Individual Details

Thomas was named in his fathers' will on 27 Mar 1749 in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

Abstracts of the Early Deeds of Granville County, North Carolina, 1746-1765, by Zae Hargett Gwynn; published by Joseph W. Watson, 1974
p.230; Deed Book F, p.243-5
7 Feb 1760 Hevry Averit of Bertie Co, NC to Thomas Critcher of Granville for 200#'s, 558 acres both sides of Nut Bush Creek in Granville Co. Wit: Richard Henderson, Nathaniel Henderson.
Proved by oath of Nathaniel Henderson, Feb Court 1763. (Digitized online at FamilySearch.org, DB F, img 54)


Westmoreland County, Virginia: Orders, 1758-1761, by Pamela S. Pearson, Colonial Roots, 2008
p.4
29 Aug 1758 - Thomas was by now married to Hester, relict of John Rochester
On this date is the guardianship of William Rochester for the five underage children of John Rochester, dec'd. A commission was appointed to settle the accounts of the estate for the benefit of the widow who had intermarried with Thomas Critcher and the children.
Written on the left hand side of the page: Daniel McKennie is by the Court appointed constable in the room & precinct of Thomas Critcher & it is ordered that the said Daniel McKennie do go before a Justice of the Peace & take the oaths by law appointed in order to qualify him to act in that office.
p.5a
30 Aug 1758
Daniel McKennie, plt. agt. Thomas Critcher, deft. Petition. Judgment is granted the plaintive for £1.9.3 together with his costs in that behalf expended and the said defendant in mercy, etc.
p.21
16 Sep 1758
Edward Gillis appointed guardian to Hannah Asbury, Sutton Asbury, Molly Asbury, infants & orphans of Henry Asbury, deceased. Gillis acknowledged his bond with Thomas Critcher, security.
p.90
27 Feb 1759
Thomas Critcher against Daniel Pence. Attachment. Proceedings herein are continued for the garnishees to appear to declare what effects may have in their hands.
p.107
30 May 1759
Thomas Critcher on jury. John Williams vs. John Martin, gent. sheriif. Debt. Defendant ruled not guilty and considered the plaintiff take nothing, but for his false claim be in mercy and the defendant to recover his costs in this behalf expended.
p.139
26 Sep 1759
Thomas Critcher on jury. Original Wroe vs. Ann Arnold, executrix of Weedon Arnold, dec'd. Found in favor of Wroe and he is to recover the sum of £7.6.3 together with his costs.
p.140
also 26 Sep 1959
Thomas Critcher on jury. Francis Waring & Thomas Waring, gent. extors of Thomas Waring, dec'd. vs. William Black. Found in favor of the Warings and they are to recover £6.2 and their costs expended.
p.159
3 Jan 1760
William Allgood appointed administration of the estate of Thomas Hazelrig, dec'd. Bond with George White, security. John Linton, Thomas Critcher, George Dunkin, Robert Tidwell, or any three, after being sworn according to law, to value and appraise the estate of Thomas Hazelrig, dec'd, and return their proceedings to the next Court.
p.167
25 Mar 1760
Thomas Critcher against John Moore. Trepass. Came the plaintiff by his attorney. The sheriff having returned that the defendant refused to be taken - alias capias awarded him against Moore. Return next Court.
p.175
26 Mar 1760
Thomas Critcher served on jury. William Templeman as assignee of William Black vs. Daniel Mathews & James Jenkins. Debt. Came parties by their attorneys. Found in favor of plaintiff - defendants had not paid the debt and plaintiff to recover £29.2.10 and costs. The judgment to be discharged by payment of £14.11.5 with interest from the 27th day of Aug 1755, until the same shall be paid.
p.177
Same day - another jury. Elizabeth Purcelly, administratrix of Thomas Purcelly vs. Daniel Matthews. Found in favor of Purcelly in the amount of £5.5.11 and costs.
Same day - another jury. Richard Bernard, gent. vs. John Johnston. Found for plaintiff - to recover £6.17.4 and 136#'s of nett tobacoo and lawyers fee, costs by him expended.
p.184
27 Mar 1760
John Deboe to pay Thomas Critcher 275#'s of tobacco for attending eleven days a witness for him against Gerrard Hutt Junr., David (Daniel?) McKenney and James Robinson.
Note: Daniel McKenney along with Hutt & Robinson also had to pay several witnesses - I believe it should have been Daniel in all entries.
p.193-4
28 Mar 1760
Thomas Critcher on jury. Joseph Simpson vs. John Bayne. Found for the plaintiff in the amount of £17.1.5 and costs. Motion of defendants attorney to file an injuction and given time until next Court.
p.195
Same day. Samuel Payne to pay Thomas Critcher 400#'s tobacco for attending 16 days as a witness for him against Sybbalds. Samuel Payne to pay to Esther Critcher 250#'s tobacco for attending ten days as a witness for him against Sybbalds.
p.202
24 Jun 1760 Motion of Jane Moore, administrator of goods and chattles of Samuel Moore, dec'd, with Robert Moore and Garland Moore her securitys entered into bond. George Dunkin, George White, Thomas Critcher, John Linton, or any three, being first sworn, to value and appraise the estate of Samuel Moore, dec'd
p.240
31 Jul 1760
The action of trespass Thomas Critcher vs. John Moore, dismist - defendant paying all costs (see entry of March 25th)
p.267
29 Apr 1761
Petition of Joseph Simpson. He did lately purchase a tract of land of William Duncan with all roads & conveniences allowed for seventy years past. Thomas Critcher has fences up the customary road so that I cannot get my tobacco to the warehouse no any carriage to the plantation, which renders it useless, except your Worships will grant an Order of Court for the road that has been so long and does no one any prejudice which will appear by the plat produced. Ordered that Benedick Middleton, George White, George Duncan & Robert Middleton (or any three) being first sworn before a Justice of the Peace, do view the road mentioned and report it thereof to next Court.
p.271
26 May 1761
Thomas Critcher appointed surveyor of the road in the room of Francis Wright from Moveley's Cross Road to the line of Richmond County. Order'd that he do with the male laboring tithables in that precinct & keep the same in lawfull repair.


