The Richard Thomas Family

contributed by: Carol Green (date not specified)

Photograph caption — seated in middle:

Richard Thomas born 17 Apr 1841 married 23 Apr 1874 (to Samantha Ault) died 20 Jan 1924 Wash DC buried at Ft. Hill Cemetery Cleveland, TN. Richard’s mother was Julia B. Willet.
Samantha Josephine “Josie” Ault (not confirmed) born 1851 GA died 1928 TN? Daughter of Henry Newman Ault and Sarah P. Jones, married 02 August 1830 in Roane County, TN.

CHILDREN (oldest to youngest) as follows:

1. Richard Frank Thomas born 01 May 1875 died 13 Oct 1927 (pictured with wife Alice)
2. Robert M. Thomas born 19 May 1877
3. Henry Leroy Thomas (my great grandfather – standing top far right corner) born 05 Dec 1878 married 14 Feb 1905 (to Mattie Sue Tinsley) died 08 Mar 1957
4. William E. Thomas born 07 Aug 1881
5. Oscar M. Thomas born 14 Aug 1883
6. Luke H. Thomas born 06 Mar 1886 married to S. Ross
7. Daniel C. Thomas born 6 Jan 1888
8. Joseph R. Thomas born 09 Feb 1890

Bradley County, Tennessee Death Record Abstracts Deaths and Obituary from “The Cleveland Banner”, Cleveland, Tennessee, Tuesday, January 22, 1924 “Richard Thomas, 82, Dies In Washington—- Richard Thomas, aged 82, Civil war veteran and well known Cleveland citizen died at the home of his son, Joe R. Thomas, in Washington D.C. Sunday night following a short illness He had been in feeble health for the past several years and been in Washington several months. Deceased was one of the oldest residents in the county in point of length of time he had resided here as he moved to this county when a mere lad, residing in and around Cleveland about 75 years. He was born in McMinn county on April 17, 1841. He served as a Union soldier during the Civil war, being a member of the Third Tennessee Cavalry. Surviving are his widow and eight sons, who are, R.F. Thomas, of Tacoma, Ill.; R.M. Thomas, of Chattanooga; Henry L. Thomas of Loudon; W.E. Thomas, of Charlotte, N.C.; C.M.and L.H. Thomas, of this city; D.C. Thomas, of Chattanooga; J.R. Thomas, of Washington DC. The remains will reach here Wednesday evening on train No. 41 and will be taken to the McLain mortuary from which funeral services will be held Thursday morning at the McLain mortuary from which services will be held Thursday morning at 10 o’clock Dr. Charles R. Matlock, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment will be made at Fort Hill cemetery The following have been asked to serve as pall bearers: A.W. Million, C.J. Wilson, R.P. Sullivan, Carl Grisby, J.R. Brown, Lee McDaris, E.S. Petty, John Edwards.”

Death and Obituary from The Cleveland Herald, Cleveland, Tennessee, January 25, 1924 “Richard Thomas, 82, Dies In Washington—- Dick Thomas, aged 82, Civil War veteran, died at the home of his son Joe. R. Thomas, in Washington D.C., Sunday night, following a short illness. He had been in feeble health for the past several years and been in Washington several months. Deceased was one of the oldest residents in the county. He was born in McMinn county on April 17, 1841. He served as a Union soldier during the Civil war being a member of the third Tennessee cavalry. Surviving are his widow and eight sons, who are, R.F. Thomas, of Tacoma, Ill.; R.M. Thomas, of Chattanooga; Henry L. Thomas of Loudon; W.E. Thomas, of Charlotte, N.C.; C.M.and L.H. Thomas, of this city; D.C. Thomas, of Chattanooga; J.R. Thomas, of Washington DC. The remains arrived here Wednesday evening on train No. 41 and taken to the McLain mortuary from which funeral services were held Thursday morning at 10 o”‘clock, Dr. Charles R. Matlock officiating. Interment was made at Fort Hill cemetery.”

Death and Obituary from “Cleveland Daily Banner”, Cleveland, Tennessee, Monday, January 28, 1924 “Card of Thanks” “We wish to thank those who were so kind to us at the funeral of our dear father. Also for the beautiful flowers and the use of cars —- R.F. Thomas, R.M. Thomas, H.L. Thomas W.E. Thomas, L.H. Thomas, O.M. Thomas, D.C. Thomas, J.R. Thomas”

R. L. Thomas was listed on the Cleveland Censuses.
1880 Census listed as a R.R. Fireman
1900 Census listed as a Farmer
1910 Census listed as a General Farmer
R. L. was a Cleveland Alderman in 1887 and 1890.
R. L. Thomas served in Company B, 3rd Tennessee Calvary in the Civil War
Richard Thomas’ Soldier’s Application.
Additional Information: At age 50, Richard Thomas states he was enrolled on Feb 13, 1863 in the Tennessee Cavalry in service “E” 4th and was honorably discharged at Nashville on July 12, 1865. This conflicts with the information about his service in Co B., 3rd Tenn which came from a Bradley County book in the Civil War Record Section at the LDS library in Utah. I do not know if he served in two different cavalry units but it is a possibility.