The Billingsley Family in America

John Billingsley (1647 Netherlands - 1693 at sea)

Immigrated at about 2 with his parents. Worked in "maritime trade", and died at sea during a storm.
(There is no indication of where he was sailing at the time)

He married his first cousin, Sarah Ann Billingsley

Excerpt from pp 23-24 of The Billingsley Family In America, by Harry Alexander Davis.
Published by Tuttle Antiquarian Books, Rutland, VT, 1936

VI JOHN (2) BILLINGLEY

(Francis 1) Born 1647 probably in Holland came to Nansemond County, Virginia with his parents and uncles John and James Billingsley prior to 1649. He came to Calvert County, Maryland with his parents Anno 1652. He moved to Richmond County, Virginia with his parents about 1659. He and his brothers Francis and Edward were legatees to a "Cowe Calfe" each in the will of James Billingsley in 1663, who calls them "my three cozens (nephews) on the Rapehannock." They were also mentioned in the will of Susannah Billingsley, widow of James, in the same year.

He became interested in the vessel which his aunt owned and which his father operated. When his parents returned to Maryland he remained in Virginia with his aunt and assisted in the operation of the vessel. He married Jan. 1669 Sarah Ann, daughter of William Billingsley, born Virginia 1652 and his first cousin. During the year 1670 they moved to St. Mary's County, Maryland, where he purchased another vessel and continued in maritime trade. In 1673 they returned to Virginia and about 1675/76 they moved to Calvert County, Maryland. He does not appear to have owned much land. In 1684 he became possessed of 100 acres called "Addition" from his father. From this time there appears an estrangement between John and Francis, his brother. Francis appears with the major portion of his father's holdings, whether his marriage to his cousin had any relation to this is possible but not definitely known. Owing to loss of deed records in Culvert County it is not known by what means he came into possession of 200 acres part of a tract called "Mears." He apparently gave to his son, William, the tract called "Addition" upon his marriage in 1691.

John died in the year 1693 having been lost at sea during a storm. Rent Rolls of 1694 show 200 acres of "Mears" owned by Widow Billingsley. She disposed of this land as Rent Rolls show it was sold July 1710 by Sarah Talbot to Richard Johns. She married (2) about 1699 William Brown, they moved to Richmond County, Virginia where he was granted 38 acres of land 1709. (Lib. 3, fol. 230.) She died 1712/13. No children by 2d marriage.