Person Page - 236

     John "Johannes" Wise was born c 1665 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of COL John Wise I and Hannah Scarburgh (2nd dau Hannah). His estate was probated on 29 Dec 1741 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

      John Wise the younger was called Johannes to distinguish him from his older brother of the same name.

     Sinah Crowson was born c 1737 at Accomack Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of William Crowson I and Comfort Littleton.¹ Sinah Crowson married Reuben Rew, son of Woney Rew I and Comfort Gelding, c 1755 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     Reuben Rew was born c 1730.¹ He was the son of Woney Rew I and Comfort Gelding. Reuben Rew married Sinah Crowson, daughter of William Crowson I and Comfort Littleton, c 1755 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ His estate was probated on 29 May 1770 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     Charles Crowson was born c 1745 at Accomack Co, Virginia. He was the son of William Crowson I and Comfort Littleton.¹ Charles Crowson married Comfort West on 24 Sep 1771 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ His estate was probated on 25 Mar 1795 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     Comfort West was born a 1751. She married Charles Crowson, son of William Crowson I and Comfort Littleton, on 24 Sep 1771 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     Robert Crowson was born c 1665 at England.¹ He immigrated c 1684. He married an unknown person c 1692. He died c 1702 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

      Robert Crowson was likely the first Crowson to immigrate to America, having sailed from Nottingham, England before 1685. He became an indentured servant for a year, a period considerably less than the normal servitude. The suit of Robert Croudson against Hance Bettnor was referred to Accomack Co, VA court on 2 Sep 1685. Croudson had, for a consideration, agreed to serve Bettnor one year beginning 20 Jan 1684. Though Bettnor sold Croudson to John Lawes, Bettnor was to pay Croudson's wages. Because Bettnor was "a person of no settled residence," Croudson petitioned for security for the payment of the rest of his wages at the expiration of his time. Considering the request reasonable, the court ordered Bettnor give security for the payment and delivery of two shirts, one kersey suit, one hat, a pair of stockings and three years' taxes along with the costs of the lawsuit.

Robert was named as a headright on 18 March 1690 at Accomack Co, VA. On that date Thomas Welburne was granted 2,450 acres of land in Accomack Co, VA as compensation for transporting 49 persons into the colony, including Robert Crowson.

Robert probably died by 1702 when his sons were apprenticed at ages ten and twelve respectively.

     Thomas Crowson was born c 1692 at Accomac, Accomack Co, Virginia. He was the son of Robert Crowson.¹

      By 1702 Thomas Crowson was an apprentice to Sarah Coe, widow of Timothy Coe, a Quaker.

     John Littleton I was born in 1656 at England.¹ He married Margaret Riley, daughter of Thomas Riley / O'Rily I and Sarah Webb, c 1684 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ His estate was probated on 1 Aug 1721 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

      John Littleton I began life as an indentured servant and eventually became a planter.

Identifying John's ancestry has been impossible according to researcher Moody Miles and notable author Ralph Whitelaw. John is definitely not a direct descendant of the immigrant Nathaniel Littleton (c1605-1656), although John and Nathaniel may be both be descendants of the same overseas family. Because of the difficulty in identifying John's lineage, included here is much of Moody Miles research to facilitate connections later.

At a court held in Accomack Co, VA on 17 May 1669 Capt. John West brought three servants -- John Littleton, Christopher Cleverly and Isaac Branduck -- to court to have their ages judged, and John Littleton was judged to be 13 years old, which put his birth at about 1656. They were to serve until attaining the age of 24 years, at which time they would receive corn and clothes.

John was named as a headright on 16 Dec 1669 at Accomack Co, VA when a certificate was granted to Capt. John West for 200 acres of land for transporting John Littleton, Isaac Brandon, Christopher Cleverly and Robert Taylor into the colony. John was named again as a headright on 17 Nov 1671 at Accomack Co, VA on a certificate granted to Capt. John West for 1,200 acres due for transportation of 25 persons into the colony.

John was consistently on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA. In 1681 he was shown as Jno. Littleton with 1 tithable; in 1687 and 1688 as Jno. Littleton with 1 tithable in Capt. Hill's precinct; in 1690 and 1691 as Jno. Littleton with 2 tithables in Mr. Jo. Robinson's precinct; in 1692 as John Littleton with 1 tithable in Mr. Jo. Robinson's precinct and as Jno. Littleton with 1 tithable in Mr. Edm'd Custis' precinct; in 1695 he was shown as Jno. Littleton with 1 tithable in Mr. Ed Custis' precinct. The 2 tithables in 1690 and 1691 imply he either had a son who turned 16 in 1690 or he had a slave; because the 2 tithables did not continue, he probably had a slave.

