Thomas Olivent (abt. 1650)

Born about 1650 in England or Scotland [uncertain]

Died [date unknown] in Virginia or Carolina [uncertain]

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Biography

One Thomas Oliphant was born about 1650. He was transported to Virginia by 1670. That year he is listed as one of 60 people claimed as headrights by William Harris and Thomas Baxtor when they acquired 3000 acres. Staff. Co., S. W. on Occoquon Riv., adj. Mr. Dreaton, neare the falls, & upon a sw. dividing this & land of Col. Humphrey Higginson; 10 Oct. 1670. Granted to Lt. Coll. Miles Cary, 5 Oct. 1654; renewed, & taken up by new rights for trans. of 60 pers., 7 Oct. 1657; deserted for want of seating; & now granted by order, &c. Trans. of 60 pers: <snip>....., Thomas Olevant, .....<snip>Marginal Note: The residue of these rights being taken from a part of Willm. Boren's 5 June 1666 being for 1000 acs.^[1]
The same patent is referenced elsewhere and described thusly: Also 10 October 1670, William Harris and Thomas Baxter were granted 3000 acres, described as southwest on the Occoquan River, adjacent to Mr. Deaton, near the falls upon the southwest dividing line of this and the land of Colonel Humphrey Higginson. This patent included the 1000 acre patent acquired from William Boren in 1668.. ^[2]

This does not mean that Thomas Olivent lived on the land described, rather these gentlemen claimed the rights for transporting him. No other claim for him has been found, so this at least proves he was there.

Headright names were sold and traded to obtain large holdings such as these. There was no way to verify the transports, and so there are numerous examples of people being transported multiple times. This was very common practice throughout the colony for decades. The colony was rife with false claims for land. Individual names are used over and over by various claimants in order to gain more land. So it is also possible that this Thomas Olivent was transported earlier, such as 1654 as stated in the passage above,and the same list being used. Also, he could have been born in Virginia and his name just added to the list. It does not seem to be the case that names were simply invented,by and large the names used on the headright claims appear to actually have been in the colony. Considering Thomas may have simply been added to the name list, and actually was born in Virginia,then it is possible he was in some way connected to William Olivant.

There is no other record of Thomas. He may have died, or left Virginia.

Sources

1. ↑ Cavaliers and Pioneers Patent Book No. 6;p 84
2. ↑ Virginia Land Patent,Northern Neck Patents 6: p 324