Father: Thomas Howerton, Jr.
Mother: Jane Gilby

Spouse: Grisillah Covington? - b: 1726
  m: ~1740 - Essex Co. VA

Child-1: Thomas - b: ~1740 - Essex Co., VA
                             d: 3/Apr/1812 - Henrico Co., VA
                            m: Susannah Anderson - 1774 - Essex Co., VA
          2: John - b: ~1750 - Essex Co., VA
                        d: 1830 - Montgomery Co., VA
                       m: Sally Winnery - 1782 - Montgomery Co., VA
          3: Jane
          4: Grief - b: 6/Feb/1755 - Essex Co., VA
                        d:  21/Nov/1839 - Rhea, TN - bur: Old Howerton Cem.
                       m: Elizabeth Ann Jackson
          5: James - b: ~1756 - Essex Co., VA
                          d:  9/Aug/1821 - Duncan Creek, SC
                         m: Elizabeth *****
          6: William H. - b: 1759 - Essex Co., VA
                                 d: 18/Aug/1841 - Morgan Co., KY
                                m: Nancy Ratcliff
          7: Susannah - b: ~1762 - m: Thomas Alley, Jr.
          8: Frances (Fanny) - b: ~1764
                                         m: Stephen Lester Jett - 19/Feb/1784 - Montgomery Co., VA

Biographical Details:

Thomas Howerton, the first known child of Thomas and Jane Gilby Howerton was the fourth in a direct line of descent to bear this name.  He was born in Essex County, Virginia, in 1721 and married his wife, Grisillah, about 1740.  Her maiden name is unknown, however, researchers of the Howerton family believe that there is strong circumstantial evidence that it was Covington nevertheless, this presumption awaits a definitive confirmation.¹  After their marriage, Thomas and Grisillah Howerton remained in Essex County and he served in the French and Indian War in Captain Richard Tyler's Company of Foot.²  Precise details of the military service of Thomas Howerton are not known.

Upon his father's death in 1757, Thomas inherited the family home in Essex County.  However, in 1760 or shortly thereafter, he sold his property in Essex County and with his wife and children moved to the vicinity of Richmond.  The Howerton family had been resident in Essex County for three generations and his motivation for this move is not known.  Naturally, one can speculate that as with later American pioneers, he sought more fertile land and better economic conditions.  Indeed, it appears from existing land and court records that Thomas Howerton was quite active in the buying and selling of land in Henrico, Chesterfield, and other nearby counties of Virginia.³  Within this context, on August 30, 1763, he received a royal patent for two hundred acres located on both sides of Winterpock Creek in Chesterfield County.⁴  Apparently, as a consequence of all of this activity he became entangled in some legal difficulties since, in the middle of the 1760's Thomas Howerton was named as defendant in two lawsuits in Henrico County involving James Buchanan and David Whitlock as plaintiffs.⁵  In the Whitlock case, it is clear that the suit was due to the non-payment of forty-one pounds as specified in the original conveyance of the associated property.  In 1767, Thomas Howerton sold the Whitlock property to Richard Farrar of Goochland County.  By 1769, it seems that Thomas Howerton and some of his children had migrated further west to Prince Edward County, Virginia.⁶  (His oldest son, also named Thomas, seems to have remained in Henrico County.)  As yet, there is no documentary record of his wife, Grisillah, in Prince Edward County.  It is possible that she died prior to this move; however, this cannot be presumed because in the eighteenth century married women were generally not included as parties to legal transactions of their husbands unless, they had some direct interest.  (Colonial Virginia law did require the wife to acknowledge, in writing, her loss of dower rights if they resided as husband and wife on or on a part of property sold by her husband.)  There is evidence that Grisillah did make such an acknowledgement upon the sale of the Whitlock property in Chesterfield County.  This would indicate that she did move to Prince Edward County with her husband.  Moreover, as previously in Henrico and Chesterfield Counties, Thomas Howerton was an active trader in real estate in Prince Edward County and became involved in at least one lawsuit in which he was the plaintiff.^7,8  Again, it is likely that the lawsuit arose out of a real estate transaction since, the defendant, David Tyree, is known to have sold Thomas Howerton a land parcel of eighty-one acres in Prince Edward County in 1772.  Thomas and Grisillah Howerton apparently remained in Prince Edward County during the Revolutionary War.  At least two of their sons, James and William, are known to have served in the Continental Army.

