Early American Settlers
By Christopher J, Glazebrook
According to tradition two Glazebrooks went from England to America during the latter part of the seventeenth century and settled in Virginia. These two adventurers can be identified as “William Glasbrooke” recorded in Hotten (p.118) as sailing on the Elizabeth of London, 1st August 1635, then age 21 years. The “Elizabeth,” 250 tons: formerly the Crabb of Horne in Holland. In 1634 to 1636 she was owned entirely, or certainly in large part by Maurice Thompson of London, the most influential Colonial entrepreneur of the 17th century. Two years after her voyage to Virginia in which William Glasbrooke was a passenger she was captured by the Spaniards and held prize at Cadiz a year or more. And “Roger Glassebrooke” who is named in “List of Emigrants from England to America 1682-92,” the entry reads: “Roger Glassebrooke. Bound to John Marden for 4 years in Virginia; Age 27. August 25, 1685: Was lately discharged as a soldier.”
Peter Wilson Coldham in Volume 2 of “English Convicts in Colonial America” notes that one “Samuel Glassbrook” was sentenced to transportation and placed in the Alexander in July 1723, landing certificate Annapolis, Maryland, September 1723. Enquiry at the Corporation of London Records Office produced the following details about the case. Samuel Glassbrook is recorded in the sessions Minute Book (SM90) for the April Sessions of Gaol delivery in 1723 accused of the theft of goods valued at 40/-, the property of Thomas Higham in the warehouse of William Cotesworth. He pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by the jury of the theft of goods valued at 4/10d and was sentenced to transportation. The calendar of the Sessions File gives the additional information that Glassbrook was committed by Alderman Sir Francis Forbes while the indictment states that the offence took place on 9th April in the parish of St. Dunstan in the East, in the Ward of the Tower, in the City of London, and that he stole 59lbs of sugar, valued at 40/-. This is probably the same Samuel Glassbrook who was living in the parish of St. Botolph, Bishopsgate, in 1718, with his wife Ann and two children Thomas and Mary.
One branch of the family took up residence in New Kent County, Virginia. Unfortunately, very few references have been found for this period, the earliest located is in the Quit Rent Roll of 1704, now in the Public Record Office in London: New Kent County, A Rent Roll of the Lands held of her Majtie in the Parish of St. Peters & St. Pauls, Anno 1704 – Robt Glassbrook – 400 acres.
Other entries occur in the Vestry Book of Blisland Parish:
1738, 12 Oct: Ann Glasbrook for keeping Samll Pauley, 00462.
1739, 8 Oct: to Ann Glasbrook for keeping Samuell Pauley, 738.
1740, 29 Sept: to Ann Glasbrook for Samll Paulry, 400.
1758, 16 Oct: to James Glassbrook for keeping Elaza: Williams, 700.
1784, 23 Feb: to Eliza: Sanders, for her trouble with Sarah Glassbrook from January 8th to March 8th and funeral charges, 5/-/-.
1784, 23 Feb. To Mr Edmund Hockaday, for half a Bar Corn, for Sarah Glasebrook, when at Mrs Sander’s, -/7/6
While Mrs Elizabeth Glazebrook was undertaking some research in the South Carolina State Archives she came upon a Martin Glazebrook and his family. The name first occurs on a Bill of Sale dated 14 September: “John Gray, plasterer, to Martin Glazebrook, vintner, 3 horses and a pair of pistols and holsters for 40l.” In 1731, Martin Glazebrook appears on the Petit Jury List for Berkeley County, St. Phillip’s Parish, and the Special Jury List for Charleston. Colonial Plats, volume 4, page 36, notes: “Survey ordered 31 July 1734 and certified 7 September 1734. For Martin Glazebrook – 418 acres, Craven County, Christ Church Parish – Butting N.E. Solomon Legre and vacant land, S.E. Elias Horry, S.W. & N.W. by Wando Creek, E.E. & N.W. by Richard and Francis Spencers land.” Christ Church Parish was north of Charleston. After the death of Martin in 1736, further reference to his land is made in “Charleston Deed Book H7, p.39, - Register of Mesne Conveyance (Microfilm 23585 Box 19): To Ruth Glazebrook, widow of Martin Glazebrook, in trust for children, Mary, Ruth and Anne Glazebrook. – Whereas, Martin Glazebrook did duly obtain a warrant for land and it was duly surveyed and he died, intestate, before he could obtain a grant, leaving Mary, Ruth, and Anne, infants, his daughters, and co-heiresses at law; the land is granted Ruth, his widow, in trust for her daughters. Confirmation is found in the Council Journal (Microfilm Co 5/438, p.87, original Public Record Office) 12th August 1737: Land Grant signed for Ruth Glazebrook in trust for Mary, Ruth, and Ann Glazebrook; 418 acres in Craven County.
The Register of St. Phillips Parish 1720-1758, edited by A.S. Salley contains the following entries relating to the family:
1729, March 29: Ann Glazebrook, dau. of Martin Glazebrook and Ruth, his wife, was born (page 9).
1729, April 20: Martin Glazebrook was buried (page 252).
1736, Jan. 12: Martin Glazebrook was buried (page 277).
1736, April 27: Ruth Glazebrook married Jacob Axon (page 177).
1738, Oct. 9: Ruth Axon was buried (page 291).
1744, August 31: Ann Glazebrook, daughter of Mathew [Martin] Glazebrook and Ruth, his wife, married Michael Roche (page 44).
A James Glazebrook is listed in the Virginia State Enumerations, New Kent County, 1785: James Glazebrook, Head, and 5 White souls, 1 dwelling. James Glazebrook Senior; and James Glazebrook Junior: appear on the 1820 census for New Kent County.
Copyright: Christopher J. Glazebrook, Licentiate in Heraldry and Genealogy: Founder of the Northamptonshire Family History Society.