Thomas Speaks (bef. 1755 - bef. 1810)

Biography

This is the Thomas Speaks that is listed in the 1790 and 1800 Census for Iredell County, North Carolina. The family consisted of the following: ^{[1] [2]}

1790

• 1 free white males 16 and over, including head of household
• 2 free white males under 16
• 3 free white females
• 0 others and slaves

1800

• 1 male < 10
• 2 males 10 to 16
• 1 male 26 to 45
• 2 males > 45
• 2 females <10
• 2 females 10 to 16
• 1 female > 45
• 0 slaves

The fact that on the 1790 census, there was on man over 16, presumable Thomas he would have been born after 1684. On the 1800 census there were 2 males over 45. If Thomas was one of those he would have been born before 1755. There are no Thomas Speaks in the 1810 or 1820 Census for any county in North Carolina. There are no probate or Estate records in Iredell County for Thomas Speaks, either.

There is a Luke Speaks in the 1790 Census and Luckey Speaks in the 1800 Census for Iredell County on the same page as Thomas Speaks. This is Aaron Luke "Lucky" Speaks. Aaron Lucky Speaks was also residing in Rowan and Iredell Counties, and a neighbor of Thomas. on 29 August 1787, Thomas Speeks was granted 238 acres on Brush Creek adjoining Philip Williams.^[3] This part of Rowan County became part of Iredell County in 1788.^[4] It seems he took up residence there, because in 1794, when he sold Aaron Lucky Speaks a small piece of land (just 2 1/2 acres), it was described as part of a tract where Thomas Speaks now lives adjoining Lucky Speaks on Brushy Creek.^[5] It is likely that they were close relatives.

Thomas also sold 45 acres to Philip Williams in 1794.^[6] In 1803, Thomas Speaks sold 200 acres on Brush Creek adjoining Philip Williams to John Z. Dalton.^[7] No wife as recorded on these deed transactions.

It should be noted that a Thomas Speeks entered a land grant on 21 May 1799 in Iredell County for 109 acres on branches of Hunting Creek.^[8] It is not clear whether the grantee was this Thomas Speaks or another, ore example the son of Charles Speaks (d. 1793 who lived on Hunting Creek).

So, from the censuses, deed records and past archival information we can determine that Thomas lived in Rowan and Iredell Counties from 1782 until 1803. After that he does not appear in the North Carolina records.

Research Notes

Either Thomas Speaks left North Carolina or he died without an estate. Given that the 1790 and 1800 Census show the same size families, Thomas Speaks and Aaron Luke Speaks may have been brothers rather than father and son. There were two males over 45 in the 1800 Thomas Speaks Census, so an older parent may have been present.

There are no sources, to date, to indicate the spouse of Thomas Speaks.

There are no sources, to date, to show a relation to the Thomas Speaks (1698-1755) of Maryland. He lived next to Aaron Lucky Speaks. Some have suggest they were brothers, some suggest Thomas was Aaron Lucky's father. it is possible they could be uncle and nephew. There is no direct documented evidence for either, though their was almost certainly a relationship.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch, Thomas Speaks, Iredell, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 396, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 568,147. See also: Space:Iredell County, North Carolina, 1790 Census
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch, Thomas Speaks, Salisbury, Iredell, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 627, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 29; FHL microfilm 337,905.
3. ↑ Rowan County Deed Book 11, p. 457, State Grant #1484.
4. ↑ Winn, Vaughan, letter to Mr. Charles Boyd, dated 17 September 1984. Speak/e/s Family Association, www.speakfamily.org/archives.
5. ↑ Iredell County Deed Book B, p. 58, dated 11 February 1794
6. ↑ Iredell County Deed Book B, p. 59, dated January 1794.
7. ↑ Iredell County Deed Book F. 1803.
8. ↑ North Carolina Land Grant Files 1693-1960 Iredell 700-895, 01-706 www.ancestry.com.

• S3044151035Title: American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI), Author: Godfrey Memorial Library, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1999.Original data - Godfrey Memorial Library. American Genealogical-Biographical Index. Middletown, CT, USA: Godfrey Memorial Library.Original data: Godfrey Memorial Library. American Gen, Note: APID: 3599, birth date: about 1735 or 1759; birth place: Frederick County, North Carolina

General Speaks Sources

• Speaks Family Association Blog, accessed Oct 3, 2017
• Speaks Family Association Bulletins, Winter 1983