John Tankard, I, Gent., Esq.

1647 - Bef 1689  (< 42 years)

• Name	John Tankard  [1]
  Suffix	I, Gent., Esq.
  Birth	1647	Yorkshire, England   [2]
  Gender	Male
  Biography	Abt 1650  [3]
  	The following scenario was taken from Henry Barraud Hunt Jr's two-volume compilation "William Tankard, Gent. - Jamestown 1607 - Ancestors and Descendants" by George N. McMath in his compilation "Ancestors of Albert Joseph McMath, II" dated Christmas 2011. On December 20, 1606 the Susan Constant, Discovery and Godspeed set sale from London for the new world. On board the three ships, captained by Christopher Newport, were 105 men. All but one would survive the four-month journey. William Tankard was one of the 105 men. After stopping at several islands in the West Indies, the three ships landed at Cape Henry on April 26, 1607. The party explored the area for the next two weeks and decided on Jamestown Island for the location of their fort. The Island was far enough inland to avoid enemy ships, particularly Spanish; offered excellent views up and down the river; and waters nearby were deep enough to moor their ships. Thus began the first Permanent English settlement in the New World which Columbus had discovered a little more than a century earlier. William Tankard was born in 1561 in the County of York, England. In 1585 he married Elizabeth Mennell in Yorkshire, England. Preservation Virginia’s Jamestown Biographies lists his occupation as “Gentleman or Author” and notes that he possibly matriculated from Saint John, Cambridge in 1579. Henry Barraud Hunt, Jr. in his William Tankard, Gent. – Jamestown 1607 – Ancestors and Descendants states, “It is plausible that Elizabeth, wife of William, died before 1600 and William asked his younger brother, Henry and his wife, Anne, to raise his children . . . The children were raised in the faith of the Church of England. Henry was knighted by King James I which indicates support for the Crown and its Church. For a few short years William was a Squire but lost that title when he turned his children over to his brother. If William had returned to Yorkshire with John Smith he would have regained his title of Esquire and upon his death there would have been a will or Administration of this estate.” In Badger and Tankard Families of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Austin D. Kilham and Fannie M. Clark wrote that in John Smith’s History of Virginia he “speaks of William Tancred as one of the seven gentlemen who went with Smith on December 29, 1608 to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, discovered Accomack and discovered and named Smith’s Island. Henry Hunt further writes, “Captain John Smith gives recognition to William Tankard, Gent. As the author of the Third Chapter of the General History, yet on the chapter’s closing page, Tankard shares the honor of authorship with Richard Potts, Clerk of the Council, and G.P (George Popham). It is likely these additional names were added out of courtesy . . . Not only was William Tankard a narrator of contemporary history but was one of Captain Smith turned to for his leadership. We find both in the Proceedings and in The General History William Tankard was selected to commandeer the pinnace with the purpose of exploring the reaches of the Pamunkey River . . . Tankard began his venture of 29 Dec. and successfully concluded it in three weeks.” Mr. Hunt states that William Tankard died in Jamestown in the Winter of 1610/1611. In his two-volume compilation of information on William Tankard’s ancestors and descendants, Henry Hunt has provided information that William Tankard and his wife, Elizabeth, had a child named Charles Tankard who was born about 1587 and he and his wife, Elizabeth Crosland, had a son named John Tankard who was born in 1647. It is this John Tankard, the grandson of William Tankard, who arrived on the Eastern Shore in the summer of 1664 or as late as the spring of 1665. (NOTE: It was later found to be before 18 Dec 1663, see below.) William Tankard, Gent. Is listed on a bronze tablet at Jamestown as being among the first arrivals. Quotes from Wiliam Tankard, Gent. – Jamestown 1607 – Ancestors and Descendants were used with permission of the author.
  Court - witnessed a statement	18 Dec 1663	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [4]
  	Jo: Tankard & Will Melling witnessed a statment by John Coale regarding his now espoused wife Mary Beedle.
  Land - they witnessed a deed	7 Sep 1667	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [5]
  	George Mortimer, Jonas Dixon & Jo: Tankard witnessed a deed signed by John Knight.
  Will - Named as an heir in a will	2 Aug 1669	Accomack County, Virginia, USA   [6]
  	In his will Henry White gave to Josias Cowdery 200 acres on Nusswadox Creek, being part of 950 acres, said 950 acres being part of 1800 acres granted me by patent. To godson Henry Scott, son of Owen Scott, 100 acres out of said tract. To friend John Tankard, Gent. residue of said 95O A. John Tankard Ex'r. Witt: Benj: Cowdery, Mathew Patrick.
  Deposition	28 Mar 1670	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [7]