During and shortly after the Revolutionary War, several of the children of Thomas and Grisillah Howerton left Prince Edward County and moved still further westward within Virginia to the newly formed counties of Washington and Montgomery.  However, it is reasonably clear that the elder Howertons remained in Prince Edward County at least until 1790 because in February of that year Thomas Howerton was named as a witness to the will of William Lewelling.  This will was probated the following July.  Subsequently, Thomas Howerton did follow his children to Montgomery County since, in 1792 the Tithable Book for the district of James Hoge shows Thomas Howerton in possession of and paying tax on two slaves over sixteen years of age and two horses.  This district included land on both sides of Little River, including Dry Branch, Sugar Run, the West and South forks of Little River, Meadow Creek, Mill Creek and Dunkard Bottom.  Also on November 7, 1792, a Bill of Sale for two slaves from Thomas Howerton to his daughter, Fanny Howerton Jett, was recorded in Montgomery County.⁹  (Even though it was recorded in 1792, the actual transaction took place nine years earlier, perhaps, at the time that Fanny Howerton left Prince Edward County.)  Thomas Howerton also appears on the Personal Property Tax List of 1798 for Montgomery County.  It is believed that Thomas Howerton died in Montgomery County in 1800.  In support of this, appraisers for his estate were appointed on February 3, 1801, and the inventory was returned and recorded the following June.¹⁰  It is not known where or when Grisillah Howerton died, but it is likely to have been in either Prince Edward or Montgomery County.

1. The maiden name of Thomas Howerton's wife, Grisillah, has been published erroneously on the internet as "Jackson".  This presumption has no credible basis in fact and should be completely disregarded as spurious. (Private correspondence with Bryan R. Howerton)
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2a. William Fletcher Boogher, Gleanings of Virginia History, Washington, DC, 1903: pg. 75.  (Reissued by the Genealogical Pub. Co., Baltimore, MD, 1965.)  Thomas Howerton was a member of Captain Richard Tyler's Company of Foot as early as September 1752.  He served in the French and Indian War.

b. Richard Tyler: Sheriff in 1735 (Deed Bk. 21, Essex Co., VA, pg. 12, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #11).); Collector in 1736 (Deed Bk. 21, Essex Co., VA, pg. 263, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #11).); Captain of Foot in 1752 (Order Bk. 18, Essex Co., VA, pg. 147, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #73).); Major of Foot in 1753 (Order Bk. 20, Essex Co., VA, pg. 40, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #74).)

c. "Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine", 14, 1932/1933: pg. 49.  Following is a company roster dated September 21, 1753;  "Lt. Richard Gatewood, Samuel Smith Ensign, Sgt. Edward Hayes, Corp. Rich. Covington, Corp. Thomas Williamson, Corp. ---  David, ---  Redding, --- Williamson, Francis Brown, Robert Acres, John Bresendine, Thos. Cooper, Thos. Parron, William Cole, Jas. Newbill, Jr., Thos. Edmundson, Jr., Benj. Dunn, Thos. Cox, George Newbill, Thos. Howerton, Jr., John Booker, John Dickerson, Daniel Staghill, Nathan Bredloove, --- Kidd, Robt. Cole, --- Arkins, Jr., Richard Cooper, Francis Bresendine, Wm. Fletcher, Lewis Watkins, Henry Vawn, John Howerton, Rhodes Greenwood, Ralph Neall, James Castopher, James Webb, Asaell Cole, Wm. Dunn, Jr., Wm. Hudson, John Webb, John Haskins, John O'Neal, --- ---, Titus Vawn, Ephriam Shepherd, Rich. Dobbyns, John Harper, Obey Howerton, Thos. Meggs, Wm. Collins, Thos. Mason, Jr., Evan Davis, Thos. Dalley, Wm. Newbill, Thos. Edmundson (your device to distinguish him from other Thos. Edmundson, Jr.), Boler  Dobbyns, Thos. Williamson, John Hodges, James Bredlove, Allerman Bredlove, John Cole, Sibbey Miner, Thos. Page, John Williamson, Thos. Henry Brooke, John Bynum, Samuel Dobbyns, John Voss, Clerk."
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3a. On April 5, 1762,  Thomas Howerton of Essex County bought from David and Ann Whitlock of St. Pauls Parish, Hanover County, for £41, 113 acres of land in Henrico County on a branch of Chickahominy Swamp ... adjoining Pleasant's and Hundley ... on Watson's line ... to Halloway's corner, land being part of two patents, one granted to John Watson and the other to William Bacon on September 5, 1749, together with houses, etc.  Conveyance was signed by David and Ann Whitlock.  (Deeds, Wills & Estate Settlements 1767-1774, Henrico Co, VA, pg. 1861, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #10).)

