Notes
Information from Mary Lou Swarner, 1748 Flower St., Escondido, CA, 92027, 23 May 1995: born in VA and died in Lamar County. From Probate M1 Book in Lamar County Clerk's Office, transcribed by Mary Claunch Lane: Page 123; August Term, A.D. 1842; Be it remembered that there was began and held a regular Term of the Honorable Probate Court on the 29th day of August in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Two at the courthouse in the Town of Lafayette in and for the county aforesaid. Present and presiding the Honorable John A. Rutherford, Judge, William R. Brown, Sheriff, and John R. Craddock, Clerk, when court opened according to law and proceeded to the dispatch of business. Page 140; Republic of Texas, County of Lamar. To the Honorable John A. Rutherford Judge of Probate in and for the county aforesaid. The application of George W. Wright showeth unto your Honor that Richard Thomas in his lifetime made his last will and testament and placed the same in the hands of the applicant for safe keeping, that said Richard is now dead, and applicant is desirous to dispose of said will and testament as required of him by law - therefore, he prays an order of publication notifying all parties connected to appear at the next term of the Probate Court to be holden for said county and show cause if any they can why said will and testament shall not then and there be admitted to record, and is duly bound will ever pray. Signed; George W. Wright. Page 140; Republic of Texas, County of Lamar. To John R. Craddock, Clerk of Probate in and for the county aforesaid. Greetings, you are hereby commanded to make publication as prayed for above. Given under my hand this 23rd day of August A.D. 1842. Sworn to in open court 29th August A.D. 1842; J. R. Craddock, Clerk PC, John A. Rutherford, Judge of Probate Lamar County. Page 141; This day George W. Wright came into court and made and subscribed to the following affidavit, to wit. upon which it is ordered by court the last will and testament of Richard and Mary Thomas deceased be spread upon the record. A document purporting to be the last will and testament of Richard and Mary Thomas, deceased having been presented for Probate record coming on to be proved G. W. Wright one of the subscribing witnesses having been sworn in open court deposeth and saieth that he saw Richard and Mary Thomas sign said instrument as their last will and testament for the purposes therein contained. Separate and apart from each other, that they were of sound mind and discretion, that he signed said instrument as a witness at the date therein purported at the request in the presence of said Testators, and he saw Claiborn Chisum and Atlas Dood the other two subscribing witnesses at the like request and in he presence of said testators. G. W. Wright. Sworn to in open court this 29th day of August A.D. 1842. John R. Craddock, Clerk of P. Court. It is therefore ordered by court that the said will be admitted to record. Page 142; Republic of Texas. Know all men by these presents that I, Richard Thomas of the county of Red River and Republic aforesaid being in my proper mind and fully advised of the uncertainty of life and having a desire (common-to-all) how and in what manner my worldly effects may be disposed of after death. Do make and decree these presents to be my last will and testament. --1st. I desire that my remains may be entered after the formalities of the Christian burial, and that all my just debts be paid as herein provided for. --2nd. I Give and bequeath to my son John D. Thomas who lives with and takes care of my, the following property, viz- The plantation and four hundred and forty acres of land on which I now live and all and singular the appertainances thereto belonging, household and kitchen furniture, plantation tools and, five slaves viz. George, Lewis, Sabra, Clara and Ben together with all their increase, all my stock of horses, cattle and hogs, and all the crop or crops growing on said plantation - him the said John D. Thomas to have and to hold forever, provided that he the said John D. Thomas bind himself to pay all my just debts and maintain and support in a decent manner, his mother for and during her life, and to enable him so to do, I place directly under his sole control all my estate both real and personal from the date hereof until my death. (Page 143) --3rd. I give and bequeath to my son William Thomas four hundred and twenty acres of land (a part of my headright) to be hereafter laid off to him, and Negro slave David. --4th. I give and bequeath to my son George Thomas four hundred and twenty acres of land (a part of my headright) to be hereafter laid off to him, and also Negro slave Newton and it is expressly understood that neither the bequeath of land herein made, nor the bequeath to William Thomas are to interfere with the plantation and improvements bequeathed to John D. Thomas yet the said bequeaths are to be laid off the same tract so as not to interfere with said plantation bequests. --5th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Emily