Hickman Thomas

Born: 1828 in White County (Now Putnam County) Tennessee

Died: 16 Mar 1896 in Putnam County, Tennessee

No Photos Available

Company C, 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry

6 Dec 1862 - 21 Feb 1863 (Deserted)

Hickman was the son of William "Billy" Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth Green. He first married Mary M. Herrin on 9 Sep 1850. Everyone on the internet believes Mary's parents were Gabriel Herrin and Virginia Jane Hunter, but I don't know. That is probably correct but I can't find any proof. Hickman and Mary had four kids from 1851 to 1859. Mary died sometime before 1866. After Mary's death, Hickman married Ginsey Elviney "Jane" Elmore on 18 Jun 1867 in Putnam County. Jane's parents were George Washington Elmore and Sarah Bussell. Hickman and Jane had five kids from 1869 to 1879. Jane had been previously married to Francis M. Richardson but he died in the war in 1863.

Hickman's service in Company C was short and sweet. After enlisting on 6 Dec 1862 at Nashville, he deserted on 21 Feb 1863 from a forage train near Murfreesboro. He never returned and was not given a discharge. His service record does not include anything else significant.

Jane, the widow, applied first for a widow's pension on the service of Francis M. Richardson. That application was denied because she did not apply within the timeframe allowed and she had remarried. She later applied for a pension on Hickman Thomas which was denied because he had deserted. Hickman had applied to have the charge of desertion removed but that was denied. Affidavits from her widow's pension application indicate that she was completely destitute and died a pauper.

When Hickman died in 1896, all his children were grown so they did not receive any pension. One cannot help but wonder why at least one of the five children she had did not take care of her. Perhaps there was legitimate reasons but more research would be required to arrive at a conclusion

Hickman is PROBABLY buried in the Thomas Cemetery in the Thomas Community of Putnam County, Tennessee with his parents and other family members. Don't know for sure at this time. We have no idea where Mary is buried. Jane is in the Elmore-Richardson Cemetery in Baxter, Putnam County, Tennessee

As always, I welcome your input if you can correct or add anything to this record.