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| Photo by Patrick Jones. Nats Park, 28 Sept 2014. |
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| Photo by Patrick Jones. Nats Park from the field, post-game. |
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| Photo by Patrick Jones. Kiddos running the bases. |
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Running the Bases
This past Sunday I took the family to Nationals Park for the season-ending game between the National League-leading Nats and the Miami Marlins. With picture-perfect weather, great seats, a game-winning solo home run, and a historic no-hitter, everyone had a great time. The game ended 1-0, and afterward the kids were able to run the bases & high-five the Presidents.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Pension File for Thomas Thornhill
Continuing from Sunday's post on Thomas Thornhill, son of my 6th-great-grandfather Joseph Thornhill and brother of my 5th-great-grandfather Joseph Jr, this post covers the Revolutionary War pension of Thomas and the claim filed by his children. The following information comes from the Revolutionary War Pensions file on Fold3.com.
On 16 June 1828, Thomas Thornhill signed a declaration of his Revolutionary War pension claim. On the document, he states that he was of Broomfield Parish, Culpeper County, Virginia.
Thomas later settled in Woodville, Rappahannock County, which is located to the north west of Culpeper, on Route 522 south of Sperryville, Virginia. After the war he married Lucy Jones (so far I don't think she is related to my Jefferson County Jones line), and they had at least the following children:
- Joseph Thornhill
- William Thornhill
- Bryan Thornhill
- Thomas Thornhill Jr.
- Charles Thornhill
- Bleuford Thornhill
- Robert Thornhill
- Edmond Thornhill
- Elizabeth Thornhill
- Lucinda Thornhill
Lucy Jones Thornhill died in 1837, while Thomas passed in June 1839. The children of Thomas filed a claim to his Revolutionary War pension in August 1850, but this was rejected. William Slaughter, a neighbor and friend of the Thornhill family, supported the application of the Thornhill children with the declaration below.
The pension office responded on 6 September 1850, noting that Thomas Thornhill had received bounty land and a pension under the Act of 15 May 1828, and no further amounts were due to him.
Thomas is on my list of names to check on the next visit to the Culpeper Court, to see if there are any deeds or other records involving his brother Joseph or other Thornhill siblings.
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| Source: Fold3.com |
Thomas later settled in Woodville, Rappahannock County, which is located to the north west of Culpeper, on Route 522 south of Sperryville, Virginia. After the war he married Lucy Jones (so far I don't think she is related to my Jefferson County Jones line), and they had at least the following children:
- Joseph Thornhill
- William Thornhill
- Bryan Thornhill
- Thomas Thornhill Jr.
- Charles Thornhill
- Bleuford Thornhill
- Robert Thornhill
- Edmond Thornhill
- Elizabeth Thornhill
- Lucinda Thornhill
Lucy Jones Thornhill died in 1837, while Thomas passed in June 1839. The children of Thomas filed a claim to his Revolutionary War pension in August 1850, but this was rejected. William Slaughter, a neighbor and friend of the Thornhill family, supported the application of the Thornhill children with the declaration below.
The pension office responded on 6 September 1850, noting that Thomas Thornhill had received bounty land and a pension under the Act of 15 May 1828, and no further amounts were due to him.
Thomas is on my list of names to check on the next visit to the Culpeper Court, to see if there are any deeds or other records involving his brother Joseph or other Thornhill siblings.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Thomas Thornhill, Virginia Soldier
With the start of the American Revolution in 1776, young Thomas Thornhill joined the Virginia Line of the Continental Army. He was around 16 or 17 years old, and first served as a private in Lee's Legion.
Lee's Legion was under the command of Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, father of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. An ebook on Lee's Legion is available at https://archive.org/stream/LeesLegionRemembered/.
At some point after 1777, Thomas transitioned into Captain John Roberts' company. Thomas appears on the roll for Roberts' company in 1779.
Thomas Thornhill filed a pension application from his service in Revolutionary War. I will have a whole post on his pension application, which provides interesting information on the Thornhill family in Virginia.
Lee's Legion was under the command of Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee, father of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. An ebook on Lee's Legion is available at https://archive.org/stream/LeesLegionRemembered/.
At some point after 1777, Thomas transitioned into Captain John Roberts' company. Thomas appears on the roll for Roberts' company in 1779.
Thomas Thornhill filed a pension application from his service in Revolutionary War. I will have a whole post on his pension application, which provides interesting information on the Thornhill family in Virginia.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
In the Continental Army
This week I've taken a closer look on the Thornhill side. In Thursday's post, I transcribed an indenture for my 5th-great-grandfather Joseph Thornhill who was apprenticed in 1796 as a minor to James Joyce, taylor of Culpeper, Virginia. Joseph was in the guardianship of Hugh McKellup because his mother Elizabeth had recently passed (I suspect 1795), and his father died following the Battle of Yorktown.
