Joseph Lafayette Thomas, Sr.

Appears in "Isaac Thomas of Sevierville, Tennessee," compiled by Charlotte Bailey Wynn (1980). According to that book, Joseph Lafayette "Fate" Thomas was a steamboat captain on the French Broad River. Wesley Thomas, his son, was the cook and his daughter, Martha Terressa Thomas, would occasionally go along to help "Wes" cook, just for the trip. The names of his steamboats were Lucille Borden and The Bustle. The Lucille Borden made 96 trips up river in 1891 from Knoxville TN to Dandridge, TN.

The book states that he is the son of both of Pleasant Henry's wives, but his mother is Martha Jane Thomas (Snapp).

Dates of marriage on marriage record vs. book referenced above are approximately 6 months apart.

GEDCOM Note

Rex doesn't know how true the story is, but his mother Lola Thompson says one of her erstwhile Thomas sisters-in-law had a baby out of wedlock. Joseph and Laura took the baby in and raised her as their own daughter. Rex couldn't remember if Lola ever told him which daughter it was. (Rex THomas interview May 2001)