Recorded Events in Godfrey Spruill's Life

October 31, 1684, Virginia, James City County. Godfrey received a patent of land (No. 399) of 340 acres October 31, 1864 in James City County, Virginia.

March 24, 1688, Virginia, Henrico County. Godfrey, with Thomas Charles, William Hobson, Barth. Newcomb, took inventory of the estate of Thomas Newcomb.  The value was 2411 lbs tobacco.

August 1, 1689, Virginia, Henrico County. Godfrey Spruill, aged about 39, William Lewis and Joshua Wynne testified as to the winners of a horse race at Malvern Hills.

August 15, 1689, Virginia, Henrico County. Godfrey purchased 100 acres from Robert Sharp.

 June 2, 1690, Virginia, Henrico County. The Henrico County minute book orphans court shows that Doctor Spruell, along with John Cannon, Philemon Childers, and Robert Sharp are appointed to appraise the estate of Herbert Powell. (You will note that Godfrey later moves to land previously owned by Mr. Powell.)  

March 10, 1693, Virginia, Richmond. Joanna Spruill relinquishes her dower rights to the land Godfrey purchased from Robert Sharp.  This land is then sold to John Lowry.

July 2, 1694, Godfrey purchased land in Chowan Co., NC. "These may certify yt at a Crt. Holden for the precinct of Chowan ye. Second of July 1694: Godfrey Spruell proved these Eight rights as followeth: Godfrey Spruell Sen., Joana Spruell, Susanah Spruell, Ana Margeritta Spruell, Saml. Spruell, Godfrey Spruell Junr., Nicholas Phelps, Sarah Walker. Attest: Nathanl. Chevin Crk."
... Book of Warrants and Surveys, 1681-1706, for land in the North Carolina county palatine of Albemarle ... presently in the North Carolina State Archives (shelf mark: Secretary of State 978.1)  Note: this is abstracted in Old Albemarle County, North Carolina Book of Land Warrants and Surveys 1671-1706 by Weynette Parks Haun, 1984
 

August 24, 1697, North Carolina. Godfrey signed various documents on this date according to Hathaway, Vol. III p. 91.

February 6, 1699
“Abraham Lewis of Chowan Prect., mariner with the consent of Elizabeth my now wife to Nathaniel Chevin of Chowan Prect. 6 Feb. 1699 for 15 pounds 150 arkers more or less according to the anchant bounds, at the mouth of Matoromet crick being part of a thousand arkers taken up by Thomas Horskinse and sold by him to Will Hankrock’s father ( ) and purchased by Godrey Spruell of the foresd. Hankrock and by sd. Spruell sold to us.
Wit.: James Bount, Thomas Waine, Richard Lewis.
… Reg. 2 Apr. 1700
… Deed Book W #1, Chowan County, N. C., page 6 (deed number 11)
 

March 5 1699, “Coll. Thomas Pollock of Chowan Prect., Albemarle Co. to Silvester Sandifort mariner 5 Mar. 1699 consideration 640 acres entered and settled by Dr. Godfrey Spruell and bought of him by me being on ye sowwest side of Connebbys creek all houses, gardens, orchards, etc.”
… Wit.: He. Humphreys, Jeremiah Cannon
… Reg. 2 Apr. 1700
… Deed Book W #1, Chowan County, N. C., page 4 (deed number 8)

May 26 1701/1702
“Doctor Godfrey Spruell of Scopernung, Chyurgin and Joanna my wife to John Stuard…”
… Reg. 3 Mar 1702
… Deed Book W #1, Chowan County, N. C., page 27 (deed number 49)
 

June 24, 1704, North Carolina.  Godfrey moved his family to North Carolina.  The Land Grant Office in Raleigh, North Carolina has record of Godfrey Spruill receiving 640 acres along the Scuppernong River.  "Paid by Godfrey Spruill of ye county, aforesaid.  Gents-- (of Henrico County, James River in Virginia. xxx one divident containing one hundred acres of landxxx bounding south upon the river beginning at ye deep bottom next the plantation late in ye possession of Herbert Powell.

It is noted in 1704, in North Carolina that Godfrey Spruill was one of the earliest physicians in North Carolina.

March 2, 1713, North Carolina, St. Pauls Parish. Memories and Records of Eastern North Carolina by Mary Weeks Lambeth notes the following: "At a Vestry meeting of St. Paul's Parish, on the 9th day of March, 1703-4, it was ordered that "Dr. Spruill be paid 5 pounds for the cure of Eleanor Adams, and on the 2nd day of March 1713-14, 12 pounds for the cure of Ebenezer Aldridge, as soon as money can be raised," by the present Church Wardens (Col. Recs.).

July 28, 1713, North Carolina. From Memories and Records - "I have not been able to find out why Dr. Godfrey Spruill was arrested on July 28, 1713 and put under bond for good behavior, but since his whole record given in the Parish Register of St. Paul's and elsewhere was an honorable and dignified one, I presume that it was for some political activity."  The record says "upoon petition of John Fouree praying to put an account against Vincent White, deceased did prove the same by his oath" (Col. Rec. Vol 2. p. 403)

July 28, 1713, Godfrey Sprewell conveyed 100 acres of land to John Davenport. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. II, p. 101)

 July 13, 1714, North Carolina. Dr. Godfrey Spruill and wife Joanna deeded land to son-in-law John Stuart and daughter Henrietta, 300 acres in Scuppernong.

He was elected to office on December 3, 1714 in North Carolina. He was Associate Justice  under Chief Justice Christopher Gale.   (Hathaway, Vol II, p. 147 & James Melson)

Oct 18, 1715, recordings of a Chowan County Court proceedings September 18, 1715 include: "Ordered that a road be cleared from Doctor (Godfrey) Spruill's to Eliza. Long's and that John Davenport Rt. Fewox, and Cuthbert Phelps lay out the Road and that all Inhabitants from Clay's Creek to John Davenport's do assist in Clearing the sd. Road, and that John Davenport be appointed overseer of the road. John Davenport, Robt. Fewox, and Cuthbert Phelps are to lay out the road." (NC Reg 1:148)

Godfrey signed a will on August 5, 1718 in North Carolina, Albermarle Province.

Godfrey's Descendants

Most of my research has focused on Godfrey and his descendants.  Here are my family files, as well as links to other related family files. 

Godfrey & Johanna Spruill  (5-generations)

George C. & Nancy Donaldson (5-generations)

James Madison Spruill & Sarah Jane Harrell (4-generations)