Milo's Family

I received some photos today from Susie Patton, a cousin in Washington. They are Milo's children. The first one is Francis Caroline Gamblin Allen (1850 - 1935), she is about 10 years old here. Next is her sister Emily Alice Gamblin Slayton (1860 - 1934) on the left and Francis Caroline on the right. I'm guessing this is taken in the late 1890's.

Last Emily on the left Asher King (1862 - 1939) their brother and Francis Caroline, this must have been in the late 1920's or early 30's in Poplar Bluff, Ripley Co., Mo.

They were all born in Graves County, Ky., but moved to Ripley Co., Mo. when the children were young.

Francis had a daughter - Eve Nina, who's daughter Lucille got me really interested in my family genealogy. It was Lucille who sent me a letter 30 years ago and urged me to get in touch with Susie, as she had lots of family information. Sadly she didn't tell me how to get in touch with her and eventually I gave up trying. Because of the internet Susie saw a message from me and contacted me a couple of months ago!

More musings

I have gone through all the info I have on both Sion's oldest son who is listed as Joshua (born 1808) on his marriage certificate in 1832 and Josiah, who is James' son (born 1828) and brother to my 5x great grandfather.

I think that Sion also had a son named Josiah in abt. 1827/8 but he is not listed on the 1850 census because he was on the way to California or already there somewhere. Although he was able to write maybe he didn't or if he did it was sporadic and he eventually lost contact with the family and through the passing of generations he was forgotten and therefore not listed on any family trees. Forgotten except as "somebody" who went to California and didn't return, lore passed down through the generations.

A letter from a cousin in Illinois I received 30 years ago says that James had a brother "Young" that went to California and was never heard of again. James' brother "Young" was Joshua Younger and his life is well documented. The letter also says that James died early in life as the result of lifting a heavy log at a barn raising - not true James lived until he was in his late 60's early 70's and had a couple of wives and numerous kids. As most things were passed down by word of mouth and an occasional note in the family bible, I think it was "Young" who's name was Josiah (possibly), who died as a result of lifting the log and he was not James's brother but rather his son.
In 1848 James had another son with his second wife and he was also named Josiah, I have often wondered if James fell out with his two eldest sons after the death of their mother, so he just named another kid Josiah. Then again information on census records can be and is transcribed wrong. If the first Josiah did die from the accident, he would have died sometime between 1850 and 1860 in Graves Co. KY. - another grave to look for!

Ewwwww! Crit just asked to be let in and brought me a present - a dead mouse - got to love those kitties and their gifts! Anyway back to my musings.

As that generation were all first and second cousins and some of them probably could write, they may have passed information on to each other. Somehow with the passage of time, Sion's son Josiah and James's son Josiah have become confused. A hundred and fifty years later, I'm confused!

I think I've obsessed about this man long enough, time I turned my attention to the rest of James' children and what happened to them after his death.

I Got It! I Got It!

I received the package from California on Josiah Gamblin. Sadly I don't know any more now than I did before...........lol! In fact I now have more questions. It is 84 pages of court documents about the sale of his property which was a quartz mine, but there is his obituary. It's really hard to read so I'll write it out rather than scan and post a copy.

******

The Death of honest Josiah Gamblin

Josiah Gamblin died on Saturday January 14th at his home at Fairplay, aged 62 years. The subject of the notice was born in Georgia and became a miner at a very early age. He came to California in 1850 and engaged in mining near Forest Hills, Placer County. About 30 years ago he lost the use of his left arm by injuries created by a mine caving in on him. He came to El Dorado county 25 years ago and had an interest in the Crystal mine and failed owing a large sum. He went to Calayerus county and there had better luck and sent back $3500.00 to pay his debts, although they were all outlawed. His debts ranged form 25 cents up to large amounts, but he knew just how much each account against him was and paid all. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. of Fairplay, the members of which gave him every attention necessary during his illness. Mr Gamblin could have drawn benefits for the past 30 years from the Lodge, but refused to accept any and kept to work with one hand until he paid all his debts. He owned a quartz mill and mine at Fairplay which he willed to the Lodge. Joshia Gamblin was an honest man and his death is sincerely mourned by a large circle of acquaintances, and particularly by the Odd Fellows. His funeral was on Monday.

*****

There is a hand written note on one of the sheets that says he never married and that he came to California in 1852 not 1850.

My questions are:
If he was born in Georgia was he Sion's son? I have Sion with a son named Josiah, but he was born earlier and he was married and had lots of kids. It is possible that that son's name was Joshua and maybe later he did have a son named Josiah.

Or... did James and Nelly (my direct ancestors) move to Georgia for a time and that's where their son Josiah was born? This is the one that family lore says went to California and was never heard from again.

Were there 2 Josiahs who moved to California? Maybe one died early and the other went on to drive me to distraction!

Who ever he was I am proud to be related and I'm got giving up till I find all the answers.

New Relatives!

Please meet Myrtle Ann Whitaker Gamblin (1886 - 1977)

Edmon Gamblin (1883 - 1955)

I created two memorials on Find A Grave a couple of weeks ago for Edmon Gamblin (my grandfathers brother) and his wife Myrtle Ann. I went back to check on them and found two lovely pictures some one named Liz had posted on the memorial. I checked on who the contributor was and found she was Elizabeth Bowers , checked my family tree and found she was their granddaughter! Her mother and my dad would have been cousins.

I contacted her via email and we had a good chat, seems when my parents and I were in Missouri in 1979, we stayed with her mother for a night. I just love it when I connect with family.

Aunt Vina

This is the story of Aunt Vina (pronounced Viney) the sister of my great grandmother Nancy Minerva (Norris) Gamblin. The best way to read it is maybe to save it your own computer and print it off. I thought of typing it out on here, but then I came to my senses and scanned it in!
It was written by Doris Compton, my Dad's cousin, she gave it to me 30 years ago. I love the story it does show what life was like during the Civil War.