Thomas Jones Cowart was born (1 Jul 1845) in Cooper Gap Division, Polk District, Rutherford County, North Carolina; his parents were Lewis Cowart & Ozella Bradley. By 1869, he married Sarah Jane Coxey and their children are: Thomas Washington ("Wash"), Stewart J. ("High Pockets"), Della Mae, Ziley Armecia, Mark Arlis, and Mary Eling.
Thomas Jones Cowart enlisted into the Confederate Army Infantry as a private in 1862. He served under Captain Colt Coleman in Company H, Henry Battalion, and later transfered to the North Carolina 1st Calvary. He served until 1865 under the command of General Robert E. Lee until the surrender at Richmond, Virginia. He was discharged in April 1865 with the rank of private 3rd class and returned home to wife Sarah J. in Copper Gap NC. 2
By 1900, Thomas, Sarah, and their children had migrated to Texas (see census information below). He continued to farm his land until his death on 29 Jun 1914 in Strawn, Palo Pinto, TX. Both Thomas and Sarah are interned at Mt Marion Cemetery in Palo Pinto Co., TX.
Photograph- Sarah Jane Coxey Cowart, age 96, taken in 1939.
Thomas & Sarah are listed together on the 1880, 1900, and 1910 Federal Census.
1. Information graciously provided by Bob Cowart.
2. Texas Confederate Pension Application: T. J. Cowart #22819 & Widows Application for Pension Sarah J. Cowart. An interesting note: Pensioners received $25.00 a year, or $100.00 (a year) if incapacitated.
