starts with the Thomas Family: Lucy Ellen Thomas

The 10th child of Edward Gilmer Thomas and Sarah Amanda Lucas was Lucy Ellen Thomas.

Lucy was born on 7 Feb 1873, Letha does not list a list a specific location, but presumably she was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia as the family moved to Greenbrier County in 1877. Lucy passed from this world on 17 Jul 1963, having succumbed to carcinoma of the liver (death record). Letha lists her final resting place at the End of the Trail Cemetery in Clintonville, West Virginia. Lucy married Rev. Abraham Michael Frantz on 9 May 1939 at the age of 66, together they had no children, Abraham was a 79 year old widower. 

Abraham was a Minister of the Baptist Church of the Brethren in the Greenbrier County area. He presided over several marriages in Lucy's family, including that of her niece Maggie Sanford, daughter of Edward Preston Sanford and Sarah "Mandy" Thomas, to McKinley Osborne in 1918. Abraham was the son of David Frantz and Sarah Gillispie, and was born on 29 Oct 1859 in Franklin County, Virginia; he passed of cardiovascular renal disease on 24 Oct 1942 in Meadow Bluff, Greenbrier County, WV, all according to his death certificate. His burial is listed as the Frantz Cemetery in Vale, West Virginia. FindAGrave lists Frantz Cemetery in Dawson, West Virginia. Here is Abraham's entry on FindAGrave. 

I have come across two small biographical sketches of Abraham Michael Frantz in the book Greenbrier County West Virginia Heritage - 1997 by S. Grose on Google Books (what a wonderful resource!). The sections of interest are "Abraham Frantz" and "Sarah Minnie Frantz" both on page 70, Sarah's story continues on to page 71. It should be noted that neither sketch includes Abraham's marriage to Lucy.

Abraham Michael Frantz and Lucy Ellen Thomas Frantz

... starts with the Thomas family : Joseph Andrew Thomas

Ahhh, my branch! Just to recap, Edward Gilmer Thomas and Sarah Amanda Lucas had at least 12 known children: William, Elizabeth, James, Rachel, Sarah, Edward, Joseph, Martha, Adam, Lucy, May, and Angeline. Joseph and Ellen here are Great Great Grandparents of mine, I am blessed to have several photos (or copies of some sort) of them, which I am happy to share with you here.

The family of Joseph A Thomas and Mary Ellen Callison circa 1906 (the children l-r: Joseph, Lester, Elzie, and Earl) .
I believe the woman on the end is Sarah Lucas Thomas (Joseph's mother).

Logging Camp, presumably somewhere in WV.
The only person identified is Joe Andy.
Note the random baby in the middle...

close-up of the Logging Camp photo, Joe Andy on the left.

Joseph Andrew Thomas was born 19 Feb 1866 in Goshen, Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was married on 7 Mar 1900 in Greenbrier County (see line 21) to Mary Ellen Callison, both marrying later in life than most at the time: he was 34, she was 30. Joe Andy worked the farm, but also worked in a logging camp at some point, possibly before his marriage.  
Joe Andy died at his home in Danese, Fayette County, on 6 Dec 1938 from mitral stenosis. He is buried alongside his wife in the Ben McClung Cemetery in Rupert, Greenbrier, West Virginia.

Ellen with unidentified child.

Mary Ellen Callison was born 5 Jan 1870 in Greenbrier County, WV to Robert Callison and his wife Mary Laverna Smith. She passed away at her son Bert's home on 2 Jan 1950 in Danese, Fayette County, WV of chronic myocarditis and senility. There are 3 binders and several books on the Callison family in Letha's collection... 


Joe Andy and Ellen had 7 known children. More info on each of them on separate posts to come.

1. Earl Gilmer (1900-1972)
2. Lester Robert (1902-1978)
3. Joseph Berton (1904-1974)
4. James Elzie (twin) (1905-1980)
5. Olney (twin) (1905-1905)
6. Bessie Jane (1907-1996)
7. Carl Vernon (1913-1986)

I have so much DATA on these people, and quite a few photos, but no stories to share. My great grandfather, James Elzie, passed almost two years before I was born. Do you have a story to add to give life to these people? I hope you'll share if you do.

Joe Andy and Mary Ellen Callison Thomas

The Thomas house in Danese, 1939. Jim Callison (Ellen's brother) wearing suspenders, Earl Thomas (son of Joe Andy & Ellen), the little girl's name is Murline.

