Hi Neil,

I like your idea of the deeper significance of the name Beggar's Bush, and
will be seeking out your website as I pursue further research on Jordan's
Journey myself.

Here's the specfic passage I referred to from the William & Mary
Quarterly, April 1941. (The Nugent reference is to CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS,
and Davis's longer article details his work in sorting out the earliest
land patents of this area near the Appomattox and the James Rivers.)

Davis writes:

"It has been stated Samuel Jordan gave the name “Beggar’s Bush” to his
plantation, but no confirmation of this was found. On the contrary, the
patents to Causey, Woodliffe and Hill (Nugent 21, 68, 93) show the
headland of that name north of Jordan. The patents to Barker and to
Johnson (Nugent 70, 137) mention Biker’s Land and there is a Bicker’s
Creek on the present day maps just north of what was probably the Jordan’s
Jorney tract. So “Beggar’s Bush” was probably a corruption of “Biker’s
Bush,” and the head of land became known by either name, or Jordan may
have acquired the Biker’s land after the date of his patent. --
Contributed by Clifton Davis."

Connnie

Author of DARK ENOUGH TO SEE THE STARS IN A JAMESTOWN SKY
www.ConnieLapallo.com

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