THIS INDENTURE made the nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine BETWEEN Sarah Tharpe of the parish of St. Anns said County of Essex widow of the one part and Thomas Tharp of the same parish and County of the other part WHEREAS Thomas Tharp late of the said County Decd, father of the said Thomas Tharp party hereto in and by his last will and Testament bearing date the first day of April one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven recorded in the Court of the said County did among other things Devise as follows "I lend unto my loving wife Sarah Tharp all my estate during her life or widowhood for the support and schooling of what children I have living with me unmarried at my Decease 2ndly if she my said loving wife should marry or depart this life before my Youngest daughter Frances Tharp comes of age or married my will is my Executors keep the Estate together till she my said Daughter do come of age or marry. Then -- I give unto my son Thomas Tharp all the land wherein I now live to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his own body forever" AND WHEREAS the said Sarah having duly proved the will aforesaid and being desirous to dispose of the said Lands during her widowhood the better to enable her to school and maintain the Testators Children according to the directions of the said TestatorTHIS INDENTURE witnesseth that that (sic) the said Sarah Tharp for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Pounds to her in hand paid by the said Thomas Tharp at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof she doth hereby acknowlede (sic) HATH GIVEN GRANTED bargained and sold & by these presents doth give grant bargain and sell unto the said Thomas Tharp all that_________ piece or parcel of Land and appurtenances now in her possession under the devise aforesaid and all Houses orchards pastures and other conveniences belonging or appertaining unto the said Tract or parcel of Land TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract piece or parcel of Land with the priviledges and appurtenances thereunto belonging before in these presents mentioned unto him the said Thomas Tharp his heirs Exers. Admnrs and Assigns - for and during the widowhood of the said Sarah Tharp In witness whereof the said Sarah Tharp hath hereunto set her hand and affixed her Seal the day and year above written. ______________________________ _______________Sarah Tharp SS Sealed and Delivered in presence of us... Richard Rowzee Thomas Boulware John Taliaferro Robt Brooke RECEIVED the nineteenth day of April the Sum of Fifty pounds in full of the consideration within mentioned to be paid to me by the within Thomas Tharpe I say received by me Sarah Tharp Witness Richard Rowzee John Taliaferro Robert Brooke Thomas Boulware At a Court held for Essex County at Tappa on the 19th day of March 1770 This Deed Indented and the receipt hereon endorsed were proved by Robert Brooke and Thomas Boulware two of the witnesses and ordered to be Certified. Teste John Lee Clk And at a Court held for the said County at Tappa on the 20th day of August 1770 This deed and receipt were fully proved by Richard Rowzee another of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste John Lee Clk
When the original colonial land patents and grants were given, the planters were prohibited by law from selling their tobacco directly to any ship (including English ships) docking locally. Their crops had to be sent to England, to be sold by factors (brokers/middlemen) in London. Coinage of any country was practically non-existant in the southern colonies, so tobacco became the accepted medium of exchange. There was no colonial manufacturing done, and all household goods, cloth, hardware, nails, and other basic necessities, were shipped from England. This was accomplished by placing orders with the same factors to whom the colonists shipped their tobacco. Tobacco shipments were credited to the individual's account, and the account was debited for goods shipped, with the factors charging 10% interest on a debit balance. Unfortunately, many planters, being inexperienced in commerce and poor managers, found their plantations sold out from under them, by the factors. Most of the factors had no agents in the colonies, but would write a trusted colonial client, asking for the name of some reliable colonist, who would purchase the forclosed plantation (at a great discount) and run it profitably, in order to insure the factor's ongoing profit. Factors were even asked to locate suitable prospective wives for the colonists, and arrange their passage. In 1768/9, the English Parliament's focus shifted from colonial tobacco, to the more lucrative tea trade, brought in by the East India Company. Many of the English merchants dropped their tobacco interests and reinvested in the East India Company. By 1770, the bottom dropped out of the colonial tobacco market. There was also a head tax of 30 pounds of prime tobacco, levied for every man, woman, and child over 16 years of age. This was to be paid, not to any governmental agency, but to the rector of the local parish, for his subsistence and his `charities'. Many thousands of acres of land ended up in the hands of local rectors (not the church), because they had belonged to colonists who raised no tobacco; or, because the owners, due to religious differences, refused this "tithe" to the Church of England. These rectors simply appeared at the local court, and demanded payment. If the colonist couldn't, or wouldn't, pay in tobacco, the judges awarded a comparable amount of acreage to the rector.Ref: "In Pursuit of Profit", Edward C. Papenfuse Ref: Tobacco Coast, A Maritime History of the Chesapeake Bay in the Colonial Period, Arthur Pierce Middleton Ref: Decision at the Chesapeake, Harold A. Larrabee.
