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Thomas Todd Sr (abt. 1619 - 1675)

Captain Thomas Todd Sr
Born about in Denton, Durham, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of [half]
Husband of — married 1657 in Hartford, Cheshire, Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , and
Died at about age 56 in London, Englandmap
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Profile last modified | Created 5 May 2011
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Thomas Todd Sr resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776.
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Cautions: See #Research Notes.

Contents

Disambiguation

The following profiles may become confused:

  • Thomas Todd, born England 1612, married Elizabeth Unknown, died Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 1671.
  • Thomas Todd. born 1619 Durham England, married Ann Gorsuch Lovelace, died Baltimore County, Maryland 1675.
  • Barnes notes, There are two published accounts of separate Todd families in Maryland. One by J. Hall Pleasants, dealt with the Todds of North Point, Baltimore Couty., and of Virginia., and was published as part of his lengthy articles on the Gorsuch and allied families in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography starting in Vol 25. The other family was located primarily in Anne Arundel County (although some family members appear in Baltimore County records) and was the subjet of an article by Christopher Johnston in the Maryland Hisatorical Magazine , IX, 298-305. [1]

Biography of Thomas Todd of Baltimore County, Maryland

1619 Birth and Parents

Thomas was born in about 1619 and baptized on September 12, 1619 at Denton, Durham, England. He was a son of Geoffrey Todd and Margaret (____).[2] He lived his younger years in England.

Thomas Todd was born 12 September 1619 at Denton, County Durham, the son of Geoffrey Todd and his wife Margaret. [1]

Immigrated to Virginia

Thomas immigrated initially to Ware Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia in He came originally from England in 1637, and to "Norfolk County, Virginia" in 1669.[3]

Captain Thomas Todd, Sr of Toddesburg, Ware Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia, and after 1664 of North Parish, Patapsco River, Baltimore County, Maryland

1647 Elizabeth City Virginia

Thomas Todd patented land in Elizabeth City county, Virginia in 1647 (Land Books of Virginia) [4]

1657 Marriage to Anna Gorsuch

Thomas married c. 1657, probably in Virginia, to Anna Gorsuch.[3]

Thomas Todd married Anne Gorsuch, daughtere of Rev. John and Anne (Lovelace) Gorsuch. After Todd's death she married secondly David Johes, and third, Captain John Oldton. [1]

1664 Gloucester, Virginia

Thomas Todd patented land in Gloucester, Virginia in 1664. (Land Books of Virginia.) In 1664, Thomas Todd located at North Point. He also held an estate, "Toddsbury," in Gloucester County, Virginia, still held by his descendants. [4]

In August 1664 Todd was in Gloucester County, Virginia, whenhe purchased three tracts from Thomas Powell of Talbot Coumty 287 1/2 acres Road River, half of Dickson, 100 acres with houses and 300 acres Richardson. Thomas converted these three tracts to Robert and John Todd on the same day. [1]

1652 Gloucester County, Virginia

Thomas patented lands in Gloucester County, Virginia on Mockjack (Mobjack) Bay on October 27, 1652 he patented 150 acres on the eastern side of the Easternmost River, and on October 15, 1563 he patented 600 acres on the western side of the Easternmost River, on October 9, 1665 he patented 700 acres on North River, Mobjack Bay.[4]

Owned "Toddley in Maryland; had brother Christopher

A deed found in England, dated 6 August 1687, for the sale of "Todley" on Corsica Creek in Maryland by William Todd to Thomas Cook mentions that "the Land did formerly belong to a certain Captain Thomas Todd, deceased" and was left to his "Brother Christopher Todd Late of Denton in the county of Durham" (P 428).[4] William was the son of Christopher Todd.

1664 Baltimore County, Maryland

Thomas' wife, Anna's brothers, Richard, Charles, Robert, and Lovelace Gorsuch had all come into Maryland from Virginia in 1660. They were the sons of a Loyalist Anglican clergyman, the Rev. John Gorsuch, rector of Walkern, Hertfordshire, who had been killed by the Puritans in England in 1647 [5]. They had emigrated with their mother to Virginia about 1652, had become converts to Quakerism there, and were of that group of Quakers who had been driven out of Lancaster County by Gov. Berkeley in 1660. The brothers had divided, Charles and Robert settling on the Patapsco west of the Chesapeake, and Richard and Lovelace on the Choptank on Maryland's Eastern Shore.[6] Anna's brother Charles Gorsuch married Ann Hawkins, as shown by the West River Quaker records.

