Powhatan County

Hughes Family of Powhatan County

Memoranda of C. V. Woodson

Record (as far as now known) of the Hughes family, who originally owned Hughes' Creek, in Powhatan, Va.

Jesse Hughes and his wife (French Huguenot) came from the mother county in company with a large number of other Huguenots, and settled in this State while yet a colony of England. With others who obtained grants of land from King Charles H. of England, Jesse Hughes settled Hughes' Creek, on James River, in Powhatan, Va., and on this place he and his family lived and died. No record of births, deaths or marriages extant. Hughes' Creek was entailed, according to the English law. Continued in the family through four generations. Martha Hartwell Hughes, who intermarried with Francis Goode (son of Robert Goode, the third), of Whitby, was the last owner, when it fell into other hands.

Jesse Hughes' son, Robert Hughes (first), married and left sons and daughter. No record of births, marriages and deaths of himself and family now extant.

Robert Hughes (the second, son of Robert Hughes (the first), married Ann Hartwell, of New Kent. They had three sons, Jesse Hughes, Robert Hughes (the third) and David Hughes; also two daughters, Fanny Hughes and Temperance Hughes. She married Henry Watkins, of Bush River, Prince Edward county. They had five sons and two daughters. No record of family now extant as to births and deaths.

Jesse Hughes, son of Robert Hughes (the second), was a pioneer and explorer of the mountains and the west of Virginia. He was a man of energy and bravery. He died on one of his expeditions to the mountains. Died unmarried, and from him his brother, Robert Hughes, inherited Hughes' Creek. See De Hass for an account of Jesse Hughes' career in West Virginia as Indian fighter, &c.

Robert Hughes (the third) served in the Revolutionary War as captain of a volunteer company; married, previous to the war, Mary Mosby, a daughter of Littleberry Mosby and his wife. Elizabeth Netherland was a daughter of his first wife.

Robert Hughes (the third) died soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, leaving three daughters, Martha Hartwell Hughes, Elizabeth Netherland Hughes and Ann Hartwell Hughes. No sons.

Martha Hartwell Hughes, born 2d February, 1777, married Francis Goode, of Whitby, 28th October, 1795. Francis Goode, her husband, died 7th of April, 1814. Martha Hartwell Goode (née Hughes) died the 5th July, 1825.

Elizabeth Netherland, second daughter of Robert Hughes (third) and Mary Mosby, died fifteen years old, unmarried.

Ann Hartwell Hughes, third daughter of Robert Hughes (the third) and Mary Hughes (née) Mosby, born in 1785, married William Carrington, 1799; died, leaving one son (Robert Hughes Carrington), in 1800.

David Hughes, son of Robert Hughes (second) and Ann Hartwell, married Judith Daniel, of North Carolina. The had two sons, Jesse Hughes and Robert Hughes. Jesse Hughes married Elizabeth Morton. Judge Robert W. Hughes, three sisters and a brother, are their children. Robert Hughes, brother of Jesse Hughes, died unmarried.

Fanny Hughes, daughter of Robert Hughes and Ann Hartwell, married Rev. John Williams, of North Carolina. They left a large family of sons and daughters in that State.

HUGHES FAMILY

(From Virginia Council Journals, by Fairfax Harrison)

Hughes is a very numerous name in Wales and no doubt a number of people of that name came to Virginia; but the Hughes who first settled in New Kent County and afterwards removed to that part of Goochland County, now Cumberland and Powhatan, would seem to be nearly related. Later the family has spread widely throughout the United States.

There is a tradition in the family of the late Judge Robert W. Hughes, that their emigrant ancestor was Huguenot. Where there is no positive evidence there can be no positive statement; but this tradition seems highly improbable. Hughes is a most unlikely French name and it is certain that members of the Hughes family from New Kent settled near the Huguenots at Manakintown, which may have given rise to the tradition. The following notes are from the records of Cumberland County:

Appraisement of the estate of Ashford Hughes, deceased, March 6, 1750. Will of Stephen Hughes, dated July 6, 1749, proved June 25, 1753. Legatees: daughter Judith Cox; sons John and Joseph; wife Elizabeth; daughter Elizabeth Woodson.

