It’s Reunion time for our Tanner clan in this year of 2002
and if any one is missing here I hope it isn’t you!
We have gathered together to have some fun and our family ties to renew
So put away your plans of tomorrow and let your cares be few
Just why am I here and how do I fit in you may wish to ask
why are we wasting time just visiting , talking and remembering the pass
Some of us came because of all the good food there would be here to eat
Others knew there would be new and old kin folks we wanted to meet
No matter the age or reason, we are all here, part of the Tom Tanner Crew
Welcome aboard and pull up a chair and let me introduce the family to you.
It was not a Tom Tanner but A Bill That I find that started this line of Tanners you see
Old William was born in 1748 in England, (Not in Arkansas but) the one across the sea
The love of his life who was also his wife Mary Nance ,their children numbered Ten
In Davis Co Kentucky Old Bill was laid to rest And his son Tom stepped in
The first Tom Tanner born in 1793 it is rumored he fought the battle of new Orleans (surely one of the bravest)
As a family man he was the father of 12 ,his wife and children’s mother was Nancy ”Anna” Davis
Family stories say he was buried in Old Elon Cemetery Lauderdale Co Tn.
Tom’s son Calvin R then stepped forward to lead he was born in 1823
Calvin Married Amanda Porter, Davis County Kentucky, was where they called home
Ten children were in this family, the oldest Thomas Phillip to Arkansas did roam
This second Tom was born in 1848, he made Martina Houston his wife
Their times must of been hard though I know little about their life.
T.P was a farmer, I am sure he did best he could to keep food on the plate
If you were to count their children I know you would find there were eight
When or why T.P. and Martina came to Arkansas I really can not say
I believe they were here in 1874 but I also believe they did not stay
Arkansas was home again by 1890 from what I searched to find
Living in Prairie Co. Zion Community, next to the Lonoke Co line
Tom O. was the third Tom Tanner in our Tanner family Tribe
Tom was only two years old when his mother Martina died
He was eight when his father Thomas Phillip left this world
He was taken care of by his sister herself just a half-grown girl
A family by the name of Holt let him work for his room and board
Working for first this one and that, getting paid when one could afford
Tom married Mayme McConnall and after both of their life's were Blessed
50 years of marriage, the birth of Ten children ,a love that stood the test
What is the rest of the story and where dose it start and when dose it end
It starts back as far as you know and it only ends just to start again.
Charlotte Brown
Great-Great-Great-Great Granddaughter of William TannerTo Index
