Individual Details

VIRGINIA MILITIA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
PART II
Virginia's Share in the Military Movements of the Revolution, page 63
Bibliography: McAllister, J.T.
McAllister Printing Company
Hot Springs, Va
1913

Canterbury, John---- Monroe, Jan. 19, 183-. Born in Prince William about 1761. Volunteered for one month in Montgomery to guard the frontier at clinch river. Was at Blackmore Station on Clinch. Volunteered one month to guard the frontier on Bluestone River. Received no pay for either tour. Moved to Holston River, where he substituted three months for Samuel Douglas, and served at Logan's Station, Kentucky. Volunteered under Capt. Joseph Martin against the Indians. The troops marched across the French Broad to the Indian towns and were in several small skirmishes, but no regular engagement. They killed some Indians and took some prisoners, but the Indians evacuated their towns. Substituted for three months for a David Renfrow, and marched under Col. Campbell to the Santee River, where he joined Gen. Martin's army, then in camp. In one scouting party they took about 80 prisoners, brought them into camp, and sent them to Camden. Army remained in camp till Cornwallis surrendered. Declarant settled in Monroe, about 1784.

Notes from Kenneth J. Canterbury, descendent of John and Nancy Lowe Canterbury.

"I wish you both (Ida Mae Ellison & me) could visit his and Nancy's old home place on top of the mountain but it requires a one and one half mile walk through the woods. I was there one year ago and found the remains of the spring where they drew water and the barely visible remains of an old outhouse. Also found an indian tomahawk stone hidden under the logs on top of a cornerstone. I feel sure that it belonged to John since he fought in the Indian wars."

John Canterbury and his brother Samual migrated from Franklin County Virginia to Greenbriar County in 1782. They are both on the Greenbriar County Tax Register from 1782 thru 1786 and were both taxed one tithe for horses each year. Samual later married Jane Dick and moved to Logan County. In 1787 John married Nancy Lowe who was originally from Maryland. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Reverend John Alderson Jr in the Greenbriar Baptist Church at Alderson. The Church was erected in 1781 and was the first church to be founded west of the Alleghany Mountains. It was replaced in 1957. John and Nancy lived in the southern part of Greenbriar County that became Monroe County in 1799. Both countys became a part of West Virginia in 1863. They were living on a 74 acre farm on Indian Creek in 1789. (Source:Monroe County Survey Book 3,Page 27). John received a land grant of 100 acres on Stoney Creek near Caldwell in 1797 and 155 acres at Blue Lick Run on the Greenbriar River in 1800. (Source: Sims Virginia Land Grants,Greenbriar County). He sold both tracts on July 15,1800 to William Graham and Israel Meadows. (Source: Monroe County Deed Book A,pages 83 and 85). He purchased a 150 acre farm on May 19,1801 from John Maddy for 85 British Pounds. (Source: Monroe County Deed Book A,Page 131). The farm was located above the waters of Back Creek which is a branch of Indian Creek in the Springfield District of Monroe County and was adjacent to land owned by his father in law Samual Lowe. When John was seventy four years of age he appeared before the Justice of Monroe County to apply for pension benefits. The benefits were available to volunteer soldiers due to an Act of Congress that was passed on June 7,1832. By applying for the pension he left a wealth of information that could not have been obtained otherwise. The following paragraph is an edited version of his Declaration for Benefits which is on file at the County Clerks Office at the Monroe County Court House in Union W.V..

(START OF DECLARATION)

John stated that he was born in Prince William County in Virginia and that although he had no records of his birth he believed himself to be 74 years of age. He further stated that he moved from Prince William County to Montgomery County (which later became a part of Bedford County) where he entered the service of the United States and served a one month tour at Blackmors Station. There he guarded the western frontier of the Clinch River against Indian attacks. Shortly after the expiration of that tour he volunteered for a one month tour to guard the frontiers of the Bluestone River against Indian attacks. He then moved to Holstone in Washington County. His next tour while acting as a substitute for Samual Douglas was for three months in a volunteer company that was raised in Virginia. They marched from what was then called 'The Long Islands of Holstone' into Kentucky. During that time he was stationed at Benjamin Logans Run and served out his full tour before returning to Holstone. He then volunteered under the command of Captain Joseph Martin and marched westward across the French-Broad River to the Cherokee Indian towns(later Tennessee) where they killed several Indians and took prisoners. After the Indians vacated their towns they had no further engagements and returned to Holstone. He then volunteered as a substitute for David Renfrose for a three month tour under the command of Colonel Campbell against the British. They marched to the Santee River where they joined General Marions' Army in South Carolina. While there he was in a scouting party that captured 80 British prisoners that were later sent to Camden. They were discharged after learning of Cornwallis' surrender in 1781 which signaled the end of the Revolutionary war. He then moved to Franklin County where he resided before moving to Greenbriar County.