Granville North Carolina Deeds: 1766-1772; Abstracted by Timothy W. Rackley, 1999
p.5: DB H, p.191-192
1 Sep 1766 Benjamin Ragland of Granville to Richard Clanton, 320 acres both sides of Flat Creek. Signed: Benjamin Ragland. Wit: Thomas Critcher, William (W) Clarke. Acknowledged by Ragland.
p.6 DB H, p.203-204
17 Oct 1766 Thomas Aspen & wife of Granville to Thomas Critcher of same. £120 current money of Virginia, parcel on both sides of Crooked Creek; Nutbush Creek, meanders of the Creek; 135 acres. Signed: Thomas (T) Aspen, Hannah Aspen. Wit: Benj. Ragland, Benjamin South. Nov Court 1766. Acknowledged by Thomas Aspen; Hanna released dower.
Found in digitzed Deed book on Family Search: DB H, p.222
3 Nov 1766 John Rus & Sarah his wife of Granville to Thomas Critcher for 20 shillings, tract on East side of Nutbush Creek, two acres. Signed John Rust, Sarah Rust. Witness: Benj. Ragland, Nathaniel Rochester. Acnowledged in open court Nov 1766 by John Rust; Sarah relinquished dower.
p.80 DB I/J, p.174-177
30 Aug 1770 Stephen Williams & Peter Russel of Granville to Thomas Critcher of same. £83.4 Virginia money, for which they are indebted to said Critcher and for 5 sh paid them by said Critcher. Tract on North side Tarr River, 143 acres whereon the sd Stephen Williams and his mother Elizabeth Williams now live; wagon & six horses; all stock of cattle, one man's hat. After the 1 day of March 1771 can be sold for the best price to satisfy the sum of £102.18.8 proclamation money or £83.4 current money of Virginia with lawful interest. Signed: Stephen (X) Williams, Peter (P) Russel.. Wit: Robert Dickins, Israel (X) Eastwood. May Court 1771, proved by Robert Dickins.
p.91, DB I, p.262-265
20 Dec 1771 Thomas Low & Sarah his wife of Granville to Thomas Critcher of same for £250 current money of Virginia, tract both sides Nutbush Creek, 1207 acres. Described by metes & bounds, no neighbors mentioned. Signed: Thomas Lowe, Sarah (X) Lowe. Acknowledged by Thomas Lowe on 3 Jan 1772; Sarah released dower, 19 Feb 1772 - both before Richard Henderson.
p.93 DB I, p.279-281
27 Sep 1768 Reuben Morse & Martha his wife to David Michel. Tract of 120 acres. West side Great Nutbush Creek, up meanders to black walnut in Critcher's line; William Bullock's line. Signed: Reuben Morse, Martha (X) Morse. Wit: John Satterwhite, Samuel Morse, Jere Glover.
Acknowledged by Reuben Morse; wife relinquished dower, 3 Apr 1771, before Richard Henderson

