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Descendants of

Francis TOMS and PRISHILLA [-?-]

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First Generation

1. Francis TOMS was born about 1633. He died on 3 Jun 1712 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. Francis married 1st Prishilla [-?-] about 1667. Prishilla was born about 1645 and died 1680-1683 in Perquimans.. Francis married[1]. 2nd Abigail BAILEY and 3rd Mary NICHOLSON possibly the daughter of John Nicholson and sister of William.

          Francis may have been an indentured servant in Virginia, who came to America about 1649 as a teenager. In Virginia records of that period is mentioned a Francis Toms on 27 Oct 1656 in Charles City County "Whereas Francis Toms Serv't to Francis Grey hath illegally and negligently absented himselfe from his Duty severall times amounting to tenn monthes: It is therefore ordered according to act that the sd Toms shall give satisfaction by Doubling the time of service so neglected after expiation of his Indentures or customarie service, als exec. and Cost."[2].  In the same county on 2 Jun 1660 a Francis Toms witnessed a promissory note of Mark Avery. Surry County records by Weynette Parks Haun[3]. include a sale of hogs by Christopher Michell to Francis Tombs on 9 Jan 1662/1663; Wm. Mills' covenant on 30 Jun 1663 to serve Francis Toms for two years, to learn the trade of a cooper; and a Francis Toms witnessed Rich. Tias' document binding a son to Antho. Spiltimber on 6 Jan 1663/1664.

            According to Lyle Kieth Williams in his book The Batchelor-Williams Families and Related Lines Francis Toms who "came into Virginia about 1649" and was "age 77 in 1710" lived about nine years in Martin's Brandon on the South Side of James River (Charles City County, now Prince George County) He then moved to the adjoining county of Surry about 1660 and in 1664 moved to North Carolina. He was among the earliest settlers of Albemarle County, North Carolina. He and his family were accepted in the Society of Friends in 1672."

          In a deposition on 2 Feb 1696/1697 "The honebl: Francis Toms Eesqr. Deputy to Thomas Amy Esqr. one of the Lords proprietors,--Deposes that some time in or about the year 1669 the deponent did see the Lords Proprietors grant to the County of Albemarle" (the area was later devided up into four counties) "for holding of their Lands with their lords ships great Seal afixt to it the said Seal being then whole and Entire, and furth saith not." Perquimans Deed Books, A:114[4]. This was called the "Great Deed of 1668", Francis had a land grant of 578 acres at a farthing per acre quit rent on the "west side of Piquemons River, beginning at a great pocoson, adjoining Robert Wilson" that fell under this deed[5].

          Francis Sr., lived near "Lower Pond, on Ready Branch, at the head of Vosses Creek."  His land adjoined John Flowers, on western side of "Long Reach" in the "Narrows" of Perquimans River.  The land on Vosses Creek, where his dwelling was erected, adjoined William Morgan.  He also had a stretch of land running from Vosses Creek, to "Middle Swamp" called "Frog Hall."  This place still retains its original name to this day.

          Francis converted to Quakerism and was prominent in the Society of Friends Quaker Meetings, monthly and quarterly. Meetings were held at his house in 1680, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1697, 1699 1700 and probably other years. The earliest known record of North Carolina Yearly Meeting shows it was held at Francis Tomes' house in 1698. On 7 Jan 1705/1706 Francis Toms Sr., made a deed of gift, to Thomas Pierce, Wm. Bogue, Isaac Wilson and Gabriel Newby of one acre of land for a Quaker Meeting House. The description was "for the Society of Protestant Desenters, Vulgarly called Quakers, whereon a Church is now built," in Perquimans Precinct, 11mo called Jan, 1705/6.  This house of Worship, is supposed to have been Vosses Creek Meeting House, on said Creek, the exact location, being lost and uncertain or the Lower Meeting House and later Old Neck Meeting House[6].  

          Francis was a prominent leader in the proprietary government of North Carolina. He was a Justice of the Peace as early as 1672 and apparently a member of the House of Burgesses about 1677. During Culpeper's Rebellion, he was seized by rebels when he returned from Virginia where he was part of the group which had gone to meet Govenor Thomas Eastchurch. After peace returned to the Albemarle colony, he was a justice of the Albemarle County Court in Feb. 1683/1684, Apr 1684, Jun 1684, Oct 1684, and Feb 1684/1685. About this time he became Deputy to the Lord Propietor Thomas Amy and sat as a member of the Govenor's Council 1684-1704 and the General Court. He was appointed deputy collector of customs for "part or parts of North Carolina..."[7]. His name appears on many grants given by the Lords Proprietors.  His oath before the Gov. Council, is interesting in its quaint wording, he promised "to Keepe ye Secrett of ye Council, to ye best of my advice, according to my Understanding."  This oath was administered in 1706.

