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Thomas Anderson (abt. 1685 - 1757)

Thomas Anderson
Born about in New Kent, New Kent, Virginiamap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and [mother unknown]
Husband of — married 1705 in New Kent, New Kent, Virginiamap
Husband of — married 1734 [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 72 in Albemarle, Virginiamap
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Profile last modified | Created 29 May 2011
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Contents

Biography

U.S. Southern Colonies Project logo
Thomas Anderson was a Virginia colonist.

Birth and Link to Robert Anderson I

Thomas Anderson was the youngest son of Robert Anderson I of New Kent County (later Hanover), Virginia. For an analysis of the birth order and birth years of the eight Anderson siblings, including Thomas, see

Image:Andersons of New Kent Hanover Counties Virginia.pdf
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Thomas’s life is fairly well-documented through St. Paul Vestry records, land records, and a will he left in 1757. He was a substantial land-owner, as all of the Anderson sons were. He served as Warden on the St. Paul Vestry, but then got into trouble when it appears he did not turn over all the vestry moneys he collected. Probably due to that issue, Thomas left Hanover in middle age to move to Goochland and Amelia Counties, some part of which became Albemarle County in 1744 and that is where Thomas lived until he died.

This Thomas Anderson must be distinguished from the Thomas Anderson of Gloucester County, born 1733, died 1794, whose will was probated in Albemarle County and who married Francis Jones. See William Pope Anderson, Anderson Family Records, 1936 at p. 6; Colonial Virginia Andersons Rootsweb site by Pat Anderson[1] This other Thomas is likely unrelated to the Hanover County Andersons.

Thomas Anderson, among all the sons, has the most limited information in family genealogies. He is barely mentioned in the classic works of E.L. Anderson and W.P. Anderson, merely as one son of Robert. His family line is not traced at all in either book. The best source of information is the Colonial Virginia Anderson Families site on Rootsweb, created by Pat Anderson, “Thomas Anderson”[2] Especially frustrating, there is virtually no record of his wife or wives. Modern websites have centered on Agnes Gannaway as his first wife and Mary LNU as his second. Other than one record documenting Mary’s first name, however, there is no original record identifying either of his spouses, or whether he had one or two. Agnes Gannaway, in fact, is a bit of a ghost – there is no record of such a person of the right age anywhere, including in the Gannaway historical genealogies. An analysis of this issue is included under “Research Notes” below.

Thomas was certainly born in New Kent County, where father Robert lived and Thomas’s six older brothers were all born and largely resided. The best estimate of Thomas’s birth year is 1685, based on the earliest record we have for him and his older brother Matthew's likely birth year in 1684. Thomas does not appear in the 1704 New Kent County quitrents roll, indicating that he was not yet 21 at that time and was thus born after 1683. He first appeared in a 1706 deed as a witness, assuming this is the correct Thomas. Beverly Conolly, KING WILLIAM COUNTY VIRGINIA RECORDS, 1702-1806, pg. 305-307. This record would suggest a birth year of 1684 or 1685 at the latest, making him 22 or 21 in 1706. Thomas then appeared in the 1708/09 St. Paul Vestry processioning records, where he was in the same precinct as most of his brothers. Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry at 213-215. Given that Thomas' older brother Matthew was born early in 1684, and allowing 18-24 months for the next child, Thomas was thus likely born in late 1685. He was probably 21 at his marriage, see below.

Thomas’s relationship to the Andersons of New Kent, i.e., the sons of Robert Anderson I, has historically arisen from his geographic proximity to the other brothers in the St. Paul Vestry processioning records and frequent mentioning along with them in other land and vestry records. We do not have an actual original record (e.g., a will) naming the sons of Robert I, so the geographical and vestry records are the best source of tying these individuals together. More recently, the Tobacco Letter Book of Robert Anderson II (Jr.) helped clarify things by specifically naming Robert, John, Matthew, David, and probably Richard as brothers of the letters’ author. But Thomas is not identified, probably because he was still too young to have been involved in Robert’s tobacco trading (Thomas was only 14 when Robert began writing those letters). Thus, the Tobacco Letter Book does not help us confirm Thomas as a brother of Robert, as it does the named brothers. Thomas’s children and grandchildren contain a lot of names associated with the Andersons, but most of them are common names for the time (e.g., David, William, Susannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Anne) and thus do not provide concrete evidence.

YDNA testing, however, has been much more helpful. YDNA results provide fairly solid evidence of Thomas’s relationship to the other Andersons. To date, more than a dozen living Anderson males are clearly linked by YDNA testing to an MRCA 8-9 generations back, which leads to Robert I or Robert Sr. (1642-1712). Five of those living males have paper trails that appear to lead back to Thomas Anderson. Three have confirmed paper trails, and two others are missing only the last link or two. Thus, even without a fixed paper trail tying Thomas to Robert and the other New Kent Andersons, the YDNA evidence strongly supports Thomas as another son of Robert I.

Land Records and Movements

Thomas, like his brothers, was almost certainly born in New Kent County, formed in 1654. He would have grown up on the land occupied by his father, Robert Anderson I, at the eastern end of what would later become Hanover County near the confluence of the Tottopotamys Creek and Pamunkey Creek. Gregory’s book on St. Martin’s Parish contains a good discussion of the geography for Robert Anderson at p. 336-337. Nadine Campbell Gregory, Some Ancient Landowners in Saint Martin's Parish, Hanover County, Virginia, Hanover County Historical Society (2015).

The first evidence of Thomas himself owning land is the 1708/09 St. Paul processioning record – the first one for this parish. Father Robert I is in precinct #2, along with the oldest son Robert Jr. (the land near the Pamunkey and King William County noted above). The rest of the sons of Robert I by this time are all of age and have moved west, between Mechumps and Crumps Creeks and north of Tottopotamys Creek. That grouping of Andersons is located primarily in vestry precinct #17 – Capt. Robert (Jr.), John, Matthew, Thomas, and Capt. William. This grouping of brothers or their heirs continued until 1735 (although the precinct numbers changed as the vestry grew), when there appears to have been a major breakup of this early Anderson family land.

In the first vestry record (1708/09), Thomas at age 23 already appears to be on his way to becoming a significant land holder. He must have come into money early, because he is recorded in precinct #21 as “replacing Widow Tapp, having purchased her land.” He also appears in a third precinct, #22, which is likely the farthest west – Thomas not only owns three parcels of land, but he is already investing in land at the edge of settled area.

Thomas’s first appearance in the parish meeting minutes, in 1718, helps us place his location at that time. The Vestry ordered Thomas to clear a road: "Tho: Anderson ordered to clear a Bridle Road from Jn.o Anderson’s to Alex.r Cocks, its Ordered that Mr. Jn.o Macon’s male Titheable Cicilia Anderson’s ditto, Gilbert Gibson, Geo: Hambleton, assist the said Anderson in Clearing and maintaining the Said road." Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry records p. 86. The “Cicilia” in this record, who was to assist Thomas, was Thomas’s sister-in-law, originally Cecilia Massey and the widow of Thomas’s older brother Matthew Anderson. This gives us a clue as to Thomas’s location – he clearly lived very near his brother Matthew around the time of Matthew’s death about 1717. Matthew was the next oldest brother to Thomas so they were close in age. The John Anderson also mentioned in the 1718 processioning record is probably the John who was the fourth son of Robert Sr., and thus an older brother of both Matthew and Thomas. This is the only John Anderson in the family of the right age in 1718 to own land.

One other patent connects these neighbors as living close together: Gilbert Gibson in 1719 patented land next to Matthew and Thomas (also John Macon), again documenting that Thomas was in this area by then and was neighbor to Matthew. Library of Virginia, Online Land Grants[3] John, Thomas, and Cecilia all appear in the 1719 St. Paul processioning in the same precinct (#21), indicating that they were in fact neighbors. The processioning in 1731 again includes Thomas and “Cicely,” and John was replaced by his widow Sarah. Another Matthew now appears, probably Matthew Jr. (1708-1752) the son of Matthew and Cecilia, age 23, and a soon-to-be member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.

So where was this land? The property referenced in 1718 was likely in the relatively unsettled part of New Kent that soon became Hanover County (1720), given the task of clearing a road, but where is not entirely clear. This land must have been east of Stone Horse Creek, because it remained part of the St. Paul Vestry (bounded on the west by Stone Horse) even after St. Martin’s Parish was formed in 1726. All of the processionings of this land after 1726 are still in St. Paul’s. And the land was probably west of the original Robert Anderson I land closer to Pamunkey. Further research should be able to locate the general area of Thomas’s land. Matthew's widow Cecilia later moved to the west above the Newfound River, but she continued to processioning her husband's original land through the 1730s.

