Coursey, de Coursey genealogy, Family History

This information is incomplete and unverified; and please note, the birth years don't add up all the way down the line.

Coursey Genealogy - Irish

Note: Courcy Family In America The surname is spelled in several ways by related members of this large family group, de Courcy, Coursey, and De Coursey being the most preeminent. The original spelling was "de Courcy". The name has been continually so spelled by the Barons of Kingsale. The present Baron of Kingsale is the 34th. This is the oldest peerage in the United Kingdom which is still extant. Some records omit the "de". The baptismal record for my grandfather, Richard (1825-1908), shows the surnames of "Courcy" for him and for his father, Garrett. He was baptized at Kilbrittain, County Cork, Eire on December 19, 1825, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The name is said to have originated more than 900 years ago, when a younger son of Prince Charles of Lorraine married a Norman princess, a granddaughter of Rollo, 1st Duke of Normandy. Their children were granted the Barony of Courcy in Normandy. This village and the ruins of the castle still exist. Some parts of the castle are in use at the present time. Its chapel of Sainte Catherine is still in use. The Dukes of Lorraine headed the Duchy of Lorraine from the 11th to the 18th centuries. I am indebted to Kenneth Hugh de Courcy for most of the above family history. He resides at Cerney House, North Cerney, Gloucestershire, England.

All of the data given here is as accurate as I can make it. Some dates of birth and death will have to be absent. It is not possible to get them all. While the correct form of the name is "de Courcy", any person in this country may be known by any form of his name that he prefers, or even by another name, if better so known, and there is no intent to deceive any one thereby.

John F. de Courcy Sr.

The above is quoted from John Forrest de Courcy's work on the family genealogy. The Coat of Arms translates "Truth Conquers All."

Note: 1. Title: First Families in America Author: Virkus

Col. Henry de Courcy (de Coursey) emigrated from England with Leonard Calvert, (Lord Baltimore) to Maryland in 1634. He was secretary of the province in 1660 - 1661. Member of the Governor's Council from 1660 to 1670 and again from 1676 to 1684. Chief Justice of the Provincial Court 1684-1685. Iroquois Indian Commr. He was at his death among the wealthiest men in America.

Col. Henry Coursey, Henry Coursey Jr are mentioned in will of Philemon Lloyd 27 Maryland Calendar of Wills, Vol 1]

Will dated 17 Jun 1695 probated 30 Oct 1695 Talbot Co., Maryland.

To son THOMAS, "Trampington" in Kent Co.

To grandchild, JAMES and ELIZA EARLE and CARPENTER and JAMES JOHN, 600 a., "Coursey's Ridge," w. side of Morgan's Ck. on Wye R. To son. JANE 1000 A., "Coursey's Choice." equally. Either dying during minority survivor to deceased's portion. To son HENRY, 1000 A., "Lord's Gift", and 225 A., "Burton"; an of "Burton", "Black Walnut Neck" to be reserved for use of wife during life. To A USTICE and to HENRY FULER, personality. To wife (unnamed), personality belonging to SIMON CARPENTER. [p.109] Wife and 4 child, by her, residuary, dau, JANE, and son THOMAS, joint exs.

Overseers: Jno. Henson, Sr., Thos. Smithson, WM.COURSEY.
Test: Chas. Blake, Rich'd Macklin, WM COURSEY, M. Earle. 7.184

[Maryland Calendar of Wills, Vol II]

I found Courcey's in Co. Cork Kinsale area , In fact, the "old head of kinsale" area is known as, Courcey's Parish. Good Luck, Eleanor Henry Coursey/DeCoursey, was 1st in Va., then went to Kent Island, in the Chesapeake Bay, then to the Eastern Shore in Md. I have much information, all documented regarding this Henry Coursey. James Coursey, his brother, Lincoln's Inn, London, Eng., was my ancestor. In 1696, James in a Quaker Meeting in Cecil Co., Md., dropped the U and the y and his name became Corse. This is also documented in the Quaker Records. Henry was married twice, and had 1 son, Henry by his 1st wife, and several by his second wife, a widow. I have a copy of Henry's will AND MANY OTHER DOCUMENTS.

In relation to this Colonel Henry Coursey, I have found data that he was also instrumental in the various peace processes with the Indians in Maryland. There is also mention of a Dixon, John, Tom and Henry Coursey amongst these same records which date from the late 1600's to the early 1700's.

First Generation

Henri de Coursey b: Abt. 1570 in Finglass Parish, IRELAND. He married unknown and died in Ireland.

