Individual Details
Phillip Thomas
(Abt 1600 - 1674)
Notes:
The Maryland Calendar Of Wills Compiled And Edited by Jane Baldwin (Jane Baldwin Cotton) Wills From 1635 (Earliest probated) To 1685 Volume I; Family Line Publications Westminster, Maryland 1988, p. 108
Thomas, Philip, A. A. Co., 9th Sept., 1674; 10th July, 1675.
To sons Philip and Samuel and their hrs., 500 A., "The Clifts," in Calvert Co., equally.
" dau. Martha, 3 grandchild, viz., Mary, dau. of John Meers, Philip and Eliza:, child, of William Cole, and to the Quakers, personalty.
"5 child., viz., Philip, Samuel, Sarah, Eliza:, and Martha, personalty, equally.
" wife Sarah, execx., and residuary legatee of estate, including 120 A., "Fuller's Point," A. A.Co., and1,200 A., "The Plains," on Patapsco R., BaltimoreCo.;the latter tract
to pass to son Samuel afsd.
Test: Jno. Ricks, Marmaduke Noble. 2. 330.
(1) "The Thomas Book," by Lawrence B. Thomas, "Thomas of West River, MD," p.27-33.
(2) "A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789" (Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore) Vol. 1, p.473; p.810.
(3) "Colonial Families of the Unites States," Vol. VI, p.367.
(4) "The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," by J.D. Warfield (Kohn & Pollock, Baltimore, 1905) p.11-12,26,28,46-47.
(5) Carolyn Davidson Carey, Greenwood Village, CO. Cites: (a) "Quakers of Anne Arundle Co.," by Green.
Birth: (1) About 1600, s/o Evan THOMAS. (2) Probably in Bristol, England.
Marriage to Sarah HARRISON: (1,4) In England. (2,3)
Death: (1) His wife survived him. Will dated 9 Sep 1674, proved 10 Aug 1675. (2) Will probated 10 Jul 1675, Anne Arundel Co., MD.
(2) Was a Protestant.
(1) 1621, 17 Dec: A Philip THOMAS in the East India Company's service petitioned for unpaid wages, but his behavior was complained of and he was discharged.
(2) 1635-1651: Lived in VA. Was transported there with his wife and perhaps one child. (5) Emigrated from Bristol to VA.
(1) bef 1650: Philip THOMAS the emigrant formed a business partnership with one Devonshire at Bristol, England, forming the mercantile house of Thomas & Devonshire.
(1,4) 1651: Emigrated to Maryland from England. (2) Emigrated to MD from VA as a free adult with his wife and four children. Was a planter. (3,4) Emigrated to MD from Bristol, England. (4) Philip THOMAS came with wife Sarah HARRISON and 3 children, Philip, Sarah and Elizabeth.
(1) 1651/2, 19 Feb: Granted a patent 500 acres called "Beakely" or "Beckley" on the west side of Chesapeake Bay "in consideration that he hath in the year 1651 transported himself, Sarah his wife, Philip, Sarah, and Elizabeth his children, into this our province." (2) 500 acres in Anne Arundel Co. was surveyed for him in 1651 but not patented until 1658. (4) Granted 500 acres "Beckley" on the west side of the Chesapeake.
(1) Philip THOMAS is said to have lived on the "Townlands of Severn" on Greenbury's Point at the mouth of the Severn River, which had been settled 1649/50 by about 70 Puritan families from Nansemond, VA under the leadership of Col. Richard BENNETT. THOMAS was supposed to have guarded the sanctuary, which was erected on land adjoining that of Elder DURAND, the Puritan minister. About 5 years later the settlers transferred their lands to Col. BENNETT and moved away. (2) Lived in Anne Arundel Co.. (4) The settlers of Middle Neck Hundred along Chesapeake Bay, north of South River, MD, were Philip THOMAS of "Thomas Point," Capt. William FULLER, Leonard STRONG, Thomas MEERES, Thomas TOLLEY and William JAMES. Upon their surveys stand (1905) Bay Ridge and Arundel-on-the-Bay.
(1) Affiliated himself with the Puritan Party and soon acquired influence among his neighbors. He became one of the Puritan Party's leaders in their conflict with Lord Baltimore, the Proprietary, and his representatives in the province.
