General Notes

Thomas Prewitt, taken from the Family Tree Maker internet sight.


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 Country.

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 up9on the Pinye Swamp (River) and south upon Robert Thrasher. 50 acres due for trasfer of 8 persons: Ann Winter, John Roote, Jon Marshall, Thomas Prewitt, Andrew Chant, Jon Morris, and Pole Carplights.

At frist, land could only be had by paying the passage of settlers too poor to pay their own; the man who paid the transportation cost got 50 acres of land for each person brought to Virginia. The transported person usually had to spend 5 years in working out the costs of his passage, but at the end of that time, he or she also received 50 acres of land.

On June 2, 1636, Thomas Privett 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 Privett for the transportation of one servant into this colony.

This seems strange that an indentured servant would be transporting an indentured servant to do his work for him.

Much has been written about the indentured servants that came to the colonies. Like most immigrants, they were of all classes, ut they were mostly young men with little or no material grrods, beliving that they could make a killing quickly in the new world and return home. There were some who, for political or religious beliefs, chose to come as indentured servants because, in doing so, they would not have to take an oath to support Church or King. No douby many Quakers were among these, for this sect was a problem for Gov. Berkley. It appears that Thomas Prewitt and wife were Quakerw and not married by the rules of the established church.

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

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

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

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

On July 25, 1648, Whereas Thomas Privett 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 hte New Pawqueson and during the time of devine servis the next Sabbath Day. The church wardens ordered to see this done. Pruitt and his wife to appear at the next Court to abien further censure. This was undoubtedly persecution of the Quakers.

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

He was called "The Immigrant."

He immigrated to Charles River County, Virginia on May 6, 1636. His religion was Quaker.