Sarah (Roberts) Thomas (1763 - 1798)

Born 1763 in Amherst, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of John Thomas — married 1786 in Virginia, United States

Died 1798 at about age 35 in Tillotson Parish, Albemarle, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Sarah was born about 1752. She is the daughter of Elliott Roberts and Elizabeth Phillips.

On 6 Feb 1784, John purchased 200 acres on the Rockfish River in Amherst County (likely in the portion which later became Nelson County in 1807), which his future father-in-law, Elliot Roberts, witnessed.^[1]

Sarah married John Thomas in 1786.^[2]

On the death of her father sometime between May and September of 1788, Sarah received in his will four slaves--Peter, Mol, Jeny, and Rose--who were already in the possession of her husband, John Thomas. Because a married woman could not legally possess property, her husband became the slaves legal owner, but they would pass to her children only, should she die and her husband remarry and have other heirs. Including Sarah as an owner here, for this purpose. (Uncertain, but it appears John may have remarried and had children with two other wives; researching, as it may have been another John Thomas.) John also received $13 from the division of the estate.

Slaves

• Peter
  
  
• Mol
  
  
• Jeny
  
  
• Rose
  
  

Sources

1. ↑ Davis, Deeds of Amherst Co, VA and Albemarle Co, VA, p 208, Book E, p 476. 6 Feb 1784. Wm Elliot, AC, and wife Milley, to Jno. Thomas, AC for £160, 200 acres branch Rockfish. Wit: Elliott Roberts, Jno. Roberts, Henry Roberts.
2. ↑ Marriage: "U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900"
   Source number: 1579.050; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1
   Ancestry Record 7836 #1028221 (accessed 16 June 2022)
   Sarah Roberts marriage to James Thomas in 1786 in VA.

• https://lynnesgenealogy.com/JARobertsDescendants/website/b8.htm#P8

• Virginia, Library of. “Chancery Case for Elliot Roberts, Amherst County, VA, Index #: 1796-009.” Virginia memory: Chancery records index. Accessed October 2, 2021. https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=009-1796-009#img.