Second Generation

Henry de Coursey born around 1596 probably in Dublin, Ireland. Henry married unknown . He died 15 Jan 1664, (when he was approximately 70 yrs old) Finglass Parish, Dublin, Ireland. Note: Coursey brothers - William, Henry, John & James probably were among a group of Virginian Puritans who emigrated to Maryland between 1649 - 1650.

The deCourcy lineage dates back to William the Conqueror & up through Charlemagne

Henry de Coursey and wife unknown had:

i.	John de Coursey, b: Abt. 1621 Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland d: Abt. 1661 (probate date, 1661) Talbot Co., Md.
ii.	William de Coursey, (Maj.) b: Abt. 1623 Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland d: Abt. 1684 Talbot Co., Md. William married Julian Thomas b: Abt. March 18, 1626/27 Orpington/Sundridge, Kent, England m: Abt. 1661 (May be his 2nd marriage.) Md. d: Abt. 1679 Talbot Co., Md.
iii.	Henry de Coursey, (Col.) Coursey b: Abt. 1625 Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland d: Abt. 1695 (Probate Oct. 30, 1695) Talbot Co., Md.? He married Mary Harris, more below.
iv.	James de Coursey, b: Abt. 1627 Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland d: Aft. 1677 ("Of Lincoln's Inn") Middlesex, England
v.	Katharine de Coursey, b: Abt. 1629 Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland
vi.	Jane de Coursey, 3 Jane Coursey b: Abt. 1631 Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland, married Otho Southcote b: Abt. 1630
vii.	Anne de Coursey - ANNE COURSEY was born Abt. 1633 in Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland, and died Abt. 1708 in Talbot Co., Md. (this Anne may or may NOT exist)
viii.	Juliana de Coursey, b: Abt. 1635, Notes for JULIANA COURSEY: This Julian (a?) Coursey may actually be somehow confused with Julian Thomas who married John Russell in London in 1650, and after he died in 1660, married William Coursey a year of two later. Or the marriage could be valid and John Russell might be the son or relative of John who d. 1660.

Third Generation

Henry de Coursey, (Col.) Coursey b: Abt. 1625 Finglas Parish, Dublin, Ireland d: Abt. 1695 (Probate Oct. 30, 1695) Talbot Co., Md.? He married Mary Harris and Elizabeth Smith, unknown who was the mother of which children. Residence: "My Lord's Gift", MD. Henry Coursey/DeCoursey, was 1st in Va., then went to Kent Island, in the Chesapeake Bay, then to the Eastern Shore in Md.

"The Turner Family" by H. Chandlee Forman pg 38

Colonel Henry DECOURSEY came to Maryland in 1652. Clerk of Provincial Council 1654; Chief Judge of Kent Co.; Member of Council of Maryland 1660-70, 76-84; Colonel commanding Foot of Cecil and Kent Counties 1678-81; Chief Justice of Provincial Court 1684-85 etc. In recognition of a treaty negotiated with the Iroquois Indians, Charles, the third Lord Baltimore, gave to the Colonel all the land that he could cover with his thumb upon a map of Maryland. Thus he acquired patents for "My Lord's Gift" (1050 acres); "Coursey's Choice" (1000 acres); Coursey's Point" (1350 acres).

Henry De Coursey and Mary Harris, had the following children:

i	Jane Coursey
ii	John Coursey
iii	Thomas Coursey
iv	Henry Coursey, b. 24 May 1662 Queen Anne's Co., MD
v	Mary Coursey

Fourth Generation

Henry Coursey, born 24 May 1662, Queen Anne's Co., MD, died May 1707. He married Elizabeth Desmyniers; she died 27 Nov 1727, Queen Anne's Co., MD.

Henry Coursey and Elizabeth Desmyniers children were:

i	Armanita Coursey
ii	Henry Coursey
iii	Juliana Coursey
iv	Otho Coursey
v	Mary Coursey b. July 1693
vi	Elizabeth Coursey, abt 1696
vii	William Coursey, b. 1703, Talbot Co., MD

Fifth Generation

William COURSEY, born 1727 in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, and died ? in Logan Co., KY. William was a surveyor for the US Government form about 1765 to 1800. His name is listed on many survey's in South Carolina, where he was before he went to KY.

He first married an unknown woman, and had John, James, Nancy and Allen. William married second to a Mary unknown before 1773. She was born unknown and died unknown. In the book "The Book "The Descendants of William Coursey," written by A. B. Willhite, published 2001, children of William and his first wife were John, James, Nancy and Allen.

