Thomas Louis Holley Sr. (1849 - 1930)

Born 3 Aug 1849 in Ohio, United States

Husband of Fannie (Wilson) Holley — married 26 Jun 1883 in San Antonio

Descendants

Died 21 Jan 1930 at age 80 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bobby Bailey [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Holley Sr. is a part of US Black heritage.

A highly significant discovery has been made and it is noteworthy as it explains why for the past few years, and despite cycles of focused and dedicated searching, we had continued consistently and remained disappointed and empty handed with reference information re Tom Holley, Sr. We've learned quite inadvertently that many of Tom Holley, Sr.'s records list his name as "John T." Holley; therefore, nothing was appearing under the name Tom or Thomas -- the name the entire family was most familiar with or best knew him by. It is important to note, the Buffalo Soldiers were first established Sept. 21, 1866 at Ft. Leavenworth Kansas. By 1872, he had enlisted, was assigned to and served in the 9th Cavalry regiment, Company E, of the U.S. Colored Troops and we speculate, stationed at some point after 1875 at Ft. Concho, Texas. We think he entered from New Orleans as he had spent time there. There were then only two sites for recruitment one in Kentucky the other in Louisiana. A few interesting facts about these men and their times. Their contracts ran for a lengthy and harsh 5 years. They faced a future fraught with many dangers and unknowns. The West was still wild: Exposure to freezing cold and killing heat, Death or torture by fierce and much feared Indians (During this period Tom served in the Kiowa, Comanche and Cheyenne camp). Finally, extreme hatred and prejudice from both the white settlers and white soldiers. As best we know, their horses came from St. Louis, their side arms were the fabled Colt 45 caliber pistol (1873 model). They were further armed with the 45-70 Springfield carbine rifle and a saber. The symbolic crossed sabers were also their insignia. For this glory they earned $13 a month, room, board and clothing. It is unknown whether during an ambush or skirmish, but to our great fortune and the grace of god, Tom survived close combat, being scalped, potential grave injury, to tell others. The West remained unsettled and the Indian Wars raged. By 1878, his time as a storied Buffalo Soldier had come to a close and was honorably discharged. At this early stage of discovery, it is hard to speculate and determine Why? Whether it was a known error perpetuated over time or whether it was factually his name of which the family never used or made aware? In either case, we are most grateful now, finally, given access to more information about him --the patriarch of the Holley Family.

1900 Census

Thomas is shown in the 1900 census Thomas Holley 50 Fannie Holley 34 Mamie Holley 14 Robert Holley 11 Thomas Holley 10 George Holley 5 Bella Holley 7/12

Sources

All text is supported by the various documents from research and first and second hand knowledge of family history.

• "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-3G2B : 23 February 2021), Thomas Holley and Fannie Wilson, 25 Jun 1883; citing Marriage, citing Bexar, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 24,921.
• "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3D-Z3V : 22 January 2020), Thomas Holley, 1883.
• "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M325-ZR1 : 12 January 2022), Thomas Holley, 1900.
• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MD-HRC : accessed 3 March 2022), Thomas Holley, San Antonio Ward 6, Bexar, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 39, sheet 4B, family 106, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1531; FHL microfilm 1,375,544.
• "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHBK-HVT : 3 February 2021), Thomas Holley, Sr, 1920.
• "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3M9-HTZ : 20 February 2021), Thomas Holley in entry for Mayme P Bailey, 13 Dec 1937; citing certificate number 58460, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,117,399.
• "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K396-VB9 : 20 February 2021), Thomas Holley in entry for George Alexander Holley, 06 Jul 1946; citing certificate number 30113, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,218,378.
• "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBQ-G5M : 20 February 2021), Thomas L Holley in entry for Thomas Louis Holley, 03 Apr 1965; citing certificate number 20963, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,117,752.
• "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1N-N7N : 20 February 2021), Thomas L Holley in entry for Bella H Cameron, 07 Sep 1966; citing certificate number 56418, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,118,374.