(Report for Hikaru Kitabayashi from Dr. Thompson, Salt Lake City, Utah) (with Hikaru's permission)

"The first clear statement of record concerning Thomas Cotten or Cotton is found in two transactions reported the same day from the Surry County Court. Having been arrested for debt by Lt. Thomas Busby, a non suit was granted and Cotten was awarded costs. He also acted as a surety on the bond of the widow Joan Adkins as administratrix of the intestate estate of her late husband Richard Adkins [Surry Co. Court Orders 3:256]. It is likely that he had been in Virginia for several years to be called to serve in the latter capacity but I am not able to sort him out from others bearing the same name. On 16 April 1683 Thomas Cotten was granted a patent for 335 acres in Surry County for the transportation of five persons, including one Elizabeth Stokeley [Va. Patents 7:280]. His wife Susanna signing by mark, Thomas Cotten sold 235 acres of this land to one William Harvey for a valuable consideration on 3 November 1685 [Surry Co. Wills & Deeds 3:40, acknowledged and recorded 24 November 1685]. This is the last instrument that I found which mentions Susanna by name. There is no record that they had any surviving children."

"The will of Thomas Cotten of Surry County; dated 26 February 1718/9 and proved 18 March 1718/9, named his wife Mary as executrix and left her his plantation; at her decease this land and other property was to pass to his "cousin" Thomas Cotten, son of Walter Cotton and Walter's wife Elizabeth [Surry Co. Wills & Deeds 7:168]. At this period "cousin" was often used for "nephew" and, together with the original joint patent, the will provides evidence that Walter and Thomas Cotten/Cotton were brothers. This fact may well be helpful in tracing the parents of Walter Cotten in England."

The will below was provided by Hikaru Kitabayashi 09/04/00
WILL OF THOMAS COTTON I
February the 26th 1718 In the Name of God Amen
I Thomas Cotten I being in perfect since and memory bequeath my Soul to God that gave it me and body to the Earth to be decently buried Y my Estate as followeth when all my debts are paid
I give unto my loving wife Mary Cotten my plantation and Land belonging to it during her naturall life & after her decease to my Cousin Thomas Cotten son of Walter Cotten and Elizabeth his wife to the said Tomas Cotton & his heirs Lawfully begotten of his body for ever never to be (...) nor morgaged (.....) the first heir shall pretend to either of these the next shall (.... ...) upon the said land and (.... ....) of I give
and bequeath to my loving wife Mary Cotten the two feather beds bolster pillows blanketts Sheets & two rugs two pair of Curtaines Valan(.)s bedsteads Cords and whatelse belongs to them in that (...) room this I give to her and her disposing.
I give and bequeath to mary Smith daughter of John Smith & Elizabeth his wife one feather bed bolster blankets & rug a pair of Sheets more. I give to the said Mary (.......) pewter dishes & two pewter plates.
I give to my Cousin Thomas Cotten a feather bed bolster one blanket (... .. ... ) & the bedstead bilong
I give unto Richard Hide my best belt
I give and bequeath to my Loving wife Mary Cotten all the rest of my Estate my Cattell hogs sheep horses all the (.... .... ..) pewter b(.......) & all (.... ...... .......) in the (.....)
I give unto my Cousin Thomas Cotton all my remaining Estate
I give unto my Cousin William Cotton one Shilling
I give unto my kinswoman Anne Mylone one Shilling
I make and impower my Loving wife Mary Cottin my Executrix of this my last will and testament whereunto I have put my hand and Seal
Thomas TC Cott(..) his mark and seal
In the Presence of us, Jethro Baxter Senior, John Johnson, Grace Baxter
At a Court held at Southwark for the County of Surry March the 18th 1718
The (......) mentioned Will of Thomas Cotten Deceased was presented in Court by Mary Cotten Executrix thereof who made oath thereto and being proved by the oaths of Jethro Baxter & Higb Higbsib (........) thereto the same is ordered to be recorded and is record
(....................)