James Thomas, Jr., was born Nov. 3, 1803, in Bertie Co., N. C., the son of James Sr. and Mary Thomas, who came to Ky. in 1806. He married Margaret Ethridge of Davidson County, Tenn., on Aug. 14, 1829. They had six children: Edwin, born Apr. 14, 1830; Carroll, Dec. 31, 1831; Infant, 1833; James Clark, Jan. 17, 1835; Pollie, Mar. 16, 1837; and Amanda Jane (Vinson), Dec. 21, 1838. In 1824 he acquired 100 acres of land here, and his large house, built in 1847, stood for 104 years. He was a planter, slave owner, justice of the peace, Mason, and Baptist deacon. He died Feb. 20, 1864, and his wife died Apr. 6, 1886. Both were buried in a cemetery two miles east. His great grandson, movie actor Jay Bernard (James B. Thomas), was born here Aug. 17, 1923.