Person Page - 377

     Thomas Slayton was born on 20 September 1682 at Scotland.¹ Much of the following information on Thomas Slayton and his descendants through the 1800's was recorded in a book by Asa Slayton, "History of the Slayton family, Biographical and Genealogical", published in 1895. This book was based on extensive research, including correspondance with some 260 persons, nearly all Slayton descendants. Wherever it has been possible to check the book against actual civil and church records, it has been remarkably accurate. The book has been re-printed recently by the Higginson Book Company and may be purchased from them.

According to Asa Slayton, no definite information has been found on the origins of this branch of the Slayton family in England or on the first Thomas Slayton or his wife, Hannah Culwood. Much of Asa Slayton's information on the first few generations of the Slayton family was obtained from a Bible record left by Joshua Slayton (1783-1852) that was originally given to him by his mother in 1805. Asa Slayton refers to the "Joshua record" or "the record" repeatedly in the early generations although he points out that there are some conflicts with the town records of Weston and Brookfield, Massachusetts.

An undated plaque on the Slayton Obelisk in the East Brookfield, Massachusetts Cemetery says that Thomas Slaton was born in Scotland on 20 Sep 1682. His parents soon died, and, and that others might heir his titles and estates, he was shipped in 1690 from the mouth of the Tweed River and landed in Boston.

The plaque goes on to say that Thomas married Hannah Culwood in 1707. They had 3 children; Thomas Jr., Phineas, and Hannah. We think Phineas migrated to Virginia about 1740. Hannah died about 1795 aged 88.

It is likely that the wording of this plaque was established by Asa Slayton, author of the Slayton History, who was instrumental in installing the Obelisk which was partially funded by sales of the History. The original source of the information was said to be Asa's father, Russell Slayton (1798-1863) and his father's uncle, Ebenezer Slayton (1759-1841).

However, the accuracy of all of this information is very dubious. No definite records covering Thomas's origins in England or his arrival in this country have been found. His marriage to Hannah Culwood in 1707 is thought to be correct but no record of the Culwood family or of the Slayton family in the area around Braintree, Massachusetts has been found. Asa Slayton's thought that Thomas's son Phineas migrated to Virginia is strongly doubted by descendants of the southern branch of Slayton's.

Overall, the origins of Thomas Slaton and his arrival and life in this country are very much in doubt.¹ He married Hannah Culwood circa 1707 . Most probably, the marriage was in or near Braintree, Massachusetts although no record has been found..

Thomas died after 1712.

     Asa Slayton states that no book or record has been found concerning the Culwood family. However, he believes that her marriage to Thomas Slayton is correct because the name "Hannah" is frequently used by the Slayton's thereafter and the name "Culwood" was used three times. Hannah Culwood was born circa 1689?.¹

Hannah married Thomas Slayton circa 1707. Most probably, the marriage was in or near Braintree, Massachusetts although no record has been found..

Hannah died after 1712.