3906Thomas Keene was born circa 1593,1 almost certainly in Europe (since the first permanent English settlement in the Americas wasn't established until 1607), but the details (i.e., where, and who his parents were) are unknown, nor do we know how and when he immigrated to America. (However, Ruth Ritchie and Sudie Rucker Wood's well-written book Garner-Keene Families of Northern Neck Virginia on pages 187-188 presents some evidence that his parents may have been Thomas and Elizabeth (née Gosnold) Keene of Suffolk, England. Ultimately, though, this hypothesis is inconclusive, mostly because there's no way to be certain that the child Thomas Keene from the English records is the same person as our ancestor, the adult 3906Thomas Keene in later American records. DNA evidence might be able to solve this research problem, although I haven't explored this possibility.)
The earliest record to mention 3906Thomas comes from Kent Island, Maryland. Around midsummer 1637, George Evelin deposed William Claiborne and effectively took control of the island. (To learn more about the fight for control, check out this podcast.) After taking over, Evelin then ordered 3906Thomas Keene, who was a cooper, to help make stave pipes for the settlement.2 Although the settlement's exact location isn't entirely clear, in the late 1980's archeologists located several barrel wells submerged in the tidewaters; artifacts found within suggest that the wells date from the mid-1600's.3 Considering 3906Thomas' occupation as a cooper, it's possible he may have personally helped build these wells, or other such wells.
A Kent Island barrel well excavated by archeologists in the late 1980's.3 It's plausible that 3906Thomas may have helped build this well, or other such wells.
A list dated 30 April 1638 includes 3906Thomas' name among other men who were "Entred by Capt George Evelin for the Manor of Evelinton in the Baronie of St. Maries." 4 The meaning of this statement isn't entirely clear, but suggests that 3906Thomas may have left Kent Island and relocated to nearby St. Mary's City for a while. Nevertheless, we soon find 3906Thomas back on Kent Island, where he acquired 100 acres on 9 November 1640.5
3906Thomas may have grown dissatisfied with Evelin's governing of the colony, however, because in 1644 he had William Claiborne transport him to Virginia, where 3906Thomas seems to have remained for the rest of his life.
3906Thomas' name on a list of people whom William Clayborne transported to Virginia. Full page.6Abstract.
He settled in Northumberland County, Virginia, where he appraised an estate on 9 December 1650.7
December 1650: 3906Thomas appraises an estate in Northumberland County, Virginia. Full page.7
In the aftermath of the English Civil War, on 13 April 1652 men of Cherry Point, Northumberland County, Virginia signed an oath of allegiance to Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. 3906Thomas signed the bottom right corner of the document.
1652: As a resident of Cherry Point, Northumberland County, Virginia, 3906Thomas signs an oath of allegiance to the English Commonwealth. Full page.8
Although I've already described most of the records that pertain to 3906Thomas, Garner-Keene Families of Northern Neck Virginiapages 187-188 mentions a few others. (However, page 189 mentions a certain record dated 20 September 1652 that I was unable to find via the source cited. The record is said to be in Northumberland County Order Book 2 on page 289, but no such record seems to exist, at least not insofar as I've been able to find.)
3906Thomas' will, dated 27 November 1652 and proved 20 January 1652/3 in Northumberland County, names children Thomas, 1953Susanna, William, and Matthew. It also names his wife 3907Mary, and is the only record that describes her as his wife. A large section of the will lists various credits and debts that 3906Thomas had, mostly related to farm/agricultural items. Two important excerpts are illustrated below,9 and you can see a full transcription (minus the probate statement).
These excerpts from 3906Thomas' will name his family members. Full page.9
Despite being dead, 3906Thomas (or his estate?) apparently received a patent for 542 acres in Northumberland County on 13 October 1653.10 The patent was confirmed on 18 March 1662.11 Alternatively, these records could refer to his son Thomas.
A court record dated 10 October 1659 mentions all of 3906Thomas' children, describes them as orphans, and describes the cattle they owned.12 Another, similar record dated 23 July 1661 mentions two of the children and was signed by 3906Thomas' widow.13 You can read abstracts of both records here.
Sources Cited:
1: William Hand Browne, ed., Archives of Maryland, Volume 4: Judicial and Testamentary Business of the Provincial Court, 1637-1650 (Baltimore, 1887), page 452.
2: William Hand Browne, ed., Archives of Maryland, Volume 5: Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1667-1687/8 (Baltimore, 1887), page 183.