Thomas continued to appear in the St. Paul Vestry until 1739, but he seems to have begun a major life change, including a move out of Hanover County around 1733-1734. If Mary LNU was a second wife, Thomas and Mary likely married in 1733, followed shortly by birth of their first son William in 1734. In that year, Thomas also appeared as a witness to a deed in Goochland County west of Hanover and north of the James River. Goochland Co. Wills & Deeds 1728-1736 p. 12. This has to be Thomas Sr., as his son Thomas Jr. was only 19. Thereafter, Thomas engaged in several land patent and purchase/sale transactions in Goochland, and he may have moved there for a short period. He obtained 290 acres on Little Byrd Creek in 1735; obtained another 542 acres on Mill Branch the same year (uncertain whether this was Goochland County; there is a Woodson’s Mill Creek in colonial Virginia land orders); and sold the first 290 acres in 1736 (references under the chronology below). His son Thomas Jr. also obtained land in Goochland around this time on Tear-Wallet and Little Guinea Creeks.

Whether Thomas intended to live in Goochland, or was merely speculating in land or buying it for his son, is unclear. In either event, in 1739 Thomas turned his attention to Amelia County, south of the James River. On September 22, 1739,Thomas Anderson was granted 254 acres in Amelia County on the north side of Whetstone Creek in the fork of Nottaway River adjoining Peter Blindford’s line. Library of Virginia, Land Patents.[4] Six years later, on August 16, 1745, Thomas Anderson and others paid 70 pounds to build a bridge over Appomattox River at Burtons. Amelia County Will Book 1 Bonds p. 14. These two entries could be either Thomas Senior or Junior (age 25/31 or so). Pat Anderson in his Rootsweb site believes these are Thomas Junior due to his inclination to move south.

By 1748 Thomas Sr. now lived in Albemarle County, created in 1744 out of Goochland and Louisa Counties. The new Albemarle was located to the west of Louisa and Fluvanna Counties and was the home county of Thomas Jefferson. Thomas probably did not move, instead his Goochland properties now fell into Albemarle.

In August of 1748 Thomas Anderson Senior of Albemarle County patented 400 acres on the south side of the James River, on branches of Appomattox River. This land began at “Elkanah Anderson’s corner,” and adjoined Joseph Dabbo and Charles Anderson. Library of Virginia, Patents 26/661[5] Given the unusual name, the Elkanah Anderson referenced in this record may be the youngest son of John Anderson (m. Sarah Waddy), Thomas’s older brother and long-time neighbor in Hanover County. This is the only confirmed Elkanah in the Anderson line at this time. John and Sarah's Elkanah was born about 1720 and was thus around the same age as Thomas Sr.’s sons – they were first cousins and probably close friends given their geographic proximity in Hanover. But there is some evidence of another Elkanah, son of a different Capt. Thomas Anderson -- the youngest son of original son Richard Anderson 1675-1723. According to a Virginia Genealogical Project store record, this Thomas bought shoes for his two sons James and Elkanah in 1743. The land identified in the 1748 record could be this Elkanah, grown and owning his own land.

The Charles Anderson in this record must be Thomas’s son, born 1714 (age 35). Charles the son is listed in Thomas’s 1757 will as receiving 400 acres adjoining Dabbo’s (Dabbs’) line, which is likely the same Joseph Dabbo mentioned in the 1748 land grant. According to Thomas’s will, this 400 acres is the land Thomas lived on at his death, his “Plantation.” Library of Virginia, Land Patents[6] Thomas apparently added to Charles’s existing acreage with the grant in this will.

The 1748 patent was the last land transaction for Thomas. He died about nine years later and thus lived out the rest of his life in Albemarle County.

Thomas’s Role on the Vestry and Legal Trouble

Thomas Anderson served on the St. Paul Vestry for over ten years before his move to Goochland and Albemarle Counties. But that service was not without drama. On January 2, 1726/27, at age 42 Thomas was appointed to the Vestry: “Thomas Anderson, and Charles Hudson were Elected and appoint.d Vestry men in the room of William Harris, & James Overton having both first Subscribed the Test.” The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, VA, 1706-1786, p, 116, tr. and ed. by C.G.Chamberlain, Clearfield Pub. 1940[7] Thomas’s older brother and neighbor John Anderson was also appointed Warden and thus two Anderson brothers served at the same time. Thomas continued as a warden and seemed to be in charge of collecting fees due to the Parish. He attended meetings on April 23, 1728 (p. 117-18) (John replaced as warden at this meeting), June 15, 1728 (p. 118-19), April 8, 1729, July 29, 1729, Sept. 16, 1730, and May 15, 1731. Thomas missed a couple of meetings in this time frame, but still became warden at the 1731 meeting.

That seems to be when trouble began. Thomas continued to attend the meetings as warden. But on April 11, 1732, the Vestry “[o]rder’d that Cap,t Thomas Anderson Account with the Vestry of this Parish for two Fines, which is now in the hands of the said Anderson, & due to this Parish.” Vestry Book at 135. It seems that Thomas may not have been turning over all the money in fines he was collecting as warden. The Vestry allowed Thomas to continue as warden “the ensuing year,” but the handwriting was on the wall. Thomas paid 1000 for fines on October 4, 1732, then was replaced as warden in 1733 and ordered to surrender all the money he had collected. Id. at 135, 138. Thomas then missed the next meeting, prompting the Vestry to respond: “Order’d that Cap,t Thomas Anderson deliver the money in his hands belonging to this parish, into the hands of Mr. William Meriwether for the use of the parish.” Id. at 138.

Thomas’s last vestry meeting was in 1735. By this time he probably had moved to Goochland County, along with his (second?) wife Mary and their growing family, possibly to escape his looming fate in Hanover. But his troubles were not over, because Thomas ended up in jail in 1738: “Letter of Henry Power desiring that Thomas Anderson, who is in custody, no longer be detained in prison.” Goochland Co. Wills & Deeds 1736-1742, p. 164[8] The summary of this record does not indicate why Thomas was in prison, but it may well have had to do with fine money he withheld from the St. Paul Vestry.

Thomas also served in various official capacities outside the Vestry. In 1726 and again in 1729, he served as Justice of the Peace for Hanover County along with brother John Anderson. Louis des Cognets, Jr., English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records, pp, 34, 46, Clearfield Publishing 1958[9] He also earned the title “Captain” by 1729, when he was called Captain Thomas in the notes for the July 19, 1729 meeting of the St. Paul Vestry. Vestry Book at 123. It is unclear whether he obtained this title through military service or as merely an honorific. In his Justice of the Peace capacity, Thomas swore in Col. John Syme to the Vestry on Aug. 1, 1730. Id. at 12; see Gregory p. 124.

Thomas thus left behind a mixed record of service and vestry/legal difficulties. His nephew Thomas took over Captain Thomas’s role on the Vestry beginning in 1739, and Thomas the elder finished out his life in Albemarle County with his children.

Thomas’s Marriage and the Dispute Over Agnes Gannaway

No record exists documenting either of Thomas’s two supposed marriages. Evidence of the first marriage is nonexistent, and evidence of the second is limited to a first name (Mary) and a date in which the two appear as married (1737).

Thomas Anderson and Whether His First Wife was Agnes Gannaway: Thomas and his first wife likely married in 1705, based on the birth date of oldest child Anne, Dec. 6, 1705. Anne married James Allen, and the Allen family genealogy is very well-documented. Those records give her birth date in December 1706, which seems like there must be a bible record or other document supporting that date. None is cited, however. Nevertheless, using that as an anchor date, Thomas and first wife probably married in 1705. No record of the marriage exists.

According to modern websites and genealogies, Thomas’s first wife was one Agnes Gannaway. See, e.g., Colonial Virginia Anderson Families on Rootsweb, site created by Pat Anderson, “Thomas Anderson”[10]; Ancestry.com listings of Thomas Anderson and Agnes (or Anne) Ganaway[11] Where this link to an Agnes Gannaway originated is not clear. None of the historical genealogies of the Anderson family (Edward L. Anderson, William Pope Anderson’s 3 volumes, Bessie Lamar’s “Climbing the Family Tree; Thomas McArthur, Ye Andersons of Virginia) ever mention Thomas’ wife, and certainly do not include an Agnes or any Gannaway as his spouse. Ancestry.com trees and other sites such as FamilyTree just link to each other and/or do not appear to include any source for her name or marriage to Thomas. The identity of Thomas's first wife is thus very much uncertain. See Research Notes below for further analysis.

Thomas’s first wife appears to have died around 1725 or 1726. Again, no record supports this conclusion – it seems to be drawn from the history of Thomas having children presumably every two years until James was born in 1725. After that, there is a large gap until 1734, when the next child, William, came along (see analysis below).

Thomas Anderson’s Second Wife Mary LNU: Thomas’s second wife’s name, assuming there even was a first wife, was Mary. That name is clearly identified in a release of dower rights, filed in Goochland County, on Dec. 2, 1736. That release states that “Mary Anderson, wife of xxxxxxx Anderson in deed for 290a conveyed to John Smith by deed 16th November. Recorded 2 Dec. 1736.” Goochland County Wills & Deeds 1736-1742, p. 1. The blanked-out first name of her husband is probably due to bad handwriting or damage to the document. But we can easily identify the husband’s name by the transfer between Thomas Anderson and John Smith that preceded this dower release: “Thomas Anderson, Sr. of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover, to John Smith of the same, land on both sides of the Little Byrd near the head thereof, adj. Chas. Massie and John Syme, dec’d, Valentine Ames, dec’d, the same was granted to said Anderson 10 June 1735. Wits: Allen Howard, James Goodall, Thos. Sanders. Signed: Thos. Anderson Recorded 16 Nov. 1736.” Goochland Wills & Deeds p. 260. Thus, Thomas obtained this land in 1735, sold it on December 2, 1736 to John Smith, and Mary his wife released her dower rights on the same day. This deed makes sense – this is the time frame in which Thomas was speculating in Goochland lands, before he later committed to Albemarle County. He and wife Mary were married no later than 1735 for her to have a dower right in this land.

