Notes for Thomas Jefferson Amis: Notes for THOMAS AMIS: Thomas Amis,(in Ramsey's Annals is pronounced Amy and of French origin), son of John and Mary (Dillard) Amis, was born January 1, 1744 in Northampton CO., North Carolina. He married, first, Alice Gale, 1744-1784, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Marshall) Gale, on January 27, 1763. Thomas and Alice came to what is now Hawkins Co,Tennessee in 1781, then Sullivan Co, North Carolina after the Revolutionary War. At the mouth of Big Creek River, he built a stone house on a thousand acres granted him by the government. A store, blacksmith shop, distillery, saw and grist mill, and a palisade to guard against Cherokee assaults were constructed. A post office,school and church to be added later. Amis opened an Inn and operated a tavern which became a public stage stop-over for many notables such as Andrew Jackson, Governor John Sevier, the Elder Michaux, and Bishop Francis Asbury. The good Bishop noted in his journal that he spent the night at Amis' tavern...was well entertained for his money, but that he rebuked Amis for bragging about how much money he made off of his brew. Evidently the two engaged in some heated debates, for Asbury commented that "it was out of necessity and not choice that he was there." According to the writings of Dr. George E Mellon of the University of Tennessee, "In his day, Thomas Amis was a man both of substance and official distinction." During the Revolutionary War, on December 22, 1776, he was commissioned Commissary for the Third Regiment, North Carolina Continental Troops, under Colonel Jethro Sumners, and given the rank of Captain. In Volume 2, page 586, North Carolina Colonial Records, by Saunders, Amis wrote to his Excellency, "I have been the only acting commissioner and have supplied all the troops since the departure of our Army northward. Have already mortgaged my own property for the loan of a few hundred pounds." Amis represented Bladen Co, North Carolina in the Provincial Congress in 1776, and in 1788-89, he represented Hawkins Co, North Carolina/Tennessee where his votes were in favor of separation. In 1786, while trading in the west (Natchez,Mississippi.) his boat was confiscated on the river by the Spanish Commandant, and despite a letter of strong opposition from Amis, evidently never returned to it's rightful owner. In 1787 Thomas married, second, Lucy Haynes, daughter of Francis and Anna Haynes. Thomas Amis' Will was the first one recorded in Hawkins Co, Tennessee. He and both wives are buried in Amis Cemetery near the stone house in which they resided, three miles above Rogersville,Tennessee.
WILL OF THOMAS AMIS, HAWKINS Co TENNESSEE: In the name of God, I, Thomas Amis of the State of Tennessee and Co of Hawkins, knowing that it is ordained for all men to die, and being sick and weak, but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in~manner and form following (viz.) : First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, fully believing in His almighty, wise providence and mercy to all His children, after this life to rest in peace, and as to worldly goods and chattels that He has been pleased to put in my care in this life, I dispose of in manner and form following : Item: I give and bequeath unto my wife Lucy, all my cash in hand at my decease with all my stock of every kind and species, also, all my plantation tools and utensils including wagons etc. and all my household and kitchen furniture of every kind, and all the present crop of all sorts whatever to her and her heirs forever. I also lend to my said wife all my land on Big Creek containing three hundred and fifty acres in three tracts, including the place where on I now live: also, the tract of land where on Patty Brooks now lives, containing two hundred acres adjoining the land my son Willis lives on, with my tools and utensils thereunto belonging, and my smith's tools, all of which said loan I lend her during the time she remains my widow, and at her death or marriage, I give to my son Haynes Amis, and his heirs forever. I give to my son John Amis, what may be recovered from the cargo seized from me by the Spanish Commandant at Fort Natchez in June.1786. I also give him the tract of land he now lives on adjoining the town of Rogersville and lying the east side of the main road, also the lower part of my six hundred and forty acre tract of land to be laid off by a line to run square with the upper end ofthe above tract he now lives on, to him and his heirs forever, I give unto my son Willis Amis, the upper part of my six hundred and forty acre tract of land, it being the balance of that I gave my son John, in the same tract. I give unto my son Lincoln Amis, the five lots inthe town of Rogersville which I purchased of Daniel Hamlin. I also give him all my land lying on the west side of the main road and adjoining the town of Rogersville. I give unto my son Thomas Gale Amis, all the certificates by me funded in the Continental Loan Office in North Carolina the 22nDof August 1791, number 106, amounting to twenty-one hundred and sixty-two dollars and forty cents, to him and his heirs forever. My will is that the rest of my estate consisting of slaves, bonds, notes, judgements, book accounts etc., shall be equally divided between my wife Lucy, and all my children except Thomas Gale Amis and Haynes Amis, as I consider their legacies to be equal other ways with the rest of my children. Also the following deductions to be made: Out of my daughters, Tabitha and Mary, shares six hundred and sixty-six dollars and two-thirds cash: and out of my daughter Fannie's and son John's shares, three hundred and thirty three and one third dollars each. I make these deductions for negroes already given. It is my will and desire that my friends John Rhea, Col. James Armstrong, William Armstrong Esq., Joseph McMinn Esq. and William Howard (surveyor), or a majority of them do make the division of the above mentioned slaves, bonds, notes, judgements, book accounts etc., such divisions when made to be made in Court which shall stand good in law, and, if any of my children shall die without leaving lawful heirs, then I will their legacy to be equally divided amongst those of my children who have a share in the last mentioned legacy of slaves, bonds, notes, book accounts etc. or their lawful representatives. It is also my will and desire that my library of all my books be kept together for the use of my school, and lastly, I do appoint my wife Lucy, my executrix, to this my last will and testament, revoking all other will or wills by me made. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of November, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven. Signed and sealed in presence of THOMAS AMIS Milton Ford Isaac Lambert James Herbert Irwin Spencer Ball Hawkins Co Tennessee Register of Wills, Vol. 1. 1797-1886- i
[Robison Family Master File.FTW]
More About Thomas Jefferson Amis: Elected: 1776, Provincial Congress.156, 157 Military service: Captain, 3rd Regiment of Continental Troops.158, 159 Will: 16 Nov 1763, Hawkins Co, Tennessee.160, 161
More About Thomas Jefferson Amis and Alice Gale: Marriage: 27 Jan 1763, Isle of Wright Co, Virginia.162
Children of Thomas Jefferson Amis and Alice Gale are:
+Frances Amis, b. 15 Apr 1765, Northampton Co, North Carolina163, d. 27 Apr 1857, Grainger Co, Tennessee164.
Captain Thomas Jefferson Amis (b. 01 Jan 1743/44, d. 18 Nov 1797)
Notes for Thomas Jefferson Amis: