William Russell and His Descendants (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 edition. Excerpt: ... WILLIAM RUSSELL AND His Descendants. A large number of the earliest settlers of the colony of Virginia were cavaliers and younger branches of noble English Houses. They brought with them education, influence, and wealth; and shared largely the tastes, feelings, and principles of their order. The large extent of rich territory to be obtained by patent or purchase offered great inducements to the adventurous youth of the mother country; and the granting of this in large tracts to many, established at a very early period all the elements of a landed aristocracy. The histories of many of the early colonists were doubtless full of interest, and some of them were of a romantic nature; but we are denied the pleasure of obtaining much relating to their early deeds and exploits, as at that period few records were kept, and comparatively little has been preserved for posterity. In founding their families in America they seem to have overlooked the importance of keeping an account of their times and of the chief events of their histories, for the benefit of future generations; consequently, tradition has largely to be depended on in gathering the history of colonial families. It is a matter of great regret that so little can be obtained of the coming of WILLIAM RUSSELL from England to the Virginia colony. The only account we have says, "He came over with Sir Alexander Spotswood in 1710." Accepting this as authentic, they arrived "within the capes of Virginia in the Deptford Man Of War, Tancred Robinson, commander, on the 20th Of June, 1710. On the 21st of June they proceeded up the river in the Bedford Galley, Capt. Lee, who landed his boat at Jamestown."* It has always been understood from tradition that he was a member of the family of Russell, ...