Thomas was born in 1645 in England, the son of James Fooks. He was a Quaker and a ship builder, and a farmer. Thomas married the widow Amy Waddilow on September 30 1660.
Thomas and Amy's children: 1. William Fooks 2. James Fooks 3. Naomy Fooks 4. Rachel Fooks 5. Elizabeth Fooks; m. Thomas Crippen 6. Sarah Fooks 7. Mary Fooks
The following are excepts from the book "Fooks Family" by Herbert C. Fooks:
The following was taken from Neill's, Terrae Marie, Maryland Colonial History. In 1669, Thomas Story, a Quaker, came to America going to Philadelphia teaching and preaching in the wilderness of Maryland. He visited the Eastern Shore of Maryland at Little Choptank, Nanticoke, Pocomoke and visited Mary Johnson's on Muddy Creek. On the next first day there was preaching to a large congregation in the meeting house. That night they all rode to Thomas Fooks, at Onancock, Accomac county, Virginia, and the next morning they started for Nassawadox creek, twenty five miles below in Northampton, p. 149. And also the following: Francis Makemie, the presbyterian clergyman in the early days of the colony used to preach at the house of Thomas Fooks. p. 149.
THOMAS FOWKE of Pungoteague, Virginia apparently resided on land formerly owned by Nicholas Waddilow. The patent was for six hundred acres. The paper stated that three hundred and fifty acres were by assignment from Nicholas Granger and the extra two hundred and fifty acres were new land. In 1660 the patent was reassigned to Waddilow in which year he died intestate leaving his widow, Amey, and daughters, Temperance, Patience, Comfort. His widow, Amey, married Thomas Fookes. The daughters married respectively Robert Mason, William Nock and Ambrose White. Apparently Thomas Fowke and his wife, Amey, made their home on the seven hundred acre part which Waddilow had bought from Robinson. Dec. 16, 1664, after the death of Anthony Haskins, at whose home the courts were held for the new Accomac County, this entry appears: “Its ordered that the court for the future bee kept at Mr. Thomas Fooke’s home till there be a court house ordered by the county.” In 1666, the account of Thomas Fowke was allowed “in gross for accomodacon of the Court at his house”, and it was at his house the next year that Samuel Jones was to read the services each Sunday in the absence of a church. The map in Vol. I Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Whitelaw, shows the location on the South side left bank of the Pungoteague Creek.
Accomac County, Virginia. These extracts were compiled for Herbert C. Fooks in the early 1920s by Milnor Ljungstedt, Geneaologist, of Bethesda, Maryland, from the original Order Books or records of Northampton and Accomac Counties, Va.
Nicholas Waddelow VI-96 d. intest, c 127-9 Northampton lx-25-28, February 1660 Amy ffolks late wife of Nicholas Waddelow concerning a promise made by her late husband and herself as to heifer given Elizabeth the daughter of Richard Benderck (Bunduck). IV. 124 Thomas ffowkes, County of Northampton, also Accomac, and Amey his wife, natural love and affection to my children Patience, wife of William Nocke and Temperance the wife of Robert Mason conveys right and interest to all the lands and plantations late of Nicholas Wadlow, dec., and more especially to a plantation at the head of Pangoteague Creeke allowed as part of the dower of mee the said Amy commonly called or known by the name of fowkes or by whatsoever the name is called wherein wee the said Thomas and Amy did lately dwell, together with all lands. 17 Aug, 1671. p. 18 Diff. between Mr. Thomas ffowkes and Mr. Henry Smith, ffowke makes oath (not a Quaker then). IV-25 Aff. to Mr. Thomas ffowkes for 650 acres for 13 head rights. Thomas ffowke, Amie ffowke, Isaac Haman, David Williamson, Edward Elmmon, Tobias Butler, Henry Silman, Edward Brown, John Clarke, James Nichols, Eliz. Gilman, Peter and Indyan. Difference between James ffowkes and Robert Hill. John ffowks and wife Hannah Somerdike had daughter Elsy. N.Y.G. & B. xx-177, b.22 Feb. ?
