Henry Fleet

Henry Fleet was born in Lancaster County about 1658, the only child of Henry Fleet the immigrant. Henry Fleet, Sr. came to the Virginia colony in 1621. While on a trading expedition with the natives on the Potomac River Henry Fleet, Sr. was taken prisoner and held from 1623 to 1628. After gaining his freedom he used his knowledge of the Indian language and customs to build better trading relationships between the natives and the settlers. He negotiated for land in what later became Maryland as the early settlements were forming. Henry Fleet, Sr. eventually returned to Virginia and after the Indian massacre of 1644 he negotiated peace with Opencancanough and opened the Northern Neck up to English settlement. Henry Fleet, Sr. patented 13,197 acres in the Northern Neck was prosperous in the fur trade.

Henry Fleet, Sr. died before May 8th, 1661 and Henry, Jr. was raised by his mother, Sarah Burden (maiden name unknown) who had a daughter named Mary Burden. She remarried to John Walker after Henry Senior's death and had two more daughters. Sarah married a fourth time in 1672 to John Stone before her death in 1679. In her will she left to Henry; "unto my Sonne, HENRY, when he cometh to age, one Feather bed and Boulster, one Rugg, one paire of Blanketts, one paire of Piloves; & pillowbeeres, and one pairs of Sheetes." Henry also inherited large portions of his father's lands including Fleet's Island and other land on Fleet's Bay.

Henry married Elizabeth Wildey about 1682 in Northumberland County. She was the daughter of William Wildey and Jane. Henry and Elizabeth has six children.

In 1683 Henry sold 40 acres of land in Old Rappahannock County to John Cole for 2,500 pounds of tobacco. In 1689 Henry sold 188 acres of land on Fleet's Bay to John Tuberville. In February 1719 he conveyed 500 acres of land called Fleet's Island to his sons William and Henry.

Henry was listed as a justice in Lancaster County in 1695, sheriff in 1702 and also a captain of the county militia.

Henry wrote his will on January 31st, 1729 and it was proven May 9th, 1733.

In the name of God, amen I, Henry FLEET of the county of Lancaster, being of sound memory, do make this my last will and testament in the manner following,
viz: I bequeath my soul to God, my creator, and my body to the earth, its original, being fully assured the sacrifice of Christ is a worthy expiator for all the sins of the faithful, and therefore hope that my soul and body will have a joyful meeting at the resurrection of the just by the merits, mediation, and the intercession of my complete Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give to my son, Henry FLEET, the plantation that Patrick MULLIN now lives on and all the land thereunto belonging, from Wm FLEET'S line down to the mouth of the old house creek. The said land and appurtenances I give unto the said Henry FLEET and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten and for want of such issue to my son, William FLEET. and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, and for want of suche male issue to my grandson, Harry CURRELL and his heirs forever.
Item: I give to my son William FLEET, the plantation I now live on and all the land adjoining thereunto as far as the narrows, including the island plantation and all the land thereunto belonging, which said plantations and the land and appurtenances in the whole tract not before given I give to my son, William, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, and for want of such issue to my grandson, Major BRENT, and his heirs forever.
Item: I give to my son, Henry FLEET, my best saddle and all the furniture thereto belonging.
Item: I give to my son, William FLEET, all my wearing apparel and also my sword and belt.
Item: I give to my loving wife for life the plantation whereupon I now live with as much land as she shall have occasion for, also the use and profits of three negroes called Jack, Bess and Sampson, and after her decease I give the said negroes to my daughter, Elizabeth CURRELL, and her heirs.
Item: I give to my daughter, Elizabeth CURRELL, and her heirs four negroes by name Saul, Lucy, Bess and boy called Jack SNELGROVE, three whereof she has already received.
Item: I give to my granddaughter, Anne CURRELL, and her heirs a negro girl called Winney and her increase.
Item: I give to my daughter, Judith HOBSON and her heirs two negroes called Daniel and Pegg, now in her possession. Item: I give to my siad daughter, Judith, for life the use of three negroes named Richard, Isaac and Hannah, and after her decrease I give Hannah and her increase and Isaac to my granddaughter, Sarah HOBSON, and her heirs and I give Richard to my granddaughter, Judith HOBSON, and her heirs.
Item: I give to my granddaughter, Mary COX, and her heirs two negroes called Newman and Nell, now in her possession.
Item: I give to my third daughter, Mary, for life the use of three negroes, viz a girl called Hannah and Sue and Anthony, and after her decease I give said three negroes and their future increase to Fleet COX and his heirs.
Item: I give to my granddaughter, Elizabeth HOBSON, and her heirs two negroes that her father received of me called Sary and Patty and their increase.
Item: I give to my three grandsons, John FLEET, Major Brent and Harry CURRELL, each a mourning suit of twenty shilling price.
Item: I give all the rest of my personal estate to be equally divided amongst my wife and three daughters, Elizabeth, Judith and Mary.
Item: It is my will that my estate shall not be appraised, unless desired by my executix.
Item: I appoint my son, William FLEET, and my two daughter, Elizabeth CURRELL and Judith HOBSON, my Executors. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 31st day of January, 1728. [seal] Henry FLEET. Signed and sealed and published in presence of Edwin CONWAY, Anne CONWAY, Edwin CONWAY, Jr.

Soon after Henry's death an inventory of his estate was made by his daughter Judith with her husband William Hobson and Abraham Currell. The inventory named 12 slaves. Also listed in the inventory were five bed and bedrooms sets, 12 chairs and an oval table, a gun and two looking glasses. Livestock mentioned was 24 cows, 24 hogs, seven shoats, 21 sheep and three lambs. Nearly two years later an appraisal of the estate was made for 587 pounds 7 pence and seven shillings - the slaves and livestock accounting for almost all the value of the estate.