- Volume 1 Number 1
- Summer 1984
Jonathan Skinner, A Soldier of The American Revolution
IL, Lisbon Cemetery Inscriptions
Gregg Legutki, Skinner Lineage
The Savage Correction from The Boston Evening Transcript, 8 Aug 1904
Where’s Thomas From?
Patricia Jean Nurre, Skinner Lineage
Thanks to William Weiler for transcription of this article.
One of the most enigmatic problems facing the SKINNER researchers is the origin of our elusive ancestor, Thomas of Malden. All(?) printed records indicate that he was born in England in 1617, and emigrated to America from Chichester, Sussex County, England.
Where are the documents?
The only proof I have been able to come across that Thomas was, indeed, at any time living in Chichester, is a copy of John’s record of baptism at North Mundham in 1647. This corresponds precisely with the printed records which state this date.
Correspondence with the West Sussex Record Office resulted in the following reply:
- "...The baptism entries of Thomas SKINNER at Subdeanery parish, Chichester, in 1645 and that of Abraham SKINNER at Subdeanery or All Saints in the Pallant, Chichester in 1647 are not in the surviving parish registers which are in this office..."
From this, I tend to believe that Thomas(1) was not a native of Sussex Co., England. Then where was he from? Virtually anywhere in England. Has anyone any clues???
There is one possible 'clue' to go on. In the LDS CFI/TIB there is a listing for a Thomas SKINNER, son of John, born 6 April 1618, Debden, ESSEX, England.
This date is only off by one year as mentioned in all the published references. Hmmmm.
I wrote to the Essex Society for Family History for verification of the city name. What luck! My reply:
"...The spelling of the village you mention is Debden I would think, but it could be Dedham as they are both in Essex..."
I am currently pursuing this lead on this Essex Thomas. I will, of course, provide any updated information when it comes in.
Have we found our elusive Thomas?