Merchants Hope (see also Martins Brandon)

Prince George is also the home of the oldest Episcopalian church still standing and still being used as a house of worship in America. Merchants
Hope Church was completed in 1657 and was named after the Merchants Hope Plantation which was located west of Martin's Brandon.

Merchants Hope Church also played a part in Bacon's Rebellion. In 1676 at Jordan Point, Bacon and many outraged settlers protested against edicts of
the royal governors and demanded home rule. They met at Merchants Hope Church where they signed petitions to Governor Berkeley demanding help
against Indian attacks. Berkeley dismissed their petitions leaving Bacon and 211 volunteers to take matters into their own hands. Ref

“The first and only church built for Jordan’s Parish is the venerable Merchant’s Hope Church, which still stands in solemn dignity by the side of a little used country road about six miles east of Hopewell, shaded by magnificent pines.

“Jordan’s Parish lasted only somewhat over thirty years. On 28 April 1688, by consent of the parishioners, it was reunited with Westover Parish and Merchant’s Hope Church became a chapel of ease for Westover Parish until 1720, when it became the upper chapel for Martin’s Brandon upon the enlargement of that parish.- The Hopewell Story

320. William Barker, marriner, John Sadler and Richard Vuyening. Novr. 26, 1635. 1250 acres, from a seate or tract of land called Merchants hope, formerly granted to the said Wm. Barker his associates.

321. William Barker. Nov. 26, 1635. 400 acres, Bounded upon a Creeke called Chappells Creeke.

352. Cheneye Boyse, May last 1636, 1550 acres North upon the line hill Swamp, west upon Merchants hope.

468. Cheney Boys. Aug. 24, 1737. 1550 acres, North upon the line hill swamp, west upon Merchants hope creeke.

475. William Barker, Aug. 29, 1737. 600 acres, Being a point of land called Bickers.

581. Edward Sparshott. July 25, 1638. 400 acres. Beginning &c towards the head of a creek called by the name of Merchants hope.

602. Richard Milton. Octbr 3, 1638. 400 acres. Beginning &c upon great Weynoake Town. Note. --"This patt. renewed Augst. 23d, 1643 &c
and a patt. of 200 acres more of Richard Tisdell of the 10 Feby, 1635, added unto it & 400 acres more added unto both these patents all of
which are in the name (Thomas Wheeler)."

609. William Barker marriner, his associates & company Feby 12, 1638. 1850 acres, part of the land being heretofore called by the name of
Powlebrooke and now known by the name of Merchants hope.

621. Thomas Wheeler, Nov. 10, 1638. 200 acres at the head of acreek called Merchants hope.

645. William Barker. May 11, 1639. 1300 acres. Part of the land bounding upon the [. . . .] purchased by said Wm. Barker of Mrs. Elizabeth Stephens, now the Lady Harvey, lying up to the head of the Creek.

893. Thomas Wheeler, Augt. xxiiith, 1643. 990 acares, at the head of Powell Creek.

910. Symon Sturges, John Sadler, & Richard Quincy of London Merchants Augt. 5, 1643. 4,550 acres. Commonly called and known by the name of Martin Brandon lying betwixt Chippokes Creek and Wards Creek.

Charles City County: Patents Issued during the Regal Government. William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 4. (Apr., 1901), pp. 227-233.