Maj. Thomas Owsley, Sr.

http://webspace.webring.com/people/pm/manakin/gregg.html Thomas Owsley I (son of John Owsley and Dorothea Poyntz) was born June 11, 1658 in Stugursey, Somersetshire, England, and died October 10, 1700 in Stafford, Virginia. He married Anne Harris on 1689 in Stafford, Virginia, daughter of William Harris, Jr.

Notes for Thomas Owsley I:

The Record book of Stoke County Parish, SomersetShire, England, is now on deposit with the Somerset Record Office. The baptismal entry was written by Rev. John Owlsey's own hand and reads: "Thomas Owsley the son of John and Dorothy Owsley borne the 11th day of June about three of the clock in the morning and baptized the 11th day of July. Borne on a Friday, baptized on a Lords Day in the afternoon."

Thomas Owsley, was the fourth child and third son of Rev. John Owsley and his wife Dorothea (Poyntz) Owsley, was born at Stoke-Coursey (now Stogursey), in Somersetshire, England on 11 June 1658 and was baptized there at St. Andrew's Church on 11 July 1658.

Caught up by an adventuresome spirit young Thomas Owsley apparently never completed his college education, for, by September 1677, he had arrived in the Colony of Virginia.

During the next three years he seems to have engaged in an enterprise that necessitated travel between England and the Colonies. It was during one such journey, in 1679, that he was taken prisoner by Algerian pirates and was ransomed by the villagers of Glooston, the parish in Leicestershire, England where his father was them serving as rector. By 1680 he had settled in Stafford County in which year, at the age of only 22 years, he held the position of Clerk of the County Court. From the earliest days this important position was always held by a man of education and Thomas Owsley was well suited for the post. His clerical duties appear, however, to have been of short duration, for he was soon again engaged in a more profitable business, as agent for one Colonel Cadwallader Jones, to traffic in a variety of commodities, excepting munitions, with the Nantecoke Indians.

His business dealings were surely lucrative, resulting in an accumulation of wealth and prestige, sufficient to establish himself as host for the Stafford County Court in his home on 12 November l690. During the ensuing years his status in the colony grew. He was given a commission in the Stafford County Militia and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. During this period militia officers generally held concurrent judicial positions within their respective counties and Thomas Owsley had his hands full ensuring both the safety of the region and his part in the administration of justice. On several occasions he forwarded letters to the governor's council and in one instance was the lone dissenting justice in a case heard before the county court. On 8 June 1692, Captain Thomas Owsley was given command of a detachment of ten men who were then added to the Potomac Rangers. Commissioned by the Virginia legislature, this group was to range the frontier from above the Occoquan to the head of this river as protection against hostile Indians. That same date he was sworn in for another one year term as Justice of the Peace.

A letter has survived from this period that presents a vivid picture of the danger that was often present to the early settlers and in this situation directly impacted upon Thomas. In 1692 he was residing upon his plantation on Pohick Pun when Indians attacked his home. The letter, presented to the Maryland General Assembly, describes the events of May 1692: ...Last night about 11 or 12 a Clock Came two men from Mr. Owsleys to Captain Addisons to give notice that about 3 a Clock in the afternoon Mr. Owsleys Negro Woman going betwixt the Lower and Upper house was almost killed by two Indians and hath two wounds in her head, and a piece of Skin the breadth of a Crown piece flead off her skull, and stabbed under the right Breast, which wound is thought to be Mortal and Stabbed through one Arm, with several other small wounds, a Cooper being at a Little Distance heard her Cry out, who with another Man with him made towards her, which frightened them away and in a Little time after Mr. Owsley being out, came home with his Ranging Party and Eleven Pisscataway Indians with him, who immediately went after them & found where they had Camped near to the house. The Indians say they think by the footing there is ten of them. They pursued them so hard that they dropped several things 1st pair of Mackasoons, one stick like a back sword much like that you did see at Captain Addisons; Mr Owsley returned to his house last night, but the Indians are still in pursuit, who says they doubt not to come up with them, unless they Come over Potowmack it Owsley and his Party is appointed by Our Indians to meet them again this Day;

By this time, Thomas was a well respected man in the Colony. It was time to marry and raise a family. The woman he choose was the daughter of a British Army officer who had arrived in the Colony over 20 years earlier, Indeed, his bride Anne, was likely the only child of Lieutenant William Harris. During the ensuing ten years Anne gave her husband at least six children, two sons, Poyntz and Thomas, and four daughters, Jane, Ann, Mary and Sarah.

In 1692 Thomas Owsley was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses from Stafford County and took his oath as a Burgess on Friday, 3 March 1693. He served again from 1695 to 1696. The Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia record that on "Fry day, April 24th 1696, Mr. Martin Scarlet" was elected "Burgess of Stafford County in room of Capt. Thomas Owsley now sheriff of Stafford County." He again served as a Burgess in 1698, In the latter year, the militia officers included "Capt Thomas Owsley of Stafford parish, which later became Overwharton Parish, He was reflected as commanding a detachment of 53 men.

On 15 November 1694, Thomas obtained two patents of land in Stafford County. The larger tract of 1000 acres was fronted on its southern point by Pohick Bay. The smaller 150 acre tract adjoined the larger at the northeast corner. He secured a grant of 600 acres on 17 November 1696 and another on 24 March 1697. This latter tract, comprising 640 acres, was situated some distance from his other holdings, but was undoubtedly prime land being located on the shore of the Potomac River in northeast Stafford County.

