This file was prepared for the Marshall County Virtual Genealogy Society by Linda Fluharty. Descendants of Thomas Minor Generation No. 1 1. THOMAS1 MINOR was born April 23, 1608 in Chew Magna, Somerset County, England. He married GRACE PALMER April 23, 1634, daughter of WALTER PALMER and ELIZABETH SHORT. Notes for THOMAS MINOR: From: THOMAS MINOR DESCENDANTS, by John A. Miner Thomas Minor was born at Chew Magna, Somersett County, England on 23 April 1608, sailing from Gravesend, England on 25 April 1629, and arrived at Salem, MA in the middle of July 1629. Very shortly after his arrival in Salem (then called Pequot Harbor), there was a serious outbreak of Typhus and Thomas moved on to Watertown. His stay there was brief also; from Watertown, Thomas moved on to Charlestown where in 1632 he became a founder of the First Church, his name appearing 34th on the roll. Two years later he was granted four acres of land at the line of Newtown, now Cambridge, and by 1637 owned a 10 acre plot. On 4 March 1633/34, Thomas was made a freeman, and on 23 April 1634 he married Grace Palmer, daughter of Walter Palmer of Charlestown. Two years later, in 1636, the young couple moved once again, settling in Hingham, MA where they remained until 1645. Thomas' first child, John, was baptized in 1635 before they moved to Hingham. During their years in Hingham, their sons Clement, Thomas, Ephraim and Joseph were born. In 1645, Thomas joined John Winthrop Jr.'s colony of Massachusetts Puritans in the settlement of New London, CT. In 1649, Thomas was appointed "Military Sargeant in the towne of Pequett", with power to call forth and train the male inhabitants. In 1650, Thomas Minor and Jonathan Brewster were made the first deputies to the General Court (the Legislature) from Pequot, now New London, CT. During the years that Thomas lived in New London, his son Mannassah and his daughters Ann and Mary were born. Manassah was the first white child born in New London. In 1652, Thomas moved to Pawcatuck, now Stonington, CT, and became a founder of the town with three associates: William Chesebrough, Thomas Stanton, and his father-in-law, Walter Palmer. On the grounds of Wequetequock Cemetery there is a monument honoring these four men. In Stonington, Thomas built a house on land granted to him, which he later relinquished to Walter Palmer, there having been some confusion during which time the land was also granted to someone else who sold it to Mr. Palmer. Thomas then bought some land situated on Quiambaug Cove from Cary Latham about 1653. In his diary, Thomas tells of his building his house at Quiambaug. His first published month, November 1653, and the following month, December of the same year, indicate very clearly his life in Stonington. During the following months, one can follow the building of his home: "I had 9 peeces to hew", "I made an end of hewing of timber", "goodman redfield was making our backe for our Chimbloy and wensday the 22nd our backe of our Chimbly was ended goodman Redfild has 22 s and 6 d for doing the stone walle", "I had newly raised my roofe of my house". In Stonington, Thomas served as deputy to the Connecticut General Court in May and October, 1665; October, 1677; October, 1670; October, 1672; May, 1677; May and October, 1679; May, 1680: and October, 1689. He was appointed Chief Military Officer of the Mystic Trainband in July, 1685. During King Phillip's War, Thomas served as a Lieutenant and was referred to that title in February and in April of 1676. In August, 1676, he was called Captain, although in later years, he usually is mentioned as Lieutenant. By Colonial appointment in May of 1649, Thomas Minor served as Magistrate or Justice, in the town of New London, and in the town of Stonington in October, 1664, and in May of 1665. He also held various other positions of trust and honor. In his diary, one can read: "This 24th of Aprill, 1669, I thomas Minor am by my accounts sixtie one yeares ould I was by the towne & this yeare Chosen to be a select man in the Townes Treasurer The Townes Recorder The Brander of horses by the