Thomas Napier

Virginia to Georgia

Thomas Napier was born in 1768 in Goochland County, VA. He was the third child born to Rene and Rebecca Hurt Napier. Rene Napier served during the Revolutionary War in 1781 and 1782 attaining the rank of 2nd Lt. Thomas Napier was a Revolutionary Patriot and at least three of his descendents have joined Lineage Societies based on his service. Thomas’ military support didn’t end with the Revolution. During the War of 1812, when he was 44 years old, he applied to the Governor of Georgia to become a ‘Suttler’, in his own words, ‘to the army going against the Indians’. His own son, Thomas Thompson Napier served as a soldier in that war.

Thomas Napier was a business man who owned a large plantation in PutnamCounty where he settled about 1806. Here he also owned and operated a General Merchandise store and was active in local politics and other business interest of the day. He became one of the most prosperous citizens of that county before moving to BibbCounty in about 1823.

Thomas Napier was a family man, marrying first in about 1790 to Tabitha Champion Easter, who was a Revolutionary War Real Daughter. Tabitha died in 1814 and Thomas would remarry two more times. His second marriage sadly ended in divorce, but his final marriage to the widowed Nancy Jane Hopson Moultrie would be a happy one and they were together to the end of their days, dying within 6 months of each other. Thomas & Nancy are buried here in the OldMaconCemetery.

Thomas had a total of seven children from his first two marriages. All seven of these would marry into prominent families of Central Georgia and contribute lasting legacies to their communities and to the state of Georgia. Many fine homes still standing today in Macon, Eatonton and Forsyth were built by the children of Thomas Napier. Thomas Napier himself is said to have built the 4th dwelling housein the new city of Macon,constructed in 1823. Thomas’ family contributed much to the Blind Academy of Macon and his son LeRoy would become the single largest contributor from Georgia during the War Between the States. All of Thomas’ sons and many of his grandsons fought during that War.

In 1838 when Thomas Napier died, he owned over 6000 acres in BibbCounty as well as numerous tracts of land in other counties. His friends and neighbors included such well-known Maconites as Dr. Ambrose Baber and Judge Edward D. Tracy.

It is an honor to say that I am a 3rd g-niece of Thomas Napier. His youngest sister, Chloe Napier, lived with him after the death of their father in ElbertCounty in 1807. Chloe was then the ripe old age of 32 and unmarried. I’m sure Thomas thought he’d taken her in for life! However, Chloe married less than 2 years later to Noah Kelsey. Noah & Chloe are my 3rd g-grandparents. Approximately 1835, Chloe then a widow with 5 children, moved back to Macon from Quincy, Florida. She would again enjoy the hospitality of Thomas’ home until her own home was built.

Thomas Napier should be remembered for many things today: his love & care to his family, his astute business practices, his contributions to his community and state, and for his loyalty in service to his country.

Thank you!