WARNING: Few Sources to Document This Family!

This month’s 12 for ’25 features the Jarvis family of Maryland, North Carolina and possibly Virginia.

A reader contacted me and shared a theory that my husband’s Zadock Jarvis line MIGHT be:

1. Francis Jarvis, arrived Accomack County, Virginia 1636
2. John Jarvis, born c1646; married Mary (MNU)
3. John Jarvis, born c1675; died 1720; married Elizabeth Wilkinson
4. James Jarvis, born c1700; married Mary (MNU)
5. Zadock Jarvis, born c1750-died after 1830, possibly Union County, Indiana

I hate even listing these generations because I can’t find a single source for any of these men with the exception of a couple of mentions of Francis and the agreement for James Jarvis to rent Quince Orchard in Frederick County, Maryland.

A friend is checking a 2002 book for me – Francis Jarvis: A Person of Quality, seemingly found only in the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City and an Ontario, Canada library.

Today, we begin with a look at documenting the life of Francis Jarvis, who arrived in Accomack County, Virginia in 1636 with the head rights assigned to Francis Shockley, an Eastern Shore tobacco planter.

Francis Jarvis was said to be about 14 years old when he arrived from Gravesend, England. [There is no source for the estimation of his age.]

A baptismal record has been found for one Francis Jarvis, baptized July 1623 in Bishopwearmouth, Durham, England and this person is supposedly the same Francis who emigrated to Virginia.

Bishopwearmouth is 300 miles from Gravesend, so my first question would be how a 12 year old boy got there by himself. Not impossible. Perhaps he was one of the kidnapped children who was sold and sent across the sea. However, I have not seen any proof that these two Francises are the same person.

What can be documented about Francis’s life in Virginia?

The most common fact shared about Francis Jarvis:

Francis Stockley, tobacco planter received 50 acres of land in Accomack for the transportation of one servant, Francis Jarvis, recorded 22 December 1636.

In the book Migration and Origins of the English Atlantic World by Alison Games, 1999, Francis Jarvis is mentioned on page 93:

He “ran away from his master Thomas Ward because, he told Daniel Pighles “hee could not beat at the Morter.”

Two more facts:

A man named Francis Jarvis received 460 acres of land in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia in 1679.

Non-documented statements about Francis Jarvis:

Francis Jarvis reportedly married Anna Gascoigne, but I have not found any reference to a marriage record or other document that supports this statement.

Francis and purported wife Anna ARE SAID to be the parents of seven or eight children:

1. Thomas, c1643-1694
2. Elizabeth, born c1644
3. John, born c1646
4. Edward, born c1648
5. William, c1653-1709
6. Henry, born c1654
7. Humphrey, born c1656
8. Richard, died 4 April 1706, Westmoreland County, Virginia: Online trees have him, but this man was supposedly born 3 years after the undocumented death date for Francis
   

Now it’s time for me to see what other factual material can be found pertaining to immigrant Francis Jarvis.

I love the flexibility of being able to choose my 112 for ’25 families as the year progresses.

I would love to say that Abraham Palmer was going to be my focus in March, but every twist and turn seems to lead to a dead end with that man.

At this point, I am not sure that the Jarvis mystery is solvable either, but if nothing else, I can sort out the men and provide negative evidence as to their relationship to Zadock Jarvis and his parents.

I have had little success identifying all of Zadock’s children and there hasn’t been so much as a whisper as to his wife’s given name.

Therefore, my strategy for James will be to search both North Carolina records for Jarvis evidence and to do a deep dive into Maryland county records.

If there is an answer to be found, I believe it rests in Maryland.

Location, location, location is everything, so where exactly are Harford, Frederick and Montgomery Counties in Maryland? And, where exactly are Accomack and Northampton Counties, Virginia?

Frederick and Montgomery Counties border each other in the north central part of the state. Harford County is also well north, but is in the northeast corner of the state.

What was Accomack and then became both Accomack and Northampton Counties, Virginia are just below the far southeast corner of Maryland, in the area pointed to by the red arrow.

As to the distance between Accomack County, Virginian and Frederick County, Maryland, it’s about 225 miles.

That might not mean much in the big picture because Frederick County, Maryland is 375 miles from Rowan County, North Carolina and Zadock, close to 80 years old, left Rowan County for Union County, Indiana, traveling a distance of 500 miles!

One thing for sure, the Jarvis family wasn’t afraid to travel.

I think March will be a busy research month for me as I delve into multiple Maryland counties and a new look at Rowan County, North Carolina.

After dipping my toe into Jarvises in colonial Maryland, I’ve already determined that this is going to be a slippery slope and possibly a research question – Who is the father of Zadock Jarvis? – that will be impossible to prove.

One of my first searches came across a Jarvis family in Maryland with a few interesting notes and documents attached:

James Jarvis, born c1754, Harford County, Maryland; died c1826, West Virginia (not possible since WV didn’t exist until 1863).

