My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Dyer 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.

* * * *

Thomas G. Churchman, a farmer, and one of the early settlers of Dyer County, was the son of James and Nancy (Bradberry) Churchman; was born in Jefferson County, April 6, 1818, being one of thirteen children—five still living. The father was of English descent, born in Virginia in 1787. The grandfather, William Churchman, immigrated to East Tennessee, and was one of the pioneer settlers. James Churchman was educated at home, and was a carpenter by trade. In 1815 he married Miss Nancy Bradberry. She was born in Jefferson County in 1797, and died in 1846. They moved from Jefferson County to Carroll County, in 1835, and purchased 500 acres of land. In 1850 they moved to Dyer County, and purchased 702 acres where Newbern now stands. He was postmaster at Newbern for many years, and died in 1861. Thomas, our subject, was educated in a log schoolhouse in the mountains of East Tennessee. He learned the carpenter’s trade from his father, and worked at it for many years. In 1842 he married Miss Ruth Pickard, of Obion County. They had eight children, only four surviving— John R., Henderson C. (of Texas), Margaret (wife of Haywood Carpenter, of Arkansas), and Thomas B., of Texas. After marrying he spent two years in Obion County, then six years in Carroll County, then moved to Dyer and owns a good farm in the Ninth District, four miles east of Newbern. He is a Democrat, a good citizen, and an honest man. Mrs. Churchman died December, 1882, and January 28, 1883, he married Mrs. Dorinda Stokes, daughter of Kinsey and Nancy Lucas. She was born in South Carolina, in 1821, and is an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 128 biographies included in The History of Dyer County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Dyer County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

To view additional Dyer County, Tennessee family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.