Person:Thomas Prewitt (3)

Religion: Probably Quaker Occupation: Indentured servant May 1636 1636- Early Virginia Immigrants, by G.C. Greer, Clerk of the Va. State Land Office, contains a list of some 25,000 persons who came to Virginia from 1623 to 1666, together with the patentee or person who brought them over. In this list is: Thomas Prewitt, 1636, by Joane Bennet, to Charles River Co.

Items on Thomas Pruett:

"Early Virginia Immigrants", by G.C. Greer, Clerk of the VA State Land Office, contains a list of some 25,000 persons who came to Virginia from 1623 to 1666, together with the patentee or person who brought them over. In this list is: Thomas Prewitt, 1636, by Joane Bennet, to Charles River County.

On May 6, 1636, Joane Bennett, widow, received 450 acres in Charles River Co., VA, upon the new Poqueson River, east towards the bays, west into the woods, north upon the Pinye Swamp (River) and south upon Robert Thrasher. 50 Acres due for transfer of 8 persons: Ann Winter, John Roote, Jon Marshall, Thomas Prewitt, Andrew Chant, Jon Morris, and Pole Carplights. Joane Bennet was a Quaker.

Thomas Prewitt was thus brought over as an indentured servant. Once a person served five years, they got 50 acres of land.

On June 2, 1636, Thomas Prewitt was granted 50 acres of land in Charles River Co, VA, being a neck of ground at the New Poqueson, west upon William Clarke a creek, then east upon Thomas Harwood a creek. The said 50 acres of land being due unto him the said Thomas Prewitt for the transportation of one servant into this colony. It appears that Thomas Prewitt and wife were Quakers and not married by the rules of the established church.

Charles River County, VA was changed to York County. In 1646, Thomas Prewitt confessed he borrowed a canoe from John Wilson and lost it. Ordered that he pay Wilson 2 bushels of corn for it next Nov. 1.

In 1647, John Thomas has an attachment against Thomas Prewitt to secure debt of 600 lbs. tobacco.

On May 24, 1648, Thomas Pruitt confesses judgment to Robert Abrall for 1202 lbs of tobacco to be paid the next October 10 at the house of Pruitt. Three cows bound in security. Court for the County of York. Cattle were very valuable to the early settlers. They were expensive to bring over by ship and scarce.

In 1648, Thomas Prewitt confessed judgment to Mr. William Hockaday, 1 1/2 bushel of corn and 56 lbs tobacco.

On July 25, 1648, Whereas Thomas Prewitt and his wife were presented to his court for committing fornication and thereof found guilty. Court ordered that they shall do a pennance in the Parish Church on the New Pawqueson and during the time of devine servis the next Sabbath Day. The church wardens ordered to see this done. Prewitt and his wife to appear at the next Court to avoid further censure. This was because they were not married in the State Church of England. Thus, he underwent a degree of persecution for his being a Quaker even in the New World.

On Dec. 6, 1648, Thomas Prewitt binds himself to pay John Madison 600 lbs of tobacco before next Oct. 1, a steer and heifer as security.

Thomas Priuett Land Grant, 1636 - York Co. VA

Land Office Patents and Grants - Library of Virginia http://198.17.62.51/cgi-bin/drawer/disk19/CC150/0463/P1427?41

Thomas Priuett 50a.

To all to whome these prsents [presents] shall come I Capt John West Esq Governr &c send greeting &c Whereas by letters &c Now Know yee that I the said Capt John West Esq doe with consent of the Councell State accordingly give and grannt unto Thomas Priuett fiftie acres of land situate lying and being in the Countie of Charles river being a neck of ground at the new poquoson river west upon William Clarke a Creeke pting [parting] them

East upon Thomas Harwood a Creeke alsoe pting [parting] them The Said fiftie acres of land being due unto him the Said Thomas Priuett by and for the transportaton of one servant into this Colony whose names are in the record mentioned under this Pattent To have and to hold &c Dated the Second day of June 1636 Ut inalijs

Submitted by Ron Reid <[email protected]>