Mark Lively [1]

  General Notes:

Actual name: Mark Bethell Lifely. Sometimes; Mark Bethell Lyfolly. Born 25 May 1679 per
Actual name: Mark Bethell Lifely.

Burford Parish Register. In these records, the surname has been spelled Lively, Lifely, Lyfolly and Lyfoley. Bethel, the middle name has been spelled Bethel, Bethell, and Bethal.
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Death Date per "History of Albemarle County, Virginia".
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The primary question in this genealogy has been and still is, who was Mark Lively? As far as we know no one has answered that question with absolute certainty. It is likely he immigrated to Virginia in either 1714 or 1717. We believe 1714 is the correct date of immigration for this Mark.

We have located, through the good graces and research of Ann Hanton in Ireland, a document entitled, "London City Apprenticeships Abstracts". It reads as follows; "Lifely, Mark Bethell, son of Andrew, Burford, Oxfordshire, cordwainer, to George Blundell, 3 Jan 1693/4, Painters Co." A cordwainer is a maker of high quality boots as opposed to a plain bootmaker. These boots made by "cordwainers" were so well made that often they can be found in wills being passed down to sons.

We know that Mark Lively of Virginia named his first son Bethel. We also know that Mark used the Lifely surname in his will and at times, used other spellings of his surname. In the Burford Parish registers we find the name of "Bethell" and the same variety of spelling interpretations of "Lively" as our Mark used during his stay in Virginia. Upon further examination of the various spellings of "Lively" we find that an average citizen living in a rural parish in England was illiterate. Documents were most often signed with a mark rather than a signature. Ann Hanton explains that clergy often filled out required documents and would write surnames phonetically, thus the different spellings.

We have also noted that the Lively Family Crest (Blazon of Arms) is also used by the Livesay family. We attribute this to the spelling differences previously noted.

We find no record of Mark boarding a ship. We find no record of Mark continuing to work as a bootmaker in England. At this point our case for this Mark remains speculation.

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Dr. John Vallentine documents Mark's life in early Virginia in these documents:

(From the will of Robert Adams and various land transaction documents)

16 June 1714. Amos Ladd was granted 1085 acres in Henrico County on the north side of the James River, the location given as being on Beaver Ponds Branch of the James River; this land grant was based on the importation of 21 persons including Marke Lifeholy. (Cavaliers and Pioneers; by Nell Marion Nugent; Virginia State Library, Richmond; 3:152)

15 July 1717. Dorothy Pleasants was granted 463 acres in Henrico County on the north side of the James River; this land grant was based on the importation of 10 persons including Mark Lifeholy. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, 3:193) We cannot be certain that this record is accurate. The headrights system of importation of individuals was a much abused system so the possiblities here are; (1) a second Mark arrived, (2) the record was forged for a personal gain, (3) the record was simply in error.

July 1730. A case of trespass, Dudley Diggs vs Mark Lively, was dismissed; the plaintiff failed to prosecute. (Goochland County, Virginia Court Order Books, 2:9)

December 1731. A case of trespass, William Randolph, Richard Randolph, John Randolph and John Flowing, executors of Thomas Randolph, deceased vs Mark Lively; the case was dismissed as not prosecuted. (Goochland Court, Virginia Court Order Book, 3:25) This is the prestigious Randolph Family through which President Thomas Jefferson descends.

September 1736. Elizabeth, wife of Robert Fox was found guilty of stealing a grubbing hoe from Mark Lively; for punishment she was to receive five lashes on her bare back at the common whipping post; her husband was to pay court costs and a lawyer's fee (Goochland County Court Order Book, 2:192)

22 February 1738. Robert Adams of Goochland County made his will, which probated on January 17, 1740. Among other specifics, Robert left to his daughter Lucy a tract of 500 acres (or 550 acres depending on which part of the will is read) "where the mine was dug and where Mark Lively lived." Goochland County Wills and Deeds, 3:305.

22 September 1739. Mark Liflee received a grant of 90 acres from King George the Second by William Gooch, Governor of Virginia; the tract was described as located in Goochland County on both sides of the Reedy Branch of the Tuckahoe Creek adjoining lands of Joseph Watkins, dec, Charles Johnson, Robert Adams, and Robert Cawthon. (Virginia Land Grants and Patents, 18:390)

July 1742. On his own petition to the court Mark Lively was made levy free, excused from paying property taxes. (Court Order Book 5:85)

18 October 1743. John Graves Jr. and his wife Lucy conveyed a tract of land to John Sanders for diverse causes and 30 pounds: all parties were residents of Goochland County. This tract of land was described as 350 acres on the branches of Tuckahoe Creek and bounded . . . which Robert Adams laid off to Mark Lively. Wills and Deeds, Goochland County 4:248.

2 March 1748. A plot of 380 acres of land on Buck Island Creek in Albemarle County was surveyed for Mark Lively; the survey was made by Thos. Turpin associate surveyor (Surveyor's Book, Book 1, Part 1).

15 March 1749. Mark Lively of Albemarle County conveyed to William Ford of Goochland County a tract of land located in Goochland County described as 90 acres lying on both sides of Reedy Branch of Tuckahoe Creek adjoining lands of Joseph Watkins, dec. Charles Johnson, Robert Adams and Robert Cawthon. Mark's wife Mary released her dower on the same date and the deed was ordered to be recorded. (Goochland County, Wills and Deeds 6:10) The name Lively and Lifely was both used in these legal documents.

1 June 1750. Mark Lively received a patent to 380 acres on the south side of and adjoining Buck Island Creek in Albemarle County. (Virginia Patents and Grants 30:139)

3 November 1750. Mark Lifely made his will and left a life-right in his land to his wife Mary. Five sons (William, Bethel, John, Joseph, and Benjamin) but no daughters were mentioned in the will; to his latter three sons he gave equal division of the land after the death of their mother. (Albemarle County Wills 1:32).

2 July 1752. An appraisal of the estate of Mark Lifely was ordered to be made by John Henderson, John Smith, and Tho. Bibb; a return of the appraisal was made on 9 July 1752. (Albemarle County Wills 1:40).

A Note from the "History of Albemarle County, Virginia", published in 1901 by The Michie Company. "The Southwest Mountain on which the first lands were entered, was originally called the Chestnut Mountains. It was also spoken of as the Little Mountain. Particular portions had local names, for the most part taken from owners or first settler's, as Peter's, Carter's, Lively's, Sugar Loaf, Monticello. . . "

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Mark married Mary McGhee [2] [MRIN: 2], daughter of William Mackgehee [16791] and Mary Carr [16792]. (Mary McGhee [2] was born in 1694 in Virginia and died about 1781 in Buck Island Creek, Albemarle County, Virginia.)