Who was Benjamin Thomas?

Born ca. 1788, Benjamin Thomas, Jr. is the son of Benjamin Thomas of Anson County. From family tradition, it has been believed that Benjamin first married Rebecca Tolson. Searching related legal records and the findings of others, there seems to be no proof of this union. Baucom family history also claims that Willie Baucom married a Rebecca Tolson. Though Willie names wife Rebbeca in his will, undeniable proof for this union also avoids legal record. To complicate this story, a son of Benjamin Jr. married a daughter of Willie Baucom. Though this scenario could be factually true and socially correct, its occurrance is unlikely.

Past family history also claims that Benjamin Thomas Senior married Melinda, the daughter of William Gurley. Using the division of the deceased William Gurley's land as proof, the record falls short in that it does not positively link to Benjamin Thomas Senior. The name of "Benjamin" or "Thomas" was not mentioned in William Gurley's 1804 will, but was listed in the 1815 division of lands. William Gurley's widow was named Melinder. Could Benjamin Senior have married the widow of William Gurley? Though they were likely of similar age, a marriage to William's widow would not entitle Benjamin Thomas to a share in the estate. Could Benjamin Senior have married a daughter of William Gurley? The name Melinda Thomas is not used in any legal record concerning Benjamin Thomas Senior. However, past history believes Benjamin Sr. married Melinda Gurley, a daughter who died prior to the writing of William Gurley's will. Based on a later copy of a Bible record provided by someone who moved away, Melinda Thomas is named as the mother of Ananias Thomas. In respect of this record and those involved in obtaining it, I cannot formally discount the record until proof is absolute. However, it is my belief that records for Benjamin (the father) and Benjamin (the son)have been misread. I believe Benjamin Thomas Junior should actually be the person credited with marrying a daughter of William Gurley. Here is my thinking....

William Gurley wrote his last will and testament which was probated in Oct 1804 Anson County NC. In the record, William began with bequeathments to his three older daughters. Giving them items that were already in their possession, these daughters were likely of mature age and already married. William Gurley then spelled out wishes for his sons. Lastly, he bequeathed land and items to two more daughters. Since they were not named as "older", these daughters were probably young and/or single. They appear in the will as:

Item -I gave and bequeath to my Daughter Darcass one Negro man called Tom one three year old heffer one two year old mair one feather bed formerly called hers together with the stead and furniture one Wheels one Dish one bacon two plaits three Delph plaits one Iron pot two weavers slays also five hundred acres of Land Lying together on the Bair branch and the Shipmons branch which sd Land I will to be Equally devided between sd Daughters Darkess and Ferrabee

Item -I gave and bequeath to Daughter Ferrabee one Negro man called Jack one Mare Coalt one Cow and Calf twelve geese one cotton wheel and Cards one small dish and large bacon one puter plate three Delph plaits one Dutch oven two weavers slay also two hundred and fifty Acres of Land above mentioned one Cow hide

If Ferrabee and Dorcass were indeed single when the will was written, then in the 1800 census, William Gurley should be shown with two young daughters. However, for some reason, William Gurley Senior was not listed in the 1800 census. Since he died a few years after the census was taken, William may have been ill or aged and living with a child or neighbor.

In the 1810 Anson County census, Benjamin Thomas Junior is listed as: 1m16-25 / 1f16-25. This record indicates Benjamin was young and had likely just married.

Benjamin Thomas, Senior owned land on both sides of Richardson's near where present day Pleasant Hill Church Road crosses the creek. His lands adjoined that of Jacob, the brother of William Gurley. Both Jacob Gurley and Benjamin Thomas bought land on Richardson's Creek from Gideon Green. Further land acquisitions seemed to only expand those lands where Benjamin lived. He did not own any land on the banks of the Rocky River. On the other hand, in 1815, the deed books indicate Benjamin Thomas Junior began acquiring land along the Rocky River. In that same year, a commission set forth to divide the estate lands of William Gurley. Apparently the will had been broken or events somehow demanded the services of the court in settling the estate. Dated Jul 1815, Benjamin Thomas drew lot #6 beginning at:

a stake by two red oaks and a post oak in the 3rd line of sd. Tract and runs with said line S. 25 E. 143 poles then No. 65 E. 116 poles to a corner then No. 25 W. 143 poles then to the beginning.

