Thomas Forehand is probably the best documented of all early Forehands.  It is apparent from his father’s will that Thomas was the next to the youngest of the Forehand male children (Richard being the youngest).  In the same will, Thomas inherits two cows without any land.  However, that fact does not prove to be a problem later in Thomas’ life as he manages to acquire large tracts of land in what is now the northern part of Pasquotank County, North Carolina.

We can estimate the year of Thomas’ birth to be circa 1716 since his first appearance in tithable listings was 1739 and was not present in the 1735 listing. Though we can only estimate his birth year of circa 1716 we can absolutely identify the year of his death as 1769.  In fact, from his estate papers, we can determine his death as before December of 1769.  It is unfortunate that many of the documents from this time period (including wills) were destroyed by fire as it is almost certain Thomas Forehand would have taken the time to construct a will helping us to positively identify his family members.

Although a will does not exist for Thomas Forehand, early Pasquotank County, North Carolina land deeds help us positively identify members of this family.  During his lifetime, Thomas Forehand married Sarah Everton (supposedly) and fathered at least four male children: Lemuel Forehand, Daniel Forehand, Jarvis Forehand, and David Forehand.  Fortunately, his male children can be positively identified through the previously mentioned documents.

The earliest known record of Thomas Forehand was mention of his name in his father’s, Cornelius Forehand, will.  In that will, Thomas Forehand was listed next to last in a line of male children and received two cows.  Since Thomas was listed next to last, we can assume he was the second youngest of Cornelius and Elizabeth’s children.

The earliest land transaction available was between Owen Reese and Thomas Forehand on August 19, 1743.  Thomas was listed as a ‘planter’ and was a resident of Pasquotank County in the precinct of North Carolina. Owen Reese sold Thomas Forehand 52.5 acres for 10 pounds of fresh pork.  The tract was part of a 503-acre tract called the “New Land” with the backline adjoining the land of John Jones.  The deed was witnessed by John Jones and Lodwick Gray.

Figure TF-1 – 1769 Pasquotank County Tax Listing

Before 1736, most Forehand researchers list Thomas Forehand marrying Sarah Everton.  Sarah Forehand was mentioned as the daughter of Jeremiah Everton in a 1736 Pasquotank County will.  The date of the will helps us determine the approximate birth year of Thomas as circa 1715 since Thomas would have been at least 20 years old at the time of Jeremiah’s will.  Most sources list Thomas’ birth year as circa 1724.  However, Thomas would have been too young to be married at that point.  However, there is absolutely zero evidence placing Sarah Everton as the wife of Thomas.  To expand on this point, please read the section of Thomas’ brother, John Forehand, and draw your own conclusions.  However, for the sake of this section and respect for previous Forehand researchers, I will continue to reference Thomas’ wife as Sarah… with a large grain of salt.

Between 1736 and 1753, Thomas and Sarah have at least four male children.  A 1769 Pasquotank County, North Carolin tax listing (figure TF-1) positively identifies Jarvis and Daniel as the sons of Thomas.  By studying later deeds, we can positively identify Lemuel Forehand as the oldest of Thomas and Sarah’s children.  We can also determine from later land deeds with strong confidence David Forehand was also the son of Thomas and Sarah.  It is also interesting to note that these children would have to have been born before 1753 since they would have been at least 16 years of age to even be listed during a “poll tax”.  Therefore, Jarvis and Daniel were at least 16 at the time they lived with their father Thomas suggesting David and Lemuel were older.

Thomas was next mentioned in a 1740 Pasquotank tithable listing along with his brother, John Forehand.  During this tithable list, Thomas is listed with another taxable poll.  This is an interesting piece of evidence as a tithable would have to be at least 16 years old to be listed.  This means the male poll could not have been born any later than 1724.   This would likely place the additional male poll as a brother rather than a child.  I suspect the poll is either Cornelius or Richard.  Interestingly, the 1742 tithable list for Pasquotank County show Thomas as only living with himself.  However, the only other Forehand listed in the 1740 list is his brother, John.  

