TERRE HAUTE —
English immigration to the Chesapeake Bay area of the North American colonies took place mainly between the years of 1641 and 1675, and involved the colonies of Virginia and Maryland.
Jamestown was the first settlement in Virginia. In 1642, Sir William Berkeley arrived in Jamestown to serve as Virginia’s governor. Berkeley set about creating a system to attract new settlers to Virginia, based on his convictions and values, which were related to what was going on back in England.
England was a country that based its inheritance laws on the notion of primogeniture; that is, the first son inherits all of the father’s property. This practice keeps the estates intact through the generations. But for the other sons, there wasn’t really any land to buy, and consequently they had no claim to property. They usually joined the military or entered the ministry. These so-called “second sons” were well-educated “cavaliers,” accustomed to a lifestyle of wealth and privilege, but without the promise of owning land.
Berkeley set about recruiting the second sons to settle in Virginia with the promise of something they could never have back in England – land. Not only did he offer land to the cavaliers for transporting themselves to Virginia, but he offered more land to them for transporting indentured servants to Virginia. And finally, he gave land to the servants as soon as their period of indenture was up.
During the 1650s, England experienced a civil war between the supporters of the king and supporters of parliament (many of whom were Puritans). Those supporting the king were called Royalists and maintained the Anglican faith. Berkeley was an Anglican and a Royalist, and the cavaliers he recruited to Virginia were the same. Most of the “ruling families” of Virginia can trace their ancestors back to those cavalier immigrants who came over between the years of 1645 and 1665; and they can tie their ancestry back to the elite ruling families of the West Country in England.
A very similar scenario was going on in the adjoining colony of Maryland. There, Lord Baltimore of the Calvert family was the Maryland governor, and he sat up a similar situation, offering land to immigrants and their imported servants. One difference in Maryland was that Calvert was Catholic, and he extended religious tolerance to those who settled in his colony.
Life in Virginia and Maryland reflected the life of the rural landed gentry back in England (which its settlers brought with them). Rather than building towns and cities, the settlers created large plantations (hundreds or thousands of acres in size) that were scattered across the landscape. The plantations were virtually independent; they grew and produced virtually everything they needed., and they required a large number of indentured servants (and later slaves) to run them. The colonies of Virginia and Maryland also imported the English custom of primogeniture, the difference being that the second sons in the colonies could buy land or move west and settle elsewhere.
Most of the cavalier immigrants and their servants came from two areas of England. Prior to 1850, most of the settlers came from counties in a 60-mile radius around London, not including the East Anglia region (where the Puritans came from). More than 50 percent of the servants came from the London suburbs. The other 50 percent came from the western counties of Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Northhamptonshire.
After 1650, those who emigrated came from a 60-mile radius around the port city of Bristol, including the counties of Devon, Sommerset, Dorsett, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and also including the southeastern counties of Wales.
Knowing this information can help you locate your Virginia or Maryland ancestor.
History
GENEALOGY: English immigration to Chesapeake Bay area
- History
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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