Will of Robert Hughes, dated July 13, 1750, proved Sept. 22, 1755. Legatees: daughter Sarah Woodson; daughters Mary Walton and Martha Walton; 4th daughter Susanna Hughes, 5th daughter Temperance Hughes; wife Martha; sons Abraham and Robert.

Will of Joseph Hughes, dated Nov. 1, 1751, proved June 28, 1756. Legacy to John Hobson, to brother John Hughes (refers to land given John by "my father"; wife; mother Elizabeth Hughes. Refers to his father's will, wife Jane, etc.

Will of Abraham Hughes, dated Jan. 10, 1756, proved Feb. 23, 1761. Legatees: mother Martha Hughes; brother Robert Hughes; cousin John Walton; refers to his deceased father, Robert Hughes; legacy to sister Mary Winfree.

Will of Orlando Hughes, dated July 25, 1768, proved Sept. 26, 1768. Legatees: wife Elizabeth; sons Anthony and Josiah; son-in-law John Murray; son Leander Hughes.

Will of Martha Hughes, dated Sept. 8, 1769, proved March 16, 1770. Legatees: daughter Martha Walton and three children, Martha Hughes, George Cox and Henry Cox.

Will of John Hughes, dated April 16, 1774, proved Feb. 27, 1775; son John.

Will of Leander Hughes, dated March 24, 1775, proved June 26, 1775. Sons Powell, Stephen, John and Archilus.

Will of Isaac Hughes, dated Jan. 22, 1758, proved April 24, 1758. Wife Martha; Patty Mosby and said Patty's brother George Walton. Cumberland Marriage Bonds: George Walton and Martha Hughes, Spinster, Feb. 22, 1749; John Coles and Jane Hughes, widow, Dec. 4, 1758; Thomas Poindexter and Ann Hughes, Joseph Hughes, security, Jan. 25, 1755; Daniel Hughes and Mary, daughter of John Murrey, Dec. 18, 1788. There is in Goochland the will of Sarah Hughes, dated Jan. 1723. She bequeaths her estate to her granddaughter Elizabeth Cannon. There are numerous grants of land to persons named Hughes.

(1) Thomas Hughes, 400 acres on Timberneck Creek on the north side of Charles (York) River, and in that county thereof. Due for the transportation of 8 person. April 28, 1643.

(2) Rice Hughes, 200 acres on the north side of York River. Due for the transportation of four persons, John Williams, Robert Symons, Thomas Price and Hugh Griffin. March 8, 1652.

(3) Rees Hughes, 410 acres in the county of New Kent on the southwest side of York River, adjoining the grant of 1643 and the lands of George Smith and Mr. Langston. Dec. 2, 1656. [It is difficult to see how this grant could have adjoined the one on Timberneck Creek.]

(4) Rees Hughes, 860 acres in New Kent County including his grant of 410 acres (No. 3) with 450 acres adjoining. March 1, 1657.

(5) Rees Hughes 860 acres in New Kent formerly granted to him in 1657 and now regranted, Jan. 28, 1662. [It was not an uncommon thing for persons who had grants during the Commonwealth to take a regrant after the Restoration.]

(6) Robert Hughes 855 acres in New Kent County bounded on the north by the northwest branch of Chickahominy river, and adjoining the land of Col. Thomas Claiborne. Due for the transportation of 18 persons (including Robert Hughes, Jr. and Elizabeth Hughes). April 20, 1684.

(7) Rice Hughes 309 acre in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent, adjoining Page's land. Due for the transportation of 8 persons Oct. 9, 1698.

(8) Rees Hughes, 571 acres in St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, on Camp's Creek. Due for the transportation of 12 persons. Nov. 2, 1705.

(9) Rice Hughes, 430 acres in St. Paul's Parish, New Kent Co., adjoining the land of George Alves. Dec. 3, 1714.

