For addition information see:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13165900
42. John Thomas & 43.Fereba Simmons {Lowndes Co. MS}
Bet. 1771-1777, John born in SC, s/o 84. Robert Thomas & 85. Martha Hanna.
9/2/1788, Fereba born in GA. [Possibly of John Simmons of Franklin Co., GA.]
3/21/1798, “Know all men by these presents, that I, John Thomas, of Spartanburg and State aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars, to him in hand paid by Moses Foster, of the said county and State, have granted, bargained, sold and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said Moses Foster a certain parcel or tract of land lying in Spartanburg County on the north side of Fairforest, bounded as follows: Beginning at a black oak on the west side of Rich Hill and a branch called Long Branch—running thence N.70, E.52 chains and fifty links—containing four hundred acres, more or less,” … /s/ John Thomas, /s/ Shands Golightly, /s/ Martha Golightly. /s/ James Smith, /s/ John Foster /s/ M. Louvina Smith. [See entry for his mother on 4/9/1798 for her release of dower on this land.]
~1810, John married Fereba.
4/18/1811, John given “one cow & calf over & above what he has received already, as his full dividend” in his grandfather John Thomas’ will.
1/31/1814, John, son of Robert, given in the will of his uncle William D Thomas, “title to a piece of land to complete a mill seat and room, at and about a mill he is about building.” [In Greenville Co., SC.]
1818–1821, they moved to AL. (S) Birth places of children.
(S) 1830 Census, AL, Dallas Co.: John Thomas. [The census data is a perfect match to the family.]
1831, John Thomas is living in Greene Co., AL. [Halfway between Dallas Co., AL and Lowndes Co., MS.] (S) AL 1831-1839 Decennary Census Index, by Jackson, 1983, P148.
2/1/1832, John purchased 160.03 acres in LownCo., MS, Huntsville, NE, S21,17S,17W. (S) GLO Record.
(S) 1834-1836 LownCo., MS Tax Rolls. John Thomas.
(S) 1837 LownCo. Tax Rolls. John Thomas, 160 acres, “Yellow Cr.”.
(S) 1838 LownCo. Tax Rolls. John Thomas, 160 acres, “Yellow Cr.”.
12/24/1838, “Thomas”, 53 slaves. (S) Slave Owners Ledger, 1837-1842, Billups-Garth Archives, Columbus Pub. Lib.
3/6/1839, in LownCo., John wrote his will. He named Ferebe as executrix. He made it clear that he did not like Edwin Austin, husband of his daughter Jane. (S) Hempstead Co., WB-C, PP79-82. The wills were register in Lowndes Co., MS, and in 1856 in Hempstead Co., AR. Most of the children had moved to Hempstead Co. The Lowndes Co. copies were lost in a court-house fire. [At this time John either died, or became infirm; but his will would not be probated until 1855.]
(S) 1839 LownCo. Tax Roll. Mrs Phuriba Thomas, 320 acres, “Yellow Cr.”. This is near William Kidd ( 44), and William Ward ( 46).
1840, (S) 1840 Census, MS, LownCo. Fereby has many family members living with her.
(S) 1840 LownCo. Tax Roll. “Mrs Phuriba” Thomas, 160 acres.
8/26/1850, (S) 1850 Census, MS, LownCo. Fereba has a personal estate valued at $5000. Her daughters Jane Austin & Martha Loftis, youngest children Abraham, Frank & Margaret, and grandchildren Virginia Loftis and Sarah Austin all live with her.
12/2/1851, Fereba named as sole heir of her son Samuel in his will.
1/4/1855, Ferebe wrote her will. (S) Hempstead Co., AR, WB-C, PP74-76.
6/26/1855 Fereba died; buried in Nashville Cem., Nashville, Howard Co., AR. (S) Gravestone.
9/22/1855, the will of John was put into probate in Lowndes Co. [Later filed in Hempstead Co., AR 1/14/1856.]
7/10/1855, Ferebe’s will probated.
(S) Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution, Vol. 2, No. 5, May 2005, P18.
Family notes:
• Note that all the children appear to be named after family ancestors.
• “State of South Carolina, Spartanburg County. I, Isham Harrison, one of the Judges of the county aforesaid, do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern that Martha [Hanna-Thomas] Golightly, mother to the within named John Thomas [42], did this day appear before me … [releases her dower on the land purchased by her former husband] … to Moses Foster … 4/9/1798”. (S) Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution, V2, No.5, P18.