WILLIAM was born in Old Rappahannock, VA circa 1663.
In the name of God, Amen. I John Speede of the parish of Sittingbourne, in the Countie of Rapp'a, being very weake & sick in body but of good and perfect memory, God be praised therefore, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, this April the 18th day 1675 -
Imprimis I bequeath my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my Creator and redeemer, trusting through the meritts and miediation (sic) of Jesus Christ to raising my body from the earth from whence it was taken unto eternal life.
Item - after my debts are truely and honestly paid a decent funeral to be made for the accomodation of my neighbours and friends.
I doe give unto Sarah Allen two Cows in the first place this present year, and to enjoy them forever - it is my will that a Cow Calfe should be given from one of the above Cows - this next year unto William Tharpe and then my reall and personall estate to be devided between John Eaven and Sarah Allen equally.
In witness whereof I have herunto set my hand and Seale the day and year above written - /s/ John Speede /Seal/ Test: Peter Cornwell, Francis Jenkins, Peter Cornwell aged 41 years or thereab'ts depose and say that this above written was the last will and testament of John Speede deceased and that he was in perfect sence and memory to the best of his Judgement at the signing and sealing thereof. /s/ Peter Cornwell Francis Jenning aged 27 years or there abouts depose and say that he attested this above written at the request of John Speede. /s/ Francis Jennings 5 die May 1675 - Test Edm'd Trask and _________ Rapp A probat hereon is granted to Martin Johnson in the behalf of Jn'l Evans.Essex DWB 15, pp. 9-10 4 Jan. 1716 -
Sale of land, Wm. Tharpe to Cornelius Reynolds. 50 acres, Cattall branch into the Cockleshell. Mentions Geo. Andrews' & Tho. Tharp `cornering' and corner of Tharp's land, formerly bought of Robt. Paine. Recorded 19 Mar. 1716; witnesses, Samuel Bizwell, Thomas Ayres, Henry Long; Will Beverly, Clerk. Parcel noted as `delivered by Turf & Twig'.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Thomas Tharpe of the County of Essex in Virginia being very sick and weak in body yet of perfect sence and memory do make and ordain this to be my Last will and Testament revokeing all other will or wills by me formerly made Where Verbile or otherwise and this to be taken for my Last will and no other. First I comit my Soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it in hopes of a joyfull resurrection. My body to the Earth Decently to be intered with such Christian Burial as time and place will aford and as for my Temporall Estate which it hath pleased God to Bless withall I give and bequeath in manner as followeth.Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presents of us Thomas Stretton Thomas Munday Richard Goode (SS) Florinda Tharpe (SS) Thomas Bartlett (SS) John Miller (SS) Acknowledged in Essex County Court the 10th Day of June 1704 and is truly recorded. Test Richard Buckner Clerk Property Appraisals, Essex County, Virginia, 1704: 168.1.9 1/2 Sworn and affirmed by: John Hawkins Bartholomew Vawtor Robert Brooke Thomas Short 44.20.6 Sworn and affirmed by: John Hawkins Thomas Shortt Bartholomew Vawtor *Thomas Ayres *Florinda Tharpe Truly Recorded by Richard Bucknor Clerk
Imprimus I give and bequeath unto my son William Tharpe the Land plantation in the forest that I bought of Mr. Robt. Paine, excepting one hundred acres to him and his heirs for Ever Lawfully begotten of his own body...as for the hundred acres excepted - my will is when that is taken out that it be taken Square beginning where upon George Andrews Swamp or Spearman Swamp and runing upon Mr. Gaines's line the which hundred acres of Land I Give and bequeath to my son Thomas Tharpe and the plantation where I now live withall the Land thereunto belonging to him and his heirs for Ever Lawfully begotten of his own body.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Hannah one feather bed and furniture and as for those of my Personal Effects I Desire it may be Inventoryed and brought to an appraison within three months after my Decease. My will is my wife taking her third, the remainder to all equaley divided amongst all my Children. Further my will is that if my wife should mary again that then my two sons William Tharpe and Thomas Tharpe to be of age at Eighteen and possess their Estates.
