Batt families of Wiltshire, England (late 1500’s & early 1600’s)
Curious as to whether or not there is a connection between the Batt families in Wiltshire, England and the Batte family in Yorkshire, England?Also, what connections do the Batt families of Wiltshire, England have to Virginia or New England?(I’ve done no research of New England records, but I read that a Christopher Batt and Nicholas Batt are found in New England and that they originate from Wiltshire, England.Also, per my notes below, I am curious about a Micheal Batt that is found in Jamestown, VA as early as 1623 and I wonder if he might be connected somehow to Wiltshire, England).I’m curious as to how all the early Batt’s in Wiltshire, England connect with one another.Has anyone researched this?
The Robert Batte, Minister of Newton Toney, Wiltshire, that left a will in Wiltshire, England in 1617/1618 was of the “Oakwell” Batte family in Yorkshire, England.Two of Robert Batte’s sons, Henry and William, settled in Virginia as early as 1636.William Batt and Henry Batt both sign as witnesses to Edward Abbes will written August 24, 1636 in Elizabeth City Co., VA, but probated in London on May 23, 1637 by Sara Abbes.A land grant in Elizabeth City Co., VA in 1638 references “land in the possession of Henry Batt”.A land grant to Thomas Symons for 800 acres in James City Co., VA dated June 8, 1639, but relinquished on October 18, 1643, included 300 acres due “…by Assignment from William Batt and due to him for the Adventure of himself his brother Henry…and four persons…”.Though the surname is Batt within the body of this land grant, as listed in the headrights are a William Batts and a Henry Batts.Robert Batte’s grandsons, Thomas Batte Sr. b. 1643 or earlier and Henry Batte b. circa 1642, sons of John Batte d. 1652-1654, were in Charles City Co., VA as early as 1654, at which time they had not “come of age”.
I noticed on the British Archives website that there is a will for a Michael Batt dated June 8, 1665 in Wiltshire, England.As far as I know, the given name Michael is an unusual name within the Batt families.There is a Michael Batt that appears in James City Co., VA (Jamestown) as early as 1623.I wonder if this Micheal Batt originated from Wiltshire, England?
February 16, 1623:Micheal Batt is listing on the “List of Names of the Living in Virginia”.(A John Batt is also listed).
November 8, 1630:“Will of Thomas Warnett of James City in Virginia, merchant”.Will was probated in London on November 8, 1630 by Thomazine Warnett, relict.The will mentions:“To Micheal Batt’s wife two bushels of meal”.
September 20, 1643:Micheal Batt receives a land grant of “one acre of land lying in James City Island near the back river”.This land was in James City Co., VA.
There are one or two references to a Micheal Batt in later records in Norfolk Co., VA.
There are no extant early county records for James City Co., VA or Elizabeth City Co., VA, so there is limited information to work with.