It is posited that Zadock’s possible father James was the man who leased Quince Orchard in Frederick County, Maryland.

These notes are attached to James in Harford County:

About James Jarvis, I, of MD

The family came to North America about 1750 and settled on Bush River Low Hundred near Bel Aire, Maryland.

Children of John and Hannah (Hill) Jarvis:

4. (3). James b.c. 1754 m.Elizabeth —

---

A DIFFERENT MAN:

Fredrick County MD May 21, 1770

At the Request of James Jervis the following Lease was recorded 21 May 1770. To WIT THIS INDENTURE made this Twenty Eighth day of April Anno Dom One thousand seven hundred and seventy, between Henry of Frederick County in the Province of Maryland, planter of the one part and James Jarvis of the County and Province aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Henry Clagett for and in consideration of the Ments Covenants and Agreements here in after reserved on the part of said James Jarvis to be paid and kept (?) hath demise (?) lease and to farm let and by them present doth demise lease and to farm let onto the said James Jarvis One Hundred acres of Land situate “lying and being in Frederick County aforesaid and Included with the courses following: Beginning at the Beginning for a Tract os Land called Quince Orchard and running thence South seventy degrees West Ninety one perches South Eighteen degrees East One Hundred Seventy Nine perches North Seventy Three degrees East Ninety one perches North Twenty two degrees and half West fifty perches then with a Straight Line to the beginning. To have and to hold the aforesaid parcel of Land onto the said James Jarvis his heirs, Executors, Administration and assigns from the Twenty day of November Ammo Do mini one Thousand seven hundred and seventy for and during the Term of Eighteen years Yielding and Paying therefore unto the Said Henry Clagett in manner and assigns six hundred pounds Crop Tobacco in Cash and four shillings Sterling Yearly and every year and the said James Jarvis for himself his heirs Executors and Administrators doth hereby Covenant and agree with the said Henry Clagett in manner and form following to Wit: That the said James Jarvis his heirs and assigns doth agree Annually and every year to pay unto the said Henry Clagett Two hundred pounds of Tobacco for every Male Labourer imployed on the aforesaid premises Except the said James Jarvis and his male children so long as they remain under the age of Twenty one years and one other Male Tax or female Labourer and one hundred and fifty pounds of Tobacco for every Female Labourer imployed on the aforesaid Demised premises except as before excepted and the said James Jarvis his wife and female children so long as they remain under the age of Sixteen Years. That the the said James Jarvis his heirs Executors and Administrator Shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Henry Clagett his heirs or assigns the said rents and forfeitures in such manner and form as is here before appointed for payment thereof According to the true Intent and Meaning hereof without any Deduction Reduction or defalcation hereof or of any part thereof and the said James Jarvis his heirs Executors Administrator or assigns shall and will at their own proper Cost and Charges In Seven Years from the date hereof Build a good Tobacco House in Workmanship manner, Thirty two feet by Twenty two and shall Inclose the premises and such part thereof as shall be cultivated with a good strong and lawfull Fence and shall set and plant an Orchard with one hundred apple trees at Thirty feet distance from each other upon such part of the demised premises as shall be meet and Convenient for that purpose and in case of default or destruction in the Said Trees shall replace them them with others. And further that the said James Jarvis his Executor, Administrator or Assigns shall and will at their own or his proper Cost and Charges keep in good Tenantable or fair to the said hereby demised premises and likewise the said Fence and Orchard when so made and planted and also all houses orchard and fences that have been, or shall be erected in the same during the said Term and at the end of the said term deliver unto the said Henry Clagett his heirs or assignees the Quiet and peaceable and possession of the Said demised premises with their appointments in good and Tenantable repair and that He — May Shall permit or commit any waste or Spoil in the said Demised premises, fall any of the Timber Trees thereon growing or cut down any Wood therefrom by such as shall be necessary for the proper use and Improvement of the Land or assign Sell or Lease the said premises or any part thereof to any person whatsoever without the Licence and Consent of the said Henry Clagett his heirs and assigns for that purpose first had and obtained provide always that if it shall happen that the said Yearly Rents reserved or forforture as aforesaid or any part thereof shall be behind hand or unpaid or the said James Jarvis his Executors administration or Assigns shall fail in the performance of any matter being hereby Covenanted and agreed to be done and performed or to Suffer anything to be done to the same that from thence forth and at all times afterwards it shall and may be Lawfull for the said Henry Clagett his heirs and assigns unto the said Demised premises with their appurtenants to reenter and the same to have again retain and posses and enjoy as of his and their former Estate and all Occupiers thereof from thence to expel put out and remove anything herein to the contrary not withstanding. In witness thereof the parties have hereunto affixed their hands and Seals the day and year above. Written, the words (and half) interlined between the sixth and seventh lines before the Sealing and delivery of these presents did likewise the words (so assign Sell or lease the said premises of any part thereof to any person whatsoever without the License and Consent of the said Henry Claget his heirs and assignees for that purpose first had and attained) between the twenty fourth and Twenty fifth Line.Signed Sealed and delivered into he presence of David Tyms Sprigg Wootoon Henry Clagett (seal)James Jarvis (mark)On the Back of which Lease was the following Amendments Frederick County April 20 Anne Do mini One thousand seven hundred and Seventy. Henry Clagett and James Jervis parties to the within Deed acknowledged the Same before us two of his Lordships Justices of the peace for Frederick County David Tymm Sprigg Wootton