Further my will is that whereas I have Consigned four hogsheads of tobacco to England, as by bills of Loading will appear that the produce may likewise be equally divided amongst all my Children.
And further my will is that whereas there is a parcell of Land Entered and Surveyed by me lying on the Southside of Rapp. riv. and on the East side of *Peuman's Endrun joyning upon the line of Mr. Thomas Lucas and Mr. John Deane and Cap. Fleming, those Land is to be equally divided between me or my heirs and Cap. Charles Smith and that the said Smith is to have the low part - next to the mill with a provisor that the said Smith doth make a true and perfect Survey of the said Land a just division Likewise procuring rites and Pattonting the said Land for me and in my name at his own Cost and Charge according to agreement -
then I will that my Executors shall Entor rites and procure pattont for the said Land in the names of my two sons William Tharpe and Tharpe at the proper Cost and charge of my aforesaid two sons and that the said Smith is not nor shall have any part or parcell of the said Land ....... he refuses to perform the abovesaid promises.
Lastly I make Constitute and appoint my Loving Father Richard Good and my Loving wife Florinda Tharpe my full and ...... Executors of this my Last will and Testament In Testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 16th Day of May 1704. Thomas Tharp (SS) Testis Thomas Bartlett John Miller Provd by the oaths of Thomas Bartlett and John Miller the wittnesses hereto in Essex County Court the 12th Day of June 1704 and is truly recorded. Richard Buckner Clerk KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that we Richard Goode, Florinda Tharp, Thomas Bartlet and John Miller of the County of Essex in Virginia are held and firmly bound unto the worshipfull her Majestys Justices of the peace for the said County of Essex in the full and Just Sum of Seven hundred pounds Sterling to the true payment whereof unto the said Justices their heirs executors administrators or assignees we bind our selves our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents witness our hands and Seals the 10th Day of June Anno Dom. 1704 THE CONDITION of this obligation is such that if the above bound Richard Goode and Florinda Tharpe who at a Court held for Essex County the day and year aforesaid obtained a probat of the last will and Testament of Thomas Tharpe and shall and do from time to time to time and at all times hereafter to all intents and purposes perform and fullfill the said will fully pay and satisfy all legacys as therein are expressed and do and perform all and whatsoever the Law Enjoyns in Such Cases then the above Obligation to be void otherwise to stand and remain in full force power and Virtue.
Rollins Creek, which forms the dividing line between Port Royal and Bowling Green Magisterial Districts, was originally called "Peuman's End", as is evidenced by many of the Caroline land surveys and plats, several of which are in the possession of the Motley family, of Upper Zion. The name - "Peuman's End" - became attached to the creek in the following manner:
A pirate and robber, by the name of Peuman, frequently made incursions into the Rappahannock river country, by way of the river, robbing the colonists and the craft that plied the river, until he was generally dreaded. Finally, a number of men formed a searching party and went out to capture the marauder. They sighted him on the river and pursued him up the stream so closely that he turned off into the creek to escape, but he was overtaken at a point in the creek where his boat could go no further and was slain. From that day the creek was called Peuman's End, the two words finally becoming one. Like the Mattaponi, this creek was large enough to accomodate boats in colonial times.
19 W (1) 210: Robert Beverly in behalf of Harry Beverly petitioned in 1710 for a caveat against a patent for lands in Essex Co. to the orphans of Thomas Thorpe, dec'd. (Record destroyed, per VA State Library, 1988) Sittingbourne Parish was established in Old Rappahannock County. The Rappahannock River cut through it. When Old Rappahannock Co. was abolished in 1692, the part of the parish north of the river, was in Lancaster Co.; and the section south of the river, was in Essex Co.. In 1704, St. Anne's Parish was created from the Essex Co. portion of Sittingbourne Parish.