Wiliamson and her heirs, one Negro woman, Nelly and her child Alfred, but should the said Emily die without heirs of her own body, then the said Emily shall be at liberty by will to bequeath said slaves to any of her blood kin or connections as to her may seem best. --6th. I give and bequeath to my two sons, William and George Thomas, and my three daughters, Sarah Nelson, Lucy Allen and Judah Draper and the children of Elizabeth Draper deceased the following slaves, viz. Mary, Tab, Mary, John, Catherine and Edmond. to be equally divided between them, provided that the children of Elizabeth Draper shall only be entitle to one equal portion with my two sons and three daughters as above and further provided that the interests herein bequeathed to Judah Draper and the children of Elizabeth Draper, deceased shall remain in the hands and care of my son John D. Thomas to be applied to their use and benefit as they may need the same. --7th. It is my express desire that my children (heirs) herein named be permitted by the Honorable Judge of Our probate court to take possession of and enjoy the several bequeaths herein made to them without the formalities of an administration provided that my son John D. Thomas enter into bond for the payment and proper settlement of my just debts as before provided for. Signed sealed and delivered to G. W. Wright for safe keeping this 23th day of June A.D. 1840. Richard Thomas (seal). In presence of G. W. Wright. Page 144; Claiborne Chisum pro 27 July vs. Atlas Dodd; Republic of Texas. Know all men by these that I, Mary Thomas wife of Richard Thomas, the maker of the will hereto annexed have heard the same duly read and examined the same with my own proper freedom separate and apart from my husband and hereby declare my consent to the same and relinquish all claims to dower further than said will provides for, and am willing and hope the same may be recorded as the last will and testament of my husband. Signed and sealed this 23th day of June A.D. 1840. Mary (X her mark) Thomas. In present of G. W. Wright, 30th June; Claiborn Chisum, Atlas Dodd. On motion it is ordered that court adjourn until court in course. J. A. Rutherford Judge Probate, Lamar County. Information from Jacqueline Busby Cochran, 16 Jun 2000, 12213 Waterton Parke Circle, Austin, TX 78726, email - busby@ix.netcom.com:
THE THOMAS FAMILY OF LAMAR COUNTY TEXAS
RICHARD THOMAS
Richard Thomas was born about 1773 in Virginia and died in 1842 in Lamar County, Texas. He married Mary Polly (Dawson?) around 1792. She was born about 1775 and died around 1842 in Lamar County, Texas. Richard and Mary Thomas lived in Kentucky, and Tennessee before moving to Texas. It is believed that Richard and Mary Thomas came to Texas with Claiborne Chisum (Chisolm), George W. Wright, and John Johnson. On December 12, 1836, the Republic of Texas granted Richard Thomas a Second Class Headright that contained 1,280 acres in Lamar County, Texas where they lived the rest of their lives.
Children of Richard and Mary Thomas are:
1. George Thomas was born February 4, 1793 in Kentucky and died June 2, 1865 in Harrison County, Texas. He married Sythie Richardson on January 4, 1816, daughter of John Richardson and Syntha Willis of Maury County, Tennessee. She was born February 9, 1798 in Georgia, and died March 5, 1864 in Harrison County, Texas. They had 13 children. (See George Thomas Biography)
2. William Thomas was born about 1797 in Kentucky and died before 1860. He married Lucy Cannon October 7, 1828 in Maury County, Tennessee, daughter of John Cannon and Hannah. She was born about 1793 and died before November 1843 in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas.
3. John Dawson Thomas was born 1816 in Kentucky and died in 1861 in Lamar County, Texas. He married Lavinia Johnson in 1839, daughter of John Johnson and Mary Chisum (Chisolm). She was born in 1824 in Tennessee and died in 1862, Lamar County, Texas. (See John Dawson Thomas Biography)
4. Emily Thomas married a Williamson.
5. Sarah Thomas, married a Nelson.
6. Lucy Thomas married an Allen.
7. Judah Thomas married a Draper.
8. Elizabeth Thomas also married a Draper.
GEORGE THOMAS
George Thomas was born February 4, 1793 in Kentucky and died June 2, 1865 in Harrison County, Texas. George was the son of Richard and Mary Thomas who came to Red River/Lamar County in 1836. (See Richard Thomas Biography) George Thomas married Sythie Richardson on January 4, 1816, daughter of John Richardson and Syntha Willis of Maury County, Tennessee. She was born February 9, 1798 in Georgia, and died March 5, 1864 in Harrison County, Texas. George and Sythie Thomas lived in Mississippi before moving to Texas in November of 1840. The Republic of Texas granted George land in Harrison, Hopkins, Delta and Wise Counties. He made his home on one of these grants located eight miles northwest of Marshall, in Harrison County, Texas. He was by occupation a farmer, and was always regarded as a successful man at his occupation. George and Sythie had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters.