Their final resting place, Ben McClung Cemetery in Rupert, Greenbrier, West Virginia

... starts with the Thomas Family - Edward Daniel Thomas

I introduced Edward and Sarah Lucas Thomas a few posts ago, their children are:William Alexander, Elizabeth Margaret, James Franklin, Rachel Jane, Sarah Amanda, Edward Daniel, Joseph Andrew, Martha Alice, Adam Henry, Lucy Ellen, Mary Emma, and Angeline.

Edward Daniel Thomas - note the picture of his parents, Edward Gilmer and Sarah Lucas Thomas behind him.

Edward Daniel Thomas was born 11 May 1863 in Goshen, Rockbridge County, Virginia.  He passed away at age 94 on 14 Sep 1957 in Fayette County, West Virginia. He is buried at Sims Cemetery on the Loops Rd in Fayette County. Ed was married to Eliza Ellen Sims on 3 Jan 1895 in Fayette County. Eliza was born to Henry Sims and Mary Dwyer on 15 Jan 1867 in Big Sewell, Fayette County, WV. She passed on 8 Jul 1918 from chronic Brights disease. She is also buried at Sims Cemetery on the Loops Rd. 

Edward Daniel Thomas

Eliza Ellen Sims

Ed and Eliza had 2 daughters:
Mary Jane was born 31 Oct 1895 (line 278) in Dennis, Greenbrier, West Virginia, and died 5 Mar 1974, she is buried at Wallace Memorial - End of the Trail Cemetery in Clintonville, West Virginia. She married William Gregory McNamee on 23 Sep 1917 in Thayer, Fayette, West Virginia.

Cornellia Virginia "Nell/Nellie" was born 24 Aug 1901 (line177) and entry #240 here, Little Sewell Mountain, Fayette County, West Virginia. Nell never married. She passed away 17 Oct 1994 in a Nursing Home in Rainelle. She is buried at the End of the Trail Cemetery in Clintonville.

William Gregory McNamee (11 Jun 1889 - 6 Jul 1976, buried at Wallace Memorial - End of the Trail Cemetery) and Mary Jane Thomas had 2 children: Elizabeth Ellen (1919-1997) married John Alexander Cummings (1918-1975), Letha lists 7 children for them. Juanita Carol (b 1924) married Harry Victor Auer, Jr, Letha lists No Children for them. Juanita is a frequent source of information for Letha, and I believe there is a stack of letters to be gone through at some point... I cannot thank the people who helped Letha out, like Juanita, enough!

Edward Daniel Thomas' sister Lucy Ellen Thomas is living with him in both the 1920 and 1930 census.

... starts with the Thomas Family - Sarah Amanda Thomas

I introduced Edward and Sarah Lucas Thomas a few posts ago, their children are: William Alexander, Elizabeth Margaret, James Franklin, Rachel Jane, Sarah Amanda, Edward Daniel, Joseph Andrew, Martha Alice, Adam Henry, Lucy Ellen, Mary Emma, and Angeline.

Sarah Amanda "Mandy" Thomas was born 24 Nov 1860 in Rockbridge County, Virginia and died 1 Mar 1939 in Meadow Bluff, Greenbrier County, at the age of 79 of "old age and senile dementia," she is buried at Sewell Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. She married Edward Preston Sanford (1860-1942) on 20 Mar 1886 (see line 4 in 1886) in Greenbrier County. They had 6 known children:

