Thomas Larkham

Merchant of the Parish of St. Martins Orgars, London, England

Little information is available about Tom’s mother, Mary Covert, except that she had a brother, Richard Covert, a London merchant.  They may have been the children of Richard Covert who was named as son and executor of the will of Richard Covert “of East Greenwich, Kent, Citizen and Merchant Tailor of London”, written August 28, 1638 and proved August 30, 1645.”(The National Archives, Kew - Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1645)

 Tom’s father died in the East Indies on February 14, 1648 (Larkham and Moore 2011) (Radford 1892) and his mother and sister Mary must have died not long after[5], leaving Tom an orphan. 

1648 – 1669: Childhood and Early Adulthood

It is apparent from records that Tom Larkham’s early life was influenced by three individuals: his grandfather Reverend Thomas Larkham of Tavistock who raised him; his paternal first cousin, Thomas Miller who lived in Reverend Larkham’s household with Tom between 1656 and 1659; and his maternal uncle, Richard Covert, brother of Tom’s mother, Mary (Covert) Larkham, mentioned above.  Possibly, Tom in turn was an influence on his younger paternal first cousin, Lancelot Larkham[6], about 15 years Tom’s junior.  Lancelot was the son of Tom’s uncle George Larkham and came to live in Tavistock[7] when Lancelot was about 10 years of age and Tom was in his twenties.

 Reverend Larkham mentioned his grandson numerous times in his diary. He clearly found Tom a challenging child to raise, but it was also clear that he dearly loved his grandson. When Tom was between the ages of 7 and 10, his grandfather wrote the following entry in his diary:

 “This very Day August 18th 1654 There was a trial in the court of Tavistocke between Thomasin Smith and my grandchild Thomas Larkham for driving and beating her Sow[.] It was God’s pleasure for ends best knowne in his Wisdome to suffer me to be foiled in this action &c[.] With this fatherly Whip beginneth the three & fiftieth yeare of mine age.  But my hope is that His holy Majestie s[h]all bringe good out of this affliction and all others which mine unworthy walking have caused his fatherhood to lay upon me. But the deriding of thy church, waies and Worship by Everleigh the steward of the court & others O Lord forget not.  Hallowed be thy name.” (Larkham and Moore 2011)

Reverend Larkham recorded the costs of the trial in his diary, which would be valued at approximately £73.32 today[8]:

“About the action against Smith

            delivered to Pinsent     0-1-0

            paid jury                      0-8-0

            Item other expenses     0-1-4

            the keeper of the jury  0-0-4

            swearing 2 witnesses   0-2-0

            Mr Arundells fee          0-1-0

            wage to wittnes           0-0-6

                                                14s-2d” (Larkham and Moore 2011)

 In his will, Reverend Larkham wrote about Tom as having “been very chargeable to me from the time of his birth and by the unkindnesses and bad dealing of his mothers relations”

 Regarding Tom’s mother’s relations, on several occasions between 1653 and 1664, Reverend Larkham mentioned Richard Covert in his diary.  Covert was Tom’s maternal uncle in London, from whom Reverend Larkham borrowed money, probably on Tom’s behalf, and who also relayed letters from George Larkham (Reverend Larkham’s son and Tom’s uncle who lived in Cockermouth) for payment. Reverend Larkham kept track of the money borrowed and payments made to his “Cosen Covert” and at one point “to Cosen Covert & His Mother & Sister”.

 It’s not clear what “unkindnesses and bad dealings” the Covert family committed, however in his will, Reverend Larkham stated that he had been forced to mortgage his house and land in Crediton to Richard Covert, in order to buy apparel and other necessities for Tom to embark on a voyage to Barbados. Perhaps he felt the Coverts should have contributed more to Tom’s upbringing. Richard Covert must have been an important figure in Tom’s life, because many years later in his will, Tom gave “my uncle Richard Covert five pounds to buy him mourning”.(The National Archives, Kew 1686)

By fall 1656, Tom’s first cousin, Thomas Miller, came to Tavistock to live his grandparents, Reverend Thomas and Patience Larkham, along with Thomas Miller’s recently widowed mother, Patience (Larkham) Miller and his younger sister Jane.   The two young cousins, Tom Miller and Tom Larkham were close in age and possibly became more like brothers.

