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Note: !1. Reuben Thomas appears to have md.(1) Sarah abt 1776. He was md. to wife #2, Elizabeth at the time of his death in 1830. Culpeper Circuit Court Deed Book M. pg. 185, 21 Jun 1784 !2. Will of John Thomas identifies him as his grandson and son of deceased
son, Massey and calls Elizabeth "dau.-in-law, widow of my son, Massey". The will does not say whether Elizabeth is Reuben's mother, but there is no reason to think otherwise.
!3. 28 Mar 1785, he signed as witness to the will of James Hurt along with
James Crow and John Hume. On June 15, 1789, he gave his oath in court when the will was presented for probate. Will Bk C, pg. 330, FHL# 30931. !4. Inventory and sale of his estate was recorded in the Shenandoah Probates pp. 20 and 84, 30 Oct 1830. He probably died in 1827, as reported by his great-granddaughter, Louisa Hurt.
His age is approximated, based upon Benjamin (who married in 1797) being the oldest child. Benjamin would probably be born between 1770 and 1775 which would place his father's age range as 1745 to 1750.
A settlement executed by the heirs of Massey Thomas to their mother Elizabeth 6 March 1782, identifies him as son of Massey Thomas, deceased. His grandfather's will and deed of gift identify him as a grandson of JohnThomas of Culpeper County although not naming his father. 6 Feb 1781 Culpeper County Deed Book K p 357 - John Thomas leaves to grandson Reubin a negro girl Sarah daughter of Hannah "for the natural love, good will and affection that I have & do bear my Grandson Reubin Thomas . . ." enable him to Raise his Children and Support his wife.
Culpeper County Deed Book M page 185 dtd 21 Jun 1784 has heirs of Massey Thomas assign rights in estate to mother Elizabeth. Signed by Reuben Thomas, John Thomas, William Thomas, Massey Thomas, Jesse Thomas, and Susannah Thomas with witnesses Richard Dickin, Benjamin Dickin and Henry Lewis Junior. Massey died intestate as only his inventory is given in the will book.
In the 1829 Personal Property Tax Lists for Shenandoah County, there are listing for both Reuben Thomas Sr. and Reuben Thomas Jr. The former has two slaves and the latter none. Reuben Jr. married Rachel Mesick for whom Louisa did temple work during her lifetime.
In 1794 Reuben Thomas a grant of 67 acres in Madison County from a 1783 land grant given to Robert Coleman. This is probably Rev War bounty land. He later sells this property. Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants lists a Reuben Thomas, Sergeant who received 200 acres 12 Jan 1819. Virginia had military land districts in both Kentucky and Ohio.
Louisa stated that her great-grandfather died in 1827 and there is an inventory for a Reuben in Shenandoah County dated 1830 which seems to indicate that Reuben spent his later years on property on the west side of the Blue Ridge. Sep Term of Shenandoah County Court - referenced in Page County Probates Book A, p 58
British Mercantile Claims for 1775-1803 [as published in The Virginia Genealogist v. 29, p 138] states regarding claims of Joh Glassell that Reubin Thomas, Culpeper owed 22 pounds, 9 shilling, 2 1/2 pence. "He is now living in Madison County, a very poor man, and has been so ever since the debt was contracted. He is as solvent now as he has been during the peace and there is no hope of recovering this debt in the ordinary forms of law in consequence of his poverty."
His grandfather's will contains the following provision:
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Reuben Thomas & his heirs forever the bed and furniture I make use of myself to him and his heirs forever--
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