ELTONHEAD FAMILY

About 1643 there were 5 sisters that sailed for the new world from England.  Their Father, Richard, fought for the Earl of Derby in the English Civil War & ended up on the losing side.  His lands & properties were heavily taxed & then confiscated.  He could no longer afford dowries for his 5 young daughters so he charged his brother, William, who sailed with them, to find husbands for his daughters.  Apparently their Uncle did a good job as they all ended up with prominent planters in Va. & Md.  Since they were Catholic, their Uncle settled in Maryland along with one of the sisters.  Their religion didn’t seem to matter to men who married them.

Jane Eltonhead married first Capt. Robert Morrison of York Co., Va.  At his death she married Cuthbert Fenwick of St. Mary’s Co., Md.  He was a member of the Maryland Assembly, a proprietary agent to New England, & justice of St. Mary’s Co.

Agatha Eltonhead married first Luke Stubbins of Accomack & York Co., Va.  Her second husband was Ralph Wormeley, Esq. Of Rosegill, Middlesex Co., Va.  He was a member of the Virginia Council.  Her 3rd husband was Henry Chichley, Knight, of Rappahannock, Lancaster Co. & Rosegill, Middlesex Co., Va.  He was a Virginia Burgess, Councillor, & Deputy Gov. of Virginia.

Eleanor Eltonhead married Capt. William Brocas of Lancaster Co., Va.  He was a member of the Virginia Council.  Her second husband was Col. John Carter, Esq. Of Corotoman, Lancaster Co., Va.  He was a member of the Virginia Council. 

Martha Eltonhead is the one we descend from.  She married Edwin Conway of Lancaster Co., Va.  President James Madison is one of her descendants.

Alice Eltonhead married Rowland Burnham of York & Lancaster Cos., Va.  Secondly she married Henry Corbin of Middlesex, Va.  Her third husband was Capt. Henry Creyke of Middlesex Co., Va.  Robert E. Lee is one of her descendants.