The key to the Banks progenitor in Surry County, Virginia, may be related to the importations and headrights associated with Bartlett Moreland/Morland and Edward Moreland/Morland. The Morelands later lived in Surry County and can be followed in the Surry County and Isle of Wight County court records (court orders, wills, deeds, &c). John Banks was a slave/servant, belonging to Bartlett Morland deceased, when his value was assessed at Surry County court on 19 July 1727. ¹ John Banks purchased 100 acres on the East side of Cypress Swamp on 21 September 1756. ² On 21 November 1758 the Surry County court issued a presentment against him and John Banks Jr. for not listing their wife's according to law, supposing the said persons to be Mullattoes. ³

At Surry County court in November 1701, Certificate was granted Edward Moreland to the Secretaries office for three hundred acres of land for the importation into this Colony of Samll. Gridley, Abraham Morris, Mathew Christian, Peter Martin, Bartlett Moreland & Edward English hee haveing made oath as the law directs. [See the later Joyner headright lists.] ⁴

Proving the actual importation may be difficult, but the key may be the 17th century activities of Captain Richard Tibbetts/Tibbotts, Master of the Ship Anne and Mary. In Surry court in March 1699/1700 Richard Tibbett proved the oaths of London Merchants, Arthur Foresight, John Broadhurt & Robert Hobbs, who gave their Powers of Attorney to James Armisted of the same Factor.

May 1700 Peter Martin (servant to Edward Morland) who came into this Countrey this present yeare in the Shipp Anne and Mary (Richard Tibbetts, Master) adjudged twelve years old. [See Peter Martin later in an importation list used by Thomas Joyner to get land now in Southampton County, then in Isle of Wight County, Virginia]. ⁵

Some of the other servants and slaves transported to Surry County, Virginia, are included below. It appears that these numerous ship arrivals may have helped in the decision to open up the land south of the Black Water Swamp, because these servants (and probably many of those also on these voyages) are later found in Surry County (now Sussex County) and Isle of Wight County (now Southampton County) south of the Black Water.

1690-1691 [March last] a Bristoll Ship, Captain William Jones, Comander, brought William Cripps 13 [years], servant to Mr. William Brown & Edward Line age 16 [years], servant to Edward Moreland.

May 1695 the Ship Hampshire brought John Kitchen age 10 [years], servant to John Clements and William Dowell 12 [years] servant to John Handcock. ⁶

May 1697 the Ship Elizabeth & Mary, Frederick Johnson, Comander, brought Edward Porter age 12 y[ears], servant to Mr. John Holt.

May 1697 the Ship Henneritta from Ireland, Capt. Greenslate, Comander, brought Thomas Martin age 14 [years], servant to Mr. John Holt. ⁷

Jan 1698/99 the Ship Resolution, Stephen Courtney, Master, brought Thomas Begley age 15 [years], servant to Thomas Jarrell Senr.
Sep 1699 the Ship Nicholas John Perkins, Master, brought Duncan (Marsland) age 14 [years], servant to John Wappell.
May 1700 the Ship Hope Abraham Carter, Master, brought George Hooper age 11 [years], servant to Walter Cocke.
May 1700 the Ship Oliver James Atchison, Master, brought Martin Aspell age 12 [years], servant to William Chambers.
May 1700 the Ship Parg and Lane James Morgan, Master, brought William Smith age 16 [years], servant to Thomas Jarrell Junr.

