Showing posts with label Joel Gibson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joel Gibson. Show all posts

Saturday, July 1, 2023

The Gibson Family and their Graveyards in Corydon, KY

I feel there is absolutely no better time (or topic) to dive into my absolute favorite family cemetery of all time -- Gibson Cemetery in Corydon, Henderson County, Kentucky. I will also be talking about what I call "Gibson Cemetery #2" out in Corydon as well. 


The above photograph is Gibson Cemetery #1 (the main family cemetery) which sits high on a hill off of Hughes-Sights Rd in Corydon. This photograph was taken by a Gibson cousin, Karen Fleming. 



This photograph is from Google Street View (2012) and is zoomed all the way in. It's the best photograph currently available to show you what Gibson Cemetery #2 looks like when the crops aren't tall enough to hide it. When it's crop season, it's usually behind corn and you cannot see it unless you know precisely where it's at or you use an aerial satellite map to find it. 

It's an educated guess that Gibson Cemetery #1 might have been started with the death of Joel Gibson's wife, Eleanor Davis, when she died in Henderson County in 1818. Other family historians document that she died "on the way to Kentucky," but Joel and family were already here in 1813, so that is inaccurate to say, if she truly died in 1818. 

However, going with documented burials in Gibson Cemetery -- Joel Gibson, patriarch of the Gibson family here in Henderson County, Kentucky, has the earliest death date on a tombstone of December 23rd, 1830. Some Gibson family historians believe that he merely has two cenotaphs in Gibson Cemetery and that he's actually buried in North Carolina. I don't know where that rumor started or when.. but it's 100% codswallop. 

Joel has two tombstones out in Gibson Cemetery -- one is an original military provided tombstone and I do believe it's been there since 1830 or shortly thereafter -- I say this because it fits the look and style of almost all Revolutionary War military provided headstones that I've ever seen. The second military provided tombstone lays flat to the ground and is much newer. The tombstone application for the second one was filled out in 1970 by Joel's great-great-grandson, Jesse Chandler. 

Gibson Cemetery #2, it appears to have been started at the death of John William Gibson, a great-grandson of Joel's, who died October 8th, 1856. That's the earliest death date on a tombstone that's been documented in that cemetery at the current time.

I'm unsure if this line of the Gibson family had had a falling out with the family and felt they couldn't be buried in the "main" cemetery which is, as the crow flies, about a half of a mile from this new cemetery.. or if they simply felt compelled to have their own little family cemetery separate from the main one. John's father, James William Gibson who would have been Joel's grandson, is buried too in this Gibson Cemetery #2. Whereas James' father, Berryman Gibson, is buried in the main Gibson Cemetery with his father and the patriarch, Joel Gibson. 

It's no secret that most of Corydon at one time or another was Gibson land or that of a family that ties into the Gibson family -- Tapp, Pritchett, Dixon, Crooks, Hughes, Sights, Eblen, Denton, Culver to just name a few of the surrounding related families. 



I know this photograph is small - you might be able to right click and open the image in a new window to make it larger.. but it's an aerial map of the area out in Corydon (it's Corydon's southeast side.. between Corydon and Cairo to be more accurate) that the cemeteries are located. 

The small red circle on the left of the photograph is Gibson Cemetery #2 and the larger red circle more on the right is the original Gibson Cemetery. I've been told before that all of the land (roughly) from Hughes-Sights Rd to the north, possible Highway 60 to the west, possible the curve to the south on 145, and Rock Springs Dixie Rd to the east was all Gibson land way back when. Like 1820's-1840's at least. We know between Rock Springs Dixie & US Alt 41 is Eblen Rd and the Eblen's have a family cemetery out there as well so they definitely were neighbors of the Gibson's. 

To the south is a road called Pritchett-Crooks and there are a few different family cemeteries out there. The Pritchett's and Crooks' were definitely neighbors of the Gibson's. To the south is also a community called "Dixie" which isn't an official 'town' anymore like Corydon or Cairo but still a community. There is a church with a cemetery there called Union Hill where a lot of Gibson relatives and neighbors are buried. It's located off of Whitelick Rd which takes you from Henderson County down into Webster County (it's honestly really close to the county line as Whitelick Creek is the dividing line between Henderson & Webster out that way.)

There's a Duncan Cemetery, Morehead Cemetery, Minton Cemetery, Royster Cemetery, Liles Cemetery, Brown-Konsler Cemetery, Alderson Cemetery, and I could go on... that are in relatively "close-ish" proximity to the Gibson Cemetery's. They're all out in the Corydon/Cairo/Dixie area as I would call it. A lot of these families have been in Henderson County by at least the 1820 census and they've never left. 

A little bit of back story here about why I love the Gibson Cemetery so much... it's the first little family cemetery I ever went to as a kid right after I discovered my love of genealogy. I was 7 years old (2000) and went with my Mom and Grandma. I've been back numerous times since then and it's just an overwhelming sense of connection when I go out there. To stand at my 6x Grandfather's grave and know that my 5x Grandfather and 4x Grandfather stood there at his funeral in 1830. Every time I go out there, I feel so close to my ancestors.. it's really indescribable even for me. 

For those of us who are Gibson descendants (or married to a Gibson descendant): my Grandmother told me growing up that it would cost nothing (no plot cost) to be buried out in the Gibson Cemetery. In my opinion, there is still plenty of open room to be buried there... but the downfall to a small private cemetery - there's no "exact plot records." Honestly, to be buried out there, it would be a guessing game on where to plant yourself, so to speak.. There might be unmarked graves out there, or graves that once had a tombstone that no longer do.. so if you decided to be buried out there, it's very possible when they go to dig your grave... they might be disturbing someone else's from 100+ years ago. 

With this blog, I thought I would thoroughly document each person buried in both of the Gibson cemeteries for easy research access not just for myself in the future but for other Gibson relatives. This is going to make for a lengthy blog but I know it'll be well worth it. As much as I would love to add photographs of tombstones for each person to accompany this blog, I know that is way too time consuming and plus, it would make this blog take eons and eons to load for some people who have a worse internet connection than others. 

The following are those who are buried in Gibson Cemetery #1 (the main family cemetery) in alphabetical order (to the best of my ability). I will be listing their name, their birth and death date, who they are a child of, who they married, and their cause of death if available. I will also be mentioning their exact relationship to me as I am related to every single person buried in this cemetery. As a quick note to you guys - my 3x Grandparents, 4x Grandparents, 5x Grandparents, and 6x Grandfather are buried here. (Possibly 6x Grandmother as well, if my theory is correct that the cemetery might have started with her burial in 1818.)

1) John DeForest Culver. Born June 20th, 1868, died March 19th, 1919. Son of William Hollis Culver Jr and Neosha Jane Gibson. Husband of Mary Frances Gibson. My 1st cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: Mitral insufficiency and labor pneumonia, due to Influenza. 

2) Mary Frances (Gibson) Culver. Born June 30th, 1872, died February 4th, 1931. Daughter of Robert Benjamin Gibson and Sibbie Denton. Wife of John DeForest Culver. My 1st cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: Nephritis and hypertension.

3) James Lee Denton. Born November 9th, 1912, died October 27th, 1913. Son of James Benjamin Denton and Sibbie Lee Culver. My 3rd cousin 2x removed. Cause of death: Ileocolitis.

4) Florence Duncan. Born April 14th, 1875, died January 31st, 1899. Daughter of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

5) Infant Duncan. Born February 6th, 1890, died September 8th, 1891. Son of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

6) John Melvin Duncan. Born November 13th, 1848, died October 17th, 1933. Son of John Duncan Sr and Nancy Smith. Husband of Mary Susan Tapp. My 1st cousin 6x removed. Cause of death: Paralysis and old age.

7) John Strother Duncan. Born January 31st, 1885, died June 18th, 1916. Son of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. Husband of Vera Whitledge. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: Heart dropsy. 

8) Laura Bell Duncan. Born November 4th, 1870, died April 13th, 1945. Daughter of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: Broncho pneumonia. 

9) Marion Duncan. Born October 18th, 1889, died September 6th, 1945. Son of William French Duncan and Sarah Catherine Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

10) Mary Pearl Duncan. Born May 28th, 1885, died November 9th, 1900. Daughter of William French Duncan and Sarah Catherine Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

11) Mary Susan Tapp. Born April 2nd, 1851, died May 20th, 1935. Daughter of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. Wife of John Melvin Duncan. My 1st cousin 5x removed. Cause of death: Chronic myocarditis and nephritis. 

12) Robert Fulton Duncan. Born September 18th, 1887, died July 14th, 1936. Son of William French Duncan and Sarah Catherine Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: Cerebral hemorrhage. 

