Thomas Isbell 
      Sex: M
Individual Information 
     Birth Date: 25 Nov 1785
    Christening: 
          Death: 1862 1
         Burial: in Isbell Cem., Wayne Co., Kentucky
 Cause of Death:
Spouses and Children 
1. *Sarah McBeath (Abt 1801 - 24 Jun 1869)
       Marriage: 7 Feb 1833 - Wayne Co., Kentucky 2 3

2. Sarah Calhoun (       -       )
       Marriage: 8 May 1841 - Wayne Co., Kentucky 4
Notes
General:
Find-a-Grave Memorial # 102379287:

Some records say he was born in South Carolina, and others say Virginia. From the strongest evidence, Thomas Isbell was the son of Capt. Godfrey Isbell in that he witnessed Godfrey's consent for his daughter Nancy's marriage.

By his four wives (Leah Francis, Sarah McBeath, Sophia McLain, and Sarah J. Calhoun) he fathered 21 children. He also married Mary Alberson (1820-1840) and some family trees show her as the mother of Hannah Elizabeth Isbell.

Thomas Isbell's name first appeared in Wayne County, Kentucky, records, 5 March 1804, when he signed a marriage bond for James Brooks and Nancy Isbell [who was born in Virginia]. A note was included with the bond which states:
(1)"To Godrey [sic] Isbell- Sir as it is necessary for me to have your permission from under your hand therefore send by William Simpson."
(2)" This may certify you that I have given consent for my daughter Nancy to James by Godfrey Isbell- witnessed by Thomas Isbell and Samuel Forbes."
Thomas Isbell's relationship to Nancy and Godfrey Isbell is not stated, but probably brother and son as it was customarily an older brother who served as bondsman for a sister's wedding. "However, it is to be noted that none of Thomas' children were given the Christian name of Godfrey." (ref., June Baldwin Bork, Wayne County, Kentucky Marriages, 1801-1860, 1972. Vol.I, A-J,p. 153).

Wayne County, Kentucky Marriages,1801-1860, (1972) by June Baldwin Bork, Vol.I, A-J,p. 153 and p.176: "The Isbell Cemetery is located across the road from the old Isbell house (supposedly haunted) and on Ray Eller's farm in Wayne County. The reason for no Isbell stones is, according to tradition, that Thomas Isbell was superstitious about them. In an unidentified report, this home was described as having been built in the late 1700s, made of hewn logs with two floors and two huge fireplaces. The kitchen was as large as the main room. There was a front and back porch and was located on what is now Highway 167- the road from Monticello to Cooper in Wayne County."
The author also quotes a lady saying that Thomas Isbell was "perhaps the handsomest man (she) ever met -- and the meanest." He is an old man in the only known surviving photo.
picture

Sources

1 "Find-a-Grave," Memorial # 102379287.

2 "Kentucky, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965," Wayne > 1801-1860; pg 28; image 629/629. Repository: http://www.ancestry.com.

3 "Familysearch.org," "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ3-MX48), Thomas Isbell and Sally McBeath, 7 Feb 1833; citing Marriage, Wayne, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 591,550.

4 "Kentucky, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965," Wayne > 1801-1860; pg 29; image 464/629. Repository: http://www.ancestry.com.

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