The  Family of 
John  Gayle 
& Wife 
Nancy Whitehead
Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama & Texas
page created by Sadie Greening Sparks 
Copyright October 18, 2000

This page revised November 20, 2003

Copyright Information and Restrictions: 
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provided for the free use of those engaged in non-commercial genealogical research .. Any and all commercial use is strictly prohibited. Researchers may copy and distribute this work, but ONLY with written permission of the Author, and with the provision that it may only be copied
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Major Contributors to this page: Judy Baugh  
Old Family Letters contributed by Vernon O Gayle, Jr

COMMENTS   HOME

ALABAMA RECORDS 

John Gayle, PROBABLY the son of Matthew & Lucretia [Billups] Gayle, was born abt. 1770, in Va.. He and Nancy Whitehead born Abt.1773, Mecklenburg, VA, daughter of Benjamin & Mary Elizabeth [Swepson] Whitehead, were married March 23, 1793, in Mecklenburg Co., Virginia. Sec: William Whitehead, Note from James Coleman, Gdn. John's residence is cited on the marriage bond as Halifax, VA. John & Nancy moved to Sumter shortly after their marriage. The first courthouse of Sumter was built on or near his land, 1800.

From the book Historical Sketches of Sumter County- Sumterville was laid out between 1801 and 1804 on a low lying plot of land purchased from John Gayle. Even before the plan for the town was laid out, 1799, the General Assembly made provisions for a courthouse and gaol to be built for Sumter District on land "near the plantation of John Gayle, and until a court House shall be built, the Court of Said District shall be held at the House of the said John Gayle. His home which is described as a small one story building with a piazza on the south side. Except for the fact that he was the grandson of Josiah Gayle,* who obtained a grant of land in the High Hills in 1771 little else is known." 
*(John Gayle was Not the gr/son of Josiah Gayle-sgs)

SUMTER DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA by Jane Revill P 38:
SUMTER:
"In the year 1798 a new Act was passed by the Legislature to divide the whole State into new Judicial Districts. The one to be called Sumter District was to comprehend the Counties of Clarendon, Claremont, and Salem. The site for the new Sumter District was selected as being John Gayle's Plantation, and the  town was called Sumterville.  The place was surveyed, lots marked off, and a court house and gaol, (jail) were built. 

According to the records the land selected to be Sumterville, (now Sumter) was granted to General Thomas Sumter and to Benjamin Mitchell, who conveyed it to Robert Singleton, who sold it to John Gayle, and wife Nancy Gayle, who conveyed it to Richard Harvin,  and he bequeathed it (or part of it) to William R. Harvin.  (Deed Bk D, P 297-298, Sumter Co.)  (Also See Deed Bk 1, P 297-298, Sumter Co.) 

A more suitable site nor a more suitable name could not have been found."....

A SHORT HISTORY of SUMTER, SC Cynthia Ridgeway Parker
"Mail Service was begun in 1801 for a place designated as Sumterville under the order of the postmaster general of the United States."

PLACES IN SUMTER, SC by Cynthia Ridgeway Parker
Sumter- Mail service was established in a 1801, for a post office designated as Sumterville. The first post master was John Gayle.

John & Nancy Whitehead Gayle relocated to western South Carolina around 1802. Nancy appears to have died prior to 1810 in SC according to census records. He may have married & had additional children prior to his marriage to Mary Whitehead Greening. (See below)

This John Gayle was an Uncle to Gov. John Gayle of Alabama, and the first wife of Gov. John Gayle (Sarah A. P Haynsworth) was a cousin to the children of John Greening & Mary Whitehead.

John Gayle moved to Monroe Co, Mississippi Territory about 1811, according to deed records (later Baldwin Co, Ala)    About 1823 he married Nancy's sister Mary (Whitehead) Greening, widow of John Greening of Sumter.  There were no children of that union. John Gayle died in Wilcox Co., Ala, in the fall of 1828.  His Estate is indexed as being in file box #43, but I, and the clerk, were unable to locate file box 43

Capt. Thomas Poole, will Abbeville Dist., SC 28 Jun 1806, adm by Leah, Micajah Pool, Robert White, John Gayle.