13) Sarah Catherine Tapp. Born April 1852, died April 8th, 1899. Daughter of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. Wife of William French Duncan. My 1st cousin 5x removed.

14) Sarah Frances Duncan. Born March 14th, 1891, died July 26th, 1891. Daughter of William French Duncan and Sarah Catherine Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

15) Vincan Duncan. Born January 17th, 1877, died November 20th, 1890. Son of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

16) Welzy Duncan. Born April 9th, 1878, died July 17th, 1880. Son of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. My 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

17) William French Duncan. Born April 16th, 1854, died July 18th, 1937. Son of Nathan Benjamin Duncan and Mary Jane Holeman. Husband of Sarah Catherine Tapp. My 2nd cousin 5x removed. Cause of death: Very hard to read but it mentions an accidental burn.

18) Dixie Lou Frasier. Born and died October 30th, 1930. Daughter of Ambrose Haywood Frasier and Frances Jenell Laswell. My 3rd cousin 2x removed. 

19) Gayle Frasier. Born February 8th, 1885, and died May 24th, 1950. Son of John C. Frasier and Lee Forrest Pressley. Husband of Lucile S. Gibson. "Husband of 1st cousin 4x removed." Cause of death: Cerebral hemorrhage. 

20) Lucile S. Gibson. Born January 6th, 1890, died March 26th, 1975. Daughter of George Harrell Gibson and Cora Francis Young. Wife of Gayle Frasier. My 1st cousin 4x removed. 

21) Bailey Gibson. Born December 8th, 1818, died February 5th, 1859. Son of Berryman Gibson and Susan A. Duncan. Husband of Sirena Weldon. 4x Great-Granduncle. (Not entirely sure if he's buried in Gibson 1 or Gibson 2. No tombstone for him has been located yet he's constantly listed as being buried here in Gibson #1.)

22) Berryman Gibson. Born June 13th, 1785, died September 1869. Son of Joel Gibson and Eleanor Davis. Husband of Susan A. Duncan. My 5x Grandfather. Cause of death: consumption (tuberculosis.) (His original tombstone has been replaced. The death date has erroneously been given as September 1, 1870.. this is incorrect. He's listed in the 1870 census as "dying prior to June 1st, 1870." So he died September 1869.)

23) Carrie E. Gibson. Born April 7th, 1873 (on tombstone, birth year appears to be closer to 1877 in census), died October 20th, 1898. Daughter of Robert Benjamin Gibson and Susan A. Pritchett. My 1st cousin 4x removed. 

24) Cora Francis Young. Born April 20th, 1863, died March 18th, 1950. Daughter of James Brice Young and Lucretia Ann Winfield. Wife of (?) Pritchett and George Harrell Gibson. Wife of 3rd Great-Granduncle. Cause of death: Shock from a fractured hip, chronic myocarditis, and diabetes.

25) Derwood Gibson. Born December 8th, 1914, died August 22nd, 1917. Son of James Odie Gibson and Della Caroline Gibson. Cause of death: Dysentery. My 2nd cousin 3x removed. 

26) Eliza Jane Webster. Born February 12th, 1838, died June 19th, 1896. Daughter of Joseph Webster and Elizabeth Cooley. Wife of Nathan Alander Gibson Sr. Wife of 4th Great-Granduncle. 

27) Ellen Sarah Skeel. Born December 26th, 1894, died June 26th, 1950. Daughter of Elbridge Milford Skeel and Mary Josephine Utt. Wife of Louis Steven Emhuff and James Odie Gibson. Wife of 1st cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: congestive failure, arteriosclerotic heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes mellitus. 

28) Elmos C. Gibson. Born December 21st, 1875, died January 11th, 1876. Son of Robert Benjamin Gibson and Susan A. Pritchett. 1st cousin 4x removed. (He's also getting confused with his sister, Carrie, I believe.. and there's also a rumor he lived to be 101 years old. I've found no proof of this. He's not alive in the 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, or 1940 censuses.)

29) Elymus R. Gibson. Born December 16th, 1899, died January 3rd, 1918. Son of William K. Gibson and Margaret Ellen Pritchett. 1st cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: Acute miliary tuberculosis. 

30) Erastus Kohl Gibson. Born September 19th, 1886, died June 30th, 1919. Son of George Harrell Gibson and Cora Francis Young. Husband of Mary Evelyn Hughes. 1st cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: Carbolic acid poisoning, suicide. 

31) Ethel Gibson. Born July 17th, 1900, died March 29th, 1916. Daughter of James Odie Gibson and Della Caroline Gibson. 2nd cousin 3x removed. Cause of death: Pneumonia. 

32) George Harold Gibson. Born May 9th, 1875, died September 2nd, 1945. Son of John Beverly Gibson and Sarah Jane Koonce. Husband of Stella Robertson. 1st cousin 4x removed. Cause of death: paralysis (or that's the best I can read on the death certificate.)

33) George Harrell Gibson. Born December 20th, 1862, died September 9th, 1940. Son of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. Husband of Cora Francis Young. 3rd Great-Granduncle. Cause of death: Organic heart disease. 

34) Bertha Georgia Fryar. Born March 31st, 1881, died June 2nd, 1921. Daughter of George Washington Fryar and Matilda Jane Moss. Wife of Roscoe Gibson Sr. 4th cousin 3x removed. Cause of death: Septicemia and placenta previa. 

35) Infant Gibson. Born and died March 27th, 1861. Daughter of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. 3rd Great-Grandaunt. 

36) James Fagan Gibson. Born November 14th, 1848, died May 11th, 1911. Son of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. Husband of Nancy Jane Gibson. 3rd Great-Granduncle. Cause of death: myocarditis. 

37) James Morris Gibson. Born April 12th, 1902, died April 16th, 1970. Son of Robert Benjamin Gibson and Susan A. Pritchett. Husband of Louella Alice Morris. 1st cousin 4x removed. COD: Pneumonia and C.O.P.D. 

38) James Odie Gibson. Born May 26th, 1878, died July 24th, 1952. Son of John Beverly Gibson and Sarah Jane Koonce. Husband of Della Caroline Gibson and Ellen Sarah Skeel. 1st cousin 4x removed. 

39) Joel Gibson. Patriarch of the Gibson's in Henderson County, KY and the surrounding areas. Born in 1750, died December 23rd, 1830. Served in the Revolutionary War. Potential son of John Gibson and Mary Duncan of Caswell County, NC. Husband of Eleanor Davis. His wife might be buried in the cemetery as well. If she truly died in 1818 - that was AFTER they came to Henderson and settled in Corydon. Joel is my 6x Great-Grandfather. His children have been proved as definitively being the following: Vicey *possibly nickname for Levicy?* Gibson (m. Josiah Stone), Burgess Gibson (m. Sarah ?), Elizabeth Gibson (m. ?), Bailey Gibson (m. Catherine Sights), Greenberry Gibson (m. Charlotte Davis), Berryman Gibson (m. Susan A. Duncan), Robert Gibson (m. ?), Tillman Gibson (m. Sarah Crowley), Margaret "Peggy" Gibson (m. Abraham Shelton), Nancy Gibson (m. ? Shelton). 

40) John Beverly Gibson. Born February 13th, 1855, died June 29th, 1936. Son of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. Husband of Sarah Jane Koonce. 3rd Great-Granduncle. COD: Arteriosclerosis. 

41) John D. Gibson. Born March 10th, 1885, died September 17th, 1903. Son of George Harrell Gibson and Cora Francis Young. 1st cousin 4x removed.

42) John Gregory Gibson. Born December 18th, 1816, died November 6th, 1890. Son of Berryman Gibson and Susan A. Duncan. Husband of Mahala Caroline Busby and Elizabeth (?) Young. My 4x Great-Grandfather. COD: Unsure, but he ran the county sanitarium/poor farm for nine years before he died. He died at the sanitarium. 

43) Katsie Lucille Son. Born July 24th, 1895, died January 24th, 1970. Daughter of James C. Son and Hallie Dossett. Wife of Joseph Leslie Crews and Roscoe Gibson Sr. Wife of 1st cousin 4x removed. 

44) Lizzie Gibson. Born February 22nd, 1892, died October 28th, 1895. Daughter of Robert Benjamin Gibson and Susan A. Pritchett. 1st cousin 4x removed. 

45) Lucilla E. Gibson. Born October 10th, 1853, died September 27th, 1878. Daughter of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Gibson. 3rd Great-Grandaunt. 

46) Mahala Caroline Busby. Born January 1820, died November 18th, 1868. Daughter of William L. Busby and Elizabeth Denton. Wife of John Gregory Gibson. My 4th Great-Grandmother. 

47) Martha Caroline Busby. Born May 1st, 1849, died December 6th, 1855. Daughter of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. 3rd Great-Grandaunt. 

