Pictured are left to right: Sarah Jane Blankenship Phears, Thomas, Martha, Mary, and Sarah
In front: Nannie, Baby Phears (name unknown), and Anna
Thomas Phears (1830-1902)
Thomas Phears (1830-1902)
Thomas was born August 24, 1830 to Absalom and Jane Blankenship Phears. He moved from Missouri to Texas around 1850. On February 12, 1859 he married Sarah Jane Layne. Sarah had previously been married to Thomas's brother William Childress Phears. Sarah and William were married June 1, 1851. Sarah and William had children John Pleas Phears born on May 7, 1852, William born June 12, 1854, Martha born April 11, 1857 and Mary born in 1858. William died in 1858. Thomas and Sarah had children including Anna born September 1859, Charles Robert born in 1862, Nancy (Nannie) born April 29, 1864, and the baby, pictured above, who died in infancy.
Sarah died between 1870 and 1880 in Washington Co., Texas and is buried in Mt. Zion Hill Cemetery 2 miles northeast of Burton, Texas in Washington County. In 1880, Thomas' mother Jane was living with Thomas in Washington County. In 1890, Thomas and two of his daughters moved to Hamilton County, Texas. See Home Thomas died December 7, 1902 and is buried in Live Oak Cemetery, Hamilton County, Texas. Sarah's daughter Mattie (Martha) continued to live in the family home in the Ohio community, near Sardis church, Hamilton County, Texas.
Picture of Thomas with his brother William
Picture of the Absalom Phears Family
The family photograph and picture of Thomas with his brother William are from an album owned by Faye Phears. It is believed that this album was brought to Hamilton County by Thomas Phears in 1890. These photographs were identified by Susan Merren. The "house" photograph was in an album owned by Nancy Haynes. This is believed to be the back of the house in Hamilton County where Eula Futterrer lived with her sister Minnie Harlien after their mother died.
Sources: Hamilton County Records, Obituary of Mattie Phears, Obituary of Nannie Futterrer, Susan Merren, and United States Census Records.
Written by Angie Collier March 8, 2003
