Robert Beverley in his "History And Present State of Virginia", written in 1705 gives a description for obtaining land in the n

The Bobbitt Family In America

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Robert Beverley in his "History And Present State of Virginia", written in 1705 gives a description for obtaining land in the new colony. The history was written just 32 years after the arrival of William Bobbitt, and only 2 years after the death of William Bobbitt. These quotes are from Robert Beverley's history.

"A patent for land upon survey, is acquired thus. First, the man proves his rights; that is, he makes oath in court, of the importation of so many persons, with a list of their names. This list is then certified by the clerk of the court; who examines into the validity of them, and files them in that office, attesting to them to be regular."

"The survey being made, a copy thereof is carried with the certificate of rights to the secretaries office, and there, if there be no objection, a patent must of course be made out upon it, which is presented to the Governor and Council for them to pass; the Patentee having no more to do, but to send for it when it is perfected and to pay the fee, at the first crop, to the Sheriff of the county, by whom annually the fees are collected."

"The patent gives an estate in fee-simple, upon condition of paying a Quit-Rent of twelve pence for every acre of ground, and of planting and seating thereon, within three years, according to their law; that is to clear, plant, and tend an acre of ground with corn, or to build a house, and keep a stock of cattle, for one whole year together upon the land; after which it is presumed they will continue the settlement...."

It was exactly according to the above procedure that our ancestor, William Bobbitt, obtained his land, built his home, and reared his family.

William Bobbitt could not have been more than 20 years of age when he arrived into the colony. He and his wife were probably married in Wales. They had to be man and wife before the voyage in order to receive 100 acres of land as husband and wife, for making the voyage and paying their own transportation.

The land William Bobbitt received in 1673 is in present day Hopewell, Virginia. William and his family lived on the land until his death in 1703. His eldest son, William Bobbitt Junior, sold the land on May 12, 1703. The deed was recorded in Prince George County, Virginia. The laws of the colony, guided the descendants of William Bobbitt in obtaining and cultivating land until after the American Revolution.

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