Joseph Thornhill Senior
Joseph Thornhill was born about 1742 in Culpeper, Virginia, to Bryant and Tamson Thornhill. I do not know much about Joseph's position in Culpeper, but his name does appear in the William Allason ledgers in the 1770s. With the onset of the American Revolution, Joseph joined the Continental Army, like his brothers William, John and Reuben (I will have more on their service in upcoming posts).
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major land battle in the American Revolution. We know Joseph Thornhill was there because his will was written at Yorktown on 11 October 1781, during the siege. A transcription of his will is below:
In the name of God Amen York County the 11 Day of October 1781
I Joseph Thornhill being very sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life do make this my last Will and Testament in manner of form followeth viz--Impr.
First I bequeath my soul to God that gave it and as wishing such wordly things which it both pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath in manner of form followeth--Item I give -------- to my loving wife Elizabeth Thornhill all and singular my Estate to raise my young children on during of her widowhood and in case she marrys its my desire that my Estate shall be taken out of her hands by my Executors to clothe best the can for my poor children and do appoint my son Thomas & please God he returns from the Southward Army & my loving Brother Reuben Thornhill and my Friend and Neighbor William Allen Executor of this my last Will and Testament revoking all other Will or Wills heretofore made by me and do acknowledge this to be my last Will & Testament Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal the Day and year first above written.
Joseph Thornhill
Witness Reuben Zimmerman, John Foshee, John Fletcher
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The will was proven in Culpeper County on 18 February 1782.
The siege of Yorktown ended on 19 October 1781 with the surrender of British General Cornwallis' army, just little more than a week after Joseph had made his will.
I have not yet been able to find Joseph in the Revolutionary War records, but I did find entries for his son Thomas, who joined the "Southward Army". Thomas appears in Lee's Legion in 1777, and later in Captain Roberts' company in 1779.
It's fascinating to see Thomas Thornhill served along side my 5th-great-grandfather Samuel Read, but these men come from opposite sides of my family tree. The Thornhill side is from my Dad's Jones side of the family, while the Reads are from my Mom's side of the tree. Although the Thornhills and Reads were relative neighbors in Culpeper County, these families wouldn't come together until my parents married in 1968 in Indiana.
I have more information on Thomas and Joseph's siblings during the Revolutionary War. More posts on this to follow.
Joseph Thornhill Senior
Joseph Thornhill was born about 1742 in Culpeper, Virginia, to Bryant and Tamson Thornhill. I do not know much about Joseph's position in Culpeper, but his name does appear in the William Allason ledgers in the 1770s. With the onset of the American Revolution, Joseph joined the Continental Army, like his brothers William, John and Reuben (I will have more on their service in upcoming posts).
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major land battle in the American Revolution. We know Joseph Thornhill was there because his will was written at Yorktown on 11 October 1781, during the siege. A transcription of his will is below:
In the name of God Amen York County the 11 Day of October 1781
I Joseph Thornhill being very sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life do make this my last Will and Testament in manner of form followeth viz--Impr.
First I bequeath my soul to God that gave it and as wishing such wordly things which it both pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath in manner of form followeth--Item I give -------- to my loving wife Elizabeth Thornhill all and singular my Estate to raise my young children on during of her widowhood and in case she marrys its my desire that my Estate shall be taken out of her hands by my Executors to clothe best the can for my poor children and do appoint my son Thomas & please God he returns from the Southward Army & my loving Brother Reuben Thornhill and my Friend and Neighbor William Allen Executor of this my last Will and Testament revoking all other Will or Wills heretofore made by me and do acknowledge this to be my last Will & Testament Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal the Day and year first above written.
Joseph Thornhill
Witness Reuben Zimmerman, John Foshee, John Fletcher
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The will was proven in Culpeper County on 18 February 1782.
The siege of Yorktown ended on 19 October 1781 with the surrender of British General Cornwallis' army, just little more than a week after Joseph had made his will.
I have not yet been able to find Joseph in the Revolutionary War records, but I did find entries for his son Thomas, who joined the "Southward Army". Thomas appears in Lee's Legion in 1777, and later in Captain Roberts' company in 1779.
It's fascinating to see Thomas Thornhill served along side my 5th-great-grandfather Samuel Read, but these men come from opposite sides of my family tree. The Thornhill side is from my Dad's Jones side of the family, while the Reads are from my Mom's side of the tree. Although the Thornhills and Reads were relative neighbors in Culpeper County, these families wouldn't come together until my parents married in 1968 in Indiana.
I have more information on Thomas and Joseph's siblings during the Revolutionary War. More posts on this to follow.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Thornhill to Nalle, 1807
Following on yesterday's post on records from the Culpeper County Court, this is a transcription of a document entered in 1807 between my 5th-great-grandfather Joseph Thornhill and Martin Nalle (Culpeper Deed Book BB, page 490).
