THOMAS, William AP In 1635, William AP Thomas and his two oldest sons John and Robert went to Graves End, England and in June of 1635 they caught the ship named “America” that was bound for the new world of America, a place of unlimited opportunities.  On their arrival in Philadelphia PA they acquired land on Ten Mile Creek.  They then proceeded on to Virginia.  Here in VA, the government gave them 3400 acres of land in Culpepper Co.  After settling in Culpepper Co, VA, William AP went back to Wales to get his youngest son William.  The descendants of these four men are scattered to the four winds.  Today their descendants reside in every state in the United States.  Robert Thomas and his wife Miss Massey were married in Essex Co, VA in 1640.  They had 2 children. 

Our Thomas family in Virginia were planters for the King of England in the early 1700’s.  The Thomas plantation originally contained three thousand four hundred (3,400) acres and the land was given to our Thomas family by Lord Culpeper of the Kings Court in England.  The Thomas’ also bought and leased other acreage in and around Bromfield Parish, Culpeper County Virginia.  They owned many slaves that helped work the land.

(see the will of John Thomas below)

 HUSBAND:   William AP Thomas            OCCUPATION:

THOMAS John Sr. born 1648 in Va and died in 1710

John Thomas married Elizabeth in 1679

His parents were William Thomas, son of William AP Thomas and Rebecca

Children of John and Elizabeth:

1. Richard b. 1680 in Va d. 1748  Married Isabella Pendelton
2. William b. 1682 in Va
3. Peter b. 1684 in Va
4. Elizabeth b. 1686 in Va
5. Jane b. 1688 in Va
6. John Jr. b. 1690 in Va Married Mary Price

HUSBAND: John Thomas Sr.                      OCCUPATION: Farmer

Will of John Thomas born 1690 in Culpeper Co., Va found in the courthouse of Culpeper Co., Va in Will Book C with inventories, accounts, etc.  Pages 100-101-102 dated April 29, 1782  Recopied from original document by Charles E Thomas.

 In the name of God Amen, I John Thomas of the county of Culpeper parish of Bromfield being of sound mind and disposing Judgment and calling to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory life that all flesh must yield to death when it pleases to call, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following.

My soul I recommend to the almighty God who gave it to me trusting in the mercy of a crucified Mediator whose precious blood was spilled for sinners who truly repented.

            My body I give to the earth from whence it came.  To be buried in such decent manner as the descreation of my executors here afternamed shall direct.  And the worldly goods with which it has pleased God to bless me with after my just debts are paid I give and bestow in the manner following.

Imprimis I give and bestow to my son John Thomas on negro man Harry and one negro woman Jude to him and his heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my son in law William Powell and his heirs forever one negro man Aaron and a negro girl Lucy.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Thomas and his heirs forever one negro boy Moses and a negro woman Sarah.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter in law Elizabeth widow of my son Massey Thomas her and her heirs forever providing she remains a widow two negros Hannah a woman and Will a boy.

Item I give and bequeath to my son in law Jerimiah Kirk and his heirs forever one negro man named Jack.

Item I give and bequeath to my great granddaughter Lucy the daughter of my grandson John Thomas the son of Massey Thomas to her and her heirs forever one negro girl Pheber.

Item I give and bequeath to my grandson in law who married my granddaughter Susannah now residing in Maryland to him and his heirs forever one negro girl named Winney.

Item I give and bequeath to my grandson John Thomas the son of my son Massey Thomas the land where I now live to him and his heirs forever to be worked and enjoyed.

Item I give and bequeath to my grandson Jesse Thomas the land I took up and formely kept a plantation on to him and the said Jesse Thomas son of John Thomas and his heirs forever.

 (Note:  Charles E Thomas, author of the Thomas Family History book visited Culpeper Co., Va on April 19, 1992.  The old Thomas Plantation is located four miles west of the town of Culpeper Virginia on Hwy 729.  It is owned by SunnySide Farms.  They have their Rockhill Horse Farm located there. 

 Item.  I give and bequeath unto my grand-son Ruben Thomas and his heirs forever the bed and furniture I make use of myself.  To him and his heirs forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my grand-son John Thomas son of Massey Thomas my other bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever, also I give in like manner to his John Thomas my grand-son one warming pan, one spice mortor, one skillet, one dutch oven, one iron pot of about 12 gallons and hooks, and one box iron.

Item.  It is my will and desire that my old negro woman Jude (Being the first negro I purchased and now to old and infirm for labor).  May not be disturbed or compelled to service, but to remain free and unmolested for the remainder of her life.

Item.  It is my will and desire that the residue of my estate not already given away or here to fore mentioned may be disposed of at the highest bidder, and the cash arising there from after the payment of my just debts be devided among my following children, Viz Benjamin, John and the representative of Massey, William, Robert McKey, who married my daughter Margret, William Powell who married my daughter Sarah, Jeremiah Kirk who married my daughter Ann or their heirs or assigns by equal distribution.

            I constitute and appoint my son John Thomas, my grand-son John Thomas son of Massey and William Wallace executors to this my will and testament.  And lastly I revoke, declare void and of no effect all former wills by me made and do declare this to be my last will and testament the word (or) being interlined on second side before signing witness my hand This Twenty Ninth Day of April – One Thousand Seven Hundred And Eighty Two.

 Signed, Sealed, Declared And                                      His

Published in presence of us                                           John     X    Thomas

Henry Lewis and William Lewis                                               Mark

 Will of John Thomas of Bromfield Parish, Culpeper Co

 Page 102 

We the court held for Culpeper County the 21th day of February 1785.  This last will and testament of John Thomas decreased was exhibited to the court by John Thomas and John Thomas Two of the executors there in named and was proved by the oaths of Henry Lewis and William Lewis witness there to and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of the  said executors certificate is granted them.  For obtaining a probate there of in due form they having made oath there to and given bound and security according to law. Liberty being reserved for the other executor to qualify when he may think fit. 

