Thomas in Belmont Co OH.mcw



The THOMAS Family in Southeastern Ohio

by David Tipton Thomas

Coming to Ohio

In 1828, Jehu Thomas, Jr., wife Susanna Jones Thomas, and family moved from Harford Co. MD to Belmont Co. OH. On May 31, 1828, Jehu Thomas Jr. bought land in Section 21, Wayne Township, Belmont County, OH near what is now New Castle, OH. Jehu Jr. later sold his land and in 1839, he bought land in Section 22, which remained in the family until 1930 when the death of Jehu’s granddaughter Mary Jane Thomas forced the sale of the land. Jehu Thomas Jr. and family are in the 1830 Census for Wayne Twp, Belmont Co, OH.

About the same time, two brothers of Jehu Thomas Jr., and perhaps a sister came to Malaga Twp. in northern Monroe Co., OH; Wayne Twp., Belmont Co. and Malaga Twp., Monroe Co., OH share a common boundary. Benjamin Thomas (14 Aug 1778, York Co, PA - about 1845, Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH), Isaac Thomas (11 Oct 1793, York Co, PA - 18 Jun 1876, Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH) and their families came to Malaga Twp., Monroe Co., OH before 1830. A sister, Rachel Thomas (11 Oct 1788 - ) may also have come to Ohio. All three are in the 1830 Census for Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH; Rachel Thomas is on the line below Isaac Thomas. They were all farmers (see Children of Benjamin Thomas and Children of Isaac Thomas). A cousin of theirs, another Benjamin Thomas (1790- after 1850) (son of Jonah, grandson of John Thomas) also came to Belmont County in 1818, and was for many years a storekeeper and tailor in St. Clairsville, OH.

Susanna Jones’s father, Abner Jones (1762-1841), and brother, Yearsley Jones (1792-after 1856), were also in Belmont Co. before moving further west. Some of Yearsley Jones children remained in Belmont County.

The move of Jehu Thomas Jr. and family to Belmont Co, Ohio is recorded in minutes of the Society of Friends or Quakers. From the Deer Creek Monthly Meeting (MM), Harford Co, MD held at Fawn, York Co, PA on the 17th of 12th mo. 1829 . . . “In the 2nd month 1828 Jehu Thomas requested a certificate for himself, Susanna his wife, and nine minor Children . . . to recommend them to Somersett MM, State of Ohio. . . . But the next month he withdrew his request on account of the unsettled State of Friends in that quarter. . . .” “Dear Friends, Jehu Thomas and his wife Susannah, having removed to settle within the limits of your meeting (Somerset MM, Belmont Co., OH), request a Certificate for them and their nine minor children, to wit, Hannah, Rachel, Aquilla, Sarah, Samuel, John, Susan Jane, Elizabeth Ann and Mary Ann Thomas to be joined thereto, and no obstruction appearing, we therefore recommend them as members of our Society to your Christian care and oversight and remain your friends, signed in and by order of Deer Creek MM held at Fawn the 17th of 12th mo. 1829, by Asa Jones, Clk, Lydia Hopkins, Clk.”

The transfer is also recorded in the Somerset MM, Belmont Co., OH records, “1831, 8, 29. Jehu & w. Susannah Thomas and ch. Hannah, Rachel, Aquilla, Sarah, Samuel, John, Susan, Jane, Mary, Ann and Elizabeth Ann rocf (received on certificate from) Deer Creek, MD MM dated 1831, 6, 10.” The delay in records transfer was probably influenced by the Orthodox / Hicksite schism in the Quaker religon in 1828.

Thomas Family Early Ancestry

The known ancestry of this Thomas family begins with Peter Thomas (~1661 - 5 Jun 1722), who was born in Wales and who came to Springtown (now Springfield), Chester Co. (now Delaware Co.), PA around 1684. He married Sarah Stedman, daughter of Elizabeth, in 1686 as recorded in Quaker records. Peter and Sarah Thomas had four children: Peter Thomas Jr. (~1690-1765), Lydia, Jacob and Joseph. Peter Thomas Sr. remained in Chester Co., PA until his death in 1722.

From their beginnings in America, the Thomas family were faithful members of the Society of Friends or Quakers. The Quakers in general recorded meticulous minutes of all meetings which took place, and these minutes furnish a great deal of historical and genealogical information.

Peter Thomas Jr., our ancestor, married Elizabeth Goodwin in 1711. They had eleven children: Jacob (1711-1789), Sarah (1713-), Peter (1715-), John (7 Aug 1717-Jul 1771), Thomas (1719-1719), Isaac (1721-1802), Elizabeth (1723-), Mary (1724-), Rachel (1726-), James (1727-), and Lydia (1730-). Elizabeth Goodwin Thomas died a few days after the birth of Lydia. Peter Thomas and family remained in Chester Co., PA until all the children were married (after 1750); he died in Northumberland Co., VA.