Children of John and Fereba:
i. Jane Black Thomas, born ~1812 in SC.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, f:10<15.
Jane 1st married ? Christian.
7/7/1836 in AL Jane married 2nd Edwin K Austin. (S) LownCo., MB2, P33.
3/6/1839, “Jane Christian Austin” named in the will of her father. Her portion, other than $5.00 cash, was to be put into a trust for her and her children until the death of Edwin.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, f:20<30. Single, divorced.
No.43:(S) 1850 Census. Single.
Bef. 1/4/1855, Jane died in Hempstead Co., AR. (S) Will of her mother.
Children of ?:
Catherine Rosetty Christian, born 1/1830 in AL.
~1847 she married Larkin O Perkins; 1823-1853; buried in Vaughn Cem., Lowndes Co., MS.
6/3/1855 in AR she married Ruben McElroy.
William Leonidas Christian, born 4/1832 in AL.
~1866 he married Ann Eliza Sanders, born in AR.
Aft. 6/7/1900 he died.
Children of Edwin:
Sarah Francis Austin, born 5/25/1837 in MS. No.43:(S) 1850 Census.
9/30/1852 she married William Carroll Sanders, born 6/4/1827 in TN.
8/20/1918 she died; buried in Sweetwater, TX.
ii. Mary Ann Thomas ( 21), born ~1813 in SC.
iii. Martha Hanna Thomas, born 1/22/1816 in SC.
7/16/1834, Martha married Richard L Loftis (s/o 40), brother of Powell (20). (S) LownCo., MB1, P142.
Bef 5/10/1847, Richard died. [see Richard for additional info.]
No.43:(S) 1850 Census. A widow.
12/2/1851, Martha, “widow of Richard Loftis”, received a payment in the will of her brother Samuel.
1/4/1855, Martha named as an heir in the will of her mother.
(S) 1860 Census, AR, Hempstead Co., Nashville. She lives with her brother Francis.
6/8/1880, (S) 1880 Census, AR, Howard Co., Nashville. Martha lives with her sister Margaret and her large family.
~1891 Martha died.
Children:
Virginia Margaret Loftis, born ~1836. No.43:(S) 1850 Census.
~1852 she died in LownCo., MS; burial in Vaughn Cem.
Phoebe S Loftis, born ? in MS.
Richard F Loftis Jr., born ? in MS.
iv. William Davis Thomas, born 1818 in SC.
[Named after a granduncle.]
Bef. 3/6/1839 William died in LownCo., MS; burial in Vaughn Cem.
v. John Simmons Thomas, born 1821 in AL.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, m:5<10.
3/6/1839, John named as a minor in the will of his father.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, m:15<20.
9/22/1846 John married Mary Ann Thompson, born 1826 in MS. (S) LownCo., MB3, P53.
(S) 1850 Census, MS, LownCo. He is married to Mary and living with her father and siblings. The have one son, Samuel. John’s brother Samuel also lives with the family.
11/15/1850, (S) 1850 Slave Schedule, MS, LownCo. John owns 6 slaves: 4 male, 2 female.
1851, John wrote his will and named his brother Abram administrator in his will. (S) Lowndes Co.Court Rcds., Columbus Libr., MS. Mary left all of her father’s estate they had received. He left his son Samuel all of his estate received from his father. Brothers and sisters named: Samuel S Thomas, Robert P Thomas, Abram D Thomas, Francis M Thomas, Margaret M McCown.
Bef. 4/9/1851 John died in LownCo., MS; burial in Vaughn Cem. (S) Estate papers in Columbus, MS Libr.
Children:
Samuel R Thomas, born 1849 in LownCo., MS. (S) 1850 Census.
4/9/1851, Samuel, as a minor, named in the will of his uncle John S Thomas.
1854 he died as a child; buried in Vaugh Cem.
vi. Samuel Simmons Thomas, born 1823 in AL.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, m:5<10.
3/6/1839, “Samuel S” named as a minor in the will of his father.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, m:15<20.
Samuel moved to Hempstead Co., AR.
Samuel returned to Lowndes Co. before his death.
(S) 1850 Census, MS, LownCo. Living with John & Mary and her family.
4/9/1851, Samuel named in the will of his brother John S Thomas.
11/8/1851, Samuel wrote his will which was filed in Hempstead Co., AR.
Bef. 12/2/1851, Samuel died; (S) Will probated in Lowndes Co., MS. (S) Hempstead Co., WB-C, PP30-33.