John Jameson Court Judge

 The following documents were found at the Culpeper County Library in Culpeper Virginia and recopied by Charles E Thomas 

Pages 65-67  September 18, 1753.  Benjamin Rush of Culpeper County to John Thomas of same.  Lease of 100 acres, part of 400 acres granted to William Rush by pattent;  William Rush dying without will and his son William dying without heirs of his body the land descended to Benjamin Rush as the next heir to William Rush the Elder… bounded by the lines of Mr. Anthony Strother and Majr. Philip Rootes on one side ….down a branch…. on another branch at the ford…

For the lives of John Thomas and Betty his wife.  Yearly rent on Jan 1, 475 pounds of tobacco.  John Thomas shall not keep in constant working on the land any more than three tithables besides himself.

 Benjamin Rush             

 John Thomas

With: [  ?; in German], Robert Mackie, George Row.  The rent to come due from 1755 and not before Feb 21, 1754.  Acknowledged by Benjamin Rush and John Thomas

 Pages 229-31  December 24, 1754.  John Thomas of Culpeper County to Philip Rootes of King and Queen County, Gent.

            By lease 18 Sept. 1753 between Benjamin Rush of Culpeper County and John Thomas of same.  Benjamin granted to John Thomas 100 acres, part of 400 acres formerly granted to William Rush by patent…. bounded by the lines of Mr. Anthony Strother and Majr. Philip Rootes on one side the Needoraons Branch that heads up to a line of Philip rootes….another branch…. for the lives of John Thomas and Betty his wife at the yearly rent of 475 pounds of tobacco.  Philip Rootes hath contracted for the assignment of the land for 20 pounds current.

 John Thomas

Witness:  John Scott, John Clore, James Rush, John (X) Rush, Simon Haniker [Kanitzer?] march 20, 1755.  Proved by John Scott, Simon Haniker, and John Clore.

 Pages 4-10  16-17 Nov. 1756 Robert King of Culpeper County, planter, and Mary his wife to John Thomas of same.  Lease and release; for 24 pounds current money.  83 acres being part of a larger tract formerly purchased by King of Isaac Norman and James Turner by deeds of lease and release acknowledged in the court of Spotsylvania by Norman and Turner 2 Feb. 1730/1.  which is the part whereon William Hensley now lives…corner to Thomas Turner…on the top of the mountain…in Jones’

 Robert King

 Mary (M) King

Witness: Joseph King, Joshua Davis, Geo. Row.  19 May 1757:  Proved by George Row, Joseph King and Joshua Davis 21 Jan. 1757.  Commission to Ambrose Powell, Thomas Scott and Joseph Wood, Gent., to take acknowledgement of Mary wife of Robert King.

18 May 1757.  Mary King is willing the same should be recorded.        

Ambrose Powell

Thomas Scott

 THOMAS John, Jr born 1690 in Va.

John Thomas married Mary Price in Va 1710

His parents were John Thomas and Elizabeth

Children of John Jr and Mary:

1. Benjamin b. 1711 in Va d. 1782 in Va Married Susannah
2. John b. 1712 in Va
3. Massey b. 1713 in Va Married Martha Pendleton and Elizabeth Barlow
4. Margret M b. 1715 in Va
5. Sarah P b. 1716 in Va
6. Anne K b. 1718 in Va
7. Michael b. 1720 in Va, Culpepper Co  Married Elizabeth Staiton and Eva Susannah Hart

 HUSBAND:  John Thomas Jr                   OCCUPATION:

                All of the children were born in Culpepper Co, Virginia  Child #3 was in the Revolutionary War. He moved to Woodford Co Ky in 1812 and died there. Child #4 William’s son Massey served in the Revolutionary War in the 6^th Virginia Regiment under Capt. Gillison.  He was also a county judge.   

 THOMAS Michael born 1720 in Culpepper Va and died and buried 1799 in Lewis Co, Va.  He attained the rank of Captain while in the CSA Army.

Michael Thomas married Elizabeth Staiton 1745 in Culpepper Co, VA

His parents were John Thomas Jr. and Mary Price

Children of Michael and Elizabeth:

1. Henry b. 1746 in Orange Co Va (Died in the Revolutionary War)
2. Samuel b. 1748 in Orange Co Va (Died in the Revolutionary War)
3. Maria b. 1750 in Orange Co Va. Married Michael DeBolt
4. Margret b. 1751 in Culpepper Co Va.  Married Everhart Hupp (Died in Pennsylvania on Ten Mile Creek)
5. Levi b. 1752 in Culpepper Co Va
6. Richard b. 1754 in Culpepper Co Va
7. Abraham b. 1756 in Culpepper Co Va d. 1843 Married Susannah Smith
8. John b. 1758 in Culpepper Co Va
9. Michael Jr b. 1759 in Culpepper Co Va
10. Eva (twin of Michael) b. 1759 in Culpepper Co Va
11. Barbara b. 1760 in Culpepper Co Va
12. Sarah b. 1761 in Culpepper Co Va
13. William b. 1763 in Culpepper Co Va

 Michael Thomas married 2^nd to Eva Susannah Hart in 1769, Culpepper Co Va.  She was born in Berlin, Germany, 1745.  Michael and his wife Eva both died in Lewis Co, Ky.  He died in 1799 at the age of 79.  Eva lived to be 104 years old.  They had twelve children together.  Michael ended up being the father of 25 children by both wives.  He was 26 when his first child was born, and 66 at the birth of the last one.

