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January 9, 2013

Dr. Thomas Jefferson Peniston and Family

Thomas Jefferson Peniston was born on November 9, 1806 in Jessamine County, Kentucky.  He graduated from Transylvania University in 1829 and moved to Catahoula Parish in 1831 where he began practicing medicine. 

From Louisiana Biographical and Historical Memoirs:
His reputation as a physician became so high that he was soon well known, and his practice extended over a large scope of country in Catahoula and adjoining parishes.
Dr. Peniston married Sophia Dorcas Ann Lovelace in 1833.  Dorcas Ann was born on November 6, 1816 to the marriage of George Washington Lovelace and Sophia Dorcas Wells

Dr. Thomas Jefferson Peniston died in 1882.  Sophia Dorcas Ann Lovelace Peniston died on October 28, 1872.  Dr. Peniston is buried in the Peniston Cemetery near Sicily Island.  It is believed that Sophia is buried there as well, although no tombstone has been found to date to confirm this.


Of the ten children born to them, the following five are the only ones for which documentation could be found:

Sophia E. was born on October 3, 1839 and married Sylvester York who was born in 1821 in Maine.  Sylvester was appointed as Post Master in Tensas Parish on October 24, 1865.

Sophia died on March 3, 1911 and Sylvester died circa 1884.  Both are buried in the Peniston Cemetery near Sicily Island.

Courtesy of Ashley Varner

Courtesy of Ashley Varner


The following children were born to the marriage of Sophia E. Peniston and Sylvester York:
Zebulon York, Sr., 1863-1945 (m. Mollie Earle, 1871-1930)
Clara, 1865-1869
Pearl, 1869-1870
Julia, 1875-1878
Augustus, 1881-1883 

Charles W. was born in 1842 and married Lydia Reeves on April 28, 1862.  Lydia was born circa 1842 and died in 1863.  Charles died circa 1864.  The location of their burials is unknown at this time.

One daughter, Lydia was born to the marriage of Charles and Lydia Reeves Peniston.  The 1870 census shows her living with her paternal grandparents, Dr. Thomas Jefferson Peniston and his wife Dorcas in Catahoula Parish.  The 1880 census shows her living with her maternal grandparents, L. V. and Jan C. Reeves in Tensas Parish.

John was born on November 28, 1846 and died on September 23, 1868.  He is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.


Horace Marshall was born on February 10, 1848 and married Anna Doniphan on May 19, 1881.  Anna, the daughter of Dr. Henry Slaughter Doniphan and Amelia Scott King, was born on March 4, 1863.

From Louisiana Biographical and Historical Memoirs:
Mr. Peniston is held in the highest respect in his parish, being regarded as an honest, upright and industrious man, who takes a great interest in all the affairs of his parish.  He is ever ready to contribute his full share toward the support of all enterprises of merit.

Additional posts with information on Horace Marshall Peniston and the role he played in the history of Sicily Island can be found here and here.

Horace Marshall Peniston died on December 29, 1897 and Anna Doniphan Peniston died on April 15, 1960.  Horace Peniston is buried in the Peniston Cemetery near Sicily Island.  Anna Peniston is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.

Courtesy of Ashley Varner



The following children were born to the marriage of Horace Marshall and Anna Doniphan Peniston:
Mary, 1884-1907 (m. Robert Lee, 1881-1957)
Horace Marshall, Jr., 1887-?
Thomas Jefferson, Sr., 1889-1977 (m. Jessie Smith, 1892-1988)
John Willard, 1891-1983 (m. 1. Beatrice Munn, 1892-1934; 2. Deleta Furr, 1909-2003)
Henry Doniphan, 1894-1961 (m. Georgia Westbrook, 1895-1991)
Ruth Ann, 1897-1979 (m. Robert Lee, 1881-1957)
Clara was born on February 1, 1851 and married Thomas Nicholas Peck, Sr. on January 7, 1877.  Thomas, the son of Dr. Henry John Peck and Laminda McKinney, was born on March 5, 1851.

Clara Peniston Peck died on August 3, 1884 and Thomas Nicholas Peck, Sr. died on January 27, 1903.  The location of their burials is unknown at this time.

The following children were born to the marriage of Thomas Nicholas and Clara Peniston Peck:
Thomas Nicholas, Jr., 1877-1886
Charles Gilman, died at birth, circa 1878
Ellen J. Lenora, 1881-1884









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