"Thomas Hughes was born May 5, 1749, in Loudon County, Virginia, a son of Felix and Cynthia (Kaighn) Hughes, natives of Donegal, Ireland, who settled in Virginia about 1739. He was a grandson of Thomas and Briget (O'Neil) Hughes. Tradition says that Thomas Hughes took to the Wilderness at an early age and became a roving hunter. This may be true, or he may be confused with his uncle, Thomas Hughes, who was indeed a famous hunter. But it is evident that Thomas Hughes took acquired an early education in woodcraft, for his later experiences on the frontier, and his seeming disregard of danger from raiding Indians, could only have been the result of his early training. He had the advantage of a good education, which was later to aid him in business and politics. After settling at Jefferson, which he helped lay out on a part of his land, he entered a variety of interests, such as milling, distilling, farming, and tanning. He was one of the first to recognize the importance of the coal outcroppings in his locality, and put his slaves to work at mining this product. From them he demanded a certain amount of production, which when attained, was rewarded with freedom...When Thomas Hughes first came to the Tenmile Country, he settled at what is known as the "Old Town" at Carmichaels, but on July 24, 1780, he deeded this tract of land to James Carmichaels, who is reported to have lived at the site of Jefferson at the time. Sale of this land is reported in Washington County Deed Books, but no sale from Carmichaels to Hughes is on the record to confirm the tradition he obtained a warrant for 175 acres under the title of "Partridge Harbour," where on he was later to lay out a portion of a town which he called Jefferson. Then on September 4, 1790, he bought another tract across the Tenmile from his patented land, from Isaac and Hannah (Bowen) Heaton. The Heatons and Thomas Hughes were of different political beliefs, with Colonel John Heaton a strong supporter of Alexander Hamilton. Colonel Heaton became the owner of a tract of land next west of Thomas Hughes and he proceeded also to lay out a number of lots, calling his own town Hamilton. A bitter controversy raged between the two men which was not shared by the people, who had settled in the village which sprang up between the two plans, and they gave the name of Harmony to their section. This feud must have only extended to the political lives of the two men for the family intermarried in private life...On February 20, Thomas Hughes married Elizabeth Swan Go to, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lucas) Swan, with whom the Hughes Family had made their journey to the Tenmile. She was born in Maryland on February 28, 1751, and died at Jefferson in 1825. Thomas Hughes died there February 4, 1823. They are buried in the old Presbyterian Cemetery, west of the stone house built by Thomas Hughes, and their markers are readable. A section of this old cemetery in a corner next to the church, was set aside by Thomas Hughes for the burial of his slaves, whose huts stood a little to the north of the cemetery...Much of the family history of Thomas Hughes is found in the well preserved Swan-Hughes Bible, which was passed down to his wife. We are indebted to M. Marie Perrin Lemley of Los Angeles, for locating the Swan-Hughes Bible at the home of Thomas Hughes of Palms, California. Mrs. Lemley, a direct descendant of Thomas Hughes, began a genealogy of the Hughes Family many years ago, and much of the record of the family is taken from her files. She graciously shared it with the writer. Mrs. Lemley now lived at Long Beach, California." I would very much like to make contact with any of her descendants, who might still be living. Please Contact Me at address listed below!
The Thomas Hughes Family as found on pp 207, of above mentioned book. More info on these family lines can be found in subsequent pages of the book:
5. Martha Hughes, born May 11, 1781, died October 31, 1857, married June 6, 1799, Barnet O'Neil, born April 23, 1776, died September 15, 1869. He was a son of Barnet O'Neil, Sr., who died about 1779, leaving sons Barnet and Henry and a daughter Sarah O'Neil.
From pp. 205, "The Tenmile Country And Its Pioneer Families," by Howard L. Leckey: 1. Elizabeth Hughes, born November 2, 1771. When she was 17 years of age she married John Manning, who served as ensign in Captain Joseph Vanmeter's Company of Rangers in 1779. He moved with his family to the Benjamin Stites Settlement on the Ohio and later to Kentucky, where he left a large family. No record of this family has been given.
2. John Hughes, born May 7, 1774, died July 23, 1844, married Mary Rex, born 1773, died 1849. She was a daughter of George and Margaret (Kepler) Rex, and with her husband, is buried at Jefferson. They were married August 27, 1795.
3. Mary Hughes, born December 10, 1776, died at Jefferson, May 31, 1855, married June 2, 1796, James Lindsey, born May 31, 1772, died February 21, 1816, son of James and Judith (Moore) Lindsey.
4. Sarah Hughes, born January 27, 1779, died at Holbrook, October 29, 1858, married October 8, 1795, Mathias Roseberry, born January 11, 1772, died December 2, 1851, son of Michael and Mary (Maple) Roseberry.
5. Martha Hughes, born May 11, 1781, died October 31, 1857, married June 6, 1799, Barnet O'Neil, born April 23, 1776, died Setember 15, 1860. He was a son of Barnet O'Neil, Sr., who died about 1779, leaving sons Barnet and Henry and a daughter Sarah O'Neil. (My Line)
6. Thomas Hughes, Jr., born February 18, 1784, died at Rices Landing May 8, 1867; married Sarah Swan, born June 26, 1786, died May 11, 1852; daughter of Richard and Martha (Vanmeter) Swan. They are buried in the old cemetery, overlooking the Locks at Rices Landing.
