![]() Richard (ca. 1585-ca. 1623) and Isabella (ca. 1589-unknown) Pace and their son, George (ca. 1609/11-1655,) were among the earliest families that landed at Jamestown. Their arrival date is unknown, but it is speculated that they arrived in August, 1611 with Sir Tomas Gates, William Perry and Captain William Powell, given their later relationships with the latter two. Richard, a carpenter from Wapping (London’s old maritime district,) and Isabella Smythe were married in St. Dunstan’s Church, Stepney (East End of London) on 5 October 1608. Richard was likely employed and sent to Jamestown by the Virginia Company of London, entitling him to 100 acres after seven years’ labor; the Company also transported his family. Jamestown’s population was then about 300. The Paces, having arrived in the colony before 1616 and as Ancient Planters, were eligible for land grants from the Company in 1618. Isabella may have also been eligible for them, for it is likely that she may have been the cause of the first General Assembly's 1619 action to enable land ownership by women as well as men. On 5 December 1620 Richard received a patent for 400 acres that included 300 for his six headrights for bringing settlers or servants. Isabella also received 100 acres (for unknown reasons) and later bought another 100 acres from Francis Chapman. Their land was on a high bluff across the James River from Jamestown in what is now Surry County, a plantation that they named “Paces Paines.” Richard Pace is best known for warning Jamestown of the well-planned and devastating Powhatan Indian surprise attack on all the English settlements along the James River on 22 March 1621/2. Early that morning, an Indian boy, Chanco, William Perry’s servant, was living in the Pace household. He alerted Pace to the impending attack and they rowed a small boat over two miles to Jamestown to warn its residents. Their alarms helped to spare Jamestown itself, but over a score outlying plantations were decimated and more than a quarter of the colony’s settlers were killed. Richard petitioned to return to Paces Panes and finally did so in February 1623/4. He died between February 1623 and the 1624 Muster. The widowed Isabella then married William Perry (date unknown.) He and his son Henry, Isabella and George Pace were not in Jamestown for the February 1625 muster. On 9 May 1625, Isabella Perry (Mrs. William) testified in a court trial in Jamestown. She was widowed again (date unknown) and married merchant George Menifee (date unknown) and died on an unknown date. George Pace patented his father’s 400 acres on 1 September 1628 and, in 1638, married Sarah Maycock(e), daughter of the Reverend Samuel Maycock(e), who was killed in the 1622 Indian uprising. George died in 1655, predeceased by Sarah. First California Company Organizing Governor Martha Pace Gresham is a descendant of the Paces
28 Comments
Josiah de la Motte
9/15/2020 02:06:44 am
I’m very interested in this Pace family. Do you happen to know of any relation between these Paces and Richard Pace who died in Bertie Precinct, Albemarle Co. NC in 1736?
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Anton Mayer
3/20/2021 08:51:16 pm
My grandmother was Bonnie Mae Pace born in Leary GA. I have a genealogy published "The John Pace Family" (Hendricks) that includes Richard Pace 1590 with family tree etc. Maybe there is a fact, name in the publication that will link to your Richard Pace.
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William
7/12/2021 06:39:12 pm
I would love some kind of link to the genealogy history "The John Pace Family" mentioned above. I cannot find it. I am in that line. Thank you
william
7/12/2021 06:40:37 pm
Did you ever find any information regarding the connection to Richard Pace? I would love to share any information you have about Richard Pace ( who died 1736 in Bertie Co., NC)
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Jen Howell
5/17/2022 09:12:18 am
If you are still looking for information about Richard Pace who died in Bertie Precinct, Albemarle Co, NC, I expect this is who is frequently referred to as 'Richard Pace III', with the line going: Richard > George > Richard > Richard.... and on down - I am a descendant. The Paces are very well documented through a variety of sources. I recommend you look into The Pace Society of America website, and the Pace Family Genealogy Facebook page.
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Joe R
4/20/2023 01:29:33 pm
Josiah de la Motte,
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Anton Mayer
7/14/2021 04:42:13 pm
I scanned the text and the Last Will of Richard Pace of Bertie Co., NC I will forward the scan to you - just contact me directly at argusarm@gmail.com and I will attache scan to my reply.
