Thomas Gaskins

Thomas Gascoigne

• AKA Gascoyne, Gascoyne, Gaskin, Gaskins, Gaskon
• Gender: Male
• Birth: 1601 in England (seen as before May 16, 1601 Aberford, West Yorkshire, England without citation)
• Death: before November 20, 1665 Hewletts Point, Northumberland County, Virginia
• Parents: unconfirmed
• Spouses: Elizabeth Gambling, Sarah

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Nathan Murphy, the genealogist for the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne,* has closed this line. He cited the fact that there is no solid documentation to prove that the Thomas Gaskins born in 1601 to Henry Gascoigne and Ann (Anna) Gascoigne is the same Thomas living in VA who was born in 1601.

• < The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America > “a partial list of “Gateway” ancestors … “. Retrieved Dec 26, 2021. (Gaskins is not listed.)

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Family

Parent’s unidentified.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gascoigne-135

Very little appears to be known about the wife of Thomas1 Gaskins, the immigrant. Many, including the authors of this profile, believe she was the Eliz. Gaskins the headright claimed by her husband in 1636, but Dorman, Adventurers of Purse and Person, 4th ed., 2:55, says the name of his wife is not known. He appears to believe that Eliz. Gaskins, the 1636 headright, was a daughter about whom nothing else is known.

Dorman goes on to say the wife was probably surnamed Gambling, adding the following footnote:

Not only was Josias Gambling named as one of Thomas Gaskins' headrights, but, 19 July 1657, Thomas1 Gaskins gave a heifer to "my Cozen Elizabeth, daughter of Jno. Gamlin" (Northumberland Co. Record Bk. 1652–58, p. 113). "Cousin" at this date usually meant nephew or niece.

Thomas and his wife had at least five children surviving infancy: Thomas, Alice, Mary/Elitia, Josias and Henry. Dorman, Adventurers of Purse and Person, 4th ed., 2:55 adds two — Elizabeth, between Thomas and Alice, and Mary, as a daughter separate from Elitia:

• Thomas2 appears to have been the eldest child as he deposed aged 38 in 1664 (b. c.1626). It seems he must have immigrated with his family, yet he doesn't appear to have been claimed as a headright in 1636. Perhaps this was a clerical error. 'Josias' could have been copied from the previous name instead of 'Thomas'. He married Sarah, apparently the widow Schrever. Administration of his estate was granted 1 Mar 1676 (Northumberland Co. Orders 1666–78: 131). His widow soon married John Pinkard, but died before 21 Jan 1679/80 when John Pinkard, who had married the widow of Thomas Gascoyne, was sued for custody of the 5 children of Thomas Gascoyne, by John Taylor, Henry Mayes, Josias Gascoyne, and Henry Gascoyne (Northumberland Co. Orders 1678–98: 54).
• Elizabeth2 was born c.1628 — if she existed. Most researchers believe the Eliz. Gaskins claimed as a headright in 1636 was the wife of Thomas1 Gaskins, the immigrant, not a daughter.
• Alice2 was born c.1630, and her father claimed her as a headright in 1636. She married John Taylor say 1650. They had children in the 1650s and 1660s. He is said to have died 5 Apr 1702, and his will, now lost, was probated 15 Apr 1702 (Northumberland Co. Orders 1699–1713: 196). She died before 21 Oct 1702 when she was described as "Alice Taylor, dec'd".
• Mary2 was born c.1632 as her father claimed her as a headright in 1636, though no other record of her is known. It's possible she was the same person as Elitia.
• Elitia2 was born c.1634 (or c.1632 if she was the same person as Mary). She married Henry Mayes c.1652 who died before 18 Jun 1702 when his will was probated. She died before 19 Aug 1708 when her will, now lost, was probated (Northumberland Co. Orders 1698–1713: 541). Some say that Henry Mayes married Mary Gaskins. If there is some record of this, then Mary and Elitia were the same person. The name 'Elitia' is very unusual and is considered to have originated in America. It's possible the first person to use it was Elitia (Gaskins) Mayes. Amongst the descendants of Thomas1 Gaskins, the immigrant, it appears at least three more times. Many variant spellings are found, e.g. Elesha, Elisha and Elisher, but spellings like Eliza and Alicia appear to be modern mistranscriptions.
• Josias2 was born say 1640. He was far too young to have been the Josias Gaskins his father claimed as a headright in 1636. Josias married Dorothy Dameron say 1673 as she deposed aged 70 on 17 Mar 1725/26 (b. 1655 or 56). They had children in the 1670s and 1680s. Administration of his estate was granted 15 Sep 1703 to Samuel Mahons, who had married his relict (Northumberland Co. Orders 1699–1713: 259). Dorothy (Dameron) (Gaskins) Mahons died before 4 Aug 1737 when her husband wrote his will.
• Henry2 was born say 1645. He married Elizabeth. Their eldest known child was born in 1681, so she may have been born c.1660. His will, now lost, was probated 20 Oct 1697 (Northumberland Co. Orders 1678–98: 796).

