Thomas Gresham Janes, son of William Janes IV and Selah Gresham, was born in Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Virginia on July 11, 1794. The Janes family was a large one with at least 12 children—Thomas Gresham Janes, Absalom Madison Janes, Susannah Janes, Elizabeth Janes, Edward Janes, Archibald Gresham Janes, William Janes Jr., Lovicia Janes, Simeon R. Janes, Selah G. Janes, Daniel (or David) H. Janes, and Maryann Frances Janes. Thomas is my 4th great uncle with our nearest common relatives being his parents.
At some point, Thomas’ family moved to Wilkes County, Georgia. The Janes family was wealthy so he would have most likely gotten the best education possible at the time. Thomas studied to become a doctor, interning at the Philadelphia Hospital in Pennsylvania for “one season.” He received his medical degree in 1818. The book History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786–1886 by Rice and Williams states Thomas “represented Greene Co. in the legislature in 1827-28, 34-35, and was Senator in 1836-37-38. He was one of the first Trustees of Mercer University.”
Thomas married Malinda Walker P. West, daughter of Francis West and Jane Chivers, in a ceremony performed by Jesse Mercer in Greene County, Georgia on January 30, 1821. Thomas and Malinda had two children together—William Francis Janes and Sarah Jane Thomas Janes.
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Marriage certificate for Thomas Janes and Malinda West |
The Janes family suffered a tragic loss when Malinda died on March 4, 1827. The Southern Recorder of Milledgeville published a death notice on March 19, 1827:
[Communicated.] Departed this life on the 4th inst., Mrs. Malinda W. P. Janes, daughter of Frances West, Esq. and consort of Thomas G. Janes, M.D.—Mrs. Janes had some ten or twelve months previous to her dissolution, enjoyed a hope in Jesus, which she called a little hope; yet in the agonies of death it did not desert her, but magnified into an humble assurance of a blessed immortality.
“Jesus can make a dying bedFeel soft as downy pillows are,While on his breast she [can’d her head,And breath’d her life out sweetly there.”“O death! Where is thy sting?“O grave! Where is thy victory?”“The café was broke to let her fly,And build her happy nest on high.”
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Southern Recorder (March 19, 1827) |
Malinda was buried at the Thomas Janes Family Cemetery in Penfield, Greene County, Georgia. The news article does not state a cause of death for Malinda, so I’m left wondering what caused this 26-year-old woman to die so young. Did she die in childbirth? I looked for a record that shows a birthyear or age for daughter Sarah and the only one I find is the 1860 Polk County, Georgia census. That year, Sarah was enumerated as Jane, age 33. Do the math and that would make her birthyear to be about 1827. Did the mother die and the baby survive? It is possible but at this point, I have no way of confirming. So, for now, it is just a thought. Whatever the case, the year 1827 was made worse when Thomas’ father William died in Taliaferro County, Georgia on July 9. Thomas was named one of the executors of his father’s estate as noted in a September 12, 1829 article published in the Southern Recorder announcing the sale of eight slaves:
Taliaferro Sheriff’s Sale.
Will be sold, on the first Tuesday in December next, at the Court-house door in Crawfordville, Taliaferro county, within the usual hours of sale, the following property, to wit:
Eight Negroes, Lucy, a woman, about 45 years of age; Jinny, about 27 years of age, and her child; Rainey, a woman, about 25 years of age; Russel, a boy, about 8 years of age; Clary, about 7 years of age; Ransom, about 4 years of age, and Mary, 4 years old, all levied on as the property of Robert Tuggle, to satisfy a mortgage fi fa in favor of Thomas G. Janes, Absalom Janes and Archibald G. Janes, executors of the estate of William Janes, deceased—property pointed out in said mortgage. – C. A. Nelms, D. Sh’f. Sept. 4.
Thomas’s second wife was Malinda’s sister, Emily T. West. They were married in Greene County, Georgia on January 17, 1828 by a minister named Jonathan Davis. Thomas and Malinda had three children together—Susannah Elizabeth Janes, George Valerius Janes, and Athalia Alvira Holly Janes.
