Martha Jane Thomason (1815 - 1898)

Born 6 Mar 1815 in Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 18 Apr 1898 at age 83 in Upshur, West Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Malcom Griffith [send private message]

Biography

Martha was born in 1815. She passed away in 1898.

Sources

• *"United States Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M419-DRY : Fri Mar 08 10:56:51 UTC 2024), Entry for Marthy J Thompson and John N Thompson, 1860.

• "West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FT74-L7Y : 11 February 2018), Martha in entry for Richard S. Thomason and Elizabeth Ellyson, 28 Jul 1860; citing Barbour, West Virginia, b1 1/2 p13, county clerks, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 808,381.

• "West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F1ZK-6P8 : 11 February 2018), Martha in entry for Rich S Thomason and Elizabeth Elleyson, 28 Jul 1860; citing Barbour, West Virginia, 38, county clerks, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 808,381.

• "West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FYMF-PPN : 21 November 2018), Martha Thomson in entry for Benj Thomison and Nancy A. Shockey, 06 Dec 1867; citing Upshur County, West Virginia, p20, county clerks, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 1,503,270.

• "United States Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZHM-P16 : Tue Mar 05 01:54:18 UTC 2024), Entry for Martha J Thomas and Mary E Thomas, 1870.

• "United States Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6TH-GFK : Sat Mar 09 12:00:38 UTC 2024), Entry for Martha Thomasson and Marietta Thomasson, 1880.

• "West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F1TW-S8X : 10 March 2018), Martha Thomason in entry for J. N. Thomason, 22 May 1922; citing Randolph, West Virginia, County Records, 6780, county courthouses, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 1,953,048.

• "West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NMZZ-KQF : 10 March 2018), Martha Thomasen in entry for Benjamin Franklin Thomasen, 28 Jan 1926; citing Upshur, West Virginia, County Records, 1443, county courthouses, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 1,953,241.

• "West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NMZJ-PSR : 9 March 2018), Martha Thomas in entry for Frances Jane Trusler Lowe, 19 Jun 1947; citing Upshur, West Virginia, County Records, 8278, county courthouses, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 1,983,941.

Research Notes

Matha J Thomason (her middle name is speculated to be Jane) never married, despite giving birth to at least 6 children. Given the number of years between some of her childrens' births (Richard Samuel and John Nelson, and Frances Jane and Mary Etta being the most significant two cases), it is entirely possible that there were additional children who did not survive and not recorded on any surviving documents.

DNA analysis supports the premise that the father of John Nelson and Ann Elizabeth was Abner J Harris. And Abner J Harris is named as the father on Ann ELizabeth's death record.

1860 Census lists "Marty Tompson", Female with the occupation of "Grass Widow". The definition of this term is:

noun 1. a woman who is separated, divorced, or lives apart from her husband. 2. a woman whose husband is away from home frequently or for a long time, as on business or to pursue a sport or hobby. 3. Archaic. a discarded mistress. a woman who has borne an illegitimate child.

Note the second archaic definition. In 1860 that could very well be the common definition and not so archaic, and it would fit very well with her apparent situation.

At the time that all Martha J's children were born, Abner J Harris was living in Upshur County, married to another woman, Mary Frances (nee) SHarpe, and fathering several children by her.

My mother, a great-granddaughter of John Nelson Thomason, recounted family stories to me that the father of all Martha J's children was, "A traveling salesman." I have found nothing to support these tales nor anything that would indicate that Abner J Harris was a traveling salesman.

Griffith-11238 17:32, 28 March 2024 (UTC)Malcom Griffith