Ottawa and Martha Thomas Sumner
James Ottawa Sumner was born on April 25, 1880 in Trigg County, Kentucky, the fourth of nine children born to Benjamin Miles Sumner and Henrietta Gabrella Bridges Sumner. Miles and Rett, as they were known, were both natives of Trigg County and Miles worked as a tenant farmer. James Ottawa, or Ott as he was called was a grandson of Drewry Bridges.
Ott’s siblings were Julia Louise Sumner, born in 1873 and married Starkie William Thomas; Emma Lee Sumner, born in 1875 and married Nathan Stanley Guier; John Calvin Sumner, born in 1877 and married Lucy Ethel Lawrence; Durwood Floyd Sumner, born in 1882 and married Lillie Jane Thomas; William Elmer “Elmo” Sumner, born in 1885 and died at the age of ten years; Nora Pearl Sumner, born in 1888 and married John Starkie Armstrong; Beulah May “Eula” Sumner, born in 1890 and married Joshua Light; and Mattie Maud Sumner, born in 1893 and married Starkie Thomas.
Ott grew up primarily in the Oak Grove community although the family also lived in several other parts of Trigg Couty over the years. and when entering young adulthood, he became a farmer. On December 5, 1906, Ott married Martha Miller Thomas at her home. Martha or Mattie as she was known was the third of five children of Starkie Armstead Thomas and Inez Miller Thomas. Both Starkie Armstead and Inez were natives of Trigg County. Mattie was a granddaughter of Starkie Thomas.
Mattie's siblings were Eunice Mae Thomas, born in 1883 and died at the age of two months; Lillie Jane Thomas, born in 1884 and married Durwood Floyd Sumner; Mary Ann Thomas, born in 1890 and married Robert Hunter Mitchell; and Lena Armstead Thomas, born in 1893 and married John Charles Humphries.
Although his main occupation was a farmer, Ott was an inspired musician. He was an extremely talented individual who could play the piano, the organ, the harmonica and even the Jew’s harp which he played by ear. In addition, he liked to sing and he could sing both as a tenor and as a bass.
Ott was a helpful member of the community. He served as an election officer, a juror in the county court and as a road overseer. He assisted, along with other men, in the removal of the Rocky Ridge Baptist Church from its original site to a new site in Montgomery, Kentucky. Each piece of the old church was carefully removed, shortened slightly and then replaced to its new location at a very moderate cost.
Mattie was a lover of nature, especially birds. She took notes on birds over several decades which were left behind for her descendants. She also liked to write poetry which she started at an early age and continued until she was well into her nineties. She also wrote a collection of short stories and one of children’s stories. Like her husband, she loved music and played the organ at her church as well as singing alto in the church choir. Mattie also excelled as a public speaker and spoke before political, religious and civic groups. She was excited to be among the first women voters when women were allowed to vote and continued to vote throughout her life.
Ott and Mattie were the parents of one child, a daughter, Helena Gertrude Sumner, born in 1910 and married Ira Lee Humphries.
Ott died on July 21, 1960 at the age of 80 at his home in Cadiz, Kentucky. He was buried in the East End Cemetery in Cadiz. Mattie died on May 6, 1981 at the age of 94 at the Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Trigg County. She was buried in the East End Cemetery next to her husband.
Ott and Mattie tombstone
LINEAGE: (James Ottawa Sumner was the son of Benjamin Miles and Henrietta Gabrella Bridges Sumner and the grandson of Drewry and Peachie Ann Tart Bridges. Drewry was the fourth child of William and Mary Thomas Bridges. William was the fourth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)
(Martha Miller Thomas was the daughter of Starkie Armstead and Inez Miller Thomas and the granddaughter of Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas. Starkie was the fourth child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)
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