Granville Deed Book K, p.52
14 Nov 1770. Thomas Critcher of Granville County and Easter his wife to William Williams of the same for the sum of 1000#'s current money of Virginia, one tract of land both sides of Nutbush Creek containing 700 acres. Begin David Mitchel's Corner; meanders of Nutbush Creek. Signed: Thomas Critcher, Easter Critcher. Acknowledged Critcher; Easter relinquished dower, 28 Feb 1772.
Book K, p.132-4
18 Mar 1773. Thomas Critcher & Robert Bell were witnesses to the mortgage deed of John Ross to George Alston. Security was a tract of land Ross bought from George Byers.


History and Genealogies of Old Granville County, NC; 1746-1800, by Thomas McAdory Owen, Southern Historical Press, 1993.
p.36
Will of William Bell, dated 20 Aug 1771. Witnesses were David Mitchell, Thomas Critcher & Benj. Ragland.
p.157; Vol. 4, Minutes
20 Aug 1772 Officers in Granville, Regt. qualified: Captains: Christopher Harris, John Harris, David Mitchell, Jonathan Kittrell. Lieuts: James Currin, John Hampton, Thomas Critcher
p.138; Vol. 5, Minutes
2 Aug 1774 Thos Critcher appointed to repair "Such part of the Bridge across Fishing Creek at Harrisburg as is a County Charge" and Jonathan Parker to repair that part he is by bond obligated to keep up.


Abstracts of the Wills and Estate Records of Granville County North Carolina: 1746-1808, by Zae Hargett Gwynn; published by Joseph W. Watson, 1978
p.41 Will Book 1, p.39. 10 May 1773. Thomas Bradford sold estate of Jonathan White, dec'd. 200 acres of land sold to Christopher Harris and Thomas Critcher.
p.36 Will Book 1, p.17-21 18 Mar 1774 Thomas Critcher was a buyer at the estate sale of William Bryan, dec'd
p.46 Will Book 1, p.89-91 30 Sep 1774 Thomas Critcher was a buyer at the estate sold of Thomas Lowe, dec'd. [These estate sale purchases could also have been made by his son Thomas]

25 July 1774 Deed found copied in estate file. From Deed Book K, p.148.
From George Alston, Atty for John Alston, James Young, James Morton & Alexander Grindley of Glasgow and Andrew Miller & William Littlejohn of Halifax County in the province of North Carolina & for himself of Granville County of the one part & Thomas Critcher of Granville County of the other part. George Alston by Virture of power of Attorney and in consideration of 1000 pounds proclamation Money to him in hand paid by the sd Thomas Critcher ..hath granted bargained & sold to Thomas Critcher his heirs or assigns forever one certain tract or parcel of land in Granville Co, both sides of Fishing Creek containing 800 acres, more or less. Begin East side of Fishing Creek near the mouth of a branch, metes and bounds; Jonathan White’s corner; West side of Fishing Creek, up the Creek; mouth of a Spring branch, the old Race paths; formerly Benton’s corner; formerly Fergusons line; John White’s line; Springfield’s upper Corner; Creek’s meanders to first station. Signed: Geo. Alston. Wit: Robert Bell, Archd. Heggie.
Granville County for August 1774. George Alston acknowledged this Deed and ordered to be registered. Jesse Benton, Register. Teste: Reuben Searcy

History and Genealogies of Old Granville County, NC; 1746-1800, by Thomas McAdory Owen, Southern Historical Press, 1993.
p.187; Vol. 5, Minutes
Licenses: 3 May 1775 Thomas Critcher. License for ordinary at his dwelling at Harrisburg.
p.230-1 Vol 5, Minutes
21 Oct 1773. Court called for trial of certain Negro Slaves. Thomas Cricher on the jury. Robert Harris, Esqr, Chairman, ordered any Slaves having commited any felony or misdemeanor be brought to the Bar. Sanders, a Negro man Slave, property of Joseph McDaniel was brought and asked whether he was guilty of murdering one William Bryant or not guilty. He answered no guilty. Witnesses were introduced and examined. Sanders had a gun and had uttered threatning language and several testified to the killing. Sanders was judged guilty. The Sheriff ordered to take Sanders to the Goal of the County and keep him safely until Saturday the 23'd and then carry him to the place of Execution to be burned alive until he shall be dead & consumed. The said Slave was Valued to be worth £80 proclamation money.
Ned a Negro man Slave, property of William Bryant, dec'd was brought to the Bar and many circumstances appeared to his disadvantage. The Court passed Sentance that he be carried to the publick whiping post to receive thirty nine Lashes on his bare back well laid on.

Granville Deed Book L, p. 231-2
16 Jan 1776 Thomas Critcher & Esther his wife of county of Granville to Mimucan Hunt for the sum of 60#'s proclamation money sell a tract of land in Granville Co on the Tarr River, 143 acres being the land whereon Elizabeth Williams now lives & was bequeathed by the will of William Williams to Stephen Williams & by the said Stephen Williams transferred to Thomas Critcher by Deed of Trust. Deed of Trust now sold to Mimucan Hunt. Signed: Thomas Critcher, Easter Critcher. Witness: Robert Reed, John MacIver.
Feb Court 1778, Acknowledged by Thomas Critcher; wife relinquished dower.

Granville County Deed Book L, p.330-1
22 Jun 1778 Benjamin Ragland to Evan Ragland both of Granville for 50# all that tract on Flat Creek, 320 acres. Signed: Benjn. Ragland. Wit: Thomas Critcher, Jurat; Elijah Mitchel, Thomas Critcher Junr. Proved by Thomas Critcher, Granville Co August Court 1778.


Granville County, North Carolina, Deeds: 1755-1782, Abstracted Timothy W. Rackley, 2002
p: 16: DB M, p.116-117
4 Feb 1778 Thomas Bradford, Exor of the will of Jonathan White, dec'd, of Granville to Thomas Critcher for £561.1 proclamation money, tract on Fishing Creek. George Alston's corner; to the Creek; Critcher's line; crossing the Creek; Lewis Anderson's line; meanders of the Creek. 200 acres. Signed: Thos. Bradford. Wit: Ro. Lewis, Wm. Ogilvie. Feb Court 1779. Acknowledged by Thomas Bradford as executor of will of Jonathan White, dec'd.
p.10: DB M, p. 83-84
4 Nov 1788 Christopher Harris & Catherine his wife of Granville NC to Thomas Critcher for 100£, 100 acres. Metes & bounds; Henry White's corner. Signed: Christ'r Harris, Cathron (X) Harris. Acknowledged by Harris and Catherine released dower.
Neighbors of Thomas Critcher's:
p. 53: State Grant #91
24 Sep 1779 Govr Richard Caswell to Julias Wells, 640 acres in Granville on waters of Tab's Creek. Begin at T. Crutcher's corner; Hawkins' corner; T. Norman's line; the road; Parish's corner; to Crutcher's corner.

