Henry Prewett, Sr. (son of Thomas Prewitt) was born 1654 in Charles City, York Co. Virginia, and died May 1722 in Henrico Co. Virginia. He married (1) Ann Fields on Abt. 1680 in Henrico Co. Virginia. He married (2) Rebecca Ann Dobbs on August 20, 1691 in Varina Parish, Henrico Co. Virginia, daughter of James Dobbs.
Notes for Henry Prewett, Sr.: HENRY PREWETT Henry Prewett is the brother of William Pruett of Caroline Co. Virginia. He was one of the 40 settlers who established the City of Richmond with Col. Willam Byrd. He had some very well known neighbors in the Carter's, Randolph's and Washington's.
On April 25, 1679, Henry was listed in Col. William Byrd's Muster of the heads of families in Henrico Co., Virginia, when he was taxed to support an army to defend against the Indians. In the same group of 40 neighbors was Col. William Byrd. Henry owned land at that time, since he was taxed. He was not a large land owner by comparison to the Carter's, Byrd's, Randolph's or Washington's, who owned thousands of acres, but for Henry Prewitt to be a land owner at age 25, was of some importance.
It is believed that Henry had married first: a Fields. A researcher in the Fields line believes an older sister of John Fields (Ann Fields) married Henry Prewitt. That Henry Prewitt was married first to a daughter of Thomas Fields, Sr. is strongly suggested by Henry's location in 1679 near Edward Jones (who married Mary Fields) and the joint patent with John Fields in 1687. It was the custom to live on the land before recording a patent. In the case of Edward Jones, John Fields and Henry Prewitt, it seems likely they settled on Thomas Fields, Sr's land for which he had no yet recorded.
On Aug. 25, 1681, Henry Prewitt was summoned to testify, and having attended one day, was granted 40 pounds of tobacco against Hugh Jones. Court held in Varina Parish, Henrico County, VA in the action between Hugh Jones and Edward Jones.
On Feb. 1, 1685, Henry Prewitt and John Field witnessed the Will of Gilbert Jones of Henrico Co., VA.
Henry Prewett had a patent for a tract of land on the north side of the James River in 1686.
On April 20, 1687, Henry Prewitt and John Fields were granted 440 acres of land in Varina Parish, Henrico Co., Virginia on the North side of the James River, beginning at Almond Creek (this area is now within the city limits of Richmond, Virginia). Often in the patents involving two people, we find they were brothers-in-law. Henry Prewitt was involved with the Fields and Jones families throughout the records of Henrico Co, Virginia. Mary Fields, a sister of John Fields, married Edward Jones, and Henry Prewitt administered the estate of Edward Jones in 1695. Henry sold his half of the 440 acre patent to Mary (Fields) Jones in 1697.
He sold 220 acres of it, that year, to Mary Fields Jones. He and John Field got a patent for 440 acres, Varina Parrish, north side of the James River, beginning at Thomas Field's corner, [for the imp of 9 pers], April 20, 1687. He made a deposition August 8, 1691 and stated on September 2 that he was about 37 years old. He was a Henrico County juryman on April 17 1693. His land was about 20 miles upriver from William Byrd's Westover and Colonel Byrd operated a trading post close to Henry's land.
In 1688, Henry patented 411 acres. On Oct. 1, 1690, at a Court held at Varina for the County of Henrico July 1,1690. Jury: Fra Reeves, Foreman, Jno Cannon, Tho. East, William Ballow, John Watson, Michl Turpin, Phil Turpin, Henry Prewitt, Thos Cardwell, John Field, Robert Easly, and John Coates.
The 1690 tithables list: Henry Prewitt and John Pruitt in Henrico County. On Aug. 1, 1691, Henry, aged about 37 years (deposition) that some time before John Low went away, Hugh Jones demanded of Low that he put his gun in the loft of Edward Jones, as security for corn John Low had bought of Hugh Jones.
On Aug. 3, 1691, Henry being supported by John Field in the suit brought against him by the Hon. William Byrd, Esq., having attended one day, hath order granted against the said Field for 40 pounds of tobacco according to the law. Henry's land on Almond Creek was about 20 miles up the James River from William Byrd's plantation "Westover". However, William Byrd also operated a trading post near Henry's land.
Henry Prewett married Rebecca Ann Dobbs, daughter of James Dobbs (sometimes listed as Dabbs), on August 20, 1691 at age 37 in Henrico County.