1. Hattie, b 24 Apr 1888 in Sewell Valley, Greenbrier County, WV. She died at age 18 (see line 33) of Typhoid Fever on 27 Oct 1906, and is listed in Letha's work as buried at Sewell Valley Baptist Church Cemetery.
2. Henry, b 13 Feb 1891 in Sewell Valley, Greenbrier County, WV, d 3 Feb 1969, buried at Sewell Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. He married Anna Rose Hunter 16 June 1926 in Lewisburg, by a Methodist Preacher N.W. Russell, her father (R.A. Hunter) present and giving consent. Her mother is listed as Eliza C Hunter, and Annie's birthdate was recorded as 17 as of Aug 1925). Henry is listed by Letha as having served in WWI, but I have no further details. 
3. Fonda (Fondie), b 22 Jun 1892 (line 41) in Greenbrier County, WV, d 18 Nov 1973 in FayetteCounty, WV. Letha notes that Fondy had a child before she married, a daughter named Violet Lou, with a man by the name of John Fleshman. Violet is listed as Violet L Loudermilk in the 1920 census with Fonda and her husband Joseph Elmer Loudermilk (married 31 Jul 1918 in Lewisburg), Violet listed as 6 years old in 1920. See Joseph's obit below.
4. Preston, b 4 Jun 1896 in Sewell Valley, Greenbrier County, WV, d 12 Jul 1977 in Hyde Park, Westmorleand County, PA. He served in WWI from 23 Sep 1917-13 Mar 1919. He was married to Violet Mae Henry on 6 Jul 1917 (possibly in Pennsylvania), their first child, Lucille, born 4 Jan 1919 in Pennsylvania. By the 1920 census they are living in Meadow Bluff, Greenbrier County, Preston's brother Henry is living with them. They are in  Leechburg, Armstrong, Pennsylvania, for the 1930 census with 2 more children, Roy (8) and Edward (6).
5. Walker Edward, b Sep 1898 (see line 10) in Sewell Valley, Greenbrier County, WV, d 28 Jul 1971, and is buried in the Sewell Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. Walker married Flora Dell Hanna 16 Oct 1942 in East Rainelle, Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Letha notes 2 children: Lacy and Darrell. Further research using Ancestry.com indicates that Walker married a Clara Agnes Chisolm prior to his marriage to Flora Dell Hanna. Walker and Clara were married 9 Dec 1927 in Lewisburg, her parents listed as S.R. and Tinie (?) Chisolm, Clara was 16 as of 12 April 1927, her father listed as present and giving his consent. In the (April) 1930 census, Walker and Clara have a 3 year old daughter, Rosa L , and a son, Lacy, who was 1 year and 7 months old; residing with them is Clara's father Ruthford Chisolm, widowed. 
6. Maggie, b 21 Apr 1902 (line 7) in Sewell Valley, Greenbrier County, WV,  d 18 Aug 1983 at Beckley Hospital in Raleigh County, WV, buried at Sewell Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. She married McKinley Osborne on 29 May 1918, by Abraham Frantz (we've seen him before!). Children: Hobart, Delvin, Melvin, and Margie. 

Preston Sanford with cousin Willie Thomas
(Willie's parents were James Franklin and
Minerva Kate Woolwine Thomas). They were
both born June 1896.

Preston Sanford, WWI

OBIT of Walker Sanford 

OBIT of Joseph Loudermilk, husband of Fonda Sanford. 

OBIT of Henry Sanford

... starts with the Thomas family - Rachel Jane Thomas.

I introduced Edward and Sarah Lucas Thomas a few posts ago, their children are: William Alexander, Elizabeth Margaret, James Franklin, Rachel Jane, Sarah Amanda, Edward Daniel, Joseph Andrew, Martha Alice, Adam Henry, Lucy Ellen, Mary Emma, and Angeline.

L. A. and Jennie Thomas Martin

Next up is Rachel Jane "Jennie" Thomas, born 20 June 1858 in Rockbridge County, Virginia, died 8 Feb 1934 of Broncho Pneumonia at the age of 75. She married Leonidas Rosser "Ross" Martin on 14 Jan 1880 in Greenbrier County (marriage registry here, line 10).  Leonidas was born in December 1858, to Perry W. and Martha R. Thompson Martin in Greenbrier County, see line 211 here. He passed away from chronic nephritis on 29 June 1935 in Alderson, Greenbrier County. He is listed as buried at Alderson Cemetery. I can only assume at this point that Rachel is with him. Does anyone know for certain? They are not found on Findagrave.com.

Leonidas and Rachel do not appear to have had natural children, but they were able to help raise 3 children (according to Letha's notes, with references to Mary McNamee, Aunt Cora, and Juanita):

L.A. and Jennie, date unknown.

• Georgia Adela (Idela) Bahr, b 16 Jan 1878 d 14 Jul 1969, buried at Alderson Cemetery. "Never adopted, took her when 13 mos. old. She stayed with Mary & Bill McNamee in later years. Georgia's real parents were John & Martha Miller Bahr" Georgia married James Berman Canterbury (1873-1953, buried at Comer Cemetery in Greenville, "James had 1 dau. by former marriage - Nann Emmett (Maryland)"  ) on 6 Nov 1945 in Alderson, she was 67 years old and he was 72.  Their marriage license is here, right-side of the page. 
• Henry Martin - a foster son.
• Ashby Snyder - a foster son.