48) Mary J. Gibson. Born December 27th, 1859, died April 27th, 1860. Daughter of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. 3rd Great-Grandaunt. 

49) Martha Walker. Born April 28th, 1876, died July 15th, 1972. Daughter of George William Walker and Mary E. Utley. Wife of John Beverly Gibson. Wife of 3rd Great-Granduncle. 

50) Maud V. Gibson. Born September 30th, 1877, died November 28th, 1893. Daughter of William K. Gibson and Margaret Ellen Pritchett. 1st cousin 4x removed. 

51) Nancy Jane Gibson. Born January 20th, 1855, died December 2nd, 1927. Daughter of John William Gibson and Susan Covey. Wife of James Fagan Gibson. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Bright's disease, and dysentery. 

52) Nathan Alander Gibson, Sr. Born January 5th, 1828, died July 23rd, 1899. Son of Berryman Gibson and Susan A. Duncan. Husband of Marietta Webster, Eliza Jane Webster, and Susan B. Hancock. 4x Great Granduncle. 

53) Robert Benjamin Gibson, Jr. Born April 11th, 1884, died May 31st, 1885. Son of Robert Benjamin Gibson Sr and Susan A. Pritchett. 1st cousin 4x removed.

54) Robert Benjamin Gibson. Born January 14th, 1844, died January 15th, 1913. Son of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. Husband of Sibbie Denton and Susan A. Pritchett. 3rd Great-Granduncle. COD: Croupous pneumonia.

55) Roscoe Gibson Sr. Born January 6th, 1883, died March 4th, 1957. Son of John Beverly Gibson and Sarah Jane Koonce. Husband of Bertha Georgia Fryar and Katsie Lucille Son. 1st cousin 4x removed. COD: Cerebral embolus, arteriosclerotic heart disease. 

56) Sarah Jane Koonce. Born September 1855, died 1906. Daughter of Owen Lawrence Koonce and Arrena Sims. Wife of John Beverly Gibson. Wife of 3rd Great-Granduncle. 

57) Silas Gibson. Born September 23rd, 1886, died December 21st, 1887. Son of John Beverly Gibson and Sarah Jane Koonce. 1st cousin 4x removed. 

58) Stella Robertson. Born April 24th, 1877, died August 22nd, 1958. Daughter of Ira Bascom Robertson and Martha Frances Gibson. Wife of George Harold Gibson. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Bowel obstruction, hernia. 

59) Susan A. Duncan. Born January 18th, 1791, died February 2nd, 1865. Daughter of Nathaniel Benjamin Duncan and Jane Rainey. Wife of Berryman Gibson. My 5x Great-Grandmother. 

60) Susan A. Pritchett. Born June 14th, 1857, died January 11th, 1937. Daughter of Ephraim Pritchett and Elizabeth Handley. Wife of Robert Benjamin Gibson. Wife of 3rd Great-Granduncle. COD: carcinoma of the stomach. 

61) Virgie M. Gibson. Born and died 1896. Daughter of William K. Gibson and Margaret Ellen Pritchett. 1st cousin 4x removed.

62) William O. Gibson. Born December 16th, 1876, and probably died shortly after. Son of John Beverly Gibson and Sarah Jane Koonce. 1st cousin 4x removed.

63) William C. Gibson. Born October 16th, 1825, died January 2nd, 1898. Son of Berryman Gibson and Susan A. Duncan. Husband of Mary Frances Floyd (who is also very likely buried beside him, unmarked.) 4th Great-Granduncle. COD: Bright's disease.

64) Mary Frances Floyd. Born about 1836, died between 1880-1898. Daughter of John Crosby Floyd and Mary Randolph. Wife of William C. Gibson. Very likely to be buried here next to her husband. Wife of 4th Great-Granduncle. 

65) William James Gibson. Born November 21st, 1842, died April 22nd, 1843. Son of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. 3rd Great-Granduncle. 

66) William K. Gibson. Born 1858, died 1904. Son of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. Husband of Margaret Ellen Pritchett. 3rd Great-Granduncle. 

67) Katharine Anna Koonce. Born August 19th, 1853, died March 3rd, 1899. Daughter of Owen Lawrence Koonce and Arrena Sims. Wife of Peter Benjamin Grisham Sr. Sister-in-law of 3rd Great-Granduncle. 

68) Elliott Hoy. Born May 1909, died October 14th, 1921. Son of James Samuel Hoy and Minnie Lee Gibson. 2nd cousin 3x removed. COD: Pertussis and nephritis (that's the best I can make of the death certificate. I'm not sure if the P word really is pertussis but it's the closest I can come. It sure isn't pneumonia.) 

69) George Fagan Hoy. Born December 28th, 1896, died March 19th, 1965. Son of James Samuel Hoy and Minnie Lee Gibson. 2nd cousin 3x removed. 

70) Infant Hoy. Born and died November 24th, 1899. Son of James Samuel Hoy and Minnie Lee Gibson. 2nd cousin 3x removed.

71) James Morris Hoy. Born September 28th, 1917, died July 24th, 1929. Son of James Samuel Hoy and Minnie Lee Gibson. 2nd cousin 3x removed. COD: Meningococcal meningitis epidemic of Detroit 1928-1929. 

72) James Samuel Hoy. Born July 27th, 1873, died July 31st, 1967. Son of Leander Jones Hoy and Eliza Jane Hancock. Husband of Minnie Lee Gibson. Husband of 1st cousin 4x removed. 

73) Minnie Lee Gibson. Born October 4th, 1877, died January 7th, 1974. Daughter of an unknown father and Lucilla E. Gibson. Raised by her Uncle and Aunt, James Fagan Gibson & Nancy Jane Gibson. Wife of James Samuel Hoy. 1st cousin 4x removed.

74) David Hoy Key. Born July 16th, 1927, died October 11th, 1927 (tombstone incorrectly gives October 27th). Son of Reeves C. Key and Cora Agnes Hoy. 3rd cousin 2x removed. COD: Broncho pneumonia.

75) Elinora "Ellen Nora" D. Tapp. Born November 9th, 1858, died April 6th, 1875. Daughter of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. Wife of Burrell Jerome King. 1st cousin 5x removed. 

76) Elizabeth J. Tapp. Born June 10th, 1856, died November 6th, 1894. Daughter of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. Wife of Burrell Jerome King. 1st cousin 5x removed. 

77) Andrew Jackson Koonce. Born October 15th, 1917, died August 30th, 1919. Son of George William Koonce and Lou Inez Mills. 3rd cousin 3x removed. COD: Accidentally burned to death by scalding hot water. 

78) Arrena Sims. Born September 5th, 1818, died April 30th, 1889. Possible daughter of Elisha Sims and Ann Clopton. Wife of Owen Lawrence Koonce. Mother-in-law of 3x Great-Granduncle. 

79) George William Koonce. Born October 29th, 1872, died February 10th, 1919. Son of Owen Thomas Koonce and Martha Ann Gibson. Husband of Lou Inez Mills. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Dropped dead working in the field, most likely of a heart attack. He suffered from organic heart disease.

80) Owen Lawrence Koonce. Born December 29th, 1819, died November 11th, 1907. Son of Wendell M. Koonce and Nancy Woods. Husband of Arrena Sims. Father-in-law of 3x Great-Granduncle. 

81) Eula May Duncan. Born May 17th, 1891, died February 19th, 1920. Daughter of Elijah Thomas Duncan and Amelia Pritchett. Wife of Henry Oliver Nally. 4th cousin 2x removed / Wife of 2x Great-Granduncle. COD: Pneumonia/Influenza

82) Henry Oliver Nally. Born November 3rd, 1856, died December 14th, 1925. Son of Thomas Sidney Nally and Martha Jane Oliver. Husband of Vandalia Delia Gibson. My 3x Great-Grandfather. COD: Vascular heart disease. 

83) Mamie Eva Phillips. Born April 4th, 1890, died September 30th, 1986. Daughter of Conrad Herman Phillips and Mary Belle Royster. Wife of Sidney Thomas Nally, John Eblen Denton, and Henry Oliver Nally. 7th cousin 2x removed / Wife of 2x Great-Granduncle. 

84) May Nally. Born and died on March 30th, 1916. Daughter of Sidney Thomas Nally and Mamie Eva Phillips. 1st cousin 3x removed. COD: Premature birth.

85) Morrison Phillip Nally. Born October 31st, 1922, died November 23rd, 1922. Son of Sidney Thomas Nally and Mamie Eva Phillips. 1st cousin 3x removed. COD: Enterocolitis. 

86) Ray Nally. Born and died on March 30th, 1916. Son of Sidney Thomas Nally and Mamie Eva Phillips. 1st cousin 3x removed. COD: Premature birth. 