Children of William and his second wife, Mary unknown, were Charles, Edward William, and Robert. He said that Mary had signed deeds when he was in SC. He states that William's third wife was Elizabeth Ann Acock, born 1755 in NC and that he doesn't believe thy had any children.

231 William Coursey VPB 18 p60-6 20 Jul 1738 400a HNCO on S side Piney Mountain

373 William Coursey junr VPB 28 p16-17 12 Jan 1746/47 350a Louisa Co. near the foot of the Piney Mount

277 William Coursey VPB 19 p946/947 1 Jun 1741 400a HNCO on the NE side of Piny Mountain

208 William Coursey of Carol VPB 17 p269-270 17 Mar 1736/37 368a HNCO on both sides Wolftrap Swamp

i	John Coursey
ii	James Coursey
iii	Nancy Coursey, our line
iv	Allen Coursey

Edgefield County, South Carolina: Deed Books 13, 14, 15, Abstracted by Carol Wells, Heritage Books, Inc. US/CAN 975.737 R2W V.1

Conveyance Book 13: 1796 - 1797

P. 546-548 William Coursey and Mary Coursey to John Daulton. Deed, 13 March 1797, $100, 160 acres part of 1000 acres granted to Edward Vann by Gov Wm Moultrie 6 May 1793, by Vann conveyed unto sd Wm Coursey 10 June 1790, Beaverdam Creek of Turkey Creek of Savannah river, adj lands of Fredk Holmes, original grant, Obediah Kilcrease, John Thurmond decd, & John Loggin decd. Wit Constant (x) Oglesby; James Lyon. /s/ Wm Coursey. Mary (S) Coursey. Proven 13 March 1797 by Constant Oglesby; John Blocker, J. P. Recorded 14th March 1797.

He supposedly third married Elizabeth Ann Acock in Logan County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Francis Acock and Elizabeth Unknown. Elizabeth Acock was born circa 1730 and died unknown.

Notes from Brenda Webster's FGS notes that William was on the tax list of Albermarle Co., VA, District 5, in 1782.

"Click to enlarge". The old well was built by Crihorn Decalve Oglesby. According to A. B. Wilhite, Jesse James drank water from this well. You can still drink water from it. Jean Wells and A. B. Wilhite at the William Coursey homestead in Logan County, Kentucky right. (A. B. Wilhite is a Coursey descendant as well and showed Jean and Wanda the old homestead in the summer of 2001). Wanda Barnes, another Coursey descendant with A. B. Wilhite below left. Photos graciously provided by Jean Wells. I was also on this trip and my cousin and I drove separately and declined to go to one more cemetery that day.

Photos below are of William Coursey's last home place in Logan County, Kentucky. Photo courtesy Jean Wells, descendant of the Oglesby and the Coursey lines.

Notes for William Coursey: "A History of Lewisburg and North Logan County", compiled by the North Logan County Historical Society, highlights his marriage and children, page 256. Viola Coursey Harris wrote that the Coursey's were believed to be French-Irish and Indian blood lines. William was a surveyor for the US government and came to KY from MD while a private in the 9th VA Regiment during the Revolutionary War. He was believed to have gone to KY via OH< VA< GA and the Carolinas. His first wife died in Maryland.

These tombstones are near the entrance of the old Oglsesby/Coursey Cemetery near William Coursey's old home place, pictures of which are above.

Per the Richard Coursey file:

A William and a William Coursey Jr. were living in Choptank Hundred Twp., Carolina Co., MD in 1778. It is believed he is buried in the Coursey Cemetery on what was then his son Robert's farm. The farm was believed to have been granted to William by the Government about 1790, and that Robert and Charles moved to KY and about 1795 to "prove up" the land.

William was a surveyor in SC from 1765 to 1800 and is listed on many land descriptions having surveyed or plotted the tracts granted to persons by the Government. A William Coursey is listed in the 1790 96 District, Edgefield County, in South Carolina with ten persons in his household, living near Constant Oglesby. He has three males over 16 yrs, two males under 16 yrs and five females in the household. In Constant's house, there is one male over 16, 3 males under 16 yrs and 2 females, neither family has slaves.

While he was in SC, he was notified that his wife had died and the children were being taken care of by relatives. He did not return to MD but continued on to GA and then to KY. The children listed with William and Fannie may have been his children from the first marriage. William Jr. was with his father in SC in 1792-1799 as were his siblings: Charles, Allen, Robert, Lucy, Nancy, Elizabeth and Mary. Others who may have been siblings or somehow related were John, James, Lewis, and Daniel. John Coursey died around 1812 leaving a wife, Elizabeth. James Coursey died about 1800. Both John and James could have been sons of William (Sr.) or his brothers.

