Bull–Randall Family Genealogy Wiki

Thomas Watson Randall

Son of Anderson Smith Randal and Sophia Mitchell, Thomas Watson Randall (known to friends and family as simply “T.W.” or “Tom”) was born September 22, 1863 in Franklin County, Georgia.

On November 17, 1887, Thomas Watson Randall (at age 24) married Rutha Ella Farmer (age 24).

Rutha Ella Farmer (born June 24, 1863), 1) was the daughter of James "Jim" Monroe Farmer (Nov. 14, 1833 - June 10, 1915) and his wife, Elizabeth “Bettie” Harrison (1839 - Feb, 14, 1904).

[Marriage License for T.W. Randall and R.E. Farmer. Nov. 17, 1887. \\ Source: "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-25509-1337-8?cc=1927197 : accessed 26 January 2016), 0365742 (005190952) > image 185 of 603; county courthouses, Georgia.]

Thomas Watson Randall and Rutha Ella Farmer had the following children:

  1. John Temon Randall (Aug. 27 1888 – Feb. 23, 1947)
  2. Henry Beaman Randall (Jan. 5 1891 – Dec. 21, 1949)
  3. Osay Pearl Randall (b: January 1894)
  4. Minnie Ola Randall (b. October 1895). Married Thomas Bonner McClain during Oct.
  5. Dasie P. Randall (b: Abt. 1898)
  6. Jim F. Randall (b. Abt. 1901)


[Thomas W. Randall (approx. age 61-62) and Rutha Ella Farmer-Randall (approx. age 57-58). Photo taken circa 1925-1926 (as T.W. died on April 30, 1926).]

The “Watch Pocket”
In the above photo, notice that T.W. Randall has a pocket watch chain coming from a “watch pocket” in his trousers, secured to a belt loop. And notice that there aren't ANY other pockets on the front of his pants! The “watch pocket” was first introduced by Levi Strauss & Co. during the 1870s, Prior to that, men stored their pocket watches in their waistcoat (a.k.a. vest) pocket and attached it to a chain secured to a buttonhole. Levi Strauss & Co. was the first to recognize that hardworking men didn’t always own or wear a waistcoat. However, because the patent (at that time) expired after only 17 years, competitors soon included a “watch pocket” in their pants as well. During that time, wristwatches were primarily worn by women; and called “watch bracelets” because they were considered to be fashion jewelry rather than serve any real purpose. Consequently, prior to World War I, men seen wearing a wristwatch were viewed as effeminate. The “watch pocket” remained popular for several decades. Today, you will still see a “watch pocket” on many popular blue jeans (a tiny pocket peeking out from above the right front pocket), a relic from a bygone era.

“Belt Loops”
Also, notice that T.W. Randall was wearing pants with belt loops in the above photo. Bob Charnes, owner of Arizona Gunfighters, a re-enactment group, has seen belt loops on baseball uniforms dating back to 1857. Even so, he admits the “belt loops never caught on with the general public at that time.” Styles among men changed much more slowly during the 19th century than they did for women, so switching from suspenders and cinches to belt loops was a slow process.

Levi’s historian Lynn Downey says, “We first put belt loops on our 501 jeans in 1922. However, we didn’t remove the cinch and the suspender buttons. Older customers just kept using the cinch and suspenders. We took the suspender buttons off the jeans in 1937, but gave our retailers ‘press-on’ buttons for the guys who just had to keep wearing suspenders.”
Most of the original 1890 U.S. Federal Census records were destroyed or badly damaged by a fire in the Commerce Department in 1921. Records enumerating only 6,160 individuals—less than one percent of the schedules—survived. Those for the Randall family were destroyed.

["1900 United States Federal Census". Thomas W. Randal's family begins on line 40.]

1900 United States Federal Census



State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Township or other Division of County: Red Holow District
Date: June 9, 1900

Name Relation Gender Date of Birth Age Birthplace Occupation
Thomas W. Randal Head M Sept. 1863 36 Georgia Farmer
Rutha E. Randal Wife F June 1864 35 Georgia
John T. Randal Son M Aug. 1887 13 Georgia At School
Henry B. Randal Son M Jan. 1891 9 Georgia At School
Osay P. Randal Daughter F Jan. 1894 6 Georgia
Minie O. Randal Daughter F Oct. 1895 5 Georgia

Source: “United States Census, 1900,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M3NG-TT4 : accessed 23 January 2015), Thomas W Randal, Militia District 1377, Red Hollow Martin town, Franklin, Georgia, United States; citing sheet 5A, family 81, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,197.

Notice that while the 1900 U.S. Federal Census lists his name with one “L”, the 1910 & 1920 U.S. Federal Census lists his name with two “Ls”. His tombstone also spells his name with two “Ls”.

