Patrick Napier, The Immigrant

Male 1634 - 1668  (~ 34 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Patrick Napier 
    Suffix The Immigrant 
    Birth 0___ 1634  London, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    Immigration 25 Mar 1655  Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Will 20 Feb 1668  York County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Death 1 Mar 1668  York County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Probate 12 Apr 1669  York County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I41170  The Hennessee Family
    Last Modified 7 Oct 2015 

    Family Elizabeth Booth,   b. 15 Nov 1641, York County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Apr 1717, New Kent County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 75 years) 
    Marriage 10 Nov 1658  Jamestown, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4
    Children 
     1. Robert Napier,   b. 2 May 1660, Woodstock, York County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 0___ 1721, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 60 years)
    Family ID F14870  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 30 Apr 2023 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 0___ 1634 - London, Middlesex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 25 Mar 1655 - Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 10 Nov 1658 - Jamestown, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill - 20 Feb 1668 - York County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 1 Mar 1668 - York County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsProbate - 12 Apr 1669 - York County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • For best information regarding this family, see "DR. PATRICK NAPIER OF VIRGINIA. HIS ANCESTORS AND SOME DESCENDANTS', by Col. John H. Napier, III. Many descendants of Patrick attempt to associate him with the family of the Napiers of Merchiston, which is incorrect. Col. Napier's careful research has demonstrated his descent from the less well known Napier's of Kilmahew.
      It seems that Patrick NAPIER, as an aspiring chirurgeon, was apprenticed, in Edinburgh, on 6 May 1649 to Alexander Pennycuik, chirurgeon. Pennycuik was surgeon to Sir Alexander Leslie's Scottish Troops who were defeated at the Battle of Dunbar by the army of Oliver Cromwell. And it seems that Patrick NAPIER emigrated to Virginia with other Scottish Royalists after the year 1650. He settled in Queen's Creek, Hampton Parish, York County, Virginia, as a planter and surgeon. On 25 March 1655, Peter Ford received 500 acres at Cacamount, Gloucester County, Virginia, for transporting ten persons to the colony, among whom Patrick NAPIER is listed. Patrick NAPIER became the proprietor of a 1500 acre plantation in Blisland Parish, New Kent County, Virginia. This plantation adjoined that of Major-General Mainwaring Hammond.

      The following excellent summary has been copied and pasted from the internet and is the work of Charlie Napier, Morningside, Edinburgh, Scotland.

      "THE NAPIERS OF KILMAHEW

      "The first known documented reference to a Napier in Scotland is in two charters of Malcolm, Earl of Lennox, who lived at the end of the 13th century. This was John Napier, who was granted, by one of the charters, - "all that quarter lands called Kilmahew lying between Muydugwen and Archerreran." The full extent of these lands cannot be determined exactly at this time, but a "quarter-land" was usually a quarter of the area which could be tilled by an eight-oxen plough in a year, usually taken to be 104 Scots acres, thus a "quarter-land" was about 26 Scots acres (32.5 Imperial acres or 13.26 hectares). The ruins of Kilmahew Castle still stand on the north side of the present village of Cardross, which is four miles from Dumbarton on the Helensburgh road. Dumbarton itself lies 14 miles to the north-west of Glasgow. This John Napier was probably also the person listed in an Inhibition by Robert, Bishop of Glasgow, directed at Malcolm, Earl of Lennox, and his adherents, dated 24 August 1294. The present-day Cardross should not be confused with the Cardross where King Robert I (the Bruce) died in 1329, which is actually where the suburbs of Dumbarton, Castlehill and Kirktonhill, are today.

      "Kilmahew takes its name from St Mahew (or Mochta), a companion of St Patrick, who has been adopted as the patron saint of Cardross. A small chapel has existed there, on a piece of land known as Kirkton of Kilmahew, since earliest Christian times. By the mid-15th century the chapel must have been in ruins because it is recorded that it was rebuilt in 1467 by the then Laird of Kilmahew, Duncan Napier, and rededicated on the Sunday after the Ascension of that year by George Lauder, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles. The chapel was not used after the Reformation and again fell into disuse. It was repaired and refurbished in 1955 and reopened and rededicated by Archbishop Donald Campbell of Glasgow (who was formerly Bishop of Argyll and the Isles), again on the Sunday after the Ascension. On that same Sunday in 1997, Colonel John Hawkins Napier III, of Montgomery, Alabama, USA, a direct descendant of Duncan Napier, took part in a service in the chapel to commemorate the 530th anniversary of the original rededication. Colonel John is the Lieutenant to the Chief, ie the head, of the Clan Napier in North America

