Thomas Chevers
Thomas Chevers was an Irish-born Virginia farmer, surgeon, and archivist. Born into the Anglo-Irish gentry, he was a trained surgeon, and had also filled the position of archivist at the Trinity College Dublin. He eventually fled to the American colonies—acquiring land there—at the advent of Cromwellian settlement in Ireland, a development that had ended his family's prosperity on the island.
Background
Thomas Chevers was born around 1630 in Dublin, Ireland, to Anglo-Irish parents, John Chevers and Catherine FitzWilliam.Being Anglo-Irish, the Chevers family, originally from England, had settled in Ireland, where they acquired estates and became established in local society. The family's landholdings were greatly affected by the Cromwellian settlement, which led to widespread land confiscations from Anglo-Irish families. Consequently, the Chevers family chose to emigrate, eventually settling in the American colonies.
Settlement in Virginia
Upon migration, Thomas Chevers's occupation was recorded as a "chiurgeon" upon his arrival in Virginia, but there is no evidence of his formal medical training or practice in the colonies. He was also reported to previously be an archivist at Trinity College Dublin.On May 20, 1659, Thomas Chevers purchased approximately 1,100 acres of land from Ralph Creed in Surry County, Virginia. The land was described in the deed as including "houses, orchards, gardens, woods, ways and waters." Chevers's land was situated near Sunken Marsh and was previously occupied by Richard Hill.
His arrival in Virginia was said to have been accompanied by family and livestock. He engaged in agriculture and husbandry, including the cultivation of orchards.
Chevers also actively participated in local affairs, including serving on a grand jury in Isle of Wight County in June 1658.