Here is what one researcher has to say about John Ferguson of Essex County, VA origin, based on a letter I recieved. John Markham Ferguson Jr states John was probably brought to America as a deportee/indentured servant in 1667 (Patent Book 6, pg 45). married Ann Stubbleson in 1683 (Book D7, pg 129) Summary of John Markham Ferguson Jrs theory: He claims (at least to his satisfaction) to have discovered our immigrant ancestor, John (and his brother James), who arrived on a ship (Phoenix of Leith) out of Leith, port of Edinburgh, Scotland in May 1666. James Farguson (sp), age ca 14, was indentured servant to Otho Thorpe. It seems that the period of servitude at that time was 10 years to repay the cost of transportation. If the "servant" completed the term, he was to be given 40 acres and a new suit of clothes. If he was released early, he would receive nothing. John was allegedly released after 9 years with nothing. John Ferguson Sr was imprisoned in Edinburgh Tolbooth at age 14 yrs. The Edinburgh, Scotland, prison was in Tolbooth(Tolbuith). In May 1666, he sailed on the Phoenix of Leith out of Leith, port of Edinburgh, Scotland. He came to Virginia as an indentured servant in 1666 on the ship Phoenix of Leith. This is based on the following information: 1. Purpose and Scope: This informal research paper compares seventeenth century lists in Scotland and Virginia: (a) Twenty-two Scots on May 1666 Phoenix (sic) of Leith out of Leith, port of Edinburgh, Scotland; and Virginia headright lists. (b) York County November 1666; (c) New Kent County; (d) Accomacke County; (e) Northumberland County. The York County headrights list is a rare ship passenger list of 1666 Scots from Edinburgh/Leith Scotland to Yorktown. York County Virginia. These headrights lists show the abject fallacy of using headrights alone to determine where ancestors settled. 2. Discussion: The Edinburgh, Scotland, prison was in Tolbooth(tolbuith), and the original Scottish records below are for the Tolbooth. Scottish Records Office - Relief Book. Apryll 24th 1666 - "warand" for action taken in May 4th 1666+23 Apr 1666 citations below: May 4th 1666 - Att sight heiroff yew shall delyver ye perssones of Charles Davidsone who is incarcerat wtin the tolbuith as ane idle vaigabond and a theiff. As also the personne of James Oglevie who is incarcerat ffor the samyn fault. And lykewayes the persone of Kaitherine Laird who is in prissone as ane nottorious theiff and hoore. As lykwayes the persone of James Sheilds who is in prissone wtin the said tolbuith and heth concentted to goe to Virginia. To James Gibsone skipper in Leith maister of the good ship called Phoenix of Leith who is now presentlle bound (god willing) for Virginia. To the end the foir named personnes may be transported yr conforme to ye generall order grantted be his Grace my Lord Comissioner ffor yt effect and yr pns wt James Gibsones recept shall be of sufficeant warrand to yew from vs. Sic sub George Suttie & Alexr Sandilands Bailleis (Receipt by James Gibsone is appended). fforsamickle as ane warrand given under the hand of his majesties hie Comissioners Grace at Lesley the 17th off Apryll instant derect to all shireffs of shyrs majestrats of burghes & uyers concerned allowing yame to receive all such vagabonds and idell persons that ar not fitt to stay in this kingdome And such as ar condemned for Barbadoes be the judge. And desyring the majestrats & uthers to give ther concurence & assist Robert Learmonth merd in name of severall uyers pairteners in the shipe caled the phenix of Leith, yeoff James Gibson is Mr. or Capt bound for Virginia in that affaire as the warrand in itselfe at mair lenth. beirs, And seeing the persons after mentionat which ar to be transported to Virginia be the James Gibson skipper, ar in yor custodie There for Sir yee shall upon seyght heirof deliver to the said James Gibsone thes persons viz. James Douglas John Kenedie John Wood. Thomas & George Turnbulls Alexr. Bruce Patrick Booge John Campbell David Douglas James Edgely James Heasty, John Johnstone, Wm Ballmano, Robert Armstrong Antony pott, John Williamson, Margratt Tayllor Elizabeth Reed, Which ar to be transported be him to Virginia. Wheranent thir presents. Given under or hands the Majestrats of Edinburgh under subscribing At Edinburgh the 23rd day of Apryll 1666 sic subscribitor George Suttie Baylly Alex J. Sandiland baylly ffor Ret Murray guidman of the tolbuth of Edr Thes The guidman got bothe warrands delivered after buking delivered to him day & dait forsd. VA York Co. DOW(04)-109 12 Nov 1666 Ye Importation of 39 + 19 persons into ye Collony. source: Photocopies of original - also index cards reflecting these deeds, orders, + wills as read by Colonial Williamsburg personel. circa 1980 York County Colonial Records Project - also David Dobson letter to JMFJr with suggestions on spelling of two names. (Sold in York Co. VA) ffargefon, James and ffargefon, JNO VA Patent Book 6 page 045 - VA New Kent Co 25 Apr 1667 - Transportation 60 persons. source: Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nell Marion Nugent, Volume two - page 013. (red Herring) Fargeson, James and Fargeson, JNO. VA Patent Book 6 page 314 +316 - VA Accomacke Co 6 Oct 1670 - Trans 86 pers. for 25 people selected from page 314 (names without *) VA Patent Book 6 page 482 - VA Accomacke Co - 27 Oct 1673 - Trans 120 pers. for 11 people selected from page 482 (names with *) sources: Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nell Marion Nugent, Volume two - pages 80-81 & 134-135. Furgeson, James and Forgeson, John. VA Patent Book 6 page 259 - VA Northumberland Co. - 29 Oct 1669 - Trans 41 pers including these 23. sources: Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nell Marion Nugent, Volume two - pages 064-065. Compiler: John Markham Ferguson Jr, who researched original Tolbooth records in the Scottish Records Office in May 1997. Recently a David Dobson (Scottish Writer) letter to JMFJr disclosed Robert Armstrong (alias Heathersgill) guilty of theft in Jedburgh before 12 April 1666 imprisonment in Edinburgh. Anthony Pott of Heidshoip was guilty of same crime and treated similarly. The Original Scots Colonists of Early America, Supplement: 1607-1707 by David Dobson. Page50. Ferguson, John, arrived in York County, Virginia, before 12.11.1666, possibly on the Phoenix of Leith, master James Gibson. (CWF:YCRP, DOW(04)-109) List of names on each of the above documents. Many more names mentioned. I only typing a few to show how persons moved around. Scottish SRO Spring 1666 VA York County VA New Kent County VA Accomacke County VA Northumberland County 12 Nov 1666 25 Apr 1667 6 Oct 1670-27 Oct 1673 29 Oct 1669 Armstrong, Robert Armstrong, Robt Armestrong, Robt Armestrong, Robert Bruce, Alexr Brune, Alex Brue/Brice, Alexr Bruce, Alex Campbell, John Cumbell/Cambell, JNO Cumbell, JNO Davidfone, Charles Davifon, Charles Davison, Charles Davison, Charles Ffargefon, James Fargeson, James Furgeson, James Ffargefon, JNO Fargeson, JNO Forgeson, John Johnstone, John Johnson, John Johnson, JNO Johnson, John Laird, Kairtherine Laird, Katherine Loird, Katherine Laird, Katherine Tayllor, Margratt Tailer, Mary Tailer, Mary Tayler, Mary Wood, John Ward, John Ward, JNO Ward, John