This Biography is copyrighted.
Reproduction is
gladly authorized for anyone wishing to use this as a help with
their family history, but only with the proper credit given to the author.
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The
History of James Ware I & Family
Researched & written by Judith C.
Ware
Revised and updated © Judy Ware Dec. 2009 Edmond, Oklahoma
CONTENTS
Chapter
1
The
Early Beginnings in Virginia
Chapter
2 James Ware and
Agnes Todd
Chapter
3 Son ~ John B.
Ware
Chapter
4 Son ~ Nicholas
Ware
Chapter
5
Son
~ James Ware II
Chapter
6
Son
~ Richard & Daughter ~ Clary
Chapter
7 Son ~ William
Chapter 8 Son ~ Edmund
Chapter 9
Changing Times For
James & Agnes
Chapter 10
Hazards Ahead
Chapter 11
Planting New Roots
References
Chapter
1
The Early Beginnings in Virginia
James Ware I was the great-great-grandson of Mary Hickes and Peter Ware, Sr., and he was
born on November 15, 1714, in Virginia. It was
the generation of Peter Ware, Sr. who helped to establish the roots of the Ware family in
the United States. Peter was obviously well educated based on the fact
that he served as an attorney in 1647 for a man named Robert Lewis, and again was
mentioned as an attorney in another case that dealt with appraising estates in York Co.,
Hampton Parish. (Ref. 379) Peter
and Mary lived near Ware Creek, a geographic section of the State of Virginia which would
provide many land holdings for Peter’s descendants for generations. Maps today reflect the impact of the Wares settling
in that area as they continue to hold the family name:
Ware Creek, Ware Bridge, Ware Wharf, and Ware Neck.
Map 2009
The following validates his residence in York County: “On September 10, 1659 at Orphans Court held
for York County, Mary Hickes appeared as the widow of Peter Ware” in order to give
proper dispensation of Peter’s property to his heirs.
By the time young James was born, his forefathers had left memories of England behind and
had become fully established as some of the most influential citizens of their new
homeland.
#9
Caroline County #21 Gloucester
County #29 King & Queen Co.
One of the many descendants of James was
Josiah William Ware, a man who greatly valued family history and often spoke of his roots. He was the cousin of Lucy Ware Hayes, the wife of
President Rutherford B. Hayes. On December 14,
1879, during one of Josiah’s many visits to the White House, President Hayes made
notations in his journal about family facts that Josiah shared. In discussing his great grandfather, James Ware,
Josiah told Hayes that “the family came from Gloucester
County, Virginia where there is a Ware Church and a Ware River. Some of the family moved to Georgia and one of them
was a United States Senator from Georgia.” (Ref.289) He had also written
to Hayes in 1876 that he was “descended from
the Todds of lower Virginia, where some are known to be our relatives in Caroline County.”
(Ref. 299)
“In 1651, Gloucester County was
formed from York County and divided into 4 parishes: Abington,
Kingston, Petsworth, and Ware. The King decreed that all newly settled land be divided
into districts headed by a rector. The Wares were Vestrymen in Abington and Ware Parish
before the formation of the county.” (Ref. 6,
162,379, 388, 851) In 1772, there
were several Wares who helped establish the Baptist church in the colonies; led
predominately by Robert Ware in King and Queen County.
The earliest Wares of Tidewater Virginia, however, were devout
adherents of the Church of England. The ancestors
of
our line lived in King and Queen County and belonged to Stratton-Major Parish. The church was
founded in 1665 and members of the Ware family were among the very first communicants. The
actual building, named Ware
Episcopal Church, was erected in 1690. It is still in existence and has been wonderfully
maintained. Religious services are held there
on a regular basis, and a seating
plan of this old colonial building shows the Ware pews. (Ref.
70)
Photos courtesy of James & Judy
Ware
  
The
church historical website describes this beautiful old building this way. “The
solid brick rectangular building, laid in Flemish bond, was built by local craftsmen and
artisans from England. It is the only
rectangular colonial church in Virginia with both North and South doors. The classic pediment doors are the earliest of
their kinds. The walls of the church are three
feet thick and the foundations five feet thick. The
whole structure is imposing yet elegant in its simplicity.”(Ref 611)
Ware
Episcopal Church
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