Thank you all for your contributions of time, research, donations, support and feedback.

Many thanks to the good folks at Bassett Historical Center for their input and assistance.

Thank you for visiting our heritage and history.
Please consider making a contribution (any amount is appreciated) to help offset the expense, and help us continually improve the quality and quantity of information.

We Gratefully Accept Yout Old/Odd Bitcoin, and Bit Cents at:
14Q2Cm1pRmUrSGTfn1a66Qe9YbAmdD8Dez

  First Name:  Last Name:
Log In
Surnames
What's New
Statistics

Terms of Use & Privacy
Contact Us
Join Our Community

Confederate Soldier James Edward Terry

Male 1822 - 1904  (81 years)


Generations:      Standard    |    Vertical    |    Compact    |    Box    |    Text    |    Ahnentafel    |    Fan Chart    |    Media    |    PDF

Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Confederate Soldier James Edward Terry was born 17 Apr 1822, Halifax County, Virginia (son of Royal Terry and Susannah Foster Thompson); died 27 Jan 1904, Halifax County, Virginia.

    James married Maria Agnes Bailey 3 May 1849, Brookneal, Virginia. Maria was born 1836, Campbell County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

    Notes:

    Married:
    from Widows Pension

    Children:
    1. Edward Lewis Terry was born 4 Mar 1865, Halifax County, Virginia; died 30 Dec 1962, Halifax County, Virginia; was buried , Family Cemetery, Halifax County, Virginia.
    2. Kathryn "Kate" Terry was born 21 Jan 1872, Virginia; died 22 Sep 1950, Halifax, Virginia; was buried , Asbury Cemetery, Halifax, Virginia.

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Royal Terry was born 6 Sep 1788, Halifax County, Virginia (son of Col. William Royall Terry and Susanna Thompson); died 21 Oct 1873, Halifax County, Virginia.

    Royal married Susannah Foster Thompson. Susannah (daughter of James Thompson and Mary 'Polly' Terry) was born 21 Jan 1789, Halifax County, Virginia; died 11 Nov 1857, Halifax Co., Virginia.. [Group Sheet]


  2. 3.  Susannah Foster Thompson was born 21 Jan 1789, Halifax County, Virginia (daughter of James Thompson and Mary 'Polly' Terry); died 11 Nov 1857, Halifax Co., Virginia..
    Children:
    1. 1. James Edward Terry was born 17 Apr 1822, Halifax County, Virginia; died 27 Jan 1904, Halifax County, Virginia.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Col. William Royall Terry was born 27 Nov 1749, Chesterfield County, Virginia (son of Patriot Nathaniel D. [Dickinson] Terry, Sr. and Sarah Anne Royall); died 21 Dec 1810, Richmond, Henrico Co., Virginia.

    Notes:

    Disinherited in will of father, William Terry Sr and in the will of Susannah Terry, Elizabeth's mother; listed among the children in Revolutionary War Widow's Pension application of Susannah (Thompson) Terry
    1840 census, check notes for James P. Green
    1850 census, District 2, Henderson, KY, p354, M432_204, in household of son, James P. Green
    657657, James P. Green, 32, M, Farmer, KY
    Elizabeth Green, 78, F, VA
    Lucy Green, 57, F, KY
    Elizabeth Green, 38, F, KY

    William Terry and Robert Wooding are Witness to the Accounts Current of Moses Terry, Executor, Edward Powell and Wm. Neal.
    285 STEPHEN NEAL Accounts Current
    1777 February 7 Moses Terry & William Neal, Exr.
    Names mentioned as purchasers: Jno. Calder (M. Terry), 14 April Ann Douglas, Wm Neal, M. Roberts, Wm. Neal, Jno. Martin (cryer), Micajah Estes, Jno. Slaughter, Baynes Exr., Jno. Wimbish (Mo. Terry), Doct. Haynes (Wm. Neal), Jno. Boyd, discount allow'd Patrick for promp?d paymt., Edward Powell, Geo. Watkins (W. neal)
    Total: 101.17.0-1/4
    By negro boy sold Patrick Boyd, Moses Terry, Edwd. Powell for a little negro said to be sold by Wm. Neal. Total: 164.14.7-1/4
    Dated: July 1779 Balance due: 62.17.0-1/4
    Signed: Ro. Wooding, Geo Boyd, Jr., Wm. Terry
    Returned: 16 September 1779

    William married Susanna Thompson. Susanna was born Abt 1750, Colonial Virginia; died 22 Dec 1806, Halifax County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]


  2. 5.  Susanna Thompson was born Abt 1750, Colonial Virginia; died 22 Dec 1806, Halifax County, Virginia.

    Notes:

    Name:
    "William Terry, son of Nathaniel Terry Sr., Married Susanna Thompson, d/o William Thompson. William Terry's will dated 22 Dec 1806, named his children: Sarah Royall Wooding, 2) Rachel Coleman, 3) Thompson, 4) William, Jr. 5) Royal 6) Nathaniel 7) Henry Dickerson. Royal Terry, son of William Terry, was born in 1788 and served in the War of 1812. In his will, probated Tuesday, November 25, 1873, he named his grandchildren, children of his son, James Edward Terry.

