Thomas MAJORS

  Research Notes:

The Parents of Thomas:

Although I have not found definitive proof, I believe the circumstantial case that the parents of Thomas were Elias Majors and Margaret Floyd of Roane Co., TN is persuasive. The facts comprising this circumstantial case are set forth below.

1. There are a number of unaccounted for children in the household of Elias Majors in the 1830 Census for Roane Co. Thomas, who per census records was born 1810-1811, may have been the male age 15-20 in the household. The complicating factor is that Elias' son, William, was older than Thomas, so he might be the older male child in the household and Thomas may have been one of the two male children age 10-15. But, William may also have been the younger male age 15-20 in the household of his older brother, Larkin, leaving that slot open for Thomas in Elias' household. All that can be stated with certainty is that there is potentially room for Thomas of Grainger Co. in the 1830 household of Elias. [Note there is also room in Elias' household for his presumed sister, Sarah, who married his father-in-law, Joseph Leffew.]

2. There was a Thomas Majors of Roane Co., who presumably was the son of Elias. He first appears on the 1836 tax list. While that would normally indicate he was born about 1815, which is a few years after Thomas of Grainger Co. seems to have been born, extrapolating ages from the initial appearance on a tax list does not always work in the case of sons who had not established their own household. Such sons were not always taxed, even though being over 21 they were taxable. Note that Elias' last appearance was on the 1834 tax list, suggesting he may have died sometime after that. It's entirely possible Thomas was not added to the tax rolls until after his father died. [What actually happened to Elias after 1834 is unknown. While he may have died as suggested, it's also possible that beginning in 1835, he was exempt from the poll tax on account of age and that he died before the 1840 census. It's also possible he moved away about 1835. Either scenario may have been the reason Thomas was added to the tax rolls in 1836. There are simply no records to be found for Elias after 1834, which would help answer these questions.]

3. Thomas Majors of Roane Co. made his last appearance on the tax lists of Roane Co. in 1837. That corresponds well with the 1838 marriage of Thomas Majors and Phebe Farmer nee Leffew in Grainger Co., TN. This was also the first record of Thomas in Grainger Co., which indicates neither he nor his family had previously lived in Grainger Co.

4. In the 1830 census for Roane Co., TN, Elias Majors lived next door to Pleasant Henry Leffew, who was either a brother or first cousin of Phebe Leffew, who married Thomas Majors in Grainger Co. Joseph Leffew, whom Sarah Majors married, was either the father or uncle of Pleasant. Some descendants also report Elias named one of his sons Pleasant. Pleasant Henry Leffew thus provides the connection between the Majors of Roane Co. and the Leffews of Grainger Co.

The Children of Thomas and Phebe:

Determining the children of Thomas and Phebe is complicated because the census records suggest a different family from what one would expect from their marriage date. The problem begins with the 1840 census which shows five children under age 10 in their household. Since they were not married until 27 Aug 1838, who are these children and who were their parents?

Based upon the 1850 census, we can presume as to the 1840 census that the two male children under age 5 were James and Absalum and that Polly was one of the female children under age 5. But what of the other female children, one under age 5 and one age 5-10?

Being able to tentatively identify James and Absalum in the 1840 census still does not explain who their parents were. Since their births predate the marriage of Thomas and Phebe, it seems unlikely these children were theirs. While the possibility of children before marriage exists, remember that Phebe was married to John Farmer (presumably John Farmer, Jr., who first appears on an 1832 tax list, which was the year of his marriage to Phebe) prior to her marriage to Thomas and that he appears in tax lists through 1837, suggesting he died not too long before she married Thomas (I can't be sure exactly when he died because tax lists are not available for the years immediately after 1837, at least on FHL film, and I have not found any estate administration records).

Might James and Absalum have been Phebe's children by John Farmer, Jr., who took the Majors name? Perhaps, but no guardianship records have been found for the minor heirs of John Farmer, Jr., Dec'd. Also, the name Absalum/Absalom is a reoccurring name among the descendants of Thomas Majors of Rhea Co. (presumed grandfather of Thomas of Grainger Co.), which suggests a Majors connection. Could they have been Thomas' children from a prior marriage or relationship? There is no evidence Thomas was previously married. Might James and Absalum be Thomas' younger brothers who became part of his household after the death of Elias and Margaret? That would mean, however, that Margaret was still bearing children in her 50s and that she and Elias both died about 1837. Query.

