees acknowledge confirme and agree that a West and by South Corse from the Mouth of Stony Creek into the Woods shall be a dividing line of our lands on the North side of the plantation of the subscribed John Good and that the said Good shall himselfe and heirs for Ever hold his land by a West course into the Woods, for his south line, bounding upon the land of Richard Peirse, according as it hath been surveyed Markt and laid out by Coll Thomas Lygon, hereby intending that the ptyes subscribed shall be at a certainty in the knowledge of the bounds beholden them, and Not the said Good may have his full complem:t of five hundred acres of land. Witnesse our hands the fifteenth day of January in the year of our lord sixteene hundred seventy seven. It is likewise agreed between the p’tyes subscrib:rs that the agreement shall be entered upon record in Henrico COunty Court.
Witnesse: Wm Harris, Richard Lygon, Wm Byrd, John Goode
among them, the surveying and laying out of the Huguenot settlement at Manakintown, located in Powhatan County.
Several other relatives of Thomas Lygon and Governor Berkeley came to Virginia and held office, Henry Norwood, Treasurer of Virginia, 1661-73; Charles Norwood, Clerk of the Assembly, 1654-56; William Norwood settled in Surry county; Reverend Edward Foliot was minister of Hampton Parish, York County.
Colonel Thomas Ligon was also a Justice of the Peace for Charles City County, (recorded August 1, 1657) and was Lieutenant Colonel as evidenced by the following: Henrico County Court, Feb. 1669. Present: Hon. Coll. Thos. Stegge, Esqr., Mr. Wm. Baugh, LIEUT. COLL. THOMAS LIGON, Maj. Wm. Farrar, Capt. Francis Eppes, Comrs.
Lieut.-Colonel of the county was no idle honor. The absence of records for that day prevents further knowledge, but as summer wars were continually being carried on with the Indians, Lieut.-Col. Ligon can safely be classed as a colonial soldier of rank.
On April 18, 1644, the Indians made a sudden attack upon the settlements in Virginia, and massacred about three hundred of the colonists before they were repulsed. While this furious attack was in progress, Colonel Thomas Ligon, who happened to be passing at the moment the residence of Dr. John Woodson, helped Sara Woodson defend her home against the Indians. The only weapon they had was an old gun which Colonel Ligon handled with deadly effect. At the first fire he killed three Indians, and two at the second shot. The howling mob on the outside took fright and fled, but Colonel Ligon fired the third time and killed two more, making seven in all. The old gun which rendered such valuable service on that dreadful day, was made in England, and is not in the possession of the Virginia HIstorical Society. As if to commemorate his bravery on this historic occasion, the name of Ligon was rudely carved upon the stock. For a history of the Woodson family, see “The Woodsons and their Connections”, by Henry Morton Woodson, Memphis, Tenn., 1915.
At this point it may be parenthetically stated that military titles were as significant (both in the local levy lists and the records generally) of the position of their bearers as was the term “Mr.” A reference to the Henrico lists of 1679 (see WIlliam and Mary Quarterly, 1st Series, Vol. 24, p. 131, et seq.) shows that William Byrd, William Randolph, Thomas Chamberlaine, William Lygon, John Farrar are referred to by their military titles.
Colonel Thomas Ligon was a member of the House of Burgesses from Henrico in 1655 and 1656. The assembly of 1655-56 first met in March 1654-5, and by adjournments, on March 10, 1655-56, and December 1, 1656. There is no complete list of members. Henrico; Colonel Thomas Ligon, Major Wm. Harris.
This day ye Committee for private Causes was appointed as followeth: Coll Scarborough, Chaireman, Coll. John Sidney, Lieut Coll Whittaker, Major John Bond, Mr. Tho. Lyggon, Mr Holmewood, Mr Anthony Wyatt, Leiut Collo. Reade, Mr George Lobb, Mr Thomas Davis, Mr Theophilus Hone, Mr William Thomas – added of the Council, Coll Tho. Pettus, Coll Dew.