    Children:
    1. Sarah Royal Terry was born 1782, Halifax County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
    2. 2. Royal Terry was born 6 Sep 1788, Halifax County, Virginia; died 21 Oct 1873, Halifax County, Virginia.
    3. Elizabeth Terry was born 16 Dec 1772, Halifax County, Virginia; died Oct 1861, Henderson Co., Kentucky.

  3. 6.  James Thompson was born Abt 1770, Prince Edward Co., Virginia (son of Thomas Thompson and Nancy Waddill 'Nanny' Carter); died Yes, date unknown.

    James married Mary 'Polly' Terry. Mary (daughter of Patriot Nathaniel D. [Dickinson] Terry, Sr. and Sarah Anne Royall) was born 20 Sep 1767, Halifax County, Virginia; died 8 Aug 1848, Halifax County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]


  4. 7.  Mary 'Polly' Terry was born 20 Sep 1767, Halifax County, Virginia (daughter of Patriot Nathaniel D. [Dickinson] Terry, Sr. and Sarah Anne Royall); died 8 Aug 1848, Halifax County, Virginia.
    Children:
    1. 3. Susannah Foster Thompson was born 21 Jan 1789, Halifax County, Virginia; died 11 Nov 1857, Halifax Co., Virginia..


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Patriot Nathaniel D. [Dickinson] Terry, Sr. was born 1724, Lunenburg, Virginia (son of Benjamin Terry, Sr. and Elizabeth Dickerson/Dickinson/Dickenson); died 21 Apr 1780, Halifax County, Virginia.

    Notes:

    Other Terrys mentioned in the Halifax Antrim Parrish Vestry Records are James Terry, Champness Terry, Zachariah Terry, Joseph Terry, and Moses Terry.

    According to records, Nathaniel Terry Sr. had a slave named Greggory who was charged in 1777 with beating a certain Hector McNeil, a merchant from Scotland, to the point that McNeil's life was in great danger. The gentlemen justices agreed that Greggory should 'receive thirty lashes on his bare back". It was ordered that Greggory be taken by the sheriff to the common whipping post.

    Records stated that Nathaniel Terry Sr. appeared before the grand jury for taking a stray horse and riding him "contrary to the law."

    Nathaniel Terry Sr. and his son, William Terry appeared in Halifax court, March 1777 on a complaint of James McCraw. McCraw stated that he 'is apprehensive that said Nathaniel and William Terry will beat, woulnd, maim or kill him." The court dismissed the charges after questioning a witness. The Revolutionary War had just begun at this time. The author's conclusion is that this incident had something to do with England and the way the planters felt about England. Feelings against the Tories of the British parliament ran high in Halifax County at that time.

    Halifax Co, VA Plea Book No. 4 (85) September Court 1763
    Nathaniel Terry, for the King and for himself, Plt, vs Thomas Tuck, Deft, In Debt. Judgment is granted to the Plt against the Deft for his costs, according to an agreement made between the sd parties.

    20 July 1768 Charlotte Co., Virginia (DB2/245.p.054) Deed Abstract identifies Nathaniel Terry as maker of a deed in Lunenburg to James Taylor, witnessed by Will Barksdale and James Cole

    "At a Meeting of the Justices appointed for Halifax County at Hampton Wade's House, the XIXth, day of May, in the XXVth. Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King George II, and in the year of our Lord Christ, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Two, a Commission of Peace was produced from the Honorable Robert Dinwiddie, His Majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, bearing date at Williamsburg, Virginia, the twenty-eighth day of April in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Two, and direct to William Byrd,* William Wynne, Peter Fontaine, Jr., James Terry, William Irby, Nathaniel Terry, Robert Wade, Hampton Wade, Andrew Wade, and Sherwood Walton, Gentlemen: - "At this meeting the usual oaths were administered. Nathaniel Terry was sworn sheriff; George Currie was made clerk of the court; Thomas Nash, surveyor; Clement Read (of Lunenburg, and later of Charlotte county), King's attorney. John Light, Joseph Faris and Abel Lee were appointed constables. Nicholas Hayle, Robert Jones and James Irwin were recommended as justices.

    *Son of William Byrd of Westover, who ran the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina in 1727.

    Alice Allen and Hannah Parsons, Spinsters, Came into Court, and respectively acknowledged themselves guilty of having had each a Bastard child, whereas they make their fines by payments of each of them 50 shillings or five hundred pounds of tobacco (Persuant to the Act of the Assembly, in that case made and provided) and thereupon came Nathaniel Terry, Gent., who together with Members of the Court now sitting, became Securities for payment of the fines at the laying of the next Levy for the Parish of Antrim.

    Halifax County, which extends to the North Carolina border, was a tobacco growing region, as it still is today. It is in the middle of Soutside Virginia, in the Piedmont
    Pleateau of rolling hills leading to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and today it appears that this land, in the southwest corner of the county, is in the area that forms something of a
    triangle between secondary state Highways #691 and #659 (the River Road), very near the present community of Paces and possibly nine or so miles southwest of the county seat, also called Halifax. On a larger scale this area is south of U. S. #360 and north of U. S. #58. The tiny town of Turbeville, once called Bloomsburg, is about four miles southeast from where Tobys Creek flows into the Dan River. Danville, in adjacent Pittsylvania County is about 25 miles southwest from this point.

