TOMLINSON FAMILY

There are several schools of thought concerning the origins of the Tomlinson family in the Wilson County, North Carolina area. My cousin, Robert Tomlinson, who was born and raised in Wilson, is of the opinion that they came from Pennsylvania. It is said that two Tomlinson brothers came down together and settled in Black Creek Township, Wayne County, North Carolina. Wilson was formed in 1855 from Wayne, Nash, Johnston and Edgecombe Counties. Our ancestor, William Tomlinson is found in the Wayne County 1790 census record. His wife was Marcinda Goff. Stephen was one of their sons, born Dec. 2, 1777. He married Mary Rountree in 1800 in Wayne County. Mary was the daughter of Moses Rountree (b. 1754, d. 1804) and Theresa Thomas (b. 1761.) The Rountrees are an interesting family in their own right. They are from Nansemond County, Virginia, which is now incorporated in the city of Suffolk.

There is a researcher that has done extensive work on the Tomlinson family. She states that it is believed by some that the Tomlinson family from Wilson County descends from a branch of Tomlinsons that came from Pasquotank and Perquimans Counties, North Carolina. These two counties are near the border of Virginia and alot of Wilson families came from that area. I have no proof, but I feel like this is highly possible.