Early Virginia Barnhouses

Richard Barnhouse of Martin's Hundred

One of the earliest Barnhouses in North America was one Captain Richard Barnhouse.  A 1638/9 documents recorded his existence and references his ownership of the ship, Samuel, and he being involved in some court dispute over this ship.  [Reference:  High Court of Admiralty records HCA-1-32, p. 60]

Another early document shows Capt. Richard Barnhowse as the oath administrator for the estate of Robert Jackson in 1646/7.  Robert Jackson's inventory was sworn by Capt. Richard Barnhowse.

Mihill Gowen, a black man, was given his freedom by Capt. Richard Barnhouse's widow, Anne, on September 16, 1657.  He eventually secured land in Martin's Hundred.  Detailed information and biography of Mihill Gowen can be found at the Gowen Foundation site.

Mihill Gowen, a slave of Christopher Stafford of York County, Virginia, was given his freedom in two documents made by Anne Barnhouse, a widow of Capt. Richard Barnhouse and the sister of Christopher Stafford. The documents were recorded in "York County, Virginia Wills, Deeds and Orders, 1657-1659," and they read as follows: "I, Anne Barnhouse of Martin Hundred, widow, have given Mihil Gowen, Negro, at this time servant to Robert Stafford, a male child born 25 August 1655 of the body of my Negro, Prossa, being baptized by Mr. Edward Johnson 25 September 1655 and named William, and I bind myself never to trouble Mihil Gowen or his son, William or demand any service of them. 16 September 1657." "Mihil Gowen, Negro, of late serving my brother Xtopher Stafford, dcsd, by his last will & testament, had his freedom given him after the expiration of 4 years service to my uncle, Robert Stafford. I, Anne Barnhouse do absolve, quit and discharge the said Mihil Gowen from my service 25 October 1657. A.B. [The mark of Anne Barnhouse] Witnesses: Arthur Dickenson Joseph Albrighton" 

Richard Barnhouse of Henrico and Westmoreland Counties

Another reference to a (different) Richard Barnhouse in New Kent County, Virginia is found in the Adams Family Papers of Henrico County.  This must represent a different Richard Barnhouse, since Capt. Richard Barnhouse of Martin's Hundred was deceased by this date.  However, it is worth mentioning this deed here, as this deed may represent a relative of Capt. Richard and Anne (Stafford) Barnhouse.

Section 12 consists of five items, deeds, 1672-1698, to Henry Wyatt (1647-ca. 1703) for land in New Kent County, Virginia, from Mrs. Mary Barnhouse, Richard Barnhouse (witnessed by Roger Thompson and Thomas Wilkinson and bears affidavit of Job Howes), Mrs. Jane Binnyon, William Binnyon (witnessed by Thomas Smith and John Turner and bears affidavit of Job Howes), Jonathan Price (witnessed by Thomas Butts, Thomas Robinson, and Francis Samson and bears affidavit of Job Howes), and Richmond Terrell (witnessed by John Hall and John Lewis and bears seal); and an affidavit, 1729, of Henry Wyatt concerning a mill in New Kent County, Virginia (witnessed by Richard Adams, Walter Clopton, and George Wilkinson).  [from the Adams Family Papers, 1672-1792, Henrico County, Virginia]

In 1706, a Westmoreland County, Virginia land record included the following information:

"Section 64, Various Persons, Bond and Affidavit, 1706-1719. This section consists of a bond, among other items, date 1706, of Richard Barnhouse, George Clough, and Richard Wyatt to Mrs. Alice Wyatt (as executrix of Henry Wyatt; witnessed by Richard Littlepage and Gideon Macon and bears affidavit of George Clough)." [from Carter Family Papers, 1651-1861, Lancaster and Westmoreland Counties, Virginia.]

William Barnhouse of Elizabeth City, Virginia

On a list of Virginians who died between April 1623 and February 1623/4, the name of William Burnhouse is found.  [Hotten's Lists, p. 190-196, 209].  Given that this man was probably of age at the time of his listing, and perhaps an elderly man, then he was probably born between 1578 and 1602.  No known relationship to Capt. Richard Barnhouse of Martin's Hundred.

Research and links on this family provided by Sonny Barnhouse.

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