Claiborne family

There has been considerable confusion about the origins of William Claiborne. Some genealogists assumed that he was a descendant of the Cleburne family in England, who were the Lords of the manor of Cliborne. The Manor is named in Doomsday Book and the family was for many generations lords of this place. However, more recent research and DNA analysis have confirmed that William Claiborne, who became the Secretary and Treasurer of Colony of Virginia, was not related to this Cleburne family.

William Claiborne's baptismal record have been located in the Registers of Crayford Parish, in Kent, England: "Aug. 10, 1600. Wilhelmus f Thomas Cleyborn generosi", meaning: William son of Thomas Cleyborn gentleman. His father, Thomas Clayborne, was a wealthy merchant from King's Lynn in county Norfolk, England who had moved his business to London in the late 1590's. William attended Pembroke College at 16 years of age and was officially admitted on May 31, 1617. In 1621 he was chosen by the Virginia Company to be the official Surveyor in the colony. He was a member of the party of Sir Francis Wyatt, who was the newly appointed Governor. They arrived in Jamestown in Oct, 1621 aboard the ship "George". ... more

The life of William Claiborne                     History of the Viginia Colony

• A1. Thomas Clayborne, Mayor of King's Lynn Borough, d:1581, m. Katherine;
  • B1. Thomas Clayborne, d:1607, m. Sarah Smyth;
    • C1. William Claiborne, Secretary and Treasurer of Virginia, b:1600, m. Elizabeth Butler;  ==>  Butler family
      • D1. Lt. Col Thomas Claiborne of Romancoke, lvd:1647/1683, m. Sarah Fenn;
        • E1. Capt. Thomas Claiborne, lvd:1680/1732 m. Anne Fox;  ==>  West family
          • F1. Leonard Claiborne, d:1771, m. Elizabeth Barber;
            • G1. Richard Claiborne, b:1738, m. Margaret Hamlin;  ==>  Hamlin family
              • H1. Lucinda Claiborne, b:1758, m. Elijah Chisum;  <==  Chisum family