Sarah A. Thomas1

b. 22 November 1849, d. 15 September 1924
Birth22 Nov 1849 Sarah A. Thomas was born on 22 Nov 1849 in Surry County, North Carolina.2,1 
Marriage She married first William Nichols.1 
Children  Sarah and William had children: William P. Nichols (b. abt 1869), Britton Seldon Nichols (b. 1871) and Mary Tina Nichols (b. 6 Apr 1873).1 
Marriage28 Mar 1892 She married second Samuel A. Byars, son of Arthur Bowen Byars and Susannah B. Blessing, on 28 Mar 1892 in Washington County, Virginia.3 
  Twelve years earlier Sarah had been enumerated in Samuel's 1880 household. She was listed as a servant.4 
Cens-190015 Jun 1900  Eight years after their marriage Sarah and Samuel were enumerated on their farm in the Holston District of Washington County. Sarah (age 49) was noted to be the mother of 3 children, all of whom were living. The household also included 7 year old Livie Stoval who was identified as Samuel's granddaughter.5 
  "Livie", whose name was Libbie, was actually Sarah's granddaughter; the daughter of Mary Tina (Nichols) Stovall.1 
Cens-19106 May 1910  The 1910 census recorded Sarah as the mother of 4 children, 2 of whom were living. However it seems unlikely Sarah had given birth to a child between 1900 and 1910.6 
Cens-19203 Jan 1920  By 1920 Samuel and Sarah lived in neighboring Smyth County. That years census, enumerated in early January, recorded their residence as "Rail Road Front" in Chilhowie.7 
Widowed9 Jun 1921  This was probably where they were living when Samuel died from cancer that June. 
Milit-Pens8 Jul 1921  In July Sarah applied for a pension as the widow of a Confederate soldier. Oddly, she stated that she and Samuel married on May 1st 1874 at Kelly Chapel in Washington County. Sarah also stated that she had resided in Chilhowie for 18 months. She owned a small house and lot.8 
Death15 Sep 1924 Sarah died on 15 Sep 1924 at age 74.2 
Burial She was buried at Byars Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 

Related Links and Images

Sarah's headstone
Other interments in Byars Cemetery
Last Edited23 Mar 2013

Citations

  1. [S2944] Barbara Muller, "Samuel A. Byars-Almeda Cole Byars," e-mail to D. Powell, 28 May 2012. Barbara is the 2nd great granddaughter of Sarah (Thomas) Nichols Byars.
  2. [S2746] S.A.. Byars tombstone, Byars Cemetery, Washington, Virginia, The stone reads: Sarah A., w/o S.A. Byars, b. 22 Nov. 1849, d. 15 Sep 1924.
  3. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 15. Samuel A. Byars, 55, wid, b. Smyth Co., VA, s/o __ Byars AND S.A. Nichols, 45, wid, d/o __ Nichols; 28 Mar 1892.
  4. [S163] S.A. Byars household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 100, p. 16D, dwelling 133, family 133. Aug 2011. Household includes: S.A. Byars, 43, farmer; Almeda, wife, 35; R.W., son, 12, farm laborer; John T., 10, farm laborer; S.A. Nickles, 30, servant; all b. VA.
  5. [S634] Sammy Byars household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 114, sheet 11A (p. 158 stamped), dwelling 187, family 188, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug 2011. Household includes: Sammy Byars, 62, b. Feb. 1838, marr 8yrs, farmer, owns farm, no mortgage; Sarah, wife, 49, b. Nov. 1850, marr 8yrs, mother of 3 children, all living; Livie Stoval, gdau, 7, b. Nov. 1892; Lily Doss, 16, servant, b. Jan 1884; all b. VA.
  6. [S237] Samuel A. Byars household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 121, sheet 12B, dwelling 229, family 230, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug 2011. Household includes: Samuel A. Byars, 72, marr #2, marr 18 yrs, own income; Sarah A., wife, 61, marr #1, marr 18 yrs, mother of 4 children, 2 are living, b. NC.
  7. [S835] Samuel Byars household, 1920 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Chilhowie, ED 113, sheet 3A (p62 stamped), dwelling 51, family 54, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2012. Household includes: Samuel Byars, 81, b. VA/VA/VA; Sarah, 70, b. NC/VA/VA; resid "Rail Road Front."
  8. [S1302] "Confederate Pension Applications Submitted by Widows and Soldiers who Served from the State of Virginia", Library of Virginia (http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/ : viewed July 2012). Sarah A. Thomas pension application dated 8 July 1921 at Chilhowie, Smyth Co., VA.