Thomas Thomas of Rostraver Twp.

THOMAS THOMAS of ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP

The source of this article is the book "David Thomas and His Descendents" by 
Roland Sheilds Thomas.

    THOMAS THOMAS,  son of David and Margarett (Lucas) Thomas, born in
Wellingtonborough Township, Burlington County, New Jersey on January 30,
1761; married to miss Mary A. GRIMES daughter of Ephriam and Mary GRIMES, in
Burlington County, New Jersey on Feb. 20th, 1783.  She was born in
Burlington County New Jersey on June 10, 1764 of Irish descent but of
American birth, died at Monongahela,PA on April 13, 1837.  Thomas died
November 17, 1839.  Thomas entered the Revolutionary army under Gen.
Washington.  For a time he was employed in cutting out the printrd sheets of
Continental currency; after which he was mustered into a Light Horse company
in which he served to the end of the war.  He lived for a few years in New
Jersey. With a family of two sons and one daughter he subsequently concluded
to move west of Allegheny Mountains.  In that day wagon roads over the
mountains did not exist, and all conveyances was made by packing.  One horse
was loaded with the bed and clothing and wife with daughter in her arms,
another horse with camp equipment and food, a creel or basket on each side.
The one basket set Benjamin and the other Samuel, the elder of the two.  Mr.
Thomas, with his rifle, lead the train on old Indian trails, up the valley
and over the Mountains.  Bears, wolves, panthers, wildcats, deer, etc. were
often seen, from which the old rifle furnished ample supplies of food.  Days
and weeks passed to months before they reached the valleys of the
Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers, between which they settled, about 35
miles from Pittsburgh.  This Valley was in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania at a place called Bud's Ferry,  just above West Newton,
where he operated a fery.  He took up a tract of timber and is valley.  He
applied for pension in 1834, 52 years after the war then a resident of
Monongahela, PA.
     Children of Thomas and Mary are:
BENJAMIN THOMAS born in Wellingborough, Burlington County New Jersey on
September 24,1787,married Miss Hannah ALEXANDER on September 9, 1811, probably in Webster P.A.
EPHRAIM THOMAS, born in Rostraver Township Westmorland County Pennsylvania
on May 10, 1789.  He married Miss Charlotte WHEATLY at Guernsey Co., Ohio on October 18,
1810.  JOEL THOMAS,  born in Rostraver Township Westmorland County on Aug. 5, 1791.
Although he was married in Rostraver Township and buried in Fells Churchyard, very
little is known about Joe were his descendants.  He married miss Rebecca EMBLY .
MARGARET THOMAS, born at Rostraver Township on April 25, 1793.  She married
in 1812 to Edward MORTON probably in Westmorland County PA. She died September 14, 1829.
TIMOTHY THOMAS, born at Rostraver Township on November 3rd 1796, married May
12,1818 in Westmorland  County and died their Aug. 22,1834.  Both are buried in
the Fells Church Cemetery.  He married  Miss Sarah WILLIAMS.
MARY THOMAS, born in Rostraver Township on March 22, 1800, married David
WILLIAMS, probably in Westmorland County, died February 5, 1870. SARAH THOMAS, born in Rostraver Township, on January 16, 1803 and died their
September 21, 1804. LETITIA ANN THOMAS, born Rostraver Township on October 27, 1806 and died
there Aug. 23, 1807and buried in Fells Church Cemetery.
THOMAS THOMAS Jr., was born in the old homestead at Rostraver Township on
January 13, 1809, was married to miss Jane POWER on January 16,1837 in Westmoreland County
P.A.