Reubin Thomas’ Family

James Reubin Thomas, Sr. was born 23 April 1823, in Albemarle County, Virginia, a son of Reubin and Mary Ann Thomas. He married Martha Jane Smith on 17 February 1847, in Albemarle County, Virginia. Martha was born on 26 October 1826, in Virginia.  James R. Thomas, Sr. was a private in Company I, 5^th Texas Infantry, Hoods Texas Brigade, C.S.A. He was discharged on 5 September 1863, as a result of his son, James R. Thomas, Jr. enlisting as a substitute for him.  Mrs. Martha Thomas died on 28 July 1876, and James Reubin Thomas, Sr. married Mrs. Marietta F. Flanagan, widow of W.L. Flanagan, on 12 April 1883, in Burleson County, TX. James Sr. died on 27 March1905. They are buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, in Burleson County, Texas. James and Martha Thomas had at least eight children:

1.     James Reubin Thomas, Jr., was born 10 August 1847, in Albemarle County, Virginia. He enlisted on 1 May 1863, as a private into Company I, 5^th Texas Infantry, Hood’s Texas Brigade, C.S.A., as a substitute for his father, James R. Thomas, Sr. He became a POW at Gettysburg on 2 July 1863, was confined at Fort Delaware, and paroled on 9 June 1865. He married Bettie Coffee Holmes on 04 February 1871, in Burleson County, TX. Bettie was born 22 May 1855, in Mississippi, a daughter of Timothy A. Holmes and Mary Ann E. Dotson. James Jr. died 31 October 1905, and was buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, in Burleson County, TX.  Bettie died 25 April 1941, and was buried in the North View Cemetery, in Winters, in Runnels County, TX.  James and Bettie had eleven children:

a.     Mary Lee Thomas, born 16 August 1872, in Burleson County, TX, married Nathaniel Massey Martin on 21 December 1892, in Caldwell, Burleson County, TX, and died 30 December 1952. Nathaniel was born 06 August 1868, a son of John Marshall Martin and Julia Ann Hagood, and died 21 May 1950. Mary and Nathaniel are buried in the Ganado Cemetery, Ganado, in Jackson County, TX. Their 10 children are: William Abernathy, John, Eugene Ruben, Annie, James A., Nathaniel Lee, Julia, Bettye Mae, Lorena, and Howard “Mike” Thomas.

b.     John Henry Thomas, born 11 March 1874, in Burleson County, TX, died 26 June 1876, in Burleson County, TX, and was buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, in Burleson County, TX.

c.     Annorah Thomas, born 05 February 1876, in Burleson County, TX, died 27 June 1878, in Burleson County, TX, and was buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, in Burleson County, TX.

d.     Harmon Roco Thomas, born 24 June 1878, in Burleson County, TX, married Cary Iola Richards, a daughter of Thomas D. Richards and Nancy Martitia Sands, on 05 July 1903, in Burleson County, TX, and died 13 December 1959. Cary was born 28 October 1883, and died 30 October 1966. Harmon and Cary are buried in the Seagraves Cemetery, Seagraves, in Gaines County, TX. They had eight children: Julia Iola, James Reubin, Harmon Roco, George, Travis, Vera Beth, Charlie, and a son who was born and died on 26 April 1920, in Lubbock, Lubbock County, TX.

e.     Leona Thomas, born 11 December 1880, in Burleson County, TX, married Richard Thomas Richards, a son of Thomas D. Richards and Nancy Martitia Sands, on 12 April 1903, in Burleson County, TX, and died 05 June 1961, in San Antonio, Bexar County, TX. Richard was born 19 May 1878, in Burleson County, TX, died 27 February 1951, in Somerville, Burleson County, TX. Leona and Richard were buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Somerville, Burleson County, TX.  Their children are: Inez, Bess, Alma Grace, Thomas, and Jane Adele Richards.

f.      Nannie J. Thomas, born 25 July 1883, in Burleson County, TX, married James “Jim” P. Edwards, and died 27 October 1973. Jim was born in 1884 and died in 1966, Nannie and Jim are buried in North View Cemetery, Winters, Runnels County, TX. They had two children: one who died in infancy, and Alva Zelda Edwards. Both are buried in the North View Cemetery, in Winters, Runnels County, TX.

g.     Reubin A. Thomas, born 20 December 1885, in Burleson County, TX, died 08 March 1886, and was buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, in Burleson County, TX.

h.     Mattie Lula “Dink” Thomas, born 17 July 1887, in Gay Hill, Washington County, TX, married Samuel Joseph Sands, a son of Morris Hope Sands and Anne Beckham Sands. Mattie died 02 March 1974. Samuel was born 01 October 1884, in Burleson County, TX, and died 09 December 1974. Dink and Samuel were buried in San Jacinto Memorial Park Cemetery, Cloverleaf, Harris County, TX. Their children are: Velma, Raymond R., Elma L, and Samuel Jr.

