Thomas Walker "Tom" DePriest (1858-1932)

Thomas Walker "Tom" DePriest was born the 6th of April 1858 in Cane Creek, Hickman, Tennessee, United States.[1]  He was the seventh child and fifth son of William Andrew DePriest and Nancy Jane Harder. 

Tom's childhood was filled with tragedy beginning with the death of his mother in August of 1860, when he was 2 years old.  The civil war began a year later and he watched as several members of his family marched off to war.  Tragedy struck again with the death of his father on the 16th of May 1862.[2]  Tom was 4 years old and he and his five living siblings went to live with their paternal grandparents.  If their father had indeed been off fighting in the war, it is probable that the children had already been living with them. Tom's brother William Josiah "Willie" DePriest died on the 20th of November 1865.[3]  Tom was 7 and Willie was 10.

When Tom's eldest sister, Mary Delila DePriest married Wyatt Harris "Whit" Bastin on the 12th of August 1866,[4] the children went to live with them.[5]  Tom began working at a young age and was not able to attend school.  Therefore, he was not able to read or write.

On the 26th of November 1878, Tom married Margaret "Ellen" Talley.[6][7]  Ellen had also grown up on Cane Creek and her aunt, Margaret "Eaisbel" Talley had just married Tom's brother James Houston "Jim" DePriest on the 12th of April 1877.[8][9]

 

Wedding Pic

Tom and Ellen lived and farmed along Cane Creek.[10]  Meanwhile, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent missionaries into Tennessee to share the gospel.  Ellen's parents, Elisha Freeland "Eli" Talley and Barbara Ellen "Barby" Hudson were the first on "The Creek" to be baptized.  They were baptized on the 20th of September 1879.[11]  Eli and Barby shared their feelings and testimonies with family and friends along the creek.  On the 29th of January 1880,  Tom, Ellen, Jim, Eaisbel and Leona Evelyn Talley, Ellen's sister, were baptized and confirmed by Elders Martin Garn and Hyrum Belnap.[12]

By November of 1880, Ellen was expecting their first child.  A fire broke out, and Ellen and the baby were exposed to too much smoke.  The baby, a daughter, was stillborn with Ellen barely surviving the labor and delivery.  Her survival was attributed to a Priesthood Blessing given to her while in labor.[13]  Tom and Ellen's next child was a son born the 15th of October 1881.  They named him William "Orson" DePriest (1881-1956).

Tom and Ellen remained faithful members of the Cane Creek Branch and regularly attended church services.  They held callings and Tom was put on the chapel building committee to help find a location for a chapel.[14]  Tom worked closely with his brother Jim who was the Branch President.

The saints in Cane Creek were persecuted due to their beliefs and were invited to immigrate to Manassa, Conejos, Colorado where a Mormon Settlement had been established.  Tom immigrated with his family, along with his brother Jim's family and the Lancaster family.  James Melton Lancaster had married Ellen's aunt and Eaisbel's sister Sarah Elizabeth Talley.  They left Cane Creek on the 26th of March 1883 and arrived in Manassa on the 1st of April.  Ellen faired the train ride well, though she was expecting another son.

Tom and Ellen had ten additional children while living in Manassa; Hazen Roscoe "Haze" DePriest (1883-1956), Viera Armeda "Meade" DePriest (1885-1955), Mealie Alletta "Lettie" DePriest (1888-1977), Barbara Edna DePriest (1890-1979), Jesse Thomas "Jess" DePriest (1892-1963), Margaret Bernettie "Tince" DePriest (1894-1934), Mary "Phoebe" DePriest (1895-1978), Anthon Douglas "Doug" DePriest (1898-1988),Tabitha Egbert "Bitha" DePriest (1900-1986) and Iva Ellen DePriest (1903-1986).[15]

Haze, Ellen, Orson, Meade, Lettie, Tom,
Barbara, Jess, Tince, Phoebe (1897)

On the 10th of August 1884, the Cane Creek Massacre took place at the Conder home just prior to church services.  Many of Tom and Ellen's family and friends were there to witness the events.  They may have fought some of the vigilantes or even been vigilantes themselves.  This event caused Tom's brother, Pleasant Whitfield "Pleas" DePriest to join his brothers in Manassa.


DePriest Land Tracts in Manassa

The DePriest brothers bought tracts on the northwestern edge of town.[16]  Tom lived on the corner of North and Seventh streets.  Pleas lived on the tract directly behind him and Jim lived on the tract directly to the south.  Their children and grandchildren were able to grow up together and were all very close.


Missionary Pass Along Card

On the 1st of October 1906, Tom was called on a mission to the Central States for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[17]  At this time, the Central States Mission, included Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas.  Tom traveled without purse or script. leaving Ellen and their 10 children.  Tom and Ellen were able to write letters throughout his mission  because both had learned to read and write after joining the church.[18][19]    He returned home the 3rd of July 1908.[20]

Ellen & Tom about 1920

From his early childhood, Tom made a living as a farmer and raised a large garden and orchard.[21][22][23][24]  The DePriests were well known for their "green thumbs".  Tom was very active in the church and the community.[25]  He had a reputation of being a good neighbor and he was well known for his hospitality.[26]   He often allowed strangers into his home for several months at a time with no expectation of remuneration.

Tom died only 2 months after Jim on the 29th of September 1932.[27]  He had a large church funeral and was buried in the Old Manassa Cemetery[28] on the 2nd of October.  He was buried next to his brother Pleas.[29]  Jim was also buried there.[30] The cemetery is just south of Manassa. 

Grave Marker

Footnotes:
1. 1860 United States Census: Hickman, Tennessee, p27
2. Headstone image from findagrave.com for William Andrew DePriest #11263995
3. Headstone image from findagrave.com for William Josiah DePriest #112640132
4. Tennessee, Marriages, 1851-1900
5. 1870 United States Census: Hickman, Tennessee, p15
6. Hickman County, Tennessee Marriage Records
7. Tennessee, Marriages, 1796-1950
8. Lewis County, Tennessee Marriage Records
9. Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950
10. 1880 United States Census: Hickman, Tennessee p353
11.. Journal of Elder Hyrum Belnap
12. LDS Church Membership Records
13. DePriest Family history records in possession of Michelle Hayley Stubbs
14. A Land of Strangers: Cane Creek Tennessee's Mormon Massacre
15. 1909 San Luis Stake Records
16. Pioneer Map of the First Survey of the Town of Manassa
17. 1906 San Luis Stake Missionary Records
18. 1885 Colorado State Census
19. Letters in possession of Cynthia DePriest Valentine
20. 1908 San Luis Stake Missionary Records
21. 1900 United States Census: Manassa, Conejos, Colorado p122A
22. 1910 United States Census: Manassa, Conejos, Colorado p18B
23. 1920 United States Census: Manassa, Conejos, Colorado p6A
24. 1930 United States Census: Manassa, Conejos, Colorado p8B
25. 1911 San Luis Stake Ordination Record
26. Antonito Ledger News, October 7, 1932
27. La Jara Gazette, October 6, 1932
28. Headstone Image from findagrave.com for Thomas Walker DePriest #37509339
29. Headstone Image from findagrave.com for Pleasant Whitfield DePriest #37509288
30. Headstone Image from frindagrave.com for James Houston DePriest #37509194