Jane Hatcher was the daughter of William and (__?__) Hatcher (see accompanying map and caption for location of William Hatcher's land). Much genealogical research has gone into discovering Jane's maiden name. There are several theories concerning Jane's surname, indicating there is a paucity of clear primary evidence. Naturally, various interpretations of the, also limited, circumstantial evidence have reached different results, e. g., the author of "Burton's Chronicles of Colonial Virginia" by Francis Burton Harrison, 1933, without sources (reliable references), thought she was a "Burton". Presently, many researchers, including myself, by keeping it simple and without an agenda, interpret the circumstantial evidence to indicate that her maiden name was "Hatcher". A brief explanation leading to this conclusion follows: In her will dated 07 Dec 1709, Jane (Hatcher) Gower, her third marriage, bequeathed her damask gown and petticoat (very rare and valuable in the colony) to "my sister Hatcher", presumably the wife of one of William Hatcher's sons; in other words Jane's brother's wife. Jane chose to bequeath her rare, valued and very valuable “Damask Gown” to a beloved sister-in-law instead of to one of her daughters or granddaughters named in her will. The obvious logical answer concerning the way this will entry is phrased lies in the “common practice of the day” of referring to a sister-in-law as “sister”. If we believe that she was “Jane Hatcher”, then there must be a verifiable “Hatcher” sister-in-law living at the time of her making her will. As luck would have it, there were two such sister-in-laws ("sisters") documented as living close-by in Henrico Co., VA who survived past Jane’s 1710 death. They were Mary (Ward) Hatcher, the wife of Edward Hatcher, and Elizabeth (Greenhaugh) Hatcher, the wife of Benjamin Hatcher. The inventory of the estate of Edward Hatcher, deceased, dated 28 Sept 1711 was signed by his wife, Mary, and his son, Seth (Henrico County Wills and Deeds Book 1710-1714, p. 106). The will of Benjamin Hatcher was proved on the first Monday of October 1728 in Henrico Co., VA after it was presented by Elizabeth (Greenhaugh) Hatcher to the court at Varina (Henrico Records Deeds and Wills No. 1, 1725-1737, Part 2, p. 215). Edward and Benjamin Hatcher were documented sons of William Hatcher. We probably will never know which sister-in-law was the lucky "my sister Hatcher" who received the inheritance. (See transcription of Jane's will below and attached synopsis of her will). (References supporting the "Hatcher" theory: (1) "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5" by John Frederick Dorman, 4th Ed., Vol. 1, 2007, p367, Footnote #16); (2) See also sources #1 and #6 below.

NOTE: Another theory was presented on page 147 of "Our Kin" by Mary Denham Ackerly and Lula Eastman Jeter Parker, 1947. Quote from page 147 of "Our Kin": "In an article written by the eminent Virginia genealogist, Mr. Wm. G. Stanard, on page 401 of Volume 17 of the "Virginia Historical Magazine" is the following:
"Jane, daughter of Edward Hatcher (my emphysis-son of William Hatcher 1613-1680), married __?__ (sic-William) Branch of Henrico, afterwards married Abell Gower. The will of Mrs. Jane Gower was proved in Henrico, October, 1699 (sic-January 1710). Through a child of her first marriage, Mrs. Jane Gower was an ancestress of Thomas Jefferson." NOTE:This is an error. Jane Gower was kin to Thomas Jefferson through her daughter, Priscilla (Baugh) Farrar, who was her daughter by William Baugh, Jane's 2nd husband of 3. Continued quote from page 147 of "Our Kin": "Now Mr. Wm. Torrence, another Virginia genealogist equally eminent, demonstrates to his own satisfaction that the Henrico records do not prove that Jane, referred to by Mr. Stanard, was the daughter of Edward Hatcher. He correctly states that the records do not affirmatively show that Edward had a daughter named Jane. I read Mr. Stanard's article first and marked the biggest branch on our family tree, "Thomas Jefferson". I would lop off that branch with great reluctance. While Mr. Torrence's argument appeals to me judicially, I prefer to indulge my fancy as an individual. The will of Jane Gower gives some household articles to one whom she designates as "Sister Hatcher". Now who "Sister Hatcher" was, the records do not disclose. Mrs. Gower was of the age to have been the daughter of Edward. She was the ancestress of Thomas Jefferson, and she had a sister by the name of Hatcher. I side with Stanard!
NOTE: The theory that Jane Hatcher was Edward Hatcher's daughter has been discounted. Edward Hatcher was born about 1633-37 and Jane Hatcher was born about 1640. The statement on page 147 in "Our Kin: "Mrs. Gower was of the age to have been the daughter of Edward. " is a gross misstatement and in itself refutes the theory that she was the daughter of Edward Hatcher. She and Edward Hatcher were siblings.