John Thomas, our ancestor, married Rebecca Jones on 28 Apr 1747 as recorded in Quaker records. They had 10 children: Jehu (29 Apr 1748-after 1810), Elinor (1749-), John (1750-1752), Rebecca (1752-1754), John (1754-1811), Rebecca (1755-), Sarah (1757-), Dinah (1759-), Jonah (1761-), Judah (1762-1764). John Thomas and his family lived in Chester Co., PA until 1766 when they removed to Warrington Twp., York Co., PA.

Jehu Thomas Sr., our ancestor, married Sarah Underwood on 20 Apr 1769 as recorded in Quaker records. They had 10 children: Benjamin (1771-1777), Martha (1773-1777), Rebekah (1776-1777), Benjamin (1778-before 1850), Sarah (1781-), Jehu Jr. (21 Mar 1784-1859), Susanna (1785-), Rachel (1788-), Mordecai William (1791-), Isaac (1793-1876). Jehu Sr. and family lived in Warrington Twp., York Co., PA until 1794 when he and his family moved to Harford Co., MD.

Jehu Thomas Jr. and his wife, Susanna Jones, were 2nd cousins. Jehu’s grandmother, Rebecca Jones, was a sister of Susanna’s grandfather, Evan Jones. Evan and Rebecca’s father, Cadwalader Jones (1687 - 1758) immigrated to America from Wales in about 1708. Cadwalader Jones was a Quaker in Wales prior to immigration, and the Jones descendants also remained Quaker for many generations.

Children of Jehu Thomas Jr. and Susanna Jones

Jehu Thomas Jr. and Susanna Jones were married in MD about Sept. 1811 by a Methodist teacher. Quaker records (Deer Creek MM, Harford Co, MD and Gunpowder MM, Baltimore Co, MD) “condemned their behavior” but both remained as members of the Society of Friends.

Jehu and Susanna Thomas had twelve children, eleven of whom grew to adulthood, married and had families of their own. This is remarkable achievement for those times, when many children died of epidemics and childhood diseases.

1 Hannah Thomas (~1812- ~1844) married John Windham in 1836. They had two sons, Thomas Windham (1837 - ) and a second son who must have died as a child, and one daughter Hannah I. Windham (1841- ). Hannah must have died before 1846 when John Windham married a second wife, Rebecca Parsons.

2 Aquilla Thomas (1815-1897) married Martha Ann Martin in 1844. They had 12 children: Issac Martin (1845-1868), Rebecca Jane (1847-1910), Jehu (Gehu) (1849-1849), Mary Emily (1850-1918), Almeda (1852-1877), Nathan A. (1855-1880), Martha Elizabeth (1858-1930), Evaline (1860-1937), Fannie Susannah (1862-1942), Harriet May (1865-1923), William Walter (1867-1954), Alvin Arthur (1874-1959).

Aquilla, Martha and family moved down the Ohio River on a flatboat to Warren County, Iowa in 1858 where Martha’s next older sister lived. Most of Aquilla’s children remained in Iowa, establishing a large extended family of Thomas descendants in Iowa and nearby states.

3 Rachel Thomas (abt 1816, PA - 22 Jun 1906, Watseka, Iriquois Co, IL) married Samuel Hart in 1834. Census records indicate they had 12 children: Nancy Jane (1836-1839), Hannah L. (1836-1849), William C (1837-after 1888), John Wesley (1840-1905), Aquilla (1842-1864), Sara Jane (1843-1912), Robert R. (1845-1887), Lydia Ann (1847-), Elizabeth Elen (1848-bef 1860), Mary Catherine (1850-1934), Samuel Colson (1852-1864) and Rachel L. (1854 - ). They lived in Belmont Co., OH until 1854 when they moved to Illinois, where they remained until they died.

4 Sarah Thomas (1817- bef 1850) married Levi Leslie in 1834. Levi Leslie is in the 1840 census with his wife, one son under 5 and two daughters under 5. Levi is in the 1850 census with 1 daughter, Philena Lesley born 1838. This indicates that Sarah Thomas Leslie and two of their children probably died sometime before the 1850 Census. Levi Leslie is absent from the 1860 Monroe Co., OH census.

5 Samuel Thomas (1818-1887) married twice: (1) Doris Powell by whom he had two daughters, Mary Jane (1844-1930) and Susan (1846 - 1904), and (2) Beulah Gregg. Both wives predeceased him. Samuel and both wives are buried in Somerton Southern Cemetery, Somerton, OH. Samuel Thomas served in the Mexican War, 1847-8. Neither daughter married or had children. Samuel and his daughters lived on Jehu Jr.’s farm until Mary Jane Thomas died in 1930, when the farm was sold.

