 - 1756
-
| Name |
Philip Rootes [1] |
| Title |
Maj. |
| Gender |
Male |
| Residence |
Rosewall, King and Queen County, VA  |
| Death |
17 Aug 1756 [1] |
| Notes |
- From "Genealogies of Virginia Families":
1. Major Philip Rootes, the earliest ancestor to whom the Virginia family has been traced, lived at "Rosewall," in King and Queen Co., immediately opposite West Point. He is mentioned in a record dated 1738, as "Major Philip Rootes of King and Queen," and was a justice of that county in 1739, and a vestryman of Stratton Major Parish. Besides his estate in King and Queen, he owned lands in New Kent and Orange, and lots in Fredricksburg. He married Mildred daughter of Thomas Reade, and died in 1756. His will was dated Aug. 3d, 1756 and was proved in King and Queen, with John Robinson, President of the Council, Humphrey Hill and his sons Philip and Thos. Reade, executors. [See cases reported in 6 Call., 21; and 6 Mumford 87, and also will of Susanna Livingston of Spotsylvania, who names several of his children.
***
From "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5":
Mildred married Maj. Philip Rootes, died 17 Aug. 1756, aged 63, of "Rosewall," justice of King and Queen County, vestryman of Stratton Major Parish, 1732-56, who left will 13 Aug. 1756-12 Oct. 1756;
- From Sue Reid Williams:
The book Rootes of Rosewall by Clayton Torrence gives the full lineage as he discovered it of Major Philip Rootes, first of that name to whom the family in Virginia has been traced. He was born before 1700, lived in King and Queen County at his home place, Rosewall, on the Mattaponi River, some distance above West Point. He was a vestryman and church warden of Stratton Major Parish and justice of the peace for King and Queen County.
He is first mentioned in Virginia records in a deed recorded in Spotsylvania County wherein the trustees of the town of Fredericksburg convey to Susannah Livingston, widow, for her natural life 2 lots, #29, #31. in Fredericksburg, and after her death to Philip Rootes of King William County. This was June 3, 1729. Mrs. Livingston, well known in early Fredericksburg history, left a Bible to his daughter Lucy. What, if any, relationship there was is not known.
He married Mildred Reade, of a fine Virginia family, and they raised a large family who married into the families of the area. In 1732 Captain Philip Rootes was appointed vestryman in place of Mr. Valentine Ware and was added to the vestry in October on taking the oath appointed and signed to conform to the Church of England. In April 1734 Captain Rootes and family were ordered to sit in the pew Major Robinson sits in. This was the pew next to the vestry. (His grandson Thomas would later marry a granddaughter of Benj. Robinson. I do not know if this is the same Robinson.) The vestry also purchased the houses and land of his son, Col. Philip Rootes lying on the Main Road, 300 acres or thereabouts for a glebe and paid 600 pounds current money. He or his son was appointed to oversee the building of the church along with Corbin and others. (It was Corbin who bought Rosewall after young Philip's financial losses.)
Major Philip [Rootes] was one of the King's magistrates as justice of the peace for King and Queen County. He was planter, merchandiser, and large slave holder. Besides Rosewall, he owned land in New Kent, Spotsylvania, Orange, and Culpeper counties. He also owned valuable property in Fredericksburg.
His tombstone was found in 1933 in New Kent County, and Tyler's Quarterly, p. 65, gives an account and establishes dates of death and birth. He had dancing masters for his daughters--Christian taught Priscilla and Mary--and traces of a race track were still visible on the land. The Rooteses were known for fine horses.
His will disposed of his trooper's saddle, presumed to be in the militia. Seals of his bookplate and watches survived until the late 1800's.
***
University of Virginia Alderman Library
Manuscript Division
Charlottesville, Virginia
Copied 8/9/78
Hugh Grove Journal, #3850
"...from the renowned Library of the Late Sir Thos. Phillips of Middle Hill, Worcestershire, of Thistlestone House, Chiltenham.
Note: the Day Book of Hugh Grove was begun in 1698:
1732, April 17. [p. 109]:
June 22...landed at York. Lands elevated on a sandy hill like Black Heath or Richmond Hill. Strangers concluded there were at least 100 houses whereas there are not 30. Kitchens and warehouses generally separate. About 10 good houses....not above 4 of brick. Williamsburg near 100 houses. West Point sough fall [sic] from Proprietor L. Delaware is very L____ to me.
July Matapony. I sailed up it last night. Divides K & Q County from King William as Pamunkey does from New Kent...w. gentry on its banks..are at most 2 mi. from each other...as ye Widow Gregory..Dr. Dixon...Major Johnson, Capt. Roots...Co. Corbin..Maj. E. Robinson...most of them have pleasant gardens and ye prospect of ye river & mere plesant [sic]equal to Thames from London to Richmond supposing ye townes omitted.
...the manner of building is much alike..a broad staircase with a passage that in the middle...sunshine..drafts of air...2 rooms on each side...some indeed have only 1 room.
...I arrived at Capt. Roots lay there a week, was entertained very elegantly. House at ___at Col. Corbin etc. The only inconvenience of these places are the many _____cov_____of marshes near them with some _____.
...white holland waistcoat & drawers & thin caps on their heads..the ladies in thin silk or linen.
|
| Person ID |
I0982 |
Hull |
| Last Modified |
7 Apr 2013 |
-
| Sources |
- [S02818] Indexed by Gary Parks, Genealogies of Virginia Families, (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore).
|
|
|