(10) Robert Hughes of Henrico County, 400 acres in Henrico County on the south side of James River and on Muddy Creek. Aug. 17, 1725. [Later in Cumberland County].

(11) Ashford Hughes and Daniel Price 400 acres on the main fork of Deep Creek, Goochland County, adjoining the lands of Taylor and Woodson, Sept. 27, 1729.

(12) Ashford Hughes and Joseph Thomas 400 acres on the west fork of Muddy Creek, Goochland County, adjoining their own land. Sept. 7, 1729.

(13) Ashford Hughes and Joseph Thomas 400 acres on the west branch of Muddy Creek, Goochland. Sept. 27, 1729.

(14) Robert Hughes 400 acres in Henrico on the south side of James River on Hughes Creek and the right hand branch and adjoining his own land. Sept. 7, 1729.

(15) Isaac Hughes 400 acres on the south side of James River on Muddy Creek, adjoining his patented land. Sept. 8, 1728.

(16) Robert Hughes 1200 acres on the south side of James River on Muddy Creek in Goochland County [later Cumberland]. 800 acres, part of this land was formerly granted to the said Robert Hughes by patent June 26, 1731.

(17) Ashford Hughes 400 acres on the south side of James River on Bolling's Quarter Branch, and the branches of Muddy Creek, in Goochland County.

(18) Ashford Hughes and Daniel Price, 400 acres on the south side of James river between Muddy Creek and Willis's River. April 11, 1732.

(19) Robert Hughes, 125 acres on Hughes' Creek on the south side of James River in the county of Goochland, adjoining the land of Stephen Hughes, etc. Feb 27, 1734.

(20) Stephen Hughes, of Goochland County 1000 acres in that county on Deep Creek, adjoining the lands of Cocke and Mayo.

(21) Robert Hughes, 400 acres in Goochland on the branches of Beaverdam Creek and on the north side of James River. Sept. 16, 1740.

(22) Thomas Hughes, 85 acres in Goochland on the south side of Fluvanna River and two islands in the river called the Sycamore Islands. July 6, 1741.

(23) John Hughes, 237 acres in Amelia county on both sides of Little Hurricane Creek. Aug. 20, 1745.

(24) Orlando Hughes, 400 acres in Goochland on the north branch of the Cat branch of Willis' River. Sept. 20, 1745.

(25) Thomas Hughes, 400 acres in Goochland on both sides of Horn Quarter Creek of Willis' River. March 20, 1745.

(26) Leander Hughes, 390 acres in Goochland on both sides of Pidy Run of Willis's River. Nov. 20, 1743.

(27) Ashford Hughes, 350 acres in Goochland on the branches of Muddy Creek. Aug. 30, 1744.

(28) Orlando Hughes, 160 acres in Goochland on a branch of Muddy Creek. Jan. 2, 1746.

(29) John Hughes, 248 acres in Goochland on the south branch of Deep Creek. June 25, 1747.

(30) Stephen Hughes and Booth Napier 400 acres in Albemarle County on north side of Pedler River. Sept. 20, 1748.

(31) John Hughes, 285 acres in Albemarle on the north branch of Willis' Creek. Sept. 5, 1749.

(32) Francis Hughes, 225 acres in Augusta County on the branches of the North River of Shenando. March 17, 1756.

(33) Joseph Hughes 400 acres in Cumberland County on the branch of Muddy Creek. Aug. 10, 1759.

(34) Edward Scott, John Scott and Stephen Hughes, 400 acres on Muddy Creek. Oct. 11, 1728.

(35) Ellis Hughes, 400 acres in Hanover County on Golden Mine Creek. Jan. 10, 1735.

the following account of his ancestry was prepared by the late Judge Robert W. Hughes and a copy was obtained from his son, Mr. R. M. Hughes, of Norfolk, in 1902. As these notes relate entirely to the Hughes family and space is limited Judge Hughes' account of the maternal ancestry in various generations has been omitted.

