Maybe Thomas Harvey was born in 1799 in Monroe County, Virginia (now West Virginia). Maybe Thomas was the son of Benjamin Harvey and Susanna Ballard.
There are some conflicts here, and there, online so I’m referencing Monroe County History, page 49, iv. Benjamin Harvey from Orange County, Virginia as the father. Even on page 49 there is a conflict with heirs named as Thomas and Nancy (presuming this is the name of the wife. But further down on the same page it says Thomas Harvey married Margaret Walker. However, they have the birth for this Thomas as about 1780. So conflicts everywhere.
However, in my line, I know that Susan Harvey married John Keatley. I know that her father was Thomas Harvey because of the shared census information. While I’m not certain of the wife (or wives), Thomas Harvey had childen in the following order: Celia, Susan “Susie”, Ward Cook, George William, Emily, and Cullum. I suspect there were at least two different mothers based on a large gap in dates between Susan and Ward Cook. Clearly more work is needed on this line.
Thomas Harvey shows on the 1840 Mercer County Census as head of household with several people in the residence. The 1840 Census gives only a headcount and not names. There were three females between ages 15 to 20.
Also in History of Mercer County, 1984, p. 8, a Thomas Harvey is listed as an early citizen and a blacksmith. In the early days this skill was in great demand in the community.
Referenced in A New River Heritage, Volume III, p. 145 quote, “June 25, 1832, on motion of John Lilly, William Shanklin, Thomas Harvey and others were ordered to “view the ground” for a road from John McDonald’s Mill to the state road near Jumping Branch . . .”.
Named on the 1850 Mercer County Census #642 living in the same household as John and Susan Keatley. His age was 53 and he was a blacksmith with real estate valued at $200 and the birthplace of VA.
In 1860 Mercer County Census, Thomas Harvey appears again as head of household with several other within the same house. (James Cook 44, Nancy Cook 41, Delia 20, Sarah A 18, John H 17, Daniel C. 15, Mahala S. 10, Martha J 8, James W.6, Harrison C. 5, William G. 2.
His 1872 will indicates he was residing in the household of Joseph Keaton at the time of his death.
There is no indication that Thomas had a spouse on any of the census. What is interesting is that the people during that time and location seemed to share their homes with other families and were quite large households.
He died on September 21, 1872, in Summers, West Virginia, at the age of 73 and his burial location is unknown at this time. Findagrave does have a memorial but with another wife and children – I’m convinced it is wrong but don’t want to contact them without convincing evidence.