 This relationship would factor significantly later in their lives. Reverend Larkham likely was a key influence in the lives of his two fatherless grandsons as a role model and provider.  While Reverend Larkham clearly reared young Tom Larkham, his diary ledger indicates that he also contributed significantly to the upbringing and education of Thomas Miller.

 This education included travel abroad.  Reverend Larkham paid for Tom Larkham to go to France from August 3, 1659 to January 5, 1660 in an apparent exchange with a young French boy, James Cottonlieu.  A few months after Tom left for France, Patience (Larkham) Miller brought Thomas Miller and his sisters back to Ireland with her, but later events indicate that in the three years the two cousins lived in the same household, a close relationship had developed.

 Reverend Larkham recorded his feelings about the absence of Tom and his other grandchildren and daughter:

“The Orphan which was sent to france

     Lies much upon my heart

The widow & 4 fatherlesse

     Oft make my soule to smart.

My father, send some good newes,

About these poor creatures

Thou art a tender-hearted God

The Scriptures this assures.” (Larkham and Moore 2011)

 Upon Tom Larkham’s return from France on the evening of January 5, 1660, Reverend Larkham wrote:

“Blest be my God The Orphan is come safe

On the fifth of th’ eleventh thou made’st me laugh

Lord love him for thy Cov’enants sake I pray

And send help to thy folke without delay.

Amen let be, it shall be, God hath said.

Shortly thy foes (O God) shall be well paid.”

 By July 25, 1662, Tom Larkham was indentured to Daniel Arthur, a London merchant, but this was at a cost to Reverend Larkham, who wrote in his diary:

“my Son Condy wrote to Mr. Rich: Bate to pay £50 to one Mr Dan: Arthur Merchant in London by order from T. Lark[a]mes Master Received in a letter with intelligence that the business is effected and a copy of the Indenture & a bond of £500 for me [to] seale which I have done & sent it backe &[c]” (Larkham and Moore 2011)

Reverend Larkham documented what was probably Tom’s first trip to Barbados in March 1664:

“Three of my grandchildren stood me this yeare about £30. Viz Thomas Larkham Thomas Miller & Jane Miller[.] One I sent to the Barbadoes the other to Venice, and the maide I placed at Lyme to learen to make bon lace.  O Lord in mercy make provision for my poore offspring that I may rejoice trueth.”(Larkham and Moore 2011)

In late October 1664, Tom’s cousin Thomas Miller returned to live with Reverend Larkham in Tavistock.[9]  By this time, Reverend Larkham was no longer a practicing minister and had opened an apothecary shop in Tavistock.  With his mother, Thomas Miller helped Reverend Larkham run the shop, with Thomas learning the art and mystery of apothecary (Radford 1892)(Larkham and Moore 2011), which included the trade of tobacco which was imported as a medicine. (Gately 2001)

There is little information on Tom Larkham’s years from 1665 to 1668, when Reverend Larkham wrote his will.  During this time, his cousin, Thomas Miller set up his own apothecary business, first in Okehampton by April 1667[10] and later in back in Tavistock.  By November 1667, he was also exporting tobacco from Virginia.[11]

Reverend Larkham’s concern and misgivings about his grandson Tom, were made very clear in his will, written June 1, 1668:

