Thomas Marston Green Sr. (November 19, 1723 – 1805) was a

colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

in the

American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...

Early life

Thomas was born in

Williamsburg, Virginia Williamsburg is an Independent city (United States), independent city in Virginia, United States. It had a population of 15,425 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located on the Virginia Peninsula, Williamsburg is in the northern par ...

to Thomas Green III and Elizabeth Marston. His family was prosperous, and Thomas's schooling was by a private tutor.

The American Revolution

Not much is known of Green's service in the Revolution. What is known is that he was a commissioned colonel in the Colonial Army. He later moved to Georgia where he met and befriended General

George Rogers Clark George Rogers Clark (November 19, 1752 – February 13, 1818) was an American military officer and surveyor from Virginia who became the highest-ranking Patriot (American Revolution), Patriot military officer on the American frontier, nort ...

. After discussing a plan with Clark, Thomas gathered a small army. Green gathered his men at the

Holston River The Holston River is a river that flows from Kingsport, Tennessee, to Knoxville, Tennessee. Along with its three major forks (North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork), it comprises a major river system that drains much of northeastern Tennessee ...

, where they built a small fleet of boats. After floating down the river the party did not find George as expected, so they continued on to

Natchez, Mississippi Natchez ( ) is the only city in and the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,520 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located on the Mississippi River across from Vidalia, Louisiana, Natchez was ...

. Thomas received an interview with the Spanish governor,

Manuel Gayoso de Lemos Don Manuel Luis Gayoso de Lemos y Amorín (May 30, 1747 – July 18, 1799) was the governor of Spanish Louisiana from 1797 until his death in 1799. Biography Early years and military career Born in Porto, Portugal, on May 30, 1747, to Sp ...

, where he claimed the entire district for Georgia. The Spanish, expecting a revolt, had him arrested and thrown in prison in New Orleans. Soon afterward, his wife Martha came down to have him released, but she soon after died of exposure and stress. The governor, feeling sympathy for the Green family, released Thomas. He settled his family in

Jefferson County, Mississippi Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi; its western border is formed by the Mississippi River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,260, making it the fourth-least populous county in Mississippi. Until 182 ...

, where he became one of the most influential men in the territory. He was also instrumental in forming Bourbon county the 2nd largest county in the United States history when he had the Bourbon Act of 1785 passed. Green, or possibly his son, is mentioned in a 1782 letter from one official of Spanish colonial Mississippi to another, Carlos Grand-Pre to

Esteban Rodríguez Miró Esteban Rodríguez Miró y Sabater (1744 – June 4, 1795), also known as Esteban Miro and Estevan Miro, was a Spanish army officer and governor of the Spanish provinces of Louisiana and Florida. He was one of the most popular of the Spanish ...

It is suspected that a large part of the slaves brought by Thomas Green were similarly obtained tolen As regards the others, they have acquired their slaves by the proceeds of the sale of their property. It is probable that part of these Americans, that is, those who have perpetrated these thefts, have abandoned their country in order to enjoy, far from any anxiety, the fruits of their pillage. They had brought many firearms, guns, and carbines, and one cannon that has been transported to the Fort of Natchez. They have not deposited any arms anywhere near the post. Thomas Green may have some thirty pounds of powder and much ball. This Thomas Green was a maker of powder, and it is his trade or profession.

Andrew Jackson and Rachel Donelson

Green is perhaps most famous for allegedly performing the marriage of

Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before Presidency of Andrew Jackson, his presidency, he rose to fame as a general in the U.S. Army and served in both houses ...

Rachel Donelson Rachel Jackson ( ''née'' Donelson; June 15, 1767 – December 22, 1828) was the wife of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States.

. Sometime in 1791 at his family's Springfield Plantation, Green, as one of the magistrates of the

Mississippi Territory The Territory of Mississippi was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that was created under an organic act passed by the United States Congress, Congress of the United States. It was approved and signed into law by Presiden ...

, married the couple.

Wife and children

On November 21, 1752, Thomas married Martha Wills with whom he had ten children, including

Abner Green Abner Green (b. 1762 – d. bef. 1817) was a wealthy planter of the Natchez District in West Florida, later Mississippi, United States. He was appointed treasurer of Mississippi Territory in 1802 and served until 1804. Biography Abner Green wa ...

and Congressman

Thomas M. Green Jr. Thomas Marston Green Jr. (February 26, 1758 – February 7, 1813) was a Mississippi Territorial politician, Planter (American South), planter, and Delegate (United States Congress), delegate to the United States House of Representatives during th ...

His daughter Martha Wills Green was married to

Cato West Cato Charles West was an American military officer and politician. He was Secretary of the Mississippi Territory and served as an acting territorial governor of Mississippi in 1804 and 1805. He corresponded with U. S. President Thomas Jefferson. ...

. His son Abraham Green married Elizabeth Caffery, whose mother was Mary Donelson Caffery and aunt was

Rachel Donelson Jackson Rachel Jackson ( ''née'' Donelson; June 15, 1767 – December 22, 1828) was the wife of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States.

, wife of

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Green, Thomas M. Sr. 1723 births 1805 deaths People from Williamsburg, Virginia Continental Army officers from Virginia 18th-century people from Virginia