Thomas Galphin (bef. 1753 - 1812)

Born before May 1753 in Silver Bluff, South Carolina

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 5 May 1812 after age 59 in Steel Creek, Barnwell District, South Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Thomas Dominick [send private message]

Biography

Thomas is the son of George Galphin and Rachael Dupre. Although researchers claim he was born in May 1763, a land grant in 1770 as well as Thomas being one of three sons and others who George Galphin turned his business over to in 1773 suggests he was born on or before 1752.

George Galphin, Junr. and Thomas Galphin both made a petition for a land grant of 100 acres each at a Council held at Savannah on Tuesday the 7th August 1770 stating that they lived in the Province had had no land granted them and was desirous to obtain land for cultivation.^[1] In Georgia, a person had to be at least 18 years of age to receive a land grant, which suggests George and Thomas were both born before 1752. The land was granted in St. George Parish which lands were later part of Burke County.

Thomas Galphin was one of three sons, and two nephews who George Galphin turned his mercantile business over to in 1773. A letter dated the 27th of Aug 1773 from Silver Bluff near Augusta, Georgia addressed to Messr. Greenwood & Higginson, Gentlemen stated that "with this you will please received a letter from Mr. George Galphin informing you that he has declined all his mercantile business in favor of us vizt. his three son's, George, Thomas & John Galphin, his nephew's David Holmes and John Parkinson, and you will understand by the same that he has guaranteed all our dealings with you...^[2] The busness was then known as Galphin Holmes & Co. according to the letter, and subesequent documents.

George Galphin made a deed of Trust on the 2nd day of Feb 1775 to the trustees named as Locklin McGillvery, John Parkinson, John Graham, Alexander Wyly, George Galphin the younger, and Thomas Galphin in consideration of the love and affection which he hath and beareth unto John son of "Matormey" a Creek Indian woman which also noted In trust for his the said John brother and sister George and Judith, and also Thomas & Martha son and daughter of Rachael Dupee to be shared in manner following: That is to say, the lands to fall to the above named George and Thomas and their heirs forever, also the said cattle horses mares and colts with the future issue and increase of the females thereof, to be shared equally share & share alike.^[3] This document proves George Galphin's children by Rachel Dupree were Thomas and Martha.

On the 6th of April 1776, George Galphin wrote his Last Will and Testament. He gave to Thomas Galphin, son of Rachel Dupee, and his sister, Cowpen in Ogechee, horses, cattle, etc. Also grist mill and saw mill situated on the north side of Town Creek. Also land from Mr. Shaw's lower line upon Savannah River at the Spanish Cutoff, down the said river to Mr. McGilvery's lower line, containing about 1300 acres in the Province of Georgia. Also 350 acres of land upon Ogechee, which he bought of Patrick Dennison.^[4] His father died in December of 1780.

Thomas Galphin petitioned to the Land Court at August, Georgia to to grant him a warrant for 287-1/2 acres land on the within Certificate which stated:

This is to certify That Thomas Galphin hath steadfastly done his duty, from the time of passing an Act at August, to wit, on the 20th of August, 1781, until the total Expulsion of the British from this States, and the said Thomas Galphin cannot, to my knowledge or belief, be convicted of plundering or distressing the county; and is therefore, under the said Act, entitled to a Bounty of 250 acres of good Land, free from taxes for then years. dated the 29th of March 1784.^[5]

Thomas was perhaps still in the household of his mother, Rachel, in 1790. The 1790 Census for Orangeburg District enumerated the household of Rachel Galphin with one male over 16, one female, and five slaves.^[6] In 1794 Thomas Galphin and Sarah his wife of South Carolina sold to Hezekiah Beal of the county of Richmond, in consideration of the sum of 62 pounds, all that tract or parcel of land containing 31 acres lying and being in the county of Richmond bounded north by Savannah river and beginning on said river at the upper line of a tract of land granted to Alexander Shaw.^[7]

A notice was posted in the Columbian Museum & Savannah Advertiser on the 12th of July 1799 by Thomas stating:

Notice having moved my residence to my plantation on Steel Creek, in the state of South Carolina, give this notice to all persons having any demands against me in the state of Georgia, to make application to John Milledge, Esq. of Chatham County Thomas Galphin July 5^[8]

Thomas Golphin, as he is listed in the 1800 Census of Barnwell, South Carolina, in his household there were two boys under age 10, 1 male to age 16, 1 male to age 26 and one male to 45. There was 1 female to 10, 1 female to age 16, 2 females to age 26, no free persons of color and 89 slaves. [1]