87) Sidney Thomas Nally. Born April 5th, 1885, died November 15th, 1926. Son of Henry Oliver Nally and Vandalia Delia Gibson. Husband of Mamie Eva Phillips. 2x Great-Granduncle. COD: Erysipelas. 

88) Vandalia Delia Gibson. Born December 21st, 1856, died July 5th, 1949. Daughter of John Gregory Gibson and Mahala Caroline Busby. Wife of Henry Oliver Nally. My 3x Great-Grandmother. COD: arteriosclerotic heart disease. 

89) Isadora Duncan. Born July 2nd, 1874, died June 13th, 1908. Daughter of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. Wife of William Jasper "Jack" Nesler and William Martin "Willie" Drury. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Suicide by carbolic acid poisoning. 

90) Virlie Norton. Born August 8th, 1894, died June 23rd, 1896. Daughter of Harry J. Norton and Eliza Jane Sutton. Step-great-granddaughter of my 4x Great-Granduncle (Nathan Alander Gibson Sr.) 

91) George Washington Overfield. Born November 12th, 1872, died March 2nd, 1955. Son of Manuel James Overfield and Macy Catherine Watson. Husband of Mary Jane Duncan. Husband of 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Diabetes mellitus and chronic osteomyelitis. 

92) Mary Jane Duncan. Born February 5th, 1880, died March 5th, 1971. Daughter of John Melvin Duncan and Mary Susan Tapp. Wife of George Washington Overfield. 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

93) Christine Thompson. Born April 2nd, 1919, died February 20th, 1995. Daughter of Sam Thomas Thompson and Camilla Nally. Wife of Dale Edward Palm. 1st cousin 3x removed. Cremated.

94) Dale Edward Palm. Born January 30th, 1920, died May 11th, 1995. Son of John Nevin Palm Sr and Edith Hoffman. Husband of Christine Thompson. Husband of 1st cousin 3x removed. Cremated.

95) Dennis Wayne Palm. Born September 3rd, 1945, died January 18th, 1994. Son of Dale Edward Palm and Christine Thompson. 2nd cousin 2x removed. Cremated.

96) Vandelia D. Gibson. Born September 28th, 1888, died May 17th, 1976. Daughter of Robert Benjamin Gibson and Susan A. Pritchett. Wife of Aubrey Kohl Gibson and Robert Charles Schultz. 1st cousin 4x removed. COD: Myocardial infarction, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 

97) Infant Stanley. Born and died November 17th, 1922. Child of Lyman Stanley and Sarah Cornelia Brown. Distant relationship (honestly unsure why the Stanley children are buried in Gibson Cemetery unless they're just friends of the family.)

98) Tommie Stanley. Born July 14th, 1903, died November 18th, 1915. Son of Lyman Stanley and Lena Miller. Distant relationship. COD: (this took a while to decipher) Follicular tonsillitis and vascular lesions of the heart.

99) Lelia Hattie Duncan. Born January 4th, 1881, died October 9th, 1904. Daughter of George Henry Duncan and Mahalia Caroline Gibson. Wife of George Washington Stone. 2nd cousin 4x removed. 

100) Archibald Tapp. Born February 14th, 1854, died August 10th, 1931. Son of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. Husband of Elnora Wood. 1st cousin 5x removed. COD: Carcinoma of face (had to be a type of skin cancer.)

101) Arulius Benjamin Tapp. Born February 10th, 1846, died February 14th, 1860. Son of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. 1st cousin 5x removed. 

102) Elnora "Ella Nora" Wood. Born January 24th, 1869, died September 30th, 1956. Daughter of Joseph Wood and Minerva Handley. Wife of Archibald Tapp. Wife of 1st cousin 5x removed. COD: Cerebral thrombosis, generalized arteriosclerosis. 

103) Martha F Tapp. Born May 29th, 1848, died December 14th, 1850. Daughter of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. 1st cousin 5x removed. 

104) Mary Susan Gibson. Born February 10th, 1823, died January 12th, 1864. Daughter of Berryman Gibson and Susan A. Duncan. Wife of William Tapp. 4x Great-Grandaunt. 

105) Nathan Tapp. Born August 13th, 1849, died September 5th, 1852. Son of William Tapp and Mary Susan Gibson. 1st cousin 5x removed. COD: Flux. 

106) William Tapp. Born December 15th, 1817, died March 8th, 1886. Son of Vincent Tapp and Rosanna Hopson. Husband of Mary Susan Gibson. Husband of 4x Great-Grandaunt. 

107) Willie Tapp. Born 1906, died 1918. (No death certificate or obituary found.) Son of Roland Gooch Tapp and Bertie Ann Duncan. 3rd cousin 3x removed.

108) Camilla Nally. Born October 20th, 1882, died November 3rd, 1962. Daughter of Henry Oliver Nally and Vandalia Delia Gibson. Wife of Sam Thomas Thompson. 2x Great-Grandaunt (Twin of my Great-Great-Grandmother, Mary Janella (Nally) Thompson). COD: Pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, 2nd degree burns on neck and back (from a gas heater), and pyemia. 

109) Mary Katherine West. Born April 18th, 1917, died October 8th, 2009. Daughter of Cohen West and Anna Elizabeth McGroarty. Wife of Otis Benton Thompson. 3rd cousin 3x removed / Wife of 1st cousin 3x removed. COD: Urinary tract infection, Alzheimer's disease.

110) Otis Benton Thompson. Born November 18th, 1914, died August 20th, 1981. Son of Sam Thomas Thompson and Camilla Nally. Husband of Mary Katherine West. 1st cousin 3x removed. 

111) Sam Thomas Thompson. Born April 3rd, 1880, died October 10th, 1950. Son of Martin Henry Thompson and Elizabeth Levina Nally. Husband of Camilla Nally. 2x Great-Granduncle.  COD: Cerebral thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, and senility. 

112) Thornton David Thompson. Born March 5th, 1912, died January 11th, 1933. Son of Sam Thomas Thompson and Camilla Nally. 1st cousin 3x removed. COD: Diabetes mellitus and cachexia (wasting syndrome.) 

113) Vannie Louise Thompson. Born November 24th, 1911, died November 19th, 1915. Daughter of John Rowan Thompson and Mary Janella Nally. Great-Grandaunt. COD: Membranous croup.

114) Lida Watson. Born April 3rd, 1897, died February 4th, 1898. Daughter of Charles William Watson and Ella Culver. 2nd cousin 3x removed.

115) Marvin Watson. Born December 18th, 1921, died September 28th, 1924. Son of William Hollis Watson Sr and Mary Anna Duncan. 3rd cousin 2x removed. COD: Dysentery of eight days duration. 

116) Infant Welden. Born and died January 10th, 1863. Son of William Lafayette Welden and Susan Ann Gibson. 1st cousin 5x removed.

117) Martha Welden. Born February 24th, 1868, and died possibly in 1875. Daughter of William Lafayette Welden and Susan Ann Gibson. 1st cousin 5x removed.

118) Susan Ann Gibson. Born May 24th, 1833, died March 18th, 1887. Daughter of Berryman Gibson and Susan A. Duncan. Wife of William Lafayette Welden. 4x Great-Grandaunt.

119) Martha Vandelia Nally. Born November 19th, 1891, died November 9th, 1913. Daughter of Henry Oliver Nally and Vandalia Delia Gibson. Wife of Richard James Williams. 2x Great-Grandaunt. COD: Vascular disease of the heart, dropsy of the heart.

The following are those who are buried in Gibson Cemetery #2 (the second family cemetery) in alphabetical order (to the best of my ability). I will be listing their name, their birth and death date, who they are a child of, who they married, and their cause of death if available. I will also be mentioning their exact relationship to me as I am related to every single person buried in this cemetery.

1) Malinda Belle Gibson. Born July 4th, 1871, died November 3rd, 1955. Daughter of George Lafayette Gibson and Lockie Ann Christopher. Wife of Robert Jackson Sellars and George Hickman Cates. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Bronchial pneumonia, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, generalized arteriosclerosis, and senile dementia. 

2) Louisa Jane Gibson. Born August 18th, 1834, died October 30th, 1863. Daughter of James William Gibson and Mary Watson. Wife of Andrew Joseph Crawford Jr. 1st cousin 5x removed. 

3) Benjamin Franklin Gibson Sr. Born July 15th, 1836, died October 5th, 1909. Son of James William Gibson and Mary Watson. Husband of Talitha Ann Floyd and Sarah Crosby Floyd. 1st cousin 5x removed. (Family suspicion that he's buried here. It's possible he could be buried in New Mexico or Texas.)