The 1815 tax list for Anson County survives and lists only one Benjamin Thomas. Was this record representative of the holdings of Benjamin Thomas Senior or his son Benjamin Junior? The answer lies in the 1801 North Carolina law in which landowners over the age of fifty were made exempt from having to pay taxes. Since Benjamin Thomas Senior was listed as being 45+ years old in the 1800 census, in 1815, he had to be over fifty years old and therefore exempt from paying taxes. Though Benjamin Thomas Junior was listed in the 1810 census as being young and only 16-26 years old, in the 1815 tax list of Anson County, this same Benjamin Thomas Junior was listing as owning a sizable 430 acres of land. Believing the acquired 130-acre William Gurley estate land was counted and included in the 1815 tax list for Benjamin Thomas Jr, we know that Benjamin Thomas also owned 300 more acres of land in 1815. Can this land be reconciled? We will look at this concern later.

Two months after William Gurley's land was divided, son Willis sold his share of the estate to Benjamin Thomas [Jr]. Legally described to be the same as Lot # 2 in the division, Willis Gurley sold "80..." of land on the Rocky River (R-90, Anson NC). Witnesses were Benjamin Jr's brothers Ezekiel and Anias Thomas. Like his brother William, Henry Gurley also sold his share of the estate to Benjamin Thomas Jr. Matching the description of Lot #1 in the estate, Henry Gurley of now Haywood County NC sold 80 acres (S-168, Anson NC) on the Rocky River. This transaction occurred on 27 May 1817 and was entered into record in July 1818. Witnesses were John and Jac. Austin. Note that in the divison, the plat shows this land adjoining that of the above Willis Gurley Jr.

On 11 Oct 1818, Benjamin Thomas, Jr sold 130 acres (_-152, Anson NC) to William Morris, of Mecklenburg NC. The legal description matches that of Lot #6 as drawn in the 1815 estate division of William Gurley. The deed further locates the land as lying on Bear Branch. It then confirms the 130 acres of land adjoined that of Drury Austin and was part of a two hundred acre tract granted to William Gurley on 28 Nov 1801. Witnesses to this transaction were Anias Thomas and Jas. Morris. Locating the original Willam Gurley Grant (5043, Anson NC), the warrant for survey describes the land as lying between Bair and Shipmon's Branch. The 12 Sep 1797 survey only mentions Bear Branch. Chain bearers for the granted land were Leonard Musslewhite and Willis Gurley.

There is no record of Benjamin Thomas Senior ever having possession of Lot #6 of William Gurley's estate. Benjamin could have received it as a rightful heir in 1815 and then given it to son Benjamin who in turn sold it in 1818. After seeing the record in relation to the will, estate division, deeds, and the census; it is hard not to doubt that possibility. It is easier to invision Benjamin Thomas Jr. as related to the Gurley family through marriage. If so, he married prior to the 1810 census to a daughter of William Gurley. He had to have married one of the younger daughters, being either Dorcass or Perrabee. In confirmation, remember that it was William Gurley's expressed desire that his land between Bear and Shipmon branches be divided between daughters Pherrabee and Dorcass? As per the deed from Benjamin Thomas to William Morris, we know that William Gurley's wishes were met. The 130 acres of land which Benjamin received was indeed situated between Bear Creek and Shipmon's Branch. The commissioners respected the wishes of William Gurley as written in the will.

