Grace O'Neil

Grace O'Neil, also identified in the supplied material as Grace Neale, was an early Virginia colonist associated with Lt. Edward Waters and, after his death, Col. Obedience Robins. She is identified as Barbara’s 11th great-grandmother through her son, Col. William Waters.

Grace O'Neil was born in 1603, according to the supplied life dates. Her surname and origins are uncertain in the material. She is variously called Grace O'Neil and Grace Neale. One account describes her as the supposed daughter of Arthur O'Neill and Grace O'Hara and places her birth in 1602/03 at Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland, or possibly in England. A footnote in Adventurers of Purse and Person states that, although Robert P. Robins rendered her surname as “O'Neil,” she appears to have been a member of the Neale family of Yelden, Bedfordshire, and Wollaston, Northamptonshire, England.

Family tradition says that Grace fled in disguise to avoid an unwanted court marriage and arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the Diana with Sir George Yeardley. This tradition describes her as about fifteen or sixteen years old. The supplied notes also state that Lt. Edward Waters came from England in the Sea Venture in 1618 and settled on the south bank of the James River.

Grace married Lt. Edward Waters. The supplied material gives both 1618 and 1620 as the year of their marriage. Edward was described as being of Homemead, Hertfordshire, England. He reportedly died while traveling to England in 1630. Their three known children are listed as Susannah Waters, Col. William Waters, and Margaret Waters. Col. William Waters, born in 1623 according to the supplied account, is the ancestor in the stated relationship path.

As a widow, Grace married Col. Obedience Robins in 1634. Robins had come to Virginia about 1621 with his brother Edward Robins and later settled at Cherrystone on the Eastern Shore. The supplied notes state that he was appointed a Commissioner of Accomack County in 1632, served six times in the House of Burgesses, and was a member of the Council. Grace and Obedience are listed as the parents of Col. John Robins, Obedience Robins II, Dorothea Robins, Mary Robins, and Frances Robins.

Grace died on 2 March 1681, according to the supplied life dates. Another supplied account places her death in 1681 at Elizabeth Cittie, now Hampton City, Virginia. Obedience Robins died before 30 December 1662, when his will was probated in Northampton County, Virginia.

Historical context

Grace’s life, as presented in the supplied material, was connected with the early English settlement of Virginia. Her first husband was associated with settlement along the James River, while her second husband became associated with Cherrystone on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and with Accomack and Northampton County public affairs. The account also places Grace’s later life within the developing colonial communities of Virginia.

Sources & research

Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5, compiled and edited by John Frederick Dorman, C.G., F.A.S.G., 4th ed. (Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004), p. 702, footnote regarding the surname O'Neil/Neale.
“From early VA families,” as cited in the supplied Family Tree Maker notes.
Biography compiled by Meredith Drew Trawick, identified in the supplied material as a 10th great-granddaughter and Contributor #46908319.