1810 Abbeville, SC P 061-John Gayle. 4-4-0-2-1/1-0-0-0-0-0 -0-27 slaves
4 males und 10
4 males 10-16
2 males 26-45
1 male over 45
1 fe und 10 and 27 slaves

The above census obviously has others than his immediate family in this HH-sgs)
& next door 
Billups Gayle, 00100-11101-0-11 (s/o Matthew & Mary Reese Gayle)
1 M 16-26  & 1 Fe Und 10, 1F 10-16, 1F 16-26 & 1 Fe 45+ & 11 slaves

The ancestry of John Gayle has traditionally been given as that he was the son of John Gayle & Maria Billups, who was the son of George Gale & Elizabeth "Betty" Denwood of Somerset Co, Maryland. However that John Gale died before John, or his brother Matthew, were born, Ref. Somerset, MD Prerogative court records.

CHILDREN OF JOHN & NANCY (WHITEHEAD) GAYLE
(Note: this list is not necessarily complete. Some records strongly suggest that John Gayle had other children,  some of them possibly by wives other than these two known to us-see Child #8 below)

          1. John, Jr  -Named in will of Grandmother, Lucretia Gayle
              (No further record, after 1810 Abbeville Co, SC Census)-May have died young

2. Matthew "Mat" Gayle:   Born Feb 17, 1797 Sumter Dist, SC Died: Jan 27, 1867 Ala Bur: Oakwood Cem., Montgomery, Ala
Mathew Gayle had several land entries in Dallas Co, Ala. some at Wetumpka T/S in partnership with Leonard Dozier

   (M) Amarinth Lowndes Phillips 1829 Dallas Co, Ala; d. 1894, East Columbia, Brazoria Cty., TX (Lived in Montgomery, Ala-1887)

                Children: Gayle
            A.  Phillip Heustis Saffold Gayle  (Confederate Veteran-Served as private secretary to Gen. Leroy Pope Walker, Secretary of War, and as such sent the telegram from the Capitol of the Confederacy commanding Gen. Beauregard to fire on Ft. Sumter, "the shot that was heard around the world".)
                  Lawyer, Graduate of University of Georgia with high honors.
                  Born: April 13, 1831 Cahawba, Dallas Co., Ala 
                  Died: Feb 3, 1903 Montgomery, Ala. 
                 (Businessman in Montgomery)

                 (M) Mary Elizabeth Semple Armistead   Jan 30, 1856 
                       Montgomery, Ala
                       She was born Mar. 28, 1837 Green Co, Ala 
                       Died: May 14, 1903 Montgomery, Ala
                       Dtr of William & Lucy Boyd Armistead
                       Children: Gayle
                     (1) William Armistead Gayle Jan 11, 1857 Mont. Co, Ala 
                          Died Jan 3, 1916 Montgomery, Ala
                          (M) Mary Elizabeth Winn Nov. 21, 1888 Demopolis, Ala.
                                 She died Apr. 24, 1944 Montgomery, Ala
                          a. Walter W. Born Ca 1891 Ala
                               Agent, Machinery, 1930 Meck.Co, NC
                               (M) Anne H 
                                      Born Ca 1890 Ala
                                      1. Walter W. born Ca 1922 SC
                                      2. Kathryn W Born Ca 1924 SC
                          b. Willy G. (Dtr) Born Ca 1893 Ala
                          c. Mary P Born Ca 1894 Ala
                          d. William A. Born Ca 1896 Ala
                              1920 Montgomery, Ala Cordwood Dealer
                              Asst. Adj. General, State of Ala, 1930 Montgomery, Ala
                               (M) Katherine Anderson
                                      Born Ca 1899
                                      1. William A. Born Ca 1920
                          e. Norman W Born Ca 1900 Al
                              Died Nov 27, 1945 Montgomery, Ala
                              Realtor, Montgomery, Ala 1930
                              (M) Ca 1924 Ethel S. 
                                     Born Ca 1902
                                     1. Norman W. Born Ca 1926
                                     2. Mary L Born Ca 1930
                     (2) Joseph Phillips Gayle CA 1860 Mont. Co, Ala. 
                          Died May 10, 1910 Montgomery, Ala. did not marry
                     (3) Lucy Herbert Gayle CA 1867 Mont. Co, Ala 
                           Died Nov. 27, 1918 Montgomery, Ala.
                     (4) Mary Semple Gayle Born Oct. 7, 1873 Mont. Ala
                          Died: 4/5/1944      
                          (M) William Lamar Law, Physician
                           1920 Montgomery, Ala No children
                           1930 Montgomery, Ala No children
Ref: The Armistead Family & Collaterals by Margaret Randolph Cate & West Armistead Cate, 1971, Tenn.