4) Ellis Earle Gibson. Born June 13th, 1880, died December 31st, 1920. Son of George Lafayette Gibson and Lockie Ann Christopher. Husband of Bertha Culver. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Status epilepticus, epilepsy. Status epilepticus is usually a seizure lasting more than five minutes in result from a high fever or infection.

5) George Lafayette Gibson. Born December 25th, 1846, died May 11th, 1905. Son of James William Gibson and Mary Watson. Husband of Lockie Ann Christopher. 1st cousin 5x removed. 

6) George Louis Gibson. Born July 9th, 1880, died July 28th, 1880. Son of William L. Gibson and Sarah Elizabeth Walker. 3rd cousin 3x removed. 

7) George Other Gibson. Born August 1st, 1873, died December 18th, 1884. Possible son of James Franklin Gibson and Sarah Easley Mills, but would have been born prior to their marriage, so he's possibly an adopted son. He doesn't appear with them in the 1880 census. His tombstone does read "Son of J.F. and S.E. Gibson." If this is true - he's my 3rd cousin 3x removed. 

8) Infant Gibson. Born and died June 16th, 1879. Daughter of George Lafayette Gibson and Lockie Ann Christopher. 2nd cousin 4x removed.

9) James Andrew Gibson. Born July 9th, 1880, died July 28th, 1880. Son of William L. Gibson and Sarah Elizabeth Walker. 3rd cousin 3x removed.

10) James W Gibson. Born and died November 17th, 1882. Son of John Wiley Gibson and Nancy Caroline Morehead. 3rd cousin 3x removed.

11) James William Gibson. Born February 18th, 1810, died May 27th, 1885. Son of Berryman Gibson and Susan A. Duncan. Husband of Mary Watson and Mary E. Royster. 4x Great-Granduncle. 

12) Elizabeth A. Pritchett. Born 1844, died between 1880-1900. Daughter of William W. Pritchett and Permelia Powell. Wife of James William Gibson Jr. Wife of 1st cousin 5x removed. 

13) James William Gibson Jr. Born March 26th, 1841, died November 26th, 1879. Son of James William Gibson Sr and Mary Watson. Husband of Elizabeth A. Pritchett. 1st cousin 5x removed.

14) John William Gibson. Born November 25th, 1831, died October 8th, 1856. Son of James William Gibson and Mary Watson. Husband of Susannah Covey. 1st cousin 5x removed.

15) Lillie Gibson. Born February 25th, 1879, died October 23rd, 1879. Daughter of Robert A. Gibson and Kimmillar S. Christopher. 2nd cousin 4x removed.

16) Lizzie Gibson. Born August 7th, 1882, died October 15th, 1882. Daughter of George Lafayette Gibson and Lockie Ann Christopher. 2nd cousin 4x removed.

17) Lockie Ann Christopher. Born February 25th, 1846, died May 4th, 1920. Daughter of John J. Christopher and Elizabeth White. Wife of George Lafayette Gibson. Wife of 1st cousin 5x removed. COD: Sudden death, neuralgia of the heart. 

18) Louis Jefferson Gibson. Born April 13th, 1861, died April 27th, 1882. Son of Robert W. Gibson and Lucy Ann Floyd. 1st cousin 5x removed.

19) Mary Watson. Born October 11th, 1811, died April 2nd, 1865. Daughter of John Tarlton Watson and Sarah Elizabeth English. Wife of James William Gibson. Wife of 4x Great-Granduncle. 

20) Matildia Gibson. Born May 12th, 1886, died October 14th, 1886. Daughter of William L. Gibson and Sarah Elizabeth Walker. 3rd cousin 3x removed. (This grave originally was for a 'Mattie Cinella' with 1879 dates but.. I believe that was taken from an incorrect source and distributed over the years. The tombstone proves it's Matildia with 1886 dates.)

21) Robert Fulton Gibson. Born January 23rd, 1887, died July 29th, 1962. Son of George Lafayette Gibson and Lockie Ann Christopher. Never married. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Coronary occlusion and myocardial infarction of the anterior descending branch, previous anterior infarction, long standing arteriosclerosis coronary. 

22) Sarah Crosby Floyd. Born April 8th, 1843, died between 1900-1910. (Suspected of being buried here with her husband, although they could be buried in New Mexico or Texas). Daughter of Henry Crosby Floyd and Elizabeth Atkinson. Wife of Benjamin Franklin Gibson Sr. Wife of 1st cousin 5x removed. 

23) Susannah Covey. Born August 12th, 1830, died July 13th, 1865. Daughter of Joshua David Covey and Lydia Adamson. Wife of John William Gibson. Wife of 1st cousin 5x removed.

24) Talitha Ann Floyd. Born October 11th, 1837, died September 28th, 1865. Daughter of Henry Crosby Floyd and Elizabeth Atkinson. Wife of Benjamin Franklin Gibson Sr. (Based on gut instinct, I believe she's 100% buried in this cemetery.) Wife of 1st cousin 5x removed.

25) Eula Jennette Gibson. Born August 19th, 1894, died February 8th, 1919. Daughter of James Franklin Gibson and Sarah Easley Mills. Wife of Edward Arthur Moffett. 3rd cousin 3x removed. COD: Labor pneumonia. 

26) Nathan Alander Gibson Jr. Born January 13th, 1857, died March 10th, 1898. Son of Nathan Alander Gibson Sr and Eliza Jane Webster. Husband of Mary Ellen Gibson. 1st cousin 5x removed.

27) Infant Norman. Born December 31st, 1870, died January 21st, 1871. Child of William A. Norman and Martha Frances Gibson. 2nd cousin 4x removed.

28) William A. Norman. Born September 26th, 1844, died January 28th, 1873. Son of Joseph Clifton Norman Sr and Virginia Rebecca Brooks. Husband of Martha Frances Gibson. Husband of 1C5R. 

29) Mary Ellen Pritchett. Born January 24th, 1857, died October 4th, 1857. Not exactly sure who's child she is at the moment. The Pritchett's and Gibson's intermarried a lot as they were always family friends and neighbors. If a tombstone is ever found for her (there had to have been one when Mr. Blue documented the cemetery in the 80's and 90's), then perhaps parents initials are on it. She's most likely a descendant of John Pritchett and Sarah Powell.

30) Martha Frances Gibson. Born October 3rd, 1843, died January 29th, 1885. Daughter of James William Gibson and Mary Watson. Wife of William A. Norman and Ira Bascom Robertson. 1st cousin 5x removed. 

31) Pearl Sellars. Born 1890, died 1894. Daughter of Robert Jackson Sellars and Malinda Belle Gibson. 3rd cousin 3x removed.

32) Robert Jackson Sellars. Born June 9th, 1866, died July 31st, 1897. Son of Isham Sellars and Lucy Ann Hughes. Husband of Malinda Belle Gibson. Husband of 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Typhoid fever. 

33) Juliett Duncan Gibson. Born February 22nd, 1877, died March 15th, 1932. Daughter of George Lafayette Gibson and Lockie Ann Christopher. Wife of James S. Tapp. 2nd cousin 4x removed. COD: Ruptured gallbladder, and chronic heart disease.

34) Eliza Thompson. Born October 20th, 1868, died January 4th, 1885. Daughter of Willis R. Thompson and Emily Adeline Pritchett, adoptive daughter of James William Gibson and Mary E. Royster. 1st cousin 4x removed.


This project has taken me almost a full month to complete. Over the course of the month, typing up this blog and adding plenty of material to my genealogy page on Facebook (Genealogy by Brecca) -- I have fixed a LOT of stuff in Gibson Cemetery #1 and #2. I have solved a lot of family mysteries.. I have found a lot of sad stories and over the next little while I will absolutely share those to this blog as well. 

For now, I will end this blog by saying thank you so much for having an interest in the Gibson cemeteries.. and if you're a relative, please say hello! I hope this blog helps future Gibson genealogists for years to come!!

Monday, August 1, 2022

June Scavenger Hunt: Find someone born in June.

  I present to y'all - my 5x Grandfather, Berryman Gibson.



Buried in the Gibson Cemetery in Corydon, he has an extensive list of descendants all over the United States today. From yours truly, the hometown genealogist, to an Emmy-winning journalist, to a Professor of Biophysics, to a renowned children's author, and a local barbecue restauranteur. That's barely scratching the surface at his descendants.

Berryman was born on June 13th, 1785, in Caswell County, North Carolina, to Gibson family patriarch Joel Gibson and his wife, Eleanor (her name is also given as Ellender at times.) Berryman *might* be a twin of his brother, Greenberry Gibson. They both go by the nickname "Berry" Gibson so... they've been confused with one another from time to time in a genealogy standpoint.

