Thomas Walters

Thomas Walters is the 4th Great Grandfather of my wife.

I've already written about Thomas' son John Walters.  I waited to write about Thomas as I was searching for additional information on him.  There is speculation that Thomas served in the Revolutionary War serving under George Washington.  I was hoping to find some concrete information to corroborate this.  Well - I have not been able to prove that yet.

Thomas was born in 1757.  Some records indicate he was born in Virginia and others speculate his birth as England.  I'm not really sure either way.

Thomas Walters is listed in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as Ancestor #A120187.  The status of his ancestor # is 'FUTURE APPLICANTS MUST PROVE CORRECT SERVICE'. Apparently at one time he was accepted as a veteran of the Revolutionary War but his service is now in question.  So in order for future generations to be accepted as a member of DAR - they would need to prove his service.  A daunting task I'm sure!

The earliest applicant for the DAR was Ginerva Walters.  Ginerva is descended from Thomas through his son Daniel.  As far as I can tell no one from John's line, that is my wife's line, has applied to be recognized in the DAR.

In Ginerva's application she lists Thomas Walters wife as Mary E. Sibley.  I've seen the name more often quoted as Sively though.  There is another ancestor in the DAR database for a Jacob Sievley.  Jacob is believed to be the brother of Elizabeth Sivley.  Both Jacob and Thomas are thought to have served together.  Jacob is a recognized veteran of the Revolutionary War and did serve under George Washington.  The father of Jacob and Elizabeth is believed to be Joseph Sively and he is also believed to have served in the War.

In her application, Ginerva listed the children of Thomas Walters and Mary E Sibley (or Elizabeth Sivley) as:

1. William Walters - born 15 Apr 1787 in Virginia. Marries Elizabeth Royer.
2. Sarah Walters - born 7 Dec 1790 in Virginia. Marries Fleming Reneau
3. George Walters - born 9 Mar 1795 in Tennessee.
4. Daniel Walters - born 1 Jan 1801 in Alabama.  Marries Lucinda McDonald.
5. Thomas J Walters - born 5 Oct 1805 in Alabama.  Marries Susan Baughman.
6. John Walters - born 5 Apr 1808 in Alabama.  Marries Elizabeth Barker.


Thomas Walters dies 26 August 1826 in Madison County, Alabama.  I have transcribed his Last Will and Testament below. 

It should be noted that the person Thomas names that owes him money in Tennessee last name is Reneau.  One would assume that this William Reneau is related to husband of his daughter Susan.  Her husband's name is Fleming Reneau.

It is unknown where Thomas Walters is buried in Madison County, Alabama.

John Walters

John Walters is the 3rd Great Grandfather to my wife, Krista Ann Vorlicky.

John Walters is the youngest son of Thomas Walters and Elizabeth Sivley. I was going to start my Walters line with Thomas - but I wanted to include his Last Will & Testament that is located in the Probate Records in the Madison County Courthouse in Alabama.  I have ordered a copy of this Probate Record so I will backtrack to Thomas when I get it.  There has been much written about the Walters line by several researchers.  Thomas Walters is believed to have served under George Washington in the Revolutionary War!  More on that later.

John Walters was born 5 April 1808 in Jefferson County, Tennessee.  John lived at one time with his parents in Madison County, Alabama.  At some point John Walters moves to Fulton County, Illinois.  Most likely it is around 1826 after his father dies in Madison County, Alabama.  We know he is in Fulton County by 1831 as we can find his marriage record to Elizabeth Barker.  There are several Walters brothers already in the area including a Daniel and William Walters - who are believed to be brothers of John.

Fulton County, Illinois was what was known as the 'Military Tract' in the 1820's.  The soldiers who fought in the War of 1812 were given tracts of land in Illinois for their service during the war.  It is believed that John Walter's older brother, William, fought in the war of 1812, and that he came to Fulton County first, living on on the Military Tract there.  William, Daniel, John and other Walters are mentioned in the History of Fulton County, Illinois that was printed in 1879.  The John mentioned is believed to be the subject of this blog.

The next record we find John Walters in is the 1850 Federal Census in Joshua Township, Fulton County, Illinois.  By this time he is now married to his 2nd wife, Elizabeth Jones.  They were married in 1847.  His first wife, Elizabeth Barker, passed away in 1844. 

Between 1831 and 1844 John Walters and Elizabeth Barker have seven children.  They are:

1. John W "Jack" Walters - born 1833 in Fulton County, IL, died Apr 1900 in Lincoln County, WA.
2. Thomas Walters - born 13 Mar 1835 in Fulton County, IL, died 19 Jan 1916 in Lincoln County, WA.
3. Daniel Walters - born 1836 in Fulton County, IL, died 19 Sep 1863 in Camp Sherman, MS in the Civil War.
4. William Walters - born 1837 in Fulton County, IL, died 1840 in Fulton County, IL.
5. Joseph Walters - born 19 May 1840 in Fulton County, IL, died 6 May 1913 in Nebraska.  Married Angeline Scott.
6. Susan Ann Walters - born 9 May 1842 in Fulton County, IL, died 18 May 1908 in Fulton County, IL. Married John McCarty.
7. James L Walters - born 1844 in Fulton County, IL, died 2 Jun 1847 in Fulton County, IL.

John Walters and Elizabeth Jones had one child. 

1. Cannah Walters - born 20 Dec 1848 in Fulton County, IL, died 19 Sep 1924 in McDonough County, IL.  Married Mary Waltman.

In the 1850 Census John and his second wife, Elizabeth, have 4 children living at home.  They are John, Thomas, Susan and Cannah.  John and his two older sons are listed as farmers for their occupation.  It is unknown where his son Joseph is in 1850 as he only would have been 10 years old.

In the 1860 Federal Census John is still farming in Joshua Township, Fulton County, Illinois.  Joseph is now living with him and so is his youngest son, Cannah.  There is also a Mary Evans living with them, age 24. 

John and Elizabeth are living alone in the 1870 Federal Census, still farming in Joshua Township.  Living next door is their son, Cannah and his wife Mary.  By 1870 John has eight grandchildren.  Four granchildren each from his daughter Susan and his son Joseph.

By 1880 John and Elizabeth have moved to Lee, Fulton County, Illinois.  They are living now with Cannah and his wife, Mary, and Mary's mother, Susan Waltman.  John's wife passes away in 1880.  John lives for 3 more years and passes away in 1883 in Fulton County.  John is buried in Rigdon Cemetery in Fulton County, Illinois.