Thomas Douglas (Red Tom) CHAMBERS

Other Events:

• _UID: FE44085490FA44E09BCF7BB890F0AE52694F

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1870 Census
Name: Thomas D Elswick
Age in 1870: 14
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Knob
Household Members:
Name Age
Chapman Elswick 38
Emeline Elswick 38
Elbert W Elswick 16
Thomas D Elswick 14
James B Elswick 11
Buanavesta Elswick 8
Dellie B Elswick 5
Nancy L Elswick 2

Note: He and his brother, Elbert Wade, are using his stepfather's last name, but Thomas and Elbert Wade return to their mother's maiden name for the rest of their lives.

1880 Census
Name: Thomas Chambers
Age: 23
Birth Year: abt 1857
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Garden, Buchanan, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Sallie Chambers
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas Chambers 23
Sallie Chambers 27
Alafim Chambers 5 [Alafair]
Thomas C. Chambers 1

1900 Census
Name: Thomas D Chambers
Age: 47
Birth Date: Feb 1853
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Garden, Buchanan, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Eady Chambers
Marriage Year: 1880
Years Married: 20
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas D Chambers 47
Eady Chambers 56
John M Chambers 15
Mallee E Chambers 13
Jinie L Chambers 11
Robert G Chambers 9
Irena Chambers 7
Grayson Chambers 4

1910 Census
Name: Thomas W Chambers
Age in 1910: 54
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Garden, Buchanan, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Eady Chambers
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas W Chambers 54
Eady Chambers 44
Grace Chambers 17

1920 Census
Name: T D Chambers
Age: 64
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Garden, Buchanan, Virginia
Street: Ridge Between Levisa River And Grassy Creek
House Number: Farm
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Eady Chambers
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Native Tongue: English
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Farm Labor
Industry: Home Farm
Employment Field: Own Account
Home Owned or Rented: Own
Home Free or Mortgaged: Free
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
T D Chambers 64
Eady Chambers 54

1930 Census
Name: Thomas D Chamber [Chambers]
Birth Year: abt 1856
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Father-In-Law (Father)
Home in 1930: Garden, Buchanan, Virginia
Age at First Marriage: 20
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Speak English: Yes
Household Members:
Nathan W Wade 52
Mallie E Wade 45
Carl Wade 18
Vennie Wade 12
Gladis Wade 7
Rufus Wade 4 years 10 months
Clarie Orsborn 19
Thomas D Chambers 74

PARENTS

Thomas' death certificate is the only one of his three siblings born out of wedlock that give the name of Thomas Gillespie as the father. Alifair Chambers Christian's death certificate gave Chapman Elswick as her father, Elbert Wade Chambers had no names for his parents. For Alifair's descendants, her real father's name was not known, but evidently for the children of Emmeline and Chapman Elswick, the name was known but not talked about outside the family. John McClintock, Jr. told me what the family stories were, but there was no confirmation until Thomas D. Chamber's death certificate.

Buried:
Grave location, portrait, and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10737998&ref=acom

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: Thomas Douglas Chambers
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age at Death: 75 years 2 months and 16 days
Birth Date: 2 Feb 1876 [Note: It looks like the registrar wrote in his birth year as 1876, when in should be 1856 according to his age]
Death Date: 19 Apr 1931
Death Place: Garden, Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 20 Apr 1931
Father: Gillespie Thomas [Thomas Gillespie]
Mother: Emmyline Chambers
Certificate Number: 1931009027
Informant: N. W. Wade, his son-in-law.
[Note: Thomas was living with Mollie and Nathan in the 1930 census]

Thomas married Sarah (Sallie) WARD 03 Dec 1874, Tazewell Co. VA. Sarah (daughter of Zachariah Ward and Nancy Billings) was born 04 Apr 1856, Grayson Co. VA; died 04 Mar 1920, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: Thos D Chambers
Birth Date: 1856
Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Age: 18
Spouse's Name: Sarah Ward
Spouse's Birth Date: 1855
Spouse's Birthplace: Grayson County, Va
Spouse's Age: 19
Event Date: 03 Dec 1874
Event Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Mother's Name: E. Chambers [Emeline]
Spouse's Father's Name: Z. Ward
Spouse's Mother's Name: N
Spouse's Marital Status: Single
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
GS Film number: 34214
Reference ID: Page 41 Line 103

1. Chapman Spotts CHAMBERS was born 04 Mar 1874, Tazewell Co. VA; died 11 Sep 1939, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA.
2. Alafair CHAMBERS was born ca 1875, Virginia; died Aft Sep 1894, Virginia.