On 3 June 1699, Thomas Owsley was appointed a Major in the Stafford County Militia and was thus second in command under Lieutenant Colonel George Mason, the commander-in-chief. That same year Thomas was again serving as Clerk of the County Court and continued in that position until his death on 10 October 1700. His death is attested to by a letter dated October 14, 1700, from R. Wormley, Secretary to the court, in which he notes the recent death of Mr. Thomas Owsley and recommends Mr. Leomard Sarout as a replacement (Stafford County Order Book pg 52-52). the exact date of death of Thomas Owsley is known from a map survey of 1748 in the case of French Mason Vs. Daniel McCarty, March 25, 1748, on which is noted his grave and the comment "Owsley buryd there, as by a tomb stone, he dyed October ye 10th 1700". The survey was redrawn and published by Mitchell's "Begining at a White Oak", pg 64. The grave itself, now located on the Fort Belvoir Military reservation, is no longer identifiable.

At his death land holdings of 2390 acres. In addition the inventory of his estate reveals that his widow, Anne Owsley, came into position of not only the household furniture and cattle, but servants as well.

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Thomas Owsley was born in Leicester County, England. He came to America in 1690. He was sheriff in 1700. (Founded Filson Club Library, page 322-287). He came to Stafford County, Virginia in 1694. He died there, and his will was recorded at that time.

Captain Tom Owsley, was a member of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, Section 1692-93, from Strafford County; also Clerk of Strafford and Captain of the Militia of the colony.

From "The Baughman Line through The Owsley's", compiled by Minerva Jett, Catherine B. McAlister and Katherine Caperton.

Thomas Owsley ( 6/11/1658 at Stugursey, Somerset Co. Eng-10/10/1700 Stafford Co VA) and Ann Harris (1670-1739) Children: Jane, m. James Gregg (see above) Ann (m. Isaac Kent) Mary Thomas II (1696 (1690?)-1750), m. Ann West (1707-51): Thomas III (1731-96, m. Mary Middleton 1730-1808); William (-1762); Newdigate (1738-97, Mary Ann Davis); Poyntz (-1813); Ann West (1744-1825, m. Edward Garrett II); Elizabeth; Jane; Weldon (1750-1815); John (1734-67, m. Ann Stephens) Another site on this family. Poyntz Sarah (1700-)