(1) When CROMWELL and the Parliamentary party were strong in England, their sympathizers in MD broke out in open rebellion under Col. Richard BENNETT, and Philip THOMAS, holding a military commission as Lieutenant, was one of their muster in Anne Arundel Co., MD. (3) Lieutenant of Provincial Forces of MD before 1656.
(1) 1654/5, 25 Mar: The Puritan forces, under Capt. FULLER, defeated Gov. STONE's forces near Providence on the Severn. STONE surrendered under a promise that their lives should be spared.
(1) 1654/5, 28 Mar: "Capt. FULLER, Wm. BURGESS, Richard EVANS, Leo STRONG, Wm. DURAND, Roger HEAMANS, John BROWN, John CUTTS, Richard SMITH, one THOMAS, one BEDSTONE, Sampson WARREN, Thomas MEARES, and one CROUCH, sat as a Council of War, condemnded a number of the prisoners to die, and executed four of them."
(4) 1655, married: After the Battle of the Severn, in which the forces of Lord Baltimore under Gov. STONE were defeated by the Parliamentary forces of the Puritans of Anne Arundel Co., Gov. STONE and most of his party were transported over the Severn River to a fort at Anne Arundel, where they were kept prisoners. After about 3 days, Capt. FULLER, William BURGESS, Richard EWEN, Leonard STRONG, William DURAND, Roger HEAMANS, John BROWNE, John CUTS, Richard SMITH, one THOMAS, and one BESSON, Samson WARREN, Thomas MEARS and one CROUCH sat in a council of war, and there condemned Gov. STONE, Col. John PRICE, Mr. Job CHANDLER, Mr. William ELTONHEAD, Mr. Robert CLARK, Nicholas GEYTHER, Capt. William EVANS, Capt. William LEWIS, Mr. John LEGAT and John PEDRO to die, and not long afterward they sequestered all the estates of those of Lord Baltimore's council and other officers there.
(1) 1656/7, 20 Mar: Lt. Philip THOMAS was appointed one of six High Commissioners of the Provincial Court, the father of his son-in-law, John MEARS, being another. (2) 1656/7-1657/8, w as a member of the Parliamentary Commission. (3) 1656, member of the High Commission governin g MD. (2) 1656/7-1657/8: Was a Justice of the Provincial Court.
(1) 1658-1661: Granted a patent for 100 acres called "Thomas Towne." (4) Acquired "Thomas T owne," "The Plains," and "Philip's Addition." On this he erected his homestead, "Lebanon." On his lands stands Thomas Point Lighthouse. His neighbor was Capt. William FULLER, the provincial leader.
(4) 1658, 22 Mar: Capt. William FULLER, Mr. Richard PRESTON, Mr. Edward LLOYD, Mr. Thomas MEERES, Mr. Philip THOMAS and Mr. Samuel WITHERS, delegates from Anne Arundel Co., met with Josias FENDALL at Leonard's Creek, on Patuxent River, to carry out the agreement signed in England in Nov 1657 by Lord Baltimore and Richard BENNETT. They were to meet on the 18th, but arrived 2 days late on account of the stormy season. They secured even greater compromises than BENNETT in England had asked.
(1,3) 1658/9, 24 Mar: When Oliver CROMWELL ordered the revolutionists to return the province to the Proprietary, THOMAS was one of the commissioners to make the surrender. (1) After this he does not seem to have taken an active part in the political affairs of the province.
(1) 1665: Granted a patent for 120 acres called "Fuller's Poynt" between the Severn and South Rivers. It is now called Thomas Point and is the site of a light house.
(1) 1666, married: Returned from a voyage to England.
(1) 1668: Granted 300 acres called "The Planes."
(1) 1671, 17 Oct: The Upper House of Assembly of MD consented to a bill for ferries, among them being one over Potapsco River, from Philip THOMAS point in Anne Arundel Co. to Kent Co.
(1) 1672: Granted 200 acres called "Philip's Addition."
(1) Held numerous patents on unnamed tracts. This land lay mostly in Anne Arundel Co. near what is now known as West River.
