Thomas Write James (1829 - 1914)

Born 13 Aug 1829 in Tipton, Tennessee, United States

Husband of Sarah Angeline (Wilson) James — married 5 Mar 1865 in Jefferson, Illinois, United States

Descendants

Died 5 Jul 1914 at age 84 in Owens, Brown, Texas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Barney Banks [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Write James was born 13 August 1829 in Tipton TN and died on 5 July 1914 in Owen, Brown, TX. ^[1]He married Sarah Angeline Wilson on 5 March 1865 in Jefferson, Illinois ^[2] Sarah was born in Missouri in August 1839. Her parents were from North Carolina and like many families had migrated first to Illinois and then South to Missouri.

In 1850 he was living in Tipton County, Tennessee in the home of N. Bird (age 23) and Frances F Bird (age 20). Thomas R [could "R" be for Write?] (age 20). All three were born in Tennessee. ^[3] Census was taken on 21 September 1850.

On March 17, 1919, Sarah Angeline filed for a Civil War Widow’s pension while living in Blanket, Texas. ^[4] In this application she tells us that she married Thomas, giving the date, and place. She goes on to say that they moved to Texas in 1885 and that she had lived in Blanket, Texas for 25 years (since 1894). She informs us that Thomas was a Commissary Sargent in Capt. Peoples’ Company in the 8th Regiment of the Arkansas Cavalry. Estlle James was a witness to this application. Other witnesses were W.N. Adams and S.A. Ribble, “… who knew Mrs. S.A. James, personally.”

According to a document from the records of the Adjutant General’s Office in Washington D.C., who verified Sgt. James’ service in the CSA, "... his Organization was also know as Desha Rangers – Newtons Regiment', Arkl… He enlisted Jan 18, 1863 from Ark Co., by Lt Peoples for the War ….”

Thomas died on July 5, 1914, in Owens, Brown County, Texas. ^[5] Thomas was buried in Grace Hill Cemetery, Longview, Gregg County, Texas on 6 July 1914. ^[6] We are reminded on his death certificate that he was born in Tipton County, Tennessee.

In 1910 Census Sarah reported that she was the mother of nine children with only three still living. One of those was George W, born 1874 and living with them in 1910 Brown County, Texas. An interesting thing about George and his wife Ada Mosley James that I found was that they had twin sons born in Brown County, Texas on December 17, 1917. One was named Volley Loron James (DC writing was unclear on the "V") and the other Jolly Loran James. The first, Volley, died at age 4 yrs, 4 mos, 13 days on April 30, 1922 in Wilkes, Polk County, Arkansas. The death certificate (I believe contains an error on his year of birth (1918). He could not be 4 yrs old unless born in 1917. They had to be twins. The 2nd twin was of course George who went on to live and die and Brown, Texas.

There is no memorial for this child in the Daniel Cemetery in Wickes, Arkansas. His death certificate clearly states that he is buried there. However, of particular interest there several Jameses buried there. One in particular is Daniel A James (born 1866, Tennessee; d 4 Feb 1940 in Wickes, Polk, AR). Daniel was the son of Azariah S James (1833 Bledsoe County, TN; died 1879 Bledsoe County, TN). Was Azariah a brother to this Thomas? They were born in counties that were a ¼ way across Tennessee. One near Memphis and the other East of Nashville. Why did George go back to Polk County, Arkansas after his son was born in Brown County, TX in 1918. He later returned to Texas. Was this his Cousin. ^[7] George Walter and Ada Estelle Mosley James’ other son was Jolly Loron James. He was born the same day and died on May 9, 1978 in Longview, Gregg County, Texas. He lived to be 60 years old. ^[8] I'll leave this puzzle for other descendants to unravel.

In the 1860 Census of Decatur County, Tennessee there is a T.W. James, age 30 born in Maryland and a "domestic," S. James, age 29 along with two female children both age 1 year, E. James & A James. It is very possible this is Thomas Wright James and Sarah. However, Sarah's age would be off by 9 years. ^[9] The Census was taken on 15 September 1860.

In 1880 US Census of Union, Ripley County, Missouri, Thomas and Sarah were counted with two children. Marton L, age 12 and George W, age 6. Thomas was a Minister. He had been unemployed for six months. Both of his parents were born in North Carolina. Both of Sarah’s were born in Tennessee.

Although this particular James line is not a direct connection to mine, I have a keen interest in all things James and many of my line also lived in and through Tennessee. I for one believe all Jameses are connected. One day with the help of modern technology, we'll find out.

Sources

1. ↑ TX Death Certificate
2. ↑ Illinois Marriage Records, 1800-1940, Film No. 001004738; Ancestry.com. Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
3. ↑ US Census - Tennessee, Tipton, District 5, Page 606.
4. ↑ Alabama, Texas and Virginia, U.S., Confederate Pensions, 1884-1958 – Texas Pension Files Nos. 35651 to 36060, Application Years 1910 to 1919.
5. ↑ Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982 Brown 1914 -Jul-Sep.
6. ↑ US Find-a-Grave Memorial No. 18414483.
7. ↑ State of Arkansas Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistic – Certificate of Death, No. 697, Dist No 6548.
8. ↑ Texas Death Certificate, 1903-1982 – Gregg, 1978, Apr-Jun, Cert No. 36440.
9. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census - Tennessee, Decatur, District 1; Page 5.

• Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982 Brown 1914 -Jul-Sep.
• US Find-a-Grave Memorial No. 18414483
• Alabama, Texas and Virginia, U.S., Confederate Pensions, 1884-1958 – Texas Pension Files Nos. 35651 to 36060, Application Years 1910 to 1919.
• Illinois Marriage Records, 1800-1940, Film No. 001004738; Ancestry.com. Illinois, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1800-1940 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
• State of Arkansas Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistic – Certificate of Death, No. 697, Dist No 6548.
• Texas Death Certificate, 1903-1982 – Gregg, 1978, Apr-Jun, Cert No. 36440.
• US Census, Missouri, Union, Ripley County, 1880