Biography
Hugh Gwyn (sometimes spelled "Wynne", [1] "Wing", [2] or "Gwinne" [4] ) likely immigrated to Jamestown with the 1608 second supply,while a possible relative by the same name is recorded c. 1620 on the George as a servant to Captain William Peirce. [5] [6]
Gwyn claimed to discover Gwynn's Island in c. 1611. [7] According to legend,Gwynn saved Pocahontas from a sinking canoe near the island. [8] [9]
At a January 1624 muster,Hugh Wing [ sic ] was listed as aged 30 years. [2] In 1635,Gwyn petitioned King Charles I for ownership of the island and in 1640 was given 1,000 acres (4.0 km2). [10] Gwyn built a log cabin and named the area "Gwynnville" [ sic ]. [5]
He was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses representing Charles River Shire in 1639 and York County in 1646. He also served as a judicial officer in 1641. [7] Gywn died around 1654. [11] Elizabeth Gwynn and Hugh Gwynn (likely a son) carried on the name in Virginia. [12] A relation,Hugh Gwynn,was the son of Sir Owen Wynn,3rd Baronet and represented Gloucester in the House of Burgesses from 1652 to 1690. [13]
First slave in Virginia
In 1640,indentured servants John Punch ("a negro"),Victor ("a Dutchman"),and James Gregory ("a Scotchman") fled their master Gwyn. The three were captured and returned to Gwyn. [14] The General Court of Virginia ruled that all three be whipped,but Punch would be Gwyn's slave for life as punishment for escaping. [15]