Abstracts of Land Entries: Granville NC 1778-1877; Dr. R. B. Pruitt, 1988
[Note: Malones are mentioned in these entries - did they come from Granville, too?]
p.7 #71 28 May 1778. Traverce Bowdon enters 400 acres both sides Crooked Creek, adjacent his own land, Critcher, Brim, & William Hanks. 280 acres surveyed (400 layed out)
p. 15 #167 30 May (no year) Julius Wells enters 640 acres, borders Thomas Critcher, Thomas Norman, William Parrish & Hawkins; includes improvement, waters of Tabbs Creek
p.24 #283 7 Aug 1778 James Mitchel enters 640 acres East side Nutbush Cr; borders own land, Thomas Critcher, Philemon Hawkins, Nicholas Robertson, the widdow Robertson
p.29 #336 9 Oct 1778 George Brack enters 535 acres, waters of Crooked Run. Borders Critcher, Bowdon, Brim, Stock, Kimbel's entry, Nelson Parish, William Parish and Julis Wells. Warrant issued 1 Feb 1779.
p.63 #750 18 Oct 1800 Charles R. Eaton enters 50 acres between Thomas Norman and John Fussel, formerly the property of Thomas Critcher, John Critcher & John Eaton purchase of Solomon Green. Warrant issued 26 Jan 1801.
p.68 #803 21 Jul 1802 John Hare enters 640 acres formerly granted to Thos Lowe on drains of Nutbush Cr. Borders: John Eaton's land bought of Solomon Green, Thomas Norman, land formerly Thomas Critcher's, George Brack, and others.

Thomas Critcher is a recognized Patriot at NSDAR, Ancestor A027861. He rendered material aid for the war effort. The only members have gone in through his son John Gore Critcher.

There is an estate file at the NC State Archives for Thomas Critchers who died about Nov or Dec of 1778. The file is dated 1828, 335 pages in all, digitized at FamilySearch.org. Many of the papers refer to a lawsuit in the very early 1800's and John Gore Critcher was one of the defendants and may have been the administrator at that time.
18 Sep 1801 - Case in Equity, Image 97, contains his death date and states he left a will dated 15 Nov 1778, naming his wife Esther, Nathaniel Rochester, Samuel Moss, and Thomas Critcher, his son, as Executors. Esther Critcher and Samuel Moss were now dead. Thomas Critcher now living in Georgia; Nathaniel Rochester in Maryland. The wife had empowered the other executors to sell land to pay his debts. 1006 #'s was to be held at interest for 17 years. If any be left, to be divided between his two sons Thomas and James. Lands were sold 1 Dec 1779 for $16,000 Virginia dollars, worth in good money £640. Will take considerable time to sort out all the implications of this case. Apparently Thomas Critcher owed a large sum of money to a vendor from England and their descendants continued to sue for the money over many years - their basis for argument was the first stipulation in the will that "all the debts I owe in Justice be for with levied out of my Estate and paid" - that heirs had received their share and the company had not.
Image 108 states that John Gore Critcher owes £1084.10.0.

