Thomas Marshall (Virginia politician, born 1730) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Marshall
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| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Fayette County | |
| In office October 15, 1787-June 1788 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Crockett |
| Succeeded by | James Trotter |
| Member of the House of Burgesses from Fauquier County, Colony of Virginia, | |
| In office 1769-1773 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Harrison |
| Succeeded by | position abolished |
| In office 1761-1768 |
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| Preceded by | n/a |
| Succeeded by | James Scott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 2, 1730 Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia, British America |
| Died | June 22, 1802 (aged 72) Mason County, Kentucky |
| Spouse | Mary Isham Keith |
| Children | 15 including John Marshall, James Markham Marshall, Louis Marshall, |
| Profession | surveyor, planter, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Great Britain United States |
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Thomas Marshall (born April 2, 1730 – died June 22, 1802) was an important person in early American history. He was a surveyor, a farmer, a military officer, and a politician in Virginia. He served in the House of Burgesses and later in the Virginia House of Delegates. He also helped create the state of Kentucky. Thomas Marshall is perhaps most famous for being the father of John Marshall, who became the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Thomas Marshall was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His parents were Elizabeth Markham and John Marshall, a farmer. At that time, Virginia did not have public schools. So, Thomas went to a private school run by Reverend Archibald Campbell.
He also became a qualified surveyor. This meant he was officially approved by the Virginia government to measure and map land. The College of William and Mary helped with these qualifications.
Family Life
In 1754, Thomas Marshall married Mary Randolph Keith. Her father was a church leader, and her mother came from the important Randolph family of Virginia. Thomas and Mary had 15 children, and all of them lived to be adults.
Their most well-known children included:
- John Marshall: He became a very famous lawyer and later the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Thomas Marshall (Jr.): He fought in the American Revolution and moved to Kentucky. He helped write Kentucky's second constitution.
- James Markham Marshall: He was a lawyer and a federal judge. He also worked on special diplomatic tasks for the U.S. government.
- Alexander Keith Marshall: He was a lawyer.
- Louis Marshall: He was a doctor and later led two U.S. colleges as their president.
- William and Charles Marshall: These twins also became lawyers.
Political and Land Career
Thomas Marshall worked as a surveyor with George Washington. They surveyed land for important people like Lord Fairfax. In 1753, Marshall started managing part of Lord Fairfax's land in what became Fauquier County.
After serving in the military, he moved to Goose Creek in 1765. Marshall and his family lived on land that Lord Fairfax owned. Later, Thomas Marshall received thousands of acres of land in western Virginia. Some of this land later became Kentucky and West Virginia.
When Fauquier County was formed, voters chose Thomas Marshall to represent them in the House of Burgesses. This was a part-time job. He was re-elected but then became the sheriff of Fauquier County. After a year as sheriff, he was elected to the House of Burgesses again. He left this role in 1773 to become a clerk for the new Dunmore County.
Both Thomas Marshall and his son, James Markham Marshall, believed that the King's representatives were taking away Virginians' freedoms. After the royal governor tried to shut down Virginia's legislature, Thomas Marshall was chosen to represent Fauquier County at the first four Virginia Revolutionary Conventions. These meetings were important steps toward America's independence.
In 1773, Marshall bought a large farm called "The Oaks" (now Oak Hill) in Fauquier County. He farmed this land using enslaved people. He also owned other enslaved people when he moved to Kentucky.
Military Service
Thomas Marshall was a lieutenant in the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War. He was part of the Braddock Expedition led by George Washington. Marshall was put in charge of a fort, so he was not there when the British forces were defeated.
In 1775, Patrick Henry asked Marshall to raise a group of soldiers. Marshall became a major in a group called the "Culpeper Minutemen." Later, he became a colonel of the 3rd Virginia Regiment. His sons, Thomas Jr. and John, also became officers.
At the Battle of Brandywine, Colonel Marshall's soldiers were positioned in a forest. Even though they were attacked by many more enemy soldiers, they held their ground. They did not move until they almost ran out of bullets and many of their soldiers were hurt or killed. Colonel Marshall and his troops helped keep the Continental Army safe during this battle. The House of Burgesses gave him a special sword for his bravery.
At the Battle of Germantown, his regiment helped cover the Continental Army's retreat. He was also with George Washington at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the harsh winter. Later, he was sent south and surrendered at Charleston in 1780. After being released, Marshall visited Kentucky for the first time. He found land there where he would later live. He continued to serve in the army until the end of the war. In 1781, he was in command at York for a time.
Moving to Kentucky
In 1783, Thomas Marshall was chosen to be the surveyor general for lands in Kentucky. These lands were given to officers and soldiers from Virginia's Continental Army. He set up his office in Lexington.
Two years later, Marshall left his farm in Fauquier County with one of his sons. He moved the rest of his family to Kentucky.
In 1787 and 1788, voters in Fayette County elected Marshall to represent them in the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1788, he also attended a meeting in Danville. This meeting was to discuss Kentucky separating from Virginia. George Washington later appointed him to collect taxes in Kentucky. Thomas Marshall and his family were all members of the Federalist Party.
Death and Legacy
Thomas Marshall died in Mason County, Kentucky in 1802. His legacy includes his many successful children and grandchildren. Besides his sons who served in the Virginia House of Delegates, his grandson, also named Thomas Marshall (son of John Marshall), also served in the Virginia House of Delegates. Another grandson, Alexander Keith Marshall (son of Louis Marshall), served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
