Thomas Powell (bef. 1614 - abt. 1687)

Born before 1614 in London, London, England

Died about 9 Feb 1687 after about age 73 in Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight, Virginia, British Colonial America

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Biography: England

Birth

Howell was born about 1628.

Siblings

Howell Powell and Thomas Powell have been purported to have been brothers. ^[1]

Thomas Powell

I have seen no record that clearly proves that Thomas was a brother of Howell Powell, but that conclusion appears plausible because of their close affiliation. In a recent message to the Powell Mail List I have proposed that Thomas Powell of Lancaster County, VA, was the likely father of Thomas Powell who married Mary Place. Because of the great interest in the Thomas and Mary (Place) Powell family, I will abstract the records of Thomas Powell, Sr., as presented by Albert Casey, M.D., here. ^[2]

1649 Immigration to Lancaster County, Virginia

Howell and Thomas Powell were likely immigrants to the Virgiinia Colony. They settled in Old Rappahannock County, VA, then moved to Lancaster County, VA, then relocated to Maryland, where they resided in Baltimore County and Talbot County, where they died. ^[1]

The failed land sale of 22 Dec 1655 is the earliest mention of Howell Powell found so far in the records. If Howell Powell were born in 1628, he would have been 27 years old at this point. ^[3]

Given the close relationship with Thomas Powell, it may be assumed that Howell was one of the 10 persons transported by Thomas for whom land was granted on Oct 18, 1650, and that the actual voyage across the Atlantic may have been a year earlier, in 1649, when Howell was 21. ^[3]

Two Thomas Powells

This review shows there were two Thomas Powells who were residents of Lancaster County, both of whom named sons Thomas. ^[2]

Others Named Powell in Virginia

Before proceeding, it should be noted that there were other Powells who were residing in Old Rappahannock County, VA. ^[2]

There appear to have been two John Powells in Old Rappahannock County. ^[2]

One John Powell married Miss Michael Turner in 1689 and the records of this family are found in Richmond Co., VA. ^[2]

The second John Powell was born about 1644 and died about 1699 in Essex Co., VA, formerly Old Rappahannock County. He married (1) Mary Coghill in 1690, and (2) Mary's sister, Margaret Coghill in 1694. Dr. Casey reported John Powell was the father of Robert and Henry Powell of Caroline County, ^[2]

Elias Powell of King George Co., [James] Powell, and John Powell of Burke Co., NC. William Powell (b. ca. 1691, d. 1760) and Lucas Powell of Brunswick Co., VA, may have been other sons, according to Dr. Casey. ^[2]

[Thomas Powell, who died in Brunswick County, VA, about 1750, has been proved to have been a son of Nathaniel Powell of Isle of Wight Co., VA, rather than of John Powell of Old Rappahannock Co., VA, as theorized by Dr. Casey.] ^[2]

It seems clear that John Powell was related to one of the Thomas Powells if Old Rappahannock and/or Lancaster Counties, VA, but the nature or degree of relationship is not clear. ^[2]

In a deed dated 3 APR 1660, James Toone reported that the 250 acres in Old Rappahannock County that he was selling had been willed to him by Richard Powell. ^[2]

1650 Land Grant to Thomas Powell

1650 Oct. 18, (Virginia Land Patent Book 2, Page 288.) Thomas Powell granted 500 acres for the transportation of 10 persons. The land was described as "lying on the north side of Rappahannock River about three miles above Mr. Eaton's plantation, being a neck of land commonly called "Powell's Quarter"...bounded on the east by Deep Creek. ^[2]

1655 Howell and Thomas Powell sell land

1655 22 Dec. [date recorded?] Walter Herd acknowledged that he had contracted to purchase 400 acres from Thomas Powell and Howell Powell and that he was unable to pay for the land, therefore Herd surrendered the land back to Thomas Powell and Howell Powell. Recorded in Lancaster County, VA, Deed Book 2, page 25.^[2]