Thomas married Edith OSBORN. Edith was born 10 May 1865, Buchanan Co. VA; died 10 Mar 1928, Buchanan Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

1. Boyd CHAMBERS was born 02 Aug 1883, Buchanan Co. VA; died 18 Feb 1904, Buchanan Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA.
2. John Milton CHAMBERS was born 06 Feb 1881, Buchanan Co. VA; died 26 Feb 1926, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA.
3. Mollie E. CHAMBERS was born 12 Mar 1885, Virginia; died 27 Dec 1959, Cedar Bluff, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA.
4. Jennie C. CHAMBERS was born 9 Jun 1887, Shacks Mill,Buchanan Co.,VA; died 12 Apr 1959, Richlands, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA.
5. Robert G. CHAMBERS was born Oct 1890, Buchanan Co. VA; died 17 Oct 1944, Buchanan Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA.
6. Grace CHAMBERS was born 23 Jul 1894, Buchanan Co. VA; died 25 Nov 1975, Richlands, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Chambers Cemetery, Shortt Gap, Buchanan Co. VA.
7. Rena Belle (Rennie) CHAMBERS was born 5 May 1893, Buchanan Co. VA; died 5 Jun 1965, Richlands, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Absher Family Cemetery (Road Ridge), Raven, Tazewell Co. VA.

Other Events:

• _UID: 39FEB522E5614E62BB57485DB3DA159CF951

Notes:

Several sources have come forward with information that the Emeline's first three children was a Gillespie from Pounding Mill or the community of Gillespie" between Pounding Mill (about two miles to the west) and Cliffield in Tazewell Co. Va.

It seems that Emeline was living in Liberty and the gap or short cut over the mountain leads over to Laurel Gap from the Pounding Mill area and then to Liberty. This would have been been less than three miles by horseback.

A granddaughter of Emeline remarked to her grandson as they were traveling through Pounding Mill that Emeline's first children was fathered by a Gillespie, but did not know his first name. Emeline and this man reportedly traveled to see each other.

Why didn't she marry the father of these 3 children? He possibly was married, unwilling to marry her, or he died before they could marry.

Further research is needed, and the key will be maps of the census districts for Tazwell Co. to see exactly which male Gillespies on the 1850 Tazewell Co. Maiden Spring District were living near Laurel Gap in Pounding Mill or the community of Gillespie.

Thomas married Emeline S. CHAMBERS. Emeline (daughter of Thomas CHAMBERS and Nancy CHRISTIAN) was born 18 Jan 1830, Russell Co. VA; died 2 Mar 1898, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: FFF7D11A2F354377B35F20FA34DF4D6CF7B7

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1840 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Emeline Chambers
Age: 19
Birth Year: abt 1831
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 54, Russell, Virginia
Gender: Female
able to read and write, is living in household number 1250 with her mother Nancy Chambers, along with Emeline's daughter, Allifair, age 6 months.

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Emiline J Chamber [Emiline J Chambers]
Age in 1860: 28
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female
Post Office: Cedar Bluff
Household Members:
Emiline J Chambers 28
Euphemia Chambers 11
Elbert W Chambers 7
James B Chambers 1
Chapman Elsick 23 [farm laborer]

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Emeline Elswick
Age in 1870: 38
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Knob
Household Members:
Chapman Elswick 38
Emeline Elswick 38
Elbert W Elswick 16
Thomas D Elswick 14
James B Elswick 11
Buenavista Elswick 8
Dellie B Elswick 5
Nancy L Elswick 2

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Emaline Elswick
Age: 48
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Chapman Elswick
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Chapman Elswick 43
Emaline Elswick 48
Bunevista Elswick 18
Nancy L. Elswick 13
Lafayette Elswick 10
Mary Elswick 6

MARRIAGE RECORD

"Tazewell County (VA) Marriages", Register #3, Year 1863, transcribed by Pauline Haga.

Chapman S. Elswick, age 26 yr, 7 mon, 19 days, born in Tazewell Co, VA, son of William and Lucinda Elswick, married on 10 Sep 1863 Emeline S. Chambers, age 21, born in Russell Co, VA, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Chambers. Married by Patton J. Lockhart.

STORIES

It was said she was a "red-headed,full-blooded Irish woman," according to contemporary accounts. While her husband, Chapman Elswick, was fighting in the Shenandoah Valley, his family was facing uncertainty and hardships.

