Richard Chambers

  Notes:

He gave a deposition on 22 May 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. Upon the evidence of Henry Browne and Richard Chambers, it appeared to the court that John Cross was "an incorrigible rogue." Ordered that he be committed to Bridewell (prison) for a year and a day to be whipped and worked. Deposition of Henry Browne aged about 25 years, 27 May 1667: Commanded by the sheriff, Browne pursued John Cross. When Browne caught up with him, Cross ran at him with a razor. Before Browne could dismount and tie his horse, Mr. Smith's servant was wounded. Browne then took a chunk of wood, knocked Cross down and helped to take the razor out of his hand. Signed, Henry (HB) Browne. Deposition of Richard Chambers aged about 21 years, 27 May 1667: Chambers said that by the command of the sheriff, he went after John Cross. When Chambers laid hands on him, "Cross wounded (me) under the arm and after that in the nape of the neck." Signed, Richard Chambers

He was named as a headright on 24 October 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as Richard Chambers on a certificate for land granted to Henry Smith. He made a deposition on Jun 16 in Accomack Co, VA. Anne (Jane) Powell, servant to Mr. Henry Smith made a complaint to Col. Edmund Scarburgh and Mr. Revell that her master "without cause most severely whipped her, which was apparent by the many stripes seen on her back." He had often done this, and she sought relief and protection. She also complained "for want of shifts and lying on the ground." The evidence confirmed the truth of the complaints, but Mr. Smith pretended that he was not well informed, and presumed that a master could whip a servant. He blamed the deficiencies on a lack of supplies and promised to correct it. The court warned Smith that justice should be done by a "qualified person and that in greatest favor a master might be permitted to whip for such fault as a justice of peace might by law whip and not other wise." Though his ill usage of servants was commonly presumed, it was the first complaint brought to court, so Smith was admonished to treat his servants better and ordered to pay the cost of the suit. Deposition of Rich. Chambers and Wm. Nock, 16 June 1668: Chambers and Nock, since living in Smith's house, never saw Jane Powell neglect "her service to our master, Mr. Henry Smith." Signed Wm. Nock and Richard Chambers.

Deposition of Rachell Moody aged about 25 years, 16 June 1668: About two weeks ago Saturday "my uncle Mr. Henry Smith whipped Jane Powell for weeding but 37 hills of corn." Rachell said that Jane had only two shifts from Smith; one was given her before and the other after she came. That was all she had except an old shift that had belonged to a girl that ran away. It was too small and "would do her no service." Signed, Rachel (RM) Moody.

Chambers gave a deposition on 8 December 1668 at Accomack Co, VA. Deposition of Richard Chambers aged about 23 years, 8 December 1668: Said that when Mary Hues came to Mr. Henry Smith to ask for a pair of shoes he beat her "with several stripes." Signed, Richard Chambers. He gave a deposition on 4 February 1668/69 at Accomack Co, VA. William Nock and Rich. Chambers complained that their master Henry Smith had agreed to give each of them a set of smith's tools when they were freed, but that the ones they were using would be completely worn out in a year. Smith, under questioning, admitted the agreement. It was ordered recorded that Henry Smith would provide each of them with a complete set of smith's tools including bellows, anvil and vice.

On 17 Mar 1668/69 in Accomack Courty it appeared by the oaths of Jean Powell and Rachell Moody that Hen. Smith had agreed that the blacksmiths, Rich. Chambers and William Nock, during their time of service, would have each Saturday afternoon to work for themselves, or receive five pounds sterling per year. Nock and Chambers had received neither the money nor the time to work for themselves; they requested liberty to work as bargained and to receive their due from Smith when their times were up. Ordered that they be allowed to work for their own profit on Saturday afternoons, not using their master's iron, steel, coals or tools without his permission. Chambers and Nock were to be left to the law to determine what was due them.

Deposition of Jane Powell aged about 22 years, 17 March 1668/69: Her fellow servant Rich. Chambers bargained with his master, Mr. Hen. Smith, at Bristol to come to Virginia as his servant for four years, to work only as a blacksmith, and that he was to have every Saturday afternoon during his time of service; in lieu of this time, Smith would give Chambers five pounds sterling a year. The rest of the week he was to work from six in the morning till six at night. When he was free, Chambers was to have the tools. Then Wm. Nock came to Smith and made the same bargain, only upon his freedom, he was to have the worth of the tools. Signed, Jane (squiggle) Powell.

He gave a deposition on 25 January 1669/70 at Accomack Co, VA. Richard Chambers declared that he had served his time as servant to Mr. Henry Smith, who would not let him have his freedom. Smith was called to answer, and admitted that Chamber's time of indenture was expired, but claimed that he had suffered damage by Chamber's neglect of service, but did not prove it. The court took notice and had it recorded. He was named as a headright on 10 September 1674 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as Rich. Chambers on a certificate granted to Mr. Hugh Yeo for 350 acres for transporting persons into Virginia

Richard Chambers wrote his will Sep 16 1726 and it was probated in Somerset on Nov 20 1728:
-To Mary Brereton (daughter, wife of Thomas Brereton) land they now live on (250 ac HIGH MEADOW)
-To Richard Brereton (grandson) 100 ac of COCKMORE
-To Sarah Brereton (daughter) 150 ac JAMES CHOICE
-To Olive Chambers (daughter) 100 ac ROWLEYS RIDGE
-To Sarah Brereton (granddaughter): cow and calf, feather bed and bolster.
-To Richard (son): residue of estate, to be divided equally with Olive.
Executors: son Richard Brereton and daughter Olive Brereton.
Witnesses: Barkle Fisher, Mary Lane, Alexander Hall, Jr. (MdW-19:548, SoW-EB9:119, SoInv-1845/51No15:118 (yes this is correct date)

Richard married Mary Avery on 24 May 1676 in Somerset Co., MD. (Mary Avery was born about 1655 and died before 1726 in Somerset Co., MD.)