Information from material Maryon Winkler found in Salt Lake Family Tradition says he was a government surveyor, sent to the Carolinas to work. While there, his first wife died. A relative went to tell him his wife had died and that relatives were taking care of his children. He never went back to Maryland, but continued on to Georgia and then to Kentucky. He may have married Elizabeth Ann (Fannie) Acock in Georgia. Some researchers doubt that she was his second wife, but that is what the DeShazer records state.

This information was taken from data by: Owen Blevins, 729 Polo Dr. North, Colombus, Oh. 43229 - Phone 614-847-1508 E-Mail OBlevins@aol.com

I believe his children joined him in S.C. at some point. There is evidence that he was in S.C. as early as 1772 doing survey work and acquiring land. He was surveying land tracts for the state and government, in S.C., as late as 1794. Two of his sons (Robert and Charles) married sisters in Logan Co., Ky. in 1799, but another son (William) married Phoebe Macon or Mason in Lincoln Co., Ga. abt. 1803, returned to S.C. for a time, then moved to Ga. where 5 of his children were listed as being born. He then moved to Logan Co. Ky. in 1814 or 1815.

Some notes another researcher sent me:

Estate of James Coursey: box 36, package 2346 (Edgefield), William Coursey, administrator. filed June 18, 1828. Citation published at Calliham's Mill (church) June 21, 1828 by Wyett Holmes, Justice of the Peace. Bond posted by Levy McDaniel and Lewis Collins.

Benjamin Harry estate, box 39, pkg 1509 (Edgefield), 1812. Reference to lands adjacent to lands of orphans of James Coursey, deceased.

John Head estate, box 39, pkg 1542, Edgefield. sale April 20, 1807. buyer was John (signed with x) Coursey and bond by John Coursey. Citation published at Mountain Creek and Stevens Creek Churches.

David Harkins estate, box 40-pkg 1543, Edgefield. paid John Coursey in 1806 and 1807.

1850 Edgefield District Census, page 110: John Coursey, age 69, carpenter, wife Louisa, age 50. also living with them: Catherine Bledsoe, age 10; page 135: with family of Caleb Talley (age 51) is Nancy Coursey, age 28, born in SC

Coursey's buried at Dry Creek Baptist Church, Saluda Co, SC: Celina, born 4/16/1836, died 6/28/1914 and John F, b 9/26/1838, d 3/22/1912; At Spann UMC, Ward, SC: Albert, b 1902, d 1903, Walter A, b 1882, d 1930. Carrie, b 7/9/1874, d 1/18/1947.

William Coursey and his first unknown wife and/or his second wife, had the following children:

i.	Nancy Ann Coursey, born Abt. 1763 in VA; died in Christian Co., KY. She married Constant Oglesby Bef. 1782, son of Jacob Oglesby and Ann Bailey. (my line)
ii.	Allen Coursey, born Abt. 1766 in Augusta Co., VA; died Unknown.
iii.	Charles Coursey, born Abt. 1769 in Va; died Aft. 1870 in GA.
iv.	Elizabeth Coursey, born Abt. 1771 in VA; died Unknown.
v.	Lucy Anderson Coursey, born Abt. 1772 in VA; died Unknown.
vi.	Robert Coursey, born 19 Jul 1774 in Logan Co., KY; died 23 May 1839 in Logan Co., KY.
vii.	Mary Anderson Coursey, born Abt. 1777 in VA; died Unknown.
viii.	William Coursey II, born Abt. 1783 in Augusta Co., VA; died Abt. 1855 in IL. He married Phoebe Macon or Mason Abt. 1802 in Lincoln Co., GA; born Abt. 1783 in NC; died 24 Dec 1844 in Clinton Co., IL.

Tristram Thomas Family - please note that I have not had time to personally confirm or deny the information below.

Thomas Tristram, III was born around 1633 in Kent Co., England, inherited "Barbados Hall", married Anne Coursey, sister of William and Henry Coursey.

John and William Coursey are of the noted DeCoursey family of Ireland. The family holds the ancient barony of Kingsale in the peerage of Ireland, created by King John, and is the most ancient of Ireland. Close by the Coursey grant on the Wye, was the grant laid out for William Hemsley, by William Coursey, Deputy Surveyor in 1660. Tristram Thomas III made his Will which was proved May 22, 1686.

His widow, Anne Coursey Thomas, married again to William Turloe. Vincent Lowe's widow, Elizabeth Hawkins, married William Coursey. William Coursey gave 400 acres called "Tristram's Gift" to Tristram Thomas III. The estate "Cheston" 800 acres, was surveyed in 1659 for John and William Coursey (from the History of Queen Ann County by Emory).

