Thomas Womack, circa 1744
sp. Louvisa Rice
This is just some notes I have gathered on Thomas and Louvisa, if you have other information, clues etc., on the possible ancestors of Thomas Womack, please send them I'll post them on this page and possibly we can sort this out some day. Roger Womack, email: mlwomack@aol.com
There has been much confusion as to the parentage of Thomas. He has been assigned many different parents over the years and no proof has been given to prove them one way or the other. Below is some notes I received from Joyce Wommack, and other Womack researchers.
Louvisa Rice w/o Thomas A. Womack d/o John Rice and Mary Finney (see WFC Apr85). John Rice was a member of the First Court of Lunenburg., VA., and served in the Lunenburg Co., Militia in 1747, then in Halifax Co., when created from Lunenburg Co., VA. (pg32 W.G. Dec1957).
Thomas A. Womack h/o Louvisa Rice, parents unknown. From descendants of Thomas and Louvisa Rice: He was known only as Thomas. WOMACK FAMILY COURIER, P.O. Box 1320, Winnfield, LA. 71483-1320 (Jan84 Oct88) his first name as John, no proof? Also, middle initial "A" believed to be for Abner, Abrams or Abraham, no proof? (publication terminated). From Barbara DeHart, P.O. Box 400, Estacada, OR., 97023 (May89). Thomas and Louvisa were married 22 Feb 1766 in Halifax Co., VA. Thomas was born in Halifax Co., VA., the s/o Abner Womack. Louvisa was born ca 1745 in VA. Records show that Thomas lived in Halifax and Prince Edwards Co., VA., before moving to Burke Co., NC., where he died after 1781. Revolutionary pay voucher and before 1790 census. All his children had to have been born in these areas. The county names changed as new counties were created, but the locations remained the same (RBW).
SOURCES: WOMACK FAMILY ASSOCIATION Newsletter, WOMACK GENEALOGY (WG) created by Oscar B. Womack; (jun57 Dec60). THE DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS AND LOUVISA RICE WOMACK (DT&LRW) by Oscar B. Womack; Final publication, the Ben Lomond Press, 105 Donnell St., McMinnville, TN., 37110 (1970) WOMACK FAMILY COURIER (WFC), Annette Carpenter Womack, P.O. Box 1320, Winnfield, LA., 71483-1320 (1984); WOMACK FAMILY by Martha Thompson, 3782 Alma, Redding, CA., 96002 ph 1-916-222-1253 (1991) IGI, Census, Court records, etc,! GLEANERS: Beatrice Lindsey, 6650 Crystal Blvd., Diamond Springs, CA., 95619 (Apr1986); Charlotte Iker, 5310 Takilma Rd., Cave Junction, OR., 97523 (Nov1984); Mrs. J. Ray Gilmer, 510 Nesbit Dr., Garland, TX., 75041 (1987); Barbara DeHart, P.O. Box 400, Estacada, OR., 97023-0400 (Feb1989); Alfred R. Young, 970 East 700 South # 30, St. George, UT., 84770 (1989); Talforn C. Lollis, 2755 Illonis St., Napa, CA., 94558 (Oct1989); Martha M. Thompson, 3782 Alma, Redding CA., 96002 ph 916-222-1353 (1991). James O. Womack, 527 Rollins Rd, Forest City, NC., 28043.
History: Thomas had a Fort, called Womack Fort, in Burke Co., NC., Reference to it is made in Lincoln Co. Deeds. They were in Burke Co., NC before Rutherford Co., NC., was formed. Most records of Burke Co., NC are lost. From WG 1957-1960, furnished by W.P. Johnson, Genealogist of Raleigh, NC (deceased). From Burke Co., NC., Miscellaneous Papers (C.R. 14.099 in the Archives & History, Raleigh, NC.) St. No. Carolina: I promise to pay or cause to payd unto Thomas Womack or his order the full and just sum of fore hundred pounds good and lawful money of North Carolina, it being for value received. Witness my hand and seal this 28th day of Januy in one thousand seven hundred and eighty. Test: Oliver Spadlin... Jon Ragsdale. Revolutionary War Pay Vouchers (see pg 358 of the Dec1957 issue of THE NORTH CAROLINIAN). Thomas Womack of Burke Co., NC., dated 1781. Thomas Womack must have died in Burke Co., NC., as there are no further Records until Louvisa Appeared on the 1790 census in Rutherford Co., NC., with her family.