The earlier generations are evidently based on tradition and can sometimes be shown to be erroneous. Martha Hughes stated to have been a daughter of a Jesse Hughes, "Huguenot emigrant", is shown by a will printed above to have been a daughter of Robert Hughes who died in 1755. There appears to be no record evidence that the first Jesse or his son, David (or Adam) ever existed.

"GENEALOGY OF JUDGE ROBERT W. HUGHES"

Robert William Hughes resides at Norfolk, Va., and was born in Powhatan Co., Va., June 6, 1821. He was educated at Caldwell Institute, Greensboro, N.C.; tutor (1840-3) in Bingham's High School, Hillsboro, N.C.; practicing lawyer in Richmond, Va., 1846-53; editor of the Richmond (Va.) Examiner, 1850-57; and Editor of Washington Union, Buchanan's administration organ from 1857 to 1861; joint editor of the Examiner from May, 1861 till April 1865; editor of the Richmond Republic, 1865-6; editor of Richmond State Journal, 1869-70; U.S. Attorney for Western District of Virginia, 1871-73; Republican candidate for Governor of Va., 1873; appointed U.S. Judge for Eastern District of Va., January 14, 1874; and still holds that office (1889); Author of Biographies of Genl. John B. Floyd and Genl. Joseph E. Johnston, published in 'Lee and his Lieutenants', 1867; of a volume entitled the 'Currency Question', 1879; of a volume entitled 'The American Dollar', 1885; and of five volumes of U.S. Circuit and District Court Reports, 1879-85, called Hughes' Reports.

Robert W. Hughes married June 4, 1850, in the Governor's Mansion, Richmond, Va., Eliza M. Johnston, daughter of Hon. Charles C. Johnston, M. C. (elder brother of Genl. Joseph E. Johnston) and Eliza Madison (nee) Preston. Mrs. Hughes was born July 3, 1825.

Robert W. and Eliza M. Hughes have two living children; viz. Robert M. Hughes and Floyd Hughes, who are lawyers residing in Norfolk, Va.

PARENTS

Robert W. Hughes was the second son of Jesse Hughes and Elizabeth Woodson (nee) Morton. Jesse Hughes of Muddy Creek Plantation, Powhatan Co., Va., was born September 22, 1788, was married in 1812, and died in March 1822. He was a lawyer and a captain in the war of 1812. His wife, Elizabeth Woodson Hughes, was born September 25, 1793 and died July 12, 1822. One of the children of these two, who lived to marry and have children, was John Morton Hughes, born February 20, 1813, and died in Mobile, Alabama, where he lived, September 20, 1865, leaving one surviving child, William Morton Hughes, a druggist in Baltimore, Md.

Another child was Elizabeth Jesse Hughes, who married Saml. G. Hughes of Orange Co., N. C., leaving three children, Robert, Agnes and Anne. Another and youngest son and child was Robert W. Hughes (the fifth Robert Hughes), the subject of this sketch.

Elizabeth Woodson (Morton) wife of above Jesse Hughes, was daughter of Capt. Hezekiah Morton of Prince Edward Co., Va., and of his wife, Phoebe, who was Phoebe Moseley.

GRAND PARENTS

David Hughes, of Muddy Creek Plantation, Powhatan Co., Va., who married Judith Daniel, daughter of Chesley Daniel and Judith (Christian). David Hughes was a captain in the Revolutionary war. His eldest son Robert (fourth of the name) died unmarried. His second son was Jesse, above mentioned. His third child was Anne Hartley, who died unmarried.