6 John Thomas (1820 - after 1880) married Mary Price in 1843. They had four children: Amos P. (1843-1909), Allen Baker (1846-1931), Joseph Elmore (1851- ), Francine J. (1861- ). The children all married, had children and stayed in Belmont County (see Third Generation in Ohio).

7 Susan Jane Thomas (1823 - 1912) married Robert L. Morris in 1844. They lived in Jerusalem, Malaga Twp, Monroe Co., OH and are buried in Jerusalem Cemetery. They had six (seven ?) children: Elizabeth “Libby” (1845-1934), Almerine (1846 - ), Alvin A. (1852 - 1927), Levi Barney (1855 - 1944), Lucinda “Cindy” (1856- 19??), Sarah Ella (1863 - 19??). Their daughters remained near Jerusalem, OH (see Third Generation in Ohio).

8 Mary Ann Thomas (1824-1835) died young.

9 Elizabeth Ann Thomas (1825-1882) married Arthur Cook in 1843. They had 8 children: John (1844-1932), Rachael (1846- ), Susanna (1849-1932), Lewis (1852- ), J. Thomas (1854-1937), Aquilla T. (1859-1939), Ida (1856- ), Mary Irena (1863-1906). They moved to Richland County, Wisconsin in 1854, and founded an extensive Cook family which continues to the present day.

From her obituary, “Died at her home on Mill Creek, in the town of Marshal, June 27, 1882, in the 57th year of her age, Mrs. Elizabeth Cook, wife of Arthur Cook. Sister Cook, with her husband and children came from Ohio to Wisconsin and settled on Mill Creek about 28 years ago, and has done her full share as a pioneer in building up and making a pleasant neighborhood, and home, from which she is sadly missed. She lived to see her children (eight in number) all grown to the estate of men and women, and most of them settled comfortably in life, and all followed her body to its last resting place. She was brought up among the people called Quakers, and her life was a beautiful illustration of the virtues of that excellent people. She left behind her the brightest evidence of a triumphant death; sad that she has gone to the rest that remains to the people of God.”

10 Rebecca Thomas (1828 - 1915) married Peter B. Wilson in 1845. They lived and are buried in Athens Co., OH. They had 11 children: Cassie Wilson, Martha Verine Wilson (1846 - 1922) m. Gus McCoy, Jossaphine Wilson (1848 - 1920) m. Jarrvis Canny and Jasper Bobo, Mary Ann Wilson (1850-1939) m. Charles Augustus Gilbert, Elizabeth Ann Wilson (1852 - 1924) m. Frank Jones, Sylvester Marian Wilson (1855 - 1880), Elias Wilson (1858 - 1930) m. Elizabeth "Carrie" Caroline Potter, Alviretta Wilson (1860 - 1943) m.Tade Shannon, Nathan Amer Wilson 1863 - 1954 m. Lula Linn Davis, William Edward Wilson (1865 - 1943) m. Rebecca Granthane, CharlesWilson (1868-1942) m. Bertha Cornell.

From her obituary, “Mrs. Rebecca Wilson died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Retta Shannon, in Logan, at the advanced age of 87 years. Mrs. Wilson was the widow of the late P. H. Wilson, who for many years was a resident of New Marshfeld, Athens County. The aged woman left nine children, thirty grandchildren and twenty-one grandchildren. Mrs. Charles P. Kircher, of this city, is a granddaughter of the deceased. Nearly all of the children of Mrs. Wilson now live in the west. Funeral services will be held in Logan today and the body will be brought to Athens tomorrow morning and taken to New Marshfield, where burial will be made tomorrow afternoon. April 1, 1915”

11 Abner Thomas (1829 - 1889) married Emily Burcher in 1869: They had six children: Charles (1869-1943), Albert L. (1871- ), Delmore N. (1872-1943), Mary Leona (1876- ), Sylvestor Marion (1878-1971) and William Louis (1881-1972). Abner, Emily and most of the children and their families stayed in Southeastern Ohio (see Third Generation in Ohio).

Abner Thomas and Nathan Thomas enlisted in Co. C, 9th Reg. of Ohio Vol. Cavalry on the same day, 25 Sep. 1864. Abner’s description was age, 33; occupation, farmer; eyes, black; hair black; complexion, dark; height, 5 ft. 9 in. While in the Cavalry, Abner contracted a disease which plagued him the rest of his life, and eventually caused his death in 1889. Abner mustered out at Concord, NC on 13 June 1865.