 THOMAS Abraham born 1756 in Culpepper Va and died April 15, 1843 in Miami Ohio

Michael Thomas married Susannah Smith 1770 in Culpepper Co, VA

His parents were Michael Thomas and Elizabeth Staiton

Children of Abraham and Susannah:

1. Abraham b. 1770 d. 1856 in Owsley Co Ky Married Lucy Johnson
2. Merchant b. 1771 Married Jemima Hamilton
3. Adam b. 1772
4. Michael b. 1774
5. Ezekiel b. 1774
6. Catherine b. 1778
7. Samuel b. 1780
8. Mary Ann b. 1782  Married John Wood
9. Jesse b. 1786 Married Elizabeth Gritchen
10. Henry b. 1787 Married Peggy Harrington

 HUSBAND: Michael Thomas                 OCCUPATION:

                                Michael had 25 children total with both women. He obtained the rank of Captain while in the CSA Army.  His 1^st two sons were killed in the Revolutionary War.             

 HUSBAND:  Abraham Thomas                OCCUPATION:

        All 10 children were born in Culpepper Co, Virginia.  Child #1 died in Owsley Co.Ky.

 THOMAS Merchant born 1771 in Va

Merchant Thomas married Jemima Hamelton on 1794 in Franklin Co Ga.  She was born in 1774 and was the daughter of Rachel Hamelton.  All of Merchant and Jemima’s children were born in Franklin Co Georgia except James Edward, who was born in Ashe County, North Carolina, about 1795. (son Isaac lists South Carolina as his birth place in 1850 Breathitt Co census)

His parents were Abraham Thomas and Susannah Smith

Children of Merchant and Jemima:

1. James b. 1795 in NC d. 1844 Married Lucy Proctor
2. Jesse b. 1796  Married Martha Combs
3. Joseph b. 1800  Married Anna Couch
4. Reuben b. 1801
5. Hamilton b. 1802
6. Isaac b. 1803  Married Elizabeth Smith
7. Jane b. 1804  Married Daniel Davidson
8. Elizabeth b. 1805  Married John Wilson
9. Catherine b. 1806  Married John Johnson
10.  Elisha b. 1814  Married Rachael Frost
11.  Merchant b. 1816  Married Asa Smith

 The 1850 Breathitt County census shows Merchant living with his wife Jemima in son Isaac’s home.  Merchant is listed as a farmer from South Carolina.  Merchant’s grandson Green in living in Letcher Co. at this time.  I’m not sure where Lucy is in 1850.

 1850 Breathitt Co Census

#181-181, Thomas, Isaac, 51, M, Farmer, SC

                  Elizabeth, 40, F, KY

                  Marchant, 20, M, Farmer

                  Richd, 18, M

                  Katherine, 16, F

                  Rachel, 12, F

                  Jemima, 10, F

                  Mary, 4, F

                  Pleasant, 2, M

                  Thomas, Marchant, 79, M, Farmer, SC

                  Thomas, Jemima, 76, F, NC

                  Beverly, Jacob, 30, M, Laborer, KY, cannot read or write 

THOMAS James Edward, born 1795 in Indian Territory in Ashe Co, North Carolina, married Lucy Proctor (Bearpaw) in Granville, North Carolina, December 25, 1815.  James died about 1844 in North Carolina.  Lucy died about 1852.

James Edward’s parents were Merchant Thomas and Jemima Hamelton.

 James Edward Thomas and Lucy Proctor lived among the Ashe County Cherokee during the early years of their marriage.  Lucy’s mother was a full blooded Cherokee (Tsalga Indian named Nancy “Nuche Bearpaw.” Her father was Joseph Proctor, Sr.  According to The Family Histories of Letcher County, James and Lucy had 10 children. In the late 1838, most likely in the month of September, James and Lucy, along with their ten children were forced to accompany American soldiers on the Trail of Tears.  This Trail was a forced march from North Carolina to Oklahoma.  Many American Indians lost their life along this trail.  Some branches of the family maintain that James Edward, Sr. died in somewhere between the Arkansas and Western Kentucky area of unknown causes. (Probably along John Benge’s Route. 1200 accompanied him, 3 births along the way, 33 deaths)  He was around 40 years old.  Lucy was left a widow with their 10 children.  She knew that her father-in-law, Merchant Thomas, had already settled in Letcher County, Ky.  Somehow, she managed to escape from the soldiers and bring her children to Letcher County, to be raised as “White Indians” (her own words).  Greenbury was approximately nine years of age at that time.  Several other family members appear on the Dawes List, indicating that they also survived the Trail of Tears and settled in Oklahoma or Arkansas.  Lucy died eight years after her husband did.  She died in Letcher Co, Ky.

The Trail of Tears Route.  From North Carolina to Oklahoma

The Trail of Tears - In 1835, a minority faction of the Cherokee signed the Treaty of New Echota, which ceded to the federal government all the tribe's lands east of the Mississippi River for $5 million and new homes in Oklahoma. Because the treaty was not signed by the elected representatives of the Cherokee, most considered it fraudulent and refused to leave.  In 1838, President Andrew Jackson ordered 7,000 state and federal troops to arrest the Cherokees and hold them in stockades until they could be moved west.

Major John Ridge, one of the Cherokee leaders signed a treaty leading to the forced removal of 15,000 people from their homes in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee in 1838.  The route they traversed and the journey itself became known as "The Trail of Tears" or, as a direct translation from Cherokee, "The Trail Where They Cried" ("Nunna daul Tsuny").  More than 4,000 Cherokees died from disease, hunger and exhaustion on the 1,000 mile march to their new home in present-day Oklahoma. 

It wasn't until 1987 that Congress designated the Trail of Tears as a National Historic Trail and established an advisory council to oversee the marking of it's routes.

