Person:Thomas Miner (2)

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Thomas Minor (23 April 1608 – 23 October 1690) was a founder of New London and Stonington, Connecticut, United States, and an early colonial New England diarist.

Thomas Minor who was born in Chew Magna, Sommerset Co., England on 23 Apr 1608. He came in John Winthrop's fleet which landed at Capt Ann, now Salem, Essex Co., MA on 12 Jun 1630.Thomas Minor received lot 18 in the first division of land at Mystic side, now Charlestown, MA. on the sixth of the first month 1637. His future father-in-law Walter Palmer, receiving lot 15. From Charlestown Thomas Minor migrated, first to Hingham, where four of his children were born and thence to Stonington, New London Co., CT. where he bought a large tract of land lying on the border of Wequetequock Cove, in 1652. He thereon built his house. In 1645 he went to New London, CT, where he had a grant of one home lot and built a house, but sold the whole to settle at his final abode in Stonington, where he met with some difficulty. By the fact that a grant of three hundred acres of land from the town of New London to Governor Haynes and sold later to his father-in-law being found to cover Thomas Minor's lot. He, however, signed the coveyance, qualitfing it by the reservation that he should inhabit the place until he should have time to erect another dwelling at Mistupet, he held a very prominent place in all the stirring events which ensued in the settlement of this plantation where he died 23 Oct 1690. Grace also died in Oct 1690, and is said to have been born in the same year as her husband. A long stone of rough granite lies in the Ancient Burial Ground at Wequetequock, hwich bears the inscription "Here Lyeth the Body of Lieut. Thomas Miner, aged eighty three years, departed 1690". Thomas Minor and family located themselves at Quimbog and at Tongwonk.

Thomas MINOR, son of Clement MINER, on 23 Apr 1634 in Charlestown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Thomas was born 23 Apr 1608 in Chew Magna, Somerset, England. He died 23 Oct 1690 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut and was buried in Wequetequock Burying Ground, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut. HISTORY OF STONINGTON CT, by Wheeler, page 507, 466, 467.

ONE BRANCH OF THE MINER FAMILY, by Lillian Lounsberry (Miner)Selleck, page 4. A PLANTING OF NEW ENGLAND, by John A. Miner, p. 21.Thomas Minor died at Stonington, CT, on 23 Oct 1690. He is buried in the Wequetequock Cemetery. Lying on his grave there is a long granit rock with an inscription reading;"Here lyeth the body of Lieutenant Thomas Minor aged 83 years. Departed 1690."Nearby stands a monument commemorating his services to Stonington and that of his associates Chesebrough, Stanton and Palmer. Grace, wife of Thomas, died 31 December 1690.

He came to Charlestown, Mass. in 1629 and in 1636 removed to Hingham, Mass. Here he remained until 1645, when he joined the second Gov. John Winthrop's colony of Massachusetts Puritans in the settlement of New London, Conn. Here he at once became prominent and in May 1649 was appointed Sergeant of the New London Train Band by the Conn. General Court. In 1652 he removed to Pawcatuck, now Stonington, where he remained the rest of his life. He build a house at Wicketaquoc Cove, took part in the organization of the town, and twice acted as a commissioner to treat with the neighboring Indians....during King Philip's War, in which he served as Lieutenant...He was called Captain in August, 1676....He served as Magistrate or Justice in the town of New London by colonial appointment, May 1649, and in Stonington, October 1664 and May 1665. He was Commissioner for Stonington from 1669 to 1682 inclusive. On several occasions he was employed by the General Court to serve on committees to survey land grants, and in Oct. 1676 served on a committee which was appointed by the Colony to deal with the Indians." "One Branch of the Miner Family", by Lillian Lounsberry (Miner) Selleck, New Haven, Conn., Donald LInes Jacobus, 1928.

In 1984, John A. Miner and Robert F. Miner^[6] demonstrated that most of the long-accepted ancestry of Thomas Minor was based on a seventeenth century fabrication and that his family of origin was not armigerous.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Thomas Miner, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8} Thomas Minor, in Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995)
   2:1262-67.

   ORIGIN: Chew Magna, Somersetshire.
   CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Admitted to Charlestown church as a founding member, 2 November 1632 [ChChR 7]. One of the founders of the church at Stonington, June 1674 [Minor Diary 207].
   FREEMAN: 4 March 1633/4 {MBCR 1:368]. Connecticut freeman at Stonington, 5 October 1669 [CCCR 1:265].
   BIRTH: Baptized Chew Magna, Somersetshire, 23 April 1608, son of Clement Minor [NEHGR 138:182-85]. "23 [April 1684] the first day of my .76. of my age" [Minor Diary 183].
   DEATH: New London 23 October 1690, aged 83 [New London Hist 326, citing gravestone].

3. ↑ Connecticut, United States. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records
   Stonington Vital Records:260 (edited version).

   'MINOR, MINER ...
   Thomas, Lieut., d. Oct. 23, 1690'

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Thomas Minor, in Find A Grave.
5. ↑ Lieut Thomas Minor, in Find A Grave
   [A Second Monument at Mystic].
6. ↑ ^6.0 6.1 Miner, John A., and Robert F. Miner. The Curious Pedigree of Lt. Thomas Minor. New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Jul 1984)
   138:182-84.

