Henry PREWITT

                   Henry lived 20 miles up the James River from William Byrd's plantation Westover.

On February 1, 1695, Henry Prewitt appeared in court in Henrico County, VA to testify on behalf of Mr. John Pleasants.

Henry is thought to have been a son of Thomas Prewitt, who was transported to Charles River, VA when he was a tithable and asessed to support an army to defend against the Indians.  In the same group of 40 neighbors was Colonel William Byrd.  Henry evidently 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 to be a land owner at age 25 was of some importance.

In 1686, Henry was granted 220 acres on the north side of the James River in Henrico County, which tract he sold to Mary Fields Jones in 1697.  On April 20, 1687, Henry and John Fields were granted 220 acres of land in Varina Parrish, Henrico County, on the north side of the James River, beginning at Almond Creek.  Henry 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 August 3, 1691, Henry, supported by John Fields, was sued by William Byrd.  The only connection found between the Prewitt and Byrd families is that they resided close together.  Henry Prewitt's land on Almond Creek was about 20 miles up the James River from William Byrd's plantation, Westover.  Many families followed the Byrd's into southern Virginia, and the Prewitt's were among them, settling in northern Halifax County in 1745.

Henry married Rebecca Dobbs in Henrico County, VA on August 20, 1691.  According to depositions taken in court that month, Henry was age 37, so this may have been a second marriage for him.  Henry may have first married a Fields, or possibly John Fields was married to a sister of Henry.

In 1711, Henry, being an overaged person, was exempt from paying poll taxes.  At the June Court 1722, Henrico County, Rebecca Prewitt, widow of Henry, was summoned to administer the estate of her husband.  Rebecca died in Henrico County, VA in 1748.

Other information concerning Henry:
On August 25, 1691, Henry having attending 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 September 1, 1691, Henry, aged about 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.

On April 17, 1693, Henry on Grand Jury.

On February 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 la

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.