Coosa-Elmore County AlArchives Biographies.....Gay, Gilbert S 1795 - November 14 1857 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elaine Hendricks ehend@lakemartin.net July 24, 2004, 11:07 pm Author: Elaine Hendricks Will the Real Gilbert S. Gay Please Stand Up? Written by Elaine Hendricks 205 North Holiday Drive, Dadeville, AL 36853 phone 256 825-0870 email: ehend@lakemartin.net June 2003 When I began my search for my great great grandmother's family I turned up the name Gilbert S. Gay as her ancestor. Gilbert S. Gay left a will in then Coosa County Alabama written in October 1852 and probated in December 1857 naming his children including a son Henry M. Gay. Henry M. Gay was listed in later probate records of 1873 as deceased with heirs including Mary Gay. Mary Gay was my great great grandmother. I thought, "Wow, this will be easy to trace. How many people could be named Gilbert Gay?" Boy was I wrong! I found records of several Gilbert Gay's that fit the age bracket that my Gilbert lived. But nothing made any sense to me. I found two Gilbert Gay's that were born approximately 1800 and lived in Georgia and were so similar in age and location that the records for both of them had been merged into one person by most researchers. These men were Gilbert Gay (born 1803, son of Allen Gay) and Gilbert S. Gay (born 1795, son of Joshua Gay). These two Gilbert Gay's were first cousins. Gilbert S. Gay (my ancestor, born 1795) The information in the following article, written by Mrs. Jenny Futral, date unknown, but years ago, seems to be one of the sources of all the confusion about Gilbert S. Gay and Gilbert Gay . Please do not use any of this information! It is very wrong! I quote it merely to show what the published records show for Gilbert S. Gay. "Gilbert S. Gay, the third and last child of Allen and his first wife Celia Rae Elbert was born January 4, 1773 South Carolina, just across the river from Savannah, Georgia. He died 1857 and was buried in a family private cemetery, on the plantation now known as the "Haynes Place", ten miles north of Eclectic, Elmore County, Alabama. Like his father, he too married three times (1) Parthenia Yarbrough; (2) Sarah Stamps; (3) Mariah Moseley, Heard County. He married first in Fayette County Georgia to Parthenia Yarbrough and they had four sons, John G.; Elijah, Francis M.; and William J "Billy " Gay, who was born 1827 and died 1908 in Randolph County, Alabama. Gilbert S. Gay married second, January 20, 1829 in Coweta County, Georgia Sarah Stamps. Sarah Stamps Gay died June 9, 1902 age 91. Then Gilbert S. Gay married third time, Mariah Mosely, The 1850 census of Heard county lists him as 55 years old, a farmer, born South Carolina. This Mariah Moseley was a widow with one child, Mary Ann Mariah Moseley, a step-daughter of Gilbert S. Gay, who he later adopted and she shared in his will along with his other children." The information in this article seems to have "eveready batteries" and never dies. It has permeated every other bit of published records I have found and refuses to quit. I repeat, almost all of the information in it is wrong and undocumented. When you look closely at the census and other documented records, this story unravels entirely too many loose threads. If Gilbert S. Gay really did marry these three women, then he was a bigamist and faked his own death!! So I began to collect data and try to figure out what was the truth about my Gilbert S. Gay. This is what I have collected and documented. My Gilbert S. Gay seemed to understand that there was confusion about his name and he always used the S. in his signature. He was the son of Joshua Gay and the grandson of Thomas and Patience Gay of Isle of Wight Virginia. He absolutely is not the son of Allen Gay. Allen Gay and Joshua Gay were brothers and were the sons of Thomas and Patience Gay of Isle of Wight Virginia. Both had sons named Gilbert Gay. Gilbert S. Gay was born in 1795 in Georgia.(Census records, and his bounty land claims applications support the year 1795) No record has been found supporting January 4th 1793 in South Carolina as his birthdate and place.) The Gilbert Gay that was the son of Allen Gay was listed in Allen Gay's family bible, born May of 1803 and was listed as an heir of Allen Gay in the probate records of Robert Sims in Clarke County Georgia in February of 1860 and was alive to sign a receipt for his portion of the inheritance in March of 1860. Gilbert S. Gay was cold in the grave at that time and was listed as an heir of Joshua Gay in the same probate papers (no S. was used in his name) and he did not receive any portion of the inheritance nor did he sign any receipt. This tells me that he was not alive at the time the probate record was filed in 1860 and was not considered in the monetary settlement and was not the same Gilbert Gay that signed as the heir of Allen Gay. From "The Gay Family" an unpublished article written by Julia Ann Webb Gay in 1898- "There were two old men by the name of Gilbert Gay. One lived in Fayette County and the other went to Alabama - Chambers County [Gilbert S. Gay]. He was called Black Gilbert, as he had dark skin and brown eyes." Gilbert S. Gay was drafted for the War of 1812 at Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia on November 1, 1814 for the term of six months in Captain Lane's regiment of the Georgia Militia and was discharged about the 5th day of May 1815 at Fort Hawkins, in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. He was listed on the muster roll as Gilbert Gay Jr. to distinguish him from his uncle Gilbert Gay (born 1771) who was listed on the muster roll as Gilbert Gay Sr. and joined at the same time, in the same company, served in the same unit and was discharged on the same day as Gilbert S. Gay. I have found no recorded marriage records for Gilbert S. Gay. If we assume the Futral writings have some basis in truth, then the tale that he was married three times could be true. I have found no record of the reported first marriage to Parthenia Yarbrough in Fayette County Georgia or elsewhere. Nor have I yet found any record that a Parthenia Yarbrough existed. I found a marriage record in Oglethorpe County GA for one Gilbert Gay and Polly Sams August 27, 1818. Which Gilbert is this? Gilbert Gay (born 1803) was only 15 and Gilbert S, was 23 years old. Is this another possible marriage for Gilbert S.?? Is this the mother of Henry M. Gay?? Henry M. Gay was listed as born about 1818 in census records, this would make him the oldest of the children of Gilbert S. Gay. {However, I feel that he was really born about 10 years later, but have no records to support that theory.) John G. Gay the next child was born about 1821 and seems to have a Yarbrough family connection. Son, Elijah Gay was born about 1825, son Francis Marion was born about 1826 and son William J was born about 1829. These children are supposed to belong to Gilbert S. Gay's first family by Parthenia Yarbrough. Gilbert S. remarried to Mariah Bowling about 1833. No records of this marriage has been found. There is not and cannot be any proof that Gilbert S. Gay married Sarah Stamps in Coweta County Georgia in January of 1829. That was the other Gilbert Gay (born 1803, son of Allen) and he is listed along with Sarah and their large family on the census records in 1850 of Carroll County Georgia and 1860 census records of both Randolph and Calhoun counties in Alabama long after Gilbert S. Gay had died in Coosa County Alabama. 1830 Henry Georgia Census, page 202 listed Gilbert Gay, with 1 male under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 20-30, 1 male 30-40, 1 female 20-30 and 1 female slave (This has to be Gilbert S, Gay as the other Gilbert Gay had only been married a year and would not have all these children in 1830.) This record would indicate that the first wife, "Parthenia" or whoever she was, was still alive in 1830. From the book " The 1832 Gold Lottery of Georgia" by S.E. Lucas, Jr. (publ.1988 by the Southern Historical Press): Gilbert S. Gay was residing in Henry County, GA About 1833 Gilbert S. Gay married Mariah Bowling, daughter of Smith and Mary Bowling of Butts County Georgia and Chambers County Alabama. No record has been found for this marriage either. Gilbert S. Gay moved his family from Henry County, Georgia to Chambers County, Alabama about 1835. Henry County, GA Deed Book J page 89 - - Henry County - - Gilbert S. Gay sold to Richard P. Ellis, both of said county, on March 20, 1835, for the sum of $835, 202 ½ acres, lot #35 in Dist. 3. Witnesses: James L. Burgess, WIlliam Ellis and J.T. Ellis. Recorded April 5, 1839. I found a record in Chambers County Orphans Court records, that Gilbert S. Gay was appointed the guardian of his son John G. Gay, infant on November 2, 1835. This record was signed and acknowledged by a Joseph Yarbrough. Now this does not mean what you may think it does. A man would have to be appointed guardian of his own child if that child inherited anything of value and was under legal age to own real or personal property. Those kinds of records were recorded in the Orphans Court records, but did not have to mean that the child was a true orphan. An orphan was a child that needed a guardian for whatever reason. I believe that Gilbert's wife, whatever she was named, may have been deceased and her son John G. Gay inherited some property that was valuable enough to require a legal guardian until he became of legal age to own and control his own property. What I don't understand is why only the child John G. Gay