These materials have been compiled by Ann Woodlief . Please e-mail her at awoodlief@yahoo.com if you wish to link, amend, or copy. In 2003, Brother Thomas Spalding published "Descendants of Jane Owsley," which includes the presently available "Descendants of John Peak IV" by David S. Raese.
For more goodies, see The Owsley Family Historical Society and Milancie's Pages.Lucy Gregg Peak (Mrs. John Peak III) was the daughter of:
James Gregg (Stafford Co, VA?-1/5/1734 Stafford Co.) and Jane Owsley (ca. 1680, Loudon Co. VA-before 1734)
They were married by June 7 1700. James was the son of Thomas and Lucy Heabard Gregg (-1730/31 VA). Thomas Gregg patented 400 acres in Westmoreland Co. on the Paspatancy Creek in 1662 and on Nipiscoe Run in 1698. Lucy Heabard was brought over by Robert Moseley before 1661 and died ca. 1730. They had at least 4 children: Thomas, James, Lucy, Elizabeth. (John Bennett Boddie, Virginia Historical Genealogies)Children:
James (ca. 1700 -before 1734),
Lucy
Matthew (ca. 1704-1756)
John (ca 1706-1756)
Sarah (ca 1707-before 1749)
Lettice (ca. 1709-before 1749)
Jemima (ca. 1718-after 1749)
Jane Owsley was the daughter of:Thomas Owsley ( 6/11/1658 at Stugursey, Somerset Co. Eng-10/10/1700 Stafford Co VA) and Ann Harris (1670-1739)
Children:
Jane, m. James Gregg (see above)
Ann (m. Isaac Kent)
Mary
Thomas II (1696 (1690?)-1750), m. Ann West (1707-51): Thomas III (1731-96, m. Mary Middleton 1730-1808); William (-1762); Newdigate (1738-97, Mary Ann Davis); Poyntz (-1813); Ann West (1744-1825, m. Edward Garrett II); Elizabeth; Jane; Weldon (1750-1815); John (1734-67, m. Ann Stephens) Another site on this family.
Poyntz
Sarah (1700-)[From Owsley Web site]:
"Caught up by an adventuresome spirit young Thomas Owsley apparently never completed his colIege education, for, by September 1677, he had arrived in the Colony of Virginia. During the next three years he seems to have engaged in an enterprise that necessitated travel between England and the Colonies, It was during one such journey, in 1679, that he was taken prisoner by Algerian pirates and was ransomed by the villagers of Glooston, the parish in Leicestershire, England where his father was them serving as rector.
By 1680 he had settled in Stafford County in which year, at the age of only 22 years, he held the position of Clerk of the County Court. From the earliest days this important position was always held by a man of education and Thomas Owsley was well suited for the post. His clerical duties appear, however, to have been of short duration, for he was soon again engaged in a more profitable business, as agent for one Colonel Cadwallader Jones, to traffic in a variety of commodities, excepting munitions, with the Nantecoke Indians. His business dealings were surely lucrative,resulting in an accumulation of wealth and prestige, sufficient to establish himself as host for the Stafford County Court in his home on 12 November l690. During the ensuing years his status in the colony grew. He was given a commission in the Stafford County Militia and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. During this period militia officers generally held concurrent judicial positions within their respective counties and Thomas Owsley had his hands full ensuring both the safety of the region and his part in the administration of justice. On several occasions he forwarded letters to the governor's council and in one instance was the lone dissenting justice in a case heard before the county court. On 8 June 1692 Captain Thomas Owsley was given command of a detachment of ten men who were then added to the Potomac Rangers. Commissioned by the Virginia legislature, this group was to range the frontier from above the Occoquan to the head of this river as protection against hostile Indians. That same date he was sworn in for another one year term as Justice of the Peace.