Children of George Thomas and Sythie Richardson are:
1. Harriett Thomas was born December 23, 1816 in Mississippi and married Gideon Flint on March 15, 1834. They had seven children; A. B., Josiah, Syrena, George, Rowena, George Thomas, and Parthena. Gideon Flint drowned in an accident on the Sabine River. Harriett then married Benjamin 'Frank' James. They had four children, Thomas Franklin, William Love, Joseph and Dudley. Benjamin 'Frank' James died a month after being wounded in the Battle of Raymond, Mississippi. Harriett never remarried.
2. Eliza Thomas was born March 21, 1818 in Mississippi and married Thomas Flint on December 24, 1837.
3. Josiah Thomas was born February 18, 1821 in Mississippi and died October 19, 1821.
4. John Thomas was born January 21, 1823 in Mississippi and married Melissa Hill on August 15, 1834. They had nine children, seven girls and two boys, Judy, Sarah, Mary, Ann, Nancy, Sithy, Hattie, Dallas and Polk. They left Harrison County, Texas and moved west in about 1868 and settled in Hunt County, Texas.
5. Mary Polly Thomas was born November 27, 1824 in Mississippi and married L. H. Snowden on October 4, 1844.
6. Judah Thomas was born August 7, 1826 in Mississippi and died October 25, 1888, Harrison County, Texas. She married William Mills Richardson on May 11, 1849 in Harrison County, Texas. He was born November 12, 1826 and died March 11, 1897 in Harrison County, Texas. He was the son of the Rev. Allen Richardson and Rebecca Bailey of Maury County, Tennessee. William Mills Richardson served in Company H of the 7th Texas Infantry, for the Confederacy in the Civil War.
7. Ann Thomas was born February 3, 1828 in Mississippi and died January 21, 1840.
8. James D. Thomas was born November 5, 1829 in Mississippi and died November 22, 1830.
9. William Thomas was born October 19, 1831 in Mississippi and died January 22, 1916 in Harrison County, Texas. He inherited the family home where he lived all of his life. William never married.
10. George Thomas was born January 18, 1833 in Mississippi and died in an accident, May 1, 1862 in Memphis, Clark County, Tennessee.
11. Sarah Thomas was born March 24, 1835 in Mississippi and died October 22, 1842 in Texas.
12. Elizabeth Thomas was born December 22, 1839 in Mississippi and married G. I. Goodwin on May 27, 1857.
13. Richard Thomas was born April 8, 1844 in Harrison County Texas and died June 3, 1848 in Harrison County, Texas.
JOHN DAWSON THOMAS
John Dawson Thomas was born 1816 in Kentucky and died in 1861 in Lamar County, Texas. He came to Texas with his parents, Richard and Mary (Dawson?) Thomas in 1836. The Republic of Texas granted John D. Thomas, as a single man, a Second Class Headright of 640 acres in Lamar County where he made his home. In 1839, he married Lavinia Johnson in Lamar County, Texas. She was the daughter of John Johnson and Mary Chisum (Chisolm) who came to Lamar County, Texas in 1837. Lavinia Johnson was born in 1824 in Tennessee and died in 1863 in Lamar County, Texas. John D. Thomas was the Sheriff of Lamar County for one term, a merchant and a very successful plantation owner.
The children of John Dawson Thomas and Lavinia Johnson are:
1. Victoria O. Thomas, born 1842 in Lamar County, Texas.
2. Richard Oldam Thomas born January 20, 1843 in Lamar County, Texas and died January 1, 1923 in Waco, Texas. He married Martha Ellis 'Mattie' Michell on January 17, 1872 in Waco, Texas. (See Richard Oldam Thomas Biography)
3. Mary A. Thomas was born 1844 in Lamar County, Texas. She married James O. Kavinaugh on May 11, 1866 in Texas
4. James Thomas was born 1847 in Lamar County, Texas. He married Susan.
5. Dawson Thomas was born 1849 in Lamar County, Texas.
6. Johnathan D. Thomas was born 1849 in Lamar County, Texas.
7. Joseph D. Thomas was born January 15, 1849 in Lamar County, Texas. He married Sallie Martin of Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of John and Eliza (Lenoir) Martin. (See Joseph D. Thomas Biography)
8. Martha 'Mattie' Susan Thomas, born 1850 in Lamar County, Texas. She married Travis C. Henderson in 1866 at Lamar County, Texas, shortly after the death of her mother. Travis C. Henderson served as an officer for the Confederacy in the Civil War and later became a Texas State Representative for Lamar County. After the death of Martha's parents, they were appointed guardians of her sisters, Ella and Frances 'Fanny', and her brothers, John J. and William.
