Thomas was possibly born in Salry townland, Magheracross Parish, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland. The possiblity was discovered through a living elder Armstrong who knows the family history. She confirmed that William, (b. 1804), James, (b. 1808) were brothers, but couldn't remember a Thomas. There is circumstantial evidence which supports this such as James family staying with Thomas' family in the 1855 census. William arrived in 1832 and James and Thomas arrived in 1834 from Ireland. They all moved to Henderson co. Ill by 1865. William's obituary states that he was born in Solray, Fermanagh. Correct spelling is Salry.

Thomas married Sarah Kernahan and James marries Mariah Caroline Kernahan in Boston. The possibilty that the Kernahan were sisters has been confirmed in an obituary, which may explain why Mariah Caroline and her children were staying with Thomas Armstrong and Sarah in 1855.

There are two possible circumstances of arrival of Thomas to America. The most likely date of arrival from Ireland had him first stopping in New Brunswick. He then sailed on the Boundary under Master William Best from Halifax. (Best was from St. John of New Brunswick.) He arrived in Boston on 23 Jun 1834. (See National Archives series M277 Roll B.)

The second scenario has Thomas arriving in New York on 22 Jul 1833 at age 20 (three more months he would be 21.) He came via Liverpool on the Ship Albion. Micro film M237 Roll 20, List Number 527.
There were a couple other Thomas Armstrong arriving from Ireland but the above dates coincide with this family history, the others do not.
He married Sarah Kernahan on 9 Sep 1839 in Boston. He was listed as a teamster in the 1850 census but was listed as a lawyer in the 1860 census. Sarah and he had their first seven children born in Boston before moving to Oquawka, Ill.To see his chiildren's names and dates go to Sarah's link.

He went to fight in the Civil War for the Union. He has a grave marker along with the family marker in this cemetery.
He enlisted as a private on 3 July 1862 for the Union in Illinois. He enlisted in Company G, 84th Infantry Regiment on Ist of Sept. 1862. He was discharged from the same company and regiment on 14 Apr 1863. At this stage of research it doesn't look as if he applied for a pension.
The military headstone was provided by Mr.H.F.S. Gross of Lee, Mass. on Sept. 28, 1886

SINCE THIS POSTING A DNA TEST HAS PROVEN THAT JAMES AND THOMAS WERE BROTHERS AND SINCE JAMES AND WILLIAM WERE KNOWN TO BE BROTHERS ALSO THIS MEANS THAT THOMAS WAS A BROTHER TO WILLIAM AS WELL.
JAMES ARMSTRONG WAS BURIED AT HARNESS CEMETERY, MOUNT STERLING, VAN BUREN CO. IOWA. WILLIAM ARMSTRONG IS BURIED AT BELMONT CEMETERY, BALD BLUFF, HENDERSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS. THEIR MEMORIALS ARE ON FIND A GRAVE. 11/9/14.

PLEASE REVIEW THIS SIGHT FOR CHANGES AND UPDATES. DO NOT CONSIDER THIS THE FINAL WORD ON HIS INFORMATION.