(END OF DECLARATION)

John refiled for the pension on November 18, 1839. His neighbors Samual Clark and Joseph Ellison who was a minister of the gospel accompanied John and swore that they had known him for many years and that he was a man of strict integrity,much beloved in the community and entitled to full credit in his statements. It is not known if John was successfull in his declaration for a pension but the name John Canterbury appears in the 1784-1811 military records of the United States Volunteer Soldiers Archive and the Daughters Of The American Revolution placed a Revolutionary Marker at his gravesite near Greenville. Nancy died March 8,1850 at Hans Creek near Greenville. John and Nancy and their daughter Polly and her husband George Stevenson are buried at the Keaton/Buzzard Run Cemetery located just off Cooks Run which is 2.4 miles from the Post office in Greenville,Monroe,W.V.. (Source: Monroe County Cemeterys/Monroe County Historical Society). Their original markers are still legible.

Canterbury Family Cemetery

Located on the Canterbury Family farm in Monroe County, WV. The following people are buried there.

Joshua Canterberry 1792 - 1877
Mary Ann "Polly" Copeland Canterberry 1798 - 1874
Rosa M. Canterbury 1890 - 1961
W.F. Canterbury 1890 - 1961
Glenna Susan Canterbury 1920 - 1920
Margaret E. Canterberry 1838 - 1913
John H. Canterberry 1839 - 1904
Lewis Press Canterberry 1875 - 1938
Four unmarked graves

According to Robert WM Canterbury (kilmorach@cs.com) (http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-genforum/email.cgi?693707752)

"Found a muster record (abt 1779) for John Canterbury in the book Collins History of Kentucky by Judge Lewis Collins p12 (copy of a muster record in his possession in early 1840’s. For Capt. Benjamin Logan’s company (John mentions him in his pension request). Proves pretty conclusively that John (1760) did actually serve in the Am Rev."

Subj: Canterbury genealogy
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2002 10:48:35 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: "David Noble"
To: bfurr1@aol.com

Bill,

Thanks for getting back in touch (1/20/02) with your Canterbury lineage as
requested. I realize that you have probably never heard of Joseph and Ruth
(Simms) Canterbury as the parents of your ancestor John Canterbury who
married Nancy Lowe.

For a discussion of John's parentage, you might want to look at the
following GenForum entries by Robert W. M. Canterbury:
http://www.genforum.com/canterbury/messages/134.html, .../137.html
and.../143.html. [see below] He has been researching his family for many years and also
descends from John and Nancy (Lowe) Canterbury.

His research had already concluded that Joseph and Ruth Canterbury are
John's parents. I was able to provide the maiden name for Ruth--and his
conclusions regarding this are given; he says in part, "...the related and
circumstantial evidence given makes a powerful case in proving these
[Joseph Canterbury and Ruth Simms] are his parents in my mind, barring any
new facts that may become available proving to the contrary. Would like to
see evidence used to prove other individuals may be his parents." (It is
really worth reading his genforum entries to get the full view of all the
research he has done.)

Why has it been difficult to identify Joseph Canterbury in the records? I
mentioned in my e-mail of 1/19/02 that I had correspondence which
identified a Mr. Canterbury and his wife Ruth Simms as the parents of a
daughter (my line) Frances Canterbury Langford. But the "rest of the
story" is this, quoting from a family "genealogy"--"He [Joseph Canterbury]
was a soldier in the Revolution. He heard one of his sons was dying. He
requested leave of absence but was refused, so he deserted to go to his
dying boy. His wife left the body of her son and walked a days journey
with her husband, well knowing she would never see him again. On reaching
the camp he was shot as a deserter. His daughter Frankie [Frances] married
my grandfather Robert Langford..." (1909, Rhoda Loucks Roadarmour, Gallia
Co., OH).

I have been able to verify the "desertion" information through service and
muster roll records on him at the National Archives here in Atlanta; one of
his "cards" very clearly states under "Remarks: Deserted June 16 [1777]."
For a further discussion of his desertion, see the following reference:
AMHERST COUNTY, VIRGINIA, IN THE REVOLUTION, Lenora Higginbotham Sweeny; originally published in 1951; reprinted by Southern Historical Press, Inc., Greenville, S.C. [my edition says 1998], page 18. On pages 61-62, "Ruth
Canterbury the wife of a poor Soldier in the Continental Army" was given
Three pounds Seventeen shillings and six pence for provisions, per August
Court, 1778. Further, October Court, 1778: "...for Provisions furnished
Ruth Canterberry the Wife of Joseph Canterberry..."

