THE CLAIBORNE CONNECTION

The name "Claiborne" has been used as a first or middle name for men in the Gooch family lines since the late 1600's. Researchers have found vague references in old diaries and other historical documents to indicate the family line goes back to a "Governor Claiborne" in early Colonial America. There have been many questions about the Claiborne family connections, and different researchers have different opinions. The following article is presented for your information and consideration.

Bulletin: The Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County, PO Box 938, Forest City, NC 28043, Vol. 13 #1 Feb., 1985

THE CLAIBORNE LINE

Contributed to the Bulletin for the benefit of all Ledbetter descendants by Gene Hubbard, 705 Richards Ave., Gridley, CA 95948. Based on the research of the contributor and Mrs. Lillian Stumpp, 1819 E. 12th St., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401.

The ancient family name is derived from the Manor of Cleburne, or Cleburne, near the river Eden in Westmoreland, northwest England. The manor is named in Doomsday Book (1086 AD.), and the family was for many generations Lords of this place, and of Bampton, Dandale, and Kyne. Part of Cleburne Hall, which was built in 1567 on the site of the old castle, still remains. The line descends from John de Cleburne who married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Curwen of Workington Hall, Cumberland, who was a descendant of Malcolm II, King of Scotland.

1st Generation in America

William Claiborne was born in England about 1600. He was evidently an adventuresome young man of good education and marked ability. He seems not to have inherited an estate or much worldly goods, but strong merchant connections and family influence at court succeeded in having him engaged by the London Company as Surveyor General of the Virginia Colony with a stipulated compensation of thirty pounds a year, fees, and a house. Arriving in Virginia on the "George" with Sir Francis Wyatt in 1621, Claiborne prospered greatly as his intelligence and capabilities as a leader won the respect of both the planters and the authorities.

In 1631, under a license from Charles I, William Claiborne planted on Kent Island the first settlement within the bounds of the present state of Maryland. He purchased the island from the Indians, colonized it with serious-minded planters who brought livestock and farming implements with them, began trading with the natives on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and in a short time had a representative in the new Virginia House of Burgesses. The jurisdiction of Virginia over this settlement was later disputed by Cecilius Calvert, the 2nd Lord Baltimore, who received in 1632 a Royal charter to establish his Maryland palatinate. A bitter feud resulted between Virginia and Maryland, with the Claiborne resolutely defending his Kent Island property against the intrigues and attacks of Leonard Calvert, brother of Cecilius and Governor of Maryland, who insisted that Claiborne confess himself a member of the Maryland colony. Claiborne steadfastly refused to do this, acting on the advice of the Council of Virginia which declared there was "no reason for rendering up the right of the Isle of Kent which Virginia is bound in duty to maintain." Although victorious in a Chesapeake Bay naval engagement between his ships and those of Calvert, invader and actual ruler of Maryland for two years, and backed by the Council of Virginia throughout a period of twenty years, Claiborne was finally dispossessed. A treacherous associate had caused misunderstanding between him and his London business partners, Cloberry & Company, who were now dissatisfied with the turn of events. The King, though friendly, was straddling and political intrigue intervened before Charles' execution to wrest from Claiborne his island, if not his claim which he dauntlessly and justifiably pressed until his death.

Although William Claiborne's entire life is historically identified with his courageous and pertinacious struggle with the Calverts of Maryland, his career was punctuated by a series of achievements and honors in Virginia. As a Captain of colonial troops he was a successful commander of early Indian campaigns. He was Secretary of State of Virginia, 1625-1638, again held that post throughout the duration of the Cromwellian Commonwealth from 1652 to 1658, and after the restoration was honored by Charles II with the same position. In 1642 Claiborne was appointed by Charles I Treasurer of Virginia for life, doubtless to salve that unhappy Monarchs conscience to some extent about Claiborne's loss of Kent. He was a colonel, commanding all colonial forces in the campaign against the Indians in 1644-45. In 1652, as Parliamentary Commissioner with Richard Bennett for the reduction of Virginia and Maryland, he governed Maryland, wisely, without vengeance and without taking advantage of his position to regain personal control of Kent Island. He maintained a firm hand in the affairs of Maryland until late in 1657 when Baltimore conformed and made his peace with Parliament. In1653 Colonel Claiborne acted as Deputy Governor of Virginia. From 1625 to 1660 he was a Member of Council and as late as 1666 he served in the Virginia Assembly.

On September 1, 1653, William Claiborne was granted 5000 acres, adjoining West Point which was settled by Governor John West in 1650, on the Pamunkey River where it joins the Mattaponi to form the York. This was the beginning of his plantation "Romangkok," or Romancoke as it came to be known. To it other tracts were added, and from it later was carved "Sweet Hall" plantation, the home of his grandson, Captain Thomas Claiborne, who built in about 1721 the high windowed, fort-like old house which still stands. Col. Claiborne subsequently organized and settled New Kent County, naming it for his beloved island in Chesapeake Bay. His great plantation is prominently named on John Speede's first official map of Virginia and Maryland, the area about the forks of the York being indicated as "Clayborn." Romancoke was subdivided further in later generations numbering among its owners, Daniel Park Custis, whose widow Martha Dandridge Custis married George Washington; Martha's grandson, George Washington Parke Custis; and his grandson, Capt. Robert E. Lee, Jr., whose father married Mary Anne Custis. The operation of this plantation was said to have been one of George Washington's favorite hobbies.

William Claiborne married Elizabeth Butler, a sister of John Butler of Kent Island fame. Col. Claiborne died at Romancoke about 1678, leaving to his descendants an illustrious heritage of achievement built upon his ability, courage and strength of character. Their children were: Jane, William, Leonard, John and Thomas.

2nd Generation

William Claiborne, the younger, received grants of over 12,000 acres in King William and New Kent Counties during the period 1667-1675. He was a member of the House of Burgesses from New Kent, 1663-1666. He was a Lt. Col. in the Militia and is stated to have distinguished himself in service against the Indians, and there was formerly on record at King William Courthouse, a certificate of his valor attested by Nathaniel Bacon, Philip Ludwell, Ralph Wormeley and Richard Lee. In 1676 he, with Major George Lydall, was appointed to command the fort at Indiantown in New Kent, and in the same year he sat on the court martial to try the rebels. Dissident frontiersmen rebelled under the leadership of Nathaniel Bacon, Jr. with strong popular support. Bacon won a commission as commander in chief of the anti-Indian forces from Governor Berkeley. He persuaded the Assembly to pass what became known as "Bacon's laws," increasing local control over government. Next, learning that the Governor was raising troops to use against him, Bacon took over Jamestown and burned it.

William Claiborne, the younger, married Elizabeth Wilkes and they had children: William, Ursula, and Mary.

3rd Generation (a)

William Claiborne, the third, married Elizabeth Ludman or Tudman, with children: William, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherine, Philadelphia, Unity, and Lucy.

Addendum:

1st Generation, Clayton Torrence in Genealogies of Virginia Families, Volume II, pages 1-70, challenges the previously held parentace of sec'y William Claiborne, but he also concludes that no doubt they were from the same Westmoreland clan.

References:

Chapter V of Roots in Virginia by Nathaniel Claiborne Hale, 1948. Virginia Historical Magazine, Volume I, pages 313-324. Genealogies of Virginia Families, Vol. Ii, pp. 1-70, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1981.