Thomas Finnell

In the book, "Patriots of the Upcountry, Orange County Virginia in the Revolution" By William H.B.Thomas a number of petitions were submitted that were signed by Finnell's

17 Oct. 1777 Thomas Finnell

5 December 1777 William Finnell and Simon Finnell

19 Nov.1777 Thomas Finnell

12 November 1778 Thomas Finnell, Simon Finnell, and William Finnell

13 May 1779 William Finnell

3 November 1785 Reuben Finnell

Thomas was on the tax roll for Orange County, Virginia, 1748 - 1789. His Deposition was taken Aug. 26, 1791, in a case between Hansford and Porter in North Carolina. Elizabeth states in her marriage bond her father moved to Augusta County, which had been a part of Orange County.

Hansford versus Porter in North Carolina. August 26,1791, Wilkes County Georgia--Benoni Hansford vs. Benjamin Porter, Deposition of John Frazier and wife to be taken at Edgefield, South Carolina, Courthouse. Ordered that any J.P. in Orange county Virginia take the deposition of Thomas Finnell and William Hansford.

Thomas witnessed a deed between M. Stanton of Orange County and W. Beverly. In 1748, in Culpeper County. The June 1761 will of Charles Hansford of Orange County mentioned his sister Anne Hansford was married to Thomas Finnell. The will was witnessed by Jonathan Finnell.

September 20,1754, charges were brought against John Fennell Jr. William Minor, Urial Mallory,Thomas Fennell and Jonathan Finnell for trespass. March 28,1755, four of the defendants pled not guilty. Jonathon Finnell did not appear .The case was dismissed on May 23,1755.

Thomas was a overseer in Nicholas Porter's Quarter in 1764.

Orange County Records show that on October 17, 1777, Thomas petitioned for money to support his two soldier sons Reuben and John Finnell. While they were home sick from the war. Money was awarded for John but not Reuben.

To the honorable speaker and gentleman of the house of delegates the petition of Thomas Finnell humbly where with that through your petitioner is in very low circumstances he cheerfully consented to his sons listing in the Minute and Regular service, in which service they both was taken sick and rendered unfit for duty. My son Reuben came home some time in August, 1776, and lay there sick till the spring following. My son John came home some time in September, 1776, and lay there sick till the spring following. And then they both returned to their duty as soldiers. Neither of them being able to make me any satisfaction for the trouble and expenses I had been at with them. Which indeed is to much for me to bear.As I have several small children, and pay rent for land, and my labor the only support I have for a living. Your petitioner therefore desires that you take his case under your consideration and grant him such relief as you in your wisdom shall think reasonable. And he is bound to pray. Signed Thomas Finnell, October 17, 1777.

Thomas Finnell made oath before me today that he has two sons in the service John and Reuben Finnell. John came home some time in September, 1776, and was sick till the spring following. Reuben was taken sick in August, 1776, and remained sick till the spring following. Both an entire charge to him said Thomas Finnell. Likewise a neighbor John Finnell Sr. made oath he believes the above to be the truth. Certified by Roland Thomas, October 17, 1777.

19 November 1777 Orange petitions to the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia begun and held at the Capitol in the city of Williamsburg. Resolved, that it is in the opinion of this committee, that so much of the petition of Thomas Finnell, as prays an allowance for nursing and maintaining his son John Finnel a soldier in the Minute service, who came to his house sick sometime in September 1776, where he remained in that state till the spring following, it is reasonable and that the petitioner ought to be allowed for his trouble and expense, at the rate of 10d. per day for 210 days, which amounts to the sum of 8L 15s. Orange Petitionist resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that such other part of the petition, as prays allowance for nursing and maintaining Reuben Finnell, a soldier in the Continental service, who was for several months sick at the petitioners house, be rejected. In his petition Thomas states he has small children at home, whose only support is his labor "AS I HAVE SEVERAL SMALL CHILDREN AND PAY RENT FOR LAND, AND MY OWN LABOR THE ONLY SUPPORT I HAVE FOR LIVING."

Thomas Fennell was sued for trespassing in a 1761 case also involving William Fennell. The June 1761 Will of Charles Hansford of Orange County mentions his sister Anne married to Thomas Fennell. In 1764 Thomas was an overseer in Nicholas Porter's quarter. In his petition Thomas states he has small children at home. And they had to of been his as neither son Reuben or John were married at the time.

THE PETITION OF THOMAS PROVES ALONG WITH THE PENSION FILE OF REUBEN'S WIFE ELIZABETH THAT THE RECORDS OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE ARE THOSE OF THIS REUBEN FINNELL AND NOT OF REV. REUBEN FINNELL.

Thomas was taxed on one horse in 1785, Orange County, Virginia. But does not show on the tax rolls after 1789.

Page 123 Early records Georgia Vol. 1 and 2 Aug.26,1791-Benoni Hansford vs. Benjamin Porter.Deposition of John Frazier and wife to be taken at Edgefield, South Carolina, courthouse. Ordered that any J.P. in Orange Co. Virginia, take the deposition of Thomas Finnell and William Hansford.

SOURCE: Find A Grave.com