I was able to find National Archives records for Joseph Canterbury through
a reference which lists his service: HISTORICAL REGISTER OF VIRGINIANS IN
THE REVOLUTION, John H. Gwathmey, Genealogical Publishing Co., reprint 1996
[originally published Richmond, VA, 1938], page 128 (available in most
larger genealogy libraries as is the reference on Amherst County cited
above).

Now I would like to find records regarding his execution. I attended a
meeting of the GA Genealogical Soc. this past weekend which covered many of
the various record groups available through NARA--so I hope that I will be
able to use that information to find a record at the National Archives here
in Atlanta. (There is a book, SUMMER SOLDIERS, a list of those who
deserted, but he is not included.) I believe it will take lots of "digging"
to find such a record, if it exists at all! After proving that the "family
information" about his desertion is indeed correct, I believe that the part
about him being executed is very likely true also. As you probably know,
many soldiers did leave (with permission apparently) their regiments to go
home briefly. However, from the records and references that I have looked
at, it appears that Joseph Canterbury may have "deserted" more than once.

I don't mean to overwhelm you with all this new information, but Mr. Robert
Canterbury is a prolific researcher on his Canterbury line, and I think you
will find his information and research compelling about the issue of the
parents for John Canterbury. (He has also corresponded with Ida Mae
Ellison, whose name appears in your information also, under a note you
included from Kenneth J. Canterbury. And I in turn correspond with both Mr.
Canterbury and Ida Mae Ellison; her ancestor, Levi, son of John and Nancy
Lowe Canterbury, eventually settled in Gallia Co., OH, as did my Canterbury
ancestors.)

And finally, with Joseph and Ruth (Simms) Canterbury as the parents of
(your) John Canterbury and (my) Frances (Canterbury) Langford, it looks
like we are 6th cousins.

I appreciate your reading through all this--I don't know how interested you
may be in further Canterbury history, but I hope it adds to your genealogy
files!

Sincerely,
Alice Noble
(Atlanta, GA)

Robert WM Canterbury
http://www.genforum.com/canterbury/messages/134.html
Parents of John Canterbury - b. abt 1760 Fairfax County, Virginia
Based on the following information, propose that John Canterbury, b. abt 1760, had the following parents:

Joseph Canterbury Sr. (b. abt 1720-30) and Ruth. Joseph Canterbury Sr. was likely the son of Samuel Canterbury of Fairfax County and a first wife (not Mary Simpson, reference will of her father). Samuel was likely the son of John Canterbury, of Litton, Somerset, England (possibly Sampford Peverell, Devonshire, England at an earlier date) who was transported from Bristol, England October 31, 1685 aboard the ship "Swallow". Indenctured servant to Samuel Burge. This John from Litton appears to have had a father John Canterbury who was convicted as a rebel in Monmouth’s Rebellion in 1685 and was transported - leaving Bristol Oct. 24, 1685 aboard the ship "John" and arriving in Barbados January 1685. Reference book "Complete Book of Emigrants" pgs.555 and 556 by Peter Wilson Coldham. In Coldham’s works of several volumes, covering from 1661 to the mid-1700’s, only 2 Canterbury’s are found, who are mentioned here; both within 1 week of each other, leaving Bristol, England.
Comments welcome.

1. In some genealogies, Joseph Canterbury is listed as the oldest son of John Canterbury and Nancy Lowe. Believe the Joseph who married Miss Thompson in 1792 was Joseph Canterbury Jr , a brother of John Canterbury. Joseph, the son of John Canterbury, would have been too young.

2. Joseph Canterbury Jr., who served in the 6th Virginia Infantry and latter Dan Morgan’s Rifles during the American Revolution, settled in Giles county in the 1780’s and lived there until he died after 1815. Reference book "Virginians in the Revolution" by John Gwathmey, p. 128 and book "Index of the Revolutionary records in the Virginia State Archives" compiled by Dr. H.J. Eckenrode - 1912.

