Charles Scarburgh was born abt 1643 in Nansemound Co., Virginia, United States. He was the son of Col.Edmond II Scarburgh (1617-1671) and Mary (Littleton) Scarburgh (1610-1691). Third wife was Elizabeth Bennett, d/o Gov Richard Bennett. First 2 wives were Katherine West Barlow (widow of Ralph Barlow), 2nd was her sister Ann West. No children by these two women.

Col. Charles Scarburgh married Elizabeth Bennett (1645-1719) in Accomack, Virginia, United States in 1670. Elizabeth was the daughter of Governor Richard Bennett (1609-1675) and Mary Ann (Longworth) Bennett (1601-1687).

Col. Charles and Elizabeth Scarburgh were the parents of the following known children: Mary Scarburgh, Charles Scarburgh, Ann Scarburgh, Henry I Scarburgh, Tabitha Scarburgh, Elizabeth Scarburgh, Maj Bennett Scarburgh and Sarah Scarburgh.

Charles graduated from in Caius College, Cambridge, England 1664.(66497) Charles was named in his mother's will 14 Jun 1691 in Accomack Co, VA.(66498) In a Codicil to her will, Mary Scarburgh revoked the legacy to her son Charles on account of his neglect.

Though an ardent Royalist, it has been said that Edmund would undoubtedly have joined Bacon in his Rebellion, as his son, Col. Charles Scarborough, did had he lived a few years longer, for he was an avowed enemy of Governor Berkeley, with whom he had many clashes. Col. Charles Scarborough was joined in his allegiance to Bacon by his cousin, William Scarborough, though his brother, Captain Edmond Scarborough, remained loyal to Governor Berkeley. After the death of Bacon, and the collapse of the rebellion, Col. Charles Scarborough escaped with only a fine, while his cousin, William Scarborough, was sentenced to death and his property confiscated, March 16, 1677. The defection of Col. Charles Scarborough was evidently forgiven, for in 1692 he was the Naval Officer and Collector for the Eastern Shore, under Governor Andros, and served until 1698. His father, Col. Edmond Scarborough, had held this office during his lifetime, and the son of Col. Charles, Henry Scarborough, succeeded his father in 1699. Source: (Southern Kith and Kin, p. 18)

Bennett Scarborough, Gent., of Accomack, one of the sons of Col. Charles Scarburgh, decd., by Elizabeth his wife, now lately also deceased, who was the daughter of Major Richard Bennett of "Nanziman" River in Virginia, also dec'd, and Temperance his wife, and Henry Scarburgh of Accomack, Gent., another of the sons of the said Charles and Elizabeth, and Winnifred his wife; and Mary Leatherbury of the said county of Accomack, widdow, one of the daughters, and John Bagwell and Tabitha his wife, another of the daughters, and William Black of said county, Clark, and Sarah his wife, another of the daughters of the said Charles and Elizabeth; and Scarburgh Drummond, son and heir of Elizabeth, who was the wife of Captain Richard Drummond, now both lately deceased, another of the daughters; and George Parker, Jnr., son and heir of Ann, lately decd., who was the wife of Major George Parker, another of the daughters of the said Charles and Elizabeth, and Elizabeth his wife, to George Dashiell of Somerset County, Gent., conveying all rights to "Bennett's Adventure." Source: (Somerset Co., MD, Deed Bk, 1K, p 192, 2 Oct 1721; Cited in Adventurers, p. 546)

A number of appointees of the King were suspected of being papists, and 2 new members of the VA Council were alleged to have been selected because of their Catholicism. "This led Colonel Charles Scarburgh, of Accomac, a man as bold and fearless as his father before him and an aspirant to the office of Councillor, to exclaim in great anger in the presence of the Governor, Lord Howard, 'that his Majesty King James would wear out the Church of England, for that when there were any vacant offices, he supplied them with men of a different persuasion.' The indiscreet Scarburgh was at once arrested for such treasonable utterances, but not until he had voiced the sentiments of the colonists in general… He at once became the hero of the people… On October 18th, the Governor reported to the Council that he had removed Scarburgh from his various offices for treason to the crown and he was forthwith order to appear for trial…The prosecution, however…was more or less of a farce, for the temper of the people was not such as to permit of harm to their champion. Scarburgh was soon discharged and reinstated in his offices." pp. 245-7:


