Thomas and Elizabeth (Griffin) Flewelling

of Oak Point, Greenwich Parish, Kings County, New Brunswick

42. THOMAS FLEWELLING OF OAK POINT (ca. 1730-DEC1809)

s/o John and Elizabeth ("Blue" Smith) Flewelling

INTRODUCTION

  In 1985, I wrote two articles for, "The Canadian Genealogist". The simplest way to begin seems to be to transcribe those articles, amalgamate and up-date them.
  Following this is another article I wrote for my own periodical, "Oak Leaves", on Flewelling Genealogy. This deals with Thomas Flewelling's Loyalist claim, and a commentary.
  The third segment is a transcription of the Right Reverend Venerable Archdeacon Dr. Hiram Alfred Cody's article on Thomas Flewelling written well over 100 years ago. Cody had several advantages, working directly with the Flewelling family in Oak Point (of which his wife was one), and several persons whose memory almost extended to the Loyalist period. On the other hand, Cody's writings are subject to the errors and discrepancies any intitial compilation or history is subject to. The problem is that it is difficult to separate what Cody found as fact, and what was recounted as tradition. Cody's informants appear to be the same who initiated the tradition that Thomas Flewelling was the son of John Flewelling; but also that John Flewelling came to New Brunswick in 1783. Since the latter element is untrue (a confusion with John Flewwelling, Jr. or John Flewelling, son of Thomas), the first element is necessarily in doubt. Rather than simply allow my own interpretation to take precence, it seems more useful to transcribe the work for your consideration.
  Another genealogical work was the manuscript of Allen H. Wetmore, "Flewelling Genealogy", compiled for his Flewelling nieces ca. 1943. This has been the nucleus of most Flewelling Genealogy of the past half-century. Again, it has errors (notably that Ezekiel Flewelling was the son of Thomas Flewelling. It was a key in understanding the structure of the Oak Point and Kingston branches of the family; but, I hope, since superceded, especially by this work. It is not transcribed here as the relevant information is included in the family compilations; but its significance cannot be over-stated.

Article 1

Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point, Kings County ,New Brunswick: ca. 1730-1809, "The Canadian Genealogist", Vol. 7, No. 1, March. 1985, pp. 53, Generation Press, Agincourt, Ontario, by Thomas A. Murray

Amendments to Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point, Kings County, NB: ca. 1730-1809, "Canadian Genealogist", Vol. 7, No. 2, June, 1985, pp. 83-88, Generation Press, Agincourt, ONT, by Thomas A. Murray

  If anything good can be said to have come from the activities of Halbert's, as exposed by Tom Murray in a previous issue of CG, this current article is it. When Tom sent us his first article, he advised us that he had been working on the Flewelling family for some time. We suggested he might like to publish his researches, and the current article is the result. It chronicles the Thomas Flewelling family of Oak Point, and it is one of the most carefully documented pieces of research we have ever had the pleasure to publish.
  Tom writes: "It is already a bit out of date in one respect; that concerning one of his elder sons killed in the Revolution. There was a vague reference to a Thomas Flewelling as a sergeant of dragoons, but when and for which side was never clear. A further reference was recently found amongst the notes of Dr. Ernest Mott which gave a time reference, additional information, and which pointed out the source. This was found on LDS film 0859580, and refers to Letters of Administration from only that part of the state under the British (presumably New York State): 7 Jan 1779 to 18 Feb 1783. This sounds like a paraphrase of a book title, or an article. Most likely the latter as further reference is given to "N. Y. Historical Soc. Collection, Vol. 9, p. 324". The note, transcribed by Mrs. Hilary Foskett, reads: "Thomas Fluelling Jr; Sargeant of Dragoons, d. intestate - administration given to father Thomas Fluelling of Jamaica NY, and wife Anne."
  Obviously, this took place during the Revolution, and there is only one possible candidate as Thomas Flewelling Sr., Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point. This would seem to confirm my suspicion that Thomas had two sons named Thomas, and this Thomas Jr., as a sergeant of dragoons (presumably for the King's American Regiment), would likely have charge of a reconnaissance party on horseback, and would possibly be the one killed on such a mission. It is in such incomplete dribbles of information that the article was built. My next step is to ask the cousins to try to track down the source and obtain a full transcription."
  There speaks the dedicated genealogist. We think you will find the story of Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point a fascinating one, especially since it has been put together with such precision from bits and pieces that have been studied with care, and not ultimately joined without considerable genealogical thought. No proofs are claimed for that which is not proven.

  The name, Flewelling, and its variations Flewwelling, Fluelling, Flewwellin, etc., derives from the Welsh surname, Llewellyn which, in turn, as are so many other Welsh surnames, is derived from a given name. The Welsh adopted the use of inherited surnames about the 16th and 17th centuries. For example, until then, a person might be known as Rhys ap Hwyll ap Llewellyn ap Rhys, etc. The name carried the lineage, and "ap" meant "son of". Bringing names within the usage of surnames would result in Rhys ap Hwyll becoming something like Rhys Powell. The English, often phonetically attempting to write Llewellyn, would write one of the "F" versions. A well known example is the character, Captain Fluellen, used by Shakespeare in Henry V. Supposedly based on Davydd ap Llewellyn, or Davy Gam, Captain Fluellen may also have been based on persons in Stratford-upon-Avon in the late 1500s, such as William Flewellyn or Llewellyn [1]. Throughout the 17th century, the "F" versions were often used, later reverting to the more proper "L" versions as literacy became more common. By this time, however, the ancestors of Thomas Flewelling had come to North America, and the "F" versions stayed in use.
  While other Llewellyn/Flewelling families came to North America, these seem to have been largely confined to the southern colonies, especially Virginia, and later, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Other families, judging from modern telephone directories, did not spread their versions of the name greatly. As a result, most persons bearing variations of Flewelling as a surname and their descendants, can be said to be members of the same family. This is especially true in Canada, where most Flewellings/Flewwellings are descended from Loyalists who originally came to what is now New Brunswick in 1783. One notable exception are the Fluellings of Norwich Township, Oxford Co., Ontario, descendants of Benjamin W. Flewelling. However, while not of Loyalist descent, this branch does consist of members of the same family, being descended from a Quaker branch which remained in the United States after the American Revolution.
  The meaning of the name, Llewellyn, is given various interpretations. Bardsley [2] gives, for both Flewelling and Llewellyn; "son of Llewellyn". This simply refers to the fact that, at some point, there was an ancestor named Llewellyn. Some have taken this to mean descent from the royal families of Wales. Not unlikely, as most Welshmen could probably make similar claims, but no evidence of such descent exists.
  Barber [3], Harrison [4] and Pines suggest "lion-like", while Barber adds the possibility of "lightning sword".
  The progenitor of the family in North America is Thomas Flewelling probably first in Jamaica, Queens Co., Long Island, NY before 1663. When he came to North America, or if he was born here, are mysteries. Early family researchers confused him with his son. There are only a few facts known of him. He was in Jamaica, Long Island, New York before 1663, he married Hannah Ashman, and he had at least one child, Thomas Flewelling. About 1664, he, his father-in-law (Robert Ashman), his wife’s uncle, Thomas Jaycocks and family, his brother-in-law, John Ashman, Caleb Carman (whose origins are also connected with Hempstead, Long Island) and others went to what was then known as Passayunk. A little less than twenty years later, the land they took up together was sold by Thomas Flewelling’s future in-laws (two of Robert Ashman’s daughters married early settlers of New Sweden, Lars Perrson Cock and Olla "Wooly" Svenson (Swanson) with other lands to William Penn to become the new city of Philadelphia. About 1671, Robert Ashman, Thomas Flewelling, John Ashman and Caleb Carman returned to Long Island; Thomas and the Ashmans going to Jamaica, Queens Co., NY, and Caleb later to return to the Delaware on Cape May, New Jersey to begin, amongst other things, the growing New England whaling industry.
  Hannah Ashman was the daughter of Robert and Catern (Jeacockes) Ashman. Catern (probably more properly, Catherine, although, Catern seems to have stuck) was most likely the daughter of Francis and Grace Jeacockes of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, and was baptized:

Katheren Geccox bpt. Bishopton 26 May, 1613 [6]

From the same source can be found the dates of baptism of her brothers, Thomas, Francis and William, who also came to North America [7], Thomas being identified as a brother-in-law of Robert Ashman in about 1664 when Robert acted as his representative in selling land in Hempstead prior to the Passayunk expedition [8].
Records of Jamaica and Hempstead [9], Long Island indicate that Thomas and Hannah (Ashman) Flewelling had only one son, Thomas Flewelling Jr. Robert Ashman's will, made 15 March 1683, and probated 26 July 1683 [10], identifies Thomas Jr. as Robert's grandson, as he stated that:

Only Thomas FIewellin was to have a double portion if he was a dutiful and good child to his grandmother.

It is possible that by this time that Thomas? Sr. and Hannah had died, and that Thomas Jr. was in his grandparents care? Thus, the "double portion" may have been to give Thomas Jr. something extra as he may have had no expectations of patrimony, as well as to induce the ten-year-old child to be merciful to his 70-year-old grandmother. Not that the child did not have other relatives. Robert and Catern's daughters had married into families whose names are common in North American history, and Catern was to live until at least 1706, surrounded by a large family. Their only son, John Ashman, apparently had only one daughter (Phoebe Ashman, apparently died young, with her mother dying about the same time) and the name Ashman no longer exists in Long Island from early colonial times. However, the descendants of Robert Ashman are numerous.
Thomas Flewelling Jr. is said to have been born in 1673, but it seems probable that he was born before then. It has been suggested (without cause given) that he was a young child in the return from Passayunk. If, in fact, he was born on the Delaware, it would most likely be between 1664 and 1670. Before the census of 1698, he moved to Hempstead, Long Island, where he apparently took possession of lands left by his grandfather. (Robert Ashman had retained some lands for the future use of his son, John Ashman.) He married Hannah Smith, daughter of William and Hannah (Scudder) Smith. (William and Hannah Smith are listed next to, presumably ‘next door’ to, Thomas and Hannah Flewelling in the 1698 census.) The children of Thomas and Hannah (Smith) were:

MAY (MARY?) FLEWELLING b. 1693

THOMAS FLEWELLING III b. 1696, d. 1734?

CATERN (CATHERINE) FLEWELLING b. 1697, m. 1716 EPHRAIM GOLDING, JR.

JOHN FLEWELLING b. 1701, m. 1727 ELIZABETH "BLUE" SMITH, d/o Abel and Sarah "Blue" Smith of Hempstead; later New Jersey

ABRAHAM FLEWELLING b. 1703, m. 1727 HANNAH TATTAM (or TATHAM)

PHOEBE FLEWELLING b. 1705, m. BENJAMIN HALL

HANNAH FLEWELLING m. DAVID BRUNDAGE. On pp. 257-8 of Pelletreau, item 486, is an abstract of the will of a David Brundage of North Castle, Westchester Co., NY; which mentions (but does not name) his wife; a son, James; a son, David; a son, Daniel and a daughter, Sarah. The will was made 12MAR1767, and probated 5AUG1767.

JANE FLEWELLING m. JONATHAN BRUNDAGE, s/o John and Johanna (Brock) Brundage (Ken Crouse, Brundage family notes at a web site: http://www.kencrouse.com/crouse, 12 November 2000. Ken has Jane and Jonathan married about 1705; but since Jane was b. after 1698, this seems unlikely. Ken refers to Mary McRoberts Sutton as one of his sources.)

ROBERT FLEWELLING b. 1712, d. 1768, m. MAPLET _____

Many of the above dates appear to be conjectural, but probably approximate the correct dates.) John, Abraham and Robert began the migrations which were to spread the family across the continent. Abraham went to New Jersey, Robert settled in North Castle, Westchester Co, New York until his death, and John went first to Fishkill, Dutchess Co. (now in Putnam Co., split off of Dutchess Co.), later moving to Newburgh, Ulster Co, New York about 1755-56.
Mr. Kenneth H. Flewelling of Grantham, New Hampshire (11SEP1983) gives
more information regarding Thomas' father, John Flewelling, Sr. This comes from, Eighteenth Century Records of the portion of Dutchess County, New York that was included in the Rombout Precinct and the original Town of Fishkill, collected by William Willis Reese, President of the Dutchess County Historical Society and edited by Helen Wilkerson Reynolds, from, Collections of the Dutchess County Historical Society, Volume 6, 1938, published by the Society. List of Tax-Payers of the original town of Fishkill, Dutchess County, NY. These included the years: 1718-1776, except for 1749-1752, 1764 and 1776. They show that John Flewelling was in the Fishkill area as early as 1737, and up to 1754. See web site at:

http://www.teachout.org/du/nan/rombout.html

p. 25 Under list of tax payers: Flewelling, John: 1737-1748; 1753, 1754.

p. 61 List of deeds: 299 Liber XIII, p. 367; May 30, 1738, witnesses: John Flewelling. (Editor's note: Appended deposition, April 7, 1795, by Peter Dubois, surveyor, ". ..was acquainted with John Fluellen. . .(JF is long since dead. . .)

Also listed were:

Griffin, Caleb; 1774, 1775, 1777-1779

Griffin, Cornelius; 1772-1775, 1777 (See: Nathaniel Smith)

Griffin, Jacob; 1762, 1763, 1765-1775, 1777-1779

Griffin, John; 1753-1763, 1765-1769

Griffin, Joseph; 1768-1775, 1777-1779

Griffin (Grifing), Joshua (Joosewa); 1737-1748, 1753-1763, 1765-1775, 1777

Griffin, Richard; 1745-1748, 1753-1763, 1765-1775, 1777-1779

Griffin, William; 1772, 1775

There were other entries, one of which suggests that John lived in Rumbout Precinct, a bit nearer the boundary with Poughkeepsie Precinct than Fishkill. We also find that John had moved to Newburgh, Ulster Co, New York about or by early 1754, and that he was a wheelwright.
Additional material from Kenneth came from, Records of the Rumbout Presbyterian Church, "New York Genealogical and Biographical Records", Vols. 68, 69 and 70, p. 291 under, Baptisms: 1749-1844; which tells us that Elizabeth Flewelling, daughter of John Flewelling, was baptized 3MAR1752. Elizabeth was erroneously omitted from the list of John's children. From the same source, Marriages: 1750-1846, comes the data, on p. 285, that Mary Flewelling married 31MAY1752 Cornelius Polhemous. Mary is undoubtedly John's daughter. The Polhemouses later went to Upper Canada as Loyalists.
John Flewelling, Sr. married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Abel "Blue" Smith. Elizabeth's mother was said to be Sarah, although this is still in doubt. John and Elizabeth's children can be identified, for the most part, by their association with Newburgh, as John was the only Flewelling in the area. There is one notable exception to this premise, which will be discussed later. These children are:

41.

HANNAH FLEWELLING bpt. St George's Church, Hempstead, LI, 9NOV1729

42.

THOMAS FLEWELLING b. ca. 1730, d. DEC1809 m. ELIZABETH GRIFFIN

43.

JOHN FLEWELLING, JR. d. 1787, m DEBORAH DENTON (d. 1790), d/o James Denton

44.

MARY FLEWELLING, d. before 1786, m. 31MAY1752 (or 1753) CORNELIUS POLHEMOUS (bpt. Dutchess Co., NY 29SEP1723, d. Dutchess Co., NY 1786), s/o Daniel and Cornelia (Sebring) Polhemus

45.

SARAH FLEWELLING b. 1734, m. (his 2nd marriage) NEHEMIAH DENTON (b. ca. 1733), s/o Nehemiah and Deborah (Ludlum) Denton. See web site:

http://www.acun.com/dentons/html/dat16.html

part of, Denton Family Genealogy, by Sue Montgomery-Cook, 20MAY2001

46.

MORRIS FLEWELLING d. ca. 1779, m JANE MERRITT, d/o George and Glorianna (Purdy) Merritt (Whence Came These Stones, by Gilbert Merritt)

47.

JAMES FLEWELLING b. ca. 1740, d 1779

48.

ABEL FLEWWELLING b. 1746, d. 1814, m ABIGAIL FOWLER, d/o Samuel and Charlotte (Purdy) Fowler

49.

ELIZABETH FLEWELLING bpt. Rumbout Presbyterian Church 3MAR1752

4J.

