Before closing on this Benjamin Thomas, I feel it is necessary to first discuss a few possibilities that plague my research.
1.From back in North Carolina, there existed a situation that raises doubt as to whether or not the Benjamin of Tennessee is the son of Stephen. The brother of Stephen Thomas Sr. was named Philemon. He married first Sarah Scott on 5 Mar 1744 in Maryland (1QA-50). Following the death of Sarah, Philemon married a person named Elizabeth. Philemon and his wife Elizabeth lived in Anson County before moving to Marlboro County SC. They later returned to Richmond County where they lived on Cartledge Creek. Philemon Thomas wrote his Last Will and Testament in 1797. By name, he mentioned his five children Elijah, Eli, James, Nathan, and Elizabeth. At the end of the will, Philemon writes " To my wife I will one third of the residue of my personal property forever and the other two thirds to be equally divided between my said five children Elijah, Eli, James, Nathan, and Elizabeth. (My other children having already received their part of my estate.) Philemon goes on to appoint his wife and son William Thomas as executors. In order to differentiate himself from Stephen's son named William, this William Thomas always signed deeds "William (Son of Philemon)". Furthermore, in his own Will probated in Marlboro County SC, this William Thomas later mentioned that he had half brothers and sisters. There are no further records that clearly identify the "others". Keeping in mind that Philemon mentioned he did in fact have other children, a land grant in 1796 included the name Benjamin. In Richmond Grant #767 entered 28 Aug 1792 and issued 17 Dec 1794, Philemon Thomas received 150 acres near Cartledges Creek and situated on Crawford's Road adjoining lands of Nathaniel Harrington. The survey for the land was drawn up on 29 Jun 1792, and included the names of Elijah and Benjamin Thomas as Chainers. Could this have been the Benjamin Thomas that went to TN? Was this the son of Stephen or the son of Philemon?
2.In Montgomery County TN, there was a person that could be related to this line of Thomas's. On 20 Oct 1806, David Davis sold to Christopher Thomas 44 acres (D-173, Montgomery) situated on the head of Budd's Creek. For $60, he purchased land that was originally granted to Nicholas Conrad in 1793 and adjoined the southern boundary of Samuel Budd's large Grant. Dated 23 Dec 1816, Christopher Thomas of now Cahalo? River in Jackson New Purchase sold his 44 acres (K-136, Montgomery) to Robert and Thomas Causey for $150. Though there are no records connecting Christopher with the rest of the Thomas's living on Budd's Creek, his proximity makes him a possible relative and worthy of further research.
3. In Hickman TN, there were Thomas's that lived near Benjamin Thomas. Less than ten miles south of Benjamin Thomas's Pine River land, the town of Vernon was formed as a stopping point on the migration route south. On 3 Aug 1811, the commissioners of the town, namely Robert Bowen, Ezekiel Thomas, Jones Mercer, and Joseph Whitson purchased 25 acres for use as a Seat of Justice. Witnesses were W. M. Easley, Millington Easley, and Joseph Linn. On 13 Mar 1819, Ezekial Thomas of Lawrence County in the Territory of Alabama sold his 25-acre plantation (D-140, Hickman) situated on Sugar Creek of the Duck River to John H. Walker. Witnesses were William Carothers and Jessee Thomas. On 17 Mar 1819, Ezekial of Lawrence County AL sold 13 acres (D-152, Hickman) to Hezekiah Forrester. Jesse Thomas and William Carothers witnessed this transaction. Remember that the last transaction by Benjamin Thomas in Hickman Co. was for the plantation where "Benjamin and Jesse" now live. Ezekial Thomas is listed in the 1820 Census of Lawrence County, Alabama.
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