Thomas Alley, Ill

Source: "Ancestral File v4.19," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.2.1/MCZD-N6K : accessed 3 August 2012), entry for Thomas A. ALLEY.

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Thomas's brother in law is Edward Reavis. "Edward D. Reavis was born in 1680 in England. Reavis is a new name dating from about 1700. Edward apparently left his old name behind in England when he came to America about 1695 to 1700 with Hannah Alley and her brother, Thomas. (ÙCiÙDThat is the traditional story which I believe is not true.) ÙC/iÙDThe name is always pronounced in two syllables, Reavice, Reavise, Revvis. It is also spelled Reves, Revis, Rivis, Reaves or other ways along these lines. There is a strong family oral history that Edward Reavis was from the Ashley-Cooper family, one of the eight Lord proprietors of the Carolinas.The Reavis family was literate for the first two generations, until they went to the frontier where educational opportunities were limited. "Reavis was a planter in 1721 in Henrico Co., VA. His land was near the James River and was by royal patent. In 1723, Edward Rivis and Thomas Ally jointly signed a royal patent for 400 acres on the S. side of James River in Henrico Co., S. side of James River; on the Tuckahoe Creek and Stoney Run. (Henrico Records by Moore, pg 33) Signed by Lieutenant Governor Hugh Drysdale, Esq. at Williamsburg, Va. Deed reveals Hannah as the wife of Edward, and Frances as the wife of Thomas Alley." ÙCiÙDSource: ÙC/iÙDpg 244, ÙCiÙDCavaliers and Pioneers Abstr of Land Patents and Grants,ÙC/iÙD volume 3

Between 1737 and 1744, and after his second marriage Edward Reavis bought land in Northampton Co., NC, and was living there at the end of his life.

"Edward doesn't appear to have belonged to any church but his children were active in the Dutchman Creek Baptist Church. He died in 1751 in Northampton Co., NC. He immigrated abt. 1698 to 1710 to VA. On Reel 10, Patent Book 11, 1719 -1724, p. 244 shows an account signed by Hugh Drysdale of Edward Reves (Reavis) and Thomas Alley importing 2 orphans, Sarah Mullinax and James Gregg. Alley and Reavis received 30 shillings and 400 acres on the south side of the James River in Henrico Co., VA. He was married to Hannah Alley in 1714 in Henrico Co., VA. His sister, Francis, married his wife Hannah Alley's brother, Thomas (A) Alley."ÙCiÙD (A was often his mark rather than an X.) ÙC/iÙDfrom "Reavis Family Book" by Marie Reavis Hall, p. 5-6 and copied from the web

"Order Book 1763-1767" First day of June 1767 Thomas Alley exempt from paying the County Levies.(p785) This would be Thomas, Sr. (3) who was exempted because of his old age or infirmity. To calculate birth I first assumed age 60 to 80; thus birth 1687 to 1707. Three more assumptions: At least 20 in 1723 grant and death by age 90 gives the range of 1684 to 1703; Mary Seward's age limits it to before 1700, which is still very late in their marriage. Thus, 1687 to 1700 which I have chosen to list it as "about 1790". See Thomas Jr. the younger whose birth date is between 1695 and 1702. Known facts allow these two men to be interchanged so that Thomas Jr. the younger goes to Henrico Co. and Thomas (3) marries Honour Fuller. According to Archives Research Services (email of 19 April 2009) at the Library of Virginia, "There is no known text of a colonial Virginia law setting forth the age at which someone could be exempted from taxation. Typically it was left up to the county court to determine if a person should be exempted due to age or infirmity." My oun research indicates it was based more on infirmity then age.

By 1723, Thomas had moved from Isle of Wight. These early Virginia documents give what proven facts are known about Thomas after he arrived in Henrico Co. He may not be the first of the family to go to Henrico Co. A Francis Alley "recieved 200 lbs tobacco in Henrico Co. for taking up a runaway in the year 1682" (Journel of House of Burgess p 176) This could be a grandson of the original Francis, a son of Gracia, Christian or Edward. Some think that Henry Alley, who recieved land in1682 along with his brother Abraham. in the will of Abraham Wood, was previously in Isle of Wight and recorded as Henry Allen. The Wood family was there as early as 1656, but there is no record of Abraham, and Henry is almost certainly an Allen.