Suit: John Andrews and Hannah his wife, against Thomas Ayres and Florinda, his wife, and Rich'd. Goode, excrs. of the last will and testament of Thos. Thorpe for the equal part of the deceased personal (property) which amounts to 21.11.11 1/2, bequeathed by the deceased in and by his last will to the aforesaid Hannah.
Occupation: Planter. No will was found for this Thomas
Tharp/e in the Essex Co., VA. records. The Tharp/e property
seemed to lie on both sides of the Essex-Caroline border, and
land and other records were filed in both counties. It is
felt that the will in question was filed in Caroline Co., and
fell victim to fire during the Civil War. Partial estate
accounts were located in Essex Co., but no final settlement.
We, therefore, are only able to speculate on the children of
this man, with the exception of son, Thomas, who is mentioned
in the Essex Co., records.
"Essex Co., VA., Wills, Bonds,
Inventories, etc., 1722-1730" John Frederick Dorman p. 14 -
Bond of Thomas Thorp as guardian of Thomas Ayres, unto Thomas
Waring of Essex Co., Gent., for 10 pounds, Sterl. 21 Apr. 1724
- Sec., Wm. Gray, Tho. Thorp, Wm. Gray (sic) Wit. - Rich'd
Tunstall
THIS INDENTURE made this 17th day of May one Thousand seven Hundred and fifty seven BETWEEN Thomas Tharp of Essex County and Colony of Virginia of the one part and Thomas Tharp Junr. of Orange County and Colony aforesaid of the other part WITNESSETH that the said Thomas Tharp for the Consideration of Fifty pounds Current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said Thomas Tharp Junr. before the Ensealing and Delivery of these presents the receipt whereof the said Thomas Tharp doth hereby Acknowledge the said Thomas Tharp hath by these presents granted and by these presents doth Grant Bargain sell and Confirm unto the said Thomas Tharp Junr. his heirs and Assigns all and every part and parcel of one hundred acres of Land Lying and being in the County of Essex aforesaid and Joining to the Land of Captain Daniel Gaines and William Tharp Decd together with all and Singular the profits and appurtances to the said Land Belonging or in any way appartaining and all right Title property Claim and demand of him the said Thomas Tharp of in & to the same TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said parcel of Land unto the said Thomas Tharp Junr. his Heirs and Assigns to the only proper use and Behoof of him the said Thomas Tharp Junr his heirs and Assigns for ever and the said Thomas Tharp doth hereby grant and agree to and with the said Thomas Tharp Junr. that he the said Tho Tharp Junr. his heirs and Assigns shall and may have hold occupy possess and Enjoy the said Land and premises with all its appurtenances without the Let suit denial Molestation or Interuption of him the said Thomas Tharp or his Assigns or any other person or persons from by through or under his or their means or procurementor any other Incumbrances whatever the Quitrents only Excepted and also that he the said Thomas Tharp or his Lawfull Attorney shall and will at any time hereafter at the request and Cost in the Law of him the said Thomas Tharp Junr his heirs & Assigns do make suffer or Cause to be done or made all such Further writing or Conveying of all the right and Title that he the said Thomas Tharp now hath or ever hereafter may have unto the above mentioned one hundred Acres of Land as he the said Thomas Tharp Junr. his heirs or Assigns or his or their Council Learned in the Law shall be reasonable advised devised or required.IN WITNESS whereof the said Thomas Tharp to these presents have hereunto set his hand and seal the day & year first above Written SIGNED SEALED and delivered In Presence of___________________________T homas Tharp SS John Melear Frances Tharp William Moore BE IT REMEMBERED that on the Third day of January one Thousand seven Hundred fifty and Seven __________of__________was given and Delivered of the Land and premises within mentioned by the within Named Thomas Tharp unto the within named Thomas Tharp Junr. by Turf and Twigg To hold to him the said Thomas Tharp Junr. his Heirs and Assigns according to the true intent and meaning of the within written Indenture In Presence of John Melear Francis Tharp William Moore At a Court held for Essex County at Tappa on the 17th day of May Anno Dom 1757 Thomas Tharp Acknowledged this deed of Feofment Indented & to Thomas Tharp Junr. to be his act and deed which is ordered to be recorded and is truly recorded ______________________________ ____________Teste John Lee Clk Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 16, Jan/Mar 1972, pp 18-19: Essex Co. wills 1743-47, WB 7, pp. 258-62 William Brooks estate account 1742. Receipts from Thomas Thorpe (acct. for board of the two orphans Elizabeth and Anne Brooks). 