General Notes

John Cherry came to Norfolk, Va. from England in 1635. He wasTransported by Oliver Spry.Patent book 1, part 2, page 487 shows an Oliver Sprye who received 300 acres in Upper Norfolk Co VA on 24 October 1637 for transporting six persons from England, by court order on 6 June 1635: "James Hicks, John Longworthy, Tho. Bush, John Dawson, George Wilcock, John Cherry," by order of the court on 6 June 1635.


Based on records of Norfolk Co. Va., as examined by Rubicam in the originals, in Norfolk Co.; Wills as published; N.C. Wills and other sources mentioned; and research in Va. State Library by Mrs. Nellie P. Waldenmaier, in Vestry Book of Elizabeth River Parish and elsewhere. JOHN CHERRY the earliest mentioned in Va. records, is named in the following Patent, in Patent Book No. 1, Part 2, p. 487: Oliver Sprye, 300 acres in Upper County of New Norfolk, 24 Oct., 1637. Being called by the name of the Thickett, beginning, upon land of Mr. Daniel Gookins, S.W. along the maine river, N.W. into the woods and S.E. upon the river. Due by order of Ct. 6 June, 1635, & alsoe due for transportation of 6 persons; James Hicks, John Longworthy, Tho. Bush, John Dawson, Goerg Wilcock, John Cherry. Thus did John Cherry reach Upper Norfolk Co. Va. in 1635. He was probably young, and working out the cost of his transportation. John Cherry Sr. and William Maund witnessed the will of W. H. Whelten, in Lower Norfolk Co. 13 Sept. 1690 and witnessed the will of Joseph Miller, Sr. of same locality 4 Jan. 1689. Both testified at the proofs of these wills 13 Sept. 1693. John Cherry made his will in Norfolk Co. 12 Jan. 16[98/9] which was proved 18 July 16[99]. Recorded in Book of Deeds No. 6, p. 130, but in a fragmentary condition. He may have been a son of John and Frances in the English line, and was certainly father of JOHN CHERRY, Jr. The Norfolk Co. records show an assignment, 6 May, 1699 from (???) Etheridge and Ann his wife to John Cherry. John purchased 14 Feb. 1731, of Lemuel Powell and wife Sarah, for œ 8.0, 100 acres on the Southern Branch of Elizabeth River, Norfolk Co. Va. As John Cherry, Jr., cooper, he bought, 25 Feb. 1732, of William Mercer and wife Elizabeth, 50 acres on west side of the Southern Branch. On 13 Feb. 1747, he purchased of John Biggs and wife Sarah, for œ25, 100 acres on Biggs' Creek, east side of Southern Branch. This was witnessed by Solomon Cherry. Pursuant to an Order of Norfolk County Court bearing date the day of November 1751, the Vestry of Elizabeth River Parish met and appointed the several Persons to "Procession" in the several Precincts. Lott Maund & Jno. Cherry, son of Jno. Cherry, from Sugg's Millhead to New Mill Creek. (Vestry Book of Elizabeth River Parish). Processioners were always men of established standing, and more often past middle life. It appears that the above are direct ancestors of the following. The names in the 1790 Census and in the Norfolk Co. records show the following Cherrys, and the number of them, which indicates a large and undoubtedly related family; Benjamin, 3; Bryan, 8; Charles, 6; Faithful, 2; Jean, 5; Joseph, 3; John,13; Luke,2; Matthew,5; Paul,8; Samuel,3; Theophilus, 6; Thomas,18; these all on the Western Branch of Elizabeth River.