Thomas Joseph Rich

1815 - 1864  (49 years)

• Name	Thomas Joseph Rich  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  Birth	30 Apr 1815	, , Emanuel County, Georgia, USA   [1, 6, 7]
  Census: Federal	1820	, , Emanuel County, Georgia, USA   [8]
  	male 26-45 [Martin Rich] female > 45 [possibly Sarah] male 16-25 male 16-18 [possibly James] male 10-15 [possibly John] male < 10 [possibly Daniel B.] male < 10 [possibly Thomas Joseph] male < 10 male < 10 male < 10
  Census: Federal	1830	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [9]
  	Possible listing: female 50-60 [Sarah Rich-possibly the former Sarah Overstreet, widow of Martin] male 15-20 [possibly Thomas J. at 15] male 15-20 male 10-15
  Gold Lottery	1832	, Whigham, Grady County, Georgia, USA   [10]
  	the orphans of Martin Ricks [sic] were awarded lot 28 of district 15 in section 2
  	[This land was listed as the property of son Thomas J. Rich starting in the 1838 tax list.]
  Tax List	1836-1837	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA
  	missing
  Tax List	1838	, Captain Smart's District, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [11]
  	Thomas J. Rich paid 1 poll and owned no slaves.  He paid 29 1/2 cents tax on the following property: 62 acres of pine land in Decatur County, district 19, lot [not listed]  [This could be half the land from lot 183 that was held by his father's estate until at least 1834.  Thomas would have turned 21 about 1836.  No lax list is available for 1836 or 1837, but by 1838 it seems to be in possession.  A thorough search of the Decatur County deed books is needed.] 20 acres of qual 3 land in Cherokee County, district 15, lot 28 [This Cherokee County land was listed as being drawn in the 1832 Gold Lottery by the "orphans of Martin Ricks."]
  Move	Between 1839 and 1840	, , Randolph County, Georgia, USA   [2]
  	He was listed on the Decatur County tax list in 1838 and 1839, but he was in Randolph County for the 1840 census.  He was not on the Decatur County tax lists from 1840 through 1844.
  Tax List	1839	, Captain Smart's District, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [12]
  	Thos J. Rich paid 1 poll and owned no slaves.  He paid $1.20 tax on the follwing property: 202 1/2[?] acres of qual 2 land in Decatur County, district 19, lot 344 20 acres of qual 3 land in Decatur County, district 15, lot 28
  Census: Federal	1840	, Cuthbert-GMD 718, Randolph County, Georgia, USA   [13]
  	male 20-30 yrs: Thomas J. Rich [at 25] female 20-30 yrs [Letty at 24] female under 5 yrs [Martha Jane at 3] female under 5 yrs [Sarah Ann at 2]
  Jury Duty	13 Aug 1841	, , Randolph County, Georgia, USA   [14]
  	Petit Juror
  	Juror no. 24: Thomas J. Rich
  Move	Between 13 Aug 1841 and 1842	, 10 miles north of Bainbridge & Blakely Road, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [2]
  	a tract of timbered land ten miles north of Bainbridge on the Bainbridge & Blakely Road
  	Although a biographical sketch for Thomas' son Elijah mentioned this move, the Decatur County deed index book did not contain a corresponding land purchase record.  Perhaps the land was located just north of the Decatur County line in the part of Early County which later became Miller County.  This would account for Elijah's son's death certificate showing Miller County as Elijah's place of birth.
  Tax List	1842	, Captain Stancel Barbrea's District, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [15]
  	Thomas J. Rich paid 1 poll and owned no slaves.  He paid 41 cents tax on 40 acres of pine land in district 15, lot 28 of Cherokee County, Georgia.
  Tax List	1846	, GMD 635, Seminole County (was Decatur), Georgia, USA   [16]
  	Thomas J. Rich paid 1 poll and owned no slaves.  He paid 51 cents tax on 40 acres of quality 2 land in Cherokee County, Georgia.  The district and lot numbers were not listed.
  Land Purchase	5 Jun 1848	, District 27-Lot 347, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [17]
  	David Griffin to Thomas Rich - district 27, E 1/2 of N 1/2 of lot 347
  	"State of Georgia  This indenture made this 5th day of June Decatur County    in the Year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred & forty eight Between David Griffin of the county and state aforesaid on the one part and Thomas J Rich of the same place on the other part Witnesseth that the said David Griffin for and in consideration of the sum of Eighty Dollars to him in hand paid at and before the sealing and Delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath Granted Bargained sold and conveyed unto the said Thomas J Rich his heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the county aforesaid in the twenty seventh district containing sixty two and a half acres more or less being the north half of the east half of lot number three hundred and forty seven originally granted to David Griffin said grant being dated the Eighth day of Novem ber in the Year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty seven To have & To Hold said tract or parcel of land unto him the said Thomas J Rich his heirs and assigns together with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances thereof to the same in any manner belonging to his and their own use and benefit & behalf forever in fee simple  And the said David Griffin for himself his heirs executors and administrators the said bargains & promises unto the said Thomas J Rich his heirs and assigns with warrant and proper defend the right and title therof against themselves and against the claims of all other persons whatsoever  In witness whereof the said David Griffin hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year above written  Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Allen (his x mark) Sloan      David (his x mark) Griffin LS Howel Hearn J.P.
  Land Sale	4 Dec 1848	, District 27-Lot 347, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [18]
  	Thomas J Rich to William H Cherry - district 27, 1/4 lot 347
  	Recorded January 9th 1969 Georgia            This indenture made this fourth day of December in Decatur County  the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Eight Between Thomas J. Rich of the county and state aforesaid of the one part and William H. Cherry of the same place on the other part  Witnesseth that the said Rich for and in consideration of the sum of one Hundred Dollars to him in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained and sold and by these pres- ents doth bargain sell and convey unto the said Cherry all that tract or parcel of Land consisting of sixty two acres & a half more or less it being the fourth of Lot number Three Hundred & forty seven (347) in the twenty seventh District of originally Early now Decatur being and the north half of the east half of said Lot to have and to hold said sixty two acres and a half together with the rights mem bers and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appurtanining unto him the said Cherry his heirs and assigns unto him their own own proper use benefit and behoof in fee simple forever And the said Bargained premises the said Rich for himself his heir executors & administrators unto him the said Cherry his heirs and assigns against the claims of him the said Rich his heirs exec utors & administrators and that of any & every person whatsoever will forever warrant and defend firmly by these presents In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day first above written In presence of James M Donalson            Thomas J. Rich LS Samuel W Patterson J.J.C.
