Matthias (Cheatwood) Chitwood (son of Thomas Chetwood II) was born 1681 in England, and died 1754 in Cumberland [now Powhatan] Co., VA. He married Mary Key on 1711 in Northumberland Co., VA, daughter of Richard Key and Mary Cartwright.
Notes for Matthias (Cheatwood) Chitwood: Elizabeth Banks brought 9 orphans to Northumberland Co. VA. One of these orphans is Matthias Chitwood the earliest known person in the Chitwood Line. Certificate given George Espridgil and assigned to Elizabeth Banks, who received 50 acres per child that she supervised on the crossing from England. Thus she received 450 acres of land in Northumberland Co. VA. This is in 1681 when we find Matthias Chitwood arriving. Many children that were left orphans in England. The church was required to care for them by the Government. If the church could send some of them to the Colonies (VA) this cut their responsibility and cost. We can't be sure if Matthias was an orphan. We find a Thomas Chitwood in VA along with other children. If not and Matthias is an orphan, we will have little luck in finding him. A book I O Chitwood covers lots of Chitwoods from that marriage down. Something interesting is the Chitwood name. In England it is Chetwode, Chetwoode, Etc. In our country we have Chitwood, Chetwood and a brother that became angry changed his name to Cheatwood. If we can connect the two Thomas Chitwoods, it is very possible our ancestors go back to around 1,000 AD. These Chitwoods were rich and merchants and in many other business. Quote - Chetwode, Chetwood, Chitwood family of England is an old Saxon one going back to the time of William the Conqueror, and to one John de Chetwode. One source for information on the early lines of Chitwood family is William and Mary quarterly, Vol. 18-second series, 1938, pp 507-509 by Dr. Blanche M Haines of Three River MI. All of this is from Chitwood Family and related lines by Jean (Cragun) Tombaugh. Printed and published by Wendell C. Tombaugh 913 E. pth(?) St Rochester, IN. Matthias Chitwood was living with a Mrs. Elizabeth Banks, Northumberland Co. VA in 1695, age 14. Nine people were transported from Eng. by Thomas Pate, include Mathias. Certificate was given to George Espridge and assigned to Mrs. Banks for 450 acres of land for transporting nine persons from England, including Matthew, or Matthias Chitwood. Matthias was 14 at the time. On 24 April, 1722 a Richard Harris of Hanover was given headright for importing Matthew Chettwood. (Cavaliers and Pioneers). Mathias would have been about 41 at the time, perhaps returned from a trip to England to visit relatives and/or to conduct business. On the consolidated Virginia Census for 1740 a Matthew (Matthias?) Chitwood - Henrico Co.; a Thomas Chetwood-Lancaster Co and another Thomas Chitwood - Lancaster Co. were listed. His will was dated 1752 and proved 27 Jan 1775 (Cumberland Co. VA - now Powhatton Co VA). He secured land grant of 400 acres - Goochland Co VA 6 July, 1741. He also went by Cheatwood. Matthias' estate included: one bedstead and bedstead of furniture; one iron pot: one set of wedges, ax and iron: two basins, one dish and some spoons; one saddle bridge and bill; six spoons, one water pail; flock bed and furniture; one gun; give head of hogs; two wheels and spindle; six head of sheep; nine head of cattle. The estate was appraised by Henry Clay, Joseph Baugh, Abraham Baugh and recorded 25 August, 1755. Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Northumbria Collectanea, 1645 -1720, A to L: " ...CHETWOOD, MATHIAS. Lately app constable for Newman's Neck and having departed out of the country. Sylvester Welsh is app in his place. 17 June, 1714. On 6 July, 1741, Matthias Chitwood had a land patent for 400 acres in Goochland Co. VA. When the counties were divided this land fell in Powhatan Co (earlier Cumberland Co. VA). His Will was dated 1752, proved in Cumbeland Co. VA. In it he names his wife, Mary and sons, Richard (who received 200 acres); Matthias (100 acres); William (100 acres); John and James received personal property. His son Richard and his wife Winny sold the 200 acres to William and moved to Buckingham Co, then to Bedford Co and finally Rutherford Co. NC where Richard died. Matthias married married May Key about 1711 in Northumberland Co. VA. Mary's brother Philip Key was the Great Grandfather of Francis Scott Keye the author of the Star Spangled Banner. Several people have placed his father as Thomas Chetwood, b. 1630 in England, however no source information has been given. Sherwood Forest: owners: 1667 Grant to William Ball and Thomas Chetwood, 1600 acres. 1667 Thomas and Elizabeth Chetwood convey all their interests to William Ball. Note: during the eighteenth century, Sherwood Forest was one of the largest tracts of land in Stafford County. The house is located on a lovely hill which overlooks the Rappahannock River. Source: They call Stafford Home by Jerrilynn Ely.
More About Matthias (Cheatwood) Chitwood and Mary Key: Marriage: 1711, Northumberland Co., VA.
Children of Matthias (Cheatwood) Chitwood and Mary Key are:
+William Cheatwood, b. 1716, Virginia, d. 1787, Powhatan County, Va..
Matthias (Cheatwood) Chitwood (b. 1681, d. 1754)
Notes for Matthias (Cheatwood) Chitwood: