Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
NameMatthew Thomas 
, 5G Grandfather
, 5G GrandfatherBirth17241856
Death17841856 Age: 60
FatherPhillip Thomas (ca1695-)
MotherAnne (Unknown)
Notes for Matthew Thomas
Until June 2011, the assignment of Mathew Thomas and Elizabeth Sherrod as parents of Josiah Thomas was speculative and was based on circumstantial evidence and one undocumented internet genealogy.1856
Circumstantial case:
1. The wife of Matthew Thomas, son of Phillip and Anne Thomas, was named Elizabeth, as shown by deeds in Isle of Wight County in 1749.
2. Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, head of household, is listed in both the 1800 and 1810 census records for Franklin Co KY, in the latter case as the next-door neighbor of Josiah Thomas.
3. The Josiah Thomas bible inscriptions include the notation: “Elizabeth Thomas was born January 1, 1730, died Sept. 10, 1814.”
4. The eldest daughter of Josiah and Tabitha Thomas was named Elizabeth Thomas and the eldest son was named James Sherrod Thomas.
5. Matthew Thomas and Thomas Sherrod were contemporaries in Bute and Franklin Counties and at one meeting of the Bute County Safety Committee, their names are adjacent in a non-alphabetical list, indicating that they may have attended together.
However, on June 13, 2011, routine research uncovered a reference that strenghens this hypothesis. In the book “History of Carroll County Tennessee,” published in 1986 by the Carroll Publishing Company, is an essay titled “Knox-Thomas.” This family history was submitted by Aileen Newberry and the relevant portion is reproduced below:
“Martha Ann Thomas (Knox) b. 1867 was the daughter of James William Thomas b. 1825, NC and Fanny O. Reeves Elam b. 1837. She had one brother, James William II, b. 1865 and a sister Nancy Elizabeth Thomas m. William Ashley Wilson. Their children were Thomas Owen, Eloise Denny, William Ashley, Jr.
“James William Thomas was the son of James Sherrod Thomas b. 1801 and Elizabeth Henrietta Coppedge b. 1803 NC lived in Gibson Co. She was the daughter of William D. Coppedge and Judah Mitchel. James Sherrod Thomas was the son of Josiah Thomas and Tabitha Hunt, son of Matthew Thomas b. 1724 and Elizabeth Sherrod b. 1730. Matthew was the son of Phillip Thomas and Ann. Phillip was the son of William Thomas and Elizabeth Hill. William was the son of Phillip Thomas, emigrant to the Isle of Wight, VA 1635. Submitted by Aileen Newberry”
Circumstantial case:
1. The wife of Matthew Thomas, son of Phillip and Anne Thomas, was named Elizabeth, as shown by deeds in Isle of Wight County in 1749.
2. Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, head of household, is listed in both the 1800 and 1810 census records for Franklin Co KY, in the latter case as the next-door neighbor of Josiah Thomas.
3. The Josiah Thomas bible inscriptions include the notation: “Elizabeth Thomas was born January 1, 1730, died Sept. 10, 1814.”
4. The eldest daughter of Josiah and Tabitha Thomas was named Elizabeth Thomas and the eldest son was named James Sherrod Thomas.
5. Matthew Thomas and Thomas Sherrod were contemporaries in Bute and Franklin Counties and at one meeting of the Bute County Safety Committee, their names are adjacent in a non-alphabetical list, indicating that they may have attended together.
However, on June 13, 2011, routine research uncovered a reference that strenghens this hypothesis. In the book “History of Carroll County Tennessee,” published in 1986 by the Carroll Publishing Company, is an essay titled “Knox-Thomas.” This family history was submitted by Aileen Newberry and the relevant portion is reproduced below:
“Martha Ann Thomas (Knox) b. 1867 was the daughter of James William Thomas b. 1825, NC and Fanny O. Reeves Elam b. 1837. She had one brother, James William II, b. 1865 and a sister Nancy Elizabeth Thomas m. William Ashley Wilson. Their children were Thomas Owen, Eloise Denny, William Ashley, Jr.
