Re: Thomas Foster, 1711-1790
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In reply to:
Thomas Foster, 1711-1790
Arthur Stafford 6/25/04
Arthur, I have both Foster and Hopkins lines. I was looking for your folks, but so far no luck. In your message you wrote "Mary Hopkins, grand daughter of Stephen of the Mayflower". Can you check this relationship? I have Mary Hopkins grand daughter of Stephen and daughter of Giles as being born 2 Nov 1640 d. 2 Jul 1700 and being married to Samuel Smith 1665? I'd be happy to share my Hopkins or Foster files if you need or want them?
Below you will find the earliest of many Thomas Fosters in my file:
1. Thomas Foster Sr. b. ca 1715 in Essex County, VA d. 28 Feb 1791 will recorded) From Capt. Dittmer: "Thomas moved with his parents in 1721 to plantation on the south side of the Po River in Spotsylvania County where he grew to manhood. In 1734 he and his father patented a land grant for 1,000 acres in eastern Orange Co. on Riga run just south of what is now Unionville, VA. They sold this plantation to Thomas' brother-in-law James Garnett of Essex Co. in February 1744 and since this deed was acknowledged by both wives, Isabell and Ann, it proves that Thomas was married to Ann prior to1744 and was never married to one Elizabeth Smith as many researchers have claimed." In 1741 Thomas had a land grant
for 400 acres in Spotsylvania Co. 'amongst the branches of the Mattapony River'. He sold that grant and gave his residence as "of St. Mark's Parish Orange County". Three weeks later on 23 May 1744 he and Ann leased a plantation of 150 acres on the north side of the Rapidan River in St. Mark's Parish in what is now Culpeper County, VA from the executors of the former royal governor Alexander Spotswood. They lived on this leased plantation paying 800 lbs. of tobacco annual rent until 1757 when Thomas Foster bought a plantation of 975 acres on Mill Run, a small tributary of Mountain Run in St. ThomasParish in eastern Orange Co. VA just northeast of the present town of Rhodesville, VA." Thomas and Ann are likely buried on this plantation.