Family:Henry Gay and Joane Sanders (1)

Source: Publication: http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=elainehendricks Date: 13 Apr 2001

The Gay family is found in the Channel Islands after the Norman Conquest. They located later in Kent and Devon. The Gays were shown in the Visitations of Kent in 1674. (P. 53) Their arms were: "Gules crusily or 3 lions rampant argent." Vivian's "Devon", p.392, has a large chart of this family with arms: "Or, on a fesse sable between three escollops azure, six Losenges enjoined argent."

Henry (1) Gay, first of his family in Virginia, was a headright of James Long who patented 300 acres on the western Branch of the Nansemond River, in Nansemond County, Feb. 8, 1663, for the transportation of six persons among whom was Henry Gay (C.P. 492). There was a vast trade in headrights. Some of the most prominent people in Virginia sold their own headrights. The Nansemond County records were destroyed so we have to rely upon records of adjacent counties for information.

Henry Gay, on April 22, 1669, received a grant from Sir William Berkeley, Gov., of 400 acres of land in the Upper Parish of Nansemond for the transportation of 8 persons consisting of the headrights of 4 children assigned by Thomas Cullen and Andrew Clawson and four other persons whose names seem to be indistinct to the person who copied them. The grant was adjacent to the lands of James Collins and Phillip Dewell (G.B. 6-242). Henry Gay died about 1688 for in 1689 Robert Lawrence married his widow, Joane Gay. (D.B. 1- I 6); (Great Bk. 2-59; C.M. -33) On May 1, 1689, Henry Gay II, son of Henry I, made an agreement with Lewis Brian (Bryan) as follows: "Lewis Brian of Nansemond stands indebted to HENRY GAY of Isle of Wight, Feb. 1, 1688-89. Conditions are that Lewis Brian will not molest Robert Lawrence where he now lives on land fromerly belonging to HENRY GAY,decd., from the main river up to Burnt House Branch . Henry Gay also stands indebted to Lewis Brian and promises to pay in tobacco. Conditions are that Henry Gay will not molest Lewis Brian in possession of land adjacent to John Brian Sr. "May 1, 1689, Wits.: John Brian, James Daughter (17C-601)

"Henry Gay.. was a headright of James Long who patented 300 acres on the western Branch of the Nansemond River, in Nansemond County, Feb 8, 1663, for the transportation of six persons among whom was Henry Gay (C.P. p 492)."

SOURCE: History of Southern Families vol II by John Boddie.Henry received a land grant 22 April 1669 in Nansemond County, Virginia.

"Henry Gay, on April 22, 1669 received a grant from Sir William Berkely, Governor, of 400 acres of land in the Upper Parish of Nansemond for the transportation of 8 persons consisting of the headrights of 4 children assisned by Thomas Cullen and Andrew Clawson and four other persons whose names seem to be indistinct to the person who copied them. The grant was adjacent to the lands of James Collins and Phillip Dewel (G. B. 6-242). Henry Gay died about 1688 for in 1689 Robert Lawrence married his widow, Joane Gay. (D. B. 1-16); (Greak Bk. 2-59; C.M. -33)

SOURCE: History of Southern Families Vol II, by John Boddie.

The grant was for transporting eight persons, four children and four adults, to Virginia.

He arrived in America on the ship "Safety".