    Name:
    Captain Nathaniel Terry was a member of the House of Burgess in Williamsburg in 1755, 1765, and 1771 and 1775. He was a delegate to the Virginia Convention of 1776. Terry married Sarah Royall. Nathaniel Terry had a water grist mill on the falls of Sandy Creek in 1754. In 1756, Nathaniel was granted an ordinary license and in 1757 an orphan named Elenor Ozbrook was placed in his care. In 1757 and 1759 Nathaniel had a ferry on the Dan River. In 1771 he was appointed as a surveyor from Banister's Bridge to Martin's Path Road.

    Nathaniel married Sarah Anne Royall 10 Sep 1748, Chesterfield Co., Virginia. Sarah (daughter of Joseph William Royall and Sarah Povall Baxter) was born 17 Mar 1726, Chesterfield County, Virginia; died 1805. [Group Sheet]


  2. 9.  Sarah Anne Royall was born 17 Mar 1726, Chesterfield County, Virginia (daughter of Joseph William Royall and Sarah Povall Baxter); died 1805.

    Notes:

    Name:
    Other children of Nathaniel Terry, Sr. are named in Chancery Suite dated Nov 1805. Joseph, Nathaniel Jr., Mary, wife of James Thompson, Robert and Keeble and Sarah, his wife.

    Children:
    1. Nancy Terry was born 12 Feb 1758, Halifax County, Virginia; died 25 Mar 1836, Halifax County, Virginia.
    2. Elizabeth Dickerson Terry was born 13 Jun 1760, Halifax County, Virginia; died 28 Mar 1800, Edgefield, Abbeville, South Carolina.
    3. 4. Col. William Royall Terry was born 27 Nov 1749, Chesterfield County, Virginia; died 21 Dec 1810, Richmond, Henrico Co., Virginia.
    4. Joseph Terry was born 9 Sep 1753, Halifax County, Virginia; died 22 Sep 1817, Halifax County, Virginia.
    5. 7. Mary 'Polly' Terry was born 20 Sep 1767, Halifax County, Virginia; died 8 Aug 1848, Halifax County, Virginia.
    6. Nathaniel to Kentucky Terry, Jr. was born 3 Dec 1755, Virginia Colony; died 8 Feb 1837, Todd Co., Kentucky.
    7. Robert Terry was born 12 Jan 1770, Halifax County, Virginia; died 15 Nov 1826, Henderson Co., Kentucky.

  3. 12.  Thomas Thompson was born Abt 1749, Prince Edward Co., Virginia; died 1810, Logan Co., Kentucky.

    Notes:

    Is Thomas Thompson of Halifax related to Josiah found in Cumberland Co., and associated with Hobsons, Moores, Honeycuts. in 1762. These associates are also involved with the Carters [Giles] Hobson, Kirbys, Watkins, on Toby's Ck. ??