The Tristram Line:

William "Ram Billy" Thomas - Records and Legends from "My Folk, the First Three Hundred Years" © by Eleanor Pratt Covington McSwain permission to publish granted to descendants of Elijah Franklin Covington (first paragraph ends section on Everett family)

THE THOMAS FAMILY -- ROYAL LINE

1. Rev. Tristram Thomas (1), Rector of Alford Parish, Surry, England, b. abt. 1522. (Rectors and Vicars of Surrey by H. E. Malden, Surrey Arch. Coll. 1914, p. 93) Children:

(1) John Thomas, b. abt. 1548 of Chevening, Kent Co., Eng.

(2) Edmond Thomas, b. abt. 1550.

(3) Richard Thomas, b. abt. 1552 at Sevenoaks, Kent Co., Eng.

EDMOND THOMAS (2) ABOVE

Edmond Thomas, son of Rev. Tristram Thomas, Rector of Alford Parish, had the following children:

TRISTRAM THOMAS (2) b. abt. 1579, Will Sundridge, Kent Co., Eng., 1640, married Elizabeth Marsh of Westerham, Kent Co., Eng., a town a few miles south of Sundridge and Sevenoaks. In his Will, he mentioned "land bought of Mr. Martin Barnham, who has just been knighted, and land leased from Mr. Christopher Emerson, "Dryhill Farm." His estate, "Pollard" - at Sevenoaks was already in the hands of his son, Edmond, land at Alford, and Shoreham - all nearby, and near London and Gravesend, Eng., from which Christopher Thomas sailed in 1635 to Va. Tristram (2) mentioned that his son, CHRISTOPHER THOMAS had already been given his inheritance. He requested that he be buried at the Parish Church at Sundridge. I have on file copies of original Wills of these families, P.C.M.

FIRST TO AMERICA

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS, born 1609, son of Tristram Thomas (2), (Will 1639, proved 1640, Kent Co., England,) and his wife, Elizabeth Marsh Thomas, Sundridge, Kent Co., came to America in 1635:

"In the year 1635 Ye PORT OF LONDON, the underwitten names are to be transported to Virginia imbarqued in the George J. 0. Severne M' bound.

thither p. examination of the minister of Gravesend." (Vol. 1, p. 79, First Families of America.)
One Christopher Thomas age 26
Tris Thomas 21/2 (3)

Kent Island in 1631-2 was a part of Virginia. The Thomas family seated here until today-same place as in 1631 - only name changed. (See p. 71, Hist. of Q. A. Co., by Emory.) The Covingtons were here too. Nathaniel Covington, desc. of Henry (1) was Postmaster at Broad Creek in 1818, now Stevensville, Md.

"Bowlingley" near Queenstown, and Centreville, Md., was surv. 15 Sept. 1658 for James Bowling (M. Mary Brooke dau. of Col. Thos. Brooke and his wife, Elean Dr Hatton), Penelope Bowling m. Christopher Clarke. "Bowlingley" was conveyed to John Tully on May 29, 1668. (The Tullys were later assigning land to Henry Covington (1) in 1712, wit. by Solomon Wright who m. Ann Hynson, and John Whittington, whose only dau. was "Ann Cotington.") Stephen Tully conv. "Bowl@ingley" to, John Hawkins in 1680, and in John Hawkins' Will of 1717, he stated: "My sister, Sarah Covington." William Coventry made his Will in 1699 (Lib. 6, fol. 219, Baltimore Co., Md.), and named his brother, RALPH HAWKINS, Executor of his estate.

In Henry Covington (1) Adm., papers a RICHARD HAWKINS is included in 1744. (A Richard Hawkins' dau., Anne m. Capt. John Bayne, Military Officer and High Sheriff of Charles Co., d. 1700. Anne Hawkins was m. (1) to Thomas Gerrard II, of "Westwood" Manor. (p. 84, v6l. 2, Parran) (The 2nd of July, 1649, all land head of Wicoomico River, 1,600 acres has been included in early CoQ'ihgton deeds, and Kenelm Cheseldine who m. Mary Gerard, dau. of Dr. Thomas Gerard, the Immigrant, of "Mathotick Rivee' Will proved 15 Dec. 1673, St. Clement's Manor, in all 32,343 acres, brought Henry Covington

(1) to Md. in 1670 in ship of Wm. Pettus, a direct ancestor of James Auld, father of Mrs. Wm. Henry Harrington. (Name Auld was originally McGregor.)

