Thomas Cochran, Sr.

Thomas moved with his father & brothers to Mecklenburg Co., NC when that state opened to land buyers in the mid-1740's. (Thomas remained in that area his entire life, with his Will being found there, dated March 14, 1786 (Mecklenburg Co. Will Book, page 190).

Thomas was a veteran of the Revolutionary War (need to research to find the unit) but suspect (per his Will and location in NC at that time) that he served for the Confederacy. In the book "The Mecklenburg Signers and Their Neighbors", by Ray Worth, Thomas and his sons are mentioned (I have not seen this source myself so unknown in reference to what)...

"American Prisoners of the Revolutionary War", by Dandridge, states that Thomas, James, John, Robert, and Richard Cochran from Mecklenburg Co., NC were prisoners in the prison ship "Forby", in the Chester Bay in 1774.

Information from his Will indicates that Thomas owned 150 acres and some other land in adjoining counties that contained 65 acres, with another tract of land on the "Camp Branch of Twelve Mile Creek" containing another 200 acres. The lands in entirety were left to his widow, under the stipulation that she use the land to provide for the "schooling" of their children until the youngest son reached the age of 21. At that time the lands, totaling approximately 415 acres, were to be divided equally among them. The daughter, Jean, is not mentioned in the Will. Further stipulations related to his slave: "It is likewise my Will that my Negro Wench named Chieo remain and be with my widow and her children's use during her widowhood then come to my sons above named as an undivided right and not to be sold but for some notorious fault, but if it so happens that said wench Chieo should have children before my youngest son or surviving youngest be of full age, then John, William, and Robert shall each of them have one of the said children. John the oldest of them, William the next oldest, and Robert the next, and said wench and her increase beside to be the property of my widow."