By Contributor 50792601: In a conversation that I had with my father, Robert Stilwell (Memorial 195248022), on 8 Apr 2015, Great Grandson of Thomas, I had inquired if he had any pictures of Thomas. Dad shared the story that even though Thomas did not have a specific religion, he was a literal follower of The Bible, and believed that any pictures, paintings, sketches and so forth of himself taken/drawn would have been quite sinful. He viewed them as graven images.

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According to genealogy research done by my father, Thomas' mother was Sarah "Sallie" Elizabeth Simmons. Many believe that she was born in Kentucky, USA about 1784 and passed away in 1836 in Pike County, Indiana USA. As of this entry, I have been unsuccessful in locating where she may be buried; however, I do know, and have visited, the Simmons Family Cemetery located in Dubois County, Indiana. Perhaps she rests in an unmarked grave there. Thomas' father, Henry James Stilwell, lived another 48 years after losing Sarah, and married two more times after her death.

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Besides the five children listed below for Thomas and Nancy Bolin Stilwell, my family records state that they had a son, John A. born on 10 Aug 1854 and passed away as an infant. There was a cholera outbreak in Pike County at the time, yet I cannot confirm that was the cause of his death; however, this outbreak is what convinced Thomas to move his family to the farm in Dubois County, Indiana. It is only assumed that he rests in an unmarked grave in the Stilwell Cemetery. Their daughter, Sarah, was born on 9 Feb 1856, and was documented in the family Bible. Her death has been researched to be Jul 1863, and it is inferred that she was laid to rest in the Stilwell Cemetery, as well, but no grave marker remains.

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Thomas was one of six children (5 Sons, 1 Daughter) born to Henry and Sarah. His father had an additional 5 children during his second marriage to Mary Jane Bolin.