Who was William Morris? Two land grants and their eventual sale provides a look at William Morris and wife and the scope of their holdings. Issued 22 Jun 1772, William Morris received a land grant in Anson County for 100 acres on the Rocky Fork of Hichcock's Branch. Adjoining lands of William Legget, the grant was surveyed 20 Mar 1772. Chainbearers were Jacob and Joseph Morris. There is a Hitchcock Creek thity miles east in now southern Richmond County. I have never seen another Record for Hichcock Branch. On 19 May 1774, William Morris Junior and wife Pherabee sold the land(K-409, Anson NC) to Nathaniel Williams. The ransaction was witnessed by Jonathan Lewalling and Thos. Mayer. William Morris received another land grant, entered 24 May 1773 and issued 23 Jul 1774. Surveyed on 10 Jul 1773, this land represented "one hundred acres of land in Anson County on the Bair Branch...." The warrant for survey goes further, saying: "lying on Bair Branch near catfish road and running up the creek for compliment." Dated 2 Jan 1776, William Morris and wife "Pherebee" sold this land grant to Laughlin Curry. The transaction was witnessed by Robert Webb and Anguish Curry. This William Morris also owned land on Brown Creek and on Cribbs Creek adjoining that of Thomas Preslar and Robe,/font sizrtson Pistole. So, it appears William Morris of possibly (now) Richmond county is the same as the one who owned land on the Rocky River. Note that he was known in 1774 as William Morris Junior.

The book History and Genealogy of the Nance Family states that William Morris married first Pherabee, the daugher of William and Millinder Gurley. Pherabee died and William Morris married second Patsy Nance Maske, whose first husband William Maske had also died. The book also mentions that the Gurley's lived on the mouth of Shipmon's branch. Since Gurley family history says William Gurley was born ca. 1848, could this William Gurley have had a daughter who was described in the 1774 deed as being married to William Morris? Could she have given birth to the older children of William Gurley of Anson County? I think not. William Morris wrote a will in Anson County on 2 Jan 1804. The will was probated in the same month. The testament lists wife Patsy Morris and older children Nathan Morris, Jeptha Morris, Molly Yarborough, Betsy Henby, Fanny Beverly, and Lydia Pistole. Implying children born of second wife Patsy, William then names "youngest" children William Airly Morris and Patsy Morris. Looking at the number of children, there is no way that a younger daughter of William Gurley could possibly be the mother of William Morris's older children.

Lets look back at the 1818 transaction between Benjamin Thomas Junior and William Morris. Note that William Morris is from Mecklenburg County. William Morris who left an 1804 will in Anson County mentioned his Chickapin plantation. Situated in now northwestern Union County, Chinckapin would have fallen into Mecklenburg prior to the 1841 formation of Union County. The transaction between Benjamin Thomas Junior and William Morris was witnessed by James Morris and Anias Thomas. The William Morris who died ca. 1804 did not have a son named James. However, his son named William Airley Morris did have a son James. Benjamin Thomas Junior may have sold his share of the William Gurley estate to William Airley Morris, the son of William Morris who died in 1804. What's more, this land was very near that originally granted to William Morris in 1774. So, why did William A. Morris seek to acquire this land? Was it merely a purchase, or was this an effort to regain memories or benifits found in or near his father's early land holding? And, is this thinking correct and properly thought out? These are the $100,000 dollar questions. There does exist yet another twist and possibility... to be discussed later.

Who did Benjamin Thomas Junior marry?

We know that Benjamin Thomas Jr. married just prior to the 1810 Anson County census. From later conveyances of the 1815 William Gurley estate division, we know that Benjamin Jr. married a daughter of William Gurley. In the earlier 1804 will of William Gurley, we know he likely married either Dorcass or Pherabee Gurley. Which daughter did Benjamin Thomas Jr. marry? Benjamin Thomas Jr. had a son named Jacob who was born ca. 1811 by Benjamin’s first wife. Jacob knew his mother as she appeared in the 1820 census and likely died just before the 1830 census. Looking at the life of Jacob Thomas, can we learn anything about the identity of his mother?