      "The 13th century John Napier was probably the person referred to as "Johan le Naper del Counte de Dunbretan" in the "Ragman Rolls", the document which records all the Scotsmen who were forced to swear homage to King Edward I of England between the years 1291 and 1296. As well as John Napier of Kilmahew, two other Napiers signed the "Ragman Rolls", "Matheu le Naper de Aghalek (del Counte de Forfare)" and "Johane le Naper ---(tenant le Roi du Counte de Pebbles)". This shows that there were other Napier families in Scotland at the end of the 13th century. So far, nobody has shown that they were related to the Kilmahew Napiers. In fact, nothing is known about these other families at this time.

      "The above John Napier of Kilmahew is probably the same person who is listed as being one of the 26 defenders of Stirling Castle who was forced to surrender to King Edward I of England in 1304, and who is listed as a prisoner in Shrewsbury Castle from 23 August 1304 to Michaelmas 1305, and to whom the King ordered William de Bevercotes, Edward?s Chancellor of Scotland, to return his lands on 10 October 1305.

      "There were 18 Lairds of Kilmahew until the last heir sold the last of the estate in 1820, diminished by having to be sold off to pay gambling and other debts incurred by profligate predecessors. The father of the last Laird emigrated to Virginia, USA. There were Napiers still living in Cardross in the latter half of the 20th century.

      "The Kilmahew Napiers produced some very eminent men in the field of marine engineering during the 19th century. The most eminent, and probably the most successful, was probably Robert Napier (1791-1876). Called "The Father of Clyde Shipbuilding", he developed a new steam engine for ships which was so successful that between the years of 1840 and 1865, his firm furnished the entire Cunard fleet with engines. He was partnered in his business by his cousin, David Napier, also an eminent marine engineer.

      "The Kilmahew Napiers also produced the ancestor of most of the Napiers presently in the USA. Mungo Napier (c1579-c1633), a Burgess of Dumbarton, went to London c1603. His son, Patrick, became barber (and chirurgeon) to King Charles I, and Patrick?s son, also called Patrick, was an apprentice to Dr Alexander Pennycuik, surgeon-general to the Scottish Army crushed by Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. Although it is not known how Dr Patrick Napier got to America, he was there probably about 1651, but certainly before 1658, practising medicine, together with his brother Valentine. However it is from Dr Patrick that most of the American Napiers are descended. Patrick was not the first Napier to go to the "Colonies". The first was probably George Napier, of Oxford, England, who was from a branch of the Merchiston Napiers who had gone down to England in Tudor times.

      "There are two other branches of the Napier family in Scotland about which something is known, these are the Napiers of Wrychtishousis (Wrightshouses) and the Napiers of Merchiston, both in Edinburgh.

      © Charlie Napier,
      Morningside, Edinburgh, Scotland,

      9 May 1649 in Edinburgh was apprenticed to Alexander Pennycuik, chirurgeon. 25 Mar 1655 was used as headright by Peter Ford. Settled in Queen's Creek, Hampton Parish, York County, Virginia, as Planter and Surgeon. Owned 1500 acre plantation in Blisland Parish, New Kent County, Virginia.
      26 Feb 1668/9 will date, probated 12 Apr, names wife and children.
      Apprentice surgeon to Sir Alexander Leslie's troops, Battle of Dunbar. After 1650, emigrated to VA with other Scottish Royalists. Among earliest VA doctors.
      The Napier lineage is traced through the book by John Hawkins Napier III, "Doctor Patrick Napier: His Ancestors and Some Descendants".
      [ from McClendon ]

      The Last Will and Testament of Patrick NAPIER, York County, Virginia, was dated 20 February 1668 and proved 12 April 1669.