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Marriage certificate for Thomas Janes and Emily West |
Thomas was a member of the Temperance Society, a group that “committed its members to moderation in the consumption of distilled liquors.” One of six delegates for the Greene County Society, Thomas attended their convention in Athens, Georgia on August 5, 1834. He traveled to Athens again on May 11, 1835 to attend a convention of the stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road Company where Thomas was elected one of 16 directors for the organization, representing Greene County.
Sadly, the Janes family suffered another tragic loss when Emily died in Greene County on July 8, 1835. She was just 24 years old. Emily was buried at the Thomas Janes Family Cemetery in Penfield. Thomas was now left with five young children to raise.
He remained active though, attending a Georgia Rail Road Company convention on May 9, 1836. On April 1, 1837, the newspaper Miners Recorder and Spy in the West of Auraria, Georgia published a “List of Stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, April 1, 1837” noting that Thomas owned 60 shares of stock in the railroad.
The following notice was published by The Western Georgia in Rome, Georgia on October 30, 1838 announcing the sale of slaves, sundry goods and merchandise:
Paulding Sheriff-sales for December
Oct. 30, 1838.
At the same place, on the first Tuesday in January next, 1839, the following property, to wit:
Three Negroes, namely, Booker a man forty-five years old; Charles a man about thirty five years old; and Moriah a woman, about twenty-two years old, and sundry goods wares and Merchandize, being the remnant of a stock of goods; levied on by virtue of a Martgage [sic] fi.fa. issued from Talliaferro [sic] Inferior Court in favor of Thomas G. Janes, vs. A. G. Janes. Property pointed out in said fi.fa.
Oct. 30. T. C. Dunlap, Shff.
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The Western Georgian (October 30, 1838) |
Thomas married his third wife, Elizabeth P. Sanford in Greene County on July 26, 1839, in a ceremony performed by Shaler G. Hillyer, M.G.
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Marriage certificate for Thomas Janes and Elizabeth Sanford |
Thomas was named one of three executors in his former father-in-law Francis West’s will which was recorded in Greene County on March 2, 1841. His wife Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter, Mary Selah Janes, in Greene County on August 4, 1843. Mary would never know her father, however. Thomas died in Greene County on September 14, 1843, when Mary was just one month old. The Southern Recorder published the following on October 3, 1843:
On the 14th inst. at his residence in Greene county, of a protracted disease, Dr. Thomas G. Janes in the 50th year of his age.
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Southern Recorder (October 3, 1843) |
Thomas was buried at the family cemetery in Penfield with his first and second wives, sisters Malinda and Emily.
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Photos used with permission, M.T. researcher, Find A Grave member 47527061. |
Greene County Clerk William L. Strain recorded Thomas’ will on September 28, 1843.
State of Georgia, Greene County
In the name of God, amen, I, Thomas G. Janes, of the county and state aforesaid being of sound mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament.
Item 1st. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid.
2nd. I bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth P. Janes, five hundred dollars in money, and the land and premises wherein I now reside together with all the household and kitchen furniture (with the provision that she be bound to furnish my three children (wiz) Susan E., George V. and Athaliah E. Janes, a bed stead and furniture with forty dollars each, my son William F. and Sarah J. T. having received theres). Also I give to my said beloved wife, all the plantation tools, four wheeled pleasure carriage and carriage horses, the two horse wagon and harness, one ox cart and yoke of oxen, three choice horses besides the carriage horses – six choice cows and yearlings, thirty choice stock hogs from choice sows and pigs, all my stock of sheep and geese, also my family bible, hymn books and such other family books as she may choose. I also give to my said beloved wife the following named negroes (viz.) Mariah, a woman and her children, Franklin and Sophy, with her increase, a negro man, Jepe and Fanny his wife and her increase; all of the above-named property both read and personal to belong to my said beloved wife forever in for simple. It is further my will that my beforesaid, beloved wife, whenever I may die shall have an ample supply of corn, fodder, pork or bacon, wheat, oats,—to support her and her negroes and stock during the next year following.