A letter has survived from this period that presents a vivid picture of the danger that was often present to the early settlers and in this situation directly impacted upon Thomas. In 1692 he was residing upon his plantation on Pohick Pun when Indians attacked his home. The letter, presented to the Maryland General Assembly, describes the events of May 1692:
...Last night about 11 or 12 a Clock Came two men from Mr Owsleys to Captain Addisons to give notice that about 3 a Clock in the afternoon Mr. Owsleys negro Woman going betwixt the Lower and Upper house was almost killed by two Indians and hath two wounds in her head, and a peice of Skin the breadth of a Crown piece flead off her skull, and stabed under the right Breast, which wound is thought to be Mortal and Stabbed through one Arm, with several other small wounds, a Cooper being at a Little Distance heard her Cry out, who with another Man with him made towards her, which frightened them away and in a Little time after Mr. Owsley being out, came home with his Ranging Party and Eleven Pisscataway Indians with him, who immediately went after them & found where they had Camped near to the house. The Indians say they think by the footing there is ten of them. They pursued them so hard that they dropped several things 1st pair of Mackasoons, one stick like a back sword much like that you did see at Captain Addisons; Mr Owsley returned to his house last night, but the Indians are still in pursuit, who says they doubt not to come up with them, unless they Come over Potowmack it Owsley and his Party is appointed by Our Indians to meet them again this Day;..
By this time, Thomas was a well respected man in the Colony. It was time to marry and raise a family. The woman he choose was the daughter of a British Army officer who had arrived in the Colony over 20 years earlier, Indeed, his bride Anne, was likely the only child of Lieutenant William Harris. During the ensuing ten years Anne gave her husband at least six children, two sons, Poyntz and Thomas, and four daughters, Jane, Ann, Mary and Sarah.
In 1692 Thomas Owsley was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses from Stafford County and took his oath as a Burgess on Friday, 3 March 1693. He served again from 1695 to 1696. The Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia record that on "Fryday, April 24th 1696, Mr. Martin Scarlet" was elected "Burgess of Stafford County in room of Capt. Thomas Owsley now sheriff of Stafford County." He again served as a Burgess in 1698, In the latter year, the militia officers included "Capt Thomas Owsley of Stafford parish, which later became Overwharton Parish, He was reflected as commanding a detachment of 53 men. On 15 November 1694, Thomas obtained two patents of land in Stafford County. The larger tract of 1000 acres was fronted on its southern point by Pohick Bay. The smaller 150 acre tract adjoined the larger at the northeast corner. He secured a grant of 600 acres on 17 November 1696 and another on 24 March 1697. This latter tract, comprising 640 acres, was situated some distance from his other holdings, but was undoubtedly prime land being located on the shore of the Potomac River in northeast Stafford County. [Some of his land was the present site of Fort Belvoir] On 3 June 1699, Thomas Owsley was appointed a Major in the Stafford County Militia and was thus second in command under Lieutenant Colonel George Mason, the commander-in-chief. That same year Thomas was again serving as Clerk of the County Court and continued in that position until his death on 10 October 1700.
His death is attested to by a letter dated October 14, 1700, from Ralph Wormley, Secretary of Virginia, in which he notes the recent death of Mr. Thomas Owsley and recommends Mr. Leonard Tarent as a replacement (Stafford County Order Book pg 52-52). [The sentence includes corrections from the Web site.] The exact date of death of Thomas Owsley is known from a map survey of 1748 in the case of French Mason Vs. Daniel McCarty, March 25, 1748, on which is noted his grave and the comment "Owsly buryd there, as by a tomb stone, he dyed October ye 10th 1700". The survey was redrawn and published by Mitchell's "Begining at a White Oak", pg 64. The grave itself, now located on the Fort Belvoir Military reservation, is no longer identifiable. At his death land holdings of 2390 acres. In addition the inventory of his estate reveals that his widow, Anne Owsley, came into position of not only the household furniture and cattle, but servants as well." See this site also.
After Thomas Died, Ann Harris Owsley married John West, then John Wheeler.
Ann Harris Owsley was the daughter of:William Harris (1633, England-5/16/1698) and Jane of Stafford Co.