Other Grainger County Majors:

John Majors: On 20 Aug 1798, a court order was entered appointing Edward Shipley, John Majors, Richard Harper, Peter Neale and Felpo Reed to view a road from Marshals Ford on the Holston River to the home of one of these individuals. This John Majors may have been the son of Thomas Majors of Jefferson and Rhea Cos., TN. Per Dr. Troy Majors, John died prematurely in Grainger Co. about 1809.

Peter Majors: On 20 May 1816, Peter Majors purchased from Martin Stubblefield land situated in Grainger and Hawkins Cos. on the north side of the Holston River. Peter Majors was living on this land at the time of purchase. The 1817 and 1818 tax lists for Capt. William Reed's Company in Grainger Co. shows Peter Magers with 130 acres and one white poll in each instance. On 16 Nov 1818, Peter Majors of Grainger Co. sold this land to William Thompson of Hawkins Co. Might this Peter be the Peter Majors who appears in later records in Rhea Co. and was also a son of Thomas of Rhea Co.?

Dicey Majors and David Majors: On 19 Apr 1824, Dicey Majors married Elisha Eaton. David Majors was the presumed bondsman. No further records for this couple were found. There is an IGI at the LDS site which lists a David Majors, born Apr 1805 in TN, son of Thomas and Polly Majors. Might this Thomas be another son of Thomas of Rhea Co.?

James Majors (2 of them) and Preston Majors: Marriage records exist for an unidentified James Majors, which differ slightly depending on the transcription you look at: James P. Majors to Mary Ann Nash on 27 Aug 1856; James Preston Majors to Mariah Nash on 18 Aug 1856; and James Roeston Majors to Marian Nash on 18 Aug 1856. The marriage dates seem too close to be an earlier marriage of James, putative son of Thomas. Might he be a son of Jas Majors of household no. 1665 in the 1860 census, another Majors whom I cannot identify? Does the fact this family lived near my John Bowers and his wife Mary (Majors) have any significance? Another unidentified Majors who married at this time was Preston Majors, who married Polly Jones on 4 May 1856 or 26 Feb 1858, depending on the transcription. Although the name Preston might suggest he was the same person who married Ms. Nash, the marriage dates are too confusing to so conclude.

Thomas Majors: An unidentified Thomas, age 61, appears at household no. 1 in District 12 in the 1880 census for Grainger Co., along with Lucinda, age 40, James, age 18, Mary, age 14, William, age 10, Rettie, age 8, Thomas, age 5, Susan, age 2, and female baby, age 1/12, who may have been Mary's daughter. My Thomas and Phebe Majors appear to have died before the 1880 census.

Mary Majors: An unidentified Mary Majors, age 18, appears as a servant in the William Malicoat household (No. 320 in District 11) in the 1880 census for Grainger Co.

  Birth Notes:

It's difficult to get a good fix on his year of birth, because the early census records support a year of birth about 1810-1811, while the later census records suggest a year of birth about 1818-1819. I believe the earlier census records are more accurate.

  Death Notes:

This date of death is extrapolated from the expected date of conception of Martha Majors, listed as a daughter of Cinda Majors in the 1900 census, and presumes she was fathered by Thomas.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census: 1830, Roane County, Tennessee. ⁸

Two possibilities:
Household of Elias Majors: Possibly the male age 15-20.
Household of Larkin Majors: Possibly the male age 15-20.

2. Tax List: 1836-1837, Roane County, Tennessee. ⁹

1836
11th District: Thomas Magers, 1 white poll

1837
11th District: Thomas Magers, 1 white poll

[One normally was subject to the poll tax when one became 21, which would indicate Thomas was born 1814-1815. While that is slightly later than census records would indicate, it may be that he was not subjected to tax until after Elias had died or moved. Elias was last taxed in 1834, so something happened to him in 1835.]

3. Estate Administration: 1839, Grainger County, Tennessee. ¹⁰

T. Majors purchased the following items on 18 Jan 1840 from the Estate of Joseph Leffew, Dec'd: a colt for $16.125; a pot for $1.99; and two bags and a sheepskin for $.59.

