Thomas Keene, III ¹

  General Notes:

Was baptized; a certain Francis Simmons was godfather to Thomas Keene. By his will, 1661, he gave this godson a bequest. Other references are found on the early books of Northumberland County for Thomas Keene and his widow and his orphans: 'one steare of Thomas Keene, given for two yeares schooling' for Thomas Keene, orphan of Thomas Keene. (North. R.B. 15, p.93)

April 16, 1661, Thomas Keene son of Thomas Keene, received a bequest from his godfather, Francis Simmons. He was not of age in 1665 for we find on May 5, 1665, 'it is ordered ye division be made of ye belongings of ye orphans of Thomas Keene by Mr Thomas Mathews, Mr Nicholas Owen, John Tingey and George Courtnell being first Sworn by ye justice, and ye part belonging to Thomas Keene ye son of Thomas Keene deceased, be deposited into the hands of John Garner, his guardian.' (North. O.B. 2, p. 414)

April 17, 1678, the last will and testament of Thomas Keene was presented in court by Francis Jack and Nathaniel Garland. (North O.B. 3, p. 354) However, the will has been lost.

February 18, 1679, we find recorded 'the estate of Thomas Keene deceased, is indebted to Jarvis Squires to the amount of 1,455 pounds of tobacco by bill dated 19 July 1676.'