HONOR THY FATHER & THY MOTHER:Information about Thomas Elliott

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Thomas Elliott (b. Abt. 1664, d. Abt. 1731)

Piney Woods Friends Meetinghouse, Belividere, Perquimans Co., NC. Several generations of the Elliott clan were members of this Quaker Meeting, oldest religious congregation in North Carolina.

Thomas Elliott was born Abt. 1664 in unknown, and died Abt. 1731 in Perquimans County, North Carolina.

Notes for Thomas Elliott:
Thomas Elliott is the earliest in our direct line to be traced with certainty. We believe he is our immigrant Elliott ancestor probably having been born in England or Scotland. We do know that he and his wife were transported by a Thomas Miller, probably to the Virginia Colony. In 1694 he was a settler in the Pasquotank Precinct of Albemarle County in the far northeastern coastal area of North Carolina, bordered on the north by Virginia and on the south by the Albemarle Sound. Nothing is known about Thomas' parents, though there is undocumented speculation that his father's name was Joseph and that he died in 1697.

The belief that the Elliott family came to North Carolina from Virginia is supported by a paragraph from the book "Southern Quakers and Slavery" by Stephen B. Weeks, Ph.D., published by The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, 1896. It states on page 77: "The Carolinians had from time to time received considerable additions of strength from the Virginia meetings. To a certain extent these Carolina meetings were a continuation of, we may say an overflow from the meetings in Virginia. This view is confirmed in part by the family names of these early Carolina Friends: Elliott, Nicholson, White, Newby, ..."

An extensive family tree of Thomas Elliott was completed in the early 1940's by John Elliott Wood. It was published in the Pasquotank Historical Society Yearbook, Vol. 1, 1954-55. This chart indicates that Thomas had a brother William and a sister Ruselak, both of whom were married in 1690. This family tree indicates that Thomas married twice. His first wife was Sarah and his second wife was Margaret. There is no other evidence of a wife named Sarah. This family chart is located at the Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, #2182 Miscellaneous Family Records, 52. Genealogical chart complied by Gen. John Elliott Wood.
The principal resources used for this family tree are:
- Wills, Deeds, Misc. Records, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
- Colonial Records, North Carolina, Saunders.
- Abstracts of North Carolina Wills, Grimes.
- N. C. Historical & Genealogical Register, Hathaway.
- Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, I & VI, Hinshaw.
- History of Perquimans County, Winslow.
- U.S. Census, 1790-1870.
- Family Bibles & Miscellaneous Church Records.
- Material of Errol T. Elliott, Richmond, Ind.

Thomas Elliott & his probable father Joseph Elliott were also included in a Pedigree Fan Chart of the family of John Raymond Elliott (born 1899) that was compiled and drawn by Louis E. Jones, Chicago, Illinios in 1932 with additions and corrections in 1993. This chart includes only Margaret as Thomas' wife.

Following are some chronological documented facts from the life of Thomas Elliott of Pasquotank & Perquimans Counties, NC, generously provided through the research of Raymond A. Winslow Jr., professional genealogist, in October of 2002. Mr. Winslow resides in Hertford, Perquimans County, North Carolina.

27 May 1694. Georg Fleming, who resided in "Pascotank" Precinct, in what is now Camden County included Thomas Elliott in his will. The bequest to Thomas was Mr. Fleming's "longest gun." Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., Early Records of North Carolina, Volume IV: Wills 1663-1722 (From the Secretary of State Papers) (Keysville, VA: Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., 1993) page 31.

2 July 1694. "Tho. Ellett" has one tithable in an account of levies, which appears to be for Pasquotank Precinct. Quit Rents-1679, Tithables- 1693-1694, in Colonial Court Records, Taxes & Accounts, 1679-1754, North Carolina State Archives.

23 October 1694. A land warrant is issued calling upon the Surveyor General to survey 640 acres for Mr. Thomas Miller. The land is due to Miller for the transportation of thirteen persons; among the thirteen are "Tho. Elliot, & his Wife". Weynette Parks Haun, Old Albemarle County, North Carolina, Book of Land Warrants and Surveys 1681-1706 (Durham, NS: Weynette Parks Haun, 1984), page 68.

1 January 1694 [1695 in our calendar]. A land grant is issued to Thomas Miller, Planter, for 640 acres on Pasquotank River, beginning at the mouth of "Portahunck" Creek. The land is granted for the importation of thirteen persons, including "Tho: Eliot & His wife". Weynette Parks Haun, Old Albemarle County, North Carolina, Book of Land Warrants and Surveys 1681-1706

2 October 1696. In a court held by Governor and Council, "Tho. Ellet (also shown as "Thomas Ellit") is one of the jurors trying three separate lawsuits. Mattie Erma Edwards Parker, ed., North Carolina Higher-Court Records 1670-1696 (Raleigh, NC State Department of Archives and History, 1968), pages 267, 268.

