Leonard Jarvis Thomas (1805 - 1889)

Born 30 Mar 1805 in Eden, Hancock, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Amelia Frances (Townsend) Thomas — married 15 Dec 1830 in Trenton, Hancock, Maine

Descendants

Died 18 Apr 1889 at age 84 in Eden, Hancock, Maine, United States

Biography

Leonard J. Thomas; b. 30 Mar 1805 at Eden, Hancock, Maine; m. Amelia Frances Townsend, daughter of Elias Townsend and Anna Foster, 15 Dec 1830 at Trenton, Hancock, Maine; d. 8 Apr 1889 at Eden, Hancock, Maine, at age 84; age 84 years, 9 days.

His obituary was published as follows:
LEONARD J. THOMAS, Esq. of Eden passed to his eternal home Apr. 8 without a struggle at the advanced age of 84 years, 9 days. He held the oldest commission as postmaster of any man in the United States, it being dated Nov. 21, 1825. Jan. 8, 1839 he received an appointment as Deputy Collector of the port of Ellsworth. About 1844 he was elected Representative to the State Legislature and about 1853 we find him in the office of Secretary of State at Augusta filling the position of Engrossing Clerk. Mr. Thomas also held a commission as Register of Probate for Hancock County for years, beginning with 1839. He received a commission as Justice of the Peace in Quorum as early as 1840, one as Notary Public in 1842, holding them through life. He was also Trial Justice and Public Administrator at different times. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, casting his last vote at the last state election. Esq. Thomas was a Mason of Lygonia Lodge in the town of Surry, that part that is now Ellsworth, Jan. 30, 1828, more than 61 years ago, and retained an interest in the principles of Masonry until the close of life. He and his estimable wife, who departed this life 5 months since, were baptized into the fellowship of the Eden Baptist Church Oct. 7, 1832, of which he remained a faithful and consistent member. He leaves a daughter and grandson to mourn their loss.

Known children of Leonard J. Thomas and Amelia Frances Townsend were as follows:

• i. Frances Adelma Thomas, b. 14 Apr 1839 at Eden, Hancock, Maine; m. Ezekiel O. P. Andrews.
• ii. John Howard Thomas, b. 5 Oct 1841 at New York, New York; m. Augusta Mayra Somes.

Sources

• Birth: "Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV3S-G4ST : 17 October 2017), Leonard Jarvis Thomas, Birth 30 Mar 1805; citing Division of Vital Statistics, State Board of Health, Augusta; FHL microfilm 9,868.
• Marriage: "Maine Marriages, 1771-1907," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4XB-F2B : 10 February 2018), Leonard J. Thomas and Amelia F. Townsend, 15 Dec 1830; citing Bar Harbor,Hancock,Maine, reference ; FHL microfilm 10,616.