1. Thomas Shannon was born in 1676 in Londonderry, Ireland. He died in Apr 1737 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Thomas Shannon came to America with his 3 brothers, Robert, Andrew andWilliam.
They came from Munster, Ireland. He married Eigness whose last name isunknown
at this time. They eventually settled in Chester County, Pa. in an area
referred to as West Conestoga Township, which later became LancasterCounty as
we know it today. The year of settlement is not known, but in 1717, no
Shannons are listed as living there while the tax records of 1725 show
Thomas Shannon listed as an inhabitant. The following is taken from "PA"
and "Colonial Living" .....Most of the coastal land had been taken up bythe
early 1700's when the Scotch-Irish began entering the area. They had tohead
for the back country. The peak years of Scotch-Irish immigration were1717-1718
and 1727-1728 with some others later in the century. By 1749 one fourthof the
population of Pa. was Scotch-Irish. James Logan (future governor of Pa.)wrote
to John Penn (son of William Penn) in 1729 that it now looks as ifIreland or
the inhabitants of it were to be transported hither. Last week I think noless
than 6 ships arrived at Newcastle and Philadelphia and they are every 2or 3
days, when the wind serves, dropping in loaded with Passengers, and
therefore we may easily belive that there are some grounds for the common
apprehensions of the people that if some speedy method be not taken, they
will soon make themselves Proprietors of the Province. These people were
by temperament the utter antithesis of Quaker calm and German thrift. They
took the land they wanted and dared anybody to move them, and seldom did
anyone do so. Thomas and Eigness were of Presbyterian faith and lived inBart
and Sadsbury Townships, Lancaster County, Pa. Thomas died betweenApr.04,1737
and Apr.26,1737. His will was dated Apr.04, 1737 and is recorded in BookA,
Vol. 1, Pg. 26, at Lancaster County, Pa.Will of Thomas Shannon:
April ye fourth In the Name of God Amen Anno Domm One Thousand SevenHundred
and Thirty Seven, I, Thomas Shannon of Sadsbery Township and County of
Lancaster, farmer, being sick and weak of Body but of perfect mind andmemory
thanks be given unto God, therefore calling into mind the mortality of mybody
and that it is appointed for all men once to die I do now make and ordainthis
my last will and testament that is to say, I recommend my soul unto thehands
of God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried at thediscretion of
my Executors. And as for such worldly goods as it has pleased God tobless me
with I now Dispose and bequeath in manner and form following: 1 First ofall I
order that all my just and lawful debts be paid and my funeral charges.Item: I
give and bequeath unto my son John Shannon one half of the place where Inow
live and the other half I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Shannon tobe
equally divided between them and I order my well beloved wife, EignessShannon
shall be maintained out of that half that I give to my son Samuel whileshe
lives and my other three children vis. Margaret, Thomas and Anna Shannonare to
be maintained out of the same until they come of age. Item: I give andbequeath
unto each of my two daughters fifteen pounds to be raised out of mymoveable
estate and paid unto the eldest at the expiration of two years and to bepaid
unto the other when she comes of age. Item: I give and bequeath unto myson
Thomas Shannon fifteen pounds to be raised likewise out of my moveableestate
to be paid when he comes of age together with his loom and Tacklin' and Ido
constitute and appoint my well beloved son John Shannon and my trustyfriend
Samuel Irwin to be my sole executs. of this my last will and testamentand the
Reverend Mr. Alexander Creighead I impower as guardian to take care andsee
that all things are done according to this my last will and testament andI do
revoke disallow and disannul all other wills and testaments made by mebefore
the date hereof pronouncing and declaring this and no other to be my LastWill
and Testament as Witness my hand the day and year above written.
Thomas (X) Shannon (his mark) Seal
Signed, Sealed, Delivered in the presence of us:
William (X) McChire, Samuel Irwin, James (X) Eger, Margaret (X) Carnachan
Thomas married Eigness\Agnes. Eigness\Agnes was born in 1686 in Ireland. She died in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
They had the following children:
+ 2 F i Margaret Shannon + 3 F ii Anna Shannon + 4 M iii John Shannon + 5 M iv Samuel Shannon 6 M v Thomas Shannon , Jr. was born in 1732 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He died in 1772 in Amherst County, Virginia.
Thomas Shannon (1732 - 1772) his will was filed Jul. 17 1772 in AmherstCounty,
Virginia. He died unmarried. Executors of his will were Samuel Shannon,his
brother, and James Reid. He left his estate to the children of hissister, Anna
Shannon Crow, and to his nephew, Thomas Shannon, the son of his brotherSamuel,
and to his "cousin Thomas Shannon and to his son John Shannon". He usesthe
word "cousin" but it is thought that he means his nephew, Thomas Shannon,the
son of his older brother, John Shannon. The will was probated in August1772.
Final Settlement was years later in November 1778. The will was witnessedby
his sister Anna Shannon Crow and her husband William Crow.