Finding Your Folks: The Thompsons of Line Creek, Part 2

We continue this week with the wonderful story on the Jack Thompson family written and submitted by Robin Parker of Warm Springs. This family was mentioned in a 1907 newspaper article in the Newnan paper, along with the Gables, the Kempsons and the Hutchinsons, as having a very large family and living within a mile of each other on the Coweta-Meriwether line. In this area, Line Creek flows from Fayette to Coweta into Meriwether, separating Coweta from Spalding and Meriwether from Pike. Just a little farther south, Line Creek flows into the Flint River. I have written about many families living in this area (and would love to hear more about them from you).

About the Thompson family, Robin continues her story:

"Jack Thompson and his new bride, Sarah, lived for a short while with her parents. They were enumerated in the household with John Zeno Swygert when the census of 1880 was taken in Meriwether County. They eventually moved and lived for a few years in a rental property near Haralson.

"In December of 1892, Grandpa Jack purchased from Hosea Gray the house and land on Line Creek Road. It was here that he and Sarah planted their feet and raised their children. As with many families of this era, they grew many different row crops, grew fruits and vegetables, had livestock and fowl. Grandpa Jack was well known for raising and selling turkeys to the local folks, especially during the holiday seasons. My Uncle Lamar recalls his experience as a youngster with Grandpa Jack's tom turkey. He said that old tom turkey was the meanest turkey he ever saw. "Old tom" used to chase the grandchildren around the yard.

"Grandpa Jack lost his mate shortly after their 45th anniversary, Grandma Sarah passed away on Nov. 22, 1924. Grandpa Jack spent his remaining days living at home with daughters Mittie, Bessie, and Estelle. Sons, Emmett and Otis lived near by, also daughters Lenora, Katie, and Lizzie.

"Even though Grandpa Jack remained in this area, never returning to live in Walton County, he maintained close ties to his family there. His brother John W. Thompson married Eugenia Broadnax and had five children; sister Mary married William T. Riley and had 11 children; their son James Marcus Riley became Sheriff of Walton County in the 1920s; his brother Permethius S. married Eunice Broadnax and had 12 children; sister Nancy married Dr. George O. Mabry and had five children; brother Cicero M. "Bud" married Mary Elizabeth Clay and had 14 children. As you can see, having a large family was nothing unusual to Grandpa Jack. He and his siblings produced sixty-one grandchildren for James S. and Selethia Millsaps Thompson. I have never tried to tally the total number of descendants, but do know that there are quite a "few" of us.

"Grandpa Jack was especially close to his brother Permethius S. Thompson, there being only 20 months between their births. In September 1929, Permethius became ill, and requested that he be able to see his brother Jack one more time. Permethius' grandson, Hugh Thompson, made the trip to Line Creek to get Jack and return to Walnut Grove. On Sept. 30, 1929, during Grandpa Jack's visit, Permethius passed away. After the funeral, Hugh brought Grandpa Jack back home, and only 22 days after his brother's passing, Grandpa Jack died on Oct. 22, 1929. When I spoke to Hugh back in the early 1990s, he said he had always worried that "Uncle Jack" may have gotten sick being exposed to bad weather during the trip.

"After Grandpa Jack's death, the family home and farm were sold to youngest daughter Estelle. She later sold the farm to brother Emmett, and Emmett later sold to nephew George Thompson. George still owns and operates the farm today. George's grandson, Allen Thompson Jr., provided documentation and completed all the necessary paper work last year and the Thompson Family Farm was a recipient of the Georgia 2006 Centennial Family Farm Award. This award is given to recognize family farms that have been owned and operated within the same family for 100 years.

"Grandpa Jack and Grandma Sarah produced many descendants, many of which live only a few miles from this original home place and a few who have ventured a little further. But to all of us, no matter how far we roam, in our hearts it is here, near Line Creek that we all call home. The children of Otis and Myrtle Lou still maintain the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving together, which was started back in the 1940s. Every year we have gained in number, one of our most recent counts of attendance was 106. (Thanks to my Aunt Helen for keeping up with this each year).

"As a child I just considered Line Creek Road as sort of an extra long drive way. I would start at one end visiting relatives, and end up all the way at the other end visiting relatives. There were a few families not related living on Line Creek Road at the time, but most were considered as close as family. Now that I am getting older, I find that some of my most precious memories were made here and that these memories are what sustain me. Yes, I had a wonderful childhood growing up on Line Creek Rd, who wouldn't among such wonderful family!!"

I can't thank Robin enough for taking the time to write and share her story. This is exactly what I'm looking for. Next week, we'll feature another Line Creek area family.

Stories and family histories about your ancestors who lived on Atlanta's south side are always welcome. Send them to jkilgore@thecitizen.com or JodieK444@aol.com. Mail to The Citizen, P.O. Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214. All letters and e-mails I receive are subject to being used in the column.