Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Genealogy Report: Ancestors of James Tilton Richardson

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Ancestors of James Tilton Richardson

Generation No. 3

      4. Jonathan Bryant Richardson, born 1810 in North Carolina; died 1902 in Dial, TX. He married 5. Martha J. Abt. 1832 in North Carolina.

      5. Martha J., born 1813 in North Carolina.

Notes for Jonathan Bryant Richardson:
From the Web Page of George Thomas

Of interest, Bryant Richardson likely had a brother named John who also moved to Cherokee County, AL. In both Anson Co., NC and in Alabama, John Richardson's neighbor is listed as Balaam Thomas. In the 1850 Cherokee County AL Census, Balaam is listed as 70 years old, a cooper, and born in Virginia. His wife is 69 year old Clarissa who is born in North Carolina. In the 1860 Census, the aging Balaam Thomas and Clarissa are listed as living in the household of John Richardson. In 1860, he is listed as born in North Carolina. On April 4, 1831, Balaam Thomas sold 112 acres on Mill Creek in Anson County to John Presley. The land adjoins the proprietory lands, Joel Thomas's field, and William Price land. In the deed, Balaam Thomas specifies that all of this tract of land is for sale with the exception of five acres including the "John Thomas house" belonging to him and his wife Elizabeth Thomas. They may live on the land until their death and then the land will be added to that deeded to John Presley. This was actually in Union Co., NC. The deed appeared there when the land was later sold on September 25, 1858. Balaam is likely the son of John William Thomas who was a contemporary of our Benjamin Thomas. The children of John William are believed to be Moses Thomas b. 1792, Levy Thomas B. April 5, 1794 d. March 6, 1869 married Joel Helms, John Thomas b. 1795, William Thomas b. 1796, Morton Thomas b. 1799, Joel Thomas b. 1805, Emanuel Thomas b. 1811, and Hezakiah Thomas b. 1813. Most of these if not all moved through Alabama. They lived near our Thomas's in North Carolina and Alabama. They could be related.

The Richardsons received land grants near the Georgia state line and near the town of Ringold.

JONATHAN BRYANT RICHARDSON - (1810 - 1902)
Family Heritage

Jonathan Bryant Richardson was born in North Carolina in 1810. The ancestry prior to 1810 is quite clouded. Some studies indicate that his father may have been Hardy of perhaps Applewhite. At the time of this writing genealogy investigation is ongoing.
Bryant took Martha J. (also born in NC 1813/1815) as his bride around 1832. To this union was born six sons and three daughters: Eliza (1834-NC), Louisa (1835-NC), William Henry (1837-NC), James Wesley (1841-NC), Levi (1844-AL), Thomas (1847-AL), Winney (1848-AL), Edmond (1850-AL), and Bryant Ross(1858-AL).
William Henry was born in Anson County in 1837. An assessment of census records indicates Bryant and Martha lived in Anson County or nearby. Eliza, Louisa and James Wesley were also born in this vicinity.
Around 1843, Bryant and Martha moved with these four children from Anson County to Cherokee County, Alabama. Reasons for the move may have been repeated crop failure or the promise of government grants in 40 acre segments in the newly opened Cherokee County territory. The land they chose was a rich, red dirt farm within Township 8 South, Range 10 East near Broomtown, Ringgold, and Gaylesville, north of the Coosa River.
Bryant and Martha cleared the heavily timbered land and began a farming heritage that continued for 140 years down through their great grandchildren in Texas (from 1900 - 1983). They added a second 40 acre farm before 1850, just east of their initial holding.
The last five children of Bryant and Martha were born on this farm as the winds of the great War Between the States began to blow. Their farmland was to see heavy troop movements and skirmishes in, around, trough and to the great Civil War battlefields in Tennessee and Georgia.
Also located on nearby farms were two other Richardson families from North Carolina, perhaps related to Bryant, but not authentically documented. The first of these families was father William (1825-NC) and mother Tantha (1829-GA), son Liander (1848-AL) and daughters Louisa (1852-AL) and Frances (1860-AL). The second was father John (1807-NC) and mother Mary J. (1808-NC), sons Balam (1833-GA), William (1834-GA), John (1839-GA), Bryant (1842-GA), Marcus (1846-GA), Thomas (1849-AL), and daughters Elizabeth (1836-GA) and Mary J. (1844-AL)
William Henry, born in Anson County, North Carolina, according to his pension Application records, served in the CSA's Alabama 19th Infantry Regiment from early 1862 until the surrender in 1865. Records indicate he returned home only one time during the entire war.
James Wesley, Thomas M. and Levi served in the Alabama 55th Infantry Regiment for shorter periods during various engagements.
After the war and until 1882 this family remained in the Cherokee County location.
In 1883, Bryant and Martha and sons William Henry (and wife Mary Ann Thomas), Thomas (and wife Amanda Roaney Daniels), and Bryant Ross (and wife Mary), moved to the northeast Texas settlement of Pecan Gap, Delta County.
In 1888 Thomas and family, with Mary the widow of Bryant Ross and family relocated 60 miles southeast to Camp County, Texas where many of their descendants still reside. The rich red dirt farms of Camp County must have reminded the Richardson clan of the first time they gazed upon their farmland of Cherokee County many years earlier. These large families remained close and continued to communicate and share family stories in family reunions to this day. Jonathan Bryant died in 1902 near Pecan Gap.
written by: Don Reed, (great grandson of Bryant Ross)
      4143 Manorview Lane, Dallas, TX 75228, 214-279-9626

