Thomas was born about 1727, before he moved to Amelia County, Virginia, around 1737. He married Lucy Ellis and they moved to Rowan County, North Carolina, where Thomas died in 1781. His will names nine children: Mary, Robert, Thomas, John, Rebecca, Lucy, Edy, Elizabeth and Ann.
Thomas's birth year can be estimated from two records. He first appears on the tithe lists in 1744 when he was 16 years of age, or born about 1728.[1] He released his guardian in 1748 when he was at least 21 years of age or born about 1727.[2] A rough estimate would be 1727.
Thomas married Lucy Ellis, probably in Amelia County and sometime before 1753 when she gave her dower release to the land Thomas sold to Abraham Forrest Jr. that year.[3] Thomas purchased this tract in 1748 from George Marchbanks. [4] No marriage bond was recorded for Thomas Foster and Lucy Ellis. The identity of Lucy comes from the will of her sister, Mary Mattock (Ellis) Giles, written 15 Jan 1800 and proved August court, 1805, in Rowan County, North Carolina. The will names her brothers John, Bradford and William Ellis, her sister Lucy Foster and nephew Robert Foster.[5] Mary married William Giles in Amelia County in 1746; the marriage bond was dated 28 June and John Ellis gave surety.[6]
Thomas moved to Amelia County around 1737 when he was about 10 years old. Where he was born is unknown. Thomas and his younger brother, James Foster, were orphans of Robert Foster and moved to Amelia County with their guardian, William Foster on Beaver Pond Branch. Thomas and James required a guardian because they had inherited slaves, Peter and Nan, from their father. William, as their guardian, paid the tax on Peter and Nan until Thomas came of age.[7] In 1748, "Thomas Forster, son of Robert Forster, now being of full age, acknowledged receipt of full satisfaction from William Foster, his late guardian, for all estate of his father".[8] That year Thomas was taxed in his own right and paid the tax on Peter, the slave he had inherited from his father.[9] The next year, James chose his brother, Thomas, as his guardian in place of William and in 1750, Thomas paid the tax on James, Peter and Nan.[10] Thus, by correlating order book entries with tax list records, Thomas and James are shown to be brothers and the sons of Robert Foster, deceased. Their relationship to William Foster other than guardian is not stated but because of his age, William is likely their uncle.
Thomas left Amelia County about 1753 when he sold his land on Sandy River. He moved to Rowan County, North Carolina sometime before 19 Oct 1757 when he purchased land from John Harry on the upper side of Licking Creek.[11] Two people, James Foster and William Giles, tie Thomas of Amelia County to Thomas of Rowan County, North Carolina.
James Foster, younger brother of Thomas, was born about 1733. When Thomas came of age in 1749, James chose him as his guardian, in place of William Foster.[12] When Thomas left Amelia County about 1753, James was still a minor and left Amelia County with Thomas. In Rowan County, North Carolina, James patented land on the Yadkin River adjacent the land Thomas bought from John Harry.[13] When Thomas died in 1781, James witnessed the will.[14]
William Giles also connects Thomas of Amelia County to Thomas of Rowan County. In Amelia County in 1749, Thomas requested the court to value the improvements he had made to his land. William Giles was one of the men appointed to value those improvements.[15] In Rowan County, North Carolina, William witnessed the will of Thomas. Both men had married sisters, Mary and Lucy Ellis, and moved to Rowan County along with the Ellis brothers.[16]
Thomas died testate in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1781. His will was dated 6 Feb and proved 8 May. The will names his wife Lucy and sons Robert, Thomas and John and daughters Ann, Mary, Edy, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Lucy.[17]
Beginning in 1744, two men named Thomas Foster were taxed in Amelia County. Age, wife's name and tax records can be used to identify them.
The first Thomas Foster to reside in Amelia County moved to the county about 1736 and patented land on Stocks Creek.[18] Being at least 21 years of age in 1736, this Thomas was born before 1715. He appears consistently on the tax lists of Amelia County for the rest of his life and died there in 1786, naming his wife, Jane, in his will.[19]
The second Thomas Foster to reside in Amelia County came to the county about the same time, but was under the age of 16 and too young to be taxed. This Thomas first appears on the tax lists in 1744 when he was 16 years of age.[20] Thomas released his guardian in 1748 when he was 21 years old.[21] From these records, his birth year can be estimated to be about 1727, more than a decade later than the first Thomas. In 1748 Thomas bought land on Sandy River and he and his wife, Lucy, sold it in 1753.[22] Thomas and his brother James aren't listed on the tax rolls after 1751. Thomas and James moved to Rowan County, North Carolina, and lived there the rest of their lives.[23]
Mary Foster was born about 1754. She married David Craige in 1776 in Rowan County, North Carolina. David died in 1786. Mary died sometime after the 1820 census. They had five children: James, David, Mary, Lucy, and Thomas.
Robert Foster was born sometime between 1755 and 1760. He married Sarah Bailey, daughter of Samuel Bailey. Robert died in 1829 in Rowan County, North Carolina. He and Sarah had six known children: Mary, Samuel, Elizabeth, Robert, Kerr B. and Anderson E.
Thomas Foster was born about 1770. He married Elizabeth Bailey in 1804. Thomas died intestate about 1811 and left four children: Lucy, an unidentified daughter, Jehu and an unidentified son.
John Foster was born about 1772. He married Joannah Bailey, daughter of Samuel Bailey, in 1797. John died intestate in Rowan County in 1819 with five children: Radford, Samuel, Thomas E., Sarahann, Polly and Berry.
Ann Foster was named in her father's will.
Edy (Edith) Foster married Bazabel Owings in 1789.[24]
Elizabeth Foster married William Garwood in 1794; the marriage bond was dated 14 Jan.[25]
Rebecca Foster was born 8 Jan 1769. She married William McMahan 23 Sept 1790. [26] William died testate in Clermont County, Ohio. His will was dated 31 Mar 1814 and names his wife, Rebecca, and children Thomas, James, Sarah, Lucy, Rebecca and Samuel.[27] In 1855 Rebecca applied for a widow's pension based on her husband's service.
Lucy Foster married William Bailey in 1792; the marriage bond was dated 11 June. [28]