The Earliest Known Eborns in America??

William Ebourne

M, b. 1633, d. before 16 April 1675

He was shown in Accomack County records as Aborne, Abourn, Abourne, Abram, Abraham, Eborne & Ebourne. William was born in 1633. William Aborne gave a deposition in Acc Co on 22 May 1663 at which time he gave his age as 26 years, puttng his birth at circa 1637. William Ebourne gave a deposition in Acc Co on 17 Apr 1665 at which time he gave his age as 32 years, putting his birth at circa 1633..^1,2 William was named as a headright on 27 November 1652 at Matchapungo, Acc Co, VA. He was shown as Wm. Ebourne, one of 20 persons on the list of headrights for Mr. John Browne, who was granted 1,000 acres in Northampton Co, near Matchepongo. (NOTE: This part of N'hamp Co became Accomack Co in 1663.).³ He married Rebecca Frame, daughter of Capt. John Frame and Ann (-----), circa 1663 at Accomack Co, VA. On 14 Mar 1664/5 in Accomack Court, John Die and his wife failed to appear in court to answer the complaint of William Ebourne. It was ordered that a special warrent be issued for their appearance at the next court. On 17 Apr 1665 John Die appeared and was suspected to be guilty of hog stealing, but as there was no positive proof, it was ordered that he post security for his good behavior and pay court costs. Deposition of William Ebourne aged about 32 years, 17 Apr 1665: Said that the hog's ear brought by his wife to Col. Edm. Scarburgh's house was the same ear that Ebourne found in Jno. Die's house. Signed William (X) Ebourne. Depostion of Mary Bell aged about 42 years, 17 Apr 1665: Duringa search for goods lost by William Ebourne and Bell, the hog's ear was found at John Die's house. Die's child said, "That is my father's mark." Signed Mary (M) Bell. The jury considered the ear of a hog found in John Die's house and could find "no matter of fact." Elizabeth, the wife of John Die, upon the complaint of William Ebourne and Mary Bell, was found guilty of several small thefts. It was ordered that she be brought in by the sheriff and receive 30 lashes upon her bare back. Deposition of Margaret Ebourne, age 25 years, 17 Apr 1665: Said that the edging(?) and the lace on the cap presented to the court was stolen from her by Elizabeth Die. Signed Marget (M) Ebourne. Deposition of Mary Bell aged 42 years, 17 Apr 1665: Said the green stockings, the lawn apron, the Holland handkerchief with buttons, the small piece of licin(?) and the three or four yards of ribbon presented to the court are the goods taken from her. Signed, Mary (M) Bell. The jury considered the goods belonging to Mary Bell and William Abram (sic) that were found in the possession of Elizabeth Die by Constable Thomas Leatherberry, who had been asked to search for items with these particular marks by Mary Bell and Margaret Abourne (sic). The jury found Elizabeth Die to be guilty. Since Elizabeth Die had taken several articles from William Ebourne, it was ordered that the sheriff deliver the goods to Ebourne with Die paying court costs. As Elizabeth Die had taken articles from Mary Bell, it was ordered that the sheriff deliver the goods to Bell with Die paying court costs.⁴ William was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, for in 1664. He was shown as Wm. Abram with 1 tithable..⁵ William was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, for in 1665. It was on this date Wm. Ebourne was on the Accomack County list of titables with 2 tithables..⁶ He married Margaret (-----) circa 1665. On 17 Apr 1665 both William Ebourne, age 32, and Margaret Ebourne, age 25, evidently his wife, testified in court about John Die & his wife Elizabeth Die stealing from them..^1,7 He served on a jury on 16 February 1666 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as William Abourn and sworn in January for a jury of inquest. On 16 Mar 1665/6 he was on a another jury, shown as Wm. Abourn..⁸ He married Mary (-----) circa 1666 at Accomack Co, VA. The case of the Eborne children illustrates the trauma that some children must have endured. After young Sarah Eborne's mother died, her father William Eborne married Mary, who cared for Sarah and bore Eborne 3 more children. When William died, Sarah was placed in the custody of Joseph Nuton, who wanted the girl to serve him till she was 18 years old. However, Sarah's step-mother, after marrying Thomas Chapwell, successfully petitioned to get Sarah back. Three months later death dealt another blow: Mary Eborne Chapwell died, and while Sarah did not have to return to Nuton, all 4 children were sent to different homes..⁹ On 2 Oct 1666 when Richard Hill, George Truet, Fran. Benstone & Robt. Hutchinson appraised the estate of John Die, dec'd, William Abram was among those who owed debts to the estate.¹⁰ He served on a jury on 16 March 1669 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as William Abourne..¹¹ On 17 May 1669 in Accomack Court it was ordered that Henry Selman at Wm. Abrams be summoned to the next court for not clearing the highways according to order. On 16 July 1669 according to the testimony of William Abourne, it appeared that Henry Selman agreed to pay Abourne 600 lbs tobacco for food and lodging; Sellman was to have a full share of the crop. Notwithstanding the agreement, Abourne took three or four thousand of the best plants for his wife and helped her tend them while neglecting the shared crop. Selman also suffered loss when Abourne neglected the crop while he and his man made cider. Ordered that Abourne be liable for the damanges; after then crop was finished, it was to be divided into three parts with Selman receiving one part. Abourne was to pay the cost of the suit.