1656/7 16 Feb. Thomas (T) Powell was a witness to the will of Clement Thrash. In 1652, Clement Thrash patented land on the south side of Rappahannock River "on the top of the mountain". ^[2]

1657 Howell Powell is gifted land by Thomas and Ann Powell

1657 Sept. 17. Thomas Powell and his wife, Ann Powell, conveyed by a deed of gift to Howell Powell his 400 acre patent, located on the west side of the Corotoman River at Dogwood Spring in Lancaster County. Recorded in Lancaster County, VA, Deed Book 2, page 135. [Was this Howell Powell a brother or a son of Thomas Powell?].^[2]

1658 700 acres bought and sold

1658 I June. Thomas Powell patented 700 acres in Lancaster County, VA, located on the west side of Corotoman River. 300 acres of this was purchased from Will. Chapham, Jr. 400 acres adjoining was granted Thomas Powell on 26 FEB 1650/1651. Recorded in Lancaster County Deed Book 2, Page 195.^[2]

1659 Marriage: Richard Gorsuch is Father In Law

1659 30 June. Thomas Powell and Howell Powell conveyed the above 700 acres to William Clapham, Sr. The deed was witnessed by Walter Dickison and Richard Gorsuch, the latter being the father-in-law of Howell Powell. The deed was recorded on 27 JUL 1659 in Lancaster County, VA, Deed Book 2, page 195. [There is an implication in this deed that this Howell Powell might be the eldest son and heir at law of Thomas Powell; otherwise, why would he be a party to this deed of sale of land that was granted to Thomas Powell? Copies of these two deed need to be obtained and studied for particulars.].^[2]

Note that the presence of Richard Gorsuch as a witness does not by itself establish a family relationship. It does mean, however, that the fortunes of the Powells and Gorsuchs were becoming intertwined as of 1659. ^[3]

1659 Move to Baltimore County, Maryland with Gorsuch Family

1659 July 16. Thomas Powell granted 700 acres, Howell Powell granted 300 acres on north shore of Patapsco River in Baltimore County, MD. Grants in same vicinity the same date were made to other residents (or former residents) of Lancaster County, VA: Robert Gorsuch, Richard Gorsuch, William Dickinson, and others. ^[2]

1661 May 13. Thomas Powell and Richard Gorsuch claimed headrights for transporting 12 persons to Maryland, including Howell Powell, Elizabeth Powell, Ann Powell, Thomas Powell, Ann Powell, Richard Gorsuch, Elizabeth Gorsuch, Lovelace Gorsuch. ^[2]

The Powells and Gorsuch's moving to Maryland in 1661 are therefore:

• Thomas Powell
• Richard Gorsuch. (1637-1694), age 24, son of Anne Lovelace Gorsuch (1611-1652). Richard, joined the Society of Friends, and were with the group of Quakers driven out of Lancaster County, Virginia by Gov. Berkeley in 1660. ^[4] Three years later, in 1665, married Elizabeth Rowe and had children.
• Howell Powell (1628-1704), age 33. Affiliated with Society of Friends. Was in Tred Avon Monthly Meeting, Baltimore County at his death.
• Elizabeth Powell (see below)
• Ann Powell, wife of Thomas Powell
• Thomas Powell
• Ann Powell, eldest daughter of Thomas
• Elizabeth Gorsuch (see below)
• Lovelace Gorsuch (1644-1702), age 17, son of Anne Lovelace Gorsuch (1611-1652). Lovelace joined the Society of Friends, and were with the group of Quakers driven out of Lancaster County, Virginia by Gov. Berkeley in 1660.^[4] Married in 1696 at age 52 in Third Haven Quaker Meeting, Talbot Co, MD, had daughter Sarah.