  Tax List	1850	, Desser, Seminole County, Georgia, USA   [19]
  	Thos J. Rich paid 1 poll and owned no slaves.  He paid 54 cents tax (7 mills) on 250 acres of pine land in district 27, lot 316 of Decatur County, and 40 acres of pine land in district 25, lot 28 of Cherokee County, Georgia.
  Census: Federal	15 Aug 1850	, District 22, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [20]
  	1) Thomas Rich, male age 33, farmer, $600 real estate, born in GA 2) Letty Rich, female age 33, born in GA, cannot read or write 3) Jane Rich, female age 13, born in GA, attended school 4) Sarah Rich, female age 12, born in GA, attended school 5) Elijah Rich, male age 9, born in GA, attended school 6) Susan Rich, female age 8, born in GA, attended school 7) Augustus Rich, male age 7, born in GA 8) Washington Rich, male age 6, born in GA 9) Thomas Rich, male age 5, born in GA 10) Charles Rich, male age 2, born in GA 11) Susan Rich, female age 21, born in GA, cannot read or write
  		1850-08-15 09-00-00.jpg
  Land Purchase	11 Oct 1853	, District 27, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [21]
  	John Durham to Thomas Rich - district 27, N 1/2 of lot 325
  	Recorded January 23, 1856 Georgia            This Indenture made Decatur County this the 11- eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty three (1853) between John Durham of the one part of the County and State aforesaid and Thom- as Rich of the County and State aforesaid of the other part.  Witnesseth that I the said John Durham for and in consideration of the sum of twenty five (25) dollars to him in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold and consigned & does by these presents grant bargain & sell and consign unto the said Thom- as Rich his heirs and assigns all that tract of Land known and distinguished as Number of the half of Number three hundred and twenty five (325) the North half in the twenty seventh District originally Early County now Decatur County containing one hundred and twenty five acres more or less. To hold and to have said Thomas Rich his heirs assigns together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances there unto belonging to hold and have for their own proper use forever in fee simple. I, John Durham do hereby warrant and de- fend the right and title of the said land I have now sold from me my heirs assigns administrators and every other person holding or otherwise claiming the same unto the said Thomas Rich his heirs exec utors and assigns forever, and in wit- ness of this I hereunto set my hand and seal this the eleventh day of October 1853 Signed sealed and deliv- ered in the presence of   John Durham LP Moses I. Guyton             Henry B. Overstreet J.P Thomas J. Rich purchased 125 acres comprising the north half of lot 325 in district 27 from John Durham for $25.  The warranty deed was dated 11 Oct 1853 and recorded 23 Jan 1856 in book K, page 288.  The witnesses were Moses J. Guyton and Henry B. Overstreet JP.
  Move	1857	, , Miller County, Georgia, USA   [2]
  	This source cannot be verified because most of Miller County's records were lost in 1873 in a fire.
  Move	1859	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [2]
  	5 1/2 miles northwest of Bainbridge
  	A deed of purchase for this land is not listed in Decatur County's deed index.  Strangely, this whole family is missing from the 1860 census.  A manual search of the entire county did not reveal the entry.  A thorough search of the surrounding counties also did not turn up a match.
  Tax List	1860	Pinehill Road, Bainbridge, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [22]
  	Thomas Rich paid 1 poll, owned no slaves, and had 5 children between the ages of 6 and 18.  He owned 290 acres of pine land in district 15, lot 49, valued at $1,100.  He paid 25 cents tax
  Census: Militia District	1864	Pinehill Road, Bainbridge, Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [23]
  	8th Senatorial District
  	Rich, Thomas J., *48 yrs. 4 mos., Farmer, b. GA [The asterisk is used by the author to indicate the age and occupation may be incorrect.]
  Military: Civil War	1864	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [23, 24, 25, 26]
  	Private, 12th Regiment, Company H, Georgia Militia
  	This unit was organized in Macon in 1864 and appears to have served as local defense in the southern half of Georgia. Nothing else is known about this unit.  According to his service record, though, he sustained a wound on 22 Nov 1864, during the Battle of Griswoldville, and was admitted to Ocmulgee Hospital in Macon, Georgia on 1 Dec 1864.  The hospital was only ten miles east of the battle site.  He died 31 Dec 1864. His military file has the following notation: "Disease: V.[or U.] S.Hip. flesh. Nov. 22, Left. Ba[K? A?]                                      Con. L.B.  S.D." An affidavit from his grandson, P.D. Rich, included in the pension application file for EAJ's wife Hattie Rich, stated the follwing: "While in this hospital [EAJ] received news that his father had been wounded at some place in Georgia and was then in a Hospital in Macon Georgia in a serious condition.  This is the reason that I know my father must have been wounded at some time near the end of the war because his fathers age did not require him to enter the army until near the close...While at home on [a] furlough [EAJ's] father died in the Macon Hospital of the wound received.  His father received his wound at Griswoldville, Georgia." Thomas was also listed on the 1864 census for re-organizing the Georgia Militia as follows: 8th Senatorial District, 1188th Militia District Rich, Thomas J. 48 yrs. 4 mos., Farmer, b. GA
  Death	31 Dec 1864	Ocmulgee Hospital (Civil War), Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, USA   [1]
  	gunshot wound to left hip on 22 Nov 1864, the first day of the Battle of Griswoldville
  News Article	7 May 1866	Georgia Weekly Telegraph (newspaper), Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, USA   [27]
  	"List of Confederate Dead Buried in the Cemeteries at Macon, Ga.  We have been furnished by the ladies with the following additional names of Confederate soldiers who died in the city of Macon, or were buried there during the war.  It is gathered from identifying graves, and the books of the hospitals and undertakers. ...T. Rich, co. H, 12th Ga. Mil., Jan. 24..."