      In the name of God Amen. I PATRICK NAPIER of the prsh of Hampton in the County of Yorke phisician being sicke and sane in body but thanks be to God in pfect mind and memory do make and declare this my last will & testament. I comend my soule into the hands of my most mercifull creator and preserveror in full assurance to have all my sins pardoned in and through the meritts of my only savour Jesus XX_& my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my dear wife ELIZABETH NAPIER. And for that portion of earthly goods wherewith it hath pleased God to endure mee I doe by these presents dispose and bequeath of them as followeth. I doe by these presents give and bequeath unto

      my dear wife ELIZABETH NAPIER all that pcell of land lying in the prsh of Blessland in the county of New Kent in Virg containing by estimation fifteen hundred acres be it more or less as the same is situate and being in the prsh aforesd adjoining to the plantation of Major Hammond on the one side and Capt. George Lyddall on the other side To Have & to hold the said piece of land to my said deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER for the home of her naturall life alsoe my will and pleasure is that my two deare children Robert Napier, Francis Napier shall have and enjoy the said piece of land or plantation in manner aforesaid as I doe hereby express that is to say I doe my these presents give and bequeath unto my dears sone

      Robert Napier the majority on one halfe of the said piece of land containing fifteen hundred acres as aforesaid to be divided equally at the discretion of my said deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER. To have & to hold the said majority on halfe of the said piece of land unto my said deare sonne Robert Napier and his heirs forever. Also I dow by these presents give and bequeath unto my deare daughter Frances Napier the other majority or other halfe parte of the said plantation or piece of land containing as aforesaid and situate and being as aforeds to be layed out and separated from the other peace of land at the discretion of my said deare wife to have and to hold the said other parte or parcell of land to my sd deare daughter Frances Napier and her heirs forever. Also my will and pleasure is that if it should happen that my said Sonne Robert Napier should dye or depart this mortall life and leave no issue of his body lawfully begotten that then my will & pleasure is that my daughter

      Frances Napier shall have and enjoy the said halfe parte or piece of land that is hereby bequeathed to my sonne Robert. Also if it should happen that my said daughter Frances Napier should hapen to dye or depart this mortall life and leave noe issue lawfully begotten and that my said sonne Robert survive or any of heir issues, That then my will and pleasure is that my said sonne shall have and enjoy the same plan pcell of land bequeathed to my said daughter in as longe and ample manner and forme as my said daughter did could or might enjoy the same provided always notwithstanding that if it should happen that my said two children Robert and Frances should dye or depart this mortall life and leave noe issue behind then or either of them that then my will and pleasure is that the heirs of my sd deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER shall & have & enjoy the same in as longe and ample manner as the heirs of my said sonne and daughter or either of them might have enjoyed the same. Also I doe by these presents bequeath all my moveable goods and coffills specified in a certain Inventory hereunto annexed unto my deare wife & my two children equally to be divided amongst them share and share like and not otherwise Alsoe I doe by these presents make and appoint my deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament.

      Also my desire is that my two very loving friends Mr. Thomas Ballard and Mr. James Vaulx will be overseers that this my will be performed according to the reale intents and purposes hereof and that they would give my said deare wife and children such assistance as they shall think fitt in the managing of this Estate alsoe I doe hereby further declare that the reall intent and meaning of this my will is that neither of my said children Robert or Frances shall be in possession of the said land or plantation or any pte or pcell thereof nor receive any profitts that shall accrue out of the same soo long as my said deare wife whall happen to live lastly I doe by these presents revoke all other wills herebefore made by me and declared this to be my last will and Testament I witnessd whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this six and twentieth day of February one thousand six hundred sixty & Eight signed sealed and delivered in presence of
      Frances Haddin PAT NAPIER
      John Hungerford
      Mathew Culler

      Probate in Cur Com Ebon 12 Anno 1669 & Testaments Frances Hadden John Hungerford & Mathew Culler it Recorded at due & John Baskery to Clr Cur

      LOCATED IN WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA IS A HISTORICAL MARKER NEAR COLONIAL
      WILLIAMSBURG,VA. WHICH MARKES THE PLACE PATRICK NAPIER LIVED. THIS MARKER READS "PATRICK NAPIER COLONIAL SURGEON NEARBY LIVED "PATRICK NAPIER OF QUEENS CREEK IN THE COUNTY OF YORKE CHIRURGEON,"BORN ABOUT 1634,AND APPRENTICED TO
      THE SURGEON GENERAL OF THE SCOTTISH ARMY DEFEATED BY CROMWELL IN 1650. PATRICK NAPIER ARRIVED HERE BEFORE 1655. HE MARRIED ELIZABETH,A DAUGHTER
      OF ROBERT BOOTH, CLERK OF THE YORK COUNTY COURT AND A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES. BY HORSE AND BOAT,NAPIER ATTENDED THE SICK,PERFORMED SURGERY,BLED
      HIS PATIENTS,AND DESPENSED VARIOUS REMEDIED CONSISTENT WITH THE PRATICE OF MEDICINE IN THE MID-17TH CENTURY.HE DIED IN 1669. HE WAS THE PROGENITOR
      OF MOST OF THE NAPIERS IN AMERICA.