MAPLET FLEWELLING b. ca. 1756. An item found by Mrs. Foskett in the Mott Papers mentioned below, is a note that Maplet Flewelling "b. ca. 1759" married Samuel McCoon, the banns being published 11DEC1783. The date of birth, if accurate, would eliminate Maplet, the widow of Robert Flewelling; Maplet, the daughter of Joseph Flewelling; and others who have been giving Flewelling researchers difficulties in sorting them out. Most probably, this is the daughter of John Flewelling, Sr., and a sister to Thomas. It is considered possible that Thomas had a daughter, Maplet, (and the name does appear amongst his descendants), and the possibility that this is his daughter should be considered. However, the former case is far more likely.
At a site:

https://members.tripod.com/~LadyBraveHeart/D0001/G0000074.html

the date and place of this marriage is givens as: 11DEC1782, First Church, Smithtown (probably Richard "Bull" Smith’s little place on Long Island.) Following the link for Samuel McCoun, as his name is given, suggests that Samuel was the s/o John McCoun, and that Samuel m. 2nd 19 FEB 1803, First Church Of Huntington Rebecca Bailys. A brother of Samuel was b. 8OCT1761. Accepting all of this, Maplet died before 1803, and therefore was not the Maplet who married in Saint John, New Brunswick a decade later. Also, Samuel McCoun was b. roughly 1755-1760, and was not a contemporary of Maplet, wife of Robert Flewelling of North Castle, Westchester Co. Since the Maplet, daughter of Robert and Maplet, apparently married Caleb Haight, then this Maplet, by time (ca. 1755-ca. 1803) and location (Long Island during the American Revolution) is most likely a daughter of John Flewelling; and the four Maplets are not, as elsewhere stated, one person. Presumably, she was named for John’s sister-in-law, and other Maplet’s in his family named for her.
At a web site at:

http://www.geocities.com/athens/bridge/3962/1803/newbrg8.htm#year1810

is a segment of, Village and Town of Newburgh Records: 1803-1838, which reads:

36
1809

These are to certify that an Election held in the Town of New Burgh in the County of Orange and State of New York, on the Last Tuesday of April one thousand eight Hundred and nine and continued by adjournment on the twenty Sixth and Twenty seventh Days of Said April for Two Senators, for the Middle District and four Members of assembly to Represent the said County. The following Persons had the number of votes for Senators, and Members of Assembly annexed to their Respective names, Viz:

Samuel Haight, Senator two Hundred & twelve 212
Johannis Bruyn Senator two Hundred & fourteen 214
Jacob R Vankensatier Senator sixty four 64
James Oliver Senator Sixty three 63

Joseph Monell member of assembly Three Hundred twenty nine - 329
John Nicholson member of assembly Three Hundred and Twenty Seven - 327
Selah Strong member of assembly three Hundred and Twenty Eight - 328
James Finch Junr member of assembly three Hundred and Twenty two 322
Samuel Mccoum Member of assembly one Hundred & twenty one 121
one Hundred & Twenty
one 121
Henry B Wisner Member of assembly One Hundred and nineteen - 119
Reuben Neely Member of assembly one Hundred and Twenty one 121
Francis Crawford Member of assembly one Hundred and Twenty one 121

We do certify ~~that~~ the preceeding to be a True Statement of the Votes of Taken in the Town of Newburgh at the Election before Mentioned Dated Apl 28 1809
Recorde this 28th day of Apl 1809 for Edmund Griswold Town Clerk
J Birdsall

which suggests that Samuel McCoon/McCoun/McCoum may have be of a political bent. It is not clear as to whether this election was for the federal or state legislature; but the number of representatives elected suggests that it was the latter. That he was fifth, and only for representatives were needed, suggests that he was unsuccessful; but in 1810 he ran again (as Samuel McCown), this time coming in sixth of eight candidates.
In a biography of Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point, most likely written by the Right Rev. Archdeacon H. A. Cody when he was connected with Greenwich and Westfield Parishes in Kings Co., NB, is included, "Only one incident is related about the family and that is in reference to his sister, Maplet, who was a very noble and courageous woman, who on several occasions, at a great risk, brought provisions on horse-back to a band of Loyalists, and at another time, did not hesitate to tear strips from her dress to use as gun-wadding. And this name, Maplet, has been handed down through the family, and we see it in that of Elizabeth Maplet, daughter of Adam Llewellyn, and wife of Andrew Hamilton, also in Maplet, wife of William Hamilton." Cody had his anecdotal material from "Fanny" Peatman; that is, from Fanny Susannah (Flewelling) Peatman, daughter of Caleb, son of Thomas. He tended to ‘correct’ the surname to Llewellyn, and was apparently familiar with Elizabeth Maplet (Flewelling) Hamilton, the daughter of Adam, son of Thomas; and with Maplet Elizabeth (Flewelling) Hamilton, daughter of James, son of Adam.

  While information on the family is somewhat vague at this time, and it is not clear if these are all of John and Elizabeth's children, it is known that the whole family early took the Loyalist side during the American Revolution. James was hung by Patriots at Goshen in 1779. Morris died sometime about 1779, possibly as a result of Loyalist activities as his widow was forced to flee down the Hudson River with John, Jr.’s wife and children. John, Jr. was arrested, imprisoned at Esopus (Kingston) and later escaped. Abel (who later used the spelling Flewwelling, and from whom the New Brunswick two John Flewwelling’s are descended) acted as a pilot for the British forces on the Hudson River. Of these, Thomas, John, Jr. and Abel came to New Brunswick in 1783, as did their cousins, Joseph and Francis Flewelling, sons of Robert Flewelling of North Castle. Francis later returned to the United States, and Thomas, John, Jr., Abel and Joseph are the patriarchs of all Flewellings in Canada, except for the Norwich Fluelling’s.
  That Thomas Flewelling was the son of John, Sr. is questionable as Thomas never went to Newburgh. In fact, before the Revolution, he lived at North Castle. This would suggest that he was a son of Robert, not of John, Sr. There are several factors which show him to be John's son. The first is his date of birth. Nothing has been found to give such a date, but several of his own statements and other known dates allow a reasonable estimate. In 1785, in a petition for land in Greenwich Parish, Kings County, New Brunswick, Thomas stated that he lost his three eldest sons in the Revolution, and that he was almost 60 years of age. Assuming that he was at least 55 in 1785, he was born about 1730. Also, his eldest surviving son, Enos Flewelling, was born ca. 1757 [11]. Assuming, therefore, that his eldest son was born about five years before Enos, and that Thomas was at least 20 years old when this eldest son was born, suggests, again, that Thomas was born before 1732. Since John Flewelling, Sr. married Elizabeth Smith in 1727 (as is supposed), it is likely that their daughter, Hannah Flewelling, who was baptized in 1729, was their eldest child. If a son of John, Jr., Thomas must have been born between 1730 and 1732. Other minor considerations suggest to me that 1730 was most likely the year of his birth.
  The only other possible persons in New York State who could have been Thomas' father (the name being so rare as to be identified with only one family group, and relationships with Abel, John, Jr. and Joseph in later years making it obvious that Thomas was a member of the general family) were Abraham, Thomas III, and Robert. However, Thomas III died unmarried, and Abraham was in New Jersey. Robert Flewelling was (again supposedly) born in 1712. It is possible that he had a child in 1730-31, but it is obvious that it would have been his eldest child. Robert Flewelling's will of 1768 [12] makes it clear that his eldest son was Ezekiel Flewelling. Thus, Thomas Flewelling must have been a child of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Flewelling, and born ca. 1730-31 in Hempstead, Long Island. The fact that at the beginning of the Revolution he was in North Castle is explained by the likelihood that in 1755 or 1756, when John, Sr. and his family moved to Newburgh, Thomas was married, probably had one or two children, and was beginning to gather land.
  While little can be said specifically of Thomas Flewelling in his early years, it is known that he married Elizabeth Griffin, believed to be of the family of Edward Griffin of Flushing. It can also be said that Thomas placed high value on three things: his family, his land, and his principles.
  In his claim to the Loyalist Commissioners, Thomas listed the lands he held in North Castle. There were 40 acres given to him by his father, and 168 acres he bought from Nicholas Outhouse, most likely the same Nicholas Outhouse who married Elizabeth Flewelling, daughter of Thomas' uncle, Robert. From Benjamin Griffin, (his father-in-law or brother-in-law?), he bought 30 acres. The acreage from his father he received by deed of gift about 1747, as Thomas' states (19FEB1787) that he received it 40 years before. (Another reason why his date-of-birth is believed to be close to ca. 1730. Unfortunately, he did not name his father.) The land he had bought from Nicholas Outhouse (who married a daughter of Robert Flewelling, Thomas’ uncle) had not been cleared or improved when he got it about 1767. At this point, Thomas seems to have begun to accumulate land rapidly in small amounts. He bought the land from Benjamin Griffin about 1770 (his wife‘s uncle?); then, soon after, 25 acres from William Dusenburg (Dusenbury?), nine acres from John Furman, and three acres from John Miller. In all, he had 275 acres, valued at about £1200 in New York money. He quickly improved his lands, and the witnesses he brought with him state that it was "a good Farm, properly stocked, most of it improved, only a Proper quantity of Timber Land left." Yet he had generally started with unimproved lands. In addition to the house and barn he had a sawmill. He had 15 cattle, two yokes of oxen, a mare, a stallion, four "Large fat hogs", and 62 sheep. Thomas described it as "very plentiful Living on a farm highly improved." It is probable that if he had remained, in the more than 30 years left to his life he would have added more, and that his lands would have been even more productive as his younger sons grew. But the Revolution changed all that.
  There was never any doubt as to which side of the issue Thomas Flewelling was on. Thomas did not support the British blindly, however, as when 55 individuals petitioned General Sir Guy Carleton essentially to set up a feudal aristocracy in Nova Scotia (including New Brunswick)1783 by granting them large amounts of the best lands in New Brunswick, Thomas was one of those who hastened to counter-petition against any such monopolization of land. (He wanted it.) Even in his claim, there is a note of impatience with the British for having failed to put down the Revolution, and leaving him and his family in the wilderness. He does add, however; that he will endeavour "to be patient". In other land petitions, one can sense that his patience is hard tried by what he feels to be the iniquities of officialdom Thomas was also vocal from the very beginning. He brags that "his Example had great influence in the Neighbourhood." He stoutly refused to take any oaths "tendered by the Rebels", opposed Committees of Safety and Congresses, and was taken into custody several times as a result of his opposition. He lived "in continual fear of assassination", and, in 1779, the Patriots, by severely beating him and threatening him with death, made him to understand that his presence was no longer healthy for him in Westchester County. He must have had to depart quickly, as he had to leave his wife and younger children behind. His four eldest sons, including Enos, had left home in March of 1777, travelling overland to Long Island to join Col. Edmund Fanning's Kings American Regiment which had been raised the previous December. Before Thomas fled, much of his stock and personal property had already been stolen. By May, 1780, his farm had been seized, and Elizabeth with her son Adam and the younger children fled to join her husband.
  It is not certain who were Thomas' three eldest sons. Their names have been temporarily lost. Their service in the King's American Regiment was sufficient to bring them to the notice of Col. Fanning, who Thomas says praised them. Two died of illness, and a third, the first Thomas, Jr., died, while leading a reconnaissance party, in a skirmish.
It has been reported that on the muster roll of the King’s American Regiment, three entries were noted:

Thos Fluallen 1778, name left off
Ennos Flualling 22 June, 1783 12/8½ for rations
Wm Fluallen died 2 Sept, 1777

Enos is easily recognizable as a son of Thomas.
It is possible that Thos Fluallen is Thomas Flewelling himself, but if his name was ‘left off’, then it would be unlikely that it would be back ‘on’ at a later date. Additional information comes from Mrs. Jill Jamieson, of Woodstock, Ontario, which is summarized as follows:

British Military and Naval Records RG8, I, Public Archives of Canada microfilm reel C-4223, V. 1902.

p. 50 Muster Roll of Col. Fanning's Company in the King's American Regiment from the 25th April to the 24th June 1781 inclusive, Being 61 Days.

Privates #39 Thomas Fluelling for what reason absent: "Recruiting at New York"

p. 51 Muster Roll of Captain Atwood's Company in the King's American Regiment from the 25th April to the 24th June 1781 inclusive, Being 61 Days.

Privates #26 Enos Fluellon for what reason absent: "Gen'l Hospital New York"

p. 68 Muster Roll of A Detachment King's American Regiment from 24th February to 24th April 1781.

Private #28 Thomas Flewallen "Recruiting on Furlough Etc. at New York"

p. 69 Muster Roll of Captain Thomas Chapman's Company in the King's American Regiment from the 25th October to the 24th December 1781 inclusive, Being 61 Days. [Jill originally wrote 1780 though it might have read 1781, and 1781 fits the sequence of days in each period: TAM.]

Private #16 Enos Fluellon

p. 18 V. 1903, Muster Roll of Captain Chapman's Company Kings American Regiment Whereof Edmund Fanning Esq is Colonel, Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel George Campbell. Flushing fly [????] January 26th 1783.

Private #9 Enos Flewelling.

It would appear that Thomas Flewelling, Jr. (1st) died in 1779, (as the regiment was at Lloyd’s Neck, Long Island, NY 15NOV1779) and the Private Thomas Flewelling mentioned above must have been the father. This means that Thomas, even though considered too old for service, had some attachment to the KAR (presumably for purposes of payment), and was useful in recruiting. This might also explain the pass allowing him to come and go through the British Lines in 1780. It is also interesting to note first, that Enos Flewelling was sick, but apparently survived (possibly) the same illness that killed two of his brothers; and secondly, that although Enos was not promoted, he goes rapidly from private number 26 to private number 9, suggesting the deaths of those senior to him in terms of enlistment dates. Also, Thomas Flewelling, Sr. is first attached to Col. Fanning’s company, suggesting head-quarter’s staff. If, as tradition states, Thomas was short, he would not qualify for the grenadier company. That he was first in a ‘detachment’ suggests special duties (as opposed to the fetching and carrying usually reserved for detachments); and that he spent at least four months recruiting in the City of New York suggests something of those duties.
That the two Thomases were father and son is shown by an item from Mrs. Hilary Foskett of Victoria, British Columbia. Mrs. Foskett examined the notes of Dr. George Ernest Mott ( on LDS microfilms, 0859,580 and 0859,581), and found the following notation:

Letters of administration from only that part of state under British - 7 Jan 1779 to 8 Feb 1783.

Thomas Fluelling Jr; Sargeant of Dragoons, d. intestate - administration given to father Thomas Flueling of Jamaica NY.

NY Historical Soc. Collections Vol. 9, p 324.

The first part of this notation probably refers to a title in a publication indicated by the third part. The second part confirms that Thomas Flewelling had, as one of the four sons in military service, a Thomas Flewelling, Jr. The article evidently referred to probate records in the State of New York under British control. This elder Thomas, Jr. died before the dates indicated.
  There appears to be some question as to whether his first son, named Thomas, was a dragoon or with the King’s American Regiment. The King’s American Dragoons were raised after this first Thomas, Jr. apparently died, so the suggestion is that the KAR maintained a small cavalry unit for scouting and foraging purposes. William Flewelling would certainly seem to be one of the sons who died of illness. However, this, and other references, need to be checked thoroughly before definite conclusions can be made. Yet it would appear that it is possible that two of the sons were Thomas and William. The chief difficulty with this is that Thomas brought with him to New Brunswick amongst his children a Thomas, Jr., and a William. It is likely that these were named after elder brothers who predeceased them. The younger Thomas, however, seems to have been born ca. 1778, and the dates are a bit too close.
  Thomas Flewelling offered himself for military service, and does appear to be enrolled in some capacity with the KAR in the early 1780‘s. This is clearly him, as his sons estate had been probated before then, and Thomas, Sr. was an executor. It is not clear if he was accepted as a regular soldier, but he was active with the military. Col. Simcoe, while in command of the Queen's Rangers, kept track of the homes of the men under his command so that he might have guides readily available. (The Queen’s Rangers in the Revolutionary War, Col. C. J. Ingles, p. 86.) He and Tarleton made use of Thomas' services several times about 1780-81 and Thomas participated in "many hazardous Excursions."
  Afterwards he .was stationed at "Frogs Neck", and later at Lloyds Neck on Long Island. (statements made by his brother, John, suggest that as Thomas’ family, and Elizabeth (Griffin) Flewelling’s family, originated on Long Island that there were kin and friends there.) There is some indication that he acted as a recruiter in New York, (’private‘ Thomas Flewelling recorded as absent recruiting.)
  Why Thomas Flewelling would be useful as a guide in Westchester County is explained in a letter from Mrs. Margarite A. Jenkins of Jenison, Michigan. Mrs. Jenkins was responding (in a letter dated 24NOV1984) to my request for information on the Crawford family, which is allied to the Oak Point Flewellings. Mrs. Jenkins wrote of an excerpt from:

Historical Records North Castle - New Castle, Vol. 1 (1736-1791); published 1975.

Minutes of 5 Apr 1768: "Thomas Flewelling to see all the roads in good repair from the Bedford line to Mahamess river southward."

Town minutes of 2 Apr 1771 held for the West and Middle Pattents (sic): Thomas Flewelling overseer of the Road from Bedford line to the Middle Patent; 5 Apr 1774 meeting: same as 1771; 4 Apr 1775 same as 1774. Was a yeoman and a freeholder in 1763; Tax List 1779: Thomas Flewelling: Real Estate 700; Pounds 35; personal 576; pounds 14; shillings 8.