“And for default of such unto the son of my eldest son who is lately returned from the Barbodoes who hath been very chargeable to me from the time of his birth and by the unkindnesses and bad dealing of his mothers relations and his miscarriage which I hope he begineth to see and yet dare not be too confident of him for the time to come. My will therefore is and I do hereby, though with some sadness appoint his uncle mine only son living to be mine heir and yet that I may not discourage my poor granchild aforesaid I appoint that £100 be paid him by my son George out of my lands which yet are full stated (necessity compelling me so to do and  the more by means of the said Thomas (for that is his name) and his mothers unkind relations) yet  nevertheless whereas my mansion house at Crediton is mortgaged to Mr. Richard Covert (uncle by the mother to Thomas my said grandchild). If it be to begotten by the love of his said Uncle of ability of the said young man my eldest sons son my will and  mind is and I require my son George (as he looketh to prosper and have comfort) that said Thomas Larkham may enjoy it peaceably to him and the heirs of his body without any claim from  my son George. But if he should die without issue, it shall revert to my son George again. And with the affair I intrust my son George to fulfill my will, if anything by needful for the better seting of my said mansion house, orchards and little meadow now mortaged to sd. Richard Covert (most of which was taken up to buy apparell and necessaries to set forth the said Thomas the second time that he might be able to live in this world) I say to settle it upon said Thomas Larkham and  heirs begotten of his body.” (Bush and Bush 1977)

 Tom Larkham was passed over as the heir to Reverend Larkham’s estate by his uncle George Larkham of Cockermouth. In addition to the £100 George Larkham was to pay Tom, Reverend Larkham also bequeathed,

“my best silver bowle and my ring which hath my seal in it and what was his fathers or mothers if anything be found among my goods.” (Bush and Bush 1977)

Reverend Larkham died December 20, 1669. He was buried December 23, 1669 and his will was proved March 9, 1670.

1670 – 1685: Colonial Trade, Marriage, Imprisonment and Death

After Reverend Larkham’s death, Tom’s cousin Thomas Miller ran an apothecary business in Ireland and became more heavily involved in the tobacco trade.  By March 1, 1672/73, Miller was recorded in the Albemarle settlement of what is now North Carolina, contracting for the shipment of a large quantity of tobacco from Albemarle to England as well as his own passage. In his contract Miller was identified as an apothecary of “Balley Samson in the County of Waxford in Ireland.” (Parker 1991)[12]

Thomas Miller’s time in Albemarle during the years 1673-1679 has been well-documented by North Carolina historians.  Unfortunately, the series of events that took place during this time led to the sad fate of the two cousins, Thomas Miller and Tom Larkham.

After his arrival at Albemarle, Miller joined forces with a man named Thomas Eastchurch[13] and gained control of the political faction in support of the Lords Proprietors[14]. Miller appears to have inherited Reverend Larkham’s contentious personality because he was soon jailed for blasphemy, treason, and loathing towards the Lords Proprietors, although the Virginia Council acquitted him in May 1676. After the trial, Miller travelled with Thomas Eastchurch to London, where they convinced the Lords Proprietors that Eastchurch should govern Albemarle County. Thomas Miller was granted the titles of council member, secretary, and customs collector. (Parker 1991)

In 1677, Miller and Eastchurch returned to Albemarle by way of Nevis Island[15], northwest of Barbados in the Caribbean.  While in Nevis, Thomas Eastchurch met and married a wealthy heiress and decided to delay his return to Albemarle for a honeymoon.  In his absence, Eastchurch appointed Thomas Miller as the Interim Governor and President of the Executive Council of Albemarle.  Miller arrived in Albemarle in July 1677 and became the first acting colonial governor of North Carolina.

During his brief governance, Thomas Miller incited much resentment and outrage because he punished and jailed members of the group opposing the proprietors, increased taxes and diverted public money in order to cover the salary of his armed guards. These actions led to the Culpeper's Rebellion, a revolt in which Thomas Miller was apprehended and imprisoned in a log house of about 10 or 11 square feet, that had been purposely built for him. Miller remained imprisoned for two years, but his execution was avoided through the efforts of Thomas Eastchurch, who returned to North Carolina in 1677 and  died in Jamestown, Virginia later that year. (Parker 1991)