John did not appear for Capt Henry Custis' military muster three times in 1684 and 1686, leading to the Accomack Co sheriff summoning him to the succeeding court; only the fines from the last such appearance were forgiven. On 18 Dec 1688 John Littleton was fined 200 pounds tobacco for failing to appear for jury duty; on 20 Feb 1688/89 John petitioned he was prevented by sickness from attending the Dec court as a grand juryman and because he appeared ill, the court ordered he be discharged from his fine but pay court charges. John was on a jury in 1691, 1693, 1694 and 1701. On 16 Jun 1691 John Littleton brought an orphan named John Foster before the court and stated he was willing to take the orphan into his care until Foster reached 20 years of age. The court agreed and ordered Foster perform according to law.

John bought land on 3 Jan 1700 at Accomack Co, VA. His father-in-law Thomas Riley had left this land to his son Lawrence Riley in his 1696 will, and Lawrence Riley sold the land to his brother-in-law John Littleton. In the deed book they were shown as Lawrence Riley and wife Tabitha of Somerset Co, MD, and he was shown as John Littleton of Hunting Creek, Accomack Co, VA. The land was described as 200 acres on the south of Back Branch at Timber Creek, bounded on the east by the Bayside Road, adjoining the land of Peter Claywell, on the south & southwest by Thomas Riley and John Lewis and on the west by John Arue (Rew), deceased. On 18 Aug 1703 John Littleton, planter, and his wife Margaret of Accomack Co deeded to William Carter of Accomack Co one acre at Back Branch, "alias Timber Creek, being a part of my plantation where I now live, bought of Lawrence Riley of Somerset Co, MD." The acre was bounded on the north by Back Branch, on the east by the County Road and adjoining Peter Claywell, and on the and southwest by Littleton's plantation. The 1704 quit rent rolls showed him still owning 200 acres in Accomack Co.

John's 15 Sep 1718 will made at Back Creek, Accomack Co, VA bequeathed his son William Littleton his 200 acre plantation where he lived; daughter Tabitha Warde a feather bed and household goods unless she did not get them within three years whereupon they went to his son Thomas Littleton; son John Littleton one cow and calf; daughter Comfort Crowson one cow, calf and two ewes; daughter Ann Mary Littleton 600 pounds tobacco and 2 ewes; and son Charles Littleton his horse. He gave his son Thomas two years education to be paid for by his son William. He bequeathed his youngest four sons Charles, Mark, Edmund and Thomas 500 pounds tobacco to be paid by his son William as each son came of age at 18 years old and divided his residual estate equally among the same four younger sons.

Although John is consistently shown in records as Littleton or some close approximation of that spelling such as Liddleton or Lettleton, his brother-in-law was John Lilliston, perhaps leading to some confusion.

Moody Miles detailed sources:
[S572] Ralph T. Whitelaw, Virginia's Eastern Shore (A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties), p. 1104 (tract A109) & p. 1187 (tract A124).
[S696] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1663-1666, Volume 1, p. 161, 179
[S579] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Certificates and Rights, 1663-1709 and Tithables, 1663-1695, p. 46, 116, 141, 144, 154, 159, 163, 165 & 176.
[S776] Mary Frances Carey, From Bonwell to Bonneville, a Family History.
[S826] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1703-1710, Volume 10, p. 13, 14, 104, 130 & 190.
[S702] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1682-1690, Volume 7, p. 52, 98, 156, 158, 258, 265, 282.
[S703] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1690-1697, Volume 8, p. 34, 57, 120, 135 & 138.
[S98] Accomack Co, VA, Wills & c., 1692-1715(xi), Part 1, p. 391 and Part 2, p. 5.
[S704] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1697-1703, Volume 9, p. 84, 115.
[S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 69 (will of John Littleton of Back Creek).
[S969] Accomack Co, VA, Wills, Deeds & c., 1715-1729, Part 1, p. 365.

     Margaret Riley was born c 1669 at Accomack Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of Thomas Riley / O'Rily I and Sarah Webb.¹ Margaret Riley married John Littleton I c 1684 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

      Moody Miles used the following sources for Margaret Riley:
[S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 28 (will of Thomas Rily Sr., wife Sarah).
[S776] Mary Frances Carey, From Bonwell to Bonneville, a Family History.
[S826] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1703-1710, Volume 10, p. 13.
[S98] Accomack Co, VA, Wills & c., 1692-1715(xi), Part 2, p. 286/287.

