Thomas Eli Ayers
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Nov 21, 1803 - Lexington, Kentucky
Death: 1890 1
Burial:
Parents
Father: Moses Ayers Jr.
Mother: Rachel McFadden 2
Spouses and Children
1. *Caroline Wilson
Marriage:
Children:
1. Charles Carroll Ayers
2. Amelia Evaline Ayers
3. Emma Ayers
4. Bert Olinthus Ayers
5. Bertha Ayers
6. George Wilson Ayers
7. John Thomas Ayers
8. Zelone Ayers
9. Isadora Ayers
10. William Eli Ayers
11. Nancy Ayers
12. Mary Alosa Ayers
13. Charles Caroll Ayers
2. Cornelia Hampton Walker
Marriage:
Children:
1. Olivia Benson Ayers
2. Nellie Mae Ayers
Notes
General:
Thomas Eli Ayres was born on November 21, 1803 in Lexington, Kentucky. His parents were Moses Ayres, Jr. and Rachel McFadden Ayres. He married Caroline Wilson on October 15, 1829 in Bolivar, Hardin County, Tennessee. Eli and Caroline moved to Arkansas Territory where 4 of his children: Amelia Evaline, Emma, Bert O. & Bertha (twins) were born. The family then moved to Poplar Springs, Pontotoc County, Mississippi and established a Plantation on land purchased land from the Chickasaw Indians. Six more children: George Wilson, John Thomas, Zelone, Zadora, William Eli and Mary Alosa, were born while the family lived in Mississippi.
In approximately 1856, due to Indian Land issues, the family moved to Texas. Going first to Seguin in Guadalupe County and then to Smith County. Eli and Caroline's youngest Child, Charles Carroll was born in Texas. Caroline Ayres died in September 1859 in Smith County, Texas. The 1860 Smith County (Canton Beat) Census lists Eli and his 4 youngest children living together. Several of his older children had moved to Texas also and are listed on the 1860 Smith County Census including his daughter, Evaline Ayres Johnson and her 5 children. His son, Bert O. & wife; and son, John Thomas. Eli, Evaline, Bert & J.T. appear on the 1860 Smith County Slave Schedule. In 1860 or 1861 Eli and Family moved to Kaufman County and settled on land purchased in the Black Jack area.
Eli Ayres was a veteran of the Mexican-American War.
On 31 Jan 1861, Eli married Cornelia Hampton Walker in Pennington, Bradley County, Arkansas and a daughter, Nellie was born there. Eli and Cornelia moved back to Kaufman County and another daughter, Olivia (Ollie) was born here. The family appears on the 1870 Kaufman County Census, page 4, dated July 6, 1870. Eli & Cornelia & family also appear on the 1880 Kaufman County Census.
Eli died on September 3, 1890 and is buried in the Black Jack Cemetery along with Cornelia who died in 1893, and other members of the Ayres family. Caroline Wilson Ayres' grave location is unknown at this time.
Submitted by Charmian Bradley Giles