Sarah Jane "Sallie" LOMAX

HAIRSTON.org ID#3950, b. 20 May 1851, d. 3 November 1940
Father*John Willis LOMAX1 b. 21 Dec 1810, d. 30 Jan 1896
Mother*Elizabeth Brooks KELLER1 b. 27 Nov 1819, d. 4 Aug 1876
Birth*Sarah Jane "Sallie" LOMAX was born on 20 May 1851 in South Carolina.1 
She was the daughter of John Willis LOMAX and Elizabeth Brooks KELLER.1 
WillIn Jane GRAY's will dated 4 June 1853 in Abbeville, South Carolina, Sarah Jane "Sallie" LOMAX was named as an heir; Heirs: Nephew James Wesley Johnson, (son of Tolivar & Jane Johnson of Panola, Misssissippi), Thomas Johnson, Rachel Martin (wife James H. Martin of Tippah, Mississippi), William Gray (son of John Gray deceased), William Gray (son of James Gray deceased), Mary Ann Thompson, Sarah Jane Lomax (daughter of John W. and Elizabeth B. Lomax).
Executor: David Keller, Esq. (his wife is Nancy Lomax, daughter of William Lomax and Nancy Hairston)
Witnesses: John W. Lomax, Garlington Owens, Elizabeth B. Lomax.
Objectors: Thomas Johnson, Allen Gray, James Gray, William Gray, Johnson Gray, Polly Ann Thompson and others objected to the will.
NOTES:
1. The 1850 census indicates that James Wesley Johnson (1844-1862) would have been a minor when this will was written in 1853.
2. If James Wesley Johnson was Jane Hairston's nephew, it would appear to make Tolivar Johnson (1813-1890) or his wife Jane J. (1820-1880) a brother or sister to Jane Hairston. However, the age difference between Jane Hairston and Tolivar is over 55 years and is too much for a brother and sister. James Wesley was probably a Great Nephew, most likely the grandson of Jane's sister.
PDF copies of will are attached here.2
NOTE*Sarah Jane and her parents are mentioned in the will of Jane Hairston in 1853 and again in court records 28 May 1855.3 
Court Record*On 29 May 1855, John W. Lomax, William A. Lomax and John J. Keller post bond and John W. Lomax becomes guardian of Sarah Jane Lomax, minor (his daughter). He was required to do this because Sarah Jane Lomax was an heir in the will of Jane Hairston. - Estate of Sarah J. Lomax minor, Box 142 Package 3995. FSL #4752848, image 509-516. 
Court RecordOn 11 October 1871, return of accounting of the estate of Sarah Jane Lomax, a minor, made to the County Probate by John W. Lomax guardian on 11 October 1871. In May 1855, $103.75 was received from the estate of Jane Hearston for Sarah Jane Lomax. - Estate of Sarah J. Lomax minor, Box 142 Package 3995. FSL #4752848, image 509-516. 
Court RecordOn 14 August 1872, Sarah Jane Lomax is now "of age", 21. Sallie J. Lomax signed the document. - Estate of Sarah J. Lomax minor, Box 142 Package 3995. FSL #4752848, image 509-516. 
Marriage*She married Joel Tullian TOWNSEND about 1877.4 
Death*Sarah Jane "Sallie" LOMAX died on 3 November 1940 in Laurens, South Carolina, at age 89. FSL #7649449, image 370. 

Family

Joel Tullian TOWNSEND b. Aug 1840

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S279] Lomax, Joseph, Genealogical and Historical Sketches of The Lomax Family, The Rookus Printing House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1894.
  2. [S276] Will of Jane Hairston - 4 June 1853, Abbeville County Will Box 131, Pack 3799, South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
  3. [S61] Young, Willie Pauline. Abstracts of Old Ninety-six And Abbeville District Wills And Bonds, As On File In the Abbeville, South Carolina, Courthouse. Abbeville, S.C., 1950 - https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uva.x000162661 Hathi Trust Digital Library.
  4. [S1900] 1900 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Last Edited28 Jun 2025