 Dicy Jane, James and Lucy’s daughter applied for membership and entitlements in the Cherokee nation (Guion-Miller Case #35518, Film #378539 in the National Archives) She stated that she and her brothers and sisters were the children of James E Thomas and Lucy Proctor.  She further stated that her mother was a full blood Cherokee of the Northern Tsalagi band.  Lucy was the daughter of Joseph Proctor and Nuche Bearpaw.

HUSBAND:  Merchant Thomas               OCCUPATION:

      1^st child James was born in Ashe Co North Carolina.  The rest of the children were born in Franklin Co, Georgia.           

 HUSBAND:  Joe Proctor Sr                  OCCUPATION:

Grandchildren of Aggie Proctor Susie b. d. August 12, 1889, Zeke b. d. about 1876, Lizzie b. d. about 1898, Elisha b. d. about 1880, Nannie b. d. about 1887

Mary Ann Thomas Tyree – James E Thomas & Lucy Proctor’s daughter

Married David Tyree Jr.  Indian name Oniska

 James E Thomas and Lucy Proctor’s children:

1. Catherine  (1820) in Ashe Co NC Married Thomas Collins
2. Greenbury  (1823) in Ashe Co NC  Married Celthany Sexton
3. Lucy  (1825) in Ashe Co NC  Married Pense
4. Mary Ann Harriet  (1828) in Ashe Co NC  Married David Tyree Jr of Scott Co Va
5. James Edward  (1830) in Ashe Co NC  Married Mary Madden of Letcher Co, Ky
6. Dicey Jane  (1831) in Ashe Co NC  Married Riley Sexton
7. Solomon  (1832) in Ashe Co NC  Married Ulsey Adams
8. William  (1834) in Ashe Co NC 
9.  Nancy  (1836) in Ashe Co NC  Married Finley Collins

 THOMAS, Greenbury  James and Lucy’s oldest son, was born in 02-1823 in Ashe Co, North Carolina. Greenbury Thomas, married Celthany F. Sexton, from Russell Co Virginia, in Letcher County, Ky on December 7, 1844 under the last name Thomason, as did his sister Mary Ann Harriet Susan (she married David Tyree of Letcher Co., KY, but the rest of his brothers and sisters married under the name of Thomas).  She was born in 1825.  He is given credit as being the first school teacher in Knott County.  They had 11 children according to The Family Histories of Letcher County.  According to a Cherokee Indian claim that was made in 1906 in Boyd Co., KY by Green's sister Dicy Thomas Sexton (who married Riley Sexton, son of Moses and Theny Sexton) she states her parents were James Thomas and Lucy Proctor from Ashe Co., NC. Their marriage record has been found in Granville Co., NC, and James married under the name of Thomas and Thompson. - Lona Ward Gibson has researched this family and believes that the Cherokee Indian blood was from the Proctors, because a lot of them were on the "Trail of Tears march out west, and had full blooded Indian names. She went through 46000 names on Miller Quion Indian rolls to find all of this information. - submitted by Lona Ward Gibson.  Greenbury remarried after Celthany died to a Margaret.  She is listed with him in the 1900 Knott County census

HUSBAND:  James Edward Thomas             OCCUPATION:

                All 9 children were born in Ashe Co, North Carolina.  Lucy brought all children to Ky after husband died.  Son James Edward, #5 had a son named James Edward who became a famed dulcimer maker.  Dicey, child #6 lived 85 years, 6 months, 14 days.  Her occupation was listed as housework.  She was listed as white and single.  She died of tuberculosis which as lasted for two years.  She is buried in the Sexton Graveyard.  She also filed for her Indian rights in 1832.  Information is in the Guion-Muller Indian rolls – case # 35518 film # 378539, and is in the National Archives in Washington, D.C

 James Edward Thomas – The Famed Dulcimer Maker

There have been three generations of James Edward Thomas’ that I know of.  The first one was Greenbury’s dad who died along the Trail of Tears.  His son, Greenbury’s brother was also named James Edward.  This James was married to Mary Madden.  They had twelve children.  They named their son James Edward.  They also had a son named Greenbury.  Talk about hard to understand.  This third generation of James Edward’ s was a very musically talented man.   The following is an article written about him by Ralph Lee Smith and published in the Knott County History Book.

             James Edward Thomas was Kentucky’s great pioneer dulcimer maker.  In the late 19^th and early 20^th Centuries, he was largely responsible for introducing the world to this beautiful folk instrument of the Appalachians.

            Thomas was born in Letcher County in 1850 and died in Knott County in 1933.  His father and grandfather were also named James Edward Thomas.  Grandfather Thomas lived in Ashe County, North Carolina, where he married Lucy Proctor in 1805, and where he died in 1844.  It is widely reported that there is Cherokee blood in the Thomas family, and it is believed that Lucy Proctor was half Cherokee (she was actually full Cherokee).

            After Grandfather Thomas died, Grandmother Lucy went with her family to Kentucky in 1845.  Her children included Greenberry Thomas, born about 1823, and James Edward Thomas, the dulcimer maker’s father, born in 1825 or 1826.

            James Edward Thomas married Mary Madden of Letcher County in 1849.  Mary’s ancestors came from Russell County, Virginia.  James and Mary’s children included James Edward Thomas, the dulcimer maker.

            Thomas married Sarahbelle Nease of Letcher County.  Census records disagree on her age and some other particulars.  A summary of the 1870 census of Letcher County lists J.E. Thomas as being 20 years old, his wife “Sarah” as being 15, and his occupation as farmer.  The 1910 Knott County census lists “Edward J. Thomas,” and gives his age as 56 and his occupation as house carpenter, a change that this skilled woodworker may well have made.  His wife “Sarah” is listed as age 54.  The couple had ten children, of whom six were living in 1910.  According to the 1910 census, Uncle Ed could read and write – a fact that we know from the handwritten labels inside his dulcimers – but Sarahbelle could not.