ORDERS OF A GRAND ASSEMBLE, Held at James Cittie October the third Ano 1670. Ordered that Majr WIlliam Harris for his Service in the Westerne discovery be paid 25 Lt LIGGON tenn pound, and the souldiers two shillings and sixpence P day for man and horse out of such goods of the Countreys as remaine in the hands of Theodorick Bland Esqr And that Mr SPEAKER and Majr Farrer Auditt the accounts, see the Soldiers paid, and make Report to the next Assembly.
In 1656, in the midst of profound quiet, intelligence reached Jamestown that new trouble with the Indians was probably near. About seven hundred Ricahecrians, a tribe living beyond the Blue Ridge, had come down from the mountains and established themselves near the James River falls, in the neighborhood of the present city of Richmond. That meant danger to the border families, possibly in the lower settlements, and the Burgesses, of which Colonel Thomas Ligon was a member, promptly sent a force to drive them away. “The officer in command was Colonel Edward Hill, former speaker and called a ‘devil’ by Mr. William Hatcher.” Colonel Hill marched on the Indians with the aid of the Virginians and a hundred braves of the friendly Pamunkey tribe, commanded by the chief, Totopotomoi. A battle took place near Richmond, and either by surprise or form incapacity, Hill was routed by the Ricahecrians. Totopotomoi was killed, and the whole force retreated in disorder, after which we hear no more of the Ricahecrians, who probably went back to their mountains.
Unfortunately, the colonial records of Henrico County prior to 1677 were destroyed, and with them was lost the complete record of Colonel Thomas Ligon‘s activities in the colony, together with all documents making mentioin of his official acts and responsibilities.
“Gov. Wm. Berkeley, greetings, whereas Capt. Robert Fox, commander of ship “Humphrey and Elizabeth” being arrested at suit of Thomas Ligon and Thomas Taylor in Chancery; the Capt. could not leave ship account of sickness, wherefore Gov. Berkeley appointed Col. Pit, Capt. Joseph Bridger, Maj. Nicholas Hill, and Mr. Smith of Pagan Point to take deposition of Capt. Fox and deliver report to me and Council. 18 Feb 1663-4
In 1657, Thomas Lygon bought a tract of land from Col. WIlliam Byrd.
Patent Book 5, p. 6: To all &c. Whereas &c. now know ye That I the
said Sir William Berkeley Knight-Governor &c. give and grant unto Thomas Liggon Eight-hundred Acres of Land Beginning at Powells Creek and lyeth next the Land of Thomas Jones and north north West into the Woods One hundred And Sixty Chanes and West South West towards Sisemores and South South east on the River. – The said land being due per Transportation of Capt. Upton, Wm. Prowting, Phugh Turke, Joseph Birkhead, Jno. Plinton, Thomas Williams … To Have and To Hold &C. To be Held &C Yielding and paying &c. provided &c. dated the fifth of April, One thousand six hundred And Sixty four…
Patent Book 5, p. 416: Thomas Liggon and Capt. William Farrar patented 375 acres in Henrico County the 3rd of October, 1664, on the North side of James River, for transportation of eight persons. Patent Book 5, p. 417: On October 3, 1664, Capt. William Farrar and Thomas Liggon patented 335 acres on South side of James RIver, beginning at a white oak upon the RIver in Mont Malada (Mount my lady) field for transportation of seven persons.