By 1804, Thomas Galphin was one of the only Galphin brothers who was still part of Galphin Holmes & Co. Two judgements were attached against William Dunbar and Thomas Galphin, Executors of the last will and testament of George Galphin Esquire deceased, and against Thomas Galphin as surviving copartner of Galphin Holmes and Company. The lands sold at public outcry to recover the debt due Greenwood & Higginston of London were 469 acres in Richmond County, Georgia on the Savannah river part of a tract originally granted to Alexander Shaw and conveyed by him to the late George Galpin beginning at the mouth of the Sapinsh cut-off.^[9] The other tract sold at public outcry was 400 acres of land in Richmond County on Savannah river granted to George Galphin Esquire deceased and bounded on all side by Savannah River, and a gutt or gully called the Spanish cut-off.^[10]

Thomas Galphin of Barnwell District, South Carolina wrote his Last Will and Testament on the 15th day of May 1812 noting wife Rebecca...children Barbarra, Ann, Milledge, Thomas and George...Appoint Executors John Milledge, Barna McKinne, and Milledge Galphin...settle all affairs appertaining to the last will and testament of my deceased father, George Galphin.^[11] It was recorded on the 9th of October 1812.

Children

Children of Thomas Galphin born to Sarah were:

• Barbara Galphin
• Ann Galphin (married Mr. Barna McKinne)
• Milledge Galphin
• Thomas Galphin
• George Galphin
• Martha Galphin (married Capt. Timothy J. Barnett)^[12]

Research Notes

The suffix, II, used in his name by researchers, is not used on this profile because there is no evidence that he personally used it during his lifetime. See G2G discussion on Suffixes for repeated same names in family.

Sources

1. ↑ Candler, Allen D. Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume XI, 1770/71. Atlanta, Georgia. The FRanklin-Turner Company. 1907.Page 90, citing Petition of Thomas Galphin, and Petition of George Galphin Junr. Digital images: HathiTrust Digital Library.
2. ↑ Richmond County, Georgia, Deed Book G, Page 579, citing George, Thomas, and John Galph, and David Holmes and John Parkinson. Digital images: Familysearch.org [databse with images] Film 008563341 image 406 of 439 to image 408. Accessed 21 Nov 2020.
3. ↑ South Carolina, Miscellaneous record, 1774-1779, 1781-1784. Page 270-273, citing Thomas and Martha son and daughter of Rachael Dupee. Digital images: Familysearch.org [databse with images] Film 004753877, image 503 of 613. Accessed 15 Nov 2020.
4. ↑ Georgia Gen Web. contributors. Early Settlers of Augusta, citing George Galphin. [transcribed South Carolina Wills, Box 40, pack 898]. Digital image: Georgia Gen Web. Accessed 16 Nov 2020.
5. ↑ Georgia Headright and bounty documents, Fullford, Bryant - Gammon, Smith, ca. 1783-1909, citing Galphin Thomas. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] Film #005122121.image 399 of 451. Accessed 20 November 2021.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (21 May 2015), South Carolina > Orangeburg > Not Stated > Page 264, line 9, citing Rachel Galphin. image 10 of 40; citing NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
7. ↑ Richmond County Deed Book D, page 424, citing Thomas Galphin and Sarah his wife. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] Film 007898618. image 476 of 549. Accessed 21 Nov 2020.
8. ↑ Columbian Museum & Savannah Advertiser. (Savannah [Ga.]) 1796-181?. July 12, 1799, Image 3, column 3, citing Thomas Galphin. Digital images: Georgia Historic Newspapers. Accessed 20 November 2021.
9. ↑ Richmond County Deed Book K 1804-1808, page 92-94, citing Thomas Galphin, George Galphin, deceased, Greenwood & Higginston. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] Film 008563343. image 56 of 464. Accessed 21 Nov 2020.
10. ↑ Richmond County Deed Book K 1804-1808, page 184-186, citing Thomas Galphin, George Galphin, deceased, Greenwood & Higginston. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] Film 008563343. image 102 of 464]. Accessed 21 Nov 2020
11. ↑ Barnwell County, South Carolina Will Book A, Page 145-148, citing Thomas Galphin. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] image 217 of 731. Accessed 15 Nov 202
12. ↑ The Augusta Chronicle and Gazette of the state. (Augusta [Ga.]) 1789-1806,October 11, 1800, Image 3, colum 2, citing Martha Galphin daughter of Thomas Galphin. Digital images: Georgia Historic Newspapers. Accessed 20 November 2021.

• 1800 US Census, Barnwell, South Carolina "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRH-VC7 : accessed 16 September 2022), Thomas Golphin, Barnwell, South Carolina, United States; citing p. 53, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 47; FHL microfilm 181,422.

• "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (1 December 2015), South Carolina > Barnwell > Barnwell > Page 167, line 2, citing household of Thomas Galphin. image 24 of 40; citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

See Also:

• Ancestry.com [2]

• Georgia Family Group Sheet for the THOMAS H. GALPHIN Family [3]