{"id":257,"date":"2011-10-28T05:30:29","date_gmt":"2011-10-28T09:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncgenweb.us\/perquimans\/?p=257"},"modified":"2014-09-25T06:06:41","modified_gmt":"2014-09-25T10:06:41","slug":"toms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncgenweb.us\/perquimans\/toms\/","title":{"rendered":"TOMS"},"content":{"rendered":"

After much careful work on this family, in N. C. and Virginia, the writer has arrived at the conclusion, that the Toms emigrant, to N. C., was living in Charles City Co Va, where he sold land in sd County, to Francis Gray, Feb 17, 1656. Only mention of him, so far found, but that is not strange, considering the fact, that nothing remains of the records in that Co, except one book. Gabriel Toms appears on the records in Essex Co Va, 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 Perq, is the identical one, who is named in sd record, as the dates would bear me out, in that opinion. From Edmundson\u2019s Journal, we are led to believe, that he did not embrace Quakerism, until the time of Edmundson\u2019s first journey to N. C. 1672. At which time, he & his wife, Mary (d of John Nicholson, sister of William) went over to the new cult. Mary being his 3d wife, by whom he had no issue. Her will p in Perq, 1717, does not name a single one of his children. She was probably a widow before m Francis Toms, as she names in her will, Vesty Lewis, who was wife of Edward Lewis, & probably her daughter.<\/p>\n

Francis Toms, m before coming to Perq, Pershillah \u2014 by whom he had issue: Penelope, b Jan 27, 1670\u2014Francis (2), b Sept 19, 1672\u2014Pershillah, b Mch 19, 1674\/5\u2014Joseph, b Nov 16, 1677, died June 6, 1679\u2014Caleb, & Joshua (twins), b Nov 25, 1679.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toms, Francis, m 2d Abigail Lury (widow of John) Jan 6, 1683, by whom one d Abigail, b Dec 10, 1684. Abigail Toms, Wife of Francis, died Mar 17, 1687.\u2020<\/span><\/p>\n

Toms, Francis, m 3d Mary Nicholson, who survived him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toms, Francis Sr, lived near \u201cLower Pond, on Reedy Branch, at the head of Vosses Creek.\u201d His land adj John Flowers, on western side of \u201cLong Reach\u201d in the \u201cNarrows\u201d of Perq River. The land on Vosses Creek, where his dwelling was erected, adj William Morgan. He had a stretch of land, running from Vosses Creek, to \u201cMiddle Swamp\u201d called \u201cFrog Hall.\u201d This place still retains its original name, to this day. Francis Toms Jr owned land on S. W. side of Perq River, on \u201cBull Branch, adj land sold to Henry Grace, June 24, 1714. His land also joined land of William Jones. Francis Toms Sr, made a deed of gift, to Thomas Pierce, Wm Bogue, Isaac Wilson, & Gabriel Newby, 1a of land, \u201cfor the Society of Protestant Desenters, Vulgarly called Quakers, whereon a Church is now built,\u201d in Perq Precinct, 11mo called Jan, 1705\/6. This house of Worship, is supposed to have been Vosses Creek Meeting house, on said Creek, the\u00a0exact location,<\/em>\u00a0being lost and uncertain. He was a member of the Council, for many years (see deeds). Clerk of Pasq Precinct Aug 8, 1692 (see will of John Nixon). Dept\u2019 to Lord Amey, & his name appears on many grants given by the Lords Pro\u2019r. His oath before the Gov Council, is of interest, to all historians, in its quaint wording, he promised \u201cto Keepe ye Secrett of ye Council, to ye best of my advice, according to my Understanding.\u201d This oath was administered in 1706. He had been a member of the Council, since Feb 6, 1683\/4. Francis Toms \u201cCollector of Customs\u201d (no date).<\/span><\/p>\n

On 15, 7mo 1696, he left Perq, on a two months journey (probably to London) but his business is not stated, maybe in the interests of the Quaker Church. Before leaving, he deputized \u201cWm Glover, his Lov\u2019 Friend, to get timber for a big Mill, or a little one, & left it wholely to him, which thee thinks most benificall for me.\u201d This was probably the beginning of Toms Mill, on Suttons Creek, in fact if his land ran to Middle Swamp, as before stated, & sd place was called even then, \u201cFrog Hall\u201d we are certain the \u201cMill\u201d here mentioned, was built on this property. He made a deed, Feb 9, 1688, with consent of wife Abigail, for 300a at the head of Yeopim Creek, \u201ccalled John Lasy\u2019s Plan\u2019,\u201d land pat by Wm Charles, June 6, 1683. Another deed Jan 5, 1689\/90, with the signature of his last wife Mary. In a deed Mar 24, 1687, he gives the information, that he had been grt 587a in Perq Precinct. (See deeds.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Hon\u2019ble Francis Toms, had a grt, in Perq Pr\u2019ct, 640a, adj Capt Ralph Fletcher, & James Morgan, to corner of Wm Voss, & along his line to the River (Perquimans). May 1, 1695. Francis Toms Esq, another grt, in Perq\u00a0Pre\u2019ct 375a on North side of Perq River, by beaver dam Swamp. Feb 26, 1696.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2020Note: John Lacey (Lurey) 2d husband of Abigail Balie, in his Will Perq Precinct, Dec 1, 1682, names wife Abigail, & d Sarah. This may be the same Sarah, for whom Foster Toms put in a claim, for her Estate, in 1754. It is thought she m Christopher Denman, but no absolute proof is forthcoming.<\/sup><\/p>\n