     Tabitha Littleton was born c 1684 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹ Tabitha Littleton married Michael Ward I c 1700 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     Michael Ward I was born c 1650.¹ He married Tabitha Littleton, daughter of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley, c 1700 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     William Littleton was born c 1692 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹ William Littleton married Johanah Smith c 1715 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ His estate was probated on 17 Jan 1771 at Dorchester Co, Maryland.

     Johanah Smith was born a 1695. She married William Littleton, son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley, c 1715 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     John Littleton II was born c 1694 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹ John Littleton II married Sarah (Unknown) c 1720 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ His estate was probated on 15 Apr 1746 at Fairfax Co, Virginia.

      On 2 Jun 1713 Ann Thorns, who was presented by the grand jury at the last Accomack Co court for bastard-bearing, swore John Littleton Jr. was the father of her child. John was ordered taken into custody until he posted a bond to save the parish from supporting the child and for his good behavior.

Beginning in 1721 John bought and sold considerable acreage in Dorchester Co, MD and later in Fairfax Co, VA.

     Sarah (Unknown) was born a 1700. She married John Littleton II, son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley, c 1720 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

     Ann Mary Littleton was born c 1700 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹ Ann Mary Littleton married Joseph Walker I, son of John Walker and Margaret (Unknown), in 1720.¹ Ann Mary Littleton died a 1747.¹

      On 6 Nov 1716 Ann Mary Littleton presented to the grand jury for fornication and on 6 Mar 1717 the sheriff reported he had summoned Mary and others, perhaps meaning the father, and they failed to appear at court. The court ordered the sheriff take them into custody and keep them until they entered a bond for their appearance at the next court.

On 4 Apr 1722 it was recorded that at the Nov 1721 court Mary was presented for fornication and having a bastard child. She failed to appear at court in April and the sheriff was ordered to take her into custody until she posted a bond for her appearance at the next court.

On 8 Jan 1723/24 it was recorded that at the Dec court the sheriff was ordered to take Thomas Rew into custody for his appearance at this court to answer for fathering Mary's child. After questioning Thomas, the court ordered the sheriff to immediately take Rew into custody until he posted a bond to save the parish the cost of supporting the child and for his good behavior. He was also to pay court costs. Thomas was her neighbor and the first cousin of Mary's first cousin Sinah Littleton's husband, Reuben Rew.

On 2 Aug 1726 Mary's brother, Mark Littleton, brought action for damages of £20 against a Thomas Rew for assault. Littleton's attorney appeared in court as did Rew, who was granted time until the next court.

On 5 Dec 1733 it was ordered that Southy Littleton (orphan) be bound to Mark Littleton to learn the trade of carpenter. Evidently his father had died as it appears that his mother had married Joseph Walker and was still living at this time.

Moody Miles' research assumes Mary's two bastard children (who were not named in the court proceedings against her) were Southy Littleton and Comfort Littleton. After her children's births, Mary married Joseph Walker, and Miles Moody assumed Stephen Walker to be a son of Joseph Walker, by his first wife before Joseph married Mary. Under these assumptions, Stephen Walker and Comfort Littleton were step-siblings. A Stephen Walker and Comfort Littleton had three children, apparently without benefit of marriage, which might have been difficult to attain because as a bastard child Comfort may have been tainted in the eyes of the community. Comfort and her children inherited under Stephen Walker's will. These assumptions appear to be shaken by the fact that Joseph Walker did not mention a son Stephen in his will, although his sons by Mary were noted.

     Joseph Walker I was born c 1684 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Walker and Margaret (Unknown).¹ Joseph Walker I married Ann Mary Littleton, daughter of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley, in 1720.¹

     John Walker was born c 1650.¹ He married Margaret (Unknown) c 1680.¹ His estate was probated on 28 May 1709 at Northampton Co, Virginia.¹

     Margaret (Unknown) was born a 1660. She married John Walker c 1680.¹

     Charles Littleton was born c 1702 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹

     Mark Littleton was born c 1704 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹ Mark Littleton married Sarah Tatham c 1730.¹ Mark Littleton died b 1740 at Accomack Co, Virginia.

     Sarah Tatham was born c 1706 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ She married Mark Littleton, son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley, c 1730.¹ Her estate was probated on 27 Jan 1761 at Accomack Co, Virginia.

     Edmund Littleton was born c 1706 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹ Edmund Littleton married Patience Kincey c 1734 at Dorchester Co, Maryland.¹ His estate was probated on 7 Aug 1754 at Worcester Co, Maryland.

     Patience Kincey was born c 1715 at Dorchester Co, Maryland.¹ She married Edmund Littleton, son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley, c 1734 at Dorchester Co, Maryland.¹

     Thomas Littleton was born c 1708 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley.¹ Thomas Littleton married Unknown Barnet c 1738 at Kent Co, Delaware.¹ His estate was probated on 7 Aug 1754 at Worcester Co, Maryland.