2 April 1702.
" The jurors for our Soveraigne Lord the King Do present that Thomas Ellitt of the Precinct of Pasquotank in province aforesaid not haveing the feare of god before his Eyes did about the Last of November Last or the first of Decembr. feloniously Kill and leave away one Cow Belonging to Cornelius Jones of the Same place of a pied Couler Against the peace of our Sorveraigne Lord the King his Crowne and Dignity and Contrary to the Statutes in that Case made and provided And prays that the Penalty of the Statute may be Inflicted upon him as the Law in that Case Directs.
"April the 2d 1702
"Wee the Jurers doe find bill of Vera
"[torn]
"Mr. Jno. Relf
"Mrs. Mary Willson"
William S. Price, Jr., ed., North Carolina Higher-Court Records 1670-1696 (Raleigh, NC State Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, 1974), page 17.

1702. The finished minutes of the Court do not show the disposition of the case of Crown v. Ellit.
William S. Price, Jr., ed., North Carolina Higher-Court Records 1670-1696 (Raleigh, NC State Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, 1974), passim.

12 December 1712. "Thom. Ellot" has two tithables in "A list of Tithables taken by Richd. Skinner Constable in the upper district of the South side of Paquimons River". Tax lists-Perquimans-No dates, 1702, 1712,1713, 1715-1717, 1720-1721, 1754, in Colonial Court Recores, Taxes & Accounts, 1679-1754, North Carolina State Archives.

27 August 1714. Thomas Elliott receives a land grant for 555 acres in "Pequimons" Precinct adjoining the Crane Pond, Joseph Smith, Nath. Newby, Gabriel Newby, Myry Branch, and the pocosin.
Margaret M. Hofmann, Province of North Carolina, 1663-1729, Abstracts of Land Patents (Weldon, NC: The Roanoke News Company, 1979), page 59.
Note 1: This plot of land was a short distance from the village of Belvidere, where Piney Woods Friends Meetinghouse stands, the oldest religious congregation in North Carolina.
Note 2: 'Pocosin' means a flat, swampy, reed-filled area bounding a body of water.

1715. Tho. Ellitt taxed in Perquimans for one poll (poll tax five shillings) and Estate Tax of one pound two shillings three pence.
Raymond A. Winslow, Jr., "Three Tax Lists of Perquimans County, NC., "The North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, XVII, 3 (August 1991). page 134.

16 April 1716. Eliza. Jones of Pasquotank Precinct conveys to Sarah Harrison 100 acres northeast of Pasquotank River beginning on a swamp joining Thos. Elliott's plantation.
Gwen Boyer Bjorkman, compiler, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Record of Deeds, 1700-1751 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1990) pages 51,52.

16th of 6th month [August] 1716. Thomas Ellett witnesses the marriage of his son, William Ellet and Elizabeth Pritloe "at the hows of John Pritloe..." approved by the Friends Monthly Meeting in Perquimans.
Gwen Boyer Bjorkman, compiler, Quaker Marriage Certificates, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Piney Woods and Suttons Creek Monthly Meetings, North Carolina, 1677-1800 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1988) page 121.

8th of 8th [October] 1716. Thomas Elliott of Perquimans Precinct conveys to his son William Ellit part of a tract of land granted to Thomas on 27 August 1714, the part being 200 acres adjoining Nathan Newby and James Thigpen.
Weynette Parks Haun, Perquimans County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts 1681-1729 (Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1983), page 73.

19 October 1716. Thomas Elliott receive a land grant for 140 acres in "Perquimons" Precinct adjoining Thos. Ellot and Joseph Smith.
Margaret M. Hofmann, Province of North Carolina, 1663-1729, Abstracts of Land Patents (Weldon, NC: The Roanoke News Company, 1979), page 257.

7 April 1717. Joseph Smith and wife Leah of Perquimans convey to Thomas Ellitt of the same 200 acres beginning at a branch betwixt the now dwelling houses of the said Smith and Ellitt, running up the branch to the back line, and adjoining all along said Thomas Ellitt's line.
Weynette Parks Haun, Perquimans county, North Carolina Deed Abstracts 1681-1729 (Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1983), page 77.

1717-1719. Thos. Eliot is taxed in Perquimans for two tithables and 680 acres in 1717, and for one tithable and 600 acres in both 1718 and 1719.
"Perquimans 1717-1719 Tax List," Perquimans County Historical Society Year Book, 1976, pp 41, 43.

October 1719. Thos. Elliot" serves on a jury in the General Court.
William S. Price, Jr., ed., North Carolina Higher-Court Minutes 1709-1723 (Raleigh, NC State Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, 1977), page 207.

November 10, 1719. At a council held at the town of Matecomack Creek, Perquimans Precinct, Moses Eliot presents a petition to the Governor's Council showing "that his father Thomas Eliot Obtained a patent for one hundred and Sixty Acres of Land lying in Perquimons which is not Seated and Planted as the Lawe directs and therefore prays a Lapse Patent may be granted him for the Same." The petition was granted.
Robert J. Cain, ed., Records of the Executive Council 1664-1734 (Raleigh, NC State Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, 1984), page 91, 93.

11 November 1719. Moses Eliot receives a land grand for 140 acres in "Perquimons" adjoining Thomas Eliot and Joseph Smith.
Margaret M. Hofmann, Province of North Carolina, 1663-1729, Abstracts of Land Patents (Weldon, NC: The Roanoke News Company, 1979), page 76.

