I am descended from Thomas Coldwell (b 1740) and Delphia Ballard. He is sometimes referenced as Thomas Benjamin Coldwell and very often as the son of Thomas Caldwell (b 10 Apr 1706 in Co. Donegal, Ireland) and the grandson of John Caldwell of Cub Creek VA. It would be a badge of honor to be descended from this Thomas Caldwell; however, I have researched records that demonstrate this to be incorrect. In fact, anyone claiming descendancy through other than Thomas' daughter, Margaret Caldwell Brent, should begin their research anew.

I've seen all manner of genealogies showing various listings of children for John's son Thomas, but the records support that the only child was Margaret! And by logical extension, Thomas who was the son of John Caldwell was NOT the father of Captain Thomas Coldwell of Washington County VA and Hawkins County TN.

There were several Thomas Caldwell's in the Southside VA in the mid to late 1700's, and thus children lists that appear in the various genealogies state can not be disputed. But who is/are the father/fathers of the Thomas Caldwell/Coldwell's?? It is not the Thomas Caldwell who is the son of John Caldwell of Cubb Creek.

If anyone has information that demonstrates that this conclusion is incorrect, I would appreciate a follow-up! Thank you.

Linda Caldwell
Richmond, VA

Here's the documentation ...
Court filings in Lunenburg County VA evidence that John Caldwell did have a son Thomas who married a Jane, perhaps the often referenced Jane Parks, but he died c 1747 without a will but with subsequent court papers indicating he had a daughter Margaret.
First, the reference of Captain Thomas Coldwell (1740) as Thomas Benjamin is improbable, as middle names were not the norm until the end of the 1700's, and then the middle name was the typically the surname of the mother.
Second, the will of John Caldwell (1750?51) of Cubb Creek VA does not mention a son Thomas, yet collateral information strongly supports his existence; and so he is simply presumed dead before his father. Unfortunately, that same collateral information supports that Thomas
(son of John) had only one child, and her name was Margaret who married John Brent June 2, 1762. In the marriage record, Margaret is referred to as 'spinster'. I'm guessing she was about 30! In researching the records, I found ...
Thomas must have died young as a resident of Brunswick Co VA (now Charlotte Co VA and); county succession being Brunswick - 1732, Lunenburg - 1746, then Charlotte - 1765.

10/14/1747 recorded in Lunenburg County: from Richard Kennon of Charles City Co and William Kennon Jun. of Henrico County to Margaret Caldwell, daughter of Thomas Caldwell, deceased, for 6 pounds 304 acres on Cubb and Sandy Creeks (Charlotte Co). Deed recorded 10/3/1749.

7/11/1763 recorded in Lunenburg County VA: from John Brent and Margaret his wife of Lunenburg to David Caldwell, same. Whereas, Thomas Caldwell, father of the named Margaret in his lifetime settled on a tract of land on the lower side of Cubb Creek in Lunenburg ?? branch and bounded [bounds given in detail] containing 500 acres and is the same tract of land where David Caldwell [this David is an undisputed son of John Caldwell, LIC] now liveth but being formerly
settled by the said Thomas Caldwell whose daughter Margaret is now intermarried with the said John Brent, and as the said Thomas Caldwell died without making any will or leaving any issue except the said Margaret. And by reason of the above named Thomas Caldwell settling the said land it is reported that his heir is entitled to the said land. Therefore to prevent any and all further difference or controversies that might arise through any claim of the said John Brent or Margaret Caldwell his wife to any part of the above said land and premises whatsoever ... now John Brent and Margaret his wife for 50 pounds ... witnessed by Wrn Terell Mills, George Pattillo,
George Caldwell, James Mitchell.

8/25/1763 recorded in Lunenburg County: James Hurt, James Taylor, and Elisha White, gentlemen, were appointed to examine Margaret independently of her husband to ascertain that she relinguished right of dower.

I have a copy of the inventory of Thomas Caldwell dated 3/7/1747, valued at 65.5 by William Caldwell, Gent, the administrator. [believe this William to be his older brother]. The items on this document all read "To such & such item description .......... x amount".

Then I have a copy of an accounting of the money paid into the estate dated 8/3/1750 [presented to court 10/3/1750] which totals 109.17.
101/2. This document is extremely difficult to read & I can not tell who presented it, BUT it was not William Caldwell. The items on this document all read "By such & such person ................ x amount."
The "by" names included William Caldwell, William Rogers, Ambrose Cobb, David Logan, William Cunningham, James Anderson, David Caldwell, John Caldwell jun, William Caldwell Gent. The names Thomas Boykin and Abra. Martin appear at the bottom of this document.

Then I also have a copy of the estate settlement of Thomas Caldwell dated 8/3/1750 [presented to court 10/3/1750] showing all persons to whom disbursements were made. The items on this document all read "To such & such person ............... x amount. The "to" names include
Alexander Martin, William Dudgeon, John Caldwell, Robert Cobbs, and widow Jane Caldwell. Disbursements totalled 5 9.4. 11/2 (Ithink). After it comes to the 59.11.1/2total, it then reads,
"By the amount of the ??? current of Thos Caldwell's estate being 109.17. 101/2, the money?? whereof is 54.8. 111/4 . 54.8.111/4 By supporting the child of Thos Caldwell 3 years.