Note: Elizabeth Powell and Elizabeth Gorsuch. Note that this list includes both an Elizabeth Powell and an Elisabeth Gorsuch at the same time. It is possible that Elizabeth Powell's maiden name was unknown and she was already married to Howell Powell and that Elizabeth Gorsuch was another person who did not marry Howell Powell -- or it is possible that Elizabeth Powell was a sister of the Powells and that Elizabeth Gorsuch was the future wife of Howell. ^[3]

1664 Thomas Powell still lives in Lancaster Co, VA

1664 2 October. Thomas Powell of Lancaster Co., VA, executed a deed in which he announced his intention to immediately marry Mrs. Jame Catesby. He conveyed to her 200 pounds Sterling plus "one third of my dividend of land lying and being on the North side of the Rappahannock River whereon I now live consisting of 500 acres more or less..." The deed was recorded on 20 OCT 1664 in Lancaster County, VA, Deed Book 2, page 293. .^[2]

1665 16 October [date recorded?]. Thomas Powell, Sr., made a deed of gift of six cows to his son, Thomas Powell, Jr., "providing always and upon consideration nevertheless that if my son Thomas should happen to depart this life before me without wife or issue.." then the cows and their increase would revert back to Thomas Powell, Sr. Jane Powell signed that she freely consented to the gift. Recorded in Deed Book 2, Page 27. [This deed implies that Thomas Powell, Jr., was single and perhaps was emancipated in 1665.].^[2]

1665 Dec. 27. Thomas Powell of Rappahannock Co., VA, purchased 50 acres from John Mills of Rappahannock Co. "...near the flood gate...on Tignor's Creek..." Recorded 15 FEB 1665/1666 in Old Rappahannock Co., VA, Deed Book 3, Page 342. [This is likely Thomas Powell who married Mary Place in 1667.].^[2]

1666 September or October. Thomas (T) and Mary (X) Powell sold their interest in 300 acres land to James Coghill of Sittingbourne Parish, Rappahannock Co., VA,. The land was "lying in the freshes of Rappahannock River on the North side of the River." Recorded Old Rappahannock Co., VA, Deed Book 3, page 317..^[2]

[Possibly Thomas Powell and Mary Place Powell. James Coghill was the father of Mary and Margaret Coghill, subsequently wives of John Powell. The mark of Thomas Powell on this deed needs to be compared with the mark of Thomas Powell on the 1657 will of Clement Thrash. ].^[2]

1667 October 22. Thomas Powell m. Mary Place, Rappahannock County, VA. .^[2]

1668 Oct. 26, (Virginia Land Patent Book 6, Page 178.) Thomas Powell granted 646 acres on the south side of Rappahannock River "in ye freshes about four miles up from ye water side.".^[2]

[A 1665 grant to John Powell was in the same vicinity: "about four miles from the river side and on main branch of Occupare Creek..." This could be a different John Powell than the John Powell who married Mary Coghill 1690) and Margaret Coghill (1694), as there appears to a generation difference in their probable ages.]

1668 Nov. 5 [date recorded?]. Thomas Powell and Richard Syms [Symmes or Sims?] purchased a tract of land located in Old Rappahannock County from Thomas Maddison. The location was not clear. Recorded Deed Book 4, Page 115..^[2]

1667 Howell's wife is Elizabeth

A 1667 deed indicated that Howell Powell and his wife, Elizabeth [Gorsuch], were then residents of Baltimore County, MD.^[5]

Note that, as observed above, this 1667 deed establishes that Howell Powell had a wife named Elizabeth, but that in 1661 there was more than one Elizabeth associated with the group. ^[3]

1760 -- Howell Powell in Baltimore County, Maryland

Howell Powell and Thomas Powell appear on the Baltimore County, Maryland, rent rolls as patentees of several tracts in the 1760s. They owned land on the north side of the Patapsco River. A 1667 deed indicated that Howell Powell and his wife, Elizabeth [Gorsuch], were then residents of Baltimore County, MD. ^[5]

In 1670 Howell Powell patented land in Talbott Co., MD, which he called "Weston". The Gorsuch family subsequently resided on this land. ^[5]

1704 Death of Howell Powell

Howell Powell affiliated with the Society of Friends (Quakers).^[5]

Although he died intestate and no administration has been found, some vital records of this family are recorded in the minutes of the Tred Avon Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends.^[5]

