William Thomas was born 15 Nov 1834 in Blount County, Alabama, and died 8 Feb 1906 in Blount County, Alabama. He was the son of Joel Cornelius and Mary Easley. He married Charlotte C. Putman 20 Jul 1856 in Blount County, Alabama, daughter of William Wilson Putman and Susannah Hullett.

1860 Blount Co., AL, pg 1111: Thomas, 25, AL; Charlotte, 21, NC; Cynthia, 1, AL.

During the Civil War, Thomas served as a Private in Company I, 49th Alabama Infantry. He appears on a list of petitioners to send Solomon Cornelius (his brother) home to Blount County from camp at Port Hudson to exchange winter clothing for summer clothing dated 8 May 1863; captured at Port Hudson, Louisana 9 Jul 1863; paroled a few days later; appears on a receipt for clothing dated 1 Jan 1864.

1866 Blount County State Census
W.T. Cornelius Head of Family
Males under 10 = 2
Males 30-40 = 1
Females under 10 = 1
Females 30-40 = 1

1870 Blount Co., AL, Pg. 338, E Half, Blountsville (Twp 12), Dwell #824, 30 Aug 1870
Thos., 36, M, W, Farmer, Real Est = $150, Pers Estate = $65, AL, Read = Y, Write = Y
C., 32, F, W, NC, Read = Y, Write = N
Catherine, 11, F, W, AL, Attended School, Read = Y, Write = Y
S.B., 8, M, W, AL, Attended School, Read = Y, Write = Y
S.E., 4, M, W, AL
C.C., 2, M, W, AL

1880 Blount Co., AL, pg 408: Thomas Cornelius, 45, farmer; Charlotte, 41; Solomon B., 18; Serena, 13; Christopher, 12; George W., 10; Mary S., 7; Joel W., 4.

1900 St. Clair Co., AL, ED 106, Sh 5A: Thomas Cornelius, Nov 1839, 60, AL; Charlet, May 1844, 52 (?), NC; George W., Feb 1871, 29, AL; William T., July 1882, 18, AL. Married 40 years, 9 children, 8 alive.

1910 St. Clair Co., AL, ED 122, Sh 13A: George Cornelius, 38, AL; Charlotte, 73, AL, widow, mother; William, 27, AL, brother.