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Brian Swann
8/12/2021 10:48:21 am
I was very interested in Richard Pace from around 1998 to 2005 and the early days of the internet. However, if he did not leave any male descendants then the likelihood of finding his place of origin beyond his marriage at Stepney is exceptionally challenging. The only clue you have is that William Perry was the cousin of Richard and John Perry and that family came originally from Exeter in Devon and its surrounds. Richard Perry was the merchant trader running the London operation, so maybe Richard Pace knew the Perry family in London, somehow. As he was a carpenter, he could have helped repair the vessels Richard Perry was freighting good on.
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Bella
11/10/2022 12:12:52 pm
You probably have been informed by now, so please excuse this late reply, but Richard and Isabella had one child - a son named George. George married and had several children. The Pace Society, to which I belobg, has a surname study going with FTDNA, and men are encouraged to take a Y test to determine which Pace line they belong. My brother (Richard) took it, and our direct descendancy from Richard of Jamestown was confirmed.
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Joe
4/20/2023 01:42:42 pm
Brian,
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Val Wood
10/18/2021 11:33:24 am
John Pace related to Richard Pace 1500s was court jester for the crown. John Heywood (writer) recorded much about the paces.
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Robert Pace
12/9/2021 01:34:12 am
My last name is Pace and all of my family is from Mississippi. There is a couple other paces but we are not related. My gray is 97 years old and father has already passed on at 52 from OD so that just leaves me and I’m getting a vesctomy soon and that will end my entire family’s last life but in my eyes it’s for the best because of the past of my whole family being addicted to pain pills and Xanax for anxiety and depression so to me it’s for the best.
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Jessica Pace
4/14/2022 12:51:51 pm
My family is also from Mississippi. I have relatives in south Louisiana and Texas as well. Not sure if there is any relation. I know my great great grandfather I believe it was had like three sets of kids.
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R pace (female)
12/26/2021 02:09:55 am
I'm in direct lineage of Richard Pace and have built a family tree on ancestry
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Joseph Dennis
11/12/2022 05:23:48 pm
I have been asked to play the role of Richard Pace in the upcoming movie More Than Conquerors. Filming started this summer and will be completed in 2023. I would love to get any information you might have on him so I can portray him as accurately as possible.
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11/15/2022 11:15:58 am
If you go to PaceSociety.org, you will find a lot of information. I would also recommend the book, The Man Who Foiled a Jamestown Massacre: The Life and Times of Richard Pace of Pace's Paines.
Randy Pace
1/12/2023 02:15:19 pm
Hi Joseph - this is marvelous. Congratulations. Can you send me more details about the movie as am a Trustee of the Pace Society of America. and direct descendant of Richard Pace. Thanks Randy - Houston TX grandypace@aol.com
Randy Pace
1/12/2023 02:51:26 pm
Hi just found a website for more info about the movie at:
Brian Swann
5/17/2022 12:28:10 pm
I wonder if enough attention is given to the individuals that Isabella Pace remarried to after the death of Richard Pace. They must have been instrumental in the raising of her children, particularly George Pace.
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Jennifer Bawden
8/31/2022 02:51:20 am
Is there any record of the servants of the Pace family?
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Wayne Pace
12/29/2022 09:10:56 pm
Please tell more about the movie. Who wrote and is publishing it?
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2/9/2023 08:59:58 am
My family records indicate that my 9th great grandfather, Peter Deberry, (b 1607) was married to Elizabeth Mary Pace (b1620). I would appreciate any information regarding Elizabeth’s parents.
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Joe
7/6/2023 10:13:20 am
" Elizabeth Mary Pace (b1620). I would appreciate any information regarding Elizabeth’s parents. "
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3/2/2023 09:48:02 am
I am trying to find out if my family is blood related, I have done my dna with Ancestry but not familiar with how this all works. Can anyone help?
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Joe
7/6/2023 09:58:27 am
Brandon,
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Chess morris
4/30/2023 06:49:21 pm
My grand mother was Alice Hester Pace b. Ca 1877. She married James McHan any body know her. She's supposed to be a desendant of Richard as well through her father. I do need his name...thanks in advance Chess Morris...my mom was Jewell Pearl McHan b. 1921
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Sheila G Davis
7/6/2023 03:57:54 am
Im a dendent of Richard Pace my fathers name was Darrell Pace from Ky,
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Joe
7/6/2023 09:36:50 am
Sheila and Chess,
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