Thomas James (1757 - 1836)

Born 1757 in Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Clarke) James — married 5 Feb 1795 in Mercer, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died 17 Apr 1836 at about age 79 in Henry, Kentucky, United States

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Biography

Thomas James was born circa 1757, in Pennsylvania and was a soldier, during the American Revolutionary War with the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment. ^[1] On February 5, 1795, in Mercer county, Kentucky, Thomas married Sarah Clark. ^[2]

Thomas James served with 10th Pennsylvania Regiment, Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Thomas James is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A061521.

Thomas James is honored for his military service by the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution as DAR Ancestor #A061521. DAR records indicate that Thomas died April 17, 1836, in Henry county, Kentucky and that his wife was Sarah Clark. Applications for membership in the Society of the DAR have been made by their sons, Joseph James, who married Elizabeth Sublett and John James, who married Jane Sublett. ^[3]

Will of Thomas James

Last Will & Testament of Thomas James who settled on 6 mile creek, Henry County Kentucky and is now buried thereabouts in James Cemetery. Transcription from a photocopy of the original Will, provided by the Henry County Historical Society.

In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas James of the County of Henry and State of Kentucky, being sick & weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory, (To which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of Human Life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it has pleased God to keep me with. Asking only to be consigned to the Earth by a plain decent burial without pomp or parade. But any (Alone I commend to God to grant it) in hope of a glorious immortality.

First: I desire that my funeral debts be discharged as soon as possible.

Second: To my beloved wife Sarah James, I give all my personal property, except such things as shall hereafter be mention of during her matriarchy.

Third: Should I receive any compensation from the Government of the United States, for services rendered and losses sustained in the Revolutionary war. I will real and equal distribution of it be made to my wife Sarah and children to me, John, Thomas, William, David, Joseph, Charles, Jonathan, Daniel, Sarah & Mary.

Fourth: I give to my daughter Sarah intermarried with William Adams due them any acres of land whereon they not live, bounded as follows. Beginning on my corner of the main creek of Six Mile, on he East side thereof adjoining the land of Mr. Roberts, up the creek with my line to Woodcock branch, then on up said branch so far as may be necessary to make the compliment. Running hence a parallel line with the line out the main creek to the line between Sarah Roberts and my land, hence with the line to the beginning.

Fifth: I give to my daughter Mary all the remaining part of any tract of land that lies East of that parcel of land I give to her Sister Sarah, supposed to contain three hundred acres, set the Claus to more or less to be conveyed to her as soon as practicable.

Sixth: I give to my Sons Jonathan & Daniel and to my daughters Mary a Horse each, those they normally claim at this time.

Seventh: I give to my beloved wife Sarah James my farm with all its benefits during her matriarchy.

Eighth: I give to my daughter Mary besides what is already specified a Bed & furniture a Cow & Sheep.

Ninth: I direct as soon as my personal or Real Estate be sold or disposed of them, that the proceeds be divided equally to my children as named in the 3rd section of my will.

Tenth: I direct that a formal appraisement be dispensed with that an inventory will be sufficient.

Eleventh & Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends David Demaree & John L. Hall executors of this my last will & testament, hereby revoking all others or former will or testaments by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this Fifteenth day of December in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred & Thirty One, Signed Sealed Published Will. Declared as & for the last will and Testament of the above named Thomas James in presence of us subscribing before Signed. Thomas James (Sr) Henry County Court House June 1836

A writing purporting to be the last will and Testament of Thomas James deceased was this day produced here into court and proven by the Oath of John Manford a subscribing witness thereto,

Who also made Oath that Gowan Adkins the other subscribing witness thereto is not an inhabitant of this Commonwealth or that his place of residence is unknown and that the Signature of said Adkins to said will is the hand writing of and proper signature of said Adkins, whereupon said writing is ordered to record. ^[4]

Researchers Notes

The Find A Grave memorial for Thomas James gives his birth place as in England, however the bio in the text of the memorial indicates that he was born in Pennsylvania. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/87217372/thomas-james

Traditionally, Thomas' parents are given as John James 1738-1825 and his wife, Sarah Burton. See also: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145109719/john-james Thomas names a son "David Burton James"

Sources

1. ↑ Pennsylvania Archives, 5TH SER, VOL 4, PP 34 & 52
2. ↑ "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5Z6-H3X : 17 May 2018), Thomas James and Sarah Clark, 5 Feb 1795; citing Marriage, Mercer, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 191,841
3. ↑ DAR https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A061521
4. ↑ http://www.kykinfolk.com/henry/ThomasJames_Will.htm