Thomas Roberts

Thomas's parents are Benjamin Roberts and Ann Reed Everington of England.

When the Roberts decided to come to America from England, Thomas was about 18 months old. Due to the lack of money, Benjamin stayed in England with 2 of the children. Ann left with Thomas to get a home established so the other children and Benjamin would have a place to come to. Unfortunately before Benjamin was able to immigrate, he passed away in England.

Thomas was born with hydrocephalus, which is water on the brain. While Anne and the children sailed on a ship to America he contracted a fever and never did feel well. The only person that he would let hold him was his mother.

When they arrived in America, they joined the Horton D. Haight company. They left Iowa in August 1862. Little Thomas just got worse with fever and disease, when they were approaching Chimney Rock in Nebraska, Thomas passed away.

According to company journals:

“They dug a grave at the foot of Chimney Rock. They wrapped Thomas with a blanket and bed sheet and lowered him into the ground. When they started putting dirt on him, Ann, kneeling beside the grave, fainted. Captain Haight just couldn't bare putting Thomas in the ground just wrapped with a blanket. So he went to his wagon, where had a bread box which he emptied. He gently put Thomas in the bread box and put the makeshift coffin in the ground. They then put rocks on the grave so that the wolves and other animals couldn't get to him. Little Thomas was mourned by his mother and other members of the company.”