Robert Beheathland,(or Behethland), born before 1587 in St Endellion, Cornwall, England, was an English gentleman who arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 aboard one of the three founding ships, likely the Susan Constant.[1] He is noteworthy as the only original 1607 Jamestown colonist having documented descendants living today.[2]
Documented presence
Beheathland is listed among the 104 colonists on the Virginia Company of London's manifest.[citation needed] He is included in Captain John Smith's list of 100 "Planters" (gentlemen) in his book "The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles",[citation needed] and mentioned as accompanying John Smith on a visit to Powhatan, the local indigenous leader.[3]
Possible roles and significance
Early colonist: His presence in 1607 makes him one of the first permanent English settlers in North America.
Social standing: "Gentleman" status suggests he belonged to a wealthier class and may have contributed financially or provided leadership in the settlement's early days.
Trade potential: Some sources suggest he brought sheet copper to trade with Indigenous people.[citation needed]
Interaction with John Smith, Christopher Newport, and Opechancanough
In Jan 1608, after arrival of the First Supply, Capts. Smith and Christopher Newport took a group of about twenty men, one of them Robert Beheathland, and went to the village of Powhatan for a visit.[4] Later in the year, on 29 December 1608, Capt. Smith undertook a journey up the Pamunkey River for another visit with Powhatan. Robert Beheathland traveled in the Discovery barge with Capt. Smith; other gentlemen, soldiers, and sailors followed in a pinnace.[5] On the way back, they stopped at the house of King Opechancanough; Capt. Smith took with him a group of about fifteen, including Beheathland. When they were threatened with capture, Powell and Beheathland guarded the door while Capt. Smith seized the King by the long lock of his hair and held him hostage as they escaped.[6]
Land acquisition
Robert was an Ancient Planter, and thus received 100 acres of land for being present before the arrival of Sir Thomas Dale.[7]
Later life and family
Robert married Mary (unknown) and had at least three children:[8] The surname of his wife, Mary, is not known. Some claim she was Mary Nicholson but there is no documentation to support that. The widow, Mary Beheathland, married second, Lieut. Thomas Flint of Warwick County, Virginia.[9]
- Dorothy born in England or Virginia in 1612 or 1613. In Nov 1628 she is listed in Virginia court records as the step-daughter of Lt Thomas Flint living in Elizabeth city.
- Mary was born in 1614 or 1615. About 1631 she married Captain Thomas Bernard of Warwick county. They had a daughter named Beheathland Bernard who married 1st to Francis Dade, alias Major John Smith and married 2nd to Major Andrew Gibson.
- John was born in 1616 or 1617. He wrote his will in 1636 saying he was on the way to Virginia and the administration of his estate was granted in Oct 1639 to his cousin Charles Beheathland, who stated "John and died abroad, unmarried.
Robert's brother Anthony died in May 1615. Robert and his brother George sued Anthony's widow Ursula for their interests in the estate. In 1618 the judge ordered the widow to pay 80 pounds divided among Anthony's relatives.
By 1620 Robert was in England, petitioning the Royal Council of England for a qualified governor for Virginia.[10]
Robert died 1627. His widow Mary married Lieutenant Tomas Flint of Elizabeth City, when her name appeared in court records in regard to land she had inherited.[11][12]
Legacy
Robert Beheathland is significant for being one of the founding figures of Jamestown and contributing to the establishment of the first successful English colony in North America. He also is notable for having descendants living today, possibly the only one of the original 1607 colonists with that distinction. This makes him a historical link to the founding of America.
References
- ^ Dorman, pp. 105-107
- ^ Nicklin, John Bailey Calvert (1929). "Descendants of Captain Robert Behethland of Jamestown". The William and Mary Quarterly. 9 (1): 60. doi:10.2307/1920378. JSTOR 1920378.
- ^ A map of Virginia with a description of the countrey, the commodities, people, government and religion
- ^ Smith, page 106.
- ^ Smith, page 164.
- ^ Smith, pages 164-166.
- ^ "Ancestors". Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters. 13 October 1991. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ "Robert Beheathland". jamestowne-wash-nova.org. Archived from the original on 11 July 2016.}
- ^ Dorman, pp. 105-107
- ^ Dorman, pp. 105-107
- ^ Gray, p. 1-7: p. 6 quotes Cavaliers & Pioneers, Minutes of Council & General Court
- ^ Dorman, pp. 105-107
Sources
- Smith, Captain John. Names of the First Planters, The Generall Historie of Virginia.
- Dorman, John Frederick;Virginia M. Meyer. Adventurers of Purse and Person 1607-1624/5. Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press, Inc., 1987
- Gray, Violet Noland. Genealogical History of Robert Beheathland. Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, 1978.