3. Ruth Canterbury was one of the older daughters of John Canterbury and Nancy Lowe. Like the Joseph mentioned in item 1 above, believe John and Nancy named some of their children after their parents. The wife of Joseph Canterbury Sr. of Amherst county, VA, was Ruth - reference book "Amherst County, Virginia, in the Revolution" p.61, 62, by Lenora H. Sweeny - 1951. Ruth Canterbury received county aid since she was impoverished and her husband was fighting in the American Revolution according to county records. She was still receiving aid after he possibly died, whether she was unaware of his death or didn’t relay that to the county or some other reason is unknown.

4. According to the book on Amherst County in the Revolution, muster rolls of county men are listed, which shows an entry for both Joseph Sr. and Joseph Jr. Canterbury (b. 1748) - pgs. 16 and 41. Muster rolls for the 6th Virginia Infantry, available on microfiche in larger libraries, lists both Joseph Sr. and Joseph Jr. in this regiment. Several roll call listings are available showing both Joseph’s- Sr. and Jr. - up until September 1777. No mention of Joseph Sr. is made after September of 1777 (battle of Brandywine, PA, occurred Sept. 11, 1777, in which history indicate the 6th Viriginia Infantry Regiment loss quite a number of men). Since he had been listed on earlier desertion records, doubt he deserted again since no record is made of it that exists today. Suggest that Joseph Sr. killed or mortally wounded in battle of Brandywine. Know that Ruth Canterbury was a widow by the 1787 Rockingham County Tax record, she is mentioned by herself. Joseph Jr. didn’t join Dan Morgan’s Rifles until some time after Brandywine per muster records, probably Dec. 1777.

5. Side note, the muster rolls of the 6th Virginia indicate that Joseph Sr. and Joseph Jr. both deserted serveral times in the early years, but returned within a few months at most. Available muster rolls indicate both would have been with 6th when it was getting ready for Brandywine. A detailed description of the appearance of Joseph Jr. is givne on p. 16 of the book Amherst county in the Revoluiton, quoting from a dispatch noting Joseph Jr’s desertion. Desertions by farmers were common, taking care of family and farm and then returning within a couple months to the army. Muster records support this for both Joseph Sr. and Jr.

6. Ruth Canterbury’s maiden name was possibly Simpson or McFarland - ref. book "Amherst County, Virginia, in the Revolution" p.109, by Lenora H. Sweeny. McFarland Canterbury b. 1801). Simpson is a guess, since there was a Ruth Simpson born in Maryland about 1720 who was related to the Simpson's or Fairfax County. Also Samuel’s second wife was a Simpson - often families married cousins etc. in colonial times.

Ida Mae
http://genforum.genealogy.com/canterbury/messages/137.html
Hello Robert:
You mention Ruth Canterbury receiving aid from the county during the Rev War while her husband is fighting. I also have a Ruth and I wonder if it is the same one (it is not the daughter of John and Nancy). Some time back the following information was sent to me and I have been looking for documentation and more information since. "Unknown Canterbury married Ruth SIMMS. Information is that he served in the Revolutionary War and was shot as a deserter following his return home to be with a dying son; his wife (Ruth) followed him back to the camp, knowing she would never see him again and he was then apparently executed. I have found a Ruth Canterbury on a tax list for 1787, as head of household, in Rockingham County Virginia. I think there is a strong possibility this is Ruth Simms Canterbury." Do you have any information that would tell us more about this Ruth and if it is possibly the same one you refer to?
Thanks Robert. Will look forward to hearing from you.

Robert WM Canterbury
http://genforum.genealogy.com/canterbury/messages/143.html
More on parents of John Canterbury(b1760) – Joseph Canterbury Sr and Ruth Simms
Believe Ruth Simms, who you mention, wife of a Canterbury, was the wife of Joseph Canterbury Sr., just as your source does, for the following reasons:

1. Ruth, wife of 1st John Canterbury(d1716) would have been too old to be this Ruth.

2. The odds that 2 different Ruth Canterbury’s (that is, Ruth’s who married Canterbury’s) lived in same area and about same age would be slim. According to the book “Amherst County, Virginia, in the Revolution” p.62, states “Ruth Canterberry the wife of Joseph Canterberry… poor soldiers in the Continental Army” shows who Ruth’s husband was. The only other Ruth Canterbury mentioned in this time frame is Ruth who is head of a household in the Rockingham County tax list of 1787 – most likely a widow, since few women lived on their own on the frontier without a husband at that time unless they were a widow. Would indicate both Ruth’s are one in the same person.

3. Joseph Canterbury Jr., son of this Joseph Sr. and Ruth, made a petition for a pension 12/21/1825 in Giles county (next to Monroe county) for his service in the Revolution in the 6th Va infantry, obviously a neighbor of John Canterbury (1760). Ref. “Virginia soldiers of the American Revolution” Vol. 1, p.83 by H. Eckenrode.