He arrived around 1660 as a Lieutenant in the English army. He was granted patent on 4200 acres in Stafford County, now in Fairfax County (including the town of Colchester and land in Occoquan Regional Park, DC Dept of Corrections, Fort Belvoir, and Lorton, as well as Occoquan. In 1679 he was granted another 1600 acres at the head of Neabsco Creek. A 1681 letter indicates that he had been captured by the Indians and was held for ransom for over a year. In 1686 he bought three slaves, a ship, and livestock from his father-in-law, perhaps reestablishing his household after a calamity. In 1690 he was granted another patent of 1600 acres on Neabsco Creek. He bought a slave, Benjamin Lewis, who sued successfully for his freedom as having come to America under indenture. At his death he still had 2446 acres, divided by granddaughters. He was buried at Neabsco Creek under an unusual carved stone later moved to the Pohick Church. "Heare lyes bodey of Liut Willeame. Herris who died May 16: 1698: aged: 065 years: by birth a Britaine: A good soldier A good husband and Kinde neighbour. A bronze plaque notes that he was the father of Anne Harris, the wife of Thomas Owsley.("Owsley Family Historical Society Newsletter, Dec. 1993).
Thomas Owsley was the son of:John Owsley (12/12/1630 Shepton, Beauchamp, Somersetshire- 25/12/1687 and Dorothea Poyntz (ca. 1630, Baptized at Benefield Co. Northants)-- 2/8/1705)
They were married around 1650. He graduated Oxford with a BA in 1631. He was the Rector of Glooston, Leicester for 28 years beginning 1660; they are buried at Glooston Church. Children
Thomas, b. June 11, 1658, Stogursey,Somersetshire England; d. October 10, 1700, Stafford Co,Virginia.
Sarah, b. March 08, 1650/51, Whittlebury,England.
John, b. March 06, 1653/54, Stogursey,Somersetshire England.
William, b. April 09, 1656, Stogursey,Somersetshire England.
Newdigate, b. 1660, Benefield,Northamptonshire,England; d. October 23, 1714, England; m. (1) EDITH YATES; m.(2) ELIZABETH JONES, November 29, 1684.
Edith, b. December 14, 1662, Glooston,England; d. August 02, 1714, England; m. William; b. 1662; d.September 15, 1733, Glooston,England.
Henry, b. Abt. 1664.
Francis, b. Abt. 1666.
Poyntz, b. April 11, 1667, Glooston,England; d. December 01, 1731, England; m. Mary Dand; b. 1671; d. August 13, 1721.
Charles, b. September 03, 1669, Glooston,England.
Mary, b. November 01, 1671, Glooston,England.
Dorothea, b. December 23, 1673, Glooston,England; m. ROBERT DELGARDNO, September 13, 1698, St.James,Westminster.
John Owsley was the son of:John Owsley of Trull (1581 Devon-26/1/1650 Trull) and Edith Edwards (18/5/1595-1663)
They married in 1623. John Owsley was the rector of the parish of Trull{Taunton,Somerset Co,England} Edith was the daughter of William Edwards (1565-) and Edith Bagge (1540-).
Children:
John b. Abt. 1630, England; d. December 25, 1687, Glooston,England.
Edith, b. Abt. 1629; m. WILLIAM THOMAS.
William, b. Abt. 1635.
Robert, b. Abt. 1641; d. Abt. 1650.John's parents were:
WILLIAM OWSLEY of AXMINSTER / MARY WILLIAMS
Birth: ABT 1555 Misterton England
Death: June 23, 1630 Axminster, Devon County, England>Five childrenWilliam's parents were:
JOHN OWSLIE / EME
Birth: ABT 1524 Misterton, England
Death: Aug. 24, 1592 Misterton, England>Seven children
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN OWSLEY, OF TRULL, SOMERSETSHIRE - DATED NOVEMBER 30 1650
In the name of God Amen The thirtieth daie of November in the years of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred and Fiftie, I John Owesly in the Parishe of Trull in the countie of Somersett, yeoman, being sicke of bodie but of good and perfect remembrance doe make this my last will and testament in manner and forme followeinge, hereby revoakeing all other my former wills and testaments whatsoever.
First I commend my soule into the handes of Allmightie God...And my bodie to be buried. Touchinge my worldlie goods, my will is as followeth.
Item I give and bequeath unto the poore of the parishe of Trull aforesaid twentie shillings to be unto them where most neede is by my freindes Richard Skinner and William Thomas, my Sonne in lawe, within fowre weekes after my deccease.
Item I give and bequeath unto the poore of Barrington twentie shillings to be distributed unto them where most needs is, by my freindes John Budd and John Rogzes within fower weekes after my decease.
Item I give unto the poore Of the parishe of Shepton Beaultham twentie shillings to be distributed unto them where most neede is by Robert Owesly & John Kemellen within fower weekes after my decease.
Item I give unto my three Apprentices John Herringe, Florance Hitckwocke and Joane Hitchcocke, to each of them fortie shillings upon Condition that they serve out their severall and respective tearmes mentioned in their severall and respective Indentures, with my executor hereafter mencioned.
Item my will is that my daughter Edeth Thomas shall after my decease peaceablie and quietlie hold and enjoye dureinge the term of her naturall life all that lease of ground of mine called Billmoore containing aboute tenn acres lieing within the parrishe of Barrington in the countie of Summersett. And after my daughter Edeth her decease I give and bequeath the aforesaid lease at ground called Billmore...unto my Sonne John Owesly with all my right, title and interest, tearme of years, clayme and demaunds whatsoever of, in and to the same.
item I give and bequeath unto my said Sonne John Owesly on Bills, bonds, and other specialties wherein and whereby William Hodges and Walter Hodges standeth bound to paie me threescore poundes principall money or thereabouts and one other bill, bond, or other specialtie wherein and whereby Jervice Caine of Huntspill and William Hodges and Walter Hodges of Ashhill standeth bound to paie me fiftie poundes Principall money or thereabouts. And other Bill, bond, or other specialtie wherein & whereby Nicholas Chicke of Bridgewater, John Chicke of Ilton, and Robert Cheeke of the same standeth bound to paie me fiftie Poundes Principall money or thereabouts. And three other bill, bond or other specialtie wherein and whereby Christopher Wilkins of Pitminster standeth bound to paie me Fiftie pounded principall money or thereabout. And one other bill, bond or other specialtie wherein John Calway of Pitminster standeth bound to paie me twentie poundes principals money or thereabout. And other bill, bond or other specialtie wherein and whereby Thomas Coomb of Pltminster standeth bound to paie me ten poundes principals money or thereabout. All which said eight bills, bonds or specialties with the severall summe and summes of money thereupon due at the time of my decease I give and bequeath unto my said Sonne John Owesley.
Item I give unto my daughter Edeth Thomas her two daughters Maude and Elizabeth tenn poundes apeece to be paid unto them by my executor when they shall attaine the full age of one and twentie yeares. And if it so happen that either of them shall happen to die before she attaine the full yeares before mentioned then the said tenn poundes shal be and remaine unto shee which shall accomplishe the full age before mentioned. And if both shal happen to die before they accomplishe the aforesaid age then the said moneyes shall remaine unto my Executor hereafter mentioned. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Edeth Thomas twentie shillings to be paid her by mine execeutor or executrix in trust within one moneth after my decease.
Item I give unto my nowe wife Edeth my best bedd and bedsteede with all that thereunto or it belongeth.
Item all the rest of my goodes and chattles whatsoever not before given nore bequeathed I give and bequeath unto William Owesly my Sonne whome I doe make my heire and executor.
And lastlie my will is that Edeth my now wife shall have free libertie to use anye parte of my goodes within doore or without dureinge her widdowhood, or untill my said Executor William Owesly shall accomplishe the age of one and twentie yeares leaveinge it within tenn or twenty poundes as shee findes itt, and that then my wife shall have two of the best roomes in my house and two hundred of wood faggottes yearlie brought into my yarde for her use by my said Executor William Owesly. And I shall desire Hugh Welsh and Thomas Deane of the parishe of Choad my brother in lawes to be my overseers to doe their best indeavours to see this my will performed accordinge to the true intent and meaneinge hereof, giveinge unto each of them for their paines keinge in this behalfe sixe shillings and eight pence.
