Table of Contents
Thomas Bull, Jr.
Son of Thomas Bull Sr. and Susanna Harwell, Thomas Bull, Jr. was born about 1726, in Brunswick, Virginia.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA, POLL LIST 1748
Brunswick Co. was created by Act of Assembly in 1720 from Prince George County (see Robinson, Virginia Counties, p. 76) with additions from Isle of Wight and Surry in 1732. The first court for Brunswick was held May 2, 1732, from which the records of this county date. The following poll list for 1748 gives the names of the residents of Brunswick voting for representatives in the House of Burgesses for the sessions of October, 1748, and April, 1749, and which resulted in the election of Sterling Clack and Drury Stith.
Capt. Edmunds Pole
John Wall Junr. Michael Wall Junr.
Michael Wall, Sheriff.
Samuel Lucas
John Sulivant
William Pettaway
William Wall
James Denman
Henry Embry
John Moutrey
Giles Kelly
William McKinney
William Maclin
James Speed
Hazekiah Massie
Thomas Loyd (Sworn)
Lewelling Jones
Robert Christy
Thomas Bull
Richd. Hagood
Randal Brasie
William Jones
Note: It is speculated that the Thomas Bull listed in this poll is Thomas Bull, Jr. because his suspected Father-In-Law, John Sulivant, is also identified in this poll. It is also speculated that Thomas Bull, Sr. is listed on page 63 of the same poll listing, residing in “William and Mary Quarterly”. Alternatively, their names could have appeared in reverse order.
Source: https://archive.org/stream/jstor-1914578/1914578_djvu.txt
Having grown up in Brunswick, Virginia, Thomas Bull, Jr. moved with his parents to Halifax County, North Carolina (probably near Edenton, NC) some time between 1758-1761.
Thomas Bull, Jr. (between age 33-35) married Sarah Randal. Almost nothing is known about Sarah Randal, but some believe that she was born in North Carolina during 1744 (which would have made her 18 years younger than Thomas Bull, Jr.). Some have speculated that she died in 1840 (which would have made her 96 years old at her death). But, this is all speculation (which is highly “suspect” because there were many women named Sarah Randal living during the same time and many in the same region).
According to family legend, Sarah Randal was from Franklin County, GA. However, she was more likely Franklin County, North Carolina as that is a neighboring county to Halifax County, North Carolina.
Knowing that one or more Randle/Randolph/Randall families were in Brunswick, Virginia (ref.: Deeds for RANDLE, RANDOLPH, RANDALL of Brunswick County, VA (1732 – 1800.) prior to Thomas Bull, Sr. moving his family to Halifax County, North Carolina, it is also possible that Sarah Randal met (and possibly married) Thomas Bull, Jr. prior to him moving to Halifax County, North Carolina.
Since Thomas Bull, Jr. would later become involved with the Surveying trade (in Halifax County, North Carolina), it is possible Sarah Randal came from a family of surveyors; which influenced his decision to enter the Surveying trade.
Further, by 1800 several other Randall families had settled in Franklin County, Georgia. It is possible that Sarah Randal's parents (and/or siblings) moved to Franklin County, Georgia along with her and Thomas Bull, Jr.
Thomas Bull, Jr. and Sarah Randal are believed to have had the following children:
- Steven Bull (b. about 1762)
- Thomas Bull III (b. about 1763)
- Randal Bull (b. about 1764 – d. 1798. Married: Mary Sullivant)
- James Bull (b. about 1764)
- Nancy Bull (b. about 1765)
- John Bull (b. about 1766)
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In 1766, Thomas Bull, Jr. (as Thomas Bull, Sr. is believed to have died in 1763) sold more land that was owned in VA. It's possible that this was land bequeathed from Thomas Bull, Sr.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA - RECORDS
Deed Book 8, page 376 -
22 September 1766 – THOMAS BULL OF THE COUNTY OF HALIFAX, IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA sells to Swan Prichard of the County of Brunswick in the Province [sic] of Virginia – for £10 – 46 acres of land in the County of Brunswick, adjoining lands of Thomas Jackson, etc. Recorded 23 September 1766.
Source Information: Hamlin, Charles Hughes. Virginia Ancestors and Adventurers. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2003.
Eggnog - A Winter Beverage
While Eggnog is most associated with Christmas today, it became popular in Britain during the early 1700s and, of course, made its way to the Colonies; where it underwent some minor modifications and became a popular winter beverage among the wealthy - of which Thomas Bull, Jr. would certainly have been considered.
George Washington's Eggnog
This is from his own recipe archives, although he forgot to mention how many eggs to use.
1 pint brandy
1/2 pint rye whiskey
1/2 pint Jamaica rum
1/4 pint sherry
eggs
12 Tbsp sugar
1 qt milk
1 qt cream
MIX LIQUOR FIRST, then separate yolks and whites of eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well. Add liquor to mixture drop by drop at first, slowly beating. Add milk and cream, slowly beating. Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into mixture. Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently.