  Letter of Administration	1 Jul 1867	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [28]
  	"It appearing to the court that due legal notice has been given of the application of E A J Rich for letters of administration on the Estate of T. J. Rich decd and it further appearing that the said E A J Rich has made his bond in the sum of Three thousand dollars with James Pickett and John Donalson as his securities thereto and otherwise qualified as the law directs.  It is ordered that he be & is hereby appointed Administrator as aforesaid & that letters do issue to him  And it is further Ordered that Jas Pickett Jno Donalson S. S. Mann JW Clay & H Killingsworth be & they are hereby appointed Appraisers to appraise the estate of the said T. J. Rich Decd."
  Petition for Letters of Administration	1 Jul 1867	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [29]
  	"Georgia           To the Ordy of said County Decatur County The petition of E A J Rich shows      that his father T. J. Rich died intes- tate leaving an estate as yet unadministered of the probable value of Fifteen Hundred Dollars that said Estate consists mostly of live stock and land Your Peti desires that letters of administration may be granted him therein he being of lawful age a citizen of the United States and a resident of Georgia                        E A J Rich Georgia, Decatur County:  To the Ordy of said county. The petition of E A J Rich admin of est of T J Rich decd shows that he has a claim against said estate for services rendered and improvements made upon the farm belonging thereto and with and which he desires to be left to abatement as to its value  He therefore prays that the court on behalf of the Estate may select some proper person who in connection with same person selected by your Pet and me other selected by themselves may beheth and affix some proper value to his claim                              E A J Rich Upon hearing the foregoing petition It is ordered that the said E A J Rich submit to this court (for its assent thereto) a memorandum in writing covering in detail the points desired to be arbitrated and it is further ordered that Reuben Donalson be appointed to act as arbiter on behalf of this court and the estate and that he together with the other two arbiters selected according to law in such case made and provided arbitrate and determine the matter at issue in terms of the estate.
  Petition to Compromise Claim	1 Jul 1867	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [30]
  	"Georgia           To the Ordy of said county Decatur County The petition of E A J Rich Admin of Est of T J Rich Decd shows that he has a claim against said Estate for services rendered and improvements made upon the farm belonging thereto &c & which he desires to be left to Abatement as to its value  He therefore prays that the Court on behalf of the Estate may select some proper person who in connection with same person selected by your Peti & me other selected by themselves may arbitrate & affix some proper value to his claim                              E A J Rich" "Upon hearing the foregoing petition It is Ordered that the said E A J Rich submit to this court (for its assent thereto) a memorandum in writing covering in detail the points desired to be arbitrated and It is further ordered that Reuben Donalson be app- ointed to act as arbiter on behalf of this Court and the Estate and that he together with the other two arbiters selected according to law in such case made & provided arbitrate & determine the matter at issue in terms of the statute"
  Petition to Sell Real Estate	20 Jul 1867	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [31]
  	"Georgia           To the Ordy of said County Decatur County The petition of E A J Rich Admr of            Est of T.J. Rich Decd & heirs that in Order to divide said Estate it becomes necessary to sell The lands belonging thereto Your Peti therefore prays that an Order may be granted authorizing him so to do                                           E A J Rich It appearing to the Court that due legal notice has been given of the application of E A J Rich Admr of Est of T.J. Rich Decd for leave to sell the lands belonging thereto and it further appearing that the same is necessary in order to divide said Estate  It is Ordered that said Rich Admr as aforesaid have leave to sell the land as aforesaid it being Lots Nos [space left blank] in the [space left blank] Dist of said county after legal notice given"
  Inventory & Appraisement	13 Sep 1867	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [32]
  	The appraisal was conducted by Saml S. Mann, John (X) Donalson, and John G. Clay.  The inventory included: 6 chairs 3.00 1 Desk and Books 2.00 1 Chest .50 1 Trunk 2.00 1 Small table .50 1 Bedstead with teather 4.00 1 Chamber .25 1 Clock frame .25 1 Bedstead Matress & Bedclothing 10.00 1 Dbl Bbl Gun 10.00 1 Pr sleep shay 1.50 1 Table with Drawer .50 1 Bedstead Custity 15.00 1 Loom & Mixture  8.00 3 Wash Tubs 1.00 1 Safe 2.00 2 Water Buckets .50 1 China Piggie & Shaver .50 1 Tray & Contents 3.00 1 Steel Trap .25 1 Pat Scales .50 2 Sad Irons 1.00 1 Table 2.00 1 Empty Bbl .50 2 Pots 3.00 1 Pot Rack .50 1 Lot Empty Bottles & Vials 0.25 Set Carpenters Tools 7.00 1 Box Old Irnz[?] 2.00 1 Log chain 2.00 1 Saddle 2.50 3 Hoes & Shovel .50 3 Plow Stocks Singleton & Clinis[?] 2.00 3 Sets Plow Gear 5.00 1 Ox Yoke & Ring .75 1 Broad Axe 2.00 1 Trow & Wedge 11.00 Lot old Plows & Clinis[?] 4.00 1 Hemp Rope .50 1 Grindstone 3.00 Lot Empty Boxes & Bbls 2.00 2 Lard Stands 1.50 2 Jugs & Jars 2.00 2 Empty Casks & Bbl 5.00 2 fore wheels without Ties 5.00 1 Wagon 15.00 2 Hind wheels without ties 5.00 16 Goats 8.00 1 Mule 125.00 1 do 130.00 1 Cow & Calf 13.00 1 Lot Land to 40a 750.00 1 Lot 20 acres Cherokee 20.00 total: $1185.25
  Estate Sale	20 Sep 1867	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [33]
