Capt. Thomas Harrison

Captain Thomas Harrison moved the family, including his second son & namesake, to the late father's seat on the Chappawamsic, about 1707. The Captain had gained his military title in 1703 in the Stafford militia, & was Colonel after 1731.

He served under Col. George Mason, Col.. Rice Hooe & Maj. William Fitzhugh.

He was a Justice of the Stafford court & in 1731, when Prince William was carved out of the older county, he was first-ranked of its original thirteen justices.

He was also the first county Lieutenant commanding its militia, a post he held almost continuously until his death at age 81 in 1746.

He was a Member, House of Burgesses (1741-1746).

The earliest mention of Thomas Harrison Jr. is found in the 1724 Overwharton Parish Register of tobacco planters. In the first agricultural production control act in U.S. history, Virginia had limited each grower to 6000 plants per "laboring person" plus 3000 per male between 10 and 16 years of age. In accord with this law Captain Harrison declared 44,024 plants, making him the biggest grower in the parish, and he listed his son among the men on his plantation.

He should not be confused with the Thomas Harrison that purchased land in Stafford from William Green in 1685/6, as he was not yet an adult.

The last was a GODCHILD of the Capt. Harrison called his residence "Retirement," the name assigned by "OLD CAPTAIN BRENT" to his home on Aquia Creek.

Children of Thomas Harrison and Sithia (SYNTHIA) Short or (SOPHIA C. SHORT) are:

• + 17 i. William Harrison, b: Abt. 1685; died 1746.
• + 18 ii. Elizabeth Harrison, b: Aft. 1688; died 1742.
• + 19 iii. Frances Harrison, b: Abt. 1689 in of Stafford Co., VA.
• + 20 iv. BURR HARRISON II, b: 21 May 1699 in Stafford or Prince William Co., VA; died 18 Oct 1790.
• + 21 v. SETH HARRISON, born Abt. 1701; died Aft. 1788.
• + 22 vi. Cuthbert Harrison, b: Bet. 1710–1715, VA; d: 1768, Prince William Co., VA.
• + 23 vii.Thomas Harrison, Jr., b: Abt. 1704, Stafford Co., VA; d: Abt. 1774, Fauquier Co., VA.

Taken from Fauquier Co genealogy. https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/79942509

"Member, Virginia House of Burgesses. Justice of the Stafford Court (1731). The first trustees of Dumfries. First county Lt. commanding milita" (source Jim Harrison's webpage).

Family

From https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Harrison-211

Thomas Harrison of Chappawamsic

Thomas was the son of Burr Harrison.[1]

He was born 7 September 1665[2] in Stafford County, Virginia.[3][4]

He married Sythia 'Seth' Harrison.[5] about 1700.

Children

sons

1. Burr,[6] born 21 May 1699[2] (1699–1775)[4]
2. Cuthbert[6] (1712–1771)[4]
3. Thomas[6] (1704–1774)[4]
4. William[6]

daughters

1. Elizabeth m Benjamin Bullitt in 1727[7]
2. Frances who m Valentine Peyton[7][2]
3. Ann Frances who m John McMillan[7]

Thomas died 13 August 1746 in Stafford County[3][2][4] (age 80) and is buried in the Harrison Cemetery, Prince William County, Virginia.[4][8]

Research Notes

Quote: "Because so many of the Stafford records are missing, the next mention of Thomas Harrison is found in 1700, when he signed a petition to Governor Nicholson from the civil and military officers of the couny requesting "a forse to range and scoute on the fronteares." (4) Harrison was one of four militia captains ... From then on Thomas, the son of Burr, was usually referred to as "Captain"; after 1731 as "Colonel." In court documents he was termed Gentleman, distinguishing him from others of the name who were "planters." He and his son were the only Thomas Harrisons of the period in northern Virginia who could sign their names; three others made their marks."[1]

References

• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I0124...
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~harrisonrep/HarrL...
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chopawamsic_Creek

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• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 11 2017, 5:14:22 UTC
• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I1245...

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