[From Owsley Web site]: "Caught up by an adventuresome spirit young Thomas Owsley apparently never completed his colIege education, for, by September 1677, he had arrived in the Colony of Virginia. During the next three years he seems to have engaged in an enterprise that necessitated travel between England and the Colonies, It was during one such journey, in 1679, that he was taken prisoner by Algerian pirates and was ransomed by the villagers of Glooston, the parish in Leicestershire, England where his father was them serving as rector. By 1680 he had settled in Stafford County in which year, at the age of only 22 years, he held the position of Clerk of the County Court. From the earliest days this important position was always held by a man of education and Thomas Owsley was well suited for the post. His clerical duties appear, however, to have been of short duration, for he was soon again engaged in a more profitable business, as agent for one Colonel Cadwallader Jones, to traffic in a variety of commodities, excepting munitions, with the Nantecoke Indians. His business dealings were surely lucrative,resulting in an accumulation of wealth and prestige, sufficient to establish himself as host for the Stafford County Court in his home on 12 November l690. During the ensuing years his status in the colony grew. He was given a commission in the Stafford County Militia and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. During this period militia officers generally held concurrent judicial positions within their respective counties and Thomas Owsley had his hands full ensuring both the safety of the region and his part in the administration of justice. On several occasions he forwarded letters to the governor's council and in one instance was the lone dissenting justice in a case heard before the county court. On 8 June 1692 Captain Thomas Owsley was given command of a detachment of ten men who were then added to the Potomac Rangers. Commissioned by the Virginia legislature, this group was to range the frontier from above the Occoquan to the head of this river as protection against hostile Indians. That same date he was sworn in for another one year term as Justice of the Peace. A letter has survived from this period that presents a vivid picture of the danger that was often present to the early settlers and in this situation directly impacted upon Thomas. In 1692 he was residing upon his plantation on Pohick Pun when Indians attacked his home. The letter, presented to the Maryland General Assembly, describes the events of May 1692: ...Last night about 11 or 12 a Clock Came two men from Mr Owsleys to Captain Addisons to give notice that about 3 a Clock in the afternoon Mr. Owsleys negro Woman going betwixt the Lower and Upper house was almost killed by two Indians and hath two wounds in her head, and a peice of Skin the breadth of a Crown piece flead off her skull, and stabed under the right Breast, which wound is thought to be Mortal and Stabbed through one Arm, with several other small wounds, a Cooper being at a Little Distance heard her Cry out, who with another Man with him made towards her, which frightened them away and in a Little time after Mr. Owsley being out, came home with his Ranging Party and Eleven Pisscataway Indians with him, who immediately went after them & found where they had Camped near to the house. The Indians say they think by the footing there is ten of them. They pursued them so hard that they dropped several things 1st pair of Mackasoons, one stick like a back sword much like that you did see at Captain Addisons; Mr Owsley returned to his house last night, but the Indians are still in pursuit, who says they doubt not to come up with them, unless they Come over Potowmack it Owsley and his Party is appointed by Our Indians to meet them again this Day;.. By this time, Thomas was a well respected man in the Colony. It was time to marry and raise a family. The woman he choose was the daughter of a British Army officer who had arrived in the Colony over 20 years earlier, Indeed, his bride Anne, was likely the only child of Lieutenant William Harris. During the ensuing ten years Anne gave her husband at least six children, two sons, Poyntz and Thomas, and four daughters, Jane, Ann, Mary and Sarah. In 1692 Thomas Owsley was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses from Stafford County and took his oath as a Burgess on Friday, 3 March 1693. He served again from 1695 to 1696. The Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia record that on "Fryday, April 24th 1696, Mr. Martin Scarlet" was elected "Burgess of Stafford County in room of Capt. Thomas Owsley now sheriff of Stafford County." He again served as a Burgess in 1698, In the latter year, the militia officers included "Capt Thomas Owsley of Stafford parish, which later became Overwharton Parish, He was reflected as commanding a detachment of 53 men. On 15 November 1694, Thomas obtained two patents of land in Stafford County. The larger tract of 1000 acres was fronted on its southern point by Pohick Bay. The smaller 150 acre tract adjoined the larger at the northeast corner. He secured a grant of 600 acres on 17 November 1696 and another on 24 March 1697. This latter tract, comprising 640 acres, was situated some distance from his other holdings, but was undoubtedly prime land being located on the shore of the Potomac River in northeast Stafford County. [Some of his land was the present site of Fort Belvoir] On 3 June 1699, Thomas Owsley was appointed a Major in the Stafford County Militia and was thus second in command under Lieutenant Colonel George Mason, the commander-in-chief. That same year Thomas was again serving as Clerk of the County Court and continued in that position until his death on 10 October 1700. His death is attested to by a letter dated October 14, 1700, from Ralph Wormley, Secretary of Virginia, in which he notes the recent death of Mr. Thomas Owsley and recommends Mr. Leonard Tarent as a replacement (Stafford County Order Book pg 52-52). [The sentence includes corrections from the Web site.] The exact date of death of Thomas Owsley is known from a map survey of 1748 in the case of French Mason Vs. Daniel McCarty, March 25, 1748, on which is noted his grave and the comment "Owsly buryd there, as by a tomb stone, he dyed October ye 10th 1700". The survey was redrawn and published by Mitchell's "Begining at a White Oak", pg 64. The grave itself, now located on the Fort Belvoir Military reservation, is no longer identifiable. At his death land holdings of 2390 acres. In addition the inventory of his estate reveals that his widow, Anne Owsley, came into position of not only the household furniture and cattle, but servants as well." See this site also.

  After Thomas Died, Ann Harris Owsley married John West, then John Wheeler. 

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Thomas's Baptism entry was written in the hand of his father who was serving as church rector and reads:

"Thomas Owsley the son of John and Dorothy Owsley borne the 11th day of June about three of the clock in the morning and baptized the 11th day of July. Borne on a Friday, baptized on a Lord Day in the afternoon."

Our record showed he was born in Glooston, Leicestershire, England. However the book states: "During the next three years he seems to have engaged in an enterprise that necessitated travel between England and the Colonies. It was during one such journey, in 1679, that he was taken prisonr by Algerian pirates and was ransomed by the villagers of Glooston, the parish in leicestsershire, England where his father was then serving as rector. This event was duly recorded in the Register of Glooston Parish:

'July 28th, 1679: To redeem Thomas, son of Mr. Owsley, Rector of Glooston, taken by the 'Algerines,' the sum of L1.11.3d was collected.'"

!Death: From the Owsley/Poyntz book above mentioned is the following citation. ajor Thomas Owsley died 10 October 1700 in Stafford County, Virginia and was buried there on his plantation, now loacted on the Fort Belovoir Miliary Reservation, in Fairfax County. The exact date of his death is known from a survey map of 1748 in teh case of French mason vs. Daniel McCarty, 25 Mar 1748, on which is noted his grave and the comment "Owsly buryd there, as by a tomb stone, he dyed October ye 10th 1700." The survey was redrawn and published in Mitchell's beginning at a White Oak, p.64."

BIOGRAPHY: Thomas: Owsley 1st , born 6 Nov 1658 in Stogursey Somerset Engl, died 11 Jan 1700 in Stafford Co., VA. Thomas Owsley was Baptised in the Priory Church of St. Andrew in Stogursey in Oct. 1658 by his father the Rev. John Owsley . By 1677 Thomas had arrived in the Colony of VA and served in many capacities. He held a Commission in the Stafford Co., Militia, Justice of the Peace, he was given a Command of the Potomac Rangers, in 1692 he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. Already a Capt. he was appointed a Major in the Stafford Co., Militia and was second in Command under Lieutenant Co. George Mason. About 1692 Thomas married Ann Harris the daughter of William Harris. By the time of his death 11 Jan 1700 Thomas had a family of 6 children; Jane, Ann, Mary Thomas 2nd, Sarah & Poyntz. He had also accumulated 2390 acres of Land. After his death his widow Ann later married a man named John Wheeler.

