Thomas Jefferson Draper

  General Notes:

From the notes of Kerman Thomasson, presenter at the Draper Reunion 24 April 1993: Tom Jeff, Sr. lived in a log house that was still standing in our time. It stood near the knoll on which is located the Draper burying ground where Grandpa and Grandma Draper are buried. When we Draper grandchildren were young, the old house was not inhabited. By it, was a newer house in which Aunt Mary Emma Draper (widow of Tom Jeff Sr.'s son John) lived. Tom Jeff Sr. and Nancy are buried in the Draper burying ground on the knoll by their house. Theirs are the oldest graves there, and have markers of hand-inscribed soapstone.

Tom Jeff Sr. was so named because Thomas Jefferson was president when he was born. The Drapers lived on Reed Creek, where William farmed and operated a grist mill, remains of which are still visible. He married a neighbor, Nancy Dent Davis [see Henry Co. Virginia Marriage Bonds, FHL #975.5692 V2d] When William Draper's land was divided, Tom Jeff's portion included the area where the burying ground is located. Tom Jeff's large log house stood in the "swag" you pass through just before heading up the knoll to the burying ground.

Tom was a farmer. He often is referred to in written records as "Captain Tom Draper" but there is nothing to evidence that title. I have seen a record (Henry County Minute Book 3 page 155) where Tom Jeff qualified as overseer of the poor of Henry County. He also was a justice of the peace as evidenced in an April 7, 1860 deed for James Madison Coleman, which he certified.

Tom died 6 Dec 1885 according to his hand-inscribed tombstone. I believe this date is in error. It should be 1884. Nancy Dent Davis Draper died in 1889 and it is apparent the two gravestones were made by the same hand which would be after 1889 and there could have been an error therefore. His estate was inventoried and appraiseed after his death which record is dated January 16, 1885 (Henry County Wills Book 10, page 459.) There was no will. Wilson Thomasson, his son-in-law, was the administrator. The inventory, appraisement, sale, and settlement of the estate make fascinating reading. Henry County Wills Book 10, p. 459. The widowed Nancy got the 62 acre property and $33.33 after things were settled. Each surviving child got $8.33. In the case of the deceased son William, each of his four children got $2.09. Among the debts settled were $6 for a coffin and $3.08 for a shroud.

The 1850 Federal Census for Henry Co., Va., page 15B records Thomas (41) and Nancy (41) Draper with children Mary (20), William (18), Peter (16), Thomas (13), Jesse (10), John (7), and James (4). They are living next door to the family of Lewis D. (39) and Franky (33) Byrd.

The 1860 Federal Census for Henry Co., Va., Oak Level P. O., page 78, dated July 21, 1860 records Thomas (51) and Nancy (51) Draper with children Thomas (23), Jesse (21), John (18), James (12), and Lucy (8).

See notes on his son Peter Draper for 1870 census facts.

Thomas married Nancy Dent Davis on 18 Dec 1827 in Henry Co, Va. (Nancy Dent Davis was born on 1 Sep 1808 and died on 24 Dec 1889 in Henry Co, Va..)