b.On October 18, 1762, Thomas Howerton and Grissillah, his wife, of South Farnham Parish, Essex County, of the one part sold to Heritage Howerton of the Parish and County aforesaid of the other part for £50, a tract of land containing 50 acres in said parish and county lying on the south side of the Covington Swamp...joining the lands and plantation of said Heritage Howerton along the line of the lands of  John Harper and Roger Shackelford, etc...  Conveyance was signed by Thomas and Grisillah Howerton.  Richard St. John, William Covington, and William Alley were witnesses.  (Deed Bk. 29, Essex Co., VA, pg. 136, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #17).)
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4. George the Third etc. To all etc. Know ye that for divers good causes and consideration but more Especially for and in consideration of the sum of Twenty shillings of good and Lawful Money for our Use paid to our Receiver General of our Revenues in this our Colony and Dominion of Virginia We have Given Granted and Confirmed and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors Do Give Grant and Confirm Unto Thomas Howerton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing two hundred acres Lying and being in the County of Chesterfield on both sides of Winterpock Creek and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at John Manns white oak and hickory running thence East one hundred and forty four poles to a Corner red oak thence South one hundred thirty two poles to Cheathams corner thence North thirty seven degrees East one hundred and twenty two poles to Condrey's corner Turkey Oak thence North sixty three degrees West three hundred and thirty four poles to a shrub white oak in Condrey's line thence South seventeen degrees West to a Corner in Martin Wilkinsons line thence South seventy West one hundred and sixty four poles to a Corner in the same thence South sixty three degrees East two hundred thirty six poles to a Corner in John Manns line thence along John Manns line North two degrees West forty poles to the Beginning  With all etc. To have hold etc. To be held etc. Yielding and Paying etc. Provided etc. In Witness etc. Witness our Trusty and Well beloved Francis Fauquier Esq. our Lieut. Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburgh Under the Seal of our said Colony this Thirtieth Day of August one thousand seven hundred and sixty three In the third year of our Reign   /s/Frans. Fauquier.  (Land Office Patents, Bk. 35, pgs. 464-5, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #35).)
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5a. James Buchanan & Co. vs. Thomas Howerton:  "This day came the plaintiff  by their attorney and Nathaniel Wilkinson and Dabney Pettus came into court and undertook for the defendant, that in case he should be cast in this suit, he shall pay the costs and condemnation of the court or render his body to prison for same, or that they the said Nathaniel and Dabney will pay the costs and condemnation for him and the said defendant being ordered and although solemnly called, now failing to appear on the motion of the said plaintiff, judgement is granted them against the said defendant for what shall appear to be due to them, the said plaintiff and costs unless the said defendant shall appear at next court and answer this suit."  (Order Bk. Dec. Court, 1764, Henrico Co., VA, pg. 397, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #68).)