From this we know that (1) Thomas had a wife named Mary, and (2) she was married to him and alive between June 1735 and December 1736. The will and children’s ages give us more clues. Thomas’s will seems to group his children into two clusters, the older ten, and the “younger” four children as he calls them, William, David, Micajah, and Judah. It seems likely that the younger children were those Thomas had with his second wife Mary, after a gap in which he was a widow. The older two of these four children, William and David, were assigned responsibilities in the will to take care of Thomas’s remaining property, thus they must have been at least 21 at the time. The two younger ones were to be cared for and must have been underage. Best estimate, giving two years in between children, is that William was probably 23, David 21, Micajah 19, and Judah 17 at the time of the will in 1757. Their likely mother, Mary, was probably deceased by 1757 as she does not appear in the will.

We can thus push the marriage date for Thomas and Mary, assuming again that she was a second wife, back to 1733 to account for the birth of their oldest son William in 1734. She died between 1740, the birth year for youngest son Judah, and 1757 when Thomas executed his will. Her last name remains unknown. It is tempting to conclude that Mary was the Gannaway in this family, not the first wife – Thomas’s connections with the Gannaways probably did not arise until he began buying land or moved to Goochland County, around 1735, which is not long after Thomas married Mary. That would explain why the Gannaways used the Anderson name several times. But there is no Mary in the Gannaway genealogies of the right age and time frame. So she remains almost as much a mystery as Agnes.

Thomas’s Children

From First Wife (possibly Agnes Gannaway) This profile's order of the children of Thomas and his first wife is taken from Pat Anderson’s Rootsweb site on Colonial Virginia Andersons, Thomas Anderson under the York River. Note, however, that Pat does not explain how he derived this order, nor are there any citations that would support it. The order of the women, at least, may instead follow the order as given in the will: Anne (given an enslaved person); Francis (same); then Susannah, Elizabeth and Agnes. There is another likely Anderson daughter who was wife of William Cornwell, listed separately in the will; she is not named, probably deceased.)

  • Ann Anderson Allen, born Dec. 1706 New Kent County, VA, died before 1776 in Hanover County, VA, m. James Allen on Dec 7, 1721 in Hanover, Allen b. 1699 d. 1771 (from Pat Anderson’s Rootsweb site). Ann’s name is sometimes spelled with an “e”. Her birth date is sometimes specified as either December 6 or 17, which may reflect a Bible record. James Allen of Scotland and Virginia a Partial List of His Descendants at[12] This couple had fourteen children – Dorcas (1722), James Anderson, Elizabeth, Daniel, Charles, Frances Anderson, Anna (two Annas?), Martha, Richard, Anna, Anne, Sarah, Benjamin, Charles (1748). Ann is named in Thomas’ will as Ann Allen. There is a good website on James and Ann Allen on the Womack Family History site.[13] See also Family Search profile at[14]; Geni.com profile atalso http://www.womacknet.net/cherrygrove.htm None of these sites or family histories identify where the specific birth and marriage dates came from. This profile uses Ann’s birth date as an anchor date, establishing her as first in birth order and dating the marriage of her parents in 1705.
  • Elizabeth Anderson Woodson, born about 1708 (per Pat Anderson Rootsweb site), married John Woodson about 1724. If this date is correct, Elizabeth was only 16 years old when she married. John Woodson was the son of Richard Woodson, born 1697 in Henrico, was married probably about 1720 to Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of Thomas Anderson. Historical Genealogy of Woodsons and Their Connections by Henry Morton Woodson, p. 35. Relevant sites do not provide any source or basis for birth or marriage dates, also no dates for their five listed children. Id. p. 55 (claims a marriage date of 1720 but Elizabeth would have been too young); WikiTree Woodson-158[15]. This daughter was named as Elizabeth Woodson in Thomas’s will, got one shilling. In the will, she is third among the younger women who only got money, not second, thus this birth order may be wrong. Elizabeth and John’s children were Anderson, John, Anne, Druscilla, and Martha. The Woodson family is documented in a book, but that book gives the marriage year as 1720 (p. 35), when Elizabeth would have been no more than 12. 1724 seems the better marriage date. Historical Genealogy of the Woodsons and Their Connections at p. 70[16]
  • Susanna Anderson Williams, born about 1710, died Shelby County, Kentucky, married John Williams of Goochland County Virginia (named in Thomas’s will as Susannah Williams, got one shilling). The Williams are closely tied to the Andersons, Gannaways, and Woodsons in Albemarle. Roger Williams Sr. witnessed Thomas’s will. The Williams Family, Chapters 1-6[17] Roger Williams lived close to Thomas in the St. Paul parish; in 1730 the Vestry ordered Capt. Thomas Anderson to share tithes with Roger Williams to build a road. This Roger may be the father of Susannah’s husband or an older brother.
  • Frances Anderson Hughes, born after 1712, married William Hughes. Frances is named in Thomas’s will as inheriting one enslaved person. Frances is listed second among the women in Thomas’s will – only she and older sister Anne received an enslaved person. Thus, Frances may have been the second oldest female and child. If the source below is correct, William Hughes who married Francis was born 1730, and their son William born 1753 in Hanover. Hughes, Bowles, Anderson Tree on US Gen at[18] The 1730 date seems really late if wife Frances was born 1712. Presumably, the 1730 birth year for William Hughes is wrong. William and Frances Hughes lived in Hanover County their entire lives, based on processioning records for St. Paul’s Parish in 1739, 1755, 1763, 1767, and 1771. E.g., New Kent County and Hanover County Road Orders 1706-1743 by Ann Brush Miller, p. 14, Boundaries of Processioning Precinct No. 22[19].
  • Thomas (Beverly?) Anderson b. abt 1714. This appears to be an “anchor date” for this family, capable of confirmation – Thomas Jr. (this Thomas) had land by March 1735 and thus must have been born by March 1715 at the latest. Thomas died in 1780 in Mecklenberg county. He married Sarah Clark before 1743, her parents were James Clark and Henrietta Hardyman. She was born 1720 and died after 1803 in Mecklenburg County. Thomas has several land records, and there is an interesting paragraph on the Pat Anderson Colonial Virginia Rootsweb site on the role of Thomas’s land in the Revolutionary War. Thomas’s oldest son James co-led the famous Patrick Henry “gunpowder” expedition in 1775, which provoked Governor Dunmore to order the arrest of Henry and participants. Son James also commanded Taylors Ferry fort as a Major during the war. The WikiTree profile includes a middle name Beverly, based on a family history so calling him, but no historical records are cited for that middle name. Son Thomas was named in father Thomas’s will, got one shilling. Thomas Jr. himself also had a will dated December 4, 1779, recorded May 8, 1780 in Mecklenberg County, Will Book 1 p. 331. He names his wife Sarah, and children Frances Taylor, James Anderson (the Major), Martha Jones, Susannah Lewis, Mary Lewis, Thomas Anderson, Anne Anderson, Lucy Maria Anderson, and Henrietta Maria Anderson. As Thomas was the oldest son, he would have ordinarily served as executor of his father Thomas’ will. But younger son Charles instead served in that role. Thomas Jr. was likely already in Lunenberg County (predecessor to Mecklenberg) when his father prepared his will in 1757 and thus could not handle the executor role. A Thomas Anderson signed an Albemarle/Amherst dissenters petition to the new VA Assembly seeking freedom of religion. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-01-02-0233 It is not clear which Thomas this was, as Thomas Jr. above was not in Albemarle and his sons and nephews were very young.
  • Charles Anderson, born about 1716 in New Kent County, died 1786 in Cumberland County. Cumberland was formed out of Goochland in 1749 so Charles's Albemarle/Goochland land may simply have fallen in Cumberland. Charles served as the executor of father Thomas’s will, probably because older brother Thomas Jr. was in Lunenberg County by 1757. Charles is the first named male in Thomas’s will. Charles married Elizabeth Chambers about 1735, and their children were Frances Redd, Maria Amelia Pattilo, Parsons Anderson, and Keziah Anderson Raine (Pat Anderson’s Rootsweb site adds Gideon, William, and Elizabeth). This order may not represent the birth order as several sites indicate Keziah was the oldest. Charles had a number of land records on the Appomattox River, listed in the Pat Anderson Colonial Virginia website, from 1743 to 1747, and then in Goochland and Cumberland Counties. Assuming the Charles Anderson identified in the article cited below is Charles son of Thomas, Charles was a founding father and one of two elders of the Presbyterian Church "Hanover Presbytery" organized at the Cumberland Church on July 12, 1758. Virginia Chronicle, LIbrary of Virginia, Farmville Herald and Farmer-Leader, Volume 45, Number 32, 24 May 1935[20]
  • Unknown daughter born about 1718, married William Cornwell. The evidence for this daughter comes from Thomas’s will, in which Thomas gave land to one William Connell or Cornwell, no spouse mentioned so she must have died. No other known daughter is unaccounted for in the will.
  • Agnes Leah, born about 1720. Thomas’s will identifies her as Agnes “Leah,” probably her married name but could be a middle name. The Leah name is unusual, but there was a “Leak” family prominent in Hanover County with four presumed brothers/father listed; no Agnes though. Some sites report her as Agnes Leak and this seems the more likely name. She has left little record available via internet searches. This is the only use of the name Agnes among Thomas’s children.
  • Gideon Anderson, born about 1723 in New Kent County, died after 1755, named second after Charles in Thomas’s will. Gideon received 300 acres of land his father lived on, and he also served as co-executor. WikiTree has a profile on Gideon Anderson (Anderson-4524), which I will link to this one. But that profile had his birth year as 1705, which seems much too early, and it cites to no sources. His spouse and children, if he had any, are unknown, with the exception of a Keziah (daughter) born 1740. A Gideon Anderson witnessed a will in 1755 in Cumberland County, which could be this Gideon. This Gideon and his family apparently moved to Orange County, North Carolina and then to Georgia.
  • James Anderson, born about 1725 in Hanover County, died about 1783 in Cumberland County. James is probably the last child of Thomas and his first wife. Thomas’s will named James among the lesser devisees – he got one shilling along with older brother Thomas and four of the daughters. James left a will, see Colonial Virginia Andersons. James’s children were Thomas, Samuel, Mary, Sarah C., Elizabeth, James Baker, Susannah 1767, and Agnes 1769.

