While Cornelius Forehand is generally accepted as the “father” of the modern American Forehand family, I am not so willing to cast such a responsibility.  While I do believe Cornelius Forehand is responsible for much of the modern Forehand family, there is some evidence he was not alone.  While information is sparse, we do have two names to address: Gillian Forehand and Thomas Forehand.

Very little information is available concerning Gillian or Thomas Forehand.  To begin, let us address what little information we have concerning Thomas Forehand.  According to the book, “Cavaliers and Pioneers” by Nugent, Volume II, 1666 to 1695, Captain John Knowles was awarded 793 acres in Henrico County, Virginia on the North side of the James River for the transport of 16 people on March 15, 1672.  The list of people transported by Captain Knowles was:  Brick Wife (or Wise), Richard Robison, Jano. Deckson, Giles Grooms, Anthony Wise, Margery Robison, John Surley, William Fenley, William Lambert, Mary (a woman), John Watts, Obedem (?),  Gearles (?), Elizabeth Wilden, Elizabeth Harris, Ralph Parry, and Thomas Fourehands.

At this point, it is not known where the ship carrying the sixteen souls listed above originated nor the name of the ship.  We are also not completely sure where along the James River the passengers walked off the ship or whether they were indentured servants.  However, there are several points of interest.  One point, is the fact port of landing is geographically close to the eventual destination of Cornelius Forehand in Pasquotank County, North Carolina.  Another point is the James River would also make it geographically close to the eventual destination of Darby Forehand in Augusta County, Virginia.  However, the fact that Cornelius Forehand is an apparent immigrant from Ireland places Thomas’ relation in question.  The other point is complicated due to the fact Darby’s son, John Forehand, was born in Pennsylvania.

However, we do know Thomas Forehand was a witness to the will of Captain James Crewes of Turkey Island, “planter”, dated July 23, 1676.  The will was witnessed by Thomas Forehand and Derby Enroughty and was as follows (as recorded in Colonial Wills of Henrico County Virginia Part One 1654-1737 page 137):

It is apparent Captain James Crewes was dead or close to death (as you will soon see) by December 10, 1677 as Thomas Forehand and Darby Enroughty deposed the will exhibited in court by Giles Carter was the same of Captain James Crewes (deceased).  Before we continue, let’s examine a bit of history surrounding the relationship between James Crewes and Giles Carter.

Before 1676, Giles Carter was employed by or associated with Captain James Crewes, a wealthy land and plantation owner in Henrico County, Virginia.  Oddly enough, James Crewes became in Bacon’s Rebellion and was sentenced to death and hanged on January 24, 1677.  Crewes was a merchant and acted as an agent for Daneil Llewellyn.  At this point, we do not know the relation between Captain Crewes and Captain Knowles whom transported Thomas Forehand.

I honestly believe this particular Thomas Forehand holds a very valuable key in our search for Cornelius Forehand’s origin.  Was this Cornelius’ father or relative?  The geographic location of Thomas certainly makes him a likely candidate for southward travel into North Carolina.  At the very least, I strongly suspect a relation between this Thomas Forehand and the eventual family line of Darby Forehand.  Is it more than a coincidence Thomas appears frequently on documents with Darby Enroughty?  Could Darby Forehand be named after Darby Enroughty?  Hard to say and nearly impossible to verify at this point.

The information surrounding Thomas Forehand remains a mystery.  We can not successfully connect him to the other known Forehand families of the time period.  However, it is not to say he will not be eventually connected and the mystery solved as his mere presence during this late 17^th century is too well beyond coincidence to ignore.