The Truth About Gabriel Holland of Virginia 
by Wiley Julian Holland
Copyright, 2007 - wholland15@verizon.net

I have researched my Holland ancestors and associated families off and on for the past thirty years and during that time I accumulated hundreds of pages of information on my line and other Holland families. I claim descent from John Holland who arrived in Nansemond County, Virginia from England before February 20, 1664 so I never had an interest in Gabriel Holland.

I did read the various postings and websites that included information on Gabriel. I read in disbelief where he, a yeoman first term Member of the House of Burgesses, was chosen to present a petition to the King of England in support of the Virginia Company. That statement motivated me to conduct my own research on Gabriel Holland. I reached the conclusion there was no individual, in my opinion, who was the subject of more erroneous information than Gabriel Holland, or should I say, both Gabriel Hollands.

While I disagree with many statements made about Gabriel, for the sake of brevity I am only listing fifteen. Following each will be my rebuttal and sources in bold print. Before beginning, let me cite the following information which, I feel, is important to my rebuttals

It is important to know the definition of a headright. For the purpose of stimulating immigration and the settlement of the Virginia colony, the London Company "ordained that any person who paid his own way to Virginia should be assigned 50 acres of land and if he transported "at his owne cost one or more persons, he should for each person whose passage he paid , be awarded 50 acres of land." The persons whose transportation was paid became a headright of the individual who paid the transportation costs

An example would be: Mr. X paid his own transportation costs to Virginia and that of Mr. Y. In this case Mr. X could claim 2 headrghts , one for himself and one for Mr. Y. Thus Mr. X qualified for a 100 acre patent. Many headrights were family members, and friends. The headright system was corrupted to a certain extent and many multiple claims of headrights were submitted to acquire additional land and in some cases were sold. All headrights were not indentured servants but all indentured servants were headrights.

Indentured servants were classified as headrights because their transportation costs were paid by someone other than themselves. Those servants agreed to work for a specified amount of time, usually four to seven years, in exchange for transportation, food, shelter and clothing.

In the course of the 17th century, from 120,000 to 150,000 immigrants landed in the Chesapeake Region and seventy five present of those people came as indentured servants. Eighty percent of the indentured servants died from malaria and other diseases within the first year.

Sources: "America, A Promised Land-Indentured Servants in the Colonial Chesapeake" Author, Deborah Harris, Brandeis University and "They Crossed the Blackwater, The First Settlers of Southampton County, Virginia." Author Ulysses P. Joyner.

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1- "Gabriel Holland's parents were Philemon Holland and Anne Peyton".
No source given

Rebuttal-.

There are no records showing Philemon to be the father of Gabriel. Philemon was eighty six when he died February 9, 1636. He had seven sons and three daughters. All Philemon's sons died in England, prior to the death of their father, with the exception of Henry who died in 1650. Philemon is buried in Coventry Church in London The names of only two of Philemon's sons and one daughter are known. Henry who died in 1650 and Abraham who died in 1626, both in England. Philemon's known daughter, Elizabeth, married William Angell, a London merchant.

Sources- A History of the Virginia Holland Families, 1622-1963, author Kirk Davis Holland, 1963- The Lancashire Hollands, Chapter Hollands of Norfolk. Page 325, 326 and 327. Author- Bernard Holland, C.B. London 1917. London Visitations 1636, Harleian Society Publication , 1898.

2-Gabriel Holland's first name was Francis. No source given

Rebuttal: There are no records stating Gabriel Holland's first name was Francis. The individual who first made that claim attempted to sell a CD on Virginia Holland families. He stated this individual moved to Maryland and lived in Anne Arundel County.

There was a Francis Holland, a headright and probably indentured servant who had been transported to Virginia with three other persons by Francis Rice. Rice was granted 200 acres of land on the Warwick River in Warwick County for transporting the four people August 16, 1643. That Francis Holland, not Francis Gabriel Holland later moved to Maryland and became a leading citizen of Ann Arundell County

Source- Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, Volume 1 1934 - Maryland State Archives,

3-Gabriel Holland's parents were John Holland (1556-1628) of London, England and his wife Mary Mollenax. John Holland and Mary Mollenax were married at St Clement Danes Parish in London March 5, 1583/4 and John was buried 10-26- 1628 at St. Martin in the Fields Parish, London.

Rebuttal-There is a marriage record for John Hollande and Mary Molynax at St. Clement Dane Parish in London dated March 5, 1583/84 but there is no record showing them to be the parents of Gabriell Hollande christened 2-15-1595 at St. Martin the Fields Parish.

The statement that John Holland was buried October 26, 1628 at St. Martin in the Fields is inaccurate. The only burial in the Parish records for that day is Georgius Piwell. A will in the name of John Holland of St. Clement Dane Parish was registered December 6, 1593, two years before the christening of Gabriell Hollande on February 15, 1595 at St. Martin in the Fields Parish.

Sources:
a-The Register of St. Martin in the Fields, London, baptisms, marriages and burials, Volume 1, 1551- October 1619.
b-The Register of St. Martin in the Fields, London, baptisms, marriages and burials, Volume 2, 1619-1636.
c-Prerogative Court of Canterbury, London, will registrations.
d-Ms. Anisa Hawes, Archive and Local Studies Assistant, City of Westminster Archive Centre, London, England.


4-The issue of John Holland and Mary Mollynax listed by the author of the publication in question:
a-Peter Holland, chr. 3/25/1585, St. Martin in the Fields
b-Hester Holland, chr. 10/10/1586, St. Martin in the Fields
c-Constance Holland, chr. 4/6/1587, St. Martin in the Fields
d-Richard Holland, chr. 9/11/1588, St. Martin in the Fields
e-Elizabeth Holland, chr. 6/6/1591, St. Martin in the Fields
f-Leonard Holland, chr. 8/17/1593, St. Martin in the Fields
g-Michaell Holland, chr.3/15/1595, St. Martin in the Fields.
h-Frances Holland, chr. 12/21/1595, St. Martin in the fields
i-Gabriel Holland, chr. 2/15/1596, St. Martin in the Fields
j-Philemon Holland, chr. 10/12/1597, St Martin in the Fields.
k-William Holland, chr. 3/5/1598, St. Martin in the Fields
l-Ann Holland, chr. 10/12.1600, St. Martin in the Fields.

Rebuttal- The above 12 infants are listed as the alleged children of John Holland and Mary Mollynax by the author of the publication in question. The following is the actual list of the 19 infants christened at St. Martins in the Field Parish, London between 1577 and 1606.
a-Margarete Hollande, August 31, 1577
b-Joanna Hollande, September 21, 1579
c-Anna Hollande, August 28, 1580
d-Anna Hollande, July 1, 1582
e-Katherina Hollande, July 5, 1583
f-Petrus Hollande, April 25, 1585
g-Hester Hollande, April 10, 1586
h--Constantina Hollande, April 6, 1587
i-Richardus Hollande, August 11, 1588
j--Elizabetha Hollande, June 6, 1591
k--Leonardus Hollande, August 17, 1593
l-Michaell Hollande, March 15, 1594
m--Francisca Hollande, December 21, 1595
n--Gabriell Hollande, February 15, 1595
0-Philemon Hollande, October 12, 1597
p-Guilielmus Hollande, March 6, 1598
q-Anna Holland, October 12, 1600
r-Elizabetha Holland, March 7, 1603
s-Robert Holland, April 18, 1606

It appears the author of the publication in question selected Peter (Petrus), christened April 25, 1585 at St Martins, as the first child of John Holland and Mary Mollynax because he was born a year and a half following their marriage at St. Clement Dane Parish.

The christening records lists only the name of the infant and the date of christening. No parents were listed so it is impossible to know who the parents of these nineteen Holland infants were.

Source- Part 1, St. Martin in the Fields Parish, London, Christening records

5-"Gabriel Holland chr. 2-15-1596 Westminster, St. Martin in the Fields , London, emigrant to Jamestown, Virginia." He sailed for America on ship Supply September 18, 1620 arriving at Berkeley Virginia February 8, 1621. " Richard Holland (christened 8-11-1588 Westminster, St. Martin in the Fields, London) came to Virginia in 1620 with Gabriel Holland. He was massacred by Indians at Berkeley Hundred in 1622.

Rebuttal. There are absolutely no records proving Gabriell Hollande christened at St. Martin in the Fields was the same Gabriel Holland that arrived in Virginia on the ship Supply in 1621. A will for Gabriel Holland was recorded in London May 6, 1624 and another for Gabriel Holland in London dated June 26, 1667. There was also a Gabriel Holland living in London 1638 and paying 10 pounds rent. Each of these could have been the Gabriel Holland christened 1595/96 at St. Martin in the Fields Parish, London.

There was a Richard Holland who sailed on the ship Supply with Gabriel but it was not the Richard Holland christened 8-11-1588 at St. Martin in the Fields Parish in London. That Richard, or Richardus as the name appears on the baptism records, died August 16, 1593 at the age of five and is buried at St. Martin in the Fields Parish.

In 1618 a land grant was given by the London Company of Virginia to the following men: Sir William Throckmorton, Sir John Yeardley, George Thorpe, Esq., Richard Berkeley and John Smyth of Nibley Esq. These men comprised the Berkeley Group and the terms of their grant required them to establish a settlement 20 miles up the James River from Jamestown and 12 miles southeast of present day Richmond, Virginia. The settlement was known as Berkeley 100.

The first ship, Margaret, arrived at Berkeley December 4, 1619 carrying 36 passengers, all indentured servants. John Smyth of Nibley, historian for the Berkeley Group, recorded the status of the passengers. For those who died of natural causes he wrote "dead". For those who had been killed by Indians, he wrote "Slayne". Of the 36 passengers arriving on the ship Margaret, twenty one died of natural causes following their arrival, one returned to England, one drowned and two were "Slayned" in the 1622 Indian massacre.

The second ship sent by the Berkeley Group from England to the Berkeley 100 was the ship "Supply". The ship arrived at Berkeley January 29, 1621 and the Governor certified the arrival, February 8. 1621 with 50 passengers. The authorization to sail in England listed 58 passengers but several passengers did not sail because of overcrowding.

A Gabriel and Richard Holland were among the 50 passengers and like most of the passengers, Gabriel, and Richard were indentured servants. The Berkeley Group historian, John Smythe of Nibley, recorded that 16 of the passengers died of natural causes and eleven were "slayne" during the 1622 Indian massacre. Gabriel and Richard Holland were among the 16 passengers who died of natural causes after arriving at Berkeley according to Smyth.

John Bennett Boddie in his book, Historical Southern Families, written in 1956 states, "Gabriel and Richard Holland were killed by the Indians in a massacre at Berkeley 100 in 1621. Boddie was incorrect in saying they were killed by the Indians in 1621 when they actually died of natural causes. In any event, this Gabriel was dead in 1621. Boddie corrects the date of the Indian massacre in his paragraph on a different Gabriel, Sergeant Gabriel Holland who was living at Jamestown at the time of the massacre, March 22, 1622 with his wife, Rebecca.

Martha McCartney, project historian for the National Park Service's Jamestown Archaeological Assessment, writes the following in her book, Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers 1607-1635 A Biographical Dictionary, "Gabriel Holland left Bristol, England on the Supply during September 1620 and arrived at Berkeley Hundred on January 29, 1621. Holland was supposed to serve for a certain number of years in exchange for some acreage. However, he reportedly died shortly after he arrived at Berkeley. He may have been a kinsman of the Gabriel Holland, who for a time oversaw the servants the Society of Berkeley Hundred sent to Shirley Hundred."

Two Thomas Hollands were killed in the March 22 Indian massacre. The first Thomas was one of several ironworkers sent to Falling Creek under the supervision of John Berkeley in May 1621. Falling Creek is in the area now known as Chesterfield County, Virginia. At the time of the massacre Thomas was one of 27 people killed at this site located 66 miles from James City, Virginia.

The other Thomas Holland was a personal servant of Captain Whitaker who arrived at Captain Bennett's Plantation in the area now known as Isle of Wight County. He was probably a passenger on the ship "Sea Flower" arriving in Isle of Wight County, February 1622. One month later, Thomas Holland was one of 53 people at Bennett's Plantation killed by the Indians on the March 22 massacre.

Sources:
a- London Company of Virginia Records, Library of Congress.
b-John Smyth of Nibley document collection. New York City Library
c-Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers 1607-1635, Martha McCartney
d-History of Virginia Company of London, Edward Neill, pg.339, 346
e-Historical Southern Families, Volume 1, Chapter, Holland of Nansemond, John Bennett Boddie, 1956
f-The Inhabitants of London in 1638, St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, author,T.C. Dole, 1931

Who then was the Gabriel Holland mentioned by Martha McCartney as a possible relative of the Gabriel Holland who died in 1621 at Berkeley Hundred?

John Bennett Boddie in his book Historical Southern Families states, "Sergeant Gabriel Holland was living at Jamestown at the time of the Indian massacre of 1622. His wife, Mary, (second wife) was granted a patent of 12 acres, on the Island of James City, August 14, 1624. They appear in the records of the General Court up to about 1627, but disappeared after that." The author of the publication in question states Sergeant Gabriel Holland was the same Gabriel who arrived on the ship
Supply in 1621.

Sergeant Gabriel Holland could not have been the same Gabriel Holland who arrived on the ship Supply for a number of reasons. First, the Gabriel who arrived in Berkeley on the sip Supply was an indentured sergeant. If his indentured contract was for the minimum three years, he would not be considered free until January 1624. His indenture contract with the Berkeley Company required him to assist in the development of Berkeley 100 and as an indentured servant he was not allowed to unilaterally move to another settlement.

Second, the Gabriel Holland living in Jamestown in 1622 was a Sergeant in the militia. The Gabriel Holland recorded as dying in 1621 at Berkeley 100 was an indentured servant and not considered a free man until his indenture was completed. Under the laws of that time servants were not allowed to serve in the local militia. Henning's statutes at large record this, "The chief officer of the militia in every county shall list all free male persons above the age of one and twenty years and all imported servants excluded."

Third, the author of the publication in questions writes that the Gabriel Holland who arrived in Berkeley on the ship Supply returned from a trip to England with his new wife, Rebecca, after attempting to present a petition to the King. No Gabriel Holland was ever sent to England to meet with the King and that episode will be addressed at length later.

Sergeant Gabriel Holland arrived in Virginia from England with his wife, Rebecca, on the ship "John and Francis". The year they arrived is not known but based on ship and court records it was probably 1621/22. Gabriel was living at Shirley 100 in 1622 based on Court testimony he gave January 2, 1624 that " he formerly had lived at Shirley 100 where he held the rank of sergeant and had been temporarily responsible for 15 of Berkeley 100's male servants."