generale Courte Recorded in the head officer of the Traine band by the same Courte one of ffoure tht have the charge of the milischia of the whole Countie and Chossen and sworne Commissionor and one to assist in keeping the Countie Courte". In May, 1666, Thomas received a Colonial grant of 100 acres of land and in October, 1667, 50 acres more; such grants were made to those who had performed distinguished public service. His last two children, Samuel and Hannah, were born 4 March 1652 and 15 Sept 1655, respectively. Thomas died in Stonington, CT on 23 Oct 1690. He is buried in Wequetequock Cemetery, his grave covered by a "wolfstone", consisting of a large granite slab which it is said he selected for the purpose from his own field. On one side of the stone an inscription reads: "Here lyeth the body of Lieutenant Thomas Minor, aged 83 years. Departed 1690". His wife, Grace, died 31 December 1690 and is buried beside Thomas, the opposite side of the stone being inscribed for her. Of his ten children, Thomas had descendants, Thomas had desecendants from sons John, Clement, Ephraim, Joseph and Manassah and from his daughter Hannah. His other children, Thomas, Ann, Mary and Samuel all died young without issue. Notes for GRACE PALMER: FROM: WALTER PALMER OF STONINGTON, CT by Doris Palmer Buys, 1968 Very little is known about Grace Palmer, wife of Thomas Minor of Stonington, CT before her marriage to Thomas. We know they were married in Charlestown, MA on 23 April 1634 and from there she moved with Thomas to Hingham, MA, thence to New London, CT and then to Stonington, CT. By following the life of Thomas, which has been well-documented both in public records and in his diary, we can gain an insight into the kind of life Grace must have had in those early days. We do not know where or when Grace was born, although most historians seem to agree she was born in 1808, the oldest child of Walter Palmer and his first wife, Ann, whose maiden name is not known. The home of Walter Palmer and his first five children is not known but various historians and genealogists have given the place as London, Sussex, Dorsetshire and Nottinghamshire but without any documentation or explanation. A great amount of research has been done over the years, both in this country and in England, in an effort to determine Walter's place of birth, his parents, his siblings, etc., without a great deal of success. The preponderance of evidence, such as it is, seems to point to Yetminster Parish in Dorsetshire as the home of Walter, and most historians appear to agree with that surmise. No record of Walter's birth, his marriage, nor the births of his first five children has been found although a great amount of research has been done. The lack of records can be explained by the fact that Walter was a non-conformist in the Church of England and many of those in that position either saw to it that their personal records were not included in the Parish Records or the church records have been lost or destroyed. In any event, we know that Walter arrived in this country in June of 1629. None of his children are listed in any known passenger list, nor is the name of his wife. It is assumed that his wife died before he left England and that his first five children accompanied him. The LDS Church Library contains Family Record sheets listing our Walter's parents. They and other publications have attempted to place him with various Palmer families, but none have provided proof of their claims. Research done in recent years has shown that there is no validity to those claims. The first record we have of Grace Palmer is found in the "Record Book of the First Church in Charlestown" (MA)when she, her father and her step-mother were admitted to membership on 1 June 1633. Until her father married Rebecca Short in 1633, Grace, being the oldest child and daughter, probably was "mother" to her three younger brothers and one sister. The name "Grace" was not one used often in the days of her birth and it is thought by some that she may have been named for her Aunt Grace Palmer, wife