Source Citation: http://www.wineintro.com/mulled/washington.html & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggnog#History
The “1784-87 North Carolina State Census” shows a Thomas Bull was “Head of Household” living in Halifax, NC (District 12) on February 12, 1786 (Thomas Bull, Jr. would have been 66 years old). The census taker was… Thomas Harvey (probably Thomas Harvey, Jr. – whose sister, Hannah Harvey, would later marry Thomas Bull Jr's son, John Bull).
North Carolina, State Census, 1784-87
Census Lists by County – Halifax County
Thomas Bull – Head of Household
1 - White Males age 21-60
3 - White Males under the age of 21 & over the age of 60
5 - White females all ages
3 - Blacks age 12-50
3 - Blacks under 12 and above 50
Source: Register, Alvaretta K. State Census of North Carolina, 1784-1787. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2001.
Both the “North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787” and “1790 United States Federal Census” (the first U.S. federal census ever performed) reveal limited information because Thomas Bull, Jr's children were grown by this time. The numbers listed in the census may easily have been grandchildren. The census reference to “Halifax, Edgecombe” is because Halifax County was created from a portion of Edgecombe County on January 1, 1759.
1790 United States Federal Census
North Carolina, Halifax, Edgecombe
Thomas Bull – Head of Household
1 - White Males age 21-60
3 - White Males under the age of 21 & over the age of 60
5 - White females all ages
3 - Blacks age 12-50
3 - Blacks under 12 and above 50
Source Citation: Year: 1790; Census Place: Edgecombe, Halifax, North Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 7; Page: 457; Image: 267; Family History Library Film: 0568147.
Death of Thomas Bull, Jr.
Because Sarah Bull is listed as the primary person (e.g., “Head of Household”) in the “1800 United States Federal Census” we can assume that Thomas Bull, Jr. died some time between 1794 and 1800 (at age 68-74); although we can speculate that it was 1794 based upon his Will being recorded that year. In 1800 Sarah Bull was approx. 56 years old. It is not known exactly when Sarah Bull died (obviously after 1800).
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1800 United States Federal Census
North Carolina, Halifax, Edgecombe
Sarah Bull
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44
2 - Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over
2 - Number of Household Members Under 16
2 - Number of Household Members Over 25
5 - Number of Household Members
Source Citation: Year: 1800; Census Place: Hallifax, Halifax, North Carolina; Roll: 30; Page: 290; Image: 292; Family History Library Film: 337906.
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Typed Transcript of Thomas Bull, Jr. Will - Dated December 6, 1888
This Sixth day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & Eighty Eight, I Thomas Bull of Halifax County in North Carolina, being Weak in body but of Perfect mind & sound memory, thanks be given to God for the same and Calling to mind the Mortality of this body & Knowing that it is appointed for men, once to die, do make & Ordain this my last will & Testament; that is to say, as touching such Worldly Estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give devise and dispose of the Estate in Manner of form following. That is to say, I tend unto my beloved Wife Sarah Bull all my Estate enduring her life or Widowhood and after her death or Widowhood, my estate to be ____ & equally divided amongst all my living Children. I do hereby appoint my beloved Wife Sarah Bull, Randall Bull, John Bull my Executors of this my last Will and Testament & I do hereby ____ ___ revoke & ____ all & every other former Will, ratifying & confirming this & no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day and year above Written. Signed, Sealed & Published in the presence of us:
Tesh i.e., Ishom Davis, John Bull, Nancy x Bull
Thomas Bull (his mark)
February Sessions, 1794. Then this Will was Exhibited in Open Court and Duly ______ by the Oath of Isham Davis. One of the Subscribing Witnesses thereto & on ___ Ordered to be recorded. Whereupon the Executors in the stated Will Nominated, Came in and was duly Qualified thereto.
Typed abstracts of Wills appear in “Abstracts of North Carolina Wills & Testator Index”, Book #975.6, pp. 135: Thomas, Jr.: Halifax County, recorded 1794, Will Book 3/219, mentions wife Sarah. (Orig. in State Archives).
Will #470 - pg.219 THOMAS BULL - 6 Dec 1788 - Feb. Ct 1794
lend wife SARAH BULL all my Estate during her life or widowhood and at her death or marriage it to be divided between all my living Children (names not given)
Wit: ISHAM DAVIS, JOHN BULL, NANCY BULL
Extrs: wife: and RANDALL BULL, JOHN BULL
Source: “Genealogical Abstracts of Wills, 1758-1824, Halifax County,North Carolina”, Margaret M. Hofmann.
Lineage
| Name | Line Manager | Job Title | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Bull, Jr. | |||
| Thomas Bull, Sr. | Thomas Bull, Jr. | Father | |
| Susanna Harwell | Thomas Bull, Jr. | Mother | |
| Ambrose Harwell | Susanna Harwell | Grandfather | |
| Elizabeth Browne | Susanna Harwell | Grandmother |
Additional Information:
Descendents of Thomas Bull, Jr.