This explains why Simcoe could use Thomas as a guide in Westchester Co., New York. He would have been familiar with the roads, the condition of the roads, and most likely, with the people who lived along these roads and their political inclinations. Also, we find Thomas is a position of some trust within the community, attesting to his having been well thought of, and possibly, as he stated in his Loyalist claim, of some influence.
Some genealogists take such a position as an honour bestowed, or the result of an election. Actually, it was the custom of the time for each person of some property to take one some duty; fence viewer, dog catcher, or whatever; and they would trade off these tasks annually. In can be seen that in the "West and Middle Patents" (presumably, North Castle, or the area in which North Castle lay), this was done at the beginning of April; possibly the first Sunday, after church.
The Kings’ American Rangers and the Queen’s Rangers were of significance to the settlement of New Brunswick in 1783, and the historian, William Odbur Raymond, wrote summaries of the histories of these regiments. These can be found at a web site:

http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/halew/Raymond36.html

called, Provincial Regiments, The Queen's Rangers -- The King's American Regiments -- The New York Volunteers, which is part of a larger site from articles written by Raymond for the Woodstock, Dispatch, between 1894 and 1896. Parts of, A Raymond Scrapbook, were published in 1983 by Poverty Press. The segments on the KAR and the Queen’s Rangers read:

The Queen's Rangers

  This celebrated loyalist corps in efficiency and discipline equalled any regular regiment of the British line. It was organized by Col. Robert Rogers of New Hampshire, a veteran officer of the old French wars. The men were enlisted chiefly in New York and western Connecticut, a large proportion of the rank and file being of Irish nationality while the majority of the officers were of Scotch descent. The corps at first consisted of ten companies which later on were increased by the addition of another company of infantry, five troops of cavalry and a battery of artillery. Under the distinguished leadership of Lieut. Col. John Simcoe who commanded it after the battle of Brandy wine the corps became noted for discipline and bravery. It was usually the van guard of the attacking and the rear guard of the retreating army. Under all circumstances it could be relied on to give a good account of itself. Perhaps the hottest fight in which the Queen's Rangers ever engaged was the battle of Brandy wine where the British gained a victory which, if it had been energetically followed up by General Howe, would have resulted in the annihilation of Washington's army. At Brandy wine the Queen's Rangers lost 72 killed and wounded, 11 of whom were officers. Among the wounded were Captain John Saunders, afterwards Chief Justice of New Brunswick, Captain John McKay, who married Chief Justice Saunder's sister and was for years a prominent magistrate in what is now the parish of Southampton where he died in 1822; Lieut. Stair Agnew, who lived at "Moncton Point" opposite Fredericton and was for 30 years a member for York County in the House of Assembly; and an Ensign Hugh McKay, who settled at St. George and was for over 30 years a member for Charlotte in the House of Assembly, for more than 50 years colonel of militia, and at the time of his decease in 1848 aged 97 years, the oldest magistrate in the province.
  Throughout the revolution the Queen's Rangers were actively employed. One of their most noted achievements was a raid on the 29th October 1778 in which they marched some fifty miles into the heart of the enemy's country in the teeth of the American forces. The corps, led by Colonel Simcoe, in the course of the expedition destroyed a large number of boats and military stores at one point, released a number of loyalists imprisoned in Somerset court house which, with a quantity of stores there collected, they burned, and finally after a sharp encounter with a considerable body of the enemy whom they charged and dispersed, returned to their head quarters. The boldness of the stroke created a sensation at the time in both the British and American Camps.
  The Queen's Rangers in 1781 accompanied General Benedict Arnold in his raid on Virginia where they quite maintained their reputation. Afterwards they served under Lord Cornwallis in the unfortunate campaign in the south ending in the capitulation of Yorktown, October 19th 1781. At the close of the war they came to New Brunswick and received grants of land in parish of Queensbury which derives its name from the Queen's Rangers. In all, three tracts of land were laid out for the accommodation of the corps, one on the Main river above Bear Island in Queensbury, another above the mouth of the Nackawick, and a third on the opposite side of the St. John between the Meductic rapids and Eel River.
  Among the settlers near Bear Island were Capt. Daniel Morehouse and Capt. Eveas [Eneas?: TAM] Shaw; near the Nackawick were Major Richard Armstrong, Capt. John Whitlock, Sergeant Roger Tompkins, Sergeant John Tompkins and William McLaughlan. Further reference will be made to those settled below Eel river when we come to speak of the early days of Woodstock.

  Since Thomas Flewelling acted as a guide for John Graves Simcoe, it seem likely that he had at some time spoken directly to Simcoe. Since Simcoe is known to have kept track of those who might be useful as guides, but it would appear that Thomas was not a member of the Queen’s Rangers, then Simcoe must have asked for Thomas Flewelling especially. The suggestion I am attempting to make is that Simcoe knew of Thomas Flewelling, of certain abilities or experience Thomas had, and that he particularly made use of them. This may or may not be true, but the possibility should be remembered in regards to further speculation below.
  Notice that the Rangers used the Napoleonic practice of adding ordnance and cavalry to the regiment, an innovation for the times indicating, to my mind, the superiority of the Loyalist regiments to the British regular regiments. This also indicates the importance of History, as this type of innovation deriving from the more independent nature of a volunteer army without the restrictions of a class-bound society was to be repeated by Loyalist descendants (in a sense) when the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I developed practices and techniques which broke the stalemate of trench warfare, and led to the major allied successes in that war. Needless to say, those accomplishments are usually overlooked by British and American historians.
  Another aspect of this account is that the Queen’s Rangers were under the command of Benedict Arnold after he had changed sides. This may seem to have nothing to do with Thomas Flewelling; but there is more, as will be seen below. Benedict Arnold was not popular with the Loyalists, and his early attempts at settlement and business in Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick met with such active hostility that he was forced to leave for England.
  W. O Raymond continues with:

The King's American Regiment

  This corps was organized in the year 1777 mainly by the efforts of Governor Tyron of New York and his son-in-law, Col. Edmund Fanning. Tyron was commissioned Major-General and commander-in-chief of all the provincial troops enrolled in the king's service during the revolution. Col. Fanning was a celebrated North Carolina Loyalist. To assist in the organization of the regiment £2,000 was subscribed in New York, £529 on Long Island and £500 on Staten Island. About 500 men were enlisted and the corps soon attained a good degree of efficiency. It formed a part of the expedition which captured Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson river in October, 1777. In July, 1779, it served under General Tyron in the expedition against the Connecticut towns along the coast, in which New Haven was plundered and Fairfield and Norwalk reduced to ashes. The hardest fighting was at Norwalk where the American militia were defeated with severe loss.
  Like most of the loyal corps the King's American Regiment experienced its most arduous service during the campaign in the Carolinas. It was present at the capture of Charleston in 1779, and at the disastrous battle of King's Mountain in which 334 Loyalists of various corps were killed and wounded, and a large number taken prisoners. It recovered sufficiently to take part under Lord Rawdon in the great battle at Camden, South Carolina, on the 7th April 1781, where the Americans under General Greene were defeated with the loss of seventy officers and two thousand men killed, wounded and prisoners.
  Those of the King's American regiment who settled in New Brunswick were not very many and they had no particular tract reserved for them. Among the most prominent of these corps were Capt. Abraham De Peyster of Maugerville, afterwards appointed provincial treasurer, and then changing his residence to St. John; Captain Peter Clements, who settled in the Parish of Douglas, was a very respected magistrate and died in 1833, aged 94 years; Henry Nase, who lived at Westfield where he was colonel of militia, a respected magistrate and a prominent churchman up to his decease in 1836, at the age of 84 years. Colonel Edmund Fanning, who commanded the regiment, was appointed Governor of Prince Edward Island in 1786, and held the position for nearly nineteen years. The chaplain of the corps was the Rev. Samuel Seabury, afterwards first bishop of Connecticut.

  Raymond neglect to mention that Fanning, although associated with North Carolina, was born on and was from Long Island, New York; and is said to have had an estate in the neighbourhood of Hempstead. Again, a tenuous connection with Thomas Flewelling is hinted at. It is far more likely that Fanning knew Thomas Flewelling, as, although Thomas is later in Capt. Thomas Chapman’s company, he is first listed in what appears to be Col. Fanning’s personal staff. The Carolina campaign of 1779 is most likely when the first Thomas Flewelling, Jr. died. More on this is seen below.
  The name, Nase, later is connected with the family of Abel Flewwelling in New Brunswick.
  The mention of 1763 refers to a census of heads-of-household, or of property owners, in 1763 for all of Westchester County. In the section for North Castle, appears Thomas Flewelling. yeoman and his uncle, Robert Flewelling. In White Plains is a Caleb Griffin and Jacob Griffin, who may have been related to Elizabeth in some way, and is presumably the namesakes of Thomas’ sons, Caleb Flewelling and Jacob Flewelling. There was in Mamaroneck a Benjamin Griffin (thought by some to be Elizabeth’s father, but this theory is in abeyance at this time) and Joseph Griffin. In "Scaresdale" (Scarsdale?) A William Griffin and a Jonathan Griffin. In Bedford there is an Ezekiel Griffin.
  At the web site, Annotated Bibliography of the Griffin/Griffen Family, ©1995, by Paul J. Griffin, are mentioned many the genealogical works dealing with the family of Edward Griffin of Flushing. This includes a reference to: Ancestors and Descendants of Richard Griffin of Smithville Ontario, a Pioneer Family, by Justus A. Griffin, 1924, Griffin & Richmond Company, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; which refers to a:

Obadiah Griffin b.1753 in Dutchess County, New York, who was a first cousin to Richard b.1732, regarding Obadiah's returning to the United States and settling in Griffin's Mills (20 miles south of Buffalo).

Then there is, Griffen Lineage, by William J. Griffen, 1928, privately printed, limited to 50 copies, which mentions:

John Griffen b.1733 (Ezekiel3, John2, Edward b.16021), many of them Quakers. Daniel H. Griffen was the 6th generation and the Grandfather to the author. John b.1733 erected a Griffen Homestead house, still standing in 1928, in Yorktown, Westchester County, New York.

and, Genealogy of the Griffen Family of New York and Allied Families, by Edwin Patrick Hill, 1940, privately published manuscript, in which is mentioned:

The author list all the children of Richard Griffen b.1732 (4th generation), who went to Smithville, Ontario. The manuscript focuses on the descendants of Jonathan Griffen b.1747 (Edward3 b. 1708, Richard2, b.1655, Edward1 b.1602), who was born at Nine Partners, New York.

and, Edward Griffen(e) of Flushing, Long Island, New York: 1602-1691, and Some of His Descendants, by Mavis Van Peenen, 1957. Compiled and published by the author; in which is described:

The author's branch of Griffins was established in Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York. Mavis LaClear (Warner) Van Peenen (William Warner8, Martha Griffin7, Richard6, John5, Richard4, Joshua3, Richard2, Edward1) is the 9th generation from Edward b.1602. A rough map of where some of the Griffins settled in Dutchess County is included. This richly documented manuscript (a 3-page bibliography) relies heavily on the wills of Griffins to substantiate relationships.

There are a large variety of similar works mentioned of variable scholarship, but the quantity illustrates that this family is well known, and these mentions and the 1763 list for Westchester Co. clearly shows the opportunities Thomas Flewelling had to meet a Quaker lady (as many in his family were Quakers) whose family was from Long Island (as his was) and found in Yorktown, Westchester Co., NY; Fishkill, Dutchess Co., NY; and in Smithville, Lincoln Co., ONT as were his cousins and descendants. The problem is, that Griffin genealogies give a number of Elizabeth Griffins (the name was very common amongst them) of the right place an period to be Thomas’ wife. In many cases, if they were married, it is not indicated.
An interesting example of the problem is a Paul J. Griffin’s (who is probably at this time the authority on this particular family) web site which summarizes some of the relationships, Descendants of Edward GRIFFIN (Sr.) and Mary (---), which mentions Edward Griffin‘s son, John Griffin and his family:

John Griffin (son of Edward), born 1655 in New York; died 30 Jan 1742 in New York. He married (1) bef. 1688 in New York, Elizabeth Wright, born abt. 1664 in prob. New York; died Oct 1740 in Flushing, Queens, New York. He married (2) in, Boston, Massachusetts, Susanna Price
Children of John GRIFFIN and Elizabeth WRIGHT were as follows:

1. John Griffin born 1688 in Mamaroneck, New York,. died abt. Sep 1759 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. He married abt. 1710 Hannah Clarke born abt. 1693 in New York

Children of John GRIFFIN and Hannah CLARKE were as follows:

11. John Griffin born 29 May 1713 in New York. He married (1) Dorcas Quimby. He married (2) Elizabeth Ferris Griffin. He married (3) Mary _____

12. Hannah Griffin born 19 Dec 1715 in New York; died abt. Aug 1770 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. She married Daniel Culp Tallman, son of Matthew and Mariam (Wardell) Tallman

13. Joseph Griffen born 25 Jun 1717

14. Jemima Griffin born 21 Jan 1718 in New York; died Aug 1770. She married abt. 1735, Robert Crosby born abt. 1714 in New York

15. Elizabeth Griffin born abt. 1719 in New York; died aft. 1770. She married abt. 1737, John Ferris born abt. 1717 in Prob. New York

16. Mary Griffin born 27 Aug 1720 in New York; died 1 Oct 1736. She married abt. 1736, Thomas Vail born abt. 1715 in New York; died in Harrison, New York

17. Sarah Griffin born abt. 1720 in New York; died aft. Aug 1770. She married (1) abt. 1739, James Huestes born abt. 1718 in New York. She married (2) Doty Doughty. [This probably means that her husband’s last name was Doty or Doughty, both used amongst the descendants of the Rev. Doughty, founder of the ill-fated settlement at Mespath in 1642-3. TAM]

18. Anne Griffin born abt. 1722 in New York; died bef. 1770. She married on 20 Oct 1764, James Haight born abt. 1720 in New York.

19. Deborah Griffin born abt. 1724 in New York; died bef. 1770.

1J. Joseph Griffin born 11 Nov 1737 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. He married (1) Jane Cornell . He married (2) Phebe (---).

1K. Phebe Griffin born 12 Jun 1738 in New York; died 16 May 1821.

2. Benjamin Griffin born abt. 1690 in Flushing, Queens, New York, died abt. Jun 1731 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. He married abt. 1716, Mary Disbrow born 18 Jun 1693 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York; died Jan 1761 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York.

Children of Benjamin GRIFFIN (Sr.) and Mary DISBROW were as follows:

21. Benjamin Griffin born 18 Dec 1718 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. He married Esther Gilchrist.

22. Elizabeth Griffin born abt. 1719 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York; died bef. 1783 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. She married on 16 Feb 1736 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York, Job Hadden born abt. 1725 in New York.

23. Henry Griffin born 1720 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. He married (1) Ann Fowler . He married (2) Mrs. Abraham Hatfield.

24. William Griffin born abt. 1722 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. He married Leah Chalkley Tucker.

25. Caleb Griffin born abt. 1725 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York; died aft. Oct 1756. He married _____ Ryder

26. Margaret "Mary" Griffin born abt. 1727 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York; died bef. 1756. She married _____ Sands.

27. Deborah Griffin born abt. 1730 in Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York; died aft. Oct 1756. She married abt. 1754, Richard Sands born abt. 1733 in New York; died 25 Oct 1798.

3. Isaac Griffin born 1692 in New York.

4. Joseph Griffin born 1694 in New York, died 1707. He married unknown.

Children of Joseph GRIFFIN were as follows:

41. John Griffin born abt. 1720; died 1757 in Bedford, New York

42. Joseph Griffin, died 1757 in Bedford, New York

5. Elizabeth Griffin, born 1696 in New York; died aft. 1742. She married in 1718, Thomas Gale, born abt. 1694 in New York

6. Mary Griffin, born abt. 1700 in New York; died aft. 1740. She married on 2 Apr 1718, Thomas Carlyle, born abt. 1687 in New York

7. Jacob Griffin, born 1703 in New York, died abt. 1783 in White Plains, Westchester, New York.. He married (1) Catherine Wright, born abt. 1684 in New York. He married aft. 1715 (2) Sarah Smith, born abt. 1701

Children of Jacob GRIFFIN and Catherine WRIGHT were as follows:

71. Winifred Griffin, born aft. 1715 in New York; died aft. 1783. She married abt. 1736, Samuel Purdy, born abt. 1715 in New York

72. Catherine Griffin, born abt. 1715 in New York; died aft. 1783. She married abt. 1736, John Bates, born abt. 1715 in New York

73. Sarah Griffin, born abt. 1720 in New York. She married Thomas Wiledy

74. Judith Griffin, born abt. 1723 in New York. She married (1) Fowler. She married (2) Thomas Wiledy

75. Joseph Griffin, born aft. 1723 in New York

76. Elizabeth Griffin, born abt. 1725 in New York

77. Samuel Griffin, born aft. 1725 in New York; died in prob. Philipsburg, New York

78. _____ Griffin, born aft. 1725 in New York. She married abt. 1745, John Bates, born abt. 1715 in New York

8. Adam Griffin, born aft. 1703 in New York; died Jun 1752 in Rye, Westchester, New York

9. Caleb Griffin, born abt. 1704 in Flushing, Queens, New York, died aft. 1740. He married (1) Sarah Ford, born abt. 1702 in New York. He married (2) unknown.

