The Research of the late Thomas W. Rubottom
of Houston, TX
According to Sylvia Holland Reuwer, her uncle Tom began his books with the following poem, which shows the love he had for poetry:
What profit pedigree of long decent from fare-fetcht blood, or painted monuments of our great-grandsire's visage:
Hidden from all is the future,
The past is not so. --Anonymous |
Thomas William Rubottom, b. 26-Feb-1904 in Desloge, St. Francois, MO d. 20-May-1991 in Houston, Harris, TX, was the son of William Huston Rubottom and Lena Glanville Rubottom. He was one of the earliest and most thorough Rubottom family researchers.
I did not begin my own research until December 1991. And, although I never met or spoke with Mr. Rubottom, I've often felt as though he has guided my efforts. No, I'm not referring to some kind of supernatural contact. I simply mean that "Tom" left a legacy of books and correspondence that can be found with individuals and in libraries and courthouses all across the United States.
Early on, I knew it would become important to backtrack Mr. Rubottom's research. So, my research plan has been to analyze his materials carefully and retrace his research one courthouse, one library, and one county at a time. For the past nine years, I've gathered a treasure trove of his writings -- from the Wrenn Memorial Library in Siler City, Chatham County, NC to the courthouse in Bedford, Lawrence County, IN -- from Martin Blau, a dear cousin in Idaho to Sylvia Reuwer, another dear cousin in Texas -- from an article sent to a cousin in Illinois to photographs shared with cousins in California. His network was broad . . . and he did it without the Internet.
On this page, you will find links to materials written by or relating to Thomas W. Rubottom. Yes, there are some errors. Be cautious with the information. His works represent a learning progression. Just as you and I do, he began with hypotheses and then worked to prove or disprove those hypotheses. The material found on this page include some of his early works and some later works. If available, I've provided dates of publication. Please enjoy!
"Bicentennial Series: The Rubottom Family, Early Area Settlers," Wayne County Journal Banner, July 15, 1976 p. 4, Vol. 100, No. 22.
Excerpts from "The Rubottom Family in America. Volume 1"
-- To the best of our knowledge, Mr. Rubottom compiled nine volumes of books that he called, The Rubottom Family in America. This link provides excerpts from Volume 1 as scanned and sent by Sylvia H. Reuwer.
More to come!
© 2000 by Danene Brown Vincent. [email protected] All rights reserved.