    Hobson

    6163Halifax ob p 14-282 original1790Halifax Hobson
    Benjam in road handsDouble CreekBenjamin Hobson surveyor of
    Lower Double Creek to Toby Ck, hands Thomas Boyd, Robert Shotwell, James Sureik, John Johns, Presley Dodson, Elisha Dodson, William Watkins, William Couch, Adam Blount, John Lawson, Henry Cook, John Cook, William Claiborne, Joseph Kirby, Richard Kirby, William Boyd, Henry Wall, Mary Carter, Theo Carter Jr, Henry Hobson, Benjamin Hobson, John More, Jonathan Davis, Jesse Davis, William Jordan
    6163Halifax ob p 14-282 original1790Halifax Hobson
    Benjam in road hands Double Creek Benjamin Hobson surveyor ofLower Double Creek to Toby Ck, hands Thomas Boyd, Robert Shotwell, James Sureik, John Johns, Presley Dodson, Elisha Dodson, William Watkins, William Couch, Adam Blount, John Lawson, Henry Cook, John Cook, William Claiborne, Joseph Kirby, Richard Kirby, William Boyd, Henry Wall, Mary Carter, Theo Carter Jr, Henry Hobson, Benjamin Hobson, John More, Jonathan Davis, Jesse Davis, William Jordan 173Halifax Will Book 2, 1783 - 1792-1789Halifax April 281789 Hobson BenjaminappraiserInventory of Thomas Lawson estate with Benjamin Hobson and Samuel Gordon
    4549Halifax deed bk 13-461784Halifax7-JunHobsonHenry
    witnessDanFrom Francis Watkins and Agnes, his wife, of the Co of Prince Edward to William Hobson of the Co of Cumberland for 400# about 366 acres on Dan River in H it being part of a larger tract which was formerly deeded by Hugh Moor to John Watson and by the same Watson to Francis Watkins. The 366 acres is bounded by Carter's line. Signed Frances Watkins. Wit P Carrington, John Bates, William Terry, Drury Vaughan, Henry Hobson, Mathaniel Barksdale Recorded July 15 1784
    4553Halifax deed bk 16-5971796Halifax10-AprHobsonHenry
    linesDanJames Carter of H to Beverley Barksdale of H for 250# about 212 acres in H on the N side of Dan River and bounded by Henry Hobson, the bank of the Dan, William Boyd. Signed James Carter. Wit Henry Cook, Champness Terry, Jarrott W. Cook, John Tuck, James Chalmers, ARmistead Moore, Alexander Moore, John Echols, Rec June 27 1796
    6163Halifax ob p 14-282 original1790HalifaxHobson
    Henryroad handsDouble CreekBenjamin Hobson surveyor of Lower
    Double Creek to Toby Ck, hands Thomas Boyd, Robert Shotwell, James Sureik, John Johns, Presley Dodson, Elisha Dodson, William Watkins, William Couch, Adam Blount, John Lawson, Henry Cook, John Cook, William Claiborne, Joseph Kirby, Richard Kirby, William Boyd, Henry Wall, Mary Carter, Theo Carter Jr,
    Henry Hobson, Benjamin Hobson, John More, Jonathan Davis, Jesse Davis,
    William Jordan
    10157Ct Ord Bk 1756-17621761Cumberland25-MayHobsonJohn
    securityWyke and Glaister Hunnicutt plt vs Willliam Bradley
    def in case John Hobson, Wiliam Hobson, Josiah Thompson and Robert Moore
    special bail for the def.
    10178Court Ord Bk 1762-17641762Cumberland27-SepHobsonJohn
    defWyke and Glaister Hunnicutt plt vs John Hobson, Wiliam
    Hobson, Josiah Thompson, Robert Moore on a writ of scire facias. Paid Oct 26th.
    10219Court Ord Bk 1749-17561754Cumberland25-MarHobsonJohn
    witJohn Moore and Wiliam Hudgins jr was recorded, wit Thomas
    Tabb, William Hobson and John Hobson
    2062Robin Wilis ldb 13-1661778Lunenburg13-SepHobsonJohn
    linesMichael McKie and wife Susannah to Robert Estes
    2066Robin Willis ldb 13-2991779Lunenburg29-AugHobsonJohn
    sellerReedy CkJohn Hobson of Dinwiddie Co to Robert Estes, 5
    shillings [gift deed price], 45A on Horsepen Br. of Reedy Creek on Blackwell and Long's line. Wits Joseph Hightower, John Smithson, Benjamin Estes, Jr.
    8636Lunenburg Willl Book 1 by TLC1761Lunenburg18-Sep
    HobsonJohnwitnessWill of William Traylor, son Joel dark bay
    horse when 21, son William land and plantation whereon I now dwell, daughter Mary Hood 1 shilling sterling, daughter Ann Moore 1 shilling sterling, children and wife Mary, Joel, William Isabella, Agness and Elizabeth land called the fleets if I have any right to it to be equally divided among
    them. Wife Mary rst of my estate during her life to maintain my young children then to be equally divided among three youngest daughters. Exec wife, desire for no appraisement, wit John Hobson, David Deardon, William Clift, signed Sept 18 1761, probated Feb 2 1762, John Hobson security.
    2062Robin Wilis ldb 13-1661778Lunenburg13-SepHobson
    JosephlinesMichael McKie and wife Susannah to Robert Estes -
    see item
    4713DB 14 pg 801787Halifax27-Feb HobsonNwitness County Line ckGeorge Canaldy of Caswell Co NC to Phillip Thomas of the co and st aforesaid for 25# about 167 acres in H on he east side of the Country Line Cr and bounded by the country line of Va, William Moore, John Lewis Byrd. Signed George (x) Canaldy. Wit - H. Haralson, James Moore, John Canally, John Coleman, N Hobson, William Powell, Edmond King, recorded Apr ? 2021Robin Wilis ldb 12-1911772Lunenburg14-May Hobson
    Nicholas witnessFalls Cr Elisha Estes, Sr. of Lunenburg to
    William Hatchett - see item
    2056Robin Willis ldb 13-921778Lunenburg9-MarHobson
    NicholasbuyerCouches CkRobert and Elisha, execs estate of
    Robert Estes, Sr., dec’d, to Nicholas Hobson, all of Lunenburg, £170, 170A
    on Couches Cr. Signed Robert Estes, Elisha Estes (check again)
    2057Robin Willis dlb 13-931778Lunenburg10-MarHobson
    NicholassellerCouches CkSame tract conveyed by Robert &
    Elisha Estes as exors of father’s will, 170A on Couches Creek, from Nicholas
    Hobson to Elisha Estes, both of Lunenburg, for £5. (check again)
    8326Mormon church contributed records1778Lunenburg
    9-MarHobsonNicholasbuyerCrouches CreekIndenture between
    Robert and Elisha Estes, executors of Robert Estes, the elder, decd, and
    Nicholas Hobson 170 acres on Crouches Creek
    8327Mormon church contributed records1778Lunenburg
    10-MarHobsonNicholassellerCrouches CreekConvey to Hobson to
    Elisha Estes
    8430Mormon Contributed Records1777Hobson
    NicholasCaptWilliam Estes in Capt. Nicholas Hobson's co,
    6th Va regt of Cont. Forces, commanded by Lt. Col. James Hendricks
    10157Ct Ord Bk 1756-17621761Cumberland25-MayHobson Williamsecurity Wyke and Glaister Hunnicutt plt vs Willliam
    Bradley def in case John Hobson, Wiliam Hobson, Josiah Thompson and Robert Moore special bail for the def.
    10178Court Ord Bk 1762-17641762Cumberland27-SepHobson
    WilliamdefWyke and Glaister Hunnicutt plt vs John Hobson,
    Wiliam Hobson, Josiah Thompson, Robert Moore on a writ of scire facias. Paid Oct 26th.
    10219Court Ord Bk 1749-17561754Cumberland25-MarHobson
    WilliamwitJohn Moore and Wiliam Hudgins jr was recorded, wit
    Thomas Tabb, William Hobson and John Hobson
    4549Halifax deed bk 13-461784Halifax7-JunHobsonWilliam
    buyerDanFrom Francis Watkins and Agnes, his wife, of the Co of Prince Edward to William Hobson of the Co of Cumberland for 400# about 366 acres on Dan River in H it being part of a larger tract which was formerly deeded by Hugh Moor to John Watson and by the same Watson to Francis Watkins. The 366 acres is bounded by Carter's line. Signed Frances Watkins. Wit P Carrington, John Bates, William Terry, Drury Vaughan, Henry Hobson, Mathaniel Barksdale Recorded July 15 1784

