Father: Thomas Howerton, Sr.
Mother: *****

Spouse: Jane Gilby
  m: ~1716 - Essex Co. VA

Child-1: Thomas
          2: Jane or Joan - b: ~1723 - Essex Co., VA
                                   m: Henry Crutcher - ~1755 - Essex Co., VA
          3: John - b: ~1725 - Essex Co., VA
                        d: 16/Apr/1781 - Essex Co., VA
          4: Mary - b: ~1728 - Essex/King and Queen Co., VA
                         d:  21/Feb/1785 - Essex Co., VA
                        m: Samuel Coates - 1757 - Essex Co., VA
          5: William - b: ~1730 - Essex Co., VA
                            d: 15/Apr/1781 - Essex Co., VA
                           m: Mary Nancy (Nannie) Hayes - Mar/1758 - Essex Co., VA
          6: Obediah - b: ~1732 - Essex/King and Queen Co., VA
                              d:  28/Oct/1761 - Essex Co., VA
          7: Heritage - b: ~1734 - Essex Co., VA
                              d: 1794 - Essex Co., VA
                             m: Catherine Crutcher - 1754 - Essex Co., VA
          8: James - b: ~1736 - Essex Co., VA
                          d: 1784 - Brunswick Co., VA
                         m: Elizabeth Roper - 1756
          9: Elizabeth - b: ~1737 - Essex/King and Queen Co., VA
                              m: Richard Covington - 1754
        10: Catherine (Kitty) Ann - b: ~1739 - Essex Co., VA
                                                 m: Thomas Newbill - 1757

Biographical Details:

Thomas Howerton, Jr., was the grandson of Thomas Howerton the immigrant and the oldest known son of Thomas, Sr., and his wife, who according to some sources was, perhaps, Mary Newball, daughter of James Newball.  However, this is far from proven and the mother of Thomas Howerton, Jr., must be critically regarded as unknown.  He seems to have been born about 1695 in Essex County, Virginia, and married Jane Gilby, daughter of John Gilby of King and Queen County, Virginia, about 1716.  Perhaps, the one hundred acres bought from Richard Covington on September 19, 1716, provided the site of the original home of this couple.¹

In later life, Thomas Howerton, Jr., became a wealthy planter and owned lands in both Essex and King and Queen Counties as well as large numbers of slaves.  In 1726 he was appointed executor of his father-in-law's estate.²  Subsequent records show that he continued to purchase land in Essex County,³ participated in various legal proceedings,⁴ and voted regularly for representatives to the House of Burgesses.⁵  It appears that Thomas Howerton, Jr., died sometime between October 8, 1757, when he made his last will and testament and November 15, 1757, when the will was entered into the court record.  He appointed his two oldest sons, Thomas and John, as executors.  The inventory was returned and recorded on January 17, 1758.  One further interesting detail is that he apparently departed from the common practice of primogeniture; hence, upon his death in Essex County in 1757, his estate was divided among all his living children rather than passing just to the oldest son.⁶

1a. Indenture made September 18, 1716, between Richard Covington of the Parish of St Annes, Essex Co., one part and Thomas Haywerton (Howerton) of  Essex Co., other part. Witness Richard Covington for 5 shillings to him in hand paid by Thomas Howerton, Richard Covington sold unto Thomas Hawerton, Junr (Howerton)...parcel of woodland ground containing one hundred acres lying in parish and county aforesaid bounded...Beginning at corner tree of William St John standing in a line I formerly sold to Mr Thomas Meriwether so running down to St John's line to land of Mrs Mary Billington...so along the same to Billington's land to land of Thomas Haywerton...and along Haywerton's land to land of aforesaid Meriwether to place where it began...Lease...One Year ...  /s/Richard Covington  Witness: Wm Covington Jr   (Deeds & Wills, Bk. 14, Essex Co., VA, pg. 660, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #6).)