“James William Thomas was the son of James Sherrod Thomas b. 1801 and Elizabeth Henrietta Coppedge b. 1803 NC lived in Gibson Co. She was the daughter of William D. Coppedge and Judah Mitchel. James Sherrod Thomas was the son of Josiah Thomas and Tabitha Hunt, son of Matthew Thomas b. 1724 and Elizabeth Sherrod b. 1730. Matthew was the son of Phillip Thomas and Ann. Phillip was the son of William Thomas and Elizabeth Hill. William was the son of Phillip Thomas, emigrant to the Isle of Wight, VA 1635. Submitted by Aileen Newberry”
Notes for Matthew Thomas
Following is a description copied from the book by Worth S. Ray:551
“204. PHILLIP THOMAS. The name of his wife was ANNE. In 1732 a certain WILLIAM THOMAS, of Isle of Wight County, believed to have been 202. WILLIAM, brother of PHILLIP, bought from WILLIAM SIMS, a tract of 180 acres of land from one HENRY SIMS, which was located North of the Roanoke River in what was then Bertie County (and had been for two years only). Deed Book A p. 2 In 1739, 17 years later, this land evidently belonged to 204. PHILLIP THOMAS, then living in Bertie County, a brother of the purchaser from SIMS, who sold it to a WILLIAM THOMAS, then living also in Bertie. This was evidently Phillip’s son 338. WILLIAM THOMAS. (Deed Book E, p. 474). This last deed was witnessed by JOHN BODDIE and JOHN DAWSON. This JOHN BODDIE was the son of JOHN DAWSON’S wife who had married first, JOHN BODDIE and second, JOHN DAWSON. Six years later, 1745, 338. WILLIAM THOMAS sold this 180 acres to his brother, 339. MATTHEW THOMAS. In 1749, four years later 204. PHILLIP THOMAS had died and his wife ANNE had married WILLIAM HALL, and 339. MATTHEW THOMAS that year paid WILLIAM HALL and his wife ANNE for their right of dower in the lands of 204. PHILLIP THOMAS. At that time the dower lands purchased were in Northamton County. (D. B. I, p. 411) This deed recites that MATTHEW THOMAS was the son of 204. PHILLIP THOMAS. The wife of MATTHEW THOMAS was ELIZABETH, as shown by these deeds. WILLIAM THOMAS (son of PHILLIP) also had a son PHILLIP THOMAS, who in 1762 was living in Granville County, N. C. and sold some lands that year to one WILLIAM WINBORNE next to his father, WILLIAM THOMAS, while MATTHEW THOMAS sold finally in 1756, the same old 180 acres to PHILLIP WINBORNE in Northampton County, N. C. Thus the HENRY SIMS 180 acres finally fell into the hands of WILLIAM and PHILLIP WINBORNE, sons, doubtless, of JOHN WINBORNE and 101. PHOEBE THOMAS, or their grandsons.”
“204. PHILLIP THOMAS. The name of his wife was ANNE. In 1732 a certain WILLIAM THOMAS, of Isle of Wight County, believed to have been 202. WILLIAM, brother of PHILLIP, bought from WILLIAM SIMS, a tract of 180 acres of land from one HENRY SIMS, which was located North of the Roanoke River in what was then Bertie County (and had been for two years only). Deed Book A p. 2 In 1739, 17 years later, this land evidently belonged to 204. PHILLIP THOMAS, then living in Bertie County, a brother of the purchaser from SIMS, who sold it to a WILLIAM THOMAS, then living also in Bertie. This was evidently Phillip’s son 338. WILLIAM THOMAS. (Deed Book E, p. 474). This last deed was witnessed by JOHN BODDIE and JOHN DAWSON. This JOHN BODDIE was the son of JOHN DAWSON’S wife who had married first, JOHN BODDIE and second, JOHN DAWSON. Six years later, 1745, 338. WILLIAM THOMAS sold this 180 acres to his brother, 339. MATTHEW THOMAS. In 1749, four years later 204. PHILLIP THOMAS had died and his wife ANNE had married WILLIAM HALL, and 339. MATTHEW THOMAS that year paid WILLIAM HALL and his wife ANNE for their right of dower in the lands of 204. PHILLIP THOMAS. At that time the dower lands purchased were in Northamton County. (D. B. I, p. 411) This deed recites that MATTHEW THOMAS was the son of 204. PHILLIP THOMAS. The wife of MATTHEW THOMAS was ELIZABETH, as shown by these deeds. WILLIAM THOMAS (son of PHILLIP) also had a son PHILLIP THOMAS, who in 1762 was living in Granville County, N. C. and sold some lands that year to one WILLIAM WINBORNE next to his father, WILLIAM THOMAS, while MATTHEW THOMAS sold finally in 1756, the same old 180 acres to PHILLIP WINBORNE in Northampton County, N. C. Thus the HENRY SIMS 180 acres finally fell into the hands of WILLIAM and PHILLIP WINBORNE, sons, doubtless, of JOHN WINBORNE and 101. PHOEBE THOMAS, or their grandsons.”