Mr. tho. ffokes house “Ordered that the court for the future be kept at tell there bee a court house erected by the county. 1-80, 17 Nov. 1664. e 10364. William ffoke h.r. under Tabitha Smart Ano 1-81, 17 Nov. 1664 c 1036-15. Amey ffokes deposition-age 50 about January last she was at Mrs. Anne Folk’s house (Note the word folks also spelled folkes. 1-12 Mch. 1663 c 103 6-3. Roger ffowke is a witness to a deed by Robert Wheeler wife Mary to Cuthbert Musgrove. H 1-249 8 Mch. 1678. Thomas ffowkes to Wm. Nocke, (M. Patience and Robert Mason) land “late of Nicholas Wadlow deceased & More especially of one plantation at the head of Pango¬ teague Creek, called ffowlkes wherein the said Thomas and Amy did dwell” Thomas ffowke ano. 11-39; Dec. 1666 (1036-56) from Richard Bunduck 700 acres, half of a patent to Bunduck, 1664, situate at the Sea¬ board side Long Lane or Lone Branch (?). Witness: Robert Hutchinson, William Anderson.
(The following notes are from Vol. 1, Which contains miscellaneous records from 1663) Tho: ffoolkes on a jury. Ct. July 1663, F. 15. Mr. ffookes mentioned . . . Ct. 17 Aug. 1663, f. 24 (Presumably Thomas) Mr. Tho: ffookes a tithable, 1663, f. 35 (He appears to have made return for ten persons). Tho: ffowkes ... do ... 4, 1664 tithes f 72. Mr. Thomas ffowkes complains agt. Jno Picke (?) Aug 1665, f 99. Mr. Tho. ffowke a tithable . . . 1665 f 102. Mr. Thomas ffowke entered action agt. Dorothy Longo for scandalous words . . . Case dismissed. Ct. 16 Nov. 1665 f. 103. Mr. Thomas ffowke to be paid for the accomodation of the court. 18 Dec. 1665 F 107. Thomas ffoowke is to replace a lost bill (note) 22. Mch. 1665 f. 20. Mr. Thomas ffowke presents his acct. for the accomodation of the Court. Col. Scarborough requested to pay F. . . 18 Nov 1666 f8. Mr. Thomas ffowke a wit. He makes oath, Sig. is Tho: ffowke. 9 Jany 1666. Ct. 17 Jany. f. 12. Mr. Thomas ffowke censured for rash speech and to give security for good behavior. He ackn. himself heartily sorry in open court but does not re¬ member it (speech). Record gives the petn. of Hugh Yeo to whom ffowke did not give approbious and base language &c. &c. (Name was sometimes spelled ffookes . . . this way, of course, due to the clerk or attorney). Fur¬ ther notes say: He said that Yeo, a burgess, went over the Bay and spent their money and comes back like a foole, &c. It is ordered that Samuel Jones Reader of this Parish give notice every Sabbath day between this and the 17th of the next month for the parishioners to meet at the house of Tho: Fowke on the 17th of February next where the said Samuel Jones is to choose a vestry and Church wardens being according to Act of Assembly. 17 Jany 1666. f.14.
Arthur ffookes a head right, under Miles Gray, also Thomas ffulke. 18 Mch 1666 f 20.