The birth order of the children of Thomas and his first wife is very uncertain. Ann would appear to be first, given the fixed birth date for her of December 6 (or 17), 1705. Thomas Beverly’s date of 1714 is supported by his first land record in 1735 (age 21). Other than that, there are no anchor dates or confirmed dates for the order of the children. The will lists Charles and Gideon first, because they got land; then son-in-law William Cornwell, who also got land; then two children who received enslaved persons (Ann and Frances), then Thomas, James, and the remaining four daughters who received only one shilling. It would make sense if the daughters, at least, were born in the order listed in the will – Ann, Francis, Susannah, Elizabeth, Agnes. Without more proof, however, this profile continues to list the children in the order provided in Pat Anderson’s Colonial Virginia site.

From Mary LNU – Thomas’s will names William, David, Micajah, and Judah as his four youngest children.

  • William Anderson, born 1734, instructed in the will to take care of remaining land. He was likely of age in 1757, as was younger brother David, which would make David 21 and William about 23 and born 1734. William died about 1810 per Pat Anderson’s Rootsweb Colonial Virginia Anderson site. That site identifies his spouse as “Fanney” LNU, one child. WikiTree and FamilyTree report a different marriage, to Celinda Dunham Anderson, and living in Amwell Township, Hunterdown, New Jersey. This information has to be incorrect. The source cited, Family Search[21], is a reference to a William Anderson father of a Sarah Jane Anderson in Connecticut, born 1835, 100 years after William was born and at least 25 years after he died. In addition, none of the Hanover Andersons are known to have moved north at all, much less to New Jersey/Connecticut. These sites also include a middle name Benjamin but not clear from what source.[22]
  • David Anderson, born after 1736, encouraged in father Thomas’s will to “tarry” on the plantation and help older brother William, thus David must have been of age by 1757 or 21 years old and born 1736. No information available on his life, spouse, or children.
  • Micajah Anderson, born about 1738 New Kent County, named in will as among his youngest children. The will instructs son William to care for Micajah and Judah, indicating that they were underage; thus Micajah was likely 19, born about 1738. No further information available.
  • Judah Anderson, born about 1740 – named in will as among youngest children, also underage at time of will, 17 yrs old. No further information available.

The birth order of these four younger sons seems reasonable since they are listed in this order in the will, and since William and David are clearly older given their emancipated status in the will.

Find-a-Grave and an earlier WikiTree profile add a Joseph as child of Thomas and his second wife, but that information seems clearly incorrect. Joseph’s birth is listed in these sites as 1698, which is before Thomas and his first wife were even married. Joseph’s residence is Essex County, where none of the Andersons, including Thomas lived. No Joseph is named in Thomas’s will, and it is unlikely that Thomas had another child after the will’s execution because Thomas was then 73 years old. Another well-documented site has the same Joseph (with the same spouses) in Essex County, attached to different parents (including father Joseph) and several land records in that county. Colonial Setters in Maryland and Virginia.[23] The prior profile also included a second Elizabeth, which seems highly unlikely as only one Elizabeth appears in the will and Thomas would not have named two daughters Elizabeth.

Thomas’s Death and Will

Thomas died between October 27, 1757, when he recorded his will in Albemarle County, and March 9, 1758 when the will was presented to court. The will names the six sons and five daughters listed above, but not in birth order. The first entries are for those sons who received land – Charles and Gideon. Next is the widower of Thomas’s unnamed daughter, William Cornwell, who also received land he was living on. Then Thomas named two daughters, probably the oldest two – Ann and Frances – who both received an enslaved person. The will then provides one shilling each to the remaining children of Thomas’s first wife – in order, Thomas (the oldest son but not given land because he had moved to Lunenberg County by this time), James, Elizabeth Woodson, Susannah Williams, and Agnes Leah or Leak.

Finally, the will identifies the four “youngest children,” probably the sons of his second wife Mary – William, David, Micajah, and Judah. William was to care for Thomas’ plantation and the two younger sons (underage), Micajah and Judah, while David was allowed to “tarry” on the property and help, indicating that he was recently of age (21). Will Book 2 page 38. Roger Williams who witnessed the will was likely either son of Susannah and her husband John Williams or brother of John (see discussion on the Pat Anderson Colonial Virginia Anderson Rootsweb site). John Gannaway Sr. and John Gannaway Jr. also witnessed the will indicating at least a close friendship and neighbor status, but whether there was an actual marriage connecting the two families by 1757 is unclear.

Will of Thomas Anderson

Probated in Albemarle County March 9, 1758
Albemarle County Will Book 2, p. 38

In the name of God amen. I Thomas Anderson of the County of Albemarle being in a weak ? condition of body but through the abundant goodness and mercy of God in perfect memory to Constitute and appoint this my last will and Testament & Desire it may be recorded by all as such.

Imprimis I most Humbly bequeath my soul to God my maker beseeching his most Gracious Exceptance of it through the all sufficient mercy and mediation of my most Compassionate redeemer Jesus Christ who Gave himself to be an atonement for my sins & is able to save to the utmost all that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them and whom I trust will not reject me a returning penitant sinner when I come to him for mercy in this hope & Confidence I render up my soul with Comfort humbly beseeching the most blessed & Glorious Trinity one God most Holy most merciful and Gracious to prepare me for the time of my Desselation & then take me to himselfe into that pease & rest incomparable felicity which he has prepared for all that Love & fear his Holy name. Amen blessed be God.

Imprimis I give my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken in full assurance of its resurrection from thence at the Last Day. As for my Burial I desire it may be dessant without prompoustate? at direction of my Executors hereafter mentioned who I doubt not will manage it with all requested prudance as to my Worldly Estate. I will and positively order that all my Lawfull Debts be paid.

Item: I Give and bequeath to my son Charles Anderson four hundred acres of Land Lying on the branches of Fishpond Creek joyning Peter Brooks's line & Joseph Dabbs's lines to him & his heirs forever.

Item: I Give & bequeath to my son Gideon Anderson three hundred acres of Land on where my Plantation is that I now live to be Laid(?) off in a regular form to him & his Heirs forever. My Will & Desire is that the remaining part of my Land may be regularly Divided Amongst my four Youngest Children William, David, Micajah & Judah Anderson & the Eldest take the first Choice which I Give & bequeath to them & their Heirs forever.

Item: I Give & bequeath to William Connell(??) the Tract of Land whereon he now Lives supposing to be Eighty or ninety acres to a new line from Chamberlayne's line to Thomas Lockart's(?) line to him & the Heirs of his Body Lawfully begotten forever.

Item: I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann Allen the Increase of her Negro wench Hannah to her & her Heirs forever.

Item: I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Frances Hughes one Negro man named Coopper to her & heirs forever.

