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Below is a family biography included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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THOMAS NANCE is a son of Clements Nance, of Bedford County, Tenn., who was born in 1810 and spent his boyhood on a farm. He received a practical education, and wedded Mary Tune, daughter of William Tune, of Virginia, and to them were born William T., Thomas, Mary, Reuben and Clement. Three of the children are now living. In 1826 Mr. Nance immigrated to Tennessee, locating near Shelbyville, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1833 Mr. Nance went to Missouri and died in Ray County in 1841. Thomas Nance, our subject, was born October 17, 1837, in Missouri. He came to Tennessee when he was but seven years of age, and his early days were spent in laboring on a farm and in attending the common schools of his neighborhood. He began black-smithing and followed that occupation for about twenty years. In 1872 he moved to where he now resides. December 14, 1859, he wedded Miss Sarah B. Coates, daughter of P. H. Coates, and six children have been born to their union: Thomas H., James E., Julia E., Carrie E., William G. and Martha E., all of whom are living. In 1883 Mr. Nance was elected magistrate of his district and is filling the duties of that office at the present time. Mr. Nance is a Mason, and he and Mrs. Nance are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Bedford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

View additional Bedford County, Tennessee family biographies here

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