PRINCE EDWARD CO VA Deed Book 1 pg 146.. 14 Mar 1758... John Robertson and wife Amy of Pr. Ed. Co. to Thomas Womack--18 pounds & 5 shillings...100 acres on branch of RICE'S BRANCH..Proven 1758. Deed Book 4 pg 60..18 Nov 1771 Thomas Womack of Pr. Ed. Co. to Sharp Spencer 65 pounds-- 100 acres on branch of RICE'S BRANCH. Proven 1771. That this is the same THOMAS WOMACK is speculation, but the feeling is strong by this writer (RBW).
In the first census of the United States in 1790, Louvisa was listed in the Rutherford Co., NC census as head of a family with two males over 16 and four males under 16. In the 1800 census she was listed as over 45 years old with one male 26-45 and one male 16-26. She lived in Rutherford Co., NC between 1800 and 1810.
Mrs. Martha Thompson, of the above address, believes that Thomas was in fact "Thomas Abner Womack" s/o Richard Womack III and Ann "Nancy" Childers.
Compilers note: This is certainly a possibility, Thomas being a son of
Richard and Ann. I do have a Thomas Womack attached to Richard and Ann, born
about the right time. But I would like to at least see proof of Richard and
Ann's children. A question always comes to my mind when I see middle names
or initials before the late 1700's as we have discussed before they were rarely
used. Roger Womack mlwomack@aol.com
Land Entry - Burke Co., NC; from Fay Hoodock #1355 pg 447: Thmas Wommack, 200 ac on Tomes Cr. about a mile above mouth. Ent. 29 Dec 1778. Not paid Warrant issued. Transferred to George Little.
"FROM OVER THE OZARKS" by Jean Lurvy, 9 Aug 1965.
NEW CLUES/SPECULATIONS ON THE PARENTAGE OF THOMAS WOMACK OF BURKE CO., NC by Fay Hoodock, taken from Womack Family Courier. It seems to me that it's time for everyone to get in on the discoveries that have been kicking around among some of us privately for awhile. Though a lot of WFC suscribers are descendants of THOMAS WOMACK 7 LOUVISA RICE WOMACK, (Annette Womack Carpenter, author of Womack Family Courier, now defunct), quite rightly, cut off futile discussion of what has been a dead end for sometime. Maybe the mystery has yielded, just a bit, and I offer these items as evidence; see what you all think. Mr. Gordon Runion of Inman, SC., a descendant of Jeremiah and Sarah Womack Blanton (Sarah being the daughter of William & lucy Womack Womack and granddaughter of Thomas & louvisa Rice Womack), found a memoir written by the Rev. C. Lee born 3 Mar 1823; died 2 Jul 1898. Rev. Lee was a Methodist minister and is buried at Providence Church near Henrietta, NC., where several Womacks are buried also. The Memoir was written about 1895, and I quote the entire passage dealing with the Womacks. Sorry, I only have two xeroxed pages and have no idea how long the original was. QUOTE: There are two families in this county, the origin of which, I presume, is known but by few. I refer to the BLANTON and WOMACK families. They were in this county as far back as I can go in memory. THOMAS WOMACK and NANCY BLANTON came from England to America about the year 1760. They had two children before leaving England but had not been married. Their children's names were THOMAS and ARCHEE. Shortly after coming to America, they decided to marry. THOMAS took the name of his father and ARCHEE the name of his mother, and so in the process of time there were two families, one headed by THOMAS WOMACK and the other by ARCHEE BLANTON. In the year 1779 these two families moved to Rutherford Co., NC. Archee Blanton was the father of our own "Uncle Jerry Blanton" of such precious memory. This good old man lived right near what is now called Oak Grove Church. Fifty-five years ago, I think it was called Blanton's Church. Uncle Jerry and Aunt Sallie were noted characters. They were proverbial for piety and exemplary living. Aunt SALLIE was the daughter of THOMAS WOMACK. ARCHEE BLANTON and THOMAS WOMACK were full brothers, having the same father and mother, a very novel case it was. And so, Uncle JERRY and Aunt SALLIE were first cousins, lived together for many years, and raised a large family of children. I remember being at their house in the year 1842. Churchwell A. Crowell was then the Methodist preacher on the circuit and I had gone with him to Blanton's Church and uncle Jerry's for dinner. This is the only time that I remember to have been in their house, for I left the country the following year and went out west, but I remember to have seen the old people often at church and to have heard Aunt Sallie talk and pray and praise, for she was a great hand to shout and rejoice in church. She was faithful in obeying the command, "Pray to thy Father who is in secret," and the promise following the command, "thy Father, who seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" was always fulfilled. She would clasp her hands and bless the Lord. Many a one has been deeply impressed with the earnestness with which she would engage in the Holy exercises of the sanctuary. Even the very covering of her hands seemed to be impressive by the way they were used. Just the other day while talking about the old people with the wife of FRANKLIN BLANTON, who is a grandson of Aunt Sallie, she told me what a lady once said to her, while she held one of the old lady's half handed cloth gloves in her hands, which she had chanced to come across and seemed almost to regard as being sacred. "often," she said, "have I seen this old glove slap glory to God," and she was keeping it as a religious relic, something that would bring up pleasant associations in the mind of a religious nature, and nothing would more certainly bring about such associations in the mind of this women than "Aunt Sallie's glove". The two old people have long since passed away and gone to reap their reward for faithfullness in the Master's vineyard. They had nine children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, RILEY, JESSE, JOSIAH, RANSOM, JACKSON, STEVEN and ELIJAH were the names of the sons. TEMPA and SARAH ANN were the names of the daughters. I believe that, they all had families and raised a good many children.
