This is the combined research of Loaetta Reddington,
descendant of Shepard and Matilda Gibson and Jack Goins, author of
“Melungeons and Other Pioneer Families”. Loaetta descends from Shepard
and Matilda’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Gibson.
The result of this research is not to dispute any former research but
rather to enlarge upon it, making it a less complicated path for future
descendant researchers who may desire to use the documented information
offered herein.
Much research has already been written about Shepard “Old Buck” Gibson.
Like most genealogy researchers Loaetta’a intent was to discover her
ancestors. Growing up Loaetta was always intrigued by the story that
her father was from a family with Cherokee heritage. When she decided
to tackle the task of finding her Cherokee ancestor, she had no idea
her search would lead her to Eastern Tennessee and a people of legend.
This is her descent; Shepard and Matilda Gibson > Mary Elizabeth
“Betty” Gibson (hereafter referred to as Elizabeth or Betty) > James
Leslie Gibson > Thomas Covington Gibson > Loaetta Ann Gibson Reddington.
It is traditionally believed Shepard Gibson, born about 1765, was the
son of Andrew Gibson. Believed to be the son of George and Mary Gibson
of Louisa County, VA and Orange County, North Carolina. This George
was a brother to Gedion and Jordan, sons of Gilbert Gibson. (Louisa
County, VA Wills and Deeds). By 1790 Andrew Gibson was listed
as part of a Company (militia?) in Wilkes County, NC. This
part of Wilkes County became Ashe County in 1799. One indication that
Shepard was related to the elder Andrew was, he named his first son
Andrew who was born 1809 according to the information given for him
on the 1850 census of Hancock County, Tennessee. Historian William Groshe’s
notes state that Shepard, who would have been about 25 years old, had
already moved to Tennessee from Virginia before the 1790 census.
However, on August 11, 1800, Shepard entered two land deed applications
in Ashe County, NC. Deed Book page 184 says: “100
acres beginning near the mouth of a “dreen” that makes into ‘Baire’
Creek and runs up said creek”. On page 185 it further says: “50
acres beginning near George Miller’s lower line and runs down south
fork of New River”.
By 1800, migration to Tennessee from Virginia and North Carolina was
booming. From 1800 to 1810, North Carolina continued to issue
its military land warrants which Tennessee agreed to honor within its
borders. Tennessee grew 250% nearly tripling its populace.
The state capitol at Knoxville was moved to Nashville. It
was during this period of time that Shepard’s name appears on the Hawkins
County, Tennessee Tax List for the years 1809 - 1812. In
1810, Shepard is listed as owner of 50 acres plus one white poll in
Hawkins County. White polls were “all free males and male servants,
between the age of twenty-one and fifty years”, slaves, “all slaves
male and female, between the age of twelve and fifty years.” He
is also listed as a member of Captain Looney’s Company (a militia).
In a provision of the Act of 1797, the justices were authorized to take
lists of taxable property and polls in various Captains’ companies of
the militia. Other Gibson’s who were taxed in Hawkins County for the
same year and also in Looney’s Company were: Goodman, Gerden, Yarby,
Charles Tiry and Royal. What relation they were to Shepard is
not known however, Shepard’s Will in 1842 states he had brothers.
On March 18, 1814 Shepard received land grant (#3499), Hawkins County,
TN (Grohse: Reel 3) In 1816 Shepard received a military land warrant
(#2354). This is the same year son Euriah is born (see below).
After close examination of the 1830 and 1840 censuses, the following
children were born within Shepard’s household. Probable
children of Shepard and his first wife who is unknown at this time:
1. Andrew b. 809
2. Daughter b. 1811
3. Daughter b. 1813
4. Euriah / Uriah b.1816
5. Shepard b. 1817
6. Oney b. 1820
*Note for Euriah / Uriah: b) 1816 - d) 1890. Married: Margaret
(?). Uriah entered Confederate Company D Tennessee infantry
at age 48, address: Sneedville, TN. Uriah had a son William who
married Martha Perry. Their son Rev. Steve Gibson married
Emeline Collins d/o Ran Collins. They had a son Horace who
married Ella Mae Johnson d/o Lewis Johnson. Their son Rev.
Delmont “Seven” Gibson is pastor of Elm Springs Baptist Church in Sneedville.
