General Notes

Because of dissagreeable Government policies regarding religion John and E
lizabeth Battle left Yorkshire and lived in Ireland for two years; but t
he same offensive edicts found their way into this island also. Being th
us driven from post to pillow ,as it were, and being dissenters from the e
stablished religion of the day, there was no alternative left but yie
ld or flee the country. They chose the latter and embarked for America,a
nd landed at Norfolk, or perhaps came up the Nansamon River as high as Suf
folk, before they landed. Yet it is evident they settled on the bran
ch of the Nansamon River, especially the one called the South Branch, t
he country at that time being one continued forest, except the Indian vill
ages cleared by them. Acquaintances or relatives accompanying them includ
ed Hunters, Sumners, and Bakers. John Battle obtained the Kings Pate
nt ( as their grant for land was then called ) for one thousand acres on w
hich he settled his family and spent his days. But while he yet lived, h
is son married William Hunters daughter whose name was Sarah, after whi
ch he formed a seperate settlement but on the same tract of land and final
ly became heir to the whole of the real estate of his father. Additional l
and grants to John Battle from the Colonial Land Office records, State Cap
ital, Richmond, Virginia.: Vol. 3 p. 216 , 200 acres Dec. 14, 1654,-- Vo
l. 4 p. 585 , 640 acres Sep. 25, 1663,-- Vol. 7 p. 172 , 580 acres April 2
4, 1682.