  	Sale of the goods & chattels of the estate of Thos J. Rich Decd Sept 20th 1867- Leaves all sums of five dollars & under cash - all over credit until Jany 1st 1869 6 Chairs  A.M. Rich  450 1 Table  " "  75 1 Desk & books  S. A. Wilson  200 1 Chest  S. L. Rich  75 1 Shears  John Donalson  25 1 Looking glass  A. M. Rich  25 1 Clock  " "  50 1 Trunk  " "  100 1 Low port bedstead & clothing  " "  700 1 Dbl bbl gun  W. B. Cowart  1500 1 High port bedstead & clothing  A. M. Rich  4300 1 Table with drawer  " "  60 1 Loom  " "  700 3 Tubs  " "  100 2 Buckets - Piggie chair & stand  " "  100 1 Tray & contents  " "  300 2 Sadering  " "  225 1 Steel Trap  Thos A. Und  12 1 Pot lid & Hooks  A. M. Rich  95 1 Pot Rack  " "  50 1 Safe  M. C. Rich  50 1 Dining Table  A. M. Rich  100 1 Saw Square Chisel & oil stand  " "  500 1 Box Cutting Planes & other Tools  Thos A. Und  200 2 Casks & 2 Boxes  A. M. Rich  100 2 Saw Stand  " "  20 2 Jars  " "  400 1 Cow Bell  " " 150 1 "             " (Small)  W. Parker  75 1 pr Stutyards[?]  A. M. Rich  325 1 Grindstone & fixtures  " "  500 1 Syrup cask full hooped (20 Galls)  Luke Cowart  225 1   "         " not well hooped  A. M. Rich  150 1   "   Bbl  " "  225 1   "   Cask (large)  " "  725 1 Shovel & 3 Hoes  " "  25 1 Box old Hammer[?] & Irons  " "  75 1 Old Saddle  " "  400 3 Plow stocks Singleton & Clivis[?] Irons  " "  125 1 Rake  " "  25 1 Broad Axe  W. Parker  500 1 Trow & Wedges  A. M. Chester  275 1 Lot old Plows  W. Parker  500 1 Ox Yoke & fixtures  A. M. Rich  175 3 Sets Plow Gear  W. Parker  350 2 Wagon fore wheels  S. S. Mann  500 1 Wagon  John Donalson  4000 1 Log chain  " "  300 1 High Post Bedstead  M. C. Rich 500 1 Wagon Hind Wheels  A. M. Rich  1000 1 Small Mule  " "  15100 1 Large Do  " " 15300 16 Head Goats  M. Long 130ea  2080 1 Cow or Calf  A. M. Rich  2700 1 Pat Scales  " " 55 2 Jugs  " "  25 $579.02         EAJ Rich  Admr
  Estate Returns	3 Aug 1868	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [34]
  	E A J Rich Admr      In a/c with Est of T J Rich Decd                                 Dr For Amt of Notes recd for sale of Land      Notes due Jany 1st 1869                      730.00 "      Amt of Notes recd for sale of Pers.      Property said Notes due Jan 1st 1869                579.02 "      Cash in Hand at death of Decd                    3.50            ~Credit~                            $1312.52 By Amount paid Voucher No  1            77.50 "         "            "      "      " 2            78.00 "         "            "      "      " 3                .88 "         "            "      "      " 4              1.90 "         "            "      "      " 5              5.94 "         "            "      "      " 6              7.50 "         "            "      "      " 7            19.95 "         "            "      "      " 8            12.00 "         "            "      "      " 9              4.50 " 2 ? % Cmg in 1312.52 Recpts             32.81 " 2 ?%     "    "  $208.17 Pcont               5.20          246.18            Amt due Est total                  $1066.34 Georgia            E A J Rich sworn says that the Decatur County Return as it stands stated is just and true Sworn July 4 1868                         E A J Rich H M Beach Ordy Filed July 4 1868                  HM Beach Ordy Allowed Aug 19[?] 1868            HM Beach Ordy Voucher No 1 Received of E A J Rich Admr of T J Rich Security Seven Dollars and fifty cents of my distributive share in said estate June 11 1868.  James Pickett                                          Guardian for R B Rich Voucher No 2 Received of E A J Rich Admr of Thos J. Rich Security eight Dollars as part of my distributive share in said estate December 13 1867                                          W J Parker Voucher No 3 Received .88 cents of Est T J Rich his cumulative Tax                                          DJG McNair T.C. Voucher No 4 Received of E A J Rich $1.90 for Est of T J Rich Tax for 1866                                          DJG McNair T.C. "Voucher No 5 Received $5.94 of E A J Rich Admr Est of T J Rich for his State & County Tax for 1867                        DJG McNair T.C. Voucher No 6 E A J Rich Admr of T J Rich 1867      To Southern Georgian                                        Dr Sept 19 For Our Sale of Land 1 ? sq 40 a                           $9.50            Recd Payt Jany 11 1868                        HM Beach Voucher No 7 E A J Rich Admr of Est T J Rich            To HM Beach Ordy                        Dr For Enty Pet 1.00 Recg Ap &[?] Ct 1.25 Over app Adr 1.00      3.25      Taking Bond 1.00 Issug Letters 1.50 Recdg Do .50          3.00      Seal .60  Admr appts app 1.00  Signing Warrant .50      2.10      Seal .60  Pet & admr appts arbitrators 2.00            2.60      Writing Agreemt 1.00 Pet&Admr to sell Pers Prop 2.00  3.00      Pub Cit 4.00  Inl Res Stamps 2.00                  6.00         Recd Payt Jany 11th 1868                           $19.95      Voucher No 8 E A J Rich Admr Est T J Rich 1867                  To Willis M Russell                  Dr July 6 To Adr app for leave to sell 60 a                        7.00 Sept 7 "    "  Notice to Drs & Crs                        5.00            Recd Payt in full                              $12.00                        Willis M Russell Voucher No 9 E A J Rich Admr of Est T J Rich                        To HM Beach Ordy            Dr For Req & Reg Appraisement                              1.25 " Order allowing Do                                    1.00 " Recg Deeds Sale Bill                                    1.25 " Order allowing Do                                    1.00                                                     $4.50            Recd Payt Jany 11 1868                        HM Beach Ordy"
  Estate Returns	7 Jun 1869	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [35]
