Gideon Macon
Encyclopedia
Gideon Macon (c.1648–1702) was an early American settler.
Gideon Macon's parents were from Loire, France, but Gideon had to have either been born in England or have become an English citizen to have been permitted to come to Virginia since only English citizens could live in the colony at the time. Since his family was believed to have been Hugenot or of Hugenot descent, they may have lived for a time in England. Many Hugenots fled France during the French Wars of Religion
.
Gideon Macon came to Virginia sometime before 1672.
for 545 acres (2.2 km²), Henrico
for 148 acre (0.59893528 km²), and two grants in King and Queen
county for 172 and 425 acres (1.7 km²).
He also served as a vestryman
of Bruton Parish in 1678.
(established in 1654 from York County) was where Gideon Macon built his home in 1680 on Macon's Island. He named his estate Prospect Hill or "Mount Prospect". Shortly thereafter, he married Martha Woodward, daughter of William Woodward, interpreter to the Pamunkey
tribe, and sister of Anne Woodward Spencer.
Martha's father, William Woodward, owned a large tract of land along the Pamunkey River
above Johns Creek which his two daughters inherited.
There is a conflicting report that he was married to Martha Wild, but documentary evidence proves that his wife was Martha Woodward.
in St. Peter's Parish and was actively involved in managing affairs in that post until the time of his death. He was also commander-in-chief of the military in New Kent County.
The vestry would have the duties of appointing the clergymen, investigating cases of suspected moral delinquency, and to set and collect the parish levy to cover expenses.
The members of the vestry would rotate in the position of the churchwarden. The two churchwardens would be the representatives of the vestry. They would ensure that the church was properly maintained, collect and may the ministers dues, and keep all of the church accounts. It was also their responsibility to ensure that illegitimate children were provided for, that indigent orphans were indentured, and that the sick and elderly were lodged and boarded at the parish's expense.
in 1693 and 1696 to 1702.
. Another report states that he was buried in the family plot on Macon's Island, and that the gravestone was destroyed by the Federal Army
in 1862 during the American Civil War
160 years after his death.
Macon was an early Vestryman at Bruton Parish Church, and a brass tablet marks a pew in his name.
. Frances was, in turn, the mother of Martha Dandridge
(wife of George Washington
).
He was also the great-grandfather of Nathaniel Macon
, who was both the Speaker of the House of Representatives
from 1801–1808 and Senator from North Carolina from 1815-1828.
Upon Gideon Macon's death in 1702, his widow, Martha Woodward Macon, married Captain Nathaniel West who was also a representative in the House of Burgesses
. Captain Nathaniel West and Martha Woodward had two children, and their daughter, Unity West, married Frances Jones
's brother-in-law, William Dandridge.
Gideon Macon's parents were from Loire, France, but Gideon had to have either been born in England or have become an English citizen to have been permitted to come to Virginia since only English citizens could live in the colony at the time. Since his family was believed to have been Hugenot or of Hugenot descent, they may have lived for a time in England. Many Hugenots fled France during the French Wars of Religion
French Wars of Religion
The French Wars of Religion is the name given to a period of civil infighting and military operations, primarily fought between French Catholics and Protestants . The conflict involved the factional disputes between the aristocratic houses of France, such as the House of Bourbon and House of Guise...
.
Gideon Macon came to Virginia sometime before 1672.
Secretary to Governor William Berkeley
Gideon served as Secretary to Sir William Berkeley who was appointed Governor of Virginia by King Charles I for two nonconsecutive terms. Berkeley's first term was from 1642-1652. In 1652 Berkeley was forced from office by a fleet of British warships sent by Oliver Cromwell, but he remained in the colony. Gideon was Secretary during the Governor's Second Administration (1660–1677).Additional Roles
From 1671 to 1681, Gideon was also an attorney in York County, Virginia. He was a sub-sheriff of York County in 1672, under Daniel Wild, who was by some accounts his brother-in-law. He had land patents in the counties of New KentNew Kent County, Virginia
At the 2000 census, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 per square mile . There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
for 545 acres (2.2 km²), Henrico
Henrico County, Virginia
Henrico is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2010, Henrico was home to 306,935 people. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
for 148 acre (0.59893528 km²), and two grants in King and Queen
King and Queen County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,630 people, 2,673 households, and 1,897 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 3,010 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
county for 172 and 425 acres (1.7 km²).
He also served as a vestryman
Vestryman
A vestryman is a member of his local church's vestry, or leading body. He is not a member of the clergy.In England especially, but also in other parts of The United Kingdom, Parish Councils have long been a level of local government rather than being solely ecclesiastical in nature...
of Bruton Parish in 1678.
