14 Facts About Edward Digges

Edward Digges was an English barrister and colonist who became a premium tobacco planter and official in the Virginia colony.

The son of the English politician Dudley Digges represented the colony before the Virginia Company of London and the royal government, as well as served for two decades on the colony's Council of State.

Edward Digges is known for planting mulberry trees and promoting the silk industry in the colony.

Edward Digges received an education appropriate to his class and entered Gray's Inn in 1637 to become a barrister.

Edward Digges emigrated to the Virginia Colony about 1650 and purchased from Captain John West a 1250-acre plantation in Hampton Parish, York County, Virginia, near Yorktown.

Edward Digges patented land in Surry, New Kent and Gloucester counties.

About 1653, Edward Digges laid out Fort Mattapony near Walkerton, King and Queen County, Virginia.

Edward Digges had more success growing premium tobacco than manufacturing silk.

Edward Digges sent a parcel of his silk to the Royal Society, by way of his cousin Dudley Palmer, one of the original Fellows of the Society.

Edward Digges received his seat on the Virginia Governor's Council during the English Civil War, two years after Virginia's governor and legislature recognized the Cromwellian government.

Edward Digges married Elizabeth Page, daughter of Francis Page, who according to a tomb inscription bore six sons and seven daughters.

Edward Digges survived her husband by more than a decade.

Edward Digges's widow survived him by 16 years, and occupied the property until her demise, in addition to receiving 1200 pounds sterling under the terms of the will.

Edward Digges had issue 6 sons and 7 daughters by the body of Elizabeth his wife who of her conjugal affection hath dedicated to him this Memorial.