Items: I Give & bequeath to my Children Thomas Anderson, James Anderson, Susannah Williams, Elizabeth Woodson & Agness Leah one shilling sterling apiece ??is that after my Lawfull Debts are paid that the reminder part of my Estate be kept together under the Care of my son William Anderson & that he may take Care of my Young Children provide for them as suitable mantenance & to keep a reasonable allowance for the same & that David Anderson may have a share in each crop if he thinks propper to Tarry with him and that the Family have liberty to Tarry on my said Plantation till they can settle their own my will that my sons Charles, Gideon & William Anderson be Executors of this my last will & Testament. & I Desire my Estate may not be appraised. In Witness thereof I have set my hand and seal this 25 Day of October one thousand seven hundred & fifty seven.<br/ Thomas Anderson
John Gannaway Jr
John Gannaway Senior
Roger Williams
[1]

At a Court held for Albemarle County the ninth Day of March 1758 This last Will and Testament was presented to Court by the Executors therein ? proved by the Oaths of John Gannaway & Roger Williams two of the witnesses thereto ordered to be recorded & on the motion of Charles Anderson, Gideon Anderson & William Anderson who made oath according to Law Certificate is Granted them for obtaining a Probat thereof in due form Giving security whereupon they with John Gannaway their security entered into & Acknowledged their Bond for the due & faithful performance of the said Will.
John Nicholas, Clerk[2]

Research Notes on Agnes Gannaway as Spouse of Thomas

As noted under the Biography above, many current sources identify Thomas's first wife as one Agnes Gannaway. The source of that information is unclear, and there is no historical support for it. None of the older Anderson family histories that mention Thomas as a son of Robert include the name of Agnes Gannaway as a spouse - the only references are in recent genealogies such as Ancestry.com.

The closest indication of the source of this name found through current research for this profile is a post in FamilySearch dating back to 1976. That post is a comment by one pgilbert2728379 stating: “Information received in March of 1976 suggests that Agnes Gannaway could have been the wife of Thomas Anderson.” Family Search, Elizabeth Agnes Gannaway, Collaborate[24] The message function for this individual is broken.

Wherever the link to Agnes came from, it has been repeated and republished many times without the slightest explanation or reference to an actual source. One Gannaway family descendant and researcher believes that the two John Gannaways, identified as John Sr. and John Jr., who witnessed Thomas’s will, were father and son and that Agnes was the older sister of John Sr. Colonial Virginia Anderson Webpage by Pat Anderson on Rootsweb[25] That is a possible theory, but there is no evidence to support it, only conjecture that such a sister existed.

So is there an Agnes Gannaway who could have been Thomas’s spouse, and where is the evidence for it? The strongest evidence seems to be (1) two Gannaway men served as witnesses for Thomas’s 1757 will; (2) the line of John Gannaway includes several Andersons as first or middle names, indicating a close family relationship; and (3) the name Agnes appears as a daughter of Thomas and among the grandchildren, although infrequently. Let’s analyze the evidence:

1. There is no Agnes Gannaway anywhere in the early records of New Kent or Hanover Counties. Unless someone identifies a record unknown to this researcher, Agnes Gannaway is apparently a made-up person. Someone possibly put together the (much) later connection of Thomas Anderson with Gannaways in Albemarle County, along with the the presence of the name Agnes as a daughter of Thomas. The Gannaway family is pretty well researched, including wills and many names – no Agnes appears anywhere in that genealogy anywhere around the time frame of Thomas’s marriage. Gannaway Family Trails[26]

It is possible that an Agnes Gannaway was the sister of the original immigrant John Gannaway – the Gannaway genealogies do not give the names of John’s siblings, only his children. Immigrant John Gannaway married Zaida Larriategui on January 5, 1704, but the Gannaway book does not say where. Gannaway Family Trails at p. 66[27] This John was born about 1683 or so if 21 at marriage. John the immigrant is thus of the right vintage to have a sister (probably a few years younger, since women typically married younger than men and John Gannaway married first) to marry Thomas around 1705. So there is a window within which “Agnes” could exist, but zero evidence that she did.

2. The Andersons and Gannaways had no common connection until long after Thomas supposedly married Agnes. The Gannaways first appear in St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent County, around 1721 – after St. Paul’s split off and Hanover County was created. Thomas and the other Andersons, in contrast, were in Hanover/St. Paul’s, not in old New Kent/St. Peter’s where the Gannaways were. There is not a single land or church record referencing any Gannaways in St. Paul’s or Hanover Counties. There is also no record of Thomas Anderson having any involvement in New Kent County (where the Gannaways were) after Hanover was created in 1720. The two families thus did not share any geographical, church, or family connection. So it is not clear how Thomas could even have met Agnes (if she existed), much less married her.

3. The other Anderson brothers all married into families that were very closely connected to them in Hanover/St. Paul’s – Dabney, Pouncey, Overton, Waddy, and Massey. Surely Thomas would have done the same? There were no known Gannaways in the same vicinity.

4. Thomas is not connected to the Gannaways until near his death, at age 73 in 1757, via his will. John Gannaway Sr. and Jr. witnessed the will. But this is 52 years after Thomas supposedly married Agnes, and 30 years after her likely death. Thus, this connection between Thomas Anderson and the two Gannaway men seems much more likely to have arisen after Thomas moved to Albemarle in 1748 or so, and the Gannaways became his neighbors.

5. Gannaway family histories, which seem to be well researched, do not include a single Agnes anywhere of the right age, or even to be a niece or grandniece of the wife of Thomas. Family Trails (Gannaway Genealogy) at[28] The three oldest sons of John the younger collectively had 31 children – not a single one named Agnes. Nothing in the Gannaway records identifies or supports any Agnes Gannaway even existed, much less married an Anderson.

6. Family names in Thomas’s line do not support Agnes Gannaway as his wife and mother of their first ten children. Naming conventions of the time regularly used the mother/grandmother’s first or last names as given names for children and grandchildren. Yet among all of Thomas’s offspring, the name Gannaway appears nowhere, not even as a male middle name, a common practice at the time. Thomas did name one of his daughters Agnes - the 8th child. Why would the family wait until the 8th child (and 5th daughter) to finally use the mother’s name? The mother’s name could just have easily been Anne, Elizabeth, Susannah, or Frances – the name of the first four daughters.

7. The names of Thomas’s grandchildren also do not provide much support for their grandmother as an Agnes. Oldest daughter, Anne, for instance, did not name any of her children Agnes or Gannaway (names were Dorcas, Elizabeth, Frances, Anne, Sarah) – very unusual if Agnes Gannaway was Anne’s mother. Second daughter Elizabeth named her children Anderson, John, Anne, Druscilla, and Martha. Fifth child Thomas Anderson named his children James, Frances, Sarah, Elizabeth, Martha, Thomas, Susanna, Mary, Anne, Lucy Maria, Henrietta Maria. Next child Charles named his children Gideon, William, Keziah, Frances, Elizabeth, Mary. This makes 13 daughters in total among these grandchildren and none named after their grandmother “Agnes.” The only grandchild named Agnes was the last daughter of youngest son Thomas by his first wife. This Agnes was born in 1769, 30 years or more after “Agnes” the wife of Thomas died. Either grandmother Agnes was someone the family wanted to forget, or that was not her name at all.

8. The Gannaway line does in fact include adoptions of the name Anderson but nothing that supports the existence of an Agnes Gannaway as aunt/great aunt of the Gannaway children. For instance, a son of John Gannaway Jr., b. 1748 (presumably the son of the John Jr. who witnessed Thomas Anderson’s will) was named Thomas Anderson Gannaway (b. 1783). Library of Virginia, Land and Patent Records, Gannaway Family Papers 1793-1869, Library description of Gannaway family[29] An Anderson Woodson later appears in the records, probably a son of John’s wife’s brothers. But this incorporation of the Anderson name appears several generations after Thomas Anderson supposedly married Agnes Gannaway and thus almost certainly derives from later associations between the families in Albemarle or nearby counties. E.g., a younger Thomas Anderson participated in the estate closure of John Gannaway Jr. in 1781/1787. In addition, Thomas Anderson Gannaway’s father’s sister was Elizabeth Anderson, who married a Woodson – the younger Thomas Anderson could have been named after his aunt. The connection between the Andersons and the Gannaways certainly exists but not until 40-50 years after Thomas supposedly married Agnes.

