Tharpe, Tharp, Thorpe, Thorp.... ?

One of the first realizations researchers come to is that there are Tharpe/Thorp families in and around the Northern Neck area of Virginia during the Revolutionary period that just don't seem to connect. There are at least three, possibly more, unconnected Tharpe families in the same vicinity during the late colonial period. All seem to have expanded into the interior as well as points south.Such is the case with the family of Jesse Tharp of Fauquier.

Jesse Tharp was born about 1750, Virginia. From tax records, Jesse Tharp entered Fauquier as early as 1782. He is believed to have lived on Lot No. 2 in Leeds Manor in Fauquier. At the age of 60, in the 1810 census of Faurquier Co., he is found living next to his brother John.He died there about 1812.

The major questions to be answered now are the identity of Lucy, and the origins of Jesse and Lucy. Are they associated with the ancient Tharp/Thorp families of early Northumberland and Surry? Are they associated with the Tharp/Thorp families which found their way into Virginia via New Jersey and Maryland? Are they associated with the Tharps/Thorps who settled in the area directly from England prior to the Revolution?

Thornton 'Golding' Golden

Thornton Golding, born in to William and Peggy Golding around 1773 in Virginia. He was a farmer. He and his wife Elizabeth had 9 children. Their names are Lucy, Jesse, Frances, George, Jane, William, Lewis, Atha, and Mariah (Jesse is my 3rd great grandfather).In the 1810 Federal Census, Thornton is found living next door to his brother Vincent in Faurquier,Virginia  (the surname spelled Golding). He is found in Faurquier until the census year of 1850, there he is found in Harrison,West Virginia living with his daughter Frances and her son Burrel. Thornton's death record states that he died on May 8, 1855, cause of death listed as 'old age' and he was found by a neighbor.

Thornton Golden's headstone

Thornton's wife Elizabeth, who's maiden name was Margaret Elizabeth Tharpe was born about the year 1780 and  the daughter of  Jesse Tharpe and his wife Lucy. Elizabeth died in Harrison, West Virginia in 1841. Her resting place is in Center Branch Cemetery next to Thornton.



Margaret Elizabeth Tharpe-Golden's headstone



William Golding And His Decendants

William Golding was from Scotland. Not able to figure how old he actually was. An estimated guess is that he was born around April of 1750 and and died about 1835.  A Revolutionary War pension claim dated September 2, 1833 had his hand written declaration to the state of Kentucky, county of Boone, stating his age as " 74 years next April". That would make his birth year 1759, which makes him too young to be a father of his oldest children, perhaps he didn't know his exact age? A page from the diary of  Thomas Golden ( a great grandson of William) states that 'Great grandfather of Scotland emigrated to Virginia, Shanadon County. And that his first name was William.  William married a lady named Peggy (maiden name or age not known) and had sons named Vincent born 1770, Warren born 1771, Thornton born 1773, Joseph born 1774, and Enoch born 1775. Of these children Thornton is my paternal 4th great grandfather. Born Thornton Golding in 1773 in Virginia. He married a young lady by the name of Margaret Elizabeth Tharpe , the daughter of Jesse and Lucinda  on January 19, 1801 in Faurquier, Virginia. In the marriage bond below, it incorrectly states that 'Elizabeth Tharpe' is the daughter of John and Lucy Tharpe. However, a check of the actual registration shows  she is the daughter of "Jessy and Lucy".
           

Marriage Bond of Thornton Golden and Elizabeth Tharpe

Also not known is the reason why or when the name changed from 'Golding' to ' Golden' gradually  between the years of 1800 to 1833.