      EMIGRATED TO VIRGINIA 25 MAR 1655 WITH OTHER DEFEATED SCOTTISH ROYALISTS AFTER THE BATTLE OF DUNBAR. AMERICAN NAPIERS CAME TO THESE SHORES, TO YORK CO.,VIRGINIA IN ABOUT 1651.HE WAS PATRICK NAPIER,"CHIRURGEON"OR PHYSICIAN,
      WHO HAD BEEN BARBER-SURGEON TO THE MARTYR KING CHARLES 1,AND WAS A CADET OF THE ANCIENT HOUSE OF NAPIER OF KILMAHEW.THE FATHER MAY WELL HAVE BEEN THE "ONE NAPIER" THAT PARLIAMENTARY SPIES HAD REPORTED TRIED TO FREE THE IMPRISONED CHARLES FROM CARISBROOKE CASTLE,ISLE
      OF WIGHT IN 1648. ALTERNATE DATA SUGGEST PARENTS OF PATRICK NAPIER TO BE ROBERT NAPIER OF EDINBURGH,SON OF SIR JOHN NAPIER OF MERCHISTON WHO MARRIED LADY ELIZABETH MONTEITH. SIR JOHN,EIGHTH LAIRD OF MERCHISTON ELDEST SON OF
      SIR ARCHIBALD NAPIER AND JANET BOTHWELL. SIR JOHN, WELL KNOWN AS INVENTOR OF LOGARITHMS.

      THE FIRST KNOWN DOCUMENTED REFERENCE TO A NAPIER IN SCOTLAND IS IN TWO CHARTERS OF MALCOLM,EARL OF LENNOX, WHO LIVED AT THE END OF THE 13TH CENTURY.
      THIS WAS JOHN NAPIER,WHO WAS GRANTED, BY ONE OF THE CHARTERS,-"ALL THAT QUARTER LANDS CALLED KILMAHEW CASTLE STILL STANDS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PRESENT VILLAGE OF GARDROSS, WHICH IS FOUR MILES FROM DUMBARTON. KILMAHEW TAKES ITS NAME FROM ST MAHEW (OR MOCHTA), A COMPANION OF ST PATRICK,WHO HAS
      BEEN ADOPTED AS THE PATRON SAINT OF CARDROSS. THERE WERE 18 LAIRDS OF KILMAHEW UNTIL THE LAST HEIR SOLD THE LAST OF THE ESTATE IN 1820.

      <http://www.jcsisle.com/napier.html>

      Ivan Napier's book on the Napier Family (1968), p. 35, states "Dr. Patrick Napier was born and educated
      in Scotland, son of Robert Napier, and grandson of Sir John Napier, noted Mathematician, scholar, inventor. (He) immigrated to America in 1655, sponsored by Peter Ford, settled in Gloucester County, VA., and moved shortly to York County, VA." On p.34 the statement is made that Robert Napier (1580-1662) son of the Mathematician, "married Frances -- on November 13, 1595 (sic - at age fifteen!). Among their many children was a son, Dr. Patrick, immigrant to Virginia." As we have proven, nearly all of this is false.

      As we shall see in our sketch, one Peter Ford patented 500 acres in Gloucester Co., VA., on 25 March 1655 using ten headrights to secure the patent. A careful reading of the patent (Book 3, p. 340, LDS film 029,308) shows that the headrights were assigned to Ford by Lieut. Colonel Abrall, who had been the assignee of one Captain John Underwood. It is possible that Peter Ford never saw Patrick Napier or any of the ten whose names he used to get the land, and did not need to do, to procure the patent. However, he may have met him in business later, since he appears often in the York County records, as do the names of Abrall and Underwood as well as Dr. Napier. From the wording of the patent, it seems that it was John Underwood who paid the passage of Dr. Patrick to America. At least, he was the first to have his name on a qualifying certificate for land.

      There is no evidence at all that Napier ever set foot in Gloucester County, VA. The patenting of land in no way implies that those named in the headrights had to live in the county where the land was laid out.