Eastern Southampton County plat #018 Virginia Land Patent Book 9 p469, 28 October 1702, Francis Nicholson, Govern etce
unto Thomas Joyner
440a on S side of the main blackwater in Isle of Wight County
due by and for the transportacon of 9 persons into this Colony whose names are Wm. Glage, Andrew Peacock, John Smith, Daniel Lynes, Mary Evans, Hugh Broughton, Alice Argile, Alex. Cammell, Philip Pitts
A) at a white oake standing on the N side of the Run of Seacock Swamp et soe runing N69½E 83P
B) red oak thence N10E 56P
C) white oak thence N14W 29P
D) Spanish oak thence S65E 134P
E) white oak thence S4E 100P
F) 2 black oakes thence S49W 56P
G) pine thence S15W 52P
H) black oak thence South 106P
I) white oak thence S25½W 81P
J) white oak thence W1S 64P
K) white oak in the Low grounds of Seacock Swamp thence S40W 64P
L) gum by the run of sd Swamp et so up sd Run to the begining

#019 Virginia Land Patent Book 9 p469-470, 28 October 1702, Francis Nicholson, Governr etce
unto Thomas Joyner
300a Isle of Wight County on S side of the main blackwater
due by and for the transportacon of 6 persons into this Colony whose names are Samuel Gridley,
Abraham Morris, Mathew Christian, Peter Martin, Bartlet Moreland, Edwd. Inglish
A) Beach by the run of Seacock Swamp et on the W side et soe runing N44½E 84P
B) red oake thence S60E 38P
C) red oak thence N22E 106P
D) pine thence N72E 50P
E) pine thence N17E 124P
F) red oak thence N58E 62P
G) Spanish oak thence S74E 48P
H) red oak thence S10E 58P
I) pine thence S19W 82P
J) white oak thence S40W 60P
K) red oak thence South 74P
L) white oak thence S76W 98P
M) gum on W side of Torapin branch et so downe sd branch to
N) thee Run of the aforesd et so up sd Run to the begining

#109 Virginia Land Patent Book 10 p201, 16 December 1714, 1st yoR George, Alexander Spotswood
unto Bridgman Joyner of Isle of Wight County
800a on S side of the main black Water Swamp in sd County
40 shillings and Importation of eight persons whose names are Peter Garland, Grace Garland, Thomas Garret, Philip Evans, John Thomson, Lewis Codd, Margt Longland and John Banks
A) at the mouth of the Cyprus Swamp then up sd Swamp 120P to
B) the mouth of a branch then up sd branch 100P
C) Majr Thos Swan's Line then by sd Swan's Line S27W 70P
D) 2 Live oaks West 74P
E) pine N40W 207P
F) red oak S10W 380P
G) Spanish oak by the Trough branch then down sd branch to
H) the main black Water Swamp then up sd Swamp to the first Station
For further research on Joyner headrights in patents for land still in Isle of Wight County:

IW#A Virginia Land Patent Book 6 p527, 25 September 1674
unto Mr. Thomas Woodward
1300a Isle of Wight County
Adj. Capt Anthony Fulgham, lands of Oldis & Ruffin, Col. Pitt & his Partners
Trans. of 26 pers. Isabell Lewis, ... Davis, Robt Roberts, Walter Curtis, Tho Price, Jno Withridge, Wm Gould, Ann Clarke, Hen Keys, Fra Keys Tho James, Roger Gunn, Eliza. Shellam, Richd Clay, Wm Geer, Jno Deane, Rebecca Balt, Richd. Duffeild, Jno Walker, Hen. Grimes, Richd Collins, Eliza. Grigg, Jno Kidwell, Wm Golston, Hen. Stevens, Jno Boales