4. Desertion issue:
a. Ruth Canterbury of Amherst, is last listed in Amherst in October 1778 receiving aid as wife of a poor soldier in the Continetal Army – p.62 of book in item 2 above. Likely she wouldn’t be receiving aid if he had been shot as a deserter before that date.
b. No reference for Joseph Canterbury Sr. after Sept 1777 muster roll – could have been MIA at that time and still considered alive so his wife could receive aid. Prisoners of the English didn’t fair well, one book estimated at least 11,500 Americans died in English POW camps during the Revolution (p.296 of “Liberty” by Thomas Fleming).
c. Couldn’t locate a reference where soldiers in the American army where shot – flogging yes, but shooting was not a method of punishment used per records I found. Reference 1. “Calendar of Virginia state Papers” Vol.1 pgs 579-581. 2. “The American Revolution 1775-1783 – an Encyclopedia” Vol.1 p. 463 under the heading “Desertion in the Continental Army” by Richard Blanco. Same reference estimates desertion rate was as high as 25% in the American army – farmers had to take care of their families etc. Also, men who signed up just for a bounty and then deserted within a couple days and repeated the process numerous times weren’t listed as being shot when being caught.
d. The last desertion record for the father Joseph Sr. recorded in the muster records states he deserted Capt Samuel Cabells’ company of the 6th Va on June 16, 1777. His son Joseph Jr. had deserted May 23, 1777 per another muster record. Both Joseph Sr. and Jr. were transferred to Capt Alexander Rose’s (of Amherst) company of the 6th Va Inf. in August of 1777 per muster records. Interestingly, John Rose of Amherst was the one that provided food etc. to Ruth Canterbury - p 61 of book referenced in item 2 above.
e. Ruth Canterbury’s maiden name is given as Simms per Ida Mae Ellisons source. Coincidently, Lt. Col Charles Simms was in command of the 6th Va., effective Sept 1777 – he may have orchestrated the transfer of the Canterbury men to a company with a more understanding captain.
f. Young Capt Cabell, who was quick to note their desertions, even having a newspaper print up Joseph Jr’s desertion on 9/16/1776 (p.16, book in item 2 above), was pulled out of William and Mary College by his father to head this company of frontier rifleman. Cabell’s life was one of a privileged, plantation background (reference book in item 2 above) – in sharp contrast to farmers’/frontiersman of the Canterbury’s background (Ruth was listed as poor and the Amherst company was given as frontiersman, per 6th Va infantry reenactment group on the WEB). Likely young Cabell did threaten to shoot the Canterbury men for desertions (they always came back to the regiment however). Apparently this matter came to a head, for we find they were transfered to another company in August of 1777 (weren’t gone long either, Joseph Jr. in late May and Joseph Sr. in mid- June – back by August 4th) to that of Capt Alexander Rose’s company - documented in the 6th Va muster records. No desertions are listed after this date for the Canterbury’s.

5. Simms connection: from Ida Mae source Ruth’s maiden name was Simms. The commander of the 6th VA was Lt. Col. Charles Simms – from IGI records and WEB family pages, his father grandfather was Alexander Simms and a wife with first name of Ruth (believe Ruth Simms wife of Joseph Sr, was one of their daughters and Charles Simms aunt). Back to Charles Simms, his wife was Nancy Douglas. Per the Family Search IGI, her brother was Samuel Douglas and father was William. Interestingly, John Canterbury (1760) substituted for a Samuel Douglas in the Revolution in 1780 per John’s pension declaration. Though the IGI is not always complete, it lists only 1 Samuel Douglas in Va in this time frame – he had a father William Douglas. Would indicate that Nancy Douglas, wife of Lt. Col Simms (she was from Fairfax county) had a brother Samuel, who hired John Canterbury(1760) as a substitute. This would show that John Canterbury had a connection with the 6th Va Joseph Canterbury Sr also.

6. Ruth Canterbury of Rockingham county. After being listed on the tax rolls in 1787, their were 4 more references to a Canterbury in Rockingham county court records, listing a Canterbury (no first name) in a court summons from 6/23/1788 thru 5/26/1789, no record that this Canterbury ever appeared in answer to the summons (Commonwealth of Va was the plaintiff, no reason given for summons). Since the Canterbury never appeared per the court records, may have moved or died – this could be Ruth Canterbury, especially if she went with her son John(1760) to Monroe – or if she had died.

