The Shemwell Family

Biography: Thomas Pruitt was born December 1616 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England the son of John and Margaret Pinernell Pruitt. He married in 1647 at Charles River, Henrico County, Virginia, Sarah Lessene the daughter of Charles and Catherine Herault Lessene. "Early Virginia Immigrants", by G.C. Greer, Clerk of the VA State Land Office, contains a list of some 25,000 persons who came to Virginia from 1623 to 1666, together with the patentee or person who brought them over. In this list is: Thomas Prewitt, 1636, by Joane Bennet, to Charles River County. On May 6, 1636, Joane Bennett, widow, received 450 acres in Charles River Co., VA, upon the new Poqueson River, east towards the bays, west into the woods, north upon the Pinye Swamp (River) and south upon Robert Thrasher. 50 Acres due for transfer of 8 persons: Ann Winter, John Roote, Jon Marshall, Thomas Prewitt, Andrew Chant, Jon Morris, and Pole Carplights. Joane Bennet was a Quaker. Thomas Prewitt was thus brought over as an indentured servant. Once a person served five years, they got 50 acres of land. On June 2, 1636, Thomas Prewitt was granted 50 acres of land in Charles River Co, VA, being a neck of ground at the New Poqueson, west upon William Clarke a creek, then east upon Thomas Harwood a creek. The said 50 acres of land being due unto him the said Thomas Prewitt for the transportation of one servant into this colony. It appears that Thomas Prewitt and wife were Quakers and not married by the rules of the established church. Charles River County, VA was changed to York County. In 1646, Thomas Prewitt confessed he borrowed a canoe from John Wilson and lost it. Ordered that he pay Wilson 2 bushels of corn for it next Nov. 1. In 1647, John Thomas has an attachment against Thomas Prewitt to secure debt of 600 lbs. tobacco. On May 24, 1648, Thomas Pruitt confesses judgment to Robert Abrall for 1202 lbs of tobacco to be paid the next October 10 at the house of Pruitt. Three cows bound in security. Court for the County of York. Cattle were very valuable to the early settlers. They were expensive to bring over by ship and scarce. In 1648, Thomas Prewitt confessed judgment to Mr. William Hockaday, 1 1/2 bushel of corn and 56 lbs tobacco. On July 25, 1648, Whereas Thomas Prewitt and his wife were presented to his court for committing fornication and thereof found guilty. Court ordered that they shall do a pennance in the Parish Church on the New Pawqueson and during the time of devine servis the next Sabbath Day. The church wardens ordered to see this done. Prewitt and his wife to appear at the next Court to avoid further censure. This was because they were not married in the State Church of England. Thus, he underwent a degree of persecution for his being a Quaker even in the New World. On Dec. 6, 1648, Thomas Prewitt binds himself to pay John Madison 600 lbs of tobacco before next Oct. 1, a steer and heifer as security. Children: Thomas Pruett, Jr 1647- John Pruett 1648-1704 Charles River County, Virginia Eve Pruett 1650- William Pruet, Sr 1651-1748 Md Mary Stone Died Spotsylvania County, Virginia Henry James Pruett, Sr. 1654-1722 Md Rebecca Ann Dabbs/Dobbs Died Henrico County, Virginia