Following the Indian massacre of March 22, 1622 surviving indentured servants from Berkeley 100 and others were transported to settlements that were more secure. Several servants from Berkeley were temporarily sent to Shirley 100.

On February 16, 1623/24, Gabriel was listed as living at the College Land in Henrico. His wife Rebecca was not listed on this census and Gabriel was one of 30 men and one woman living there at that time. He and Thomas Marlott were elected to serve in the House of Burgesses to represent the College Land.

As a Member of the House of Burgesses he signed a document with other Members outlining "The Tragical Relations of the Virginia Colony" He also signed a document containing 34 articles answering complaints against the London Company by the King. The 35th article authorized an additional tax on tobacco to finance the trip by John Pountice, Councilor of State, to deliver the petition to the King. Gabriel served one term in the House of Burgesses and in 1624 was living in Jamestown. Gabriel's wife, Rebecca, had died and by August 14, 1624 he had married Mary Pinke, widow of William Pinke.

Gabriel made several appearances in the General Court during 1627 and 1628 at which time he arbitrated disputes and collected debts attributed to merchant Humphrey Rastall's estate. He helped settle a dispute between Jamestown residents John Upton and Caleb Page.
He had Robert Marshall arrested for debts and served as administrator for the estate of Ann Behoute.

There are two versions of what happened to Gabriel Holland after 1627. Lyon Gardiner Tyler, LL.D was the son of President John Tyler and served as President of William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia from 1888 until 1919.

In Lyon Tyler's book, The Cradle of the Republic, he describes the development and topography of Jamestown between 1624 and 1628 One section states " adjoining his tract already mentioned and bordering on the south by the land of Mary Holland , widow of Gabriel Holland and west on that of Thomas Passmore, carpenter"

Martha W. McCartney in her book, Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers states that Gabriel died after 1632. A land transaction May 20, 1637 shows John Radish and John Bradwell receiving a patent of 16 acres of land in Jamestown abutting land formerly owned by Mary Holland. There is no mention of Gabriel in this patent information and Mary's name is stated in the past tense. Based on the this information I feel it is safe to say this Gabriel Holland died between 1628 and 1637.

Sources- London Company of Virginia records - Henning's Statutes at large - Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers, 1607-1635 - Cradle of the Republic, Lyon Gardiner Tyler - First Republic in America, Alexander Brown - Narrative of Early Virginia, 1606-1625, Lyon Gardiner Tyler- Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia, 1622-1632 - Hotten's ship list - The living and dead in Virginia February 16, 1623/4 - The Original List of Persons of Quality etc, John Camden Hotten - The Complete Book of Immigrants, Coldham -Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent- Historical Southern Families, John Bennett Boddie,1956.

To continue with the information in publications and internet posting that, in my opinion, are in error.

6-"Thirty men signed an agreement relative to sending a man to England to petition the King and agreeing that to meet his expenses there should be collected from every male who was 16 or over and had been there a year, pay 4 pounds of merchantable tobacco by or before October 31.Among the signers were Luke Boyse and Gabriel Holland. Gabriel Holland carried this petition and offered to present it to King Charles 1 of England in 1625. No sources given

Rebuttal- Gabriel Holland did not carry any petition to England to present to the King and there is no record of him ever returning to England for any purpose. The petition was carried to England by John Pountis, Councillor of State and a member of Governor Wyatt's Council.

The following is the verbatim transcription of the 35th article of the original petition that was adopted by the House of Burgesses. The 35th and last article March 22, 1624 was as follows:

"That Mr. John Pountis, counselor of state, going to England (being willing by our entreatie to accept of that imployment) to solicit the general cause of the country to his majesty and the privy council toward the charges of which voyage, the country consent to pay for every male head above sixteen years of age their living, which have been here a year, four pounds of the best merchantable tobacco in leafe at or before the last of October next."

The document was signed by Governor Sir Francis Wyatt, Knight, the Governor's Council members; Captain Francis West, Sir John Yeardley, Captain Roger Smith, George Sandys, Treasurer, Captain Ralph Hamor, Dr. John Pott and John Pountis, Esq. Twenty eight, not thirty Members, of the House of Burgesses also signed the document. Gabriel Holland and Thomas Morlatt representing Ye Collage Plantation, Henrico were two of the 28 Members of the House of Burgesses signers.

John Pountis left Virginia for England April 27, 1624 on the ship Furtherance carrying a General letter from the Virginia Council and seven documents. Other than being one of the twenty eight Burgesses who signed the petition, Gabriel Holland had nothing further to do with it.

If you examine the language of the document approved by the House of Burgesses and the information in a publication stating that Gabriel Holland carried the petition you will notice the similarities in the language ie. every male over 16, 4#of merchantable tobacco, by or before October 31. It is obvious the author of the publication stating Gabriel Holland carried the petition to England had seen the original document. I am at a total loss why someone would intentionally substitute Gabriel Holland's name for John Pountis in such an important matter.