            B.  Amarinth Lowndes Gayle Born: CA 1832 Ala 
                  (missing 1850)

            C. John Gayle Born CA 1833 Ala  Died: Jan 20, 1857
                (M) Sallie E. James June. 27, 1855 Montgomery Co., Ala.
                       born Ca 1835 Ala
                        (Lived 1860 Montgomery Co, Ala, P 298 Gilmer HH)
                       1. John Born Ca 1857 Ala

            D. Mary Arthur Gayle (missing 1850 Census)

            E. Frances Swepson Gayle  ("Fanny") Born Ca 1838 Ala 
                 Died: 1876 Mont., Ala-Buried Oakwood Cem-with 3 children 
                 who died of yellow fever.

                 (M)  George P Keys (Lawyer)
                        He was born Ca 1830 Ala 
                        1. Annie Born Ca 1863 Ala 

             F. Zeno Ray Gayle Born: June 2, 1840-Died  at Battle of 
                 Chickamauga (CSA- Mil. Records-Z. R. Gayle, Co A 1 Batt'n. 

                 Hilliard's Legion, Ala. Vols. Private )

             G. George Washington Gayle Born:  Feb 22, 1842 
                  (1900 Brazoria Co, Texas Census shows May, 1851 ) Ala 
                  Died: May 19, 1902
Brazoria Co, Texas 
                  Brazoria Co, Texas Civil War Pensions Appl. Index:
                  Gayle, Jennie 42425 Brazoria Husband: Gayle, George Washington

                  (M) Mary Jane (Jennie) Phillips May 26, 1874
                         Born Nov, 1853 Texas (Wid-1910, 1920, 1930 Brazoria Co)
                         Children: Gayle
                         1. Fannie Lowndes Born April 18, 1875 Tex
                             (M) 1898 John C. Faickney  
                             Born Ca 1869 Tx
                             (Bank Cashier) 1900
                             1920 & 1930-Proprietor-Hardware Store, Angleton, Tx
                             No Children 
                         2. Mary Phillips. July 4, 1877 Tex
                         3. Robert Porter. Aug 26, 1879 Tex
                         4. James Ray Born Aug 16, 1881 Tex Died Mar. 6, 1952
                             Bur: Angleton Cem., Angleton, Brazoria Co, Tx
                             Retail Merchant, Hdwre, Genl. Mdse-Angleton, Tx
                             (M) 1910 Alma Moore
                                 Born  Feb. 24, 1890 Ohio Died Jan 14, 1968 
                                 Bur: Angleton Cem. Angleton, Brazoria Co., Tx
                                 a. James Ray  Jr. born Nov 13, 1911 Tx 
                                    Died: 
27 Oct, 2003
                                    Angleton Cem., Angleton, Brazoria Co, Tx
                                     (M) Lavinia Brewer
                                            Born Oct. 31, 1914-Died June 13, 1982
                                            Angleton Cem., Angleton, Brazoria Co., Tx
                                 b. Robert M. Born Ca 1929/30 Tx
                          5. George Walter Born Sept. 1883  Tex Died pr to 1920
                               (M) Ca 1907 Annie Laura Stafford
                                Born Dec 12, 1888 Tx Died: Jan 29, 1978 Angleton, Tx
                                She was Tax Assessor, Brazoria Co, 1920 (Widow)
                                & Treas., Brazoria Co, 1930
                                a. Nannie B. Born Ca 1908 Tx
                                b. George Walter,  Jr Born Dec 27, 1909 Tx
                                    Died: April 26, 1999 San Angelo, Tom Green Co, Tx
                                    geophysical worker, oil research 1930
                                c. Annie Laura Born Ca 1911 Tx
                                    (M) James Walter Bradford, Sr
                                   