Children of Caleb GRIFFIN and Sarah FORD were as follows:

91. Jacob Griffin

92. Henry Griffin

93. Benjamin Griffin

(2nd marriage)

94. Joseph Griffin married Hannah Taylor

J. Ezekiel Griffin, born 7 Apr 1707 in New Purchase, Westchester, New York, died 18 May 1782 in Bedford, Westchester, New York. He married Ann Smith, born 25 Nov 1707 in prob. New York; died 5 Sep 1801

Children of Ezekiel GRIFFIN and Ann SMITH were as follows:

J1. Mary Griffin born 1728 in, New York; died aft. 1782

J2. Ezekiel Griffin, born 1730 in New York; died aft. 1782

J3. Elizabeth Griffin, born 1732 in New York

J4. John Griffen, born 13 May 1733 in prob. Westchester, New York. He married Mary _____

J5. Jacob Griffin, born 1735 in New York; died aft. 1782

J6. Uriah Griffin, born 1736 in New York

J7. William Griffin, born 1737 in New York

J8. Joseph Griffin, born 1739; died aft. 1782

J9. Ann Griffin, born 1741 in, New York; died 2 Feb 1824

JJ. Adam Griffin, born 1742 in New York. He married Deborah _____

JK. Hannah Griffin, born 1744 in New York; died aft. 1782

JL. Phoebe Griffin, born 1746 in New York. She married Gershom Griffin

JM. Sarah Griffin, born 1749 in New York; died aft. 1782

K. William Griffin, born aft. 1707 in New York; died 1798. He married _____ Amea

L. Sarah Griffin

  Amongst the known children and grandchildren of John Griffin, only one Elizabeth appears who might have been the wife of Thomas Flewelling, Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of Ezekiel Griffin. In 1763, Ezekiel Griffin lived closest to North Castle, Westchester Co., NY; in Bedford. That Thomas’ wife was Elizabeth is shown by his will of 1809. That her maiden name is Griffin is a tradition, but is supported by the use (or possible use) of the name amongst Thomas’ descendants (i.e., Joseph Griffin Flewelling [42M2].) While acknowledging the dangers of "name’s-the-same" genealogy, recognizing the use of unusual names, repeated through generations, can be a guide. The custom of naming children after relatives (particularly parents and grandparents) was very common in the mid 18th century, and even the later custom of middle names was derived largely from adding the grandparent’s (or uncle’s) surname. In particular, the names, Adam and Caleb, appear to derive from the Griffins.
   Consider the family of Enos Flewelling, son of Thomas. He is said to have married Margaret Jewell. He did marry a Margaret, and that one son was William Jewell Flewelling supports the tradition of her maiden name. William Jewell was one son of Abraham Jewell (the suspected father of Margaret), and probably William Jewell Flewelling’s uncle. Thomas Abraham Flewelling was most likely named after both of his grandfather’s. Even Azor Flewelling was named after the popular physician of Kingston Peninsula, Azor Betts; but Betts is an early Hempstead, Long Island name; Azor Betts comes from a distinct group of colonial families into which the Flewellings are, by Enos’ time, well entangled; and it probably would not be difficult to show that Azor Betts was in some degree related (even a cousin) to Flewellings. (Azor Bett’s wife, Gloriana Purdy, was definitely related by marriage, and within the next generation, shared common ancestors with many Flewellings.)
  The Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of Ezekiel is said to have been b. ca. 1732, about the right date for Thomas’ wife, but I suspect the dates are estimates. She is said to have d. after 1782, but this is apparently based on Ezekiel’s date-of-death, probably a will, which tends to show that he had a daughter, Elizabeth, but also suggests she wasn’t married in 1782. On the other hand, the will of Ezekiel may not have mentioned her surname at the time.
  Tim Mullen (Griffin GenForum, # 6116, 25JUN2002) quotes from, Families of the Colonial Town of Philipsburgh, Part I, Grenville C. McKenzie, 1966, Sleepy Hollow Restorations, Tarrytown, NY, 1976, pp.290,292,294. From his extractions, something can be added to the above outline of the Griffins, specifically:

Children of Ezekiel GRIFFIN and Ann SMITH were as follows:

J1. Mary Griffin born 1728 in, New York; died aft. 1782

J2. Ezekiel Griffin, born 1730 in New York; died aft. 1782

J3. Elizabeth Griffin, born 1732 in New York

J4. John Griffen, born 13 May 1733 in prob. Bedford, Westchester, New York, d. ca. 1814. He married Mary _____ (d. 6SEP1833)

J5. Jacob Griffin, born 1735 in New York; died aft. 1782, m. Ruth Woolsey

J6. Uriah Griffin, born 1736 in New York

J7. William Griffin, born 1737 in New York

J8. Joseph Griffin, born 1739; died aft. 1782, m. 1st Mary Ann Brundage; m. 2nd 1766 Sarah Burling

J9. Ann Griffin, born 1741 in, New York; died 2 Feb 1824

JJ. Adam Griffin, born 1742 in New York. He married Deborah _____

JK. Hannah Griffin, born 1744 in New York; died aft. 1782

JL. Phoebe Griffin, born 1746 in New York. She married Gershom Griffin

JM. Sarah Griffin, born 1749 in New York; died aft. 1782

Mr. Mullen is descended through Ezekiel’s son, John Griffin, whose son, John Griffin, married Sarah Haviland. John and Sarah’s daughter, Elizabeth "Eliza" Haviland Griffen, married Elias Quereau Tompkins. Eliza and Elias’ daughter was Harriet Melissa Haviland Griffin Tompkins, wife of Robert Enslow Flewellin of the Yorktown branch of Robert Flewelling‘s family. This suggests that it was Ezekiel Griffin’s part of the family which was most prevalent in the North Castle area, probably Quakers, and were there for several generations.
A table comparing the names of the children in the families of Thomas Flewelling, Ezekiel Griffin and John Griffin can be constructed as below.

Thomas Flewelling’s children	Ezekiel Griffin’s children	John Griffin’s children
		Benjamin Griffin
		Isaac Griffin
		Joseph Griffin
	Mary Griffin	Mary Griffin
	Ezekiel Griffin	Ezekiel Griffin
	Uriah Griffin
	Ann Griffin
	Hannah Griffin
	Phoebe Griffin
A son
Thomas Flewelling (twice)
William Flewelling (twice)	William Griffin	William Griffin
Enos Flewelling
Adam Flewelling	Adam Griffin	Adam Griffin
Elizabeth Flewelling	Elizabeth Griffin	Elizabeth Griffin
Sarah Ann Flewelling	Sarah Griffin	Sarah Griffin
John Flewelling	John Griffen	John Griffin
Caleb Flewelling		Caleb Griffin
Jacob Flewelling	Jacob Griffin	Jacob Griffin
George Flewelling

In this table it can be seen that Thomas Flewelling’s family shares seven of the twelve names with Ezekiel’s family, and also seven of the twelve names with John Griffin’s family: the same seven. With Ezekiel Griffin’s family, his children share nine out of thirteen with his known siblings. While the names, Thomas, John and Elizabeth can be said to be derived from Thomas Flewelling’s parents and siblings; some of his children’s names must be derived from Elizabeth’s family. Specifically, the names: Caleb and Adam, appear to be from John Griffin’s family; and it would seem that Ezekiel Griffin’s daughter is the only granddaughter of John Griffin who might have married Thomas Flewelling.
  Some genealogies include Ezekiel Flewelling as a son of Thomas Flewelling, but this is most likely an error, confusing the son of Enos Flewelling as a son of Thomas. Ezekiel was most likely named after a maternal uncle, Ezekiel Jewell. Nevertheless, (extending a theory perhaps too far) Ezekiel is a Griffin name, and there is at least one son of Thomas Flewelling, whose name is unknown, who may well have been called Ezekiel. If that should be the case, this theory would be much supported.
  To summarize, it is said that Thomas Flewelling’s wife was Elizabeth Griffin; there is some reason to accept this; there was a distinct Griffin family in the relevant localities; the naming patterns of the Griffins bear a striking resemblance to Thomas’ family; and the most likely candidate in this Griffin family was Elizabeth, daughter of Ezekiel and Ann (Smith) Griffin. That Ezekiel’s wife was a Smith is also not without significance, as so were Thomas Flewelling’s mother and grandmother.
  Returning to a consideration of the 1763 ‘census’ of Westchester Co., especially of North Castle, it should be noted that none of Robert Flewelling’s sons appear as independent males which indicates they were all unmarried, and still living at home. That Thomas does appear suggests that he was somewhat older than Robert’s sons. At the very least, that he would have been the eldest. As mentioned before (although the facts of the argument are lengthy in presentation), at least two of Robert’s children (his eldest son, Ezekiel; and Maplet, who married Caleb Haight) were born about or even before 1730; but not much after. If Thomas was Robert’s eldest son, then he would have been mentioned as such in Robert’s will of 1768, not Ezekiel.
  While on Long Island, Thomas Flewelling had the misfortune of encountering the forebears of the United States Marine Corps, who came across the Sound at night in whaleboats to rob the Loyalists on Long Island. There was a great deal of this sort of activity on both sides of the Sound, as both sides participated in night-time excursions. Sometimes, it must have been confusing who was who, as Thomas could only state that the group which robbed him "appeared to be Rebels." They took clothing, both men’s and women’s, new cloth, pistols and muskets. (Thomas appears to have been well armed.)
  It is possible that Thomas Flewelling performed other services of a more confidential nature as in 1780 he was issued a pass which read:

                                                                      Headquarters New York
                                                                      April Twenty Second 1780
The Bearer Thomas Fluellen, has his Excellency Lieutenant General Hauptman's permission, to pass and repass the advanced Posts of the British Army, without being asked any Questions, from the present date to the Tenth of May next.
                                                                      Geo Beckwith
                                                                                  Aid de Camp

It is unknown to me if forbidding guards the asking of any questions was normal for such passes, and it is possible that this pass was issued so that Thomas might bring his family within the Lines; but it seems that Thomas is being allowed a little more freedom that military security would normally allow.
That George Beckwith was more than an "Aid de Camp" is suggested by a segment of and article, Major General Alexander Hamilton, at web site:

http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/hamilton.html

"After this, Hamilton's career was not very illustrious. It seems that Hamilton was guilty of exposing Cabinet secrets to Major George Beckwith from Britain (who was involved with Benedict Arnold in his treason). Hamilton was very deceptive and dishonorable in his dealings with other government officials, discrediting some of his contemporaries in order to see that his plans, ideas and policies were successful. The ideas of other visionaries like Thomas Jefferson were doomed to failure as a result. In their correspondence, George Beckwith referred to Hamilton as "Number 7" in order to enshroud their dealings in secrecy. Other people involved in the affair were Senator William Samuel Johnson of Connecticut and Peter Schuyler, Hamilton's father-in-law from New York."

Some of these ‘hazardous excursions’ upon which Thomas Flewelling was sent may have been the gathering of intelligence, hence the purpose of the pass. At a web site:

http://www.beyond-the-illusion.com/files/Big-Brother/revspies.txt

is an article, The Secret American Revolution: The Culper Intelligence Net in Occupied New York City, by Michael Shawn Grogan, 4DEC1993. A couple of excerpts from this article are:

"Townsend's most important intelligence was gleaned from his parents home at Oyster Bay, Long Island. For over four years detachments of the British Army had quartered themselves in the house. In fact, Colonel Simcoe, the Queen's Rangers commanding officer, had made the family home his headquarters. Over time, the British had become complacent. Often enamored by the women of the Townsend household. Townsend's first cousin Hannah had married British Major Joseph Green, and his sister Sarah had received "tokens of esteem from Colonel Simcoe" Also, this house was the focal point of several meetings. In this way, family agents like Sarah frequently furnished her brother with important information."

"In early September 1780, Townsend's sister Sarah overheard inquiries being made concerning the shores of the Hudson in the vicinity of West Point. Unnoticed in her parents kitchen, she secretly observed a "supposed Whig", thinking himself alone, enter and conceal a letter within a little-used cupboard. After the man's departure, Sarah examined the letter: it was a business letter addressed to a "James Anderson". Suspicious of the letters mode of arrival, Sarah hid and kept watch until Major Andre (who was visiting Colonel Simcoe after missing a rendezvous with Arnold on September 12th) entered the room. She watched Andre search through several cupboards until he found the letter and then hastily concealed it without examination. Afterwards, Sarah, positioned at a convenient listening point, overheard a whispered conversation in Colonel Simcoe's room. She clearly heard the name "West Point" mentioned several times. Also, she heard Andre addressed by his alias of Anderson."

which indicates that Simcoe was involved with the Andre-Arnold-West Point affair, and that he was also involved in intelligence gathering. It is doubtful if the Major Joseph Green mentioned was the same who married Thomas’ cousin, Mary Flewelling, daughter of Robert Flewelling of North Castle, Westchester Co., NY, but the Townsend’s, like the Flewelling’s, were early on Long Island.
  I mentioned above, in commenting on William Odbur Raymond’s articles on the Queen’s Rangers and the King’s American Regiment, the possibility that Thomas Flewelling was known to John Graves Simcoe and Edmund Fanning. Indeed, the services performed for them almost necessitates a more than passing awareness of Thomas’ abilities or special knowledge. To push a theory further, it is possible that Fanning recommended Thomas Flewelling to Simcoe as a guide in the latter’s campaign in Westchester Co. In addition, there appears a slight connection between Simcoe and Benedict Arnold, at least to the extent where the Queen’s Rangers at one time served under Arnold’s generalship. Again, a tenuous thread appears between Simcoe and Beckwith, Beckwith and Thomas Flewelling, Simcoe and André, André and Arnold. Obviously I am suggesting that Thomas Flewelling was not only a guide and recruiter but an intelligence agent (spy), but this is a theory, and the full story may never be known. It may be significant that West Point is in the neighbourhood of the Hudson River where Flewelling’s lived, and that participants in the capture of André often bear surnames which appear in genealogies associated with families connected in later years to Flewelling’s. If Thomas Flewelling was not actively involved in espionage, he definitely was in a position to observe and be aware of much of the events surrounding these more noted persons.
  Thomas and his sons may have begun their participation in the Revolutionary War confident of British victory, and certain of their cause. They may have felt that all would be settled quickly, and they could go back to building a prosperous and plentiful life. Any optimism they may have begun with must have soon been replaced with a grimmer purpose as they quickly learned the price which war exacts. Thomas had lost all that thirty years of labour had brought him. Three sons and two brothers were dead. He was exiled, and forced into territory considered a wilderness, and left with a large family, most of them quite young. In all of this, nothing comes down to us telling of his wife Elizabeth. Not even when she was born or when she died is known, although she survived Thomas when he died in DEC1809. It is sad that no tale of what must have been a heroic struggle against unimaginable trials has survived. What survives to tell us of Thomas Flewelling includes an early attempt at a biography by the Rev H. A. Cody [13] in the 1890s when Cody was curate at Oak Point, and just before he was to marry one of Thomas' descendants. Cody interviewed members of the family, including Thomas' grand-daughter, Fanny Susannah (Flewelling) Peatman who was born in 1812, shortly after Thomas died, and must have heard him spoken of when she was young. It is most likely from her that the description of Thomas as a "small Welshmen" comes, as well as other details of a traditional nature. Other implications suggest that Thomas was somewhat temperamental, if strongly attached to the concepts of justice and liberty, and firmly attached to the British concepts of government and the Anglican Church. Elizabeth must have acted as a temper to Thomas' more fiery nature. (If William Shakespeare based his Capt. Fluellen on a real person in Stratford-upon-Avon (and there is good opinion that he did); and since that person was known to be somewhat obdurate; and if Thomas was, in fact, descended from such a Flewellyn; then in Capt. Fluellen’s character portrait we may well have something of Thomas’ nature.) While little is known of her beyond her name, she was believed to come from an early Quaker family (Edward Griffin was a signer of the Flushing Remonstrance), and surely her influence has survived her, and her strength must have been a major force in allowing the family to pick up the remnants of their lives and begin again.
  It was in the late summer of 1783 that Thomas and his family came to Saint John, New Brunswick on the ‘Cyrus’. They went aboard on 21 August, but the ship did not sail until 6 September. They arrived on 14 September, and disembarked on the 19th. Thomas did not lingered long in Saint John, but sought land on which to build a home immediately. He found a place above Oak Point in Kemble’s Manor on the Long Reach in the Saint John River. It would appear that he had arranged the purchase of this property while still in New York State, and the mortgage on this purchase was not finally paid until after his death. In explaining to the Loyalist Commissioners why he was unable to meet the first deadline for sending in a claim for compensation for losses, he tells that in 1783 he "went up the River, was not here (in Saint John) during Winter." Thus, there is reason to believe the tradition that Thomas Flewelling was the first settler in the Oak Point area.
  The muster of passenger list of the ‘Cyrus’ (I have also seen this ship called, ’Cyprus’) is one of the few of the Loyalist transports which have been available for some time, and it has been published several times. Most recently in, "Canadian Genealogist". [14] Thomas' family is listed as:

Flueling, Thomas 1
Flueling, Adam 1
Flueling, Elizabeth 1
Flueling, Enos 1
Flueling, George 1
Flueling, William 1
Flueling, Elizabeth 1
Flueling, Josh 2
Flueling, Sarah 2
Flueling, Caleb 2
Flueling, Jacob 3
Flueling, Thomas 3
Flueling, Jane 3

by Sharon Dubeau. The numbers refer to classifications for rations, first class being adults, second being children over the age of 10 (probably under 16), and third being children under 10. This is the earliest indication of the make-up of Thomas' family. We know from his claim that he had an additional three sons who died in the Revolution. The fact that Thomas apparently never had children named Josh or Jane, and that it can be demonstrated that he had a son, John, who was married by 1800, and a son, Joseph, indicates that Josh must have been Joseph, and Jane must have been John. George and William are never heard of again, and a recent publication by David G. Bell [15] indicates their fate. Bell shows that, according to documents he found in England, Enos, John, Adam and Joseph were listed separately presumably as being over 16 years of age, a distinct contradiction with the victualing list), while Thomas and Elizabeth are listed with seven children, five over 10, two under 10. (Part of the confusion might be that the John listed was his nephew, John III. Sorting out Johns in early New Brunswick Flewelling genealogy is almost a great a pastime as sorting out John Smiths in early Long Island genealogy.) In a list showing who was supplied provisions by the British in May, 1784, Thomas is listed as having six children with him, four over 10 and two under 10. At least one child died during this time, and more may have died soon afterwards. The first winter in New Brunswick was a hard one for the Loyalists, and Bell’s lists hint at a terrible toll; and there are tales of people found frozen to death in tents. Some hints of this are found at the site based on William Odbur Raymond’s scrapbook at:

http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/halew/Raymond41.html

where is found an article, The Loyalists and Their First New Brunswick Winter. Some excerpts from this article read:

"But the later arrivals were not so fortunate. When they arrived they found that scarcely any preparations had been made for their reception. At Parrtown, Portland and Carleton every habitation was crowded, and up the river S. John the houses of the old inhabitants at Gagetown, Sheffield and Maugerville were in many cases filled to overflowing with as many of the loyalists as could find accomodation. During the month of October many of the disbanded soldiers pushed their way up the Saint John transporting their few possessions in boats provided by government. But the season was cold and wet and the hardships and exposure very great."

"They then endured the greatest hardships, their situation being at times rendered well nigh desperate in consequence of the non arrival of supplies expected up the river before the close of navigation. Frequently the stout hearted fathers and sons of the little colony at St. Anne's had to journey from fifty to a hundred miles with toboggans through wild woods or on the ice to procure a precarious supply of food for their famishing families. Women, delicately reared, cared for their children beneath canvas tents rendered habitable only by the banks of snow which lay six feet deep in the open spaces of the forest, and as one said who had as a child passed through the terrible experience of that first winter: 'There were times when strong proud men wept like children and lay down in their snow bound tents to die.'"

"In his little work on New Brunswick history, published in the year 1825, Mr. Peter Fisher (father of ex-Mayor Fisher of Woodstock) speaks of the tribulations endured by the pioneer settlers in the words following, 'The privations and sufferings of these people almost exceed belief. The want of food and clothing in a wild, cold country, was not easily dispensed with or soon remedied.'"