Source, First Republic in America, author Alexander Brown, 1898, Page 570 from the London Company of Virginia Records, a part of Thomas Jefferson library collection on file at Library of Congress

7-The King would not hear the petition of Virginia's House of Burgesses which Gabriel wanted to present to the King so he returned to America, embarking 2-16-1623 on he ship John and Francis. No source given

Rebuttal Gabriel could not return to Virginia because he did not carry the petition to England. Gabriel was already living in Virginia by February 16, 1623 residing at the Ye College Land. He and his wife Rebecca had arrived in the ship John and Francis circa 1621-22.

Source- 1624/25 Virginia muster listing ship John and Francis - List of living and dead February 16, 1623. John Camden Hotten.

8- In 1629 after the King agreed to hear the petition, Gabriel went back to England with the petition ad presented it to the King. He returned to America on the ship Assurance in 1635 with Robert Holland and William Holland. It also states that Gabriel was 35 years old in 1635. No source

Rebuttal- Gabriel did not return to England because he never carried a petition to the King. As noted above it was carried by John Pountis. Even if the statement was true, why would Gabriel stay in England for 6 years before returning to Virginia? Gabriel and Robert Holland did not return to Virginia on the ship Assurance in 1635. The only Holland listed on the ship manifest was William Holland, age 35.

To know there was a ship Assurance that sailed in 1635 with a William Holland on board, the author of the publication in question most assuredly saw the ship's passenger list. I am at a loss to understand why the author intentionally added Gabriel and Robert Holland to that list and show Gabriel as 35 when that was the age listed for William.

The William Holland who sailed on the Ship Assurance was probably the headright, most likely an indentured servant whose passage to Virginia was paid by Cheney Boyce. Boyce was granted 1150 acres of land in Charles City County May, 1636 for transporting 29 persons, which included William Holland from England

9- One account says Gabriel first married Rebecca, daughter of Lt. Colonel John George of Isle of Wight County, Virginia. It is claimed that George Holland later in Accomack County was Gabriel's son by Rebecca George.
No source given

Rebuttal- Rebecca Holland arrived in Virginia on the ship John and Francis with her husband, Gabriel. There are no records giving her maiden name. There was a Colonel John George in Isle of Wight born about 1602/03. His date of birth was determined by a deposition given by John on April 5, 1653 stating he was fifty years old.

John George did have a daughter, Rebecca, born about 1640. She first married Thomas Lewis who died before August 8, 1670. She then married Phillip Pardoe who died before April 6, 1678, the date of John George's will. Based on this information, Rebecca George could not have been the Rebecca, wife of Gabriel Holland.

There was no George Holland in Accomack County but there was a George Holland who arrived in Lancaster County, a neighboring county to Accomack, before 18 September 1665. He was a headright, probably an indentured servant, of William Wroughton. Wroughton was granted
400 acres in Lancaster County Sept. 18, 1665 for transporting George Holland and seven other persons from England

Sources. Cavaliers and Pioneers Virginia Land Patents 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent 1934 - Isle of Wight County Virginia, John Bennett Boddie, published 1938 - George Family History, Descendants of Colonel John George (1603-1679)England and Virginia. Volume 1, author Marvin A Grant.

10- William Holland, chr. 3/5/1598 Westminster, St. Martin in the Fields, London, Minutes of the Council and General Court, James City, Oct.1628,"It was testified at the court by William Holland etc.

Rebuttal- The author is intimating that this William Holland, "a gentleman who was in Virginia" was the brother of Gabriel Holland. A William Holland did testify at the General Court in Jamestown on October 25, 1625 and again October 1628. The infant christened 3/5/1598 at St. Martin in the Fields was Guilielmus Hollande, a Latin variation of the Christian name, William. Guilielmus died October 28, 1603 and is buried at St. Martin in the Fields Parish, London

Sources- Birth and Burial Register, Volume 1, St. Martin in the Fields Parish, London - Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia, 1622-1632.

11-Issue of Gabriel Holland
A-George Holland was born in 1633 James City, Virginia, son of Gabriel Holland (and reported as) and Rebecca George. He later moved to Accomack County.

Rebuttal- The information on George was discussed at length in the above rebuttal. I will only add that there are no known records that Gabriel Holland ever had children. Rebecca Holland had died by 1624 so it would have been impossible for her to be the mother of George Holland.

B-Richard Holland was born 1630 in James City, Virginia. Omitted chapters from Hottens. Richard probably moved to Accomack County where he witnessed the LWT of George Crump 9/12/1667.

Rebuttal- Again, there are no records stating Gabriel Holland ever had children. There was a Richard Holland who was an indentured servant who arrived in Northampton County, Virginia before July 22, 1661. He was indentured to John Haskins. In 1663 the northern section of Northampton County became Accomack County. He apparently remained in Accomack County following his indenture and witnessed the will of George Crump in 1667.