family history supplied by: Ralph Richardson, (grandson of William Henry)
      Pecan Gap, TX


Children of Jonathan Richardson and Martha J. are:

	i.	Eliza Richardson, born 1834 in North Carolina.
	ii.	Louisa Lydia Richardson, born 1835 in North Carolina.
2	iii.	William Henry Richardson, born January 10, 1837 in Anson Co., NC; died January 22, 1919 in Pecan Gap, Delta Co., TX; married Mary Ann Thomas Bef. 1859.
	iv.	James Wesley Richardson, born September 23, 1841 in North Carolina; died July 07, 1894 in Fannin Co., TX; married Mary Jane Peden July 29, 1866 in Georgia⁴; born October 02, 1843⁴; died 1919⁴.

Notes for James Wesley Richardson:
Served in the Confederate Army in the Alabama 55th Infantry Regiment.

Letter to Amanda Daniels, from J. W. Richardson, dated July 31, 1863.

Chattanooga, Tenn - July the 31st, 1863
Miss Mandy Daniels
Dear Miss after my best respects to you I will inform you that I am well hoping these lines fill find you enjoying good health. You will doubtless think very stray of me a writing to you without your consent but, believe me, it was from nothing buy great respect and tender regard and nothing that prompt me to address you. Camp life is very hard and disagreeable life to live. I hope I live through this cruel and bloody war and return home to my friends and loved ones and live a long and happy life. We get very short rations now. We have to drill three times a day. They never let a soldier have any time to rest. They always keep him a moving. I will bring my badly written letter to a close for fear I have already worried your patience. It would be a great deal of pleasure to me to receive a letter from you. I remain your friend and well wisher.
J.W. Ritchardson

NB Chattanooga in care of Captain Posey Company K 38 Regt. Ala rea Clayton Brigade

Notes for Mary Jane Peden:
Claimed the Confederate Pension for her husband from the state of Texas.

Levi J. Richardson, born 1844 in Cherokee Co., AL; married Mary J..

Notes for Levi J. Richardson:
Served in the Confederate Army in the Alabama 55th Infantry Regiment.

vi.

Thomas M. Richardson, born August 27, 1847 in Cherokee Co., AL; died January 15, 1934; married Amanda Roaney Daniel April 03, 1865 ⁵.