1744 - payments to Thomas Thorp and Andrew Anderson. Receipts (to Thomas and Frances Thorp's credit) from Mr. Rose, Ambrose Howard, 16 Aug. 1744. Signed by Thomas Thorp. 1744 - payments to Thomas Thorp (half of corn and pork sold to Bernard Gaines, Robert French, Simon Hughes and Robert Parker). Thomas Thorp (fourth part of 18 pounds, received for 60 barrels of corn sold to Mr. Rose and Ambrose Howard) for boarding Elizabeth and Anne Brooks, from 25 Dec. 1743 to 24 Dec. 1744. 14 Feb. 1744/45. signed by Thomas Thorp. 19 Mar. 1744/45 - Thomas Thorp made oath to the account of Thomas Thorp and Frances, his wife, of administration of the estate of William Brooks.
Occupation: Planter. Thomas's will was probated in Essex Co., VA., WB 12, p. 309, 15 August 1768. Essex Co., VA., WB12 (1762-1775), p. 309:
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Thomas Tharpe of the County of Essex in Virginia, being in perfect
health and sound of memory make as this my last Will and
Testament in manner and form as follows First I recommend my
soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it me and my
body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner And
as for what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me
with I do give bequeath and dispose of as follows.
First after all my just debts is paid I hand unto my loving wife Sarah Tharp all my estate during her life or widowhood for the support and schooling of what children I have living with me unmarried at my decease.Thomas Tharp /SS/ Signed sealed published and delivered before us George Gaines Thomas O'Neal Edmond V......(Vawter ?) At a Court heard for Essex County at Tappahannock on the 15th day of August 1768 This Last Will and Testament of Thomas Tharp deceased and the Codicil thereto amended was presented in Court by the Executors herein named who made oath thereto according to law and the Will being sworn by Marmaduke Tharp and Anthony Sale of the witnesses thereto and the Codicil by Thomas O'Neal and Edmond V...... of the witnesses thereto are
2ndly If she my said loving wife should marry or depart this life before my youngest daughter Frances Tharp comes of age or marries my will is my Executors keep the estate together til she my said daughter do come of age or marry.
3rdly Then I give unto my son Thomas Tharp all the land whereon I now live to him and his heirs proved fully begotten of his own body forever.
All the rest of my estate except one negro girl names Janey to be equally divided amongst all my children and Lucy Plunket my Grand daughter only my son Thomas Tharp excepted and to their heirs forever I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Tharp over and above her equal part of my estate that negro girl before excepted named Janey to her and her heirs forever. And if any children die without issue my will is their part to be divided amongst the rest. Lastly I constitute and appoint my loving wife Sarah Tharp and my sons Thomas Tharp and Robert Elliston and William Ayres Executors of this my last Will and Testament in Testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal the 1st April 1767 Thomas Tharpe /SS/ Marmaduke Tharp Anthony Sale Edmond Tharp IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Thomas Tharp within named herewith make a Codicil amendment and alteration of this my wishes in said last Will and Testament in the manner and form as follows First as I suspect and believe that when my Just debts are demanded of my within mentioned Executors, that the amount of the sum may ...........my personal estate so far as that my beloved wife............live and bring up my younger children thereon But my wish is that after she my loving wife Sarah Tharp can sell what she thinks is fit to dispose of my personal estate that my Executors may have power to make out the balance of my said debts on a negro or negroes to satisfy the same according to their discretions 2ndly my will is that after my Mother in Law Frances Tharp dies that the negroes slave or slaves that falls unto me by law as equity that may chance to fall unto me or my heirs may be equally divided amongst all my children together with my Grand daughter Lucy Plunket to share and their heirs heirs for ever In Testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of February One thousand seven hundred sixty and eight.