*Note for Shepard [2]: b) 1817 Married: Rebecca
Alder, born in VA, d/o John Alder and Rebecca Baldwin (see Groshe; reel
1, Vardy News and Groshe Reel 4 Family Folders page 68). Shepard
enlisted in the military in Hancock County, as Shepard Gibson Sr. On
Oct. 10, 1863; he was listed as being sick at Camp Nelson, KY, since
January. On April 9, 1864, he was discharged for disability. He
is buried in Alders Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery. His
son Shepard Jr. [3] b) 1839, enlisted in the military September 23,
1863, Hancock County, at age 24. He died of Typhoid fever in the hospital
at Camp Nelson, KY; January 16, 1864, grave #285. He and
his father were both at Camp Nelson Hospital in January 1864.
Note: It can become confusing as to where all of Shep’s children were
born due to the fact that he had land in Tennessee, North Carolina and
on the border of Lee Co., Virginia. Pat Elder’s book page 221
states: “A great clue for Melungeon research is gleaned from information
surrounding Shepard Gibson [2] who was born about 1817 in Virginia or
Tennessee”. On the 1850 census his birthplace is TN., while
on the 1860 census it is recorded as VA. Elder continues
writing “it is uncertain whether he is the son of the older Shepard
Gibson or the son of an older Andrew Gibson”. His wife,
Rebecca Alder, is shown as living alone on the 1880 Hancock
County Census.
In 1820, we find land being granted to Vardy Collins in Hawkins County,
TN. The land is situated on Blackwater between the mountain
and Newman’s Ridge. This land adjoins that of Jordan Gibson.
Vardy is married to Margaret “Spanish Peggy” Gibson, sister to Shepard
“Old Buck” Gibson. This part of Eastern Tennessee had a struggling economy
due to being landlocked. In 1828 the first steamboat, Atlas, makes
its way up the river to Knoxville. Within the next two years the
businessmen of this district seek state assistance to build the railroads
in search of a way to boost their economy. The 1820 census
for Hawkins County, TN, lists 310 Free Persons of Color or FPC.
The 1830 Census of Hawkins County, TN, records Shepard as fpc.
The following Gibsons were also listed as fpc: Charles, Esau, Cherod,
Joseph F., Andrew, Jordan, Polly, Jonathan and Jesse. Another
land purchase is recorded for Shepard; he purchased one hundred and
fifty acres lying in Hawkins County, TN., at Panther Creek (previously
known as Buffalo Creek). Sims Survey, page 145, Entry Book B, Hawkins
County, TN, has yet another entry for land in Shepard’s name, 300 acres
along the cliffs of Newman’s Ridge. The 1830 census is taken and Shepard
is the only person in his household listed as fpc or Free Person of
Color. His age is estimated as over 50 under 100 (he was about 65).
All others are listed as “white”. Just who the other occupants on this
census were can only be speculated by age and gender. We believe Shepard’s
first wife had passed away and the oldest male and female are most likely
a son and daughter-in-law or daughter and son-in-law. These two
people remain on the census of 1840 with the addition of a “new female”
age 20-30 and a “new male child” 5 and under. These ages and dates
fit for Matilda and Ozias. Sometime between 1830 and 1833,
Shepard married for the second time to Matilda born 1810. Information
obtained from other researchers combined with land, tax and census records
we believe Matilda maiden name was Collins.
Matilda was thought to be the daughter of James and Lexy Gibson Collins
according to other family researchers and perhaps confirmed by the U.S.Census
records. Groshe Reel 3 says: “ the Reverend Taylor’s notes
state that Matilda was the sister of Vardy Collins”. Vardy would
have been 46 in 1810, when Matilda was born. His parents were
most likely in their sixties and far beyond child bearing age.
Perhaps Taylor was referring to Shepard’s first wife. There is
a greater possibility his first wife would have been of a more proper
age to be a sister to Vardy. It is more probable that Matilda
could have been the daughter of James and Lexy Collins. James
is on the 1810 Tax List for Hawkins County, Tennessee.
James Collins 1773-1860 married Lexy Gibson (?) about 1803; Bill Groshe
speculated she was a Gibson. James Collins is on the Lee County Tax
lists 1804-1813 along with an old Martin Collins. Also, Wyatt, Absolom,
Mitchel, and Marlen Collins They always paid their taxes on the same
day. (Courtesy Scott Collins research).
