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Descendants of Thomas Vail

Generation No. 1

1. Thomas¹ Vail was born Abt. 1628 in Southwold, Suffolk, England, and died 1687 in Westchester Co., New York. He married Sarah Wentworth 1650 in England. She was born 1630 in England, and died Aft. 1657.

Notes for Thomas Vail:

Notes for Thomas Vail:
The following is an excerpt from Genealogy of some of the Vail Family descended from Thomas Vail, at Salem,
Massachusetts 1640, Together with Collateral Lines by William Penn Vail, MD, 1937, prepared by Gray & Thompson
Advertising, Chapel Hill North Carolina.
Thomas Vail, first of the line, American ancestor, Colonial forefather, is listed as coming from England with his wife,
Sarah in 1640, to Salem, Massachusetts. The next record of Thomas is found in "Howell's History of Southampton L.
I.", (pg 440), where he is mentioned as an Inhabitant as early as 1647. He is included in the list of Towmsmen of
Southampton 10 May, 1649, and in the list his name is spelled "Vayle". He with his wife Sarah lived at Southampton
and purchased land of "Mr. Mitchell in the Great Playne."
Thompson in his "History of Long Island" (Vol. 7:137), says "The Prerogative of a townsman was to superintend the
more important interests of the Town; to adopt prudential measures required by the common good." He (Thomas Vail)
drew an allotment division March, 1651, for a 100 pound lot; (v. Southampton Town Records).

1650 - Whale-watching was one of the earliest and most lucrative occupations of Southampton, and its Town. Records
show that Thomas Vail is " to have for his paines, 3 shillings per day at the Seapoose." Seapoose is an Indian word
meaning "Little River," or the inlet connecting Mecox Bay with the Ocean, where he was stationed at certain periods to
range the shore and watch for stranded whales. When finally the huge carcass of a whale was cast upon the sandy
beach and temporarily secured until the town was warned, the custom was for all the grown men of the town to be
impressed into subdividing the carcass and "trying out" the blubber. this custom began as early as 1644, when two
men of each of three wards of eleven men each, were to cut up the whale, try the blubber and have a double share. the
remainder was to be divided among the townsmen, and in the long run became a rich source of revenue for the town.
This whaling station at Southampton was the first of a long series of stations along the Long Island shore. Nearly all
these whaling stations have passed away except the original one at Southampton. (v. Howell's Southampton, p. 32.)

1660 - Thomas Vail removed to Westchester Co., N. Y., where he appears in 1660, as a man of prominence and
influence. The first record of his presence there is in O'Callahan's "Register of New Netherland" (p. 98), where we learn
that Thomas Veall is a Magistrate, 21 January, 1660, in Westchester. Also he was reappointed to this office 11 January,
1661. According to this same authority a "Magistrate" is an officer "sworn to administer justice according to the charter,
and regulate matters relating to roads, fences, bridges, schools, churches and other public buildings." It appears that
the office of Magistrate in those early days was the most prominent of the local offices and included the functions of
several officers of the law today.

1662 - Thomas Vaille was also popular as a Magistrate for we find he was among six nominated to be Magistrate 11
February, 1662, (v. Bolton's Westchester, Vol. 2:280).

1664 - He was one of the Westchester Associates and we find his name and mark in a list of 17 Westchester Associates
recognizing the absolute right of Mr. Thomas Pell, of Pellham Manor, in the land question between the people of
Connecticut and New Amsterdam 16 June, 1664. (Bolton's: loc. cit.).

1665 - He was a signer of an agreement to send eight men to Governor Nicolls to confer about the "Settlement of ye
Town" of Westchester (v. Bolton Westchester, Vol. 2:180).

1666 - On the 7 May, 1666, the town of Westchester granted land to Thomas Vaill (Westchester Records, Vol. 1:29).
On the 11 July, 1666, a second division of land was made at which time Thomas Vaille was allotted lot No. 13, (v.
Westchester Records, Vol. 1:33).

1675 - The name of Thomas Vaill is found on the assessment roll of Westchester and Eastchester of 1675, and shows
that he was assessed on "one horse, two oxen, three cows, 2 three-year old, 2 two-year old, six acres of land and eight
acres of meadow." (v. Doc'y Col'l Hist. N. Y. State 13:488)

