I renewed an Ancestry.com membership for the first time in about 5 years. My research had hit a dead end at Thomas Fletcher (b.1812 S.C., d.1879 TX), and for me and many other Thomas descendants I've been in contact for many years. Suddenly, after renewing my membership, I see several trees showing parents and about 5 more generations of Fletchers beyond Thomas. I thought this was a gold mine! But, after the further review, there seems to be no documentation and the connection is suspicious.
First, I see trees where Thomas Fletcher is one of 6 children to:
Nathan Joshua Fletcher, b. 1780 in Plymouth, NH
and also:
Nathan Joshua Fletcher, b. 1780 in Perquimans, NC
both have him dead on 8 Dec 1865 in Ashland, NH
Nathan and his wife (Nancy Pillsbury) have all their children in New Hampshire ... except Thomas. All the children die in New Hampshire or Massachusettes ... except Thomas.
Nathan's line continues to Joshua Fletcher (b.1762 Mass, d.1829 N.H.), then to Gershom Fletcher (b.1712 Mass, d. 1779 Mass), so on and so on deeper into Massachusettes.
Thomas sticks out like a sore thumb, being born in S.C. and dying in Texas - not to say it couldn't happen.
I have since done more digging on Nathan Joshua Fletcher, the purorted father of Thomas, and have found several trees where he has 5 children - and no sign of Thomas.
I have sent emails to all the owners of the trees in question but have received no responses. Anyone else on the trail of Thomas Fletcher, or can further dispute his connection to Nathan/Joshua/Gershom Fletchers of NH/MA??