3rd. As it is probable that my said beloved wife Elizabeth P. Janes is in a state of pregnancy, I will to my said wife during her lifetime from other negroes (viz.) Len a boy, Smith a boy, Rosetta and Queen, girls and their increase, but if my said wife should have a living child of her present probable pregnancy, the four last named negroes to belong to said child after the death of my said wife, but if there should be no living child or if such child should die in infancy, the said four negroes to belong to my said wife in her own right forever.
4th. It is my will, that if my said wife should have a living child from her present probable pregnancy, I will to said child, six negroes (viz.) Aron a boy, Charlotte, Antinelle, Isabella, Celia Ann and Eliza and their increase, to revert to and belong to my estate to be equally divided, share and share alike between my five other children, my said wife, having no part in them.
5th. I will to the child my said beloved wife may have, if her present probable pregnancy, five hundred dollars in money, ten share of the stock of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, and also the tract of land lying and being in this county in the waters of Richland Creek containing about seven hundred acres, called the Mill tract, adjoining Tarpley, Calton and others, but if no living child should be brought forth and if such child should die in infancy then and in that case, the said money to wit five hundred dollars, the ten share of the stock of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company and the said seven hundred acres of land, to revert to and become a part of my estate and be equally divided share and share alike between my five other children, my said wife having no share or part thereof.
6th. It is my will that my Executors herein after named, shall have full power and authority to rent, lease or sell the said mile tract of land, bequeathed in the 5th item, at their discretion whenever they may deem it for the interest of the estate in any time in fifteen years.
7th. I will to my eldest son William F. Janes, one bed and furniture, one desk and book case, together with all my books, excepting those given to my beloved wife, also Eight negroes (viz.) John Fitch, and Beddy his wife and her infant child and Miller, Berry, Rachel, Sally and Emily (all the children of John Fitch and Beddy) and their increase also. I will to my said son William F. the tract of land he now is improving in Paulding County, Georgia, lying in the second district of the fourth section consisting of numbers 888, 889, 890, 838, 839, 840, 817, 767, 769, and one third of number 768, containing in all three hundred and seventy three and a third (373 1/3) acres more or less also three acres of number 990, including the house and improvements where he now lives, together with privilege of water of the spring on said lot.
8th. I will to my daughter Sarah J. T. Gibson, 1 bed and furniture, one bureau, one horse, and all the property heretofore given her, and six negroes (viz.) Betty and her five children, Daniel, Harry, Eve, Silsy, and Rebekah and their increase, and also, she may take a settlement of land at the Deason place, or lots number 849 of the 2nd district 4th section and land, connected therewith, lying to the North West including the Scott place, to be laid off by my Executors in such a way as not to injure the realm of my other lands—all lying in Paulding County, Georgia. Also, I will to my said daughter three acres of number 990, wherever she may see proper to locate it, for the purpose of building, together with privilege of water of the spring on said lot.
9th. It is my will that the property of every description willed to my son William F. Janes and Sarah J. T. Gibson be valued by persons appointed by the Court of Ordinary (excepting the Books within to my son William F.) and accounted for in the division of my estate between them and three other children Susan E. Janes, George V. Janes, and Athaliah E. Janes.
10th. It is my will and desire that all the negroes I may die preferred of, not otherwise bequeathed in this my will, to be equally divided, share and share alike between my five children William F. Janes, Sarah J. T. Gibson, Susan E. Janes, George V. Janes, and Athaliah E. Janes, William F. and Sarah J. T. accounting for these negroes, willed them. The negroes of the three minor children, Susan E., George V. and Athaliah E. to be kept in common stock and each of them to receive their part, when each shall arrive at lawful age or get married.