The sum of this is that it seems highly unlikely that Thomas’s first wife was Agnes Gannaway. Who, in fact, that wife was is unclear. The Library of Virginia has a significant collection of Gannaway papers; some clues might reside in that set of papers.[30]

Chronology and Key Events

  • 1685 – Estimated year of Thomas Anderson’s birth. See analysis above. Pat Anderson has 1684 but that conflicts with the birth date for older brother Matthew. Colonial Virginia Andersons Rootsweb Page by Pat Anderson[31]
  • 1685 – Estimated birth year for first wife (Agnes Gannaway?).
  • 1702 – St. Paul’s Parish was cut off from St. Peter’s. The Andersons and Thomas were in St. Paul’s after this, but no Gannaways ever appear in that parish.
  • 1704 – Thomas was not listed New Kent County quitrents, indicating that he must have been under 21, or born no earlier than 1684.
  • Jan. 5, 1704 - Immigrant John Gannaway (brother of Agnes?) married Zaida Larriategui. The Gannaway history does not say whether in UK or VA (Trails at p. 66),
  • May 1705 - estimated month of marriage of Thomas and his first wife (Agnes Gannaway?) based on the birth of first daughter Anne in December 1705. Thomas married his first wife (Agnes Gannaway?). Anne's birth is provided as a date certain in the Allen family papers but without citation or source. Is there a bible record?
  • Oct. 26, 1706 – Thomas Anderson witnessed a deed in King William County conveying 230 acres from William and Sarah Winston of King William Co. to James Edwards. Beverly Conolly, KING WILLIAM COUNTY VIRGINIA RECORDS, 1702-1806, pg. 305-307: “26 Sept. 1706. WILLIAM and SARAH WINSTON of St. John’s parish sell to JAMES EDWARDS of same 230 acres lying on Mangohick Cr. bounding upon CHARLES FLEMING being part of a parcel of land granted to WILLIAM WINSTON, SR., dec’d. and JOHN KIMBROUGH by patent dated 23 Oct. 1703, containing 1500 acres. Wits: THOMAS ANDERSON, JURY BARKER, and SHIRLEY TISDELL.” Thomas has no other record in King William, so it is not clear whether this is the correct Thomas Anderson. The Flemings and Winstons, however, owned land close to the Andersons in New Kent County on the border with King William.
  • Dec. 1706 – Thomas’s first child Ann (m. James Allen) was born, per Allen family genealogies. The source of the exact birth date is not provided and should be considered unconfirmed. Some sources provide a specific date of Dec. 6 or 17. See James Allen of Scotland and Virginia a Partial List of His Descendants at[32]
  • 1708 – Thomas appeared for the first time in the St. Paul processioning records (the first in this new parish) with his sibling Anderson brothers. The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, VA, 1706-1786, tr. and ed. by C.G.Chamberlain, Clearfield Pub. 1940 at 213[33] To own land, Thomas had to be 21 by this time or born no later than 1687; more likely he was 24, born 1684, Thomas had three properties at this young age – the first in Precinct #16 with his older brother David, where Thomas had bought land from the Widow Tapp and replaced her (213); the second property in Precinct #17 with his older brothers Capt. Rob. Anderson, Capt. William Anderson, Matthew Anderson, David Anderson, and John Anderson; (213); and the third property in Precinct #22 with no other Andersons (215).
  • 1708 – Thomas’s second child Elizabeth was born about 1708, date estimated based on birth order and two-year window for child-bearing by her mother.
  • 1710 – Thomas’s third child Susannah was born about 1710, date estimated based on presumed birth order.
  • 1712 – Thomas’s fourth child Frances was born about 1712, date estimated based on presumed birth order.
  • 1714 – Thomas’s fifth child and first son Thomas Jr. was born about 1714. This date has a basis in the record, because Thomas Jr. first obtained land in March 1736 (see below) and must have thus been born by March 1715 at the latest (to be 21 in 1736).
  • Apr. 3, 1716 – Thomas was listed in another St. Paul vestry processioning in Precinct #21, along with brothers John, Matthew, Capt. Robert; John and Matthew served as overseers, both older than Thomas. This precinct is #17 in the 1708/09 processioning, almost certainly the same land given the repeat of the Anderson names. The land was probably between Mechumps and Crumps Creeks and north of the Tottopotamys.
  • 1716 – Thomas’s second son and sixth child Charles was born. Still New Kent County, St. Paul Parish at this date.
  • 1718 – Thomas had another daughter whose name we do not know, who was probably born in between Charles and Agnes. Her existence is derived from the naming of William Cornwell in Thomas’s will. Cornwell was almost certainly a son-in-law and widower whose deceased wife (and daughter of Thomas) is not named.
  • Oct. 10, 1719 – At the Vestry meeting on this date, Thomas Anderson was ordered to clear a “Bridle Road from Jn.o Anderson’s to Alex.r Cocks, its Ordered that Mr. Jn.o Macon’s male Titheable Cicilia Anderson’s ditto, Gilbert Gibson, Geo: Hambleton, assist the said Anderson in Clearing and maintaining the Said road.” Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry, p. 86. The road clearing instruction was based on New Kent County court order dated March 12, 1718. This is the first entry in the Vestry minutes (not processioning, see above) for Thomas; he was about 35 years old. This entry also identifies neighbors Cicilia Anderson, who was the widow of Thomas’s older brother Matthew; and John Anderson, who was Thomas’s older brother. Matthew, Thomas, and John thus owned land in close proximity, consistent with the processioning records.
  • 1719 – Gilbert Gibson patented land adjacent to Matthew and Thomas Anderson in New Kent County, per the Colonial Virginia Anderson Rootsweb site[34] Note that Gibson appears next to these two Andersons in the previous Bridle Road order.
  • Oct. 10th, 1719 – Thomas appeared in the St. Paul Vestry processioning records in Precinct #20 with brother John and sister-in-laws and widows Cecilia (married Matthew) and Mary (married Robert II). Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry at 262. Neighbors include Alves, Holland, Chiles. John and Thomas served as overseers. Thomas no longer owns three tracts of land, only one.
  • 1720 – Thomas’s daughter Agnes was born about 1720, based on presumed birth order and assuming two years between children. The will names her as Agnes Leah, indicating either that this was her middle name and she was unmarried or that she married a Leah. The latter is much more likely as none of the other children have a middle name in the will, and the two daughters mentioned before are listed with their married names. “Leah,” however, may instead be “Leak,” see the analysis under children above.
  • 1721 – John Gannaway, presumably the older brother of Thomas’s first wife Agnes Gannaway (if she existed), lived in New Kent County per the Gannaway Trails book. This is the first known reference to John. Hanover County, where the Andersons lived, separated from New Kent in 1720.
  • 1723 – John Gannaway had son William in St. Peter’s (Registry; see Gannaway Trails article); this birth took place in New Kent County, not Hanover, because the new Hanover County was co-extensive with St. Paul’s and west of New Kent and St. Peter’s.
  • 1723 – Thomas Anderson’s third son Gideon was born in what by this time was the newly created Hanover County.
  • 1725 – Thomas’s son James was born 1725. James’s youngest daughter was named Agnes, the only Agnes in the family other than Agnes Leah mentioned in Thomas’s will.
  • Jan. 2, 1726-27 – Thomas Anderson was first appointed to the St. Paul Vestry. “Thomas Anderson, and Charles Hudson were Elected and appoint.d Vestry men in the room of William Harris, & James Overton having both first Subscribed the Test.” Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry, at p. 157.
  • 1726 – Thomas Anderson served as Justice of the Peace for Hanover County along with brother John Anderson. Louis des Cognets, Jr., English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records, p. 34, Clearfield Publishing 1958[35]
  • Apr. 23, 1728 – Vestry meeting attended by Thomas Anderson and John Anderson as warden, but John was replaced as warden at this meeting. Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry, pp. 117-18
  • June 15, 1728 – Thomas and John Anderson both present at St. Paul Vestry meeting (Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry, p. 118). Both appear again in the Sep. 28, 1728 meeting.
  • 1729 – Thomas Anderson again served as Justice of the Peace for Hanover along with brother John Anderson. Cognets p. 46. Potentially, both served the entire time from 1726 to 1729 and maybe longer.
  • April 8, 1729 – Thomas and John were both still on the vestry, attended this meeting. John now identified as “Capt.” Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry, p. 121.
  • June 16, 1729 – Thomas missed this vestry meeting; only John attended (p. 122).
  • July 19, 1729 – “Cap.t John Anderson and Cap.t Tho.s Anderson” on the vestry and attended this meeting. (p. 123) This is the first use of the title Captain for Thomas.
  • Sep. 27, 1729 – Thomas missed this vestry meeting. Col. John Syme joined the vestry. (p. 126)
  • Aug. 1, 1730 – “Col. John Syme took the Oaths appointed by law and the vestry mans Oath before Capt. Tho.s Anderson of his Majesties Justices of the peace for this County of Hanover.” (p. 126).
  • Sep. 16, 1730 – Captain John Anderson and Captain Thomas Anderson both on the vestry at this meeting (pp. 128-29): “Order’d that the Tiths of Cap,t Tho:s Anderson assist Roger Williams in Clearing the road whereof he is surveyor.” Roger Williams later witnessed Thomas’s will in 1757 in Albemarle County.
  • Before 1730 – Pat Anderson’s Rootsweb site gives this as the death date for first wife Agnes Gannaway. There is no known record of her death. Pat does not provide his reasoning for selecting 1730. Thomas’s first wife was alive in 1725 based on the birth of last child James that year, and assuming two years between children, and deceased by 1733 or so when Mary LNU appears as Thomas’s wife (based on birth year for this couple’s first child William in 1734).
  • May 5, 1731 – Vestry meeting, John Anderson has died, is replaced by John Bowles. Col. John Symes and Capt. Thomas Anderson named as wardens (pp. 129-30).
  • Oct. 5, 1731 – Vestry meeting, order for Glebe to be built. Thomas served as warden with John Syme (p. 132).
  • Oct. 29, 1731 – In this St. Paul processioning, Thomas Anderson appeared in Precinct #10 with Matthew’s widow Ciciley, Robert’s oldest son and Thomas’s nephew Nathaniel; another nephew Matthew Anderson (son of deceased Matthew and Ciciley); Robert Anderson who is probably the second son of Thomas’s older brother David and Susannah Anderson; and Sarah Anderson the widow of Thomas’s older brother John. Thomas served as overseer and is the only male identified as “Gentleman.” Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry at p. 277.
  • Oct. 29, 1731 – Vestry meeting, John Syme and Thomas Anderson serving as wardens (p. 130).
  • April 11, 1732 – Vestry meeting, Thomas Bowles sworn in to replace Thomas’s older brother John, who died shortly before this meeting. This vestry is the first indication that Thomas was in trouble with the vestry over financial improprieties: “Order’d that Cap,t Thomas Anderson Account with the Vestry of this Parish for two Fines, which is now in the hands of the said Anderson, & due to this Parish.” Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry at p. 135. The Vestry nevertheless continued Thomas as warden: “Order’d that Cap,t Tho,s Anderson Continue as Church Warden then ensuing year, and that Col.o David Meriwether act as Church Warden also, Until Mr. William Meriwether be Sworn as a Vestry man, and then to be relieved.”
  • Oct. 4, 1732 – Vestry meeting, Thomas served as warden along with David Meriwether (pp. 132-134). The Vestry paid money “to Cap.t Tho.s Anderson’s Acct. 250,” and also to record money turned over “By Cap.t Tho;s Anderson for Fines 1000.” Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry at p. 133.