(1) 1673, 17 May: May have been one of the those converted to the Society of Friends by George FOX, the founder of the Quakers, when he preached at a "very large meeting" in West River. The meeting lasted 4 days. A number of the THOMAS family appear on the early records of the Society immediately after this meeting. (2) Became a Quaker by 1657. (4) Joined the Society of Friends under George FOX and gave up political adventures.
(1) 1674, 9 Sep: Philip THOMAS made his will. A copy is still preserved at the family seat, "Lebanon," West River, MD. From the will, it appears that he had disposed of much of the land granted to him, only mentioning "Beckley," "Fuller's Poynt" and "The Playns," and his two houses in Bristol, England.
(1,4) He provided that any dispute in regard to the settlement of his estate be brought before "the body of Quakers." (1) This provision was a common one amongst Quakers. (4) His estate was claimed by his son Samuel THOMAS through a verbal will which Edward TALBOTT resisted. The question was finally decided by the Society in favor of all the heirs. [NOTE: Other sources say this was his mother's will.]
(2) At his death, his estate included 1,120 acres in Calvert Co., Baltimore Co., and Anne Arundel Co., plus two houses in Bristol, England.
(1) Had a gold-headed cane and service of silver upon which were the coat of arms of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, K.G., of Carew. The cane is still in the possession of his descendants. The silver was last owned by William THOMAS of Sandy Spring, MD, but has disappeared. It is reported to have been exchanged at a silversmith's in Baltimore by Mrs. THOMAS for plated ware of a newer pattern, and been melted down by the purchaser not long before the Civil War.
(1) 1690, 13 Sep: John TALBOT claimed an interest in the proceeds of the sale of the two houses in Bristol in right of his wife, Philip's granddaughter, as her share of the whole landed estate.
The Maryland Calendar Of Wills Compiled And Edited by Jane Baldwin (Jane Baldwin Cotton) Wills From 1635 (Earliest probated) To 1685 Volume I; Family Line Publications Westminster, Maryland 1988, p. 108
Thomas, Philip, A. A. Co., 9th Sept., 1674; 10th July, 1675.
To sons Philip and Samuel and their hrs., 500 A., "The Clifts," in Calvert Co., equally.
" dau. Martha, 3 grandchild, viz., Mary, dau. of John Meers, Philip and Eliza:, child, of William Cole, and to the Quakers, personalty.
"5 child., viz., Philip, Samuel, Sarah, Eliza:, and Martha, personalty, equally.
" wife Sarah, execx., and residuary legatee of estate, including 120 A., "Fuller's Point," A. A.Co., and1,200 A., "The Plains," on Patapsco R., BaltimoreCo.;the latter tract
to pass to son Samuel afsd.
Test: Jno. Ricks, Marmaduke Noble. 2. 330.
(1) "The Thomas Book," by Lawrence B. Thomas, "Thomas of West River, MD," p.27-33.
(2) "A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789" (Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore) Vol. 1, p.473; p.810.
(3) "Colonial Families of the Unites States," Vol. VI, p.367.
(4) "The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," by J.D. Warfield (Kohn & Pollock, Baltimore, 1905) p.11-12,26,28,46-47.
(5) Carolyn Davidson Carey, Greenwood Village, CO. Cites: (a) "Quakers of Anne Arundle Co.," by Green.
Birth: (1) About 1600, s/o Evan THOMAS. (2) Probably in Bristol, England.
Marriage to Sarah HARRISON: (1,4) In England. (2,3)
Death: (1) His wife survived him. Will dated 9 Sep 1674, proved 10 Aug 1675. (2) Will probated 10 Jul 1675, Anne Arundel Co., MD.
(2) Was a Protestant.
(1) 1621, 17 Dec: A Philip THOMAS in the East India Company's service petitioned for unpaid wages, but his behavior was complained of and he was discharged.
(2) 1635-1651: Lived in VA. Was transported there with his wife and perhaps one child. (5) Emigrated from Bristol to VA.
(1) bef 1650: Philip THOMAS the emigrant formed a business partnership with one Devonshire at Bristol, England, forming the mercantile house of Thomas & Devonshire.
(1,4) 1651: Emigrated to Maryland from England. (2) Emigrated to MD from VA as a free adult with his wife and four children. Was a planter. (3,4) Emigrated to MD from Bristol, England. (4) Philip THOMAS came with wife Sarah HARRISON and 3 children, Philip, Sarah and Elizabeth.