  	E. A. J. Rich Admr      In a/c with Est of T. J. Rich                        Dr For Amt due Est to bal as per last Return                  $1066.34                  ~Credit~ By amount paid Voucher No 1              75.00 "      "            "      "          "  2              20.00 "      "            "      "          "  3              30.00 "      "            "      "          "  4                5.63 "      "            "      "          "  5                7.50 "      "            "      "          "  6                5.00 "      "   due self as per Arb " 7            157.25 "      2 ?% Comg on $143.13 Pd out         3.57                303.95      Balance due Est to bal-                                      $762.39 Georgia            E. A. J. Rich sworn says the above Decatur County Return is just and true Sworn April 13th 1869                        E. A. J. Rich            Joel Johnson Ordy Filed April 13th 1869            Joel Johnson Ordy Allowed June 7th 1869            Joel Johnson Ordy Voucher No 1            Received of E. A. J. Rich administrator of the Estate of Thomas J. Rich Seventy-five ($75) Dollars on Notes of Thomas J. Rich.                                    S. W. Patterson  Survivor                                    Of S. W. Patterson & Brother Voucher No 2            One day after date I promise to pay Geo. W. Dickinson or bearer thirty 64/100 Dollars for value recd with Interest from 1st Jany Last April 26th 1862                  Thos J. Rich Received of E. A. J. Rich Admr on the Estate of T.J. Rich Twenty Dollars in Settlement of the within note   Feb 26th 1869.                  Geo. W. Dickinson. Voucher No 3            By the first day of January next I promise to pay John Adams or bearer the sum of fifty dollars for value Received.      January 17th 1859      Thos J. Rich Recd on the within note $20.00 March 3d 1860 Rec'd of E. A. J. Rich Admr his own note to the amount of $30 full settlement on within note Jany 7th 1869                                          Wm (his x mark) Dease Voucher No 4            One day after Date I promise to pay Mitchel Cook or bearer five Dollars and Sixty three cents for value Received Dec 27th 1861            Thos J. Rich.      Received of E. A. J. Rich Admr on the Estate of Thomas J. Rich Dec five 63/100 Dollars this April 6th 1869                                          Mitchel Cook Voucher No 5 E. A. J. Rich              Vs                   Arbitration H. M. Beach Ordy Received $4.50 Clerks costs in The above stated case April 14th 1869                        J. H. Colbert                                          J. A. Zeigler by Colbert Voucher No. 6            Recd of E. A. J. Rich Admt on the Est of Thos J. Rich   Dec. five Dollars in full of All Demands up to Date for Sale of Property or Auction this March 6th 1869.       B. S. Brockett Voucher No. 7 Georgia            The undersigned to whom was referred Decatur County the matter in dispute between E.A.J. Rich and H.M. Beach Ordinary, respectfully an amount which the said E. A. J. Rich holds against the estate of T. J. Rich deceased for services rendered and improvements made for said Estate and the payment of said account, having met on the premises of the said T. J. Rich deceased, said County on the ninth day of Sept. eighteen hundred and Sixty Seven after giving notice to both parties as provided by the terms of the Statute, proceeded to hear the case in dispute:      First having chosen John W. Clay as umpire[?] and giving all parties three days notice of this their setting.  They find and award that the said Thos J. Rich died the 31st December and owing to his situation, the condition that our country was in, and the want of means, took charge of the effects of said estate without any administration, (the beginning of the year 1865) and did not administer until the present year And that there is an account in favour of the said E. A. J. Rich against the estate of the said T. J. Rich dec'd containing sundry charges for improvements made on said estate I braid against the minor heirs, also a corresponding num- ber of credits for effects of said estate that went into his hands rent of land & labour and also an item of credit "Use of the stock of the farm from 1865 to 1867" we find to be two small mules in good condition, having been well cared for their condition being much improved since he took charge of them, which adds to their value, in consideration of which and the custom of the county, we do not feel warranted in making any charge for their use considering them worth no more than their feed.  We have carefully examined the different items of debit and credit is said account and find that the former amounts to one thousand and one hundred and fifty two 50/100 dollars ($1152 50/100) and the credits amount to nine hundred and ninety five 25/100 dollars ($995 25/100) deducting the sum of one hundred and fifty seven 25/100 dollars.      A copy of said account is hereto attached to which we refer for further particulars      We therefore award and adjudge that the above amount of ($157 25/100) is justly due and owing to the said E. A. J. Rich by the estate of Thos J Rich and should be paid him out of the effects of said estate. Given under our hands & official Signatures this Sept 9th 1867                              Saml S. Mann                              R. Donalson  Arbitrators                              John W. Clay
  Letter of Dismission	7 Mar 1870	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [36]
  	Georgia Decatur County It appearing to the Court that the citation                             for a discharge from his administration of Thomas Rich's estate has been duly issued and pub- lished, and it also appearing to the court from a thorough examination of all the proceedings of E A J Rich's administration of Thomas Rich's estate, that he has fully and faithfully administered said estate, and is legally entitled to a discharge from his administration, and no objection being offered to his dismission, this court orders that he be discharged from his administration of Thomas Rich's estate, and that as evidence of this dis- charge letters of dismission issue to him.