Notes for Thomas M. Richardson:
Served in the Confederate Army in the Alabama 55th Infantry Regiment.

In Alabama 1870 Census in Broomtown, Cherokee Co.

		vii.		Winney C. Richardson, born 1848 in Cherokee Co., AL.
		viii.		Edmond Richardson, born 1850 in Cherokee Co., AL.
		ix.		Bryant Ross Richardson, born 1858 in Cherokee Co., AL; married Mary.

6. Jonathan Thomas, born Abt. 1797 in North Carolina ⁶; died 1859 in Cherokee Co., AL. He was the son of 12. Ezekiel Thomas and 13. Unknown. He married 7. Mary Bef. 1819 in Anson Co., NC ⁷.

7. Mary, born Abt. 1797 in North Carolina ⁸.

Notes for Jonathan Thomas:
Within a year of the death of his father, Ezekiel Thomas, Jonathan Thomas and his neighbor Emory Sharp were in Alabama. These two lived side by side and had joint land dealings at their residence on Richardson Creek in Anson Co., NC.

Will originally recorded 10 October 1859.

Notes for Mary:
Mary Thomas, Ezekiel Thomas and others to Emery Thomas and Others

State of Alabama
Cherokee County

Article of agreement entered into this 10th day of Oct in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty nine between Mary Thomas widow and relic of Jonathan Thomas Late of Said County in Said state Deceased of the first part and Ezekiel Thomas, John Thomas, Jesse L. Thomas, James R. Thomas, Jonathan Thomas, Emery Thomas, Andrew Thomas, William E. Thomas, Martha Humphrey formerly Martha Martha Thomas David Humphry Husband and Trustee of the the Said Martha his wife, Louisa Griffin formerly Louisa Thomas and Lewis Griffin her Husband and trustee, Rebecca Smith formerly Rebecca Thomas and John B. Smith her husband and trustee, and Mary A. Richardson formerly Mary A. Thomas and Henry Richardson her husband and trustee, the Heirs at Law of the Said Jonathan Thomas, as aforesaid of the other part, Witnesseth, That the Said Mary Thomas widow and relic as aforesaid in consideration that the said heirs at Law as aforesaid doth herby Covenant and agree with her to transfer assign and sell and Convey to her the said Mary Thomas all their Joint and separate
and several interests Right Title and Claim which they have now or may have hereafter at the final settlement of of the estate of the Said Jonathan Thomas Deceased as aforesaid absolutely in her own right to Relinquish to Ezekiel Thomas and John Thomas as the Administrators of the said Jonathan as aforesaid all her Right Title interest and Claim of and to her Right of and dower in and to any and all such land or lands to which she is or may ..... and convey to the Administrators as aforesaid as such
for the benifit of said Estate said Right of Dower and the Said Heirs as aforesaid doth hereby agree with the said Mary Thomas of the first part in consideration of the above assignment of Dower and c. That she may and shall have their Joint and Separate interest as she conveys absolutley in her right and in testimony whereof we have herunto set our hands and affixed our seals. Sealed and signed the day and date first above written in the presence of attst -John Thomas

I William McDaniel Judge of Probate of said County hereby certifies that John Thomas a subscribing witness to the foregoing Conveyance Known to me appeared before me this day and being sworne stated that the above named grantors in the conveyance voluntarily executed the same in his presence and in the presence of the other subscribing witness on the same bears date. That he attested the same in the presence of the grantors and of the other witnesses and that such other witnesses subscribed his name as a witness in his presences. Given under my hand the 13 day of Oct 1859. W.E. McDaniel Filed in his office and recorded on the 13 day of Oct 1859 Book M page 119

I hereby certify that this agreement was filed in this office to be recorded anew on the 24 Day of Dec 1884 the original record having been destroyed by fire on the 25 day of May 1882, and duly recorded in Book B of the conveyances on page 412 and Examined.