Sept 5, 1723 land patents granted to Edward Rivis and Thomas Ally, 400 acs. (N.L.) Henrico Co: S. side of James River; on William Cocke's land; crossing Stony Run; 30 shill., & imp. Of 2 pers; Sarah Mullinax and James Grigg. Signed by Lieutenant Governor Hugh Drysdale, Esq. @ Williamsburg, Va. Deed reveals Hannah as the wife of Edward, and Frances as the wife of Thomas Alley. Source: pg 244, Cavaliers and Pioneers Abstr of Land Patents and Grants, volume 3 p.79

Aug 1729 Henrico Co Va Deed Book pg 242-4 Edward Revis of County and Parish of Henrico to Thomas Alley of same. Whereas said Edward and Thomas are both seized of 400 acres as by Patent 5 Sept 1723, they agree to division. Hannah wife of Edward and Frances wife of Thomas relinquish their Dower Rights. Witnesses: George Payne, Pierre Louis Soblet Signed: Edward Revis, Thomas A Alley Recorded 1st Monday Aug

4 Aug 1729,Thomas agreed to a division of 400 acres of land he and Edward Reavis(Revis, Reviss) received by patient 5 Sept 1723 on Stoney Run creek a branch of Deep Run creek in Henrico Parish, Henrico county.

Henrico Land Grants Book 18 Page 343, 29 May 1739 Thomas Alley 400 acres on the north side of the James River, adjacent to land of Charles Christian. signed by William Gooch

"Henrico Co. Deed Book 1748-1750" pages 49,116, "1750-1767" page 379 On the first monday of Nov 1748 Thomas gave 200 acres to his son Thomas Jr, for love and good will

On the first monday in July1749, Thomas gave 100 acres to his son James, for good love and affection.

2nd day Dec 1754, Thomas gave 100 acres to his son Edmund, for good love and affection.

"Henrico Co. Deeds 1750-1767" page 534 Thomas (A) Alley of Henrico Co. . . deeded 50 Acres in Henrico Co. . . for seven pounds . . . to David Hall, Dec, 3, 1757 "on Deep Run, a part of the same tract of land whereon said Thomas Alley now lives. . . on branch of Deep Run called Stoney Run. . . along the line of Alexander Patterson and David Staples". (Dorcas Alley married David Hall 20 November 1754. She is the daughter of Thomas and Frances.)

"Henrico Co. Deeds 1750-1767", page 1008 4 May 1767 Thomas Alley of Henrico Co. "for and in consideration of love, goodwill and affection I bear unto my son David Alley. . . after my decease and the decease of my loving wife Frances Alley. . . to David Alley. . . land in Henrico Co. , on the south side of Stony Run and some land I now live on, bounded by James Alley's corner tree on Stony Run, William Price's, Joseph Brown's to J. L. Alley's. . . Signed: Thomas (X) Alley. Witnesses: Jesse Clark, William Streer, John Clark, John Johnson".

Records from "Old St. John's Church Vestry Book 1730-1773" Thomas Alley among those who processioned (remarked boundaries of land) 3 May 1736 (p33) List of Holy Freemen 1739: (some names of interest to us are:) John Do, Thomas Ally, Thomas Jennet, Thomas Ellis, William Ellis, Edward Reves, Wm Ellis, Thomas Ally, Thomas Cottrell ... (p57) Thos Alley is set Parish lefy free. 1767 (p130)

Also several listings in Court Order Books: (It is not clear that all of the following references are for Thomas Sr. the father. His son Thomas was of age about 1740.) Dec 1752 Thos. Alley summoned to appear ... not keeping the road he is surveyer of.in good repair (p27) Feb 1753 James ,Thomas - jury duty (p32) June 1753 same (p73) June 1753 Thomas Alley paid for attending court one day as witness.(p85) Oct 1753 Thomas - jury duty (p143, 149) March 1754 same (p184, 188, 194) June 1754 same (p202, 228, 233) November 1754 Thomas Alley, Edmund Alley paying them for work done. (p255) March 1755 Thomas - jury duty (p284,285) June 1755 Thomas - jury duty (p311, 314, 316, 320, 325, 330, 331, 337)

"Order Book 1755-1762" Feb 1757 Thomas paid court costs for suit against him.

Thomas could not write or sign his name. His signature mark "X" was sometimes an "A". This causes confusion among some historians who give him a middle initial "A." A few even give him the middle name Anthony. I don't know where that comes from.