1679 - His name is of record on several land conveyance instruments and he seems to have "made his mark" on each
several paper. On the 16 March, 1679, he conveys to Thomas Whitlock "one acker" along the creek, and made the
mark ( ). On the 16 May, 1681, he mortgages two and a half acres bounded by Joseph Hunt, Samuel Vail and William
Richardson for lb10-9-8, to Captain Philip Carteret and William Lawrence, Administrators, and on this instrument
makes the mark (W). There was some litigation concerning this two and a half acres on the 30 October, 1668, and
Richard Townley of Elizabeth Town, N. J., acknowledges receipt from William Richardson of Westchester of lb10-9-8,
also lb1. Court charges in an action commenced against Thomas Vail at a Court of Sessions at Eastchester in November
1684. The record of this two and a half acres closed soon after Thomas Vail died, for his son Samuel Vail on the 14
December, 1688, deeds this two and a half acres to William Richardson, Thomas Vail, his father, being deceased (v.
Westchester Rec. Vol. A 298, also Vol. 2:5; also Vol. B395).
Thomas Vail on the 19 January, 1686, witnesses the sale of eight acres on Castle Hill, (v. Book A:221) and makes his
mark on this instrument thus (X). Again when Thomas Vail, Sr., of Westchester, sells 10 acres to Joseph Hunt, 10
April, 1686, (v. Bk. A. 74.) he made his mark thus (III). His mark, though in a variety of forms identifies Thomas Vail
Sr., beyond question, and easily distinguishes him from his son Thomas who always signs his name.

1683 - In the account of what estate the inhabitants of Westchester have given to be rated in the year 1683, Thomas
Vaile, Sr., has two acres meadow, two oxen, one cow, four sheep, three shillings, 5 pence. (v. O'Callahan's Col. Hist. N.
Y., 13:574)

1686 - He is listed among the Freeholders of Westchester, 9th Mo., 1686, as "Thomas Vail, Sr., 25 lb share", (v. Town
Records: 2:8).

1687 - In the division of land, 3 May, 1687, he is allotted lot No. 39, consisting of 10 acres on the East side of Brunks
River, We have not the exact date of his death but we gather from the land records that he died somewhere between 3
May, 1687, when he was allotted lot No. 39, and the 14th December, 1688, as noted in the deed of two and a half
acres from Samuel Vail and Elizabeth, his wife, to William Richardson.

In 1640 when Thomas Vail with his wife Sarah came to Salem, Massachusetts, Jeremiah Vail was living there, having
come in 1639. It is exceedingly probable that Jeremiah and Thomas Vail were brothers. Jeremiah and Thomas
emigrated to the eastern part of Long Island, Jeremiah to Southold, and Thomas to Southampton. Both were
blacksmiths by trade.

How long Thomas (1) Vail remained a resident of Southampton, L. I., we do not know with certainty. On the 30 May,
1654, he received another allotment of land, of £50. value, in Southampton. This appears to be the last record of his
presence in this place. He is not mentioned in the land lists of 1657. When he removed, and to whom he conveyed his
land in Southampton may appear in searching the early land records of this place.

1660. He removed to Westchester Co., N. Y., where he appears in 1660, as a man of prominence and influence. The
first record of his presence there is in O'Callahan's "Register of New Netherland" (p. 98), where we learn that Thomas
Veall is a Magistrate, 21 January, 1660, in Westchester.

Also he was reappointed to this office I I January, 1661. According to this same authority a "Magistrate" is an officer
"sworn to administer justice according to charter, and regulate matters relating to roads, fences, bridges, schools,
churches and other public buildings." It appears that the office of Magistrate in those early days was the most
prominent of the local offices and included the functions of several officers of the law today.

1662. Thomas Vaille was also popular as a Magistrate for we find he was among six nominated to be Magistrate 11
February, 1662, (v. Bolton's Westchester, Vol. 2:280).

1664. He was one of the Westchester Associates and we find his name and mark in a list of 17 Westchester Associates
recognizing the absolute right of Mr. Thomas Pell, of Pelham Manor, in the land question between the people of
Connecticut and New Amsterdam 16 June, 1664. (Bolton's: loc. cit.)

1665. He was a signer of an agreement to send eight men to Governor Nicolls to confer about the "Settlement of ye
Town" of Westchester (v. Bolton Westchester, Vol. 2:180).

1666. On the 7 May, 1666, the town of Westchester granted land to Thomas Vaill (Westchester Records, Vol. 1 :29).
On the 11 July, 1666, a second division of land was made at which time Thomas Vaille was allotted lot No. 13, (v.
Westchester Records, Vol. 1 :33).

1675. The name of Thomas Vaill is found on the assessment roll of Westchester and Eastchester of 1675, and shows
that he was assessed on "one horse, two oxen, three cows, 2 three-year old, 2 two-year old, six acres of land and eight
acres of meadow." (v. Doc'y Col'I Hist. NT. Y. State 13:488).

1679. His name is of record on several land conveyance instruments and he seems to have "made his mark" on each
several paper. On the 16 March, 1679, he conveys to Thomas Whitlock "one acker" along the creek, and made the
mark (ÇÈ). On the 16 May, 1681, he mortgages two and a half acres bounded by Joseph Hunt, Samuel Vail and
William Richardson for £10-9-8, to Captain Philip Carteret and William Lawrence, Administrators, and on this
instrument makes the mark (W). There was some litigation concerning this two and a half acres, for Richard Townley
signed a quit claim to said two and a half acres on the 30 October, 1668, and Richard Townley of Elizabeth Town, N.
J., acknowledges receipt from William Richardson of Westchester of £10-9-8, also £1. Court charges in an action
commenced against Thomas Vail at a Court of Sessions at Eastchester in November 1684. The record of this two and a
half acres closed soon after Thomas Vail died, for his son Samuel Vail on the 14 December, 1688, deeds this two and a
half acres to William Richardson, Thomas Vail, his father, being deceased (v. Westchester Rec. Vol. A 298, also Vol.
2:5; also Vol. B 395).