      Ivan Napier (p. 35) states that Patrick was born in 1610. This statement is adhered to in every case where the theory of lineage to John of Logs applies. We have never found a statement of Patrick's age. He could have been born that early. But this assertion must take second place to a younger age for the American immigrant. Patrick did not marry until after his arrival in Virginia. We have no evidence of a previous marriage for him. Before November 1658, he had wed Elizabeth Booth (or Bouth), daughter of Mr. Robert Booth, Clerk of the Court, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, etc. by his wife Frances. Their names, apparently, furnished the given names of Napier's two children, Robert and Frances, not Robert Napier of Culcreuch, and a supposed wife Frances.

      Elizabeth Booth Napier was born about 1637-1640. This age we establish from a deposition of 1668 by her mother Frances Bouth, then aged 49, giving 1619 as a year of birth for her, and estimating that Elizabeth was born when Frances was between 18 and 20. Elizabeth was living by 15, November 1641 when 50 acres were given to her as "daughter of Robert Bouth" (Tyler's Quarterly, XIV (1933) p. 181). Elizabeth might have married a man 27 years her senior, but this is unlikely. It would mean that he first fathered children at the age of fifty.

      John H. Napier III prefers a much younger age for the Doctor, and so do we, as based on these facts: One Valentine Napier deeded a horse named "Fox" to the widow of Dr. Patrick Napier in 1669. He, like Patrick, was a physician, and lived in Kent County, MD. We find the baptism of one Vallentine Napyer (sic) son of Patricke and Joane Napyer, on 4 March 1626-27, in the church of St. Bride Fleet Street, London. The implication here is inescapable! (This name Valentine Napier, surfaced some generations later in the family of Robert 4 Napier (Robert3; Capt. Robert2, Dr. Patrick1). Add to that the marriage we located, in the register of the parish of St. Gregory by St. Paul London. "Patricke Napper and Joane Wallas (Wallace?) were married on 4, July 1628 by license from the Vicar General of London." Of course, if this Joane is the mother of the above Valentine, the marriage took place sixteen months after the christening of the child. Be that as it may (and it was often), we believe we have found the parentage of Dr. Patrick1 Napier, being Patrick Napier and Joan Wallas or Wallace, as above. Just because we have not yet found the baptism of a Patrick Napier in this same family does not mean we or someone else will not do so upon a diligent search. It should be remembered that people in London moved about quite a bit, being usually in some trade of other, and may not have christened all their children in the same parish church, or, indeed, in the city. Dr. Valentine Napier's sale of the horse was less than a week after the death of Dr. Patrick Napier. It helps us learn the time of the latter's death. It seems to imply a gesture of help to a sister-in-law. Valentine evidently was the elder, in fact the heir at law of Patrick Napier of London.

      Might it not be the fact that most researchers were to dedicated to finding information about Dr. Patrick Napier in the Scottish records that they completely bypassed the British records and thereby missed the clues we have found? Yet, it is a fact that most of the immigrants to American colonies in the first part of the 17th century came from England, and a great portion of that number from London. This writer always starts a search for an American immigrant in the microfiche for London, thus proceeding to the other shires.

      We also learned via letter of 14, October 1983 from the Keeper of Manuscripts, at the Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London, that one Patrick Napier, apprentice to William Hann, was admitted to the Barber-Surgeons' Company of London in January 1630/31 (Guildhall Library Ms 5265/1 folio 78). He was admitted by servitude, indicating previous practice under Hann. It is a pity that his father is not named! Additionally, in the same register, Archibald Napier, son of Patrick Napier, was admitted, by servitude, 26, December 1657!

      If our Dr. Pat Napier were another child of Patrick and Joan, born circa 1630, there would be no quarrel at all with what we already know about him. He would have been about 25 when Ford obtained the patent, using Napier's name as a headright, about 5 to 7 years older than his wife, and about 39 at his death.

      In his article in Vol. 15 of Historical Southern Families, p. 221 JHN has reported:

      A certain Mungo Napier was burgess of Dumbarton before 1600, and his son Patrick was admitted to the same office on July 23, 1633. This Patrick was barber to King Charles I. of England, and his son Patrick, Jr. born between 1634-1639, was apprenticed to Sir Alexander Pennycuik on May 6, 1649. Dr. Pennycuik was surgeon to Sir Alexander Leslie's Scottish Troops, defeated at the Battle of Dunbar by the army of Oliver Cromwell. Subsequently Patrick Napier (the son) emigrated to Virginia with other Scottish Royalist after the year 1650.

      JHN did not cite his references, but we later discovered one, and he has kindly supplied the other, both in the same set of volumes, The Scottish Record Society Publications, volumes 71 (1937) and 28 (1906).