          On 15 7mo (Sep) 1696, he left Perquimans, on a two months journey (probably to London or Boston where his bank was located), but his business is not stated. Possibly in the interests of the Quaker Church.  Before leaving, he deputized "Wm Glover, his Lov' Friend, to get timber for a big Mill, or a little one, and left it wholely to him, which thee thinks most benificall for me."  This was probably the beginning of Toms Mill, on Suttons Creek, in fact if his land ran to Middle Swamp, as before stated, and that place was called, "Frog Hall". The mill mentioned here was built on this property. 

          He made a deed, 9 Feb 1688, with consent of wife Abigail, for 300 acres at the head of Yeopim Creek, "called John Lasy's Plan'," a land patent by Wm. Charles, dated 6 Jun 1683.  Another deed dated 5 Jan 1689/90, includes the signature of his last wife Mary.  In a deed dated 24 Mar 1687, he gives the information, that he had been granted 587 acres in Perquimans Precinct. Francis conveyed 300 acres of land to his stepsons Daniel and Samuel Charles on 26 Mar 1687 and the remaining 278 acres of his grant north of Perquimans River near Wilson's Creek to his son-in-law Gabriel Newby on 22 Jul 1693. On 11 Jun 1683 he bought 260 acres north of Perquimans River in Old Neck from Charles Prows adjoining land which had belonged to William Charles, first husband of Abigail (Bailey) Charles Toms, Francis' second wife. He also bought the Charles tract. Both of these tracts of land were included in a grant of 640 acres obtained by Francis 1 May 1695. This land ajoined Capt. Ralph Fletcher and James Morgan to the corner of Wm. Voss along the line of the Perquimans River. He also received a land grant on 26 February 1696 of 375 acres north of the Perquimans River adjoining Beaver Dam Swamp and bridge branch[8].

          A document in "Remonstrance" of "the Peope of God who are in scorne called Quakers" 13 Sep 1679, called Francis an " Ancient Inhabitant". He probably signed this document, but blots and tears make it uncertain.  If he did sign he would come under the assertion "that most of us whose names are hereunto, Subscribed, have been Inhabitants in Carolina Since the yeares, 1663 and 1664"[9].

          Francis and son-in-law Gabriel Newby had some quarrels that were decided by six members of the Friends. His 3rd wife, Mary (Nicholson), also made statements against Gabriel Newby, Jr. in 1710, for which she was reprimanded by the meeting. She gave satisfaction to the meeting, however her temper got the better of her at another time when she was complained against by Humphrey Wadey for giving him bad language.  The Quakers tried to settle their differences between themselves without going to court.

          Francis Toms will dated the 6 10 mo (Dec) 1709 has been lost, but there is a recorded copy. In it he names wife, Mary Tomes, many items and three negroes: James, Moll and Possemore, also Will Plato and ?esti Love till they are free; son, Francis Tomes 640 acres and my negro, Sam; Son Joshuath Tomes, 480 acres lying on the beverce, negroe, Mingo; Daughter, Preselo Nicholson, feather bed, saddle horse and a portion of the remaining estate, and in a codocil names Preselo's 2nd husband, Jno Kinsley; daughter, Mary Newby, five Shilling, she had her portion when she married Gabriel Newby; Grandson, Francis Newby, 300 acres lying on the sw side of Vose Creek.

