Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/38

24 of the Virginia Company, ranked high among the merchants of London, and traded very extensively with the East and West Indies. He was interested in the adventures of Hawkins, Drake and Raleigh. He died in April, 1620, and was buried in the church of St. Bennet, Sherhog, London. He gave by will £300 to the college in Virginia, to be paid when there shall be ten of the Indian children placed in it, and in the meantime £24 by the year for the instruction of three Indian children in the Christian religion. His son Nicholas finally transferred his bequest to the Bermuda Islands. He married Mary, daughter of Lawrence Wodenoth, Esq., a woman of fervent piety and a model mother, and had issue: (1) Susan, married John Collett, of Bourne Bridge, Cambridgeshire; (2) John; (3) Erasmus, a barrister-of-law; (4) Nicholas; (5) William, who was a member of the council in Virginia; (6) Richard.

Ferrar, John, a member of the Virginia Company, which he joined in 1612. He was afterwards added to his Majesty's council for Virginia, and was deputy treasurer from April 28, 1619, to May 22, 1622. He was a member of parliament for Tamworth in 1621-22. Like his brother Nicholas, he was devoted to the interest of the Virginia Company, and contributed all his power to the success of the colony. When his brother retired to Little Giddings in Huntingdonshire, he soon joined him with his family, and shared in the religious life established there. After the death of his brother Nicholas, he continued to live according to the same rule. In 1629 Charles I., who was always friendly to the Ferrars, visited the settlement and was greatly pleased with what he saw. In 1647 the home and church of Little Giddings were spoiled by some adherents of the parliament, and the little community was broken up. He wrote the life of his brother Nicholas, which was published by Rev. Peter Peckard, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, in 1790. and of his own son Nicholas, who died in 1640. John Ferrar married twice: First Anne, daughter of William Shepherd, Esq.. of Oxfordshire, who died without issue; and secondly, Bathsheba, daughter of Israel Owen, of London, and had issue by her: Nicholas, John and Virginia. The last who never married inherited the family interest in Virginia and kept up a great correspondence with; her cousins there and other planters, and was especially interested in the silk culture.

Ferrar, Nicholas, Jr., one of the greatest friends of the Virginia Colony, was third son of Nicholas Ferrar, of London, merchant, by his wife Mary, daughter of Laurence Wodenoth, of Savington Hall, Cheshire. Under the excellent care of his father and mother he soon developed a character which united a great aptitude for management with a singularly pious and gentle disposition. From his earliest years he was regarded by his family as a prodigy. In 1610 he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Clare Hall, Cambridge University, and in 1613 was Master of Arts. He travelled extensively on the continent and visited Holland, Germany. Italy and Spain. He returned in 1618, and joined the Virginia Company, buying two shares from Sir William Smith. He became greatly interested in its affairs, and devoted himself heart and soul to its work, being made member of the company's council in 1619. In 1622 he succeeded his brother John as deputy treasurer, and for the next two years was the chief adviser of the Earl of Southampton and Sir Edwin Sandys in withstanding the assaults of the King and