Emeline and another lady by the name of Polly Griffiths, wife of Martin Griffiths (29th VA Infantry CSA) dug coal to fill ox carts, and during the summer months, leaving their children behind, drove the carts pulled by oxen and they came down from the ridge [Pleasant Hill, Reynolds Ridge] between Big Creek and Middle Creek from Stinson Ridge to Cedar Bluff, then up to Frog Level, then across the mountain and down the valley to Saltville, Va. (which would have been 40-50 mile), where they traded the coal for salt.

On the way back they would stop and trade the salt for staples and supplies they needed on the farm. They would trade salt for food and vegetables with neighbors who would be able to tend their farms.

It was a long, arduous trip and demonstrated the fortitude and perseverance of women and what they had to do to survive.

Notes:

John McClintock, Jr., a descendant of Emeline and Chapman Elswick, told me the family stories were a Thomas Gillespie was the father of Emeline's children. Thomas would travel over the mountain to visit "Red headed Emmie" at Liberty.

Until the death certificate of Thomas D. Chambers there was no proof of this. Thomas' death certificate is the only one of his three siblings born out of wedlock that give the name of Thomas Gillespie as the father. Alifair Chambers Christian's death certificate gave Chapman Elswick as her father, Elbert Wade Chambers had no names for his parents. For Alifair's descendants, her real father's name was not known, but evidently for the children of Emmeline and Chapman Elswick, the name was known but not talked about outside the family.

When Emeline married Chapman Elswick, she put her marital status as divorced. More than likely, Thomas Gillespie was a married man and was not free to marry Emeline.

Which Thomas Gillespie could be the father? One researcher has William Thomas Gillespie who was in his 60's during the time Emeline's children were conceived. I think a younger man is more likely since he was traveling over the mountain to Liberty on horseback. Here are the candidates from the Tazewell 1850 Census for Thomas or Thos:

Thomas Harrison Gillespie Nov. 19, 1812-Oct. 14, 1891, husband of Mary Ann Radar. In 1850 Thomas was 38 years old.

Thomas Simpson Gillespie 13 Dec 1807-1857,1862 or 1866, husband of Mariah Peery. In 1850 he was 43 years old. Thomas moved to Genry Co. MO in 1854, but later returned and died in Tazewell Co. This Thomas is a possibility based on the ages of Emeline's children. Alifair and Elbert Wade are three years apart, but there is about a 3 year difference between Elbert Wade born in 1853 and Thomas Douglas born about 1856. So it's possible Thomas Douglas was conceived when Thomas Gillespie returned from Missouri. Why did he return to Tazewell leaving his wife and children in Missouri?

Until DNA tests are done, this is all speculation as to which Thomas Gillespie is the father of Emeline's first three children.

Other Events:

• _UID: 9F738053F8B2406992D90607550D1C46741A

Notes:

1830 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had one male age 20 thru 29 [himself], one female under age 5 [Lydia] one females age 15 thru 19 [Nancy] and one male slave under the age of 10.

1840 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

DOD given as 1849 in Russell Co. VA

Tazewell County Marriages
Feb. 27, 1855
CHAMBERS, REES (21) Single. Born in Tazewell Co. Farmer. Son of Thomas & Nancy Christian

Thomas married Nancy CHRISTIAN Abt 1827. Nancy was born Abt 1811, Tazewell Co. VA; died Aft 1880, Buchanan Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: B2B2D7B8AEE64E918B3C1BCFF541BF6D7902

Notes:

1830 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had one male age 20 thru 29 [himself], one female under age 5 [Lydia] one females age 15 thru 19 [Nancy his wife] and one male slave under the age of 10.

1840 Census Russell Co. VA, Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

1850 Census Russell Co. page 310A, Family #1250. Listed as Nancy Chambers, age 38, born in Tazewell Co, VA, head of household.

1860 Census Tazewell Co. VA, Cedar Bluff, page 837 has the following info:

Chambers, Nancy, age 60, district: Cedar Bluff, page 837. Nancy was living with Joanna, John, Douglas Chambers, age 3 [John's son Douglas Rees Chambers], and Caladina Chambers [Clarissa Shortridge, John's wife], age 15.

1870 Census Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy Chambers, age 55, unable to read and write, is living next door to her son John Chambers. Living with her is her daughter, Joannah, age 33, occupation weaver, and her son William F. Chambers, age 5.

1880 Census, Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy Chambers, age 73, mother is living in the household of John Chambers. She is unable to read or write.

Nancy died in Buchanan Co. was with son, John. This info came from Lori (ddoerr@houston.rr.com)

Birth:
1850 Census, Russell Co. VA, District 54, household 1250, information indicates she was born in Tazewell Co.

Died:
1880 Census, Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy, age 73, was living with her son John Chambers.