New Residence at Mount Prospect
New Kent CountyNew Kent County, Virginia
At the 2000 census, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 per square mile . There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
(established in 1654 from York County) was where Gideon Macon built his home in 1680 on Macon's Island. He named his estate Prospect Hill or "Mount Prospect". Shortly thereafter, he married Martha Woodward, daughter of William Woodward, interpreter to the Pamunkey
Pamunkey
The Pamunkey nation are one of eleven Virginia Indian tribes recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The historical tribe was part of the Powhatan paramountcy, made up of Algonquian-speaking tribes. The Powhatan paramount chiefdom was made up over 30 tribes, estimated to total about...
tribe, and sister of Anne Woodward Spencer.
Martha's father, William Woodward, owned a large tract of land along the Pamunkey River
Pamunkey River
The Pamunkey River is a tributary of the York River, about long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. Via the York River it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay.-Course:...
above Johns Creek which his two daughters inherited.
There is a conflicting report that he was married to Martha Wild, but documentary evidence proves that his wife was Martha Woodward.
Churchwarden
In 1684, Gideon Macon was named ChurchwardenChurchwarden
A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish church or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. Holders of these positions are ex officio members of the parish board, usually called a vestry, parish council, parochial church council, or in the case of a...
in St. Peter's Parish and was actively involved in managing affairs in that post until the time of his death. He was also commander-in-chief of the military in New Kent County.
The vestry would have the duties of appointing the clergymen, investigating cases of suspected moral delinquency, and to set and collect the parish levy to cover expenses.
The members of the vestry would rotate in the position of the churchwarden. The two churchwardens would be the representatives of the vestry. They would ensure that the church was properly maintained, collect and may the ministers dues, and keep all of the church accounts. It was also their responsibility to ensure that illegitimate children were provided for, that indigent orphans were indentured, and that the sick and elderly were lodged and boarded at the parish's expense.
House of Burgesses
Gideon Macon quickly became prominent in the affairs of New Kent County, and he was elected to the General Assembly and served as a Burgess in the House of BurgessesHouse of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
in 1693 and 1696 to 1702.
Death
There are conflicting reports regarding Gideon Macon's burial. One report states that Gideon Macon is buried at the foot of the chancel in Bruton Parish ChurchBruton Parish Church
Bruton Parish Church is located in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. It was established in 1674 in the Virginia Colony, and remains an active Episcopal parish.-History of Bruton Parish Church:...
. Another report states that he was buried in the family plot on Macon's Island, and that the gravestone was destroyed by the Federal Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
in 1862 during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
160 years after his death.
Macon was an early Vestryman at Bruton Parish Church, and a brass tablet marks a pew in his name.
Other Notable Facts
Gideon Macon was the father of Martha Macon, who was the mother of Frances JonesFrances Jones
Frances Jones may refer to:*Frances Jones *Frances Jones Mills , state official in Kentucky...
. Frances was, in turn, the mother of Martha Dandridge
Martha Washington
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington is considered to be the first First Lady of the United States...
(wife of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
).
He was also the great-grandfather of Nathaniel Macon
Nathaniel Macon
Nathaniel Macon was a spokesman for the Old Republican faction of the Democratic-Republican Party that wanted to strictly limit the United States federal government. Macon was born near Warrenton, North Carolina, and attended the College of New Jersey and served briefly in the American...
, who was both the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
from 1801–1808 and Senator from North Carolina from 1815-1828.
Upon Gideon Macon's death in 1702, his widow, Martha Woodward Macon, married Captain Nathaniel West who was also a representative in the House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
. Captain Nathaniel West and Martha Woodward had two children, and their daughter, Unity West, married Frances Jones
Frances Jones
Frances Jones may refer to:*Frances Jones *Frances Jones Mills , state official in Kentucky...
's brother-in-law, William Dandridge.
Family
Gideon Macon married Martha Woodward in 1680. They had eight children:- Elizabeth Macon
- Gideon Macon (1682–1704)
- Ann Macon Massie (1684–1728)(married Charles Massie)
- Martha Macon Jones (1687–1716), mother of Frances JonesFrances JonesFrances Jones may refer to:*Frances Jones *Frances Jones Mills , state official in Kentucky...
and grandmother of Martha DandridgeMartha WashingtonMartha Dandridge Custis Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington is considered to be the first First Lady of the United States...
(wife of George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonGeorge Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
). Martha Macon Jones's tomb is on Prospect Hill. - William Macon (1690–1693)
- William Macon (1693–1773)
- John Macon (1695–1752) (married Ann Hunt and was grandfather of Nathaniel MaconNathaniel MaconNathaniel Macon was a spokesman for the Old Republican faction of the Democratic-Republican Party that wanted to strictly limit the United States federal government. Macon was born near Warrenton, North Carolina, and attended the College of New Jersey and served briefly in the American...
) - James Macon (1701–1768)