Thompson & Susanna James
When Thompson B James was born on 9 July 1813, in Wythe, Virginia, United States, his father, Ezekiel James, was 36 and his mother, Frances Baker James, was 21. He married Susanah Jolly Porter on 20 September 1836, in Smyth, Virginia, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 5 daughters. He lived in Smyth County in 1850. He died on 24 December 1853, at the age of 40, and was buried in Sugar Grove, Virginia. Susannah Jolly Porter James was born on May 14, 1820 to William Porter and Mary Thomas in Wythe County. She married Thompson James at the age of 16 on September 16, 1836. Thompson James was 23 at the time of their marriage. They were married for approximately 17 years until his death in 1853 from Tuberculosis. During their marriage, they had 8 children. Mary, Francis, William, Louisa, America, James, Oscar and Susannah. Thompson was the son of Ezekiel James and Frances Baker. Susannah’s uncle on her mother’s side of the family was none other than Abijah Thomas. In 1862, Susannah married widower William James. He had 3 young children from his prior marriage in the home who are mentioned on census records. Thompson and Susannah James’ burial location was discovered and identified recently (7/22) in Sugar Grove located in what is now listed as the “Thompson James Family Cemetery” with two stones still standing that are readable. It was previously thought that Susannah was buried beside her 2nd husband at Blue Springs until her burial location was discovered. It is evident that there are several other unmarked graves near those of Thompson and Susannah James. 3 of them may account for their children who died before reaching adulthood. Others could be those of slaves and their children or potentially a Native American who remains unidentified but was said to live with their family. The cemetery is undocumented in Smyth County except for being annotated on old plats as “Private Cemetery” or “Cemetery” as provided by records located at the courthouse. It covers approximately a 30×30 area in the middle of a larger 22 acre field and is not readily visible from any of the 3 roads that surround this field. It has gone largely unknown. It is known that the Boy Scouts cleaned it up sometime in the 90s under the direction of Tommy Miller. Per his input, there were in fact more than two stones standing at that time, they were photographed, documented and mapped with good intentions. That information cannot be located at this time but would be wonderful to have for further research on this pioneer family of Sugar Grove. If you were one of those who cleaned it up in the 90s and have photos or any other information to share, please use our contact form. We would love for you to reach out!
