Thomas Mitchell Anderson
Submitted by Thomas G. Anderson,
Printed with permission of the Navarro County Historical Society

Six sons and one daughter of Thomas Mitchell Anderson and his wife, Thankful Jane Nicks, migrated from Johnson/Pope Counties, Arkansas to Navarro County, Texas between 1846 and the 1850s. The parents moved from Guilford County North Carolina to Hickman County, Tennessee in the early 1800s. All of their children were born in Tennessee and most of them moved with the parents to Johnson/Pope Counties, Arkansas between 1830 and 1834. The children of Thomas and Thankful Nicks Anderson who moved to Navarro County, Texas were Dr. William Nicks Anderson, Quinton Nicks Anderson, Noble Lord Major Anderson, Robert D. Anderson, David D. Anderson, Dr. Thomas Mitchell Anderson, and Thankful Jane Anderson who married Dr. Samuel Alexander Ross in Johnson County, Arkansas.

All of the children received grants and/or purchased land in the south central portion of Navarro County just south and West of Richland Creek. Two of the brothers (Robert and David) located in what was eventually known as the Pursley Community, while the others obtained land a few miles away in the Richland Crossing/Pisgah Ridge area. Dr. W. N. Anderson was appointed a subagent for the Mercer Colony and is believed to have been instrumental in the decisions of his brothers and sister to settle in the area. Dr. Anderson was the first postmaster at Richland Crossing and served from 1848 until 1854 when he was replaced by Asa Chambers, another pioneer of the area. One of Chamber's daughters, Harriet Elizabeth, later married one of the Anderson brothers, Thomas Mitchell Anderson.

Based on tax rolls, grants and survey records, it appears that the three older brothers-William N, Quinton, and Noble Anderson moved to Navarro County circa 1846-1848. The three younger brothers - Robert, David, and Thomas, were still in Johnson County, Arkansas in 1848. After their mother's death which occurred sometime before July 1848, all three moved to Navarro County.

With the exception of one brother, Quinton, all the children remained in the two communities or nearby and are buried in or near Navarro County. Quinton moved to Oregon in 1858 and was still living there in 1887.

Descendants of the Anderson family still live in Navarro County. Further information about the Anderson family, their ancestors, and their descendants is available through the Navarro County Genealogical Society.

Submitted by
Thomas G. Anderson
P.O. Box 356
Hubbard, TX 76648
[Added Nov 22, 1997]