      The former, being the Roll of Dumbarton Burgesses and Guild Brethren, 1600-1846, on page 48, reads: Napier, PATRICK, barber, Burgess, by right of his father MUNGO Napier, Burgess, 23, July 1633. The latter, being The Register of Apprentices of the City of Edinburgh, 1583-1666, at page 136, shows: Napier, Patrick, son to PATRICK NAPIER, barber to King Charles I., with Alexander Pennycuik, chirurgiane, 9 May 1649. (In the latter, we are shown in the Preface that this entry is in original volume II. which goes from 12th January 1648 to 30th May 1666).

      The Lt. Colonel also shows that, in the same series, Vol. 59, being the Roll Edinburgh Burgesses, 1406-1700 (pub. 1926), p. 398, under Pennycuik, reads: Alexander, Burgess, chirurgiane to his Excellency General Alexander Leslie (muskit), by act of Council of this date - 20 November 1640, and, we also noted, Alexander Pennycuick, Guild brother, chirurgian, Burgess of befoir, gratis, by act of Council 13 February 1650. (NOTE: The surname Pennycuik, or Pennycook, comes from a place in Scotland.)

      JHN indicates that Leslie's Scots army was defeated by Oliver Cromwell at Dunbar, 3 September 1650, and puts 2 and 2 together, concluding that, if Alexander Pennycuik was the surgeon at Dunbar, so was his apprentice, Patrick Napier the Younger, there, and taken prisoner to be "sold to the plantations in America."

      Both JHN and Edward D. Napier, Genealogist of Clan Napier of North America, Falls Church, VA. bring our attention to the following works: George Hillier, Narrative of the Attempted Escapes of Charles the First from Carisbrooke Castle (London, 1852), pp. 100-101; and Jack D. Jones, The Royal Prisoner (London, 1965), pp. 60,62. In these we learn that "one Napier (given name not shown)" attempted the escape of King Charles from his confinement in the castle in 1648, but failed, the King getting stuck in a hole which was prepared too small for his girth to maneuver. (The Public Record Office, Chancery Lane, London, has this record in its original form, to support the above statement.)

      February 7, 1647-48 Derby House

      Henry, Earl of Kent, in the name of the Committee of both Houses to Col. Hammond. Having received some intelligence from a source which we formerly found true, we thought it necessary to give you notice of it and recommend the business to your especial care. That the King's escape is designed, the manner thus, by one Napier and a servant of David Murray, whom we take to be the King's tailor. The King is to be drawn up out of his bedchamber into the room over it, the ceiling whereof is to be broken for that purpose, and then conveyed from one room to another till he be passed all the rooms where any guards are at any doors or windows. Sent by Mr. Faukeard. (Interregnum 24 E., p. 10. Copy 1/2p.)

      Source in print from actual documents in the Public Record Office, London: Calendar of State Papers Domestic, of the reign of Charles I ... preserved in the PRO p. 15. Could this Napier have been Patrick Napier (elder), personal barber to the King? Probably.
      Following is more data that has been found:

      a. Patrick Napier (The eleventh day issued forth Letters of Administration to Anno 1660 Aprill) Christopher Napier the naturall and lawfull sonne of Patricke Napier late of the parish of St. Martins in the fields gent intestate deced to Administer all and singular the goods Chatells - and debtes of the sayd deced, he being first Sworne truely to Administer &c By order of Court. (LDS Film 093,261; Administration Act Books, Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1659-1660, folio 15, second item on page.)

      b. Archibald Napper, son of Patrick and Elizabeth, was christened 29 October 1633, in parish of St. Martins-in-the-Fields (Harleian Society Publications, Vol. 66, p. 98).

      c. Casander Naper, daughter of Valentine & Sarah, baptized 12, January 1647 (1647/48?) at St. Margarets, Westminister, London (IGI 1984).

      From these we have a picture forming which would be more exciting if it could be legally proved, than any supposed connection to the placid Professor of Logarithms! The Pennycuik reference is inescapable: A surgeon of the King would spend most of his time in London. No doubt Archibald, son of Patrick, admitted to the Surgeons 1657 was the same Archibald, son of Patrick and Elizabeth "Napper", baptized 29, October 1633, and we are reasonably sure the father was the same "Gentlemen" who died in 1660, since baptism took place in the same parish where the man died.

