Family Group Sheet

Thomas Drayton, Jr.: Biographical Information

Thomas Drayton, Jr., the likely progenitor of the Carolina Drayton family, was one of seven children of Thomas Drayton (1625-1702) of Warwickshire, England, who migrated to Barbados in 1675 on the ship Willing Wind, Thomas Masters, captain.

Thomas Drayton, Jr. migrated from Barbados to Carolina in March of 1679 on the ship Mary, Nicolas Lockwood, captain. Sailing on the same ship were Stephen and Phillis Fox. The Fox family, if not connected to the Drayton family in Barbados, forged ties to the Draytons of Carolina which endured well into the third generation. [11]

It was Stephen Fox who, on July 28, 1679,purchased the 402 acres on the south side of the Ashley River which would become the ancestral home of the Carolina Draytons. Fox conveyed the property, perhaps by will, to Thomas Drayton, who would develop the estate known as Magnolia Plantation. It is unclear whether Stephen Fox or Thomas Drayton built the first dwelling house on the property.

Thomas Drayton, Jr. married, sometime before 1703, one Ann, whose maiden name awaits discovery through further research. Credible researchers have speculated that Ann's maiden name was either Booth or Fox, but to date there is no clear consensus among historians concerning Ann's family origins.

Thomas and Ann Drayton bore four children who survived to adulthood. Thomas died ca. 1724. His will was recorded June 17, 1724. [12]

In addition to planting at Magnolia Plantation on the Ashley River, St. Andrews Parish, Charleston, Thomas Drayton also kept cowpens, stock and enslaved cow hunters on Round O Savannah and Abram's Savannah, which he left to his sons in is will. [22]

Inheritance, Acquisitions, Bequests

Acquisitions:

Thomas Drayton, Jr.’s estate consisted of some three thousand acres of land and more than one hundred enslaved people of African and Native American descent. He received, during his lifetime, the following land grants:  

• 146 acres on the north side of S. Edisto River, May 17, 1701 [13]
• 154 acres on the north side of S. Edisto River, May 17, 1701 [14]
• 710 acres in Colleton County (Bob’s Savannah), Sept. 18, 1703 [15]
• 600 acres in Colleton County (Horse Shoe Savannah), Sept. 18, 1703 [16]
• 100 acres in Colleton County (Kakea), Sept. 18, 1703 [17]
• 127 acres in Colleton County, May 5, 1704 [18]
• 500 acres in Colleton County, May 5, 1704 [19]
• 100 acres in Colleton County, May 5, 1704 [20]
• 490 acres in Colleton County, Sept. 14, 1704 [21]

 

Bequests:

To wife Ann Drayton:

 

• £500 in lieu of Dower

 

To daughter Ann Drayton:

 

• £1,000 and "one Negroe Woman, which she shall make Choice of," provided she marry with mother Ann Drayton's consent

 

To son Thomas Drayton:

 

• Magnolia plantation on Ashley River, St. Andrews Parish, Charleston
• one half of lands on Stono River
• one half of all stock
• cowpen and land at Round O Savannah
• one half of all African and Native American slaves

 

To son Stephen Fox Drayton:

 

• plantation on Stono River "formerly Anthony Buroe's"
• one half remainder of lands on Stono River
• all lands at cowpen on Abram's Savannah
• one half of all slaves and stock

 

Codicil:

In the codicil to his will, Thomas Drayton notes the birth of son John Drayton after the writing of will and calls for Stephen Fox Drayton's share of estate to be divided equally between John and Stephen Fox Drayton.

Slaves in the Estate of Thomas Drayton, Jr.

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