Thomas Carothers

Thomas Carothers

• Thomas Carothers was born circa 1818 in Pennsylvania.
• He married Mary B. (?) circa 1840.
• On 23 June 1849, Green Wood recorded in his travel journal: Rented Mr Carothers place & engaged his corn at 50 cents & went to Mr Ch Louin,s & Bought 6000 feet plank.
• Thomas Carothers and Mary B. (?) appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Walker County, Texas. Other members of the household included George H. Briscoe. Also in the household was little Darcus Winters (age 1). It seems likely that George Briscoe was a brother of or otherwise related to Mary Carothers.
• He was a stock raiser and farmer, according to the 1850 census.
• On Thursday, 8 August 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "W. B. Wood & Green went to Colonel Carothers to look at the thicket land."
• On Sunday, 11 August 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Willis B. Wood returned from Colonel Caruthers this evening."
• On Sunday, 22 September 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr. and Mrs. Carothers, Green and Wife and Willis and Wife and all their Children and Mr. Powell spent the day with us."
• On Saturday, 3 May 1851, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mrs. Abercrombie spent the week with us. " And on the following day, "Had Mrs. & Mr. Abercrombie, Mrs & Mr [Thomas] Carothers, G. M. Wood and family and Willis B. Wood to dinner with us. Mr. A. and family returned home this evening." Noted above entry: "Paid Abercrombie 1 Barrel flour and 1 of pork, due him 1 Barrel pork yet."
• By deed dated 5 September 1851 in Walker County, Texas, Thomas Carothers of Walker County sold to Peter Coffee Harris of Macon County, Alabama, 892 acres of land for the sum of $2,676. Witnessed by William B. Wood and Sam F. Spiller, recorded 17 September 1851.
       On 5 April 1852, Harris sold the same property (described as 880 acres more or less) on Winters bayou to his son-in-law Willis Breazeal Wood for the sum of $5,000. Recorded in Walker County 23 June 1852.
• By deed dated 3 January 1852 in Walker County, Texas, Thomas Carothers of Walker County sold to Willis Breazeal Wood of Montgomery County, Texas, a 480-acre tract of land, part of the Donation Claim of James F. Winters, for the sum of $1,380. Witnessed by William S. Harris and Sam'l Landrum, recorded 30 November 1852.
• Classified advertisements appeared during 1856 in The Huntsville Item under "Steam Mills" for J. Mitchell & R. M. Powell's circular saw-mill, and for T. Carothers' lumber & grist-mill.
• On Monday, 20 October 1856, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent three waggons and Some Boys to Mr Powell,s to help him Hawl corn to Mr Wm Scott at the Carothers Place," and on the following day, "Sent three waggons with corn to Carothers place for Mr Powell."
• Thomas Carothers and Mary B. (?) appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas, at Texas State Penitentiary.
• He was superintendent of the Texas State Penitentiary, according to the 1860 census.
• Sam Houston's will, dated 2 April 1863, specifies: "Fourth. I leave it to my wife as Executrix and to the following gentlemen my executors, to Thomas Gibbs, Thomas Carothers, J. Carroll Smith and Anthony M. Branch, my much beloved friends, in whom I place my entire confidence, to make such disposition of my person and real estate as may seem to them best for the necessities and interests and welfare of my family. . . ."
• Thomas Carothers became a widower at the 13 April 1866 death of his wife Mary B. (?)
• Thomas Carothers died on 17 April 1867 in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas.
• He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Huntsville, Walker County, Texas.
• The following appeared on 15 February 1871 in The Union Republican: Notice, No. 559. The State of Texas.--To all persons interested in the estate of Thomas Carothers, dec'd. [:CR;]      J. P. Nixon Administrator debonis non cum testamento annexo of the estate of Thomas Carothers deceased, has filed his account as administrator aforesaid, in the District Court of Walker County, which will be acted on at the next term of said Court, commencing at the court house thereof in the town of Huntsville on the 4th Monday in March A.D. 1871, at which all persons interested in said estate may appear, and make objections thereto. . . . C. E. Chambers, Deputy Sheriff, Feb. 8, 3t [Pr fee pd $9.00] W. C. T.
• For additional biographical information, see The Texas Handbook Online.

• Last Edited: 23 Jan 2016