Thomas Pate (1636-October 1703) was a British merchant who became a planter, military officer and politician who served a term as burgess representing Gloucester County in the House of Burgesses. Although rebel Nathaniel Bacon commandeered this man's house in Gloucester during Bacon's Rebellion (and died there), and the house later hosed Governor Howard also lived there, the restored home now named after this man was probably built two decades after his death.
Early and family life
One of the youngest sons of Sir John Pate (first and last) Baronet of Sisonby in Leicester, England (1593-1659). This man received an education in Britain before emigrating to the Virginia colony circa 1672, where he ultimately inherited land patented by his relative Richard Pate and expanded by his uncle John Pate.
Career
By 1672, Thomas Pate was a merchant whose Virginia inventory included many items. On October 26, 1676, rebel Nathaniel Bacon, who had commandeered this man's house in Gloucester, Virginia, died.
In October 1678 this man patented another 200 acres nearby, and in 1679 purchased a plantation in Old Rappahannock COunty. He initiated lawsuits in Middlesex County in 1678 and 1682.
Gloucester County voters elected Pate and veteran Henry Whiting as their representatives to the House of Burgesses in 1684, but re-elected neither in 1685. In 1686, Pate replaced Philip Ludwell as custons officer, a lucrative position.
Death and legacy
Thomas Pate died in Yorktown, Virginia, where he owned both a ferry and a tavern. His son John Pate inherited 1000 acres of land in Gloucester County, and an equivalent amount in King and Queen County.