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Some Emigrants to Virginia
Second Edition, Enlarged
Memoranda in Regard to Several Hundred Emigrants to Virginia During the Colonial Period Whose parentage
is Shown or Former Residence Indicated by Authentic Records
Compiled by W. G. Stanard
Publ. by The Bell Book and Stationery Co., Richmond, Virginia 1915
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

PREFACE

     The following list was begun during leisure hours with the expectation that it would be very much shorter than it is, and without any special idea of publication.  After some progress had been made the compiler grew interested in ascertaining how many such instances could be discovered in readily accessible sources, and when it was completed it was thought that, though it consisted only of brief memoranda, it was probably worth preserving in print.
     No attempt has before been made to collect the names of the various emigrants to Virginia in regard to whose parentage, family connections, or former homes something definite could be learned.  In the list here presented there is no claim for exhaustiveness, nor is there any attempt to give many details as to ancestry, social position, or occupation.  It is a list of names with brief notes concerning them, and with references to printed books or manuscripts, where proofs of the statements made are either given in full or epitomized.  It is not intended as an enumeration of gentry but includes all ranks from the laborer to the lord.
     Though of use, no doubt, for genealogical investigations, the compilation was made made for that purpose; but to give examples of the great variety of people who composed the emigrants to the old colonies.
     Some of the persons, whose names are given, died without issue, others returned to England, and of still others nothing is known but the name.  Yet they all lived in Virginia, and with their different characters, habits, and antecedents helped to make the colony what it was and to mould the character of the Virginia people.
     The principal sources used have been the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography (cited as V. M.), the William and Mary Quarterly (cited as W. M.), Waters' Gleanings (cited as W. G.), the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, various other well-known genealogical and biographical works, and a large collection of manuscript notes from Virginia county records in the possession of the compiler.  In the Virginia Magazine of History and Biology Mr. Lothrop Withington's Gleanings" have furnished numerous names.
     In many instances, where there has been no opportunity for minute investigation, only one year of an emigrant's residence in Virginia has been noted.  The name of the emigrant is first given, followed next by his dates, and immediately after this the place of his residence in Virginia, and finally the foreign reference.  When details as to ancestry are given in the authorities referred to, as in the case of John West, Edward Digges, and many others, it has not been deemed necessary to add the social designation of gentleman, esquire, &c.  This has been only done, as a rule, in cases where contemporary records affix such titles to the emigrant's name and the compiler knew nothing of his ancestry.
     In conclusion, it should be said that no statements have been made for which it is believed there is not full proof in reliable records.  All probabilities, however strong or reasonable, and all merely traditional accounts have been omitted.  This is also the case in regard to some positive statements as to parentage or descent for which no authority has been given.
     It will be observed that many prominent Virginia names are omitted form this list.  The emigrant ancestors of the families of Alexander, Berkeley (Middlesex, &c.), Braxton, Brockenbrough, Brooke, Carter, Chew, Cocke (of Henrico, Surry, &c.), Dandridge, Eppes, Farrar, Jefferson, Grymes (Middlesex), Harrison (Surry, &c.), Harwood, Hooe, Kenner, Kennon, Lee, Madison, Marshall, Mason, Newton (Norfolk), Perrott, Pettus, Ppe, Poythress, Rootes, Ruffin, Slaughter, Steptoe, Stith, Swann, Taliaferro, Venable, Walke, Whiting, Willoughby (Norfolk), and many other well-known names have not been traced positively to their former homes across the sea.  It has been only recently that any work has been done towards this end in the English records, and it is hoped that many more details will yet be delivered.

Some Emigrants to Virginia

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