7. Nancy Ann Hughes, born September 2, 1785, died near Carmichaels August 2, 1836; married about 1804, James Curl, who died at Carmichaels September 15, 1851; son of John and Susan Curl.
8. James Hughes, born January 19, 1788, died July 11, 1861; married Margaret Hiller, born 1794, died January 26, 1833; daughter of William and Margaret (Myers) Hiller.
9. Remembrance Hughes, born May 13, 1793, died May 31, 1856 at Montezuma, California. He married (1) Margaret McClain, born January 17, 1799, at Rices Landing; died May 17, 1832; daughter of Abijah and Permelia (Doughty) McClain. He married (2) Mrs. Ophelia Shered. After his second Rememberance Hughes sold his saw mill at the mouth of Tenmile and went to Oregon. He joines the Gold Rush to California, where he staked a claim on Pitt River. For a time he prospered, then found a large nugget, which made him a wealthy man. He sold the nugget and bought a ferry, but a flood wiped out his ferry and with it his fortune. He died in California at the home of one of his daughters
10. Luca Hughes, born December 19, 1790, died at age of two years.
11. Catherine Hughes, born November 18, 1795; married June 29, 1816, John Hiller, son of William and Margaret (Myers) Hiller. They lived at Carmichaels.
MY DIRECT FAMILY LINE:
1. Thomas O'Neil, born January 3, 1800; married, January 7, 1821, Mary McCall.
2. Henry O'Neil, born March 30, 1802, died February 26, 1856; married, July 28, 1825, Rhoda Hiller, born March 30, 1799, died at Red Bluffs, California. She was a daughter of William and Margaret (Myers) Hiller
3. Lucretia O'Neil, born October 11, 1805, died December 9, 1807.
4. Elizabeth O'Neil, born November 19, 1806, died December 6, 1884, in Appamoose County, Iowa. She married, April 3, 1828, Jesse Swan, born August 31, 1800, died February 8, 1851; son of William and Sarah (Harrod) Swan. They lived at Carmichaels, Pennsylvania.
5. Mary O'Neil, born May 4, 1806, died December 6, 1876; married, May 21, 1829, James Wiley, born April 8, 1809, died March 4, 1889, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Wiley.
6. Barnet O'Neil, born September 5, 1810, died April 12, 1899, at Appamoose County, Iowa. He married, September 25, 1831, Margaret, daughter of William Kincaid.
7. Sarah O'Neil, born March 22, 1813, died June 15, 1893; married, December 7, 1837, William Sharpnack, born July 9, 1810, died January 18, 1892, son of Samuel and Nancy (Crago) Sharpnack. Both are buried at Hewitt's Church.
8. John O'Neil, born November 24, 1815, died September 2, 1868; married, July 6, 1835, Sarah Moredock, daughter of George and Priscilla (Anderson) Moredock.
9. James O'Neil, born January 29, 1818, died March 21, 1867; married, July 17, 1840, Eliza Ann McElvaney, who died November 12, 1896, at Carmichaels, Pennsylvania.
10. Nancy O'Neil, born March 6, 1820; married September 15, 1842, John Veon.
11. Remembrance O'Neil, born July 9, 1822; married (1), March 21, 1844, Eleanor Thomas, born 4-May.1824, {{daughter of Joshua and Catherine (Livengood) Thomas}}. (My Line)After her death he married, July 29, 1866, Mary Neff, born March 10, 1832.
12. Aliff Shepherd O'Neil, born September 4, 1824, died November 21, 1863; married, March 13, 1851, Lucy Thomas, born 1830, died February 20, 1885, daughter of Joshua and Catherine (Livengood) Thomas.
11. Remembrance O'Neil, born July 9, 1822; married (1), March 21, 1844, Eleanor Thomas, born 4-May.1824, {{daughter of Joshua and Catherine (Livengood) Thomas}}. (My Line)After her death he married, July 29, 1866, Mary Neff, born March 10, 1832. To see more on this Thomas Line Go to
1. Catherine O'Neil, born June 8, 1845; married J.S. Courtier.
2. Joshua O'Neil, born December 20, 1846; wife's name was Mary.
3. Barnet O'Neil, born December 20, 1846 (twin, died September 15, 1896; married, November 15, 1871, Mary Catherine McCall, who died at Greenbush, Illinois, September 9, 1883.
4. Martha O'Neil, born February 10, 1849; married, August 4, 1872, Albert E. Jacobs, born April 12, 1846.
5. Aliff S. O'Neil, born March 2, 1851; wife's name was Anne.
6. Ellen O'Neil, born March 21, 1853; married, May 11, 1872, Spencer Blatchey Huffman, born September 26, 1847, died February 5, 1899, son of Joseph and Sarah (Hunt) Huffman.(My Line),
7. John O'Neil, born April 29, 1867; married Linda.
8. Elizabeth O'Neil, born January 4, 1871; married, May 28, 1892, Benjamin F. Myers, born April 12, 1869.
9. Louemma O'Neil, born September 5, 1874; married John Corcoran, Windom, Kansas.
6. Ellen O'Neil, born March 21, 1853; married, May 11, 1872, Spencer Blatchey Huffman, born September 26, 1847, died February 5, 1899, son of Joseph and Sarah (Hunt) Huffman.(My Line)
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