          The following is from Mrs. Watson Winslow's book, she concludes that the Toms emigrant, to NC was living in Charles City County, Virginia, where he sold land in said county, to Francis Gray, 17 Feb 1656 (I don't think this is right, if he was a bond servant at this time he would not have owned land).  This was the only mention of him found, but that is not strange, considering the fact, that nothing remains of the records in that Co., except one book. A Gabriel Toms appears on the records in Essex County, Virginia, but no connection between the two, can be made.  However, there may have been, some relationship.  It is thought, but not proven, that the Francis who settled in Perquimans is the identical one, who is named in said record, as the dates would bear her out in that opinion.  From Edmundson's Journal, we are led to believe that he did not embrace Quakerism, until the time of Edmundson's first journey to NC in 1672.  At which time, he and his wife, Mary   (this must have been his first wife, Prishilla because of the date) went over to the new cult.  Mary, his 3rd wife, by whom he had no issue, died 19 Nov 1717. She outlived him by only a few years.  Her will probated in Perquimans 15 Jan 1717/18[10] does not name a single one of his children.  In her will she left modest bequests to William Plaiter, Vesty Lewis, Elizabeth Pritlow, Rachell Lorence, and Elizabeth, daughter of William Nickellson, who she calls her brother.  Plaiter and Lewis were probably indentured servants. Francis Toms left a bequest to Mary in his will of "will plato and [?]esty love till they are free. Vesty Lewis was the daughter of Edward Lewis and Ruth, his wife, Vesty was five years old the 23rd of February 1707[11].  Joseph Glaister (a Quaker Preacher), and wife Mary were made Exrs. and were to receive Mary's whole estate both real and personal. The witnesses were Ralph Fletcher, Jean Fletcher, Edward Thomas, James Bales, Elizabeth Goodlatt, and James Thickpen.

Francis and Prishilla had the following children[12]:

            2 F     i.   Penelope TOMS was born on 2 Dec 1668 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She probably died before her father because she is not mentioned in his will.

+          3 F    ii.   Mary TOMS was born on 27 Jun 1670 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. and died on 26 Jan 1738. Mary married[13] 1 4mo (Jun) 1689, Gabriel Newby at the house of Ann Nicholson of Perquimans in the County of Arblemaryl. Perquimans was not a County yet.  Mary died at age 70.  (SEE NEWBY FAMILY)

+          4 M iii.   Francis TOMS was born on 19 Sep 1672 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. and died on 12 Sep 1729.

             5 F iv.   Priscilla TOMS was born on 19 Mar 1674 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. Priscilla married 1st John NICHOLSON, son of Christopher NICHOLSON and Hannah REDNAP, on 20 Nov 1700 in Perquimans. John was born[14]. on 17 Dec 1673 in Perquimans. He died about 1707 in Perquimans. John and Pershillah were married at the house of Francis Toms. They had the following children[15]: 1. Elizabeth NICHOLSON was born about 1702 in Perquimans. Elizabeth probably died young; 2. Mary NICHOLSON was born on 3 Mar 1703/1704 in Perquimans; 3. Samuel NICHOLSON was born about 1706 in Perquimans.    Priscilla married 2nd John KINSEY on 23 Aug 1711 in Perquimans. John was born[16] on 6 Dec 1692 in Nansemond County, Virginia. He died in 1718 in Perquimans. They had Elisabeth KINSEY born about 1712 in Perquimans. Priscilla married 3rd John SIMONS, 8 Mar 1721/2 at Pasquotank MM[17].

             6 M v.   Joseph TOMS was born on 16 Nov 1677 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. He died on 6 Jun 1679 in Perquimans.

              7 M vi.  Joshua TOMS was born on 25 Oct or 23 Nov 1679 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. He died Mar or Apr 1732 in Perquimans. Joshua was a twin to Caleb.  He married 1st Sarah Gosby (b.12 Nov 1687, d.after 8 Jan1716/7), she was the daughter of John Gosby and Hannah Nicholson, 23 Nov 1701 in Perquimans. Children: 1. Sarah Toms b.5 Mar 1703/4; 2. Hannah Toms, b.8 Jun 1706 m. Ezekiel Maudlin; 3. Foster Toms b.bef 1714, d.between  Jan and Apr 1779, m. Martha [-?-], who d.Feb 1794; 4. Miriam Toms m. Christopher Sutton. Joshua Toms married 2nd Elizabeth Charles (b.22 Sep 1700, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Charles) 9 Jul 1724.  He m. 3rd Rebecca (Jones) Sutton (widow of Joseph Sutton d.1724, with children). Rebecca b.14 Mar 1694/5, d.after 15 May 1751, was the daughter of Peter Jones Sr. and Elizabeth (Wyatt). They had one daughter, Sarah b.4 Jul 1727.  Rebecca married 3rd Charles Denman, Clerk of Perquimans on 24 Mar 1737.

                                 Joshua's will dated 4 Mar 1731/2, probated PerquimansApril 1732 names son, Foster, daughters: Sarah, Hannah Maudlin, and Miriam Sutton, Son-in-law Christopher Sutton, grandsons William and Joshua Sherro (Sherwood).  Wife, Rebeccah, Clerk of Court Charles Danman. The two Sherro children, are thought to be step-grandchildren, as Rebecca had a sister, who married a Sherwood. (That would not make them step-grandchildren)[18].