Born Jan 19, 1911 Died Mar 27, 1983
                                    Bur: Angleton Cem., Angleton, Brazoria Co, Tx
                                d. Jennetta Bennett Born Dec 31, 1912 Tx
                                    Died: Dec 14, 1998 Angleton, Tx did not marry
                           6. Zeno Joseph Born May 27, 1886  Tex Died: Dec 2, 1974
                               Harris Co, Tx
                               1910 Brazoria Co, Tx 
                               Leasee, Oil Co, 1930 Harris Co
                              
(M) 1905 Fern Edith Habig
                                Born Ca 1887 Nebraska
                                a. Mary (Marie) L.  Born Ca 1906 Tx
                                b. Hazel D. Born Ca 1908 Tx 
                                (Name shown as ZENO, 1910)
                                c. Katherine Born Ca 1910 Tx 
                                d  Jo (dtr) Born Ca 1913 Tx
                                e. Doris S. Born Ca 1918 Tx
                                f. Fern Edith Born Ca 1921 Tx
                           7  Bettie L. Born Nov 5, 1888 Tex  
                               Died: Oct, 1970 W. Columbia, Tx-did not marry
                           8  John Phillips Born Dec 11, 1891  Tx
                              Died: Oct. 28, 1966 W. Columbia, Tx
                              single 1910
                              (M) Lavinia C. Brock
                               Born Nov 5, 1898 Tx Died: June 7, 1929
                               Gulf Prairie AKA Peach Point Cem
                               Jones Creek, Brazoria Co, Tx
                               a. Lois A. Born Aug 28, 1918 Tx Died: Aug. 23, 1973
                               Bur: Gulf Prairie AKA Peach Point Cem., 
                               Jones Creek, Brazoria Co., Tx
                               (M) Laughlin
                               b. Fanny Born Ca 1921 Tx
                               c. Dorrie Born Ca 1923 Tx
                               d. John Phillips, Jr. Born 1926 Tx

             H. Matthew, Gayle Jr. Born: October 19, 1847 Ala 
                  Died: Aug 28, 1891 Brazoria Co., Texas-
                  businessman in Montgomery, 1880's

DB B P 112, Dec. 9, 1829 Wilcox Co, Ala-Matthew Gayle & wife,  Amarinth Gayle of Wilcox Co to Caleb Etheridge, 79.78 acres, Wilcox Co, Ala.

Ala Land Records-Matthew Gayle, 5/04/1829, Cert #3673-Wilcox Co.

A Century of Lawmaking-Journal of the executive proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America, 1829-1837
TUESDAY, December 27, 1836.

To the Senate of the United States:

I nominate Matthew Gayle to be receiver of public moneys for the district of lands subject to sale at Cahaba, in the State of Alabama, vice Uriah G. Mitchell, resigned.

ANDREW JACKSON.

Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America

Washington, Dec'r 29th, 1840.

To the Senate of the United States:

I nominate Matthew Gayle to be receiver of public moneys for the district of lands subject to sale at Cahaba, in the State of Alabama, from the 11th of January, 1841, when his present commission will expire.