This Indenture made the 2nd day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seven between Joseph Thornhill of Culpeper County and State of Virginia of the one part and Martin Nalle of the County and State aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that the said Joseph Thornhill in order to secure the payment of one hundred and two dollars fifty cents due the second of September used bearing interest from this date which sum is justly due Mary Thornhill of the aforesaid county and in consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid by the said Martin Nalle before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged he the said Joseph Thornhill hath granted bargained and sold by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Martin Nalle the house and lot which the said Thornhill purchased of Peter Gregory (8,45) lying and being in the town of Stevensburg on the south side of the Main Street arranging from East to West through the said town and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders yearly and other rents species and profits thereof and to every part and parcel thereof, and also of the right title interest trust property claim and demand whatsoever both at law and equity of him the said Joseph Thornhill unto or out of the said house and lot.
To have and to hold the said property before mentioned to be hereby granted with their and every of their appertenances unto the said Martin Nalle his heirs executors, administrators and assigns forever, aperatrust, nevertheless that the said Martin Nalle shall as dower as conveniently he can after the payment of the aforesaid mention sum shall become due proceed to sell the house and lot for the best price that can be obtained after advertising the same at the Courthouse of the said County ten days or longer and out of the monies arising from such sale in the first place to pay all reasonable charges attending the sale and then other debts before mentioned and the balance of the money if any to the said Joseph Thornhill or to his executors.
As witness whereof the said Joseph Thornhill hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first written.
Signed sealed and delivered} Joseph Thornhill, Martin Nalle
In the presence of Hugh McKellup, Reuben Zimmerman, James Joyce
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At a Court held for Culpeper County the 21st of September 1807
This Indented deed of trust from Joseph Thornhill to Martin Nalle was proved by the oath of Hugh McKellup, Reuben Zimmerman and James Joyce witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, John Jameson, Ct Cul
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From a search online, it looks like this transaction may have been to Martin Nalle (1777-1835). Perhaps Mary Thornhill, Joseph's sister, was Martin's first wife, and this transaction was to provide a dower for Mary. I need to go back to the Culpeper Court to know more information, and will add this to the list of things to check when I go back.
I am estimating that by 1807, Joseph Thornhill was about 30 years old, and working as a taylor having learned the trade from James Joyce and business from close association with Hugh McKellup. The other witness, Reuben Zimmerman, was born in 1765 and died in 1842 in Stokes County, North Carolina.
This Indenture made the 2nd day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seven between Joseph Thornhill of Culpeper County and State of Virginia of the one part and Martin Nalle of the County and State aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that the said Joseph Thornhill in order to secure the payment of one hundred and two dollars fifty cents due the second of September used bearing interest from this date which sum is justly due Mary Thornhill of the aforesaid county and in consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid by the said Martin Nalle before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged he the said Joseph Thornhill hath granted bargained and sold by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Martin Nalle the house and lot which the said Thornhill purchased of Peter Gregory (8,45) lying and being in the town of Stevensburg on the south side of the Main Street arranging from East to West through the said town and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders yearly and other rents species and profits thereof and to every part and parcel thereof, and also of the right title interest trust property claim and demand whatsoever both at law and equity of him the said Joseph Thornhill unto or out of the said house and lot.
To have and to hold the said property before mentioned to be hereby granted with their and every of their appertenances unto the said Martin Nalle his heirs executors, administrators and assigns forever, aperatrust, nevertheless that the said Martin Nalle shall as dower as conveniently he can after the payment of the aforesaid mention sum shall become due proceed to sell the house and lot for the best price that can be obtained after advertising the same at the Courthouse of the said County ten days or longer and out of the monies arising from such sale in the first place to pay all reasonable charges attending the sale and then other debts before mentioned and the balance of the money if any to the said Joseph Thornhill or to his executors.
As witness whereof the said Joseph Thornhill hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first written.
Signed sealed and delivered} Joseph Thornhill, Martin Nalle
In the presence of Hugh McKellup, Reuben Zimmerman, James Joyce
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At a Court held for Culpeper County the 21st of September 1807
This Indented deed of trust from Joseph Thornhill to Martin Nalle was proved by the oath of Hugh McKellup, Reuben Zimmerman and James Joyce witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, John Jameson, Ct Cul
--
From a search online, it looks like this transaction may have been to Martin Nalle (1777-1835). Perhaps Mary Thornhill, Joseph's sister, was Martin's first wife, and this transaction was to provide a dower for Mary. I need to go back to the Culpeper Court to know more information, and will add this to the list of things to check when I go back.
I am estimating that by 1807, Joseph Thornhill was about 30 years old, and working as a taylor having learned the trade from James Joyce and business from close association with Hugh McKellup. The other witness, Reuben Zimmerman, was born in 1765 and died in 1842 in Stokes County, North Carolina.
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