The 1830 census of Hawkins County, TN., list James Collins free colored
household as follows: James Collins two males under 10, one male 10-24
and James was between age 55-100. Females: one under 10, one female
10-24 possibly Matilda, and one female 36-55 was wife Lexy. Also proven
sons of James and Lexy on this census and living next to them were James
Collins free colored male 10-24; free colored female; two under 10 and
one 10-24. Also listed were son Martin Collins 10-24; one female
under 10, and one 10-24. On the 1840 U.S. Census these same
families are listed as “ white”. In 1818 the Commonwealth of VA,
County of Lee, grants James Collins 60 acres of land. In 1830
James Collins of Hawkins County, TN, sells to Shepard Gibson 60 acres
of land on the West Fork of Blackwater Creek situated near the state
line. (Lee CO., Deed book 6, page 243). In 1830 James Collins received
two land grants on Newman Ridge from the state of Tennessee.
James Collins is named by Sneedville Attorney Lewis M. Jarvis in his
1903 interview in the Sneedville Times as an old purebred Indian, who
had fought in the war of 1812. (1994 Hancock CO, Tennessee And It’s
people Volume 11.)
Pat Elder’s book page 219, note #604 says: “Shepard and
Matilda did devise (a gift by will, especially of money or personal
property) land in Lee County, VA, that once belonged to James Collins”.
However, the deed says it was “sold” to Shepard and Matilda.
Had it been a gift, it would have been a very good indication of a relationship
(father/daughter) between James and Matilda. There was a young
James Gibson b) 1834 in Hawkins County. Could he have been
the firstborn son of Shepard and Matilda? He died in a skirmish
in Hawkins, County in 1864. Traditionally, a first born son is
named for his father or grandfather however, in Shepard and Matilda’s
case, Shepard already had a son named for him from his first marriage.
The name James was used again by their daughter Elizabeth when her third
son and Loaetta’s grandfather James Leslie Gibson was born. The
1880 census states Matilda’s father was born in Kentucky, her mother
in North Carolina. There was indeed a James Collins living in
Clay Co., KY, on the 1840 census. As written above there
was also a James Collins on the 1840 census in Hawkins County, TN.
Checking the 1850 census for Clay Co., KY, and the James Collins of
the 1840 census again appears. His age is 33, he was born in TN,
and his race is Mulatto. His wife is Martha and they have seven
children. This James would have to be a brother if he is related
to Matilda. If Matilda were the “Tildy” of Blackwater Church,
Sneedville, TN., she would have joined around the age of 14. On
August 2, 1831 “Tildy” made application for dismissal (taken from church
records, Sneedville Historical Society).
Using the information given on the 1850 census, Hancock, County, TN.,
#33 Subdivision, taken on the 5th day of December, the following children
were born to Shepard and Matilda:
1. Ozias Denton Gibson b. 1835
2. Maryann Gibson b. 1837
3.Minerva Jane Gibson b. 1840
4. Mary Elizabeth Gibson b. 1842 (March)
5. John D. Gibson b. 1844*
6. Martha Gibson b. 1846*
*Note: It is obvious that the last two children who appear on
the 1850 census could not belong to Shepard since he died in Dec. 1842
or Jan. 1843. John D. consistently appears on later censuses and
tax lists with his mother Matilda. Martha however, appears only
on the 1850 census and never again thereafter. We believe she
may have been a visiting granddaughter of Shepard’s or died
before the 1860 census.
June 2, 1834, Land Deed Hawkins County, Book 6, page 513: Shepard
and Matilda sell to Lucinda and Milly Burke (Millington) a tract of
land, 60 acres that had been granted to James Collins. This
is most likely the same tract of land devised /sold to them by James
in 1830.
According to the Hawkins County Tax List for the year 1836, Civil District
#5 which “began at the Clinch River on Kyle’s ford thence along the
road leading to the Lee County line thence by John Wallen’s to a small
schoolhouse thence due north to the VA state line thence east with said
line to the Claiborne County line thence with said line to the Clinch
River”, Shepard Gibson paid taxes on 146 acres of land and one horse.
He paid $3.24. There were thirteen other male Gibsons paying taxes
in District #5.
March 13, 1839, Land Deed, Hawkins, County, Book 17, page 17:
A deed of land from Andrew Gipson to Shepherd Gipson containing 150
acres on top of Newman’s Ridge and on the waters of Blackwater.