In the beginning of August, 1611, Sir Thomas Gates arrived in six tall Ships, with three hundred Men, an hundred Cattle, two hundred Hogs, and with all Manner of other Munition and Provision, that could be thought of, as needful and proper. At his Arrival, Sir Thomas Dale’s Authority determined, who, after mutual Salutations, acquainted him with what he had done, and what he intended. And now, being eased of the Burthen of Government, and more at Leisure, he set himself heartily about building his Town; and Sir Thomas Gates, highly approving the Design, furnished him with three hundred and fifty Men, such as he himself made Choice of. He set Sail from James-Town, the Beginning of September; and being arrived
for a still further Security of the Town, he intended, but never quite finished, a Palisade on the South Side of the RIver …
Patent Book 6, contains the following records, Page 188: Three hundred acres on the South side of James River in Henrico county are granted to Major William Farrar and Lieut. Col. Thomas Ligon in 1668 for the transportation of six persons. Page 353: Lieut. Col. Thomas Ligon is granted, April 7, 1671, 387 acres on north side of Appomattox RIver in Henrico County, for transportation of seven persons. Page 425: On the 20th day of September, 1672, 1468 acres lying on the James RIver were granted to Lieut. Col. Thomas Liggon. page 447: As Thomas Lygon, Sr., he was granted 340 acres on the north side of Appomattox River in Henrico county for transportation of seven persons. Dated 28th of March 1672.
Colonel Thomas Ligon made his will the 10th day of January, 1675. This perished in the destruction of the Henrico records.
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 1, p35: Administration of the estate of Colonel Thomas Ligon is granted to Mary, his widow and executrix, by WIlliam Berkeley in James City on March 16, 1675/76.
Colonial Reocrds of Henrico Co., Book 4, Orphans Court 1677-1739, p. 3: This Wor:ll Court doth approve of the division of the Estate of Mr. Tho. Lygon Jun:r dec’d as it is prsented by Mrs. Mary Lygon, and distributed amongst her children as followeth viz:t Imp:rs Rich:d Lygon 1 heifer called by the name of the brinder heifer. 2:ly Mathew Lygon one Cow called flowe. 3:ly Hugh Lygon, 1 Cow called Strawberry. 4:ly Mary Lygon 2 Cow Calves wch fell this year of them to Cowes: This is done as Mrs. Lygon (in the division saith) w:th the consent of her children to wch she hath signed The above.
Mary Lygon
Attn an Orphants Court holden at Varina …
Colonel Thomas Ligon married Mary Harris 1648-50?, daughter of Captain Thomas Harris, who came from Essex, England, to Virginia in 1611, during the government of Sir Thomas Dale, and settled at the “Neck of Land” in Henrico County. – The population of Virginia at this time was less than 350 on the James, with about twelve persons at Old Point Comfort.
His wife, born 1625, Mary Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64. Colonel Thomas Ligon’s first wife probably died in England, and all of his children in Virginia were those of his second wife, Mary Harris. His first son, William was probably named for Governor Berkeley, who may have been William’s godfather. In those days, children were often named for their godfathers and godmothers, and this sometimes resulted in having two children of the same name in one family. The names of the children of Colonel Thomas Ligon were similar to those of his family in England. Richard, the second son, was probably name for his brother, who died in England in 1662; Hugh, the fourth son, had a family name; the Colonel’s daughter, Johan, bore the name of his sister.
… To Mrs Mary Lygon for two Wolves heads killed before the act was repealed —– 0400.
On October 17, 1683, Thomas Chamberlayne and Mary Ligon agree upon their boundry line, Sizemores Brook from Sizemores landing on Sizemores Creek on down the brook (Henrico Records, Vol. 1, p. 260)
Colonial Records of Henrico Co, Book 2, p. 352: Henrico Court, October 1, 1690. THe survey of the land belonging to Mrs. Mary Ligon in Curles being to this Court return’d & it appearing that the same hath taken in some part of ye Land claimed by John Woodson Carpenter, who is not psent in Court to make his Objection agt ye same It being supposed that he is thereby prejudiced, the Recording of ye ad survey is suspended till the next Court that the sd Woodson may have notice thereof; wch Mr Richd Cocke in Court promises to give him.