During July 1753, Thomas Forehand was ordered to serve on the Pettit Jury of Pasquotank County, North Carolina.  Thomas was called along with the following people: Thomas Cartwright, Joseph Ferril, Joseph Spence, James McDaniell, William Nickels, Thomas Rhodes, Aaron Jackson, Nathaniel Willson, William Right, William Bernard, and Mark Gregory.

Figure TF-2 – 1754 Pasquotank County Tax List for Thomas Forehand

During 1754-1755, Thomas Forehand was a part of the NC Militia.  A militia list from this time period identifies Thomas Forehand as a Corporal in Captain William Abercrombie’s seventh company.  This militia was “bounded on Nobs Crook creek from thence binding Pasquotank River to the Head of the same, containing 50 men”.  It is interesting to note he served with Benjamin Cooper, Samuel Cooper, Thomas Temple, Daniel Everton, and Cornelius Forehand.  At this point, it is not certain who this Cornelius Forehand actually is.  It is also interesting to note a 1766 militia list shows Lemuel Forehand as a corporal serving with David Forehand, James Forehand, and Jarvis Forehand.  In addition, some researchers indicate Thomas Forehand fought in the French and Indian war though I have not been able to confirm this.

In 1754, Thomas Forehand is listed during a tax listing for Pasquotank County, North Carolina (figure TF-2).  When originally finding this early tax list for Pasquotank county, it was my hopes to locate some if the “unknown” Forehand families.  However, Thomas is the only Forehand present in Pasquotank County during 1754.  With this being the case, John, James, Richard, and Cornelius must have either moved from the area or passed away.

On March 25, 1758, James McDaniel of Pasquotank County, North Carolina sold Thomas Forehand a tract of land containing 60 acres and part of a tract of 443 acres called the “New Land” on the southwest side of the Pasquotank River for 20 pounds.  The deed was witnessed by Thomas Taylor and Thomas Sawyer.

During September 1758, Thomas Forehand was called to court.  The case was listed as James Duffey versus Thomas Forehand.  Unfortunately, no charges were listed with the record and to date remains a mystery.

Figure TF – 3 – Seal of Thomas Forehand for January 17, 1759 Land Deed

On January 17, 1759, an interesting land transaction occurred between Thomas Forehand and the “honorable John Granville of the county of Bedford in the Kingdom of Great Britian Lord President of his Majesty’s honorable council and Knight of the most noble order”.  For 10 shillings, Thomas (planter) purchased a 535 acre tract of land in the parish of Saint John’s in a place called the “New Land”.  The tract of land bordered land of Owen Reese and Joseph Temple.  Thomas must also pay Lord Granville yearly rent of 21 shillings and 5 pence halfpenny between the 25 and 29 of September at the Pasquotank court house.  This deed was witnessed by Thomas Jones.  Thomas Forehand’s seal for this deed is listed above in figure TF-3.

On October 13, 1760, a land transaction occurred between Thomas Forehand and Thomas Temple, both of Pasquotank County North Carolina.  For the sum of 100 pounds, Thomas sold Thomas Temple 30.5 acres of a 535 acre tract of land called the “New Land” bordering the land of Owen Reese and Thomas Forehand.  The deed was signed by Thomas Forehand and witnessed by Lemuel Cooper and Thomas Sawyer.

On October 14, 1760, a land transaction between John Jones, planter, of Pasquotank County and Thomas Forehand, planter was recorded.  John Jones sold Thomas Forehand a 17 acre tract of land  for eight pound ten shilling in a place called the “New Land” patented in 1743 by Owen Reese.  The tract of land bordered the Owen Reese lines and was good for “hunting and fowling and every other benefit”.  The deed was signed by John Jones and witnessed by Samuel Cooper and George Ferrell.