The price is $210.00 here again is an indication there was
a relationship between Andrew and Shepard. Delaney Burke and Zachariah
Jones witnessed the deed. They also witnessed another deed of
Shepard’s on Nov. 26, 1839. * Take note of the names Burke and Jones.
*Note: In Elder’s book page 220, she writes: If you descend
from Shepherd, you can learn more about his life by studying the Hawkins
County deed books.
“These two Vardy Collins and Buck Gibson, were the head and source of
the Malungeons of Tennessee” (The Malungeon Tree and It’s Four Branches
May 1891, by William Allen Dromgoole) Notice the nickname Buck Gibson
in confirmed by the preceding court record. Friday 29 January 1841,
Hawkins County Circuit Court Minute Book 1837-1851 page 386. Emanuel
Lawson vs. Buck Gibson. “Friday 29 January 1841 “ This day came the
defendant by his attorney and the plantiff being solemnly called to
come into court and prosecute his just cause and make default. It is
therefore considered by the court that he be tried. Whereupon it is
considered by the court that the defendant recover of the plaintiff
of his costs and his suit in this behalf ---- for which execution may
issue”. ( Hawkins County Circuit Court Minute book 1837-1851) Not enough
information in the minutes to really determine what this was about.
The actual court proceedings would clear this up if they could be found.
In January 1842, Shepherd has his land surveyed this survey was not
recorded in Hawkins County, it’s possible Shepard was giving some land
to his children of his first wife. In March of this same year
Matilda delivers their third daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Gibson,
Loaetta’s great-grandmother. On December 7, 1842 Hancock
County Will Book I, page 224, a last will and testament was recorded
for Shepard Gibson, age 77. Shepard “gives each of
his brothers and sisters (both plural) the sum of $1.00 each and “to
my beloved wife Matilda, all the land whereon we now live and all lands
elsewhere which is in my name”, plus all the rest of his estate.
This would certainly indicate that Shepard still owned land other than
where they were living at the time his will was written. No other heirs
were named. Vardy Collins is appointed Executor. The
will was proven January 2, 1843. Shepard died sometime between
these two dates. He is buried in an unmarked grave.
Elizabeth was 9 months old. She never knew her father.
Zachariah Jones and Delaney Burke ( the land deed witnesses) were both
charged with first-degree murder in a Hawkins County court on 27 May
1845. Zachariah Jones and Delaney Burke both late of the
county were charged with striking one Asa Mathias a mortal wound on
his right temple with a stone. Asa died 20 May, 1844.
The bond was set at $3,000.00. Matilda Gibson, widow of
Shepard Gibson, signed the bond along with; John Netherland,
James Simpson, William C. Kyle, Solomon Collins, and James Burke,
These signatures guaranteed the court the cost would be paid should
Jones or Burke fail to appear in court. Ultimately, Jones was
the only one charged with first degree murder. He left the state
and left his bond signers to pay his debt. Matilda along with
the others were charged for default by the court on May 27, 1848.
With seven persons sharing the debt equally they each had to pay $428.
57. (Hawkins County Criminal Court Record Book 1846-1848)
There is no record of dismissal of the case so we can only assume the
debt was paid and the case was closed. Just how the widowed Matilda
with six children to feed was able to raise her part of the court debt
or why she would have signed for Jones and Burke is yet to be determined.
She owned land but no record of sale has been found to date.
In his estate Shepard left horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. Perhaps
she sold some of the livestock to pay her debt. Matilda
was not without an occupation as described in the next paragraph.
During the same time period of the court case, Hancock County, TN was
established (January 7, 1844) and named for John Hancock. It was
formed from parts of Hawkins and Claiborne Counties. Because of
constitutional objections it was not organized until 1846.