Henrico County: Whereas in Oct. Court last at ye pticon of Mrs. Mary Ligon an Order was obtained for ye survey of Curles patent pr. Mr. Theod. Blanke wch. being prformed at ye presentation thereof. It was objected that y Course there run did vary much from ye antient known bound of ye sd. Land wtt in reasons ye sd. survey was not confirmed but it was in Court concluded & agreed upon (ye 2nd day of Feby. last) by the owners of ye adjacen land that they
would endeavor to find out & ascertain ye antient bounds thereof (wch. was pr. ye. Court conceived ye JUSTEST & most convenient & legal way). In order whereunto the sd. Parties concerned vizt: Mr. Richd. Cocke, Sr. Mr. Richd. Ligon for & in behalf of Mrs. Mary Ligon, his mother & John Woodson, Carpenter, having been round the sd. land belonging to Curles Patent do find severall old marked & processioned trees; wch. in a Scheme or Platt of ye sd. land they have laid down & presented to ye Court & did agree & conclude in open Court for mark’d & Processioned trees shall from hence forth forever bound & conclude the claims of any of ye sd. Partys, &C: excepting & with this proviso That where as in one place It is conceived severall trees may be missing and that It is found as in one place It is conceived severall trees may be missing and that It is found a straight line run as is before express’d doth cutt off & take away an Angle of land belonging to ye above named John Woodson, Carpenter & give ye same or ye like quantity to Mr. RIchard Cocke wch. angle Mr. Ligon, being a surveyor in open Court affirms doth not contain above two acres; sd. Woodosn for himself & heirs &c, doth agree as above provided ye sd. Angle taken away doth contain no more land, otherways not; & sd. Cocke with ye sd. Woodson for himself & heirs &c, doth agree as above provided
would endeavor to find out & ascertain ye antient bounds thereof … In order whereunto the sd. Parties concerned vizt: Mr. Richd. Cocke, Sr. Mr. Richd. Ligon for & in behalf of Mrs Mary Ligon, his mother & John Woodson, Carpenter, having been round the sd. land belonging to Curles Patent do find severall old marked & processioned trees; wch. …angle Mr. Ligon, being a surveyor in open Court affirms doth not contain above two acres; … Mrs. Ligon being to have her full Quantity of two hund’d acres (being a certain Quantity) given by her father out of ye whole patent laid out according to ye will of her sd. decd. father on ye upper side of ye sd. Patent for Curles & wt. quantity it wants in length to hav ein breadth: Ligon to make & return a particular survey to next Court: to be entered among the records. April 1, 1691…
To all Christian people to whom these pr’sents shall some, I, Mary Ligon, Senr., of the County of Henrico, send greetings in o’r Lord God Everlasting. Know ye that I, the S’d Mary Ligon, Sen. of the love and affection that I have unto my Loving Sons, Rich’d Ligon & Hugh Ligon of the same place, have given, granted, aliened, assigned, sett over & confirmed & by these pr’sents do give, grant, alien, assign, sett over & confirm unto the s’d Rich’d Ligon & Hugh Ligon, their heirs, Lying & being in Curls, in the s’d County, being part of a greater divident granted unto Capt. Thomas Harris, dec’d & given by Will of the s’d Thos. Harris, dec’d, unto his daughter Mary Ligon afores’d, w’ch s’d two hundred Acres is equally divided between the s’d Richard and Hugh Ligon in manner following, s’d two hundred Acres, beginning at the head line next to Mr. Rich’d Cocke’s thereof, and the s’d Hugh Ligon to have the other half of the s’d two hundred Acres of land, Beginning upon the RIver and taking the full breadth thereupon. & soe continueing into the Woods until he meets with the line of the s’d Rich’d Ligon, w’ch s’d Line is the dividing line of the s’d two hundred Acres of Land between the s’d Rich’d & Hugh Ligon. To have and to hold the s’d two hundred Acres of land unto the s’d Rich’d and Hugh Ligon, their heirs, Exec’rs, & Adm’rs, & every part & parcell thereof together with all its rights, members, Jurisdictions & appurts whatsoever, & in all intents, constructions & purposes as is granted by Pattent, with all housing, orchards, fencing, Meadows, woods & underwoods, waters, water courses, ways, easements, profitts, comodityes and appurs thereunto belonging & to the onely proper use & behoof of them, ye s’d