UNQUOTE. SARAH WOMACK BLANTON was born 10 Aug 1872 and died 29 Jan 1858, she has been listed as daughter of LUCY (daughter of THOMAS) who married her cousin WILLIAM WOMACK. This is an understandable confusion, since most of William and Lucy's children went to Tennessee with them about 1810. Mr. Runion sent this very intriguing memoir to PAULINE WOMACK, who sent it to me. I have puzzled over it for a couple of years, and have gradually learned, with the considerable help of Jean Lurvey and of Kenneth Wilde, a Rice researcher of San Bernardino, CA., that on 17 May 1751, in Amelia Co., VA., a presentment was made against ABRAHAM WOMACK and ANN BLANTON (Ann being a variant of Nancy, or vice versa) for living in adultry. (see Amelia Co., VA., Order Book #1-A, 1746-1751). Although the presentment did not mention offspring, the coincidence is great and the date compatable with the traditional birthdate (ca 1743) of THOMAS WOMACK and ARCHEE? Along with the constantly readjusting of county lines, there were two complicated things; several Womacks, and indeed two Abrahams in the county. (See records at the end of this article.) One is always referred to as ABRAHAM JR. and is no doubt the son of the other ABRAHAM.
Others mentioned in 1751 road work assignments along with the two Abrahams are, THOMAS WOMACK, WILLIAM WOMACK, and ISHAM WOMACK, with CHARLES CAUTHON and JOHN
SPRADLING.
1. Who married, espectively, Elizabeth and Mary Womack, daughters of Abraham, son of Thomas (dca 1734 Chesterfield Co., VA.)
2. The older Abraham, at least in 1743-1752, had a wife Jane. In 1771, one Abraham, then married Elizabeth and removed to Lincoln Co., NC., where he died in 1803. I have some questions in mind as to whether this is infact Abraham Sr., or if it might be Abraham Jr., I have seen no conclusive evidence. His son Abner R.S. (Revolutionary Soldier? (RBW)), bca 1764 in Prince Edward Co., VA., went to Butler Co., KY.
3. As little as we know about Thomas Womack, we know even less about Archee Blanton. The only record of a man by that name, is in Wilkes Co., NC., where he appears in 1810 census, and in several land records.
4. Oscar Womack's book "THE DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS & LOUVISA RICE WOMACK" includes a Bible entry stating that Jeremiah Blanton was "son of Robin", Robin probably being Reuben Blanton, who was in Rutherford Co., NC., in the late 1700's. Could Archee and Reuben be the same man? Further research is clearly needed. Descendants of Jeremiah and Sarah should be especially interesting.
5. Then there is the question of Ann/Nancy Blanton's origin. Assuming that the "1760-came-from-England" story is a 200 year old cover-up, as seems likely, considering the improbability of coincidence in the Lee Memoir and the Amelia Co., VA., 1751 adultery charge, we now have to look for her family. In the Amelia/Goochland/Lunenburg area, there does appear a Joshua Blanton.
6. According to some sources, for which I have not yet seen documentation, Joshua Blanton was over 16 and living in the household of Abraham Womack Sr., at the same time than an Abraham Womack and Ann Blanton were living in adultery. The earliest Blanton records appear in Caroline Co., VA. It is tempting, but as yet speculative, to believe that Joshua and Ann were the children of another Anne Blanton, who on 9 Feb 1738/9, petitioned the church wardens of St. Margaret's Parish, Caroline Co., VA., to apprentice them to William Morris. The children, name and sex not specified, were born 21 Oct 1728 and 13 Nov1734 (see Caroline Co., VA., Order Book). Further study may reveal whether William Morris moved westward, taking his two charges with him, or perhaps transferred them to someone else who moved into the vicinity of Abraham Womack.