On 22 Jan 1835, Benjamin Thomas Jr. conveyed a gift deed (Z-136, Anson NC) to son Jacob. The 200 acres of land was situated on the Rocky River near where William Gurley once lived. From later census and deed records, it is known that Jacob lived on this land where he worked to build a mill. Benjamin Thomas mentioned son Jacob in his 1839 last will and testament. In 1836, neighbor Willie also wrote a last will and testament mentioning daughter Elizabeth Thomas. From land transaction s and the 1850 Union County census, we know that Jacob married Elizabeth Baucom, the daughter of Willie. In later census’s Elizabeth was listed as a weaver. Was she using the loom bequeathed to Jacob’s mother? Let’s look at the children of Jacob Thomas, son of Benjamin Jr:

A. Louisa Thomas b. 1833
B. Sarah Thomas b. 1835
C. William Thomas b. 1837 named for Elizabeth’s father?
D. David Thomas b. 1841 named for Jacob’s cousin or uncle?
E. Rebecca Jane Thomas b. 1841 named for Jacob’s grandmother Rebecca Thomas and also Elizabeth's mother?
F. Dorcas Thomas b. 1847 named for Jacob’s mother?
G. Margaret Thomas b. 1851
H. Mary Catherine Thomas b. 1852
I. Jacob Thomas b. 1853 named for Jacob, son of Benjamin Jr?

Looking at the child named Dorcass, could she be named for Jacob’s mother? If Benjamin Thomas Jr. married Dorcass Gurley, then it makes sense their son would have a daughter named Dorcass. However, there is another possibility. After the death of Benjamin’s first wife, he married second in 1832 to Elizabeth Brown Traywick. Elizabeth’s mother was Dorcass Hyatt who married first Berrymon Traywick and second Leonard Musslewhite. Jacob’s daughter could be named for Jacob’s mother-in-law.

Believing Benjamin Thomas Senior married Melinda Gurley, there exists one deed in which “Benjamin and wife Rebecca” are selling land. Using this record, past histories claim that Benjamin Jr. married Rebecca Tolson. Baaucom family history also has Rebecca Tolson as married to Willie Baucom. If this were all true, then a marriage between Jacob and Elizabeth would not be at all proper. Believing otherwise, I think Benjamin and Rebecca were actually the parents of Benjamin Thomas Jr. And Benjamin Thomas Jr. married Dorcass, the daughter of William Gurley. Who was Rebecca Thomas?

Who was Benjamin and Rebecca Thomas?

In all the related Anson County census returns except for 1820, Benjamin Thomas Senior seemed to be living along Richardson's Creek below the present community of Olive Branch. However, in 1820 his neighbors were Reubin Pinyion, Stephen Whitley, and Charles Hinson. These folks lived closer to Mecklenburg County on the northwest side of Richardson's Creek. While Benjamin Jr. was living on the Rocky River below present day Pleasant Hill Church, his father was listed as living one or two miles to the west. This observation is significant. What does it mean?

Dated 11 Oct 1819, Benjamin Thomas and wife Rebecca sold 200 acres (_-85, Anson NC) to Jesse Bryant. As written in the deed, the land was situated:

---one side of Retherford. Beginning at a red oak James Jinkins corner and runs with his line No. 70 E. 180 poles to a Rock by three red post oaks in Pinions line then No. fifty West 200 poles to a stake then direct to the beginning containing two hundred acres of land ... Benjamin (X) Thomas (seal)
Rebecca Thomas(seal)
Witnesses: John Mullis and Edward Vann.

Rebecca Thomas was examinded by: N. B. Jenkins and Thomas Griffin Esq.

registered Oct 1829, William Dismukes C. C.

Note that Benjamin Thomas Junior signed all his Rocky River land transactions. His wife is never named in any transaction. However, as shown above, Benjamin Thomas Senior could not and did not sign the deed. I have not found one single record in which Benjamin Thomas Senior provided a signature. In a 1800 petition to create a militia meeting location for upper Anson County, Benjamin Thomas Senior still signed with an (X). Even in the following land conveyances to sons Ezekiel and Ananias, Benjamin Sr. signed with an (X):

Deed (T-191) Anson NC. Dated 4 Apr 1821, Benjamin (X)Thomas sold to his son Ananias, 150 acres for an unspecified sum of money. The land was situated on the south bank of Richardson's Creek and adjoined the 1797 Michael Austin Grant. The survey also followed a line in Benjamin Thomas's 1806 land grant of 100 acres. Witnesses were Jesse Austin and Jesse Gurley.