            According to James Still, Thomas and his family lived “on Big Doubles under the Bell Conley Knob at the border between Knott and Letcher Counties.”  Mal Gibson, Letcher County resident who lived near Uncle Ed, says, “There’s a gap a-comin’ into Letcher County, and he had a log cabin our there, in this end of it.”

            It is reported that Thomas began to make dulcimers in 1871.  Fortunately for us, he numbered and dated his instruments.  The numbers show that Thomas made many dulcimers over a long period of time.  He was one of the first, or the first person ever to do so.  The oldest Thomas dulcimer thus far recovered is Number 469, dated January 10, 1891; the latest is number 1380, dated January 26, 1927.

            No-one knows how or from whom the young farmer Ed Thomas learned to make dulcimers, or how he developed his distinctive design.  Thomas’ answer to the question, “How did you learn to make dulcimers?” would have shown a flood of light into this corner of Appalachian history, but there is no record that anyone ever asked him. 

            During the summer, Thomas traveled the dry creek beds of Knott and Letcher Counties, carrying his instruments on a little cart.  He often stayed with families, who were delighted to offer him accommodations in exchange for listening to him play.  The instruments cost about $5.00.  According to one report, people who wanted a dulcimer but could not afford to pay cash, could buy one for 25 cents down and 25 cents a week.

            In addition to being an excellent craftsperson, Thomas was a fine player.  According to a neighbor, Thomas would often sit on the porch of his log cabin, playing to his heart’s content.

            Thomas’ fame had probably spread beyond the borders of Knott and Letcher Counties before the coming of Hindman Settlement School, but the establishment of the school in 1902 was a boon for his dulcimer making.  The accompanying photo shows Uncle Ed sitting on the school campus with two of his dulcimers.

            Thomas sold dulcimers to the ladies from New York and New England who came to the school to teach, and they spread the word back home.  Soon, he was receiving orders from the north.  His explanation for the popularity of his dulcimers in New York was simple:  “There’s more people in New York than anywhere else,” he said.

            Although the Settlement School and out-of-state sales accounted for a large share of his business, Thomas never neglected the people of Knott and Letcher Counties, and they never ceased to buy dulcimers from him.

            Thomas’ legacy is large and important.  The “Kentucky style” dulcimer pattern, with an hour glass-shaped body and heart-shaped soundholes, became the best-known form of the instrument during the post-World War II folk revival.  Nowadays, everywhere in the world, when most people think of dulcimers, they think of the beautiful pattern that Thomas developed long ago in Knott and Letcher Counties.

Knott County 1889 Tax List for Greenbury Thomas

Tax information and annotations provided by Mack Holiday of Knott Co. Gen  Web.

 Greenbury Thomas owned 100 acres of land valued at $300.00.  He lived in District 2 which I have determined to be Carr’s Fork area of Knott County.  His closest neighbor was J. L. Thomas.  Also J. L. Thomas was Lee Thomas’ nearest neighbor, suggesting that Lee Thomas lived close by Greenbury also.  (Lee was Greenbury’s son)

 Green owned one mare, colt or gelding of mixed or common stock with a value of $20.00.  He also owned one mule that had a value of $1.00.  He owned three bulls, steers, cows or calves of mixed or common stock with no value given.  He owned no sheep, but had six hogs with a value of $18.00.

 He owned one watch or clock that had a value of $10.00, no other jewelry or diamonds, etc. and also no pianos, flues, or other musical instruments.  He owned no paintings, other than family likenesses or photos.  He owned no sewing machines or libraries.  His furniture was valued for less than $200.00 so no taxes was owned on it.

 Total value of personal property was $138.00 and totals of personal and real (land) was $438.00.

 One male over 21, one legal voter, (which would be himself) none enrolled in Militia and one child between the age of 6 and 20 (probably son William Roscoe).

 He had no tobacco, but owned 100 bushels of corn and 7 bushels of wheat.  He had 8 areas of land planted in corn, 90 acres of land was in woodlands.  He had 3 head of cattle exempt from taxation that had a value of $30.00.  He had no money in a bank, no money in his possessions (or at least he did not tell the tax man) no bonds of any kind, no stocks and no judgements of notes in suit of the heads of another.  He had no gold, silver or plated ware.  He was not a store owner.  He owned no pig metal or bar iron.  He owned no steam engines (only one in Knott Co. did)  Only one or two owned a sewing machine, but we have found that more did, but just did not tell the tax collector for fear of theft.

 Also, at that time, Talt Hall was a friend of the tax man, and when someone reported that they had cash in hand, Talt would go rob them.  The people in the area learned not to tell the tax man when they had money on them.  Talt is also supposed to have killed over 50 people in Knott and Perry Co. before he was hung in Va.

 Some family members in Letcher and Knott Co. give Greenbury credit for being the first school teacher in Knott Co.  William Roscoe recounts in his book, Life Among the Hills and Mountains of Kentucky (Page 158) about how his father obtained his teaching license in Letcher Co. Ky (now Knott).  This story describes Green meeting the school commissioner who gave him a teaching certificate on the spot (approvimately 1853).  This story casts doubt on the legend that Greenbury was the first school teacher in Knott Co. since they already had a school commissioner at that time.

 HUSBAND:  Greenbury Thomas         OCCUPATION:  1^st teacher in Knott Co, KY

*Married under the name Thomason.  Both are buried in the Lee Thomas Cemetery in Knott Co.

 According to sources, the Troublesome Times Newspaper in Hindman, Ky. printed articles written by Green B. whose nickname was “Indian.”

