Thomas W. Gaines was most likely buried on his own land in Stokes County, North Carolina, along with his wife. They died just days apart. He was at one time listed in the Locust Grove Cemetery in Stokes County, but that is highly suspect. The earliest burial there is 1866 and that is suspect as well with no grave marker photo. Most of the burials in the Locust Grove Cemetery are over a hundred years later.

Thomas' middle name may have been William. His father was William Henry, so it would make sense that the W. used in sources would stand for William. If anyone has a document confirming the William, please contact the manager of this memorial. Another contributor suggested his middle name initial was J, but without a source.

Thomas was a Corporal in the 7th Virginia Infantry Company in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted Aug 30, 1776 as a member of the Culpeper County Minutemen. He was a member of several regiments during his three year enlistment, which is on record in the North Carolina Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. It is said that he was with George Washington at Valley Forge as a young man. DAR information Ancestor # A 043085

Service Source: NARA, M881, COMP MIL SERV RECS, ROLL #1026

Service Description: 1) CAPT-LT SLAUGHTER, CAPT CHARLES PORTERFIELD,

2) COL DANIEL MORGAN, 7TH VA REGT

Thomas married Susanah Dabney Strother and their children were:

Phillip, James Strother, Richard, Elizabeth Strother, William Dabney, Henry Pendleton, Frances Henry, Susannah Dabney, George Washington and Francis Thornton Gaines.

Thomas' wife, Susanah Dabney Strother, was a direct descendant of Cornelius Dabney, the Indian Interpreter for Cockacoeske, Queen of the Pamunkey, who was a grand-niece of Pocahontas, and married Cockacoeske's daughter Susannah as his second wife.