Richard & Hugh Ligon, their heirs, Exec’rs & Adm’rs, from the day of the date of these presents from henseforth and forvermore. And the s’d Mary Ligon, Sen. for herself, her heirs, Exec’rs & Adm’rs, doth hereby impremis, grant & agree to & with the s’d Richard & Hugh Ligon, their heirs, Exec’rs & Adm’rs, that she the s’d Mary Ligon, Sen, at & before the ensealing & delivery of these presents, is and standeth lawfully seized of & in the above granted pr’misses & every part & parcell thereof, and hath full power, good right, true title and lawfull Authority to grant & Convey the Same & doth hereby & shall and will from time to time & at all times hereafter, warrant & defend the above granted pr’misses & every part thereof to be free & clear & freely & clearly acquitted and discharge of & from all former & other gifts, grants, bargains, sales, seales, Indentures, Leases, entails wills, Foeffments, Joyntures, Dowreys, titles of Dowreys & all & other charges & incumbrance whatsoever. And moreover, also, that it shall & may be alwfull to & for the s’d Mary Ligon, Sen. to receive the yearly Rents of all the tenants upon the s’d land & to have privilege upon any part of the s’d land for getting or falling firewood or fencing during her life time. And to the true p’rformance hereof the s’d Mary Ligon, Sen. doth hereby bind and Oblige herself, her heirs, Exec’rs & Adm’rs in the penal sum of two hundred p’ds of God & lawfull mony of England to keep & Observe, all & every, the Articles, clauses, grants & agreem’ts, w’ch on their parts & behalfs, are & ought to be kept & Observed, as also to made, doe, p’rform and accomplish, or cause to be made, done, p’rformed & accomplished, & all & every further & other Deed or deeds, Conveyances whatsoever, for the better or further surety or suremaking of the p’rmisses & every part & parcell thereof, be it by deed or deeds or otherways enrolled or not enrolled, the Enrollment of these p’rsents or by any other ways or means whatsoever, And to make & Acknowledge those p’rsents in Henrico County Court & to make Livery & Seizin of the above granted p’rmisses & every part & parcell thereof when thereunto Required, Except before Excepted. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & seal this 29th. day of Aug’t, 1691.
Seal’d and deliv’d after the interlineing of these words, and to have privilege upon any part of the s’d land for getting or falling firewood or fencing, and to have all manner of privilege on the s’d two hundred Acres of land during her life, in the pr’sense of Wm. Soane, Thomas Cocke, James Morrice.
Sept. 1, 1691. Mary Ligon (Seal)
Acknowledge in open Court P the subscribed, Mrs. Mary Ligon.
Teste. Samuel P. Waddill, Clk. Co. Ct. Henrico
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 3, p.146: Henrico County June ye 1st, 1697. The petn of Mary Liggon ye Elder against Thos: Chamberlayn for beating her servt. &C. is dismissed with costs noe accon being entred & ye sd Chamberlayn therefore refusing to answer.
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 2, p. 166: The Accon Comen’d by Mrs. Mary Ligon plt ag:t Mr. Will Ligon deft: is refer’d to ye next Court for further Consideracon of ye business, it being a nice point in law.
