History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed.
by William Henry Perrin,  O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882.  p. 552.
[Bourbon County]  [North Middletown Precinct]

JOHN W. THOMAS, farmer; P. O. North Middletown; is a native of Bourbon
County and still resides on the old homestead where he was born.  His
grandfather, William Thomas, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to
Kentucky in 1796 and settled in Bourbon County.  His father, John Thomas,
was born in Virginia in 1786 and came to Kentucky when only ten years
old.  John Thomas married Susan Thomas, a cousin of his, by whom he raised
eight children; his eldest son, John W., who is the subject of this sketch,
was married in 1839 to Eliza Jane, daughter of Harvey Kerr, of Bourbon;
she died Sept. 13, 1840, leaving one son, Edwin K., who was then only
about two weeks old.  John W. was again married in 1842 to Margaret P.
Kerr, a cousin of his first wife.  The result of this union was seven
children--two sons: Douglas and William, and five daughters: Mary E.,
Emma, Candace, Nannie and Alma.  They are all married except the youngest
daughter.  Mr. Thomas owns 350 acres of land, and is a successful farmer;
he bred and raised the noted trotting horse Kentucky Prince, who showed
the wonderful gait of 2.32 at a three-year old.  As there was no colt
of his age that had ever beaten that time in the State, he was tempted
by the handsome offer of $10,800 for him, a proposition he very
reluctantly accepted, Mr. Backman, of New York, being the fortunate
purchaser.  Mr. Backman has since refused $25,000 for him.  Mr. Thomas'
family are all members of the Christian Church.  He is a Democrat in
politics.

Thomas Kerr Backman
=
VA NY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/bourbon/thomas.jw.txt