Milford chronicle., 1908-01-31
Places and People Of Milford Neck From
I84O to 1908

Another family OF Milford Neck which
we have thus far failed to describe was
that of William Thomas. Mr.. Thomas
was a man of considerable intelligence
and we'll informed on general topics whose
memory was remarkable and went back
nearly to the beginning of the last century.
He was a good conversationalist, clear in
expression and could elucidate his sub
ject in such a manner that it was
plainly apparent to the comprehension
If his listener. The writer distinctly
remembers with what rapt attention
when boy he has listened to the conver-
sation of this old gentleman. His home
was situated near the NJ. E. Church, on
small tract of land now incorporated in
the farm belonging to Joshua Bennett, Jr.
1t contained about twenty acres of land
with dwelling house of moderate dimen-
siOns
His family consisted of a wife and three
children, all boys. He was connected
with the Thompson family by ma riage,
his wife being a sister of the late James
Thompson. Mrs. Thomas was a very
delicate constitution and was an invalid
for several years previous to her death.
William Thomas was a somewhat pecu-
liar individual Although mentally
brilliant he lacked those requisite quail
fications necessary to success. He was
honest and upright in his dealings with
his fellow man but his easily besetting
sin was the enebuating bowl he made
many attempts to ward Of this weakness
but was never successful. He died in the
centennial year, aged about seventy years.
Andrew T. Thomas, his Oldest son, was
a man of many parts. He was in success
sion, farmer, a mechanic, lecturer,
civil engineer, a school teacher, sailor, a
a postmaster, a merchant
and finally an editor all in life time of
sixty-eight years. He was a man of con-
erudition. In mathematics he
was a veratable modern Archimides in
he was a strong writer a
iairly good reasoner, but lacked continuity
rather than general information. Lack
ng concentration he was generally unsuc-
,essful n his business ventures, though I
ne always seemed to possess a good degree
# perseverance. He married and settled
N the old homestead which had become
lis property, and occupied it for period
# twenty-five years or more reared a
amily of five sons, two Of whom are ID
mechanics, one a farmer and two who
hose profession. Joseph is a minister of i
ONE note in the NJ. P. Church of the n
'irginia Conference, and has the distinc- "
ion of being a brilliant pulpit orator. O
Walter worked his way through college al
nd after graduating at Princeton adopted c.
he study of law as his life work, and is v
ow rising young attorney of Philadel- -
hia.
Andrew T. Thomas was the very first
ian in Milford Neck to espouse the cause -
the Republican party. Himself, Dr.
1hn s. Prettyman and James Brown
ist the three votes for John c. Free
ont for President in 1856 that were
und in the Ballot Box at Milford. He
ed in nineteen hundred and one aged
'out sixty-eight years. His widow is
III living.
William Thomas, his brother, was a
ain young man of the practical sort, ad-
red and respected by all that knew
m. He was industrious and economical
d ambitious to save the fruits of his
'Or. His career was cut short by death
It as he had crossed the threshold of
lnhoOd. He died of measles of a malig-
mt type in 1855, aged about p years.
saac M. Thomas, youngest son of the
er William Thomas, was considered
yward youth but his faults were more
outcome of mschievousness than
" were down right wickedness. When
Rebellion opened in 1881 he enlisted
the First Delaware Cavalry and faith
y served his country during the war
was in several hotly contested battles
he war, was captured by Stuart's Cav
eo HCElnlAuAclCA anu dllcI WdIub GA-
nged. When Grant took command of
Army of the Potomac, his regiment
dismOunted and put in the trenches
IRE Petersburg, but was soon restcsd
o its former position. After the war
closed Mr.. Thomas, like Cincinnatus,
n returned to his pl6w. He strug-
on against adversely at best be could
several years, when in 1888 he bought
farm near Th922psonville now owned
John S. Reynolds. He occupied it
few years and was getting. on nicely
his MIND gave way and his family
to place him in an asy YUM.
son, Robert H. Thomas, very in
riohs and worthy young man, con.
ed the farm until his mothers death
O6, it was then sold. His children, six
umber, are intelligent, useful citizens
he community and are comfortably
in the affairs of life