M. VAN BUREN.

Washington, Dec'r 30th, 1840.

Washington, Dec'r 28th, 1840.

The messages were read.

Ordered, That the nominations of Purdy McElvain and Matthew Gayle be referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Journal of the executive proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America, 1837-1841
FRIDAY, January 8, 1841.

Mr. Walker, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom were referred, on the 31st of December last, the nominations of Purdy McElvain and Matthew Gayle, reported.

Whereupon
Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of the said persons, agreeably to their nominations respectively.

Journal of the executive proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America, 1841-1845
MONDAY, January 13, 1845.

JOHN TYLER.
Washington, 13th January, 1845.

To the Senate of the United States.

I nominate Matthew Gayle to be receiver of public moneys, for the district of lands subject to sale at Cahaba, in the State of Alabama, from the 11th day of January, 1845, when his commission expired.

Journal of the executive proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America, 1841-1845
SATURDAY, February 8, 1845.

Mr. Woodbridge, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom were referred, on the 31 December last, the nominations of William Hunley, Oliver B. Hill, and Arthur Bridgman; on the 7 January, that of John S. Horner; on the 13 January, those of Elijah H. Gordy, Edward F. Comegys, Robert A. Forsyth, Lunsford R. Noel, William Dowsing, Andrew J. Edmonson, Lewis B. McCarty, David E. Moore, and Matthew Gayle; and, on the 27 January, those of Samuel Holmes and Thomas J. Hodson, reported.

Journal of the executive proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America, 1841-1845
FRIDAY, February 14, 1845.

On motion by Mr. Woodbridge,
The Senate proceeded to consider the nominations of Oliver B. Hill, Arthur Bridgman, John S. Horner, Elijah H. Gordy, Edward F. Comegys, Robert A. Forsyth, Lunsford R. Noel, William Dowsing, Andrew J. Edmonson, Lewis B. McCarty, David E. Moore, Matthew Gayle, and Thomas I. Hodson respectively; and

Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of the said persons, agreeably to their nominations respectively.
                                      -------------------------------------------

3. Richard Whitehead "Dick" Gayle  Born 1801 Sumter Dist, SC 
    Died  1866 Houston Co, Texas-lived in Liberty Co, Tx 1850
    1860 Houston Co, Tx Prairie PO,  w/new wife and some children

    (M) #1- Martha "Patsy" Clark Oct 9, 1823 Dallas Co, Ala
    She died CA 1857 Houston Co, Ta 

                Children: Gayle
            (A)  Benjamin Billups Gayle Born Nov 8, 1826 Ala
                   Died Mar. 19, 1895 (1875?) Bexar Co, Tx Oak Island Cem.
                   San Antonio, Texas  
                  