  	He was shown as John Tankard, age 23 or thereabouts, who deposed that heard Edward Smith, servant, wish that he had a bill of Mr. Wm. Melling again which John Wallop had, & that if he had the said Wallopp should (----) have it again. Signed: Jo: Tankard.
  Tithable list	1675	Accomack County, Virginia, USA   [8]
  	He was shown as Jno. Tankark with 1 tith on Mr. Tho. Riding's List.
  Deposition	18 Oct 1678	Accomack County, Virginia, USA   [9]
  	He was shown as John Tankred, aged about 28 years, who deposed that William Sterling acknowledged receiving payment from Robert Richardson for a bill due to Mr. Wm. Crabb; it was taken by Mr. Hopkins. Tankred, who had seen credit for the same in Sterling's book, had drawn up a certificate to the same effect, but "company and other things happening" kept Sterling from signing the document. Signed: Jno. Tankred.
  Tithable list	1679	Accomack County, Virginia, USA   [10]
  	He was shown as Jno. Tankred with 1 tith on the county wide list.
  Tithable list	1680	Accomack County, Virginia, USA   [11]
  	He was shown as Jno. Tankred with 1 tith on the county wide list.
  Land - they received a land patent	2 Oct 1680	tract A172, north of T's Corner, Accomack Co, Virginia   [12, 13]
  	It was on this date that a new patent was issued to John Tankred as having been deserted by Ambrose White who first patented it on 28 Sep 1674. It was for 2,000 acres called Comforts Quarter, Accomack Co, between Cingoteag, Accocomson & Pocomoke, adjacent to Samuel Taylor; Col. John Stringer; William Benston; Capt. Daniel Jennifer; Capt. Jno. West; Thos. Nickson, Tho Moyster (or Moyser) for transporting 40 persons into the Colony. Whitelaws shows that Tankred married Sarah the daughter of William Smart, who was the brother of the John Smart who was the first husband of Tabitha Scarburgh.
  Land - they bought land	1681	tract N64, south of Marionville, Northampton Co, Virginia   [14]
  	Capt Nathaniel Walker sold this whole tract containing 650 acres to John Tankred.
  Tithable list	1681	Accomack County, Virginia, USA   [15]
  	He was shown as Jno. Tankred with 1 tith on the county wide list.
  Land - they sold land	1683	tract N64, south of Marionville, Northampton Co, Virginia   [14]
  	John Tankred sold 200 acres of this tract to Mathew Patricke. It was the south end of theland west of the road.
  Land - they deeded land to someone	1684	tract A172, north of T's Corner, Accomack Co, Virginia   [12]
  	John Tankred deeded this tract to John Haggaman, Samuel Tomlynson, Patience Haggman and William Andrews. The reason for that transaction is not clear, as the land remained at his disposition. He made some sales before his death in Northampton in 1689 when he (wife Sarah) left all of his land in Accomack to his daughters Sarah and Mary. The widow lived until 1719, when her will indentified the daughters as Sarah Joyne (husband Edward) and Mary Hunt (husband John); further sales were made by the daughters and their descendants.
  Anecdote	1 Aug 1689	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [16]
  	In his will John Tankard gave son William Tankred my 450 acre plantation I now live upon on a branch of Matchepungo. To my son John Tankred my 580 acre plantation at Rappahannock on the Western Shore desiring my wife to due her utmost to confirm the said land to him. To my daughters Sarah and Mary all my lands in Accomack County to be equally divided. To my dear wife Sarah all my personal estate, and she to have liberty to live on my land during her life. Wife Extr. My friends (Capt.) John Custis, (Capt.) Hillary Stringer, and Mr. Charles Holden to oversee. Witt: John Cole, Joseph Godwin, Mary (M) Knight, Mary (M) Godwin. (NOTE: The Godwin witnesses are husband and wife.)
  Will	1 Aug 1689	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [16]
  	In his will John Tankard gave son William Tankred my 450 acre plantation I now live upon on a branch of Matchepungo. To my son John Tankred my 580 acre plantation at Rappahannock on the Western Shore desiring my wife to due her utmost to confirm the said land to him. To my daughters Sarah and Mary all my lands in Accomack County to be equally divided. To my dear wife Sarah all my personal estate, and she to have liberty to live on my land during her life. Wife Extr. My friends (Capt.) John Custis, (Capt.) Hillary Stringer, and Mr. Charles Holden to oversee. Witt: John Cole, Joseph Godwin, Mary 'M' Knight, Mary 'M' Godwin. (NOTE: The Godwin witnesses are husband and wife.)
  Death	Bef 30 Sep 1689	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [16]
  	It was on this date that his will was probated.
  Court - named in motion	16 Aug 1715	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [17]
  	On the motion of Sarah Tankred, widow, the Court ordered the Clerk to grant a certificate to the said Sarah Tankred, the late wife of John Tankred dec'd, who was the daughter of William Smart living in Ridinham Parish, Glostershire, old England and that she is now living and resident in the County of Northampton in Virginia.
  Reference Identifier	T002
  Record ID	65623
  Origins
  Person ID	I65623	MilesFiles23
  Last Modified	24 May 2024