4. Bill of Sale: 1840, Grainger County, Tennessee. ¹¹

By Bill of Sale dated 30 May 1840 and registered 11 Sep 1840, Thomas Majors sold a 7 or 8 year old sorrell to David Watson for $500. It seems doubtful the purchase price was properly recorded.

5. Census: 1840, Grainger County, Tennessee. ¹²

Household of Thos. Majors:
2 males age 0-5, 1 male age 20-30
2 females age 0-5, 1 female age 5-10, 1 female age 20-30

[Note: Thomas and family lived next door to William Leffew]

6. Deed: 1841, Grainger County, Tennessee. ^{13 14}

See details of Deed dated 11 Dec 1841 under events for Phebe.

7. Census: 1850, Grainger County, Tennessee. ⁴

Dwelling 1429, Family 1492, District 12
Household of Thomas Majors:
Thomas Majors, 40, M, Farmer, TN, cannot read or write
Phebe Majors, 39, F, TN, cannot read or write
James Majors, 15, M, Farmer, TN, Attended School
Absalum Majors, 13, M, TN, Attended School
Polly Majors, 11, F, TN, Attended School
Maria Majors, 9, F, TN, Attended School
Peggy Majors, 7, F, TN, Attended School
Hannah Majors, 6, F, TN
Rachael Majors, 4, F, TN

Notes:
1. The index that I reviewed at the FHL shows 1429/1492 to be headed by Phebe Majors. However, if you look at the actual census you find that Thomas' name precedes Phebe's; it is clear the enumerator put the dwelling/family information on the wrong line.
2. Nancy (Leffew) Williams headed 1428/1490, William Leffew headed 1431/1494 and Lavina Leffew headed 1434/1497

8. Census: 1860, Grainger County, Tennessee. ⁵

Dwelling 1723, Family 1723, District No. 15
Household of Thos Majors:
Thos Majors, 49, M, Laborer, -/$40, TN, cannot read or write
Phebe Majors, 45, F, TN, cannot read or write
Artensy M. Majors, 20, F, Spinster, TN, cannot read or write
Margaret M. Majors, 18, F, TN
Hannah M. Majors, 16, F, TN
Rachael M. Majors, 14, F, TN

[The name of Rebecca Majors, age 7, was entered on Rachael's line and then was crossed out. Then, Rebecca Majors, age 7, was listed in the household of Rachael Howell at 1729/1729. Might not Rebecca be the Sarah of Thomas' 1870 household? Note, also, that Daniel A. Majors lived at 1724/1724.]

9. Tax List: 1854-1855, Grainger County, Tennessee. ¹⁵

1854 13th District: Magers, Thomas, 1 white poll

1855 13th District: Magers, Thomas, 1 white poll

10. Census: 1870, Grainger County, Tennessee. ¹⁶

Dwelling 134, Family 134, District No. 12
Household of Thomas Majors:
Majors, Thomas, 52, M, W, Farmer, 300/150, TN, cannot read or write
, Phebe, 58, F, W, Keeping House, TN, cannot read or write
, Rachel, 23, F, W, TN
, Sarah, 17, F, W, TN
, (unreadable), 3, F, W, TN
, Jane, 1, F, W, TN

[It seems likely the last two children were grandchildren and thus children of one of the daughters in the household. Per the 1880 census for the household of William Coffman, they appear to have been Rachel's daughters, Josephine and Jane.]

11. Tax List: 1875-1876, Grainger County, Tennessee. ¹⁷

District No. 12: Majors, Thos, no tax except for a dog tax (age exemption for poll tax?).

12. Census: 1880, Grainger County, Tennessee. ⁶

Dwelling 1, Family 1, 12th District
Majors, Thomas, white, male, age 61, husband, married, farming, cannot read or write, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, Lucinda, white, female, age 40, wife, married, keeping house, cannot write, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, James, white, male, age 18, son, single, farm labor, attended school, cannot write, bon in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, Mary, white, female, age 14, daughter, single, attended school, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, William, white, male, age 10, son, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, Rettie, white, female, age 8, daughter, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, Thomas, white, male, age 5, son, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, Susan, white, female, age 2, daughter, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
---------, Babe, white, female, age 1/12 (born in May), daughter, born in TN, father and mother born in TN

[After Lucinda married Thomas, her children born before their marriage (Phebe, James, Mary and William per the 1870 census) apparently took on the Majors name. The younger children, beginning with Rettie, were apparently fathered by Thomas.]