      This, however, does not square with the supposition of Cromwell's ire toward one who had attempted to free the Royal prisoner! This Patrick Napier died the year the Crown was restored to the head of Charles II., two years after Cromwell's death. Of course, this in no way changes the possibility of the son Patrick being taken prisoner and shipped out for his complicity, active or tacit, in the Battle of Dunbar.

      Then we must solve the problem of the wife Joan and the wife Elizabeth to Patrick Napier. We have located the first marriage, we think, but not the second. We have at this time, no evidence of a second Patrick Napier, which would mean two men of the same name, one with a wife named Joan, the other with an Elizabeth, one of these men being the King's Barbe

      Was his father the man married to Joan Wallas? Was this Patrick Napier, Sr. the same who was apprenticed by servitude, in 1631, to William Hann in London? Could he then be the identical man who was admitted Burgess of Dumbarton in 1633, son of Mungo Napier? Was he also the Barber-Surgeon to King Charles? Finally was he the same who apprenticed his son to Pennycuik in 1649 and lived out his life in London, dying in 1660? As complicated as all the above seems, yes, as far as we can see, he could be the same man in every case. We cannot find a noticeable conflict of facts here.

      The Napiers were Royalist in sentiment and action, and would certainly not meet with the approval of Cromwell, nor he of them, especially after he and his panel of Regicides decided to behead their king! Archibald Napier, Lord Napier of Merchistoun, born ca 1625, was a zealous Royalist, serving with distinction under (his maternal uncle) the gallant Marquess of Montrose. He was specifically excepted from Oliver Cromwell's so-called "Act of Grace," 12, April 1654, showing the animosity boiling in the heart of the Lord Protector for the name of Napier!

      Burke's The General Armory (1884) pp. 722-723 lists no less than 30 different armorial bearings (coats of arms), of Edinburg ("Argent, a saltier engrailed between four roses gules barbed vert"), there are coats of Naper or Napper from Oxford, England, and Ireland. From Scotland there are arms for families - individuals usually - from Haddington, Culcreuch, Co. Stirling, Balwhapple (Balquahappie), Co. Dunbartonm Faside, Co. Fife, Harviestoun, Co. Clackmannan, Tayock, Blackstone, Co. Renfrew, Ballikinrain, Co. Dunbarton, Craigannet, Co. Stirling, Kilmahew, Co. Dumbartonm Wright's House, Edinburgh, and a family from Dorsetshire, England

      An entry for a Napier coat of arms granted in Ireland shows that Napier of Middlemarshall and Morecritchell, Co. Dorset, England, Baronet, extinct by 1765, was granted to Gerard Napier, eldest son of Sir Nathaniel Napier, Knight, of Morecritchell, and grandson of Sir Robert Naper, Napper of Napier, Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland, created Baronet in 1641. His amrs: "Argent, a saltire engrailed between four cinquefoils guiles." That is reminiscent of the Merchistoun arms.

      Thus, the family of Napier has been armigerous throughout the British Isles, a quite impressive commentary in itself.

      Since the publication of the above information on Dr. Patrick Napier, by Vava Knepp, in 1988, more has come to light about the origins of Dr. Napier. Lt. Col. John Hawkins Napier III continued his research of 45 years into the background of Dr. Patrick Napier and finally discovered his origins. In October of 1989 he made a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland and visited the Scottish Records Office, Register House. There he found the crucial documents that proved Dr. Patrick Napier's grandfather Mungo Napier to have been a son of Patrick Napier of Blackyards and Tutor (guardian) of Kilmahew!

      The document took the family back another eight generations to the first John Napier of Kilmahew, living in Dunbartonshire in 1280, from whom descended the other landed Napier families of Scotland--of Wrighthouses, Ballikinrain, Merchiston, and their cadet branches, as well as those who later went to England and Ireland. Further, following traditionary accounts one can trace back through Donald "le Nae-peer" and his ancestors, the ancient Earls and Mormaers of Lennox and the hereditary abbots of Dunkeld of the kindred of St. Columba to Kenneth MacAlpine, the first King of Scots, and back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland (reigned c. 412-38), 47 generations in 1500 years. For addition information into the Napier Family ancestors please refer to John Hawkins Napier III's book, "Dr. Patrick Napier: His Ancestors and Some Descendants".

      The Last Will and Testament of Patrick NAPIER, York County, Virginia, was dated 20 February 1668 and proved 12 April 1669.