Notes for Matthew Thomas
Bute County was formed in 1764 from Granville County. Court records exist from 1767 until 1779, when the territory was divided to form Warren and Franklin Counties. Lists of deeds proved and recorded are found in the court minutes, as well as lists of wills proved or administrations on intestate estates. The construction of roads and the road juries who were to lay out and maintain the roads are included in these records, as well as court cases, depositions, petitions and jury lists. Following are just a few of the many records found in these court minutes.
Mathew Thomas is mentioned in the Bute Co Court Minutes in 1767:
The Last Tuesday in October 1767
A Deed of Bargain & sale from Geo: Kerr to James Worthem for 546 acres dated 15th of August 1767. proved by the oath of Charles Worthem. M. O. R. Mathew Thomas Esq'r returned his list of Taxabales.
Friday after the second Tuesday in November 1768
By virtue of a Commission of the Peace and a dedimus relating thereto from under the hands of his Excellency the Governor bearing date the twenty ninth day of November one thousand seven hundred and sixty Nine Directed to Osborn Jeffreys, William Johnson, Philemon Hawkins, Julius Nichols, James Ransom, William Tabb, Jethro Sumner, Benjamin Person, Henry Hill, Nathaniel Henderson, Thomas Eaton, Thomas Bell, William Person Jun'r, James Alford, Mathew Thomas, John Hawkins & Thomas Turner, James Murray and Benjamin Ward Esq'rs the said Jethro Sumner, Thomas Turner & Benjamin Ward took the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken repeated and Subscribed the Test as also took the oath of a Justice of this County and took their Seats Accordingly and then the said Jethro Sumner, Thomas Turner & Benjamin Ward administred the said Oaths to William Johnson, Philemon Hawkins & William Tabb Esq'rs who also repeated and Subscribed the Test and took their Seats accordingly. Present the above Sworn Justices.
Mathew Thomas is mentioned a number of times in the Abstracts of Warren County, NC Deed Books and in the Bute Co NC deed records:
DB-l, page 269. 5 July 1765. A(RTHUR) (ARTER) WILLIAMS to STEPHEN GUPTON, both of Bute Co. 25 Pds. Va. money for 100 A. in Bute Co. where JOHN BARNET formerly lived, on Peter Hils Branch, adj. ROUNDTREE. Wit: MATHEW THOMAS, MICHLL. COLLINS, SAMUEL FREEMAN. Proved by MICHAEL COLLINS, Bute January Court 1767, BEN McCULLOCH, C.C. Reg: 5 May 1767, WILL JOHNSON, P.R. Marginal notation: Deld. to GEORGE GOODWIN 15 Feb. 1770.
DB-2, page 111. 12 November 1767. JOHN BENNETT(BENNIT) to EPHRAIM GILLIAM, both of Bute Co. l0 Pds. Va. money for 75 A. in Bute Co. on SS Sandy Creek, part of a grant to JOSEPH NIX from his Lords agents, and bought from him, adj.DAVID VINSON. Wit: MATHEW THOMAS, JESSE VINSON. Proved by MATHEW THOMAS,Bute August Court 1768, BEN McCULLOCH, C.C.Reg: 22 January 1769, by WILLIAM JOHNSON, P.R.