(Five days after marrying Rebecca Ann Dobbs) On Aug. 25, 1691, Henry Prewett having attended 2 days as a witness, being summoned for Ed Jones in his suit against Fra Reeves, hath orders against the said Jones for 80 pounds of tobacco according to the law. Court held Varina Parish.
On Sept. 1, 1691, Henry aged 37 years depozeth that crossing James River sometimes since, he did see a black bull of Thomas Field's mark which belonged to Ed Jones floating upon the river against Mr. Reeves low ground. (This record establishes Henry's age.)
On April 17, 1693, Henry on Grand Jury. On April 1, 1694, Giles Webb conveyed land to Thomas Cardwell, both of Varina, 100 acres bounded by lines of Cardwell and Henry.
On Feb. 1, 1695, Henry having attended one day as witness in behalf of Mr. Jno Pleasants in his suit against Nathaniel Cardwell, has an order for 40 pounds of tobacco against the said Pleasants according to law. Also on Feb. 1, 1695, the estate of Barth paid Henry 15 shillings.
In Feb. 1695, Henry Prewett and 3 others made inventory of Edward Jones. Inventory of Edward Jones listed Feb. 19, 1695.
On June 1, 1695, Henry being summoned as a witness in behalf of Allanson Clarke against Mr. Frances Reeves, has an order granted against Clarke for 40 pounds of tobacco, he having attended one day.
Henry Prewett was involved with the Fields and Jones families throughout the records of Henrico County. Mary Fields, sister of Thomas and John Fields, married Edward Jones and Henry Prewitt administered the estate of Edward Jones in 1695.
On April 1, 1697, Henry of Henrico sold 220 acres to Mary Jones. Land on the North side of James River, John Higledy, Edward Jones, part of the land patented by Henry in 1686, "and upon which I live now", it being the southernmost end of the said tract next to Thomas Field's Creek. Witnessed by : Giles Webb and John Wilson recorded April 17, 1697. Henry comes into Court and acknowledges conveyance of 220 acres of land to Mary Jones.
On Dec. 1, 1699, Henry Prewett was a Grand Juror.
On April 1, 1702, Deed from Henry to Thomas Cardwell, 220 acres on north side of the James River for 4000 pounds of tobacco over 3 years. Land part of patent to Henry and John Field for 430 acres on april 20, 1687. Wife Rebecca released dower; Witnesses: Joseph Bullington and C. Evans. On April 3, 1702, Henry sold land.
June Court 1711, Henry, an "over aged person" was exempt from paying poll tax.
According to "Henshaw's Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy," Henry and Rebecca Dobbs Prewitt were members of the Henrico Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends )Quakers). The Henrico County Monthly Meeting minutes state that Rebecca Prewitt, daughter of Henry and Rebecca Dabbs Prewitt, married in 1721 James Magohey.
Henry died in Henrico Co., Virginia before June 1722. In the June Court, 1722, Rebecca Pruit, widow of Henry, late of this County, deceased, being summoned to adminstrate estate of deceased husband and failing to do so on, on motion of Teston Woodson, a Quaker, it is granted him letters of administration of estate of Henry. William Kent, John Huckaby, John Lewis, William Womack or any three of these to appraise the estate. John Woodson is also included.
At the June 4, 1722 court, Henrico County, Rebecca Prewitt, widow of Henry, was summoned to administer the estate. (Page 182) Failing to appear, administration was granted to Tarlton Woodson, a Quaker. It was ordered that William Ken, John Huckaby, John Lewis, and William Womack appraise the estate, according to Henrico County, Virginia Wills, Addenda, Abstracted and Completed by Benjamin B. Weisiger III, SAHGS. She died in 1748.
In 1739, the vestry proceeds to lay the parish levy; to the church wardens for Rebecca Pruett, 698 pounds tobacco.
Rebecca died in Henrico County, Virginia, in 1748. Henrico Parish for the year 1748, to Robert Morris for burying Rebecca Prewett , 200 pounds.
Henry Prewitt and Rebecca Ann Dobbs are possibly 4th great grandparents of President Abraham Lincoln.
More About Henry Prewett, Sr. and Ann Fields: Marriage: Abt. 1680, Henrico Co. Virginia.
More About Henry Prewett, Sr. and Rebecca Ann Dobbs: Marriage: August 20, 1691, Varina Parish, Henrico Co. Virginia.
Children of Henry Prewett, Sr. and Ann Fields are:
Henry Prewett, Sr. (b. 1654, d. May 1722)
Notes for Henry Prewett, Sr.: