Person:John Stampe (1)

cc. John Thomas Stampe, the immigrant, was born in 1603 to Timothie Stampe and his wife, Marie Gunner. When he was 31 years old, having first bought attestacon of his conformity to the Order of Discipline of the Church of England, Thomas sailed from the Port of London aboard the ship "Plaine Joan": "15th May 1635 to Virginia ... embarqued in the 'Plaine Joan' Richard Bu ckham licensed to 'go beyond the seas' ... Mr. Tho. Stamp."1

"Accompanying Thomas Stamp to Virginia was Edward Clarke, 27."2 Mr. Clarke had been in Virginia, earlier, as we have a record of him being in Elizabeth City in 1623. Edward Clarke was the son of Edward Clerke of Stevenache, Hertford- shire, an d his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Stampe and Sybbell Plott. Probably, Mr. Clarke offered inducements of enthusiasm for the New World and thus persuaded Thomas Stampe to migrate to Virginia. There were other political overtones which would have brought Stampe to Virginia. If you dig into my Book on the English Branch of our family, and my memory is somewhat weak on this point , John's brother was a minister to Prince Charles. They were forced to flee to Holland. Eventually, Charles was convinced to come back and he lost h s head. The Rev. Stamps stayed in Holland and kept his. I once studied English history, over 35 years ago. I would have to re-read to verify much of what I am saying.........

Thomas Stampe was a person of quality, a cavalier and a pioneer in the New World. In Virginia, he was known as Mr. Thomas Stampe. John Boddie writes the following: "Another Isle of Wight County immigrant who came with these settlers was Mr. Thomas Stamp who in 1638 patented 200 acres northwest upon the Nansamond River. He came with James Noakes who obtained a grant in North Carolina on the north side of the Caroline River, adjacent to Henry White the Quaker."3 At some other time, Thomas Stamp also purchased 70 acres from Dunning and James Noakes on the west side of the Carolina River for transporting six persons at his expense into the colony. This parcel of land became the property of John Stamp, his son, and his wife Johannah Stampe.

On Aug. 14, 1638, Thomas Stamps and Gresham Coffield patented 200 acres on the Nansamond River. On Feb. 24, 1636/38, "Mr. Thomas Stamp patented 500 acres in James City County on a swamp at the head of Lowndes Creek, adjoining Nicholas Reynolds, 50 acres for his own advantage and 450 acres for t ransportation of nine persons, including William Stamps." For this, he received patent No. 676. On May 12, 1640, he was granted patent to Hogg Island in the James River, south of James City. The patent was issued to James Taylor and Lawrence Baker at a later date.4 It appears from the records that Thomas Stamps rather quickly became a holder of large amounts of land. He also operated a mill on Lawnes Creek. His chief crop appears to be tobacco, as on at least two occasions, he was appointed a viewer of tobacco. "An act of Assembl y 1639, men of experience and in dignity for the careful viewing of each ma n's crop of tobacco from Grindham's Hill and both sides of the lower Chippohec Creek: Mr. Thomas Stampe, Stephen Webb and Erasmus Carter."5 By order of th e Governor and Council, on Sept. 20, 1647, Mr. Thomas Stamp (first written as John Stamp and crossed out) was granted three score and ten acres on an island called "Phillip, his Island" on the west side of the Chicoanomony River. Two years later, in 1649, he was appointed, again, as viewer of tobacco from Grindall's Hill and both sides of Lower Chippoakes Creek in James City County . On March 11, 1645/46, Thomas Stamp witnessed the will of Thomas Chapman. In 1640, he witnessed the Intention in Accomac of Sir George Yardley, taking up land at Mattawomes.