Thomas Ligon

• General Notes
  • Source for Ligon/Lygon on back through Dennis, Berkeley, de Spencer, de Mowbray, de Clare, Plantagenet, Stafford, and other royal lines: Col. Thomas Ligon is shown on Line 66-14 of "The Magna Charta Sureties, 1215," 5th Edition, by Frederick Lewis Weis.
    ________________________________________________
    
    Thomas came to Virginia in 1641 and married by 1649, Mary Harris, daughter of Thomas Harris and Adria Gurganey. Thomas acquired large tracts of land. In 1657 he bought a tract of 800 acres from Colonel William Byrd. On 5 Apr 1664 he was granted 800 acres at Powell's Creek next to that of Thomas Jones due him for transporting 16 persons from England. This was followed by 6 other patents, the last in the year 1672, just 3 years before his death. On 3 Oct 1664, Thomas Ligon and Captain William Farrar patented 375 acres in Henrico County on the north side of the James River for transporting 8 persons. On the same date 335 acres in Henrico County on the south side of the James River in 'Mount My Lady' field was assigned to Captain William Farrar and Thomas Ligon. Altogether, his patents totaled about 4,005 acres.
    
    Thomas was appointed Official Surveyor of Henrico County, Virginia, through his connection with his kinsman (2nd cousin) Sir William Berkeley the Royal Governor of Virginia. In 1667 he surveyed and named an area "Mawburne" or Malvern Hills, in Henrico County. In England, Malvern Hills is located very near Madresfield, the Lygon family ancestral home. Thomas remained surveyor of Henrico County for many years, up until the time of his death.
    
    He made his will 10 Jan 1675, and administration of his estate was granted to his widow and executrix, Mary (Harris) Ligon on 16 Mar 1675/6.
    
    Compiled by James Reid Hancock (HANSER5@@aol.com)
    
    Sources: The Hancock Family in England and America (1993) by Arvil Dale Hancock, 726 Jura Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, Publisher: Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore, Md; The Ligon Family and Connections (1947) by William D. Ligon, Jr; Four Thomas Ligons (Lygons): An Abstract of New Findings, by Michael J. Wood and Gary Boyd Roberts; Gateway Families (1994) by Christy Hawes Bond, distributed in cooperation with The New England Historic Genealogical Society; website at http://www.uftree.com/UFT/WebPages/stligon/JCL2/d0/i0000025.htm#i25
    -------
    From the Virginia Tax Records, page 119:
    At the Sept. 15, 1712 meeting of the vestry of the King William Parish in Virginia (The French Huguenot colony), 10 shillings were paid to Ligon on business of the parish.  "The person referred to may have been Thomas Ligon, surveyor of Henrico County at this time. For this note I am in debted to Mr. W.G. Stanard, of the Virginia Historical Society."
    ---------
    1657 he purchased tract of land from Col. William Byrd on the James River. He was elected as County Lieutenant in 1657 in Charles City County, Virginia. He signed a land deed in 1657 in Henrico County, Virginia. Bought a tract of land from Col. William Byrd. He was awarded a land grant on 5 APR 1664 in Henrico County, Virginia. Col Thomas Ligon acquired much land in his lifetime, the first being for 800 acres, being due for transportation of 16 persons from England to Virginia. This was followed by six other patents, the last in 1672, just three years before his death. Altogether, his patents totaled 4,005 acres. His children and grandchildren also received twenty land patents and grants, issued at various times up until 1752, so the holdings of the Ligon family eventually amounted to several thousand acres. These lands were in Henrico and other counties in what is now known as "Southside Virginia". He was appointend Surveyor before 1667 to Henrico County, Virginia. Governor Berkeley appointed Thomas Ligon surveyor of Henrico County, sometime before 1667, when there is a record that he, together with Richard Cocke, Henry Watkins and Gilbert Jones, surveyed "Mawburne Hills", probably actually "Malvern Hills". Thomas had named these hills, near his first land, in memory of the noted Malvern Hills in England, near Madresfield Court, where his ancestors had lived for so long. He continued to hold the position of surveyor until his death. he also arranged for the office to pass down to his son, Richard Ligon, even though the boy was under age at the time of his death. He was elected as Lieutenant Colonel before 1669 in Henrico County, Virginia. He signed a will on 10 JAN 1675 in Henrico County, Virginia. This will is noted in the "The Ligon Family In America, page 313", although it perished in the destruction of of the Henrico County, records. He died between 10 JAN 1675 and 16 MAR 1676 in Henrico Co., Virginia at 52 years of age. "Colonial Records of Henrico County, Book 1, page 35: Administration of the estate of Colonel Thomas Ligon is granted to Mary, his widow and executrix, by William Berkeley in James City on March 16, 1675/76." He was Records Destroyed before 1677 in Henrico County, Virginia. All records showing activities in Henrico County, Virginia bef 1677 have been destroyed. This hampers the documentation of Mr. Ligon's activities for that time period. Went to Jamestown, Virginia. Mississippi Genaealogical Exchange, Vol 4
    --------------
    Ligon Association 155 South Perkins Road Memphis, TN 38117 Ligon Book, Vol 1, 55 pp Ligon Book, Vol 2, 35 pp
    From "The Ligon Family In America, page 310", "On April 18, 1644, the Indians made a sudden attack upon the settlements in Virginia, and massacred about three hundred of the colonists before they were repulsed. While this furious attack was in progress, Colonel Thomas LIGON, who happened to be passing at the moment the residence of Dr. John Woodson, helped Sara Woodson defend her home against the Indians. The only weapon they had was an old gun which Colonel Ligon handled with deadly effect. At the first fire he killed three Indians, and two at the second shot. The howling mob on the outside took fright and fled, but colonel Ligon fired the third time and killed two more, making seven in all. The old gun which rendered such valuable service on that dreadful day, was made in England, and is now in the possession of the Virginia Historical Society. As if to commemorate his bravery on his historic occasion, the name of LIGON was rudely carved upon the stock."
    
