From "The Herndon Family of Virginia, Volume One, The First Three Generations"

In 1677 William Herndon is said to have married Catherine, youngest daughter of Edward Digges, of "Belfield", who had been Governor of Virginia in 1655.

Edward Digges entered Grey's Inn May 19, 1637, and came to Virginia in 1650, settling at "Belfield" on York River. He was a member of the Council in 1654, Auditor-General 1670-75, and Governor from March 31, 1655, to march, 1657. His wife, Elizabeth, who died about 1691, is believed to have been a sister of Colonel John Page, of York County, Virginia. His tomb bears evidence to his being the "Sonne of Sir Dudley Digges, Knight and Baronet, Master of the Rolls in the reign of King Charles I.

He had four sons and four daughters live to adulthood, and two sons and three daughters who died in infancy.

In 1653 Edward Digges was granted a Virginia patent to 2350 acres on the north side of the Mattaponi River.

He was the Colonial governor of Virginia.

[Digges.FTW] Edward Digges, baptized 29 March 1621 at Chilham, Kent, entered Gray's Inn 19 May 1637. He emigrated to Virginia and shortly after his arrival purchased, 11 December 1650, the plantation of Capt. John West comprising 1200 acres in York county on the south bank York River adjacent to the site of the old Indian town of Chiskiack. In 1653 he patented two tracts totaling 3050 acres in Gloucester County on the north side of York River. He was appointed to the Council, 12 November 1654, and two years later was elected Governor by the House of Burgesses, serving under the Cromwellian regime from 31 March 1655 to December 1656, when he went to England to join Col. Samuel Mathews and Richard Bennett as an agent to look after colonial affairs. A report of the Virginia Assembly concerning his administration as Governor 15 Dec. 1656, recites"He hath managed under your Highness [Oliver Cromwell] with...mush moderation, prudence and justice."
The rival of an interest in silk husbandry carried out at his York Plantation. In 1654 he mentioned in a letter that he had extracted about eith pounds of silk from 400 bottoms and also reported that he had produced from his own preserve ten pounds of eggs which he expected to distribute among others interested in the culture. Notwithstanding this promising outlook for the production of silk filament of good quality in Virginia, the undertaking did not survive. Tobacco, a crop with a sure profit and one which required less expert care, drew the attention of Virginia planters and the Digges descendants became well known for their fine grade of tobacco as Edward Digges had been for his silk production.
In consideration of the trouble and expense to which he had gone in efforts to sustain silk culture in Virginia, Edward Digges was nominated shortly before his death to the office of Auditor of the Colony. He died leaving a will, 16 June 1675, stating he was "now bound upon a voyage for Virginia" and naming his wife Elizabeth as executrix.
He married Elizabeth Digges, sister of Col. John Page, whose will 5 march 1686/7, gave a gold ring to "my honored sister Eliz: Digges...to be given in Virginia." Administratration on the estate of Elizabeth Digges was granted, 24 Sept. 1691, to her sons William and Dudley. The inventory of her estate, recorded 24 Aug. 1692, conveys detailed information about the manner of living of the 17th century Virginia planter.

SOURCE: Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5, Edited by Virginia M. Meyere (1974-1981) & John F. Dorman, F.A.S.G. (1981-1987). Pub. by Order of First Families of Virginia, 1607-1624/5, third edition, 1987, pages 248-250.
Colonial Edward Digges entered Gray's Inn, may 19 1637, and immigrated to Virginia about 1650. By deed dated September 11, 1650, and confirmed by patent on May 6, 1651, he purchased from Captain John and Anne West a plantation containing 1250 acres in Hampton Parrish, York County. It was adjacent to the old Indian town of Chiskiack.
Until June 1787, when William Digges sold the land, it continued to preserve its ancient limits. Edward Digges was appointed to the Council November 12, 1654, and he served as governor from March 30, 1656 to March 13, 1658, when he was sent to England as one of the agents of the Colony. He was sworn to the Council again April 19, 1670.

BELLFIELD - The six hundred acres of land granted to John West extended eastward in the Mine Depot from Poli's Point on Felgate's Creek taking in what was then and is still known as "Bellfield", which was used during the war as an Aviation Training Camp and considered by naval flyers as one of the best landing fields in the country. The abandoned hangers and buildings are being salvaged as occasion arises for use of material. Here his son, John West, the founder of West Point up the York River, was born in 1633, who was the first child of English parents born in the York settlement.
In 1650 the older West sold the property to Edward Digges Esquire (later Governor Digges), a son of Sir Dudley Digges, Master of the Rolls to King Charles The First. This plantation is noted as the scene of one of the first attempts by the Colonists to raise silk worms for the production of silk designed to compete with the Orient. He employed two Armenians to help him but the industry proved a failure. To this day there is left on this estate to remind us numerous mulberry trees transplanted from abroad, the leaves of which served as food for the silk worms.

A massive tombstone still attests the presence of Edward Digges' grave near the site of the original home. The estate continued in the Digges' family for over one hundred years during which time it was noted for its flavored plant of sweet-scented tobacco known as the "E. Dees" and which never failed to bring in England "One shilling on the pound when other tobaccos brought not threepence". The original Bellfield house was a seventeenth century structure of brick but has long since disappeared, another of wood erected near its old foundations. The house being of no value, is occupied and rapidly going to decay. Naturally this is a particularly revered spot to Virginia antiquarians being from 1654 to 1656 the home of Governor Edward Digges, one time Colonial Governor of Virginia. The burying ground, a short walk from the house, holds four well-marked graves.
Digges was a promoter of the manufacture of silk in the Colony and employed two Americans skilled in the business. His will was proved in General Court June15, 1675. He left his plantation on Felgate's Creek to his eldest son, William. His tomb states that he and his wife had six sons and seven daughters, but their names are not all known.

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Cemetery notes and/or description:
Cemetery is located about halfway between Yorktown and Williamsburg on the Yorktown Parkway. NPS markers mark Bellfield Plantation. Somewhat maintained walkway leads to grave site. CHECK WITH NPS Yorktown before going back there. Next to secure military space.

His Find-A-Grave memorial says he was born on March 29, 1621.