  Estate Returns	4 Apr 1870	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [37]
  	E. A. J. Rich Admr      In a/c with Estate of T. J. Rich                  Dr For Amt due Est to bal as per last Return            $762.39            Cr By Amt pd voucher No  1            114.00 "     "      "        "        "   2             36.70 "     "      "        "        "   3               37.20 "     " Retained as " shares of three heirs purchased 35.56 "     "  pd voucher No 4                   16.88            Amt carried forward        590.54      $762.39            Amt brot forward            $590.54            $762.39 By Amt paid voucher No 5            12.70 "      "       "        "        "   6            12.70 "      "       "        "        "   7            12.70 " 2 ?% Coms on 762.39 P. out      19.06 " Amt due self as distributive share  114.70            762.39 762.39      762.39 Georgia            E. A. J. Rich sworn says that Decatur County the above final Return as it stands stated is just and true. Sworn March 7th 1870    E. A. J. Rich.      Joel Johnson Ordy- Filed March 7th 1870.  Joel Johnson Ordy Allowed April 4th 1870.  Joel Johnson Ordy- Voucher No 1      Received December 4th 1869 of E. A. J. Rich Admr of the Estate of Thos Rich deceased.  One hundred and fourteen Dollars in full of all demands against the said Rich administrator of said Estate.                              Martha J. Rich. Voucher No 2      Received May 15th 1869 of E. A. J. Rich adminis- Trator of the estate of Thos J. Rich deceased.  Thirty six 70/100 dollars in full of all demands against the said Rich Administrator of said Estate-                              W. J. Parker- Voucher No 3      Received May 15th 1869 of E. A. J. Rich Admr of the estate of Thos J. Rich deceased Thirty seven 20/100 dollars in full of all demands against the said Rich administrator of said Estate-                              James Pickett. Voucher No 4      E. A. J. Rich Admr      To Joel Johnson Ordy- For Exmg & Recordg Return 1.00 Order allg Do 1.00   2.00 "     Recordg Vouchers                                                1.08 "     Exmg & Recordg Return 1.00  Order allg Do 1.00      2.00 "     Recdg Vouchers                                                  .80 "     Making out Return                                                1.00 "     Letters Dismissory 5.00  Publishing Fee 5.0[0]            10.00            Recd Payment March 7th 1870                        $16.88 Voucher No 5      Received of E. A. J. Rich Admr of the Estate of Thos J Rich Deceased the sum of $12 70/100 Twelve dollars and Seventy cts, my full share of the above Estate.                        James Pickett March 26th 1870              as guardian for R. B. Rich- Voucher No 6      Received of E. A. J. Rich Admr of the Estate of Thos J. Rich deceased the sum of 12 70/100  Twelve dollars & seventy cts. My full share of the above Estate March 8th 1870.            Martha Jane Rich [last name appears to be written over] Voucher No 7      Received of E. A. J. Rich Admr of the Estate of of Thos J. Rich, deceased 12 70/100  Twelve dollars and seventy cts all of my share in said Estate.                              W. J. Parker
  Occupation	farmer
  	He was also referred to as an "overseer for a wealthy planation owner" in the book "Bud," written by his grandson, P.D. Rich.
  Occupation	overseer for a slave owner  [38]
  Religion	a member of Pilgrim's Baptist Church  [39]
  Burial	Mothers Home Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, Boykin, Miller County, Georgia, USA   [1]
  		1864-12-31 09-31-41.jpg
  Person ID	I244	My Genealogy
  Last Modified	25 Aug 2023

  
  

  Father	Martin Rich,   b. Between 1775 and 1786, , , , North Carolina, USA d. Between Jul 1829 and Dec 1830, , , Decatur County, Georgia, USA (Age ~ 54 years)
  Mother	Sarah Overstreet,   b. Between 1775 and 1780, , , , Georgia, USA d. Yes, date unknown
  Marriage	Est 1798	, , , Georgia, USA   [40]
  Family ID	F115	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Letty Fenn,   b. 26 Apr 1816, , , Laurens County, Georgia, USA d. 15 Feb 1857, , , Decatur County, Georgia, USA (Age 40 years)
  Marriage	2 Jun 1836	, , Decatur County, Georgia, USA   [41]
  Reunion	26 Jun 1966	, , Seminole County, Georgia, USA   [42]
  	Thomas E. Rich family reunion held at Nocatee, Lake Seminole Sunday      Between 150 and 200 descendants of Thomas E. Rich were present last Sunday for a reunion held at Nocatee near Johnson's Landing.  Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Rich, Jr., of Moultrie, own Nocatee, and were hosts on the occasion for members of the Rich family who came in great numbers from this section of Georgia.  However, some came from as far away as South Florida and Pennsylvania.  E. G. "Rusty" Rich was master of ceremonies.  He and his family came from Orlando, Florida.      All of those present were lineal descendants of Elijah Arthur Johnson Rich and his brother, Augustus Miles Rich, who lived in Decatur County on a farm located about 16 miles northwest of Bainbridge prior to the War Between the States.  Those present numbered in age from babies several months old to octogenarians, and all enjoyed the dinner on the grounds, and the opportunity to reminisce with relatives they had not seen for many years.      Also present at the reunion was former Governor Marvin Griffin, a lifelong friend of the Rich family, who made a short talk on the occasion.  The former Governor's remarks were as follows:      "FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, DISTINGUISHED VISITORS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE RICH FAMILY: "It is a genuine pleasure and high priviledge for me to be invited to enjoy this fellowship and association with you on this delightful occasion.  I can remember that my late father, E. H. "Pat" Griffin, appeared on a Rich family reunion program at the home of E. A. J. Rich, one of the patriarchs of the family we honor today, more than 50 years ago.  A warm bond of friendship has always existed between the Richs and Griffins.  In fact, we both sharre some of the same traits of character.  I don't believe I have ever seen a male member of either family that was not "butt-headed."      "I can remember, however, when my father took me as a small boy in short pants to the E. A. J. Rich home, and introduced me to this venerable citizen of our county.  As I remember Mr. Elijah, he was a very small in stature, quiet and soft-spoken man.  He was kind, and tried to make me feel at home.  