!NEWSLETTER-BIRTH-BAPTISM-DEATH-BIOGRAPHY: Ronny O. Bodine, Editor of the OWSLEY FAMILY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER, December 1995, Volume XXVII, Number 4, "The Owsleys of Somersetshire, England, Being an Account of the Progenitors of Rev. John Owsley", by Ronny O. Bodine p. 78; BIOGRAPHY: Thomas Owsley, born 11 June 1658 and baptised 11 July at Stogursey, Somersetshire. He died 10 October 1700 in Stafford County, Virginia and was bured there on his plantation. Thomas Owlsey came to America about 1677 and settled there in Stafford County, where he served as a clerk of the county court, sheriff, militia officier, and representative to the Virginia House of Burgesses. Thomas Owsley was the progenitor of the Owsley family in America.

!BIOGRAPHY: An E-Mail received from Milancie Adams 21 Sep 1997 cites materials compiled by Ann Woodlief. They cite the following: [From Owsley Web site: "Caught up by an adventuresome spirit young Thomas Owsley apparently never completed his colIege education, for, by September 1677, he had arrived in the Colony of Virginia. During the next three years he seems to have engaged in an enterprise that necessitated travel between England and the Colonies, It was during one such journey, in 1679, that he was taken prisoner by Algerian pirates and was ransomed by the villagers of Glooston, the parish in Leicestershire, England where his father was them serving as rector. By 1680 he had settled in Stafford County in which year, at the age of only 22 years, he held the position of Clerk of the County Court. From the earliest days this important position was always held by a man of education and Thomas Owsley was well suited for the post. His clerical duties appear, however, to have been of short duration, for he was soon again engaged in a more profitable business, as agent for one Colonel Cadwallader Jones, to traffic in a variety of commodities, excepting munitions, with the Nantecoke Indians. His business dealings were surely lucrative,resulting in an accumulation of wealth and prestige, sufficient to establish himself as host for the Stafford County Court in his home on 12 November l690. During the ensuing years his status in the colony grew. He was given a commission in the Stafford County Militia and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. During this period militia officers generally held concurrent judicial positions within their respective counties and Thomas Owsley had his hands full ensuring both the safety of the region and his part in the administration of justice. On several occasions he forwarded letters to the governor's council and in one instance was the lone dissenting justice in a case heard before the county court. On 8 June 1692 Captain Thomas Owsley was given command of a detachment of ten men who were then added to the Potomac Rangers. Commissioned by the Virginia legislature, this group was to range the frontier from above the Occoquan to the head of this river as protection against hostile Indians. That same date he was sworn in for another one year term as Justice of the Peace. A letter has survived from this period that presents a vivid picture of the danger that was often present to the early settlers and in this situation directly impacted upon Thomas. In 1692 he was residing upon his plantation on Pohick Pun when Indians attacked his home. The letter, presented to the Maryland General Assembly, describes the events of May 1692: ...Last night about 11 or 12 a Clock Came two men from Mr Owsleys to Captain Addisons to give notice that about 3 a Clock in the afternoon Mr. Owsleys negro Woman going betwixt the Lower and Upper house was almost killed by two Indians and hath two wounds in her head, and a peice of Skin the breadth of a Crown piece flead off her skull, and stabed under the right Breast, which wound is thought to be Mortal and Stabbed through one Arm, with several other small wounds, a Cooper being at a Little Distance heard her Cry out, who with another Man with him made towards her, which frightened them away and in a Little time after Mr. Owsley being out, came home with his Ranging Party and Eleven Pisscataway Indians with him, who immediately went after them & found where they had Camped near to the house. The Indians say they think by the footing there is ten of them. They pursued them so hard that they dropped several things 1st pair of Mackasoons, one stick like a back sword much like that you did see at Captain Addisons; Mr Owsley returned to his house last night, but the Indians are still in pursuit, who says they doubt not to come up with them, unless they Come over Potowmack it Owsley and his Party is appointed by Our Indians to meet them again this Day;.. By this time, Thomas was a well respected man in the Colony. It was time to marry and raise a family. The woman he choose was the daughter of a British Army officer who had arrived in the Colony over 20 years earlier, Indeed, his bride Anne, was likely the only child of Lieutenant William Harris. During the ensuing ten years Anne gave her husband at least six children, two sons, Poyntz and Thomas, and four daughters, Jane, Ann, Mary and Sarah. In 1692 Thomas Owsley was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses from Stafford County and took his oath as a Burgess on Friday, 3 March 1693. He served again from 1695 to 1696. The Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia record that on "Fryday, April 24th 1696, Mr. Martin Scarlet" was elected "Burgess of Stafford County in room of Capt. Thomas Owsley now sheriff of Stafford County." He again served as a Burgess in 1698, In the latter year, the militia officers included "Capt Thomas Owsley of Stafford parish, which later became Overwharton Parish, He was reflected as commanding a detachment of 53 men. On 15 November 1694, Thomas obtained two patents of land in Stafford County. The larger tract of 1000 acres was fronted on its southern point by Pohick Bay. The smaller 150 acre tract adjoined the larger at the northeast corner. He secured a grant of 600 acres on 17 November 1696 and another on 24 March 1697. This latter tract, comprising 640 acres, was situated some distance from his other holdings, but was undoubtedly prime land being located on the shore of the Potomac River in northeast Stafford County. On 3 June 1699, Thomas Owsley was appointed a Major in the Stafford County Militia and was thus second in command under Lieutenant Colonel George Mason, the commander-in-chief. That same year Thomas was again serving as Clerk of the County Court and continued in that position until his death on 10 October 1700. His death is attested to by a letter dated October 14, 1700, from R. Wormley, Secretary to the court, in which he notes the recent death of Mr. Thomas Owsley and recommends Mr. Leomard Sarout as a replacement (stafford County Order Book pg 52-52). the exact date of death of Thomas Owsley is known from a map survey of 1748 in the case of French Mason Vs. Daniel McCarty, March 25, 1748, on which is noted his grave and the comment "Owsly buryd there, as by a tomb stone, he dyed October ye 10th 1700". The survey was redrawn and published by Mitchell's "Begining at a White Oak", pg 64. The grave itself, now located on the Fort Belvoir Military reservation, is no longer identifiable. At his death land holdings of 2390 acres. In addition the inventory of his estate reveals that his widow, Anne Owsley, came into position of not only the household furniture and cattle, but servants as well."

