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Individual Record
Name
Surname:
Molina
Given Name:
Antonio
Variant Surname Spellings:
Mullins
Soundex Code:
M450
Birth, Christening and Other Information
Gender:
Male
Date of Birth or Christening:
about 1750
County:
Genoa
Nation:
[Italy]
Occupation(s):
Farmer
Orphan:
Unknown
Position in Parent's Family:
Unknown
Year of Immigration:
1773
Landowner:
Unknown
Literate:
Unknown
Convict:
Unknown
Port of Departure
Town:
Livorno
Nation:
[Italy]
Place of Arrival
Town:
James River
Colony:
Virginia
Ship:
Triumph
Length of Indenture
Year of Indenture:
1773
Place of Indenture
Town:
Colle
County:
Albemarle
Colony:
Virginia
Master
Surname:
Mazzei
Given name:
Philip
Spouse
Surname:
Clark
Given name:
Polley
Date of Marriage:
1784
Place of Marriage
County:
Albemarle
Colony:
Virginia
Spouse
Surname:
Rambols
Given name:
Sarah
Date of Marriage:
1809
Place of Marriage
County:
Albemarle
Colony:
Virginia
Death Information
County:
Lincoln
Colony:
Tennessee
Date of Death:
1836
Testate:
Yes
Research Notes
Post-Servitude Sources:
1799 Personal Property Tax List (A): Anthony Mullins, 1 free white male over 16, no slaves, 1 horse, value 12. (2)
Comments:
"Anthony Mullins or Antonio Molina, a Genoese farmer, imigrated to America on the ship "Triumph" that left Leghorn, Italy on September 2, 1773. This was the first ship that Philip Mazzei brought from Italy. In 1773 Philip Mazzei, an Italian doctor, and revolutionist, while in exile in England was persuaded to start a wine, olive and silk industry in Virginia by Thomas Adams, George Washington and others. When Mazzie's Italian party arrived, they were invited to stay with Thomas Jefferson who was among many other things, an avid gardener. Jefferson convinced Mazzei to start his vineyard next to Monticello and gave him 2000 acres. This place was called "Cole." Philip then had this ship sent and another in 1774 to bring vignerons and workers. Thomas Jefferson could speak Italian and became close friends with many of the Italians. He knew Anthony well and in a letter to Charles Bellini on April 24, 1799, Jefferson relates that Anthony Mullins had done "tolerably well" while living near Monticello. Anthony served in the Dragoons under William Washington during the Revolutionary War. More about his war service follows in his pension application. Sometime after this that he removed to Tennessee. His son William wrote to Thomas Jefferson on June 24, 1824 and Jefferson who, after 50 years could not remember his war service, still remembered "little Anthony" and that his Italian name was Molini. In his lifetime he had at least two wives and eighteen children. He received a pension of $80 per year for his war service and his last wife Sarah, received his land grant following his death. Anthony died on November 3, 1836 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. The Pace - Mullins Connection George and his father Benjamin must have been very close to the Italian vignerons and gardeners at Monticello and Colle farm, as witnessed by these transactions with the Giannini family and, of course, Antonio Mollini (Anthony Mullins.) * On March 13, 1807, Benjamin (the great-grandfather of William Andrew) gave his daughter Amanda "Polly" Pace in marriage to Nicholas Giannini, the son of the immigrant, Antonio Giannini, Benjamin signed with his mark to the consent document as Polly was under the age of twenty-one. Polly's brother George and a Henry Copland signed in their own names as witnesses. George Pace was also a bondsman for this marriage. * A year later, on April 22, 1808, Benjamin's son, George, married the daughter of Anthony Mullins, Margaret, known as Peggy. The witnesses were Francis Gianniny and Nicholas Gianniny [sic] * In September of 1808, George was a bondsman for the marriage of his brother-in-law, Francis Thomas Gianniny to Judith Butler. * The Gianniny surname appears again in the marriage of Hamner Pace and Lucy Baily, March 7, 1842. Francis Thomas Gianniny was known to Thomas Jefferson as Francesco Tommei. On April 19, 1782 Jefferson made an interesting entry in his account books, as reported by Professor Omer Gianniny, Jr. in his book, "The Giannini Family of Virginia." ...gave Anthony Gianniny as committee for Francesco Tommei order on Mrs. Meriwether for 45 gall. Wiskey on acct. of Fr. Gaines to whom I am to charge it. This refers to the birth of Francis Thomas, as committee is being used in the legal sense of being committed to a father. The Ricks - Mullins Connection * On Nov 18, 1818, Mary's grandmother, another of Anthony Mullin's daughter, Nancy Mullins, married Gilbert Ricks, father of Joseph D. Ricks. * When John A. Ricks, brother of Joseph D. Ricks, married Perina Ann Humphrey on Nov 07, 1853, the bondsman was Jeremiah Giannini, who affirmed that John was over 21. According to Aunt Glenna Pace, Joseph D. Ricks filled in for the minister of the baptist church so much that he was ordained. Antonio Giannini was also an ordained baptist minister and this gives us some idea of the where these folks fit in their society. Education was important to these fairly well to do farmers in an age when folks had little time or use to send their children to school. Perhaps they were influenced by living so near Jefferson and Madison. It is interesting to imagine the great man, Jefferson, himself, stopping by briefly at a marriage or birth celebration and raising a cup in toast, perhaps of a punch made from 45 gallons of his own "wiskey"." (1) "The Letter of 1824 June 15 William Mullins, Rose Mills, Amherst Co., Va to Thomas Jefferson (He has received a letter from his father Anthony Mullins, who lives in Tennessee, asking for depositions as to his service as a soldier in the Revolution) "You will remember little anthony Mullins who served medza at a place called Colly." the old man wishes to get a pension...} 1824 June 24 Thomas Jefferson to Wm. Mullins: Your letter of the 15th. is recieved. I remember well your father Anthony Mullins, or little Anthony as he was called, his Italian name being Antonio Molini; but I do not remember that he particularly became a souldier in the Revolution war. I only recollect the general fact that Mazzie's undertaking to make wine at Colle was broken up by several of his people engaging in the army. My almost constant absence from home during that war, and the lapse of 50 years since it's commencement prevent my being able to give any deposition as to the enlistment of your father. Accept the assurance of my respects. Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bellini, 24 Apr. 1799 DLC (Charles Bellini became a prof. of Modern Languages at William and Mary:) You know that Giovanni Strobia has got rich as a grocer in Richmond. Vincent is in flourishing circumstances. Anthony Giannini has raised a large family, married several of them &, after thriving for a while, has become embarrassed, & little esteemed. Francis, his brother in law, & Anthony Molina have done tolerably well. Giovannini da Prato has been constantly sickly & miserably poor. All these are still in this neighborhood. Above from the writings of Thomas Jefferson - originals on file with Dr. Bear, Curator at Monticello." (1) "The Pension Applicatgion, Lincoln County, State of Tennessee Anthony Mullins makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed 1828. That in the month of February 1777 as he thinks he enlisted at Fredericksburg Virginia under Captain William Barret for three years - in the regiment commanded by Col. Wm. Washington. From thence he went to Frederick Town in Maryland & there remained during the winter. From thence to Philadelphia - he remained in said regiment untill (sic) a short period before the expiration of the time for which he enlisted during which time he was engaged in the battle at Tarltons defeat battle at Guilford - Hillsborough - at the defeat of Williams the tory. battle of ninety six - and frequent skermishes - he continued to serve in said regiment untill when at Crap creek at North Carolina he enlisted for during the war - This last enlistment was a very short time indeed before the expiration of the three years for which he had previously enlisted - he was then marched to Charleston - He was in the battle of ninety six after he enlisted for during the war - he continued his services without intermission untill the termination of the war. he continued ...?.... in the same regiment but under diferent (sic) captains, the last captain of the company in which he served was Churchwell Jones - He is now in his seventy eighth year - exceedingly weak (?) indeed, so much so that he is entirely unable to support himself & family by his labour That being his only means of support he is a farmer never having learned any mechanical trade He was regularly discharged at Richmond Virginia but his discharge was destroyed about seventeen years since in his house which was consumed by fire - He has ten in family, consisting of four sons - four daughters himself & wife - He has had eighteen children, but has only the said above mentioned living with him - the oldest a son of nineteen years the only one able to assist him in his labours - he has the following property Two mares worth $50. 4 cows worth ___$20. 4 calves _ _ _ __ $04 3 yearlings ____ 6. 4 sows 13 pigs _ 10. 3 illegible ? 15. and some other property such as chairs, pots, table - & altogether worth about the sum of $10. He has not conveyed any of his property to others. State of Tennessee: This day personally appeared Anthony Mullins Lincoln County : before me William Edmiston - an acting Justice of the peace for the county & state aforesaid & swore oath, that the facts stated in the foregoing declaration are just & true according to the best of his knowledge & belief.Sworn (?) to (illegible) before me this 31st day of January 1829. Anthony Mullins (his mark) Wm Edmiston JP. Attested to by John Vickers." (1) "The Will of Anthony Mullins In the name of God Amen. I Anthony Mullins of Lincoln County State of Tennessee, Being verry (sic) in body but in perfect mind & memory, thanks be given unto God for all his (illegible), calling to mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die doth make this my last will & Testament. principally & first of all I give & bequeath my soul to almighty God who gave it & my body I recommend to the Earth in a christian like manner & as touching my worldly estate I give & bequeath the same in the following manner. 1st I do give & bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah Mullins 50 acres of land, 25 acres formally the property of Wainwright, the other 25 acres of a late entry joining said tract the line to run from White Turners lower line to Noah Locks line, east course to include said 50 acres to her & to her use during her natural lifetime with all my stock & my debts due or coming & all my movable property after my debts as paid at her death the land and property then in her custody to be sold & equally divided among the legatees. Item. I do will that all my other lands be sold at public sale to the highest bidder agreable (sic) to law at one years credit & equally divided among my children & each to receive an equal part. Viz. Elizabeth Smith oldest, Mary Luicity second, Marjet (?) Preir (?), William Mullins, John Mullins, Sarah Bybee, Andrew Mullins, Nancy Ricks, Walter Mullins, Martin Mullins, Georde Mullins, Polly Mullins, Milly Mullins, Patsey Mullins, Vincent Mullins, Thomas Jefferson Mullins, Pleasant Mullins, Eliza Mullins, and I do nominate & appoint my trusty friend Jesse (illegible), Samuel McClay (?) & William Stephens to be my executors of this my last will & testament & do utterly revoke & dis..?... all & every other will and bequest ratifying & confirming & confirming (sic) this to be my last will & testament in witness whereof I have herunto set my hand & seal this 5 day of October 1824. signed Anthony Mullins (his mark) (legal seal) Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of us John Paul Thomas Gilaspie John Vickers Ser John Vickers Jr (his mark)." (1)
Source Citations:
(1) "Descendants of Anthony Mullins," http://www.angelfire.com/tn3/t_vancil/Henderson/AnthonyMullins.rtf, accessed 18 October 2006; (2) Personal Property Tax Lists of Albemarle County, Virginia, Microfilm 2024443, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; (3) Charles Bellini and Thomas Jefferson, “Charles Bellini, First Professor of Modern Languages in an American College,†William and Mary Quarterly Historical Magazine, 2nd series, Vol. 5, No. 1 (Jan 1925): 12, quoting letter from Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bellini, 26 April 1799.