Importation of John and Jacob Bryoll

In Beyond Germanna, v.7, n.5, September 1995, James E. Brown and John Blankenbaker have an excellent article describing the importation oaths taken by the Germanna colonists in order to get land. The importations are commonly referred to as headrights because the law allowed land to be claimed at the rate of 50 acres per head.

In the Spotsylvania Co., VA, Order Book (1724-1730), page 142, we find the proofs of importation of John and Jacob Bryoll on May 2, 1727. They were granted the right to take up 200 acres and 50 acres of land respectively.

Neither man seems to have been issued a certificate to get land surveyed, which was the next step in the process of acquiring land. Perhaps this was a clerical oversight (the other two importations on that day also did not get certificates). John and Jacob were probably already in the process of gaining land patents in the area of Madison, VA, and it appears they did not use their importation rights to get additional land. They may have sold their rights to others or let them lapse.

You'll note the documents refer to "Capt. Scott".  Many have assumed this is the name of the captain of the vessel that brought them to the Colonies, but these and two other importations are clearly saying "in" Capt.  Scott, not "with" Capt. Scott.  It has been proven that the 2nd Colony settlers came to America in the ship "Scott", and that the Captain of the ship was a man named Tarbett.

On petion (sic) of Jacob Bryoll in order to prove his right to take up land according to the Royall charter, made oath that he came into this country about nine years since in Capt Scott, and that this is the first time of his proving his said Importation where upon certificate is ordered to be granted him of the right to take up fifty acres of Land.

On Petition of John Bryoll in order to prove his right to take up Land according to his Majties Royall charter made oath that he came into this Country about nine years since in Capt Scott and that he brought Ursley his wife and two children named Conrad & Elizabeth with him; and that this is the first time of his proveing the said Importations, Where upon certificate is ordered to be granted him of Rights to take up two hundred acres of Land.

[Home Page]

25 July 1996