  • 1733 – Estimated date for Thomas’s second marriage, to Mary LNU, if she was in fact a second wife and not his only one. Mary’s first name is confirmed by a later record, but whether she was his second or only wife is not certain. The date is derived from the four youngest children in the will and their ages, including oldest of the four William, who was probably born 1734.
  • June 2d 1733 – Vestry meeting, Thomas still warden and signed the minutes, but he was replaced as warden at this meeting: “Wm Meriwether and John Bowles Gent. Appointed Church Wardens instead of David Meriwether and Thomas Anderson Gent.” Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry at pp.135-136).
  • Oct. 9, 1733 – Vestry meeting, Thomas did not attend. At this point, it appears that Thomas was withholding money: “Order’d that Cap,t Thomas Anderson deliver the money in his hands belonging to this parish, into the hands of Mr. William Meriwether for the use of the parish.” (p. 138)
  • 1734 – Thomas and Mary’s son William was born about 1734, date based on his being the oldest of the “four youngest children” and about 23 at the time of Thomas’s will. William managed Thomas’s property after Thomas’s death in 1757.
  • 1734 – Thomas and Charles Anderson posted a bond regarding construction of Chicahomony Bridge (see Pat Anderson Rootsweb site). This Charles is not likely Thomas’s son Charles, who was only 18. This Charles is instead probably Thomas’s nephew, the third son of older brother Matthew Anderson, b. 1712 d. 1760. Charles was born in Hanover, Matthew was Thomas’s neighbor, so they knew each other well and probably collaborated on this bridge effort.
  • May 4, 1734 – The next-to-last St. Paul vestry meeting that Thomas attended. He did not attend the next meeting on (month missing) 19th, 1734 (p. 139).
  • Sep. 17, 1734 – Thomas witnessed the deed of John Sorrell in Goochland Co. Wills & Deeds 1728-1736 p. 12 (see Colonial Virginia Andersons Rootsweb site). This record indicates that Thomas was operating in, and may have lived in, Goochland by 1734.
  • 1734/1736 – John Gannaway appeared in the St. Peter’s register in New Kent County, two enslaved persons born. This is likely the John Sr. who witnessed Thomas’s 1757 will, not yet living in Albemarle County.
  • June 10, 1735 – Thomas patented 290 acres on both sides of Little Byrd Creek Goochland County near the head of the creek. Virginia Patents 16/468; see Colonial Virginia Rootsweb site: “Thomas Anderson, Gent. 290 acres, Goochland Co., both sides of (torn) by the Little Byrd, Johnson, dec., and Valentine Amos.” Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, v.4, #3, p. 18 (reproduced in Gregory p. 135); original record at Library of Virginia Land Patents website[36] This record gives the date as January 10, but the Nov. 16, 1736 record below refers back to this transaction as June 10, 1735.
  • Aug 19, 1735 – “Anderson’s line” mentioned in deed description, may be Thomas’s land, Albemarle County, south side of James River. Goochland Co. Wills & Deeds 1728-1736 p. 131 (see Colonial Virginia Andersons Rootsweb site)
  • Oct. 18, 1735 – Thomas Anderson attended his last St. Paul Vestry meeting. Chamberlayne p. 144. It seems strange that that Thomas would attend if he was refusing to turn over money that he owed, must have been a strained meeting.
  • Oct. 18, 1735 – Thomas was clearly moving out of Hanover County by this time but he continued to appear in the St. Paul processioning records. He was in Precinct #5, and was neighbors with Cicilia Anderson, Nathaniel Anderson, Rob. Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Sarah Anderson, plus John Syme, Alvis, others. Thomas is the only Anderson identified as “Gent.” in this record. Thomas served as overseer along with his nephew Nelson Anderson, although Nelson was not a processioner. There was a major breakup of the Anderson grouping in this processioning - James Anderson substituted for Cicilia (her son?), W. Taylor for Nathaniel Anderson (sold or deceased?), David Thomson for Robert Anderson; James Balfour for Nathaniel Anderson, W. Winston for Matthew Anderson, Thomas Anderson for Peter Harralson. 286.
  • Nov. 12, 1735 – Thomas Anderson obtained a land grant, county not identified, Mill Branch, 542 acres (index says 342 but original looks like 542), seventy families brought in by two surveyors, then this acreage granted to Thomas Anderson; not sure where or why.[37]
  • 1736 – Thomas and Mary’s son David born; this is the son who was told to “tarry” on the estate in Thomas’s will. Date is based on he and his older brother William being of age in 1757 whereas two younger brothers were not.
  • March 17, 1736 – Thomas Anderson named as neighbor in Daniel Terry grant in Goochland County, Wallet or Tear Wallet Creek. This is almost certainly Thomas Jr., not Sr., see the next entry. Library of Virginia Land Patent Records[38]
  • Sep. 08, 1736 – Thomas Jr. patented 400 acres between Tear-Wallet Run and Little Guinea Creek Adj. Paul Pig, Library of Virginia Land Patents 17/170. “Thomas Anderson, Jr. of Hanover County, 400 acres in Goochland bet. Tear Wallet Run and Little Guinea Cr., bounded by Paul Pigg (Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, V. 4, p. 75) (reproduced at Gregory p. 135).
  • Nov. 16, 1736 – Thomas Anderson Sr. sold his land in Goochland: “Thomas Anderson, Sr. of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover, to John Smith of the same, land on both sides of the Little Byrd near the head thereof, adj. Chas. Massie and John Syme, dec’d, Valentine Ames, dec’d, the same was granted to said Anderson 10 June 1735. Wits: Allen Howard, James Goodall, Thos. Sanders. Signed: Thos. Anderson Recorded 16 Nov. 1736.” Goochland Wills & Deeds p. 260. See Gregory p. 135, who says other deeds in Goochland records give several deeds from same to same.
  • Dec. 2, 1736 – Release of dower rights of Mary Anderson wife of xxxxx Anderson in deed for 290 acres conveyed to John Smith by deed 16th November, Goochland County Wills & Deeds 1736-1742 p 1. The “xxxx” seems to be a marred or omitted name, but the previous November entry clearly identifies this is Thomas Anderson.
  • June 2¸1737 – Thomas witnessed a land transaction in Goochland. Goochland County Wills & Deeds 1736-1742 p. 37:
  • 1738 – Thomas and Mary’s son Micajah was born, next to last child, still underage at time of Thomas’s 1757 will, probably 19 at that time.
  • June 20, 1738 – Thomas Anderson witnessed a deed in Goochland County. Goochland County Wills & Deeds 1736-1742 p. 132: “Deed June 20 1738 John Bostick of St. James Parish, Goochland Co. to William Bostick Jr. of same, for £40, 350 acres in same parish, bounded by low grounds of Great Guinea Creek and mouth of Tarwallet. Wit: John Robards, Nathan Johnson, Thomas Anderson Jr. Signed John Bostick. Recorded 20 June 1738.” Related to Thomas’s Jr.’s land on Tear-Wallet.
  • Sep. 19, 1738 – Letter from Henry Power desiring that Thomas Anderson who is in custody no longer be detained in prison. Goochland County Wills & Deeds 1736-1742 p. 163. This record may indicate that Thomas Sr. was in trouble for allegedly absconding with funds from the St. Paul Vestry.
  • June 20, 1738 – Thomas Anderson, Jr. witness to deed of John Bostick, Goochland County Wills 7 Deeds 1736-1742 p. 134. Thomas son of Thomas was born 1714, would be 24 in 1738.
  • 1739 – Thomas Anderson, the nephew of Thomas Sr. (and son of older brother Richard), took over Thomas Sr.’s vacated place on the St. Paul vestry. This Thomas continued on the vestry till 1754.
  • Sep. 1, 1739 – This St. Paul Vestry processioning shows that Thomas still had land in Hanover County. He appears in Precinct #5 with nephews Nathaniel Anderson and Matthew Anderson, and Sarah Anderson the widow of brother John. Thomas is named as “Gent.” and served as overseer with David Thompson. Chamberlayne, St. Paul Vestry at p. 294.
  • Sep. 22, 1739 - Thomas Anderson granted 254 acres in Amelia County north side Whetstone Creek in the fork or Nottaway River adjoining Peter Blindford’s line. Library of Virginia, Land Patents[39] This could be son Thomas, b. 1714, age 25; Pat Anderson’s Rootsweb site has Amelia land records under Thomas Jr.
  • 1739 – John Gannaway Immigrant and son John Gannaway patented land in Goochland County in 1739. Library of Virginia Land Patents. This is the earliest Gannaway land grant in the Library of Virginia records.
  • 1740 – Thomas and Mary’s youngest son Judah was born. Thomas was 56. The date is estimated based on two older brothers who were of age in 1757 when the will was signed, and two (including Judah) were not.
  • Sep. 18, 1743 – Thomas Anderson continued to appear in the St. Paul processioning records, indicating that he had not yet sold his land there. He was in Precinct #5 with brother Matthew’s widow Ciceley and hear nephews Nathaniel Anderson and Matthew Anderson, and brother John’s widow Sarah Anderson. Chamberlayne , St. Paul Vestry at p. 304.
  • Aug 14, 1746 – John Gannaway first appeared in the Albemarle County records in a road clearing order, required to assist. O.S., p. 142 (road from Beards Road on the Ridge between Appomattox and Willis’s the nearest and best way to Albemarle Court House.
  • Aug 16 1745 – Thomas Anderson and others paid 70 pounds to build a bridge over Appomattox River at Burtons, Amelia County Will Book 1 Bonds p. 14. If this is Thomas Sr., then this is his only appearance in Amelia County. Pat Anderson on his Rootsweb site believes it could be Thomas Jr. due to inclination to move south.
  • Aug. 20, 1748 – Thomas Anderson Sr.’s first appearance in Albemarle County (assuming the 1745 entry is his son), on the south side of James River, 400 acres on branches of Appomattox River beginning Elkanah Anderson’s corner, neighbor Joseph Dabbo, Charles Anderson. Charles must be Thomas’s son; Charles was given 400 acres of land in Thomas’s 1757 will adjoining Dabbo’s (Dabbs’) line. According to Thomas’s will, this is the land he lived on at his death, his “Plantation.” Library of Virginia Land Patents[40] Elkanah Anderson is almost certainly the youngest son of Thomas Sr.’s older brother John Anderson, who lived near Thomas in Hanover County. Elkanah was thus Thomas Sr.’s nephew and first cousin to and about ten years older than Thomas Jr.
  • June 14, 1749 – John Gannaway’s land and neighbors were identified in an entry in the Executive Journal of the Council of Colonial Virginia, Council Meeting June 14, 1749: “Petitions for Land Read and Granted: … To Thomas Turpin Eight hundred Acres on the Branches of Willis's Creek, lying between the Lines of John Gannaway, Peter Brooks, Joel Walker, and John Hodnet in Albemarle.” P. 293. Thomas Anderson was not listed as a neighbor, but his son Thomas had land in 1768 on Willis Creek.
  • Before 1757 – Thomas Anderson’s wife Mary died before this date as she does not appear in his will. She may have died as early as 1740 when the couple’s youngest son Judah was born.
  • 1757/58 – Thomas died in Albemarle County between the time he executed his will on October 25, 1757, and the date the will was probated on March 1758. Age about 73, burial location unknown. The full text of the will is located at US Gen Archives Albemarle County Virginia Will Book 2 p. 38.[41] Witnessed by John Gannaway Jr, John Gannaway Sr., and Roger Williams.
  • 1759 – John Gannaway Immigrant and John Sr. patented land in Cumberland County in 1759, then in Buckingham County (carved out of Goochland) in 1762. As there were only two known John Gannaways in New Kent and Albemarle Counties at this time, the “immigrant” John in this entry would have to be the same as John Sr. who witnessed Thomas’s will, and John Sr. in this record is likely his son who signed as John Jr.
  • Sep. 20, 1759 – As reflected in the land entry above, Thomas Anderson (Jr.) was named as neighbor in Cumberland County on Tear Wallet Creek, see above entry for March and Sept. 1736. Cumberland County was formed in 1749 out of Goochland so this is probably the same as the Goochland land above.[42]
  • Sep. 20, 1768 – Thomas Jr. patented additional land grant Albemarle, 1660 acres on branch of Willis’s Creek[43]
  • The Gannaways continued to be prominent in Albemarle and Cumberland Counties for another generation or two.

