Thomas Bouldinge

 

Thomas Bouldin I, yeoman, who decided to come aboard the Swan early in 1610 as part of Lord De La Warr’s entourage and leave England forever was the first by that name in America. Thomas was among those willing to risk his life to settle in Virginia under the auspices of The Virginia Company of London.  However dangerous the risk, the options to purchase one share of stock at the price of £12 and 10s, and to own a hundred acres for each share after a number of years must have appeared attractive. If one paid his passage to Virginia, he would be exempt from military service and taxes other than Church duties. If the Virginia Company of London paid his passage, he was required to pay annual fees on top of his service and do his share of military duties and taxes. On 8 June 1610, Thomas Bouldin I and other hopefuls were sailing up the James River aboard the Swan when their ship met another ship bound for England with the last of the survivors from Jamestown.  This providential encounter helped prevent the abandonment of the Jamestown colony

 

Due to extensive loss of the earliest records, it is not known where Thomas Bouldin I first lived during this particular time. It is believed that shortly after his arrival, Thomas Bouldin I was sent immediately with other colonists to Kecoughtan, a recently destroyed Indian village, see rectified John Smith Map.  As the next settlement after Jamestown in 1610, Kecoughtan was located on the east side of Hampton Creek, across from what is now Hampton on the west side.[i] This area, located at the mouth of the James River at Hampton Roads, was considered a healthier spot.[ii] It was one of the four locations that made up the “1st Divident” for The Virginia Company of London.[iii] Although Kecoughtan was later changed officially into The Corporation of Elizabeth City in 1624, Kecoughtan was still used as a place name by inhabitants in the 18th-century.

 

The 100 acre land patent given to Thomas is described in The Ancient Planter description as the patent grant of 100+100 [Richard Birchett's portion] acres at 1.5 miles up the Hampton River, with the River forming the East boundary, the "main land" at the West boundary and Mary's portion [also approximately 1.5 miles  at the South boundary.  It must be noted that 300 acres is .7 mile by .7 miles, or 3600 ft. by 3600 ft., a sizeable piece of real estate.  This would put this area on a modern map where the "Downtown Hampton" area is currently located to include the City Hall.  It would extend from Lincoln Street north to Mercury Blvd. with the Hampton River being the east border and the Main Land being on the western edge.