John Blankenbaker's Germanna History Notes
Note 1153
In the last note we looked at a deed, and at a family which was hidden beneath the surface (the Thomas family). I continue with a discussion of their involvement.
The oldest son of Jacob Holtzclaw, the 1714 immigrant, was John. John married Catherine (nee) Russell, who was the widow of an unknown Thomas. They had at least one son, a Jacob (I believe it was), before her Thomas husband died. I think it is probable that this Jacob Thomas was related to the Robinson River Thomases. Things that impress me include the following.
The two youngest sons of Jacob Holtzclaw, Jacob and Joseph, went to the Robinson River Valley where they married two Thomas girls. First, we note that the father, Jacob, lived at Germantown, though he owned land in several locations. The two sons had to go a considerable distance to meet, woo, and marry the Thomas daughters. I am strongly suspicious that the sons were aware of the Robinson River Thomas family
before
they even thought about marriage. I believe it may have come about because Jacob Thomas, Catherine's son, was living with his mother and her second husband, John Holtzclaw. Probably this Jacob Thomas was visited by some of the Thomas family from the Robinson River Valley, and this is how the Holtzclaw and Thomas of Robinson River families became acquainted.
I have been very impressed by this turn of events. No one else seems to share my interest in this situation but I think it merits noting. I wish there were more evidence available. Incidentally, the maiden name of John Thomas' first wife, and the mother of his children, is unknown. This is another possibility that might help explain this turn of events.
The last note mentioned that John Thomas, Jr., may have had five heirs to correspond to the five parcels of land. There is good evidence, though not conclusive, that the fifth heir, besides the known four daughters, is a son, Michael, who went to North Carolina. There is some good circumstantial evidence which supports this idea.
The land which was mentioned in the deed is located north of Criglersville. John Thomas had 800 acres in two 400 acre parcels in this area, and one parcel was adjacent to John Zimmerman. One of these 400 acre plots was obtained by Thomas before he was 21 years of age. At this time he was already the owner, with his younger brother, of another tract. So don't believe it when someone tells you that you had to be 21 to hold land in your own name.
I would like to hear comments, pro or con, on this subject, i.e., the Holtzclaw and Thomas relationship. Something has not been explained here.
(27 Apr 01)