   Thomas Minor/Miner is a colonial ancestor of many people. However, his ancestry is incorrectly listed in many records.
   
   Between 1683 and 1684, Thomas wrote back to England from his Stonington, Connecticut home in search of answers to how his family name was historically spelled (Miner versus Minor) and who his ancestors were. In an early example of fraudulent family history, the response he received, "An Herauldical Essay Upon the Surname of Miner," now in possession of the Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, Connecticut, included a detailed pedigree and family coat of arms. The Essay, which has been accepted by Minor/Miner family researchers for 300 years, was proven to be mostly false in a 1984 study published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Ref: Miner, John A. and Miner, Robert F. "The Curious Pedigree of Lt. Thomas Minor." [1] New England Historical and Genealogical Register. New England Historic Genealogical Society. July 1984, pg 182-185.

7. ↑ ^{7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10} Miner, John A. (John Augustus). Thomas Minor Descendants, 1608-1981. (Trevett, Maine: J.A. Miner, Jan 2001 (Second Edition))
   pages 15-17.

   THOMAS MINOR was born at Chew Magna, Somerset County, England, on 23 April 1608. He embarked for the Colonies aboard the Lyon's Whelp, sailing from Gravesend, England on 25 April 1629, and arrived at Salem, Massachusetts 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 Newton (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, Massachusetts, 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, Conn. 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 first deputies to the General Court (the Legislature) from Pequot (now New London).
   
   During the years that Thomas lived in New London, his son Manassah and his daughters Ann and Mary were born. Manassah was the first white male child born in New London.
   
   In 1652 Thomas moved to Pawcatuck, now Stonington, Conn., became a cofounder 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 same 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 of 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 redfild 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, 1667; 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 Philip'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 a Magistrate of 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 on yeares ould I was by the towne & this yeare Chosen to be a select man the Townes Tresurer The Townes Recorder The Brander of horses by the generale Courte Recorded the head officer of the Traine band by the same Courte one of the ffoure that have the charge of the milishcia of the whole Countie and Chossen and sworne Commissinor 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, Conn. 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.

8. ↑ ^8.0 8.1 Blake, D.D., S. Leroy (Silas Leroy), Pastor of the Church, from March 30, 1897. The Early History of the First Church of Christ, New London, Conn. (New London, New London, Connecticut, United States: Press of The Day Publishing Company, 1897).
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Minor, Thomas, and Manasseh Minor. The Minor Diaries: Thomas, 1653 to 1684; Manasseh, 1696 to 1720. (Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Thomas Minor Society, 1976).
10.   Miner, John A. (John Augustus). An Ancestral Narrative : Descendants of William Myner, b. c.1450. (Trevett, Maine: John A. Miner, 2000).

    Of additional interest to descendants of Thomas, further research does provide at least a bit more framing of the [family's history]. Though we do not know the occupation of Thomas's great-grandfather, William, we do know (as reported earlier) that in 1523 he paid a tax of 4 pence on good which had been assessed at 2 pounds 4 shillings.
    
    As also reported earlier, records show grandfather Thomas's occupation to have been a tailor. His will dated 1573, proved 1574, indicated his desire to be buried in the churchyard of Chew. To the church at Chew he granted 4 pence; to sons Clement and John and Richard Kente, a lamb each; to daughter Edith a lamb and a yearling heifer; residue to wife Joan, executrix; to William Winchcombe and Thomas Horte as witnesses he granted each 20 pence. The inventory of his estate totaled 16 pounds 5 shillings.
    
    We know nothing further of Thomas's father, Clement, other than that he was buried 31 March 1640. (A letter from Mr. Robin Bush dated 22 May 1996, indicated he had located a marriage entry for Clement at Portishead, Somerset, dated 5 Feb. 1582/3, a welcome addition to the record.)
    
    Church register notes regarding Thomas's sister, Mary, are of interest: "Mary Mynor of Chew Magna, spinster, will dated 4 Dec. 1640, proved 23 Feb. 1640/1. Richard, Mary and John, children of Edith and husband Thomas Bucke; William and Israel, sons of Clement Mynor; John, Eleanor and Mary, children of sister Elizabeth and her husband John Tonkins; Elizabeth (Mynor) Tonkins, and John Tonkins the elder, executor.
    
    Note - about one day before her death the deceased caused a child of eight years old or thereabouts to burn her will as the said child doth say and as appears as a memorandum on the will substituted and proved of which the above are the particulars. Inventory, 25 lbs. 2 shillings 10 pence" - quite a sum for the day!
    
    (Unfortunately, detailed records of most families in these early years, likely due to their station in life, are typically unrecorded.)

11. ↑ Donald Lines Jacobus, Robert Charles Anderson and Thomas Bellows Wyman use the "Minor" spelling vice "Miner"; the author of The History of Stonington uses "Miner".
12.   Descendants of Thomas Minor/Miner/Mynor are eligible to join The Thomas Minor Society [2]
13. ↑ Leaving Gravesend, England 25 Apr 1629 on the Lyon's Whelp and arriving Salem, MA Jul 1629, then known as Pequot Harbor.