[From Granville Co, NC Will Book 1, p.207-211]
The will is copied twice in the estate file. It is quite lengthy and complicated. The quote above is in the first paragraph and certainly does occur prior to any other bequests.
Thomas Critcher of Granville County, State of North Carolina...
Lend to loving wife Esther Critcher, negro man Will and wench Diana and their child Sam during her natural life; two horses, Jack and Buck until son Thomas arrives at age 21 or marries at which time he gets the two horses; negro Woman, old Jenney, a mare named ole Jane, two horses, Roan and Eagle, a riding chair & harness, a wagon & gear for six horses, all household furniture and stock of every kind except what I hereafter given to my children.
To son Thomas, five negroes - Nell, Rose and her child, Demus, London & David, my newest Desk, two good feather beds & furniture to be delivered to him by his mother at 21 or marriage; five cows & calves, 6 other dry cattle suitable for beeves, 1000 #'s of neat pork, three good sows & pigs, one bay mare named young Jane, one bridle & saddle, one half of the value of my Harrisburg lands & mill when sold except which part I hereafter dispost of other ways
To daughter Sally, five Negroes, a woman named Suckey and her youngest child Jerry, a fellow Jacob, a boy called Big Sam, girl Rachel; two good feather beds & furniture to be delivered to her by her mother whenever she reaches 21 or marries; a cream colored filly, saddle & bridle, five cows and calves, six beeves, 1000 #'s of neat pork, three good sows and pigs
To son James, five Negroes; one fellow named Will commonly called Lawyer, Solomon, Anthony, Magg & Nan. One bay filly called Tommy's, bridle & saddle, two feather beds & furniture to be delivered by his mother when he is 21 or marries; five cows and calves; six cattle suitable for beef; 1000#'s of neat pork & three good sows & pigs; one half of the Value of my Harrisburg Land & Mill when Sold except such part I shall hereafter direct.
To my Daughter Jenny Thrift Critcher, five negroes, Simon, Ben, Charles, Easter & Hannahy, one sorrel filly goes by Bolton, two good feather beds & furniture to be delivered by her mother when she is 21 or marries; five cows and calves; six cattle for beef; 1000#'s neat pork, three good sows and pigs; one saddle & bridle to be delivered when she comes of age or marries
To my son John Gore Critcher, four Negroes, Cata, Small Will, Daniel, & Lucy and if at the time of his mother's death any further issue shall happen, he is to have the two oldest of them from Will & Dianna -if no issue then he is to have Will & Dianna, a chestnut filly got by Bolton, with a blaze face and grey tail; saddle & bridle; two good feather beds & furniture to be delivered to him by his mother when he is 21 or marries, five cows & Calves, six beeves, 1000#'s of neat pork, three good sows & pigs, the whole of the tract of land known by the name of Lowe's Land at his mother's death. If he comes of age or marries before the death of his mother, my desire is that he have the least tract to himself without interruption and at his mother's death to have whole as before directed. If my son John Gore Critcher should die before he reaches 21 or marries and has no lawful issue, then my wife Esther to have share of two of his Negroes during her life.
I also lend to my wife the profit of everything heretofore mentioned untiil my children come of age or marry, and the use of the profits. She is to school, feed, and clothe the afore mentioned children in decent manner and to have their Mares put to Horse and to raise Colts to sell such colts at three years for the most that can be got for them for the use of such child that the respective creatures belong to.
To each of the before mentioned children when they come of age or marry: one middle sized pot, six knives and forks, six earthen or pewter plates, two dishes, two basons, one pail, two piggins, one washing tub and half a dozen flag or rush chairs to be delivered to them by their mother.
Lend to my wife during her natural life, the largest tract of my nut bush land which I purchased from Thomas Lowe in case she stands by my Will. But if she flys therefrom, My Will & Desire is that the Negroes Stock and household furniture be taken and equally divided among my children and such part thereof that goes to my three younger children to be sold and the money put to interest for the use of said children and the two oldest to choose Guardians and receive their estate. If any part be perishable to be sold and the money put to interest for their use until they marry or come of age.
To each of my children, Ten ewes to be delivered with the rest of their legacies.
On order to pay my just Debts and funeral charges that the following part of my estate be Sold:
all my stock of hogs except as wife & executors judge sufficient for family use the ensuing year and sows and pigs and yearling hogs for next years provision; also all my household furniture and Stock of Cattle which my wife & executors judge can be spared; all my mares and Colts and horses not heretofore bequested; all the Salt & Iron now on hand except a sufficiency for one years use; all my Tobacco now on hand; all my share in the trade with Rochester and Hart; and one hogshead of Rum at Colo. Robert Latter's; also my debts by Bond and other ways; also my Harrisburg tract of Land and Mill and all my freehold adjoinings to be sold by my Executors at public or private sale and to execute a deed for the land. And the monies arising from the sale of the other articles to be applied towards paying my just debts which can be immediately come at and the remainder of the money ... (from the above sales) 1600 pounds to be put at Interest to be annually collected for seven years. All the remainder of my lands to be equally divided between my two sons Thomas and James to be laid out for them by my Executors at such time as they think most proper. If any of the 1600 pounds should remain after paying my debts as shall come against my estate, the same to be equally divided between Thomas and James.
If any of my children should die under age, or without lawful issue, the deceased's estate to be equally divided between the rest of my children then living except if any of them loose any of their Estate whilst in their mother's possession, then that child sustaining loss to have as much of the deceased's estate as will make an equal portion with the rest and the remainder divided equally among those living.
In case none of my children should decease before their receive their part, and any loss should happen, then, at their mother's death, the child sustaining loss to be given enough to make his portion equal. If a deceased child should have issue - then that issue to have the child's portion.
In case two or more of my Executors should die, remove away, or could not conveniently attend to see my children justly used; and in case the Executors should see the estate wasting, or the children misused or abused, then the Executors to take such estate as is lent to my Wife out of her power and possession and sell the perishable part and to hire out the Negroes and the money put to interest for the use of my children. If the Executors should be lacking or remiss in their duty, it is my desire that the Court of this county take and use the means hereby given my Executors - due proof of abuse being made to such court. If my loving wife Esther should refuse to qualify as Executrix & claims what the law allows her, she being entirely barred and cut out of any profit either by Gift or by loan or any means whatever.
I appoint my loving wife Esther Executrix and Samuel Morse, Nathaniel Rochester and my son Thomas Critcher, Executors to this my last will & testament. Revoking and making void all other will heretofore by me made. Set my hand and seal the fifteenth day of November, 1778.
Signed Thomas Critcher
Signed, published and pronounced by the said Thomas Critcher to be his Last Will and Testament in Presence of
Catherine (her X mark) Bryan, Jurat
Elenor (her X mark) Fits Morris
John Pulliam, Jurat Reuben Searcy
Granville County, Feb Court, 1779. This will duly proved by oath of John Pulliam, Catharine Bryan and ordered to be recorded. Esther Critcher duly qualified as Executrix and Thomas Critcher, Nathaniel Rochester and Saml. Morse qualified as Executors.
Teste: Reuben Searcy, CC
Note: Nathaniel Rochester was Thomas Critcher's stepson; Samuel Morse was married to his stepdaughter, Phyllis Rochester.