of Abraham Palmer, who some believe was a brother to Walter, though no proof of that relationship has been found. Grace lived to the age of 82 years, dying on 31 December 1690, only two months after the death of her husband. She is buried in Wequetequock in Stonington beside her husband, Thomas, who died 23 October 1690. Children of THOMAS MINOR and GRACE PALMER are: 2. i. CLEMENT2 MINOR, b. 1636, Bingham, Massachusetts; d. 1700, Stonington, CT. ii. JOHN MINOR. Notes for JOHN MINOR: Baptized in Charlestown, MA August 30, 1635. Married Elizabeth Booth in Stratford, CT October 19, 1658. iii. THOMAS MINOR. Notes for THOMAS MINOR: Baptized in Hingham, MA May 10, 1640. Died in Narragansett, RI April 29, 1662. Unmarried. iv. EPHRAIM MINOR. Notes for EPHRAIM MINOR: Baptized in Hingham, MA May 1, 1642. Married Hannah Avery June 20, 1666. v. JOSEPH MINOR. Notes for JOSEPH MINOR: Born in Hingham, MA. Baptized August 25, 1644. Married twice. vi. MANASSAH MINOR, b. April 28, 1647. Notes for MANASSAH MINOR: Born in New London, CT. Married twice. vii. ANN MINOR, b. April 28, 1649. Notes for ANN MINOR: Born in New London, CT. Died August 13, 1652. viii. MARIE MINOR, b. May 05, 1651. Notes for MARIE MINOR: Born in New London, CT. Died January 24, 1660. ix. SAMUEL MINOR, b. March 04, 1652/53. Notes for SAMUEL MINOR: Married Mary Lord December 15, 1681. x. HANNAH MINOR, b. September 15, 1655. Notes for HANNAH MINOR: Born Stonington, CT. Married Thomas Avery Oct 22, 1677. Died abt 1692. Generation No. 2 2. CLEMENT2 MINOR (THOMAS1) was born 1636 in Bingham, Massachusetts, and died 1700 in Stonington, CT. He married FRANCES BURCHAM WILLEY November 26, 1662, daughter of EDWARD BURCHAM. Notes for CLEMENT MINOR: Provided by The Thomas Minor Society Lieutenant Clement (Thomas), second child and son of Thomas Minor and Grace Palmer, was baptized in Hingham, MA 4 Mar 1638 and went to Nameaug (New London), CT in 1658 with his father's family. When his father moved from New London to Quaimbog and Togwonk in Stonington, Clement remained behind and became a permanent resident (of New London). He received a grant of land near to that of Walter Palmer's whose land it abutted on the south. In Sept 1669, Clement applied for a house lot next to that of Grace Chappell. He was a very active man and held many public offices in the town. He was a Lieutenant in the Militia which was a considerable honor in his day. In the records of New London, Clement is mentioned as "Deacon" or "Ensign", but the record of his appointment has not been found. In October 1692, and in May 1696, Clement served as a Deputy for New London in the Connecticut General Court. On April 30, 1691, he joined the First Congregational Church at New London. It is thought that his election to the office of Deacon was soon after the death of Deacon Hough, 10 August 1683. Shortly after this date, the Pastor, Rev. Bradstreet, died and this probably explains why no record of Clement's election of the Deaconate was made. At a town meeting on 19 December 1683, Clement and several others formed a committee to seek advice in securing a minister for the town to replace Rev. Bradstreet. Ensign Clement was one of those appointed to assign seats in the meeting house. He saw service in King Philip's War. Deacon Clement, married first, Frances Burcham Willey 26 Novenber 1662. She was the daughter of Edward Burcham of Lynn, MA, and widow of Isaac Willey, Jr. who died August 1662. She died 6 December 1672 and Clement married Martha Wellman 20 February 1673. She was born in 1652 and died in New London 5 July 1681, the daughter of William Wellman and Elizabeth Spencer. They had a daughter, Phebe, baptized July 26, 1679; married John Stebbins. Clement married third Joanna____ who died 10 October 1700. Clement died 8 October 1700. In the ancient burial grounds near Stonington, CT, there is an oblong stone of yellowish granite, lying flat upon the surface and bearing the simple inscription, "CM 1700", marking the final resting place of Clement Minor. Notes for FRANCES BURCHAM WILLEY: Widow of Isaac Willey. Children of