Thomas Todd came to Baltimore County, Maryland, and is first found in records August 17, 1664 where he describes himself as "now living in Gloucester County, Virginia" and purchased three tracts from Thomas Powell (P 428).[4] The same day, he deeded those three tracts "for the love and affection I have unto my two Sonnes," Robert and John Todd.[4]

On July 6, 1668, Thomas still described himself as "of Gloucester County" as he gave power of attorney to his friend, Richard Ball of Baltimore County, son of Col. William Ball, of Lancaster County.[4] On April 5, 1669, Thomas demanded a patent for transporting himself, his wife, Ann, and his children: Robert, Ann, John, Johanna, and Frances Todd, along with seven servants [Annapolis Patents 12:202].[4] On April 29, 1669, Thomas called himself a resident in the Patapsco River in Baltimore County (P 429).[4] On October 15, 1671, he

He owned the original site upon which Baltimore now is located. Thomas Todd took up lands on Fells Point, Baltimore County, and later patented land, including some seven hundred acres on the Eastern Shore, called "Todde" or Todley (P 428).[4] This tract was located on the south side of the Chester River at the head of the northeast fresh run of "Cosico (Corsica) Creek," and was bequeathed to brother, Christopher Todd, in England.[4]

1664 Land Purchase from Thomas Powell

On August 17, 1664, Thomas purchased three tracts from Thomas Powell and then deeded them to Robert and John Todd, "for the love and affection I have unto my two Sonnes" (P 428).[4]

1674 Represented Baltimore County

He represented Baltimore County in the Lower House of the Assembly 1674-1675; [1]

Thomas was a Burgess from Baltimore County in the Assembly of Maryland 1674-1675.

1675 Will, Death, Estate

Will

The will of Thomas Todd, of North Parish, Patapsco River, Maryland, dated 26th February, 1675, and was proved May 30th, 1677, makes his son, Thomas, sole executor; gives his wife, Anne, £400 sterling, now in the hands of Alderman Richard Booth, in London, and £170 sterling in the hands of Mr. Robert Gorsuch, and also a parcel of land in old England, also in the possession of Robert Gorsuch; legacies to his four daughters by name; Ann, Frances, Johanna, and Averilla; to his brother, Christopher, money and 700 acres on Chester River (named Todde or Todley).

There is filed with the will a copy of a letter from Thomas Todd, Sr., dated April 1st, 1676. He was then on board the ship Virginia, bound for England, and was "very riche." It is addressed: "There for my son Thomas Todd at his house on the North River [Gloucester Co.] with all speed."

Death

He died leaving a will 26 February 1675 - 30 May 1677 naming wife Anne, daughters Anne, Johanna, Frances, and Avarilla, brother Christopher, and son Thomas;[1]

Thomas Todd, before sailing for England, with eighty-seven hogsheads of tobacco from his plantation, wrote a letter to his son, Thomas, of "Toddsbury," Virginia, saying: "All my desire is to see you before I go, for I fear I shall never see you, as I am very weak and sick. I want some good cider to keep me alive, which supposed you have enough of. We intend to set sail to-morrow, if it be a fair wind."

Pleasants states that "Captain Todd died in London while on this visit to England." [7] Warfield, however, states "He died at sea." [8]

Estate

His will was probated in Baltimore, Annapolis and Virginia. It was also probated in London. [7]

On 18 January 1676/7 Anna Todd converted all her property to her children if they allowed her maintenance, and she named her brother Charles Gorsuch, [1]

On 16 January 1678 the estate of Thomas Todd was inventoried by Matthew Hawkins and John Arden, one third of the property was to go to David Jones who married the widow; [1]

1676 Remarriage of Widow to David Jones and John Oldton

On January 13, 1676/7, Mrs. Anna Todd, widow of Thomas Todd, of Baltimore County, Maryland, made her brother Charles Gorsuch her attorney for the purpose of transferring lands to her children.

