Capt. John Flower and son-in-law Thomas Varvell 1600's

Posted: 27 Feb 2003 3:10PM GMT

Classification: Query

Edited: 22 Nov 2005 9:48PM GMT

Surnames: Flower, Flowers, Varvell, Varrell, Varnell, Varvel, Varvil

Thomas George Varvell was christened March 4, 1609 at St. Dunstans, Stepney, Middlesex, England. He married Katherine Flower July 8, 1635 in the parish of St. Gregory by St. Paul London. Katherine was the daughter of Captain / Master John Flower of Ratcliffe who sailed the Atlantic multiple times mid-1600's transporting settlers and supplies to colonial America and tobacco back to Europe. Captain Thomas Varvell, Mariner, also made several trips, as well aiding Huguenots / Royalist in relocation from England to even Canada and Nova Scotia. Thomas and Katherine had at least 2 children .. John and Anna born after 1635.

Perusal of ships records show John Flower as Master of the Dorset, Gillyflower and Virginia Merchant among other ships. Policy during this time period was the awarding of X amount of land in the "new world" per each transported person on the ships record. Thus, Captains and Masters accrued large amounts of property in the colonies including the off shore islands, ie: Bermuda, St. Kitt & Nevis, etc. Unfortunately many of the ships records fail to show the Captain, his family who might be aboard and the "Gentry".

Records reveal that some of Katherine Varvell's siblings relocated to their father's land and the Flower / Flowers family flourished. Other records reference Thomas :
1- 1648-50 John Needham died aboard Captain Varvell's ship on the way to VA. His wife, Elizabeth then married Nicholas Hodson.
1- The 1645 Will of Geo. Menefie in Virginia says:
"Tobacco due to me from Captain Tho. Varvell shall be satisfied by Mr. Walter Aston."

Various records transcribe the spelling as Varvell, Varnell, Varrell, Varvel, Varvil and even Narvell... thus questions arise:
1- are the John Varrell 1728 of Kittery Maine and
2- Samuel Varrell 1736 of Mass. related to Thomas and Catherine ?
3- is Jno. Varnell 1657 who had 50 acres in Potomek VA a son?
4- is John Varvell 1681 to 1762 who married Mary Walker of York the same Jno in #3 above ?
5- Where were Thomas Varvell's land patents filed for his passenger transports ?
6- Did Thomas and Katherine or their children settle on any of the land of Captain John Flower in VA, MA, Somers Iles, Bermuda, etc ?

One thing remains clear, Thomas Varvell did leave lmarkers during the mid - 1600's that connect him to our east coast and its off shore islands. His Flower / Flowers in-laws are fairly well documented. Where do Thomas, Katherine and their children fit into the puzzle??

please email me at:
Emralddays@aol.com

• Thomas Varnell was a sea mariner, a Captain for Flower Shipping and Merchant Co.

• In 1643 Thomas Varnell, aboard ship which brought tobacco to England, FROM Virginia.

• 10 Oct 1643 , George Clark, & William Parry (PERRY) of Kegoughton, ( Now Hampton Va.) To pay John Flower of Ratcliffe,a Sea Mariner, 900 lbs of tobacco for the Widow Grant, to ship the tobacco and caskets aboard Master Thomas Varnell's ship for England, 16th day of November 1643.

Witnesses: Matthew Lynde, Jno Potter.

• Several times the term " Increase" is mentioned in other shipments of goods, it was thought that "Increase" was a term used to mean "add too"; Research reveals that the term"Increase" is actually the name of Thomas Varnell's ship.

• 18 Sept 1646, Customs Certificates for shipment by Mr. Robert Louellen, of canvas for Virginia, on the "Increase".

• 19 Sept 1648, Custom Certificates for shipment by Mr. William Moye, of Candles for Barbados, on the "Increase" of London. Sq. Master Thomas Varnell.

• (Last positive entry for Thomas Varnell)

- 10 Jan 1651, Disposition of voyage. Re: Voyage of the "Increase", Mr. Thomas Varnell with passangers to Barmuda and Virginia. It was common for passangers to pay the surgeon of the ship, 2s 6d each, for all the harm a voyage suchas this would bring, this was in addition to his normal wages. Thomas Preston, son of Thomas Preston, dec'd., 500 acres Lyingon W. side of the Eastermost River in Mockjack Bay. 2 Aug 1652, pg. 204. Trans. of 70 pers: which Thomas Varnell is listed, byassignment from Thomas Conniers. Key dates for Thomas Varnell -

1643 Thomas Varnell is in Surry Co., Va. -
1657 Thomas Varnell is in Henry Co., Va -
1667 Thomas Varnell is in New Kent Co., Va. arrives with 31other colonist.,

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