  
  

  Family	Sarah Smart,   b. Abt 1656, Northampton County, Virginia, USA d. Bef 17 Feb 1718/19, Northampton County, Virginia, USA (Age < 63 years)
  Marriage	Abt 1676	Northampton County, Virginia, USA   [12, 17, 18, 19]
  	John Tankard was born and educated as a lawyer in England; came to America about 1660 and was married in America to Sarah the daughter of William Smart and a sister of John Smart who married Tabitha Scarburgh.
  Children	1. William (of John I) Tankard,   b. Abt 1676, Northampton County, Virginia, USA d. Bef 10 Mar 1752, Northampton County, Virginia, USA (Age < 76 years) + 2. Mary Tankard,   b. Abt 1682, Northampton County, Virginia, USA d. Bef 26 Apr 1720, Northampton County, Virginia, USA (Age < 38 years) ╚═ John (26) Hunt  (Age < 42 years)  m. Abt 1705 + 3. John Tankard, II,   b. Abt 1685, Northampton County, Virginia, USA d. Bef 28 Nov 1749, Accomack County, Virginia, USA (Age < 64 years) ╚═ Elizabeth Warrington  (Age < 46 years)  m. Abt 1727 + 4. Sarah Tankard,   b. Abt 1688, Northampton County, Virginia, USA d. Yes, date unknown ╚═ Edward (of Edmond) Joynes, I  (Age < 54 years)  m. Abt 1707 + 5. Smart Tankard,   b. Abt 1690, Northampton County, Virginia, USA d. Yes, date unknown ╚═ Thomas (27) Hunt, III  (Age < 39 years)  m. Abt 1709;    ╚═ John Webb  m. Abt 1722
  Family ID	F21243	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	13 Mar 2023

  
  