     Unknown Barnet was born a 1718. She married Thomas Littleton, son of John Littleton I and Margaret Riley, c 1738 at Kent Co, Delaware.¹

     Thomas Riley / O'Rily I was born on 20 Sep 1637.¹ He married Sarah Webb in 1668 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ His estate was probated b 1 Jun 1697 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

      On 29 Sep 1660 Thomas Riley I (also used Rily/ Rilye/ Rilly/ Ryle/ Ryley/ Orily/ O'Riley) was judged to be 23 years old and ordered to serve his master John Lewis for one year beginning 20 Sep 1660, "according to the custom of the country." As it was customary for a younger servant to serve until their 24th birthday (unless there was an indenture specifying otherwise), the court apparently believed 20 Sep 1660 to be Thomas’s 23rd birthday; assuming they were accurate, his date of birth would have been 20 Sep 1637.

On 29 Oct 1662 just a year after his term of service expired, Thomas was granted a certificate for 600 acres for transporting twelve individuals. He apparently indentured himself a second time to the same master for a longer period to finance his quest for land.

Thomas patented 600 acres in 1664 at Accomack Co, VA; a few years later Thomas sold the eastern half to Roger Ternon, who received a patent in his own name for his 300 acres, and at the same time Thomas received a new patent for his remaining 300 acres. The division line between Orily and Ternon went through the present village of Leemont, which at one time was called Woodstock.

On 16 Dec 1667 Thomas and Sarah Webb, both servants to John Lewis, were presented by the grand jury and summoned to the next court. On the 17 Feb 1668, Thomas was fined 500 pounds tobacco for fornication with Sara Webb, who was found guilty of bastardy. Thomas married Sarah the following year once they were free of servitude.

Thomas' 1 Aug 1696 Accomack Co, VA will bequeathed his son Thomas his 300 acre plantation where Thomas senior lived with all houses and orchards with his wife Sarah to have one room and a feather bed and access to other rooms and if she remarried to be allowed to remain on some other part of the plantation for life; son Thomas the bed and furniture his son was using; son Lawrence 250 gallons cider and casks, a cow, a steer, an ewe, and his 200 acre plantation with orchard and field at Rock Creek for seven years keeping it in good repair before the land apparently reverted to Lawrence's brother Thomas; daughter Mary Truit twelve pounds sterling; his grandson James Truitt one heifer; and grandson Thomas Littleton one ewe. The remaining cattle and sheep to be equally divided among his wife, son Thomas and three daughters Elizabeth, Sarah and Margitt; his remaining furniture and household goods were to be equally divided among his wife and and these same three daughters; and his hand mill was to be equally divided between sons Thomas and Lawrence. His wife and son Thomas were given equal rights to his servant boy William and for his wife was given the boy John Glin (orphan) during her widowhood and then his son Thomas was to have John Glin until he came to the age of twenty one. Executors, his wife, two sons Thomas and Lawrence Rily, and John Lewis of Hunting Creek. Witnesses: John Ayers, Hinley MackWilliams, Mich Hill.

Moody Miles used these detailed sources for Thomas Riley:
[S2015] JoAnn Riley McKey, Northampton Co, VA Orders 1657-1664, p. 76 & 143.
[S572] Ralph T. Whitelaw, Virginia's Eastern Shore (A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties), p. 1096 (Tract A107, Leemont).
[S2015] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co Orders 1666-1670, p. 43a.
[S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 28 (will of Thomas Rily Sr., wife Sarah).

     Sarah Webb was born c 1650.¹ She married Thomas Riley / O'Rily I in 1668 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ Her estate was probated on 3 Apr 1708 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹

      Sarah Webb's 26 Feb 1707/08 Accomack Co will gave "for the tender love and affaction I bare for my grandchildren hereafter named" to Thomas Lilliston a cow and ewe; to Anne Sloocum, daughter of Robert and Sarah Sloocum, a cow and a feather bed and bolster, in the possession of said Robert Slocomb [sic] and to be delivered to Anne at the age of 16 or marriage; and a cow to the next child born of daughter Margaret. The will was signed with her mark.

Moody Miles used the following sources for Sarah Webb:
[S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 28 (will of Thomas Rily Sr., wife Sarah).
[S2015] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co Orders 1666-1670, p. 43a.
[S98] Accomack Co, VA, Wills & c., 1692-1715(xi), Part 2, p. 286/287.

     Comfort Littleton was born in Oct 1721 at Accomack Co, Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Rew and Ann Mary Littleton.¹ Comfort Littleton died on 25 Oct 1785.¹