John Chinn

It is thought that John Chinn and possibly some of his brothers brought the Chinn name to America. The name originated in England and Scotland. A coat of arms was issued to the name Cheyne in Britain. There was once an avenue in London called Cheyne Row. The name evolved over time to Chynn and with the arrival of John Chinn in America the current spelling appeared.

John purchased land and settled in the area Morattico on Lancaster Creek in Lancaster County. He also held lands in Old Rappahannock County (which became Richmond & Essex Counties in 1662). John married first to Elizabeth Travers before 1662 in Lancaster County, they had three children before Elizabeth's death. John remarried before 1682 to Alice Gilbert, daughter of James Gilbert & Mary Smoote. John and Alice had three more children together.

in August of 1664 John Chinn received a patent for 100 acres of land upon Morattico Creek adjacent his own land and land of Henry Davis. In 1668 John patented another 370 acres on Morattico Creek. On the same day in 1668 John along with John Gibson also received 550 acres in Rappahannock County begging by "Draggon Swamp" for the transport of 11 people to the colony. In the 1668 patents John's last name was spelled as "Chynn." In 1670 John along with Thomas Wright obtained 200 acres described as being near the head of Morattico Creek for the transport of five people to the colony.

John Chinn wrote his will on December 15th, 1691 in Lancaster County. Oldest daughters Elizabeth and Sarah along with their husbands each received 12 pence. He left more to his younger daughters when they reached age 16, Anne received a tract of land at the head of Powells Creek, furniture, household goods and livestock. To Catherine he left land at the head of Morattico Creek purchased from Thomas Maddison, along with household goods. His oldest son, Jon, received 12 pence and the will stated "because I have paid and he hath received his portion already." To Rawleigh, the youngest son, John left the land he lived on, furniture, livestock, two guns and one slave between the ages of 16 and 20. John left all the rest of his estate to Alice including his riding horse "Dragon" and her riding horse "Hester."

The will of John Chinn was proven in Lancaster County Court on May 13th, 1692.