CLEMENT MINOR and FRANCES WILLEY are: 3. i. WILLIAM3 MINOR, b. November 06, 1670; d. April 18, 1725. ii. MARY MINOR, b. January 19, 1663/64. Notes for MARY MINOR: Died December 1706. Married Thomas Leach. iii. JOSEPH MINOR, b. August 06, 1666. Notes for JOSEPH MINOR: Married (1) Elizabeth Comstock, (2) Susanna Keeney, (3) Mary Bushnell. iv. CLEMENT MINOR, b. October 06, 1668. Notes for CLEMENT MINOR: Married Martha Mould. v. ANN MINOR, b. Abt. 1672. Notes for ANN MINOR: Baptized December 22, 1672. Generation No. 3 3. WILLIAM3 MINOR (CLEMENT2, THOMAS1) was born November 06, 1670, and died April 18, 1725. He married SARAH BECKWITH Abt. 1693, daughter of JOSEPH BECKWITH and SUSANNAH TALLMAN. Notes for WILLIAM MINOR: William, the third child and son of Clement Miner and Frances Burcham Willey and grandson of Thomas Minor and Grace Palmer. William served in some of the early colonial wars and got the title of lieutenant. The Sons of Colonial Wars placed a Louisburg cross on his gravestone in the old Stone Cemetery in East Lyme on the 24th of June, 1924. He was a representative to the General Assembly of Connecticut in 1717. Children of WILLIAM MINOR and SARAH BECKWITH are: 4. I. Stephen MINOR, b. April 09, 1706, Lyme, CT; d. May 08, 1750, Winchester, VA. ii. WILLIAM MINOR, b. April 27, 1694. iii. CLEMENT MINOR, b. February 12, 1695/96. iv. JOSEPH MINOR, b. December 12, 1698. v. SUSANNA MINOR, b. September 14, 1699. vi. CHRISTOPHER MINOR, b. April 17, 1701. vii. THOMAS MINOR, b. January 05, 1702/03. viii.SARAH MINOR, b. July 26, 1704. ix. SAMUEL MINOR, b. July 26, 1708. x. ANNE MINOR, b. May 06, 1710. xi. JOHN MINOR, b. April 15, 1712. xii. SYLVESTER MINOR, b. June 03, 1714. xiii.ELIHU MINOR, b. October 16, 1716. Notes for ELIHU MINOR: Died March 3, 1719. xiv. ELIHU MINOR, b. Abt. 1722. Generation No. 4 4. STEPHEN4 MINOR (WILLIAM3, CLEMENT2, THOMAS1) was born April 09, 1706 in Lyme, CT, and died May 08, 1750 in Winchester, VA. He married ATHELIAH UPDIKE Abt. 1733 in New Jersey, daughter of LAWRENCE UPDIKE and AGNES. Notes for STEPHEN MINOR: Stephen probably went to New Jersey with his brother, Samuel, when they were young men. In a property deed he made giving his Lyme land to his unmarried brother John in 1748, he noted that he was living in Hunterdon County, NJ. Here he met and married Athaliah Updike. He later moved to Winchester, WV, where he was involved in many civic activities before he died May 8, 1750. Stephen and Athaliah had six children. Children of STEPHEN MINOR and ATHELIAH UPDIKE are: 5. i. WILLIAM5 MINOR, b. 1735, Greensboro, Greene Co, PA; d. October 1804. ii. STEPHEN JR. MINOR. iii. LAWRENCE MINOR, b. 1737. iv. SAMUEL MINOR, b. November 20, 1739. v. SARAH MINOR, b. Abt. 1743. vi. JOHN MINOR, b. January 05, 1746/47. Generation No. 5 5. WILLIAM5 MINOR (STEPHEN4, WILLIAM3, CLEMENT2, THOMAS1) was born 1735 in Greensboro, Greene Co, PA, and died October 1804. He married FRANCES ELLEN PHILLIPS 1760, daughter of COL. PHILLIPS and ANN TINDALL. Notes for WILLIAM MINOR: William was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, serving in the Battle of Eutaw Springs, 9 Sept 1781.(From The Thomas Minor Society. Some books say Captain.) DAR Patriot Index says "Cdr". With his wife Frances Ellen, William had nine children. After his wife died, William married Hannah Burghley. William became one of Gist's settlers on the east side of the Monongahela River in 1763 and moved to the west side in 1766, locating with his brother, Col. John Minor, at the mouth of the Big Whiteley. In 1767, he tomahawked a tract of land in the Monongahela Township, where he lived for many years. He was a wood ranger captain of his company of Virginia militia. In 1773, he was polled for Virginia and paid the full twenty shillings' tax to that colony for 1772. Buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Greene County, PA. Notes for FRANCES ELLEN PHILLIPS: From information provided by The Thomas Minor Society: "Some sources say "Frances" and "Ellen" were two separate persons and sisters. TENMILE COUNTRY shows she was "Ellen" and son Noah