Records there indicate that Howell Powell died 7th day, 7th month, 1704 [18 OCT 1704, New Style]. His age was reported to be 81 [thus born about 1623.] .).^[5]

The deaths of seven Powells are recorded in the Tred Avon MM minutes. .).^[5]

One of these was Howell Powell, Jr., who died in 1740 at age 66 [thus born about 1674]. He could not have been the Howell Powell mentioned in the 1657 deed of gift from Thomas and Ann Powell).^[5]

Daniel Powell died testate in 1731 at age 60 [born about 1671]. No details of the will are given, but it is cited as proof that Howell Powell, Jr., was a brother and thus son of Howell Powell, Sr. ).^[5]

Anne, a sister of Daniel and Howell, Jr., is identified in the will of Thomas Powell. Elizabeth Powell, Jr., was likely another child of Howell Powell and Elizabeth Gorsush Powell (Sr.).^[5]

1669 Will of Thomas Powell

The will of Thomas Powell was dated 17 JAN 1669 [1670, New Style] and was recorded in Talbot County, Maryland. Wife: Ann. Eldest son: Thomas. Daughter: Anne. Dear friend: Howell Powell. Anne Powell, daughter of Howell Powell, was bequeathed a legacy. ^[5]

"Thomas Powell of Talbot County, Marland, d. 17 January 1669; probated 11 April 1670;

• to daughter Anne Powell,
• Anne Powell daugher of Howell Powell,
• Howell Powell and Winlock Christison personality;
• to wife, Ann Powell, one-half of plantation during her lifetime;
• to eldest son, Thomas Powell, one-half said plantation, he to possess the whole at death of said wife Anne Powell; also, "Hog Island."
• To William Thunderman, Jr.: "Old Town" on Choptanke River at majority.
• Executors: Richard Gorsuch, Lovelace Gorsush, George Cowley.
• Teste: William Blackstone, John Wiggins, Michael Parker, Edward Fish."
• Recorded in Talbott County, MD, Deed Book 1, page 373. ^[1][6]

Analysis: Two Thomas Powells, Maryland and Virginia

It now appears obvious from the study of the above records that the Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County, VA, who remarried to Mrs. Jane Catesby in 1664, and who was the father of Thomas Powell, Jr., to whom he made a deed of gift in 1665, was NOT the same person as Thomas Powell with wife Anne, who relocated to Maryland. However, there is an unsettling correspondence in the dates of their two wills: only 2 days apart! From the dates alone, one would suspect they were the same person, but from the content of their wills and the names of their wives, it is clear they are two different persons. ^[2]

Although we have much information about the Thomas Powell who relocated to Maryland, there is little published information available about the Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County, VA, who married, second, Mrs. Jane Catesby in 1664 or 1665.^[2]

Thomas Powell, Jr., son of Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County, VA, remains the most likely person to have married Mary Place. Francis Place, father of Mary Place, was also a resident of Lancaster County. The identity of the first wife of Thomas Powell, Sr., and the mother of Thomas Powell, Jr., is unknown at this time. A detailed study of the civil records of Lancaster County should be undertaken in an effort to gleam more information about this Thomas Powell family and their possible affiliations with the Place family.^[2]

References

THE POWELL FAMILIES OF VIRGINIA AND THE SOUTH, compiled and published by Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr. Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, (c) 1969, 1977.

• Pages 384-387: Legal records from Old Rappahannock, Essex,

and Lancaster Counties, VA, pertaining to Powells. Includes abstracts of most of the records in Dr. Casey's book, mentioned above.

• Pages 409-428, Section 8, Group III, "The Powell Family of Essex

County, Virginia, into Culpepper, Orange, and Amherst Counties, Virginia and Kentucky". A presentation of Thomas and Mary Place Powell and their descendants.

• Page 428: Lancaster County, Virginia, Wills, 1653-1800, by Lee:

"Will of Thomas Powell, Januray 19, 1669." [1670, New Style] "Sons: Rawleigh (not 18) and Thomas Powell, cousin John Gibson."