 Greenbury and Celthany were married for 61 years and had 11 children:

1. Polly Ann (1845) in Letcher Co Ky  Married John Sexton
2. Freeland (1846) in Letcher Co Ky  Married Phoebe Honeycutt
3. Marshall (1848) in Letcher Co Ky  Never Married
4. Felix (1849) in Letcher Co Ky  Married Serena Taylor
5. Lodicey “Dicey” (1851) in Letcher Co Ky  Married John L Pigman
6. Leander “Lee” (1853) in Letcher Co Ky  Married Drucilla Sparkman
7. James “Jim”  (1855) in Letcher Co Ky  Married Sarah Triplett
8. Frances “Frankie” (1857) in Letcher Co Ky  Married Charles Sturgill
9. Rachael b. 1859 in Letcher Co Ky 
10. John L b. 1861 in Letcher Co Ky 
11. William Roscoe (1863) in Hindman Ky  Married Helen Smith and Mary Francis Reynolds

 The 1850 Letcher Co census lists Greenbury with Celtania.  Green is 30, and Celthany is 25.  They have their first four children listed with them.  They are all listed as being born in Kentucky.  They are living next door to Preston and Mary Breeding and Huldy Sexton.

 1850 Letcher Co Census

District #1

US Federal Census:  August 25, 1850, by: W. Burns
Roll M432_209

#55   Thomas
Greenbury   30   B. NC, Male White, Married, Farmer, REV 30
Celtania       25   B. VA, White Female, Married
Pollyan          5   B. KY Daughter, White Female
Freelin (m)    4   B. KY, Son, White Male
Marshal         3   B. KY, Son, White, Male
Phelex  (m)    2   B. KY, Son, White, Male

 The 1860 Letcher County census show Green and Celthany living in Whitesburg, part of Letcher County.  They have all eight of their children in the household.  This is the first time James is listed.  He is five years old. Dicey, John L. and William Roscoe have not been born yet.  I found a Daniel and Sarah Triplett in Perry Co.  Daniel and Sarah are supposed to be James’ wife Sarah’s parents, but these seem to be awful old to be hers.

 1860 Letcher Co Census

Precinct #4 Post Office: Whitesburg

U.S. Federal Census
July 16, 1860 by: J. E. Brashears
Roll M653_381 REV 300  PEV 300,

#434/434  Thomas, Green 37 yrs old,  NCNCNC   Farm Laborer  W M M 8/8
                                Sila F. 44 yrs old, VA, Keeping House,           W F M  8/8
                                Mary A. 14yrs old, KY White Female, Daughter, Single
                                Frelin  13yrs old, B.KY, White Male, Son
                                Marshall 12yrs old, B.KY, White Male, Son
                                Philix  11yrs old, B.KY, White Male, Son
                                Lee  7yrs old, B.KY, White Male, Son
                                James 5yrs old, B.KY, White Male, Son
                                Francis 3yrs old, B.KY, White Female, Daughter
                                Rachel 1yrs old, B.KY White Female, Daughter

 The 1870 Letcher County census shows Greenbury with wife Celthany and six of their children.  Mary Polly, Freelin, Phelex, and Rachel are no longer in the household.  James is listed as 15 years old.  Rachel may have died.  I see no record for a Dicey being in a census report with this family.  I found Nimrod Triplett in Perry Co.  He was a brother to  James’ wife Sarah.

 1870 Letcher Co Census

Precinct #4, Post Office: Whitesburg
U.S. Federal Census
August 1870 by: C. Strange

Roll: KYM593_483  Image 0171
#104  Thomas, Green  47 yrs old, B. NC, White Male, Farmer, REV: 300, PEV 150
                         Cilthany  43 yrs old, B.KY, White Female, Married, Keeping House
                         Marshall  22 yrs old, B.KY, White Male Single, Farmer
                         Frankey   18 yrs old, B.KY, White, Female, Single
                         Lee           17 yrs old, B.KY, White Male, Single
                         James        15 yrs old, B.KY, White Male, Single
                         John            9 yrs old, B.KY, White Male
                         William      6 yrs old, B.KY, White Male

 The 1880 Letcher County census, taken on June 15, 1880 by Morgan T. Craft lists Green B, 57 years old with wife Ciltana, 55 years old.  They are living in Precinct #3.  They have Marshall, John L, William, and a 17 year old named Mary Sexton living with them. (Mary was listed as a cousin) They live next door to John B Smith Sr. and wife Susanna, and James Huff and wife Aurora.  Green’s son James is listed in this census living a few houses down from his parents.  He is listed with his wife Sarah and their three children Ida May, 3 years old, Bryant P, 2 years old, and Cecil, 1 year old.  His other son Lee is also listed with wife Drucilla.  I found Nimrod Triplett in Perry Co.  He was a brother to  James’ wife Sarah.

 1880 Letcher Co Census

Dist. 64, Voting Prec. 3

June 16, 1880 by: Morgan T. Craft
Page 34  Image 0175  Roll# KYT9-429_428
# 285/285   Thomas
Green B   57 Head    Farmer                 NKN
Ciltana     55 Wife      Keeping House   VVN
Marshall   31 Son       Farmer                KNV
 John L      19 Son       Teacher             KNV
William   16 Son        Teacher               KNV
 Mary        17 Cousin                              KKN  

#288/288  Thomas
James    25 head       Farmer   KNV
Sarah     24 wife       Keeping House  KKK
Ida May  3 daughter
Bryant P  2 son
Cecil        1 son

Greenbury’s son William Roscoe was a great educator in Knott County.  He was an author, a minister, and a professor of English.  He started teaching when he was fourteen.  He studied at Cumberland College in Eastern Ky.  He wrote the book, “Life Among the Hills and Mountains of Kentucky,” and speaks of his father Green going to Letcher Co, Ky to apply for his teacher’s license.