!The Royal Descent of Thomas Owsley:

King William I the Conquerer (b. 1020), duke of Normandy and King of England, 1066-1087=Matildis of Flanders, daughter of Baldwin V. and granddaughter of Robert II, King of France. William conquered the Saxons of England at battle of Hastings on Oct.14, 1066, reigning as King 21 years.

King Henry I (b. 1068) =Matilda (also Maud), daughter of Malcolm III, King of Scotland and granddaughter of Henry II, King of Hungary.

Maud (1104-1167) =Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, son of Fulco V

King Henry II (b. 1133)=Eleanor of Aquitaine.

King John (b. 1166) =Isabella, daughter of Aymar Taillifer, Count of Angouleme.

King Henry III (1207-1272)=Eleanor Berenger

1. Edward I, King of England, d. 1307=Margaret of France 2. Thomas of Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk-Alice de Hales 3. Margaret Plantagenet, Duchess of Norfolk=John de Segrave, 4th Baron Segrave 4. Elizabeth de Segrave=John Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray 5. Thomas Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk-Elizabeth FitzAlan 6. Isabel Mowbray-James Berkeley, 6th Baron Berkeley 7. Maurice Berkeley-Isabel Mead 8. Thomas Berkeley, 8th Baron Berkeley-Eleanor Constable 9. Joan Berkeley-Sir Nicholas Poyntz 10. Sir Nicholas Poyntz-Anne Verney 11. Mary Poyntz-John Sydenham 12. Anne Sydenham=John Poyntz 13. Newdigate Poyntz-Sarah Foxley 14. Dorothea Poyntz-John Owsley 15. Thomas Owsley=Anne Harris from The Royal Descents of 500 Immigrants, Gary Boyd Roberts

http://www.mikespieth.com/family/treeowsley.html

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The following account was first published in Thomas Owsley - A Virginia Gentleman (1990), by Ronny O. Bodine and again in The Ancestry of Dorothea Poyntz, Wife of Rev. John Owsley, First Preliminary Edition (1995), by Ronny O. Bodine and Brother Thomas W. Spalding, and with slight revisions in the Second Preliminary Edition (1997) and Third Preliminary Edition (1999). This account has been slightly altered to accommodate its appearance at this website.

THOMAS OWSLEY, the fourth child and third son of Rev. John Owsley and his wife Dorothea (Poyntz) Owsley, was born 11 June 1658 at Stoke-Coursey (now Stogursey), Somersetshire, England and was baptised there at St. Andrew's Church on 11 July. The entry of his baptism was written in the hand of his father who was serving as church rector and reads:

    "Thomas Owsley the sonne of John and Dorothy Owsley borne the 11th day of June about three of the closke in the morning and baptized the 11th day of July. Borne on a Friday, baptized on a Lords Day in the afternoone."  

As the son of a minister, and grandson of an officer in the Royal Army, it is likely that he received a good education and in his youth attended college as did his elder brothers. But, caught up by an adverturesome spirit, young Thomas Owsley apparently never completed his college education, for, by September 1677, he had arrived in the Colony of Virginia. First settled in May 1607 by the royally-chartered London Company, Virginia became a Crown Colony in 1624 and by 1641 could boast of a population that had grown to about 7500 persons. The whereabouts of Thomas Owsley, within Virginia at this time, are uncertain and he likely traveled about visiting the towns of the growing Colony, among them, certainly those within Stafford County. It was here that he would first become aware of the vast area encompassing the Northern Neck region and the availability of prime land for settlement. In 1648, the Northern Neck had been formed into Northumberland County and in 1653 became a part of Westmoreland County. When Stafford County was formed in 1665 it consisted of all the north part of the Neck, lying between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers continuing back to the Blue Ridge along these rivers.

During the next three years he seems to have engaged in an enterprise that necessitated travel between England and the Colonies. It was during one such journey, in 1679, that he was taken prisoner by Algerine pirates and was ransomed by the villagers of Glooston, the parish in Leicestershire, England where his father was then serving as rector. This event was duly recorded in the Register of Glooston Parish:

    "July 28th, 1679: To redeem Thomas, son of Mr. Owsley, Rector of Glooston, taken by the Algerines, the sum of £1.11.3d. was collected." 