b. David Whitlock vs. Thomas Howerton:  "This day came as well as the plaintiff by Peter Lyons, his attorney, and John Haple, came into court and  undertook, for the defendant, that in case he should be cast in this suit, he shall pay the costs and condemnation of the court or render his body in prison for the same, or that he the said John will pay the costs and condemnation for him, thereupon came the said defendant in his proper person, and acknowledging the debt for which this suit was brought to be just.  Thereupon it is considered by the court that the plaintiff recover against the defendant £41, the debt in the declaration mentioned and also his costs in this behalf expended, and the said defendant in Mercy and...this judgement except as to the cost is to be discharged by the payment of  £12.15.7.3 together with interest on the £10.19.7.3.  Part thereafter the rate of 5% per annum to be computed from the 19th day of February 1763 in the time of payment and by consent of the said plaintiff, execution of this judgement is ordered to be stayed one month."  It seems obvious that this suit must have been brought because Thomas Howerton failed to pay the £41 as agreed between the parties in the original conveyance.  (Order Bk. Feb. Court, 1765, Henrico Co., VA, pg. 410, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #68).)
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6. "Taken up in Prince Edward county, a middle sized black horse, about 12 years old, 4 feet - 5 or 6 inches high, branded on the rear buttock PE.  Posted, and appraised to £2 10s. Thomas Howerton"  (personal notice: Virginia Gazette, No. 184, Nov. 16, 1769.)
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7a. This indenture made this 17th day of February 1772 between David Tyree of Prince Edward County of the one part and Thomas Howerton of the same county of the other part.  Witnesseth that the said David Tyree for and in consideration of the sum of £30 current money of Virginia to him in hand paid or secured to be paid by the said Thomas Howerton the receipt whereof he the said David Tyree does hereby acknowledge and every part thereof does truly acquit and discharge the said Thomas Howerton his heirs executors and administrators forever by these presents has given granted bargained sold aliened enfeoffed and confirmed to the said Thomas Howerton and his heirs one certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being on the branches of Buffalo River in Prince Edward County containing by estimate eighty one acres and bounded as follows to wit: Beginning on a corner pine in Bauldwins line thence North seventy degrees West eighty six poles to a fence corner thence North seventy one degrees East one hundred and thirty poles to a dogwood thence on Chappels line South eighty one and one half degrees East one hundred and thirty seven poles to a fence corner on the road and thence South nineteen degrees West seventeen poles to a corner thence South forty one degrees West twenty four poles to a corner red oak bush thence South fifty four degrees West thirty five poles to a corner thence South thirty one degrees West twenty three poles to a corner thence South six degrees West fifity seven poles to the Beginning  ...  /s/David Tyree (Deed Bk. 4, Prince Edward Co., VA, pg. 230, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #2).)

b. This indenture made this 15th day of March 1773 between Charles Penick of Prince Edward County of the one part and Thomas Howerton of the same County of the other part.  Witnesseth that the said Thomas Howerton for and in consideration of the sum of £43 current money of Virginia to him in hand paid or secured to be paid by the said Charles Penick the receipt whereof the said Thomas Howerton doth hereby acknowledge and every part thereof does clearly acquit discharge the Charles Penick his heirs and assigns forever by these presents have given granted bargained sold and confirmed to the said Charles Penick and his heirs one certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being on the branches of Buffalo River in Prince Edward County containing by estimate eighty one acres and bounded ... (refer to description of land parcel in the previous indenture of Feb. 17, 1772)  /s/Thomas Howerton  (Deed Bk. 5, Prince Edward Co., VA, pg. 88, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #2).)

c. This indenture made this 18th day of October 1773 between Joshua Chaffin of  the Parish of Raleigh of the County of Amelia on the one part and Thomas Howerton and Grief Howerton of the Parish of Manchester of the County of Chesterfield of the other part.  Witness that the said Joshua Chaffin for divers good causes and considerations hereto moving but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of £50 current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said Thomas Howerton and Grief Howerton the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge hath given granted bargained sold aliened released and confirmed to the said Thomas Howerton and Grief Howerton their heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or parcel of land lying situate and being in the Parish of St Patrick in the County of Prince Edward containing one hundred and fifty acres be the same more or less and bounded as follows: to-wit: Beginning at a corner hickory adjoining Wm Booth thence along the said Booth's line to a corner pine adjoining Wm Fosters line thence along the said Fosters line to a corner white oak adjoining Thomas Jacksons line thence along the said Jacksons line to Berry Lewis's line thence along the said Lewis's line to a corner joining John Waldons line thence along the said Waldons line to Robert Fosters line and thence to the Beginning. ...  /s/Joshua Chaffin Wit: Charles Hudson, Zachariah Robinson, Richard Higgason
     It is possible that the Thomas Howerton named in this indenture is the older brother of Grief Howerton and not his father, i.e., the son of Thomas and Grisillah Howerton, since it is stated that he is from Chesterfield County, not Prince Edward County.  Nevertheless, the land parcel being conveyed is in Prince Edward County.  (Deed Bk. 5, Prince Edward Co., VA, pg. 265, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #2).)