Jane's birth, about 1640, is confirmed by a 1688 deposition stating her age as about 48 years (Ref: Henrico Records Vol. 1688-97, p25).

Jane Hatcher (age about 16 Y/O) married first William Branch who was a Henrico Co., VA planter. He was born about 1626 at Henrico Co., VA. They married about 1656 and he died about 1660.

The children of William and Jane (Hatcher) Branch were:
1) William Branch, Jr., b. Abt. 1657, d. 1687 without issue, m. Jane Ward
2) John Branch, b. 1659, d. 1688, m. Martha (Grigg?) (Ref: See #2 below, p369).
3) Elizabeth "Jane" Branch Parham (1680-1717), m. Thomas Parham, Jr. NOTE DISCLAIMER: This child was was added erroneously to the FAG memorials of William Branch and his wife, Jane (Hatcher) Branch, as their daughter by FAG contributor "Georgia Girl" in 2013 and was removed by Find A Grave on 10-7-19. Reasons for removal: Elizabeth "Jane" Branch Parham (1680-1717) was born 20 years after the death of William Branch (1626-1660). The 1710 Henrico County, VA will of Jane (Hatcher) Branch Baugh Gower did not mention a daughter named, Elizabeth "Jane" Branch Parham .

Jane (Hatcher) Branch married secondly, William Baugh, Jr. about 1661 at Henrico Co., VA. He died in 1676.

The children of William and Jane (Hatcher) Baugh, Jr. were:
1) John Baugh, b. Abt. 1661 in Henrico Co., VA
2) Mary Baugh, b. Abt. 1662 in Henrico Co., VA, d. Abt. 1710, m. John Cox (Ref: See #2 below; p367 Footnote #13; also p729).
3) Katherine Baugh, b. 1663 in Henrico Co., VA
4) Priscilla Baugh, b. Abt. 1664 in Henrico Co., VA., d. 1706 on Farrar's Island, Henrico Co., VA, m. William Farrar III abt. 1680.
5) James Baugh, b. 1665 in Henrico Co., VA
6) Thomas Baugh, b. 1667 in Henrico Co., VA
7) William Baugh, III, b. Abt. 1668 Henrico Co., VA, d. 1676 Henrico Co., VA.

Jane (Hatcher) Branch Baugh married thirdly, Abel Gower, in 1677 at Henrico Co., VA. He died in 1689.

William Baugh, Jr.'s, second husband of Jane Hatcher, death date prior to August 1678 is confirmed by an Henrico Co., VA Orphan's Court record of August 1678, in which Abel Gower, third husband of Jane Hatcher, gave an account of cattle belonging to his step children. They were William (Jr.) and John Branch, orphans of William Branch, deceased 1st husband of Jane Hatcher and Mary and Priscilla Baugh, orphans of William Baugh, Jr., deceased 2nd husband of Jane Hatcher. [Ref: (1) Henrico Co., Orphans Court Bk. 1677-1739, p2; (2) "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5" by John Frederick Dorman, 4th Ed., Vol. 1, 2007, p367, Footnote #15; (3) See also source #1 below].

The child of Abel (aka Abell) and Jane (Hatcher) Gower was:
1) Tabitha Gower, b. Abt. 1678 Henrico Co., VA, d. Abt. 1701 Henrico Co., VA, m. Robert Grigg about 1700 (Marriage license granted to Robert Grigg on 20 Oct 1700 to marry Tabitha, orphan of Abel Gower) (Tabitha died without issue and was not mentioned in her mother's 1709 will as she predeceased her)

An 01 Oct 1696 Henrico County Gift Deed states: "John Cocke, Jr., son of Richard Cocke, Sr., of County & Parish of Henrico, has taken to wife Obedience Branch, eldest daughter of my son John Branch, late of Kingsland in same county, plantar, dec'd, Now I, Jane Gower of Kingsland in same county and parish, widow, for love and affection, give to said John Cocke and Obedience his wife, all that plantation given me by my father in law Christopher Branch, late of Kingsland, dec'd, being land where my son John dwelt, now in tenure of Robert Grigg, on south side of James River, 100 acres, bounded by Thomas Branch and Mr. Abell Gower orphan." (Henrico County, VA Deeds, Vol. III, 1677-1705, p. 97) NOTE: The "Kingsland" mentioned in this 01 Oct 1696 Henrico County Gift Deed was the ancestral home and burial place William Branch,Sr., first husband of Jane Hatcher. Her plantation, "The Big Stone", mentioned in her 1709 will was located very near "Kingsland".

The will of Jane Gower of the Parish and County of Henrico dated 07 Dec 1709 was proved in Henrico County January 1710, bequests went to: grandson William Cox and my daughter, Mary (Baugh) Cox all of my outlands; granddaughters Obedience Turpin and Pricilla Wilkinson, to be equally divided between them the land I now live on called "The Great Stone" (my emphasis); grandson William Farrar (IV), feather bed, rug, pair blankets, pair sheets, pillow and boulster; grandson Abel Farrar feather bed, boulster, pillow, blanket, rug, pair sheets; granddaughter Mary Womack four silver spoons; granddaughter Mary Wilkinson four silver spoons; granddaughter Obedience Turpin four silver spoons; granddaughter Martha Wilkerson chest of drawers, oval table, diaper table cloth, one dozen napkins; to Priscilla Farrar bed boulster, blanket, rug; to John Pike bed he lies on with furniture thereto belonging; to William Womack two breeding sows; daughter Mary Cox all stock except two cows; granddaughter Priscilla Farrar silver porringer; "my sister Hatcher damask gown and petticoat" (my emphasis); grandson Abell Farrar iron pot, silver tumbler, table standing in the chamber, two pewter dishes; granddaughter Priscilla Farrar iron pot, table with drawer in it, pewter dish; grandson William Farrar (IV) two pewter dishes, my biggest tumbler (silver); granddaughter Judith Womack box iron and heaters; daughter Mrs. Mary Cox residue of estate and she named as executrix. [References: (1) Henrico Co. Records, Will & Deed Book "1710-1714", pp35-36; (2) See attached abstract of Jane (Hatcher) Gower's will).

NOTE: Jane (Hatcher) Branch Baugh Gower was buried in the Gower Family Cemetery on her Henrico County, Virginia plantation, "The Big Stone", which she mentioned in her 07 Dec 1709 will. A previous reference to this large stone in the bio of William Baugh, Sr., her first husband's father, helps to locate Jane (Hatcher) Branch Baugh Gowe's "Big Stone Plantation". It reads: A survey for a patent dated 20 Oct 1665 for 1380 acres for Christopher Branch, Sr. at Kingsland and Proctors Creek states that William Baugh, Sr. resided on this land prior to 1668, near a "remarkable great stone lying above William Baugh's house line" (Patent Bk. "5", p590). This was probably the first colonial home of William Baugh, Sr. (See accompanying map for the location of Proctors Creek and "Kingsland", Christopher Branch's Plantation.

Sources:
1) "The family of Bartholomew Stovall: Eight generations of Stovalls in England and America" by Neil D Thompson, 1993, p204
2) "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5" by John Frederick Dorman, 4th Ed., Vol. 1, 2007, pp367, 930
3) "Cavaliers and Pioneers. Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants" Vol. I by Nell Marion Nugent, 1983, p549 ("Great Stone" see will of Jane Gower).
4) "Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia" Part I, 1654-1737, by Benjamin B. Weisiger III, 1976, p82.
5) "The Farrar's Island Family and Its English Ancestry" by Alvahn Holmes, 1972, pp146,147.

Bio by Gresham Farrar.