 At some point during this time, Tom Larkham married Hannah.[16] They had a son, Covert (named for Tom’s mother’s family) who was baptized July 2, 1678 at St. Stephen’s Church[17], Coleman Street, London and tragically died shortly after his birth.  The infant Covert Larkham was buried July 7, 1678, also at St. Stephen’s Church in London. (St Stephen Coleman Street 1678)

Tom’s cousin, Thomas Miller returned to England in December 1679. Upon his arrival, he issued a series of complaints to customs officials and others against the colonists responsible for Culpeper’s Rebellion.  Eventually, Miller was rewarded for his efforts in the Carolinas. Treasury officials ordered monthly payments to Miller for more than a year. He received more than £244 for his maintenance and as compensation for "his great sufferings" in Albemarle.  In March 1680/81 Thomas Miller was appointed customs collector of Poole.  In July 1682 he was transferred to a more lucrative post at Weymouth, however his career was brief and ill-fated. By May 14, 1684 Miller was removed from office and imprisoned for mishandling funds. (Parker 1991)

While Thomas Miller was in prison, Tom Larkham gave £1,000 in bond as surety for his cousin. Unfortunately, Thomas Miller died in prison, probably before June 21, 1685, at which point Tom Larkham was arrested and imprisoned for the debt owed by his cousin Miller.  Conditions in the prison must have been deplorable, because Tom Larkham also died in prison, sometime between June 21, 1685 when he wrote his will and October 16, 1685 when his widow, Hannah, made her first petition to the Customs Commissioners to be discharged of the bond given by her late husband as surety for Thomas Miller.

After Tom’s death, his widow Hannah’s possessions and home were seized.   This is documented by a series of petitions by Hannah Larkham, relict of Thomas Larkham between October 16, 1685 and September 26, 1688:

 October 16, 1685

“Reference to the Lord Treasurer of the petition of Hannah Larkham, relict of Thomas Larkham of London, showing that her husband being bound for Thomas Miller, collector of the customs at Pool and Weymouth, in 1,000 £ bond was arrested for some arrears due by Miller and died in prison and that his goods were seized, and praying that she may enjoy her goods, being all she has left, and proceedings be suspended till Miller's plantations in Carolina can be regained for satisfying the King's debt.”("James II Volume 1: October 1685")

 October 28, 1685

“Same by same to same of the petition of Mrs. Larkham, relict of Tho. Larkham, who was surety in 1,000 £ for Thomas Miller, collector of Weymouth port, who died in prison indebted to the King, whereupon petitioner's husband was arrested and soon after also died and petitioner's goods seized for the debt: prays stay of proceedings till some essays be made for regaining Miller's plantations in Carolina seized by the rebels.” ('Entry Book: October 1685, 11-21')

 July 11, 1688

“Same to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of Hannah Larkham, widow [of] Tho. Larkham; shewing that in 1677 Tho. Miller ‘being Commander in Chief [sic: erratum] and collector of Customs in Carolina’ was robbed not only of the King's money but of 1,000 £ of his own and after two years' imprisonment in irons made his escape and being afterwards made collector of Poole ran in arrear to the King for which he was arrested and died in prison; and petitioner's husband being his security was arrested and is since dead and petitioner's goods are seized and she turned out of doors; that the said Miller's papers are so embezzled that his accounts cannot be made up; that her said husband had been ever loyal and left her in a miserable condition: therefore prays to be discharged from her husband's bond and that her goods may be restored.” ('Entry Book: July 1688, 11-15')

 On September 26, 1688, Hannah Larkham was discharged of the bond given by Thomas Larkham as surety for Thomas Miller.