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 2, p. 167: Henrico County, October 1684. Upon the Accon of Case commendc’d by Mrs. Mary Ligon plt ag:t her son WIll Ligon deft. ye sd plt by he peticon declareing that she out of her affeccon to her sd son did admitt him to live on ye land (given her by her decd husbd, by his last Will) as a tenant at her will & pleasure & that since ye sd deft. having Acted to her prejudice, Doth now contrary to her sd Will by force keep possess-
sion of ye sd land; & therefore desireing that he may be removed by order of yr Worl Court; & also ye sd plt produceing her aforesd husband’s will dated Jan:ry ye 10th A 1675; wch being Examin’d; It is therein found (by ye Worll Court) that ye aforesd deced:t hath by his sd Will bequeathed unto ye aforesd defend.t ye land at psent in dispute & that afterwards in ye sd will he hath also bequeathed ye aforesd land unto ye plt (his then wife) dureing her life; Upon wch (ye laws in such cases being Consulted) it is (found & accordingly) Order’d (by ye Worll Court) that ye aforesd plt & def:t be & are Joynt-tenants (dureing ye life of ye plt) And that if ye sd plt & def:t canot agree concerning ye divdion cf ye sd land between themselves this Worll Court will upon application to them made Appoint some indifferent psons to Make a Particon of ye sd land, houses, fences, &c: equally between them; And after such partition made each party (dureing y plts life as aforesd) to keep to their own Share, without entrenchm:t or any part or parcell of ye Others;
Henrico Records 1697-1704, p. 366: Mrs. Mary Ligon’s will probated February 1, 1703-4 and testified by james Cock, Clerk of the Court.
In the name of God Amen. I, Mary Ligon, Senr. of Henrico, being weak of body but of perfect memory, praised be to God, Doe wille make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following Imp. I give & Bequeath my Soule to God my Creator & redeemer, my body to be buried at the Discression of my Daughter Johan Hancock in sure & certain hopes of a joyfull Resurrecon at ye last day. Item. I Give & Bequeath unto my Son Richard Lygon to Him & His Heirs forever one hundred acres of land lying & being in Henrico County known by the name of Curles joining upon the Land of Mr Richard Cocke.
Item. I Give & Bequeath unto my Son Hugh Lygon to him & his Heirs forever one hundred of acres of Land lying & being in the County aforsd known by the name of Curles joyning to the river & bequeath unto my son Hugh Lygon all my household goods & all my Hoggs he heath now in Possesison. Item. I Give & Bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Farrar my own Bed & Furniture belonging to itt, two pair of Sheetes with four New Pewter Dishes, half a dozen of plates, one Chamber pott, one pewter tankard two pewter porringers, one Pewter basin & my Wedding Ring to be delivered him at the day of his Marrying, or at his beginning to keep house or Else when he shall arive to the age of twenty one years Butt if the said Thomas Farrar Depart this Life before he comes of age of twenty one years or marryes or befor ehe of himself keeps house then the same to remain in possession of my Daughter Hancock in whose hands now they are. Item. I Give & Bequeath unto my Son in Law Thomas Farrar, my Indian Boy Robin, being in lieu of an Indian Boy GIven unto his wife Mary Farrar by her Father which Indian I doe desire that my son Thomas Farrar, woud be pleased to give unto my grandson Thomas Farrar to enjoy after mee. Item. I Give & Bequeath unto my son Hugh Lygon & to my Daughter Hancock all my Sheep to be equally divided between them. Item. My will is that whatever I have given or have bequeathed to any person that they may quickly & Peaceably possess & enjoy the same without any molestation or trouble. Item. I doe hereby will make constitute & ordain my Son in Law Robert Hancock & my Daughter Johan Hancock my full whole & Sole Executor & Executrix of his my last will and Testament.
Witness my Hand & seal this 18th days of March Anno Dom 1702/03. Mary Ligon (Seal of Red Wax)
Signed & Sealed in the presence of Abra: () Womack, John (X) Hatcher, John Brown
Proved in open Court by the oaths of Mr. Abram Womack, Senr. & John Hatcher, two of the subscribed witnesses, to be the last will & Testament of Mrs. Mary Lygon, dec’d & that at the time of her signing Sealing & Declaring, the same was of sound & perfect sence & memory to the best of their knowledge … My desire is that the 200 acres given & bequeathed by me, Mary Ligon Sen., If any Dispute should arise about the same, the worshipful Court will consider the Gift to me, it being to the male issue of my Body, by which my Son William Ligon Dieing before he was possest of the Land, his Heirs have not right unto the same Land but that the same doth belong to the male heir of my Body liveing & if no male heir liveing it doth belong to the heir of the Liver to me.