By 6 September 1679, however, he was back in Virginia. On that date Colonel William Fitzhugh of Stafford County offered his opinion to Major Robert Beverly, clerk of the House of Burgesses, of a suit in which Thomas Owsley was then involved (OFHS Newsletter, March 1996, pp. 6-7). By the following year, at the age of only 22 years, he held the position of Clerk of the County Court (Goolrick, John T., The Story of Stafford, Stafford, Virginia, 1976, p. 49). From the earliest days this important position was always held by a man of education and Thomas Owsley was well suited for the post. His clerical duties appear, however, to have been of short duration, for he was soon again engaged in a more profitable business, as agent for one Colonel Cadwallader Jones. On 14 March 1681/2, Jones was issued a memorandum, valid for six months, to authorize Thomas Owsley to traffic in a variety of commodities, excepting munitions, with the Nantecoke Indians (Maryland Historical Society, Archives of Maryland, XVII, p. 88).

In another business deal, on 6 May 1686, Thomas Owsley drew up an original bill of exchange on his brother, Newdigate Owsley, Merchant of London, with Brice Cockran, Merchant of Coleraine, in County Londonderry, Ireland due within ten days, but not repaid by Owsley as promised. When Newdigate Owsley was unable to repay the debt due to "want of Effects" Cockran appointed Jacob Alexander, a Londonderry mariner on his way to Virginia, as his attorney to secure from Thomas Owsley the sum of £120 due him (Stafford Co. Record Book, 1686-1689, p. 49, 84)

His business dealings were surely lucrative, resulting in an accumulation of wealth and prestige, sufficient to establish himself as host for the Stafford County Court in his home on 12 November 1690 (Stafford Co. Record Book, 1689-1693). During the ensuing years his status in the colony grew. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Stafford County Militia and was appointed a Justice of the Peace. During this period militia officers generally held concurrent judicial positions within their respective counties and Thomas Owsley had his hands full ensuring both the safety of the region and doing his part in the administration of justice. On several occasions he forwarded letters to the governor's council and in one instance was the lone dissenting justice in a case heard before the county court (ibid., p. 505). On 8 June 1692, Captain Thomas Owsley was given command of a detachment of ten men who were then added to the Potomac Rangers. Commissioned by the Virginia legislature, this group was to range the frontier from above the Occoquan to the head of this river as protection against hostile Indians. That same date he was sworn in for another one year term as Justice of the Peace (ibid., p. 276).

A Letter has survived from this period that presents a vivid picture of the danger that was often present to the early settlers and in this situation directly impacted upon Thomas Owsley. In 1692, he was residing upon his plantation on Pohick Run when Indians attacked his home. The letter, presented to the Maryland General Assembly, describes the events of May 1692:

    "...Last night about 11 or 12 a Clock Came two men from Mr Ousleys to Captain Addisons to give notice that about 3 a Clock in the afternoon Mr Ousleys negro Woman going betwixt the Lower and Upper house was almost killed by two Indians and hath two wounds in her head, and a peice of Skin the breadth of a Crown piece flead off her skull, and stabed under the right Breast, which wound is thought to be Mortall and Stabbed quite through one Arm, with several other small wounds, a Cooper being at a Little Distance heard her Cry out, who with another Man with him made towards her, which frightened them away and in a Little time after Mr Ousley being out, came home with his Ranging Party and Eleven Pisscataway Indians with him, who immediately went after them & found where they had Camped near to the house. The Indians say they think by the footing there is ten of them. They pursued them so hard that they dropt several things 1st pair of Mockasoons, one stick like a back sword much like that you did see at Captain Addisons; Mr Ousley returned to his house last night, but the Indians are still in pursuit, who says they doubt not to come up with them, unless they Come over Potowmack Mr Ousley and his Party is appointed by Our Indians to meet them again this Day…" (Maryland Historical Society, Archives of Maryland, XIII, p. 282-283) 

In 1692, Thomas was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses from Stafford County and took his oath as a Burgess on 3 Mar 1693 (McIlwaine, H. R., ed. Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, Richmond, 1913, II, p. 412-413). He served again from 1695 to 1696 (ibid., III, p. 6). The Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia record that on "Fryday, April 24th 1696, Mr. Martin Scarlet" was elected "Burgess of Stafford County in room of Capt. Thomas Ousley now Sheriff of Stafford County." He may have held this post only a year or two for he again served as a Burgess in 1698. In the latter year, the militia officers included "Capt Tho: Owesly" of Stafford Parish, which later became Overwharton Parish. He was reflected as commanding a detachment of 53 men (King, Overwharton Parish, p. 180).

On 15 November 1694, Thomas Owsley obtained two patents of land in Stafford County. The larger tract of 1000 acres was fronted on its southern point by Pohick Bay. The smaller 150 acre tract adjoined the larger at the northeast corner. He secured a grant of 600 acres on 17 November 1696 and another on 24 March 1697. This latter tract, comprising 640 acres, was situated some distance from his other holdings, but was undoubtedly prime land being located on the shore of the Potomac River in northeast Stafford County (Northern Neck Patents, II, p. 58, 60, and Northern Neck Grants, II, p. 260, 267).

