The Leeds Family of New Jersey:Information about Thomas Hicks
Thomas Hicks (b. Bet. 1637 - 1642, d. Bet. 1741 - 1742)
Notes for Thomas Hicks:Place of birth of Thomas is dependent on whether he was born before or after 1635.1635 his father was a resident of Mass. By 1638 they were in Newport, RI
Colonial Record shows: "Hartford 12 May 1664.For Hempstead, This Court accepts.....Thomas Hicks...to be freemen, if they accept it."
John Rudderrow Stevenson, in 1902, says Thomas lived to be 100 years old.
In 1703 he defended Samuel Brown, a Quaker preacher, in his difficulty with the Hempstead churchmen for attacking their doctrines and ceremonies.
The will of Thomas Hicks was dated 5/15/1727, proved 1/28/1741-1742 in Flushing Queens Co. NY he leaves to his grandson, Thomas Hicks, eldest son of Thomas Hicks, deceased, the sum of 5 shillings; to his son Isaac his Great History Book which is called Speeds Chronicle of England; to his son Benjamin a silver tankard; to his son Stephen all his houses, lands and meadows in the bounds of Flushing, except his right on the Great Plain in Hempstead, also a bed and furniture and the remainder of his books and two Hatchells and his wearing apparell; to his 6 sons, John, Joseph, Isaac, Benjamin, William and Stephen all his right to the Great Plain in Hempstead; to his daughter Phebe Simmons, 100 lbs; to daughter Charity 250 lbs; to daughter Mary Bushlar 100 pounds; to granddaughter Mary Hicks, daughter of son William Hicks, a silver tumbler.All the rest of his personal property to his 4 daughters, Phebe, Elizabeth, Charity and Mary and to granddaughter, Sarah Everitt.His Indian and negro slaves and livestock to remain for son Stephen.Sons Benjamin and Stephen are to be serviceable to daughter Charity in her affairs.Stephen named executor.
Children of his marriage to Mary Butler: Thomas b 1660 in Queens, Elizabeth b 1661 in Queens, Jacob b 1663/1664 in Queens, Sarah b 1668 in Queens, Phoebe b 1672 and John b 1676.
Children of his marriage to Mary Doughty (1677 06 Jul; Thomas Hicks; Mary Doughty-from NY Marriage records): Isaac b 1678, Benjamin b abt 1680, Charles b 1683 in Queens, William b 1684/1685, Stephen b 1686 in Queens, Charity b 1688 in Queens and Mary b 1694 in Queens.
Thomas married twice, first to Mary (Butler) Washburn, widow of John Washburn, and daughter of Richard Butler of Stratford, CT. His second wife was Mary Doughty, daughter of Elias and Sarah Doughty, and grandaughter of Francis Doughty.
Different sources estimate different birth dates for the children and assign them in some cases to different mothers in different birth orders. And the usual total given is 13. However an original document has been located which clarifies this issue and also suggests there was a 14th child, a Mary born of his first wife who died prior to 1713, but left an heir or heirs. (The Mary mentioned in his will was clearly still alive at the time his will was written and was no doubt a daughter of his second wife) On February 10, 1712/13 Thomas executed an instrument for the CT Probate District of Fairfield, Estate of Mary Hicks of Cornberry Neck, NY, relinquishing all claims to the Stratford, CT property which his first wife, Mary (Butler) Washburn Hicks, had inherited from her father, Richard Butler of Stratford, in favor of her children. The instrument specifically names "ye legatys as follows: John Washburn, grandchild of the deceased; Thomas Hicks, John Hicks, Jacob Hicks, sons of the deceased; and Phebe Hicks, Mary Hicks, Sarah Hicks, and Elizabeth Hicks, daughters of the deceased." (Fairfield Probate District, File #2868) The division of property among the heirs is subsequently listed and confirmed in the Land Records of Stratford, Vol 2, p 111, as per the order of the Probate Court. (Microfilms of these original documents are available at the Ct State LIbrary in Hartford, CT) That leaves Issac, Benjamin, William, Charles, Charity, Stephen, and a second Mary as children of his second wife, Mary Doughty.
More About Thomas Hicks:
Arrested: 1689, Jacob Leisler, the usurping governor of NY issued a warrent of arrest for Capt Thomas HIcks, Col. Thomas Willett, Thomas Dougan and Daniel Whitehead, to bring before Council.
Census: 1698, Justice Thomas Hukes (Hicks) and wife Mary with family of 7 children and 6 servants registered as residents of Flushing..
Elected 1: 1685, Commissioned as a Justice of the Peace.
Elected 2: 12 Oct 1684, Named as one of the agents for Flushing for obtaining from the Indians a deed of confirmation of the land derived under Gov. Kieft' patent..
Elected 3: 1691, Commissioned the first Judge of the Court of Common Please for Queens County, NY which he held until 1699..
Elected 4: 1698, Was high sheriff of Queens County in 1698 and again in 1702-1703..
Elected 5: Bet. 1701 - 1702, Member of the Assembly.
Marriages: 06 Jul 1677, Thomas Hicks married 2nd Mary Doughty in Queens, NY.
Military service 1: 1686, Captain of the Queens County troops.
Military service 2: 1693, Colonel of the Queens County troops.
Property 1: 1666, Received patent from Gov. Nichol for 4000 A on Madman's Neck (Little Neck).
Property 2: 20 Oct 1685, One of the patentees named in said confirmatory patent..
Property 3: 1688, Received lands in Huntington from Richard Cornwell of Cornwell Hall.
Will: 29 Apr 1672, Named as son and executor of the Will of John Hicks of Hempstead.Letters of Administration were granted 6/17/1672..
More About Thomas Hicks and Mary Butler:
Marriage: Abt. 1659
Children of Thomas Hicks and Mary Butler are:
- +Thomas Hicks, b. Abt. 1660, Hempstead, Queens, LI NY, d. Bet. Mar 1712 - 1713, Flushing, Queens Co., LI NY.