I will that my son-in-law Robert Hancock to give unto my Indian Boy Robin one Kersie Cote, waistcoat & Breeches & a pair of hose & shoes, two shirts & a hatt.
Court at Varina. November 1, 1706: Note of land near Curles left by Mary Ligon, decd., daughter of Capt. Thomas Harris, decd., to Richard Lygon
Issue of Colonel Thomas and Mary (Harris) Ligon:
I. i. William Ligon
II. ii. Johan Ligon
III. iii Richard Ligon
iv. Mathew Ligon, b. 1659, Henrico Co., Va.; d. unm. before May 1, 1689.
IV. v. Hugh Ligon
vi. Mary Ligon, b. 1663, Henrico CO., Va.; m. Thomas Farrar and had issue, a son Thomas Farrar.
Issue of Colonel Thomas and Mary (Harris) Ligon:
1. Willaim Ligon
2. Johan Ligon
3. Richard Ligon
4. Mathew Ligon, b. 1659, Henrico CO, Va; d. unm. before May 1, 1689
5. Hugh Ligon
6. Mary Ligon, b. 1663, Henrico CO., Va.; m. Thomas Farrar and had issue, a son Thomas Farrar.
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 2, p. 61: Mr. Richd Ligon & Mr. Robert Hancock enter themselves Security for Mr. William Ligon’s future good behaviour, to Continue dureing the pleasure of ye Court & to enter into bond for ye same.
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 2, p.66: Att a Court at Varina … eighteenth day of November … 1678.
Edward Hatcher aged about 46 yeares: Deposeth: That when ye right Honble Governor was last up in these parts and this deponent and others kept guard at ye Worlds end one Tho: Perren or some other at ye worlds end told Major Lygon that Mr Tibbald had a fatt Cow … and killed as this deponent heard, but he did not see her killed, and further saith not. Edwd Hatcher…
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 2, p. 137: Comit: Henrici primo die ffeby Dom 1682. Mr William Lygon refusing to serve being sumoned as a Juryman …
(more William Lygon)
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 5, pp. 338-339: ATT A COURT held at Varina for the County of Henrico by their Maties Justices of the Peace for the sd County on the twentyeth day of August by Adjournmt from the first of ye sd month in ye fourth year of ye Reign of Our Sovereign Lord & Lady King Willm & Queen Mary &c: & in ye year of our Lord God, 1692.
TO ALL TO WHOM these Psents shall come Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Know ye by these Psents That I Willm Midgely of the Parish of Bristoll in the County of Henrico for a Considerable valuacom already recd have hereby bargained Sold passed over conveyed & assured for me my Heirs Exec:rs Adm: & assigns a Certain parcell of Land unto Mary Ligon the Widdow of Willm Ligon of the Same Parish & County aforesd wch Land is Scituate lying & being as hereafter followeth Viz:t the Full & compleat Quantity of two hundred Acres begining at a Corner black Oak on Swift Creek in the Pish & County afores’d belonging to the Land of sd Eusebius King & Runeth thence along the sd King’s Line North East One hundrd & SIxty Poles to a Corner Hokickory thence Northwest crossing Parsimmon Branch & soe along that line & the same length
land transaction to Mary Ligon continued.
Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 5, p. 637: To all to whom these presents shall come greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Know ye by these presents that I Mary Lygon WIdow of Wm Lygon deceased of the County of Hen:co & the parish of Bristoll for a Considerable Valuation already recd have hereby bargained Sold passed over Conveyed & Assured from me My Heirs Exec.rs Adm.rs & Assigns a certaine parcell of land unto my Mother Mary Platt Widow of Gilbert Platt of the parish of Varina . . .
Will of Martha Stratton names Mary Liggon as cousin 1692
February 1, 1695 – Mrs. Mary Platt comes into Court with the last will as she pretends of her Sister, Martha Stratton late of this County deceased …
Will of William Hancock continued.
Issue of Johan (Ligon) and Robert Hancock)
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