states his mother was Ellen, so we will use that name." Children of WILLIAM MINOR and FRANCES PHILLIPS are: 6 i. SAMUEL6 MINOR, b. June 26, 1777; d. May 10, 1859, Monongalia Co., VA. ii. STEPHEN MINOR, b. February 29, 1760. Notes for STEPHEN MINOR: Stephen, the oldest son of William and Frances "Ellen", is one sibling of Samuel's that is noteworthy because of his connection to Louisiana. Notes from NATCHEZ ON THE MISSISSIPPI by Harriet T. Kane In the very early days of the Revolutionary War, he was undecided about what he wanted to do In St. Louis, he met a Colonel in the service of Spain, a country aligned with the colonials against England. Through this relationship, Stephen was invited to accompany a party in taking American supplies up the Ohio and Monongahela. While passing through Natchez, Stephen became ill. He sent the party ahead, planning to catch up later. But the next morning he was informed that his party had been ambushed by bandits and every man killed. Through his friendship with the Colonel, Stephen had also met Governor Galvez, so he went to New Orleans to see him. He became an officer of American heritage in the higher Spanish service, that marched on Mobile. When the war ended, Stephen became the last Governor of Mississippi under Spanish rule. (Louisiana wasn't yet a state and was owned by Spain, all part of the "Louisiana Terrritory".) Notes from LOUISIANA'S PLANTATION HOMES, THE GRACE AND GRANDEUR by Joseph Arrigo, Voyageur Press, 1991 Southdown, a large sugar cane plantation, was built on property once owned by Jim Bowie, renowned for the knife named for him and for his exploits at the Alamo. It was named for the famous breed of English sheep imported by the Minors to eat the weeds around the sugar cane. In 1828, Stephen Minor, once governor of the Louisiana territory when Natchez was the capitol, purchased the plantation. In 1858, his son, William II, built the house with brick and cypress from the plantation grounds. In 1893, Henry Minor, son of William, renovated the home. Descendants of the Minor family lived there until 1923. It is now a museum and tourist attraction. Notes from OLD FAMILIES OF LOUISIANA by Stanley Clisby Arthur Stephen Minor's daughter married William Kenner, a mercantile businessman, who became successful in the sugar business. Minor Kenner, son of William and Mary Kenner, "cultivated" Belle Grove Plantation in Jefferson Parish. He becane the founder of the town of Kenner, Louisiana. Several of his siblings owned plantations. iii. WILLIAM JR. MINOR, b. January 27, 1766. iv. JOHN MINOR, b. February 28, 1768. v. THEOPHILUS MINOR, b. May 26, 1770. vi. PHILIP MINOR, b. June 26, 1772. vii. FRANCES MINOR, b. February 26, 1774. viii.JOSEPH MINOR, b. December 10, 1775. ix. NOAH MINOR, b. November 12, 1779. Generation No. 6 6. SAMUEL6 MINOR (WILLIAM5, STEPHEN4, WILLIAM3, CLEMENT2, THOMAS1) was born June 26, 1777, and died May 10, 1859 in Monongalia Co., VA. He married SUSANNAH CLEGG 1794, daughter of LT. CLEGG and MARGARET FARMER. Notes for SAMUEL MINOR: Samuel moved from his Pennsylvania birthplace to Monongalia County, VA/WV, where he lived in a brick house near Dunkard Creek, west of Pentress. He constructed and maintained the Regular Baptist Chursh of Minorsville, which was organized in 1849. The church building was located on Samuel's farm, about twomiles along Dunkard Creek, east of Blacksville. Samuel was a prominent man in Monongalia County, VA/WV all his life. Dr. Earl L. Core, WVU professor, in his Monongalia histories, leaves us with the image of Samuel as a colorful, successful and productive citizen. When he was only twenty-six, he became one of the county's Justices and was made sheriff of the County on 28 March 1842, then was chosen to succeed himself the following year. In addition, he was appointed one of the first set of nine commissioners for Monongalia County Schools. Samuel is buried in the small Minor Cemetery west of the place where his mill stood. At the end of the bridge over Dunkard Creek between Pentress and Blacksville, there is the Samuel Minor Memorial Bridge