The Massachusetts orgins of Thomas Alley (2 & 3) given in some genealogies is not correct. To make it even possible the Massachusetts marriage of the father Thomas (2) to Mary Seward, who was living in Virginia and the widow of John Jennings, must be deleted. Those who put them in Massachusetts must be unaware of Mary's marriage to John Jennings of Bacon's Rebellion notoriety. However, there is evidence that some of his relatives, including another Thomas, were in Massachusetts. See Thomas Alley, (1) born 1625.* Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Apr 10 2017, 21:32:24 UTC

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Thomas's brother in law is Edward Reavis. "Edward D. Reavis was born in 1680 in England. Reavis is a new name dating from about 1700. Edward apparently left his old name behind in England when he came to America about 1695 to 1700 with Hannah Alley and her brother, Thomas. (That is the traditional story which I believe is not true.) The name is always pronounced in two syllables, Reavice, Reavise, Revvis. It is also spelled Reves, Revis, Rivis, Reaves or other ways along these lines. There is a strong family oral history that Edward Reavis was from the Ashley-Cooper family, one of the eight Lord proprietors of the Carolinas.The Reavis family was literate for the first two generations, until they went to the frontier where educational opportunities were limited. "Reavis was a planter in 1721 in Henrico Co., VA. His land was near the James River and was by royal patent. In 1723, Edward Rivis and Thomas Ally jointly signed a royal patent for 400 acres on the S. side of James River in Henrico Co., S. side of James River; on the Tuckahoe Creek and Stoney Run. (Henrico Records by Moore, pg 33) Signed by Lieutenant Governor Hugh Drysdale, Esq. at Williamsburg, Va. Deed reveals Hannah as the wife of Edward, and Frances as the wife of Thomas Alley." Source: pg 244, Cavaliers and Pioneers Abstr of Land Patents and Grants, volume 3

Between 1737 and 1744, and after his second marriage Edward Reavis bought land in Northampton Co., NC, and was living there at the end of his life.

"Edward doesn't appear to have belonged to any church but his children were active in the Dutchman Creek Baptist Church. He died in 1751 in Northampton Co., NC. He immigrated abt. 1698 to 1710 to VA. On Reel 10, Patent Book 11, 1719 -1724, p. 244 shows an account signed by Hugh Drysdale of Edward Reves (Reavis) and Thomas Alley importing 2 orphans, Sarah Mullinax and James Gregg. Alley and Reavis received 30 shillings and 400 acres on the south side of the James River in Henrico Co., VA. He was married to Hannah Alley in 1714 in Henrico Co., VA. His sister, Francis, married his wife Hannah Alley's brother, Thomas (A) Alley." (A was often his mark rather than an X.) from "Reavis Family Book" by Marie Reavis Hall, p. 5-6 and copied from the web

"Order Book 1763-1767" First day of June 1767 Thomas Alley exempt from paying the County Levies.(p785) This would be Thomas, Sr. (3) who was exempted because of his old age or infirmity. To calculate birth I first assumed age 60 to 80; thus birth 1687 to 1707. Three more assumptions: At least 20 in 1723 grant and death by age 90 gives the range of 1684 to 1703; Mary Seward's age limits it to before 1700, which is still very late in their marriage. Thus, 1687 to 1700 which I have chosen to list it as "about 1790". See Thomas Jr. the younger whose birth date is between 1695 and 1702. Known facts allow these two men to be interchanged so that Thomas Jr. the younger goes to Henrico Co. and Thomas (3) marries Honour Fuller. According to Archives Research Services (email of 19 April 2009) at the Library of Virginia, "There is no known text of a colonial Virginia law setting forth the age at which someone could be exempted from taxation. Typically it was left up to the county court to determine if a person should be exempted due to age or infirmity." My oun research indicates it was based more on infirmity then age.

By 1723, Thomas had moved from Isle of Wight. These early Virginia documents give what proven facts are known about Thomas after he arrived in Henrico Co. He may not be the first of the family to go to Henrico Co. A Francis Alley "recieved 200 lbs tobacco in Henrico Co. for taking up a runaway in the year 1682" (Journel of House of Burgess p 176) This could be a grandson of the original Francis, a son of Gracia, Christian or Edward. Some think that Henry Alley, who recieved land in1682 along with his brother Abraham. in the will of Abraham Wood, was previously in Isle of Wight and recorded as Henry Allen. The Wood family was there as early as 1656, but there is no record of Abraham, and Henry is almost certainly an Allen.

