CJ(#49) A Witness

Very few primary documents exist during this period of Cadwallader's (JO-1) history as governor of the Bahama Islands.  One document can be found in the records of South Carolina.  Cover sheet shown:

It is dated "5 Oct. 1691", and is the will of a Joseph Barker (BARK-1).  It reads:

"Joseph Barker (BARK-1), Island of New Providence, merchant, bound on a voyage to New England.  Wife: Hannah (BARK-2), all estate.  Exors: wife, with assistance of Capt. Richard Holloway.(HOL-1)  Wit: Cadwallader Jones (JO-1), Gilbert Ashly (AS-1), Thomas Bulkley (BUL-1).
D: 5 Oct. 1691."

It was common practice that an individual traveling by ship made his will. [Makes some statement about the safety issues.]  Here, a merchant of the "New Providence" [Bahama Island : the terms used varied depending on who was writing the documents and who they believed actually had the rights to these islands.]  Was planning a trip to "New England". [Most likely the Boston area.]  Perhaps he was trying to establish trade with this area.  This document shows that our Cadwallader (JO-1) and Thomas Bulkley (BUL-1) were both serving together as a witness of this will dated Oct. 1691.  It also shows that there were "merchants" actively involved in trade along the colonial coast as far north as "New England".

Additional directives were given from the Lords Proprietors during this same month.  Dated Oct. 23, it reads:

"Lords Proprietors of the Bahamas to Colonel Cadwallader Jones. (JO-1) You will apply  all our perquisites to the fortification of the Islands.  We do not understand the people's petition that they may hold their land always at the same rate, for we disclaim all power to raise rents when land is once granted.  We see that factious people have told the people of Providence that we have done injustice to the people of Caroline, by changing their constitutions.  They were altered for the people's advantage only.  We have appointed Colonel Philip Ludwell to be Governor there.  signed: Craven, Ashley, P. Colleton." [Col. Entry BK., Vol. XXII, p. 200.]

CJ (#20) Odds and Ends : Several Dates

Several dates are recorded surrounding the next document.  It is the will of Symon Miller (MI-1) who appears to have written this will the 16th of February 1679.  On the 7th day of May 1683, a Francis Thornton (TH-2) and a James Taylor (TAY-1) testify that they were a witness to the writing of this will.  It is then recorded on the same day by William Colston (COLS-1) as clerk of court for (Old) Rappahannock County Will Book 1682-1687.  In this will, Symon Miller gives the following:

"Item  I give unto my Daughter, Susanna Miller (MI-2), Fouwer hundred eight acres & a halfe of land being the halfe devidend of land adjoyning to Col. Col. Cadwalldr. Jones (JO-1) on the head of Pumans Inn to her and her heires forevr."

The land on Peumansend Creek it is. [Note multiple spellings are recorded.]  This again gives the location of the first land of our Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) discussed in CJ(#3).  Symon Miller (MI-1) has a number of children, and a great deal of information is giving in his will.  It is recorded (Old) Rappahannock County Will Book 1682-1687, p. 13-14 in the abstracts by Ruth & Sam Sparacio, The Ancient Press. [RK.WB-12/90]  The land of Cadwallader Jones (JO-1) is to be found in several other wills and deeds, thus being used as a landmark to this geographic location.

CJ (#20) Odds and Ends

Additional documentation of the life and times of our Cadwallader Jones (J0-1) continues among the records of Old Rappahannock County, Virginia for the years 1682-1684.  Lets call these "odds and ends" since they cover different topics and different types of activities.  For example, the following is found in the will, abstracts for Old Rappahannock Co., 1682-1687.  It states:

"Probtr. p Sacrament et Recordatr. x4th die Aprillis Anno 1683 Juratus Coram me Cadwalldr. Jones"

This appears to be when the will of one William Sergent (SE-1)  dated  27 day of February 1682 is recorded.  Sworn statements of several folks were then recorded on the 4th day of April 1683 stating they were a witness to this will.  It would then appear that our Cadwallader (J0-1) recorded this in the court records, or at least saw the will, witness testimony, and most likely the probate of this will.  I would read the statement signed by Cadwallader(JO-1) as Probtr = probate, p = with, Sacrament = testimonies, et = and, Recordatr = recorded . Thus Cadwallader (JO-1) seems to be serving as clerk of court on this date in 1683.  As far as I have been able to tale, this is the only time in the will book(s) of Old Rappahannock County that this was done.