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS SERVED
IN HOUSE OF BURGESSES

Christopher Thomas was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1637 and 12 Feb. 1638, (p. 92-3, Hist. of Q. A. Co., Md., by Emory). Kent Island was then "Kent Hundred" in St. Mary's County. "It had formerly been a part of Virginia, with about 200 people living on the Island. Giles Brent with his sisters, Margaret and Mary Brent came on Nov. 22, 1638, and 1,000 acres were granted to him, known as "Fort Kent Manor." (Hanson Old Kent, p. 17). Their, sister, Anne Brent married Leonard Calvert, Gov. 0,6

John Covington was in Ipswich, Mass., in 1635, but in 1640 was gone elsewhere. In 1652, Mrs. Mary Brent and her husband, Capt. Giles Brent, brought JOHN COVINGTON to Va., with 32 others. (Va. State Library, Patents No. 3, 1652-1655, Richmond, Va.)

"In 1642, Kent Hundred, formerly in St. Mary's County was made into a County. In 1660, Talbot Co. was created, but Kent County continued until 1695, when incorporated with Talbot County. Queen Anne's Co. was established in 1706, and Kent County was taken from Talbot County and added to Queen Anne's Co." (Hist. of Q. A. Co., by Emory.)

(This is why we have to search records in Va., Old Kent County, Talbot Co., and Queen Anne's Co., for our records.)

In Hotten's list of Emigrants to America, 1600-1700, CHRISTOPHER THOMAS and Christ. Thomas, Jr., are listed as coming to Accomw Co., Va., 1638.

BARBADOS HALL

For twenty-four years nothing more is known of Christopher Thomas until he appears in 1664 in Md., with -his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Higgins, and demands land. He received a warrant for 350 acres, called "Barbados Hall," (Lib. VII, fol. 471, Md.) This famous estate owned in 1679 by Tristram Thomas (3), and by Edmond Thomas in 1723, still stands. Robert Smith on 12 April, 1703, sold to Matthew Mason, 100 acres of "Barbados Hall." Richard Bennett once owned this estate in 1703 (RR No. 12, fol. 322, Talbot and Q. A. Co.) Rev. Hugh Neil (Neale) d. 1782, at one time a Minister of St. Pauls, owned "Barbado@s Hall." (P. 319, Hist. of Q. A. Co., by Emory and p. 89 this book.)

In 1679 Mrs. Elizabeth Higgins, wid. of Christopher Thomas, who had died 25 March, 1670, she then the wife of Matthew Smith, conveyed to Tristram Thomas (3) her step-son, all her interest in the landed estate left by his father, Christopher Thomas. (Lib. 7, fol. 471, Talbot Co., Barbados Hall.) "Matthew Smith's branch" is mentioned in the boundary lines of St. Paul's and St. Luke's Church, also in the deed of Henry Covington (1) tract known as "Providence." (See p. 39.)

TRISTRAM THOMAS (3)

TRISTRAM THOMAS (3) born 1633, Kent Co., Eng., inherited "Barbados Hall," married ANNE COURSEY, sister of William and Henry Coursey.

ROYAL LINE

John and William Coursey of the noted DeCoursey family of Ireland: "The family holds the ancient barony of Kingsale in the peerage of Ireland, created by King John, and is the most ancient of Ireland." Close by the Coursey grant on the Wye, was the grant laid out for William HemsZey, by William Coursey, Deputy Surveyor in 1660. Capt. William Hensley, a doctor, m. Judith." (Md. Archives Vol. 54, p. 600). Their dau., Elizabeth Hemsley m. Rev. James Clayland (Will 1699). Tristram Thomas (3) made his Will which was proved 22 May, 1686. His widow, Anne Coursey Thomas, m. (2) William Turloe.

"BACK WYE" IN 1660 WAS '@ MORGAN CREEK"

William Coursey owned "Coursey on Wye" in 1695. (Back Wye in 1660 was known as "Morgan Creek," (p. 37, Hist. of Q. A. Co,., by Emory.) Vincent Lowe's widow, Elizabeth Hawkins, m. William Coursey (p. 49, Hist. of Q A. Co., by Emory.) William Coursey gave 400 acres called "Tristram's Gift" to Tristram Thomas (3). The estate "Cheston" 800 acres, was Surveyed in 1659 for John and William Coursey. "Hawkins Pharsalia" came to the Thomas family through William and Elizabeth Hawkins Coursey. "Sprigley," 400 acres, called "Cedar Branch" was pat. to John Coursey on the 2nd day of July, 1649. (Vol. 29, Lib. CB 3, 1658.) (See p. 119 and 128.)

