Lynah family history

That THOMAS HEYWARD (born August 19, 1673) was sent to England for his education seems highly probable in view of the instructions in his father's will and the fact that there were no living relatives in the colony to look after the eleven-year-old boy and his younger brother at the time of their father's death. By 1698, however, Thomas was back at Charlestown; for records show that he held at that time the position of Powder Receiver for the colony--an office he filled to the time of his death. About this time he married Margaret Wright of the family of Wrights of Norfolk and Suffolk, England, descendants of Thomas Wright of Kilverstone Manor, who lived in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. In Carolina at this time and shortly thereafter, were several distinguished members of this Wright family. John Wright of Virginia, an early commissioner for Indians and at times a member of the Assembly of Carolina, was slain by the Indians at Pocotaligo with Captain Nairne and was succeeded by his sons, John, Richard, and Thomas, all weathly and prominent citizens; Robert Wright was Chief Justice from 1729 to 1738; and his son, Sir James Wright, was last provincial governor of Georgia. Family tradition indicates that Margaret may have been a sister of John.

In the fall of 1699 Thomas Heyward died, probably in the virulent epidemic of yellow fever which is said to have killed one hundred and sixty persons. The place of record of his will is unknown, but it is referred to and portions are recited in an instrument executed November 18, 1700, by Margaret Heyward, to the effect that Thomas Heyward, deceased, her late husband, owned one quarter part of a town lot, (No. 26 on the Grand Model; the southeast corner of Broad and Church Streets) "with the appurtenances thereunto belonging," and left a will dated September 28, 1699, devising all his worldly estate to her. He was survived by his window, Margaret, and one son, born at about the time of his father's death; he was also named Thomas.

THOMAS HEYWARD, (born c. 1700, died March 1736/7), son of Thomas Heyward and Margaret Wright, was the sole representative of this generation. From early youth he led an adventurous life, as a boy taking part in the expedition fitted out by Governor Charles Craven to fight the Indians during the Yamassee uprising in 1715; his mother is said to have petitioned the Governor for his release, as he was an only son just sixteen years of age. In 1718 aboard the sloop "Revenge" in a naval expedition fitted out by Governor Robert Johnson, he participated in the engagement which resulted in the death of the pirate Richard Worly and the capture of his sloop near the mouth of Charles Town Harbor. It is a matter of record that he applied for prize money as one of the volunteer crew of the sloop "Revenge".

On March 25, 1724, Thomas Heyward was elected a member of the Assembly. On April 10, 1725, the commissioners were directed to be "forthwith prepared for Mr. Thomas Heyward to be Captain of the James Island district."

On June 4, 1719, he married Hester (Ester) Taylor, daughter of John Taylor, Esq., of St. Andrews Parish, and his wife Ester. By her he had seven children. He was apparently a citizen of means, for besides his plantations and slaves on James Island, his advertisements in the SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE indicate that he owned considerable real estate in Charles Town.

Thomas Heyward left a will dated March 7, 1736, giving his executors specific instructions to sell certain lands for the payment of his funeral expenses and lawful debts. It was not probated and recorded until January 20, 1743. He and his family are said to have been buried on his plantation on James Island bordering on the Stono River.

Thomas Heyward, the son of Thomas Heyward and his wife, Margaret Wright, and grandson of the first Daniel Heyward, was born c. 1700 and died March 1737. He married June 4, 1719, Hester or Ester Taylor, the daughter of John and Ester Taylor. She died November 25, 1757.

Children:

I Daniel Heyward b. July 20, 1720, d. October 4; 1777.
II Thomas Heyward B. Jan. 26, 1723, d. October 20, 1795.