Thomas C. Stuart, a leading merchant of Whiteville, is the eldest of six children born to Arlington C. and Mary F. (Rochelle) Stuart. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in Sussex County, Va., in 1816; the mother is of French origin, born in Southampton County, Va., in 1826. In 1844 they were married and moved to Haywood County, Tenn., spending a portion of their time in that and Madison County, until Mr. Stuart’s death, which occurred in 1861. He was a Democrat. Although not a member of any church he was an honest respected and intelligent man. He and his wife were highly educated, and engaged in schoolteaching many years, which profession Mrs. Stuart still follows. After her husband’s death she and her children settled in Hardeman County, where she is generally known, and is an esteemed member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was born September 4, 1845, in Haywood County. He was raised on a farm, forming a taste f or that sort of life; he began agricultural pursuits on his own responsibility at the age of sixteen. In 1863 he volunteered in Company K, Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate service. He soon became courier for the colonel of his regiment, so continuing until the close of the war. After the restoration of peace he resumed his farming, and in 1869 married Mrs. Henrietta C. Sammons, daughter of Joseph Wilkes. By her first marriage she had two children, and four by the union with Mr. Stuart. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian. In 1879 Mr. Stuart moved into Whiteville; he was interested in various kinds of business. In 1884 he established a grocery store, since which time he has added a stock of dry goods, and is still engaged in farming. He has been a magistrate for the past four years, still holding that position. He has made his home in Hardeman County for a quarter of a century, and been intimately connected with the mercantile interests of Whiteville for several years. He is accounted a man of fine ability, and honorable and worthy citizen. He is a Democrat.
Source: from “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”