Jane Gaither Thomas,

the Family Outcast

Jane Gaither was born on the 26th of May, 1823, in Iredel County,
North Carolina. Her father, Forest Gaither, son of Burgess
Gaither, is described as a wealthy plantation owner who was
involved in the loan of a large amount of money, with 40,000
acres of land in Texas as security . When the loan defaulted, he
moved with his family to take it over. Jane was his only
daughter .
Daniel Thomas, Jr. , a part time Methodist minister . His son Daniel
Claiborne Thomas, Sr., is said to have "gone to Texas to see the
Gaither girl and to have married her there" in 1843.
Daniel Clayborne Thomas had a brother, Preston, who went to St.
Louis to see one of the three witnesses to the events involving
Joseph Smith in restoring the Church of Jesus Chris t of Latter
Day Saints. When Oliver Cowdery confirmed the truth of what he
had seen, Preston went to Texas to tell his brother about it and
he also joined the Mormon Church. A few years later , his wife,
Jane, also joined.