Greenbury and Celthany are buried in the Lee Thomas Cemetery, located on Mallet Fork a tributary of Carrs Fork located at Pinetop, Ky on Highway Route582 off Route 160 from Highway 15 to Hindman Ky.  Greenbury died in 1914 at the age of 91 years old.  His wife Celthany died in 1905 at 80 years old.  They had 73 grandchildren.

 THOMAS James, born March 18, 1855, in Letcher Co Kentucky,  He married 1st to Sarah Triplett, born in Elkville, North Carolina (Wilkes Co. N.C.) She was born 1856, daughter of Daniel Triplett and Sarah Ferguson.   James’ grandson Ellis Thomas remembers going with his dad B.T. to look for James and Sarah’s gravesites.  Ellis said they were buried over on Jones Fork (near Pine Tree Hollow) in unmarked graves.  He said that when they went to the cemetery they were unable to find exactly where they were buried, but that B.T. had pointed out a spot next to a tree where he had been told his mom’s grave was.  Ogie Thomas states that they were buried on Jones Fork, but in different cemeteries. She also remembers that Mandy told her B.T.'s dad James died in an accident.  He was building a fence with his father-n-law, when he was hit in the head with a maul.  His father-n-law was trying to throw it to him and it accidentally hit and killed him.

James Thomas’ parents were Greenbury Thomas and Celthany Sexton

James and Sarah had three children:
 

1. Ida May b. 1876
2. Bryant b. 1877
3. Cecil b. 1879

 (Daniel Triplett, Sarah’s dad was born 1798 in Elkville, Wilkes Co., North Carolina. Daniel died 11-8-1881 in Floyd County, Kentucky.  Daniel married Sarah Ferguson on 1813 in Wilkes County, North Carolina.  Sarah Ferguson was born 1795 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. She died 11/19/1861 in Floyd Co., Kentucky.)  Note: Daniel & Sarah Triplett are buried in the Triplett Cemetery, near the George Cox Cemetery, between Four Mile and Porter on Old Route 80, Lackey, Ky

James Thomas is listed in the 1900 Perry County census with a second wife named Nancy Jane Smith.  She was born December, 1865.  Ogie thinks she could have been the daughter of Nick and Artie Smith, which would make her a sister to Martha Smith Collins (Manda’s mom).  Nick and Artie did have a daughter named Nancy, but the birthdates I have for them both do not match.  Ogie also thinks that her dad’s first wife Poppy Smith Moore was related to this family. 

The 1900 Knott County census lists Nancy as 34 years old and having one child living. (Mary, 16 yrs. old)  James is listed as being 43 years old and his occupation as farmer.  They married in 1885 and had been married for fifteen years.  Two of James’ three children are still in the household; Bryant, 22 years old, and Cecil, 21 years.  They are both listed as farm laborers.  I’m not sure where Ida Mae is. She would have been 23, so she might have been married and in another household.  A third child, Mary, 16 years old, is also listed.  Mary was Nancy’s daughter.  James’ first wife Sarah died between 1880 and 1885.  They live next door to Daniel Triplett (his father-n-law?).  His dad Greenbury is also listed this year, but in the 1900 Perry Co. Census.  He is listed with a second wife, Margaret.  He is 77 years old with no children in the household.  They have been married for 3 years.

 1900 Knott Co Census

Magistrial District 3 June 1, 1900

Beaver-District #45  by: George M. Adams

Roll KYT623_536  Image 011

127-127 THOMAS

James    43  Head 12/1856  md 15 yrs KY KY KY Rents Farm Can read & write

Nancey 34  Wife  12/1865  1/1           KY KY KY 1 child cannot read & write

Bryant  22   son   10/1877                   KY Farm Laborer cannot read & write

Cecil     21   son    5/1879                   KY Farm Laborer cannot read & write

Mary    16   dau   12/1883                   KY cannot read & write

1900 Perry Co. Census
Lost Creek Magisterial District No. 8

Series T623, Roll 548, Page 273, Sheet No. 14,

Supervisor’s District No. 11, enumeration district no. 95, enumerated on June 22, 1900, by John C. Combs.
#215 Thomas, Green       Head W M  Feb. 1823  77   M3  KYKYKY      Farmer

                        Margaret  Wife  W F   Oct. 1829  70   M3  VVV      

 Greenberry was listed as being unemployed for six months during the year, renting farm number 213 and able to read, write and speak English. Margaret, his 2^nd wife was listed as having had no children and not able to read and write but able to speak English.

 HUSBAND:  James “Jim” Thomas           OCCUPATION: Farmer

Mary is the child of James’ 2^nd wife Nancy.  

Sarah Triplett Thomas’ family (B.T.’s mom)

TRIPLETT, Daniel b. 1734

Daniel Triplett’s parents were Francis Triplett III and Elizabeth Browne

TRIPLETT, Jesse b. 1776, London, VA md. Susan Hodge.

Jesse Triplett’s parents were Daniel Triplett

Jesse and Susan (Hodge) Triplett’s children were:

1. Daniel

 TRIPLETT, Daniel b. 1798, Wilkes Co., NC d. 1881, Floyd Co., KY married Sarah Ferguson.  She was b. 1798, Wilkes Co., NC d. 1861, Floyd Co., KY, the daughter of Thomas Ferguson and Edith Foster.

