Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Thomas Christopher Sheffield

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Thomas Christopher Sheffield, farmer and stock raiser, was born in 
Henry County, Va., May 24, 1819, and is a son of Leonard and Lucy 
(Wooten) Sheffield, both of whom were born in the "Old Dominion," 
where the mother is still living. Leonard Sheffield was a cabinet 
workman and carriage maker by trade, and was a soldier in the War of 
1812. He belonged to the Free Masons, and died in Henry County, Va., 
in 1839, aged about sixty years. His father, Joseph Sheffield, was 
born in England, and at an early day came to America, serving in the 
Revolutionary War. Thomas C. Sheffield was reared and educated in his 
native county, and at the age of twenty-one years was married to 
Martha N. Martin, also born in Henry County, September 14, 1821, and a 
daughter of Stephen and Sally (Fisher) Martin. The father was a farmer 
and shoemaker, and a son of Joseph Martin, who was a soldier 
throughout the Revolutionary War, and served as first lieutenant. His 
wife was born in Virginia and was a daughter of John Fisher, a farmer. 
After his marriage Thomas Sheffield spent three years as overseer on 
the plantation of Col. A. B. Staples, in Patrick County, Va. The 
following year he was overseer in Stokes County, N. C., for David 
Dalton. He then entered the employ of Sam Hairstin, who owned 1,500 
slaves, and was overseer on his plantation for five years. He then 
served in the same capacity for two years for Robert Matthews, three 
years with William Poindexter, one year with William Lash, three years 
with his brother, William A. Sheffield, who owned fifty slaves, then 
one year with his uncle, Jesse Wooten. At this time he quit overseeing
and engaged in farming and tobacco growing, which he made a success. 
He erected the first tobacco barn in Benton County, Ark. In 1860 he 
removed to Dallas County, Tex., where he was successfully engaged in 
farming and stock raising. Since 1866 he has resided in Benton County, 
Ark. He commenced life without means, but by industry and good 
management has accumulated considerable property, reared a large 
family, and has assisted all his children in making a start in life. 
He has a farm or 200 acres, with 160 under cultivation. His marriage 
was blessed in the birth of thirteen children. six of whom are living: 
Lucy, wife of Fred O'Dell; George, Thomas, Mary, wife of William 
Walker, and Jesse. His sons, Leonard, George and Thomas, were 
Confederate soldiers in the late war, and during that time Leonard 
died in Mississippi. Thomas was Kirby Smith's orderly-sergeant.