Haszard, Thomas

THOMAS HASZARD was born February 22, 1726 in Kingston, RI, and died April 27, 1804 in Charlottetown, PEI.
He married first MARY BOWDOIN about 1746 in Kingston, RI and they had 9 children.
After Mary’ s death, he married EUNICE RHODES in 1761 in Rhode Island. Eunice was a second great granddaughter of Roger Williams.
‘Virginia Tom’ was a fifth generation descendent of Thomas Hazard (1610-1680) of England, who founded Newport, Rhode Island, in company with eight others in 1639. Tom was a farmer at Boston Neck, RI, and a builder and owner of fast-sailing privateers used in support of the King during the American Revolution.
Tom remained loyal to the King of England during the struggle for independence and his ships and lands were confiscated. Others who had property confiscated, apologized, and were restored to their civil rights. After the war was over and he was offered free pardon and restoration, but he refused to accept either at that price. However, his property was restored to his wife and children.
In response to promises of land by the British Government to Loyalists, Tom visited London, and subsequently, he and two sons, Thomas Rhodes and William, came to the Island of Saint John in 1785 to receive grants of land in Lot 5 near Cascumpec. They subsequently moved to Charlottetown.
Thomas and Eunice were parents of 8 children.