We have very little information on this family. Most researchers think he was born after 1650 but by 1675, probably in In Middlesex or Gloucester County, Virginia.

Thomas Machen may be a child of the John Machim family but it was not recorded in the parish records. This does not mean he was not a child of the family but that records are inconclusive. There are frequent examples of incomplete recording of births and deaths. As the supposed oldest child they may have been living in another parish when Thomas was born. [Edwards, 9]

1699- April 3 - Thomas is ordered to appraise the estate of Joseph Smith, along with three other men. Obviously he is of a mature age and capable of the task through life experience.
[records of Middlesex County, VA, Order Book. ]

1700- Thomas is probably already married by this year but no records have been found that list the name of his first wife. Some researchers think it may be Anne based on traditional naming patterns. His will lists the two earlier children, John and Anne. 1701- Mar. 11 - Aug. 12
Thomas Meachem, plaintiff, sued John Miller for approximately 200 pounds. Thomas had in March leased a 30 ton sloop at ten pounds a month. This sloop was moored in a creek on the Rappahannock River and had been built at Black Water, Virginia. Miller claimed that he had not paid anything on the lease because it had been seized from him in the Petuxon River in Maryland for not being registered according to a statute of 1692. Thomas was awarded 77 pounds plus court costs.

1706- Thomas Machen provided surety for James Curtis Sr. to keep an Ordinary in the town of Urbanna. An "ordinary" is a type of pub. [Edwards, 10] 1707 - He provides surety for William Matthews to keep an ordinary also. [Edwards, 10] 1707 - Thomas Machen is executor of the estate of John Fearn, and the minor children John and Mary Fearn. This John Fearn Jr. is the person who marries Ann Machen, Thomas's daughter. The Fearn family may also have connections to Thomas's brother, James Machim.

1711- Thomas witnessed the bond posting for the bail of George Wortham. George is being tried for murder. This is father of John Wortham, the second husband of Judith Machen, Thomas' daughter. [Edwards, 10]

1711- Thomas is the executor of the estate of Thomas Shelton. He is joined in this document with Richard Edwards of Gloucester Co. also as executor. [Edwards, 10] 1730, Aug. 28th - The Will of Thomas Machen of Middlesex, Virginia.

In the name of God Amen. The 28th Day of August 1730. I Thomas Machen of Christ Church Parish in Middlesex County being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect memory, praise be given to God for his mercy and bing desirous to settle things in order, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, for ?. I commend my soul to Almighty God my creator believing that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sins and be saved by the precious death and merits of my blessed Savior and redeemer Christ. I ? and my body to the earth from whence it came to be buried in such decent and Christian manner as to my executor hereafter named shall be though right and proper and as touching such wordly estate as the Lord's mercy hath lent me, my will and meaning is the same shall be employed and bestowed as hereafter named shall be though right and proper and as touching such wordly estate as teh Lord's mercy hath lent me, my will and meaning is the same shall be employed and bestowed as hereafter by this my will to //. I do revoke, renounce, trustate ?, and make void all wills by me formerly made and declare and appoint this my last will and testament.
Item: I give unto my son John Machen my plantation in Gloucester County whereon he now lives to him and his heirs.
Item: I give unto my son Joh Machen one negro boy named George, on the said land wheere he no lives.
Item: I give unto my son John Machen two cows and calves on the plantation whereon he now lives.
Item: I give unto my son John Machen half the hoggs on the said plantation.
Item: My will and desire is that all the use of my estate both ? and ? all things else to it belonging be equally divided between my loving wife and my children and heirs after named;
Viz My loving wife Mary Machen, my daughter Ann Fearn, my daughter Judith Machen, my son Thomas Machen, and my son Henry Machen to be equally divided between them. Item: My wish and desire is that all my negros is divided between my loving wife and my children and that my daughter Ann Fearn may have first choice.
Item: I constitute and appoint my well beloved friend Mr. Thomas Edwards, my son-in-law John Fearn and my son to be made executors of this my last will and testament. Lastly my will and desire is that my beloved friend Mr. Thomas Edwards may have the management of my son Thomas Machen and what belongs to him until he comes of age. Also my desire is that my son-in-law John Fearn has the management of my son Henry Machen and what belongs to him until he comes of age. Further my desire is that my son John Machen have the mangagement of my daughter Judith machen and her goods until she comes of age. For confirmation of this my last will and testament I do hereunto set my hand and affis my seal ??
Tho. Machen (seal)

In the presence of
Jacob Stif Paul Philpotts Jno Johnston
At a court held for Middlesex County the 1st day of December, 1730.
This will of Thomas Machen decd. was this day presented in court by Thomas Edwards and John Fearn two of the executors herein named ? ? ?
[Middlesex County Wills, Virginia on microfilm]

Source:

Records of Christ Parish Church, Middlesex County, Virginia, 1653 - 1812 (DAR)
Edwards, Laura C.. Three Centuries in America: Thomas Machen of Middlesex County, Virginia. 816 Perry Howard Rd., Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526, 1999 email- jledwards@mindspring.com.

See Early Scottish Convenanter Immigration | See Machen family Crest

The Machen Index || Elroy's Family Index || Return to Elroy's Ancestoral Chart #1

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