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Disputed Origins

Nathan Murphy the genealogist for the Crown of Charlemagne has closed this line.

“Thomas (1) Gascoigne was born before 16 May 1601 at Aberford, Yorkshire, England. It was on this date that he was baptized as Thomas, son of Henry Gascoigne.2 “

[Something to watch out for here is that several Gascoigne families have periodically been mashed together, until it's not clear which Henry Gascoigne married which Anne from what family - nor what children they had.]

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https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gascoigne-135

John Frederick Dorman, "Gaskins", Adventurers of Purse and Person: Virginia, 1607–1624/5, 4th edition, (Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 2004–2007), 2:54 begins:

1. THOMAS1 GASKINS, apparently the "Thomas, sonne of Henry Gascoigne," who was baptized 16 May 1601 at Aberford, Yorkshire[2]...

This identification appears to have been first published in Shirley Shaffer Lettington, A Royal Heritage, Genealogy and History from Charlemagne and William the Conqueror to the Present (Santa Barbara, Calif.: the author, c1988), not available online. Dorman follows this, and it may well be correct.

It has been noted that Douglas Richardson doesn't include Thomas1 Gaskins, the immigrant, in any of his Royal Ancestry Series, especially, Douglas Richardson, Magna Carta Ancestry: A Study in Colonial and Medieval Families, edited by Kimball G. Everingham, Royal Ancestry Series, (Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 2005) and later editions.

”As the editor of these volumes, I can assure other researchers that this is not because he rejects this identification, per se. Rather it is not included for two reasons. First, some descents are not currently included in the Royal Ancestry Series if the American immigrant's ancestry would appear as a long lineage from a remote ancestor without other connections to other included families. Second, the evidence is thin that Thomas1 Gaskins, the immigrant, was the child christened at Aberford in 1601. The chronology is good, and no subsequent record of the christened child is found (e.g. a marriage or burial), but the Gascoignes of Yorkshire were a very large family and many, maybe most, christenings that early are missing. It's also true that the immigrant named a son Henry, but a little more evidence would be satisfying.”

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Biography

He appeared on the census of 16 February 1623/24 at Flowerdieu Hundred, VA; He was shown as Thomas Gasko.2

Thomas was listed in the Muster of February 1624/25 at Eastern Shore, VA. He was shown as Thomas Gaskoyne, age 24 [incorrect - 34] who came in the Bona Nova in 1619. He had his own Muster and listed with him were William Andros and Danniell Cugley.1

[There seems to be some uncertainty as to when and where he married - whether he returned to England and came back with a wife and children, or whether he married in the Colony. He was apparently not married as of February 1624/5.]

He patented land on 9 September 1636 at Northampton Co, VA. It was for 300 acres in Accomack County on the main creek of the old plantation, now Northampton County, 50 acres for his personal adventure and 250 acres for the transportation of Josias Gambling, Josias Gaskins, Eliz. Gaskins, Alice Gaskins and Mary Gaskins.2 [Earliest appearance of the name "Gaskins" in America.]

By 15 Sep 1649 he had moved to Northumberland County where he patented 250 acres in Great Wicocomoco River, being a neck of land bounded on the north by a branch parting this land from land of John Dennis and on the south from land of Peter Knight, 150 acres being by right of a patent of 300 acres, 9 Sep 1636, of which there can be but 150 acres found, the rest being taken up before by John Harlo, Wm. Waters and Kath: his wife.2

Thomas Gascoigne Bio

Throughout the first two-thirds of the 17th century, we see numerous references to Thomas Gascoigne, who seems to have prospered. By September 15, 1649, he had acquired land near Dennis Creek in the Wicomico section of Northumberland County, Virginia, across Chesapeake Bay, and here he moved – about the same time the Taylors did; indeed, it was about this year when Alice married John Taylor II. The home Thomas built here on was called Gascony. On April 11, 1652, Gascoigne signed the oath of allegiance to the English Commonwealth that the Puritans had established. In 1660 he had a tanner bound to him. On July 22, 1661, he was exempted from levies owing to his age. Both in 1659 and in 1662, he deeded land to two men, John Taylor and his partner James Jones. Gascoigne wrote his will between June 20, 1663, and November 20, 1665, the date it was proved in Northampton County. His wife at his death was a woman named Sarah, so it would seem that Elizabeth had died and Thomas had remarried – when, we cannot say.

