Thomas Wright Hess

Thomas Wright Hess was born about 1825, at Marcella, in Independence County, Arkansas, the son of Solomon Hess and Nancy (last name unknown).

Thomas appears on the 1830 Independence County census, Ruddell Township, as a male under the age of five years.     The 1840 Izard County, Washington Township, Arkansas, census shows Thomas as a male age 10-15 years of age.

Thomas' father died about November 1840, and willed his property to his wife and children.    Thomas, being a minor, was not mentioned by name in his father's will.

Thomas married Harriett Johnson on August 13, 1846, at Marcella, in Independence County.     Harriett Johnson was born about 1830, in Tennessee, according to census.    Harriett was probably the daughter of Allen Johnson and Elizabeth (last name unknown).

In June 1849, Thomas signed an agreement with his siblings concerning the property left them by their father.

On December 8, 1849, Thomas and Harriett sold two parcels of land, in Independence County, to Allen and Elizabeth Johnson.

Thomas and Harriett appear on the 1850 Independence County census in Wallace Township.    With Thomas and Harriett are their children Santa A., age 3; and William T., age 2 years.

Harriett died in 1850 or 1851.    Thomas married Elizabeth Ann Johnson on May 13, 1851, in Independence County.    We believe Elizabeth was a sister to Harriett, and was also the daughter of Allen Johnson and Elizabeth (last name unknown).    The 1850 Independence County census shows Allen Johnson, age 56; Elizabeth, age 54; Martha A., age 20; James, age 18; and Eliza A., age 15.     We believe Elizabeth Ann is Eliza A. on the census.

Thomas died between the time of his marriage in 1851, and the time of the 1860 census.     The 1860 Independence County, Wallace Township, census shows Thomas' children, Cyntha A., age 13; and William, age 11, living with their uncle and aunt William Hess and Angeline (Roberts) Hess and family. 

The 1870 Independence County census shows Cynthia A., age 22, living with her uncle and aunt, Charles O'Neal and Eliza J. (Hess) O'Neal.    She was listed as a domestic servant.   Cynthia's brother William, age 21, was listed with his cousin, Thomas M. Hess and Angeline (Roberts - Hess) Hess and family.

Children of Thomas Hess and Harriett Johnson