¹² He served on a jury on 19 December 1671 at Accomack Co, VA.¹³ William sold land on 7 March 1672 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that at the direction of John Lorey, 200 acres of land on Hunting Creek was surveyed on 17 January for William Abraham. Signed John Wallop. On this same date William Abraham sold to Joseph Smith the land he had received from John Carey. Signed 7 Mar 1671/2 by William (X) Abraham and Mary (M) Abraham. (NOTE: Evidently Wm. Abraham was Wm. Eborne as Wm. Eborne & Mary sold half the tract where John Cary livied on Hunting Creek on 17 Jul 1672.).¹⁴ On 17 May 1672 at Accomck Court it was ordered that Robert Hewett be constable for the ensuing year instead of Wm. Eborne.¹⁵ William sold land on 17 July 1672 at Hunting Creek, Acc Co, VA. It was on this date William Abraham (sic), planter, sold to Joshua Smith, planter, half the tract where John Cary lived on Hunting Creek. Signed on 17 Jul 1672 by William (X) Eborne and Mary (M) Eborne. Witnesses were Wm. Anderson & Rodger Micell..¹⁶ He served on a jury on 17 July 1672 at Accomack Co, VA.¹⁷ On 8 Feb 1672/3 Wm. Eburne and Mary his wife gave a deposition that they heard Edmund Joine say that he would never have known about one of his barrows running at Matchepungo if "Coslin's wife had not simply popt it out afore she was aware." Signed 6 Feb 1672/3 Wm. (X) Eburne and Mary (M) Eburne.¹⁸ On 21 Feb 1673/4 in Accomack Court the court found no cause for action in the suit of Sheriff Jno. Culpeper (attorneys: Mr. Jno. Tankard and Charles Holden) against Wm. Aburne.¹⁹ William was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, for in 1674. He was shown as Will. Abraham with 1 tithable..²⁰ William died before 16 April 1675 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that Mr. John Michaell Jr. (attorney Mr. Tankard) was granted an attachment of 589 lbs tobacco and court costs against the estate of John Pope. (Side note: "Served on the estate of Jno. Pope in the hands of the widow Eborne.").²¹ William witnessed a will on 18 October 1675 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date William Fletcher and William Aborne witnessed the will of Henry Haill. On 18 Nov 1675 at the request of Mr. Amb. White, the will of Henry Hail was probated by the oaths of Wm. Fletcher and Wm. Aborne..^22,23 Administration of William's estate was filed on 14 September 1677 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that Tho. Chapwell, who gave security, was granted administration on the estate of Wm. Eborne dec'd. Ordered that Arthur Robins, Jno. Parkes, Jno. Cob and Giles Cope appraise the estate of Eborne that would be presented by Chapwell and give an account to the next court.²⁴ On 20 Nov 1677 it was recorded that as ordered on 14 Sep 1677, the estate of Wm. Eborne dec'd was appraised. It included 6 horses, 2 cattle, blankets, rugs, an Indian matchcoat, feather beds and pillows, furniture, a Bible and 3 other books, kitchen utensils, and tools to the value of 7584 lbs tobacco. Singed by Jno. Parkes, Giles Cope, Arthur Robins & Jno. Cob. The appraisal was presented to the court on 20 Nov 1677 by Arthur Robins.²⁵ On 18 Dec 1677 Arthur Robins petitioned the court saying that the administration of the estate of Wm. Eborne dec'd had been granted to Tho. Chappell in the right of his wife. The estate had been appraised, but Chappell could not put in security as required by law. Since Chappell's wife had since died, it was ordered that administration be granted to Robins, who was to post security.²⁶ On 17 Apr 1678 Arthur Robins had been granted the administration of the estate of William Eborne dec'd on behalf of the orphans. Several people had since been granted the care of the orphans, and upon their petition had been granted orders to take the orphans' share of the estate. Ordered that they give a yearly account to the orphan's court and give bond with security to be responsible to deliver the estate to the orphans when they came of age. Ordered that Robins deliver no part of the estate till receiving a certificate from the court clerk stating that the guardian had posted bond.²⁷

Family 1	Rebecca Frame b. c 1634, d. c 1664
Marriage*	He married Rebecca Frame, daughter of Capt. John Frame and Ann (-----), circa 1663 at Accomack Co, VA.
Child	Sarah Ebourne+ b. 1664

Family 2	Mary (-----) b. c 1630, d. b 18 Dec 1677
Marriage*	He married Mary (-----) circa 1666 at Accomack Co, VA. The case of the Eborne children illustrates the trauma that some children must have endured. After young Sarah Eborne's mother died, her father William Eborne married Mary, who cared for Sarah and bore Eborne 3 more children. When William died, Sarah was placed in the custody of Joseph Nuton, who wanted the girl to serve him till she was 18 years old. However, Sarah's step-mother, after marrying Thomas Chapwell, successfully petitioned to get Sarah back. Three months later death dealt another blow: Mary Eborne Chapwell died, and while Sarah did not have to return to Nuton, all 4 children were sent to different homes..9
Children	Henry Ebourne b. c 1666 Rebecca Ebourne b. c 1668 Ann Ebourne+ b. c 1670, d. b 1718