TRISTRAM THOMAS (4)

Tristram Thomas (4), the third son of Tristram (3) and Anne Coursey Thomas, was born 1666, died Feb. 1745-46, m. 1698, Judith Clayland, born 26 Dec. 1674, dau. of Rev. James Clayland and Elizabeth Hemsley, his wife, dau. of William and Judith Hemsley, the emigrants. Tristram (4) m. (2) Mrs. Jane Smith, widow of John Smith who d. 1733. Tristram Thomas (4) Will, 1746, box 12, fol. 54, Q. A. Co., Md. Children:

(1) Stephen Thomas b. 1705, m. 1730, Mary Lewis. (See Thomas Family of Talbot Co., Md., by R. H. Spencer, 1914 and Hist. of Old Cheraws by Gregg, land grants in Anson, N. C.) Among his children were Rev. Robert Thomas b. 1733, d. 1817, Britton Neck, S. C., Gen. Tristram Thomas b. 28 July, 1752, d. 3 Sept. 1817, buried at Old Saw Mill Baptist Church, S. C., Lewis Thomas b. 1750, William Thomas of Marlboro Co., S. C., who in 1812 was the highest bidder on his father's estate in Richmond Co., N. C. (Book H, p. 325, land on Mark's Cr. Benjamin H. Covington later bought 200 acres here, "land of Stephen Thomas.") John Thomas. b. 16 July, 1743, m. Molly Clark, d. 1814 - he was guardian for younger children.

(2) Philemon Thomas b. 1720, m. (1) Sarah Scott, m. (2) Elizabeth (Pledger)? He had a land grant in 1773, "on Cartledge Creek, and built the old home in the 1770's, which later became the home of Kenneth McKenzie, then B. B. McKenzie until 1868, then owned by Walter K. Covington, and willed to Walter B. Covington.

LEFT FOR N. C. IN 1769

Philemon Thomas conveyed to William Thomas, part of Hawkins Pharsalia, Lee's Chance, and Thomas' Addition, in 1767, Q. A. Co., Md. On the 25th Sept. 1769 William Thomas sold this 404 acres of land to James Hutchins, and came to N. C. (RR No. 12, fol. 356, Q. A. Co., Md., land division.) He made his Will which was proved 1797, Richmond Co., N. C., wit. by Kenneth McKenzie and Nathaniel Harrington; Executor, his son, William Thomas (Ram Billy). (Deed bk. PP, p. 51 shows all living children of Philemon Thomas in 1805 - his wife, Elizabeth then had m. Joseph McDowell - his dau., Elizabeth not then married. Children of Philemon Thomas:

(1) WILLIAM THOMAS (Ram Billy) b. 1741 in Md., d. 1800, Richmond Co., N. C., m. (1) Rachel Roe, dau. of John Roe who made his Will in Rich. Co., in 1780 and deeded to his dau., Rachel Roe, "200 acres.

Nice site, but I do differ with you on a few facts.

Concerning Tristram Thomas (1629-1686) and his brother-in-law Major William Coursey.

My research shows a few items different.

1st., Tristram Thomas is NOT the son of Christopher Thomas who died in 1670 and owned Barbados Hall. This Christopher I believe is Tristram's ELDEST BROTHER. They, along with their sister Julian (a) I believe are the children of Christopher Thomas who died in 1635 in County Kent, England. Another brother, Stephen Thomas may also have come to Maryland, but I cannot confirm that the Stephen I've found in Maryland is their sibling.

Major William Coursey was the third husband of Julian (a) Thomas, her first husband was Henry Beedle, by whom she had issue, and her second husband was Capt. John Russell, by whom I do not believe she had issue. She married both of these men in London, but appears to have accompanied both of them to Maryland, but returned to England after the death of her first husband.

I also would contend that Tristram IS the Tristram who married Anne King. You'll find a lot of early ties between the King family, and those with whom they are associated and Tristram Thomas over in Maryland. However, if you have proof of a sister named Anne for William Coursey, certainly I am still open minded on the subject, but what I've seen so far would indicate Tristram is the Tristram who married Anne King.

