Thomas Keene

He lived on Kent Island, Maryland, from probably 1631 until probably 1644. It is possible he was among a group of inhabitants who moved to St. Mary's county, Maryland in 1638, but if so, he returned to Kent Island by 9 Nov 1640. He was probably with a group of islanders led by Col. Clayborne that moved to Northumberland County, Virginia in 1644, but in 1648 he was resident in St. Mary's County, Maryland (just across the Potomac). He resided at Cherry Point, Northumberland County, Virginia by 9 Dec 1650 where he died in 1652.

He was a cooper and possibly merchant by trade, as well as a planter, and directed the making of "pipe staves" while on Kent Island.

Thomas married Mary Thorley about 1639 at Kent Island. They had five children who were all probably born on Kent Island.

In April of 1652 Thomas joined John Mottrom and a number of other Northumberland residents in signing a loyalty oath to England that stated "Wee whose names are subscribed doe promise & ingage our selves to be true & faith full to the Comonwealth of England as it is now established without King or House of Lordes."

On November 27th, 1652 Thomas made his will. Most of the will described his just debts and the debts that were owed to him. He divided some cattle amongst his children and gave the rest of his estate and plantation to his wife Mary to use during her live for bringing up the children at at her death to their son Thomas. The will was proven in Northumberland County court on January 20th, 1653.

Months after his death a land patent was granted to Thomas for 527 acres in Northumberland County abutting north west on the lands of Ralph Horsly & Edward Coppedge, south east upon Cloughtons and north east upon "Cherry Poynt."

Mary lived on almost ten years longer than Thomas and remarried twice having one more child. Her second husband was Henry Rayner, one of the witnesses to Thomas Keene's will. She married third to Thomas Broughton. When Mary made a will in 1662 she named four of her five children with Thomas Keene.