Thomas Moffett Porterfield1

b. 31 March 1859, d. 21 December 1930
FatherJames Clark Porterfield1,2 b. 1823, d. 1895
MotherEleanor Hays Davis1 b. 1 Nov 1822, d. 12 Jul 1901
Birth31 Mar 1859 Thomas Moffett Porterfield was probably born on 31 Mar 1859 in Virginia although his headstone reports his birth as "1857."3,4,5 
 Thomas was named for Thomas Moffett, who was married to Ann Elizabeth Davis, his mother's cousin. 
Educationbetween 1879 and 1883 He attended Emory and Henry College in Washington County, Virginia, between 1879 and 1883.1 
Religion Thomas held the offices of deacon and elder in Old Glade Spring Church. He also kept a family altar at home for he and his siblings following their father's death.1 
Cens-Sum  As the eldest living son, Thomas was enumerated as the head of the household beginning in 1900, the first census enumerated following his father's death in 1895. Thomas appears to have assumed the responsibility of managing the family farm until his death in late 1930.5,6,7 
Death21 Dec 1930 Thomas died on 21 Dec 1930 at age 71.1 
Burial He was buried with his parents and many of his siblings in the Hutton-Porterfield square at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County.4 

Related Links and Images:

Thomas's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Descendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited15 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, pp. 152-153.
  2. [S165] James C. Porterfield household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 18 (61B stamped), dwelling 153, family 154, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 18 of 54. James C. Porterfield, 57, farmer; Ellen R., 57, wife; Jane R. 26, dau; Sarah E. 20, dau; Thomas M. 21, son; Francis H., 16, son; Malinda M. 11, dau; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  3. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 152. This source provides 31 March 1859 as date of birth.
  4. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 186. Transcription of stone reads: T. M. Porterfield, 1857-1930. Year of birth should be 1859.
  5. [S634] Thomas Porterfield household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 109, sheet 14 (page 96A stamped, dwelling 272, family 283, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 27 of 29. Reported data includes: Thomas Porterfield, 39, b. March 1861, farmer, owns home free and clear; Jane, sister, 47, b. Dec. 1852; Sarah E., sister, age and date of birth not readable; cont. on page B: Frank, bros, 35, b. Jan 1865, farm laborer; Linda, sister, 30, b. Oct. 1869; Elliner, mother, 77, wid, b. Nov. 1822, mother of 10 children, 5 living; all children single; all persons b. VA. Note: all underlined years of birth are in error.
  6. [S237] Thomas M. Porterfield household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 117, sheet 18A, dwelling 304, family 310, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 35 of 45. Recorded data includes: Thomas M. Porterfield, 45, sgl, farmer; Elizabeth, sister, 51; Frank H. 39, farmer; Linda, sister, 37; all b. VA.
  7. [S238] Thomas Porterfield household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, ED 148, sheet 14B, dwelling 302, family 305, viewed online at Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 18 of 20. Recorded data includes: Thomas Porterfield, 59, sgl, farmer; Lizzie, sister, 64; Frank H., bros 48; Malinda M., sister, 44; all b. VA.