THE ORIGINAL EASTWOOD LAND IN AMERICA

The map below shows the land patents lying upon an arm of the western branch of the Nansamund River, called "Indian Creek" which were granted by the Governor of Virginia to individuals for their role in transporting settlers from England to the new English Colony of Jamestown, in what would soon become Norfolk County, in the State of Virginia. The grants were issued by the new Government at the rate of 50 acres per male émigré. Distribution of these choice parcels varied among each specific grant. Richard Eastwood was one of the eight settlers that were transported from England under the auspices of John Garrett in 1642. The Governor granted Mr. Garrett the 400 acre parcel of choice farmland along the river on May 22, 1642. Garrett and his brother, William, were recipients of numerous parcels over the years (note 150 acre parcel, one mile south, granted 6 months earlier).

* To view the land patents for the five parcels illustrated above, "CLICK HERE"

The author has yet to unearth the exact details of the arrangement between Mr. Eastwood and Mr. Garrett, but is confident that Eastwood, along with his new wife, Elizabeth, not only settled on this parcel of land in what was known at the time as "Western Branch", but also became title holders of the 400 acres. This assumption is based on several sources. In the will of Richard Eastwood, dated Jan. 12, 1691 and recorded March 16, he leaves his plantation to his wife, Elizabeth, and his three sons, Richard, Thomas, and John (witnessed by George Horne, Thomas Cato, and Thomas Price). In Will Book G, 1725-1730, the second, and most convincing reference, is the will of Richard's youngest son, John. He bequeaths to his son, Richard, 100 acres of land ("it being on the Western Branch the two plantations formerly was my fathers"). To his son, Thomas, "75 acres of land in the Southern Branch with present plantation", and to his son, John, "a parcel of land in the Western Branch lying between the land of Edward Outland and John Tucker".

The young couple wasted no time in developing their land into what was later referred to as "plantations". Apparently, they also wasted no time in developing the first Eastwood family in America. Richard and Elizabeth Eastwood deeded a portion of their land on Feb. 6, 1672 to their eldest daughter, Judith, and her new husband, Jonathan Granger. who were previously married in Western Branch. Their son, Richard Eastwood Jr. was the witness to this deed which was recorded in Deed Book E.D. Thus began both the American family trees for the Eastwood and Granger families.

Richard and Elizabeth Eastwood were also the parents of two additional sons. The boys were named Thomas and John; named for two of the four Haynes boys (Allen and Roger being the other two) who accompanied the Eastwoods on their arduous four and a half month voyage from England to the "New World". The author has yet to verify if the Haynes family resided on the property as well, but if so, it appears they did not own any of the land.