Children:
M E Thomas, born 1840 in MS.
11/3/1857, she married B F Fall of Washington, Hempstead Co., AR.
vii. Sarah Martha Thomas, born 6/1824 in AL.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, f:<5.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, f:15<20.
Sarah married ? Blackburn.
1/4/1855, daughter “Sarah M Blackburn” named as an heir in the will of her mother.
viii. Rev. Robert Porter Thomas, born 8/2/1825 in AL.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, m<5.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, m:10<15.
12/6/1849 in Hempstead Co., AR, Robert, age 24, married Emily Perkins, age 18, born 4/25/1831 in AL.
12/21/1850, (S) 1850 Census, AR, Hempstead Co., Mine Creek. Robert is a laborer.
4/9/1851, Robert named in the will of his brother John S Thomas.
12/2/1851, Robert was named executor in the will of his brother Samuel.
1/4/1855, Robert named as an heir in the will of his mother.
9/11/1860, (S) 1860 Census, AR, Sevier, Paraclifta. Robert is a farmer with real estate valued at $12,000 and a personal estate of $12,000. 1st 3 children listed.
CSA: Robert a 1st Sergeant in Co. C, 22nd AR Infantry.
7/30/1870, (S) 1870 Census, AR, Sevier, Red Colony. Robert is a farmer with a personal estate of $250. Sons William & Abram work on the farm.
2/21/1871, Robert, a mason, ordained in the Church of Chrish at Pleasant Hill in Sevier Co., AR.
Robert moved his family to Brazil.
5/5/1892, Robert died in Santa Barbara, Sao Paulo, Brazil; buried in Campo Cem. near Santa Barbara d’Oeste on a large sugarcane plantation.
4/19/1904, Emily died in Tatui, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Children:
Martha Thomas, born 1852 in AR.
William Thomas, born 1855 in AR.
Abel/Abram Thomas, born 1858 in AR.
Margaret Thomas, born 1861 in AR.
Robert Thomas, born 1864 in AR.
Sarah Thomas, born 1866 in AR.
ix. Abraham D Thomas, born 10/1/1828 in AL.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, m<5.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, m:5<10.
No.43:(S) 1850 Census.
1851, Abram named administrator in the will of his brother John. (S) Lowndes Co.Court Rcds., Columbus Libr., MS.
4/9/1851, Abram named executor in the will of his brother John S Thomas.
12/2/1851 in Lowndes Co., Abram witnessed the will of his brother Samuel.
3/24/1853 Abraham married Sarah A Mixon, born 1836 in AL.
1/4/1855, Abram named as an heir in the will of his mother.
6/30/1860, (S) 1860 Census, MS, LownCo., Columbus. They have no children. His real estate is valued at $7,000, and his personal estate at $35,000.
Civil War, Private, Co. F, Perrin’s Batt., MS State Cav. (S) Howell, 1998.
8/18/1870, (S) 1870 Census, TX, Lamar Co. Abram’s real estate is valued at $5000, his personal estate at $1000. He and “Salley” live alone.
5/28/1871, Abram died in Paris, Lamar Co., TX; buried in Evergreen Cem. [O-19SE-04, next to his sister Margaret.]
x. Francis Marion Thomas, born 11/28/1830 in AL.
(S) 1830 Census: No. 42, m<5.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, m:5<10.
No.43:(S) 1850 Census.
4/9/1851, Francis named in the will of his brother John S Thomas.
1/4/1855, Francis named as an heir in the will of his mother. He was named executor, and left 3 slaves in the will.
7/23/1856, Francis, age 26, married Lydia B Campbell, age 18 [born in AL], in Hempstead Co., AR.
(S) 1860 Census, AR, Hempstead Co., Nashville. n: “Frank”. He is a farmer with real estate valued at $9,000; and personal estate at $40,000. His sister Martha lives with him.
CSA: Francis a Private in the 19th AR Regt.
3/10/1862, Francis wrote his will leaving equal shares to his wife and son. (S) Hempstead Co., WB-C, PP155-7.
4/22/1862, Francis died of the measles while serving in the CSA. Lydia sent a slave to claim his body and return it to Nashville for burial.
1/24/1865, Lydia married 2nd William C Sypert. (S) Hempsted Co. AR Early Marriages, P28.
Children:
James Young Thomas, born 6/4/1857 in AR. (S) 1860 Census.
11/1/1877 he married Martha Jane Clardy, born 3/8/1858 in AR, died 2/10/1925.