13 February 1771; Grantor Freder'k Davis; Grantee Mathew Thomas; Proven or Witnessed by Francis Wells
15 May 1771: Grantor James Petty; Grantee Zachariah Thompson; Proven or Witnessed by Mathew Thomas
He is also listed in the Bute County Safety Committee Meeting Minutes:
Mathew Thomas was listed at the meetings of 8 Jul 1775, 5 Aug 1775, 5 Jan 1775, 16 Oct 1775, 22 Oct 1775, 112 May 1775.
Thomas Sherrod listed 8 Jul 1775 (adjacent to Mathew Thomas in a non-alphabetized list), 16 Oct 1775, 6 Jan 1775, 22 Oct 1775, 4 Nov 1775 (he is listed two times on this list), 11 May 1775, 5 Nov 1775, 23 June 1775. He was also mentioned as being appointed to group of three (the others being Green Hill and Robert Goodloe) to enquire into a dispute about the estate of Robert Freeman, deceased.
On 29 Jan 1779 the General Assembly meeting at Halifax appointed the Commissioners for dividing Bute County. Julius Nichols, John Faulcon, William Duke, John Norwood, and Matthew Thomas were to be responsible for measuring the bounds of Bute County, running the dividing line, and choosing sites near the center of each county where courthouses and public buildings were to be built. Later in 1779 two other acts of Assembly established Warrenton and Louisburg as County Seats of Warren and Franklin Counties respectively.
Mathew Thomas is mentioned in the Bute Co Court Minutes in 1767:
The Last Tuesday in October 1767
A Deed of Bargain & sale from Geo: Kerr to James Worthem for 546 acres dated 15th of August 1767. proved by the oath of Charles Worthem. M. O. R. Mathew Thomas Esq'r returned his list of Taxabales.
Friday after the second Tuesday in November 1768
By virtue of a Commission of the Peace and a dedimus relating thereto from under the hands of his Excellency the Governor bearing date the twenty ninth day of November one thousand seven hundred and sixty Nine Directed to Osborn Jeffreys, William Johnson, Philemon Hawkins, Julius Nichols, James Ransom, William Tabb, Jethro Sumner, Benjamin Person, Henry Hill, Nathaniel Henderson, Thomas Eaton, Thomas Bell, William Person Jun'r, James Alford, Mathew Thomas, John Hawkins & Thomas Turner, James Murray and Benjamin Ward Esq'rs the said Jethro Sumner, Thomas Turner & Benjamin Ward took the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken repeated and Subscribed the Test as also took the oath of a Justice of this County and took their Seats Accordingly and then the said Jethro Sumner, Thomas Turner & Benjamin Ward administred the said Oaths to William Johnson, Philemon Hawkins & William Tabb Esq'rs who also repeated and Subscribed the Test and took their Seats accordingly. Present the above Sworn Justices.
Mathew Thomas is mentioned a number of times in the Abstracts of Warren County, NC Deed Books and in the Bute Co NC deed records:
DB-l, page 269. 5 July 1765. A(RTHUR) (ARTER) WILLIAMS to STEPHEN GUPTON, both of Bute Co. 25 Pds. Va. money for 100 A. in Bute Co. where JOHN BARNET formerly lived, on Peter Hils Branch, adj. ROUNDTREE. Wit: MATHEW THOMAS, MICHLL. COLLINS, SAMUEL FREEMAN. Proved by MICHAEL COLLINS, Bute January Court 1767, BEN McCULLOCH, C.C. Reg: 5 May 1767, WILL JOHNSON, P.R. Marginal notation: Deld. to GEORGE GOODWIN 15 Feb. 1770.