R. R. Savage Judge of Probate

Children of Jonathan Thomas and Mary are:

		i.		Martha Thomas, born 1819 ⁹; married (1) Griffin; married (2) David Humphrey Bef. 1854⁹.
		ii.		Ezekiel Thomas, born 1823 in Anson Co., NC⁹; died 1910 in Cherokee Co., AL⁹; married Arenia D. Abt. 1843⁹; born 1828 in Georgia⁹; died 1898⁹.
		iii.		Louiza Jane Thomas, born 1824 in North Carolina⁹; married Lewis Griffin Abt. 1848⁹; born 1824 in North Carolina⁹.
		iv.		John N. Thomas, born 1827 in Anson Co., NC⁹; died October 04, 1864⁹; married Louiza M. Pinkston; born 1827 in South Carolina⁹.

Notes for John N. Thomas:
John Thomas served in CSA Co. G. 19th Reg. AL. Like his brother Andrew, John was listed as Brigade Blacksmith in Wither's Division, Polk's Corps of the Army of Tennessee. He was listed in a report at Shelbyville and was employed on estra duty in Chattanooga, TN. John was last recorded Jan. 1864 as on extra duty as Blacksmith at Dalton, GA.

Notes for Louiza M. Pinkston:
Dated 13 June 1863, James Pinkston registered a gift deed of land (A-460, Cherokee, AL) to his daughter Louiza M. Thomas. This was the four land grants that James purchased from Jonathan Thomas estate on the same day. On 28 Nov 1887, Clory Pinkston authorized James M. Thomas to manage her needs in a power of attorney. James M. was the son of John N. Thomas. Louiza M. Thomas applied for a Civil War Widos's pension in 1898.

Jesse L. Thomas, born 1832 in Anson Co., NC⁹; married Mary Jane E. Bef. 1850 in Cherokee Co., AL⁹; born 1830 in Alabama⁹.

Notes for Jesse L. Thomas:
In the 1850 Cherokee County, AL Census, the 18 year old J. S. Thomas and 20 year old wife Mary J. Thomas are listed as living at the household of Ezekiel Thomas.

Notes for Mary Jane E.:
In the 1870 Alabama Census, Mary Thomas and the children are listed as living in Jackson County. Dated 2 May 1871, a lien (5-217, Jackson, AL) was placed on properties of Mary Jane Thomas. She owed thirty dolars for farming supplies and was not able to produce a crop.

vi.

James R. Thomas, born Abt. 1834 in North Carolina ¹⁰; died Bef. September 12, 1864; married Emeline Y. Davis; born 1832 in Tennessee ¹¹.

Notes for James R. Thomas:
James R. Thomas enlisted on Aug. 14, 1861 at Cedar Bluff in Cherokee Co., AL. He died while serving in CSA Co. G, 19th Reg. AL, cause and date unknown. Dated Sept. 12, 1864, Emeline Y. Thomas filed a military claim for settlement on behalf of her deceased husband. Emeline moved to Scottsboro in nearby Jackson Co. where she is listed in the 1870 census. Emeline Thomas and children are listed as living with Melissa Thomas and family. Melissa was also born in Tennessee and married Emery, the brother of James R. Thomas. Emery Thomas also died in the Civil War.
Melissa married a second time to Henry McAnally on March 1, 1870. Dated May 15, 1873, Emeline Thomas and Melissa McAnally sold properties (6-701, Jackson, AL) to settle a debt. This record likely followed the death of Melissa's second husband. In the 1880 Census, Emeline Thomas and children are listed as living in Marshall Co., AL. Using Hillian's Store as her post office address, Emeline applied for a Civil War Widow's Pension on May 6, 1896. She does not appear in the 1900 Census.

vii.

Jonathan E. Thomas, born Abt. 1836 in North Carolina ¹²; married Lydia E. Abt. 1857 ¹³; born Abt. 1836 in North Carolina ¹⁴.