10/6/1908 he died, buried in Redmond Cem., DeQueen, AR.
Children: Nina Thomas, 6/19/1902–10/15/1927, buried with her parents.
xi. Margaret Elizabeth Thomas, born 11/2/1834 in MS.
(S) 1840 Census: No. 42, f:5<10.
No.43:(S) 1850 Census.
10/10/1850 Margaret married Simeon McCowan, born 5/23/1828 in MS. (S) LownCo., MB3, P327.
4/9/1851, Margaret & Simeon named in the will of her brother John S Thomas.
1852 they moved to AR. [See births of children].
1/4/1855, Margaret named as an heir in the will of her mother. Samuel witnessed the will.
(S) 1860 Census, AR, Hempstead Co., Mine Creek. Simeon is a farmer with land valued at $4800 and a personal estate of $16,200.
6/8/1880, (S) 1880 Census, AR, Howard Co., Nashville. Her sister Martha lives them. 7 children at home.
6/4/1900, (S) 1900 Census, TX, Lamar Co. A widow, she has had 13 children, 7 still living. She lives with her daughter Sarah.
7/24/1911, Margaret died. (S) The Paris News, Wednesday, July 20, 1911, “Mrs. Margaret McCown, aged seventy-seven years, died at 6 o’clock Monday evening at the home of one of her sons, J. R. McCown, seven miles southwest of the city. Old age and heart trouble are said to have caused her death. The deceased was born in Alabama, but moved years ago with her husband to Arkansas, where they reared a family. After the death of her husband she came to Texas to live with her children about seven years ago. She is survived by four sons and two daughters, F. D. McCown, Sim McCown, J. R. McCown, R. O. McCown, Mrs. John Hutchison and Mrs. Jennie Ferguson, all of whom reside in Lamar county except Mrs. Ferguson, who lives in Arkansas. The funeral was held at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. Mr. Barker of Dallas. Interment was at Evergreen cemetery. [O-19SE-03: next to her brother Abraham in “A D Thomas lot”.]
Children:
Virginia E “Jennie” McCowan, born 8/17/1851 in MS, (S) 1860 Census.
11/2/1869, she married Alfred Cobb Ferguson. [8 children.]
12/1/1916, she died in Lockesburg, Sevier Co., AR.
Francis Dolvin McCowan, born 3/2/1853 in AR, (S) 1860, 1880 Census.
1873, he married Lydia Narcissa “Ninnie” Jones, born 11/10/1855 in SC; died 2/13/1939, buried with Francis.
(S) 1900 Census, TX, Lamar Co. He lives next to his sister and mother. 3 children.
5/27/1929, he died in Cross Roads Comm., Lamar Co., TX; buried in Evergreen Cem. [13-50-04]
John Robert McCowan, born 1855 in AR, (S) 1860, 1880 Census.
1939, he died.
Nancy Emily McCowan, born 1857 in AR. (S) 1860 Census.
1880, she died.
Martha Rebecca McCowan, born 1859 in AR, (S) 1860, 1880 Census.
1898, she died.
William W McCown, born 1861 in AR.
He died as an infant.
Simeon McCowan, born 10/19/1862 in AR, (S) 1880 Census.
8/25/1886, he married Mary Ophelia Tugwell, born 6/1868 in LA, died 1947 in Calhoun Co.
(S) 1900 Census, TX, Lamar Co. 6 children.
4/20/1925, he died near Seadrift, Calhoun Co., TX.
Columbia McCowan, born 1864.
She died as a child.
Sarah Jane “Sally” McCowan, born 8/12/1865 in AR, (S) 1880 Census.
1887, she married James Hicks Jones, born 1855 in SC; died 3/24/1911; buried with Sarah.
(S) 1900 Census, TX, Lamar Co. Her mother lives with her; 6 children.
3/9/1908, she died in Lamar Co., TX; buried in Evergreen Cem. [Casket size 5/9 manufactured by Clinton $75.00; burial robe $12.00; hose $0.25; outlay for lot $15.00; open grave $5.00; total cost $107.25.]
Lenora Ann McCowan, born 1868 in AR, (S) 1880 Census.
1924, she died.
Samuel A Mcowan, born 1869 in AR.
1879, age 10, he died.
Frances McCowan, born 1872 in AR. (S) 1880 Census.
Richard Owen McCowan, born 1874 in AR. (S) 1880 Census.
7/27/1949, he died in Cherokee Co., TX.