Deed (T-208) Anson NC. For 200 dollars, Benjamin (X)Thomas sold 75 acres to his son Ezekiel Thomas. Situated on the north side of Richardson's Creek and Walnut Tree Branch, this was part of Benjamin Thomas's land that he purchased from Gidion Green. Witnesses were Jesse Austin and Jesse Gurley.

Reading through forty years of the CAROLINA OBSERVER which was published in Fayetteville, NC, I thought it a good day when I read the following:

28 Aug 1828

NEWS FROM THE GOLD MINES!

A letter from Col. Wm. Dismukes, of Anson county, gives us the following account of the operations at one of the Gold Mines in that county:

"The Anson Gold Mine is situated on Richardson's creek, 23 miles west of Wadesborough, and owned by Col. Jacob Austin, the heirs of Jonathan Austin, dec'd, and myself. Very little work has been done here for several years past, until four or five weeks ago, since which I have attended it myself, and have had from 20 to 80 hands at work on shares, who have acounted for for upwards of 600 dwts., in different sizes, from the smallest particles to 130 dwts. And this morning a solid piece was found weighing thirteen pounds seven ounces, in its rough state, and it is supposed will net about twelve and a half pounds, and woth from 2,500 to 3,000 dollars. This is the largest lump that I ever heard of, except for the one found in Cabarrus county some years ago weighing 28 lbs. Several large pieces have heretofore been taken from this mine weighing from 1 to 5 lbs. Its extent is not known, but it is supposed to cover 15 or 20 acres of land, and only about three fourths of an acre has yet been worked. The workmen receive one half of all pieces weighing 1 dwt. and upwards, and two thirds of all under. Any number of hands can be employed, and the proprietors are willing to engage as many as possible, provided they can come well recomended."

Thinking only that it would be neat to trace where this land was situated, I found the following deed:

Deed (U-284, Anson NC), 28 Nov 1828, Jacob Austin to William Dismukes. Being one and one-half tenth part of 35 acres, known as the Anson Gold Mine. The land was situated on Weatherford's Branch and near Cedar Branch adjoining the lands of William Mullis, Daniel Jenkins, and that belonging to Pinion. The transaction was entered Apr 1836. Witnesses were Daniel Smith and James W. Dismukes.

Looking back to the transaction by Benjamin and Rebecca Thomas, I could not believe what I was seeing. Thinking that Benjamin Thomas lived out his life in the peace and calm of Richardson's Creek, here he is owning land very near or next to a prosperous gold mine. Further seearching uncovered a rash of gold related transactions in the 1820's. Several of these were vague, legally descibing the purchase as "enough to search for Gold." I have yet to find out where Benjamin acquired his land or what happened to it after being sold to Jesse Bryant. Selling the land in 1819, was he involved in the search for gold, or had he merely sold out to those who were? Jesse Bryant was not listed in the 1840 census of Anson or nearby counties. The records for conveyance of his land has not been found. However, in 1840, he appears in Pulaski County, Georgia. Living nearby are members of the Barnes and Mullis family. In Anson County, both of these families owned land near Gourdvine Creek and also Pinyion Branch. A Bryant Family Page linked to the Pulaski county genweb page traces its ancestry back to Jesse Bryant. The census, land transaction, and newspaper article on Anson Gold Mine firmly defines Benjamin Thomas Senior as the husband of Rebecca. In 1819, and/or on the 1829 file date of the deed, Rebecca was without doubt, the wife of Benjamin Thomas Senior. Was Benjamin only married once? Was she the mother of all the children? And, is my thinking correct in believing Benjamin Thomas Sr's. wife was named Rebecca?

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