Transcript:New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (New York Genealogical and Biographical Society)/v43p277

Previous Page <- [Vol 43, p 277 (Jul 1912) - The Doughty Family of Long Island] -> Next Page

+ 2 i. Mary, b. about 1628.
+ 3 ii. Francis, b. about 1630.
+ 4 iii. Elias, b. about 1632.

Since writing the above account of Rev. Francis Doughty, whose record was mainly obtained from official records in New York State and in England, I have received this further informa- tion through Mr. P. G. Burton of Washington, D. C, who for some time has been interested in the history of the Doughty family:

Quoting Mr. Burton's letter it is as follows:

"Rev. Francis Doughty went to Northampton County, Virginia, in 1655 (the year that his son-in-law, Adriaen Vanderdonck died) and became the Rector of an Episcopal church there. He was apparently well thought of, and one wealthy and influential woman (parishioner) directed in her will that he have charge of the rearing of her children.

Just what took Rev. Francis Doughty to Virginia I do not know, but I have a theory that the Rev. Samuel Drisius, who was a minister in New Amsterdam, and who was sent on a special mission to Virginia in December, 1653, may have had something to do with the move.

It is known that Drisius, while in Virginia, preached in the church of which Doughty was later Rector. There is a reference to the choosing of Doughty in the Northampton County records, but I have not yet been able to get a copy of it.

In 1658 Doughty married Ann Eaton, a widow with some property, and shortly after moved into Rappahannock County, where in 1662 he bought 200 acres of land. (In 1692 Rappahan- nock County was divided into what are now Essex and Rich- mond Counties).

For several years Doughty was rector of two parishes, one on each side of the Rappahannock River.

In the summer of 1668 he had a lengthy "argument" with two of his parishioners, both prominent in political and social circles.

He refused to allow them to "communicate in the blessed or- dinance of the Lord's Supper" and they brought charges of non- conformity and scandalous living, the particular kind of scandal not being specified.

The matter was before Gov. Berkeley, and referred by him to the County Commissioners for trial. What decision, if any, was reached, does not appear in any record that has survived.

In March, 1668-9, Doughty placed his farm in the hands of trustees for the benefit of his wife during her lifetime, and an- nounced his intention of departing for " some other Countrey and Clymate that may prove more favorable to my aged, infirm and decayed body, than the said Countrey of Virginia wherein I now reside," his wife, however, being "unwilling to depart the said Countrey, she finding the same best agreeing with her health, besides her loathness and unwillingness to bidd farewell to her most deare and beloved children and to her beloved kindred and relacons, all or at least most of them, residing in the said Colony of Virginia, and the neighboring Province of Maryland."

19A