Thomas Pinkham (abt. 1705 - bef. 1742)

Born about 1705 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Bunker) Pinkham — married about 1730 in Dover, New Hampshire [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 1 Dec 1742 before about age 37 in Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Carlos Pinkham [send private message] and Carolyn Waddell [send private message]

Biography

Thomas was born to Richard and Elizabeth (Leighton) Pinkham, about 1705 at Dover, New Hampshire. Thomas is placed in Richard's family based on naming conventions, religion and process of elimination. Richard named his first son, John, after his father, and likely named a son after his wife's father, Thomas Leighton. This Thomas was not a Quaker, his likely father was not a Quaker either. Two brothers fit this criteria: Richard and James. James' will did not include a son, thus by elimination Richard seems the likely father. The remaining Pinkham brothers were all active Quakers and each deeded land to their children in such a way as to suggest there were no other children in their families." in Hollick ^[1]

According to Hollick (p 164-165), Thomas married by 1730 Sarah Bunker. She likely died shortly after the birth of their last child. Their known children were:

1. Abijah, b Feb 9, 1734 (Hollick suggests this is a likely child of the couple, while 2-4 are certain)
2. Sarah, b about 1735; no further record
3. Joseph, b about 1736
4. Mary, b about 1740; no further record

Thomas likely died prior to Dec 1, 1742 when his wife was called a widow. On this date, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted to give the widow (unnamed) of Thomas Pinkham, late of Dover in New Hampshire, who served in the late Cuba Expedition £2 14s for his service.^[2]

Thomas had three of his children baptized at Dover on November 13, 1744 (Sarah, Joseph and Mary). It is notable that Zechariah Bunker, Sarah's brother, had children baptized at the same time. In the record of the baptism, no reference is made to Thomas being deceased. Since he is the only reasonable candidate to be on the Cuba Expedition of 1740, Hollick concludes this omission was a vagary of the records. (Unfortunately, Sinnett mistakenly assigned these children to the wrong Thomas Pinkham in the Pinkham Genealogy.) ^[3]

[Presumed] parents, siblings, and estimated birth year [1707] in Hollick ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Hollick, Martin, "The Pinkhams of Strafford County, New Hampshire" New Hampshire Genealogical Record. Reference Volume 22 (2005), Issue 4, page 164-5
2. ↑ Hollick; citing New Hampshire State Papers 5:148, 643 and 649
3. ↑ Hollick; also citing Dover Vital Records (baptism info), page 152
4. ↑ Hollick, Martin, "The Pinkhams of Strafford County, New Hampshire" New Hampshire Genealogical Record. Reference Volume 22 (2005), Issue 1, page 67