Granville Co NC Will Book 1, p.243
April 1779. Inventory of estate of Thomas Critcher, dec'd with debts due also added, by one of the executors, Thomas Critcher.

Property mentioned after his death:
Granville County North Carolina Deeds: 1779-1784, abstracted by Timothy W. Rackley,2003
p.18 DB O, p.55
25 Feb 1780 Julus Wells & Ruth his wife of Granville to George Brack of same. Begin Wm Parrish's line; Brack's field; Critcher's line. 320 acres. Signed: Julus (X) Wells, Ruth (X) Wells. Wit: James Brame, Richard (X) Stringfell. Wells acknowledged the deed and Ruth relinquished dower in May Court, 1780.
p.33 DB O, p. 58-59
29 Apr 1780 Julus Wells & Ruth his wife of Granville to Thos. Craft of same. Tract beinning George Brack's corner, along Critcher's line, Hawkins' corner and his line, T. Norman's line. 320 acres. Signed: Julus (X) Wells, Ruth (X) Wells. Wit: James Brame, George Brack. Wells acknowledged & Ruth relinquished dower, May Court 1780.
p.39 DB O, p. 115
9 Sep 1780 Traverse Bowdon & Pinnellopy his wife of Granville to George Brack of same. Track which begins at Thomas Critcher's line, to Brim's line, to Critcher's line. 60 acres. Signed: Travis Bowdon, Penellopy (X) Bowdon. Wit: Merryman Barnes, William (W) Parish. Bowdon acknowledged the deed in Feb Court 1781.