IW#B Virginia Land Patent Book 9 p177-178, 15 October 1698, Sr Edmd Andros Knt Govr etal
unto Thomas Joyner
1300 Acres of Land Lying in the Isle White County on the black water
the said Land being formerly granted to Tho. Woodward
by patent date the 25th September 1674 and by him deserted
and since granted to the sd Thomas Joyner by order of the Genll Court bearing date the 15th day of Apill 1697 and is due by and for the transportation of 26 persons into this Colony whose names are to be in the Records mentioned under this patent
Tho. Joyner his patent for 1300 Acres of Land in Isle White County} Ed Jenings Depty secry
Anne Barnes Mary Barnes John Vernum Jervice Plumly Wm Day John Pike Wm Johnson John Thomas Hen Dean Perer Dewsoy Tho Vile Mary Garrett Negro Mingo Richd Griffin John Dowse Eliza Evans John Bolton Wm Moure Ann Carre Tho Joseph Ross Darley Anne Spencer Richd Page John Duff Robert Mayo Hen Royall
A) beginning at the Lower end of Capt. Anthony Fullgham his Land
on the East side of the black water and Running up South to
B) his Corner tree by a meadow 180P then East by Fulgham still 240P to
C) a stake in Fulgham Line then SxW ¼W by Oldis and Ruffin 448P to
D) a red oake a Corner tree in Coll. Pitts Land and his Partners then WxS 180P to
E) a Nother Corner tree being an oake in Coll Pitts Land then WxN 140P to
F) a pine in Coll Pitts Land then South 120P
G) and SxE 80P Still by Pitts to
H) a red oake by a great branch which falleth into the main blackwater then over the branch to
I) a Cyprus and so still by Pitts SxE 160P to
J) a white oake Pitts outward and Lower Corner tree on the side of the branch then SW to
K) the main Run of the black water and so up the black water to the first Station

IW# Virginia Land Patent Book 6 p561, 15 Jun 1675
unto Thomas Joyner
1300 acres Isle of Wight county uppon the Cypruss Branch, By Knoles' land, Blythe's land, unto Mr Bodye's land, to a point where Elme Swamp falleth unto the Cypresse Swamp, along Jno. Garner.
1200 acres by former pattents &
100 acres now added for trans. of 2 persons Helie Cprbit, Ann Bell

IW# Virginia Land Patent Book 7 p70, 23 Aprill 1681, Sr Hen. Chicheley Knt Depty Governor
unto John Watkins
400a of Land Scituate on the black Water branches in the Isle of Wight County
The sd Land being due by et for the Transportacon of Eight persons John Paully, Tho Joyner, Wm Crock, Noa Lurcher, Sampson Lardy, Ja. Thomason, Sar Ratly/Racly, John Young bounded Vizt.
A) Begining at a pine a Corner tree betwixt Col. Bridgers Mr Acheley & the sd Watkins
thence by Col Bridgers line SxW 320P to
B) a live oake in a pond thence ExS 200P to
C) a pine then NxE 320P to
D) a Gum Near the head of a branch & thence WxN 200P to the first Station

IW#A Virginia Land Patent Book 7 p236, 6 April 1683
unto Brigman Joyner
300a Is of Wight County Between Kinsale Swamp and the maine Blackwater
begining at Hodges Councell, to Thomas Man &c
Trans. of 6 pers. James Tyler, Mary Rhodes, David Otley, Roger Potter, Robert Mallet, Robert Wade

IW#B Virginia Land Patent Book 9 p135-136, 26 Ap^l. in the 10th Year of his Maj^t Annogh dom 1698, S^r Edm^d Andros Knt. Gov^r
unto Jno. Giles
300 Acres of land scituate between King sale swamp and the main black water in the Isle white County
the said land being formerly granted to Bridgeman Joyner
by patent dated the 16^th Ap^ll 1683 and by him deserted
and since granted the said John Giles by ordr of the Genll Court
bearing date the 25th of Ap^ll 1697
and is due by and for the transportation of six persons into this
Colony whose namres are to be in the records mentioned under this patent
John Giles his -te for 300 Acres of land in Islewite County} Ed Jenings depu^ty secr^try
James Tullagh twice two negroes Jacob Pine David Surry
A) beginning at a pine Hodges Councills Corner tree thence N15E 310P to
B) a pine then West 160P to
C) a small Hiccory in Thomas Man head line and so parralell to the first line 310P by Thomas Man Aforesaid to
D) two white oakes and then by Councill East 160P to the first Station