11th. It is my will that my executors, herein after named have full power and authority to sell any and all lands I may die prepared of, besides those herein bequeathed, and excepting the lands I own in second district fourth section originally Clarke now Paulding County, in whatever parcels, and such credits and at such time as they may deem most to the interest of my estate, within ten years.
12th. It is my will and desire that my executors herein after named and I do hereby authorize them to purchase for the benefit of my estate any lots of land in Cedar Valley Paulding County, Georgia, that they may think necessary and important to improve the release of the settlements of land I own in said really.
13th. It is my will and desire that whenever either of my three minor children, Susan E., George V. or Athaliah E. Janes, arrives at lawful age or marry, that persons be appointed by the court and assign to such one as aforesaid, a settlement of land in Cedar Valley, Paulding County, similar to the treats, willed to my two oldest children, William F. and Sarah J. T. realized at the same rates of those given the two elder, as nearly as practicable, to be accounted for in the settlement between the legatees.
14th. It is my will that my executors have power and authority to lease, rent, or sell my interest (it being one third part) of the land and mills on Cedar Creek, Paulding County, upon such time as they may deem to the interest of my estate (the other parts owned by William E. and George W. West).
15th. It is my will that my Executors keep up the farm in Paulding County, now managed by Mark Jackson for me according to the written agreement between said Jacks and myself, by contract with him or some other person so long as they may deem it for the interest of my estate.
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Greene Court of Ordinary, September adj'd Term 1843
Personally appeared in open court B. M. Sanders and P. H. Mell, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last will and testament of Thomas G. Janes deceased, who being duly sworn say that they saw the within named Thomas G. Janes, sign s--- the --- him acknowledge the same to be his last will and testament, and that they each believe him to be of perfect sound mind and memory at the time of his signing the same and that they together with W. H. Stokes, subscribed their names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the Testator.
B. M. Sanders
P. H. Mell
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 27 September 1843.
W. L. Strain, Clk.
You can read a full inventory and appraisement of his estate here.
Two legal notices were published in The Christian Index on February 16, 1844, advertising the sale of two tracts of Thomas’ land for the benefit of some of his children and to make notice to those owed money or indebted to the estate:
FOUR Months after date, application will be made to the Honorable Inferior Court of Greene county, when sitting as a Court of Ordinary, for leave to sell two tracts of Land in said county, belonging to part of the children of Thomas G. Janes, late of said county, deceased, for a division.
Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, George W. West, Ex’s.
Jan. 8, 1844.
------------ALL persons having demands against the estate of Thomas G. Janes, deceased, are requested to present them in terms of the law—those indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment.
Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, George W. West, Ex’s.
Jan. 8. 1844.
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The Christian Index (February 16, 1844) |
Another legal notice was published in The Christian Index on August 2, 1844, advertising what was probably the same two tracts of land noted above.
AGREEABLY to an order of the Inferior Court of Greene county, when sitting for Ordinary purposes, will be sold, on the first Tuesday in October next, before the Court House door, in the town of Greenesboro’, two Tracts of Land in said County. One containing five hundred an eighteen acres, more or less, whereon Francis West deceased, formerly resided—the other containing two hundred and twenty-five acres, more or less, known as the Mill tract, both tracts adjoining the lands of Thos. G. Janes, deceased. Sold for the purpose of division, between part of the heirs of Thomas G. Janes, dec’d. Terms made known on the day.
Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, G. W. West, Exrs.
July 22, 1844.
Work continued on the execution of Thomas’ will into 1846. On January 30, 1846, the Christian Index published the following notice regarding the sale of more land:
EXECUTORS’ SALE.
Will be sold, by virtue of an order of the Inferior Court of Greene county, when sitting for ordinary purposes, before the court house door in Greenesboro, on the first Tuesday in February next, one tract of land containing 700 acres, more or less, lying on the waters of Richland Creek, in said county, adjoining Mosely, Carlton and others, belonging to the estate of Dr. T. G. Janes, deceased. Terms made known on the day of sale.
Absalom Janes, William F. Janes, Henry A. Gibson, G. W. West, Exrs.