(1) 1651/2, 19 Feb: Granted a patent 500 acres called "Beakely" or "Beckley" on the west side of Chesapeake Bay "in consideration that he hath in the year 1651 transported himself, Sarah his wife, Philip, Sarah, and Elizabeth his children, into this our province." (2) 500 acres in Anne Arundel Co. was surveyed for him in 1651 but not patented until 1658. (4) Granted 500 acres "Beckley" on the west side of the Chesapeake.
(1) Philip THOMAS is said to have lived on the "Townlands of Severn" on Greenbury's Point at the mouth of the Severn River, which had been settled 1649/50 by about 70 Puritan families from Nansemond, VA under the leadership of Col. Richard BENNETT. THOMAS was supposed to have guarded the sanctuary, which was erected on land adjoining that of Elder DURAND, the Puritan minister. About 5 years later the settlers transferred their lands to Col. BENNETT and moved away. (2) Lived in Anne Arundel Co.. (4) The settlers of Middle Neck Hundred along Chesapeake Bay, north of South River, MD, were Philip THOMAS of "Thomas Point," Capt. William FULLER, Leonard STRONG, Thomas MEERES, Thomas TOLLEY and William JAMES. Upon their surveys stand (1905) Bay Ridge and Arundel-on-the-Bay.
(1) Affiliated himself with the Puritan Party and soon acquired influence among his neighbors. He became one of the Puritan Party's leaders in their conflict with Lord Baltimore, the Proprietary, and his representatives in the province.
(1) When CROMWELL and the Parliamentary party were strong in England, their sympathizers in MD broke out in open rebellion under Col. Richard BENNETT, and Philip THOMAS, holding a military commission as Lieutenant, was one of their muster in Anne Arundel Co., MD. (3) Lieutenant of Provincial Forces of MD before 1656.
(1) 1654/5, 25 Mar: The Puritan forces, under Capt. FULLER, defeated Gov. STONE's forces near Providence on the Severn. STONE surrendered under a promise that their lives should be spared.
(1) 1654/5, 28 Mar: "Capt. FULLER, Wm. BURGESS, Richard EVANS, Leo STRONG, Wm. DURAND, Roger HEAMANS, John BROWN, John CUTTS, Richard SMITH, one THOMAS, one BEDSTONE, Sampson WARREN, Thomas MEARES, and one CROUCH, sat as a Council of War, condemnded a number of the prisoners to die, and executed four of them."
(4) 1655, married: After the Battle of the Severn, in which the forces of Lord Baltimore under Gov. STONE were defeated by the Parliamentary forces of the Puritans of Anne Arundel Co., Gov. STONE and most of his party were transported over the Severn River to a fort at Anne Arundel, where they were kept prisoners. After about 3 days, Capt. FULLER, William BURGESS, Richard EWEN, Leonard STRONG, William DURAND, Roger HEAMANS, John BROWNE, John CUTS, Richard SMITH, one THOMAS, and one BESSON, Samson WARREN, Thomas MEARS and one CROUCH sat in a council of war, and there condemned Gov. STONE, Col. John PRICE, Mr. Job CHANDLER, Mr. William ELTONHEAD, Mr. Robert CLARK, Nicholas GEYTHER, Capt. William EVANS, Capt. William LEWIS, Mr. John LEGAT and John PEDRO to die, and not long afterward they sequestered all the estates of those of Lord Baltimore's council and other officers there.
(1) 1656/7, 20 Mar: Lt. Philip THOMAS was appointed one of six High Commissioners of the Provincial Court, the father of his son-in-law, John MEARS, being another. (2) 1656/7-1657/8, w as a member of the Parliamentary Commission. (3) 1656, member of the High Commission governin g MD. (2) 1656/7-1657/8: Was a Justice of the Provincial Court.
(1) 1658-1661: Granted a patent for 100 acres called "Thomas Towne." (4) Acquired "Thomas T owne," "The Plains," and "Philip's Addition." On this he erected his homestead, "Lebanon." On his lands stands Thomas Point Lighthouse. His neighbor was Capt. William FULLER, the provincial leader.