Even after the war Thomas was still to suffer for his principles. However, his wisdom and foresight in procuring property immediately, rather than waiting on the bounty of the British government; property that was near to Saint John and on the fluid highway of the River Saint John (more solid in winter), probably saved lives in his family and testifies to his character.
  Thomas Flewelling must have been devoutly attached to the Anglican Church (somewhat of an eccentricity peculiar to his father’s family considering the family’s very early and long association with the Religious Society of Friends) as a number of his descendants became or married Anglican priests, and others were involved as church wardens and vestrymen, deacons, lay preachers, etc. This may well be due to Elizabeth’s influence as well. Even though later generations seem split between the Anglican Church and other denominations, notably Baptist and Methodist, there seems to have been no religious controversy within the family, and good relationships prevailed between different branches. (An example is Thomas’ brother, Abel Flewelling who was active in the Anglican Church near Gagetown while he wife was attracted to the pre-Loyalist, Congregationalist Church of Maugerville, across the River.) Certainly, Thomas and his large family must have taken part in the building of St. George's chapel where St Paul's now stands on Oak Point. The register [16] for the Anglican Church in Greenwich Parish was not begun for several years after the church was built, and the first baptism, amongst others in late 1800 which included grandchildren of Thomas, was that of James Flewelling, son of Adam. The Rector of Trinity Church, across the river in Kingston, may have initially performed all ceremonies, however, the register for the first 20 to 25 years (from 1789) has, unfortunately, been lost to fire.
  Thomas did not wait for the grant of land to which he was entitled as a Loyalist. A letter summarizing references to Flewelling in the Public Archives of Canada suggests that on 23 June, 1780 Enos and John purchased land from Col. Stephen Kemble, giving a mortgage of £25, and that on 2 June, 1783, Thomas purchased lots on the Saint John River. H. A. Cody gives a date of 1788, and mentions Lots 16 (170 acres), 17 (180 acres), 20 (240 acres) and 22 (240 acres, apparently soon after sold to John Morel.) The years given must have been in error, yet the implication is, and there are other reasons for believing so, that Thomas and his family settled on land originally granted to Kemble, soon afterwards making arrangements to purchase that land from him or his agents [17]. This was the beginning of a concerted effort by Thomas and his sons to acquire land by trade, purchase or grant; a process not yet fully analyzed, but which, by his death in 1809, left at least three square miles of land (most likely more) in his, or his son's possession.
  In front of the lots which Thomas and his sons Enos and John had between Oak Point and the Mistake Intervale, lay Grassy Island. As its name implies, it was probably swept clear of large trees by spring flooding, and was, as many such islands in the river are nowadays, ideal pasture which would not need fencing. This would have been an enviable piece of property to own, and Thomas coveted it. Early in March of 1785, Thomas, Enos, John and Adam petitioned for Grassy Island. They point out that they have not yet received the allotments due them as Loyalists, and that they have so far drawn blanks in the draws for surveyed lots. Also, that they had purchased from Kemble those lots fronting the river at the place where Grassy Island lay. He adds (again) that he lost three sons in the war, that he is near 60 years of age (verifying the estimate of his year of birth as being ca. 1730 or before) and that of his children, five are still very young. The Governor in Council decided that the islands in the river were not to be granted 'at present". On 23 May, Enos again petitions for Grassy Island. He points out that he was one of the first (with, his father and brothers) to apply for a grant of the island, that there appears to be competition as four others have also submitted petitions, and that this time, they will be willing to accept only a portion of the 10 acres.
  Thomas apparently never received any portion of the island at all. However, on 14FEB1785, Thomas, with his sons, Joseph and John and others, petitioned in Parr Town (Saint John) for grants within Glazier’s Manor. It is indicative of Thomas’ persistence in trying to acquire land, and during his attempt, on 8APR1785, he and his sons, did receive grants on Glazier's Manor. Thomas got Lot 5, and John and Joseph shared Lot 6. There is no indication that they used these grants, and by 1787, others were in possession, so he must have sold them and used the proceeds to buy other lands near his residence. It was also in 1787, by the 20th of July, that ownership of the initial property in what had been Kemble’s Manor was settled. Thomas had Lot D (an amendment of Lot 16 adding 30 acres from Martin Trecartin’s 289 acres in Lot 15 to make 200 acres) and the next lot upriver, Lot 17, was shared by Enos and John.

Petition of Thomas Flewelling and sons for Grassy Island March, 1785.
From p. 198 of, Cogs: The Ancestors and Descendants of John Gunton and Eliza Jarvis, David A. Avery, Mika Publishing Co., Belleville, ONT, 1982.
It is likely that this is a transcription of the original entered into, perhaps, a Kings Co., record book as the signatures appear to be all in the same hand, and the spelling, "Fluwelling" is somewhat unusual.

   Grassy Island was, at least initially, assigned to the Justices of the Peace for Kings County, possibly as community property, thus avoiding any hard-feeling between the competing neighbours. This is only one example of what appear to have been numerous petitions and transactions, as his will, and other documents, reveal that he came into possession of lands owned by next-door neighbours, and on both sides of the river. Even in 1807, two years before his death, he was still petitioning for land with his sons and nephews. One item which must have helped was the amount he received as compensation for his losses in the Revolution. The Commissioners were given a limited amount to meet these claims, and the claims themselves totaled far more than this amount. Thomas, even though he clearly demonstrated that the land he had in Westchester County, New York, by itself, was worth at least £1,100, modestly asked only £801 and four shillings for all of his losses. He was awarded an unusually high percentage of £570, giving him the capital for his land purchases.
  The Right Rev. Archdeacon H. A. Cody married a descendant of Thomas Flewelling, and was for some years in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s an Anglican priest for the parishes of Westfield and Greenwich in Kings Co., NB. He compiled biographies of some of the settlers of the area, and an un-attributed work on Thomas Flewelling appears to be his, and is consistent with similar works he is known to have written. In the preparation of this biography, Cody mentions Fanny Susannah (Flewelling) Peatman (Thomas’ granddaughter) as a source. Fanny died in 1812, and Cody says she was eight years of age, so the piece was probably written about 1892. He also mentions members of the family of Thomas’ son, Adam; and he would have had access to church records, and most likely county records in Kingston.
  Among the items mentioned in Cody’s work, he refers to a memorial of 2JUN1807 in which appear the names of Thomas Flewelling, Sr., Thomas Flewelling and Thomas B. Flewelling. While the second Thomas is probably his son, it is questionable as to who Thomas B. Flewelling was as his grandson, Thomas Brittain Flewelling, was only about five years of age at the time. This may have something to do with another item Cody mentions when, in 1802, Thomas Flewelling and Elizabeth, his wife, deed a Lot # 19 to Adam Flewelling for £44 15 shillings. He also mentions that on 11JUL1797, Thomas purchased from John Crabb a piece of land.
  Thomas Flewelling's purpose in gathering land seems to have been to provide for his family, especially for his sons. In order to farm, arable land had to be cleared, and the fact that this was relatively scarce in the area of Kings County in which Thomas settled is evidenced by the fact that numbers of settlers abandoned their grants, some to move to Upper Canada, some staying only long enough to only clear their land of saleable timber. In later years, a common ground for petitioning for further grants was the difficulty in living off lands already received. During his life, Thomas gave lands to his elder sons, presumably when they married, and in his will shared out a large amount to those who had not already received lands from him. In this way, Enos and John Flewelling received land acquired on the Kennebecasis side of the Kingston Peninsula near where Clifton-Royal and Moss Glen are today. Enos founded the Clifton/Kingston branch of the Oak Point branch of the Flewelling family. The location was useful to Enos' descendants when they participated in the shipbuilding industry which was prominent in New Brunswick for decades.
  Another aspect of these land transactions is that they were sometimes useful in identifying members of Thomas' family. An example is the way that John Flewelling of Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario was identified as a son
of Thomas.
  On 19 March 1791, Amos Moss requests the lot he received in Frederick Hauser's first survey in Kingston be assigned to Thomas Flewelling, as they had exchanged lands. A map and references to Hauser's survey in Walter Bates account of the settlement of Kingston [18] identifies this lot. An instrument of conveyance dated 25 April, 1800 shows that a John Flewelling and his wife, Mary, sold the lot to Thomas Pettingell. This instrument has John's signature. Another instrument, dated 27 February, 1808, also bearing John and Mary's signatures, conveys land to Thomas Flewelling (presumably his brother), and identifies John as being of Greenwich Parish, Kings County. In Nelson Township, on 28 August, 1818, a John Flewelling purchased land from Christopher Teeple. Again, John's signature is on the memorial, and it is identical to the other two signatures. The first two documents show that the John Flewelling involved is closely related to Thomas Flewelling, without doubt his son; while the third document shows that the John Flewelling of Nelson Township is the same person as the John Flewelling identified as Thomas' son. This is fortuitous as the John Flewelling in Nelson Township could have been John Flewelling III, son of Thomas' brother, John Flewelling, Jr.
  There are no specific indications of how Thomas used his land. Since, in his will, he describes various parcels as farms, and since his descendants farmed there until very recently, he and his sons must have set themselves to clearing the land and farming it as soon as possible. The timber which was gained from the clearing was probably floated down the river to be sold. It is a custom of New Brunswickers from the earliest days to farm in the summer, and work in the woods in the winter, cutting logs to be driven in the spring.
  There is some indication that, in later years, the Flewelling’s became involved in the shipping that took place up and down the River, especially in the river boats that used the River for decades, and in transportation of coal and lumber from Grand Lake. The Saint John River assumed the aspect of a main highway through much of New Brunswick, and Oak Point, jutting out into Long Reach, was a logical landing place. For a time, Oak Point was known as Flewelling's landing.
  Cody’s biographical material suggests that Thomas’ home was where "the new school-house now stands" and there was "a large willow tree." This was in about 1892, so locating where the school house stood at that time would locate Thomas’ homestead.
  One enterprise which Thomas did enter into was the construction and operation of a fulling mill - a mill for the treatment of fabrics, cleaning them, or preparing them for use as rag paper. The Rev. H. A. Cody refers to a letter from Ward Chipman to Stephen Kemble in 179219, which Cody quotes as saying, in part:

"Thomas Llewellyn, at the lower bounds of the Manor, has erected a Fulling Mill, and I understand it is well accustomed and useful."

Chipman acted as agent for Kemble in the administration of Kemble Manor, part of which Thomas had purchased in 1783, and Chipman was probably reporting on matters relating to the Manor. The Raymond Paddock Gorham Papers [20] quotes an advertisement from the, Saint John Gazette:

Long Reach, Sept. 1, 1797
Thomas Fluelling, proprietor of the Fulling Mill at Long Reach, wishes to inform the public that he has now procured a complete workman from the States, that understands fulling, Shearing, Pressing and Coloring in all its branches. All persons who please to favor him with their custom may depend on having it done with neatness and despatch.

Gorham quotes a later advertisement in a 27 July, 1798 issue of the, Saint John
Gazette, which identifies the workman as Moses Fox:

...who wrought in Mr. Fluelling's fulling mill the last season, respectfully informs the public that he is about commencing the business in Kingston in company with Mr. Could [Gould?] Pickett.

Since the advertisement further identifies one of the new fulling mill's pick-up points as James Tilley's tavern in Greenwich, presumably Thomas, at this time, left off the enterprise, or found the competition too stiff. Certainly, Gould Pickett's location on Kingston Creek was a more advantageous one. Where Thomas' mill stood is not made clear, although maps show a stream on the lot he had purchased in 1783.
  Thomas' will was made on 7NOV1809, and was probated on 10JAN1810. An appraisal of his property was made on 18DEC1809. An interesting feature of the probate records is that the probate notes have the date of 6DEC1809 crossed out, and the later date of 10JAN1810 inserted. Two possibilities for this suggest themselves. First, that the date of Thomas' death was first written in, in error. Second, that since an appraisal of his estate had not been made, the probation had been postponed to a later date.
  The signature on the will was written in a very shaky hand, indicating Thomas was in very poor physical condition at the time, and the dates referred to above show that he died between 27NOV and 6DEC1809.
  The will, itself, is the second most important indication who his children were. Mentioned are:

Wife, Elizabeth Flewelling
Daughter, Elizabeth Flewelling
Daughter, Sarah Flewelling
Son, Caleb Flewelling
Son, John Flewelling
Son, Adam Flewelling
Son, Jacob Flewelling
Son, Thomas Flewelling
Son, Enos Flewelling

Missing is Thomas' son, Joseph Flewelling. In a petition in 1785, a Joseph Flewelling, who can only be Thomas' son, is a subscriber along with his father and brothers. However, in a similar petition in 1807, Joseph is not included, although all Flewelling’s who are of age, Including two sons of Thomas' brother, John Flewelling, Jr., and who are in the area, seem to have participated. Early Flewelling genealogists assumed that Joseph went to Upper Canada, and pointed to families in Lincoln County, Ontario as his descendants. Recent investigations and considerations indicate that the Flewelling’s on the Niagara Peninsula are, for the most part, descendants of John Flewelling, Jr., most likely through John, Jr.'s son, James Flewelling. It seems more likely that Joseph died between 1785 and 1807. The confusion was probably caused by the second family in Lincoln Co., that of Joseph Flewelling, son of John, son of Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point.
  To his wife Elizabeth Thomas left the household furniture, two horses, two, cows and twelve sheep, along with the "Homestead Farm" between the Trecartin Farm and the Crabb Farm. This would include the lot he had bought in Kemble’s Manor, the lot next door originally assigned to John and Enos Flewelling, and the lot next to that, originally granted to Charles Theale. At her death, the household furniture was to go to his daughters Elizabeth and Sarah; the farm to his son, Caleb, with Caleb paying ten pounds to John and ten shillings to Adam ''as they have received their Portions." Elizabeth's livestock are to be equally divided amongst all of his children.
  Jacob Flewelling received the Trecartin Farm, which Thomas has also acquired, with Jacob paying fifty pounds, twenty-five of that to Thomas' daughter, Elizabeth. Thomas Jr. received land called the Williams Farm (the location of which has not yet been identified), with Thomas, Jr. paying twenty-five pounds to Sarah.
  Enos was bequeathed Lot 21 on the Kennebecasis River, on the other side of the Kingston Peninsula, originally owned by Jacob Lester. Thomas also owned half of Lot 19 (Ezekiel, son of Enos later acquiring Lot 20) near Enos' bequest. This half lot, and the remainder of the livestock, were to be sold and the proceeds given to his wife, Elizabeth. These lands, altogether, came to about 1,750 acres, and do not include lands previously given to Adam and John, nor lands which his sons may have by then, or later acquired on their own behalf.
  The estate was valued at £588, 10 shillings and sixpence, although the half of Lot 19 was not included in the inventory. The addition may have brought the total value well over £600. Since Elizabeth and Caleb were the executors, and since all the inheritors were family, the valuation may have been minimized if there were death duties to be paid; and the half of Lot 19 may have "accidentally" been left out to preserve a little flexibility in the selling price. There is also no mention of currency, and if there was any, Thomas probably distributed it before his death.
  It is not known where Thomas Flewelling and his wife are buried. The cemetery on Oak Point was in use by that time, the earliest known burial having taken place in 1790, and it has been theorized that they were buried close to where St. Paul's now stands. H. A. Cody points out that Thomas Flewelling was vestryman in 1797, and one of those who assisted in the building of St. George’s Chapel to which the cemetery was attached. Even though no monument now stands to commemorate Thomas and Elizabeth's passing, their descendants are numerous, and are found over most of the North American continent, many having participated in the expansion and growth both of Canada and the United States. Indeed, the history of the Flewelling family in general, what little is known so far, seems to reflect the growth of both nations from their earliest days of settlement.
  It is difficult to determine the character and personality of a person with the limited documents available. Thomas Flewelling does not seem to have been exceptional in the way of a soldier, statesman, or a leader in commerce; and the spotlight of History barely catches a glimpse of him standing in the wings of the stage on which greater events were played. I do not feel, however, that he would have placed much value on such fame.
  It is clear that he was vociferous, perhaps opinionated, certainly conservative. As a Loyalist, he was certainly single-minded in his conviction that total separation from Britain would be disastrous, yet he does not seem attached to the British on emotional grounds. Indeed, couched in his language in petitions and in his Loyalist claim are tinges of animosity towards officialdom in general. It is as if he preferred government to stay far from him until needed, and resented its interference in his getting on with the process of raising a family and creating as bountiful a life for them as possible. This was probably a reflection of the attitude of his forebears in Hempstead, Long Island, who had lived under the basically democratic system of town meetings for almost a century before his birth.
   (The people of Hempstead were notorious for creating problems if they felt their rights or privileges were interfered with. They seem to regard any official government business as interference, and while they paid their taxes; grudgingly and as little as possible, and contributed to the greater commonwealth, in religion and politics they maintained an unusual degree of independence. There is a legend that the Stars and Stripes of the United States of America was based on a flag devised by men from around Hempstead who fought at Ticonderoga in the Seven Years War. Hempstead was also at the centre of some strange activities in which a republic was declared and a president thereof about 1663 when the English seized the Dutch territories. In spite of these republican leanings, Long Islanders were well represented amongst both Patriots and Loyalists, and the sad truth of the American Revolution is that it was a civil war in which kin fought kin.)
  In many ways, Thomas was perhaps an average man of his time and place. A little more resourceful and ambitious than some, but not as eager for power and fame as others. Those characteristics which seem to have made Thomas Flewelling the person he was also seem to still exist in his descendants today. One might believe that his influence still lives in a quiet way, and that his ideals and convictions and those of his neighbours and others like him played a more significant part in History than is readily apparent.
  Most important, Thomas Flewelling set himself to accomplish certain things. From his youth, he rose to a degree of prosperity and a certain amount of influence in his community. Cast into poverty and trials which lost him all he possessed, at least two brothers and seven sons, he continued to face unimaginable hardship until he regained much of what he lost, to pass on to his children, not only his ideals, but the opportunity to progress. In these difficult times, his is an example which should not go completely unnoticed.