July 22, 1844.
Executor Henry A. Gibson was Thomas’ son-in-law, married to daughter Sarah. Henry contracted typhoid fever in 1849 and died in Paulding County that September after suffering for 16 days. He was 26 years old. A May 4, 1850 appraisal of Henry’s estate listed Thomas’ estate in an inventory of blacksmith accounts for 1848 and 1847.
It took 23 years to settle Thomas’ estate. On September 13, 1866, the following notice was published in The Daily Intelligencer in Atlanta, Georgia:
Georgia, Polk County.
William F. Janes, executor of the last will and testament of Thomas G. Janes, deceased, has applied to me in due form to be discharged from his administration on said deceased’s estate, he having fully settled the same—
This is therefore to notify the legatees, creditors and all persons concerned, to file their objections to said executor’s being dismissed, in my office, on or before the first Monday in October next; otherwise letters of dismission will be granted to said executor according to law. Given under my hand and official signature, March 9th, 1866.
S. A. Borders, Ordinary
References
- Augusta Commercial Convention, The Weekly Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, October 23, 1838.
- Collins, Reba Belle Neighbors, History of the Janes-Peek Family, Edmond, Oklahoma: William Collins Sons and Company Limited, 1975.
- Commercial Convention, The Weekly Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, December 4, 1838.
- Executor’s Sale, The Christian Index, Washington, Georgia, January 30, 1846.
- Extracts from the Minutes of a Convention of the Stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road Company, Southern Banner, Athens, Georgia, May 20, 1835.
- Extracts from the Report of the Committee on the Engineer’s Report—adopted by the Convention, Southern Banner, Athens, Georgia, May 26, 1836.
- Fahey, David M., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Temperance Movement, New Georgia Encyclopedia; https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/temperance-movement/.
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52923362/malinda-walker-janes: accessed 08 January 2023), memorial page for Malinda Walker West Janes (30 Jan 1805–4 Mar 1823), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52923362, citing Thomas Janes Family Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52923333/emily-t-janes: accessed 08 January 2023), memorial page for Emily T. West Janes (1811–8 Jul 1835), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52923333, citing Thomas Janes Family Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52923157/thomas-gresham-janes: accessed 05 November 2022), memorial page for Dr Thomas Gresham Janes (11 Jul 1794–14 Sep 1843), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52923157, citing Thomas Janes Family Cemetery, Penfield, Greene County, Georgia, USA; maintained by Samuel Taylor Geer (contributor 46925792).
- Henry A. Gibson, U.S., Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850–1885.
- Janes cemetery photos, M.T. researcher, Find A Grave member 47527061.
- Legal notice, The Christian Index, Washington, Georgia, August 2, 1844.
- Legal notice, The Daily Intelligencer, Atlanta, Georgia, September 13, 1866
- Legal notices, The Christian Index, Washington, Georgia, February 16, 1844.
- List of Stockholders of the Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company, April 1, 1837, Miners Recorder and Spy in the West, Auraria, Georgia, July 8, 1837.
- Paulding Sheriff-sales for December, The Western Georgian, Rome, Georgia, October 30, 1838.
- Rice, Thaddeus Brockett, History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786–1886, edited by Carolyn White Williams, 1961.
- Southern Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, March 19, 1827 and October 3, 1843.
- Taliaferro Sheriff’s Sale, Southern Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, September 12, 1829.
- Temperance Society, Southern Banner, Athens, Georgia, August 16, 1834.
- Thomas G. Janes and Emily T. West, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
- Thomas G. Janes and Malinda P. W. West, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
- Thomas G. Janes and Malinda Walker P. West, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900.
- Thomas G. Janes, Georgia, Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992.
- U.S. Federal Census, Militia District 1075, Cedartown, Polk County, Georgia, 1860.
- William Francis Janes, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900.
- William Janes and Selah Gresham, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560–1900.
- William Janes death, Southern Recorder, Milledgeville, Georgia, July 23, 1827.
- William Janes, Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742–1992.
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