Thomas was born about 1725 in Halifax, Lunenberg Co., Virginia, the son of John Thomas M'Estaine and Mary Averett.
He died on 21 NOV 1791 in Pittsylvania, Virginia.
His wife was Mary Ann or Avery Haley, who he married in 1740 in Rappahannock, Colony of Virginia, British Colonial America. Their eleven known children were Anna (1744-?), Jesse (1750-1794), Molley (1752-?), Rebecca (1752-1790), Mildred (1753-1838), Avery Solomona (1756-1833), Winifred (1756-1813), Tabitha (1758-1847), Saludy (Luedy) (1765-?), Salley (1767-?) and Mary Ann (1774-?).
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| Event | Date | Details | Source | Multimedia | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | ABT 1725 |
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| Death | 21 NOV 1791 |
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Note 1
Last Will and Testament of Thomas Mustain
Deed Book 9, p 119-120�Last Will and Testament of Thomas Mustain weak in body. Deed Book 9, pg 119-120, written 6 November 1791, probated 16 July 1792. To my beloved wife Mary Mustain, a sufficient maintenance suitable to her surcomstance, free and undesturbed during her life or widowhood. To my son Jesse, 200 acres to be taken off the upper end of the tract where I now live. The rest of this tract to be sold. To daughter, Rebeckah and Molly, twenty shillings each from the sale of the above land. To daughters Mary Ann and Sally, ten pounds each. To son Avery Mustain and Daughters Anna Buckner, Milley Keese, Tabetha Bruce, Winney Lewis and Siludey Shelton one equal part of the money from the sale of the land. To Thomas Mustain, son of Jesse Mustain and his wife Jenney, has promised to live with me and my wife during our lives for which I give and bequeath unto the said Thomas Mustain a tract of land on both sides of Nixes Creek, 170 acres. The balance of my moveable property to be divided among my last six named children. Appoint son Jesse Mustain and Joel Shelton executors. Thomas (X) Mustain Witnesses: Francis (X) Ivy, Nathaniel Faris, Griffith Dickinson, Vincent Shelton and Charles Lewis, Jr. security for executors. (Submitter note: In the Will of Thomas Mustain when he said " My son Avery Mustain and daughters..." the daughters he lists are Thomas's daughters, NOT Avery's.)
Note 2
Thomas Mustain arrived in the part of Lunenburg County, Virginia, which in 1752 became Halifax County and in 1767 became Pittsylvania County, shortly before 1750. On the list of Tithables from the Mouth of Falling River upward for the year 1748 you find the listing: "Richard Kennon, Thos. Thrustin, overseer." This could very well be the first record of Thomas Mustain.
In 1750 and 1767 Thomas was on a list of tithables to support the church. Also in 1750 Thomas is on a list of William Caldwell, gent. "from the Little Roanoke River up the Fork."
Col. Richard Kennon received 4720 acres, including several old surveys on both sides of Stinking River, Daniels Creek, Mill Creek and Panther Creek in 1749. This is the same area where Thomas Mustain received his land.
In the 1750's Halifax County was mostly wilderness. Most people were uneducated, there were no schools and for some time no churches. Homes were small and built of lumber found on the land. Some did own slaves and some were wealthy. Thomas appears to be educated. He signed his own name and owned books, leading us to believe he was an educated man.
At a court held for Halifax County, Virginia, in May of 1752 it was ordered that Thomas Mustain and others were to appraise the estate of Isaac Cloud, deceased.
Thomas received his first land grant on February 5, 1753. It consisted of 400 acres in Lunenburg County, on Poplar Branch of Mill Creek. On November 26, 1756 he acquired another land grant for 400 acres of land on Stinking River, in Halifax County, Virginia for 40 shillings. On April 4, 1770 Thomas purchased 170 acres of land from Jessey Patey (Pottey) and his wife Delila of Camden Parish, Pittsylvania County for 20 pounds.
He appears in the March Court Record for Halifax County, Virginia 1753 as follows: "Petition: That a good road be laid off from Stinking River Ford to Cody's Ford on Stauton River and John Adams, Leonard Terrence and Thomas Musten being first sworn in before Magistrates of this court. View the way and report their opinion.
Thomas was too old for military service in the Revolutionary War but proof of his civil service to the cause, acceptable for D.A.R. membership is as follows: March 18, 1782, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Court of Claims, page 39 Thomas Musteen for 1 smooth bore gun impressed for the use of Militia on their march to join General Green. 1 pound, 12 shillings, 6 pence, November 10, 1783, Thomas Mustain furnished one gun for the Southward Expedition. Thomas also signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1777.
Thomas's home is still standing in Pittsylvania County, Virginia even though it was built nearly 200 years ago. Thomas's home was built ca 1769, his son Jesse built ca 1791, his son Avery built 1788 and his son-in-law's father, Littleberry Patterson built his home in 1789. These houses are all within 15 miles of each other.
In his will, his wife, Mary was to be cared for in her widowhood. His son, Jesse was to have 200 acres of land out of the upper tract that Thomas was living on, and the balance of the tract was to be sold. Rebecca and Molly were to have 20 shillings each from the sale of the land and no more. His son Avery and daughters Anna Buckner, Millie Keese, Tabitha Bruce, Winney Lewis, and Seludey Shelton were to have an equal part of the money from the sale of the land after the above was taken out. The will was proved on November 21, 1791.
Sources for notes about Thomas Mustain:
History of Pittsylvania Co., VA, by Maud C. Clement, 1929, p. 56, 276
Pittsylvania Co., VA, Abstracts of Wills, 1768-1800, compiled by Thomas P. Hughes Jr., p.67-68
The Descendants of Thomas Mustain of Pittsylvania Co., VA, by Delores M. Mustain, 1989
Note 3
My 5x great grandfather
Note 4
https://thomasmustaindescendants.com/thomas-jesse-avery-mustain-homes/