Query: Malachi Thomas, Pike County

            My g-grandparents were Marguery (Mary) K. Thomas b: 29 Dec 1845 d: 8 May 1918 & was married on 13 Sep 1867 to George Washington McAtee b: 15 April 1842 d: 20 May 1924. Both lived & died in Pike Co, IN & are buried in Little Zion Cemetery near Union, Pike Co, IN.

            Marguery K. Thomas parents were Malachi B. Thomas b: Feb 1820 in Indiana died 22 Feb 1880 in Pike Co, IN & Ruth Hillman b: 9 Oct 1821 in Mason Co, KY died after 1880. They were married in Pike Co, IN on 17 May 1842. Malachi’s father was born in either KY or TN (conflicting Census information). Malachi's occupation is listed as a farmer in the US Census. Most records list Malachi's middle initial as "B", but other documents list it as "S". This was confusing at first, but most of the "reliable" data bases list it as "B".

            I have considerable information on Ruth Hillman, but additional information on Malachi is very minimal. The problem in finding more information on Malachi Thomas is threefold.  1) US Census prior to 1850 does not include family members names or exact ages. By the time the 1850 US Census was taken, Malachi was 30 years old , was married & no longer living at home; 2) Malachi was born in 1820, this is before either the Indiana or Pike Co began keeping birth records; 3) Malachi died before 1882, the year when when Indiana began keeping death records.

            Also I know that he is buried in Little Zion Cemetery near Union, Pike Co, IN. This cemetery is associated with the Primitive Baptist Church. However, the Church does not maintain any death records. Malachi Thomas had several children, one of his younger sons was also named Malachi B. Thomas. Malachi the younger's life is well documented as he was very successful in the Pike Co, IN school system.

William E. Beasley

12 Timberline Dr

Blue Grass, Iowa 52726

563-381-4366

email: wbmecon@aol.com