and a marker to his memory. Samuel and Susannah Clegg Minor had eleven children. Nine more were born after his marriage to Permilia Lancaster. (Elizabeth b. 1814; Matilda b. 1815; Permelia b. 1817; John b. 1819; Joseph b. 1822; Lancaster b. Nov 17, 1824; Sarah b. 1826; Priscilla b. 1827; Caroline b. 1829; Minerva b. 1834.) Notes for SUSANNAH CLEGG: Source: Chronicles of Border Warfare by Alexander Scott Withers, pg. 398-99 June, 1791. Early in the morning, as Mr. Clegg & Mr. Handsucker & 2 of Handsucker's sons were engaged at work in a cornfield near the house (settlement on Dunkard's Creek), they were shot at by some concealed savages & Handsucker was wounded & soon overtaken. Clegg & Handsucker's sons ran towards the house & the former entering it, defended it for awhile; but confident that he would soon be driven out by fire, he surrendered on condition that they would spare his life & that of his little daughter with him. The boys passed the house, but were taken by some of the savages who were also concealed in the direction which they ran & who had just made captive Mrs. Handsucker & her infant. They then plundered & set fire to the house, caught the horses & made off with the prisoners, leaving one of their company, as usual, to watch after their retreat. When the firing was first heard, Mrs. CLEGG being some distance from the house, concealed herself in the creek under some projecting bushes, until everything became quiet. She then crept out, but perceiving the Indian who had remained near the burning house, she took to flight; and he having at the same time discovered her, raised his gun & fired as she ran. The ball just grazed the top off her shoulder, but not impeding her flight, she got safely off. Mr. Handsucker, his wife & child were murdered on the dividing ridge between Dunkard & Fish Creeks. Mr. CLEGG after some time got back & upon the close of the Indian war, ransomed his two daughters. From The Tenmile Country and Its Pioneer Families, page632. Susannah Clegg, daughter of Lt. Alexander amd Margaret Farmer Clegg, was one of the Clegg girls taken prisoner by the Indians and kept by them for several years. She was the mother of twelve children, and after her death, Samuel Minor married Permilia Lancaster and had ten more children. Children of SAMUEL MINOR and SUSANNAH CLEGG are: 7. i. MARGARET7 MINOR, b. December 13, 1802; d. November 10, 1886. ii. ALEXANDER MINOR, b. 1795. iii. WILLIAM MINOR, b. April 19, 1797. iv. NOAH MINOR, b. 1798. v. FRANCES MINOR, b. 1800. vi. THEOPHILUS MINOR, b. 1802. vii. CASSANDRA MINOR, b. 1804. viii.SAMUEL MINOR , JR, b. 1806. ix. REBECCA MINOR, b. 1808. x. MASSIE MINOR, b. 1810. xi. JACOB MINOR, b. 1812. Generation No. 7 7. MARGARET7 MINOR (SAMUEL6, WILLIAM5, STEPHEN4, WILLIAM3, CLEMENT2, THOMAS1) was born December 13, 1802, and died November 10, 1886. She married ALEXANDER LANTZ November 04, 1817 in Monongalia Co., VA, son of JOHN LANTZ and BARBARA WAGGONER. Notes for ALEXANDER LANTZ: From Wetzel County History 1983, pg150: Buried in Lantz Cemetery, Jacksonburg, Wetzel County. Alexander and Margaret came from Monongalia County via Blacksville and Greene County, PA to Wetzel County, WV. He obtained 1500 acres of land from a Mr. Wyatt, who later moved into Ohio because of his wife's health. The deeds of this property are signed by the governor of Virginia. This clearly places the ownership of the farm to before the Civil War times. Alexander served in the War of 1812. Marriage Notes for MARGARET MINOR and ALEXANDER LANTZ: The Thomas Minor Society gives the marriage date as 31 Oct 1817. Children of MARGARET MINOR and ALEXANDER LANTZ are: i. JACOB8 LANTZ. ii. JOHN LANTZ. iii. LEWIS LANTZ. iv. MARGARET LANTZ. v. AMASSA LANTZ. 8. vi. MARY LANTZ, b. Abt. 1818, Greene Co., PA; d. November 20, 1863, Reader, Wetzel Co., WV. vii. SUSAN LANTZ, b. Abt. 1820. viii.SAMUEL LANTZ, b. 1824; d. 1920. ix. DELILAH LANTZ, b. Abt. 1828; d. 1867. x. LOT LANTZ, b. 1842; d. 1881. Sources: Genealogy provided by The Thomas Minor Society. Lantz Genealogy information from Bill Cunningham, Wetzel County, WV.