In roughly 1808, he married Susan A. Duncan in either Caswell Co, NC, or perhaps Pittsylvania Co, VA. It is known that around 1808, the family had left Caswell Co, NC and headed to Pittsylvania Co, VA. From there, by about 1814 or so (after the War of 1812), Berryman headed to the Henderson Co, KY area.

Berryman or his brother Greenberry fought in the War of 1812, in the 7th Regiment Virginia Militia. The registration name is just "Berry Gibson," so honestly it could have been Berryman OR Greenberry.. I'd love to know which one.

The family made their roots just outside of Corydon - in the area of current day "J. Gibson Rd" (named after Joel? Maybe John? Maybe James? Lots of J. Gibson's in the family!) which is beside both of the Gibson cemeteries in Corydon. It is said that the Gibson's had wondrous sized plantations. My Grandma Glynda talked about overhearing the older generation in her youth talking about the old "Gibson homestead," there near the cemetery. I believe it was gone/torn down by the time my Grandma was born in 1941, though.

Berryman and his wife Susan had at least eleven children that I'm aware of, possibly more that died in infancy/youth.

Susan preceded Berryman in death in 1865 - and the Good Lord called Berryman home in September of 1869. His tombstone erroneously gives his death date as September 1st, 1870. However - the 1870 federal mortality schedule which lists deaths PRIOR to June 1st, 1870 - says he died in September of 1869. His cause of death was consumption, which is the old term for tuberculosis.

I believe sometime in possibly the 1930's or 1940's (and possibly it was even later than that, as I wasn't born myself until 1993) - Berryman and Susan's tombstones were replaced. No original headstones for them have been found by myself or other Gibson descendants at the cemetery as of 2022. Whoever replaced the originals either destroyed them or kept them for themselves.

Their children:

1. James William Gibson, February 18 1810 / May 27 1885, married Mary Watson, then Mary E. Royster. Buried in the 2nd Gibson Cemetery in Corydon.

2. Elizabeth "Betsey" Gibson, born in about 1811. I believe she died prior to 1850. She was the wife of her first cousin, Solomon Stone (son of Josiah Stone & Vicey Gibson.)

3. Joel E. Gibson, 1813 / 1853. Married Margaret J. Martin. He could be buried in either cemetery.

4. Martha Gibson, born about 1815. As of the 1850 census, she was unwed and living with her parents. She disappears after that. She's likely buried in the main Gibson Cemetery.

5. John Gregory Gibson, December 18 1816 / November 6 1890. Married Mahala Caroline Busby, then Elizabeth (?). John & Mahala are my 4x Grandparents. They're buried in the main Gibson Cemetery.

6. Bailey Gibson, December 8 1818 / February 5 1859. Married Sirena Weldon. He's said to be buried in the main family cemetery. His death year has also been given in error as 1866. His will was written in 1857, and I believe he died 1859.

7. Mary Susan "Polly" Gibson, February 10 1823 / January 12 1864. Married William Tapp. They're buried in the main Gibson Cemetery.

8. Robert W. Gibson, November 16 1824 / January 6 1884. Married Catherine Pritchett, then Lucy Ann Floyd. He and his second wife, Lucy, are buried in the Tapp Cemetery southwest of Poole in Webster County.

9. William C. Gibson, October 16 1825 / January 2 1898. Married Mary Frances Floyd. He's buried in the main Gibson Cemetery.

10. Nathan Alander Gibson Sr, January 5 1828 / July 23 1899. Married Marietta "Mary" Webster, then Eliza Jane Webster, and lastly Susan B. Hancock. He's buried in the main Gibson Cemetery.

11. Susan Ann Gibson, May 24 1833 / March 18 1887. Married William Lafayette Welden. She's buried in the main Gibson Cemetery.

If you're a Berryman Gibson descendant - please let me know! I love meeting new Gibson cousins. If you've got a Gibson line and you aren't sure if you're a Berryman descendant, or a Joel Gibson descendant, feel free to message me!

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

April Scavenger Hunt: Find the Grave of Someone Who Passed Prior to 1850

 


"Find the grave of someone who passed prior to 1850."

For this one... it was more than clear to me that I wanted to write about Joel Gibson, my 6x Grandfather and undoubtedly the patriarch of at least 75% of all Gibson's in the Henderson County area.

Joel, for many many years, has been a favorite ancestor of mine to research. He is the forefather of everyone buried in the two Gibson cemeteries in Corydon. He is quite an interesting man to learn about.

Several years ago, I was contacted by a Joel descendant who believed Joel was an FPC (free person of color.) Now, this was an interesting theory to me as I had heard previously, in my youth, that there might have been some African ancestry on that line. However - DNA hasn't been able to prove this. My Mom did get a whopping 7.2% African on MyHeritage, yet 0% on Ancestry.

As of right now - through DNA matching... it appears Joel Gibson might be a son of a John Gibson and Mary Duncan and had a number of siblings that include (we have DNA matches to descendants of each of these): William Gibson who married Elizabeth McCormick (they ended up in Henderson), Naomi Gibson who married William Hogg, Susannah Gibson who married David Lay, John Gibson who married Judith Hogg, James Gibson, Richard Gibson who married Ann Yates, Julius Gibson, Lucresha Gibson who married a Birchfield, and Hannah Gibson who married Joseph Baird and then Jesse Lay.

Joel Gibson was undoubtedly born in 1750, likely in Caswell Co, North Carolina. That, too, is where he married his wife Eleanor (who's last name has been reported as Davis for years) in about 1768/1769. Joel enlisted into the military in 1776 and was discharged in 1783. He was part of the North Carolina Infantry, the "Continental Line."

Sometime around the year 1807 - the family moved from Caswell County, NC, to Pittsylvania County, VA. A few of Joel's daughters married there in the next few years.
By the 1810 census - Joel is in Christian County, Kentucky. He is listed as a male, 45 years and over. However, Joel would have been closer to 60 years of age - so he probably should have been in a '50-59' category but, age back in those days and those early, primitive censuses... it was fluid. That's the best way to put it. Age was fluid. Historically speaking, Joel and his family arrived here in Henderson County (the Corydon area specifically) in 1813.

On April 25th, 1825, he filed a revolutionary war pension and mentioned he was a widow. (I believe Eleanor died in Henderson County in about 1818.) Joel reports that he relies on his sons for support - money and his care. It literally mentions him being penniless if it weren't for his sons... which is surprising, honestly. Joel was the patriarch or the Gibson's. I feel like his sons wouldn't have everything they had, had it not been for him (at least in part anyway,) so it startles me that he was so... poor. But perhaps he knew that was the only way he'd get his revolutionary war pension approved. I don't know. For many years, family historians believed he moved here to Kentucky on a Land Grant from the war but that has proved to be untrue.

Joel died on December 23rd, 1830, in Corydon, Kentucky. He was laid to rest at the Gibson Cemetery. Some amateur family history enthusiasts say that he was "taken back to North Carolina and buried," but trust me... in 1830 - that was dang near impossible to do and the Gibson family definitely didn't have that kind of expense account, especially with Joel being "penniless." No - Joel was one of the first burials in the Gibson Cemetery. It's arguable that his wife, Eleanor, might have been the actual first, in or around 1818...but no tombstone for her has ever been recovered/found.

I had speculation of Joel's children for YEARS. I couldn't get a hold of his estate paperwork until about two years ago which confirmed all the children that I believed to be his. (When it comes to Gibson research... my gut instinct is about 99.9% correct. They're my favorite line to research so I've become very good at it over the years.) I feel like there might be other children of Joel's that died prior to his death in 1830 that I might be missing. Since they aren't listed in his estate papers... they're lost to history, unfortunately.

The children I have been able to find and a little information about them--

1) Vicey (possible full name could have been Lavicey) Gibson, born about 1770, and married Josiah Stone in or around 1788. They were in Henderson County by 1810. Vicey died between 1840-1850 possibly in Union or Henderson County. ** Chances are, if you're a Stone from Henderson/Union/Webster, you descend through Josiah & Vicey OR through Josiah's brother Levi Stone...and some of you descend through BOTH. **

2) Burgess Gibson (Burgess' name lends me the thought that Joel's mother might have maidenly been a Burgess, not a Duncan, or perhaps Eleanor's maiden name was actually Burgess. I have a lot of Burgess matches in DNA that not only match my Dad through his Bastin line, but also match my Mom and I'm thinking it's through the Gibson's. It's too eerie of a coincidence. Because the Burgesses were known to be in Pittsylvania Co, VA.) Burgess was born about 1772. He had an unknown first wife, then married a woman named Sarah. He was in Henderson by 1820, and I believe he died in Union County between 1840-1850.

3) Elizabeth Gibson reportedly born 1782 - Elizabeth is not listed in Joel's pension paperwork, so in my opinion, it confirms she died prior to 1830.

