David Thurman (1766 - 1840)

Born 25 Jun 1766 in Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Susannah (Leftwich) Thurman — married 22 Aug 1796 in Bedford Co. Virginia

Descendants

Died 16 Sep 1840 at age 74 in Franklin, Virginia, United States

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Biography

David Thurman was born 25 Jun 1766, he is the son of Nathan Thurman and Rebecca Jennings. He died 16 Sep 1840 at age 74, and was buried in Franklin County Virginia. His and his wife's remains were reinterred before Smith Mountain Lake was filled.

David's wife Susannah was born 7 Mar 1774 in Bedford County, VA. She was the daughter of Thomas Leftwich and Bethunia Ellis. She moved to Franklin County, VA, probably when she married David Thurman, a native of that county. Susannah and David Thurman were married 22 Aug 1796, Bedford Co VA USA.

In the 1810 U.S. Census of Franklin County VA, David Thurman is incorrectly indexed as “David Shurman”, but the original document clearly says “Thurman”. His household included: 5 white males under 10 [Note: Thomas, James, William, Robert, David] 1 white male 26 to 45 [Note: David] 2 white females under 10 [Note: Charlotte and Bethunia] 1 white female 26 to 45 [Note: Susannah] 2 slaves

In his 1815 will, her father, Colonel Thomas Leftwich, left her "the tract of land in Franklin County where she now lives, conveyed to me by Barksdale Baker, also £100 in money or property when a final divisions of my property takes place." Susannah Thurman's sale of this land 16 May 1857 to their son Augustine L. Thurman is what some of David's heirs dispute in the chancery court case.

David Thurmon is listed as the head of household in Franklin County, Virginia, 1820. His household consisted of:

• 2 White Males Under 10
• 2 White Males 10-15
• 2 White Males 16-25
• 1 White Male 45+
• 2 White Females Under 10
• 2 White Females 10-15
• 1 White Female 26-44
• 1 Slave Male 14-25
• 2 Slave Female 14-25
• 2 Slave Female 26-44
• 5 Persons Engaged in Commerce
• 17 Total Persons^[1]

In 1830:

• 1 Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14
• 1 Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19
• 1 Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69
• 2 Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14
• 1 Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59
• 2 Slaves - Males - Under 10
• 2 Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23
• 4 Slaves - Females - Under 10
• 1 Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23
• 1 Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35
• 1 Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54
• 4 Free White Persons - Under 20
• 6 Total Free White Persons
• 11 Total Slaves
• 17 Total - All Persons ^[2]

In 1840:

• 1 Free White Persons - Males - Under 5
• 1 Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19
• 1 Free White Persons - Males - 70 thru 79
• 1 Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29
• 1 Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59
• 2 Slaves - Males - Under 10
• 1 Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23
• 2 Slaves - Females - Under 10
• 3 Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23
• 2 Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35
• 6 Persons Employed in Agriculture
• 2 Free White Persons - Under 20
• 1 Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
• 5 Total Free White Persons
• 10 Total Slaves
• 15 Total All Persons^[3]

David Thurman Will In the name of God, Amen. I, David Thurman, of the County of Franklin, Virginia being sick in body but of sound mind and memory, do constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say Impiris, My will and desire is that at my death my body shall be directly interred and all my just debts repaid. Item: My will and desire is that all my property, with the exception of the Negroes hereafter named, shall remain in the plantation on which I live; subject to the control and management of my Executors until my son Alexander shall become 21 years of age; that Anderson, Sam, and Tilly be hired until that time period arrives, and then disposed of as hereafter named, and that my other plantation be rented. Item: I lend to my dear wife Susannah Thurmon from the time the division of my property takes place, the plantation on which I now live, one Negro woman named Phyllis and her daughter Floretta; one choice horse; two choice cows; eight choice head of hogs; two plows; farm hoes, one _______ gear sufficient for one horse; all of my household and kitchen furniture, to have and to hold same during her natural life or widowhood, and then to be equally divided among all my children. Item: My will and desire is that all the rest of my property, except the Negroes, be sold at public auction, the proceeds of which to be equally divided amongst all my children; and all the rest of my Negroes not disposed of, and their increase, be equally divided amongst all my children to be theirs (with the exception of my daughter Susan's part) and their heirs forever. Item: My will and desire is that Alexander Leftwich, Robert Powell, and Morgon Clop, at the division of my property, appraise that portion of my Negroes which may fall to the lot of those of my children who now do or may live in states where laws prohibit holding such property; and that, provided that any of my other children shall pay into the hands of said child or children the amount in money or said appraisement, then he or her shall be entitled to said lot or lots of Negroes in fee simple. Item: It is my will and desire that my two sons, David Thurmon and Alexander Thurmon, whom I do appoint trustees for that purpose, receive and hold that portion of my estate alloted to my daughter Susan H. Payne during her life; and to lend out her money at interest, and hire out her Negroes, so as to pay over unto her hands annually the proceeds of her property, so long as she may be remain seperated from her husband, Dudley Payne, and then from that time shall said trustees withold all and any part of said proceeds from said Susan H. Payne. Item: I give and bequeath that portion of my property alloted to my daughter Susan H. Payne, after her death, or union with her husband, to her son and my grandson, James Alexander Payne, to him and his heirs forever. Item: It is my will and desire that my daughter Susan H. Payne shall live with my beloved wife and on the proceeds of said plantation free from all charges during my wife's lifetime, provided she remains seperated from her husband. Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my two sons David Thurmon and Alexander Thurmon joint executor's, to carry into effect this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my hand and seal this 27th day of August 1840. Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged in presence of Morgon Clop, Joel Leftwich, Thomas Leftwich, Jr. David Thurmon (His Seal) ^[4]

• Fact: Burial (September 1840) Franklin County, Virginia
• Fact: AFN: R00Z-ZR

Sources

1. ↑ 1820 US Census. Franklin, Virginia.
2. ↑ 1830 US Census. Franklin, Virginia.
3. ↑ 1840 US Census. Franklin, Virginia.
4. ↑ Franklin Co., VA Will Book 5, p. 269. Will dated 27 Aug 1840.

• Franklin County Virginia Chancery Court Case 1881-027, naming heirs of David Thurman, (see in in posted images: https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1881-028#img)
• Kenneth Thurman Chronicles, p 36
• Thomas Leftwich Thurman family Bible record: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/139117542?returnLabel=Susannah%20Leftwich%20(2C19-XJ7)&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.familysearch.org%2Ftree%2Fperson%2Fchangelog%2F2C19-XJ7
• Sources posted on 27 Oct 2002 Rootsweb.com = totalfam &id=128803
• 1820 US Census. Franklin, Virginia.
• 1830 US Census. Franklin, Virginia.
• 1840 US Census. Franklin, Virginia.

Acknowledgements

This person was created on 22 September 2010 through the import of PittsPenn_2010-09-21.ged.