Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/371

 BURGESSES AXD OTHER PROMINENT PERSONS

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1 76 1 -1765. 1 766- 1 768, 1 773- 1 775, and he was a member of all the conventions, 1774. 1775. 1776. He was frequently a member of the legislature during the American revolution.

Syms, Benjamin, founder of the first free school in luigiish America, was born in 1580. and in i23 was living at "Ijasse's Choice." in what was subsequently known as Isle of Wight county. He afterwards settled in Elizabeth City county, and by his will made I-'ebruary 12. 1634-1635, he gave 200 acres on Poquosin river, Elizabeth City county, with the milk and increase of eight cows, to erect a school house and support the poor scholars of the parishes of Eliza- beth City and Kiquotan. In 1648 there was a fine school house and the kine had in- creased to forty. In 1805 the school was united with "h^aton's School" to form Hamp- U>n Academy, which is now known as the "Syms-Eaton Academy." It is probably the only instance of a school in America carried on. either in whole or part, by the original funds.

Tabb, Edward, son of Thomas Tabb, and grandson of Humphrey Tabb, the immi- grant, served as captain, justice of \ork county and burgess in 1723-1726. He died December 5. 1731. He married Margaret Howard, daughter of Colonel Henry How- ard, of York county, and left issue.

Tabb, Humphrey, son of Thomas Tabb. emigrated to X'irginia about 1^37 and ],'atented land in Elizabeth City county. He died before 1659, when the fragment of a record shows that Anne Tabb, widow of Humphrey Tabb. made a deed to Richard Hull, guardian of Thomas Tabb. son of Humphrey Tabb, deceased.

Tabb, John, son of Thomas Tabb, was captain, colonel, justice and sheriff of Eliz- abeth City county; burgess in the assem- blies of 1756-1758, 1758-1761. He married (first) Mary, daughter of Rev. James Sclater. (second) Martha Wallace.

Tabb, Thomas, was a son of John Tabb, of Elizabeth City county, and Martha Hand, his wife. He resided at "Clay Hill," in Amelia county. He was one of the leading merchants in X'irginia and represented Amelia county in the house of delegates from 1749 to 1759 and from 1761 to 1769. He was colonel of the militia. Pie died at his residence "Clay Hill," Amelia county, November 23. 1769. He left issue. Colonel John Tabb. a member of the committee of safety (1775).

Taberer, Thomas, son of W illiam Taberer, of Derbyshire, England, was heir to his brother. Joshua Taberer. who died in Isle of Wight county. X'irginia, in 1654. He was burgess for that county in 1658, and for a l(Mig time one of the justices and major of the militia. He sympathized with the Quakers. His wdll was proved in Isle of XX'ight county, February 9, 1694-95. He had issue, Ruth, who married John Numan ; Mary, married William XX'ebb ; Christian, married Robert Jordan ; Elizabeth, married Copeland.

Talbot, John, was a burgess for Bedford county from 17^)1 to 1775. and member of the conventions of 1774. 1775, 1776. He was a son of Matthew Talbot, one of the first justices of Bedford county (1754), who died in 1758. John Talbot married (first) Sarah Anthony, of Bedford, and (second) Phebe Mosbv, of Henrico. He moved to Wilks