Thomas Oscar Abrams

From South Carolina to Alabama:

Thomas Oscar Abrams 1795-1860 was the eldest son of William Abrams 1774-1827, the eldest son of James Abrams, 1745-1822.. Sometime between 1831 and 1837 Thomas traveled to Lauderdale Co., AL and on 28 Feb 1837 married Alcey Duckett Robertson. This was the second marriage for Alcey and as far as I know was the first for Thomas. She was first married to John Robertson on 2 Feb 1820 in Laurens Co., SC and had six children by him. In 1838 Alsey and Thomas had their first son, George Washington Whitmore Abrams. In 1839 they had a second son, William Fletcher Maner Abrams (my g-grandfather).

From Alabama to Hardin Co., Tennessee:

Sometime between 1840 and 1842 Thomas and Alcey and their eight children moved to Hardin Co., TN. Life must have been harsh in Hardin Co. Three of Alcey's children died at a young age. On 15 Nov 1842 her 11 year old son F. W. McKendry Robertson died. A year later two of her daughters, Sarah Ann Basanquet and Martha Elizabeth Lefevery Robertson, ages 16 and 21, died on the same day, 17 Nov 1843. Alsey had a baby girl that she named Lydia Rozannah Austine Catherine Abrams on 13 Aug 1843 but she died 3 months later on 24 Nov 1843.

Alsey had at least two other children that lived to adulthood; James Turner Robertson b. 28 Jun 1825, and Mary Luezar Robertson b. 5 Dec 1832, who married J.T. Shelby. Both of these children were listed in her will in 1872. One other son, Thomas Duckett Robertson b. 8 Mar 1829 was not mentioned in her will and apparently died young.

Thomas and Alsey had a third son, Joseph Wesley Kendrick Sullivan Abrams b. 20 May 1847. The 1850 census showed Thomas and Alcey with four children, Mary L. Robinson [sic} 17, George Abrams 12 and William Abrams 10 and Joseph W Abrams 3.

The 1860 census showed Alsey and son George living with her daughter Mary L. who had married J. T. Shelby. George 22 was listed as a school teacher. William 20 was married by then and listed as a farmer. Thomas was not shown and I assume that he died between 1850 and 1860.

The Civil War hit hard in Hardin County. George went to South Carolina and joined the Confederate Army along with his cousins in Laurens Co., SC. He was killed in the Battle of Chickamauga on 20 Sept 1863. William Fletcher joined the Union Army on 24 Sept 1863 and survived the war. The 1870 census showed Alsey 67 and son Joseph W. 23 living with the William Fletcher Abrams family. Joseph was listed as insane. Alsey died 2 Feb 1872 leaving a will. Click here to see her will.

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