Mr. Thomas ffowke’s svt. Edward Brown, (23 years old), 26 Oct. 1668 f 63. Mrs. ffookes a wit. 7-9 Dec. 1668. f 67. Mr. Thomas ffowke foreman of jury, 17 Dec 1669 p. 164. Mr. Thomas ffooke v. Edmund Allen, complaint 26 Jany 1669 170. Vol. 11. Thomas ffowkes a juror 21 Jany. 1664 f 7. Power to Thomas ffowkes from John Williams of Rappahannock, carpenter. 25 Feb. 1664 f 8. Thomas ffowke, 5 tithes 1666 f 35. Tho: ffooke an appraiser 18 Jany. 1666 f 46. Thomas ffookes of Acco., power from Ann Coleborne (Somerset) to release dower in land sold by William Coleborne her husband, 22 May 1667 f 51 (date of power). Tho: ffowke a tithable . . 1667 p 60. Tho: ffowke is one of the wit. to the will of Elizabeth Sturgis. She mentions lands sold to Mr. Thomas ffookes. 14 Feby 1666 f. 63. Mr. Tho: ffowke ... 5. Tho: ffowke has 4 tithe . . .1669. Mr. Tho: ffowke’s will probated. Ct. 18 May 1674. v-143. Thomas Ffowcks (this may be ffoucks) will . . . 1673. p. 152 vol. v. Tho: ffowkes 1 tithe 1675 v-325. (This presumably the son of James, for Thomas, Sr. was then dead). Mrs. ffowks ... 3 tithes . . . 1675 p 325. (Note: I read the index of the foregoing volume V. through the full alphabet, in order to get both sides of every conveyance.) The following are from Vol. VI. Will of Amy ffowcks, widdow. Gr. son George, eldest son of Geo. and Amy Parker, svt. Edward Right; Naomi and Comfort, daus. of my son Wm. Anderson (under 15); eldest son of Ambros and Comfort White; to the dau of Ambrose and Comfort; Amy dau of Robert and Temperance Mason; Elizabeth Mason, dau of sd Robert and Temperance; to William Nock, his son William; to John son of sd William and Patience Nock; to Richard Saywell; Jane Pearmaine, svt; to youngest dau sd Jane; to Joan and Edith Hancock’s son Arthur; son William Anderson, extr. Legacy to Mary Right dau of Ann Miles and Henry Right dec. Nun-cup will proved by Susanna Johnson and Mary Dix. 20 Aug 1678 and 17 Oct. 1678. Dimentions of Bark Phenix built by Mr. James ffook at Mattachatank in Acco. Proved by oaths of Wm. Bell and Robt. West in open Court 8 Dec. 1685. Vol. XI. This volume pages. (Note: A certain Ann Miles, wf of Roger. I think was kin to Thomas ffowkes, deed (Another Ann Mills was dau of John Barnes and wf. of Edward Mills). A deed by William Anderson (who was the son of Amy ffowkes) mentions a divident of land called ffookes Choice . . the record is of the ackn. of a deed to land in Somerset county Maryland and provides “that sd Smal cause a divn to be made between that (land he receives) and 250 acres more of same divident called Fookes Choice.” Fowkes Choice also mentioned as Foolks Choice in the Land Office Maryland, was near the head of Pitt’s Creek, south of Pocomoke City, Maryland. In 1677, Liber 19 F 551. It is not far from Virginia. Further on he leaves to Nephew, William Hope, 250 acres . . .head of Pit’s Crk . . . being one-half of 500 acres called ffooks Choice. 3 July 1698, 4 Oct. 1698. f. 209. Tho. Fowke wit. to deed by John Custis. (Semmes Mss 18 Mch. 1666 c 124-48. Roger Fowke wit. to deed by Robert Wheeler, Wife Mary to Cuthbert Musgrove, H 1-249 8 Mch. 1678. Thomas ffowk, N-n Co., (This was at a time when the two counties became temporarily Northampton) to Richard Bundock, Jr., gives cow and calfe. 9 Mch. 1671. p. 101. Judgment agt. Mr. Tho: ffowkes for 463 lbs tob. due by bill to Wm. Onaughton. 9 Mch. 1671. p. 101. Thomas ffowke THo: ffowke (??) power to friends Robert Mason and Wm. Nocke. 13 Sect 1672. P. 140. Tho: ffowkes gives notice of a runaway svt. John Clarke. 16 June 1673. p. 211. Orders VII. Mrs. Amy ffowkes brought a svt. boy, Edward Wright, to court to have age adjudged. Age 16. 