Thomas HUGHES, emigrant ancestor of this family of Welch descent, came from Scotland to America prior to the Revolutionary War & settled at Rahway, NJ. His son Thomas b. 1768 NJ m. Ann MOORE about 1794 & settled in Monongahela Valley. Their children: William, Nellie (Eleanor), John, Josiah, Thomas, James & Mary.

Henry Thomas HUGHES, s/o William HUGHES & John WILSON HUGHES & Elizabeth (SWIGER) HUGHES his wife were the first to settle in Roane Co. They arrived in Cassville (now Spencer) about 1851. His cousin was John W. HUGHES, s/o Josiah HUGHES Sr. m. Margaret P. JAMISON d/o William Thompson JAMISON of Butler Co. PA. Daughter of Josiah & Elizabeth HUGHES, Nellie Eleanor m. Dr. Edgar A. BARNES.

The children of John W. Margaret HUGHES: Mary E., Thomas W., Robert A., Henry B., eliza J., Josiah, Leonidas S., Sophronia E., Luvernia, Cordelia M., Viola V. & Monroe J. Thomas W. & Robert were twins b. New California. Robert, a soldier, died in service during the Civil War. Thomas w. m. 1880 Alice KELLEY d/o William KELLEY & their children: Ethel, Maggie, Charles D., Lurie, Wilmer Bruce & John C. Ethel m. James W. CONLEY 29 OCT 1899; Maggie m. Dennis RHODES 1 MAR 1903; Lurie m. Columbus C. COUNTS 6 MAR 1904; Wilmer Bruce m. Elizabeth G. WESTFALL 30 JAN 1910.

Henry B. HUGHES, s/o John & Margaret (JAMISON) HUGHES became a school teacher m. Roxie VANDAL d/o A.L. VANDAL & built a farm introducing Black Pole Angus cattle in the county. Their son Romeo died in his youth.

Alonzo "Lonnie" S. s/o John W. & Margaret (JAMISON) HUGHES, m. Maud TAYLOR 15 NOV 1885. Another son, Monroe J. m. Fannie BATES 1 MAR 1899. Daughter Safronia m. Samuel R. FIELDS 19 JAN 1888. Luvernia A. m. Henry Clay TAYLOR 20 AUG 1890. Cordelia M. m. Bailey C. FERRELL 9 SEP 1891. Josiah b. about 1860 Roane Co. was a militant young school teacher & County Superintendent & Principal of Eastbank schools m. Minnie HAMILTON.

In the 1850's, Thomas HUGHES & his cousin Henry Thomas HUGHES commenced his part in building the county. While living with his uncle, he met Rebecca C. PEEBLES then visiting Rev. Joseph WRIGHT the first Baptist preacher of the village whose wife was Rebecca's sister Martha PEEBLES. Henry Thomas returned to VA with Rebecca & they were married. We find by a plat of a survey of the town made by him dated 1852 that at this date the town was incorporated as the Town of New California & took a leading part in county formation. He was elected & served as Roane Co.'s member in the House of Delegates of the State, 10th session, 1872.

Children of Henry Thomas & Rebecca (PEEBLES)HUGHES: David William; James Stark, Irena Ann m. Charles BEE; H. Clark; Jennie B. m. Henry T. GOFF.