    The map of Prince Edward County opposite this page can be used to approximate the location of Thomas' land. Prepared in 1820 by John Wood, a resident of Prince Edward County, the map shows notable landmarks in the county; these include churches, schools, and large homes. West of Buffalo River, near Fort Creek, is the notation, "W. Lindseys." According to the above deed, Thomas was a neighbor of William Lindsey, a member of the Virginia General Assembly from 1813 to 1817. If the square marked "W. Lindseys" designates William Lindsey's residence, then Thomas' land was very close to it. In 1808 Aaron Lindsey built a large house on site of Thomas' former homestead. A survey of Prince Edward County's historic structures, conducted in 1937 by the Works Projects Administration, describes "Haverhill":

    1. SUBJECT: "Haverhill".
    2. LOCATION: 3 miles south of Prospect, Virginia, on Route #133; thence 1 mile east on Route #657; thence 1 mile south on private road leading to house.
    3. DATE [BUILT]: 1808.
    4. OWNERS: In one of the [Prince Edward County] deeds we see that it was originally known as the east end of the Tredway farm, which dated back to 1774. The first record
    we have is of one hundred and thirty-five acres bought of a Thompson in 1804 by Aaron Lindsey. Aaron Lindsey left it by will to his nephew Thomas Lindsey in 1826. Samuel Hunt 1855 to 1899 Wiley P. Gilliam 1899 to 1907, R. C. William 1907 to 1907 D. T. Hancock and wife 1907 to 1937, present owners.
    5. DESCRIPTION: Located in a grove of a variety of trees, is this stately old frame mansion, consisting of a story and a half and basement built on top of the ground. The
    chimney on the east side is immense, measuring aproximately four yards wide with height in proportion. The interior consists of six large rooms, one shed room and three halls. The upstairs rooms are half story but are large. The basement is well finished with floor and is used for living purposes as much as any other part of the house.
    6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This was the east end of one of the oldest farms in Prince Edward County, and has been owned continuously by some of the most outstanding people of the community. The place is still in good repair and the owner has been offered a large sum for the hand-carved wainscoting in one of the rooms. Within two years of selling land in Prince Edward County, Thomas and his family had relocated to fifteen miles northeast of Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky. The November 7, 1806 issue of the Russellville Mirror contained a notice which informed Thomas and James that they should claim letters addressed to them at the Russellville post office. Thomas made his last will and testament, on February 9, 1810; it was recorded in Logan County Will Book A, pages 163-164:

