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- The Glas(s)cock - Glassco Saga; Lawrence A. Glassco, 1974
Thomas Glascock was declared "arrived at full age at the June 1, 1692 sitting of the Richmond County Court so we assume he was born before 1671. He had married about 1689, and lived on Farnham Creek, the next creek up the Rappahannock River, about 3 miles north of "Indian Banks", and in Richmond County. He was a first cousin of Col. George Glascock who lived at "Indian Banks" plantation. Thomas built up a tobacco plantation and estate on Farnham Creek, and in 1718 and 1719 was appointed surveyor of the highway from "Capt. Tarpley's house over the Morattico Hill to the main road".
Then tragedy struck. On November 5, 1723, Thomas made an assault on the body of William Forrester by stabbing him with a knife and causing his instant death. Thomas fled from his home and was not heard from again. There was no trial of the case. His son, Gregory, who was 23 at the time, accompanied him on his escape. Upon the son's return to Virginia, he was arraigned by a Richmond County Court as an accessory after the murder. After hearing the testimony of Gregory, and his brothers John and Thomas II, he was aquitted and placed on an order of good behavior.
The murder and subsequent flight left Thomas' wife Sarah with six children on the Farnham Creek property. She probably maintained the family home for a time in the best way she could manage, but "King" Robert Carter eventually took possession of Thomas' real estate, negroes, and other property which was forfeited to the government. King Carter was the largest landowner in Virgina and the Glascock's neighbor. The next generation in Thomas' line apparently had to start all over again on their own. They moved north from their old home in the Tidewater, and established large families and many descendants in northern Virginia.
King Carter's will of 1726 indicates that he had taken charge of Thomas' personal property, and expected to get Glascock's land also. It states "if my son John (Carter) comes to enjoy the said Glascock's lands under a good tittle that then he further consider the said Glascock's children in such proportion as he shall think fitt, or otherwise gratify them according to his discretion". Since both John and Peter Glascock settled on land belonging to John Carter in Prince William County, that may indicate that Carter did honor the request of his father's will.
The original newspaper report of Thomas Glasscock's flight from justice. "The American Weekly Mercury", No. 216, from Tuesday January 28th, to Tuesday February 4th, 1724: "By special command, of the Honourable Sir William Keith, Bart, Governor of the Province, publick Notice is hereby given: That there is come to his hands a Writ of Hue and Cry, under the Hand of the Honourable Hugh Drysdale Esq., Governor of Virginia, and the Great Seal of the said Province, after one Thomas Glascock of Richmond County in Virginia, Planter, for having barbarously murdered William Forrester of the same County, Surgeon, by secretly stabbing him with a Knife, as he entered the House of the said Glascock to which he was invited in the Business of his Profession, and of which wound he instantly died. And that by the said Writ of Hue and Cry, under the Hand and Seal aforesaid, there is promised a Reward of Forty Pounds Sterling, to any Person or Persons who shall apprehend and secure the said Thomas Glascock so as he be brought to Justice. He is a Man of middle stature, about 50 years of Age, well set, his Face bloated, of a pale Complexion, and much Wrinckled, his Hair dark coloured and almost streight, his Eyebrows large and a more than usual winking with his Eyes, his Beard growing in Patches and of a grayish hue, his Legs large and swelled with the Dropsie, his Garb uncertain, having taken several Suits of Cloths with him.
Also, he carried with him his Son named Gregory Glascock, about 21 Years of age, a lusty wellset Fellow, with streight brown Hair, a swarthy Complexion and pretty much Freckled. It is also earnestly recommended to all Persons whatsoever, in any of His Majesties Colonies or Plantations, who shall see or hear of the said Glascock, that they use their utmost endeavour to apprehend and secure him, that so notorious a Criminal may be brought to Justice."
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