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Thompson Family Resarch

Family Legends

Proved, debunked, or otherwise addressed!

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Suzy's Family

Jim's Family

The fortune of John William Earles

Carlos Recio saved the Bank of Key West

Clifton Family Cherokee Connection

Blevins Family Descendants of Pocahontas

The untimely death of Constable Hugh Torbett Blevins

The Davy Crockett Connection

 

The Legend Source Initial Investigation Some Basis for Legend Outcome Truth More to do
The Clifton Family has Cherokee blood. Myrtle Ellen Clifton The only possible connection found to date is through Charlie Clifton's wife, Susie Mae Blevins.  Susie's great grandfather, Samuel Looney was purported to be full-blood Cherokee. Melinda Blevins (Powers) submitted paperwork to the Dawes Commision claiming the full Cherokee bloodline of her grandfather, Samuel Looney.  Melinda claims that Samuel was removed to Oklahoma during the Cherokee relocation, but was allowed to return to Tennessee.  Melinda's application was denied, based on lack of evidence.  Samuel Looney's name was not found on the rolls of the relocated Cherokees by the Dawes Commission.    Unknown

SEE BIOGRAPHY

OF SAMUEL LOONEY
The Legend Source Initial Investigation Some Basis for Legend Outcome Truth More to do
Blevins Family members are descendants of Pocahontas. Gary L Blevins none This legend began, as far as I can tell, from the obituary of Hugh Torbett Vernon Blevins, in Globe, AZ.  The obit states that HTV Blevins was a descendant of Pocahontas in the first sentence. So far, no evidence, although I have not read any of the well-documented books on the subject of Pocahontas descendants.    Unknown Read, read, read.
The Legend Source Initial Investigation Some Basis for Legend Outcome Truth More to do
Hugh Torbett Blevins was killed the first day on the job as Constable.  He was shot "through a tree", while breaking-up a moonshine operation.

Myrtle Ellen Clifton 

It is documented that Hugh was a Constable of Rhea county and that he apparently died in the line of duty, at the age of 32. Hugh was a Constable in Rhea County in an area that became Meigs County.  His widow appeared before the Meigs County Court on August 1, 1836 to begin the process of administering the estate.  We have documentation that Hugh was a Constable in Rhea County for some time, therefore he was not killed his first day on the job as a Constable.  It is possible that he was killed the first day his jurisdiction became Meigs County, but we do not know the exact date of death.   As far as the claim that he was shot "through a tree", we may never know.  We can guess that the moonshine still was located in a heavily wooded area.    exaggeration   of the truth? 1.  Find the exact date of death.                                      2.  Look for accounts of the event.  It must be documented somewhere.
The Legend Source Initial Investigation Some Basis for Legend Outcome Truth More to do
There is a Blevins connection to Davy Crockett, though not by blood. (friendship) Gary L Blevins   Handwritten note in the possession of Gary L. Blevins.      
The Legend Source Initial Investigation Some Basis for Legend Outcome Truth More to do
Carlos Recio saved the Bank of Key West from failure. Jim Frank Davis The Bank of Key West existed from April, 1884, until 1891.  Carlos Recio was a prominent businessman during this time period. Jim Davis is in possession, a silver pitcher, with the engraving "The Bank of Key West   Recio, Carlos" The rise and fall of the Bank of Key West is documented in a book, "Key West: The Old and the New" by J. Browne, 1912.  There is no mention of Carlos Recio's role in supporting the bank.    unknown Explain the existence of the silver pitcher!  Did others receive a pitcher as well, simply for being a large depositor?
The Legend Source Initial Investigation Some Basis for Legend Outcome Truth More to do
John William Earles was a professional gambler and won enough money on one trip to Shreveport, to build "The Big  House" in Texarkana. 1920 Magnolia St.       Alice Iola Earl       Lucy Kemper Earl This seems more than family legend, because the story is so inbedded amoung family members.  John built the house in the late 1890s, and did not have the wealth or livelihood to support such a project without a windfall of some kind.  Lucy knew John William Earl (her father-in-law) and also had her husband's knowledge of the events. (Matt Bassett Earl)  The house is listed on the National Historic Register as the Earl-Rochelle House.      
The Legend Source Initial Investigation Some Basis for Legend Outcome Truth More to do

The Recio family has Calusa Indian relatives in CUBA.

 Jim Frank Davis