Daniel Triplett parents were Jesse Triplett and Susan Hodge

Daniel and Sarah (Ferguson) Triplett’s children were:

1. Nimrod md. Sarah Martin
2. Wilson b. 1822, Wilkes Co., NC d. 1912, Knott Co., KY md. Eleanor Issacs
3. Sarah b. 1856 md. James “Jim” Thomas

1860 Perry Co Kentucky Census
Household Numbers
July 1860

210/208     Triplett, Danl      60       M       North Carolina

                                Sarah     70       F        North Carolina

                                Nimrod  23       M        Kentucky

1870 Perry Co Census

Troublesome Creek Precinct

34-34/8 Triplet, Nimrod M W 30 Ky Farmer

                          Saley F W 26 Ky Keeping house, (Triplett)
                          John M W 8 Ky At home, (Triplett) m. Arminta Stewart
                          Daniel M W 3 Ky

 1870 Floyd Co Census

157      Triplett, Daniel                      76  North Carolina

 1880 Perry Co Census

District 2 - Part 1

209-215 Triplet Nimrod  M W 42 M KyKyKy Farmer, s/o Daniel & Sarah Francis Ferguson Triplett
                           Sarah Wife F W 40 M KyKyKy Keeping house, nee Martin
                           John Son M W 17 S Ky   Farm laborer, poss m. Arminta Stewart
                           Daniel Son M W 12 ? Ky
                           William Son M W 7 ? Ky

THOMAS, Bryant “B.T.” known to his family as “B.T.,” “Grandpap,” or “Poppy” was born October 26, 1877 in Knott Co Ky.  He married Amanda Collins, daughter of Will Collins and Martha Smith.  She was born May 30, 1882 in Knott Co, Ky.  They married January 1, 1903 at Softshell. She was 21 years old and he was 26.  They were married to each other for 60 years.  Manda, or “Grandma Mandy” as she was known by her grandchildren, married under the last name Gibson.  B.T. and Manda had ten children and sixty-three grandchildren.  Manda was 25 when she had her first child Stella, and 43 when she had the last one, Lora.

B.T. died on October 28, 1963, two days after his 86^th birthday.  Manda lived to be 85 years old. She died four years after B.T. on December 4, 1967.  They are both buried in the Thomas Cemetery on Sofshell, Ky in Knott County on the property of their son Ellis Thomas.  Both were livelong members of the Balls Fork Regular Baptist Church.

 B.T.’s parents were James Thomas and Sarah Triplett.

Children of B.T. and Manda:

1. Stella b. 2-11-1908 md. George Conley
2. Madison b. 8-27-1909 md. Ogie Moore
3. Flara b. 3-9-1911 md. Mitchell Conley
4. Ellis  b. 12-9-1912 md. Sarah Terry
5. Oma  b. 12-26-1914 md. Coy Sturgill
6. Eva   b. 11-7-1916 md. Amos Hicks
7. Denvil  b. 2-23-1918 never married (died young)
8. Hubert  b. 3-26-1921 md. Sylvia Handshoe
9. Clara    b. 4-4-1923 md. 1. Dingus Beverly 2. John Combs

Lora     b. 8-5-1925 md. Sam Conley

The 1910 Knott County census finds B.T. Thomas living with his wife Manda and their first two children.  They are living on Ball.  His brother Cecil is living in household #41 in the precinct of Quicksand, also in Knott County.

1910 Knott County Census

Ball, Magistrial District 4, Part of Precinct 9

190-211 THOMAS

Bryant T. 32 Head md 3 yrs KY KY KY

Manda 27 wife 2/2               KY VA KY

Stella 2 dau                          KY

Madison 0?/12 son               KY

1910 Knott County Census

Quicksand Precinct 4, Part of Magistrial District 4

41-41 THOMAS

Cecile 32 Head md 7 yrs       KY KY KY

Sarah 22 wife 4/3                   KY KY KY

Mitchel 6 son                         KY

Verva 4 dau                            KY

Vena 1/12 dau                        KY

Cecil also had Nervia Thomas born 1913, Missoura Thomas b. 1915, Martha Thomas b. 1919, and Minnie.  Cecil’s son Mitchel was a State Police officer, moved to Prestonsburg and later became a barbour. 

The 1920 Knott County census shows B.T. Thomas with his wife Manda still living in the Ball precinct of Knott County.  They have seven children listed.  Clara is listed as child #3, but that should actually be Flara.  The baby son is Denvill.  He is two years old at the time.  B.T. is listed as a farmer.  They live next door to William Bolen and Alex Gayheart.

 1920 Knott Co Census

Ball Precinct

43/44

Thomas, B.T.  Head          M W   42  M  Kentucky  Farmer

               Manda  Mother  F   W  37   M  Kentucky

               Stella  Daughter F   W  11   Kentucky

               Madison  Son     M  W   9    Kentucky

               Clara  Daughter  F   W   8    Kentucky

               Ellis  Son            M  W   7    Kentucky

               Oma  Daughter   F   W   4    Kentucky

               Evy  Daughter    F   W   3    Kentucky

               Baby  Son          M   W  2 6/12  Kentucky

 The 1930 Knott County census shows B.T. and wife living in Knott County, still on Ball.  They have seven children.  Their oldest child Stella and Flara are no longer in the household and they have added Hubert, Clara, and Lora.  Denvill died in 1922.

Flara is listed with her husband Mitchell and first child Edith.  They have been married for one year.  I could not find Stella and George Conley listed.

 1930 Knott Co Census

Magisterial Dist. 5, Upper Ball, Quicksand,

Rock Fork, and Salt Lick (South Part)

50-50  Thomas  Bee T.  Head  M  W    52  M  28 Farmer / Farm       

           Manda    Wife     H         F  W   48  M  24  none      

           Madison Son                  M  W   20   S        none      

           Ellis        Son                  M  W   17   S        none      

           Oma       Dau                  F  W   15   S        none      

           Eva         Dau                  F  W   13   S        none      

           Hurbert   Son                 M  W     9   S        none      

           Clara       Dau                 F  W     6   S        none      

           Lora        Dau                 F  W     4  8/12  S none      

26-26  Conley  Mitchel  Head     M  W 22  M    21 KYKYKY  Farmer / Farm  

            Flora     Wife H  F    W 19  M     18 KYKYKY  none               
     Edith Dau F  W 7/12 S KYKYKY  none