A Leaf on the Family Tree: William Bridges Thomas -- Pioneer Farmer and Civil War Soldier

William Bridges Thomas

William Bridges Thomas was born on December 20, 1825 in the Oak Grove community of Trigg County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of eleven children born to Starkie and Mary Bridges Thomas. Starkie was born in Bertie County, North Carolina and had migrated to Trigg County in 1806 with his parents James and Mary Standley Thomas. Mary was born in Trigg County and was the youngest child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.

Williams’s siblings were; Stanley Thomas, born in 1828 and married Emily Ann Light; Adeline Thomas, born in 1830 and died at the age of seven; James Jasper Thomas, born in 1833 and married Mary Magdaline Cunningham; Peachie A. Thomas, born in 1834 and died at the age of four; Alfred Marshall Thomas, born in 1835 and married Eliza Anne Martin; Francis Marion “Fant” Thomas, born in 1839 and married Mary Forrest Rogers; Bluford Mills Thomas, born in 1841 and married Peachie Ann Martin; Perry Curlin Thomas, born in 1843 and married Mary E. Carter; Starkie Armstead Thomas, born in 1844 and married Inez Miller; and Mary Jane Thomas, born in 1847 and married William Thomas Armstrong.

William married Nancy Jane Rogers on October 15, 1847 in Trigg County. Nancy was born on April 23, 1831 in Trigg County and was the daughter of Jonathan Rogers and Sarah Ricks “Sallie” Lancaster Rogers. Jonathan and Sallie were both natives of Northampton County, North Carolina. Jonathan and Sarah had settled in Trigg County in the 1820s.

On July 6, 1861, William was mustered into the militia of the Confederate Army along with his brothers, James Jasper, Stanley, Bluford M, Francis M. Perry C and Alfred M. They all served under the command of Captain A. C. Thomas.

William and Nancy settled into their home which was located about one mile west of the Oak Grove Baptist Church near the boundary of the Maple Grove community. William had helped to organize the Oak Grove Baptist Church and in 1877 was ordained as a deacon in the church. . William worked as a farmer at his homeplace for his entire life.

William and Nancy were the parents of eight children, Peachie Ann Thomas, born in 1848 and married John Richard Mills; Sarah Josephine Thomas, born in 1851 and married William Henry Martin; Jonathan Starkie Thomas, born in 1853 and married Julia Dyer; Martha E. Thomas, born in 1858; William Madison “Bud” Thomas, born in 1859; Mollie Emily Thomas, born in 1861 and married James Pickney Sholar; Bluford Ira Thomas, born in 1867 and married Alice Lula Vinson; and Jane “Jennie” Thomas, born in 1870 and married Durwood Stanley Bridges.

Nancy died on March 19, 1875 at the age of 43. She was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery in the Oak Grove community.

On March 8, 1877, William married his second wife, Sarah Elizabeth Light. Sarah was born on December 1, 1850 in Trigg County and was the daughter of James T. Light and Sarah “Sally” Wallis Light. James was a native of Virginia and Sarah was a native of Casey County, Kentucky. Sarah Elizabeth was affectionally known as “Ma Bet” by her new family as she helped William to rear his children. William and Sarah had no children of their own.

William died on July 9, 1901 at his home in Trigg County at the age of 75 of pneumonia. He was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery. Sarah died on August 27, 1919 at the age of 68. She was buried in the Starkie Thomas cemetery.