This information has been added to James who leased Quince Orchard:

---

James Jarvis married Sarah Kelly sometime before the birth of their oldest son Zadock, who was born about 1755. The exact year or place is not known. Actually, there is some evidence in Maryland that suggests Sarah’s name was Pelly, not Kelly. James Jarvis leased Quince Orchard in Frederick County, MD in 1770 from Henry Clagett. The lease was for 18 years, expiring in 1789. Henry Claggett died and his will was proven in July, 1777 in Montgomery County, Maryland. Claggett’s will mentions “Widow Jervis” still living on the same tract of land and also mentions a tract of land on “Muddy Branch.” Since Sarah is referred to as a widow, James Jarvis apparently died between 1770 and 1777. Widow Jarvis’ neighbor, Benjamin Holland, was also mentioned in the Clagett will. A death notice was published in the Christian Advocate (Nashville, TN) for a Benjamin Holland who was born “in Maryland on Muddy Branch of Potomac River, about 12 miles from Washington, D. C.” This Benjamin Holland died in Fleming, Kentucky in 1875. Another name in Henry Clagett’s will was William Pack. This name has been transcribed as William Rack, William Pach and William Rach. August 30, 1777, Maryland Militia, Middle Battalion, 1st Company Zadoc Jarvis, Elisha Jarvis, Wm. Pack, Sr., Wm. Pack, Jr., Colbert Pelly, Archibald Trail, David Trail, Jr., Basil Trail, Thomas Trail, Richard Pack, John Pack, Thomas Kelly, Richard Walker The Jarvis children migrated to Rowan County, NC in 1781 and settled “on the waters of Muddy Creek” bounded by Fry property and the Moravian Wachovia tract. James Jarvis and Susannah T. Jarvis Mullican lived their lives in Hope (present-day Forsyth) but their brothers and sister migrated to South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Second Generation: Children of James Jarvis (d. bet. 1770 & 1777) and Sarah Kelly (d. aft. 1778) Zadock Jarvis (abt. 1755-aft. 1815) Elisha Jarvis (1757-1837, SC) m. Drucilla Smith (1766- after 1837) Susannah Jarvis (abt. 1760-1843) m. Lewis Mullikin James Jarvis (1762-1837) m. 2) Sallie Padgett (1761-1814); 3) Sarah Cheshire (abt.1791-1842) Margaret “Peggy” Jarvis (1766-1843) m.Benjamin Mullikin (1765-1852) FROM : http://www.fmoran.com/jarvis.html

James died before 1777 in MD and his children migrated to NC in 1781. James leased land in Frederick Co. MD from Henry Claggett in 1770. The land was named “Quince Orchard” and part of the 18 year lease agreement was for James to “Plant an orchard with one hundred apple trees at thirty feet distance from each other.

---

Also appended to the listing is this man, yet another James jarvis.

A DIFFERENT MAN:

https://hackerscreek.com/norman/JARVIS/JOHN.htm (Dead link)

James Jarvis, a son of John and Sarah Jarvis, was born in VA about 1800. He married Mary “Polly” Burkhammer. Mary, a daughter of Jacob and Hannah Burkhammer, was born in VA about 1800. James came to the part of Gilmer County VA that is now part of Calhoun County WV in the spring of 1830 and took up land in the head of Walker Creek, a tributary of the Elk river. The 1840 Kanawha County VA (WV) lists six children and the 1850 Gilmer County, VA (WV) census names three children. Deweese mentions six children and names five.

Known children of James and Mary (Burkhammer) Jarvis.

• 58. (1). Nancy b. 1818 m.- Burnside
• 59. (2). Thomas Peter b.c. 1823 m.Eliza Louisa Pritt Sep 11 1845 m.Julia Ann Sears Apr 20 1860 m.Julie Ann Moore
• 60. (3). Caleb Elias b.Jan 10 1830 m. Rebecca Pritt
• 61. (4). Manerva “Milly” b.c. 1832 m.Hudson Helmick
• 62. (5). Jefferson b.c. 1834
• 63. (6). Catharine m.Leroy Wayne
• 64. (7). Jacob
• 65. (8). Hutson
• 66. (9). Abraham m.Delilah Paxton

Two of these James Jarvises, the first and third, are clearly not the same man who leased Quince Orchard in Frederick County, Maryland in 1770.

Just from this one entry, I can see that a lot of effort is going to go into documenting each James Jarvis, who I am already certain, will be conflated and confused in online family trees.