• Page 517: Lancaster County, Virginia, Wills, 1653-1800, by Lee:
• Will of "Rawley" Powell: February 6, 1686. Father-in-law, John Kerby, Executor. Sister, Ann Dacres. Brothers Thomas Kerby, Nathaniel Horton. God-daughter, Ann Mason. [Why was Thomas Powell, Jr., brother, not mentioned in the will of Rawleigh Powell? Did the will read: brothers Thomas, Kerby, Nathaniel, and Horton?]
• Page 566: Abstract of will of Thomas Powell of Talbot Co., MD
• Page 567: Abstract of the will of John Pitt of Talbot Co., MD, naming his daughter, Susannah, as wife of Daniel Powell
• Page 568: Abstract of will of Daniel Powell of Talbot Co., MD
• Page 568: Abstract of will of Howell Powell [Jr.] of Talbot Co., MD

COMMENTS:

Researches of the Thomas and Mary (Place) Powell family need to acquire a copy of the 1669/1670 will of Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County, VA, for study. .^[2]

This will provides clear proof that Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County in 1664 - 1665 was a different person than the Thomas Powell who died in Talbot County, Maryland, in January, 1670. And he also has a son, Thomas Powell, Jr., who is theorized to have been the husband of Mary Place Powell, this family residing in Old Rappahannock County, now Essex County, VA, from their marriage on 22 OCT 1667 until the death of Thomas Powell on 20 MAR 1701 [New Style]. .^[2]

It is noteworthy that Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County, does not name a son, John Powell, in his will, as there was a John Powell in Essex County who was a contemporary of Thomas Powell who married Mary Place and some researchers have theorized they were brothers. The will does not support that conclusion, assuming that Thomas Powell, Jr., of Lancaster County, and Thomas Powell with wife Mary Place Powell, of Essex County are the same person..^[2]

It would seem possible that the maiden name of the mother of Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County, was Gibson. If so, the children of her brothers would be cousins of Thomas Powell. One the other hand, if the father of Thomas Powell had a sister who married a Mr. Gibson, their children would also be cousins of Thomas Powell. The Gibson connection should be researched for clues regarding Thomas Powell, Sr., of Lancaster County, VA. .^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Albert Eugene Casey, M. D., and Nell Frances Lowery. O'KIEF, CASHE MANG, SLIEV E LOUGHER AND UPPER BLACKWATER IN IRELAND, VOLUME XIII. Published and bound privately for the Amite and Knocknagree Historical Fund, 2011 Southwood Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35216, (c) 1967. Copies of this book have been found at the undergraduate library at the Samford University, Birmingham, AL, and in the Heritage Room, Huntsville-Madison County, AL, Public Library. Cited by Robert T. Strong Manager, Strong Mail List, Thomas POWELLs of Old Rappahannock Co., VA & Lancaster Co., VA; 08 Apr 1997. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/POWELL/1997-04/0860525213. Accessed February 9, 2016
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32} Robert T. Strong Manager, Strong Mail List, Thomas POWELLs of Old Rappahannock Co., VA & Lancaster Co., VA; 08 Apr 1997. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/POWELL/1997-04/0860525213. Accessed February 9, 2016
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Observation of Jack Day, Feb 10, 2016
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} J. H. P., "The Gorsuch and Lovelace Families" The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 24, No. 1 (Jan., 1916), pp. 81-93, Virginia Historical Society, JSTOR.org accessed July 19, 2015
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10} "26 V, page 208-218". This is probably an article in the Virginia Magazine of Biography and History, aka Virginia Historical Magazine.] Cited by by Robert T. Strong Manager, Strong Mail List, Thomas POWELLs of Old Rappahannock Co., VA & Lancaster Co., VA; 08 Apr 1997. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/POWELL/1997-04/0860525213. Accessed February 9, 2016
6. ↑ Dr. Casey gives a more detailed abstract of the will of Thomas Powell on page 2778 of his Volume 13:

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