... starts with the Thomas Family - Elizabeth, James and Alice Thomas

Edward Gilmer Thomas and Sarah A Lucas, introduced here had at least 12 known children.

I've detailed the family of William Alexander Thomas here, so next up is Lizzy.

Elizabeth Margaret "Lizzy" Thomas was born 22 June 1854 and there is a notation of her death occuring on 8 Feb 1934, but I have been unable to confirm this just yet. Lizzy married John W. Ralston on 15 Sep 1875 in Rockbridge County, VA.   I found their marriage listing on familysearch.org an amazing and FREE source!

Lizzy and J.W. had one known child, John Henry Ralston, born Aug 1876 (according to the 1900 census) in Virginia. It would appear that he never married.

The Ralston Family is found in the following areas during the censuses:

• 1880 - John W., Elizabeth, and John H. P. in Blue Sulphur, Greenbrier, West Virginia
• 1900 - John W. Elizabeth M., John H., and Alice Thomas (Elizabeth's sister just a few years older than John H.) in Goshen, Rockbridge, Virginia
• 1910 - John W., Elizabeth, John H., and Martha (same sister, Martha Alice) in Walker Creek, Rockbridge, Virginia
• 1920 - John, Elizabeth, Alice, and Henry in Walker Creek, Rockbridge, Virginia
• 1930 - John H. and his aunt Ellie (same Martha Alice, I believe). I have been unable to find John W. and Elizabeth in the census. 

John Henry Ralston and his Aunt Martha Alice Thomas - I imagine their similar ages (about 8 years separate the two)  would have them more sibling-like in their relationship with each other... anyone know?

James Franklin Thomas, the third child of Edward and Sarah, was born 9 Mar 1856 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. His death date is noted as 30 Dec 1934, at age 78. James married Minerva Catherine "Kate" Woolwine on 8 Jul 1883 (here is their Marriage Register, line 57, note that her last name is listed here as Woodbine). Minerva's birth, on 27 Jun 1860 in Monroe County to John E and Dinah (Dianna) Woolwine, is recorded here. They had a very large family.

The family of James Franklin and Minerva "Kate." Due to the age of the baby in this photo, I would put it around 1900, at which time Kate's mother, Dianna Woolwine, was residing with them (1900 census), so I believe that is who the old woman, on the far right, is in this photo.
front row: Perry Lee, Mary Elizabeth, and J W
back row: Joe H, Kate, Andrew J (in Kate's arms), James Franklin, Sarah C "Sallie", Rachel Ann, James Edward,
Dianna Woolwine

The family can be found in the 1900 census living in Meadow Bluff, Greenbrier, WV; and in the 1920 in Curdsville, Buckingham, Virginia. I have been unable to find any of them in the 1910 yet.

• Sarah C "Sallie" b 24 Oct 1884 in Greenbrier County, there is an Ohio death record for a Sarah C Brackenridge d 27 Mar 1968 in Barberton, Summit, Ohio, though its hard to say this is her, but the dates match. Married to Charles A Brackenridge sometime around 1905, according to 1910 census.
• Children: Elizabeth, Ezra (b 1906), Herbert, David, Larry and Daniel
• Rachel Ann b 22 Oct 1886 d 10 Aug 1965 in Dillwyn, Buckingham, Virginia, married to (?) Dolan.
• One daughter listed: Mary Allen Dolan Ayers
• James Edward b 11 May 1888 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia
• Joe H b 19 May 1890 in Rupert, Greenbrier, West Virginia d 22 Jun 1970 at Logan General Hospital, buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Pecks Mill, West Virginia.Married to Elizabeth (?).
• Perry Lee b 9 Mar 1892 in Kieffer, Greenbrier, West Virginia d 9 Feb 1979. "Death notice: 2 step ch. Delbert Seral and Kathryn Ross. Married to a Madeline Reynolds" I found a marriage registry for Perry and a widow named Rosa Searl in Kanawha County on 17 Sep 1919. In the 1920 census, Perry is living with "Lena" and 2 step-children, William (7) and Delbert (4), married abt 1919, same in 1930 census. There is a second marriage for Perry on 30 Apr 1954 (couple 664) in Kanawha County, Perry (widower) marrying Madeline King (widow).
• Mary Elizabeth b 23 Apr 1894 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Married to an S. A. Daniel.
• John William (Willie, pictured below?) b 21 Jun 1896 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
• Andrew J(ennings?) b 8 May 1898 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Birth record here, line 22.
• Baby Boy (Stillborn) b 23 Jun 1900 in Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
• Oliver S b 4 May 1905, d 28 Feb 1963 in Thomas Memorial Hospital, S Charleston, Kanawha, WVa, buried at Cunningham Memorial Park, St Albans. Oliver was a truck driver and was killed in an accident. 