4) Bailey Gibson, born about 1784. He married Catherine Sights here in Henderson County on February 22nd, 1813. Bailey died here in 1856.

*The next two children, I'm not sure that they weren't twins. Twins run heavily in the Gibson family so it's possible, considering their names are similar*

5) Greenberry "Berry" Gibson, born about 1785, married a Charlotte Davis. He's in Henderson by the 1830 census. By 1840, he's moved to St. Francois Co, MO. I believe he died there between 1850-1860, but some relatives say he came back to Henderson and died. He has a number of Missourian descendants that would love to figure out if he's buried there, buried here, when exactly he died, etc.

6) Berryman "Berry" Gibson, reportedly born June 13th, 1785, and married Susan Duncan in about 1808 - likely in Pittsylvania Co, VA. They were my 5x Great-Grandparents. Berryman was in the War of 1812 and was in the Virginia militia. I believe the family was definitely in the VA area from 1810-1813. Likely, like his family, he was here in Henderson by 1820.. but the first census I've definitely nailed him on is 1830. Berryman's tombstone has been replaced and the year of death has now incorrectly been reported as 1870. However - he is listed on the mortality schedule in the 1870 census, so he died PRIOR to June 1st, 1870 (hence why June 1st, 1870 is given as his death date. That is incorrect.) He died in September of 1869 of consumption (tuberculosis.) His will was not probated until September 5th, 1870, which I believe also added to the 'he died in 1870' idea. He and Susan, though, are definitely buried in Gibson Cemetery.

7) Robert Gibson, born about 1786, reportedly went to Alabama, married, had some kids and then might have migrated back up to Henderson County. He's a bit of an enigma. There's a Robert who married an Eliza Seay in Dallas Co, AL.. but I'm not 10000% sold that it's our correct Robert. It definitely could be, though.

8 ) Tillman Gibson (also spelled Tilghman) born about 1790 in reportedly Pittsylvania Co, VA. It is documented he went to Alabama. He married a Sarah Crowley in about 1824 (there's Crowley's that are prominent in Webster Co so it's possible she's related to them.) By 1850, he's in Fayette Co, AL. He died there between 1860-1870.

9) Margaret "Peggy" Gibson, born about 1793, married Abraham Shelton on February 24th, 1808, in Pittsylvania Co, VA. There is a land deed she and her husband took out in 1827 for here in Henderson County. I believe Peggy died here between 1840-1846, as her husband remarries in 1846.

10) Nancy Gibson, born about 1795. She, too, married a Shelton... but the name hasn't been located. They, too, likely married in Pittsylvania and her Shelton might have been a brother of Abraham Shelton. Brothers marrying sisters back then was very, very common.

It is not out of the question to say that about 75% of Henderson County is related to one another through a common ancestor of Joel Gibson. There are thousands of us here today and all over the world. Some of his descendants are even famous - one is an Emmy-winning journalist, one is a Professor of Biophysics, one is a renowned children's author, one owns a prominent Henderson restaurant, and the list could go on and on and on.

It might be a bit taboo to mention, but I hope y'all will understand that it's part of our history - but the Gibson's did in fact have quite a substantial plantation or two out in the Corydon/Little Dixie areas. They were indeed slave holders (some of the Gibson sons owned more than others). I spoke with an African-American gentleman with the last name of Dixon at the library many years ago, in about 2009 or 2010.. and he believed he was a Joel Gibson descendant through breeding of slaves. I know that there are a many of African-American, likely slave descended - Dixon's, Pritchett's, Gibson's, and other large last names in that area, out in the Corydon/Dixie/Cairo areas even today. It is very, very possible you're a Joel Gibson descendant. DNA *might* be able to help us determine that.

I'll wrap this up with my usual - if you're out in the Corydon area and feel like dropping by a cemetery... say hello to Joel, because chances are, you're saying hello to your ancestor. If you're ever curious if you have a Joel Gibson line - contact me! I love nothing more than connecting with new Gibson cousins.



Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Mining Accident in 1917 claims Ivan Gibson

Ivan Gibson was the son of George Lafayette Gibson and Lockie Ann Christopher - he was the twin brother of Beverly Gibson. 

He was the grandson of James William Gibson and Mary Watson. Great-grandson of Berryman Gibson and Susan Duncan... thus making him a 2x Grandson of Joel Gibson, the patriarch of the Gibson family here in Henderson County, Kentucky.

Ivan's parents and grandparents are buried in Gibson Cemetery #2 and his Great-grandparents and 2x grandfather are buried in Gibson Cemetery #1.

Ivan married Eunice Odessa "Dessie" Baker in about 1902. In the 1910 census, they were living in Union County, KY, and from there, they removed to Missouri. They had at least three children together: sons Jefferson Douglas, and Carson; and a daughter, Jimmie. 

Ivan was killed in a mining accident on what was just his second shift of work. Ivan didn't have a Find-a-Grave until I came across his sad and untimely death while working on my Gibson Cemetery project back in September. I made one for him in the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery (most likely the place of burial) and he is likely buried unmarked. 

His death certificate reads "Poplar Bluff" as the place of burial. With only himself, his wife, and three young children living where they did in Missouri, and it only being Ivan's second shift of work... I imagine the coal mine might have helped with payment to bury Ivan. That's why I believe he's unmarked -- the family probably never could afford a tombstone.

His family, after the accident, all left the Missouri area and eventually went to Texas... His widow married a Holt for two years and then married a Fridge (yes, the last name, not the nickname for Refrigerator), dying in Texas in 1973.

Ivan is forgotten to the family and forgotten to genealogists no more. As sad and as tragic as his death, I'm glad to know of him now and I'm glad I could give him a place of memorial on Find-a-Grave. I'm glad I could honor him with a post on my genealogy Facebook page and now here on my blog. If you're reading this - just take a quiet moment to remember Ivan Gibson, my cousin.

Rest in peace, 2nd cousin 4x removed.





Sunday, September 19, 2021

52 Ancestors 2021: Week 22: Military

 


Joel Gibson is my 6x Great-Grandfather and someone I write about most frequently. I probably know about his military service more so than any other ancestor in my tree. He certainly isn't my only veteran ancestor... certainly not the only one who served in the Revolutionary War but, again, I know the most about his service. 

That's mostly due to there being a good record within the Henderson County courts of when Joel applied for his Revolutionary War pension and he detailed his service record for them which has been transcribed by many people over the years. 

It reads:

On the 26th day of July, 1824, personally appeared in open court, in the County of Henderson at the courthouse in Henderson in the Commonwealth of aforesaid, and on the day aforesaid, Joel Gibson aged seventy five years, resident in the County of Henderson, and district of Kentucky, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows. 

He entered as a private soldier and left it with an honorable discharge. He served in the First North Carolina Regiment commanded by Colonel James Moore, and in Captain Henry Dixon's company, and of the continental line; and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof so to diminish it as to come within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed and I do swear that I have no property, neither real, nor personal, that my occupation is the cultivation of the soil, and my age and infirmities prevent my being useful in the cultivation of the soil, that the number of my family is nine, myself being obliged to depend on my son, Bailey Gibson, for support. 

Signed, Joel Gibson (X) his mark


On this 25th day of April, 1825, personally appeared in open court, the County Court for said County of Henderson being a court of record, and made so by the laws of the aforesaid state of Kentucky, which created it, Joel Gibson, resident in said County aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of the Congress on the 18th March 1818, and the 1st of May 1820, the he, the said Joel Gibson, enlisted for the term of six months in the year (say 1775), or when hostilities commenced in North Carolina, the date of enlisting, and also of discharge not recollected, papers being lost by fire in the state of North Carolina, in the company commanded by Captain Henry Dixon in the regiment commanded by Colonel James Moore in the line of the State of North Carolina on the North Carolina continental establishment. That he continued to serve in the said Corps until (as above) when he was discharged from the service in Wilmington in the State of North Carolina.

That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any state, except North Carolina; and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application: his being totally unlettered, neither able to read or write, and failing for two years, after strenuous application to get any one to undertake it for him; that he also served three months at the siege of Ninety Six (in South Carolina, May 22nd, - June 19th, 1781) with a forage wagon, under General McCastle, wagon master General, and in pursuance of the act of the 1st of May 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part therefore, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed; that my occupation has been the tiling of ground, but through old age and bodily infirmities, I have been rendered totally incapable of following agricultural pursuits; that I have no wife, and my children being all married and gone from me, am obliged to depend for support on my son, Bailey Gibson, who has a numerous family of small children to support that since the 18th of March 1818, no change has been made in my property. 

Schedule of Joel's property: Three pewter plates and perhaps some old knives and forks. 

Joel Gibson (X) His mark.

