BARHAM Thomas

Notes:

The following is taken from the September 9, 1962 edition of The Daily Press under the headline
HISTORICAL RARIETIES:
" The song, "A String of Pearls," of this era could have been written for Dame Elizabeth Filmer
(Elizabeth Argoll) of East Sutton, County Kent, England in 1639. Legacy was Barham Family that
eventually came to Virginia.
" When Dame Elizabeth Filmer, widow or Sir Edward Filmer, Knight, wrote her will in the above
named county of England, she included much jewelry and in particular "four ropes of pearls
containing 600 in number." She was a kinswoman of the family of Samuel Argall, who came to
Virginia at an early date and was acting Governor for a while.
Since the will contained so much value and of interest to the descendants of the Barham family
of Virginia; those in Surry County and James City County, Virginia; the full contents will be
given herein;
"1638-9, March 16. Will of Dame Elizabeth Filmer, Widow, late the wife of Sir Edward Filmer,
Knight, of East Sutton, County Kent, England.
Body to Church of East Sutton beside the body of my late husband. To poor of East Sutton 5
pounds.
To Dame Anne Filmer, wife of my son Sir Robert Filmer, my jewel with diamonds and pearls.
To Elizabeth Filmer their daughter and Sarah Filmer my daughter, my FOUR ROPES OF PEARLS
CONTAINING 600 IN NUMBER to be equally divided between them.
To Sir Edward Filmer, eldest son of my son Sir Robert, a Portuguese piece of gold and a
piece of gold King Henry VII coinage, both of which were his great-grandfather's.
To the two youngest sons of my son Sir Robert, viz: Robert and Samuel 40 shillings a piece.
To Anne the youngest daughter of Sir Robert 40 shillings.
To my daughter Mary Knotchbull 40 shillings.
To my daughter Katherine Barham 10 pounds. To her eldest daughter Elizabeth Barham 300
pounds when 21 or married. If she die before, then said 300 pounds to Elizabeth and Ann Filmer,
daughters of my son Reginold Filmer.
To Susan and Ann Barham, two younger daughters of my said daughter Katherine, 400 shillings a
piece.
To daughter Elizabeth Faulconer 10 pounds. To daughter Sarah Filmer 10 pounds.
To son-in-law Robert Barham my biggest ring. To his son Thomas 10 pounds at 24 (years of age),
and to each of his other sons Edward, Robert, CHARLES, RICHARD, and John 40 shillings. To his
daughters 40 shillings each.
To daughter-in-law Jane, wife of my son Reginold, 10 pounds. To her daughters Elizabeth and
Ann Filmer, 40 shillings each.
To son Sir Robert Filmer, my silver warming pans.
To my son John 10 pounds. To son Henry 10 pounds. To son Reginold my lease of three tenements
in Knightrider Street, London.
To son-in law William Faulconer, Draper, 40 shillings.
To my brother John Argoll, Esq. (Copy unclear).
To my sister Dame Jane Feetwood, 4 pieces if Queen Elizabeths (copy unclear)coyne ( coin).
To sister Dame Sarah (Jenkinson?) like piece of gold of Queen Elizabeth's coyne.
To ( Elizabeth?) Pierson, widow, 40 shillings. To each of ( man-servants? copy unclear)
10 shillings. To Elizabeth
(copy unclear), my apprentice 40 shillings. To my every other maidservant, 10 shillings.
Residue of estate to my son Edward Filmer, sole Executor. Published August 2, 1638. Wa:
Retovick, Scrivener.
Dame Elizabeth Filmer, willeth that her three housed (must mean three apartment of houses--
Editor) in Knightrider Street (now that her son Reginold Filmer is deceased) shall be
disposed of as follows: 30 pounds of the first year's rent to Jane, late wife of said
Reginold and after the decease of testatrix to the use of her executor the paying yearly
to Elizabeth Faulkner, daughter of Dame Elizabeth Filmer and wife of William Faulkner 10
pounds.
Whereas Dame Elizabeth Filmer had bequeathed to Elizabeth, daughter of ROBERT BARHAM, gentleman,
a competent porcion her will is that 50 pounds of the said legacy in case said Elizabeth depart
this before attaining 18 years shall be divided equally between the two daughters of said
Reginold
and lastly, Dame Elizabeth Filmer willeth to Susan Barham 50 pounds apiece (sic) memorandum
the legacy 50 pounds apiece to Susan and Anne Barham were entermyned before the signing
hereof. Dated March 23, 1635-6
(Reference for the above: Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XXI,
Pages 153-154). This feature will carry the lineage covering the Barham family of Surry County,
Virginia and adjoining counties, as well as, those who moved to the southern states, if we
have enough requests for this extensive data.-- Editor, Daily Press

The following is taken from the September 16, 1962 edition of The Daily Press under the headline

HISTORICAL RARIETIES:
Some affluent families came to the Virginia colony and among them was that of the name Barham of
Surry County. Since we had the will of Dame Filmer, grandmother of the Captain Charles Barham
of Virginia, and she was the lady with the 600 pearls left in her will, it was thought that we
would include the will of the husband of the Dame Filmer (Elizabeth Argoll).
"Dated 5 December 1629 - Will of Sir Edward Filmer of East Sutton, County Kent, England.
Sir Edward Filmer, Knight (aged 63 years, January last) ;
To daughter, Elizabeth, wife of William Faulkner, citizen and Draper of London 500 pounds.
If her husband survives her then to her children 300 pounds equally divided. If she die
without issue then to her husband 20 pounds;
To my three sons Edward, John, and Henry Filmer, 10 pounds each. Son Reginold forgiven all
debts (500 pounds) and 50 pounds cash. Son Henry, he commences MA in University of Cambridge
40 pounds and further 100 pounds.
Daughters Mary Knathbull and Catherine Barham, 20 pounds each.
To Edweard Knatchbull my Godson 5 pounds. To his sister Mary 20 pounds. To his brother
John 2 pounds;
To Edward Barham my Godson 5 pounds; To Elizabeth Barham my wife's Goddaughter 5 pounds.
To other grandchildren, Robert, Thomas, Charles and Richard Barham 40 schillings each;
To Dame Ann wife of my son, Sir Robert Filmer 20 pounds for a ring;
To daughter Sarah 1000 pounds further 500 pounds annuity of 10 pounds to my brother Henry;
To Dorothy, daughter of my brother Anthony Filmer 10 pounds;
To Dame Elizabeth, my wife, 120 pounds. All her chains and jewels and all my household
stuff in College house in Maidstone, a third part of linen and silver. My lease of Rectory in
East Sutton toward payment of my debts. The other two parts of linen, silver, etc., to my son
Sir Robert Filmer. My wife shall have the leases of certain houses in Knightrider Street
lately given me by my brother, Robert Filmer, Esq.;
Dame Elizabeth and Sir Robert, my son, Executors
Dated October 20, 1629; probated December 5, 1629.

(Reference for the above will of Sir Edward Filmer, Knight, grandfather of Captain
Charles Barham of Surry, Virginia: "Virginia Magazine of History and Biography," Vol. 24,
pages 158-159. It might be of interest to some of our readers that Henry Filmer of Henrico
County, Virginia, an early settler, was son or grandson of the above Sir Edward Filmer. It
was through this lineage that many persons have established their lineage back to the Magna
Charta and to the Crusaders).