13. Census: 1900, Grainger County, Tennessee. ⁷

Dwelling 152, Family 164, District 12
Majors, Cinda, head, white, female, born Mar 1840, age 60, widowed, 10 children (8 living), born in TN, father and mother born in TN, day laborer, cannot read or write, rents farm
------, Phebe, daughter, white, female, born Jan 1860, age 40, married 4 years, 5 children (5 living), born in TN, father and mother born in TN, cannot read or write
------, James, son, white, male, born Dec 1863, age 36, married 12 years, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, farmer, can read and write
------, Mary, daughter, white, female, born May 1865, age 35, single, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, day laborer, cannot read or write
------, William, son, white, male, born Feb 1867, age 33, married 8 years, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, farmer, cannot read or write
-------, Thomas, son, white, male, born Mar 1873 (?), age 31, married 6 years, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, farmer, can read and write
------, Liza, daughter, white, female, born May 1876, age 24, single, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, cannot read or write
------, Horace, son, white, male, born Oct 1881, age 18, single, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, farmer, can read and write
------, Martha, daughter, white, female, born Mar 1885, age 15, single, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, cannot read or write
------, Herman, g-son, white, male, born Feb 1884, age 16, single, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, farm laborer, can read but cannot write
------, Lon, g-son, white, male, born Sep 1892, age 7, single, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, cannot read or write
------, Hubert, g-son, white, male, born Sep 1895, age 4, single, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, cannot read or write

[This census seemingly introduces two more children -- Horace and Martha -- and establishes that Thomas presumably died sometime after Jun 1884, which would have been 9 months before the birth of Martha. I say "seemingly" and "presumably" because we can't be sure that Thomas didn't die earlier and that Horace and Martha weren't fathered by someone else.

Liza presents a bit of a puzzle, in that she is not a good fit for anyone in the 1880 census. Since was was born after Thomas, she may be the Susan of the 1880 census; the other possibility is the unnamed baby girl.

The grandsons, Herman, Lon and Hubert, have been identified as sons of the unmarried Mary Majors, with Lon really being Vaughn. See the Grainger County, Tennessee Rootsweb posting by Nancy Majors Winn at http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/TNGRAING/2000-03/0951967853.

One curious aspect of this census listing is the presence of so many adult married children. It is my belief that this is a list of Lucinda's children that were still living rather than a list of those who resided in her household. For example, William also seems to be enumerated at 158/171, Thomas also seems to be enumerated at 136/146, and even grandson Herman seems to be enumerated at 156/168. While the month and year of birth of these duplicate listings varies slightly, I attribute that to enumeration error, or maybe even a memory error by Lucinda. The information contained in the listings for their own households seems more consistent with earlier census records.]

Thomas married Phebe LEFFEW, daughter of Joseph LEFFEW and Unknown First Wife of Joseph Leffew, on 27 Aug 1838 in Grainger County, Tennessee.^{1 2} (Phebe LEFFEW was born in 1811-1815 in Tennessee ^{4 5 16} and died in 1870-1871 in Grainger County, Tennessee ^{3 16}.)

  Marriage Notes:

Per Film Source:
Thomas Majors to Phebe Farmer, Aug 27, 1838 by John Robinson, J.P., Aug 27, 1838.

Per Actual Record:
Marriage License issued 27 Aug 1838 at Rutledge to Thomas Majors and Pheber Farmer by Edward Tate, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Grainger. License contains the following return information: "This Day the above named Couple was Joined together as husband and wife this 27 August 1838," signed John Robertson, Justice of the Peace.

Note: Some descendants have recorded the year of their marriage as 1835. I assume this date was extrapolated -- probably by someone unaware of the marriage record -- from the ages of the children appearing in their household in the 1850 census, particularly James, age 15. The actual date of the marriage records raises questions whether James and Absalum were children of Thomas and Phebe. See Research Notes for Thomas Majors.

Thomas next married Lucinda JONES on 6 Nov 1871 in Grainger County, Tennessee.³ (Lucinda JONES was born in Mar 1840 in Tennessee and died after 1910 in Grainger County, Tennessee.)