GR. GRAND-PARENTS

The second Robert Hughes, of Hughes Creek, Powhatan Co., Va., married Anne Hartwell of New Kent Co., Va. They had three sons, Jesse, Robert and David; and one daughter, Fanny. Jesse Hughes was a pioneer and explorer of the mountains in what is now (1889) West Virginia. He was a hunter and Indian fighter, and was never married. See De Hass Indian Wars. Hughes River, a branch of the Little Kanawha, was named after him. His brother, the third Robert Hughes, inherited the Hughes Creek Plantation (which was the original seat of the family), by the law of primogeniture. This Robert Hughes had only daughters, one only of whom had surviving descendants. This one married Francis Goode, and thus the family seat passed to the name of Goode. See G. Brown Goode's Virginia Cousins', pp. 115 and 128. The daughter, Fanny, married Rev. John Williams and went to North Carolina, where they left a numerous offspring.

GR. GR. GRAND-PARENTS

Robert Hughes, the first of the name, of Hughes Creek, Powhatan Co., Va., married and left sons and daughters, but no list of them and of their marriages is now extant, except as to Robert Hughes, the second of the name above mentioned. By the death of Jesse Hughes first above named in early manhood, leaving infant children, the family Bible and records were lost.

GR. GR. GR. GRAND-PARENTS

David (some say Adam) Hughes, of Hughes Creek, Powhatan Co., Va. Records exist only of the facts respecting Robert Hughes (second) as already stated. The names Jesse and David run together in the history of the family, and for this reason David is preferred to Adam above.

GR. GR. GR. GR. GRAND-PARENTS

Jesse Hughes, a Huguenot emigrant, who came into Virginia with his wife about 1675 to 1700, took up the plantation in Powhatan Co., Va. (then part of Goochland Co.) on the south side of James River, called afterwards, and to this day, the Hughes Creek Plantation, giving the family name to a bold stream flowing into the James. The tradition concerning Jesse Hughes, the emigrant, is, that he escaped from Rochelle, France, at the age of 14, in an open boat disguised and alone, and was fortunate enough to reach England. After remaining there some years and marrying there, the two came to Virginia, and settled across the James River from Manakin Town where a large company of Huguenots had settled on lands granted them by the English crown.

One of his sons married Sallie Tarlton and had, amongst other children, a daughter Martha Hughes, who married George Walton the uncle and educator of the Walton who signed the Declaration of Independence. This family of Hugheses intermarried with another of Welsh blood, who were among the colonizers of Powhatan Co., Va. The original emigrant of this Welsh family was Stephen Hughes, who was born in Caernarmonshire, Wales, some say Glamorganshire, near the river Taafe, east of Cardiff. Stephen Hughes married Elizabeth Tarlton, who was born in 1696 and lived till 1775, aged 89 years.

No records are extant showing the intermarriages between the Welsh Hugheses possessing the Tarlton blood and name, and the Huguenot family of Hughes Creek; but there were several of them in the two first generations of the offspring of the emigrants. One of the offspring of the first of these intermarriages was Major John Hughes, who married Ann or Nancy Meriwether, niece of Valentine Wood, above mentioned, and went to Kentucky, where they are said to have raised 24 children. Another descendant from an intermarriage is Genl. Bela M. Hughes, of Denver, Colorado, and so are his relations in the trans-Mississippi West."

In 1904 Judge Felix T. Hughes, of the Superior Court of Iowa, wrote: "My maternal great grandfather was Josiah Hughes and his sons were John, Josiah, Leander, Orlando and Anthony. Taking my father's birth in 1808, presumably his grandfather, Josiah Hughes, was not born earlier than 1750. Josiah and all his sons got to Tennessee from 1820 to 1840. My paternal grandfather, William Hughes, had to brothers, Rice and Nicholas.

"Orlando Hughes' wife, Elizabeth, died in Cumberland, 1768. This Orlando would be the grandfather of my paternal grandmother. You will note that Orlando had a son Josiah and grandson Stephen and that Robert Hughes, June 19, 1733, conveyed to Isaac Hughes and his brother's son Josiah, certain lands. Then Stephen married Elizabeth and so did Orlando. My grandmother, daughter of Josiah, was named Judith Hughes and so was the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth. As I have said my grandfather William Hughes married a Judith. I notice Powell, as son of Leander Hughes. One of my father's brothers was named Powell and my grandfather's uncles were named Nicholas and Rice.