DB-2, page 111. 12 November 1767. JOHN BENNETT(BENNIT) to EPHRAIM GILLIAM, both of Bute Co. l0 Pds. Va. money for 75 A. in Bute Co. on SS Sandy Creek, part of a grant to JOSEPH NIX from his Lords agents, and bought from him, adj.DAVID VINSON. Wit: MATHEW THOMAS, JESSE VINSON. Proved by MATHEW THOMAS,Bute August Court 1768, BEN McCULLOCH, C.C.Reg: 22 January 1769, by WILLIAM JOHNSON, P.R.
13 February 1771; Grantor Freder'k Davis; Grantee Mathew Thomas; Proven or Witnessed by Francis Wells
15 May 1771: Grantor James Petty; Grantee Zachariah Thompson; Proven or Witnessed by Mathew Thomas
He is also listed in the Bute County Safety Committee Meeting Minutes:
Mathew Thomas was listed at the meetings of 8 Jul 1775, 5 Aug 1775, 5 Jan 1775, 16 Oct 1775, 22 Oct 1775, 112 May 1775.
Thomas Sherrod listed 8 Jul 1775 (adjacent to Mathew Thomas in a non-alphabetized list), 16 Oct 1775, 6 Jan 1775, 22 Oct 1775, 4 Nov 1775 (he is listed two times on this list), 11 May 1775, 5 Nov 1775, 23 June 1775. He was also mentioned as being appointed to group of three (the others being Green Hill and Robert Goodloe) to enquire into a dispute about the estate of Robert Freeman, deceased.
On 29 Jan 1779 the General Assembly meeting at Halifax appointed the Commissioners for dividing Bute County. Julius Nichols, John Faulcon, William Duke, John Norwood, and Matthew Thomas were to be responsible for measuring the bounds of Bute County, running the dividing line, and choosing sites near the center of each county where courthouses and public buildings were to be built. Later in 1779 two other acts of Assembly established Warrenton and Louisburg as County Seats of Warren and Franklin Counties respectively.
Notes for Elizabeth T. (Spouse 1)
According to Worth S. Ray (1947),551 “Fortunately, we have been furnished with the entries in the old JOSIAH THOMAS BIBLE, now in the possession of a MRS. ADDIE MURPHY, of Medina, Tennessee, which shows:
JOSIAH THOMAS was born 24 September 1770
TABITHA THOMAS was born 19 April 1777
BETSY THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA THOMAS born 9 March 1799
JAMES THOMAS, son of JOSIAH and TABITHA THOMAS born 4 March 1801
NANCY THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA THOMAS born 28 April 1803
MARTHA THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA, his wife, born Sept. 29, 1806
MARY THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA, his wife, born May 20, 1808
JOSEPH JOHN THOMAS was born August 30, 1810
MATILDA W. THOMAS was born April 10, 1813
JOSIAH THOMAS departed this life 5 April in his 59th year, 1830.
ELIZABETH THOMAS was born January 1, 1730, died Sept. 10, 1814.
The assignment of Elizabeth’s family name as Sherrod is discussed on the note attached to Matthew Thomas. However, the names of Elizabeth Sherrod’s parents have not yet been discovered.
JOSIAH THOMAS was born 24 September 1770
TABITHA THOMAS was born 19 April 1777
BETSY THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA THOMAS born 9 March 1799
JAMES THOMAS, son of JOSIAH and TABITHA THOMAS born 4 March 1801
NANCY THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA THOMAS born 28 April 1803
MARTHA THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA, his wife, born Sept. 29, 1806
MARY THOMAS, daughter of JOSIAH and TABITHA, his wife, born May 20, 1808
JOSEPH JOHN THOMAS was born August 30, 1810
MATILDA W. THOMAS was born April 10, 1813
JOSIAH THOMAS departed this life 5 April in his 59th year, 1830.
ELIZABETH THOMAS was born January 1, 1730, died Sept. 10, 1814.
The assignment of Elizabeth’s family name as Sherrod is discussed on the note attached to Matthew Thomas. However, the names of Elizabeth Sherrod’s parents have not yet been discovered.