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FEATHERSTON
Compiled by
Mrs. Augusta B. Fothergill
Richmond, Virginia
(Brenda Fischler: “Copied from a typewritten copy borrowed from
Marie Rutledge of Greenwood, Mississippi. Miss
At
some time during or previous to the year 1672 an Englishman named Charles Featherston
appeared in Henrico County, the part which was later formed into Chesterfield
County; the first official reference to him is when he made application for a grant of
land lying about 3 miles southwest of the present town of Chester on Timbury Run. He may have been in the colony for some time
before making application for the tract of land, as was often the case, but of this we
have no evidence of an official nature. New-comers
often remained in the section where they pleased to settle until certain of just where to
locate their homes, often building their homes and making other improvements. Since Charles Featherstone used the name
of Thomas Chamberlayne as one of his “rights”, stating that he
had come over twice, we can assume that they were close friends; and so he may have
stopped with his friend, whose home was not very far away, until he decided just where he
wanted to establish a permanent home. The
location of Timbury Run Plantation was just 4 or 5 miles from Fort Henry on the Appomattox
River, now the site of Petersburg. Thomas
Chamberlayne had married the daughter of General Abraham Wood, Commander
of the Fort when it was first established, and so seems to have lived nearby for a long
time, later moving to Proctor’s Creek, nearer to the county seat, Varina.
In Vol. VI, p. 414, of land patents
preserved in the land office, state Capitol Bldg., in Richmond, we find that on 19 August
1672, Charles Featherston was granted a tract of land containing
700 acres, by Sir William Berkeley, then Governor of the Colony of Virginia.
It is described as being on the north
side of Appomattox River in Henrico County, corner to the orphans of Mr. William Walthall,
near Timbury Run, to the corner of Timbury patent, up Timbury’s line to the head of
the Run. This was granted for transportation
of 14 persons into the colony; Edward Noddan, John Crabb, Charles Featherston, Richard
Read, Ben Jabin, Thomas Chamberlyne twice, William Cooke, John Crosse,
William Payne, William Fraviles, Thomas More, Xpofer Renings, Xpofer Grisley.
At this time there were serious
troubles with the Indians, which led to Bacon’s Rebellion. Fort Henry on Appomattox River was the outpost of
settlements at that time in that region so that a good many people settled within a short
distance of it so that in time of Indian incursions they could take refuge in the fort. We have no record as to which side Charles
Featherston espoused, but from the group of men with which he was identified later.
it is a natural supposition that he was on the side of the King.
On Nov. 10, 1677, Charles
Featherston, aged 40 odd years, appeared in court and made a deposition to the effect
that Mr. Pride came out of the woods in Mr. Randolph’s
cart, called at the house of the said Featherston, and stated that he was going to live at
Mr. Randolph’s because of the times, left his wife but returned for her that
night. He agreed to make a crop for the said
Featherston, who at first objected as the times were troubled and dangerous. It was finally agreed that the said Featherston
was to give him land to work, free of rent, as it would be for the security of his
plantation to have him there, as well as William Bevins who was to assist said William
Pride in making the crop. (Vol. 1, p.
29, Henrico Co.)
John Willson made deposition
to the same effect, except that the said Pride was to sleep at Bevin’s house at night
all week save two nights. Of course, this
was for protection during Indian troubles.
We also find evidence that
Featherston was of convivial habits, as cited by the depositions following: John Jaques, aged 23 years or
thereabouts, stated that about May or June last, there came to the house of Mrs. Judith
Randolph, Mr. John Pygott and Mr. Charles Featherston where
drinking of a bottle they fell to playing all fours (a game said to be similar to High,
Low, Jack & Game), but playing a while and their money coming even, Mr.
Featherston said I will play no more unless you will put down money or Mr. Soane
pass for you. Where after some words Pygott
told the said Soane he owed him 14 pence, who replied and said yes he did and he would
pass for a shilling for either of them. Whereupon
going to play again and in the drinking of another bottle, the said Soane sometimes betted
with Mr. Featherston on Mr. Pygott’s head one shilling and sometimes 2 shillings and
their play continued till Mr. Featherston won 15 half crowns of Pygott and of the
aforesaid Soane 13 pence which money was won by the said Featherston, but they differing
again he said he would play no more without money or his bill which Pygott refused and
said he would give no other security than what he had done, upon which they fell to bad
and angry words and had fought but were hindered by William Soane and myself who
were then there; this is the truth to the best of your depts...judgmt and further said
not. 10 die Xbris 1677. Test William Randolph C.C.
February Court 1677/8, Charles
Featherston by his own confession has been drunke since he has been on ye jury and at
ye same tyme swore several oaths in my hearing. Testified
to by Samuel Knibb (Vol. 1, p. 70.)
We next find that he and (another
ancestor) Edward Stratton, Jr. were drinking on a Sabbath day at night (Vol. 1,
p. 78). (note by Brenda F. Fischler: “This Edward Stratton, Jr., who is
called another ancestor, must refer to an ancestor of the people for whom this paper was
written by Mrs. Fothergill; this was done by her for some of the Featherstons in
Richmond, VA, those who descend from the Charles Featherston who married Anne
French and their son Charles Henry Featherston who married Elizabeth
Short Thornton...I don’t know where Edward Stratton fits in but it must
be on this line through one of the female lines.”)
There were other diversions than
drinking and gambling, since we find at this time that Manokin Town on the south side of
James River was appointed as a place for the faire or mart with the Indians. This was in the present Powatan County where the
French refugees were settled in the year 1700 and was doubtless an event with sufficient
thrills since they were rather fierce and troublesome as neighbors.
All freemen were bound to be trained
every month in their particular counties for military service and those of substance were
called upon to equip or fit out men, horses and arms.
Charles Featherston was ordered to fitt out 3 men. (30 April 1679, Vol. 1, p. 102)
On February 20th
1682, Robert Farmer deposed that 28 years before - 1654 - he carried the chains
in survey of land at Charles Featherston’s new plantation and that a certain
line that was between Mr. Walthall and Mr. Hatcher. (Vol. 1, p. 212)
continued.