               8 M vii.  Caleb TOMS was born on 25 Oct or 23 Nov 1679 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. Caleb was the twin of Joshua, he probably died before his father because he is not mentioned in his will. I also cannot find any record other than his birth in the Encyclopedia of American Quakers.

Francis married[19] 2nd Abigail BAILEY, daughter of William BAILEY and Grace, on 6 Jan 1683/1684 in Perquimans. Abigail (Bailey) Charles Lacy was the widow of William Charles  and John Lacy. Francis was her 3rd husband. Abigail was born about 1640 in Rhode Island, she died ^[20]on 17 Mar 1687/8 in Perquimans. (SEE CHARLES FAMILY)

Here are some interesting bits of information from deeds proving the relationships in this family: on 6 Jun 1683, Francis Toms with consent of his wife, Abigail, gave the 300  acres on the head of Yeopim Creek called "John Lacys Plantation" to William Charles. On 11 Apr 1587, Wm. Charles of Yeopim, 300 acres in possession of my

brother, Daniel Charles, (formerly John Lacy's) delivered to us by our father-in-law (step father) Francis Toms, assigned 140 acres to Francis. In the next deed Francis Toms conveys 300 acres to Daniel and Samuel Charles, brother of William. The deeds were probably registered at the same time so they aren't in the exact order of occurence[21].

Francis and Abigail had the following children:

               9 F   viii.   Abigail TOMS was born on 10 Dec 1684 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She probably died young, she is not mentioned in her father's will.

Second Generation  

       4. Francis TOMS (Francis) was born[22] on 19 Sep 1672 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. He died[23] on 12 Sep 1729 in Perquimans. Francis married 1st Margaret BOGUE, daughter of William BOGUE (SEE BOGUE FAMILY) and Jane, on 8 Jun 1696 in Perquimans. Margaret was probably born about 1669 in Scotland. She died[24] between 1 Oct 1720 when she witnessed a marriage at Perquimans MM, and 5 Jun 1722 when her husband remarried. Presumably she died at least 9 months prior to her husband's 2nd marriage if they followed Quaker custom regarding waiting period between marriages. Frances and Margaret Bogue Lawrence were married "at a meeting At the sd. Lawrances Hows the 8 day of Jun Anno 1696". Francis was an active Quaker and member of Perquimans MM.

        Francis Toms Jr. owned land on S W side of Perquimans River, on "Bull Branch”, adjoining land sold to Henry Grace, 24 June 1714.  His land also joined land of William Jones. Frances received land grants on 22 Nov 1714 for 340 acres adjoining Wm. Morgan and Fra. Tomes Sr.’s Line; 25 Nov 1714 for 200 acres adjoining Reedy Branch and Perquimans River; 16 Aug 1716, 237 acres adjoining Beeponds; and 1 Mar 1719/20 for 143 acres adjoining Vosses Creek, hallowing place, Wm. Moore and Wm Morgan[25].

        Francis will[26] dated 5 Sep, 1729, proved 7 Oct 1729, Perquimans, gives to son Francis Tomes-the Plantation where I now live according to his grandfather's will and negro Naney; to daughter Mary Newby and her husband the plantation I bought of James Thickpen and then to their son Francis Newby and the land on Vosses Creek adjoining the land Nathan Newby bought of William More; gr-son Francis Newby, to daughter Elisabeth Phelps-the plantation I had in exchange from Stephen Gibbons and forty acres at the head of Rachell Barows land, formerly called Clagisters, to daughter Priscilla Jones-negro Jenney, to daughter Margaret Tomes-my land on both sides of Long Branch to the head of Bull Branch on the north side and the south side as far as first big branch that comes out of Long Branch, also negro Jack, horse Smoaker; to daughter Pleasant Winslow-two hundred acres on Vosses Creek joining the land given to Francis Newby by my father, negro Pompey; to Wife Rebecca Tomes-negro, Guy, one hundred acres I bought of John Porter and fifty acres out of the tract of land I now live on, half of orchard, her wearing apparell, horse Fox and side Saddle, horse Dick., Exec. Friends: Joseph and Thomas Jessop and William More and Thomas Winslow. Exec: wife and Nathan Newby (son-in-law). Wit: J. Jessop, Richard Chesten, Ralph Fletcher, R. Everard. Letters granted 6 Oct 1729. The will indicates that his son, Francis, is unmarried and that Rebecca is his Mother in law (stepmother).