IW#C Virginia Land Patent Book 9 p180, 15 October 1698, Sr Edmd Andros Knt Govr etca
unto John Gyles
300a of Land Scituate between Kingsale swamp and the main black water in the Isle Wight County
the said Land being formerly granted to Bridgeman Joyner by patent dated the 16th day of Aprill 1683 and by him deserted and since granted unto the said John Giles by ordr of the Genll Court dated the 23d day of Apll 1698 and is further due by and for the transportation of [Toe persons] into this Colony
Mr Jno Giles his pat for 300 acres of Land in Isle of Wight County} Ed Jennings depty sectry
A) Beginning at a Pine Hodges Councells Corner tree thence N15E 310P to
B) a pine then West 160P to
C) a small hiccory in Thomas Mans head Line
and so parralel to the first Line 310P by Thopmas Mans aforedaid to
D) two white oake and then by Councill East 160P to the first station

IW# Virginia Land Patent Book 7 p294, 29 May 1683, Francis Lord Culpeper Governor
unto Thomas Joyner Junr
290a of Land Scittuate on the Branches of the Westerne Branch of Nanzemond [River]
the said land being due by and for the Transportation of 5 -sons into this Collony
Eliz. Thomas, Tho. Edwards, Rebecca Bayly, Symon Wright, Fra. Bristow, Jno. Charles
A) begining att a small Pine Mr William Bodies Corner tree in Mr Colemans Line
thence by [Jn^o] Bodey NE 408P to
B) a white [?gruby] in the said Joyners own line
then by that line S53E 66P to
C) a Pine in a Maine Branch of Elme Swamp
then down the said Swamp S25E 125P to
D) a white Oake Jno Gardners Corner tree on the East side the aforesaid Swamp
then by Garners lines WxS 166P to
E) a Red Oake and SxE 92P to
F) a white Oak the said Gardners Corner tree in Mr Colemans line
and so by Mr Coleman West a quarter of a poynt Southerly 252P to the first station

IW# Virginia Land Patent Book 8 p222, 29 April 1692, Francis Nicholson Esqr. their Ma^jt. Lieut. Governor &c
unto Bridgeman Joyner
600a in Isle of Wight County
due by and for the Importacon of 12 -sons: Bridgman Joyner, Elizabeth Jones, Jno Edmond, Thomas Wright,William Walker, Phillip Rafford, Jno. Edmondson, Mary Wilkinson, Jno Edwards, Owen Ellis, Derick Stone, Black Moll
A) begining at a markt pine Neer Kingsale Swamp James Brians Corner tree,
thence along by the said Briants Line of markt trees, W10S 308P to
B) a small hickory by the run of the Maine black water Swamp,
thence down the said Swamp by various Courses to
C) the mouth of King Sale swamp, then up the said King sale Swamp by various Courses to the first Stacon

IW# Virginia Land Patent Book 8 p222, 29 April 1692
unto John Johnson
250a Is of Wight County Adj. James Brian & Bridgman Joyner, James Allen & William Mayo
on Beavor Damm Swamp
Imp of 5 negroes: Hanah, Robin, Kate, Peter, Lewis

Notes Surry Deeds & Wills Book 7 p.741. Back to text Surry Book 7 p.276 Back to text Surry Orders 1757-1764, p.136. Back to text Order Book VI (1700-1711) p.11? Back to text Order Book V (1691-1700) p.209 or p.210. Back to text See Virginia Land Patent Book 12 p104: WILLIAM SIMES, 95 acres New Land in Surry County (now Sussex County), on S side of the main Black Water Swamp, N side of Seacawris Swamp; 9 July 1724 for Importation of 2 persons: John Kitchen & Thomas Baker. Back to text See Surry Order Book in 1692 for Francis Mason's headright list & Virginia Land Patent Book 10 p184 to William Edwards of Surry County, 570 acres New Land in Isle of Wight County (now Southampton County) on South side of Nottoway River, adj. the Nottoway Indians' land; 16 June 1714 for Importation of 12 persons: Francis Mason, Cornelius Tobinee, James Mason, Mary Ashbrooke, Mary Ashbrooke Junr., Wm. Marshall, Nicho. Thompson, Wm. Dowell, Edwd. Porter, Thos. Martin, Ellis Jones, Richd. Darnerton.Back to text