    Thomas Thompson and Nancy Waddill Carter had eight children, according to a Bible which, in the 1920s, was in the possession of Mrs. Octavia Gayden Tullis. The inside back cover of the Bible had this inscription: "Carter Thompson's Holy Bible, August 14th 1819." Carter Thompson was Mrs. Tullis' great-grandfather. The Bible record also listed Carter's children and the children of his father-in-law John Morton. In 1929 Mrs. Tullis sent three letters and a transcript of the Bible record to Dr. Joseph D. Eggleston, who she hoped could provide information about the Thompson and Morton families. Dr. Eggleston, a past president of Hampden-Sydney College, spent much of his life
    investigating Prince Edward County's history. The letters exchanged by Mrs. Tullis and Dr. Eggleston are preserved in the manuscripts section of the Virginia Historical Society (Genealogical Papers of Dr. Joseph Dupuy Eggleston, Morton Family File). Their correspondence included the following information on Thomas Thompson's family:
    Thomas Thompson was born August 13, 1740; his wife Nancy " " "June 15, 1749.
    "Their children were
    James Thompson born August 16, 1770
    Carter " " April 12, 1773
    Thomas " " Nov. 16, 1774
    Samuel " " Feb. 23, 1777
    Elizabeth " Jan. 19, 1779
    William " " May 24, 1780
    Nancy " " August 20, 1785
    John C. " " July 26, 1791
    From the few public records which mention Thomas it is possible to make inferences regarding his occupation and social position. The inventory of Thomas' estate included a "barrel manufactory"; he may therefore have been a cooper, or barrel maker. Like most Virginia farmers and many of his descendants, Thomas probably cultivated tobacco. The "plantation tools" listed in his inventory may have been used for this purpose. Thomas had a relatively large estate. His inventory listed thirteen slaves, a large number for western Kentucky in 1810. Of more than three hundred households on the 1811 Butler County tax list, only six had more than ten slaves. Also, that he married the daughter of Theodrick Carter, one of Prince Edward County's most prominent planters, suggests Thomas was a respected
    member of his community. Thomas' nationality is not known. The tradition among many of his descendants is that the
    Thompsons are Scot-Irish. The families with which Thomas and his children associated in Kentucky were overwhelmingly Scot-Irish, as were his neighbors in Prince Edward County. Some evidence, however, suggests that the Thompsons are English. Included in this category are statements made by one of Thomas' grandsons in the late 1800s and the fact that, before his marriage, Thomas probably lived in Amelia County, where persons of English descent far outnumbered Scot-Irish. The next sections of this chapter address the question of Thomas' national origins and provide additional details about his life in Virginia and Kentucky. Public records reveal nothing about the identity of Thomas' parents and little concerning his nationality. No pre-1800 Virginia wills provide the name of his father. In fact, no Virginia wills mention Thomas or his children. Cyrus Thompson wrote what may be the earliest surviving observations on Thomas' nationality. Born in 1819 in Cadiz, Kentucky, Cyrus was James Thompson's son. In a letter to his hometown newspaper, the Kentucky Telephone, dated December 20, 1889, Cyrus wrote that his father "was a native of Prince Edward County, Virginia, and of English extraction." In 1898 Cyrus wrote a letter to his great-niece Emma Bristow. It contained two pages of genealogical information, including the following references to his father and grandfather: "my Father was James Thompson a native of Prince Edward County Virginia and whose Father came from England." If Cyrus is correct, Thomas was English, and may have come alone to America. The
    absence of references to him in Virginia wills could be easily explained: if Thomas' father died in England, his will would not have been recorded in Virginia. Of course, Cyrus may not have known his grandfather's country of origin or even his grandfather's name. He referred to Thomas by name in neither the letter to the Kentucky Telephone nor the letter to Emma Bristow. In any case, because he wrote about his grandfather earlier than anyone else, Cyrus is probably the most authoritative voice on the national origins of Thomas Thompson.

