James Thomas was b 30 Nov 1802, North Haven, the son of Samuel Thomas Jr & Sarah Glover. He was the twin of Glover Thomas. He d 4 Apr 1853, North Haven.

James married Sarah "Sally" Kent Waterman on 2 Feb 1832, North Haven. Sally was b 22 Apr 1810, North Haven, the d/o Thomas Waterman & Lucy Sampson. She d 23 June 1904, North Haven.

James & Sally had 10 children born North Haven.
1. Leander Thomas: 16 June 1833 - 25 Feb 1891, Rockland
2. Harriet Frances Thomas: 17 June 1834 - between 1920 & 1930, Fawn Creek, Ks (probably)
3. Marion Wallace Thomas: 21 Mar 1836 - 12 Jan 1913, North Haven
4. Lucy W Thomas: 28 Dec 1838 - 9 July 1864, North Haven
5. Clara Ellen Thomas: 2 Feb 1840 - 16 July 1915, North Haven
6. Winslow Waterman Thomas: 20 May 1841 - 10 Jan 1942, Pasadena, Ca
7. Mary Elizabeth Thomas: 23 Jan 1845 - Sept 1925, North Haven
8. Sarah Glover Thomas: 5 Apr 1847 - 3 July 1874, North Haven
9. Addison James Thomas: 10 Jan 1850 - 12 Jan 1943, Los Angeles, Ca
10. Etta Averill Thomas: 17 Oct 1852 - 15 Jul 1931, San Pedro, Ca

James was a farmer, carpenter and merchant. He was a deacon in the Pulpit Harbor Baptist Church from 1836 - 1853 and a proprietor of pew No. 18. This is the pew listed in his widow's name in 1868. (Ref Sam Beverage, The Thomas Family, 1977).

27 Dec, 1831. I, James Thomas of Vinalhaven, of thirty four years of age on oath do depose and say, that on the twenty fifth day of October, last, between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, I discovered the Steamboat Royal Tar on fire. Immediately after I saw the United States Revenue Boat Veto near round, make soil and ran down for the Steam Boat. I should say that she ran within a cable's length and hove too under the stern of the Steam Boat. I saw the Veto tacker wear several times and run very near the Steam Boat, once in particular I noted the Veto near the Steam Boat until the sun was not more than half an hour high. The wind was blowing very heavy at the time at North North West and further saith not. Vinalhaven, Decr 27th 1836m James Thomas.
Hancock, S R. Vinalhaven Dec 27th 1836. When the above named James Thomas made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed. Before me, Benjamin Beverage, Justice of the Peace.

Baptist Church Records, North Haven: Sept 5, 1840. At church conference...chose Benjamin Beverage, Jabez Amsbury and James Thomas messengers to the [Baptist] association.

In 1840, James is residing next door to his brother, Glover, near the southern harbor of North Haven. He has one male between 5 & 10, one between 20 & 30, and himself (between 30 & 40); 3 females under 5, 1 between 5 & 10, one between 15 & 20 and his wife (between 30 & 40). There are two individuals helping to support this family by working in agriculture.

Septr 7, 1844: At conference meeting, chose Elder Glover, Deacon Seth Thomas and Deacon James Thomas and Lewis Leadbetter and Robert Beverage to attend the association. James Thomas, Church Clerk.

11 Septr 1847: At church conference, chose Brother Abram Brown, Nathan Philbrook, Lewis Leadbetter and Deacon James Thomas to attend the association and Deacon Benjamin Beverage to write the letter to the association. James Thomas, Church Clerk. Baptist Church Records, North Haven.

Septr 2st, 1848: At conference meeting, after the common experiences, chose Deacon James Thomas to write the letter to association. Chose Brother S [Samuel] Brown, A [Abram] Brown and Lewis Leadbetter to attend association. James Thomas, Church Clerk. Baptist Church Records, North Haven

Septr 6, 1849: At conference meeting, chose Norwood Beverage and James Thomas to attend the association. Chose Deacon Thomas to write the letter to the association. James Thomas, Church Clerk, Baptist Church Records, North Haven.

In 1850, 47-year-old James is residing on North Haven working as a farmer with real estate valued at $2250. With him are his 40-year-old wife, Sarah, and their children Leander (age 16 & a clerk), Harriet F (ae 15), Marion (ae 14), Lucy W (ae 12), Clara E (ae 10), Winslow W (ae 9), Mary E (ae 5), Sarah G (ae 8) and James (ae 3 months). They are residing between brother Glover Thomas & John Smith 2nd.

April 7th, 1853: At conference meeting, after the usual exercises, chose Brother Lewis Leadbetter clerk in the place of Deacon James Thomas, Deceased. Lewis Leadbetter, Church Clerk. Baptist Church Records, North Haven.

In 1855, widow Sarah Thomas is included in North Haven's Tax Assessment. She has no poll (women cannot vote), 130 acres of land, 1 house & 1 barn. Livestock included 1 ox, 6 3-year-old cows, 2 2-year-old cows, 3 1-year-old cows, 1/2 horse valued at $60 (shared with Glover Thomas), 37 sheep and 1 swine. She, like Glover, owned 1/32 of 95-ton sailing vessel "Arrow" (valued at $75) and 1/32 of 48-ton sailing vessel "Oregon" (valued at $40). Real estate value: $1950. Personal property value: $628. Total Tax Assessment: $2578.

In 1860, 50-year-old widow, Sarah is a domestic on North Haven, with real estate valued at $3000 and personal property at $1000. With her are children Harriet (ae 24, school teacher), Lucy (ae 22, seamstress), Lucy (ae 22, domestic), Ellen (ae 20, school teacher), Winslow (ae 19, farmer), Mary (ae 15), Sarah (ae 13), Addison (ae 10) and Etta (ae 7). Also with them is 22-year-old William Martin who is working as a farm laborer.

In 1870, 60-year-old Sarah is on North Haven "keeping house" with real estate valued at $3000 and personal property at $1305. With her are "children" Marion W (ae 34, house keeper), Mary E (ae 24, school teacher), Sarah G (ae 22, house keeper), Addison J (ae 20, farmer) and Etta A (ae 17).

In 1880, 70-year-old widow Sarah is residing on North Haven with the family of her daughter, Clara (ae 40) who has married Jewett Turner.

In 1900 90-year-old widow Sarah is residing on North Haven in the home of her daughter Mary & her husband Reuben Whitmore. She cites birth of April 1810, having had 10 children, 9 of whom were alive for the census.

Death Record: Sarah W Thomas died on North Haven on 23 June 1904 at age 94 years 2 months 1 day. She was born on North Haven, the daughter of Thomas Waterman (born Marshfield, Mass, farmer) and Lucy Sampson (born Marshfield, Mass). She was the widow of James Thomas, dying of old age.

According to Mrs Isa E (Turner) Ames who provided information for the Waterman book, she died at age 94 years 2 months 3 days. That's 2 days off from the official record, which makes the death date either 21 or 23 June.

James "Vinalhaven" Town Offices: Juror 1847; School Agent: 1847 (Middle District), 1850; Surveyor of Roads (Middle District): 1826, 1849; Town Grand Juror: 1847; Town Treasurer: 1827