Preston Sanford and cousin Willie Thomas.  Preston's  mother  (Sarah Amanda Thomas Sanford), was a sister of Willie's father (James Franklin Thomas).   

... includes mentions of a Thomas Family Bible.

As mentioned in my last post, Letha's research refers to dates from a Bible. I do not currently know who has it, but I do have copies, some places are hard to read, of its family pages. I believe the Bible belonged to a son of Archelaus and Rachel Walker Baber Thomas, Edward Gilmer Thomas and his wife Sarah A Lucas Thomas. Below are the pages and my transcription of them, questionable areas in parentheses, my notes in purple.

Page 1

Edward G Thomas was Borned The 10th of April 1826

Sarah A Thomas was Borned January The 28th 1833

William Elexander Thomas Was borned December The 5th 1852

Elizabeth Margaret Thomas Was borned June The 22nd 1854

James Franklin Thomas Was borned March The (9)th 1856

Rachel Jane Thomas was Borned June The 20th 1858

Sarah Amanda Thomas was Borned November the 24th 1860

(The name Mary appears to have been written but is crossed out...)

Edward Daniel Thomas was Bond May the 11th (unreadable year)

Jophes (should be Joseph?) Andrew Thomas was (...) February the 19th 1866

Page 2

Martha (Allie?) Thomas was Bornd the 11 day of May the 1868

Addam henry Thomas was was Bornde the 14 day of September 1870

lucy Ellen Thomas was Bonde the 7 day of February the 1873

Mary emer Thomas was Born June the 3 the 1877

Rachel Thomas was born February 13th 1789 Died in March the 19 1882

Archey Thomas Was Born in 17(?)9 (1799 or 1789?) Died November 24 the 1875

Betsy Lucas was Born 

(The bottom 3 individuals are the parents of Edward and Sarah Lucas Thomas)

Page 3

Edward G. Thomas Died The 8th day of November 1898

Sarah A. Thomas Died April 30th 1908

William A. Thomas Died January 30th 1934

James F. Thomas Died November 1924

Rachel Jane Thomas Martin Died February 8th 1934

Jo A. Thomas Died Dec 6 1938

Martha Alice Died Nov 1935

Henry Thomas Died February 13th, 192(?) (1926)

Sarah Manda March 1, 1939

Page 4

E G Thomas Consirt of Sarah A Lucus february the 19 the 1852

J W Rolston Consirt of Lizzie M Thomas Sept the 16 the 1875

William A Thomas Consirt of Emerline V Pucket October the 10 the 1878

L R Martin Consirt of Raichel J Thomas January the 14 the 1880

Consirt of James H Thomas Manrvia C Woolwine July the (?) 1888 (Minerva, 8 Jul 1883)

(unreadable) of Edward Sanfort and Sarah M Thomas January the 20th 1886

Edward D Thomas Consirt of Eliza E Sims January (unreadable) 1895 (3 Jan 1895)

C(unreadable) Crotty married E(unreadable) Thomas (unreadable) 14th 1901 (Charles Wallace Crotty and Mary Emma Thomas, 14 Aug 1901)

Edward and Sarah are living in the Lexington Post Office area of Rockbridge County, Virginia in the 1860 census, so we can assume the children born through 1860 were born in Rockbridge County. In 1870 they are living in Walkers Creek, Rockbridge, Virginia, still within the Lexington Post Office district. By the 1880 census they have moved to Meadow Bluff, Greenbrier, West Virginia. 

Does anyone out there know who has this Bible currently? I'd love to get photos of it or even just fresh copies of these pages. I have photos of Edward and Sarah that I will post soon.