On 3 June 1699, Thomas Owsley was appointed a Major in the Stafford County Militia and was thus second in command under Lieutenant Colonel George Mason, the commander-in-chief (McIlwaine, H. R., ed., Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, Richmond: Virginia State Library, 1925, I, p. 445). That same year Thomas Owsley was again serving as Clerk of the County Court and continued in that position until his death.

On 3 September 1700, Thomas Owsley prepared a deed to "...freely give unto my daughter Sarah Owsley half of the dividend of land upon Powhick and Acquatinke down the Rigg and she to have that part that lies upon the Pohicke..." (Stafford Co. Record Book, 1699-1709, p. 44-45).

Major Thomas Owsley died 10 October 1700 in Stafford County, Virginia and was buried there on his plantation, now located on the Fort Belvoir Military Reservation, in Fairfax County. The exact date of his death is known from a survey map of 1748 in the case of French Mason vs. Daniel McCarty, 25 March 1748, on which is noted his grave and the comment "Owsly buryd there, as by a tomb stone, he dyed October ye 10th 1700." The survey was redrawn and published in Mitchell's Beginning at a White Oak (op. cit.), p. 64.

Four days later, on 14 October 1700, the court secretary, R. Wormley, writing to the justices of the county court "I understand that Mr. Thomas Owsley Clerk of your County Court is dead by which the said Place is become vacant" recommended Mr. Leonard Sarout as a replacement (Stafford Co. Record Book, 1699-1709, p. 51-52).

About 1680, Thomas Owsley married Ann Harris, apparently the only child of Lieutenant William Harris, a former British Army officer whose presence is attested to in Stafford County in the 1660s, and in whose will of 1698 devised all of his land to his Owsley grandchildren. Ann survived her husband by many years. On 13 March 1700/1, she transacted two sales of land, one, a parcel on the South side of Acquia Creek being sold to Daniel Beach for 3000 pounds of tobacco and the other, approximately 650 acres upon Oququon River, to Edward Barton for 4000 pounds of tobacco (Stafford Co. Record Book, 1699-1709, p. 59-60, 62-63).

An important document in establishing the offspring of Major Thomas Owsley is a deed of partition dated 29 March 1741 in the records of Prince William County. It reveals that on 24 March 1697/8 William Harris composed his will leaving all of his land in Stafford County to his granddaughters Jane and Anne Owsley to be equally divided between them. If they had no heirs, the land should go to Mary Owsley, and if she had no heirs it should go to the testator's grandson Thomas Owsley. The deed of partition goes on to relate that Jane married James Gregg and Anne married Isaac Kent and that their heirs in 1741 were Matthew Gregg of Stafford County and Isaac Kent of Prince William County (Prince William Co. Deeds, E, p. 305-309).

http://www.ofhs.org/thomas-owsley.html

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Maj. Thomas Owsley, Sr.

https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/30725558

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Thomas Owsley is decended from Magna Carta Surety Baron William Malet

http://www.ofhs.org/william-harris.html

http://www.tntcarden.com/tree/ensor/Owsley2.html

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Major Thomas Owsley, I, was a son of Rev. John Owsley and Dorothea Poyntz Owsley.Major Thomas Owsley, I married Ann Harris about 1680 or as late as 1685/1689 in Jamaica, Middlesex, Virginia. They had seven children.

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NOTES:Born in Stoke-Coursey, now Stogursey.Owsley Family Historical Society shows Major Thomas Owsley to be buried on Fort Belvoir Military Reservation in Fairfax County, Virginia, formerly his plantation in Stafford County, Virginia.From Jane Riggs Curci on January 28, 2017:About 1680, Major Thomas Owsley married Ann Harris, apparently the only child of Lieutenant William Harris, a former British Army officer whose presence is attested to in Stafford County in the 1660s, and in whose will of 1698 devised all of his land to his Owsley grandchildren. Ann survived her husband by many years. On 13 March 1700/1, she transacted two sales of land, one, a parcel on the South side of Acquia Creek being sold to Daniel Beach for 3000 pounds of tobacco and the other, approximately 650 acres upon Oququon River, to Edward Barton for 4000 pounds of tobacco.(Stafford Co. Record Book, 1699-1709, p. 59-60, 62-63) An important document in establishing the offspring of Major Thomas Owsley who married Ann Harris, the daughter of Lieutenant William Harris is a deed of partition dated 29 March 1741 in the records of Prince William County. It reveals that on 24 March 1697/8 William Harris composed his will leaving all of his land in Stafford County to his "granddaughters" Jane and Anne Owsley to be equally divided between them. If they had no heirs, the land should go to Mary Owsley, and if she had no heirs it should go to the testator's grandson Thomas Owsley. The deed of partition goes on to relate that Jane married James Gregg and Anne married Isaac Kent and that their heirs in 1741 were Matthew Gregg of Stafford County and Isaac Kent of Prince William County.(Prince William Co. Deeds, E, p. 305-309)From Ronny Bodine on August 2, 2018:In 1883, in a chancery suit of Otterback vs. Hughes involving lands formerly part of the McCarty estate (and originally the plantation of Major Owsley), the former county surveyor Jonathan Roberts, then residing in Iowa, was required to make a deposition in the case. Roberts had bought part of the Cedar Grove estate including the Cedar Grove mansion. He recalled having surveyed part of the McCarty land for William McCarty around 1850 on the occasion of a land dispute, at which time he had been provided, among other papers, with the original 1694 Owsley patents. Asked if he could show proof of such claims, he stated:"His [Owsley's] house was on the part of the Cedar Grove Estate that I bought of William McCarty in the year 1848, where the said Thomas Owsley lived and died in the year A.D. 1700 and was buried near his dwelling as was marked on the plat of the survey of the Cedar Grove Estate before mentioned [the 1748 map] in the valley about one third (1/3) of a mile east of the present mansion where a large cedar tree had grown over his grave and tomb stone on which were cut his name, age, where he came from in England and when he died i.s. 1700 and said tombstone was there when I moved away in the year [illegible word] of A.D. 1869."So, in 1869, Major Thomas Owsley's gravestone was still in place under a large cedar tree. In the 1990's, the area that encompassed his plantation underwent extensive archaeological excavation, but nothing was reported of finding his gravestone or burial site. The above details and further details concerning the excavation are contained in Report on the History of the Barnes-Owsley Site, prepared by Anne Schwermer for the Directorate of Public Works, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Belvoir, 1995.If anyone has more/better information, please contact me.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 24 2018, 20:02:09 UTC

The Stafford County Sheriff's Department has a list of all acting Sheriffs from 1664-Present at: https://www.staffordsheriff.com Click on the About Us tab, then click on History.

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Notes; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154065379

Major Thomas Owsley, I married Ann Harris about 1680 or as late as 1685/1689 in Jamaica, Middlesex, Virginia. They had seven children.

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Born in Stoke-Coursey, now Stogursey.

Owsley Family Historical Society shows Major Thomas Owsley to be buried on Fort Belvoir Military Reservation in Fairfax County, Virginia, formerly his plantation in Stafford County, Virginia.

About 1680, Major Thomas Owsley married Ann Harris, apparently the only child of Lieutenant William Harris, a former British Army officer whose presence is attested to in Stafford County in the 1660s, and in whose will of 1698 devised all of his land to his Owsley grandchildren. Ann survived her husband by many years. On 13 March 1700/1, she transacted two sales of land, one, a parcel on the Southside of Aquia Creek being sold to Daniel Beach for 3000 pounds of tobacco and the other, approximately 650 acres upon Occoquan River, to Edward Barton for 4000 pounds of tobacco. (Stafford Co. Record Book, 1699-1709, p. 59-60, 62-63)

An important document in establishing the offspring of Major Thomas Owsley who married Ann Harris, the daughter of Lieutenant William Harris is a deed of partition dated 29 March 1741 in the records of Prince William County. It reveals that on 24 March 1697/8 William Harris composed his will leaving all of his land in Stafford County to his "granddaughters" Jane and Anne Owsley to be equally divided between them. If they had no heirs, the land should go to Mary Owsley, and if she had no heirs it should go to the testator's grandson Thomas Owsley. The deed of partition goes on to relate that Jane married James Gregg and Anne married Isaac Kent and that their heirs in 1741 were Matthew Gregg of Stafford County and Isaac Kent of Prince William County. (Prince William Co. Deeds, E, p. 305-309)

In 1883, in a chancery suit of Otterback vs. Hughes involving lands formerly part of the McCarty estate (and originally the plantation of Major Owsley), the former county surveyor Jonathan Roberts, then residing in Iowa, was required to make a deposition in the case.

Roberts had bought part of the Cedar Grove estate including the Cedar Grove mansion. He recalled having surveyed part of the McCarty land for William McCarty around 1850 on the occasion of a land dispute, at which time he had been provided, among other papers, with the original 1694 Owsley patents. Asked if he could show proof of such claims, he stated:

"His [Owsley's] house was on the part of the Cedar Grove Estate that I bought of William McCarty in the year 1848, where the said Thomas Owsley lived and died in the year A.D. 1700 and was buried near his dwelling as was marked on the plat of the survey of the Cedar Grove Estate before mentioned [the 1748 map] in the valley about one third (1/3) of a mile east of the present mansion where a large cedar tree had grown over his grave and tomb stone on which were cut his name, age, where he came from in England and when he died i.s. 1700 and said tombstone was there when I moved away in the year [illegible word] of A.D. 1869."

So, in 1869, Major Thomas Owsley gravestone was still in place under a large cedar tree. In the 1990's, the area that encompassed his plantation underwent extensive archaeological excavation, but nothing was reported of finding his gravestone or burial site. The above details and further details concerning the excavation are contained in Report on the History of the Barnes-Owsley Site, prepared by Anne Schwermer for the Directorate of Public Works, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Belvoir, 1995.

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

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Database online. Record for Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

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Database online. Record for Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

GEDCOM Source

Database online. Record for Captain Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

GEDCOM Source

Database online. Record for Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

GEDCOM Source

Database online. Record for Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

GEDCOM Source

Database online. Record for Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

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Database online. Record for Captain Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

GEDCOM Source

Database online. Record for Thomas Owsley

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Ancestry Family Trees Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; @R4@

GEDCOM Source

Database online. Record for Thomas, Captain? Owsley