b. Indenture made September 19, 1716, between Richard Covington and Thomas Haywerton Jun (Howerton) of Essex Co.  Witness...Richard Covington for £10 paid by Thomas Haywerton...acknowledges and acquits Thomas Haywerton and doth sell unto Thomas Haywerton by virtue of bargain of sale to him made for one whole year indenture bearing date...transferring unto possession all parcel of woodland ground (described in previous indenture) containing 100 acres in Parish of South Farnham and County of Essex ... /s/Richard Covington Witness: Wm Covington Jun, James Edmondson  (Deeds & Wills, Bk. 14, Essex Co., VA, pg. 662, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #6).)
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2. On August 8, 1726, John Gilby of Essex County, Virginia, made his will and appointed his loving son-in-law Thomas Hoyworton (Howerton) to be my Executor of this my last will and Testament.  (Private correspondence with Bryan R. Howerton; original record should be found in: Will Bk. 4, Essex Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #40).)
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3. In January of 1733, Thomas Howerton bought land on Dragon Swamp adjoining John St. John, Richard Jones, Taylor, and Capt. William Covington.  (Deeds, Bonds, & Lett. of Attorney, Bk. 20, Essex Co., VA, pgs. 57 & 166, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #11).)
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4a. On May 7, 1744, Along with Jos. Man and James Newbill, Thomas Howerton served as an appraiser of the estate of Jeremiah Shepard.  Inventory made pursuant to the order of April 17, 1744. The total valuation was £175.5.7 including four Negroes valued at £88; also 3987 pounds of tobacco in four hogsheads.  (Will Bk. 7, Essex Co., VA, pgs. 156-160, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #43).)

b. On September 18, 1744, Thomas Howerton provided security in the amount of £500 sterling for the Bond of Sarah Newbill and George Newbill Jr. as executors of  George Newbill.  (Will Bk. 7, Essex Co., VA, pgs. 198-200, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #43).)

c. On October 28, 1745, Thomas Howerton witnessed a deed from Richard Gatewood to Richard Covington.  (Deeds, Bonds, & Lett. of Attorney, Bk. 24, Essex Co., VA, pg. 41, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #14).)

d. In March of 1749, Thomas Howerton served as an appraiser of estate of James Campbell.  (Will Bk. 8, Essex Co., VA, pg. 315, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #44).)
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5a. The "True and Exact Poll of the Election of Burgesses", Essex County, VA,  Nov. 20, 1741, indicates: Voting for William Beverly: Thomas Howerton (#204) and Richard Covington (#197); Voting for Joshua Fry: Thomas Howerton (#83) and Richard Covington Jr (#90).  (Deeds, Bonds, & Lett. of Attorney, Bk. 22, Essex Co., VA, pgs. 55 & 60.)
     In a note by Bryan R. Howerton, he indicates that, "Review of the poll lists indicate that the Thomas Howertons listed are two different people; probably father and son.  I could find no case of a person being listed more than once and it seemed that the sons (or the ones with 'Jr' following their names) supported Joshua Fry, while the fathers supported William Beverly.  I believe that the Thomas Howerton supporting William Beverly is the one born about 1695 and the other is his son, born about 1721."  (Private correspondence with Bryan R. Howerton)

b. In June of 1748, Thomas Howerton voted in election for House of Burgesses.  (Private correspondence with Bryan R. Howerton; original record should be found in: Deeds, Bonds, & Lett. of Attorney, Bk. 24, Essex Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #14).)

c. In January of 1752, Thomas Howerton was among freeholders voting in House of Burgesses election.  (Private correspondence with Bryan R. Howerton; original record should be found in: Deeds, Bonds, & Lett. of Attorney, Bk. 25, Essex Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #14).)

