THOMAS HUGHES may have been born in 1742 in Windsor Twp., Berks Co., PA. He died 16 Sep 1807 in Northumberland Co., PA , Catawissa area.
As a member of the group of pioneers who settled the Catawissa area, it is known that Thomas was a Welsh Quaker. He was one of the orginal settlers in this area. There were a number of men named Hughes who came from the Maiden Creek area of Berks Co. , between Lancaster and Reading at this time. Thomas immigrated to the area of Danville, PA. (Catawissa) where he was a pioneer in the building of that city. He and several of his brothers, who may have been George, John and James, were involved in the early settlement of land along the Susquehanna River near Northumberland. Several references have been located which refer to an era known as "The Big Runaway" in the time before the Revolutionary War.
Prior to the Revolutionary War the Indians in the Pine Creek Area caused the pioneers to flee their homesteads. More research needs to be done to find the connection here. It is thought that Thomas fought in the Revolutionary War, but the references given by previous researchers seem to indicate another Thomas Hughes who may have also lived in Pennsylvania as the location of these references are not in Berks Co.
I have not been able to determine the parents of Thomas Hughes.
Thomas Hughes, the father of Jeptha Hughes, pioneer ancestor in Tioga Co. PA, died on Sept. 16, 1807 (Reference Note 43, WB 2 , p. 55, Northumberland Co. PA, Sunbury PA). He was born prior to 1755 (census 1800). He married Mary Stevens.
Thomas Hughes was the father of nine children: (Thomas Hughes. 1809 Orphans Court of Northumberland CO PA, Sunbury PA , p. 38 and others. Petition to settle the estate of Thomas Hughes. Researched and recorded by Cynthia Hughes Smith in July, 1993.) "Thomas Hughes died leaving a widow named Mary who is yet alive and nine children to wit: Rebecca, intermarried with Jesse Doughtery; Sarah, intermarried with Benjamin Prall; Evan Hughes, your petitioner; Mary Hughes; Rachel Hughes; Isaac Hughes; Jeptha Hughes; Jesse Hughes; and Jonathan Hughes according to the order of their birth and seniority..."
This reference is from a petition by Evan Hughes to settle the estate of his fatherfor the sale of a tract of land containing about two hundred and thirty two acres. The estate was settled and each child received a share of land or money.
The earliest record for Thomas Hughes that I have located shows him living in the area of Maiden Creek, near Reading, PA. Deed, Aug. 17, 1773 (Vol. A 416 Bloomsburg, PA) - 300 acres - tract on the west side of the Northeast Branch of the Susquehanna (Northumberland, Co.) " Thomas Hughes, Maiden Creek twp. in Berks Co., carpenter." So from this source we can determine that he was a carpenter and that he was living in Maiden Creek Twp., Berks Co. PA. Also reference to same land is given in Vol. K 399 1 Mar 1775 (Northumberland CO PA, Sunbury PA)- " Thomas Hughes of Augusta Twp., Northumberland Co. Carpenter (original Purchase 1769) 1 and 1/2 miles from the mouth of Catawesy Creek on the Nescopeck Path."
Census Records 1790 - Thomas Hughes - Northumberland Co.; 1 male over 16 ; 3 males under 16; 4 females. Census Records 1800- Thomas Hughes - Northumberland Co.; 4 males under 10, 1 male between the ages of 10 and 16, 1 male between the ages of 16 and 26, 1 male over 45. (therefore, Thomas born before prior to 1755) Census Records 1810 - no reference to Thomas Hughes (he died 1807)
Thomas Hughes married Mary Stevens, Circa 1777 in Northumberland Co., PA. Born Circa 1755. Died After 1812.
The parents of this frontier women are unknown. She lived on the edge of civilization in the wilderness of Pennsylvania. Her husband, Thomas came to the area where the East and West Branches of the Susquehanna River join to homestead as early as 1773. It is likely that she came with him from the Maiden Creek area. No birth or death dates are known for her, but it is known that Mary Stevens Hughes survived her husband (See reference #44) . So her death date has to be after 1812, since the court records indicate that she was alive when the petition was filed to settle the estate of her husband Thomas Hughes.
In addition there is a record, Vol. Q 798 21 April 1812, 7 Aug. 1812, abstract: Release Hughs, Mary to James Laughead, lot of land to son Isaac Hughes, Mary Hughes relect and widow of Thomas by Orphans court of Northunberland Co. PA. Phoebe Hughes Button, (Hughes family historian) in 1958 names the children of Thomas and Mary Stevens Hughes as: Sally Hughes (Sarah), Eben Hughes (Evan), Becky Hughes (Rebecca), Rachel Hughes, Polly Hughes (Mary), Isaac Hughes and Jeptha Hughes. Sons Jesse and Jonathan are not accounted for in Phoebe's records. Names in parentheses are as given in the Northumberland Co. Orphans Court reference. The petition names the children in the order of their births which is: Rebecca, Sarah, Evan, Mary, Rachel, Isaac, Jeptha (born in 1791), Jesse, and Jonathan. Rebecca and Sarah were married by 1809, The petition says the last four of the children were still minors.,
They had the following children: 2 i. Sarah (Sally) Hughes 3 ii. Evan Hughes 4 iii. Rebecca Hughes 5 iv. Rachel Hughes 6 v. Mary (Polly) Hughes 7 vi. Isaac Hughes 8 vii. Jeptha Hughes 9 viii. Jesse Hughes 10 ix. Jonathon Hughes
Links to other sites about the Hughes family. To see a list of 5 Generations of descendants of Thomas Hughes.
For more information on Jeptha Hughes the son of Thomas Hughes.
Jeptha's son was Frederick Hughes of Tioga Co., PA.
More about me and the research that I have done Cynthia's Family Lines
Additional information and documentation is available. If you discover that you are a "cousin", please email me.
The Hughes family reunion was held every year in the Tioga area and finally at Hammond Dam in Tioga for over 75 years. Email for more details.Email address--- [email protected]
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