We have documentation for two of the earliest Hambys to arrive in America. The first, Richard Hanby arrived in 1642 with Sarah Hanby, probably his aunt. The other, Francis Hamby, was likely born in London and was listed as an early settler in Charles County Maryland. Little is known about Francis other than he arrived as a servant. Based on current knowledge, most of the Hambys in America are descendants of Francis. Evidence suggests Richard was probably distantly related to him.
Francis Hamby was born around 1666 and died after 1738
He was married first to Alice Barker and then to Elizabeth around 1702. From his second wife he had the following children:
William (1), born 24 August 1702
Francis, born 1 April 1707
Mary, born 2 August 1709
Elizabeth, born 10 September 1715
Samuel, birth date unknown.
Source: St. George’s Parish records, Baltimore County, MD.
Since the eldest son was usually named after the father’s father, Francis’ father may have been named William.
William Hamby (1), 1703-1770/80
Married Martha Simpson on September 25, 1722 and had the following children:
Elizabeth, born 21 July 1723
Francis, born 15 March 1724
William (2), born 14 October 1727
Thomas, born 15 March 1728
Francis, born 1 January 1732/3
Jeremiah, born 11 December 1736
Samuel? birthday unknown, died in 1753
Source: St. George’s Parish records, Baltimore County, MD
Of Francis’ family, only William (1) moved to North Carolina from Maryland sometime in the late 1740s. He came with his wife’s family, the Simpsons. He moved to an area around Anson/Rowan County, on a tributary of the Pee Dee River, known as Hamby’s Creek. A group moved to Wake County and then to Wilkes. There is reference to William (1) as a surveyor in North Carolina, but that could’ve also been his son. After William (1) died, the family split up and most of his sons moved to South Carolina. Only one son remained in North Carolina, probably Francis.
William Hamby (2), 1727 to around 1782, married Mary Bullock and may have had the following sons:
William (3), born 1750s
Samuel, born 1750s
John, born 1750s
Stephen, born 1760s
Francis, born 1760s
All moved from Wake to Wilkes County between 1779 and 1795.