After Thomas died in 1675, Anna married as her 2nd, and as his 2nd, to Capt. David Jones. After Capt. Jones died in 1686/7, she married, as her 3rd, to Capt. John Oldton.[9]

Children

Children of Thomas Todd and Anna Gorsuch (from the will of Thomas Todd, Sr and from deeds):[4] There were four daughters and four sons (P 440) -- Robert, John, Thomas Jr, Ann, Frances, Johanna and Averilla.[4]

  1. Thomas Todd, eldest b 1660 [4] Thomas, of Virginia m. Elizabeth Bernard[1]
  2. Robert Todd living on Aug 16, 1664 (deed of gift)[4] Robert[1]
  3. Ann Todd[4] Anne married Miles Gibson[1]
  4. John Todd living on Aug 16, 1664 (deed of gift)[4] John[1]
  5. Johanna Todd[4] Johanna[1]
  6. Frances Todd[4] Frances[1]
  7. Averilla "Aberill" Todd, probably died after April 5, 1669[4] Avarilla.[1]
  8. James Todd (P 433), probably the youngest son[4] possible James[1] Here is a James Todd possiblity? James Todd b:1670 Drowned 9 May 1709 at about age 39 in Baltimore,

This child is included by some, without citation:

  1. Isabella Todd

Research Notes

Cautions...

Multiple Thomas Todds in Virginia

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography cautions there were three or four different men named Thomas Todd in Virginia at the same time.[4]

  • Thomas Todd, b. 1622, Wexford, County Middlesex, England, married Elizabeth Unknown and father of Thomas and Lancelot
  • Thomas Todd, b. 1619, Denton, Durham, England, m. Anna Gorsuch, daughter of Rev. John Gorsuch, D. D. and father of Ann, Thomas, Isabella, Frances, Johanna and William Todd.

One of these Thomas Todds is likely the parent of Elizabeth Todd, who married Cornelius Howard, but there is uncertainty as to which. Either could have had a daughter Elizabeth who would have been the right age to marry Cornelius Howard

Confusion with Thomas Todd of Anne Arundel County, Maryland

1657 Justice, Anne Arundel Co, Maryland

Thomas Todd resided there, in 1657; he was appointed, by Governor Fendall, one of the justices of Anne Arundel.

Uncertain Thomas Todd Property in Annapolis

[Does the paragraph below pertain to Thomas Todd, Jr.?] The "Rent Rolls" of Anne Arundel show, that Thomas Todd, shipwright, surveyed a lot "on ye south side of ye Severn River." It was a portion of the present city of Annapolis. There was a contest in Chancery over the title to this survey. It was decided against him, yet Lancelot Todd, of Baltimore County, in 1718, sold it to Bordley and Bladen.

He [who?Billups-130 21:18, 5 January 2015 (EST)] is supposed to have been the son of Robert Todd, of York County, Virginia, in 1642.

Her son, [whose son?Billups-130 21:18, 5 January 2015 (EST)] James Todd, married a daughter of Mountenay, and upon their estate was started the City of Baltimore.[citation needed]

Possible Confusion with Grandchildren

Some researchers have mistaken the will of Thomas Todd, of Baltimore County who died in 1715, for the will of his son (who actually died earlier than his father).[4] The sons of Thomas Todd Jr., listed in his will, were William, Phillip and Christopher; these were the grandsons of Capt. Thomas Todd and Anna (P 439-40).[4]

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Robert W. Barnes. Baltimore County Families, 1659-1759. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc. 1989. pp 643-644.
  2. ↑ J. Hall Pleasants, "The Gorsuch and Lovelace Families (cont.)," Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 26 (1918): 89-103, at 97; images, JSTOR (https://www.jstor.org/stable/4243649 : accessed 17 Feb 2022) (citing Dedham parish registers: "1619...Thomas filus Golfride Todde baptiz: 12 Septemb.")
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Witcraft, John R., The Virginia Todds. (Pages Frankford, PA: Dispatch Publishing House, 1913, Archive.org, accessed December 13, 2014
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 Pleasants, J. Hall, "The Gorsuch and Loverlace [sic Families (Continued): Anna Gorsuch and the Todd Family of Virginia and Maryland."] The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 24, No. 4 (Oct., 1916), pp. 425-440, Virginia Historical Society, JSTOR.org accessed April 19, 2015
  5. ↑ Va. Mag. 1916, xxiv, 83-93
  6. ↑ J. H. P., "The Gorsuch and Lovelace Families (Continued)" The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 24, No. 3 (Jun., 1916), pp. 317-327, Virginia Historical Society, JSTOR.org accessed January 5, 2015
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Pleasants, 430
  8. ↑ J. D. Warfield, "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties." Baltimore: Regional Publishing Company, 1905, Reprinted 1973. Narrative for Captain Thomas Todd is on page 48. Note that Warfield's work confuses the Annapolis and Baltimore Todd families.
  9. ↑ Fisher, Barbara Ann, Descendancy of Barbara [--?-- (b 1653) and Descendancy of Dennis Garrett (b 1651) ...] (pp 6a2-3) March 2007, accessed December 10, 2014