inherited something and needed a guardian, and not the other children. Chambers County Alabama Abstracted by Ruth Crump Wills, Book 1 & 2 Guardianship bonds Page 44 Gilbert S. Gay, Principal James Pate Francis Pearson, Securities Guardianship Bond of $2,000.00 2 Nov. 1835 Gilbert S. Gay, Guardian of John G. Gay, Infant child of Gilbert S. Gay. Signed: Gilbert S. Gay {seal} James Pate {seal} Francis Pearson {seal} ** [Note: Infant at this time meant any child under legal age 18 for women and 21 for men.] Deed - Gilbert S. Gay Chambers County, Alabama Abstracted by Ruth Crump Tract Book Original Land Grants page 110 S W 1/4 of S E 1/4, section 6 Township 24, Range 26 containing 39.85 acres, granted to Gilbert S. Gay, November 29, 1836 Certificate # 5696 Chambers County Will book 1 page 212-213 Gilbert S. Gay Guardian of John G. Gay newborn (infant) The State of Alabama Chambers County }} Know all men by these presents that we Gilbert S. Gay, Aaron Strother & Joseph Yarbrough an held and firmly bound unto James Thompson Judge of the Orphans Court of Chambers County, State of Alabama, in the penal sum of two thousand dollars to which payment will and truly to be made, we, each of us, do bind ourselves and our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severely firmly by these presents: Sealed with our seals and dated this twentieth of September A.D. one thousand and eight hundred and thirty eight. The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas the above bound Gilbert S. Gay was on the second day of November 1835 duly appointed guardian of John G. Gay infant child of the said Gilbert S. Gay and gave bond according to law with James Pate & Frances Pearson his securities and whereas the said Gilbert S. Gay, is desirous to release the said James Pate from further securityship for him, now if the said Gilbert S. Gay shall well and truly perform all the duties which are or may be by law required of him as such guardian as foresaid then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force. Signed, Sealed, and acknowledged by said Gilbert S. Gay & Aaron Strother before me J Thompson Signed, Sealed and acknowledged by said Joseph Yarbrough this 20th day of September 1838 Jos Williams clerk approved Sep 22d 1838 J Thompson Judge Gilbert S. Gay {LS} Aaron Strother {LS} Joseph Yarbrough {LS} [This document seems to support some connection to the Yarbrough family. But if Parthenia Yarbrough was really the first the wife of Gilbert S. Gay, then why is only John G. Gay an heir? She is supposed to be the mother of the five oldest sons. ** Note: John G. was actually about 16 years old at this time. A $2000 bond would indicate a substantial inheritance.] Papers found in Estate files (Guardianship Gilbert S. Gay) Inventory, dated 1 Jan 1836 Settlement, 1836-1837, recorded in 4th V. O. C. B., Page 332 Annual Settlement, 1st Jan 1838 The 1840 Chambers County Census listed Gilbert Gay with 1 male under five, 2 females under 5, 2 males 5-10, 2 males 10-15, 1 female 20-30 and 1 male 40-50. Chambers County, Alabama Abstracted by Ruth Crump from Original records of County Guardianship Gilbert S. Gay, Guardian of: John G. Gay, minor, and son of Gilbert S. Gay 15 August 1840 Signed: Gilbert S. Gay Deed- Gilbert S. Gay -Chambers County, Alabama Abstracted by Ruth Crump Tract Book Original Land Grants Page 111 N ½ of Section 7 township 24 Range 26 Containing 319.11 acres, Granted to Gilbert S. Gay May 18, 1841 Certificate or Grant granted under the Creek Treaty 1832 To be set in a fund for WAR-LOCK-e Hadjo (an Indian) Gilbert S. Gay and family moved to Heard County Georgia by 1850. Why?? 1850 Heard County Georgia Census page 180 41 District 9 November 1850 Gilbert S. Gay, age 55, male, farmer, $1000, born GA Mariah, age 45, Mary age 17, Harriet age 15, Thomas age 13, Joshua N age 12, Sophronia age 10, Aramenta age 8, Dorothy age 6, Lucy age 4, Pinkey age 2 State of Georgia }} County of Heard }} SS On this the twelfth day of November A D Eighteen hundred and fifty personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for said county and State aforesaid Gilbert Gay Jun. aged fifty five years a resident of Heard county in the state of Georgia, who being duly sworn according to law, declaring that he is the identical Gilbert Gay Jun. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Lane in the Regiment of Georgia Re----- commanded by Colonel ___ Jones in the war with Grat Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812 and was marched to Mobile State of Alabama, that he was drafted at Monticello in Jasper County State of Georgia on or about the first of November in the year 1814 for the term of six months and continued in actual service the whole time or within a few day if not the whole time, that is six months and was honorable discharged at Fort Hawkins State of Georgia on or about the fifth day of May 1815, as will appear by the muster rolls of the company, his certificate of discharge is lost or mislaid so that he is unable to find it. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States passed September 28th, 1850. Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year above written. And I hereby certify that I believe the said Gilbert Gay Jun. to be the identical man who served as aforesaid and that he is the age above stated. C. L. Mathews, J. P. Between 1850 and October of 1852, Gilbert S. Gay and family moved to Coosa County Alabama on land now in Elmore County near Central, Alabama on County Road 80, today called Mt. Hebron Road which runs from Central to Hwy 63. His brother Jordan had moved to Coosa County and bought land using his bounty land warrant for service in the War of 1812 and was listed on the Coosa County Census 1850 page 025 Coosa Dist 21 Sept 1850 #331 Jordan Gay, 65, farmer $400 born NC, Rebecca 56, GA, John 24, Lavica Ann 18, Augustus 15, Virgil 12. Mount Gilead Primitive Baptist Church then Coosa County, now Elmore County Alabama. Membership records: Gay, Gilbert rec. by letter Nov 28 1852 dismissed by death Nov 14 1857 Gay, Moriah rec. by letter Nov 28 1852 Coosa County Marriages Mary Ann Gay to Thomas Mosley, Jan 11, 1853 (this is Moriah Bowling's daughter) Witness: John H Colley MG Gay, Thomas S. and Elizabeth Spear 19 December 1854, Consent of H. L. and Margaret Spear and G. S. and Moriah Gay. Harriett Gay to Milton G. Haynes Dec 25, 1854 Witness: M. Ray JP Bounty Land Claim Form of a Declaration To be made where the party has had a warrant and desires another. State of Alabama County of Coosa On the ninth (9th) day of April A. D. one thousand eight hundred and 55, personally appeared before me, Manning Ray as acting Justice of the Peace, duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, Gilbert Gay Junior aged 59 years, a resident of Coosa County in the State of Alabama who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Gilbert Gay Junior who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Lane in the Regiment of Georgia Militia commanded by Col. Jones in the war of United States with Great Britain declared 18th day of June A D 1812 that he was drafted at Monticello Ga on or about the first day of November A.D. 1814 for the term of six months and continued in actual service in said war for fourteen days, and was honorably discharged at Ft. Hawkins GA on or about the 6th day of May A.D. 1815 that he has heretofore made application for bounty land under the act of 28th Sept 1850 and received land warrant, No. _____, for 80 acres, which he has since legally disposed of, and cannot now return. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which he may entitled under the act approved the 3d day of March, 1855. He also declares, that he has never applied for nor received, under this or any other act of Congress, any bounty-land warrant except the one above mentioned. [signature] Gilbert Gay Jun. We William Townsend and Edward A. Lanier, residents of Coosa, in the State of Alabama, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Gilbert Gay Junior, in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. [signature] Wm Townsend [signature] Edward A. Lanier The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. [signature] Manning Ray J. P. Transcript of the will of Gilbert S. Gay, Coosa County Book 2 page 98. State of Alabama }} Coosa County }} Oct 22, 1852 In the name of God, I Gilbert S. Gay, being in good health and of sound mind and memory do make this my last Will and Testament hereby setting aside all former Wills heretofore made and signed, and now make and confirm this as my last Will in the following manner. (Viz) My sons John G. Gay and Elijah Gay, Francis M. Gay, William J. Gay having been equally proportioned and Henry M. Gay is now to have forty acres of land or the amount money to make him equal amounts with the aforementioned sons, (viz) John G. Gay, Elijah Gay, Francis M. Gay, and William J. Gay, and my sons Thomas S. Gay and Joshua Newton minors, my will is that each of them have forty acres of land as follows of my tract of land, (viz) S ½ section fourteen township twenty of range twenty in Coosa County, Alabama Situate on south line joining Harry Spears and also joining my improved land a part of which is in the south west quarter and a portion in the south east quarter of said section 14. My son Joshua Newton is to have forty acres of land (viz) In North west quarter of the south west quarter of said south half section, and my will is that my beloved daughters have as follows (viz) Mary Anne Gay, now Mary Ann Mariah Mosely, Harriet