    FOOTNOTE IN THE THOMPSON BOOK:
    Cyrus himself spent time in England. He visited London prior to the Civil War, according to a biographical sketch he wrote about one of his brothers. He also applied for a merchant's position in Liverpool. That Cyrus was well-educated, had been to England, and was obviously serious about preserving the history of the Thompson family lends much weight to his brief allusions regarding Thomas' origins. Thomas Thompson's birth date-- August 13, 1740-- is evidence which someday may lead to the discovery of his parents' identity. Many churches of eighteenth-century England and America recorded birth and christening dates. Children born to members of the Anglican Church were usually christened as soon as they could be transported to church for the ceremony. The International Genealogical Index lists the christening of a Thomas Thompson, the son of Thomas and Jane Thompson, on August 21, 1740-- eight days after our Thomas' birth. The compilers of the IGI took this information from the register of St. Maurice Parish, York, Yorkshire, England. It is possible that the child christened that day was Cyrus' grandfather. The compiler of this publication has made few efforts to
    investigate the records of Yorkshire, England. Prior to his marriage Thomas probably lived in Amelia County. A Thomas Thompson was listed on the Amelia County tithables lists in 1762, 1763, and 1764, each year in the household of
    Joel Jackson. A small group of young men lived with Jackson from 1762-64. Jackson later served as a mill inspector in eastern Prince Edward County, so he may have operated a mill in 1762. Perhaps the young men in his house were apprentices or employees. We know from Carter Thompson's Bible record that our Thomas was only twenty-one years old when the Amelia County tithables list was compiled in 1762. Excepting the 1762-64 tithables lists, the name Thomas Thompson appeared in few Amelia County records. However, in Prince Edward County, which shares its eastern border with Amelia County, the name appeared as a defendant in four civil suits from April, 1769 to November, 1771. The following persons sued a Thomas Thompson for debt during this relatively brief time period:
    Thomas Tabb; case decided April, 1769. Order Book 4, page 199. Joel Jackson; case decided August, 1770. Order Book 4, page 315. John McLaughlin; case decided March, 1771. Order Book 4, part 1, page 7. Joseph and Amy Hightower; case decided November, 1771. Order Book 5, page 81.
    With regard to the theory that our Thomas at one time lived in Amelia County, it is worth pointing out that all the plaintiffs in the above cases were from Amelia. Thomas Tabb was Amelia's wealthiest merchant; he died at his home Clay Hill, on November 27, 1769. Joel Jackson, of course, headed the Amelia County household in which a Thomas Thompson lived from 1762 to 1764. John McLaughlin's residence was in Amelia County when he purchased four slaves from John Gray and William Spain, on September 23, 1771 (Amelia County Deed Book 11, p. 319). The will of Joseph Hightower's father Joshua appeared in Amelia County Will Book 2, page 23 (signed May 12, 1770; probated February 27, 1772). It would have been unusual for so many Amelia countians to sue the same person in Prince
    Edward County court unless the defendant was a former Amelia resident. Add to the court cases the fact that Thomas' first child was born in August, 1770, and it is easy to imagine a situation where as a young man Thomas accumulated debts in Amelia County, moved to Prince Edward
    County to be near his new wife's family, and soon after was sued by creditors from his old county of residence.
    In addition to suggesting Amelia County as Thomas' probable residence prior to his marriage,
    the foregoing discussion of court cases lends support to Cyrus Thompson's claim that his grandfather was English. The Amelia County residents of the 1760s were predominately English cannot be disputed. They settled Amelia County during the "Hanover migration," which was a gradual spreading of mostly English settlers and their descendants from the coastal areas of Virginia to its western frontier.
    While Thomas probably spent his early adult years among people of English extraction, in Prince Edward County most of his neighbors were Scot-Irish Presbyterians. To escape recurring Indian raids, a group of Scot-Irish settlers in the 1730s migrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to the western half of present-day Prince Edward County. They
    purchased land west of Buffalo River in the unsettled watersheds of Fort and Spring creeks. The Scot-Irish enclave, called the "Buffalo Community" by Dr. Eggleston, had at its social and geographical center the Buffalo Presbyterian Church. Thomas lived less than two miles from Buffalo Presbyterian Church; he and his family probably worshipped there. A Presbyterian, Thomas was a trustee of Caney Fork Presbyterian Church in Logan County (Deed Book B, April 10, 1807, page 61). His friend John Grinter was
    among the few early documented members of Buffalo Presbyterian Church, for which there are no eighteenth-century membership lists. A notation from church minutes, dated October, 1806, grants permission for John Grinter and his family to leave the congregation and move to Kentucky
    (Buffalo Presbyterian Church Sessional Record, 1804-1871, page 27). Grinters and Thompsons soon after settled Logan and Trigg counties in Kentucky where they and their descendants maintained close ties. Many Logan County settlers at one time lived in the Buffalo Community. In 1801 Moses Read sold his land on Spring Creek (Deed Book 12, page 122), and by 1814 lived on the same road in Butler County as Carter Thompson; Elisha Bennett deeded away his Vaughn's Creek holdings in 1804 (Deed Book 13, page 596), and in 1810 was called "my trusty Friend" in Thomas Thompson's will; Robert Baker, the step-son of James Thompson and a great-grandson of Reverend John Thomson, the first pastor of Buffalo Presbyterian Church, returned to Prince Edward County from Kentucky in 1816 (Deed Book 16, page 5) to sell land he inherited from his father in 1797; and, finally, countless members of Logan County's Porter, Ewing, Forsythe, and Hay families claim descent from the Scot-Irish members of the Buffalo Community. [Additionally John Carter of Amelia nephew of Nancy Waddill Carter Thompson, is also found in Amelia-mfe]

    Thomas married Nancy Waddill 'Nanny' Carter c 1770. Nancy (daughter of Theodorick3 dna Carter, Jr. and Anne Waddill) was born 15 Jun 1749, Prince Edward Co., Virginia; died Yes, date unknown, Logan Co., Kentucky. [Group Sheet]


  4. 13.  Nancy Waddill 'Nanny' Carter was born 15 Jun 1749, Prince Edward Co., Virginia (daughter of Theodorick3 dna Carter, Jr. and Anne Waddill); died Yes, date unknown, Logan Co., Kentucky.

    Notes:

