PRIVATE US Army
Company F 1 Arkansas Infantry
Civil War ~ Union
1829 - September 20, 1904

Son of John Ira Wilson & Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Thomas

Source: Newton County Cemeteries 3rd E.
(info from Judith Thomas Smith #47210080)
Thanks Judith

Vincent married Sallie Spivie.
Together they had eleven children.
Their names are:
Morgan
Marion
Samirah
James Monroe 'Jim'
Faye (died as an infant)
Marchant Nathaniel 'March'
Lavonia
Leon
Jackson 'Jack'
Arkansas 'Kant'
and
Newton J 'Newt'

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sent to me by cousin, Judy Tate.

Vincent William Thomas was born in November of 1829 Cow Creek, Clay County, Kentucky. He was the second son born to Elizabeth Thomas and her husband, John Ira Wilson. Sometime after the birth of a third son, John Ira Wilson left Elizabeth. No record of divorce has been found. All three of her sons carried the Thomas name from that time forward, as did Elizabeth. Elizabeth was known as Betsey. Betsey and her sons were living in Owsley County, Kentucky when Vincent married.

Vincent's bride was Sarah Spivey, known as Sally. She was the daughter of James Spivey. Records indicate that a wife of James Spivey was Mary Johnson. It is possible that Mary was mother of Sally, but is probable that she was not. Sally's sister, Martha Spivey, was the wife of Andrew Jackson Thomas, Vincent's eldest brother. Vincent Thomas and Sarah Spivey were married June 7, 1854 in Booneville, Owsley County, Kentucky by Abel Pendington. They left Owsley County the same month, as did Vincent's mother, her third son, Arnold Thomas, and her first born, Andrew Jackson Thomas and his bride, Martha 'Patsey' Spivey Thomas. The family traveled together, living a short time in Indiana and Missouri before making Arkansas their home. All found a new, permanent home in 1858 in Jefferson Township, Newton County, Arkansas. A creek that meandered through their homestead was later called Thomas Creek..."They all lived down on Thomas Creek."

On March 1, 1863, Vincent Thomas enlisted with the Arkansas Infantry in Newton County, Arkansas under Captain McCoy. Muster Up Roll was at Fayetteville, Arkansas March 10, 1863. Vincent Thomas served as a Private in Company F, 1st Regiment of the Arkansas Infantry. Description of Vincent at time of enlistment: age 33; height 5 feet 9 inches; complexion fair; eyes blue; hair light.

Vincent and Sally Thomas had several children, listed here in birth order:

Morgan Thomas was born August 31, 1855 in Indiana, where the family lived for a short time when enroute to Arkansas from Kentucky. Morgan Thomas married Amanda Staggs, they had seven children: Nicholas, William, Rose, Claude, Pearl, Arkansas, and Dorothy. Morgan Thomas was buried at Cemetery Ridge, south of Ozark, Arkansas.

Marion Thomas was also born enroute to Arkansas, born in Missouri, 1857. He was married to Martha Thomas May 5, 1879 in Newton County, Arkansas. Their eight children: Sarah, Mintie, Mollie, William, Howard, John, Virgie, and Josie. Marion Thomas died in 1939, buried in Johnson County, Arkansas.

The third child born to Vincent and Sally Thomas, and their first born in Arkansas, was first daughter, Samarah Thomas.

The fourth child born to Vincent and Sally was son Newton Thomas. Newton was born in 1861, died in 1884. Newton was buried in a family cemetery on Thomas Creek, north of Swain, Newton County, Arkansas.

In 1862 twin daughters were born to Vincent and Sally. Faye lived less than a month, twin to Faye died her second day of life. Both were buried in the previously mentioned family cemetery on Thomas Creek.

James Monroe Thomas was born September 4, 1865 Newton County, Arkansas. James was first married to Hester Ann Beasley, they had no children. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Harel. Their children were: Bertha, Mae, Argie, Lloyd, Stella, Ernest, Albert, Lee, and Daisy. 'Jim' Thomas died 1950. He and 'Lizzie' are buried Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Benton County, Arkansas.

Marchant Nathaniel Thomas was the next child born to Vincent and Sally. March was born February 22, 1869 Newton County, Arkansas. March was married to Alberta Ober, they had eight children: Iva, Roy, Arl Charles, John, Lola, Pearl, James, and Imogene. Marchant Thomas died June 20, 1950 and is buried Mossville Cemetery, Newton County.

Lavonia Thomas was born August 4, 1872 on Thomas Creek. She had a daughter, Donie, by Zach Fugate. Lavonia married Zachary Reynolds, they had four children: Vinty, Gus, Sally and Arch. All of Lavonia's children went by the Reynolds name. Lavonia is buried at Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Jackson Thomas was born March 13, 1874. He married Margaret Young, five of their children lived to adulthood: Grace, Georgia, Marvel, Troy, and Lockie. Jack Thomas died in 1919 is buried in Harmony Cemetery Johnson County, Arkansas.

Arkansas Thomas was born in 1877. She was known as Kant. Kant died at age seventeen and was buried in a family cemetery on Thomas Creek. Was unmarried.

A son who was twin to Kant, died after three days of life, also buried Thomas Creek.

Vincent Thomas returned home from the service in 1865. He continued working on his homestead, which was down the lane from his mother "Betsey' Thomas, brother Arnold, and brother Andrew Jackson Thomas and family. After clearing and fencing several acres, the land patent that he obtained for 159 acres on May 15, 1876, was proved. A good source of water crossed his land. The water was used to run his gunpowder mill. The plentiful oak trees were burned for ash and used in the making of gunpowder. Ashes were also used at his tannery, in the tanning of hides. In 1884, there was an explosion at the mill, and the powder mill burned. Vincent's son Newton was badly burned, he died as a result of his injury.

The Thomas family, and many other early Newton County Families, grew wheat, rye, cotton, corn and tobacco. They raised hogs, cows, chickens and geese. They hunted and trapped wild game. Stout mules were used for plowing and for pulling wagon loads of grain and apples to Clarksville to sell. Sally Thomas planted and tended the garden. She strung green beans to dry, made hominy and dried and shelled corn. She tended to the apple trees, picking and drying apples for winter use. Cotton was carded and used as batting in the many quilts that were made from worn family clothing. She milked the cows and churned butter. Sally saved geese and chicken feathers to make feather beds, which lent a small bit of comfort after the long days of work.

Sally Thomas gave birth to at least eleven children, some were multiple births, all were delivered by her female family members. Vincent Thomas walked with the use of a cane in his later years and was almost blind. In his final years, Vincent was in very poor health. His son Jack Thomas tended to him in his prolonged sickness. Vincent died September 20, 1904 buried Mossville Cemetery Newton County, Arkansas. Sally was unable to live alone, she lived back and forth in the homes of her children and their families until her death, April 24, 1907. Sally Thomas was also buried Mossville Cemetery...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Your tombstone stands among the rest;
neglected and alone
The name and date are chiseled out
on polished, marbled stone

It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn
You did not know that I'd exist
You died and I was born.

Yet each of us are cells of you
in flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse
entirely not our own.

Dear Ancestor, the place you filled
one hundred years ago
Spreads out among the ones you left
who would have loved you so.

I wonder if you lived and loved,
I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot,
and come to visit you.

Author Unknown