"The Complete Book of Immigrants" 1607-1660, by Peter Wilson Coldham, p.158, 27 July 1635 Person transported from London to Virginia by the "Primrose: -George Cottingham 20.

1635, George Cottingham,20
27 July. Persons to be transported (from London) to Virginia by the Primrose, M. Douglass, by certificate from the Minister of Gravesend.

George Cottingham  arrived in Accomack County Virginia as an indentured servant to William Roper who claims 150 acres on 6 Sept. 1636 - 50 acres for his own personal adventure and 100 acres for transportation of 2 servants: William Jacob and George Cottingham.. (This is from Pioneers and Cavaliers by Nugent.)

George next appears in the court records on Jan. 30, 1642/43 (1643 by our calendar). On that date George Cottingham is recorded as owing John Stockely one month's work. (This would seem to indicate that George was not an indentured servant by this time, but a laborer.) The same date George claims that Mr. Nuthall owes him a heifer. The depositions of two persons confirm this.

Deposition of Richard Kellum - George  Cottingham came to the house of John Hinman to demand a heifer of Mr. Nuthall and Hinman said he would deliver it and after the said Hinman denyed soe to doe.

Deposition of Thomas Clifton - He says Hinman told him to deliver a heifer to  Cottingham but  Cottingham refused to receive it. Clifton asked him why he came over the Creeke and  Cottingham said to see her.  Cottingham said he must have a heifer and calfe of Mr. Nuthall and I thinke if I like it I will have this heiffer. The fact the George was a free man at this date is significant. Given that Thomas   Cottingham later says he was born in 1640 it makes it all the more likely that George is his father. An indentured servant would not have been free to marry. A usual time of servitude was 4 years, so it is entirely possible George gained his freedom by 1640.

County Court Records of Accomack-North Hampton, Va. 1640-1645
Juratur in Curia. January 30, 1642/1643
Teste me Edwyne Conaway Clericus Curiae whereas it appereth to this Court by the confession of Georg Cottingham. That the said Cottingham doth owe and stand in debted unto John Stockeley on whole months worke. It is therefore ordered by this Court that the said George Cottingham shall satisfy and pay the said months worke unto the said John Stockeley or his Assignee oe els execution etc.

The deposition of Thomas Clifton taken in open court This deponent saith that about sixe weekes agone over night John Hinman desired this deponent to deliver a heifer unto George Cottingham, and the said Cottingham answered saying I will not receave it
Whereupon this deponent asked the said Cottingham wherefore hee came over the Creeke, and the said Cottingham answered to see hir. And the sayde Cottingham answeared saying I must have a heifer with calfe of Me. Nuthall and I thinke if I like it I may have this heifer and furthernot

Colonial Residents of Virginia's Eastern Shore
Tobias Norton was granted administration of the estate of George Cottingham on 6 Feb 1645, being a creditor to the estate. (From "Colonial Residents of Virginia's Eastern Shore whose ages were given before Court Officials of Accomack and Northampton Counties, page not noted.)

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