Gay, Margaret Sofronia Gay, Ariminta Gay, Dorothy Gay, Lucy Ann Clark, Louiza Francis Gay, Pink Savannah Gay. My daughter Mary Ann Mariah Mosely and the heirs of her body is to have equal share of property with my sons, she having had a saddle as bed. Sophrona, Armiminta, Dorotha, Lucy Ann Clark, Louisa Francis, and Pink Savanna, all minors, my Will that they be raised and educated out of my estate and as they come of age or marry are to have to them or the heirs of their bodies an equal portion with the others and should any of these minors die in minority or without an heir of their body then in that case his or her portion to be equally divided among my other heirs and to my beloved wife Mariah Gay my will is that she have one thousand dollars out of my estate during her natural life and then return to my heirs and heirs of her body my will is that my property remain with or in the hands of my beloved wife Mariah Gay until the youngest child Pink Savanna comes of age and then sold and equally divided with my children. My will is that my beloved wife Mariah Gay have my home place and keep my children together and my negros Sally, Harriett, Clara and Julia, also is to stay with and help to raise my children. And my will is if my negro Sally should live longer than my wife, that she Sally be set free and when ever she becomes unable to support herself, then my children must support her as long as she may live. Signed as my last will and Testament the day and year within written. G. S. Gay In Presence of (T) Nathan Jester C. A. Blackstone J. W. [his mark] Haynes In the state of Alabama Coosa County I, C. P. Sanford as acting Justice of the peace in said county certify that Nathan Jester and John W. Haynes the subscribing witness to the foregoing conveyance known to me appeared before me and being sworn stated that G. S. Gay, the signee of the conveyance voluntarily executed the same in the presence of the grantors and of the other witness and C. A. Blackstone the other subscribing witness on the 22 day of October 1853. Given under my hand the 17 of December 1857 Nathan jester C. D. Sanford J. P. J. W. (x) Haynes I have no documentation to prove or disprove that Gilbert S. Gay is buried in a private cemetery on the "Haynes Place, 10 miles from Eclectic. I know his daughter Harriett married Milton Haynes and they did live near Eclectic. The order of listing the names of the children in Gilbert S. Gay's will seems to be in age order as was the usual custom. If that holds true, then Henry M was about 10 years younger than the 1860 census recorded, would have been born about 1828 and would not be the oldest child. 1860 Coosa County Alabama Census Southern Division house # 1478 Maria Gay, 50, $1500, $8000, GA, Sophronia Gay 17, AL, Minta, 15, AL, Dolly, 13, AL, Lucy A, 11, AL, Pink, 8, AL Nearby on the 1860 Coosa County census was my ancestor, Henry Gay, listed as age 42, born Georgia, wife Jane, age 30, with John age 11, Mary age 9, Eli age 7, Newton age 22 [Newton is Henry's brother, Joshua Newton Gay] Petition to sell real estate for distribution The State of Alabama Elmore COUNTY Probate Court In the matter of the Estate of G. S. Gay, Deceased, To the Hon, W. E. Dennis Judge of the Probate Court, Elmore County, The undersigned Albert Holly your petitioner, by appointment of this Court Administrator of the Estate of G. S. Gay deceased, would respectfully represent unto your Honor, that the said deceased died seized of the following described lands situate in said County and State, to wit: S W 1/4 of S W 1/4 Sec 14 T 20 R 20 NE 1/4 of S W 1/4 Sec 14 T 20 R 20 W ½ of S E 1/4 Sec 14 T 20 R 20 E ½ S E 1/4 Sec 14 T 20 R 20 Your petitioner further state that the names, ages, residences and condition of the heirs and distributees of said estate are as follows, to wit: M. A. M. Mosley wife of Thomas Mosely, Harriett Haynes wife of Milton Haynes; Margaret Turner wife of John Turner, Ara Minta Gay all of age who resides in Elmore County Pinkney S Gay of full age and resides in Polk County Texas; John Gay and Mary Gay heirs of H. M. Gay dec-d in Elmore County - Joseph Gay & William Gay minor heirs of H. M. Gay dec-d who was an heir of said testator was resides Elmore County Ala further alleges that the said lands cannot be equitably divided among said heirs and distributees without a sale thereof, and therefore, pray that for the purpose of making such division & distribution your Honor will grant an order directing your petitioner to sell the lands hereinbefore described, and will make such further orders herein as may be by law required, and to your honorable Court may seem meet. The State of Alabama, Elmore County}} Albert Holly, being duly sworn, depose and say that the facts set forth in the foregoing petition are