i.       Bettie C. Thomas, born 28 October 1892, In Burleson County, TX, married Charles Stonewall Hill. Charles was born 7 March 1887, in Robertson County, TX, died 13 July 1922, in Dallas, TX, and was buried in Bremond Cemetery, Robertson County, TX. Bettie and Charles had a daughter, Jimmie Evelyn Hill. Bettie’s second husband was Claude L. McMahon, born 22 April 1887, died 29 November 1943, and was buried in Fairmount Cemetery, San Angelo, Tom Green County, TX. Bettie’s third husband was Joseph Coleman Young, born 10 July 1888, and died 24 September 1963. Bettie C. died 20 December 1970, in Snyder, Scurry County, TX. Bettie and Joseph are buried in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens, San Angelo, Tom Green County, TX.

j.       Tommye Edwin Thomas, born 13 March 1895, in Burleson County, TX, married Frank Edward Matthes, Sr. on 19 September 1918, in Slaton, Lubbock County, TX, and died 25 September 1977, and was buried in Mt. Rose Cemetery, Goodrich, Polk County, TX.  Frank was born 16 August 1890, in New Frankfort, Saline County, MO, died 03 September 1975, and was buried in Hawley Cemetery, Blessing, Matagorda County, TX. After Tommye and Frank divorced, she married Bill Hutton. Tommye and Frank had three children: Verna Marie, Frank Edward, Jr., and Betty Gene Matthes.

k.     Olynthus Cloud Thomas, born 22 January 1898, died 02 August 1898, buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, Burleson County, TX.

2.     Elonza D. “Dock” Thomas, born 27 July 1850, in Albemarle County, Virginia, died 27 December 1875, in Burleson County, TX, and buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, Burleson County, TX.

3.     Narcissa Ann Thomas, born 1853 in Albemarle County, Virginia, married Wallace Stearns on 22 December 1869, in Burleson County, TX, and they had a daughter, Collie Lu Stearns, born about 1870. Collie married W. F. Adams on 01 July 1888, in Burleson County, TX, and they had a child Blanche Adams. Collie married her second husband, James F. Darwin, before 1900. Wallace died before 1880 and Narcissa married D.W. Clark on 22 December 1881, in Burleson County, TX.

4.     William Francis “Bill” Thomas, born 7 April 1855, in Washington County, TX, married Elizabeth “Lizzie” Abigail Black on 25 December 1895, in Burleson County, TX.  She was born 26 April 1860, in Florida, a daughter of William Wesley Black and Piercy Abigail Johnson, died 12 January 1950, in Somerville, Burleson County, TX. William Francis died 25 February 1946. He and Lizzie were buried in South 1 Section, Row 30, of the Oaklawn Cemetery, Somerville, Burleson County, TX.  William F. and Lizzie had at least three children:

a.     Annie Francis Thomas, born 13 October 1896, and married A.J. “Jack” Lauderdale on 12 April 1935, and died 10 October 1985. Jack was born 16 August 1889, and died 10 November 1960. Francis and Jack are buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Somerville, Burleson County, TX. They had two children.

b.     Sam Dick Thomas, born 21 July 1898, and married Minnie Elizabeth Schoenemann on 25 December 1924, and died 05 July 1994.  Minnie was born 14 October 1895, and died 29 July 1978. Sam and Minnie are buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Somerville, Burleson County, Texas. They had four children.

c.     Hugh Black Thomas, born 02 July 1900, married Beulah Adams, died 23 October 1939, and was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Somerville, Burleson County, TX.

5.     Preston H. “Press” Thomas, born 16 October 1858, in Burleson County, TX, died 17 May 1867, in Burleson County, TX, and was buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, Burleson County, TX.

6.     Infant daughter #1, born and died in 1860, in Burleson County, TX, and buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, Burleson County, TX.

7.     Infant daughter #2, born and died in 1861, in Burleson County, TX, and buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, Burleson County, TX.

8.     Sarah Jane Thomas was born 11 June 1864, in Burleson County, TX, died 04 July 1865 in Burleson County, TX, and was buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay, in Burleson County, TX.

Ann Thomas, a daughter of Reubin and Mary Ann Thomas, was born in 1825 in Albemarle County, Virginia. She married John W. Tooley on 26 December 1844, in Albemarle County, Virginia. John W. Tooley was born 24 November 1824, in Albemarle County, Virginia. They had a son, Washington “Wash” Tooley who is buried in the Thomas Cemetery near Clay,  in Burleson County, Texas.  J.W. Tooley, age 39, enlisted on 26 March 1863, into Company I, 5^th Texas Infantry Regiment, Hood’s Texas Brigade, C.S.A. He was wounded at Chickamauga on 19 September 1863, and was granted a 60 day furlough to Augusta, Georgia on February 1865.  James died 17 January 1886, and Narcissa died in 1898. They are buried in the Mary Moore Cemetery, a few miles from the Thomas Cemetery.

