02/25/2023
The First Immigrant - Thomas Tinsley I###x (1618-1702)
Thomas Tinsley, emigrant and primogenitor of the Tinsley family in America, was born circa 1618, in Yorkshire, England. Early research indicates that he married Elizabeth Randolph.
Thomas arrived in Jamestown, Virginia Colony, in 1638, his transportation furnished by John Robins of James City County. (1) In early land documents his name is spelled virtuously by scribes and copyist as Thomas Tilsley (1638), Thomas Tilsey (1650), and Thomas Tinslie (1655). (2) Before he owned any land, Thomas Tinsley lived on a creek that was then know as Moses Run. On February 7, 1650 Philip Charles was granted 450 acres on the west side of the Chickahominy River upon Moses Run and described as next above Thomas Tinsley. (3)
The first patent of land to Thomas Tinsley was issued December 13, 1650, by Sir William Berjekey, colonial governor, for 300 acres upon Moses Run, on the west side of chickahominy River in James City County, VA. The grant was described as bounded west by north upon the Run: south by west upon the land of Mr. Theodore Moses: east by north upon Mr. Foyes land: and north by west upon the woods. The said land was granted unto Thomas Tinsley for paying the price of passage from England to the colony for emigrants Robert Arwin, Milliscent Thompson, Walter Villecott, Abraham Watson, Thomas Sawer, and Elin. Faning.(4)
By 1662 Thomas Tinsley had bought 300 more acres of land from Martin Baker, on the south side of the York River in New Kent County. (5)
patent was issued to John Bowman on May 15, 1672, for 108 acres "on the north side of James River on the west side of Chickahominy river adjoining to Thomas Tinsley."(6)
On February 28, 1689, Thomas Tinsley was involved in the remarking of his land in St. Peter’s Parish, and during the year helped "Cleere the roads in his prescinct...up the north side of Totopotomoys Creeke."(7)
Thomas Tinsley built his home on Totopotomoy Creek, formerly known as Moses Run, 12 miles north of the present site of Richmond. This creek, enclosing a peninsula in the present Hanover County, was named for Totopotomou (d.1656), chief of the Pamunkey Indians and a successor to Powhata. The ancestral place of the Tinsley family, called "Totomoi", still remains in the possession of descendants. (8)
The first westward expedition in 1669 of John Lederer, the German traveler and explorer, to find a passage through the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, passed through the immediate vicinity where Thomas Tinsley lived. The narrative of the journey mentions Totopotomoy, who had been killed some thirteen years previously, and also describes the killing nearby of a wildcat: "The nest day falling into Marsh grounds between Pemaeoncock (York River) and the head of the River Matapeneugh, the Heaviness of the way obliged me to cross Pemaeoncoek, where its north and south - brank (called Ackmick) join in one. In the peninsula make by these two branches, a great Indian King called Tottopottoma was slain in battle, fighting for the Christians against the Mahocks and Nahyssans, from wence it retains his name to this day. Travelling throw the woods, a does seized by a wild cat crossed our way: the miserable creature being even spent and breathless with the burden and cruelly of her rider, who having fastened on her shoulder, left not a sucking out her blood until she sunk under him; which one the Indians perceiving, let fly a lucky arrow, which piercing him throw the belly, make him quit his prey already slain, and turn with a terrible grimas at us; but his strength and sprits falling him, we escaped his revenge, which had verdantly ensued, were not his would mortal. This creature is something bigger than our English fox, of a reddish grey color, and in figure every way agreeing with an ordinary cat; fierce, ravenous and cunning."(9)
Thomas Tinsley was an extensive planter. He shipped to***co to England and imported domestic luxuries and clothing. (10)
Virginia history states that he was a man of high esteem, great influence, and courage. (11)
Thomas Tinsley took part in Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, the opening gun of the long struggle for American independence. One seat of discontent preceding the rebellion was Tblisland Parish, mother parish of St. Peters in James City and New Kent Counties. Tinsley signed the Vlisland Parish Grievances, dated April 2, 1677, a document list a number of apparitions of the British government under Sir Eillian Berkeley that led to the rebellion. The paper was presented to 3 royal commissioner sent from England to the colony to investigate the armed revolt. Included in the complaints were high taxes, Indian murders and depredations, executions of sheriffs, selling of strong drink during court days and duties levied on ships. Signer of the grievances, distraught over having to obtain arms by any means, also made a plea for an arms magazine. (12)
An attachment of 900 lbs. of to***co was granted against the estate of Thomas Tinsley in Essex County, June 21, 1699, for his failure to appear in defense of court suit initiated by Robert Payne. (13)
In his will, Thomas Tinsley left his eldest son Thomas Tinsley "one young gray stoned c**t branded TT." (14)
This brand, used by him in seventeenth century Virginia, was one to the first in what is now the United States. His use of this ownership mark was 100 years before burned brands had come into limited use by the end of the 18th century. George Washington burned "G.W." on his cattle, the position on the animal indicating the plantation where they were pastured. (15)
Thomas Tinsley followed the English custom of naming the first born son after the father, with this son inheriting the bulk of the estate.
His will is dated October 9, 1700, New Kent County, Virginia. Witnesses were Richard Meriwether, Jeremiah Pope, and John Oaks. It was recorded in 1702, in New Kent County, upon the corporal oaths of Nicholas Meriwether and Hohn Oaks. (18)