On the 1850 census of Hancock County, in Subdivision #33, Matilda and
twenty-four other Gipson’s (p instead of b) were listed as heads of
household. Where the #33 Subdivision lines fell within the
county is not certain, but they obviously encompassed Matilda’s land
that is shown to have a value of $100.00. Her occupation
is described as a tailor. Her age is 40. Her six children
listed above were taken from this census. The family was enumerated
as family # 398. Family #400, two doors away, consists of
four persons; Eli Davis 71, Martha Davis 59, John Davis 41, and a 10-year-old
child with the name Elizabeth Pue. The reason this family
is noted here will be explained. There was also a census
for Agriculture in the state of Tennessee in 1850. Shepard
Gipson [2], appears on this census as follows; acres farmed 15, acres
not farmed 10, cash value $100.00. One milk cow, five sheep,
3 swine; stock valued at $75.00. Crops; 630 bushels of Indian
corn and 100 bushels of oats. His farm is located in the
#33 Subdivision, he is 33, wife Rebecca (Alder) is 29, son William is
10 and daughter Mary is 8. They are enumerated as family
# 40. There are two Andrew Gibson and their families also enumerated
in this same district. One is 41 years of age enumeration #58.
The other is age 56 and enumerated as family #291. Euriah
now age 34, is family # 365. These men, except Andrew Gibson,
enumeration #291, are believed to be the son’s of Shepard “Old Buck”
Gibson.
Sometime after the 1850 census the Subdivision #33 must have been divided
into smaller districts. A close inspection of the 1860 census
finds many of the same heads of household but in districts with a new
number or name. It would seem unlikely that so many farmers would
have relocated. The elder Andrew Gibson family is now in
District #6. Shepard Gibson [2] and family are listed in
Panther Creek district, which could have him living on Old Shepard’s
land (Land Deed of 1830). Matilda Gibson and the Davis family
are considered living in the Mulberry Gap district.
As the dawn of a new decade approached we find that our country was
on the brink of Civil War. Lincoln was President. Tennessee
joined the Confederacy in April, 1860. When the 1860 census is
taken in August, Matilda (52 - age taken from census is two years older
than on the 1850 census?) is living in Mulberry Gap. She is no
longer listed as having real estate but her personal estate
is valued at $50.00. Ozias Denton is still living at home
and his personal estate is also valued at $50.00, occupation is farm
hireling. Maryann, still a resident, is keeping house.
Now appears a 20-year-old Elizabeth Pugh living with the family
as a hireling. Shepard and Matilda’s Elizabeth, who would
be 18, is not listed. Minerva Jane, who would be 20, is
missing as well as Martha who would be 14. John D. 15, is living
at home as a hireling. The Davis family mentioned above
in district #33 is now right next-door and the child Elizabeth Pue from
the 1850 census is no longer in their household. The fact
is, she is the twenty-year-old hireling in Matilda’s house. We
believe she is the daughter of John Davis, schoolteacher and granddaughter
to Eli and Martha Davis. Most likely John’s wife and Elizabeth
Pue’s mother, is deceased. Two avenues of thought concerning
a possible connection between Matilda and the Davis family present themselves.
First thought is Matilda may have been a Davis herself. Eli and
Martha are old enough to be her parents and records show that John Davis
was born in 1809, just a year before Matilda. This would
explain one reason why Elizabeth Pugh is in Matilda’s household.
Matilda would have been her aunt. Matilda’s Elizabeth and Elizabeth
Pugh could have played together and Matilda may have taught both of
the girls the art of tailoring and weaving. Matilda’s
son John D. could have been named for her brother John and the
D. possibly stood for Davis. Martha (on the 1850 census) may be
named for her grandmother Martha Davis. Secondly, the connection may
be a romantic one. John Davis is a widower and Matilda a widow.
Perhaps John taught Matilda’s children at school. Perhaps John
was the father of John D. and Martha. The explanation for their
names would remain but without the personal family tie to Matilda. Both
of these ideas are only speculation. There is no documentation at this
point to prove either idea.
April 12, 1861, The Civil War begins. The Border States between
the Confederate states and Union states would see the worse part of
the fighting. Within these Border States, some people were in
support of the North while others were in support of the South.
The military draft age was for able-bodied men ages 18 - 35. Tennessee
and Kentucky were Border States. We know that Tennessee eventually joined
the Confederacy. Kentucky, home of the presidents for both
North and South, remained neutral. However they were drawn
into the war, and never seceded from the Union. It is a mystery
why Matilda uprooted her immediate family and migrated to Kentucky.
From Mulberry Gap, migrating Tennesseans traveled west to Tazewell then
north through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky. There had to be a defining
reason for Matilda to leave Tennessee. Had Shepard owned land
in Kentucky? Was she following a family member?
