I000582: John STITH Sr., Major (est 1625

John STITH Sr., Major

est 1625 - 1692

BIRTH: est 1625, Kirkham, Lancashire, England [1115] [1116] [1117]
WILL: 13 Nov 1690, Charles City, Henrico, VA [1118] [1119] [1120]
DEATH: 1692, Westover Parish, Charles City Co., Virginia [1121] [1122]

MARRIAGE: Dec 1656, Charles City, Henrico, VA [3774]

[1112] Dr. Christopher Johnston (1856-19--) of Baltimore, Maryland (himself a Stith descendant) stated as follows in an article written in Volume 21W(1), William and Mary Quarterly "The Stith family appears to have been long settled in the parish of Kirkham, in Lancashire and both the parish registers and the wills show that the Stiths were quite numerous in that locality. A careful search, however, fails to show any unmistakable trace of the Virginia immigrant, and it is probable that his immediate family had moved elsewhere, perhaps to London." Dr. Johnston was an amazing man himself in that he was not only a physician but was also a very highly esteemed master of Oriental languages. If these achievements were not enough, he was a historian and contributed to a historical rendition on England. The author has seen a collection of these works in the home of a personal friend, Joseph H. Williams, Major (retired army) who resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Johnston gives the following historical and genealogical account of the early Virginia Stiths:

1. MAJOR JOHN STITH came to Virginia before 1656, and had a grant to himself and Samuel Eale, of 500 acres of land on the north side of James River, in Charles City County, 15th February, 1663 (l'a, Land Rec., Book 5, p. 268). He also had grants of 550 acres 29th July, 1664, and 636 acres 11th May, 1675 (WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY, X., 249; XIII., 121). Other tracts he acquired by purchase, and at this death left a very considerable landed estate. In 1656, he was lieutenant, according to some existing fragments of the Charles City records. In 1676, he was a captain in the Charles City County militia, and was actively engaged, on the government side, during Bacon's Rebellion (Va. Magazine, III., 251; IV., 6). In June, 1676 an act was passed by Bacon's House entitled: "An Act to disable John Stith and Edward Hill from holding office. (Hening, II., 364). The preamble recites that Col. Hill and Lieut. (sic!) Stith took advantage of their positions as officers and magistrates to create misunderstandings between the governor and people, and were the cause of oppressive taxes and other grievances. They were therefore disqualified from holding office, either civil or military. This partizan act was subsequently repealed. In May, 1677, John Stith was one of the persons commissioned to take depositions in regard to the grievances of the people of Charles City County (Cal. St. Pap. Colonial, 1677-1680), Nos. 267-297). In 1680 he was major of the Charles City County militia, one of the magistrates of the county, and a practicing lawyer. and, 1685-1686, he represented his county in the House of Burgesses (Va. Magazine, I., 226-252; XV., 322). Under date of 10th Nov., 1893, Mr. R. A. Brock writes: "I have gleanings from the despoiled Charles City County records establishing that Lieut. John Stith married, in the latter part of 1656, Jane, the widow of Joseph Parsons (his, parsons', second wife, since he had an infant child by a former marriage). Jane's was also a second marriage, her first husband having been Thomas Gregory. In 1663, John Stith was made the guardian of Judith Parsons, the orphan of Joseph Parsons, vice Edward Mosby deceased." Mrs. Jane Stith was living in 1686, and it is probable that John and Jane Stith had a daughter who married Thomas Hardaway, since there is a patent in 1686 to John Stith endorsed by John and Jane Stith to Thomas Hardaway, and the name Stith Hardaway descended regularly in the family.

[1115] Charles R. Stith lists birth date as 1636.

[1118] Description: Proven 3 APR 1693

[1119] THE WILL OF MAJOR JOHN STITH, SR. WHO DIED IN 1694
For many years the children of Major John Stith were not known because the records of Charles City County were lost or destroyed. It was only recently that his complete will was discovered which named his five children.

Will of John STITH, Sr. of Westover Parish, Charles City County, Virginia, Gentleman.
To oldest son John, all land I live on and my mill lately built, and all other lands belonging to me except my land on eastern branch of Herring Creek, which I give to my son Drury.
To my daughter Jane, now wife of Capt. Daniel Luellin, 5 pounds.
To my daughter Ann, now wife of Mr. Robert Bolling, 10 pounds.
To my daughter Agnes, now wife of Mr. Thomas Wynn, 5 pounds.
All rest of my estate divided in three parts to my wife Jane and sons John and Drury. Drury is to take his share of personal estate at plantation left to him, but if more than his share, then surplus to the other two.
To my loving friend Hugh Davis, 20 shillings to buy him a ring.
He is to settle any difference among my executors. Dated 13 Nov 1690
Wit: James Batty, Frances (FH) Batty, John Gay, Hugh Davis
Signed John Stith Recorded 3 April 1694
Codicil: I originally divided my estate in three parts. Since marriage of my son Drury, I have allowed him his third of my personal estate and made over the plantation left in my will. Therefore rest of estate is now divided into 2 parts for my wife and son John. 3 Oct. 1693.
Wit: William Cole, John Jones, Thomas Grig
Signed: John Stith Recorded 3 April 1694
From: Charles City Virginia Records 1737-1774, p. 185

(John Stith's wife, Jane, was previously married to Thomas Gregory, and 2nd, Joseph Parsons. Her maiden name is not known. John Stith married Jane in the latter part of 1656.)

[1113] [S000055]

PAGE: Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 181-193
DATA:
- DATE: January 1913

[1114] [S000053]

[1116] [S000053]

[1117] [S000054]

John STITH Sr., Major

est 1625 - 1692

John Buckner STITH

3 Jan 1747 - 22 Dec 1766

John Franklin STITH III

2 Jul 1951 - ____

John Franklin STITH Jr.

14 Mar 1926 - 1 Mar 1987

John Franklin STITH Sr.

8 May 1895 - 23 May 1974

John Franks STITH

17 Aug 1827 - 1 Aug 1858

John Parker STITH

bef 21 Jul 1860 - aft 16 Oct 1906

John Randolph STITH

2 Feb 1821 - 28 Oct 1850

Jonathan Robert STITH

25 Oct 1991 - ____

Joseph STITH

6 Sep 1759 - 1836

Judith STITH

____ - ____

Judith STITH

____ - 17 Jun 1773

Julia Ellise STITH

3 Aug 2000 - ____

Julian STITH

____ - ____

Katherine STITH

____ - ____

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