Sources- Early Virginia Immigrants 1623-1666. George Cabell Greer, published 1912-Formation of Virginia Counties.

C-John Holland- John will be addressed following William Holland, the alleged last child of Gabriel

D-Job Holland- Born circa 1630 no source
Rebuttal- There is no record of a Job Holland living in Virginia in the 1600s. A Job Holland did appear in the Nansemond County Holland families in the 1700s.

E-Daniel Holland of Northumberland County, Virginia was born ca.1633 in James City Co.Virgina. His LWT dated 4-17-1672 Northumberland County adminstratix was his widow, Mrs Joyce Holland. His LWT names his wife Joyce and daughter Elizabeth. Etc.

Rebuttal- There was a Daniel Holland living in Northumberland County and the above information about him is correct with one exception. There is not a single record anywhere stating that Daniel was born ca. 1633 in James City, Virginia and was the son of Gabriel Holland. During the period 1665 through April 6, 1669 Daniel was actively involved in Maryland court cases.

F-William Holland was born 1634 in James City, Virginia. Omitted Chapters from Hottens: Capt. James Eley's Co., 1679, William Holland.
Cavaliers and Pioneers, Patent Book no. 1 part 1 p. 40 Cheney Boyce , 1550 acres Charles City Co. land of May 1636.p 252, N upon the Lime hill SW,W upon Merchants Hope Creek E. upon the maine woods an S towards the head of sd. Cr. 100 acres due as being an ancient planter before the time of Sir Thomas Dale and 1450 acres for trans. Of 29 persons: William Holland etc.

Rebuttal- Again there is no record of Gabriel Holland having any children and Gabriel was probably dead by 1634. The source citation for the William Holland regarding the Cavaliers and Pioneers is the 1636 date 1450 acre patent was awarded to Cheney Boyce for transporting 29 persons, probably indentured servants from England to Virginia. William was one of the 29 people transported from England. I doubt the William Holland supposedly born 1634 would be the same.

12- "The Virginia Colonial register gives one Major John Holland of Westmoreland County, Virginia November 20, 1654. He was a burgess representing Westmoreland County, 1654-1655. Acting as a headright under Lt. Colonel Blake and Edward Isom, he patented 2500 acres in Nansemond County,the first proved date. Records of Virginia Company, Cavaliers and Pioneers by Nugent page 444.

Rebuttal -Apparently the author of the publication in question is inferring that the John Holland who served one term representing Westmoreland County was the same John Holland who was the progenitor of the Nansemond County Holland families.

Another individual while promoting a CD claimed the Westmoreland John Holland was the son of Captain John Holland of Massachusetts who had died onboard his ship the Endeavor in July 10, 1652. He further states this John Holland's son, John, migrated to Virginia and was the John Holland in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He then moved to Nansemond County, becoming the progenitor of the Nansemond Holland families.

First, Captain John Holland did not die July 10 1652 onboard his ship the Endeavor. He died between August 3, 1652 when he purchased property in Massachusetts and September 30, 1652 when an inventory of his estate was made.

Captain John Holland named dual executors in his will dated December 16, 1651, his wife Judith and his son, John Holland Jr. On May 7, 1656, Judith sold part of her husband's estate and the legal document states the co-executor, John Jr. was deceased. John Jr. died between December 30, 1652 and October 7, 1656. Records show he died in Massachusetts and childless. He could not have been the same John living in Westmoreland County Virginia.

There is some question as to whether the John Holland who served one term in the House of Burgeses in 1654/55 was actually a Major. Alexander Baynham Neill, in his book, "The Colony under the rule of Charles 1 and Charles 2, 1625-1685" written 1886 refers to him as simply John Holland. Later publications added Major to his name for some reason.

A John Holland, a headright of Henry Bishopp, arrived in Northumberland County, Virginia before 1649. Westmoreland County, Virginia was formed November 20, 1654 from Northumberland County, the same time John was elected a member of the House of Burgesses from Westmoreland County.

Westmoreland County Virginia is 150 miles north of Nansemond County and there is no record of this John Holland residing in Nansemond. On July 5, 1676, in Westmoreland County, Mary Holland, the widow of Richard Holland married Richard Arrowsmith. Richard was probably the son or brother of John Holland.

The author of the publication in question states the Westmoreland County John Holland patented 2500 acres in Nansemond County. The source he used as page 444 on the Cavaliers and Pioneers is the patent abstract showing John Holland as the headright of Lt. Colonel Blake and Edward Isom. He should have known John Holland was one of the persons transported directly from England and Blake and Isom received the 2500 acre grant, not John '

Sources-
a-Pioneers of Massachusetts , author Charles Hening, 1900
b-A Genealogical Dictionary of the first settlers of New England, Volume 2, Jones Savage, 1860
c-New England Historical and Genealogical Register pages, 57, 167, 293, 582, 587, 592, 662.
d-The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635 Volume 1, Robert Charles Anders.
e-List of Freemen of Massachusetts 1630-1691, Lucius R. Page 1849
f-Plymouth Court Deeds Volume 2:24
g-Marriages of the Northern Neck of Virginia 1649-1800, Headley
h-The Colony under the rule of Charles 1 and Charles 2 1625, 1685, Neill 1886.
i- Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, 1934, page 444
Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666, George Cabell Greer, 1912.