9. William B. G. Thomas, born 1852 in Lamar County, Texas and died before August 1871.
10. Frances 'Fanny' E. Thomas, born 1854 and died July 8, 1880 in Lamar County, Texas.
11. Ella Thomas, born 1857 in Lamar County, Texas. She married Walter Lee on December 18, 1878 in Red River Co., Texas.
RICHARD OLDHAM THOMAS
Richard Oldham Thomas was born January 20, 1843 in Paris, Lamar County, Texas and died January 1, 1923 in Clarendon, Donley County, Texas. He was the son of John Dawson Thomas and Lavinia Johnson, who were some of the early pioneers of Texas. (See John Dawson Thomas Biography)
Richard O. Thomas married Martha Ellis 'Mattie' Mitchell on January 17, 1872 in Waco, Texas. She was born November 26, 1852 in Champagnolle, Arkansas and was the daughter of John A. Mitchell and Martha Caroline Holloway. Martha died on November 28, 1931 in Meadow, Texas.
The Children of Richard Oldham and Martha 'Mattie' Mitchell are:
1. Frank Barton Thomas was born January 10, 1873 and married Ella Fish.
2. Mary Littlefield Thomas was born March 22, 1874 in Marlin, Texas and died December 17, 1968 in Lubbock, Texas. She married Marcus Leonard Malone on December 31, 1891 in Montague, Texas.
3. John Dawson Thomas was born September 20, 1876 in Marlin, Texas and married Emma Curtis Brown on October 20, 1895 in Montague, Texas.
4. Richard Oldham Thomas was born May 26, 1878 in Marlin, Texas and married Mae Walling on December 25, 1904.
5. Martha 'Mattie' Caroline Thomas was born April 15, 1882 in Montague, Texas and married James 'Jim' K. Jackson on December 25, 1902.
6. Lavinia 'Viney' Thomas was born November 7, 1884 in Montague, Texas and died in 1974 in Dinuba, California. She married Arthur Lee Sisk on December 22, 1906.
7. William Jennings Bryan Thomas was born July 23, 1897 in Montague, Texas and died October 31, 1981 in San Angelo, Texas. He married Gracie Lee Barnes on July 10, 1916 in Bowie, Montague County, Texas.
JOSEPH D. THOMAS
Joseph D. Thomas was born in Lamar County, Texas, January 15, 1849, and was the son of John Dawson Thomas, and Lavinia (Johnson) Thomas. Lavinia was a native of Tennessee, the daughter of John Johnson and Mary Chisum (Chisolm), she died in Paris, Lamar County, Texas in 1863. John Dawson Thomas was a native of Kentucky, a plantation owner, merchant, the sheriff of Lamar County for one term, and a member of the Christian church. John D. Thomas's parents were Richard and Mary (Dawson?) Thomas.
Joseph D. Thomas was the third of eleven children, Victoria O., Richard O., Mary A., James, Dawson, Jonathan D., Martha S. 'Mattie', William B. G., Frances 'Fanny', and Ella.
He received his education in the schools of Paris, Texas; and attended McKinzie College, in Red River County, Texas. He opened and operated a bookstore in Paris, Texas, from 1872 until 1882, when he went into the cattle business in the West for one year. When he returned to Paris, he organized the Lyons, Thomas Hardware Company and was a member of that firm until 1886. He then became a member of the Arctic Ice and Refrigerating Company, and treasurer of the Paris Building and Loan Association, and was city treasurer.
In 1880, he married Sallie Martin, of Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of John and Eliza (Lenoir) Martin, and a sister of the Honorable John Martin, President of the Farmer's and Merchant's Bank, at Paris, Texas. They had a least one child, a daughter and were both members of the Presbyterian Church.
|