It is most interesting to note that General Henry Dixon's family ended up coming to Henderson County, Kentucky, as well. His son, Wynne Dixon, married Rebecca Hart -- and they were parents of Archibald Dixon, who became a Senator of Kentucky. Their other son, Henry Dixon, married Mary Johnston and then Rhoda Hart and they have many living descendants here in Henderson County, KY, today. It's also interesting to note that Rebecca Hart was a niece of famous Benjamin Hart and Nancy (Morgan) Hart, and Rhoda Hart was their granddaughter. 

Here in Henderson we have a monument dedicated to our Revolutionary War ancestors and it's on the corner of 1st and Main St beside our courthouse. I'll share some photographs of the names on the stone. 


This is the back of the stone that reads the names of Lt. Turner Anderson, Joseph Cabell Jr, Abraham Hatchett, Nancy (Morgan) Hart, Capt. Blackman Moseley Sr, John Hart, Lewis Rouse, Lt. John Harrison, Dr. Joseph Savage, Srgt. John Hughes, Capt. Obadiah Smith, Thomas Smith Sr, and Srgt. William Walker Jr.



This is the side of the monument which reads, Lt. Col. Charles V. Clay, Thomas Baker, Edward Baldwin, Jacob Barnett, Michael Book, William Brown, Joseph Butler, Maston Clay, James M. Edwards, William Frazier, Taliaferro Grigsby, Peter H. Mathews, John Moss, John Ramsey, Michael Sprinkle, Josiah Stone, George A. Sugg, Jacob Upp, and Samuel Williams. 



This is not the best photograph of the front (taken from Google), I need to get downtown and get a new photo of the front (because I can't find mine) but the names read: General Samuel Hopkins, Col. Wynn Dixon, Col. Nathaniel Powell, Col. John Cannon, Col. William Marshall, Col. Gabriel Green, Capt. John Furna Cannon, Major John Holloway, Isham Sellers, John Martin, Edward Davis Bennett, and Joel Gibson. 

The way I understand it -- Henderson has a rich history of Revolutionary War soldiers coming here probably partly because of the town being founded by General Samuel Hopkins (word of mouth, ya know?) and partly because of land grants given to the soldiers after the war. That's what I've always been told, at least. It's really not a far cry to say that our town truly was founded by Revolutionary War veterans -- but then again, pretty much every able bodied man from probably 15 or 16 years of age through upwards of 60 fought for their country if they had the chance back then. That's why a lot of us who've done our family tree back that far -- we've found sometimes upwards of 20 to 30 ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War alone. Some of these men, if they were young enough and served in the Rev. War, then they served a few decades later during the War of 1812. 

In a future blog - I might take you through the genealogy/family history of each man listed on this Revolutionary War monument because I'm pretty sure I've got at least 90% of them in my Ancestry tree currently. Each one of them still have descendants alive and well in this town -- even if they don't know it! 

It's fascinating to think these men have descendants that pass by this monument every single day and they have no idea that their Great-Great-Great some-odd Grandpa is listed on it. That's why I feel like Henderson's rich history should be taught in our schools... so many Powell's, Dixon's, Gibson's, Hughes', Holloway's, Sellers', Hart's, etc... they don't know their family legacy and it makes me so sad...and so upset. 

Let me promise you, Joel... I certainly will never forget you or let you be forgotten!

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

52 Ancestors 2020: Week 6: Same Name

The name that might possibly repeat more than any in my family... Joel Gibson. When I type that in, I get five hits right off the bat. So let's jump right into this post and talk about the original Joel Gibson. The patriarch of (almost) every Gibson in Henderson County, Kentucky. 

Joel Gibson was born in 1750 in Caswell County, North Carolina -- at least, that's where he starts appearing in the 1770's and 1780's in the censuses and census substitutes on Ancestry. We know Joel served in the Revolutionary War as well -- his tombstone, land application, and pension file conclude that. A summary of that information is: Joel Gibson enlisted in Caswell County, North Carolina, in 1775. Re-enlisted and served under Capt. Henry Dixon commanded by Col. James Moore. Fought at Moore's Creek, Kings Mountain., Guilford Courthouse, and at the siege of 96 District of South Carolina. Discharged in 1783 in Wilmington. Rev war pension applied 4/15/1825, cert issued 5/19/1825 in Henderson Ky.

We know Joel Gibson married in about 1769 to Miss Eleanor Davis. It's a rough guess on year because their first child, that we know of, was born in 1770. 

Vicey Gibson, born 1770, married Josiah Stone in approx. 1788. (I believe they married in North Carolina.)

Burgess Gibson, born 1775.

Elizabeth Gibson, born 1782.

Bailey Gibson, born 1784 and died 1856. Married in 1813 to Catherine Sights. (Married in Henderson.)

Greenberry Gibson, born 1785. He married Charlotte Davis. (Moved to Missouri I believe)

Berryman Gibson (my ancestor), born 1785 and died 1870. It's possible Greenberry & Berryman were twins.. their names are very similar but I assure they were different individuals. Berryman married Susan Duncan. (They married in Henderson.)

Robert Gibson, born 1786.

Tillman Gibson, born 1790 and died 1859. He married Sarah Crowley. (Moved to Alabama)

Margaret "Peggy" Gibson, born 1795. Married Abraham Shelton in 1808. (Married in Virginia)

Nancy Gibson, born 1795. Married Josiah Shelton. (Probably married in Virginia, too)

All of these children eventually made their way to Henderson County, KY, I do believe. A few of the girls might have stayed behind in Caswell or died young as I don't have marriage information for them. 

We know by 1808, the family is in the Pittsylvania County, Virginia area, as that's where Peggy marries Abraham Shelton. 

By the 1810 census, Joel Gibson and his brood are listed in the Christian County, Kentucky. 

By 1813, Joel and his children have made it to the Corydon area of Henderson County, Kentucky. In roughly 1818, Eleanor passes away. It is unclear if she perhaps was the first burial in what is now the Gibson Family Cemetery in Corydon (high up on a hill) as there has been no tombstone found for her. There are people that will say "Eleanor died on the journey to Kentucky," but... she's clearly alive with Joel in the 1810 census (if you go by ages.) So I believe she died after coming to Henderson County. 

The patriarch, Joel Gibson, eventually passed away on December 23rd, 1830, according to his military provided tombstone(s). There are some who will say Joel died in Caswell County and is buried there. There is absolutely no proof of that. He has TWO tombstones in the Gibson Family Cemetery. He was absolutely living in Henderson at the time of his death. Trust me, in 1830, they weren't going to ship his body from Henderson back to Caswell, especially when all of his children, at that point, lived here. 


The second Joel Gibson was the son of my ancestors, Berryman Gibson & Susan Duncan. He was born in 1813. He married Margaret Martin on August 25th, 1842. They had at least four children: Susan, Stephen, Evans, and Sarah. Joel died at about 39/40 years old, in February of 1853. 

The third Joel Gibson was the son of Bailey Gibson & Catherine Sights. He was born in about 1816. On September 1st, 1836, he married Francis "Froney" Watson. She passed away in 1862 and he re-married Evaline Overfield. He and Froney had at least the following children: Mary, James, Sarah, Charles, Malisa, John, and Nancy. He and Evaline didn't have children that I'm aware of. This Joel Gibson passed away at about 49 years old on July 17th, 1865. 

The fourth Joel Gibson that pops up in my tree is Joel Elender Gibson, son of Tillman Gibson & Sarah Crowley. So right now we're batting at three of Joel Gibson's sons have named a son after him. This Joel was born October 20th, 1828, and married Amanda Woolbright. He died February 14th, 1881. Now, this Joel lived his whole life, I believe, in Alabama. Tillman & Sarah, after they married, moved to Alabama. Census says Sarah was born in Georgia, but I think she might be part of the Webster County Crowley's.. it would make sense anyway. Maybe a distant cousin of them anyway. I know at some point, Tillman was in Henderson County prior to going to Alabama. 

The fifth Joel Gibson in my tree is the son of Isaac Gibson & Rachel Stone. Isaac & Rachel were cousins. Isaac was the son of Burgess, who was the son of the original Joel. Rachel was the daughter of John Squire Stone, son of Vicey Gibson, daughter of the original Joe Gibson. This Joel Gibson was born in 1858 and died in 1899. He married Rebecca Jane Wilson on December 26th, 1880, in Webster Co, KY. 

There are probably more Joel Gibson's that I just haven't added to my family tree as of yet... but these are the five that I have so far. Are you descended from a Joel Gibson in Henderson, Union, or Webster County, KY? Then your Joel Gibson might be a descendant of THE Joel Gibson... my 6x Grandfather and the patriarch of (almost) all the Gibson's in the area.