However, I was not aware of Tristram having been in Dublin as I believe your site mentioned. That is interesting, if correct, and something I had not known. There are a number of Tristram (Trustram) Thomas' in County Kent who are contemporary with each other, not to mention earlier and later Tristram's as well. I imagine most researchers, including myself <grin>, have quickly become confused when trying to sort them out. Also, more than one of the "cousins" came to America. There's a Tristram, who with his son, came to Virginia around the same time as Tristram Thomas of Wye River, Gent., came to Maryland. I'm typing this from memory and I'm not sure as it has been several years since I looked at this material in depth, but I believe, if I'm recalling correctly, that this other Tristram of Virginia was a first cousin of Tristram of "Wye River." I'd have to check on that to be sure as I may have him confused with another cousin. It's been a few years. <Grin>

My descent from "Tristram Thomas of Wye River, Gentl." is through his eldest son "Thomas Thomas, Gentl." (d. ca. 1706), Thomas's son, "Thomas Thomas of Winfield" (d. 1770), and the latter Thomas' daughter, Susannah Thomas who married first, Nathaniel Curtis (d. 1758) (my ancestor), and second William Ratliff (d. ca. 1777).

Sincerely,
Jay Stein <jaystein@wireweb.net

As I stated in my previous message, I'm open minded about the subject of whom Tristram Thomas (d. 1686) married, and to who is his father. However, I've found that most researchers of this Thomas family are unaware of Major William Coursey having married the twice widowed Juliana (Thomas) Beedle Russell; and actually it appears many researchers are not even aware that "Colonel" William Coursey" is not the same individual as is "Major William Coursey," much less that the latter had a marriage to a Juliana.

This marriage, like her other two, appears to have taken place in England as well, but I've not been successful in locating a record of the actual marriage. However, proof that Juliana was married three times is to be found in the land records and probate records found in Maryland, mostly Talbot County. Unfortunately, the land deed that is the key to the whole picture was incompletely abstracted, with significant components left out, in the fairly readily available abstracts of Talbot County Land Records series by R. Bernice Leonard.

It's a fine set, and is invaluable to any researcher of the area who cannot make it to Maryland in person, especially consider the high fees the Hall of Records now charges to conduct searches; but in general, like almost every set of abstracts, it contains errors, mistakes and omission. So, researchers who rely only on printed abstracts or in published family histories, are very likely to miss this key document.

I believe almost every work of abstracts of seen makes the following statement, or something similar, recommending to the researcher to always go the source for the full text. As the old saying goes, it is "human to err," and considering that over 90% of all records in courthouses are themselves merely clerk's copies of actual originals that are either long gone, or buried in trunks in dusty attics, and in fact, in many instances, the copies found in courthouses today are clerks copies made of earlier clerk's copies. Each time a record is copied by hand, the chances are good that errors will creep in and in some instances they are significant.

Case in point would be the Prerogative Court copy of the Will of Thomas Thomas Sr. (d. 1706), eldest son of Tristram Thomas of Wye River. The Prerogative Court of Maryland, which was the depository of all Wills in Maryland up until the time of Revolution are the copies that Jane Baldwin Cotton abstracted her widely seen 8 volume set, the series of which has since been extended by others. The copy of his will in the Prerogative Court, which probably is the copy made in 1706, omits an entire paragraph which contains the only mention in his Will of his daughter Mary. Fortunately, his actual original Will, the one which bares his actual signature and actual wax seal, is still on file in the Hall of Records as well. It of course, contains the missing paragraph, although there are clues to the existence of the paragraph is Thomas' estate records in which bequest is mention. Strangely enough, the copy of his Will on file in the Talbot County Courthouse, actually has the omitted paragraph. (The Talbot County copies of Wills date prior to the Revolution are copies made by the clerks of each county respectively as so ordered by the new state government after the conclusion of the Revolution when Prerogative Court was ended. The War years had made it difficult, if not impossible, to probate and record all of the Wills in a central depository and consequently, the clerks in the counties had begun recording the copies in their respective courthouses, and the Maryland government decided to keep it that way. However, they decided that the clerks of each county should go to the Prerogative Court and make copies of all of the Wills which pertained to their individual respective counties. Only thing I can figure is that the clerk (s) of Talbot must have been very conscious because obviously he checked the collection of original Wills and not just the clerks copies in the Prerogative Court.

Thanks for replying and in time I do plan to follow-up on some of the statements I found on your site. I knew the Coursey family had ties in Ireland (If memory serves me right, I believe when their patriarch came over with William the Conquer in 1066 he was made the Lord Proprietor, or something like that, of Ireland. At least he got extensive lands and properties and a castle there. While I never bothered to verify the story, supposedly one of the descendants was offered the Earldom in Ireland when the line over there had died out, but William Coursey, according to the story, turned it down since it meant leaving America. The story further usually goes, although I've seen different accounts, that it was then given to some outwork "cousin" up in New England. Again though, I don't know if there is any truth to the story, or not.

From here see the Oglesby Line.