The Pickett Family of Virginia
Submitted by
Carrington Coleman clcoleman@nxs.net
The information on the Pickett Family of Virginia was taken from:
Pickett Family of Virginia
Vol. 49, No. 1 (Jan., 1941), pp. 80-86, Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4245070
Vol. 49, No. 2 (Apr., 1941), pp. 186-190, Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4245089
Published by: Virginia Historical Society
All use subject to JSTOR archives
Part One: 1665 - 1705
Without attempting at this time a consecutive account of the early generations of the Pickett family, for research up to this present time has not afforded sufficient data for that purpose, we would present here certain significant items from record sources as named. We hope that the publication of these items will encourage further research
into the origins of this family, finally supplying sufficient data from which to construct an authentic account of its earlier generations in Virginia.
The earliest reference we have so far found to a member of the Pickett family appears in The Vestry Book of Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County (ed. by C G. Chamberlayne), page 4:
"At a Vestry held September 26, 1665, 'It was Ordered That Henry Pickett have Foure Hundred pounds of Tobacco paid him to Cure a Scald head of a Childe now in his Keeping, of William Baldwin's Dec'd and that ye next Vestry the Said Childe being
Cast on the P'rish be bound to ye Said Pickett according to Law'." l
The Register of Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, (published 1897) page 63, enters:
"Henry Finley & Mary Picket were married Jan ye 8th. 1703."
The Middlesex County records have not been examined for Pickett data, however their examination would probably add information regarding Henry Pickett's transactions in that county.
The following items clearly show that the Picketts moved from Middlesex County to that part of old Rappahannock which became Essex County in 1692.
On December 6, 1673, Robert Armstrong and Dorothy, his wife, conveyed to Henry Pickett, of Middlesex County, cooper, 100 acres in Rappahannock County, in Piscatawa Creek and adjoining the Church road and the lands of William Johnson, John Whitt, and
Mr. Pettey
Old Rappahannock records, vol. 1671-b, page 178.
Oct. 20, 1678 Henry (H, his mark) Picket witnessed a deed from Thornton to Waters, and in a list of debts in account of Col. William Travers, decd., estate, under date of her 13, 1680, we find the item: Exer't on Pickett's estate . . . o 1400
Old Rappahannock records, vol. 1677-82, pages 241, 294
In June 1687 Henry Pickett sued the estate of Richard Cauthorne and in June 1687, October and November 1688 he was a member of petit juries
Ibid., vol. 1686-92, pages 27, 35 91, 96) 2
The following items are all taken from the Essex County records, reference being made to the specific volumes and pages from which they are taken:
VOLUME 1692-5
(page 3) Henry Pickett appointed constable May 1692;
(page 8) John Pickett, grand juror, June 1692;
(page 196) Loe and Minor, trusteees of estate of Ferrill, decd., acknowledge "Mr. Wm. Picket their attorney at Law" in all actions brought to Essex Court against them, July 10, 1694,
(page 200) on same date as above, "Mr. William Picket" appeared as attorney for Paine in suit Adcocke vs Paine.
VOLUME 1695-9 (ORDERS)
(page 21) June 11 1696, William Pickett appears in suit with George Parke, etc.;
(page 28) Augt. 10, 1696 George Parke was granted judgment against William Picket for 390 pounds tobacco cash already paid for) due on balance of a bill dated May 25, 1694;
(page 48) May 10, 1697 John Cammell and Sarah, his wife, appeared and acknowledged deed of sale of land to Henry Pickett . . . ordered recorded;
(page 58) May 11, 1697, John Picket non suited;
(page 101) March 11, 1697 {1697/8] John Brown a servant boy to John Picket was adjudged 12 years old;
(page 138) Jany 10, 1698 1698/91 John Amis acknowledged deed of sale of land to Hen: Picket; ordered recorded.
VOLUME 1695-9 (DEEDS)
(page 93) Jany. 20, 1696 [1690] John (X his mark) Camell, and Sarah, his wife, of Southfarnham Parish, Essex County, for 2700 pounds of tobacco, convey to Henry Pickett, of same parish and county, 100 acres in said Farnham Parish, Essex County, back in the woods on the branches of Piscatacon Creek being part of land
formerly belonging to John Killman father of the said Sarah Camell and which descended on death of said John to his son George Killman by whose death it descended to his sister the said Sarah Camell; said land adjoins John Mitchell's land, a branch called the Greene Swamp, and the Beverdam Swamp. One of the witnesses to this deed
was a Sarah Pickett. 3
(page 244) December 12, 1698, John (X, his mark) Amiss, and Sarah (X, her mark), his wife, of Sittingborn Parish, Essex County, for 300 pounds tobacco, conveyed to Henry Picket, of Southfarnham Parish, Essex County, 500 acres in said Sittingborn Parish on the branch of Cockelshell Creek, adjoining Deane and Clapham, a marsh of Portobago [Creekl, and James Coghill's land.
VOLUME: 1699 (ORDERS)
(page 6) August 10, 1699, "Mary Baughan complains that Jno Picket did sometime about ye 24th day of July assault, beat and strike her after a cruel sort so that she was bruised and incapable of going about her affairs, whereupon its refered to a jury for tryal who ... (rendered) verdict: We of ye jury do finde for the abuse of the
plt. one thousand pounds of tobacco to the plt. with Costs --- Ex'o From which the deft. appeals to ye 6th day of ye next Gen'l Court. It is therefore ordered that he give security to prosecute the same according to law."