For some time, proof that Abner was a son of Jehu Thomas Jr. was missing; it finally came in the Will and Court Records of the death of Mary Jane Thomas on 2 Dec 1930. These records identify the sons of Abner Thomas (Charles, William Louis, Delmore N., Sylvestor M.) as First Cousins of Mary Jane Thomas (Daughter of Samuel Thomas) and Allen B. Thomas (Son of John Thomas). Since Samuel and John Thomas are proven sons of Jehu Thomas Jr. via Quaker Records, this proves that Abner Thomas must also be a son of Jehu Thomas Jr.

12 Nathan Thomas (1834 - 1905) married Sarah Wiley in 1884. They had two sons: Otto N. (1886 - ) and Ollie A (1888 - ). who married Kathryn Stevenson in 1911. Nathan was a stock dealer and blacksmith. In the 1900 Census he is living with sister Rebecca Thomas Wilson in Athens Co., OH.

Children of Benjamin Thomas and Rebecca Tipton

Benjamin Thomas (14 Aug 1778, York Co, PA - before 1850, Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH) married Rebecca Tipton (8 Jan 1784, Baltimore Co, MD - after 1850, Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH) in about 1805. They came to Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, Ohio before 1830. 1830 and 1840 Census records indicate they had three sons and one daughter, but names of only one son and one daughter are known:

• Phebe Thomas (1807 - ) married John L. or Jacob L. Strahl before 1840; they had one known son, Nathan P. Strahl (1842 - ) who married Mary Elizabeth Crawford in 1877. Rebecca [Tipton] Thomas is living with Phebe and her family in the 1850 Census in Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH.

• Isaac Thomas (1814 - ) married Sarah UNKNOWN. They had five children in the 1850 Census in Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH: Rebecca, William, Thomas F. , Hannah, Lindley.

Nothing further is known about them.

Children of Isaac Thomas

The records of Isaac Thomas (11 Oct 1793, York Co, PA - 18 Jun 1876, Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH) are not at all clear. A York Co, PA Quaker record in 1816 condemns him for marrying his first cousin (unidentified) and he is later disowned. He and his family come to Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH before 1827 when daughter Joanna is born. They are in the 1830 Census. Despite being disowned, Isaac Thomas and family were members of the Quakers in Ohio. In 1833, Isaac and Rebecca Thomas donated land for the Sunsbury (Hicksite Quaker) Meeting House and cemetery. In 1839, Isaac and Rebecca Thomas of Monroe Co, OH are named as parents of James Thomas in a Hicksite Quaker wedding record in Belmont Co, OH.

So, Isaac Thomas's first wife was apparently Rebecca UNKNOWN. From Census and Quaker records, they had six children: James (about 1818, MD - bef 1850 ?), Benjamin P. (1820, MD - ), UNKNOWN daughter (about 1823 - ), Joanna (1827 - ), Elwood (Mar 1830 - after 1900) and Rebecca (1832 - ).

• James Thomas (about 1818-before 1850) married Edith Price in 1839 in a Quaker ceremony. Edith is living with her parents in 1850 with no children, indicating James Thomas is probably dead.

• Benjamin P. Thomas (1820-after 1880) married Rachel W. UNKNOWN (1822-1869); Census records indicate they had no children. In 1870, Benjamin P. is living with his father Isaac and Martha Thomas. In 1880 he is living with his brother Elwood.

• Elwood Thomas (Mar 1830 - after 1900) married twice: (1) Elizabeth UNKNOWN (1828-bef 1870) in 1852 who had one son, Samuel B. (or Isaac B.) Thomas (1853 - ), and (2) Susanna Blackledge (1841-1929) in 1876 who had no children. In 1870 Elwood and Isaac B. Thomas are both living with Isaac and Martha Thomas. In 1880, Elwood and Susanna Thomas, and Benjamin P. Thomas are living together, probably on Isaac and Martha Thomas’s farm; Isaac B. is living with cousin Joseph E. Thomas and his family. In 1900, Elwood and Susanna Thomas are living alone in Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH.

In the 1850, 1860 and 1870 Census for Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH Isaac Thomas has a second wife, Martha UNKNOWN. The Censuses indicates Martha and Isaac Thomas had no children.

Thomas Wesley Thomas

Thomas Wesley Thomas (4 Feb 1820, MD - 5 Jun 1905, Jerusalem, Monroe Co, OH) is my Aunt Ruth’s grandfather (Ruth Burcher married to James Robert Tipton, my mother’s brother); her family recollections and history say that Thomas Wesley Thomas was related to our Thomas ancestors.

The mystery is, “Who were Thomas Wesley Thomas’s parents?”

Internet family trees show Isaac Thomas to be the father of Thomas Wesley Thomas. Also, in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 Censuses, Thomas Wesley Thomas lives very close to Isaac Thomas (next line in 1870).