Notes for Jonathan E. Thomas:
In the 1860 Cherokee County Census, a female named Galbreadth age 32 is listed as living in the house of Jonathan E. Thomas.

viii.

Emery Thomas, born Abt. 1837 in North Carolina ¹⁵; died May 01, 1863; married Malissa N. Abt. 1860 ¹⁶; born 1834 in Tennessee¹⁶.

Notes for Emery Thomas:
In the 1860 Cherokee, AL Census, Elizabeth Davis, age 71 of VA is living at the house of Emery Thomas. Is this Malissa's mother? Emery Thomas served in CSA Co. G, 19th Reg. AL. He was listed as sick at Tyner, TN in November 1862. Sent to the Medical College Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Emery Thomas died of Diarrhea on May 1, 1863. His wife Melissa filed a Military Claim for Settlement on September 12, 1864. Melissa and family moved to Scottsboro where they lived with Emeline Thomas and family. All able bodies in this extended family are listed as farm laborers in the 1870 Jackson County Census. Melissa married second on March 1, 1870 to Henry McAnally. Henry likely dide soon after. In 1880, Melissa McAnally is listed as hear of household in Marshall County with Children George W. Thomas age 18, William R. Thomas age 16 and Thomas A. McAnally age 9.

ix.

Andrew James Thomas, born Abt. 1839 in Alabama ¹⁷; died August 28, 1903 ¹⁸; married Jannie Elizabeth Cook October 27, 1867 in Chatooga Co., GA¹⁸; born January 1847¹⁸; died February 22, 1922.

Notes for Andrew James Thomas:
Andrew was likely named for Andrew Sharp, the blacksmith and neighbor of Jonathan Thomas from North Carolina. Andrew Sharp may have ben Andrew Thomas's uncle. In the 1860 Cherokee County Census, Andrew D. and Brother William E. Thomas lived at the home of their 60 year old mother Mary Thomas. Andrew Thomas enlisted August 14, 1861 at Cedar Bluff. He served in CSA Co. G, 19th Reg. AL as Teamster in the Blacksmith Brigade. Andrew was detached to service of Wither's Division of Polk's Corps, the Army of Tennessee. Employed for extra duty, Andrew Thomas was named in a report in Shelbyville, TN on April 30, 1863. In January 1864, he served in Dalton, GA. Dated April 14, 1864, he signed a receipt roll for clothing.
After the war, Andrew married Jannie Elizabeth Cook in Chatooga Co., GA. She was a full blood Cherokee Indian. The 1870 Chatooga County Census indicated that Andrew's mother was living at his house at that time. She is listed as a retired farmer.

	3	x.		Mary Ann Thomas, born 1842 in Alabama; died 1911; married William Henry Richardson Bef. 1859.
		xi.		William Erley Thomas, born September 27, 1845 in Alabama¹⁸; died 1923 in Cherokee Co., AL¹⁸; married Nancy Caroline Hogg October 17, 1867 in Chatooga Co., GA¹⁸; born 1837 in GA¹⁸; died 1921¹⁸.

Notes for William Erley Thomas:
William applied for a Civil War Pension on July 17, 1906. The request states that he enlisted on August 10, 1863 in CSA Co. B., Davenport's Batalion. Since the records for this unit were never transferred to the combined CSA Military Roster, William and others provided testimony concerning the legitimacy of this unit. William Thomas stated that he served in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In this Battalion of Pillow's Division, he gaurded Yandee Troops in Gadsen, AL and transported them by boat to Rome, GA. He was involved in several skirmishes before being stricken with fever in the fall of 1864. Hospitalized in Montgomery, William Thomas was later furloughed to come home. While at home, he became sick with yellow jaundice at the closing of the war. In the 1880 Cherokee County Alabama Census, William's 76 year old mother Mary Thomas was listed as living in his household.

[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]