Petition of Thomas Flewelling, his sons: John and Joseph, Thomas Perond, Malcolm Wright and John Steward asking for land on Glazier’s Manor. Made in Parr Town (Saint John), New Brunswick 14FEB1785. Photocopy provided by David Avery.

SOURCES

  The Flewelling family involves a rather interesting phenomenon. Over the years, there have been numerous persons interested in its genealogy and history, One early example is that of the Hon. William Puddington Flewelling, a minister of the Crown in New Brunswick who might have been a Father of Confederation if he had not been opposed to Confederation. At any rate, after 1867 he found himself without a job. Having money from his ship-building business, he set out to learn the family history and travelled to the United States and Great Britain in his search. He later claimed to have successfully traced the family to Wales. He placed his notes in a nearly-completed, large house he was having built - which promptly burned, taking his notes with it. He was so disconsolate at losing his work that he refused to speak of it, and anything he may have found has since remained unknown.
  Since then, a number of people have individually attempted to trace the family history. In many cases, they died and their work was lost. Sometimes, however, their work was deposited in a museum, library or archives. At first, these works lacked any indication regarding the sources of their information. Later, some gave half-hearted indications of their sources. They were writing mostly for themselves, and felt others were not interested. Gradually, however, these people became aware of each other, and about 1982, they were brought together by a newsletter specializing in Flewelling genealogy called "Oak Leaves". Through the newsletter, it has been possible to exchange information, correlate data, trace sources, and correct errors. Also, greater attention to sources has been paid, and earlier work re-done and re-evaluated. Not all sources have been tracked down, and there is still much work to be done, but, today, information comes in more quickly than it can be correlated, and the effort has become a group work, rather than individual attempts. As a result, the references given below are often derived from second or third-hand mentions, and are not always complete. An effort has been made to be factual, and even where an element of doubt is expressed, that doubt is often a small one, only given because definite proof is not available, or because I feel sources need to be traced, or additional data found.
  An attempt was made to indicate some specific sources without over-burdening the work with footnotes. Also, an attempt was made to balance between exciting speculation and mundane facts. Below, an attempt is made to give sources in more detail. Some sources and names will be inadvertently omitted. Not all gave direct information on the topic, but gave background information which made more relevant data even more meaningful.

NOTES

1. Brinkworth, E.R.C., Shakespeare and the Bawdy Court of Stratford, Phillimore and Co. Ltd., Chichester, Sussex, England, 1972, pp. 120 and 121, p. 52

2. Bardsley, Charles Waering, Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1967, p. 292, p. 490

3. Barber, the Rev. Henry, British Family Names, Gale Research Co., Detroit, 1968, p. 187

4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom, Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, Maryland, 1969, p. 280

5. Pine, L. G., The Story of Surnames, Country Life Ltd., London, England, 1965, p. 98

6. Latter Day Saints microfilm IGI MO 417, Baptisms in Warwickshire, England

7. Latter Day Saints microfilm 940, 268, 3rd item, Jeacockes Family

8. Hick, Benjamin D., editor, North and South Hempstead Town Records, Long Island Farmer Print, 1896, Volumes A-H: 1657-1880.

9. Frost, Josephine C., editor, Records of Jamaica, Long Island, New York: 1656-1751, Volumes 1, 2, and 3, the Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn, NY, 1914

10. Will of Robert Ashman, made 15 March 1683, probated 26 July 1683, Office of the Surrogate, New York. NY

11. Register of Burials, Trinity Anglican Church, Kingston, Kings Co., NB, Book 2, p. 22, at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (PANB), Fredericton, NB, microfilm F-1101

12. Will of Robert Flewelling, 1768, Pelletreau, Westchester County, New York Wills: 1664-1784, pp. 373-374, (Liber 26, p. 420)

13. Cody, the Rev H. A., The Church Bell, a newsletter for the Anglican Church in the Parishes of Greenwich and Westfield, Kings Co., NB, March, 1901

14. Dubeau, Sharon, Loyalist Transport 'Cyrus‘, "The Canadian Genealogist", Vol. 5, No.4, December,1983, pp. 205-207, Generation Press, Agincourt, Ontario

15. Bell, D.G., Early Loyalist Saint John: The Origin of New Brunswick Politics: 1783-1786, New.Ireland Press, Fredericton, NB, 1983, Appendix VIII (compiled from transport ships' muster lists and provision lists, 1783-1784), p. 200

16. Register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, Anglican Church, Parish of Greenwich, Kings Co, NB, PANB film F-1096

17. Public Archives of Canada (PAC) microfilm C-13151, Ward Chipman Papers, Vol. 12, pp. 154-157

18. Bates, Walter, Kingston and the Loyalists of the 'Spring Fleet' of 1783, Non-Entity Press,", Woodstock, NB, 1980, pp. 4 &15

19. Cody, the Rev. H. A., The Church Bell, Oak Point, Greenwich Parish, Kings Co., NB, March, 1901

20. Raymond Paddock Gorham Papers, in the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Fredericton, on microfilm F-1283

PUBLISHED BOOKS

__________, Marriage Register of Rev. Black: 1828-1842: Districts of Gore and Niagara, Niagara District - Book One

_________, Loyalist Lineages of Canada, Toronto Branch, U. E. L. Association of Canada, Generation Press, Agincourt, ONT, 1983, p. 40

__________, The New Brunswick Museum Department of Canadian History, Archives Division: Inventory of Manuscripts: 1967, New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B., 1967

__________,1877 Historical Atlas of Norfolk County, Ontario, Mika Publishing Co., Belleville, Ont., 1972

__________, Historical Records North Castle - New Castle, Vol. 1 (1736-1791); published 1975.

__________, Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York Procured in Holland, England, and France, Weed, Parsons and Co., 1853

__________, Wills of Orange and Rockland Counties, New York, p. 98

Anjou, Gustave, Ulster County Wills, Vol. 2, p. 103. (Gustave Anjou was a noted genealogical forger, so it is not clear how reliable this source is.)

Avery, David, Cogs: The Ancestors and Descendants of John Gunton and Eliza Jarvis, Mika Publishing, Ltd., Belleville, ONT, 1982

Barnett, C. B. & Sewell, E. S., Loyalist Families, Fredericton Branch of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada, Fredericton, N.B., 1983, p. 36

Bell, G. G., Early Loyalist Saint John: 1783-1786, New Ireland Press, Fredericton, NB, 1983, p. 193

Bunker, Mary Powell, Long Island Genealogies, Joel Munsell's sons, Albany, N.Y., 1895

Dubeau, Sharon, New Brunswick Loyalists, Generation Press, Agincourt, Ont., 1983, p. 37

Eager, Samuel Watkins, History of Orange County, New York, ca. 1846

Fellows, Robert F., Researching Your Ancestors in New Brunswick, Canada, privately through the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, 1979

Flint, Martha Bockée, Long Island Before the Revolution, Ira J. Friedman Inc., Port Washington, Long Island, NY, (Vol. 15 Empire State Historical Publications), no date

Fraser, Alexander, Second Report of the Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario: 1904, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Toronto, 1905

Gilroy, Marion, Loyalists and Land Settlement in Nova Scotia, Provincial Archives of Nova Scotia, Halifax,1937

Greer, George Cabell, Early Virginia Immigrants: 1623-1666, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1966?, p.187

Griffin, Justus A., Ancestors and Descendants of Richard Griffin of Smithville Ontario, a Pioneer Family, 1924, Griffin & Richmond Company, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Gunton, E. A., Looking Backwards: The History of the Family of Isaiah Jarvis and Olive R. Flewellyn, privately, Simcoe, Ont., 1933

Hannay, James, Oak Point Churchyard, "The New Brunswick Magazine", Vol. 3, No. 4, pp.158-164, October 1899, John A. Bower, publisher, Saint John, NB

Hill, Edwin Patrick, Genealogy of the Griffen Family of New York and Allied Families, 1940, privately

IIngles, Col. C. J., The Queen's Rangers in the Revolutionary War, 1956, p. 86

Jones, Ted, All the Days of His Life: A Biography of Archdeacon H. A. Cody, New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, N.B., 1981

Lawrence, J. W., Foot Prints or, Incidents in Early History of New Brunswick, J. & A. McMillan, Saint John, NB, 1883, pp. 33, 35 & 111

Marshall, Bernice, Colonial Hempstead: Long Island Life Under the Dutch and English, Ira J. Friedman Inc., Port Washington, Long Island, NY, 1962

McKenzie, the Rev. Donald A., Death notices From the Christian Guardian, Hunterdon House, Lambertville, NJ, 1984, pp. 99-100 (the death notice of Joseph Flewelling, son of John, son of Thomas)

O' Callaghan, E. H., editor, Documentary History of the State of New York, Weed, Parsons and Co., Albany, N.Y., 1849

Owen, Egbert Americus, Pioneer Sketches of Long Point Settlement, Mika Publishing, Ltd., Belleville, Ont., 1972

Paucher, _____, Old Gravestones of Dutchess County, pp. 18 & 87

Raymond, William Odber, editor, Winslow Papers, A.D. 1776-1826, Gregg Press, Boston, 1972

Sabine, Lorenzo, Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution With An Historical Essay, Little, Brown & Co., Boston, 1864, Vols. 1 & 2

Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Vols.1-4, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1965

Scott, Kenneth, New York Marriage Bonds: 1753-1787, St. Nicholas Society, p.163.

Shakespeare, William, Henry V

Stryker-Rodda, Kenn, Census of New Jersey: List II: 1778-1780, Polyanthos, New Orleans, 1972, p. 76

Telephone Directories: North Wales, 1982; South Wales, 1982; Fredericton, NB and region, 1983; Saint John, NB and region, 1983; others in Ontario, New York State, Maine, Michigan, and numerous others in the United States and Canada.

Van Peenen, Mavis, Edward Griffen(e) of Flushing, Long Island, New York: 1602-1691, and Some of His Descendants, 1957. Compiled and published by the author

Walker, Julia M. & Duplisea, Margaret G., 1851 Census For Kings County, New Brunswick, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, 1979

Wright, Dr. E. C., Loyalists of New Brunswick, privately, Windsor, NS, 3rd edition, 1977

Wright, Dr. E. C., The Saint John River, McClelland & Stewart, Ltd., Toronto, 1949

MacNutt, W. S., New Brunswick: A History: 1784-1867, MacMillan of Canada, Toronto, 1963

Swanick, Eric L., compiler, New Brunswick History Check List: First Supplement, Legislative Library, Fredericton, NB, 1974.

PERIODICALS

__________, "The New York Historical Quarterly", Vol. 35

__________, "The Westchester Historian", Vol. 135, No. 4?, pp. 100-101

__________, "The Collections of the New Brunswick Historical Society", Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 277-279, Saint John, NB,1899

__________, "Daughters of the American Revolution Bible Records", Vol. 96, pp. 161-165; Vol. 107, pp. 142-143

__________, 18th Century Records, Dutchess County, New York, "Collections of Dutchess County Historical Society", Vol. 6, 1938

__________, The Llewellyn Family, (author and publication unknown, article dealing with Llewellyn family in Norfolk Co., Virginia. Possibly part of The Grimes-Llewellyn Families, by Rufus Nathan Grimes, 1972.

__________, "New York Genealogical and Biographical Record", Vol. 45, p. 66; Vol.19, p. 55; Vol. 91, p.174.

__________, Records of the Rumbout Presbyterian Church, "New York Genealogical and Biographical Records", Vols. 68, 69 and 70, p. 291

Cody, the Rev. H. A. editor, The Church Bell, Anglican Church newsletter, Greenwich and Westfield Parishes, Kings Co., NB, biographical material based on church records, personal interviews, and other sources, issues for March, 1901 (Thomas Flewelling), April, 1901 (Adam Flewelling), and May, 1901 (Thomas Jr. and Caleb Flewelling)

Eardley, William, (an article in a publication of The Long Island Historical Society 15 September, 1965)

Harvey, Mrs. J. A., Robert Land, U. E. L, "Sesqui-Centennial Number, Transactions of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada", UELA, Toronto, 1935

Hill, Henrietta, The Family Skeleton: A History & Genealogy of the Flewellen, Fontaine, Copeland, Treutlen, McCormick, Allan & Stuart Families, Montgomery, Alabama, 1958. (This may have been a book although the photocopies sent to me appeared to be part of a periodical.)

Jacobus, Donald Lines, John Smith of Mespat, Bartholomew Smith of Huntington, "The American Genealogist", (Smith Number), Vol. 25, No.2, Whole No.98, April, 1949, pp. 66-67,68-69.

Raymond, W .0., Epitaphs, Church of England Graveyard, Kingston, (Cemetery of Trinity Anglican Church (1789), Kingston, Kingston Parish, Kings Co., NB), "Acadiensis", Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 8-11, No. 2, pp. 133-137, No. 3, pp. 217-221, January 1908 and following, Historical Society of New Brunswick, Saint John, 1908

Smith, Anne E., The Abel Smiths of Hempstead, Long Island, and Some Of Their Descendants, "New York Genealogical and Biographical Record", Vol. 53, January, 1922, pp.12-17

Stryker-Rodda, Ken, Waterford Township, Gloucester County Ratables: 1779 and February, 1780 (Books 804 and 805), "Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey"

UNPUBLISHED SOURCES

Kings Co. Marriage Register, PANB F-75

Register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials in the Parishes of Greenwich and Westfield, Kings Co.

N.B., Anglican Church, 1801-1902, PANB film F-1096.

Queens Co., N.B. Probate Records, PANB films F-1311, F-1312, F-1329, F-1330.

Queens Co., N.B. Marriage Registers, PANB film F-1324, Vols. A-C: 1812-1888.

Lancaster Parish Records: 1874-1912, PANB F-1096.

Kings Co., N.B.. Probate Records: 1787-1885, PANB F-1399-F1401.

New Brunswick Index of Land Grants, Book 1, PANB.

1851 Census of Norfolk Co., Ontario.

Family Bible of Caleb FIewelling (passed down to his granddaughter, Ann Butler (FIewelling) Renner, and referred to by her grandson, Roy Renner. )

Norfolk Co., Ont. Marriage Register.

Upper Canada Land Petitions Index.

Kings Co., N.B. Census Returns for 1861 (Public Archives of Canada film C-1003), 1871 (PAC C-103377), and 1881 (PAC C-13180).

Charlotte Co., N.B. Census Returns for 1871 (PAC C-10377) and 1881 (PAC C-13180).

St. Clair Co., Michigan,.U.S.A. Census Returns, 1884

Photocopies of original instruments conveying land In Ulster Co., NY .during the American Revolution

N.B. Land Grant (Kings Co. #15), Book 1, 27 January, 1786

Saint John County Marriage Register, Book A

Will of Robert FIewelling, New York, NSA, Liber L, p. 246, made 4 March 1828, probated 30 June 1828

Queens Co., NB Census 1861, PAC C-1004

Headstones in Oak Point Anglican Cemetery, St. Paul's Church (1840), the Rev. Keith C. Brown, Rector in 1979

Headstones in the Oak Point, Kings Co., NB Baptist Cemetery

Kings Co., NB Marriage Registers, Vols. 1 & 2, 1812-1844, 1844-1867, PANB F-75

Browns Plat Baptist Church Cemetery, Browns Flats, Kings Co., NB

Anglican Cemetery, Trinity Church, Kingston, NB

Hampton Village Cemetery, Kings Co., NB

All Saints' Anglican Church Cemetery, Kingston Parish, Kings Co., NB

Records of St. George's Episcopalian Church, Hempstead, Long Island, NY

Census returns of North Castle, Westchester Co., NY for 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840 and 1850

Census returns of Yorktown, Westchester Co., NY for 1810, 1820, 1830, and 1850. I;.

Census returns of New Castle, Westchester Co., NY for 1830 and 1850

Other census material from New York State, Michigan and Maine, gathered by Marian Perlot

Census returns for Halton Co, ONT

Census returns, Aroostook Co., Maine, 1850

Land petitions in New Brunswick, especially Kings Co. 111, 112, 200; and Queens Co. 230; photocopies of originals and PANB films F-1030 and F-4171

Cadastral maps of Kings Co., NB, Dept. of Natural Resources, New Brunswick, showing original grants; especially maps no.149 , 156 and 157

British Military and Naval Records RG8, I, Public Archives of Canada microfilm reel C-4223, V. 1902.

COLLECTED NOTES

Ganong, Dr. W. F., Ganong Genealogy, New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, NB

Spack, Vivian M., notes deposited with the London and Western District Branch of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada, London, Ontario; dealing with Flewelling, Griffin, Haight, Smith and other families.

Wetmore, AIlan H., Flewelling Genealogy, manuscript deposited in the New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, NB; composite of information gathered by correspondence, interview, and examination of local material in Kings Co.

Oak Point Papers, author unknown, provided by Joseph Flewelling to Harvey A. Flewelling, Sr. of Saint John.