If Isaac is indeed the father of Thomas Wesley Thomas, it is unlikely that Rebecca Thomas (Isaac’s first wife) was the mother; Thomas’s birthday of 4 Feb. 1820, conflicts with Benjamin P. Thomas’s birthday in probably late 1820. The 1830 Census for Isaac Thomas could include Thomas Thomas, but the 1840 Census for Isaac Thomas could not!

One Internet family tree suggests Isaac Thomas and Rachel Blackledge as Thomas Wesley Thomas's parents, which is interesting since a Rachel T. Blackley (?) age 50 (?) is living with Thomas’s family in the 1850 Census. However, there is no indication that Isaac Thomas was ever married to Rachel Blackledge. In the 1840 Census for Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH we see Rachel T. Blacklede age 50-60 and male age 20-30 (correct for Thomas Wesley) near Isaac Thomas. Rachel Blackledge died in May 1853 and is buried in Sunsbury (Quaker) Cemetery south of Jerusalem, OH.

In the 1830 Census for Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH the line right below Isaac Thomas has Rachel Thomas age 40-50 with a male 10-15 (also correct for Thomas Wesley). Was this really Rachel Blackledge who in 1830, an unwed mother, was trying to cover up her son’s heritage? If she was an unwed mother, why was her son named Thomas Wesley Thomas unless she knew his father was a Thomas? Also, in the 1833 land donation to the Quakers (see above), Rachel Blackledge is listed as a witness.

A second possibility for Thomas Wesley Thomas’s mother is Rachel Thomas (11 Oct 1788, PA - ), sister of Isaac (and Jehu Jr. and Benjamin) Thomas. In 1821, Quaker records for Deer Creek MM, Harford Co, MD state, “Rachel Thomas has so far deviated as to become a mother in an unmarried state” and “Rachel Thomas was disowned for having an illegitimate child.” The 1830 and 1840 Census records (see above) could be Rachel Thomas (correct age). Could this be Rachel Thomas who married a Blackledge in mid 1830s, only to have him die before 1840? Rachel Thomas, an unwed mother, would probably have surnamed her child Thomas as was the custom. If this Rachel Thomas (Blackledge) is his mother, we will not likely ever know Thomas’s birth father’s name, although his middle name Wesley might give us a clue!

To repeat, the mystery is, “Who were Thomas Wesley Thomas’s parents?”

The Third Generation in Southeastern Ohio

Children of John Thomas and Mary Price

1 Amos P. Thomas (30 Jun 1843 - 30 Oct 1909) married twice; (1) Mary Ann Davis in 1868 who died in 1869 without children, and (2) Rachel J. Nicholson in 1873 by whom three children were born: Emma E. (1874 - ), Mary Lenore (1876 - 1948) and John Leroy (1879 - 1912) (see Fourth Generation in Ohio).

2 Allen Baker Thomas (20 Sep 1846 - 31 Dec 1931, Barnesville, Belmont Co., OH) was married in 1867 to Avarella Thompson (1846 - 1924). They had five children: Frank Robert (1870- ), Otis Harvey (1872- ), Lillie A. (1874- ), and Alma (1879- ). Lillie was still living with her parents in 1920.

3 Joseph Elmore Thomas (1851 - ) married Pluma Ellen Powell in 1871. They had four sons: Arloff (1872- ), Alvin R. (~1874- ), Frederick (~1878- ) and Ross. The 1880 Census for Somerset Twp., Belmont Co., OH lists Joseph E. Thomas 29 farmer OH, Pluma 29 OH Keep House, D.[Arloff ?] 7 OH, Alvin 6 OH, Frederick 2 OH, Isaac Thomas 26 Boarder OH Laborer , Nathan Thomas 46 OH Blacksmith (Boarder). Nathan was an uncle of Joseph E. and Isaac was a first cousin. Nothing further is know of Joseph and his family.

4 Francine Jane Thomas (1861 - ) married John Mayberry on 3 Mar 1883.

Children of Susan Jane Thomas and Robert L. Morris

1. Elizabeth “Libby” Morris (1845-1934) was a spinster who lived in Jerusalem, Monroe Co, OH. She is buried in Jerusalem Cemetery next to her parents.

2. Almerine Morris (Sep 1846 - ) married Emma W. (Morris). They had four children: Blanche (1881- ), Raymond L. (1884- ), Hazel E. (1894- ) and Robert L. (1897- ). In 1880 Almerine was living with brother Alvin in Buda, Lancaster Co, NE.

3. Alvin A. Morris (1852 - 1927) married Bessie L. Heck (1855 - 1935) in 1876. They had two children, Charles Robert (1880-1965) and Mary B. (1882- ); they lived in Garden City, Finney Co., KS and are buried there in Valley View Cemetery.