The Modern Santa Claus

The current personification of Santa Claus, in his red suit with white fringe and a red stocking cap, was created by an Australian named Frank A. Nankivell, and appeared for the first time in the December 3, 1902 edition of “Puck” magazine (v. 52, no. 1344), the first successful humor magazine in the United States (featuring colorful cartoons, caricatures and political satire). This modern “version” of Santa Claus was soon popularized with Norman Rockwell’s cover of “Boys’ Life” published December 1913, depicting a couple of Boy Scouts rescuing Santa. Contrary to urban legend, Coca-Cola was not the first company to use this modern personification of Santa Claus in advertising. It was “White Rock Beverages” who first used the modern Santa Claus to advertise mineral water in the December 19, 1915 issue of the “San Francisco Examiner” (driving a motorized vehicle rather than a sleigh - even though a sleigh being pulled by flying reindeer was introduced to the Santa Claus narrative in 1821)2)… and the following year in the “New York Herald” on December 10, 1916 (flying a bi-plane rather than a sleigh - perhaps to depict a more modern, forward thinking Santa Claus). “White Rock Beverages” later expanded its advertising to include its line of ginger ale in 1923.

In 1930, artist Fred Mizen painted a department-store Santa in a crowd drinking a bottle of Coca Cola. The painting featured the world's largest soda fountain, which was located in the department store “Famous Barr Co.” in St. Louis, MO. Mizen's painting was used by the Coca-Cola Company in print ads that Christmas season, appearing in “The Saturday Evening Post” in December 1930. This inspired a major ad campaign by the Coca-Cola Company, which began the following year, featuring a coke-drinking Santa Claus drawing created by Haddon Sunblom, who continued drawing the ads until 1964.

["1910 United States Federal Census". Thomas W. Randal's family begins on line 43 (and is barely legible).]

1910 United States Federal Census



State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Township or other Division of County: Gumlog District
Date: April 19-21, 1910

Name Relation Gender Age Birthplace Occupation
Thomas W. Randall Head M 46 Georgia Farmer
Rutha E. Randall Wife F 46 Georgia None
Osay P. Randall Daughter F 16 Georgia Farm Laborer
Minie O. Randall Daughter F 15 Georgia Farm Laborer
Jim Randall Son M 9 Georgia None
William Randall Son M 7 Georgia None
Randall Son M 4 Georgia None

Note: The identity of the 4 year old son is not known. And he is not listed on the 1920 U.S. Census. So he may have died in childhood.


Source: Year: 1910; Census Place: Gum Log, Franklin, Georgia; Roll: T624_189; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0041; FHL microfilm: 1374202.


["1920 United States Federal Census". Thomas W. Randall's family begins on line 3.]

1920 United States Federal Census



State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Township or other Division of County: Welborn
Date: Jan. 5, 1920

Name Relation Gender Age Birthplace Occupation
T. W. Randall Head M 56 Georgia Farmer
Ella Randall Wife F 56 Georgia None
Bill Randall Son M 16 Georgia None
Jim Randall Son M 19 Georgia None

Source: Year: 1920; Census Place: Welborn, Franklin, Georgia; Roll: T625_255; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 48; Image: 1076.

[Thomas Watson Randall (back row, 2nd from right) and Rutha Ella Farmer (back row, furthest right) family photo. Other family members not yet identified. Year unknown.]

Thomas Watson (TW) Randall died April 30, 1926 (at age 62). Although the Death Certificate misspelled his name (as “Randoll”), the cause of death was listed as amoebic dysentery.

[Thomas Watson Randall - Death Certificate. Source: "Georgia, Deaths, 1914-1927," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11096-20408-62?cc=1320969 : accessed 22 January 2015), 004179365 > image 1120 of 1498; Department of Archives and History, Atlanta.]

Thomas Watson (TW) Randall was buried in “Shoal Creek Baptist Church Cemetery”, Hart County, Georgia. (Ref: Find A Grave Memorial# 34398265 & 34398249).3)

Rutha Ella (Farmer) Randall died on June 7, 1938 (according to her tombstone) in Centerville, (Anderson County), South Carolina (at age 75) from chronic endocarditis, hypertension, chronic nephritis, and apoplexy.

[Death Certificate for Rutha Ella Farmer-Randall (indicating that she died on June 8, 1938).]