John Pickett, Henry Pickett and Jeffry Dyer gave bond for 500 pounds tobacco for the appellants due prosecution of his said appeal.
(page 7) August l0, 1699. On complaint of Mary Baughan it was ordered that John Picket give bond with security for the good behavior of his servant boy John Dobson and that said Picket pay costs; whereupon John Picket and Henry Picket gave bond accordingly which, on the motion of Mary Baughan was recorded.
(page 8)
this bond dated August 11, 1699 was in penalty of 2000 tobacco and cask for the good behavior of the said John Dopson "who hath abused Mary Boughan, widow;"
signed John Picket, Henry (H, his mark) Picket.
(page 17) Novernber 10, 1699, Henry Picket acknowledged an assignment of a deed of sale of a parcel of land to Thomas Hinds, Jr, which was ordered recorded; Elizabeth, wife of said Henry Pickett relinquished dower;
ordered recorded. 4
VOLUME 1699-1702, DEEDS & WILLS, ETC.
(page 74) March 4, 1700, Henry Pickett and Elizabeth his wife relinquished right, title and interest to John Pickett, in 100 acres of land which Robert Armstrong and Dorothy, his wife, had previously conveyed to said Henry Pickett
(see ante).
(page 117) The will of Henry Pickett, of Essex County, dated October 18, 1701; probated August 10, 1702, devised to daughters Hannah Spencer and Searah Fullerton, 1 shilling each; to son William Pickett, all my land in the freshes of Rappahannock River; to son John Pickett, all debts owing to me; to wife Elizabeth Pickett, land on
which I live during her life, also half of personal estate between her and the child she now goeth with; other half to my son William; executors, my wife and two sons John and William Pickett.
Witnesses:
William Johnson,
William Willson,
Richard Edwards.
(page 121) Ober 10, 1702 John Pickett and William Pickett gave bond as executors.
(page 127) Jany. 11, 1702/3 Inventory of the eshte of Henry Pickett, deceased; total value L. 200: 19:08; returned by William Johnson and Elizabeth, his wife; and John Pickett 5
(page 126) Ober 12th 1701 John Pickett, guardian for William Pickett, orphan of Henry Pickett; amount L. 200;
sureties:
James Baughan,
James Fullerton.
VOLUME 1703-08, ORDER BOOK
(page 2) Augt. 11, 1703 David Pickett vs David Magir; judgment 3000 pounds tobacco.
(page 20) Novr. 30, 1703, John Pickett, 300 acres for importation of 6 persons into the colony, viz. John Brord, John Dobson, Wm. Harson, Joseph Baker, John English, and Richard Edwards.
(page 21) Dec. 10, 1703, John Pickett, granted 300 acres due for importation of 6 persons into the colony [same as above order].
(page 33) Dec. 1703, John Pickett vs Cornelius Mackannon.
(page 48) Feby. 11, 1703 [1703/4] Thomas Spencer and Hannah, his wife, James Fullerton and Sarah, his wife, petition court for administration on estate of James Pickett, late of this [Essex] county, decd., as being nearest of kind [kin]; but, it being signified to this court that the mother of the said deceased is alive it is ordered the same be referred to consideration of the next court.
(page 56) March 10, 1703 [1703/4] administration on estate of James Pickett, decd., granted to William Johnson and Elizabeth, his wife, nearest of kin to the said deceased (see also pages 57, 67, 73 and 92).6
(page 105) Aug. 10, 1704 William Johnson and Elizabeth, his wife, not appearing to administer the estate of James Pickett, decd. according to order of court, the sheriff to take them into custody. (see also pages 105, 114, 123, 130).
(page 115) Sept. 1704, John Pickett's negro Nann adjudged 10 years old. 7
(page 191) Dec. 1705, John Pickett vs Edwd. Gouldman, action on case.
____________
1 At this date (1665) Christ Church Parish was in Lancaster County. The area of Lancaster on the south side of the Rappahannock River was not organized into a county and named Middlesex until Feb. 1673/4 (Robinson, Virginia Counties, pages 60 and 84).
2 In Rappahannock records vol. 1682/8 page 283 George Kilmon of Rappahannock County conveyed land near Piscatacon Creek bounded west south west upon the land of Captain Josias Pickett. This is the only reference to Josias Pickett that we have come across.
3 Probably Sarah Pickett (daughter of Henry Pickett) who married first James Fullerton; second James Webb.
4 This was the land (as shown by the order) that John and Sarah Camell sold and conveyed (as above) to Henry Picket, on Jany. 20, 1696 [1696/7].
5 Dec. 1703 Thos. Snead, Erasmus Allen and John Pickett, gave bond for L. 500 for administration on estate of Richard Gregory, decd. (Essex County Deeds, Wills &e. 1702-4, page 135).
6 These items prove that James Pickett, decd., was the unborn child provided for in the will of Henry Pickett, dated Oct. 18, 1701, probated Aug 10, 1702 Elizabeth, wife of Wm. Johnson, was evidently widow of Henry Pickett, and mother of the said James Pickett who died in infancy.
7 Essex records, Deeds, Wills & c. 1704-7, page 63, appear, 7th Sber 1704 John Pickett vs David Holt, attachment.
Continue to Part 2: 1705 - 1741
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