4. Levi Barney Morris (1855 - 1944) married Maggie Belle Fasnacht (1867 - 1947). They had four children Verda Olive (1887-1970), Leo Guy (1889-1931), Robert Delano (1894-1963), Ethel Gladys (1897-1979). They lived in Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., KS after homesteading in Kinsley Twp., Edwards Co., KS.

5. Lucinda “Cindy” Morris (1856- after 1920) married Cassius Wiley in about 1889 and had one son, Paul R. Wiley born in 1890. They lived in Jerusalem, OH.

6. Sarah Ella Morris (1863 - after 1914) married Dr. Samuel D. Griffith (1858 - 1914); they lived in Beallsville, Monroe Co, OH and are buried in Jerusalem Cemetery near her parents.

Children of Abner Thomas and Emily Burcher

1 Charles J. Thomas (29 Jun 1869 - 12 Apr 1943) married Effie E. Russel (1872 - 1945) in about 1897. They had a son Hubert A. Thomas (1906-1974) who married (1) Lura J. Wheeler (1902 - 1933) and (2) Elizabeth E. Moore (1906 - 1988). They and their son lived in Jerusalem, Monroe Co., OH and are buried in Jerusalem Cemetery.

2 Albert L. Thomas (30 Jan 1871 - ) married Lydia (Lyda/Lida) Nelson about 1893; they lived in Jerusalem, Monroe Co, OH and later Goshen Twp, Belmont Co, OH.. They had two daughters: Grace (1894 - 1980) and Edna (1899- 1970). Grace married Charles Giffin and they had one son Charles T. (Feb 1917 - ), and two grandsons, David Giffin and Dale Giffin. Grace and Charles Giffin lived in Neffs, Belmont Co, OH.

3 Delmore N.Thomas (25 Sep 1872 - 14 Jul 1943) married Anna May Shepherd (1876 - 1950) on 1 Jan 1896. They lived near Jerusalem, Monroe Co., OH for a time and then near New Castle, Wayne Twp, Belmont Co., OH. They had eight children: Roy McKinley (1896 - ), Elvera Leota (1898 - 1993), Mearl Israel (1900 - ), William Delmore (1903 - ), Glen Elmer (1907 - ), Harry Albert (1911 - ), Wilfred Willis (1914 - ) and Mary Laura (1919 - ) (see Fourth Generation in Ohio).

4 Mary Leona Thomas (4 Nov 1876 - ) married Albert M. Hoffman (1875 - 1966) on 27 Apr 1903. They had four children: Arthur, Wilfred, William and Marie. They lived in Logan, OH. Mary Leona Thomas also had an illegimitate daughter, Rosa Gail (7 Sep 1901 - Aug 1982, Canton, Stark Co., OH), who lived with her grandmother Emily Burcher Thomas in Jerusalem, OH until she was grown; she married Charles Rhines on 25 Mar 1921 and they lived in Canton, OH. They had one child: Eunice A. Rhines born 9/18/1924, Canton, OH.

5 Sylvestor Marion Thomas (7 Oct 1878 - 7 Sep 1971) married Elizabeth Pearl Moore (1889 - 1970) in 1908; they lived near Jerusalem, OH and are buried in Jerusalem Cemetery. They had four children (see Fourth generation in Ohio): Veronia (1909 - ), Inez (1910 - ), Wilma (1911 - ) and Blaine (1913 - ).

6 William Louis (29 Oct 1881 - 24 Jan 1972) married Margaret (Maggie) Hart Wilson (27 Apr 1880 - 17 Sep 1970) on July 4, 1903. They lived on a farm in Wayne Twp., Belmont Co., OH previously owned by her parents and in Barnesville, OH after they sold their farm. They are buried in Jerusalem, OH Cemetery. The children of Will and Maggie Thomas were: Blanche Idel Thomas (22 Jul 1908 - 26 Oct 1996), Louis Ward Thomas (14 Sep 1910 - 12 Dec 1992), and Wayne Alexander (17 Apr 1914 - July 1942) (see Fourth Generation in Ohio). Wayne Thomas died on duty with the Army in Maryland; he is buried in Jerusalem OH cemetery next to his parents.

Children of Thomas Wesley Thomas

Thomas Wesley Thomas sired 21 children by two wives (according to family history). From Census records, I can account for 19 of them. In about 1842, Thomas married (1) Martha A. Ely (24 Sep 1820, MD- 24 Aug 1863); in about 1864, Thomas married (2) Ruth M. Davis (15 Nov 1844, OH -21 May 1896). They lived in Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH and are buried in Sunsbury (Quaker) Cemetery south of Jerusalem, OH.