true according to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, Subscribed and sworn to before me this 15th day of Nov 1873 Albert Holly W. E. Dennis Judge of Probate The State of Alabama}} To the Honorable W. E. Dennis Judge of Probate Court for said County respectfully represents unto your honor that Gilbert S. Gay late an inhabitant of Coosa County & State aforesaid now are claimer? said testate which last will and testament has been duly admitted to record in the County of Coosa by and proof before the Judge of the Probate Court on the 2nd day of January 1858 the undersigned further represents unto your Honor that he herewith presents to your Honor a fis filing and record in the said Court a certified copy of Gilbert S. Gay's will and testament further represents unto your Honor that the said Gilbert S. Gay died seized and possessed of an estate in this County of about the value of Six hundred Dollars consisting of land *here insert the heirs. Petitioner further represent that said estate is so situate that it would be to the interest of said estate that letter are????the will annually may be granted to Petition that the same is with the consent of all the heirs at law sworn to and subscribed before me this the 2nd day of March 1873 E. E. Dennis Albert Holly Judge of Probate * The heirs of said account are as follows: Mary A M Mosely wife of Thos Mosley Harriet Haynes wife of Milton Haynes Margaret A Turner wife of John Turner Ara Minta Gay all of age who reside in Elmore County Lucy A Gay Chambers County, Ala Pinkny S Gay of Polk County Texas John Gay and Mary Gay heirs of Henry M Gay dec-d son testator of full age who reside in Elmore County Joseph Gay & William minor heirs of Henry M Gay deceased who was a son of said testator who reside in Elmore County NO. Gilbert S. Gay dec-d Estate Petition for letters dd-- b--- nin-- Filed in office this the 24th day of September 1873 W. E. Dennis Judge of Probate Recorded Book A Vol 1 page 602 W. E. Dennis rec-d fee $.90 I have recently found that the church minutes of Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church, located on County Road 80, Elmore County, Alabama about 3 or so miles from Central, is where Gilbert S. Gay worshiped. I was born about a mile away and lived there when I married and left home. I did not know when I lived there that I was kin to the Gay's at all. I started genealogy when I was 30 and my grandmother told me then that her grandmother was a Gay. I had no idea that is where Gilbert S went to church, but did learn that the land he owned in Coosa county, is now in Elmore and you that turn at Mt. Gilead Church to get to where it is. I feel sure he used his Bounty land warrants for some of the land he owned there. He had about 320 acres according to his will, and the 2 bounty land warrants were for 80 acres each. Mr William L. Mann who lives in Central wrote to me I recently and said that he had an opportunity to examine the old minutes of Mt Gilead church and sent me his transcription of: The minutes of November 1857 "Resolved that this church give an expression of their feelings in reference to the Death of our Beloved Brother Gilbert Gay whereas it has been the pleasure of God to remove from our midst his servant our much beloved Brother Gay the 14th Day of Nov. 1857. Be it therefore resolved that while we bow with humble submission to the act of Divine Providence we Deeply sympathize with the Neighbors and especially with our Dear Sister his wife and bereaved children and may God of his grate goodness and mercy give aid and humble Resignation to his Divine will and be a husband to our bereaved sister and a father to his children." Then I discovered this same passage published in "The Heritage of Elmore County, Alabama", published by Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc.., P O Box 67, Clanton, AL 35046, printed by Walsworth Publishing Company, Inc, Copyright 2002, Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc, and The Elmore County Heritage Book Committee, page 116. Mr. Mann also sent info from the Church Membership records Gay, Gilbert rec. by letter Nov 28 1852 dismissed by death Nov 14 1857 Gay, Moriah rec. by letter Nov 28 1852 So I can absolutely prove that Gilbert S. Gay was not alive to sign the Sims probate papers in 1860. That should prove that the other Gilbert Gay (born 1803) is the heir of Allan Gay as listed in the Sims probate papers and that Gilbert S. Gay was the same Gilbert Gay that was listed as the heir of Joshua Gay along with his brother Jordan Gay, also deceased and also did not receive any portion of the Sims estate nor sign the documents. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/coosa/bios/bs21gay.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 30.0 Kb