Figure TF-4 – A snapshot of modern day “NewLand” in the northern part of Pasquotank County, NC

During July 1761, Thomas was ordered to serve on the Grand Jury of Pasquotank County, North Carolina.  He was selected along with the following people: Zachariah Keeton, John Sawyer, Benjamin Padrick, Benjamin Torksey, Aaron Bright, William Wright, Jacob Curlin, Joshua Burnham, James Spence, Benjamin Overton, Richard Overton, Willis Upton, James Forster, Edward Scarfe, David Cartwright, Robert Hosea, and Edmund Chancy.

On January 9, 1764, a land transaction occurred between Joseph Sawyer and Thomas Forehand.  Joseph Sawyer sold Thomas a tract of land containing 60 acres on the southwest side of the Pasquotank River in a place called the “New Land” for the sum of 45 pounds.  This parcel of land was part of a 503 acre tract of land.  The parcel bordered the land of Lodwick Gray.  The deed was signed by Joseph Sawyer and witnessed by Robert Cochran.

TF-5 – Only ballast stones mark these Ancient Graves

One of the last transactions involving Thomas Forehand during his lifetime occurred on the first day of September 1769 between Thomas Forehand and his son David Forehand.  For the sum of 45 pounds, Thomas sold David 60 acres in a place called the “New Land” that were originally sold to Thomas on January 9, 1764 by Joseph Sawyer.  The deed was signed by Thomas Forehand and witnessed by Lemuel Forehand and Joseph Spence.

The last known land transaction of Thomas Forehand occurred on September 9, 1769 between Thomas Forehand and his oldest son, Lemuel Forehand.  For the sum of 20 pounds, Thomas sold Lemuel a parcel of land containing 60 acres and part of the 443 tract of land in a place called the “New Land (figure TF – 4)”.  The deed was signed by Thomas Forehand and witnessed by Joseph Spence and David Forehand.

Some time between September and December of 1769, Thomas Forehand passed away.  Thomas’ estate was to be sold to repay the outstanding debt of 800 pounds.  Lemuel Forehand was the executor of the estate with the estate sale papers signed by Lemuel Forehand, Issac Sawyer, and Ebenezer Sawyer. The fact Lemuel was named as executor of Thomas’ estate seems to indicate he was the oldest of his male children. A quick review of the items sold also tends to suggest Thomas Forehand was a wealthy planter.  It is also interesting to note Thomas Forehand was appointed by the courts as Overseer of the “Roads in the room and district of Benjamin Cooper”.

One final interesting note is the following abstract from Edenton Gazette Vol 3 by Fouts listing a tract of land called the “Forehand tract”.  It reads as follows:

It is apparent at this time dwellings still existed on the 150 acre Forehand property located close to the ancient Turn Pike road in Newland.  It is also interesting the abstract also lists the properties of Benjamin Jones, the McDaniel tract, as well as the Evan Jones tract as these were all prominent names during the time.  William T. Muse also witnesses later documents and guardian bonds.

While researching Thomas Forehand, you come across a great deal of information and can even locate his general place of residence and land ownership.  While much information surrounding Thomas, including the identification of his wife, remain a mystery and are often surrounded by misinformation.  However, it still remains that Thomas remains one of the best documented sons of Cornelius.

While driving through modern-day NewLand in the northern section of Pasquotank County, North Carolina (figure TF-4), you can be sure you are within site of what Thomas would have seen or even lived and owned in the 18^th century.  Among the interesting land marks in the area is an unpaved lane named “Blind Man Road”.  Blind Man road quietly follows a winding Grape Vine creek and terminates near an ancient cemetery.  While we can not be certain, it is interesting to speculate the lane may have been named after William Joy whom became blind late in life as well as wondering if any Forehands are resting in any of the hundreds of un-marked graves.  While most of the graves present are modern, a few older graves exist from the Civil War era while others are 20^th century resting places for a few members of the Hinton family.  Even closer inspection reveals several graves marked only by ancient ballast stones (figure TF-5).  Could Thomas Forehand, his brothers, and his children be resting here among the stones of this massive, ancient resting place?