Bibliography of Frequently Cited Works

See also:

  • J. H. P., "The Gorsuch and Lovelace Families" The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 24, No. 1 (Jan., 1916), pp. 81-93, Virginia Historical Society, JSTOR.org accessed November 26, 2014




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Comments: 17

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Day-1904 Jack Day
I have reviewed the works by Pleasants and also Warfield. Warfield stated that Todd died at sea, but unfortunately though Warfield's "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties" is a classic, it was written in 1905 and often unsourced. The Baltimore Sun article, which also mentions that Todd died at sea, was written in 1909 and would appear to follow Warfield. Pleasants' work was written in 1916 and is much more thoroughly documented. Pleasants was surely acquainted with Warfield's work and would likely have said the same thing if he believed it. Though Pleasants also gives no source for his statement that "Captain Todd died in London while on this visit to England", I would regard it as more credible and reliable at this moment and have amended the data field to reflect this. Both works are secondary; if an original source can be found stating the place of death, the biography and data field can easily be amended again.
posted by Jack Day
edited by Jack Day
Juanita Avila
Despite various histories and genealogies reporting that Thomas Todd: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Todd-660 (1619-1675) and https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Todd-225 (1612-1671) were two separate Thomas Todds with different wives and children, a few pieces of evidence point to them being the same man. The strongest clue is from page 16 of the January 10, 1909 issue of the Baltimore Sun. The article “Patapsco Neck History” reports that when Thomas Todd purchased Todd’s Inheritance in Baltimore County, the land transfer record stated “For Thomas Todd on ye South Side of Severn River”.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/372500746/?match=1&clipping_id=138198925

Furthermore, Thomas Todd (Todd-225) of Lower Norfolk County, Virginia and Anne Arundel County, Maryland was reported to be a shipwright. While Thomas Todd of Gloucester and Baltimore Counties (Todd-660) was also a planter, he owned at least two ships, was a Captain, and utilized his ships for trade with England and within the colonies, hinting at shipwright capabilities. Finally, Thomas Todd of Gloucester/Baltimore (Todd-660) was nearly 40 years old when he married Anne Gorsuch around 1657. It is not inconceivable that he could have had an earlier family and been widowed before marrying Anne.

Thomas Todd (Todd-225) of Lower Norfolk County and Anne Arundel was reportedly married to Elizabeth and had several children with her including Thomas, Elizabeth, Lancelot, and John. Those children remained in Anne Arundel County. Reportedly, that Thomas Todd served as a Justice in Anne Arundel County in 1658 and 1661, which could have been challenging if his primary home at that time was Toddsbury in Gloucester County, Virginia. However, his oldest son Thomas, born circa 1640, may have been old enough to have been that Justice. Alternately, Thomas Todd (Todd-660) traveled regularly by ship to trade/sell and may have spent some time at each of his different homes including Anne Arundel.

Historians report that Thomas Todd of Anne Arundel County (Todd-225) was dead by 1671, five years before Thomas Todd of Baltimore County (Todd-660) passed away because there is a land sale record for “Todd upon Darvan” dated September 14, 1671 listing the minor John Todd’s guardians as his brother Lancelot and Cornelius Howard (John and Lancelot’s brother-in-law).

https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc5800/sc5881/000001/000000/000124/pdf/msa_sc_5881_1_124.pdf (page 89 of scan, page 358 of Magazine)

However, perhaps they were only guardians because John’s father was then living in Baltimore County with his second wife and their younger children or regularly traveling by ship to trade goods.

posted by Juanita Avila
Day-1904 Jack Day
Thanks, Juanita. Merging on WikiTree cannot be undone so it should not be considered until all possible research has been done. In the case of the two (or more) Thomas Todds, while the bios have many sources, the need to distinguish them emphasizes the importance of finding even more reliable primary sources to distinguish them. Nothing is lost by working slowly and thoroughly. Additional research might well show that they are the same person, and the material you cite may be proved correct -- or not. Thanks again for contributing to the discussion.
posted by Jack Day
S Y
I have seen on almost every genealogy website, some statement to the effect that Capt. Thomas Todd "died at sea" and "was buried at sea". However, I have not seen any source for this information. Does anyone know where it came from?

A few sites state he died onboard the ship, but they were close enough to England to have him buried in Denton, Durham, after they arrived. And some state that he died in London, then was sent to Denton for burial.

