PRETTYMAN GENERATION ONE AND TWO
P20. ROBERTB PRETTYMAN, (ThomasC,
JohnD, JohnE, WilliamF,
WilliamG, WilliamH,
JohnI), chr 7 Nov 1570 Bacton, Suffolk, England d
bef 1626 London, England m 14 Jan 1607 Highworth, Wiltshire, England Dorothie
Goddard. Robert is said to have died in poverty in London. Children:
P26. (i) WILLIAMA PRETTYMAN chr 24 Mar 1604/5
Branston, Lincolnshire, England.
+ P27. (ii) JOHNA-1 PRETTYMAN chr 1 Jan 1609/10
Branston, Lincolnshire, England m Mary __.
P27. JOHNA-1 PRETTYMAN, (RobertB, ThomasC, JohnD, JohnE, WilliamF, WilliamG, WilliamH, JohnI), chr 1 Jan 1609/10 Branston, Lincolnshire, England d bet 7 Mar 1687/8 and 21 Mar 1687/8 Accomack Co., VA m Mary ____. John was in Maryland by 21 February 1638/9 and in Virginia by 31 August 1643. In Maryland he was on a trading voyage to Susquehannock Indians when his leadership saved the boat and men from destruction by the Susquehannocks. In Virginia he went on a trading trip to the Swedes in present day Delaware. He tried his hand at farming during the early years, but he was not very successful. On 10 March 1646, he was a witness to the will of Edward Ginkins in Northampton County, Virginia.31 On 25 May 1651 John Savage deeded to John Prittiman in Northampton County a cow and a bull calf, and the deed was filed on 23 November 1653.32 Witnesses to this deed were Samuel Sond and Robert Lingo. The next record of John according to Rev. Prettyman was when he witnessed the will of William Satham in court in 1657.33 The area where John moved to in Virginia was the Eastern Shore. The first county on the Eastern Shore was established in 1634 as Accawmack County. The name was changed to Northampton in 1642/3. In 1663 the northern half was cut off to form Accomack County and Northampton then attained its present boundaries.34 The first tithables list for Northampton County in existence is the one for 1662 and John is on the list with no tithables listed.35 John is not on the lists of Northampton for 1663-1677. On 19 August 1665 in Northampton County, he served on the Inquisitions on Eschewed Land.36 John is on the 1663 tithables list for Accomack County, Virginia, with two tithables.37 In Accomack, he was sued by William Blake for stealing a sow, but the jury found him not guilty on 18 August 1663.38 "He was delinquent at muster of militia on 15 April 1664."39 On 18 October 1664, "Isaac Foxcroft complained that Major John Tilney had blocked the highway by Tilney’s little house by branch as was also sworn by Jeffrey Minshall and John Prettyman." "The Court ordered that Minshall, Prettyman and the surveyor investigate and have the road unblocked if necessary."40 He is on the 1664 to 1670 tithables list for Accomack County with one tithables37 In 1671, John again has two tithables. In 1674, he is listed with two tithables, and in 1675, as John. Prettiman Sr he is listed with four tithables. In 1676, there is only listed a Jon. Prettiman Jr, with one tithables, and also listed in 1676 with one tithable is William Prettiman. John Prettyman served on the Accomack grand jury on 20 April 1676.41 In 1677 John Prettiman is listed with three tithables. In 1678, only John Prettiman Jr with one tithable is listed. John Sr and William were still in Accomack County as in July 1679 the Court listed them as being delinquent in their tithables for 1678.42 "John Prettiman, Wm Aillworth and other inhabitants of Messengo complained against Tobias Bull for stopping and necessary."40 He is on the 1664 to 1670 tithables list for Accomack County with one tithables37 In 1671, John again has two tithables. In 1674, he is listed with two tithables, and in 1675, as John. Prettiman Sr he is listed with four tithables. In 1676, there is only listed a Jon. Prettiman Jr, with one tithables, and also listed in 1676 with one tithable is William Prettiman. John Prettyman served on the Accomack grand jury on 20 April 1676.41 In 1677 John Prettiman is listed with three tithables. In 1678, only John Prettiman Jr with one tithable is listed. John Sr and William were still in Accomack County as in July 1679 the Court listed them as being delinquent in their tithables for 1678.42 "John Prettiman, Wm Aillworth and other inhabitants of Messengo complained against Tobias Bull for stopping and fencing the road or Church Path to the court on 16 April 1678.43 In 1679, John Pretiman Sr, is listed with three tithables, and William Pretteman is listed with one tithable. In 1680 and 1681, John Sr and William Jr, are each listed with one tithable. In 1682, John is listed with two tithables, and in 1683 John Sr and John Jr are listed with one tithable each. In 1684, John Prettiman is listed with two tithables. In 1685 there is no Prettyman on the list. In 1686 John Pretteman is listed with one tithables. In 1687 there is no Prettyman on the list. On 18 November 1671, as John Prettyman of Northampton County, Planter, he appointed Thomas Brown as his attorney to