John Garrett, B. 1615, St. Devaast Parish, Cheapside, London England, Arrived in Virginia in 1635, Bonded to John Dunston and William Mills (June A. Smith donated her study to the Mormon Genealogical Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.). She wrote “He spent five years working off his indenture by labor for Dunston on his Virginia property.” Following his indenture he applied for a land patent and was granted 150 acres on a branch of the Western Branch of the Nansemond River. He married a Miss Dunston, possibly a daughter of John Dunston.
During August of 1642 John sold his original patent to Thomas Ranshaw and bought 400 acres on the same creek, which was then called Indian Creek. “For Trans. of 8 Pers.” Indian Creek later became part of Lake Prince, located in Suffolk, VA.
John probably owned a mill. When he died about 1670, his land escheated to the Crown and a new patent issued to one Edward Isen and became known as Isans Mill. One year later John eldest son Thomas was issued a patent for 150 acres of escheated land elsewhere.
During August 1674 the late Virginia Governor Richard Bennett willed to Thomas Garrett, two thousand pounds of tobacco. There appears to be a connection between these families (see attached Bennett, of Pythouse).
Bennett’s Creek, a tributary of the Chowan River in North Carolina, a very short distance upstream from Catherine Creek,boundry between Chowan and Gates Co’s, was probably named to honor Gov. Bennett. An Indian school located near the head of the creek was named Sarum. There was a church in England named Sarum. At least one member of the Bennett Family was buried there in 1558.
During 1675 a Mr. Garrett paid quit rent on 150 acres in Albemarle Co., NC for the years 1675, 76, 77.
It is possible that records were lost for the next eighteen years as I could find no mention of Garrett’s in Albemarle Co. until 1694. During that year Thomas Garrett Sr. was listed as a commissioner on “ye 2nd of July 1694.
From NC Higher Court Records:
9 July 1694
“We the subscribers upon the request of Wm. Gaskins hath gone a rowed a little way from the landing which belongs to the plantation that now Mr. Garrett lives on up the creek (Torn) Belongs to the said plantation of Gaskinses which landing is upon water enough for any boat of shallop to come into for att the very landing theare is three foot water and wee the subscribers doe offer that landing itt is not further that 40 yards or 50 at most to all our judgement unto dry champen ground which place may have a causee made with small cost where unto wee have set our hands the day and year above mentioned.
George Branch, Thomas Garrett, Thomas Haskin his mark, the mark of Nicklos Gent., Thomas Gilyam, the mark of Thomas Mercer, the mark Dannil Offie, Hannibal Hoskins.”
As of 2008, the earthen landing still exists and is locally known as “New Town Landing”.
On 20 April 1694 Elizabeth Dunston proved twelve rights and she was given a warrant for 600 acres in Albemarle County, NC. On 11 July of the same year, Ms. Dunston assigned her 600 acres to Alexander McFFarlin who assigned it to Nathan Chevan, who assigned it to Thomas Garrett “ye 6th of April 1697”
As John Garrett owned a mill on Indian Creek in VA, his son Thomas built a millpond on Catherine Creek and John’s Gr. Grandson Evehard Garrett sold one half lot in Edenton “less the windmill.”
Ms. Elizabeth Moore of Edenton stated that Thomas Garrett succeeded Nathenial Chevin as Vestryman at St. Paul’s Church, Chowan Precinct on 11 May 1708 and was succeeded by Wm. Badham June 1709.
Thomas Garrett Jr. was appointed Verstryman 9 March 1723 till 18 Aug. 1725.
Evehard Garrett, Grandson of Thomas Garrett was appointed Vestryman in 1728 for a short term. The last meeting of the Vestry was in 1779.
By the time of the American Revolution, many of the Garrett family members had moved to several surrounding counties. Some were loyalists and some were not. My ancestors left Chowan County and moved to Pasquotank Co. very early. They moved to Currituck Co., NC during 1746. All of my Garrett grandfathers are buried near Moyock NC within a ten mile radius since 1760.
The Thomas Garrett plantation was located on the south side, bordering Catherine creek. An old home site, now known as the Welch place was most probably the location of Thomas Garrett’s manor house.