William Chamberlayne
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from New Kent County
In office
1728–1736
Serving with Richard Richardson, William Bassett (burgess), Mr. Bacon
Succeeded byMr. Doran
Preceded byJohn Thornton
Personal details
BornHereford, England
DiedNew Kent County, Colony of Virginia
NationalityAmerican
SpouseElizabeth Littlepage
RelationsWilliam Chamberlayne (soldier), William Byrd Chamberlayne (grandsons)
ChildrenThomas Chamberlayne, Jr.,
Occupationplanter, merchant, politician

William Chamberlayne (died circa 1736) emigrated from England to the Virginia colony, where he became a merchant, planter and politician in New Kent County, which he represented in the House of Burgesses for multiple terms.[1] Complicating matters, several descendants shared the same name as their emigrant ancestor, including two members of the Virginia House of Delegates following the Revolutionary War, a Confederate States Army officer and U.S.Army officer.

Chamberlayne emigrated from Hereford, England. He married Elizabeth Littlepage, daughter of Richard Littlepage, who had represented New Kent County in the House of Burgesses in 1685–1686. They had children, including sons Thomas Chamberlayne whose son William Byrd Chamberlayne would also serve in the Virginia General Assembly, and Richard whose some William Chamberlayne would serve in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly as well as in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and led Virginia militiaman as Brigadier General during the War of 1812. Their cousin Byrd Chamberlayne served as a naval lieutenant during the Revolutionary war and was lost at sea with his son Otway Byrd Chamberlayne in 1799.

Chamberlayne became a merchant in New Kent County, and then a large landowner. The family's main plantation was "Poplar Grove" [2]

New Kent County voters twice elected Chamberlayne as one of their representatives in the House of Burgesses, although he died before his second term began and was succeeded by Mr. Doran.[3]

A memorial plaque at St. Peter's Church in New Kent County honors his service.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Dictionary of Virginia Biography, vol.1, p. 2073
  2. ↑ John H. Gwathmey, Twelve Virginia Counties where the Western Migration Began (Richmond: The Dietz Press, 1937) p. 58
  3. ↑ Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond, Virginia State Library 1978) pp. 75, 77
  4. ↑ Gwathmey, p. 47
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