1 _UID 6DE0D58A7AA7AA45A9D5B5BC6F077E52F1B2
will dated 10 Jan 1675 in James City County, Virginia
"Colonel Thomas Ligon, the founder of the Ligon family in the New World, accepted his portion
of his father's estate in England and came to Jamestown in 1641, with his near kinsman,
Sir William Berkeley, Royal Governor of Virginia. He had full knowledge of the history of the
illustrious family from which he descended, and evidently realized that his success or failure
in life in the new surroundings depended entirely upon his own efforts and ability to win in the
face of adverse conditions....From a standpoint of hardship and deprivation in an effort toward
colonization, the history of this peiorid has been handed down as not being equalled at any time,
in any other part of the world."
SERVICE: House of Burgesses 1644-1645;
Justice, Charles City Co., 1657;
Burgess, Henrico Co., 1656;
Lt. Col., Militia, Henrico Co. by 1669.
REF: Adv. of Purse and Person p. 203;
Register of Ancestors, Nat. Soc. Col. Dames, p.57; T.H. Harris, Harris Family of VA, p.7;
VA Mag. Hist., Vol.4,p.79;
The Royal Descents of 500 Immigrants to the Amer. Colonies, by Gary Boyd Roberts, 1993, p 204.
Thomas was baptized 11 Jan 1623/4 at Walsgrave-on-Sowe as "of Caludon." Sowe Parish register.
The fact that young Thomas was a cousin both to the Lord Berkeley and to Governor (Sir) William Berkeley [Margery (Lygon) Berkeley, the Governor's paternal grandmother was the eldest daughter of William and Eleanor (Dennis) Lygon] go far to explain the patronage which brought him to Virginia.
John Smyth, of Nibley, The Lives of the Berkeleys... v. 1, p. 261; v.2, p.184.
immigrated 1642 w/ Gov. Berkley
At the time of Thomas Ligon's immigration, the total number of English in the colony did not exceed 15000 white settlers.
Military
"He was a Lieut. Colonel in the Indian Wars. On April 18, 1644, the Indians made a sudden attack upon the settlements in VA, and massacred about 300 of the colonists before they were repulsed. While this furious attack was in progress, Col. Thomas Ligon who happended to be passing at the moment the residence of Dr. John Woodson, helped Sara Woodson defend her home against the Indians. The only weapon they had was an old gun which Col. Ligon handled with deadly effect. At the first fire he killed 3 Indians, and two at the second shot. The holwing mob on the outside took fright and fled but Col. Ligon fired the third time and killed two more, making seven in all. The old gun which rendered such valuable service on that dreadful day, was made in England and is now in the possession of the Virginia Historical Society. "
OCCU surveyor
PLAC Mawburne or Malvern Hills, Henrico Co, VA
WILL DATE 10 JAN 1675
Page 150. Anderson & ux vs Ligan:
Thomas Ligan (Ligon) had 4 sons William, the eldest, Richard his second, and two others. His will Noms dated January 10, 1675. William died in 1689, and names in his will Thomas, eldest son, and William.
After his death his widow occupied the whole land till his sons attained 21, but made no division. Thomas died in 1705 and left a son, who died an infant in 1706, and 3 daughters, Phebe, who married one Welthall (Walthall?), Mary, who is dead without issue, and Elizabeth one of the lessors, who was born in 1701 and married the other lessor.
The defendt is William, the son of William, and is 59 years old.
The first Ligon to America was Colonel Thomas Ligon, Born 1586, at Madresfield, Worcestershire, England, the son of Thomas and Frances Ligon of the Parish of Orcheston , St. George
DEATH: The exact date of his death is unkown, his will was made on January 10, 1675.
**One source lists the death as 16 Mar 1675 in Henrico County, Virginia. Further research on this needs to be carried out as no referrence was listed.