sell land.44 This deed by Prettyman was recorded in Accomack which was then known as Upper Northampton.45 Then on 16 February 1671/2 as John Prettyman, of Nassattox Creek in County of Northampton, he disposed of the land.46 It appears that John was living in Northampton County, but he was not as in 1670 due to conflicts in County Court the Governor of Virginia disbanded Accomack County and it was known as Upper Northampton until January 1673/4.47 On 14 July 1681, Mary Raythwell [Wreathwell], widow and administratrix of William Raythwell [Wreathwell] sued John Prettiman, Sr.48 This suit was still active on 16 March 1681/82 when William Chace, who had married the widow, was the administrator of the estate. On 18 August 1682, John Cole sued John Prettiman but a nonsuit was granted against Cole and he had to pay the court costs.49 Then on 21 Feb 1682/3, John Prettiman admitted owing 2000 pounds of tobacco to John Barnes, and the court ordered that Prettiman pay the debt and court costs.50 John was selected on 15 June 1683 to serve on the Accomack County Grand Jury for the following year.51 William Sevens sued John Prettiman, Sr, on 14 November 1683 for 1600 pounds of tobacco, but Prettiman failed to appear, and if he did not appear at next court the sheriff would have to pay the debt.52 John Prettiman, Jr, on 1 January 1683/4 appeared as bail and admitted judgment for the debt on behalf of John Prettiman, Sr, and it was ordered that Prettiman pay the debt and court costs. John Sr was served on 14 May 1683.53
John Prettyman first acquired land on 4 September 1664 when as John Prittiman he patented (was granted) 200 acres being neck of land near the seaboard side in Accomack County for the transportation of Edward Kinastone, Joan Shaw, George Weld and Thomas Beck.54 The land was bordered on the west by a branch parting this from land of Major John Tilney and on the south by another branch parting this land from land of Thomas Bacon Sr. There is no record in Whitelaw57 of this land in the name of John Prettyman, and I have found no record of this land being sold. He patented (was granted) 200 acres at Matchepungo in Accomack County bordering lands of Thomas Browne, bounded on south by land of William Robinson and on north by land of Major John Tilney. He was granted this land as a result of transporting James Boone, John Kendall, Jane Shepard and Thomas Ayres.55 It is also interesting that he transported individuals and was granted land but he never used his own headright and there has been found no record that someone else used his headright. John showed some of the same characteristics as he had in Maryland when on 17 January 1665/6 he was delinquent in Accomack County to Timothy Coe surveyor,56 and also like John of Maryland he signed his name to the 1671 power of attorney.46 This debt was apparently incurred for the survey of land John was granted on 5 April 1666 in Accomack County. This land per Whitelaw was in Northampton County,57 but when Thomas Browne as attorney for John Prettyman, Planter, sold the land to Richard Hinman the transaction is recorded in the Accomack County Court Orders on 17 November 1671.58 Witnesses to the deed were John Michael, John Hudson, and Nicholas Lawrence. The land was bordered by Major John Tilney and Thomas Bacon, and Major Tilney purchased the land from Hinman on 24 November 1671.58 The land was north of Nassawadox and between Greens Creek and Upshur Creek on the east coast of the Eastern Shore.57 In 1665 John acquired 400 acres of land from Daniel Quillon and his wife Lidia in Northampton.59 This land was also north of Nassawadox and southwest of the 1665/66 tract of land. In 1671 John Prettiman and his wife Mary sold this 400 acres to George Dewey.59 This land was west of Franktown and was on the west coast of the Eastern Shore. On 17 Nov 1671, John acquired 500 acres in Northampton from Richard Hinman.60 Witnesses to the deed were Jacob Hill and Wm Collins.61 On 16 Jan 1671/72, as John Prettyman of Nasswattux sold 100 acres of this land to Thomas Browne and witnesses to the deed were Andrew Andrews and George Brickhouse62; in 1674, as John Prettyman of Accomack County, he sold the remaining 400 acres to Thomas Teackle.63 Witnesses to this deed were Jacob Abraham, John Tankard and Laurence Tiege{?}.63 Neighbors of John near these three tracts of land were William Kendall, Thomas Bell, Thomas Browne, Thomas Gittings, Philip Fisher, Richard and John Hinman, John Michael Jr, Daniel Foxcroft, John Hudson, William Roberts, William Smith, Major John Tilney, and Hugh Yeo.60 John’s neighbor, William Kendall, in 1689 and 1694, sold some of his land near John to Peter and Mary Grice.64 Mary Grice was the daughter of Henry Stott.65 Henry Stott’s daughter, Frances, married Morgan Williams. It was on Morgan Williams plantation that some of John’s cattle were being kept when he died.66 Also in 1671 John Prettyman of Northampton County purchased 450 acres in Northampton County from John Hudson.67 Witnesses to this deed were Thomas Browne and Wm Anderson.62 This land had been sold by Thomas Gittins to Daniel Foxcroft who sold it to John Hudson.66 This land was north of Nassawadox, and it bordered land formerly belonging to Stephen Carleton, Lt. Colonel Tilney and Daniel Quillons.66 This land also bordered 1664 patent land and land purchased from Daniel Quillon. This land was also just south of the land "Federal Island" that John Green leased from Colonel William Kendall. It was on this leased land of Greene’s that part of John’s cattle were being kept at John’s death.66 Additional neighbors of John when he purchased this land were Josias Cowdry, Henry Stott, John Tankard, Phillip Fisher, Henry White, Morgan Dowell, John Crewe, Christopher Kirke and Edmund Kelly. In 1683, John Prettyman, Jr, as attorney for his father of "Messongo" sold the 450 acres to Thomas Barton.68 On 4 January 1677, Robert and Elizabeth Brecy sold to John Prettyman, Sr 750 acres of land in Accomack County on Messongo Creek.69 Witnesses to this deed was Edward Moore, Jr. and John Prittiman, Jr, and both signed their name.70 6 March 1679/80, as John Prettiman, Planter, he sold this tract of land to John Michael Jr., and John signed his name.71 John Pretiman Junior and Jno Spick witnessed the deed, and it was proven in court on 2 August 1680 by John Prettiman Sr., and John Michael’s was married to Alice Tilney, daughter of John Tilney.68 Apparently John Michael had not paid for this land in 1684/5 as John had him arrested for debt on 4 March 1684/5.50 John was known as John Prettyman of Messongo, but it appears that he only owned this land for two years. His son’s, John Jr, activities seem to indicate that John Jr did live in Messongo area. The frequent land transactions by John Prettyman give the impression that he may have made a living more by buying and selling land than he did at farming. This may have meant that he was not very skilled at farming just like John Prettyman of Maryland. We can see from the above that in 1671 he purchased 950 acres of land and sold 300 acres. It is apparent from records that John had sold his land on Messongo in 1679, but apparently continued to live in the area. He still owned land in Northampton County until 1683, but he and his son, John, from the records did not own land from 1683 to 1690.
John Prettyman died between 7 and 24 March 1687/8 as he made his will on 7 March 1687/8 and it was probated on 24 March 1687/8. His will stated:
"One Cow and calf, one mare, one fold and two pigs and 10 bushell Indian corn and a gun one cow and calf at John cobs [Cobbs], at Giles Cokes one cow, one cattle pot, one ax, one hatchet and that little pott is for the use of Mary Grice and likewise all the triffling things that I have at my at my landlord Thompson.73
Witnesses to the will were William Jones and Samuel Benton. John had a
daughter as the court records, on 7 October 1675, state there was a difference
between Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Prettyman about accounts that is referred till 3rd
day of next General Court; and then the court ordered that Mr. Prettyman make
oath the goods his daughter had was upon credit and that she demand the same.74
. It appears that Mary Grice mentioned in the will may have been the daughter of
John but the will of Henry Stott shows that his daughter, Mary Stott, married
Peter Grice.65 John Prettyman petitioned the court to be
appointed administrator of his father’s estate on 2 April 1688, and he was
appointed administrator with Henry Williams and Thomas Stockley as his
securities.75 It appears from the will that John was
living at Robert Thompson’s at the time he made his will. As Robert Thompson
sued John Prettyman, Jr.,76 as the administrator of the
estate, and John Jr, as administrator, sued Robert Thompson.77
The suit by Thompson was dismissed on 21 December 1688 since there was no cause
of action.58 It is also apparent from court case against
John Jr that some of John Sr’s cattle were in Northampton County at John
Greene’s and Morgan Williams.79 It appears that John
Greene lived just south of Willis Wharf on seaboard in Northampton County.80
We have given this John the title John I. Children:
+ P28. (i) JOHN2 PRETTYMAN b ca 1653 Northampton
Co., VA m1st Unknown m2nd Widow Marriner.
P29. (ii) DAUGHTER2 PRETTYMAN b ca 1656 m _______.
P30. (iii) WILLIAM2 PRETTYMAN b ca 1659 Northampton
Co., VA. William is on the tithables lists of Accomack County. On 6 July
1680, he was a witness to the will of Griffith Savage81 He
was in court on 18November 1681 having apprehended Mary Raiswell’s servant
Thomas Sexton and Bridget Savage’s servant named Abel Robinson.81
He is mentioned again on 16 December 1681 as having planted two acres.82
After 1681, he is not on the tithables list which suggests he may have died.
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