Tobias Purcell

Tobias married Mary, possibly Mary Coan, about 1690 and had at least five children. In June of 1694 the Lancaster County Order books show an indentured servant ordered to serve Tobias for six years. In 1696 Tobias Pursell was listed in the Lancaster County tax records as having four tithables in his household. In January 1706 Tobias purchased 316 acres including a livery from George Crosby in Northumberland County for 120 pounds In the deed Tobias was referred to as a planter. In May of 1708 Tobias purchased land in Lancaster at the head of the eastern most branch of the Corrotoman River for 160 British pounds.

Tobias wrote his will on May 18th, 1710. He was unable to write and signed by making a mark. Tobias asked that his tobacco on hand be sold and that land and seven black slaves in Lancaster County be mortgaged to pay a debt. He then gave land in Lancaster to his son Thomas. He divided his land in Northumberland between his two other sons, Tobias and John. His wife Mary and daughter Judith were named in the will, each received on slave. A second daughter, Mary, was also named. He named his wife Mary and Robert Carter as the executrix and executor of his will. On August 9th, 1710 the will was recorded in Lancaster County Court.

In May of 1711 an inventory of the estate of Tobias Purcell was taken. The inventory was valued at 206 pounds, nine pence and nine shillings. Four slaves were listed by name. Livestock included 37 sheep, 19 pigs, 21 head of cattle and one horse. Other items inventoried were a cane, a sword, two guns, four feather beds and a wide assortment of kitchenware.