Children of Thomas Wesley Thomas and Martha Ely were: Lucetta (August 08, 1843 - August 24, 1928, Tyler County, WV), Jeremiah (Abt. 1847 - August 22, 1863), Rachel (Abt. 1848- ), Joseph (Abt. 1849-August 19, 1863), Elizabeth , (Abt. 1851- ), Anthony K. (Jan. 11, 1854 - March 07, 1916, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, SD), William Wesley (Abt. 1856 -August 22, 1863), Ruth Anne (Abt. 1859 - ).

• Lucetta (August 08, 1843 - August 24, 1928, Tyler County, WV) married John Mercer in 1865. They moved to Tyler County, WV in 1873 where they lived the rest of their lives. They had nine children: Elizabeth Ann (1865-1904), Jonathan (1867-1948), James (1870-1954), Steward (1872-1944), Tilden (1875-1957), Margaret Jane (1877-1957), Woodie (1880-1957), Orton (1882-1967), Otto (1885-1904).

• Anthony K. (Jan. 11, 1854 - March 07, 1916, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, SD). He married (1) Jane Graham in 1873 in Monroe County, OH; they had three children: Ella M., Ida B., and Martha A. He married (2) Amanda Aller in about 1882 in Monroe County, OH; they had five children: William Clyde (1882, OH- ), Alice, Grace, Elizabeth and John Wesley (1901, SD- ). They moved to Sioux Falls, Minnehaha Co, SD sometime before 1900.

Children of Thomas Thomas and Ruth M. Davis were: Martha J. (Mar 1864-Apr 1865), Perin (Jan 1865-1945, Jerusalem, OH), Sarah (Jun 1867- ), Laura (Dec 1868- ), Laura (Dec 1868- ), Lulu (1873-), Nathan D. (Jul 1875- ), Marion Winnett (1877-1953), Ernest (1879-~1890), Pearl (~1880- ), Blanche (~1881-), Jessie G. (Jun 1882-1941).

• Perin (Jan 1865-1945, Jerusalem, OH) m. Laura B. Hinton in 1889. They lived in Sunsbury Twp, Monroe Co, OH, and are buried in Jerusalem Cemetery. Their children were: Elmer M. Thomas (Jan 1891- ) m. Martha Adair; Ethel (May 1894-bef 1920) m. Adam Shriver, and had a son Mansel W. in 1910; Florence (Apr 1898- ), Myrtle (1903- ),

• Sarah (Jun 1867- ) married Unknown SIVARD. She had two sons, Charles J. Thomas (1893 - ) and Jesse W. Sivard (1898- ). In the 1900 Census, they were living with Thomas W. Thomas.

• Laura (Dec 1868- ) m. William Harvey Bolon in about 1888. They had five children: Anna Lulu, Bertha B, Harry J., Raymond, and Earl N. They lived in Wayne Twp, Belmont Co, OH.

• Nathan D. (Jul 1875- ) m. Nellie UNKNOWN. They had four children: Helen F. (Feb 1896- ), Robert (Mar 1899- ), Roy (1905- ), Richard (1913- ). They lived in Jerusalem, Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH, then moved about 1915 to Wadsworth Twp, Medina Co, OH.

• Marion Winnett (1877-1953) m. Elizabeth (Aunt Lizzie) Hinton. They had a daughter Martha E. Thomas (1 Jan 1912-18 Jan 1996) who married Harry Thomas (Jun 1911-Jan 1986), her third cousin. They lived in Malaga Twp, Monroe Co, OH, and are buried in Jerusalem Cemetery.

• Jessie G. (Jun 1882-1941) m. William Sherwood Burcher, a widower, in about 1907. They had two children: Ruth Loucetta Burcher (14 Nov 1915-LIVING) (see Fourth Generation in Ohio) and William Albert Burcher (31 Mar 1911-14 Apr 1945). They lived in Beallsville, Sunsbury Twp, Monroe Co, OH; they are buried in Somerton (OH) Southern Cemetery.. William Burcher was a physician.

Fourth Generation in Ohio

Grandchildren of John Thomas

Children of Amos P. Thomas

1 Emma E. Thomas (13 Aug 1874 - 1954 ) was a spinster. She is buried in Somerton Southern Cemetery, Somerton, Belmont Co, OH.

2 Mary Lenore Thomas (13 Mar 1876 - 20 Jan 1948) remained in Belmont Co., OH and died in Somerton. She was single, but had one illegitimate child, Glenn E. Thomas (1899-1978). Both are buried in Somerton Southern Cemetery, Somerton, Belmont Co, OH with her sister, Emma.

3 John Leroy Thomas (1 Jun 1879 - 19 Aug 1912) married Bessie Scott (1885 - 1909) lived near Somerton, Belmont Co., OH; they are buried in Somerton Southern Cemetery. They had one son, Scott Thomas (26 Mar 1908 - 3 Mar 1988) who died in New Concord, OH.