1720. Thomas Eliott is taxed in Perquimans for 675 acres in pine woods acquired by Deed and for one tithable.
"Perquimans County: 1720 Tax List," North Carolina Genealogy, XVI, 1 (Spring-Summer 1970), p 2485.

April 1721. William Ellet and wife Elizabeth convey to Thomas Elliott 200 acres in Perquimans Precinct in the fork of Cypress Swamp beginning at a Pine Tree in John Prickloes line, being land granted to William on 19 October 1716.
Weynette Parks Haun, Perquimans County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts 1681-1729 (Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1983), page 91.

2 October 1724. Thomas Elliot witnesses the will of Joseph Smith of "Paquimance".
Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., Early Records of North Carolina, Volume V: Wills 1723-1736 (From the Secretary of State Papers) (Keysville, VA: Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., 1993) page 85.

2 April 1729. Thomas Elliot of "Paquimans" makes his will, which is probated on 16 December 1729.
Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., Early Records of North Carolina, Volume V: Wills 1723-1736 (From the Secretary of State Papers) (Keysville, VA: Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., 1993) page 27.

Following is a transcription of Thomas Elliott's will, which was proved on December 16, 1729:

"To all whom these presents shall be read heard or understood I Thomas Elliot of Perquimans in North Carolina being of perfect mind & sound memory & in good health do make & ordain this to be my last will & testament in manner & form as followeth viz

1. first it is my will & mind that just debts & funeral expenses be first discharged by my executors hereafter named &
2. I give & bequeath unto my son Caleb Elliot my plantation on which I now dwell containing five hundred acres to him & his heirs forever.
3. I give & bequeath unto my son Joshua Elliot two hundred acres of Land out of my tract lying between Benj. Sanders & J. Newbys he to have the first choice to himself & his heirs forever
4. I give & bequeath unto my son Isaac Elliot the remaining part of the tract (illeg.) to him & his heirs forever
5. I give & bequeath unto my son William Elliot one shilling
6. I give & bequeath unto my son Thomas Elliot one cow & calf
7. I give & bequeath unto my daughter Mary Brown one Pewtor Dish
8. It is my will & mind that all my sons have what cattle is already marked for them of their several marks
9. I give & bequeath unto my son my young horse named Snooker to my son Isaac
10. I give & bequeath unto my son Abraham my horse Coolt
11. It is my will & mind that my son Solomon & Daughter Ursely & my sons Joseph & Benja. Have each of them a cow & calf before my divission is made
12. I give & bequeath unto my beloved wife Margaret Elliot one third part of all my personal estate
13. I give & bequeath unto my sons [torn] Joshua Moses Isaac Jacob Abraham Solomon & my Daughter Ursely sons Joseph & Benjamin all the remaining part of my personal estate be equally divided between them
14. I nominate & ordain & appoint my beloved wife Margaret Elliot & my son Caleb Elliot to be my Executrix & Executor to see this my will fulfilled performed & accomplished & confirming this & no other to be my last will & Testament, in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand & fixed my seal this second day of April Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred twenty nine

Signed sealed pronounced & delivered in presents of us

Sarah [x] Warner Thos Ellot
William ...
R. Wilson

Decbr 16th 1729
Proved this will of Thomas Elliot
According to .. before me
Richd Everard"

Thomas Elliott's will is at the Department of Archives and History, State Library, Raleigh, North Carolina,
Book 9, page 54.

More About Thomas Elliott and <Unnamed>:
Marriage: Bef. 1692, Virginia or North Carolina.

Children of Thomas Elliott are:

+Thomas Elliott, b. Abt. 1692, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, d. July 1752, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
+Jacob Elliott, b. Abt. 1694, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, d. Aft. 1748, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
Solomon Elliott, b. Abt. 1696, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, d. date unknown.
+William Elliott, b. Abt. 1698, Pasquotank or Perquimans County, North Carolina, d. May 02, 1751, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
+Caleb Elliott, b. Abt. 1700, Pasquotank or Perquimans County, North Carolina, d. June 15, 1775, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
+Isaac Elliott, b. Abt. 1702, Pasquotank or Perquimans County, North Carolina, d. October 03, 1787, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
+Moses Elliott, b. Abt. 1706, Pasquotank or Perquimans County, North Carolina, d. February 02, 1756, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
+Joshua Elliott, b. Abt. 1708, Pasquotank or Perquimans Co., North Carolina, d. Abt. 1743.
Mary Elliott, b. Abt. 1709, Pasquotank or Perquimans Co., North Carolina, d. date unknown.
+Benjamin Elliott, b. Abt. 1710, Pasquotank or Perquimans Co., North Carolina, d. 1774, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
+Abraham Elliott, b. Abt. 1712, Perquimans County, North Carolina, d. 1766, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
Joseph Elliott, b. Abt. 1714, Perquimans County, North Carolina, d. April 1788, Perquimans County, North Carolina.
Ursley Elliott, b. Abt. 1716, Perquimans County, North Carolina, d. date unknown.