John PREWITT

                   From "Early Virginia Immigrants," by GC Greer, Clerk of the VA State Land Office:  This contains a list of some 25,000 person 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 Bennet, widow, received 450 acres in Charles River County, 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 County, VA, being a neck of ground at the New Poqueson, west oupon 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 coloony.  It appears that Thomas Prewitt and wife were Quakers and not married by the rules of the established church.

Charles River County was changed to York County.  In 1646, Thomas Prewitt confessed he borrowed a canoe from John Wilson and lost it.  It was ordered that he pay Wilson 2 bushels of corn for in Next November 1.

In 1647, John Thomas has an attachment against Thomas Prewitt to secure debt of 600 pounds of tobacco.

On May 24, 1648, Thomas Pruitt confesses judgement to Robert Abrall for 1202 pounds 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 valuabel to the early settlers.  They were expensive to bring over by ship and scarce.

In 1648, Thomas Prewitt confessed judgement to Mr. William Hockaday, 1 1/2 bushel of corn and 56 pounds of tobacco.

On July 25, 1648, Wheras Thomas Prewitt and his wife were present to his court for committing fornication and therof found guilty.  Court ordered that they shall do a pennance in the Parish Church on the New Pawueson 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 December 6, 1648, Thomas Prewitt binds himself to pay John Madison 600 pounds of tobacco before next October 1, a steer and a heifer as security.