As we left the Rich farm my father said to me...'Son, I want you to know something about that man,  He is a man of great character and integrity.  His word is his bond.  He fought valiantly in the Confederate Army, and was severely wounded.  He did not own any slaves, and his family did not own slaves, but he felt it was his duty.  He is not like so many of these so-called aristocrats.  He made his way in adversity, while some who were born in wealth sat around and complained, and talked about how great their families were.  They reminded me of a potato vine...the best part of them is under the gound.'"      "You have a wonderful heritage, and I want to talk to you briefly about several phases of it.  Thomas E. Rich, the earliest patriarch of the Rich family that I could find out about, and certainly the oldest one to be known by hundreds of his descendants gathered here today, or who live in this section of our nation, was born in Early County prior to the time Decatur County was created by the Legislature in 1823.  He was an overseer for a man that owned a plantation in Early County.  He later moved to Randolph County.  He had married the daughter of a man who owned slaves, and he and his father-in-law did not get along very well.  He moved to Decatur County with his family when this County was only several years old, and settled on a farm about 16 miles Northwest of Bainbridge.      "This pioneer citizen had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters..  He was a Master Mason, and even though he was the father of a big family, he fought in the Confederate Army, and died from wounds he received in action near Atlanta.  He is buried in Mother's Home Cemetery near Boykin.  Four of the Rich sons went into the Confederate Army, and two were killed on Virginia battlefields.  Along with a brother-in-law, the youngest, Brad Rich, who was too young to go to the war, stayed at home to help his mother and sisters run the farm.  During Reconstruction he ran afoul of some Civil Rights laws, and had to flee to the Big bend country of Northwest Florida.  I understand he reared a large family in that section of Florida.      "The two remaining brothers, Elijah Arthur Johnson Rich, and Augustus Miles Rich, who survived the war, but with crippling wounds, returned to their home in Decatur County.  I shall not attempt to go into all the Rich family connections.  If I tried to tell you who married into what family I would still be here at dark calling out names.  I shall briefly discuss the forebears of most of you present here today, Elijah Arthur John Rich and Augustus Miles Rich.      "Sometimes when I think of the privation practiced of necessity by these patriarchs of the Rich family and pioneers of this County, I am downright ashamed of my own generation.  When I think of the courage these old men possessed in the face of adversity and disaster, I have an abnormal propensity of loathing for those who preach the present day gospel that we cannot live in America today except by the handouts of a paternalistic government in Washington.      "I call to your attention, my friends, that while Elijah Arthur Johnson Rich and Augustus Miles Rich were fighting for a cause which concerned the Southern aristocracy more than it did those who owned no slaves, the old men, women and children back home on the land had to eke out an existence in the face of "bushwhackers."  These "bushwhackers" were draft dodgers from the Confederate Army, and had to hide out in the woods and swamps.  They had to either starve, or rob the cribs and smoke houses of the women and children, and they chose to do the latter.  My late father told me of an incident which occurred on Confederate Memorial Day in the early days of this century in Bainbridge.  He said one of those "bushwackers" was carrying the Confederate flag in the parade when an old gray-bearded Confederate veteran ran out into the street and took the flag away from the man.  He said the man was not fit to tote the sacred Stars and bars.      "Despite the fact that the war was "A rich man's war, and a poor man's fight" as the late Perry D. Rich wrote in his book "Bud", the Rich family gave a full measure of devotion to the cause.  The courage of your forebears was magnificent.  When the ragged and men in Gray reached home they found an impoverished land.  The fields were laid waste, the stock had been taken or stolen, the money was no good, and there was no credit.  There was no "Marshall Plan" of aid to the conquered and destitute people of the South.  When E. A. J. and Augustus Rich got back home they found squalid poverty.  There was little to eat, little to wear and nothing with which to make a crop, but these intrepid characters did make a crop.  They fed their families, and picked themselves up by their own bootstraps.      "I am happy to see so many of you present, and I am delighted that you included me in the reunion.  I hope to see all of you the next time the Rich family hold a reunion."      Those present voted to hold the next reunion at the home of Alee "Pete" Rich at Tallahassee on the last Sunday in June 1968.
  News Article	4 Jul 1968	, Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, USA   [43]
  	The Post-Searchlight
  	Rich Reunion at Tallahassee attended by 200 last Sunday Approximately 200 descendants of the Thomas J. Rich family met at a reunion last Sunday morning at Richwood, the farm home of A. F. "Pete" Rich, which is located seven miles east of Tallahassee on U. S. 90 Highway. The setting for the reunion was the swimming pool which was patronized by the youngsters who attended the reunion.  Adjacent to the pool the host for the reunion had erected a large striped tent which was used for assembly and the reunion dinner. E. G. "Rusty" Rich of Orlando, Florida, acted as Chairman.  The devotional was given by the Rev. Everett Rich of Pelham.  E. G. Rich is a descendant of Elijah Andred[sic] Jackson Rich and Everett Rich, a descendant of Augustus Miles Rich.  Grady Rich, a descendant of Brad Rich, represented the descendants of the youngest son of Thomas J. Rich. Lloyd Rich, Jr., of Bainbridge, was appointed Chairman of a committee to select the time and place for the next reunion.  Mrs. Pauline Rich Cooper was asked to serve with him on the committee. Of special interest was the preparation of a Rich family tree by Mrs. A. F. Rich and Mrs. Jack Rich. During the reunion the matter of helping with the purchase of a piano for Old Bethel Church was discussed, and an offering was taken for this purpose. Former Governor S. Marvin Griffin, who addressed the last reunion in 1966, delivered a short address on the Rich genealogy.