d. On December 4, 1755, Thomas Howerton, a freeholder, voted (#14) in Essex Co., VA, for the election of two men to the House of Burgesses: General Dangerfield and Francis Smith.  (Private correspondence with Bryan R. Howerton; original record should be found in: Deeds, Bonds, & Lett. of Attorney, Bk. 27, Essex Co., VA, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #16).)
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6a.  In the name of God Amen I Thomas Howerton of the County of Essex and parish of South Farnham do make and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first I bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God believing remission of sins and everlasting life by the merits and Death of Jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour and for what estate it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow on me I give and bequeath as Viz:  ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son Thomas fifty acres of land to be laid at the uppermost part of my divident where he now liveth to him and his heirs forever  ITEM: I give and bequeath all the rest of my land to my four sons hereafter named John, William, Obediah and Heritage to be equally divided between them to them and their heirs forever  ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Coates one negro woman named Numay  ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Covington one negro boy named Jimmy  ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Howerton one negro girl named Dinah and one feather bed and its furniture  ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Joan Crutcher one negro girl named Frank and one feather bed and its furniture   ITEM: I give to my son Thomas one negro girl named Pegg  ITEM: I give to my son John one negro girl named Kate  ITEM: I give to my son Obediah one negro boy named Tom  ITEM: I give to my son Heritage one negro girl named Hannah  ITEM: I give to my son James twenty five pounds to be paid out of my personal state and if there should not be a personal estate enough to pay my debts and this legacy that then every one that has got a negro left them to pay in proportion till the said legacy is paid  ITEM: I give to my son William twenty five pounds to be paid in the manner as James  Lastly I do constitute and appoint my two sons Thomas and John executors of my last will and testament revoking all other wills hereto by me made  In witness where unto I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal the 8th day of October 1757  /s/Thomas (his mark) Howerton  Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of: John Gatewood  William Watkins  Francis Hudson
     At a Court for Essex County at Tappa(hannock) on the fifteenth day of November 1757  The last Will and Testament of Thomas Howerton deceased was this day presented in Court by the Executors therein named who made oath thereto as the law directs, and was also proved by the oaths of Richard Gatewood and William Watkins two of the witnesses thereto, and on the motion of the said executors and their performing what is usual according to law a probate thereof was granted them in due form etc. and was ordered to be recorded and is truly recorded   Test: John Lee, Clerk  (Will Bk. 11, Essex Co., VA, pg. 23, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #46).)

Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Howerton  John Howerton  James Coughland and Isaiah Cole are held and firmly bound to Francis Smith  John Rowzee  Francis Waring  James Webb  Robert Brooks and Archibald Ritchie  Gentlemen  Justices of the Court of Essex County now sitting in the sum of five hundred pounds current money to the payment whereof well and truly to be made to the said justices and their successors we bind ourselves and each of us our and each of our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents  Sealed with our seals this fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Seven and in the Thirty first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second  The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound Thos Howerton and John Howerton executors of the last will and testament of Thomas Howerton deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of the said Thomas and John Howerton or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for them and the same so made do exhibit into the County Court of Essex at such time as they shall be thereunto required by the said Court and the same goods chattels and credits and all other the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased which at any time after shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of the said Thomas and John Howerton or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for them do well and truly administer according to law and further do make a true and just account of their actings and doings therein when thereto required by the said Court and also shall well and truly pay and deliver all the legacies contained and specified in the said testament as far as the said goods chattels and credits will thereunto extend and the law shall charge then this obligation to be void and of none effect, or else to remain in full force and virtue  /s/Thomas Howerton  /s/John (his mark) Howerton  /s/James Coughland  /s/Isaiah Cole
     At a Court held for Essex County at Tappa(hannock) on the fifteenth day of November 1757  This Bond was acknowledged by the parties hereto and ordered to be recorded  and is truly recorded   Teste:  John Lee, Clerk  (Will Bk. 11, Essex Co., VA, pg. 34, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #46).)
 

b. On January 17, 1758, the inventory and appraisal of the estate of Thomas Howerton, deceased, was returned:  In obedience to an order of Court bearing date the Fifteenthth day of November 1757  We the subscribers have appraised the estate of Thomas Howerton, Deceased, as Viz:
 