13-"John Holland, son of Gabriel was born 1628 in James City, Virginia. 2/20/1664 John Holland patented 2500 acres in Nansemond County, Virginia. The land grant was granted because he transported 60 persons from England to the colony. The 1704 Quit Rent Rolls for Nansemond County provides the ages of Hollands, i.e John Holland, 700 acres, age 76."

Rebuttal- John Holland was not born 1628 in James City and he was not the son of Gabriel Holland. He did not patent 2500 acres in Nansemond County because he transported 60 persons from England to the colony.

Quite the contrary, John Holland was one of the 50 persons transported from England to Nansemond County by Lt. Colonel Jonathan Blake and Mr. Edward Isom. Claiming John Holland and the other 49 persons as headrights, probably indentured servants, Colonel Blake and Edward Isom were granted 2500 acres of land February 20, 1664.The following is the verbatim patent information as it was recorded in Patent Book 5, page 154

LT.COL JNO. BLAKE & MR. EDWARD ISON, 2500 acs. Nancimond Co, 20 Feb, 1664, p154, (28) Trans. of 50 pers: Jno. Holland, Jno Gaye, Eliz. Ludloe, Ambrose Right, Jno. Members, Joyce Arnall, Maudlin Jones, Mathew Castome, Richard Harris, Peter Rich, Robert White, John Wale, James Diddicut, A Negro boy, Henry Mills, Heny Stone, Wm. Warde, Wm. Harrison, Xtopher Ashly, Eliz. Baly, Jane Fisher, Alice King, George Coales, Danll Burton, Jno. Johnson, Richard Newman, John Hewes, Mary Cocke, Tho. Belcher, John Fowke, 3 Negroes, Arthur Hope, Alice Steward, Robt. Harrison, 2 Negroes, Giles Danby, Danll. Rock, John Steward, Wm. Jones, Thomas Spicer, James Kirkcomb, Hen. Cutterbooke, John Dodd, A Negro, Matthew Holter, Thomas Mills, Wm.Jnoson.

Colonel Blake had patented 150 acres at the head of Parker's Creek in Nansemond County April 1, 1658 for transporting three persons from England. He represented Nansemond County in the House of Burgessess 1655 and again from 1666 thru 1676.

John Bennett Boddie states in his book Historical Southern Families, written 1956 "John Holland of Nansemond is the first ancestor of this present Holland family. He was a headright of Lt. Col. Blake and Edward Ison who patented 2500 acres in Nansemond, Feb. 20, 1664, for the transportation of 60 persons, among whom was John Holland."Actually it was 50 persons and not 60. Had it been 60, the grant would have been 3000 acres.

The author of the publication in question must have seen Boddie's statement about John Holland being a headright because the author made the same mistake as Boddie in saying 60 people were transported, not 50. I simply don't understand why the author would intentionally change the language to make it appear that John Holland transported the headrights and was granted the 2500 acres of land.

The author of the publication in question states "The 1704 Quit Rent Rolls for Nansemond County provide the ages of the Nansemond Holland, ie John Holland, 700 acres, 76 years old. This is totally false.
The 1704 Quit Rent Rolls only listed the name of the person, the county of residence and the number of acres. It did not show the age of the person being taxed. The date of birth and the date of death of John Holland is unknown.

To know there was a 1704 Quit Rent Roll and a John Holland from Nansemond County with 700 acres listed, the author of the publication in question would certainly have seen the Rolls. Again, I cannot understand why anyone would intentionally say the age of the person was listed on the 1704 Quit Rent Rolls,

Sources -Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, Volume 1, published 1934, 1704 Virginia Quit Rent Rolls, Virginian State Archives, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, John Bennett Boddie, 1938.

14-John Holland had five sons, Henry, James, Joseph, John Holland Jr. and Michael.

Rebuttal- John Bennett Boddie writes in his book Historical Southern Families that "based on circumstantial evidence, it appears that John Holland had four sons: HENRY, JAMES, JOSEPH AND JOHN HOLLAND JR." The author of the publication in question had access to Boddie's book because much of his information was used verbatim by the author of the publication in question in describing later members of the Nansemond Holland families.

For whatever reason, the author of the publication in question dropped the phrase, "circumstantial evidence" from Boddie's information and added Michael as the youngest son of John. Boddie's, chapter, "Holland of Nansemond" comprises 14 small print pages and provides information on John Holland's sons, Henry, James, Joseph, and John Jr.

There is NOT a single mention of Michael in the entire chapter. I do not understand why Michael was added and no sources were cited that he was a son of John Holland.