William Francis Thomas, a son of Reubin and Mary Ann Thomas, was born 4 December 1833, in Albemarle County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth “Eliza” Jane Dick Smith 24 November 1870, in Burleson County, Texas. Eliza was born 10 May 1841, in South Carolina, and died 07 January 1895.  Wm. Francis was an original member of Company I, 5th Texas Vol. Infantry Regiment, CSA, that was organized at Independance, Washington County, Texas and mustered into the Confederate service for the war on 7 September 1861. He was assigned to work on R.R. bridges in Tennessee for the year of 1864. He deserted and took the Federal Oath on 14 December 1864.William F. died 05 November 1912. William F. and Eliza were buried in the Mary Moore Cemetery, Burleson County, TX. They had at least six children:

1.     Ada Thomas, born 23 July 1871, died 20 July 1881, buried in Mary Moore Cemetery, Burleson County, TX.

2.     Infant son Thomas, born 23 July 1871, died 24 July 1871, buried in Mary Moore Cemetery, Burleson County, TX.

3.     John Edwin Thomas, born 06 November 1872, married Martha E. “Mattie” Savage on 22 December 1896, in Burleson County, TX, and died 01 June 1939. Mattie was born 27 January 1880, in Ennis, TX, and died 31 January 1973. John and Mattie were buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Somerville, Burleson County, TX. They had five children.

4.     Clarence W. Thomas, born in October 1876, married Idelia “Delia” Barham on 28 October 1897, in Burleson County, TX, died 08 May1946, and was buried in Oaklawn Cemetery, Somerville, Burleson County, TX. Delia was born 25 October 1876, died 29 January 1903, and was buried in the Mary Moore Cemetery, Burleson County, TX.

5.     Emma Irene Thomas, born 2 January 1877, died 26 June 1881, buried in Mary Moore Cemetery, Burleson County, TX.

6.     Melvin Thomas, born about 1878.

1850 Census of Albemarle County, Virginia      Sheet No: 281B        Reel No: M432-932    

Page No:  561   Lines 18 thru 31   Dwelling No: 1818  Family No: 1818   

Thomas, Reubin      22        M                     Birthplace:  Virginia

Thomas, Martha       20        F                            “                “

Thomas, James        3          M                              “              “

Thomas, Reubin      1          M                              “              “

 Tooley, Robert         25        M                              “              “

Tooley, Ann              28        F                                “ “

Carter, Richard         30      M                                  “           “

Carter, Rebecca       20       F                                  “           “

Carter, Martha              1       F                                  “           “

Bailey, Mary              40      F                                   “           “

Thomas, Mary             83      F                                 “           “

Thomas, Jane           30        F                                  “           “

Thomas, William        17       M                                “           “

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Burleson County Historical Society, Inc. Astride the Old san Antonio road. A Pictorial History of Burleson County, Texas. Taylor Publishing. 1980

Burleson County Historical Commission. Cemeteries of Burleson county, Texas. Privately Published. 1988

First Baptist Church of Caldwell, Texas. Wings of the dove. A History of First Baptist Church, Caldwell, Texas. Insite Press. 1993

Houck, Linda Faust. Caldwell newspapers, Burleson county, Texas, 1897-1927. Birth and Death Notices. Ericson Books. 1999

Morrell, Z.N. Flowers and fruits in the wilderness. Third Edition, Revised. Commercial Printing Company. 1993

INTERNET SOURCES

Burleson County–A Part of TXGenWeb. 1850 Census of Burleson County, Texas.

Burleson County-A Part of TXGenWeb. Marriages of Burleson County, Texas, 1846-1899

Burleson County-A Part of TXGenWeb. Message Boards. Thomas’ of Burleson County, Texas, 1998-2010

Find A Grave. Public Record Pro.

GenForum. Genealogy.com. Thomas Forum, Internet

Tex Share Database. Texas State Library. Heritage Quest Online. 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1900 Census’ of Burleson County, Texas.

The US Gen Web Project. Census Project State Index. Virginia. 1850 Census of Albemarle County, Virginia.

FamilySearch.org. Family History and Genealogy Records. Thomas.

Texas in the Civil War Homepage. Hood’s Texas Brigade Roster. Thomas.

Greer, Velma; Thomas Family; Internet email; May 2010.

MANUSCRIPTS

Richards, James Thomas, Jr. THOMAS FAMILY. Washington, DC. 1980.

Braly, Narris W.  Members of Dove Baptist Church in Caldwell, Texas, 1843-1892. Caldwell, Texas. 1993.