Grandchildren of Abner Thomas

Children of Delmore N. Thomas and Anna May Shepherd

1 Roy McKinley Thomas (4 Oct 1896 - Dec 1973, Saint Petersburg, Pinellas Co, FL) married twice to (1) Hattie Conaway, and (2) Irene Fleming. Roy Thomas and Hattie Conaway had five children: Beryl Emerson Thomas (1916 - ); Wayne Thomas (1917 - ); Delbert Thomas (1919 - ); Norma Lee Thomas (16 Aug 1920 - ); Robert “Bobbie” Thomas (1922 - )

2 Elvera Leota Thomas (1 Jan 1898, Sunsbury Twp., Monroe Co., OH - 10 Apr 1993, Barnesville, Belmont Co., OH) married William Ross Wharton on 25 Nov 1916. They had five children: Marjorie Elvera Wharton; Willis Thomas Wharton; William Glen Wharton (3 Aug 1921 - Jan 1945) who is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, VA; Anna Rosemary Wharton; Linda Lee Wharton (22 May 1938 - 23 Jul 1999, Cleveland, OH) who married Louis Jonah Goldman.

3 Mearl Israel Thomas (13 Mar 1900 - Aug 1960, Akron, OH) married Etta ? (Thomas) on 14 Jul 1927. They had one child: Shirley Thomas m. Roy Kalen.

4 William Delmore Thomas (9 Nov 1903 - Oct 1983, Beallsville, OH) married Ina May Hickman on 19 Apr 1930. They had four children: William “Billy” Thomas; Joan Thomas; Lowell Gene Thomas; and Shirley Thomas

5 Glen Elmer Thomas (16 Jan 1907 - 21 Dec 1973, Columbus, OH) married Beulah Marie Roush on 10 Jun 1931. They had two children: Carol Ann Thomas and Robert Allen Thomas.

6 Harry Albert Thomas (27 Jun 1911 - Jan 1986, Saint Petersburg, FL) married Martha Thomas (1 Jan 1912 - 18 Jan 1996, Saint Petersburg, FL). Harry and Martha were third cousins.

7 Wilfred “Fred” Willis Thomas (27 Dec 1914, New Castle, Belmont Co., OH - ) married Virginia Irene White on 10 Jun 1937. They lived in Columbus, OH. They had two children: Donald Edmund Thomas b. 2/17/1939 m. Sharon Ann Mesi; Barbara Joan Thomas b. 5/11/1942 m. Tommie John Wallace.

Children of Sylvestor Marion Thomas and Elizabeth Pearl Moore

1 Inez Thomas (4 Oct 1910 - ) married Ray Kemp. They had four children: Elizabeth , Ruth , Ellen Jane, and Bobbie Jo.

2 Wilma Thomas (20 Dec 1911- ) married Cyril Louden. They had six children: Dorothy May, Shirley Ann, Patty Lou, Randolph (Randy), Gerald Cyril, Michael William

3 Blaine Thomas married La Vaughn Gatts on 14 Feb 1945

Children of William Louis Thomas and Margaret Hart Wilson

1 Blanche Idel Thomas (22 Jul 1908 - 26 Oct 1996) married Starling Perkins (15 Sep 1914 - Jun 1991); they lived on a farm near Bethesda, OH and later in Barnesville, OH. They had two sons: Thomas and John.

2 Louis Ward (14 Sep 1910 - 12 Dec 1992) married Mary Elizabeth Tipton (10 Mar 1910 - LIVING) on 2 May 1935 in Wheeling, WV. They lived in Barnesville, OH from 1940 to 1960 and in Ashland, OH after 1960. They had three sons: David Tipton Thomas who married Carolyn (Cari) June McQuaid; Louis Joseph Thomas who married Margaret (Marney) Leah Gilboy; Daniel Wilson Thomas who married to Anne Christine Ericson.

Grandchildren of Thomas Wesley Thomas

Daughter of Jessie G. Thomas and William Sherwood Burcher

1 Ruth Loucetta Burcher (14 Nov 1915-LIVING) m. James Robert Tipton (29 Aug 1914-LIVING) in June 1939. They have three children: Peggy Joan Tipton m. Edwin Lutz, James Sherwood Tipton m. Lynn Johnson, and Nancy Ann Tipton m. Robert B. Davis.

Sources

Many sources too numerous to reference and list here were used in compiling this brief history of the Thomas family in Belmont County, Ohio and nearby Monroe County, Ohio. These sources include:

(1) Family Records of many descendants - in and out of Ohio,

(2) Minutes and Records of the Society of Friends (Quakers),

(3) US Census Records and

(4) Official Records of Belmont County, Monroe County and other government agencies.

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