Sometime after August 1860 when the census was taken in Hancock County,
TN, Matilda, Ozias, Elizabeth and John D. did migrate to Madison County,
KY. Ozias met and married Nancy Breeding Neece Thomas.
Their daughter Josephine was born in 1862. Ozias is on the
1864 Tax List for Madison County, paying taxes on 100 acres of
land in Letcher County, where he and Nancy eventually settled.
Had this land previously belonged to his father Shepard Gibson?
O. D. (Ozias) also received a land grant in Clay Co., KY in 1867.
For the tax year of 1869 Matilda and John D. are on the Tax List for
the first time. They are both on the “White” and “Negro” lists
for people living in the Silver Creek District. John D.
remains on the Tax Lists for the years 1870, ’71. He is recorded
as paying taxes in College Hill District in 1873, in Kentucky River
District in 1875 and in Muddy Creek District in 1879. All these
districts were in Madison County, KY. To date no further personal
records other than the 1850/ 1860 censuses have been found for Maryann
or Minerva Jane. Did they marry and stay behind in TN? Perhaps
they married in KY, prior to the 1870 census, as did their brother Ozias.
No personal record of events in Elizabeth’s life for this same
time period has yet been found.
Another decade passes and the 1870 census is taken. Matilda
appears as head of household in an area of Berea known as the “Glade”
Precinct, Post Office - Big Hill, Madison County, KY.
In 1854, most of the communities around the Glade were slave holding.
Slavery was very common in Paint Lick and Silver Creek and not unknown
in Big Hill.” The Glade was popular for its racing track while also
known for its tiny abolitionist church. Kentucky’s famous Cassius Clay
saw the Glade as a political base and wanted to have control of the
area and its inhabitants (taken from; “Colonists In Southern Madison
County”, page 109). By the time the 1870 census was taken
and the war was over life in the Glade had changed forever. Two
other persons are listed as part of Matilda’s household; “Betty”,
age 27 (should be 28 - on his marriage bond Loaetta’s grandfather James
Leslie Gibson states his mother’s name is Betty Gibson) and her one-month-old
infant named Mary. This is the only time this child appears on
any census. We believe she must have died in infancy. All
are listed with the surname of Gibson. On 24th day of October
1872, Elizabeth (Betty) contracts a marriage bond with a Thomas Purcell.
The surety bondsman is O. D. Gibson. His original signature is
on the bond. A marriage bond is a purchased agreement for
a wedding. It does not guarantee the wedding took place.
A minister had to return a certificate of license before a marriage
was confirmed and became a legal record. No record of license
has been found for a marriage between Thomas and Elizabeth. However,
O. D. Gibson’s signature was a significant find in Loaetta’s early research.
It later proved to be Ozias Denton Gibson (aka Denton or O. D.)
During the next ten years Mary Elizabeth “Betty”Gibson gives birth to
two sons and two daughters.
The year 1880 arrives and a new census is taken. Matilda
is still head of her household. Her age is listed as 78, eight
years difference from all previous censuses. She should be listed
as 70. This census asks for information not asked for on
previous censuses. It is the first census to ask for the birthplace
of a person’s parents. As mentioned in paragraph seven, Matilda
states her father was born in KY, her mother in North Carolina.
This census year the Glade is referred to as Glade Magisterical. District
#6, Madison County, KY. There are several people enumerated
with Matilda. They are; Mary E., (daughter - Mary Elizabeth) and
her four children, William (Willie), Lilly Belle, John D. and “nameless”,
who we now know to be Melissa born 1879. According to Loaetta’s
family history, the children’s names are the correct names for each
of her grandfather’s older siblings. This census convinced Loaetta
she had indeed found Elizabeth Gibson’s mother, Matilda, and eventually
led her to Elizabeth’s father Shepard Gibson, and their home state of
Tennessee. Elizabeth will bear two more sons; one in 1882,
James Leslie Gibson, Loaetta’s grandfather, and his younger brother
Leonard Gibson in 1886. It is believed that Mary Elizabeth “ Betty”
Gibson, daughter of Shepard and Matilda Gibson, was born a Gibson and
died a Gibson. She gave birth to six children who all bore the
surname Gibson. Elizabeth appears on the 1900 census of
Madison County, KY, as head of her household with son’s Leslie and Leonard.
Matilda had probably passed away. No documented record of
death or burial has been found for either woman.
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