Thomas Gunn (1738 - 1800)

Born 4 May 1738 in Amelia, Virginia, British Colonial America

Ancestors

Husband of Susannah Eleanor (Burnett) Gunn — married 1760 in Brunswick, Virginia

Husband of Elenor (Alverson) Davis — married 24 Oct 1797 in Caswell, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Nov 1800 at age 62 in Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Thomas Gunn is a member of Clan Gunn.

Thomas Gunn was born about 1738, near Amelia County, North Carolina. He died In Caswell County, North Carolina sometime after he signed his will (13 November 1800). ^{[1] [2]}

Military

Thomas served in the Virginia Colonial Militia during the French and Indian War. During the French and Indian War, the Virginia House of Burgesses passed an act for the defense of the frontier of the colony on September 14, 1758. Thomas Gunn was among those soldiers mentioned in the schedules attached to that act. Thomas was listed in the Amelia County unit. ^[3]

In 1780, Thomas was drafted into service by the State of Virginia in the Revolutionary War, but his son, Starling Gunn, went in his stead. Starling's pension application stated that he was living in Amelia Co., VA at that time. Later that same year, Thomas supplied the Patriot Army passing through Amelia Co., VA with twenty-one bushels of wheat and five hundred pounds of beef, for which he was later reimbursed six pounds. ^[1] Thomas Gunn, Jr. is recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as having provided service to the Patriot Cause during the American Revolution. ^[4]

Wives - Two or Four?

The referenced Caswell County Historical Association article, dated 2007, states that Thomas first married Susannah Burnett in Virginia, circa 1760. The marriage likely occurred in or near Brunswick Co., VA. Her identity is based upon family tradition, and author had seen no proof as to Susannah’s surname, but family tradition states that her father was Richard Burnett. Her son, Rev. James Gunn's Family Bible, according to family tradition, states that Susannah Gunn died Dec. 27, 1796. ^[1]

Thomas married Elenor "Nelly" Alverson on 24 October 1797 in Caswell County, North Carolina. ^[5] In addition to the referenced marriage record, the Will of Thomas Gunn proves the marriage to Eleanor, as she is named in the Will as "my beloved wife, Elenor Gunn." ^[2]

Some researchers believe that Thomas Gunn also married Sarah Davenport and Ann Worsham. There were other Gunn families in Virginia at the same time as Thomas. The two "extra" wives of Thomas could easily have been a part of those other families....or not.

Family Listed in his Last Will

The following family members were listed in the Last Will and Testament of Thomas Gunn, dated 13 November 1800. ^{[6] [1] [2]} See attached image.

Spouse: Elenor Gunn

Children:

1. John Gunn
2. Allen Gunn
3. Sterling Gunn
4. Daniel Gunn
5. Thomas Gunn
6. Unnamed daughter (deceased?)- named son in law, Ellis Evans
7. James Gunn
8. Griffin Gunn
9. Sally Burton
10. Priscilla Gunn
11. Anderson Gunn

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Thomas Gunn Caswell County Historical Association.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} North Carolina Probate Records, Caswell County, North Carolina, Volume D, page 21 View in FamilySearch See attached image.
3. ↑ Crozier, William Armstrong. "Virginia Colonial Militia, 1651-1776" Page 66
4. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution Database Thomas Gunn, Ancestor #: A048410
5. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," FamilySearch database with images,Thomas Gunn and Nelly Alverson, 24 Oct 1797; citing , Caswell, North Carolina, United States, p. vol D, North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 478,485.
6. ↑ Cheryl Gunn Maxwell webpage Wills: Thomas Gunn, Amelia co., Virginia dated 13 November 1800

• Shoemaker, Gwen Gunn. "Some Descendants of Thomas Gunn III (1738-1800). self published, Eldon, Missouri.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to the contributors. See the Changes page for the details of edits by contributors.