  Children	+ 1. Martha "Jane" Rich,   b. 20 Mar 1837, , , , Georgia, USA d. 2 Feb 1918, , , Decatur County, Georgia, USA (Age 80 years) + 2. Sarah Ann Rich,   b. 3 May 1838, , , , Georgia, USA d. 10 Oct 1913, , , Decatur County, Georgia, USA (Age 75 years) + 3. Elijah Andrew Jackson Rich,   b. 16 Nov 1840, , , Randolph County, Georgia, USA d. 4 Jul 1925, , , Decatur County, Georgia, USA (Age 84 years)   4. Susan L. Rich,   b. 12 Apr 1842, , , , Georgia, USA d. Between 1900 and 1911 (Age 57 years)  [Father: natural] + 5. Augustus Miles Rich,   b. 17 Sep 1843, , , Miller County (was Early), Georgia, USA d. 13 Aug 1911, , Lynn, Decatur County, Georgia, USA (Age 67 years)   6. George "Washington" Rich,   b. 21 Jan 1845, , , , Georgia, USA d. 10 Jul 1863, , Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland, USA (Age 18 years)   7. John Thomas Rich,   b. 28 Feb 1846, , , , Georgia, USA d. 1 May 1864, , Charlottesville, Charlotte County, Virginia, USA (Age 18 years)   8. Charles F. Rich,   b. 16 Oct 1847, , , , Georgia, USA d. 1866, , , Miller County, Georgia, USA (Age 18 years)  [Father: Adopted] + 9. Riley Bradberry Rich,   b. 16 Oct 1850, , , Decatur County, Georgia, USA d. 14 Jan 1924, , Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida, USA (Age 73 years) + 10. Mary "Caroline" Rich,   b. 16 Apr 1852, , , Decatur County, Georgia, USA d. 4 Mar 1918, , Umatilla, Lake County, Florida, USA (Age 65 years)
  Family ID	F114	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	13 Feb 2011

  
  

• Notes

  Notes from "A History of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II": "Thomas J. Rich, the father, was a youth when he came to Georgia, and for a time after his marriage he lived in Randolph county, and then in 1841 moved to Decatur county, buying a tract of timbered land ten miles northwest of Bainbridge on the Bainbridge & Blakely road.  In the midst of the woods he built a log house, and after providing pioneer comforts for his family began making a farm out of the wilderness.  In 1858 he sold out and bought a place in Miller county, but after a year's residence there, sold and returned to Decatur county, where he bought land five and a half miles northwest of Bainbridge.  He was past military age at the time of the Civil war, but in 1864 enlisted in the Georgia Reserves, and went with that command to the defense of Atlanta.  He was severely wounded in the battle of Grizzleville Station, and was taken to Macon, where he died a few weeks later at the age of fifty-five.  His remains were brought back to Miller county and interred in the Fann cemetery.  Thomas J. Rich married Lettie Fann, who was born in North Carolina, a daughter of Elijah Fann, of the same state.  The Fann and Rich family came to Georgia at the same time, in company with other migrating families.  They made the removal overland, with teams and wagons and camped along the roadside every night.  In their wagons they brought their household goods.  This colony settled in the southern part of Decatur county, buying land six miles south of Colquit on Spring creek, where he resided until his death.  After coming to Georgia, he had participated as a volunteer in the Indian wars.  The mother of Mr. Elijah A. Rich died when forty years of age, and left ten children, namely: Martha J., Sarah, Elijah A. J., Susan L., Augustus M., Washington, John T., Charles F., Riley B., and Caroline.  Of these Elijah A. J., Augustus M., Washington and John T., served all through the civil war as soldiers, Charles going out as a boy in the last year of the struggle." Notes from "Decatur County Past and Present 1823-1991," page 354 by Nellie (Howell) Jackson: "[Martin Rich's] son, Thomas J. Rich, b. 13 Aug 1815, d 31 Oct 1864, was killed in the Civil War, bur Mother's Home Cem, Miller Co.  His wife, Latisha b 26 Apr 1816, d 18 Feb 1857, bur Mother's Home Cem, died from measles during an epidemic." Notes from the files of Ginger Rich Beverly: "In 1826, three years after Decatur County was created by an act of the Legislature, Thomas J. Rich moved to Decatur County west of the Flint River.  Thomas was above the military age at the out break of the Civil War, remaining at home, but during the hostilities, the age limit was raised to include men of his age. He volunteered and severed in Co. A, 59th Regiment Muster Roll Georgia Volunteer Infantry.  He was soon mortally wounded, shot in the hip on November 26, 1864 in a skirmish with a detachment from Sherman's army at Grisswoldville, Georgia. He died from his wound in a military hospital in Macon, Georgia on December 31, 1864 at the age of forty-nine. His body was brought home by his son EAJ Rich and buried at the Fann Cemetery now known as Mothers Home Cemetery in Miller County, Georgia.  Mothers Home is located 5 1/2 miles south of Colquitt, Georgia on the Brinson Road, 1/4 mile east before the first bridge and beside Mothers Home Baptist Church.  One of the oldest cemeteries in Miller County and earlier known as the Fann Family Cemetery.  There are about fifty unmarked graves in this cemetery.  It is believed that Martin Rich and Sarah Overstreet Rich are in two of the unmarked graves." Notes from "Bud": p. 11  "Bud's father was an overseer for a slave-owner." p. 16  "His (Bud's) mother's father (Elijah Fann) owned a few slaves and operated a small plantation in Early County, Georgia.  She had eloped and married her father's handsome young overseer who was uneducated, uncouth, but a hard-working child of 'poor white trash.'  This elopement, of course, resulted in a severance of friendly relations between Bud's father and his mother's people.  Bud's father immediately secured a better job with a large slave owner in the adjoining county of Randolph to which place he brought his lovely young bride, and there he remained for several years in the same employment." p. 19-20  "Bud's parents were active members of Pilgrim's Baptist Church, a little church which sat on the bank of a clear, cool creek about five miles distant from their home." p. 31  "Bud's father was somewhat of a blacksmith and had a bellows, anvil, tongs, and a few other tools for the purpose." p. 41  "While Bud was still in his teens, his father sold his land in Early County and bought land in the adjoining county of Decatur to which place he moved his family.  The nearest town was Bainbridge, the County Seat, which was about 16 miles from their home." p. 81-82  "After Bud had been at home for a few weeks, the news came that his father had been wounded in battle during the fall of Atlanta and was then in a serious condition in a hospital in Macon." p. 83  "His (Bud's) father also told him the sad news that he could not survive but for a few days and requested that Bud remain and accompany his body home and see that it was buried beside his wife, Bud's mother, in the family burial ground."

  
  

• Reference

  Gail Rich Nestor. "Thomas Joseph Rich". A Family Tree from Roots to Buds. https://roots2buds.net/getperson.php?personID=I244&tree=nestortree (accessed September 28, 2023).