Adaliza Roberts Harbour

In 1988, The Centennial History of Hurricane, WV was published to commemorate the town’s 100th anniversary. In 1994, the Centennial Committee published a follow up book which included family histories which were not submitted in time for the 1988 Centennial History. This week’s selection is the 40th history from The Centennial History of Hurricane WV Continued — 1994.

THOMAS ROBERTS
Submitted by Rachel Harbour

Thomas Roberts first appeared in Teays Valley on the 1850 census. His farm was about one-third mile east of where Hurricane is today. He was born 1794, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, the son of Thomas and Nancy May Roberts. He married March 8, 1817, in Charlotte County, Virginia, to Susan C. Petty the daughter of John and H. Petty. Susan died January 6, 1865, and is probably buried on their farm in a cemetery that is today called Burton Cemetery.

Thomas remarried April 23, 1868, in Putnam County to Judith C. Terry Johnson, a widow.

On March 11, 1869, his will was probated. He names his wife, Judith; the children of his deceased son, William F.; his daughter, Elizabeth, who was married to John Burton; and his daughter, Adaliza who was married to John T. Harbour.

One interesting sentence in the will says, “I reserve 30 feet square including the graveyard near my house which I set apart for that special purpose”. It is very likely that Thomas is also buried here.

Thomas’ father, who was also named Thomas, was in the Revolutionary War. He applied in Cabell County, Virginia and was granted his pension in 1833. After his death on March 13, 1848, his wife, Nancy, received a pension until her death on July 20, 1852.