(M) Julia Ann Dever 
                   Born Apr 10, 1829 Ala 
                   Died Sept 20, 1862 Bexar Co, Tex (Oak Island Cem)
                   Their children: Gayle
                   (1) John Fountain  born July 10, 1850 Tex Died: Dec 7, 1887
                        Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Tx
                        Buried Beside him is 
                        Mary Alice Gayle Born Aug 22, 1854 Died April 11, 1892
                        (M) Amanda (Wattis?) Ca 1871
                        (a) Julia A. Born Mar. 4,  1872 Tex Died: May 29, 1893
                             Oak Island Cem, San Antonio
                        (b) Ellen Born Ca 1874 Tex
                        (c) Ada Born Ca 1877 Tex
                        (d) Susan Born Ca 1879 Tex
                   (2) Laura  Born Ca 1853 Tex 
                         (M) John Thomas Wilson
                   (3) Henry Collins Born July 9, 1855 Tex Died: Dec 11, 1932
                         Oak Island Cem., San Antonio, Tx
                         lived 1930 San Antonio, Tx
                         (M) Ca 1878 Sarah Alevia  (Had 8 ch 7 liv 1900 Bexar Co)
                         Born 2/21/1859 Died 12/23/1937 
                         Oak Island Cem. San Antonio, Tx
                         (a) Henry F. Jr.  Born Ca 1879 Tex Died:1956 Oak Island Cem
                              San Antonio, Tx (farmer, Bexar Co)
                              (M) Lillie D _______ Born Sept 1, 1886-
                              Died Jan, 1963 Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Tx
                               1. John Fountain Born July 23,1906 Tx Died July 7, 1977
                                   Harris Co, Tx
                                   single, 1930 Bexar Co, farmer
                                   (M) Ludmila T. 
                                   Born June 24, 1907 Died May 1, 1972 Pasadena, Tx
                                   Both bur. Oak Island Cem, Bexar Co, Tx
                               2. Lorena Born May 26, 1909 Tx Died: Nov 19, 1996
                                   Bur: Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Tx
                                   (M) Arthur James Koehler
                               3. David F. Born April 7, 1913 Died 
                                   (M) Olga Frees 
                                    Born Feb. 12, 1909 Died Mar 24, 1999 Von Ormy, Tx
                                    D/M Oak Island Cem San Antonio, Bexar, Tx
                               4. Bernice Born Ca 1915/16 Tx
                               5.
Alfred Collins* Born Sept. 20, 1918 Tx
                                   Died: May 15, 1986 Atascosa Co, Tx
                                   (M) Dec 24, 1944 Rosena Marie 
                                   Born Dec 24, 1924 Died Feb. 12, 1999
                                   Both buried Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Tx
                        (b) Annie Laura B-Aug 18, 1881 Tx  Died June 12, 1963
                              Bur: Oak Island Cem., Bexar Co, Tx
                              (M) Hugh Baylor Stanfield
                                    
Born June 13, 1874 Died Mar. 16, 1970
                                    
1. Bennie (dtr) Born Ca 1911 Tx
                                     2. Annie M Born Ca 1913 Tx
                                     3. John D. Born Ca 1915 Tx
                                     4. Hugh Campbell Born Ca 1917 Tx
                        (c) Ora B-Oct. 1883 Tx
                        (d) Glen Fountain B-Nov, 1885 Tx single 1910 Bexar Co
                        (e) Benjamin B-Nov 9, 1887 Tx- Died Sept, 1963
                             single 1910 Bexar Co-Bookkeeper
                             Credit Mgr-Wholesale Gro, 1930 San Antonio
                             (M) Pearle A. 
                                    Born Mar 24, 1885 Died: Feb, 1975 Houston,  Tx
                                    1. Benjamin, Jr  Born Ca 1918 Tx
                                    2. Dorothy P. Born Ca 1922 Tx
                        (f) John Claude "Sparky" Born Aug 15, 1890 Tx 
                             Died June 1, 1959
                             single 1910 Bexar Co, Dairy Farmer 1930 Bexar
                             (M) Susie Ann
                                    Born Nov, 24, 1895 Died Dec 3, 1987 Bexar Co
                                    Both buried Oak Island Cem, Bexar Co, Tx
                                    1. Myrtle B. Born June 7, 1916 Tx Died 
                                        (M) Aubrey Albert McCrum Feb. 22, 1947
                                               Born Dec 2, 1916
                                               Markers @ Oak Island Cem, San Antonio
                                    2. Alfred Collins Born Sept 20, 1918 Tx
                                        Died May 15, 1986 Poteet, Atascosa Co, Tx
                                        Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Tx
                                         (M) Rosena Marie ___
                                         Born Dec 24, 1924 Died Feb 12, 1999
                                         Poteet, Atascosa Co, Tx
                                         Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Tx
                                    3. Sarah Catherine Born Jan 19, 1920 Tx 
                                        Died: April 5, 1920
                                        Bur: Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Tx
                                    4. John Claude  Jr. "Jake" Born July 16, 1922 
                                        Died July (8) 1994 Bexar Co
                                        "96th Infantry Division"; "382nd Regiment WWII";
                                          "Purple Heart"
                                         (M) Lou Ella "Wendy" _____June 1, 1946
                                         Born Aug 21, 1927
                                         D/M @ Oak Island Cem., Bexar Co, Tx
                                     5. Laura Sue Born Oct. 13, 1923 Tx Died:  NO date
                                         Oak Island Cem, San Antonio, Bexar, Tx
                                         (M) Willis J Riggs, Jr.
                        (g) Callie E. B-Sept 2, 1894 Tx Died Feb. 9, 1961
                              Oak Island Cem., San Antonio, Tx
                              (M) Rex Stanfield 
                              
