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Thomas Masterson was an officer in the American Revolution, serving as a Midshipman in the Virginia State Navy.[1]

Biography[]

As one of limited number of naval officers who served for a full three years, Thomas Masterson is represented today in The Society of the Cincinnati[2]

Thomas Masterson was born about 1750 in Fairfax County, Virginia to Edward Masterson and his wife Mary.[3]

Edward Masterson died while Thomas was still a minor; his will probated September 18, 1754.[4]

Thomas’ uncle, Joseph Farrow, apprenticed the fatherless Thomas Masterson to the ship’s carpenter Thomas Dagg in 1766.[5]

Thomas Masterson served as a Midshipman aboard the Virginia State Navy brig “Tempest”.[6]

At a battle on the James River, near Osborne’s, on April 27, 1781, the Tempest was lost to the British, with several of the officers taken prisoner.[7]

Thomas Masterson survived the war, but died insolvent around 1791.[2]

[8]

https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/soldiers-and-sailors-of-the-revolutionary-war/officers-represented-in-the-society-of-the-cincinnati/

References[]

  1. Saunders, Celey “I Hereby Give Notice”, Purdie’s Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg), March 27, 1778, page 4
  2. 2.0 2.1 Davenport, Robert, "Original Members and Other Officers Eligible to The Society of the Cincinnati", (ISBN 978-1-885943-19-4, 2008) page 229
  3. Schilt, Ginny, Masterson Family Association, “Edward Masterson, His Children and Grandchildren”, Masterson Family Newsletter and historical journal , Volume 2, number 4 and Volume 3, number 1 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1992), 55, 66-67.
  4. Masterson, Edward, “Last will and Testament”, (Fairfax County, Virginia: September 18, 1754). Microfilm copy held in the Library of Virginia, County And City Records, Fairfax County, Reel 27, Will Book B1, 69-71.
  5. Farrow, Joseph and Dagg, Thomas, “Masterson’s Indenture to Dagg”, (Prince William County, Virginia: November 3, 1766), Prince William County, Deed Book Q, 411-412. Microfilm copy held in The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC), Manassas, Virginia.
  6. Brumbaugh, Gaius Marcus, “Revolutionary War Records, Volume 1, Virginia”, (Lancaster PA, Lancaster Press, 1936), 33-34.
  7. Steele, William, “L and Bounty Claim” (including information about the loss of the Tempest), (Library of Virginia, Rv. Bounty Warrants) System 001099872.
  8. British Mercantile Claim, 1803, Masterson Family Association, Edward Masterson, His Children and Grandchildren, Masterson Family Newsletter and historical journal , Volume 2, number 4 and Volume 3, number 1 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1992), 55, 66-67.
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