        Francis m. 2nd Rebecca Pierce 5 Jun 1722, Perquimans County, North Carolina. There does not appear to have been any children born to this union. Rebecca b.9 Aug 1680, was the daughter of John and Mary (Scott) Peirce Rebecca m. 2nd William Moore 10 Nov 1730.

        Additional Source:  Bjorkman, Gwen Boyer "1987 Winner: National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Family-History Writing Contest"

Francis and Margaret had the following children:

            20 F     i.   Mary TOMS was born in 1696/1697 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She died between 24 Mar 1753 and Apr 1756 in Perquimans. Mary married 1st Nathan NEWBY, son of Nathan NEWBY and Elizabeth Hollowell, on 1 Oct 1720 in Perquimans. Nathan was born about 1692 in Nansemond County, Virginia. He died on 1 Apr 1735 or 17 Mar 1735 in Perquimans (some writing is hard to read). (SEE NEWBY FAMILY). She m. 2nd Samuel Moore son of William Moore and Elizabeth McBride, 2 Jan 1744/5, they had a daughter, Mary b.11 Jul 1739. Mary married[27]

          21 F     ii.   Elizabeth TOMS was born[28]. on 20 Nov 1699 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. Elizabeth married Jonathan PHELPS, son of Jonathan PHELPS and Hannah, on 16 Feb 1720/1721 in Perquimans. Jonathan was born[29] on 13 Apr 1687 in Perquimans. He died on 4 Dec 1732 in Perquimans. (SEE PHELPS FAMILY) Elisabeth m. 2nd Zachariah Nixon, Jr. soon after 3 Jul 1734, Perquimans.  Her will was dated 16 Feb 1769, proved July court 1769. In her will she names son: Francis, grand-children Joseph Nixon, Zachariah, Miriam, Caroline, Christopher, and Samuel Nicholson; grand-children: Margaret, Miriam, Jonathan, Mourning, and Elizabeth Newby; grand-sons: Zachariah Newby and Jonathan Phelps, grand-children Elizabeth Winslow, Benjamin and Dorothy Phelps, Mourning Henley and Elizabeth Toms; sons Zachariah and Francis Nixon, Exrs. Test, Francis Tomes and Caleb Toms[30].

        22 F     iii.    Penelope TOMS was born[31] on 19 Nov 1702 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She died on 12 Feb 1727/1728 in Perquimans. Penelope married[32] Joseph Peirce on 16 Apr 1727 Perquimans.

       23 F       iv.   Priscilla TOMS was born on 15 Jul 1705 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She died before 9 Dec 1750 in Perquimans. Priscilla was at liberty to marry William Jones 1 Oct 1725 Perquimans. They were married 21 Dec 1725, Perquimans Precinct, North Carolina[33].

        24 F      v.    Margaret TOMS was born on 5 Dec 1707 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She died before 1743 in North Carolina. Margaret married soon after 2 Dec 1730, Isaac Elliott[34]:

          25 F    vi.   Pleasant TOMS was born about 1709 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She died on 4 Jan 1785 in Perquimans. Pleasant married Joseph Winslow son of Thomas Winslow and Elisabeth Clare 22 Aug 1729, at the house of Francis Toms in Perquimans. (SEE WINSLOW BOOK).

           26 M  vii.  Francis TOMS was born about 1712 in Perquimans County, North Carolina. He died between Nov 1770 and Jul 1771 in Perquimans. Francis Tomes, III married Rebeckah NIXON, daughter of Zachariah and Elizabeth (Symons) Nixon about 1735. Their children were: 1. Zachariah b.10 Apr 1741; 2. Rebecca b.26 Sep 1743 m. Caleb White son of Thomas and Rachel (Jordan) White, 14 Jan 1761; 3. Mary b.8 Jan 1745/6 reported m. 7 Jun 1769 to Joseph McAdams at Perquimans MM; 4. Caleb b.3 Feb 1747/8, d.about 1784; 5. Elizabeth b.25 May 1750, d.20 May 1807, m. 1st Samuel Phelps in 1772, 2nd her cousin Zachariah Nixon.

                           Francis will dated 14 Nov 1770 proved Jul 1771 names sons: Zachariah, Caleb, daus Rebecca White, Elizabeth Toms, sons-in-law Jos McAdams and Caleb White.  Witnesses were Mark Newby, Ralph Fletcher, and Francis Newby.  He was an active member of Perquimans MM of the Society of Friends[35].