18 Jany 1677. p. 102. Thomas ffookes atty. of Ann wf. of Wm. Coleborne, Sig. Tho:ffowke, 7 May 1667 f52. Case betn. Mr. Thomas ffowlkes, pltff and Ambrose White, deft. White came to house of sd. ffowlkes but upon sufferance and curtisey. Court orders removal after 1st. Oct. (as is usually the case . . . the verdict and so forth follows the Order.) Upon return of the verdict in the difference between Thomas ffowlkes and Amie his wife and Ambrose White. White is to give bond for good behavior to all persons more especially to sd. Mrs. Amie ffoolkes and her husband. Preceding this comes action of ’Trespass betwixt Thomas ffoolkes pltf and Ambrose White . . . Dft. appeals to general Court (at James City 20 July 1671 p. 12 vol. lv.) Northampton County, Virginia. Amy x ffolke, late wife of Nich: Waddelow ... lx 85 28 Feby 1660. Thomas ffolks, N-n Co., to Walter Taylor, 100 acres being one quarter part of an island called Gabriel Island, formerly belonging to Niccholas Wadelow, deed. Sig. Tho: Flowkes. Amy x Flowkes (Evidently Clerk was unfamiliar with the name) 27 Jany 1661 lx-105. Mrs. Littleton’s head rights . . . Tho: ffooke (part of word gone) 20 Nov. 1655. vol. xl-14. This is no doubt the approximate date of the immigration of Thomas ffookes. There was but one of the name at that early date . . and he was not apparently the Dorchester man. Thomas ffookes and Ann (sic) Waddelow (married) 30 Sept. 1660. lx 92. Parish record for the year. Amye Anderson, wid. of Garret Anderson, late of N-n, Va. deed to her chn. Garrett, Amey, William, Elizabeth, minors. 5 J 2 May 1658. iii-163. Ordered that Garrett Anderson shall satisfie and pay all Orders of Court concerning the estate of William Heath, deed, accordingly as the orders are entered in the return book, so far as the estate will make satisfaction. Chirurgeon to be paid (Possibly a first husband of Amy.) 1 July 1640. ii-3
Will of Thomas ffowke (Fookes) of Accomac county Virginia. Recorded 1715-1729, folio 176.
Accomac county, Virginia, October 25, 1720. This my last will and testament, written denying all other will or wills, bearing other date. In the name of God amen. I give and bequeath unto Daniel Fookes three hundred acres of land, being all that I hold, all the horses and cattle and sheep and hoggs, the cart wheels and all plantation tools, the still, the hand mill, and all casks about the plantation and 50 pounds in money to him and his heirs and assigns forever. I also give and bequeath unto my son William Fookes, all my wearing clothes. I also give and bequeath unto my son James Fookes five shillings. I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Fookes, one negro man named Toby and his wife Jenney, to him, his heirs or assigns forever. I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Naomy Edmunds one negro girl named Nancy, to her, her heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rachel Pritchard, one negro boy named Dick, to her heirs and assigns forever. I give unto Daniel Fookes, and my five daughters, Elizabeth Criquin, Sarah Idlet (Aydelotte), Mary Warrington, Nancy Edmunds, and Rachel Pritchard, all my movable household goods and all English Goods that I have to be equally divided. I leave between Daniel Fookes and his five sisters, with Indian corn and tobacco, also to be divided between the six. I also appoint my sons Benjamin Fookes and Daniel Fookes to be my executors, together to see this my last will performed according to the true meaning and sense hereof. Signed Thomas Fowkes. Probated October 15, 1722. Witnesses Thomas Brown Mary Roberts Hugh Roberts William Cup.
Sources:
Fooks, H. C. (1953). Fooks Family. J. W. Stow Printing Co., Federalsburg, Maryland. "Miles Files 2.2" website; a project of the Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation. URL: https://espl-genealogy.org/MilesFiles/site/index.htm