Land sold by executors as directed in his will:
Granville DB O, p.131 (p.44-45 in above book - also digitized on FamilySearch.org.)
19 Dec 1780 Esther Critcher, Samuel Morse, Nathaniel Rochester & Thomas Critcher, Extr. of the last will & testament of Thos Critcher Dec'd of Granville Co, NC to Joseph Taylor & Philip Vass as tenants in common of the said county for the sum of one Hundred Thousand pounds current money, that tract both sides of Fishing Creek, 800 acres. Begin East side Fishing Creek; metes & bounds, Jonathan White's Corner; up Fishing Creek; John Blalock's corner; up the Spring Branch; formerly Benton's corner; formerly Fargerson's line; formerly John White's line; down the Creek to the first station - being the same tract conveyed from George Alston to Thomas Critcher, dec'd by deed dated 25 Jul 1774. Another tract of 100 acres, begin road, William Wright's corner - being tract conveyed from Christopher Harris to Thomas Critcher, dec'd by deed dated 4 Nov 1778. Another tract on Fishing Creek adjoining those mentioned; line of first mentioned tract; crossing the creek; Lewis Anderson's line; 200 acres - being the tract conveyed by Thomas Bradford, Executor of Jonathan White dec'd to the sd Thomas Critcher by deed dated 4 Feb 1778.
Signed: Esther (X) Critcher, Saml Morse, N. Rochester, Thos. Critcher
Wit: Elijah Mitchel
Deed proved by oath of Elijah Mitchel May Court 1781.

DB O, p.245-6 (p. 84 in transcribed deeds)
31 Dec 1781 Philip Vass of Granville to Joseph Taylor of the same for £500 specie, one half the the tract of land known by the name of the Harrisburg tract, which mority the sd Vass bought of Nathaniel Rochaster as per deed made to Joseph Taylor & Philip Vass by Critcher's executors with all houses & improvements. Signed: Philip Vass. Acknowledged in Granville Co Court May, 1783. Elisabeth his wife relinquished her right of dower.

Estate File, Thomas Critcher 1779
2 Feb 1779. Critcher vs. James Johnston. To Ben Wade, Shrff Granville, to have James Johnston, planter, delivered to the Courthouse in May to answer Hester Critcher, Thomas Critcher, Samuel Morse, Nathaniel Rochester, executors of Thomas Critcher dec'd on a plea of Trespass and damages of 100#'s of lawful money.
2 Feb 1779. Critcher vs. William Williams. To Sheriff of Granville to have John Mitchel & Phillis his wife, John Williams, Samuel Farrar, William & Richard Henderson, Executors of the last Will & Testament of William Williams, dec'd, before the County Court of pleas and quarter sessions on the first Monday in May, next, to answer to Hester Critcher, Thomas Critcher, Nathaniel Rochester, & Samuel Morse, Executors of Thomas Critcher dec'd of a plea of debt, damages 300#'s lawful money.
April 1779. Inventory of the Estate of Thomas Critcher, dec'd. Included 28 Negroes (big & small), 16 horses, 62 head of cattle, 71 head of sheep, 143 hogs, about 1300 acres of land with improvements where the decedant lived, about 1200 acres (Quarter), 12 feather beds & furniture, 13 gals Brandy, 20 barrels, sale, 41 geese, 11 tables, a wagon, 3 looking glasses, pewter, china, many tools, 10 hogsheads tobacco, 4 saddles & bridles, saddle bags, wearing apparel of the decedent. Debts due (presumed owed to the decedent). Signed: Thos. Critchers Executors.
2 Aug 1784 To sheriff of Caswell, to have John Smith Hurst before the County Court of Granville, first Monday in November next to testify to the truth on behalf of Thomas Critcher's Extrs in a matter of controversy between them and James Johnston.

Birth	Sep 1734	Westmoreland County Virginia
Marriage	Abt 1759	ESTHER Thrift
Death	1778	Granville County, North Carolina

Spouse	ESTHER Thrift (1726 - 1784)
Child	Thomas Critcher (1757 - 1804)
Child	Sarah "Sally" Critcher (1760 - 1837)
Child	James Critcher (1762 - 1814)
Child	Jane Thrift "Jenny" Critcher (1765 - )
Child	JOHN GORE Critcher (1770 - 1851)

Father	JOHN Critcher (1682 - 1749)
Mother	ANNE Benger (1690 - 1749)
Sibling	Eleanor Critcher (1714 - 1749)
Sibling	Jadwin Critcher (1715 - 1749)
Sibling	John Critcher (1716 - 1768)
Sibling	Anne Critcher (1717 - 1757)
Sibling	Richard Critcher (1720 - 1758)
Sibling	Mary Critcher (1729 - 1749)
Sibling	Jean Critcher (1731 - )

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