7. It's not likely that the Anne Blanton who bound out her children in Caroline Co., VA., is the same Ann Blanton who was convicted of bastardy several times in the 1760-70 era and was granted seperate maintenance from her husband Thomas Reynolds in 1781.
8. "Sorry about this, Cousins, but every family stew need a dash of salt.) It seems like an overlong childbearing career, and it is worth considering that the later Ann of Caroline could have been the Ann of 1751 in Amelia, Co., VA., returning to the Blanton,s home county and continuing along her merry way. All this begins to get into what EFFIE Keaster (GA), my friend and Womack cousin (from Martha Womack m/ Robert Beene, Marion Co., TN.,) calls A'P'LIKE' (as in a childs a'p'like' we're astronauts')----little documentation, much speculation. But informed speculation leads to discovery, and I hope that researchers who have any more clues to add will send them along, so we can someday unravel this mystery. This information is not to be taken as completed research---more as a summary of work in progress as an appeal for others with an interest in THOMAS WOMACK to dive in.
1. JOHN SPRADLING appears as a witness in Burke Co., NC., records (Morgan Dist. Court 1782) with THOMAS WOMACK in a case of adultery against William Wofford and Lucia spradling. William Wofford, in 1778, bought 125 acres on the Nor Fork of the Catawaba, formerly entered and owned by William Womack, 29dec1778; Burke Co., NC., Land Records. THOMAS WOMACK on that same day entered land on Tomes Creek, which was later transferred to George Little, because the land was not paid for. This could be the William "Wofford" who witnessed the WILL of MARY FARLEY WOMACK, widow of THOMAS I of Chesterfield Co., VA., in 1750, although this is unproved. At any rate, the families are closely involved in North Carolina.
2. WILL of THOMAS WOMACK of Henrico Co., VA., dated 24 Mar 1732/33, lists sons Abraham, William, Isham, Thomas, & Francis; along with daughters Judith, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Martha; and wife Mary. WILL of MARY "FARLEY" WOMACK Chesterfield Co., VA., dated 23 Jul 1750 names sons Francis, Thomas, Abraham, Isham and William, along with daughters Judy Booth, Sarah Rise, Elizabeth Hatch, Mary Man and Martha Roberts. VIRGINIA LEGAL (22 Apr 1812 and other issues) contained names of parties to the estate of William Womack in Charlotte Co., VA., Court of Chancery, in re: PLEASANT ROBARDS, STEPHEN ROBARDS, WILLIAM ROBARDS, MARTHA ROBARDS, FANNIE IRBY nee ROBARDS, JUDY CHANDLER nee ROBARDS children and representatives of MARTHA ROBARDS nee WOMACK deceased, plaintiffs, vs the defendants: THOMAS WOMACK administrator of WILLIAM WOMACK's estate. ABNER WOMACK, ELIZABETH CAUTHRON nee WOMACK, JOHN SPRATLIN and MARY his wife nee WOMACK, MARTHA WOMACK, children and representatives of ISHAM WOMACK, deceased. FRANCIS RICE, THOMAS RICE, SAMUEL RICE, ABRAM RICE, ISHAM RICE, MOLLY CHEATHAM nee RICE; children and representatives of SARAH RICE, deceased, nee SARAH WOMACK. FRANCIS HAMBLETON and DANIEL OWEN and MARY his wife nee HAMBLETON, children and representatives of JUDY HAMBLETON nee WOMACK, deceased. MARY MANN nee WOMACK. FURKERING nee HATCHETT and WILLIAM HATCHETT, children and representatives of ELIZABETH HATCHETT nee WOMACK, deceased. Heirs of the estate of WILLIAM WOMACK to share proceeds of sale of land and slaves. This William died without issue, and the heirs were his sisters and brothers. This AD has been a valuable source in helping to identify descendants of THOMAS and MARY.
3. ABRAHAM WOMACK of Orange Co., NC., in Mar1772, deeds show him and Alexander Davidson parties to a Deed witnessed by MOSES BRIDGES who was by 1784 in Rutherford Co., NC., and several of whose children married Blanton's. (possibly Abraham Womack Jr.?)
