John Cheston Family
From History of Perquimans County by Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow.
Published 1931.
Ambrose Clare was grt land in James City Co Va, Oct 15, 1664, “at the head
of Spring Branch, adj Hickmans line. (Land book 5—No 28, Richmond Va.) He
had another grt, 1155a in Rappahannock Co Va, on N side of Sams Creek,
Sept 6, 1667, for trans’ Mark Sanders, Tho Jones, Nich Wilson, Sam Wilson
& others; and had deeded to him 300a in James City Co, Oct 15, 1664.
John Clare was trans’ to Va by Joseph Crowshaw, of York River, Feb 27,
1649. In a grant New Kent Co Va, William Clare names himself “son of
Ambrose Clare” who resided in what is now Essex Co Va. The Clare family is
of Royal descent. Christopher Cleave was a “subject in the colony at
Jamestown,” May 23, 1609. (Browns Genesis to America.)
William Cleve is named in the will of Giles Cory, of Lynn Mass, July 25,
1692, as “son-in-law,” and Thomas Hire (Hare) of Surry Co Va, in his will,
Mar 6, 1704 names Thomas, & William Clare, as his “grand-sons.” As the
Hares also moved to Perq Co N. C. we may very well say with a certain
amount of certainty, that the William here spoken of, is the same which
Timothy Clare of Perq, calls “father” in his marriage certificate.
Timothy Cleare granted 473a on Perq River, adj Wm Bundy dec’d. April 25,
1694. Tymo Clare grt 250a “on Perquimans River, adj land whereon he now
lives” on E. side of sd River. Feb 4, 1713/4. He purchased of Patrick
Kenedy, a plan’ on Franks Creek, Feb 15, 1689, and another plan’ at the
head of Perq River, from Caleb, & Jean Bundy, 25, 2mo 1692/3. His land
appears to have been situated on South West side of the Narrows of Perq
River. Thomas Harvey of Perq, sold to Timothy Clare 200a on “Upper Vosses
Creek,” adj John Morgan, & Francis Toms. His land on North side of Perq,
was on Brambly Branch, and was called “Round House land.” His name is
variously spelled on the records in Perq Co; Clare, Cleare, Clear, Clar,
but it is each time the same person, as he is the only one of that name in
the county, and had no male descendants. The line became extinct when he
died. He was Burgess from Perq, Oct 11, 1709, Justice of Peace. (Col
Records.) Berkeley Parish Reg gives the date of his marriage as follows:
Timothy Cleare (ye son of Will Cleare) & Mary Bundy (ye dau of William
Bundy, & Elizabeth his wife) weare Maried, ye 7 of June 168— and the
Quaker records the same, with the date a little different; as follows: “At
a Meeting at Jon’a Phelps house, Timothy Cleare, declaring his intention
of Marriage with Mary Bundy (d of William) 6, 3mo 1685. Not being familiar
with the Quaker marriage rites in this case will not say positively that
the dates are the same.
The ages of his children are also given in Berkeley Reg, as follows: Mary,
& Elizabeth (twins) b Feb 21, 168—(6), Ann, b Nov 10, 1687, Sarah, b Dec
24, 1683. Mary Cleare (wife of Timothy) died Dec 30, 1694. He m 2d
Elizabeth — by whom he had no issue—3d Hannah née Larance (widow of Israel
Snelling) by whom one dau Hannah; whose age is not mentioned. (See her
will, Grimes, page 72.) Timothy Clear’s will is found in Deed book E—No
12, in which he names his wife Hannah, and five daughters. This will is a
very interesting document, and gives much valuable information. (See
deeds, in this book.)
Mary (one of the twins) m Edward Mayo, & had by him: Edward, b 7, 2mo 1703,
John b 27, 11mo 1705/6—Mary, b 26, 12mo 1709/10—Ann, b 23, 1mo 1713—
Elizabeth, b 21 8mo 1717—Sarah, b 19, 12 mo 1719, & Joseph (no date). She
m 2d Joseph Newby, by whom she seems not to have had issue. (See her will
Grimes 1739.)
Elizabeth (twin to Mary) m Thomas Winslow. (See Winslow, for her
descendants.)
Sarah Clare m 1st John White, & had one son John Jr. (See deeds in this
book.) m 2d Jacob Elliott (untraced).
Jane Clare, m 1st Joseph Robinson, whose will was p in Perq July 9, 1717,
and had son John, & dau Sarah. She m 2d Thomas Jessop. (See Jessop family.)
Of Ann Clares descendants nothing is known. Timothy Clare mentions in his
will dau Hepsibeth Perry. She is thought to be a step-daughter, as she is
not named in the last part of his will “as daughter.” His second wife
Elizabeth may have been widow Perry, but there is no proof at hand.
Timothy Clare was a Quaker, and wielded a strong influence in the county
for the betterment of settlers, and the usefulness of its citizens. He
owned large bodies of land in Perq, and there is still extant one original
grant to him made in 1709, for 300a on Perq River, which is now in the
writer’s hands.
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