Sources-Historical Southern Families, Volume 1, Chapter titled, "Holland of Nansemond", author John Bennett Boddie, published 1956.

15-"A copy of the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Spivey Holland was given to Jacob Holland exc. in 1800 Nansemond County. Again in 1800 Thomas Holland, exc. was given a copy of LWT of John. A copy of John's LWT was also given to Joseph Holland and his wife in 1800. Boddie said Joseph's children were Jacob, Job, Solomon, Captain Joseph and John

Rebuttal- Boddie never said anything of the sort.. In Boddie's chapter of Holland of Nansemond says, "The known sons of Joseph Spivey Holland were Lewis Connor Holland and Lawson S. Holland. Captain Joseph Holland "of Kingsale" seems to have been his son."

According to John Bennett Boddie, "Joseph Spivey Holland is said to have died without a will in Isle of Wight County in 1799". If Joseph died in Isle of Wight County and left a will it would have been recorded there. IOW is not a burnt county like Nansemond and probate records are on file at the courthouse. No such will is recorded.

If Joseph died in Nansemond, there would be no record of a will because the probate records for that period were destroyed. A 2008 discovery of a Bible originally owned by Dr. Alexander Sumner Holland, grandson of Joseph Spivey Holland and son of Major Lawson S. Holland confirms that Lewis Connor Holland, Lawson S. Holland and Captain Joseph "of Kingsale" Holland were indeed the sons of Joseph Spivey Holland.

Joseph Spivey Holland probably had additional children but there are no records to document any specific names. Joseph Spivey Holland's date of birth was not listed in Dr. Holland's bible but his death was shown as May 27, 1800. His wife, Elizabeth, died June 6, 1792.

Sources- Historical Southern Families, Volume 1, John Bennett Boddie, 1956 - Family Bible of Doctor Alexander Sumner Holland, grandson of Joseph Spivey Holland and son of Major Lawson S. Holland. Bible in possession of descendant in Monticello, Georgia.

Conclusion. The late John Bennett Boddie was a noted genealogist and author. His distinguished contributions to Southern genealogy were attested to by his induction as a "Fellow" of the American Society of Genealogist. His body of work includes "Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia written in 1938, twenty three volumes on "Historical Southern Families" and three volumes titled "Southside Virginia Families"

In Volume 1 of Historical Southern Families, he includes a Chapter titled, "Holland of Nansemond". His interest was the Nansemond County Hollands which did not include Gabriel. His interest in Gabriel Holland constituted two short paragraphs as a lead in to John Holland, the progenitor of the Nansemond County Holland families.

The first paragraph describes the first Gabriel Holland as arriving in Virginia aboard the Ship Supply and his death in 1621 at Berkeley100.. The second paragraph describes Sergeant Gabriel Holland as living in Jamestown at the time of the Indian Massacre in 1622. Bear in mind, Boddie had stated in the preceding paragraph that the first Gabriel had died in 1621. He ends by stating that there are no records of this Gabriel after 1627.

The third paragraph which begins the 14 small print pages of the Nansemond Holland families states, "John Holland of Nansemond is the first ancestor of this present Holland family. He was a headright of Lt. Colonel Blake and Edward Ison etc.

The author of the publication in questioned had access to Boddie's Chapter on the Nansemond County Hollands. Descriptions of the family of John Holland are taken directly from Boddie's book. Example. Publication in question, "1-24-1717 Henry Holland deeded 23 acres adjacent his and James Holland's lands. Boddie's book, "Henry Holland, on Jan. 24 1717, deeded 23 acres adjacent his and James Holland's lands. Notice the word lands is plural in both versions.

Another example. The author of the publication in question writes "In 1733 Henry Holland of Nansemond County sold land to Thomas Vaughn on the east side of the Chowan River in North Carolina. " The same information by Boddie, " In 1733, as Henry Holland of Nansemond County, he sold land to Thomas Vaughn on the east side of the Chowan River in North Carolina.

My point is why did the author of the publication in question ignore the first two paragraphs of Boddie's book concerning the two Gabriels and change the third paragraph on John to make it appear John was the one who patented the 2500 acres in Nansemond County. And lastly, why did the author so flagrantly embellish the life and achievements of Gabriel?

I have my opinions but I will let readers form their own opinions. I learned many years ago in genealogy, people have a tendency to believe what they want to believe.

Further readings:

The spread of misinformation on the internet
The Truth About Gabriel Holland of Virginia by Wiley Julian Holland
Gabriel, John and Richard Holland of Virginia
Virginia Hollands by Wiley Julian Holland
Wiley Julian Holland on Jasper Land Holland formerly known as Gabe Holland
Letham trunk in Jimmie Holland's family: What is it and where did it come from?
 

"I have my opinions but I will let readers form their own opinions.  I learned many years ago in genealogy, people have a tendency to believe what they want to believe."  Wiley Julian Holland

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Holland site Published 10 July 1996 - This page added 8 August 2009  Last updated 11 August 2009

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