1 Spining wheel 4S - 1 pair cotton cards 1S	0.5.0
1 stone butter pot 3S - 1 table 7/6	0.10.6
66 ½ lbs cotton in the seeds 3S	0.16.7½
13 lbs wool 1/p - 4 narrow hoes 1/p	0.17.0
3 broad hoes 2/6 - 1 joyners hatchet 1/6	0.4.0
2 Old axes 1/6 - 1 do. 3S - old plow hoe S	0.5.6
1 cross cut saw and 1 chisel	0.2.6
1 hand saw and drawing knife	0.1.6
1 iron 1/3 - 1 cooper adds. 6	0.1.9
1 iron spit 1/6 - 1 pair stillards 3/6	0.5.0
3½ bushels beans 2/p	0.7.0
3 large sider casks 3 6/p	0.10.6
2 small do. 1/6 p	0.3.0
1 large pott & hooks 6S - small do. & hooks 3S	0.9.0
8 plates & 5 old do. ?S - 1 dozn. spoons 1/3	0.12.3
1 large dish & 1 porrenger 3/6 - 1 smaller dish 3/6	0.7.0
2 casons 6S. - 5 sides of leather at 4S P	1.6.0
2 sedar pail 3S - 1 Piggen 1 S - 1 tub 1/6	0.5.6
1 meal sifter 2S - 1 iron pysel 3S	0.5.0
2 old hoes 1S - sum iron hooks 1S	0.2.0
1 frying pan 6d - 1 liondering tub 2S - 1 do 1S	0.3.6
4 reap hooks 3S - 5 lbs Tatton 6 ap.	0.5.6
2 bells 1/3 - 1 chest 5S - 1 bed & furniture 1.15S	2.1.3
1 bed - 1 sheet & hide	1.10.0
1 bed and furnature	2.0.0
1 pepper bod - 1 razor and 1 tobo. box	0.0.6
1 box iron 2S - 1 old gun 2S	0.4.6
7 knives & 10 forks 3/6 - 1 sword & butt 1/3	0.4.9
1 candlestick 3d - 1 man's westcoat 1.5S	1.5.3
A parcel of wareing clothes	1.5.0
1 old chest 2S - 1 chair & 17 pr. shoes 2/6	0.4.6
1 horse 2.10S - 1 do. 4.10S - 1 coffee 1S	7.1.0
4 sheep at 5S a.p. - 1 bare hide 5S	1.5.0
5 cows 10S a.p.	1.5.0
3 calves at 7S a.p. - 1 do. at 4S	1.5.0
1 negro woman named Uma	37.10.0
1 negro woman named Dinah	45.0.0
1 negro woman named Frank	45.0.0
1 negro boy named James	40.0.0
1 negro girl named Kate	25.0.0
1 negro girl named Pegg	23.0.0
1 negro girl named Hannah	10.0.0
1 negro boy named Tom	12.0.0
19 gees 19S - 2 padlocks 8d	0.19.8
2 barrows at 1S a.p. - 3 sows at 8S a.p.	2.4.0
15 shoates at 6S a.p.	4.10.0
14 piggs at 2S a.p. - 1 rawhide S	0.7.0
8 d. of needges at 6d a.p. - 1 pt stone mug sd	0.4.4
1 stack of fodder	0.17.7
15 barrels corn at 5S a.p.	3.15.0
15 barrels corn at 5S a.p.	3.15.0
	£296.4.11½

Given under our hands this Seventeenth day of January 1758   /s/Richard Gatewood  /s/George Newbill  /s/Thomas Broocke
     At a court held for Essex County at the House of Forest Upshaw this Seventeenth day of January 1758   This Inventory and appraisement of the estate of Thomas Howarton Deced was this day returned and ordered to be recorded and is truly recorded  Test:  John Lee, Jr  D. Clk.
     The inventory total of 296 pounds appears incorrect and should have been 278 pounds, but 4 shillings and 11½ pence is correct.  (Will Bk. 11, Essex Co., VA, pg. 48, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #46).)
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Additional Citations:

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

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

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