Sept 5, 1723 land patents granted to Edward Rivis and Thomas Ally, 400 acs. (N.L.) Henrico Co: S. side of James River; on William Cocke's land; crossing Stony Run; 30 shill., & imp. Of 2 pers; Sarah Mullinax and James Grigg. Signed by Lieutenant Governor Hugh Drysdale, Esq. @ Williamsburg, Va. Deed reveals Hannah as the wife of Edward, and Frances as the wife of Thomas Alley. Source: pg 244, Cavaliers and Pioneers Abstr of Land Patents and Grants, volume 3 p.79

Aug 1729 Henrico Co Va Deed Book pg 242-4 Edward Revis of County and Parish of Henrico to Thomas Alley of same. Whereas said Edward and Thomas are both seized of 400 acres as by Patent 5 Sept 1723, they agree to division. Hannah wife of Edward and Frances wife of Thomas relinquish their Dower Rights. Witnesses: George Payne, Pierre Louis Soblet Signed: Edward Revis, Thomas A Alley Recorded 1st Monday Aug

4 Aug 1729,Thomas agreed to a division of 400 acres of land he and Edward Reavis(Revis, Reviss) received by patient 5 Sept 1723 on Stoney Run creek a branch of Deep Run creek in Henrico Parish, Henrico county.

Henrico Land Grants Book 18 Page 343, 29 May 1739 Thomas Alley 400 acres on the north side of the James River, adjacent to land of Charles Christian. signed by William Gooch

"Henrico Co. Deed Book 1748-1750" pages 49,116, "1750-1767" page 379 On the first monday of Nov 1748 Thomas gave 200 acres to his son Thomas Jr, for love and good will

On the first monday in July1749, Thomas gave 100 acres to his son James, for good love and affection.

2nd day Dec 1754, Thomas gave 100 acres to his son Edmund, for good love and affection.

"Henrico Co. Deeds 1750-1767" page 534 Thomas (A) Alley of Henrico Co. . . deeded 50 Acres in Henrico Co. . . for seven pounds . . . to David Hall, Dec, 3, 1757 "on Deep Run, a part of the same tract of land whereon said Thomas Alley now lives. . . on branch of Deep Run called Stoney Run. . . along the line of Alexander Patterson and David Staples". (Dorcas Alley married David Hall 20 November 1754. She is the daughter of Thomas and Frances.)

"Henrico Co. Deeds 1750-1767", page 1008 4 May 1767 Thomas Alley of Henrico Co. "for and in consideration of love, goodwill and affection I bear unto my son David Alley. . . after my decease and the decease of my loving wife Frances Alley. . . to David Alley. . . land in Henrico Co. , on the south side of Stony Run and some land I now live on, bounded by James Alley's corner tree on Stony Run, William Price's, Joseph Brown's to J. L. Alley's. . . Signed: Thomas (X) Alley. Witnesses: Jesse Clark, William Streer, John Clark, John Johnson".

Records from "Old St. John's Church Vestry Book 1730-1773" Thomas Alley among those who processioned (remarked boundaries of land) 3 May 1736 (p33) List of Holy Freemen 1739: (some names of interest to us are:) John Do, Thomas Ally, Thomas Jennet, Thomas Ellis, William Ellis, Edward Reves, Wm Ellis, Thomas Ally, Thomas Cottrell ... (p57) Thos Alley is set Parish lefy free. 1767 (p130)

Also several listings in Court Order Books: (It is not clear that all of the following references are for Thomas Sr. the father. His son Thomas was of age about 1740.) Dec 1752 Thos. Alley summoned to appear ... not keeping the road he is surveyer of.in good repair (p27) Feb 1753 James ,Thomas - jury duty (p32) June 1753 same (p73) June 1753 Thomas Alley paid for attending court one day as witness.(p85) Oct 1753 Thomas - jury duty (p143, 149) March 1754 same (p184, 188, 194) June 1754 same (p202, 228, 233) November 1754 Thomas Alley, Edmund Alley paying them for work done. (p255) March 1755 Thomas - jury duty (p284,285) June 1755 Thomas - jury duty (p311, 314, 316, 320, 325, 330, 331, 337)

"Order Book 1755-1762" Feb 1757 Thomas paid court costs for suit against him.

Thomas could not write or sign his name. His signature mark "X" was sometimes an "A". This causes confusion among some historians who give him a middle initial "A." A few even give him the middle name Anthony. I don't know where that comes from.

The Massachusetts orgins of Thomas Alley (2 & 3) given in some genealogies is not correct. To make it even possible the Massachusetts marriage of the father Thomas (2) to Mary Seward, who was living in Virginia and the widow of John Jennings, must be deleted. Those who put them in Massachusetts must be unaware of Mary's marriage to John Jennings of Bacon's Rebellion notoriety. However, there is evidence that some of his relatives, including another Thomas, were in Massachusetts. See Thomas Alley, (1) born 1625.