d. This indenture made this 2nd day of March 1787 between Thomas Howerton on the one part and Zachariah Compton of the County of Amelia of the other part. Witness that the said Thomas Howerton for and in consideration of the sum of £75 current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said Zachariah Compton the receipt whereof the said Thomas Howerton doth hereby acknowledge and fully satisfied and paid hath bargained and doth by these presents bargain and sell to Zachariah Compton and his heirs and assigns forever one certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Prince Edward containing one hundred acres more or less and bounded by the lands of Robert Foster, Joseph Hawkins, John Howerton, and Wm Foster ... /s/Thomas (his mark) Howerton Wit: Edmund Ford, Thomas Vaughn, John Vaughn
     It is extremely likely that John Howerton, whose property adjoins the parcel being conveyed, is the son of Thomas and Grisillah Howerton.  (Deed Bk. 8, Prince Edward Co., VA, pg. 120, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #3).)
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8a. Thomas Howerton vs. David Tyree:  "By consent of parties, all matters in difference between them are deferred to the final arbitration and award of Nathaniel Venable, John Morton, and Philemon Holcombe, Gent. their award to be the Judge(ment) of this court."  (Order Bk. Jul. Court, 1772, Prince Edward Co., VA, pg. 150, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #22).)

b. Judgement in Howerton vs. Tyree according to the award was £6.0.2 and costs.  (Order Bk. Aug. Court, 1772, Prince Edward Co., VA, pg. 166, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #22).)
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9. For and in consideration of the sum of five shillings and the natural love and affection I bear to my daughter Fanny I hereby give sell and make over to her my yellow negro girl Omey and Dinah's little boy Kavenaugh which two negroes I warrant and defend to my said daughter and her heirs from me and my heirs and assigns  As witness my hand and seal this 1st day of May 1783  /s/Thomas Howerton Wit: William Christian
At a court continued and held for Montgomery County November 7, 1792, this Bill of Sale from Thomas Howerton to his daughter Fanny, now Fanny Jett, was admitted to record the handwriting of the witnesses to the same being proved to the satisfaction of the court by the oaths of Thomas Madison and Francis  Preston, Gentlemen.
     Teste: Charles Taylor, Clerk of Montgomery County  (Deed Bk. B, Montgomery Co., VA, pg. 82, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #1).)
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10a. On February 3, 1801, Francis Gardner, James Linkous, and Thomas Lawrence were appointed appraisers of the estate of Thomas Howerton, deceased.  Also, on the motion of John Howerton, administrator of the estate of Thomas Howerton, deceased, a certificate is granted him, etc.  (Order Bk. 12, Montgomery Co., VA, pg. 171, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #22).)

b. On June 4, 1801, the inventory and appraisal of the estate of Thomas Howerton, deceased, was returned:
 

1 Negro wench named Peggy	$200.00
1 Negro wench named Dinah	166.33
1 Negro wench named Hannah	211.11
1 Negro fellow named Jame	300.00
1 bed & furniture	18.00
1 flax wheel	2.50
1 Table 1 oven 2 potts & hooks & flatt iron	4.25
1 Lot hoes axes &c	4.00
1 Lott Coopers ware	1.33
1 Barshear & shovel plow & hammer	2.50
3 Chairs tablecloth & hand towel	2.25
1 Lott beef hide bags &c	2.00
8 Head of horned cattle	42.00
4 Sheep & 1 lamb	5.66
1 Lott Dresser furniture	9.00
1 Saw Auger and Sickle	1.50
1 Pair home geers	2.00
1 Saddle	3.00
1 Case razors lancet &c	1.50
1 Lott baskett book &c	1.25
1 Bay mare & bridle	60.00
1¼ Yard broad cloth	3.75
1 Lott body cloaths	9.00
1 Lott body cloaths	9.00
	$1052.93

Given under our hands the day and year above written   /s/Francis Gardner   /s/James Linkous   /s/Thomas Lawrence  (Will Bk. 1, Montgomery Co., VA, pg. 111, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #14).)
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Additional Citations:

11. Will Bk. 2, 1785-1795, Prince Edward Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #15).

12. Tithable Bk., 1792, Montgomery Co, VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #242).

13. Montgomery County Personal Property Tax List of 1798,  Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA,  (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #242).

14. Robert L. Evans,"Our Family's History", November 9, 2001.

15. Ancestral File: 1XXZ-HF, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT, continuously updated.

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