He made a will 6 Aug 1701 in Pungoteague, Acc Co, VA.(66499) To eldest son Bennet Scarburgh 521 acres near Kikotanck formerly called Hogneck, now Antingham; land in Jollys Neck and his one share of Benefield in Pocomoke containing 3,000 acres and his share of 2,500 acres in Wickocomo in Maryland, to be equally divided between him and his sister Ann Parker. To son Charles Scarburgh planatation at Great Matomkin where he now lives containing by patent 2,100 acres. To son Henry Scarburgh plantation where I now live at Pungoteague after the death of my wife and my Island called Scarburgh Winter Island in the mouth of Pungoteague. To daughter Ann, wife of George Parker of Onancock, Gent: her share of 3,000 acres at Pocomoke called Benefield and of 2,500 acres at Wickomoco, Maryland, called Bennet's Adventure and 1/2 of 2,000 acres at Pocomoke, in Virginia, to be divided between her and her brother Bennet Scarburgh. To daughter Mary Scarburgh land at Pungoteagure called Yeo's Neck, now Bradfield, purchased of Justinian Yeo. To daughter Sarah 2,000 acres on the south side of White Marsh. To daughter Tabitha Scarburgh land near the Court House, land at Anancock, called the Town, land in Burton's Branch. To wife Elizabeth lot at Anancock Town, Tangier Island, at Bundicks and Muddy Creek and 3,000 acres called Hogquarter in Maryland and all other land not already by me given, also my plantation and land and Winter Island for life. Wife residual legatee and executrix. Witt: John West, minor, John Lilliston, Edmond Scarburgh and John Morragh.

COL. CHARLES SCARBURGH was named after his uncle, Sir Charles Scarburgh. In 1652, when not over 17 years of age, he owned 3050 acres in one tract along Pungoteague Creek, besides other land, including a large amount in Maryland. He was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1688 and other years, and a member of the Colonial Council from 1691 until his death in 1703. In 1692 he was Councillor, Collector, and Naval Officer for the Eastern Shore, Commander-in- Chief of Accomack, and presiding Justice of that county. He married the daughter of Gov. Richard Bennett. His sons, Henry and Bennett, were prominent men in their day and held important offices in Accomack. COL. CHARLES SCARBURGH, unlike his brother, Capt. Edmund, did not remain loyal to Berkeley in 1676, but held a commission under Bacon. On March 3, 1677, he was tried by the King's Commissioners, and fined 40 pounds for "scandalous and mutinous words tending to the dishonor of the right honorable the Governor." At the session of March 16th, the Court sentenced one William Scarburgh to death. It would seem that CHARLES SCARBURGH had either brought to bear some powerful influence, which did not avail to save William Scarburgh, or that he had actually taken little part in the rebellion. As he was a very positive character, it is most probable that influence at Court saved him. His uncle, Col. Southey Littleton, son of COL. NATHANIEL LITTLETON, was a member of the Virginia Council at this time. Both Littleton and LT. COL. JOHN WEST, who married the sister of CHARLES SCARBURGH, were members of the court-martial which tried the rebels. With an uncle and a brother-in-law as members of the Court, and a great-uncle, after whom he was named, in the retinue of the King, CHARLES SCARBURGH was well protected against the wrath and vengeance of Governor Berkeley.

· In 1688 COL. CHARLES SCARBURGH, with his kinsman, Col. Edmund Bowman, was prosecuted for vehement public utterances and accusations against the Catholic proclivities of King James II.

· Capt. Edmund Scarburgh, second son of COL. EDMUND SCARBURGH, like his brother CHARLES, held high positions in Accomack County, including both civil and military offices. In 1677 he was justice of Accomack and a signatory party to the historic Accomack Memorial, which was submitted to Governor Berkeley after the collapse of Bacon's Rebellion.

· Thus it is seen that the family of Scarburgh in Accomack was allied, in the person of a son of the emigrant, with the noble Littleton family, through a daughter with the Wise family, and through granddaughters with the West and Custis families, and through the emigrant's grandson with a daughter of Governor Bennett. It is not, therefore, too much to say that the Scarburgh clan, already powerful, became through its alliances one of the most influential families in the Colony in the Seventeenth Century.

Col. Charles Scarburgh died on 6 Oct 1702 in Pungoteague, Accomack, Virginia, USA and was buried in Burial: SCARBURGH GRAVE Graven Stone 240, Accomack Co. Va.

Charles's will was probated 6 Oct 1702 in Accomack Co, VA.(66500) Most of the heirs of Colonel Charles Scarburgh and his wife Elizabeth Bennett were named in a deed of 2 Oct 1721 conveying all rights to "Bennett's Adventure" to George Dashiell of Somerset County (Somerset Co, MD, Deed Bk. IK, p. 192). See Adventruers of Purse and Person, p. 546. Source: (Miles Files, 2000)