    Col. Thomas Ligon's first wife probably died in England and all of his children in Virginia were those of his second wife, Mary Harris. His first son, William, was probably named for Governor Berkely, who may have been William's godfather. The names of the children of Colonel Thomas LIGON were simular to those in his family in England. Richard the second son, was probably named for his brother, who died in England in 1662; Hugh, the fourth son, had a family name; the Colonel's daughter, Johan, bore the name of his sister.
    
    He was married to Mary HARRIS (daughter of Captain Thomas HARRIS and Adria GURGANEY) between 1648 and 1650 in Virginia. An interesting fact found in the Virginia Genealogist: ' His children were Thomas Jr., William, Joan, Richard, Mathew, Hugh and Mary, named undoubtly for himself (Thomas Jr.), his wife (Mary), his sister (Joan/Johan), two of his father's brothers (William and Richard), and his father's maternal gradfather, Hugh Dennis of Pucklechurch". Our records DO NOT show a Thomas Jr. in the children of this man? Note that the source, "Captain Thomas Harris 1586-1658", descendancy charts also show this child. The child dies at an early age is does not marry nor leave issue. Mary HARRIS was born in 1625 in Henrico County, Virginia. Daughter of CPT Thomas HARRIS and Joane GURGANY (GARGANEY) or Adria Mary (OSBORNE). IGI In 1689, Mary Ligon gave a deposition stating her age to be 64. Ligon Family and Connections, Page 314 She signed a will on 18 MAR 1703 in Henrico County, Virginia. Shown as Will of Mary Lygon Sr. She died before 1 FEB 1704 in Henrico County, Virginia at 79 years of age. In the proceedings of The Ligon Family and Kinsmen Association, p.22, it is said that the parents of COL. Thomas Ligon were Thomas Ligon and Frances Dennis, who had seven other children besides Thomas. On the Family Tree Maker's Family Archive CD, Vol 2, it says that Francis Dennis was COL Thomas' grandmother and that his mother is unknown.
    
    At the time of Thomas Ligon's immigration, the total number of English in the colony did not exceed 15000 white settlers. "He was a Lieut. Colonel in the Indian Wars. On April 18, 1644, the Indians made a sudden attack upon the settlements in VA, and massacred about 300 of the colonists before they were repulsed. While this furious attack was in progress, Col. Thomas Ligon who happended to be passing at the moment the residence of Dr. John Woodson, helped Sara Woodson defend her home against the Indians. The only weapon they had was an old gun which Col. Ligon handled with deadly effect. At the first fire he killed 3 Indians, and two at the second shot. The holwing mob on the outside took fright and fled but Col Ligon fired the third time and killed two more, making seven in all. The old gun which rendered such valuable service on that dreadful day, was made in England and is now in the possession of the Virginia Historical Society. "
    
    Colonel Thomas Ligon and Mary Harris had the following children:
    
    + 18 iv. Richard Ligon was born 1657.
    
    19 v. Mathew Ligon was born 1659. Mathew died 1 Apr 1691 at 31 years of age. . Matthew Ligon was born 1659. Matthew died Before April 1, 1691.
    
    20 vi. Hugh Ligon was born 1661. Hugh died 1724 at 63 years of age. He married Elizabeth Walthall May 1689. Hugh LIGON was born in 1661 in Henrico County, Virginia. He died in 1724. Received from Estate of Mr. Tho. LYGON (his father): 1 Cow called Strawberry. Colonial Records of Henrico County., Book 4, Orphans Court 1677-1739, P. 3, dated 20 AUG 1678
    
    Named in his mother's will, " To son Hugh Lygon..."
    
