Challange to the traditional Thomas Farley/Jane Sefton lineage

I'd like to challenge the traditional Thomas Farley/Jane Sefton lineage. To date the only source for the children of this couple has been 12 generations of Farley's and its been repeated over and over in other documents. I recently had a researcher work at the Library of VA and specifically asked to to investigate notes written by Eleanor Farley who compiled research on the Thomas Farley family.

Eleanor believed (and cites sources) for Thomas and Jane having had only these PROVEN children"
1. Anne who was born on the ship ANNE 1624
2. ARCHER FARLEY b. 1626, and the father of John Farley ca 1647 who was attributed to Thomas and Jane
3. George ca 1628 who was hanged for his part in Bacon's rebellion.


Archer married Elizabeth Reade daughter of Thomas Read of Warwick Co, VA. Archer, the eldest son of Thomas and Jane inherited Farloes Neck at Archer Hope. He died before the marriage of his daughter Lydia in 1668 because her marriage bond gives her mother as Elizabeth Bushrod. (After Archer's death, she married Col. Thomas Bushrod).

Known children of Archer and Elizabeth Read Farley:
1. Elizabeth b. 1646 (married Col. John Scarbrook?)
2.John Farley b. 1647/8 deposition in Charles Co verifies his age.
3. Lydia Farley b. ca 1648 whose marriage in 1668 gave the Bushrod information. (Married Edmund Chrisman)
Eleanor Farley states that while there is NO one documented fact stating that John Farley is Archer's son, she does say that Archer is the only Farley in the Area of VA that could be his father. There are no others in VA at that time to be his father! Twelve generations of the Farley family offers no documented proof of John being Thomas Farley's son and in fact, at the time of John's birth, Jane Sefton would have been approaching 47 years old!A bit ancient for mothers of those times.

Eleanor's research cites court cases and other source documents that would indicate to this researcher that she was a very thorough researcher.

John Farley b. ca 1647 inherited Farloe's Neck(Makes sense if her was Archer's heir) which was eventually sold by 1679 to an Edward Gray. By this time John Farley is in Henrico Co. He most likely moved due to the troubles associated with Bacon's rebellion. His uncle, George Farley was hanged for his part in the rebellion. John's brother in law, (husband of Lydia Farley) Major Edmund Chrisman was sentenced to hang but died in prison . Lydia Farley Chrisman's land was eventually returned to her after it had been confiscated for her husband's part in the rebellion. John's sister Elizabeth was married to Col. John Scarbrook? who was removed from his position as Justice of the Peace because of his wife's Uncle George Farley and his brother in law Edmund Chrisman.By 1810, Farloe's neck belonged to a Lewis Burwell.

Henrico Colonial Records series have many ref. to John Sr. and John Jr. Farley.

The other point of contention in the 12 generations of Farley's book is the wife of John JR. 12 Generations state she was Elizabeth Archer but she was Elizabeth Akin (Eakin) based on her parents wills where she is named as Elizabeth Farley.


Anybody else have any insight here?