A Thom Discovery

A Thom Discovery contributed by GEORGE H. S. KING, F.A.S.G. In the course of research on the Thorn(e) family, a will indexed under the name of William Thorn was consulted in Fairfax County, Virginia, Will Book C-1, pp. 175177. Upon examination, it proved to be not the will of William Thorn, but of William Thom, a prominent Presbyterian minister in Alexandria, Virginia, with Pennsylvania connections. This same error was also made by Clayton Torrence in his Virginia Wills and Administrations, 1632-1800 (reprinted Baltimore, 1972). Additional references to the Rev. William Thom are found in Fairfax County Deed Book L-1, 1773-4, p. 215; James Muir, History of the Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, 1772-1794, Manuscript Acc. no. 21317, Virginia State Library, Richmond; William Buckner McGroarty, The Old Presbyterian Meeting House at Alexandria, Va., 1774-1874 (Richmond, 1940), 17; Pennsylvania Gazette, 8 September 1773, p. 3, coL 1. The will reads as follows: In the name of God. amen. I William Thom Minister of the Gospel in the Town of Alexandria being indisposed in body but sound in mind do make this my last Will and Testament. Imprimis. I give Towards building a Presbyterian Church in Alexandria fifty pounds Pensylvania Money to be applyed as my Executors shall think proper. Item. I give to the Rev.d. James Willson, Minister of the Gospel in new London in Pensylvania fifty pounds that money. also all my printed Books Item. I give to James Thom Senior of Lancaster County in Pensylvania in that money Fifty pounds. Item. I give to Sarah Taylor Sister to my late Mother the sum of Fifty pounds Pensylvania Money. Item. I give to John Homes or Homes Jun'r. of Carlisle in Pensylvania all my Wearing Apparrell. my Watch. my Horse Bridle & Saddle ... Item. I give to Margaret Cockburn now in Alexandria ten pounds Peng. Money. Item. I give to the aforementioned Sarah Taylor all the best of My Mothers wearing apparrel the remainder to be given at the discretion of my Executors. Item. I give to James Hendricks of Alexandria a Merchant my Chest of Drawors. Item. I give to William Ramsay of Alexandria my Burrian or Desk Item. I give to Richard Arell of Alex'a. my Tea Table. Item my Will is that my Executors give freedom from servitude my Servant Woman Hannah Brown item. my Will is, that all my furniture of Every kind Except what is 62 A Thom Discovery 63 already bequeathed, be disposed off to defray my funeral Expenses and the payment of my legacies. Item. my Will is, that after my funeral Expenses, the Legacies and my just debts are paid that the residue and Remainder of all my Estate both real and personal be Equaly divided between the aforenamed James Thom and Sarah Taylor and their heirs. Lastly I constitute, and appoint James Hendricks, the Rev.d James Wilson and William Ramsay Executors of this my last Will & Testament for the uses and purposes above mentioned for the conformation of which I have put my hand and affixed my seal this sixth day of August one thousand seven hundred and seventy three Acknowledged & delivered (Seal) Wm. Thom as my last Will & Testament in presence of James Hunt John Carlyle 1850 CENSUS PROJECT COMMITTEE In 1968, with volunteer assistance from within our membership, the Society began compiling an index of the 1850 Census for Philadelphia County. The index, as compiled, will include the names of all heads of families and those within a household whose surnames differ from that of the head of the family. The work, when completed, will supplement the index published by Mrs. Maryly B. Penrose which covers the City of Philadelphia proper (Heads of Families Index, 1850 Federal Census, City of Philadelphia, Microfilm XC/ 17A, in the Society's Collection). Under the guidance of Mrs. F. Spencer Roach, this volunteer project of the Society has progressed towards completion, but a number of divisions of the county remain to be indexed. Moyamensing, Wards 1-5 inclusive, is currently in process and is under the direction of the current chairman. Additional assistance in the indexing, which can be done at home from copyflow reproductions of the census, is sought so that the completion of this important project may be expedited. Those interested in helping should contact the project chairman, Mrs. James C. Kilgannon, at the office of the Society.