      In the name of God Amen. I PATRICK NAPIER of the prsh of Hampton in the County of Yorke phisician being sicke and sane in body but thanks be to God in pfect mind and memory do make and declare this my last will & testament. I comend my soule into the hands of my most mercifull creator and preserveror in full assurance to have all my sins pardoned in and through the meritts of my only savour Jesus XX_& my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my dear wife ELIZABETH NAPIER. And for that portion of earthly goods wherewith it hath pleased God to endure mee I doe by these presents dispose and bequeath of them as followeth.

      I doe by these presents give and bequeath unto my dear wife ELIZABETH NAPIER all that pcell of land lying in the prsh of Blessland in the county of New Kent in Virg containing by estimation fifteen hundred acres be it more or less as the same is situate and being in the prsh aforesd adjoining to the plantation of Major Hammond on the one side and Capt. George Lyddall on the other side To Have & to hold the said piece of land to my said deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER for the home of her naturall life alsoe my will and pleasure is that my two deare children Robert Napier, Francis Napier shall have and enjoy the said piece of land or plantation in manner aforesaid as I doe hereby express that is to say I doe my these presents give and bequeath unto my dears sone Robert Napier the majority on one halfe of the said piece of land containing fifteen hundred acres as aforesaid to be divided equally at the discretion of my said deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER.

      To have & to hold the said majority on halfe of the said piece of land unto my said deare sonne Robert Napier and his heirs forever. Also I dow by these presents give and bequeath unto my deare daughter Frances Napier the other majority or other halfe parte of the said plantation or piece of land containing as aforesaid and situate and being as aforeds to be layed out and separated from the other peace of land at the discretion of my said deare wife to have and to hold the said other parte or parcell of land to my sd deare daughter Frances Napier and her heirs forever.

      Also my will and pleasure is that if it should happen that my said Sonne Robert Napier should dye or depart this mortall life and leave no issue of his body lawfully begotten that then my will & pleasure is that my daughter Frances Napier shall have and enjoy the said halfe parte or piece of land that is hereby bequeathed to my sonne Robert.

      Also if it should happen that my said daughter Frances Napier should hapen to dye or depart this mortall life and leave noe issue lawfully begotten and that my said sonne Robert survive or any of heir issues, That then my will and pleasure is that my said sonne shall have and enjoy the same plan pcell of land bequeathed to my said daughter in as longe and ample manner and forme as my said daughter did could or might enjoy the same provided always notwithstanding that if it should happen that my said two children Robert and Frances should dye or depart this mortall life and leave noe issue behind then or either of them that then my will and pleasure is that the heirs of my sd deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER shall & have & enjoy the same in as longe and ample manner as the heirs of my said sonne and daughter or either of them might have enjoyed the same. Also I doe by these presents bequeath all my moveable goods and coffills specified in a certain Inventory hereunto annexed unto my deare wife & my two children equally to be divided amongst them share and share like and not otherwise Alsoe

      I doe by these presents make and appoint my deare wife ELIZABETH NAPIER sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament. Also my desire is that my two very loving friends Mr. Thomas Ballard and Mr. James Vaulx will be overseers that this my will be performed according to the reale intents and purposes hereof and that they would give my said deare wife and children such assistance as they shall think fitt in the managing of this Estate alsoe I doe hereby further declare that the reall intent and meaning of this my will is that neither of my said children Robert or Frances shall be in possession of the said land or plantation or any pte or pcell thereof nor receive any profitts that shall accrue out of the same soo long as my said deare wife whall happen to live lastly I doe by these presents revoke all other wills herebefore made by me and declared this to be my last will and Testament I witnessd whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this six and twentieth day of February one thousand six hundred sixty & Eight signed sealed and delivered in presence of Frances Haddin

      PAT NAPIER

      John Hungerford

      Mathew Culler

      Probate in Cur Com Ebon 12 Anno 1669 & Testaments Frances Hadden John Hungerford & Mathew Culler it Recorded at due

      & John Baskery to Clr Cur [1]

  • Sources 
    1. [S4981] http://gw.geneanet.org/monartque?lang=en;pz=pierre;nz=tremblay;ocz=19;p=patrick;n=napier;oc=3.

    2. [S4983] http://02ec0a3.netsolhost.com/getperson.php?personID=I5127&tree=ncshawfamily.

    3. [S6530] "Descendants of William Walton", http://www.wikitree.com/genealogy/Walton-Descendants-309.

    4. [S8661] "Frances Elizabeth Booth", a biography cited on "Davis and Shaw Families of North Carolina", by Jessica Davis, davisjes.