THOMAS ASHER
Thomas was born between 1785 and 1795 in Tennessee. Some researchers believe his father was Robertson ASHER who is listed on the Washington County TN tax list for 1791 & 1793. On his application for Bounty Land Claim, filed in DeWitt County Texas on 19 July 1855, Thomas states that he married Mary McGEE in Anderson County TN in May 1817. Also on the application Thomas ASHER states he served as a private and as a t for Walton/Walter TAYLOR. He was mustered into service 19 Sept 1814 at Knoxville, TN. in Capt. James TUNNELL’S Co., Reg’t East Tennessee Militia commanded by Col. Wm. JOHNSON. His term of service expired 4 May 1815. In his application for bounty land he names the following as being members of the same militia unit: RICE-Adjutant General; James C. McGEE-Major; McADOO-1st Lieutenant. Other enlisted men: Michael ASHER; David LANDRUM; James BLACKBURN; Andrew EDGEN; George GARNER; John SEXTON; Wm. SEXTON and _____ PATTON. By 1820 Thomas ASHER had moved to Bond County, Illinois and he married his second wife, Sally SWANSON in Greene Co. Illinois on 5 Dec 1822. In Shelby Co. Texas, Republic of Texas, on 22 Feb 1838, Thomas ASHER made an application for bounty land as “an immigrant of the year 1832.” He was granted a league and labor of land in Travis Co. TX in 1841. By 1846 Thomas had moved to DeWitt County TX and is listed without a wife on the 1850 DeWitt County census. Thomas died 4 July 1885 in Riddleville, Karnes County, Texas. Children (1st marriage):
1. James ASHER , b. 4 Jan 1818 Tennessee m. Emily WOFFORD;
2. Delaney ASHER b. 1820 Illinois.
Children (2nd marriage):
1. Thomas Pleasant ASHER b. 1825 Illinois m. Mrs. Annastasia BROWN TENNELL;
2. Mary Ann ASHER b. 1826 Illinois m. John J. TOMLINSON;
3. Robertson ASHER b. 1828 m. Susan DOWDY;
4. Franklin ASHER b. March 1835 Texas m. Sarah Ann KEYES;
5 Nancy Caroline ASHER b. Feb 1838 Texas m. John Benjamin HAND in 1855;
6. John Henry ASHER b. Oct. 1842 Texas m. 1. Rachel BROWN 2. Nellie BARTER; and
7. Louisa Eliza ASHER b. 12 Apr 1843 Texas m. Thomas CAFFALL.
Note: another ASHER researcher has related that his ancestor Charles ASHER and a brother of Charles, William, both served in the War of 1812 from Anderson Co. TN. The Michael ASHER named in Thomas ASHER’S claim application has been traced to Washington Co. Arkansas.
Submitted by Glenn & Patsy Hand