4. Wilkes Co., NC census 1810; ARCHIBALD BLANTON, 1 male over 45, 3 females 10-16, 1 female over 45. Wilkes Co., NC. Deed Books; 12 May 1795, ARCHER BLANTON witnessed Deeds; ADAMS & HENDERSON; Jan 1803, GRAY & MITCHELL; 1805, MYERS & HAMBY; 1807, ADAMS & CRAIN.
5. There is also a claim, sanctified by DAR listing, but lacking much proof, that JEREMIAH was a son of WILLIAM BLANTON, R.S. William was probably a brother of GEORGE BLANTON of Rutherford Co., NC. Both appear on a 1764 Lunenburg Co., VA., Tax list of ST. James Parish. William died in Washington Co., VA., ca 1817. His daughter's claim for a pension does not list Jeremiah as a son.
6. Halifax tithables 1771, SW section Miry Creek. (County formed from Lunenburg) Partial List: Wm. Dobbie, Robert Rakestraw, Robert Locksley Stubblefield, Lewis, Betty, George Stubblefield, William Stubblefield, William Cauthon, Joshua Blanton, Henry Gwen, Nan, Nan, James Spradlin, Charles Spradlin, James Spradlin Jr. (single names are slaves). Joshua Blanton sold land in Charlotte Co., VA., 21 Oct 1787, to Alexander Womack ( must be Alexander Jr., as Sr., died ca 1782/4, (RBW). This Joshua is probably the one who married Elizabeth Nelson (Will of Ambrose Nelson, Mercer Co., KY., 1797. Nelson lived in Prince Edward Co., VA., in 1794). Elizabeth's mother, Rhoda Daniel, was sister of Sarah Daniel, who married first to Jesse Womack and married second to Mr. Hancock. VA. HEADS OF FAMILIES 1785, Prince Edward Co., VA. JOSHUA BLANTON 14 white souls, 1 dwelling, 5 other bldgs.
7. Intriguingly, the Caroline Co., VA. Order Book mentions WILLIAM MORRIS and wife ANN in 1743. MECKLENBURG CO., VA; WILLIAM MORRIS of Brunswick Co., VA., to Thomas Anderson of Lunenburg Co., VA.; 404 acres on Little Bluestone Creek adj., to MORRIS and Lidderdale. Witnesses; John Cox, John Clakson, ABRAHAM WOMACK JR., RICHARD EPPERSON, 8 Jun 1767.
8. ANN gets a wapish, male chauvinist swipe from T.E.Campbell in Colonial Caroline; "Ann Blanton was lucky to have a husband. Ten years before, she had been convicted of adultry with John Mason and subsequently bore several bastards. One of whom she claimed that John Beverly Roy was the father, but Roy managed to escape when she sued him for child's support. In spite of this unsavory background, the court ruled that Thomas Reynolds must pay for seperate maintenance. "Compiled by: Fay Hoodock, 2182 Dairy Farm Rd., Gambrills, MD. 21054.
Reading this over, I'm afraid that I left the impression that I agree with Rev. Lee's statement that Sallie Womack Blanton was the daughter of Thomas, I don't. She fits well into William and Lucy's family, where she has always been placed. The confusion I spoke of probably arose because she was the only one of William and Lucy's children who stayed in Rutherford Co., NC., when all the rest went to Tennessee. (FFH)
As the compiler of this genealogy I will keep Thomas Womack where I have placed him, as the son of William only because
I need a place of reference and some researchers have him placed there, but no proof as yet. Like many others researchers I feel very confident he is the descendant of William Womack the Immigrant because of his association and relationship with the Womack's, in all the areas in which he lived. It is very hard to conceive that a man named Womack would Immigrate to this country over 100 years after the first Womack, (as some believe) move into their communities and have such close relationships with them.
Sincerely, Roger Womack (Compiler of this Womack Genealogy)
Other notes:
Louvisa moved to Rutherford County, NC., after the death of Thomas.
In the first census of the United States in 1790, Louvisa was listed in the Rutherford Co., NC census as head of a family with two males over 16 and four males under 16. In the 1800 census she was listed as over 45 years old with one male 26-45 and one male 16-26. She lived in Rutherford Co., NC between 1800 and 1810.
CENSUS: !1790 Rutherford Co., NC Census
Louvisa Womack Head of Family
Males over 16: 2
Males unde 16: 4
CENSUS: !1800 Rutherford Co., NC Census
Louvisa Womack: Head of Family
Males 16-26: 1
Males 26-45: 1
Females over 45: 1
email: Roger Womack