She was buried along side her husband in “Shoal Creek Baptist Church Cemetery”, Hart County, Georgia. (Ref: Find A Grave Memorial# 34398265 & 34398249).4)

[Tombstone for Thomas Watson Randall (September 22, 1863 - April 30, 1926) & Rutha Ella (Farmer) Randall (June 24, 1863 - June 7, 1938)]

[Close-up of tombstone for Thomas Watson Randall (September 22, 1863 - April 30, 1926)]

Lineage

Name Line Manager Job Title Photo
Thomas Watson Randall
Anderson Smith Randal Thomas Watson Randall Father
Sophia Mitchell Thomas Watson Randall Mother
Wiley Mitchell Sophia Mitchell Grand Father
Martha Daniel Sophia Mitchell Grand Mother
Oney Cypress Randal Anderson Smith Randal Grand Father
Susannah W. Wilkins Anderson Smith Randal Grand Mother
Aaron Daniel Martha Daniel Great Grand Father
Barsheba Beck Martha Daniel Great Grand Mother
William W. Mitchell Wiley Mitchell Great Grand Father
Catherine Moulder Wiley Mitchell Great Grand Mother
Caleb Beck Barsheba Beck Great, Great Grandfather
Hannah Kennard Barsheba Beck Great, Great Grandmother
John Bull Oney Cypress Randal Great Grandfather
Hanna Harvey Oney Cypress Randal Great Grandmother
Thomas Bull Jr. John Bull Great, Great Grandfather
Sarah Randal John Bull Great, Great Grandmother
Col. Thomas Peyton Harvey, Sr. Hanna Harvey Great, Great Grandfather
Sarahann Williams Hanna Harvey Great, Great Grandmother
Thomas Bull, Sr. Thomas Bull Jr. Great, Great, Great Grandfather
Susanna Harwell Thomas Bull Jr. Great, Great, Great Grandmother
Ambrose Harwell Susanna Harwell Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather
Elizabeth Browne Susanna Harwell Great, Great, Great, Great Grandmother

The Marriage License for Thomas Watson Randall and Rutha Ella Farmer is located at the “Records of the Probate Court of Franklin County, Georgia” in the “Georgia Department of Archives & History”, RG-Series 159-2-3: Description of the Record Group - Series (Marriage License in Box 6, File 122, Location 1751-03).

Navigation

Origins
Research Sites
Agatha Muriel Randall
Albert Gallatin Randle
Anderson Smith Randal
Artry Otis Randall
Bushrod P. Randall
Carey Enoch Randall
Carey Woodson Randall
Charles Edward Randall
Charles Ray Randall
Charles W. Randal
Clarence Richard Randall
Comer Henry Randall, Sr.
Edgar Oran Randall
Elisha Burrell Randall
Eliza B. Randal
Elizabeth Harvey Randal
Elizabeth M. Randal
Elizabeth Jane Randall
Eloise M. Randall
Elzora Eugenia Randall
Eugene Augustus Randall
George Alman Randall
Gertrude Randall
Gussie Estell Randall
Hannah N. Randal
Helen Cecil Randall
Henry Beaman Randall
Henry Darwin Randall
Henry Oran Randall
Henry Veronica Randall
Horace Randal
Hubert Bernice Randall
Ira Robert Randall
Ira Wilbur Randal
Isaac Samuel Randle
Jackson Harvey (“Harry”) Randal
James Ronald Randal
James Thomas Randall
John B. Randall
John Bull Randal
John Henry Randle
John Leonard Randal
John Robert Randall
John W. Randall
Jones Hesburn Randall
Jones Marshall Randall, Jr.
Jones Marshall Randall, Sr.
King Oran Randall, Sr.
King Oran Randall, Jr.
Lake Randall
Lavaca Randall
Leonard Randle
Martha Elizabeth Randall
Martha Patsy Randal
Michael Byron Randall
Minnie Ola Randall
Napoleon Bonapart Randal
Napoleon C. Randall
Nettie Margaret Randall
Oney Cypress Randal
Oney Pickney Randall
Pinkney Harvey Randall
Priscilla Ann Randall
Ralph Aaron Randall
Richard Clarke Randall
Richard Roan Randall, Sr.
Richard Roan Randall, Jr.
Roland Pickney Randall
Robert Thomas Randall
Rowan Augustin Randall
Sallie D. Randall
Sara Elizabeth Randall
Sara Sophia Felton Randall
Sina Bethel Randal
Sophia Mitchell
Susan "Susie" Jane Randall
Susanna Jane Randall
Theodocia A. Randal
Thomas Bull, Jr.
Thomas Bull, Sr.
Thomas Doomous (Dumas) Randall
Thomas Edwin Randall
Thomas Jefferson Randal
Thomas Loyd Randall
Thomas Oney Randle
Thomas Watson Randall
Walter Baxter Randall
Walter Clarke Randall
William "Bill" Randall
William Ernest Randall
William Reeves Randall
William Robert Randall, Sr.
William Randal

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