Raymond Paddock Gorham Papers, at the Public Archives of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, MGO/C/4, F-1283

Papers of George E. Mott, LDS films 859,580 and 859,581, dealing with Mott, Flewelling and Lyon families, by Capt. Dr. George Ernest Mott, MD, (USN retired)

LETTERS

Mr. John Austin of Glenn Palls, NY, to Mr. Donald H. Jeffery, 4MAY1982

Mrs. Gertrude I. Gross, of Brandon, Manitoba 27MAR1985 to Mrs. Joan Hooks, of Oakville, Ontario

Mr. Glenn S. Hill, Huguenot Society of New Jersey, to Donald H. Jeffery, 10JUL1982

Mrs. Margarite A. Jenkins, Jenison, Michigan, 24NOV1984

Ms. Barbara King, Port Huron, Michigan, to Mrs. Donna Werner, 4DEC1982

Mrs. Brenda Merriman, BA, CGRS, Puslinch, ONT, to Mr. Donald H. Jeffery, 22AAPR1981

F. Wynne Paris to Donald H. Jeffery, 15MAR1983

Miss Kathleen Peters, of North Vancouver, British Columbia, 25NOV1984

Mrs. Maria Philip, Toronto, ONT, to Mr. Albert Laurence Flewelling, Crystal Lake, Michigan, 8APR1896

Roy Renner, open letter of personal reminiscences and family stories, Hamilton, ONT, 25AAUG1962

Ms. Sharon Secord to Donald H. Jeffery, 4DEC1981

WEBSITES

A 1763 List of the Freeholders in Westchester County, NY at:

http://www.teachout.org/du/nan/westchester.html

http://www.isu.edu./~grifpaul/Griffin.html#allied

Descendants of Edward GRIFFIN (Sr.) and Mary (---), by Paul J. Griffin at:

http://www.isu.edu/~grifpaul/Edward7.1.htm

Descendants of Johannes Polhemous, Steve Wurster, 1997-2000, at:

https://www.angelfire.com/ny/chickened/polhemusfamily.html

Genealogy of the Fowlers in England and America, by Wharton Dickinson, at:

http://members.aol.com/wtgmike/genealogy/Fowlers_in_england.html

Major General Alexander Hamilton, at:

http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/hamilton.html

INDIVIDUALS

Avery, Mr. David, Don Mills, Ontario
Bakker, Mrs. Darlene, Edmonton, Alberta
Barr, Mrs. M. Helen, Hoosier, Saskatchewan
Bond, Mr. Kevin, Cody's, Queens Co., New Brunswick
Boone, Mrs. AIlan E. (Faye), Fredericton, New Brunswick
Busch, Ms. Geraldine C., Kansas City, Missouri
Carter, Miss Dorothy, Vancouver, British Columbia
Cody, Mr. Norman R., Fredericton, New Brunswick
Dymond, Mrs. Janet A., Fredericton, NB
Erickson, Mrs. Dorothy, Citrus Heights, California
Flewelling, Miss Dorena, Edmonton, Alberta
Flewelling, Mrs. Evelyn E. M., Crouseville, Maine
Flewelling, Mrs. Gail, Wyevale, Ontario
Flewelling, Mr. George F., Woodstock, New Brunswick
Flewelling, Mr. Harvey A. Sr., Saint John, New Brunswick
Flewelling, Mrs. Hollis (Ann), Gardiner, Maine
Flewelling, Mr. Kenneth H., Grantham, New Hampshire
Flewelling, L. Morgan, Sunland, California
Flewelling, Mr. Lloyd, Minto, New Brunswick
Flewelling, Mr. Philip D., Raymond, New Hampshire
Flewelling, Mr. Roy A., Easton, Maine
Flewelling, Ms. Susan, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Flewelling, Mrs. Suzanne H., Easton, Maine
Flewwelling, Maj. Edis A., Saint John, New Brunswick
Flewwelling, Mr. F. Morris, OC, Red Deer, Alberta
Flewwelling, Mr. John A., Mississauga, Ontario
Fluelling, Mr. John P ., London, Ontario
Foskett, Mrs. Hilary, Victoria, British Columbia
Gibson, Mrs. Dianne, Guelph, Ontario
Gilmore, Mr. Franklin C., Fredericton, New Brunswick
Goodine, Mrs. Vivian M., Perth.-Andover, New Brunswick
Griffin, Mr. Paul J.
Grumbly, Mrs. B. P., Grand Prairie, Alberta
Hooks, Mrs. G.B. (Joan), Oakville, Ontario
Jamieson, Mrs. Jill, Woodstock, Ontario
Jeffery , Mr. Donald .H., Trumbull, Connecticut
Labrecque, Mrs. Janice E., Gorham, Maine
Lorion, Mrs. Vayle, Grand Bahama Island
Minshall, Lt. Col. H. H.
Mott, Capt. Dr. Ernest G. (USN ret.)
McFarland, Mrs. Betty, Hamilton, Ontario
MacKinnon, Mr. William R., Fredericton, New Brunswick
McLaughlin, Mrs. Edith F., Skowhegan, Maine
McNally, Dr. Harold A., Sapphire, North Carolina
Spack, Mrs. Vivien
Parker, Mrs. Wendy, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Parson, Mr. Elmer W., Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Perlot, Mrs. Marian, Woodbridge, Virginia
Philip, Mr. William F., Escondido, California
Pinder, Miss Ann, Guelph, Ontario
Werner, Mrs. Ronald F. (Donna L.), Alpena, Michigan
Wetmore, Mr. Allan H.
Wetmore, Mrs. Rebecca Araminta, Kingston, New Brunswick
Williams, Mr. Arnold W., Melrose, Massachusetts
Yerxa, Mrs. May, Fairview, Alberta

The majority of the above are Flewelling/Flewwelling descendants. A number are historians, archivists, librarians, teachers, volunteer librarians an members of genealogical societies or historical societies. Missing from the list, but deserving of special mention, Is Mrs. Vail Manning of Detroit, Michigan, whose constant curiosity, and immense flow of correspondence, touched off a desire to learn more of our ancestry in so many of us.
Missing from unpublished works, but crucial to our knowledge of Thomas' activities during the Revolutionary War, is his claim for compensation. An abstract of this exists in the 1904 report of the Ontario Archives, but contains several errors. Also used were: PRO A012, Vol. 25, pp. 373-381, PAC microfilm B-1160; and PRO A012, Vol. 109, PAC microfilm C-9821. These contain microfilms of the original claims and accompanying documents as transcribed by Mrs. Jill Jamieson. They also have the same material as the 1904 report of the Ontario Archives which show the latter to contain some errors in transcription.

  Article 2

From, "Oak Leaves", Version 1, Vol. 3, No. 26, May, 1984

Thomas A. Murray

THOMAS FLEWELLING BEFORE THE LOYALIST COMISSIONERS

(Public Record Office of Great Britain, Audit Office: AO12, Vol. 25, pp. 373-381: on microfilm B-1160, Public Archives of Canada: from transcription of same made by Jill Jamieson in 1984.)

(New Claim)

To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament for enquiring into

the losses & Services of the American Loyalists

The Memorial of Tho. Flewelling formerly of North Castle in the County of

West Chestor and Province of New York, now of Kings County in the Province of New Brunswick

Respectfully Showeth

That your Memorialist was ever zealously attached to his Majesty and the British Government, always opposed the choice of Committees and Congresses and steadily refused the oaths tendered by the Rebels or taking any part with them.

That in March 1777 four of his sons went thro the Country to Long Island and listed in Colonel Fanning's Corps and ever conducted themselves in such manner as gave full content to their Officers and indeed were applauded by Colonel Fanning and others. That two of them sicked and died and a third being sent a considerable distance within the Enemy's Lines with the Command of a Reconnoitering Party was killed after having passed thro' much hard Service to the Southward and elsewhere.

That on account of his Sons and his stedfast adherence to his Loyalty, and is being

thought

p. 374

thought his Example had great influence in the Neighbourhood, his and his Families Suffering were great, he being often taken into Custody, his Cattle and Effects seized and sold and he being in continual fear of assassination until June 1779 when being most cruelly beat and expecting Death he fled to the King's Lines and being intimately acquainted with the Country he altho' advanced in years acted as a Guide for Colonel Tarleton, Simcoe and others for seven seasons and was in many hazardous Excursions.

That in May 1780 his Farm being seized and located, his family was banished and sent to him quite destitute, they having always been accustomed to Plenty, that in the year 1783 he came to the River St. John with his wife and nine surviving children, and have resided there since.
That the change from a very plentiful Living on a farm highly improved to a Wilderness in advanced Life is really hard, but your Memorialist endeavors to be patient and has laboured hard and advanced' as far as most in clearing his Farm, and hopes he and his numerous progeny will live and die faithful and contented subjects to His Majesty.

That your Memorialists Losses in consequence of his attachment to the British Government have been with a small Charge for Services Eight Hundred and one Pounds four shillings and Sixpence Sterling,

and

p. 375

and much more, an account of which is contained in the Subjoined Schedule.

Your memorialist therefore prays that his Case may be taken into your consideration in order that your Memorialist may be enabled under your Report to receive such Aid or Relief as his Losses and Services may be found to Deserve.

Kings County
New Brunswick
28th February 1786

p. 376

Schedule of the Estate of Thomas Flewelling lost by his Attachment to the British Government viz.

40 Acres of Land given him by his Father
168 Acres purchased of Nicholas Outhouse
30 Acres purchased of Benjamin Griffin
25 Acres purchased of Wm. Dutchbury
9 Acres purchased of Furman
3 Acres Meadow purchased of John Miller

275 Acres well improved, with a House, Barn

)
)
)   £562.10
)
)
)

)

Sawmill & Other Buildings thereon at
£2. 1 5. 5½ p acre

)
)

1 young man seized by order of the Rebel
Commissioners and taken by Elnathan
Honeywell & James Aherly

2 Fat Heifers which were taken and
carried to Quarters at Bedford West
Chester County

1 working mare

2 Yoke of Oxen taken by Benjamin
Green and James Smith

8 Milch Cows @ £3.7.6 each
3 two year olds @ £1.13.9 each
2 Cattle one year old @ £1.2.6 each
f. 1 Mare which cost. 28.2.6
1 Young Stallion
2 Colts 1 year old   3.7.6 each
62 Fat Sheep carried to Bedford & )
)   £11.5
)

)
)       5.12.6
)

        6.15

     22. 10

      27.
        5.1.3
        2.5

      22. 10
        6.15

killed for the use of the Rebel
Army @ 5/7½ ea.
      17.8.9

4 Large fat Hogs @ 16/10½ each         3.7.6
   ————

Carried Forward

    721.2.6

p. 377

3 Small Hogs @ 5/7½ each
80 Pounds Sheep's Wool @ 1/1½
2 Suits Mens Clothing -Broad Cloth
2 Feather Beds with Blankets & Sheets
A considerable Quantity of Womens Cloaths
Household Furniture
Farming utensils
Plundered on Long Island by a Party that
appeared to be Rebels viz. Men & Womens
Clothing, New Cloth, Pistols & Holsters and
two Fuzees all purchased by Mem't.
1 Ox Cart omitted above

As Memorialist received no Pay he thinks
he may very decently charge for Service

           16.10½
        4.10
        5.12.6
        8.8.9
        5.12.6
        5.12.6
      12.17.7½
)
)
)      11.5
)
         2.16.3

)       22 10
)
   ————

Total

      801.4.6

p. 378

St. John 19th February 1787

Evidence on the Claim of Thos. Flewelling late of New York
Claimant Sworn
    Says he came in August 1783, went up the River, was not here during Winter, heard of Captain Vanderburgh, came down intending to send by him but he was gone.
    Lived at North Castle, from the first declared in favour of British Government, had four sons in the British Service, frequently went within the Lines, but did not entirely leave Home till 1779, he had been much abused and ill treated before he went. Tho' old went in the Service, went with Colonel Simcoe and Tarleton as a Guide several times. Went frequently as Guide the first year, the second year was stationed at Frogs Neck. Claimant had two of his Sons with him, was afterwards two years at Lloyds Neck. Now settled in Queens County.
    Produces Certificate to his taking Oath of Allegiance to the King

W. Tryon, Govr

1777

Pass from George Beckwith

p. 379

Was possessed of a farm in North Castle near 300 Acres. Forty Acres by Deed of Gift from his Father 40 years ago. Purchased 168 Acres of Nicholas outhouse at about 20/ p acre, not much improved, above 20 years ago.
    Thirty Acres purchased of Benjamin Griffin two or three years after his first Purchase, all new land at about @ 20/ p acre.
    Twenty five Acres purchased of one William Dusenburg soon after the other Purchase at near the same Price.
    Nine Acres of John Furman.
    Three Acres Meadow of John Miller.
    Had Deeds, he left them at home, he had buried them in his Garden, took them up for fear of being spoilt and lodged them with a friend, but they were found out by the Rebels, the Box broke open and the Deeds taken or destroyed.
    He laid out a great deal in improving his Farm after his Purchases. This Farm was almost improved throughout. There was no more Timber Land then he meant should stand.
    There was a Saw Mill and other Buildings. Values it at £4 p acre York money. Two neighbours of his valued it at that price about 1773.

After

p. 380

    After his Family went away it was located by some Rebel Officers. His Stock was seized after he got within the Lines. .Thinks most of the Cattle was taken for the Army.

2 Yoke of Oxen -2 fat Heifers
8 Cows
3 two year olds
2 yearlings
2 Mares
1 Stallion
2 Colts
62 Sheep
4 Hogs
Wool, 80 pounds
Furniture
Farming utensils

    All the above articles were taken from his Farm at North Castle, considerable part sold at Vendue.
    Was plundered at Long Island by a Party who came over in Whale Boats of Arms, to the Amount of £11.

20th February 1787

Joseph Flewelling Sworn
    Knew Claimant at North Castle, he was always a Loyalist. Knew his estate, some by his Daddy the rest purchased of two or three Persons, imagines it near 300 Acres.

p. 381

Remembers him in possession very well, most of it improved only a Proper quantity of Timber Land left. Values it a £4 or £4.10 p Acre.
    He had a pretty good Stock, understood a Rebel Captain was on it when they heard last.

Thomas Wagstaff Sworn
    Knew Claimant, he was always considred as particularly Loyal.
    He had a Farm between two & three hundred Acres, remembers him in possession, a good Farm, properly stocked, two yoke of oxen, Sheep, Horses. Remembers his coming within the Lines. He had two sons in the Service.
    Produces Certificate to his Character and Loyalty from Timothy Wetmore.

X

(Public Record Office of Great Britain: Transcript of AO12 V. 109, made for PAC's MG14 "Audit office: American Loyalist Claims: Vol. 109", microfilm reel C-9821.)

Cert. # 1214 claimant: Flewelling, Thomas of New York

orig. claim:
sum orig. allowed:
total payable:
already rec'd:
balance after receipt:
final balance:

£801.4
£570
£570
£228
£342
£342

COMMENTARY

  What we have here appears to be a transcription of the new claim made by Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point, after his first claim had been received too late. This appears to be so, as I have recently seen a microfilm containing the original material, and there are items missing. Also, an abstract of the claim, the statements of witnesses, etc., is included, but is not on the microfilm I recently saw. Unfortunately, it will be some time before the material presently available to me will be ready for distribution, as I hope to use photocopies. Another piece of evidence showing Jill's source to be different is that the page numbers are different.
  In Vol. 2, No.14, beginning on page 274, we find the same abstracts for Abel, Thomas and Francis Flewelling. However, slight, but significant differences exist in this third source (Alexander Fraser’s, "Second Report of the Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario: 1904"), and these will be commented on below.
  My own source is the Latter Day Saints (LDS) microfilm 0366,705, "American Loyalist Claims" pp. 442-453. Since these latter are the ultimate source, I wish to examine them closely before presenting an analysis. However, the above, and following, contain too much which is immediately relevant to hold off presenting. They are the only opportunity we will have to read our ancestors own words as they tell us something of themselves and their lives.
  To start with, we learn that Thomas Flewelling was active from the early years of the Revolutionary War. Previously, I had guessed that three of his sons had died in that war. Here, my conjectures are verified. We learn that Enos, and his three elder brothers, set off over land to join the Loyalist regiments in March 1777. Also that they enlisted with Colonel Fanning's regiment. It was about this time that Col. Edmund Fanning was raising the King's American Regiment, which we know Enos served in. This is significant, as, by finding the records of the KAR, we can learn the sons' names. On page 385 of issue 18, there are extractions which are said to be from the Prince of Wales Regimental muster roll indicating that a Thomas Flewelling had his name left off in 1778, Enos (presumably the same son of Thomas) was with the regiment in 1783, and a William Flewelling died 2SEP1777. Most likely the Thomas Flewelling Jr. who lived at Oak Point, and from whom so many were descended, was named after an elder brother who had died before his birth. Also, the young William, who came on the ship, "Cyrus", in 1783, and appears to have died that winter, may also have been a second William, also named after an elder brother. This is tentative, and requires further investigation; especially an examination of the records of the KAR.
  Two sons died of illness, the third while leading a reconnaissance party behind enemy lines. All three apparently served with sufficient distinction to have earned the praise of their commanding officer.
  Thomas Flewelling, we find, was vociferous and influential in the neighbourhood. In JUN1779, after threats of murder and beatings, he fled to safety, later acting as a guide for Tarleton and Simcoe in the Westchester campaigns. We learn that he had been prosperous as a farmer, and that his family were deprived of the vast bulk of their property and banished, in MAY1780. We also catch a glimpse of the trials of making a new life in an undeveloped region, and of his determination to overcome these trials. There is a much more detailed schedule of his losses. The young man "seized by order of the Rebel Commissioners" is an interesting item. A slave? But 11 pounds and 5 shillings seems too small an amount for a slave. And with so many children, would he need one? An apprentice or indentured servant? Possibly the latter.
  In the abstract of his statement before the Loyalist Commissioners are certain differences from that found in "Oak Leaves", issue No.14, p. 276. For example, in explaining why he failed to get his earlier claim in on time, in this case, he states that he "was not here during the Winter" (i.e., in Saint John?), rather than, "not there during the Winter", as in Fraser's transcription. He purchased 30, not 37, acres from Benjamin Griffin. And there "was no more Timber Land than he meant should stand"; rather than, "was no timber land that he meant should stand"; slightly different meanings. Picky, but accuracy helps more clearly define our knowledge.
  Perhaps most significant in the above abstract is the fact that he claimed £801, and received £570. About 71% when the commissioners averaged only 50%. This indicates that the Loyalist Commissioners felt he was deserving of compensation, honest in his assessment, and that the remaining 29% was adequately made up by land grants he had or would receive.
  Almost immediately after writing the above, Jill Jamieson, under cover post marked 10MAY1984, sent transcripts of the original material mentioned earlier. Hers from AO 13, Bundle 12, reel B-2186, PAC. Basically, the wording of the claim is the same, with some minor variations in format. Some differences are:

This version states he acted as guide for two, rather than seven seasons.