 September 26, 1688

“Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to discharge Hannah Larkham, relict of Thomas Larkham, late of London, deceased, of the bond given by her said husband as surety for Thomas Miller, ut supra, pp. 1995–6; the said Miller, after his escape from the rebels in Carolina, having obtained an order for restitution which was prevented by the Earl of Shaftesbury, and being impoverished thereby ran in arrear to the King as customer of Poole and Weymouth, was arrested and died in prison and petitioner's husband was also arrested and died in 1685, though he was always loyal and opposed the traitorous design of the Exclusion: the Customs Commissioners having reported Aug. 27 last that petitioner's statements are true and that in regard of her utter poverty they have no objection to discharge said bond.”('Entry Book. September 1688, 16-30')

 Tom Larkham’s will, written June 21, 1685, probably when he was in prison, and proved February 4, 1686 is transcribed[18] as follows:

“In the name of God Amen I Thomas Larkham of the parish of St Martins Orgars in the Citty of London Merchant being weake of body but of perfect memory praise be God Almighty Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made First I commit my soul into the hands of Jesus Christ my most mercifull Saviour and Redeemer and my body to the earth out of which it was made to be decently buried after my just debts  I owe in considered to any person and right ought to be paid and my funerall charges paid.  Imprimis I give unto my uncle Richard Covert five pounds to buy him mourning Item I give and bequeath unto my cousin Lancelott Larkham the sonne of George Larkham of Cockermouth my Seald Ring which was left me by my grandfather[19] Lastly I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Hannah Larkham  All my estate  --- personal And I doe hereby ordain Mary Lambert the daughter of Francis Lambert of Epsom my sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this One and  twentieth day of June One thousand six hundred eighty five Tho: Larkham Witness present Francis Tyrwhitt James Lambert Francis Lambert” (The National Archives, Kew 1686)

Bibliography

"James II Volume 1:. October 1685". Calendar of State Papers Domestic: James II, 1685. Edited by E K Timings. (London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1960). 338-373. Accessed June 28, 2014. British History Online. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=58367&strquery=Hannah Larkham.

Bush, Thomas Lloyd, and Louise Hornbrook Bush. 1977. The times of the Hornbrooks: Tracing a Family Tradition. Cincinatti.

'Entry Book. September 1688, 16-30'. "Calender of Treasury Books, Volume 8." Edited by William A. Shaw. His Majesty's Stationery Office. 2067-2082. Accessed June 28, 2014. British History Online: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=82654&strquery=Tho Larkham.

'Entry Book:. October 1685, 11-21'. Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 8, 1685-1689. Edited by William A. Shaw. (London: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1923). 381-397. Accessed June 28, 2014. British History Online. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=82511&strquery=Tho Larkham.

—. July 1688, 11-15'. "Calendar of treasurey Books, Volume 8, 1685-1689." Edited by William A. Shaw. 1993-1999. Accessed June 23, 2014. British History Online. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=82648&strquery=Hannah Larkham.

Family History Library. n.d. "England, Marriages, 1538–1973."

Gately, Iain. 2001. Tobacco: A Cultural History of How an Exotic Plant Seduced Civilization. New York: Grove Press.

Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City, ed. n.d. ""England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,"." Accessed October 1, 2019. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N591-68L.

J. Bernard Burke, Esq. 1852. A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain & Ireland, for 1852. Vol. 1. 2 vols. London: Colburn and Co.

Larkham, Thomas, and Susan Hardman Moore. 2011. The Diary of Thomas Larkham: 1647-1669. Woodbridge: Boydell.

Parker, Mattie Erma E. 1991. "Miller, Thomas." Dictionary of North Carolina Bibliography. https://ncpedia.org/biography/miller-thomas.

Radford, Mrs. G.H. 1892. "Thomas Larkham." Report and Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art., 96-146.

Sir Arthur Vicars, F.S.A. 1897. Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland, 1536-1810. Dublin: Edward Ponsonby.

St Stephen Coleman Street. 1678. "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812." Church of England Parish Registers, 1538-1812. London: London Metropolitan Archives.

The National Archives, Kew - Prerogative Court of Canterbury. 1645. "Will of Richard Covert, Merchant Tailor of East Greenwich, Kent." PROB 11/193/564. August 30.

The National Archives, Kew. 1686. "Will of Thomas Larkham, Merchant of Saint Martin Orgar, City of London." PROB 11/382/121. London, February 4.

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