I don't know what is true. I'm just wondering what evidence there is for ANY of these possibilities.

posted by S Y
Day-1904 Jack Day
In my note above I've provided two citations in support of "sea" and one in support of "London." But none of them are primary records. In the case of research, I'd consider the more recent one, taking into consideration the earlier ones, more reliable -- but only primary records will actually settle your question. I hope we can find some!
posted by Jack Day
Taylor-25258 Carole Taylor
Since there is a record of a son named James, may we LINK the profile James Todd? and also I believe the place of death needs correcting, if he "died sea and was buried at sea" then the Anne Arundel needs to come off, yes?
posted by Carole Taylor
Day-1904 Jack Day
Place of death corrected. I'd recommend linking the James Todd profile in the narrative as a possibility, but connecting it in the data field should only be done if we are fairly sure he is the James who is the son.
posted by Jack Day
McClain-3310 Scott McClain
Following up on Jack's comment, the source cited for the list of children (the 1916 article by J.H. Pleasants published in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography) confirms that there is a son James Todd, but does not connect him to the the James Todd who drowned at sea in 1709. What is the basis for claiming that they are the same person? It may be that we need to remove that claim about him in this profile and just add a Research Note noting the possibility, as Jack suggests.
posted by Scott McClain
Todd Buck
Scott, here is one:

Adventurers of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1624/5 by John Frederick Dorman, Fourth Edition, Vol. 2, pg. 477, #17. I have seen the info elsewhere but I had this at hand. Does this help? Todd

posted by Todd Buck
McClain-3310 Scott McClain
Can you provide any more info about what this record shows? I don't have access to the book to check it myself, and I am not having any success finding a baptism record for a Thomas Todd in Denton, Durham, England in 1619.
posted by Scott McClain
Todd Buck
All the research I have found shows Thomas Todd being BAPTISED 12 Sep 1619, therefore not BORN on that day.

Although everything I have read reports that he was buried at sea, I recently heard that when he died aboard ship they were close enough to their destination that Thomas Todd was actually buried in Denton, Durham, England. Has anyone else come across this information? And, yes, my first name, Todd, is a family name.

posted by Todd Buck
McClain-3310 Scott McClain
Thank you Todd - can you provide a citation identifying the baptismal record you are referring to? With that cite added, I agree we should change the text in the bio to something like: ""Thomas was born about 1619 and baptized on September 12, 1619 at Denton, Durham, England. He was a son of Geoffrey Todd and Margaret Todd.[ADD CITATION TO BAPTISMAL RECORD] & change his vitals to reflect a birth in "about 1619"
posted by Scott McClain
Todd-6590 Mark Todd
Hello, Capt. Thomas Todd PPP folks.

I created a profile page for Todd+Gorsuch daughter Averilla, listed in narrative above, and added a source.

Can someone look at the profile page, Todd-12045, to consider my request to add this profile link as daughter to both Capt. Thomas Todd and Ann Lovelace Gorsuch.

Thanks for all your hard work and for your careful curation of this profile! :)

Cheers, Mark Todd

posted by Mark Todd
edited by Mark Todd
McClain-3310 Scott McClain
Done. Thanks for your contributions to this profile!
posted by Scott McClain
Smith-32867 Jillaine Smith
Jayme,

Given that there were multiple people by the same name in early Virginia, seems wise to add project-protection to prevent accidental or inaccurate merges and relationship changes. For that to happen, a project account needs to be added as a co-profile manager. Please add wikitreesoutherncolonies @ googlegroups . com (without the spaces as a co-profile manager. Once this is done, I'll ask a project Leader to PPP the profile. Thanks!

posted by Jillaine Smith
[Living Stewart]
Thanks for the link, Raymond, but as I am not a member of geni.com I am not able to see your data.
posted by [Living Stewart]
Nichols-2515 Raymond Nichols DD
Birth: September 12, 1619

Denton, Durham, England, UK Death: May 30, 1675 (55) At Sea, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Immediate Family: Son of Geoffrey Todd and Margaret Husband of ? Father of Elizabeth Howard

http://www.geni.com/people/Thomas-Todd/6000000021569398732

posted by Raymond Nichols DD

Rejected matches › Thomas Todd Jr (1660-1725) › Thomas Todd › Thomas George Todd › Thomas Todd › Thomas Todd (abt.1870-) › Thomas Todd (abt.1612-abt.1671)

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