In wittnes whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in two sheetes of paper sett my hand and Seale videlicet my Seale over at the head, and my hand att the foote of each sheete, in the Presence of these witnesses whose names are here underwritten, John Owesly. Theis being witnesses: Thomas Paul, Elizabeth Tucker. [Filed by Edith Owesley 26 Jan 1651 and appointed to administe upon her husband's estate during the minority of her son William Owsley the appointed executor]THE POYNTZ HERITAGE
The line of Dorothea Poyntz is well documented back to the first clear ancestor, Hugh Poinz and wife Hawixia, daughter of Cory Malet in the early 12th century. Their son Nicholas married Elizabeth Dyall and died 1272. His son Hugh Poyntz married Margaret Paveley; their son Nicholas married Elizabeth, daughter of William de la Zouche. Nicholas served King Edward I in battle against Prince Llewelyn of Wales, and in 1294 again in battle against Wales. He was often summoned to fight for the Scots wars in 1296-7, and again in 1300. He was frequently summoned to Parliament; he died around 1307. His son Nicholas was also very active against the Scots, and married (2) Matilda de Acton. At his death he held the manors of Hoo, Lollynggeston, and Tokinton in Gloucester. Their only son, John Poyntz (his mother's heir), called Poyntz of Iron Acton, married Elizabeth de Clanvowe and died 1376. Robert, his heir (1359-1439) married Katherine Fitz-Nichol of Hull and Nympsfield. Their son and heir Nicholas, knighted in 1431 for Cloucester, had his heir John by Elizabeth Mill. (m. 1); he inherited the manor of Brokenbury. John married Alice Cock, but only survived his father briefly (1450). His heir Robert was Sheriff of Southampton, at first following King Richard III and then Earl of Richmond, being knighted at the battle of Redmore after Richard was slain in 1485. He married Margaret, illegitimate daughter of Sir Anthony Wydville and Gwentlian Stradling. Of their eight children, two are connected to Dorothy Poyntz: John of Alderley (m. Margaret Saunders), had William (m. Elizabeth Newdigate), who had John (m. Anne Sydenham, daughter of John Sydenham and Mary Poyntz.) Mary was daughter of Nicholas Poyntz and Anne Verney, son of Nicholas Poyntz and Joan Berkeley, son of Anthony Poyntz, 1480-, son and heir of Robert and Margaret). William and Elizabeth Newdigate lived at Woodhatch; he died in 1601. These two branches of the family were united when John Poyntz married his cousin Anne Sydenham; she divorced him in 1613 and he sold all his property; very likely he went to Jamestown VA, dying around 1617. Their son Newdigate Poyntz of Nunny, Co. Somerset, died 1741; he had married Sarah Foxley. Their daughter was our ancestor, Dorothy Poyntz Owsley. And that doesn't even include the lines of Anne Sydenham and Sarah Foxley which include some interesting names in English history. (Historical and Genealogical Memoir of the Family of Poyntz or Eight Centuries of an English House by Sir John Maclean, 1886).
The Plantaganet descent of Thomas Owsley is as follows:
King William I the Conquerer (b. 1020), duke of Normandy and King of England, 1066-1087=Matildis of Flanders, daughter of Baldwin V. and granddaughter of Robert II, King of France. William conquered the Saxons of England at battle of Hastings on Oct.14, 1066, reigning as King 21 years.
King Henry I (b. 1068) =Matilda (also Maud), daughter of Malcolm III, King of Scotland and granddaughter of Henry II, King of Hungary.
Maud (1104-1167) =Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, son of Fulco V
King Henry II (b. 1133)=Eleanor of Aquitaine.
King John (b. 1166) =Isabella, daughter of Aymar Taillifer, Count of Angouleme.
King Henry III (1207-1272)=Eleanor Berenger
1. Edward I, King of England, d. 1307=Margaret of France
2. Thomas of Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk-Alice de Hales
3. Margaret Plantagenet, Duchess of Norfolk=John de Segrave, 4th Baron Segrave
4. Elizabeth de Segrave=John Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray
5. Thomas Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk-Elizabeth FitzAlan
6. Isabel Mowbray-James Berkeley, 6th Baron Berkeley
7. Maurice Berkeley-Isabel Mead
8. Thomas Berkeley, 8th Baron Berkeley-Eleanor Constable
9. Joan Berkeley-Sir Nicholas Poyntz
10. Sir Nicholas Poyntz-Anne Verney
11. Mary Poyntz-John Sydenham
12. Anne Sydenham=John Poyntz
13. Newdigate Poyntz-Sarah Foxley
14. Dorothea Poyntz-John Owsley
15. Thomas Owsley=Anne Harris
from The Royal Descents of 500 Immigrants, Gary Boyd Roberts