The 25 acres in North Castle was purchased from William Dusenburg (probably should be something like Dusenburgh or Dusenbury), and the 9 acres of John Furman.

  We can see, from the petition for compensation, that it was at this time that his land was confiscated by the Patriots, and his family forced to exile themselves behind the British Lines. Apparently he attempted to retain his lands, and when to help bring his family to safety.
  Also, Jill has transcribed the documents relating .
to the claim made by Abel Flewwelling. When I get to transcribing them, I will use the PAC (Public Archives of Canada) transcriptions, rather than the AO 12 (Audit Office, Public Record Office of Great Britain) on PAC reel B-1160, as this later version is taken from microfilms of the original documents. However, comparisons will be made when appropriate.
  Ah well! There is such a tangle of different versions now, that it is difficult to tell one from the other. What I will do is try to present what seems most accurate and indicate the source.
  Why all the fuss? Often a word can make a difference. Someone beginning in Flewelling genealogy, for example, might confuse Hempstead, Long Island with Hampstead, Queens Co., New Brunswick. Knowing exactly who Thomas Flewelling bought land from in North Castle might eventually lead to records of the purchases, identifying exactly where he lived, and providing documentation of his parentage; whereas, now, it is only assumed he was a son of John Flewelling Sr. Of course, it is highly probable, in view of what we do know, that he was John's son, but there has been nothing which specifically states such a relationship.
  Also, the years 1784 to 1816 in New Brunswick are relatively barren of records establishing relationships. This is particularly troublesome in John Jr.'s line, as well as others. A clear understanding and identification of all members of the family is essential to eventually solving these problems, and care and accuracy, where possible, are needed.

H .A. CODY’S - "THOMAS FLEWELLING"

transcribed by Ruth Lesbirel

  The Venerable Archdeacon Dr. Hiram Alfred Cody, BA, DD was many things, a fairly prolific and well-known Canadian author, a historian and genealogist, a Scouter, an Anglican priest and missionary for Greenwich and Westfield Parishes in Kings Co., NB, and the husband of Jessie Margaret Flewelling, a descendant of Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point through his son, Caleb Flewelling.
  A biography of H. A. Cody exists called, "All the Days of His life: A Biography of Archdeacon H. A. Cody", by Ted Jones, published by the New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, NB, 1981. From this work some of the following information comes. A brief pedigree on the first page following the cover shows his Loyalist great grandparents, Peter White IV (1785-1853) and Charlotte Buckhout (genealogists of Abraham Jewell Flewwelling’s family will recognize the variation of Boeckhout.)
  As a means of communicating to the people of parishes of Greenwich and Westfield in Kings Co., NB, he put out a periodical which he called, "The Church Bell". In the March, 1901 (probably printed by the Rev. D. I. Wetmore of Clifton, NB) issue of this periodical, he included an article, as part of his programme of historical essays on the early settlers of the area, about Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point. Parts of this have been quoted by various Flewelling researchers, and sometimes transcriptions made. Perhaps the best is the following, as it appears to come directly from H. A. Cody’s hand, and is taken from what would appear to be his typescript, or a carbon copy thereof, or a Gestetner version. Ruth (Flewelling) Lesbirel found this in the library in Saint John, NB, and wrote (e-mail, 11FEB2002):

"I'm attaching the H. A. Cody history I got from the library. It doesn't appear to be as complete as what you have mentioned to me and is not big on references. I left the spelling as I found it, hopefully not adding any more errors myself, and left it in the italic font as I saw it. The only thing you may not have seen is the addition by Jessie Margaret Flewelling of how H.A. Cody is tied in."

  Ruth is correct, I have seen similar transcriptions, but not of this quality, and not this close to the source. Also, Jessie’s addendum (presumably added in 1949 when she was sorting her husband’s papers for deposit in the New Brunswick Museum after his death in 1948) is new.
  The significance of Cody’s work is that it is almost a bridge between the early years in New Brunswick, and the beginning of interest in genealogy. As he notes, sorting out the Flewelling’s in the early 1900’s is problematic, and early records are scarce. His efforts in tracking down relatively reliable information were probably difficult, but aided to some extent by anecdotal information from those who had heard them from those who knew those who had been there. (If you follow me.) It would be third hand information, but better than nothing. In one case he mentions a 80 year old granddaughter of Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point, and as best as I can determine this was probably Fanny Susannah (Flewelling) Peatman, daughter of Caleb, son of Thomas, and she would have been closer to 90 years old if still living in 1901.
  Cody’s work, then, has been a starting place for many whose genealogical interest in the Flewelling’s has been concerned with the Loyalist families. In it he mentions material still not found and re-examined. The introductory section tends to suggest a descent from Welsh royalty, but that was a custom of genealogists of the time to give prominent examples of a name from which too much should not be construed.
  There are additional tidbits. For example, that Thomas Flewelling, "had been described as a small Welshman"; but he unfortunately does not say by whom this description is given. There is the indication that Thomas had a sister, Maplet, an the anecdotes of her endeavours which would have died out if Cody had not recorded them. If this Maplet was Thomas’ sister, then the events must have taken place during the Revolution, since, as near as I can determine, it was she who married (ca, DEC1783) Samuel "McCoon" (probably McKune), and there is reason to believe that her husband was later involved in New York politics, so she did not come to New Brunswick. This is also a key reference, for if family memory in New Brunswick specifically states that Maplet, Thomas’ sister, took provisions to a ‘band’ of Loyalists, then, first, this was not Maplet, daughter of Robert Flewelling of North Castle (as she was a Quaker and married Caleb Haight, also a Quaker); and secondly, we can guess that the ‘band’ was that of Claudius Smith’s ‘Cowboys’, with whom James Flewelling, son of John of Newburgh, was associated. It is indications such as this that suggest that Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point was also a child of John Flewelling, not of Robert as his place of origin would suggest.
  The description of the location of Thomas Flewelling’s first home might be adequate, even today, to locate it; but I have heard that the description might not be accurate. It is also generally assumed that Thomas and Elizabeth were buried in the church cemetery; but I suspect they were buried near there first home, as were so many Loyalists. Thus, Cody’s brief work provides useful hints, but not a final finding. Without the work, not even the hints would remain. The same applies to the theory that Thomas Flewelling was a fuller by trade in Westchester Co. There is no mention of a loss of such a business in his Loyalist claim, and I suspect he was only a yeoman farmer; and that the fulling business in New Brunswick was a temporary enterprise. The story of the jar of money buried in the hearth does agree with the image of Thomas which often strikes my imagination.
  Consider Cody’s discrepancy in Thomas, Jr.’s date-of-birth, date-of-death and age at death. If he was b. 5MAY1779 (which seems the earliest possible date) and was 93 years old at death, then he should have d. ca. 1872. If he d. 1860, and was 93, then he was b. ca. 1767. That Cody, in his transcription of Thomas’ burial record, gives the age at death as 84 years, and that Thomas, Jr.’s headstone may say his age was 93 or 83 years does not help. My feeling is that he was 82 years old when he died, and the headstone probably says 83 years.
  The description of Adam Flewelling’s father-in-law, James Clarke, as a pre-Loyalist seems misleading, as the only James Clarke found who might be the same person was a Rhode Island Loyalist. Nevertheless, there appears to have been an understanding to that effect, or perhaps Cody found James Clarke’s obituary and was mislead by the wording.
  While there is much of value in Cody’s efforts, and those of us descended from Thomas Flewelling of Oak Point are deeply indebted to him for this effort, it is a start, but only a start. Considering it’s significance, I offer Ruth Lesbirel’s transcription of:

  THE FLEWELLING FAMILY

BY

H. A. Cody in 1901

    Had any one twenty or thirty years ago undertook to write up a history of that branch of the Flewelling family in this parish, the work had been comparatively easy. But at the present time all the old members have passed away and the records left are few and scattered; but from a careful study and search we are able to glean a brief account which may be of some interest.

    The name Flewelling is Welsh and was originally Llewellyn having become changed in the process of time. Not only had this been handed down to the descendants but no less a person than Bishop Meade in his book entitled "The old Churches and Families of Virginia" says; "In Eastern Virginia in colonial times, and immediately succeeding the Revolution the name (i.e. Flewelling) was Llewellyn, received from the ancient Prince of that name". and Mr. S. Whitney Phoenix in his "Whitney Memorial" also says "This name and the New Brunswick form are evidently conceptions of the Welsh Llewellyn". But after coming to this country the name gradually changed and we find at least four different spellings. In 1784 we find Maurice Fleuelling received a grant of land in Parr-town (Saint John). In an old deed dated 1785 we find Able Flewwelling and this form is today followed by that branch of the family in Hampton. In the old Church records of this parish, the name appears as Fluelling and Fluwelling and there is Flewelling and this form will be used in this article. The consideration of this is important showing how names and especially the Welsh change when coming to this country. There is a noted example of this in the name Mahood which was originally Mewhyyd and was thus written by the early settlers.

    There is every reason for the believing that the original Flewelling who came to Oak Point was Thomas, but as there has been some doubt concerning this a few remarks will not be out of place.

    Among some old records we find that in 1802 Thomas Flewelling and his wife Elizabeth deeded to Adam Flewelling, Lot No. 19 for £44, 15s. This shows that it was not Thomas Flewelling Jr. who was not married till six years later. On July 11, 1797 John Crabb and his wife Elizabeth deeded to Thomas Flewelling a certain piece of land. This must have been Thomas F. Sr. for he was then only eighteen and too young to transact such business.

    In a memorial dated June 2, 1807, we find the names of Thomas F. Sr., Thomas F. and Thomas B. F. In 1788 Col. Stephen Kemble received a mortgage on the whole from Thomas Flewelling and his wife Elizabeth. Now this was just five years after landing and this is the original grant. Therefore we have every reason for believing that the original Flewelling who settled here was Thomas and this further confirmed by a living witness now 80 years of age who well remembers her grand parent.

    Thomas Flewelling, Sr., who has been described as a small Welshman was living in Northcastle, Westchester Co., New York State, before the Revolutionary War. He married Elizabeth Griffin, who it has been stated was of English descent. Be that as it may, the name Griffin is Welsh and the same authority quoted above, viz., Bishop Meade, draws attention to the fact that the name Griffin is Welsh and is not worthy of note that in eastern Virginia, the names Flewelling and Griffin stand in the old records side by side, and thus the name Griffin is found among the descendants today such as Joseph Griffin and Albert Griffin. During the war Mr. Flewelling took an active part, though to what extent we have at present no means of knowing. Only one incident is related about the family and that is in reference to his sister Maplet, who was a very noble and courageous woman, who on several occasions - at a great risk - brought provisions on horse-back to a band of Loyalists, and at another time did not hesitate to tear strips from her dress to use as gun wadding. Such were the brave women during these fearful days. And this name Maplet has been handed down through the family. We see it in that of Elizabeth Maplet, daughter of Adam Flewelling and wife of Andrew Hamilton, and also in Maplet, wife of William Hamilton. At the peace in 1785, Mr. Flewelling came to Saint John and from there to Oak Point and settled on that spot of land where the new School House now stands right by the large willow tree. We can picture the house in the wilderness formed of logs and containing the large old-fashioned fire-place under the hearth-stone of which - it is said - the jar of money was always kept buried in the earth. Here a large family was raised, as far as we know seven sons and two daughters.

    One naturally feels like asking what was Thomas Flewelling’s occupation before coming to N.B. and we have reason to believe he was a fuller for a letter written by Ward Chipman to Stephen Kemble in 1792 and quoted by Mr. Jonas Howe we read the following extract -

    "Thomas Flewelling at the lower bounds of the manor, has erected a fulling mill and I understand it is well accustomed and useful".

    A fulling mill was a mill for fulling cloth by means of pestles and stampers which beat and pressed it to a close or compact state and cleansed it. Is it not likely that this was Mr. Flewelling’s occupation in North-Castle and thus would understand the work and wish to continue it here and most likely the mill was situated on some brook near his home.

    When Thomas Flewelling and his wife Elizabeth passed away we do not know but somewhere in the old Church yard they lie buried. From the old records we learn that Thomas Flewelling was one of the first vestrymen ever elected in this parish in 1797. Mr. F., we believe, assisted in the building of old St. George’s Chapel and no doubt was an earnest worshipper therein. Could we only unroll the past how many interesting facts would come to light about their struggles in the new land, troubles with the Indians, difficulties of transportation, etc., all how interesting now, how sad that their names should sink into oblivion. We can only leave them regretting we know so little and take a brief glance at three of their children, whose descendants are, today, living on or near the old homestead.

    Adam Flewelling was about 22 years of age when he came with his father to N.B. in 1783 and no doubt took an active part in the Revolutionary War. He married Annie, daughter of Mr. James Clarke, who was a pre-Loyalist having settled here about 1770, if not before, on the Mistake Point, and eventually moved to the mainland. After his marriage Mr. Flewelling with his brother Enos moved over the river to Kingston and settled on the spot known as Foster’s Mt. but becoming discouraged at the prospect of settling there, he moved back again to Greenwich, but Enos remained.

[Note: James Clarke, rather than a pre-Loyalist, was a Loyalist from Rhode Island. The error was caused by a misinterpreted obituary in which James was described as an old settler. TAM]

    In 1802 his father Thomas deeded him Lot No. 19 for £44, 15s and here he spent the remainder of his life. The house was built far up on the hill and near the spot known as "Telegraph Hill". On this hill which commands a view of 12 miles up and down the river, in the early days, of the last century [early 1800s], a semaphore telegraph was erected. Mr. Flewelling had a number of children, John T. who married Elizabeth Cameron, Robert and Elizabeth Maplet.

    Thomas Flewelling Jr. was born at North-Castle, Westchester, N.Y. State May 5, 1779 and came with his father to Oak Point in 1783. He was baptized in Greenwich by the Rev. James Scovil. In 1808 he married Hannah Flewelling and had 7 children. By a second marriage he had 4 children. His second wife also dying, he was married a third time to Elizabeth Peters. He died in 1860 at the age of 93 years.

    Caleb Flewelling was born February 4th, 1774 and was thus only 9 years old when he came with his father to Oak Point at the peace in 1783. In 1793 he married Mary Brittain and in 1801 bought from his father, Thomas, the lots of land Nos. 21 and 22 containing 358 acres, for the some of £44, 15s. Here he spent the remainder of his days. He had 12 children - 5 sons viz. Thomas B., James, Nathanial B., John and George, and 7 daughters viz. Eleanor H., Eliza, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Jane, Fanny and Susan. In an old paper now in the Saint John library called "The Religious and Literary Journal", we find the marriage - May 9, 1829, at Greenwich, K. Co. on Wednesday last, by James Brittain, Esq. Mr. David Lyons of Kingston to Elizabeth, fourth daughter of Mr. Caleb Flewelling at the former place.

    John, the fourth son, married Ann Belyea and remained on the old homestead. Caleb Flewelling died April 19, 1858, and was buried in St. Paul’s Churchyard.

ADDED BY J.M.C.* - my grandfather -

John Flewelling, my grandfather, and Ann Belyea had 6 children, Susan, who married her cousin Caleb Flewelling and died at the age of 19 years.

    Albert Griffin, born 1850, Frank Horatio, Walker Brittain, Frederick Lewis and Gertrude Laura.

    Albert G. married Elizabeth Ann Inch, Feb. 8, 1877. They had five children - George Frederick 1878, Helen Lilian 1880, Jessie Margaret 1884, Hazel Picket 1886, Frank Murray 1889. Elizabeth Ann Flewelling died March 31, 1930. Albert G. Flewelling is still living at the age of 99 years in 1949. Died October 14th, 1949.

    Geo. Frederick Flewelling married Mabel McKinney in 1900. They adopted two children, Robert Lewis and Margaret Elizabeth. They remained on the homestead until 1949 when they sold it and moved to Upper Gagetown.

    H. Lilian married Charles Davison and had one son, James Malcolm.

    Jessie M. married Rev. (afterward Archdeacon) H.A. Cody in 1905. He died in 1948. They had five children, Douglas F., Kenneth W. (died in 1942), Norman R., George A. and Frances M. L.

    Hazel Pickett married John Burgoyne in 1911. They had two sons, Philip F. and J. Bertram.

    Frank Murray married Helen Johnston in 1912 and they had three children, Marion, Murray and Aileen.

* Jessie Margaret (Flewelling) Cody

Petitions for Land Made By Thomas Flewelling in New Brunswick

1785 Kings County, Thomas 'Fluellling', with Enos 'Fluelling' and Thomas Perond.

1785 Kings County, Thomas Flewelling with Adam, Enos, John and Joseph Flewelling; and with Thomas Perond, John Malcolm and Malcolm Wright.

1791 Thomas Flewelling with Amos Moss and John Hamilton.

1807 Thomas Flewelling with Charles Brittain, Joseph Brittain, Michael Clarke, Robert Clarke, Samuel Clarke, Stephen Crab (Crabb), Adam Flewelling, Caleb Flewelling, Jacob Flewelling, James Flewelling, John Flewelling, John Flewelling, William Foster, Isaac Haveland (Haviland?), Silvanus Haveland, Elijah Secord, Gilead Secord, Thomas Sounder, Donald Urqhart (Urquhart) and WIlliam Urqhart.

Land Grants to Thomas Flewelling in New Brunswick

25JUL1787 Kingston Parish, Kings County. Thomas 'Fluellen', 30 acres. Others in this grant:
Peter Berton 428 acres
Johannes Chick 300 acres
Simon Flaglor 439 acres
Frederick Ham (Hamm) 414 acres
Leonard Linker 400 acres
Charles Richards 423 acres
Martin Trecartin 289 acres
Samuel Wiggins 404 acres

This web site created 4JUN2004 by Thomas A. Murray. While I have no difficulties with the material being copied in part or in its entirety, please note the source, as I need to be able to recognize my own errors.