Thomas Nunn
Thomas Nunn, Sr. was a gentleman from Henry County, Virginia. He was born sometime
before 1750, and his last will and testament was probated on February 12, 1816.
Thomas took the Oath of Allegiance on August 30, 1777 in the presence of Edmund
Lyne, Esq. He was also one of the first under-sheriffs and ensigns of the newly
formed Militia of the County of Henry. Thomas is a progenitor of many of the families
currently living in Henry County.
Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia
In 1777, the citizens of Henry County started to take the Oath of Allegiance.
While the Oath served as a statement of loyalty and helped to weed out Loyalists
to the King, it also "encouraged" support of the government by opening
the door to double or triple taxing those who refused to support the Revolutionary
cause whether for personal or religious reasons.
The Oath as administered by Henry County justices was as follows:
"I do swear or affirm that I do renounce and refuse all allegiance to George
the Third, King of Great Britain, his heirs and successors, and that I will be
faithful and bear true allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia, as a free and
independent state, and that I will not at any time, do, or cause to be done, any
matter or thing that will be prejudicial or injurious to the freedom and independence
thereof, as declared by Congress, and also, that I will discover and make known
to some one justice of the peace for said state, all treasons or traitorous conspiracies
which I know or shall hereafter know to be formed against this or any of the United
States of America. So help me God."