Will

His will was printed in the Bulletin of the Northumberland County Historical Society, Vol. XXVII - 1990, "A Genealogical Find" by Carolyn Jett, Pg 51
THE WILL IS BADLY WORN AWAY BY TIME, SO PART OF IT IS MISSING!! "Record Book 1658-66, p.171 - Will of Thomas Gascoynes/Gaskins

• In ye name of God, Amen, the 20th day of Jan. in ye yeare Lord God sisteen sixty and three I tho. Gascoynes weake of Body but of sound & senses Pray to almighty God & [illegible word] ye day & houre uncertaine doe therefore my Last Will & Testamt as foll th: vizt
• I g soule unto almight God, hoping & through ye merrits is better [illegible word] of to receave a full & free pardon of all my it shall please God to call me

I comm y whence it came, & touching such worldly goods as indowed me with all I dispose as follth:

• viz I give to Josias Gaskoyne & my son Hen. Gaskoyne all my cattle; ye male Cattle, & ye male hoggs yt is shall be _________n ye house,
• I give to my son Jos & my son Henry Gaskoynes, each of them one feath one Rugge & one Bolster,
• I give to my sonne coynes this plantation where I now live & to my Henry Gaskoynes I give my pt of ye planta of Mr. Morris
• I give to each of them to to each of them two pewter dishes if of these two should dye ye survivor shall enjoy I give alsoe to my two sons each of them one chest to Josia ye chest called ye corner chest & to Henry ye chest I brought of Jno. Swanson, &
• I doe institue & ordayne my Lovinge sonne Henry Mayes my true & Law Attorney as to ye oversight of this will,
• in testimony of ye same I have hereunto sett my hand & seale ye day & year above written.
• Tho: Gaskin 20 9ber 1665 Tho: Coggan ye ______ of John Atkins
• This will was proved by ye Oathes of Tho: Coggan & Jno Atkins

References

1. John Frederick Dorman, Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5, p. 70 (Muster of the Eastern Shore).
2. John Frederick Dorman, Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5, p. 54 (Gaskins Family). GoogleBooks
3. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203709572/thomas-gascoigne
4. DIVIDING CREEK ASSOCIATION - Northern Neck Virginia. “Three Ideologies of Human “Dominion” Over the Land.” by W. Sibley Towner 3/28/05. < link > “… John Hughlett was a colorful and controversial figure. In 1653 he was accused by Thomas Gaskins of murdering his own wife, Hannah. On Sept. 20 of that year at what was one of the earliest court trials in the county, Hughlett produced as witnesses two women who had prepared Hannah’s body for burial and swore they saw no sign of foul play. Early forensic science thus saved the day for John, for he was acquitted. … “
5. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Gascoigne-135 cites
   1. Hotten, p. 172 [This is John Camden Hotten, ed., The Original Lists of Persons of Quality; Emigrants; Religious Exiles; Political Rebels; Serving Men Sold for a Term of Years; Apprentices; Children Stolen; Maidens Pressed; and Others Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1600 – 1700; with Their Ages, the Localities where They Formerly Lived in the Mother Country, the Names of the Ships in which They Embarked, and Other Interesting Particulars; from MSS. Preserved in the State Paper Department of Her Majesty's Public Record Office, (New York City: J. W. Bouton, 1874), page 172. < Hathitrust >
   2. John Frederick Dorman, "Gaskins", Adventurers of Purse and Person: Virginia, 1607–1624/5, 4th edition, (Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing, 2004–2007), 2:54–94 is the best information available on Thomas1 Gaskins, the immigrant, and his descendants for several generations. It may contain some errors, but any deviation from this source should be carefully documented. Surprisingly, most of this chapter (54–75, 80–82, 87–89, 91–93) is available online at < GoogleBooks >.
   3. Jester, Annie Lash., Hiden, Martha Woodruff. 1883. Musters of the Inhabitants in Virginia 1624/1625, Adventurers of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1625: FamilySearch International, Title No. 2058494., p. 68. < link >
   4. McCartney, Martha W. Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers 1607-1635: A Biographical Dictionary; Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD, 2007, p. 321. < GoogleBooks >
   5. < “Jamestowne Society - Qualifying Ancestors” > Gaskins/Gascoigne, Thomas - A3001; born ca. 1601, died 1665, Northumberland Co.: (Musters of 1623/4 and 1624/5).
6. https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I3283... cites
   1. Research notes from Eleanor Edmondson: http://www.megjohn.info/genealogy/uncleged/com415.html Thomas came on the ship BONA NOVA as a SINGLE man in 1619. As far as I know he came by himself. He lived at first on a plantation up on the James River that the future Gov. Yeardly owned called FLOWERDEW which he named after his wife. This is where Thomas was during the Indian Massacre of 1622. He then moved to Accomack Co. VA which is on the Eastern Shore of VA. He is listed there in the Muster of 1624/1625 as a single male living with two other single males. And, then, Thomas Gaskins disappears from the VA records until 1635. We believe that he left VA in order to find a wife since women were scarce. We can prove that he was in Bermuda, but we can not prove that he really went all the way back to England. He returned to VA with issue.

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