The dominant family branch for Eloise Word Skewis are the Claiborne family of New England and America. Other branches include the Kilby and the Harrison families of the James River. The Claiborne family of England and America are an ancient family that derived its name from the manor of Cleburne or Cliborne in Westmoreland, England, near the river of Eden. The manor is named in the Doomsday Book (A.D.1086), and the family were for many generations lords of this place. The first of the line appearing in pedigrees is Hervey, to whom Henry II granted moiety of the manor of Cliborne. The first of the Claiborne line to come to America was William Claiborne. He was born about 1587 and is first noticed in June 1621, when the Virginia Company engaged him to go to Virginia as surveyor. William came to Virginia with Governor Wyatt in 1621. In 1625 Governor Yeardley appointed him Secretary of State for the Colony and member of the Council. In 1642, the King appointed William as Treasurer of Virginia for life. He held several other public offices throughout his life. In 1631, William created a trading settlement on Kent Island in the Chesapeake. There he held many business contacts with several persons in London.

Note written by Special Collections Staff