    He was married to Elizabeth WALTHALL (daughter of William WALTHALL and Anne ARCHER) in MAY 1689 in Henrico County, Virginia. Cumberland County, Virginia? Marriages before 1699 (Ancestry Ref.Library Marriage records CD) 1 OCT 1689? Walthall Family, pg.8 Elizabeth WALTHALL was born about 1669. " We William Walthall, Richard Walthall, and Henry Walthall, sons of WIlliam Walthall, dec'd and Henry Ligon in right of Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of said dec'd, have rec'd of our mother, Anne Morris, widow, ...."
    
    He was married to Mrs. Jane PRICE NEE PEW after 1689.
    
    
    21 vii. Mary Ligon was born 1663. She married Thomas Farrar 20 Aug 1678. Mary LIGON was born in 1663 in Henrico County, Virginia. Received from Estate of Mr. Tho. LYGON (her father): 2 Cow Calves wch fell this year of them to Cowes. Colonial Records of Henrico County., Book 4, Orphans Court 1677-1739, P. 3, dated 20 AUG 1678
    
    She was married to Thomas FARRAR after 20 AUG 1678.
    
    ---------
    Abbrev: LIGON-L Archives
    Text: A note regarding the Ligon book:
    "The Virginia Genealogist" Vol 22, 1978 - pp. 252-255
    Article by Michael J. Wood and Gary Boyd Roberts - "Four Thomas Lygons
    (Ligons) an abstract of New Findings"
    "Recently published Virginia materials, the originals of which Mr. Ligon
    and Mr. Boddie variously misinterpreted, allow us rather easily to unravel the
    confusion between the immigrant and his son, Col. Thomas Ligon of Henrico Co.,
    Va., his almost certain father and grandfather, and his son, are thus as
    follows:
    1. Thomas Lygon, second son of William Lygon and Eleanor Dennis of Madresfield, Worcestershire, lived in Elkstone, Gloucestershire (not Elston, Wiltshire), married Francis Dennis, a cousin, daughter of Hugh Dennis and Katherine Trye of Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire. As "Francisca Ligon ux' Thomas Ligon nuper de Elkeston, gen." she was fined 20 shillings for recusancy in 1592, Frances then a widow, was of Merson, Wiltshire, when she made her will on 17 Oct. 1622, but later lived with her son Thomas at Calouden and was buried in the adjacent parish of Sowe 30 Jan. 1724/5. (sic) Her will was proved by him 1 June 1625. Through a line that Mr. Roberts cannot confirm, and of one link of which he is dubious, John Trye (1513-1579) of Hardwick, Gloucestershire, an uncle of Frances Dennis, is charted by Gerald Paget as an ancestor of H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Quenn Mother.
    2. Thomas Lygon, farmer, of Stoke-by-Coventry and Calouden, Warwickshire, born ca. 1577, married (perhaps a second wife) 18 Aug. 1623 Elizabeth Pratt at Sowe, She was baptized at nearby Stoke-Biggin 10 Oct. 1602, daughter of Dennis Pratt. Thomas Lygon was buried at Sowe 20 Dec. 1626. Administration on his estate was granted his relict Elizabeth 16 Feb. 1626/7 Elizabeth was buried at Sowe 19 Aug. 1631.
    3. Thomas Lygon, baptized at Sowe, Warwickshire, 11 Jan. 1623/4, is almost certainly the immigrant Col. Thomas Ligon of Virginia, surveyor and burgess of Henrico county. He made his will 10 Jan. 1675 and administration was granted his widow and executrix, Mary, 16 March 1675/6. He married ca. 1650 Mary Harris, born ca. 1625, daughter of Thomas Harris (born 1587) and Adria, perhaps Gurganey. Col. Ligon surveyed an area called "Mawburne" or Malvern Hills in Henrico county (in England Malvern Hills are very near Madresfield) and at least once acted as an agent for Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia, his almost certain second cousin. His children were Thomas Jr., William, Joan, Richard, Mathew, Hugh and Mary, named undoubtedly after himself (Thomas Jr.), his wife (Mary), his sister (Joan), two of his
    father's brothers (William and Richard) and his father's maternal grandfather, Hugh Dennis of Pucklechurch. Nothing can be found to document a later English career for Thomas lygon, born 1623/4, and no other Thomas is unaccounted for and of the right age to be the immigrant."
    Quality: 1
    Note: From: <Carlsonlw@@aol.com>
    Subject: Re: LIGON-D Digest V99 #4

Click here for details of Thomas' family with Mary Harris

Source/Citation Virginia Vital Records, From The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly @ 9

---

This page is within a frameset. View the entire genealogy report of Ligon families, or surname index of Ligon pedigrees or report summary of Ligon heritage from "My Ancestors and Relatives".
Family Tree.

---

© 2006 GenoPro Inc. All Rights Reserved.