John Thomas Sublett was my great-grandfather. He was born 20 August 1877 in Campbell County, Virginia. John Thomas was the sixth child of seven born to George Bland Sublett and Timotheus Jane Bailey.
According to the 1880 US Census, they were living in Falling River, Campbell County. His father George was listed as a farmer. By 1900 however, John Thomas (age 22) and his parents George and Timotheus are living with his sister Ida Sublett Dyer and her family. Ida’s husband Tom Dyer, is listed as owning a farm.
By the 1910 Census, John Thomas “JT” is now listed as married and living with his family in Falling River, Campbell County, Virginia. His wife, Georgia Kate Holt are listed as have been married for 9 years. This would estimate their marriage about 1901. Claudia, Anne, and Lacy all show up on this census. JT is listed as a farmer renting his land.
The 1920 Census, JT and his wife are still living in Falling River Campbell County. Claudia, Anne, Lacy and Mae are listed as well. JT’s father George Bland is listed as a widow and is living with them.
According to the 1930’s census, JT is listed as a Foreman for the State Highway. Georgia is there raising the last two girls, Mae and Clarice. Georgia’s mother now resides with them (Sue Holt). They also list Ralph Dudley (Boarder). This census asks the participants the age at first marriage. JT (25) and Georgia (17).
The 1940 census was just released this year. According to it, JT is a maintenance patrolman for the Highway Department. JT and his wife, list his nephew Fred Sublett and Georgia’s mother Sue Holt as residing within the home. We also know for certain that they live and own the Naruna home (13 County Road 605, Naruna). Fred Sublett is listed as the Farm laborer. It is probably safe to assume that he was running the farm.
One of the interesting things I learned about JT came from the inscription on his cemetery marker. It indicated and Larry Burruss (first cousin 1x removed) confirmed that he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It is an interesting organization built upon three links-Friendship-Love-Truth. The basic premise is to work together as a community of variety of trades for the common good. You can read more about them here. http://www.ioof.org/aboutus.html
I will post more about JT at a later post. I just wanted to get his timeline down.
John Thomas Sublett and Georgia Kate Holt Sublett
JT and Georgia in front of Family Home
Exploring Backwards 