Thomas Vail on the 19 January, 1686, witnesses the sale of eight acres on Castle Hill, (v. Book A:221) and makes his
mark on this instrument thus (X). Again when Thomas Vail, Sr., of Westchester, sells 10 acres to Joseph Hunt, 10
April, 1686, (v. Bk. A. 74.) he made his mark thus (III). His mark, though in a variety of forms identifies Thomas Vail,
Sr., beyond question, and easily distinguishes him from his son Thomas (2) who always signs his name.

1683. In the account of what estate the inhabitants of Westchester have given to be rated in the year 1683, Thomas
Vaile, Sr., has two acres meadow, two oxen, one cow, four sheep, three shillings, 5 pence. (v. O'Callahan's Col. Hist. N.
Y., 13:574),

1686. He is listed among the Freeholders of Westchester, 9th Mo., 1686, as "Thomas Vail, Sr., £25. share," (v. Town
Records: 2:8).

1687. In the division of land, 3 May, 1687, he is allotted lot No. 39, consisting of ten acres on the East side of Brunks
River. We have not the exact date of his death, but we gather from the land records that he died somewhere between
the 3 May, 1687, when he was allotted lot No. 39, and the 14th December, 1688, as noted in the deed of two and a
half acres from Samuel Vail and Elizabeth, his wife, to William Richardson.

Most of those who bear the name of Vail, Veal, or Veale in this country, are descendents of Thomas Vail, the head of
an ancient house in Gloucestershire, England. He came to New England in 1640 and was a resident of Salem, Mass.
Later he was removed to Southhampton, L. I., and was one of the founders of Westchester, N.Y., where he served as a
magistrate.

When the wave of emigration swept over the Northern and Eastern states, many families moved Southward and
westward, and among them were the Vails. Some of them settled in New Jersey, and from there scattered into Ohio,
Kentucky, Virginia, and many other states. In the Southern states the name is usually spelled Veal, Veale.

The ancestry of Thomas Vail, the American founder, can be traced to Gilbertus Viel, who lived in 1066, the time of
William the Conquerers victory over the Saxons in Britain.

Notes for Sarah Wentworth:

1651 Thomas Veale and wife Sarah were ordered to appear in Court at the June Term. The records of the Town of
Southampton (p. 80) reveal that this order was caused by a woman of strong mind, of precise speech and of positive
character. ZIt is quite true that Sarah veale, the wife of Thomas, was sentenced 4 June, 1651, by the Magistrates of
Southampton " For exhorbitant words of imprecations, to stand with her tongue in a cleft stick soelong as the offence
committed by her was read and declared."
It seems her offence was caused by just provocation and in this day she would not be blamed for defending and
protecting herself with the only weapon a woman has. However, the circumstances were as follows: George Wood, a
neoghbour, trespassed uninvited into the home of Thomas Veale, who complained to the Court. George Wood entered
a cross action. The Court acquitted and dismissed both parties. After Court Mrs. Veale used the language for which she
was punished. Bayles, in his sketches of Suffolk County, L. I., (p. 403) justifies this highly-bred woman, who so
earnestly desired more of civil law and at least a little of the Gospel. Bayles says "A woman was sentenced to stand with
a cleft stick upon her tongue for saying that her husband had brought her to a place where there was neither Gpspel
nor magistracy." When righteous anger fills the soul and rouses the nerve of a God-fearing, law abiding woman justly
provoked, her tongue spares neither church nor state-nor husband. this is the only glimpse into the life and character
of Sarah Veale which history gives us. Her Godly children prove her to have been a devoted mother and a pious parent.

Children of Thomas Vail and Sarah Wentworth are:

+	2	i.	Samuel² Vail, born 1654 in Southampton, Long Island, New York; died June 26, 1695 in Westchester, Westchester Co., New York.
	3	ii.	Thomas Jr. Vail, born 1656 in EastChester, NY; died Aft. 1704 in EastChester, NY.
	4	iii.	Joseph Vail, born 1658 in Huntington, Long Island, NY; died April 21, 1698 in Huntington, Long Island, NY.
	5	iv.	John Vail, born 1660 in EastChester, NY; died 1684 in EastChester, NY, Westchester County, NY. He married Eunice Abt. 1681.
	6	v.	James Vail, born 1662.
	7	vi.	Philip Vail, born 1664 in East Hampton, Long Island, NY. He married Mary Ruth Abt. 1685.

Notes for Philip Vail:

Occupation: Blacksmith of Huntington.

	8	vii.		Ruth Vail, born 1666 in Westchester Co., New York; died Aft. 1698 in EastChester, NY.
	9	viii.		Mary Vail, born 1668 in EastChester, NY.

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