Sources

  1. Will of Thomas Anderson Probated in Albemarle County March 9, 1758 Albemarle County Will Book 2, p. 38
  2. Descendants of Thomas Anderson contains court records
  • Colonial Virginia Anderson Families on Rootsweb, site created by Pat Anderson, “Thomas Anderson”[44]
  • Nadine Campbell Gregory, Some Ancient Landowners in Saint Martin's Parish, Hanover County, Virginia, Hanover County Historical Society (2015)
  • The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, VA, 1706-1786, tr. and ed. by C.G.Chamberlain, Clearfield Pub. 1940[45]
  • Library of Virginia, Online Land Grants, multiple entries for Thomas[46]
  • Goochland Co. Wills & Deeds 1728-1736 various entries.
  • Family Trails Across American, Hamilton Higby, including Gannaways at[47]
  • James Allen of Scotland and Virginia a Partial List of His Descendants at[48]
  • Thomas Anderson Will at US Gen Archives Albemarle County Virginia Will Book 2 p. 38[49]




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Anderson-3484 and Anderson-2564 do not represent the same person because: Different places, nothing in common
posted by Neal Parker
I removed Joseph Anderson as a son of Thomas. Find-a-Grave and an earlier WikiTree profile add a Joseph as child of Thomas and his second wife, but that information seems clearly incorrect. Joseph’s birth is listed in these sites as 1698, which is seven years before Thomas and his first wife were even married. Joseph’s residence is Essex County, where none of the Andersons were known to have lived. Another well-documented site has the same Joseph (with the same spouses) in Essex County, attached to different parents (including father Joseph) and several land records in that county. Colonial Setters in Maryland and Virginia. https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I129636&tree=Tree1. if anyone has contrary information, please let me know.
posted by William Anderson
These 20-year old notes may be of use, or not:

From Patrick J. Anderson: Thomas's birth date had been corrected (b. after 1680) to reflect the fact that he does not appear as a land holder in the 1704 rent roll and may differ from the writings of William Pope Anderson. Anderson - Overton, A Continuation of Anderson Family Records (1936) & Early Descendants fo William Overton & Elizabeth Waters of Virginia & Allied Families, by William Pope Anderson, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1945.

In 1719 Gilbert Gibson was given a patent adjacent to Matthew and Thomas Anderson in New Kent County. Thomas's association with Robert Anderson I derives from an analysis of precessioning records in St. Paul's Parish published in the book above. Thomas was a church warden for St. Paul's Parish in the 1720's. In 1733 Thomas was replaced as a church warden of St. Paul's parish and ordered to surrender the moneys of the parish to Thomas Merriweather. He continues as a vestryman until 1737 when he was removed as vestryman. In 1739 he is restored as vestryman until 1754. As can be seen in the records below he was dabbling in western lands during this period and even spent some time in jail in 1738. By 1739 he had apparently left his western lands in the control of his eldest sons and had returned to his lands in St. Paul's parish. Frontier life was not to his liking. Thomas's acquisition of western lands would have been in the interests of his many sons and is it unlikely that he removed into western Hanover County to the Goochland border area and into the area that became Albemarle County, Virginia until he was elderly and living with one of those sons.

Goochland Co Wills & Deeds 1728-1736, page 12 09/17/1734 Thomas Anderson witness to deed of John Sorrell November 1734 Thomas and Charles Anderson post bond regarding construction of Chickahominy Bridge Thomas 01/10/1735 Goochland Co 290a both sides Little Byrd near the head patents 16/468 Thomas 09/08/1736 Goochland Co 400a between tear-wallet run & Little Guinea Creek adj Paul Pig patents 17/ 170 Goochland Co Wills & Deeds 1728-1736, page 260 11/16/1736 Thomas Anderson of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover Co., Gentlemen to John Smith for 20 pounds 290a both sides of Little Byrd Creek Goochland Co Wills & Deeds 1736-1742, page 164 Letter of Henry Power desiring that Thomas Anderson, who is in custody, no longer be detained in prison. Recorded 19 Sept 1738 Thomas 08/20/1748 Albamarle Co 400a southside of James River on branches of Appomattox River patents 26/661

Anderson-2564 and Anderson-25305 appear to represent the same person because: clear duplicates
posted by Stephanie Stults
Anderson-5936 and Anderson-2564 appear to represent the same person because: Seems to be a clear duplicate. I cannot find any sources for Anyone in the family.
posted by Karen (Rollet) Lorenz

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Categories: Virginia Colonists