7. Levi Lowe, brother of Nancy Lowe (wife of John Canterbury), married in Rockingham county on 12/17/1785 to Sarah Kincaid. 15 days latter he had another ceremony in Greenbrier county – both ceremonies given by Rev. John Alderson. Levi and you would have to assume his sister, lived for some time in Rockingham county before moving to Greenbrier. Reference Bill Bailey’s work on the Lowe family of Monroe. Would indicate that John Canterbury (1760) was tied to Rockingham, quite possibly that Ruth Canterbury was his mother. Side note, Rev Alderson had a church in Rockingham and in Greenbrier where he performed weddings and services – there weren’t a lot of churches on the frontier at that time.

8. A Joseph Canterbury is listed in the militia company of Capt Hugh Caperton (side note, if you descend from J.W. Canterbury and Alice Caperton, then Hugh is a direct ancestor of yours as well) dated 5/17/1793, with Joseph as being from Montgomery county. Reference “Calender of State Papers-VA” p. 382-384 Vol.6. This appears to be the same Joseph Canterbury Jr. who was later listed in Giles county (Giles was formed partially from Montgomery) in his 1825 pension document. See item 3 above.

9. John Canterbury(1760) listed several names he served under in his pension declaration. One of these was a Moses Looney. Few Looney’s in Va and in the Revolution, one John Looney was in the 6th Va infantry at the first part of the war, reference p. 143 of book in item 2 above.

10. It’s obvious John Canterbury(1760) moved a lot in his early years per his declaration; also county lines changed and new counties formed a lot in this time of Virginia’s growth. So, even though John doesn’t mention Amherst county in his declaration, he mentions Montgomery and appears to be guessing on the counties at times (one time says born in Prince William, other in Fairfax, not a problem with given the fluid lines of the counties at that time – reference Charles Neely’s write-up on the Canterbury’s on John’s birthplace.)

11. More on the Simms connection – Charles Simms father was Alexander Simms and the IGI only lists this Alexander as probably the one who had married a Ruth_____ and had a daughter Elizabeth in 1725 in Maryland – Prince George county, next to Charles county MD, where Nancy Lowe, wife of John was from – another possible connection with John Canterbury(1760) and Joseph Canterbury Sr. and Ruth Simms.

Obviously there is a lot of material here on John (1760) parents – to me it indicates that Joseph Canterbury Sr. and Ruth Simms where his parents, though nothing as conclusive as a will exists to prove that positively, that I know of. However, the related and circumstantial evidence given makes a powerful case in proving these are his parents in my mind, barring any new facts that may become available proving to the contrary. Would like to see evidence used to prove other individuals may be his parents.

Any comments or further information proving/disproving the suggested parents of John Canterbury(1760) are welcomed.

Robert WM Canterbury - kilmorach@cs.com

Robert WM Canterbury
http://www.genforum.com/canterbury/messages/430.html
Regarding the reference to John Canterbury/Cantlebury who was listed with a boat load of prisoners who where to be transported from Bristol, England in 1685 to Barbados - the 2 references regarding John - both in October of 1685 in Bristol - appear likely to be the same person instead of 2 different Johns, from a closer look at the log entries. And that John appears to have ended up in Barbados instead of Virginia. Interestingly, if that John did end up in Virginia, there is a good chance his surname was actually Scantlebury (a Cornish surname, sounds quite similiar to Canterbury) instead of Canterbury, originally.

Birth	1760	Fairfax County, VA
Marriage	17 Oct 1787	Greenbrier County, VA - Nancy LOWE
Death	29 Oct 1842	Monroe County, VA
Burial		Keaton Cemetery, Greenville, Monroe County, WV

Spouse	Nancy LOWE (1767 - 1830)
Child	Mary CANTERBURY (1787 - 1858)
Child	John CANTERBURY (1788 - )
Child	George CANTERBURY (1789 - )
Child	Samuel CANTERBURY (1789 - 1886)
Child	Joshua CANTERBURY (1792 - 1877)
Child	Ruth CANTERBURY (1794 - 1850)
Child	Levi CANTERBURY (1795 - 1875)
Child	Anderson CANTERBURY (1798 - )
Child	Leatha CANTERBURY (1799 - 1874)
Child	Zadock CANTERBURY (1797 - )
Child	Living

Father	Samuel CANTERBURY (1728 - 1764)
Mother	Elizabeth Barnes JERRETT (1730 - 1819)
Sibling	Samuel CANTERBURY (1780 - 1818)

Notes