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1. William HATCHER was born in 1613 in England.1 He died before 1 Apr 1680 in Henrico Co, VA. It is commonly believed that William Hatcher descended from the Careby Hatchers of Lincolnshire, England, and many books and family trees record this belief, some claiming his father to be a Thomas Hatcher, others claiming William Hatcher. But none can provide even a shred of documentation to support this claim.

After more than 10 years of researching the English records and documents, Emory Hatcher, through a professional British Genealogist has disproved all possible Hatcher males of the Careby Hatchers as the father of William with one exception. One Henry Hatcher simply disappears from the records after 1599. There is no evidence that this Henry is William's father, but because of the lack of records simply cannot be completely eliminated as a possibility.

There is recorded in Henrico County a deposition dated 1677 of William Hatcher then aged about sixty-three years, making his birthdate c 1613.

Deeds: Virginia Land Patent Book No. 1, Part 1, p 363: 1 June 1636: William Hatcher is granted 200 ac HenricoCo on Appomatuck River "near to the land of Elizabeth Warde, a widow", 50 for his personal adventures and 150 for transporting 3 persons including himself. Near to the land of Pearse and Mary Box.

From "Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666". These 3 importees were Alice Emmerton, William Radford, and John Winchester. And in 1637 William again imported 3 people: Benjamin Gregory, Thomas Browne, andCHarles Howell.

Another source of controversy is the name of William' wife. She has been recorded as Mary, Sarah, Mary Sarah Smith, and Marion Newport. There has been no evidencefound, to my knowledge, proving the name of William's wife.

William revceived several grants for land. Book 1, page 433 shows 850 acres, Book 1 page 559 shows 150 acres; Book6 page 529 shows 227 acres.

From "The Hatcher Family" by Rev. Francis Campbell Symonds, D.D

William Hatcher came into this country about 1635 and figured conspicuously as a resident of Henrico. On JUne 1 1636 he received a patent for land for the importation of himself and three others into the colony. In the land grant office in Richmondare recorded the several grants of land issued to this William Hatcher, in book 1, page 433, 850 acres; Book 1, page 559, 150 acres; Book 6 Page 529, 227 acres. In their beginnings in Henrico, the Hatchers...were very well to do people. William Hatcher, the immigrant became a member of the House of Burgesses from the County of Henrico and served in that capacity in 1644,1645,1646,1649,and 1652. Colonial Virginia Register, p. 65; 5 V. 98.

At the beginning of the Session of November 1654, the House of Burgesses made the following order. "Whereas Col. Edward Hill, unanimously chosenspeaker of this house, was afterwards maliciously reported by William Hatcher to be an aetheist and blasphemer....and forasmuch as the said William Hatcher... hath also reported, that the mouth of this house was a Devil....It is therefore ordered by this house, that the said William Hatcher, upon his knees, make an humble acknowledgement of his offence unto the said Col. Edward Hill and Burgesses of this Assembly; which accordingly was performed, and then he, the said Hatcher, dismist paying his fees."

William Hatcher was again Burgess in March 1658-9. So far as the extant records show, this was his last public service; but the temper which induced him to denounce Speaker Hill, got him into trouble at the time of Bacon's Rebellion. At a court held by the Governor and Council, March 15, 1676-7.
"William Hatcher being brought before the court for uttering divers mutinous words tending to the disquiett of this his Majesty's countrey, and it being evidently made appeare what was layd to his charge by divers oaths, and a jury being impanelled to assesse the damages, who bring in their verdict that they award the said Hatcher to pay ten thousand pounds of tobacco and caske, which verdict of the jury this honourable court doth confirme: but in respect the said Hatcher is an aged man, the court doth order that the said Hatcher doe pay with all expedition eight thousand pounds of drest porke unto his Majestie's Commander of his forces in Henrico county. for the supply of the souldiers, which if he fayle to doe, that he pay eight thousands pounds of tobacco and caske the next cropp, and pay costs."
He was much more fortunate than most who took part in this rebellion which was called by Bancroft the "Harbinger of American Nationality". Many were committed to prison and were condemned of all or most of their property, which, incidentally was given to friends and supporters of the King. The citizens of HenricoCo sent the King a list of their grievances and requested that they be heard. This manuscript signed by: Wilber Elam, John Pleasants, Solomon Knibbe, and Will Hatcher. This was reported in "The History of HenricoCo, VA".

In April of 1680 William Hatcher left property and personal items (a Life Estate) to Thomas Burton, believed to be his grandson.

From Mrs. Glenn M Turnell in a letter to "The Stovall Journal" in 1993: In 1658/59 at Newport on Rhode Island Mr. Robt. Potter acted for Mr William Breuton, merchant and Mathew Burne of Boston to sell a ship or Barq for 300 pounds lawful money of England to George Potter, Wm. Hatcher and Henry Randolph all right in the vessel Blackbird. This was evidently a fairly good size ship considering the amount paid for it. Now we also know that young Thomas (Burton, Jr) carried on a merchant trade with Boston as evidenced by a suit brought against him and he may have died at sea in this very Barq as his wife states.."I never heard any certain information of ye manner of ye death of my dear husband Mr. Thomas Burton." Even though there were many years between the purchase of the ship by William Hatcher, Henry Randolph and George Potter this could certainly have been the one used by young Thomas Burton around 1686/1691 at the time of the letter to his mother regarding his estate. In the book "Ship Names-Origins and Usages during 45 Centuries" by Don H Kennedy the Blackbird is listed as being red with a reference "Yachting" 20, No. 5 (1916); 197.


Marriage 1 Unknown
Children
Edward Hatcher b: 1637 in HenricoCo, VA
Henry Hatcher , Sr b: 1638 in HenricoCo, VA
William Hatcher b: 1639 in HenricoCo, VA
Jane Hatcher b: ABT. 1640 in HenricoCo, VA
Susannah Hatcher b: 1642 in HenricoCo, VA
Benjamin Hatcher , Sr b: 1644 in Varina Parish, HenricoCo, VA

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William HATCHER and Wife of William HATCHER were married. William HATCHER and Wife of William HATCHER had the following children:

2

i.

Edward HATCHER was born in 1637 in Henrico Co, VA.

3

ii.

Henry HATCHER Sr was born in 1638 in Henrico Co, VA.

4

iii.

William HATCHER was born in 1639 in Henrico Co, VA.

5

iv.

Jane HATCHER was born about 1640 in Henrico Co, VA.

6

v.

Susannah HATCHER was born in 1642 in Henrico Co, VA.

+7

vi.

Benjamin HATCHER Sr.