• Event Map		Court - witnessed a statement - 18 Dec 1663 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA Land - they witnessed a deed - 7 Sep 1667 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA Will - Named as an heir in a will - 2 Aug 1669 - Accomack County, Virginia, USA Deposition - 28 Mar 1670 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA Tithable list - 1675 - Accomack County, Virginia, USA Marriage - Abt 1676 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA Deposition - 18 Oct 1678 - Accomack County, Virginia, USA Tithable list - 1679 - Accomack County, Virginia, USA Tithable list - 1680 - Accomack County, Virginia, USA Tithable list - 1681 - Accomack County, Virginia, USA Anecdote - 1 Aug 1689 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA Will - 1 Aug 1689 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA Death - Bef 30 Sep 1689 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA Court - named in motion - 16 Aug 1715 - Northampton County, Virginia, USA  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Sources

  [S2450] Willis Clayton Tull Jr., Tull, Willis Clayton Jr. - His Ancestry, (Milbourne & Tull Research Center, 10605 Lakespring Way, Cockeysville, MD 21030), 2450. [S2686] Henry Barraud Hunt Jr., William Tankard, Gentlemen, Jamestown 1607, Ancestors & Descendants, (Self Published, 2nd Edition, Eastern Shore Public Library, Accomac, VA 23301, copyright 2010), 2686. [S3520] George N. McMath, Christmas 2011, Ancestors of Albert Joseph McMath, II, p. 1 (William Tankard), 3520. [S2137] Dr. Howard Mackey and Marlene A. Groves, Mackey, N'hamp Co Record Bk 07, 1657-1666, (Picton Press, Rockport, Maine, 2002), p. 253 (statement of John Coale regarding his now espoused wife Mary Beedle), 2137. [S2105] Dr. Howard Mackey and Marlene A. Groves, Mackey, N'hamp Co Record Bk 08, 1657-1664, (Picton Press, Rockport, Maine, 2002), p. 243 (deed signed by John Knight), 2105. [S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1990), p. 3 (will of Henry White, John Tankard Extr), 570. [S704] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1697-1703, Volume 9, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1999), p. 235 (Deposition of John Tankard), 704. [S579] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Certificates and Rights, 1663-1709 and Tithables, 1663-1695, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1993), p. 96, 579. [S701] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1678-1682, Volume 6, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1997), p. 22 (17 Oct 1678 Court), 701. [S579] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Certificates and Rights, 1663-1709 and Tithables, 1663-1695, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1993), p. 110, 579. [S579] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Certificates and Rights, 1663-1709 and Tithables, 1663-1695, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1993), p. 112, 579. [S572] Ralph T. Whitelaw, Virginia's Eastern Shore (A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties), in a 2 volume set, (Gloucester, Mass.: Peter Smith, 1968), p. 1323 (tract A172), 572. [S1014] Nugent, Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol II, (Virginia State Library and Archives, Richmond, 1977), p. 215 (Patent Book No. 7), 1014. [S572] Ralph T. Whitelaw, Virginia's Eastern Shore (A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties), in a 2 volume set, (Gloucester, Mass.: Peter Smith, 1968), p. 373 (tract N64), 572. [S579] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Certificates and Rights, 1663-1709 and Tithables, 1663-1695, (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1993), p. 117, 579. [S497] Marshall, James H. Wills & Adm N'hamp Co,1632-1802, (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1994), p. 139 (will of John Tankred, Gentleman, wife Sarah), 497. [S2145] Mackey, N'hamp Co Record Bk 15, 1710-1717, (Rockport, Maine: Piction Press, 2003), p. 182-183 (16 Aug 1715 Court), 2145. [S2590] Austin D. Kilham and Fannie M. Clark, Kilham & Clark, Badger & Tankard Famillies, (Bailey Printing, Inc., Charlottesville, VA 1973), p. 144, 2590. [S497] Marshall, James H. Wills & Adm N'hamp Co,1632-1802, (Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1994), p. 221 (will of Sarah Tankred, widow), 497.