Thomas, b. ca. 1645, lived Richmond County, VA; gift to Wm Thornton in 1704
A Thomas James made a gift of a cow to William Thornton, the son of Luke Thornton (Jr.) of Richmond County, Virginia in 1704.Luke Thornton's wife, the mother of this young William, was named Margaret.Boddie, in "Southern Families" has speculated that Thomas James might have been the maternal grandfather of this William Thornton (that is, Thomas might have been the father of Margaret).I have been trying to clarify some of Boddie's speculation and I believe he had some other details wrong.Specifically, I do not think that this Thomas James was the same man who married Mary Willis, daughter of John Willis.
Here is what I think I know about the Thomas James who made the gift of a cow in 1704.
1. born ca. 1645 (age 34 in 1681, per his own estimate)
2. purchased land from William and Ann (Dade) Lane in 1669
3. married to FNU MNU between 1669-1679 (so she b. bet. 1646-1663)
4. fathered possible children 1670-1695 (a son Thomas??)
5. fathered Margaret between 1675-1680
6. witness to Will of Wm Griffin in 1681 (who made bequests to wife, children and to William Moss and William Sergeant, and made them overseers)
7. purchased land from John Washington in 1696
8. gave daughter Margaret in marriage to Luke Thornton, 1696=1703
9. served on jury in 1704
10. deed of gift (cow) to William Thornton in 1704 (witnesses:James Ingo and Thomas Dickenson)
11. sued John Washington (estate) in 1712 for refund on 1696 land purchase
12. died 1713-1717 (age 68 to 72)
There were several other males named Thomas James in the same general geographic area over the years, and some had overlapping periods of time as adults, so that it is important to try and distinguish which events/records refer to which of the men named Thomas James.
If anyone wants to trade information about this Thomas James, or exchange ideas about his spouse, parents, siblings, children other than Margaret, etc., please contact me directly at [email protected].