(4) 1658, 22 Mar: Capt. William FULLER, Mr. Richard PRESTON, Mr. Edward LLOYD, Mr. Thomas MEERES, Mr. Philip THOMAS and Mr. Samuel WITHERS, delegates from Anne Arundel Co., met with Josias FENDALL at Leonard's Creek, on Patuxent River, to carry out the agreement signed in England in Nov 1657 by Lord Baltimore and Richard BENNETT. They were to meet on the 18th, but arrived 2 days late on account of the stormy season. They secured even greater compromises than BENNETT in England had asked.
(1,3) 1658/9, 24 Mar: When Oliver CROMWELL ordered the revolutionists to return the province to the Proprietary, THOMAS was one of the commissioners to make the surrender. (1) After this he does not seem to have taken an active part in the political affairs of the province.
(1) 1665: Granted a patent for 120 acres called "Fuller's Poynt" between the Severn and South Rivers. It is now called Thomas Point and is the site of a light house.
(1) 1666, married: Returned from a voyage to England.
(1) 1668: Granted 300 acres called "The Planes."
(1) 1671, 17 Oct: The Upper House of Assembly of MD consented to a bill for ferries, among them being one over Potapsco River, from Philip THOMAS point in Anne Arundel Co. to Kent Co.
(1) 1672: Granted 200 acres called "Philip's Addition."
(1) Held numerous patents on unnamed tracts. This land lay mostly in Anne Arundel Co. near what is now known as West River.
(1) 1673, 17 May: May have been one of the those converted to the Society of Friends by George FOX, the founder of the Quakers, when he preached at a "very large meeting" in West River. The meeting lasted 4 days. A number of the THOMAS family appear on the early records of the Society immediately after this meeting. (2) Became a Quaker by 1657. (4) Joined the Society of Friends under George FOX and gave up political adventures.
(1) 1674, 9 Sep: Philip THOMAS made his will. A copy is still preserved at the family seat, "Lebanon," West River, MD. From the will, it appears that he had disposed of much of the land granted to him, only mentioning "Beckley," "Fuller's Poynt" and "The Playns," and his two houses in Bristol, England.
(1,4) He provided that any dispute in regard to the settlement of his estate be brought before "the body of Quakers." (1) This provision was a common one amongst Quakers. (4) His estate was claimed by his son Samuel THOMAS through a verbal will which Edward TALBOTT resisted. The question was finally decided by the Society in favor of all the heirs. [NOTE: Other sources say this was his mother's will.]
(2) At his death, his estate included 1,120 acres in Calvert Co., Baltimore Co., and Anne Arundel Co., plus two houses in Bristol, England.
(1) Had a gold-headed cane and service of silver upon which were the coat of arms of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, K.G., of Carew. The cane is still in the possession of his descendants. The silver was last owned by William THOMAS of Sandy Spring, MD, but has disappeared. It is reported to have been exchanged at a silversmith's in Baltimore by Mrs. THOMAS for plated ware of a newer pattern, and been melted down by the purchaser not long before the Civil War.
(1) 1690, 13 Sep: John TALBOT claimed an interest in the proceeds of the sale of the two houses in Bristol in right of his wife, Philip's granddaughter, as her share of the whole landed estate.
Events
| Birth | Abt 1600 | Bristol, Gloucester, England | |||
| Birth | 1600 |  | |||
| Death | 1674 | | |||
| Death | Bef 10 Jul 1675 | Queen Caroline Parish, Middle Neck Hundred, Anne Arundel, Md | |||
| Marriage | England - Sarah Harrison | ||||
| Alt name | Philip Thomas | | |||
| Alt name | Phillip Thomas , Sr. |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah Harrison ( - 1687) |
| Child | Phillip Thomas (1651 - 1688) |
| Child | Sarah Thomas (1651 - 1675) |
| Child | Elizabeth Thomas (1651 - 1726) |
| Child | Martha Thomas (1651 - 1688) |
| Child | Samuel Thomas (1655 - 1743) |
| Father | Evan Thomas (1580 - 1650) |
| Mother | Sarah ( - ) |
| Father | Evan Thomas (1580 - 1650) |
Endnotes
1. 3153686.ged.
2. 3153686.ged.
3. MacKenzie, George Norbury, 1851-1919, Colonial families of the United States of America - Volume I (Baltimore, Genealogical Pub. Co., 1966), page 189.
4. 3153686.ged.