    Theodrick Carter, II and Anne Waddill were the parents of Nancy Waddill Carter. Anne Waddill was baptized January 24, 1713, according to the register of St. Peter's parish, which encompassed New Kent County. Her parents were William and Sarah Dennis Waddill. William was elected vestryman of St. Peter's, on June 1, 1704, and served in
    this capacity for at least thirty-five years. The author James Branch Cabell,a descendant of John Waddill, discussed the Waddills in his book "The Majors and Their Marriages." Theodrick Carter and Anne Waddill lived for a time in New Kent County. According to the register of St. Peter's parish, their first child John was baptized on October 30, 1737. Theodrick appeared in the Amelia County tithables list of June 10, 1747 in John Nash's district (this area became part of Prince Edward County in 1754); he is absent from the list Nash compiled for the same district on June 10, 1745. He must therefore have migrated from New
    Kent County to present-day Prince Edward County sometime between these two dates. Nancy was born June 15, 1749, probably at her father's estate "Hickory Hill" (also known as "Hickory Grove"). According to tradition, the house was built around 1750; however, it may have been built three years earlier, since we know that Theodrick was living in John Nash's tax district on June 10, 1747.
    John Wood's 1820 map of Prince Edward County shows the location of Hickory Hill. Two miles west of Hampden-Sydney College is the notation "Capt. Carter's." Captain Carter was Samuel Carter, Nancy's brother. Samuel inherited Hickory Hill from his father in 1777. Destroyed by fire in 1933, Hickory Hill was described four years later in the Works Projects Administration survey of Prince Edward County homes: [Hickory Hill] was not a show place except for its splendid boxwood and cedar hedge and lovely gardens. It was a plain frame house, or rather two houses connected by a little square room. The first of these traditions says it was built in 1750, a story and a half with small rooms except for one large reception room, which was beautifully paneled, and with one side of carved oak. The other part of the house was built by William H. Venable, when he bought the plantation in 1853 from Edward Carter [Samuel's son]. Mr. Venable built a large, square, two-story frame building, with large rooms and ample halls. The many outbuildings around the mansion house made the place quite a little settlement. The large grove of hickories flanking it on the south gave the place its name.
    Nancy's father was one of Prince Edward County's most prominent planters. He purchased 975 acres in old Amelia County on September 20, 1748, and bought and sold other parcels of land up to the time of his death. A member of the Anglican church, Theodrick offered 300 acres of land to St. Patrick's parish for its use as a glebe, or plot of land granted to the local clergyman as part of his benefice during his tenure of office.
    --PAGE 14--
    Theodrick made his will on December 7, 1777. The executors of his estate were Nathaniel Venable and Francis Watkins, two of Prince Edward County's most respected citizens. Venable was a member of the Virginia Assembly in 1766-1768; three of his sons were educated at Princeton, and one served in the United States Congress. Venable lived at Slate Hill, now in the National Register of Historic Places. Watkins was deputy clerk of the Prince Edward County court from 1767 to 1783; he was appointed clerk in 1783, retiring from that office in 1823. His home was called "Poplar Hill." Venable and Watkins were also charter trustees of Hampden-Sydney College, founded in Prince Edward County in 1776.
    The following is Theodrick Carter's will:
    In the name of God, Amen: I Theodrick Carter of the Parish of Saint Patrick and County of Prince Edward being of perfect and sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner following.
    First, I give unto my daughter Susannah Stubblefield and sons John, Theodrick and William Carter each one shilling sterling. I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Carter one negro man named Dick, and one feather bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath my daughter Nanny Waddill Thompson one negro girl named Tibb now in her possession, also two cows and calves to her and her heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my son Waddill Carter that part of my lands within the following bounds, to begin at the cross branch at the road, to run a straight line by the grave yard to his own line, all the land below this line on the North side of said road, also one negro man named Tom to him and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Molley Carter one negro girl named Agg and one negro girl named Nanny, also the mare I purchased of Col. Robert Lawson, her own saddle and bridle, one feather bed and furniture, four head of sheep and two cows, to her and her heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Salley Carter one negro boy named Will and
    one negro boy named Abraham, the sorrel mare I purchased of Charles Williamson, one feather bed and furniture, her own saddle and bridle, four head of sheep and two cows, to
    her and her heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Carter the remainder of the lands and plantation whereon I now live and the following negros, Moll and her child Neptune, also all and residue of my estate not hereinbefore particularly mentioned of what kind or nature
    soever, except two-thirds of my pewter and the two negroes named Jack and Sarah, these two negroes Jack and Sarah I leave to my two daughters Molley and Salley for their support till they marry or die and then my son Samuel, and desire that my executors hereafter named may devide my pewter into three equal parts and allot to my son Samuel
    and daughters Molley and Salley each and equal parts thereof, the estate herein willed to my son Samuel I give to him and his heirs forever, and it is my will that so long as my daughters Molley and Salley live single that they have the free use and liberty of their chamber in my dwelling house without the denial or interruption of my son Samuel. It is my further will that should my said son Samuel depart this life without leaving issue, in that case the lands herein willed to him and every part of my estate bequeathed.
    --PAGE 15--
    him, I give and bequeath unto my said two daughters Molley and Sally to be equally devided between them by my executors hereafter named unless my said two daughters
    should agree on a division themselves, which estate I bequeath to them and their heirs forever, (should it so happen my son Samuel) It is my will that all the negroes I'm possessed of be continued on my plantation the next year to make a crop. Lastly I do constitute and appoint my son Waddill Carter and friends Nathaniel Venable and Francis Watkins Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and declaring void all other wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of December in the year of Christ one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven.
    Theo'd Carter
    .
    Thomas and Nancy Thompson probably named their fourth child in honor of her brother, Samuel Carter. Samuel distinguished himself in the military, in politics, and as a businessman. A member of the 1st Virginia Regiment during the Revolutionary War, he and seven other officers were granted the honor of personally welcoming the Marquis de Lafayette during the great soldier and statesman's visit to Richmond in October, 1824 (Richmond Enquirer, October 29, 1824, page 3). Samuel at various times held the county offices of sheriff, magistrate, and coroner; in 1805-1806 he represented Prince Edward County in the Virginia Assembly. In the late 1790s he was a trustee of a company which improved navigation on the Appomattox River. Later, he became a charter trustee of the Junction Canal Company. In 1825 the company constructed a canal which linked the Appomattox and Little Roanoke rivers. John Wood's map of Prince Edward County shows Samuel's mill at the mid-point of this canal.

    Children:
    1. Carter Thompson was born 12 Apr 1773, Prince Edward Co., Virginia; died 12 Jan 1797, Prince George Co., Virginia.
    2. 6. James Thompson was born Abt 1770, Prince Edward Co., Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.