The Kimbrough family came to North Carolina from Louisa County, Virginia. Thomas Kimbrough's will is probabed in Caswell County in December 1777 in which he mentions his wife, Eleanor, daughter of Thomas and Ann Graves of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, and the following children: Thomas, John, William Robert, Graves, Suckey, Mary, Sarah, Betsy, Nancy, and Franky. Thomas Graves was a son of John Graves. Source: The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 341 (Article #423 "Thomas Kimbrough" by Shirley Hassler Hern).
The Thomas Kimbrough referred to in the will of Thomas Graves, married Eleanor Graves, sister of John Graves, and they are the "Kimbro" referred to by Bartlett Yancey [in his 1810 letter to the editor describing Caswell County]. Thomas Kimbrough died in Caswell Co., N.C. in 1777. In his will (Caswell Rec. W.B. A, p. 25) he mentions wife Eleanor and "to sons John, Wm., and Thos. all estate due me for my wife's legacy or portion from the estate of my sd. wife's decd. father, Thos. Graves, to be equally divided." Source: Graves: Twelve Generations, Some Descendants and Kin, Louise Graves (1977) at 58.
Caswell County Will Book A, Page 25 (December Court 1777)
Thomas Kimbrow - Will - Written 20 Sept. 1777. Wife Elleanah; sons John, William, Robert, Thomas; daughters Suckey Nowel, Sarah Brown, Mary Bryant, Betty Bruce, Nancy Turner, Frankey Carman; son Graves. Sons to receive all part from estate of wife's deceased Father, Thomas Graves. Exec: sons John and William. Wit: William Gooch and Jesse Benton. Source: Caswell County North Carolina Will Books 1777-1814 and 1814-1843, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1983) at 2.
Thomas Kimbrough was probably born in Virginia where he married Eleanor Graves-6 prior to 1747 [Louisa County OB 1742-8.] She is a descendant of CAPTAIN THOMAS GRAVES-1 [1580-1635.] Her father was THOMAS GRAVES, the 5th generation from the Captain. She was raised in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Eleanor’s brother, JOHN GRAVES, the 6th generation from the Captain, also moved to Caswell County, North Carolina. A deed in Spotsylvania records dated May 24, 1728, witnessed by Thomas Kimbrough, conveyed lands to John Graves, Jr. We aren’t sure just which of the many men named John Graves this refers to, but this deed would give a birth date forThomas Kimbrough of at least 1707 or before, assuming that it is the same Thomas Kimbrough. Thomas Kimbrough, husband of Eleanor Graves, died in 1777.
Kimbrough researchers think that Thomas was the son of John Kimbrough-i found in New Kent County, Virginia, from an early date. There is much printed research, which will not be reproduced here, about this family. It is available at most large genealogical libraries or on-line.
The children of Thomas Kimbrough-i and Eleanor Graves-6 Kimbrough
Nancy Kimbough-ii, who married, this researcher believes, Henry Turner, Jr.-2, before her father died in 1777. This is based upon the age of Henry, Jr., as evidenced by the census age which would have made him old enough to have been married much before 1777, as well as the will of her father, Thomas. There is much controversy over this connection. It is possible that this woman is ANNE, wife of HENRY TURNER, SR.
John Kimbrough-ii, born about 1744, married Mary, and died in 1822 in Caswell County. He and Mary had a daughter named Sarah Kimbrough-iii, who married John Turner-2, the son of HENRY-1 & ANN TURNER. John Kimbrough-ii’s son, James Kimbrough-iii, married Nancy Turner-2, daughter of HENRY-1.
William Kimbrough-ii
Robert Kimbrough-ii
Thomas Kimbrough-ii
Graves Kimbrough-ii, was probably afflicted, as there were special provisions made for him in his father’s will.
Sucky Kimbough-ii, married Edward Nowell [Noel]. The Kimbroughs and the TURNERS attended the estate sale of Joel Nowel [Noel] in 1777 soon after they moved to Caswell. This author is unsure what the connection between Edward and Joel Nowel might be. Proximity would indicate some relationship.
Mary Kimbough-ii, married John Bryant.
Elizabeth Kimbough-ii, Betty/Betsy married Robert Bruce.
Frankey Kimbough-ii, married Caleb Carmon. HENRY-1 & ANN TURNER also had a daughter named Frances—“Frankie.”