a. Fannie E. Born Ca 1920 Tx
                                   did not locate 1930 Tx
                        (h) Herman Theodore Born Sept 28, 1898 Tx 
                              Died Sept 13, 1964 Bexar Co, Tx
                              gauger, Oil Co, 1930 Webb Co, Tx
                             (M) Tiney Jewell Y. 
                                    Born 1900 Died July 6, 1988 Portland,
                                    San Patricio Co, Tx
                                    Both buried Oak Island Cem,  Bexar Co, Tx
                         (i) John McCoy (Adopted son) born Ca 1900 Tx
                              Died 1966-
                              Oak Island Cem., San Antonio, Tx
                              McCOY, Johnie G. 1900-1966
                   (4) Richard Whitehead Born 1857 Tex Died 1937 San Antonio
                         Oak Island Cem., San Antonio, Tx. (single, farmer 1880-1930)
                   (5) Lucy H. Born Aug 1, 1859-Died Oct 13, 1872
                         Oak Island Cem, San Antonio,  Bexar Co, Tex
                   (6) Lilly Born CA 1862 Tex

Oak Island Cemetery Records (Unplaced by me)
John R. Gayle March 8, 1846-August 6, 1892

            (B) Susan Amarenth "Sue" Gayle  Born CA 1829 Ala
                  Died: May 21, 1870 Pennington, Houston Co, Texas

                  (M) Dr William H Denney, Physician, in Liberty Co, Texas
                         & later Crockett, Houston Co, Tx
                         Dr. Denney remarried and had a son George H Denney 
                         born Oct., 1875 (M) Lucy Baker Feb 8, 1899
                  Their children: Denney (All single 1880)
                  (1) Mattie V.  Born Ca 1851 Tx (single, 1900-1920 Crockett, Tx)
                       Mentioned in letter of April, 1851, below-sgs
                  (2) Frances "Fannie"  Born May, 1856 Tx
                        Widow, 1920 Crockett, Tx
                        (M) James Vernon Collins Jan 4, 1883 Houston Co, Tx (1-33)
                              Born April, 1851 Tx Died pr to 1920
                              Justice of Peace, 1900 Crockett
                              Genl. farming, 1910 Crockett
                              a. Alford G. Born Sept, 1884 Tx (single 1910)
                              b. Mattie Born March, 1886 (wid 1910 Crockett, Tx)
                                   In HH w/mother, 1920 Crockett, Tx
                                  (M) _____Kennedy
                                        1. Frances P. Born Ca 1907 Tx
                                        2. Will Ike Born Ca 1910 Tx
                              c. William Denney R. Born April, 1888 Tx
                                  Depy. Co. Clerk, Crockett, Houston Co, 1920
                                  genl. farming, 1930 Crockett, Tx
                                  (M) 1907 Willie P_____
                                         Born Ca 1890 Tx
                                         1. Maxine Born Ca 1908 Tx
                                         2. James P Born Ca 1912 Tx
                                         3. William Denny, Jr. Born Ca 1914 Tx
                              d. Brownie (dtr) Born March, 1894 Tx
                              e. Child B & D bet. 1900-1910
                  (3) Samuel A. Born Dec, 1856 Tx
                        Attorney-At-Law, 1900 Archer Co, Tx census
                        & Archer Co. Judge, 1895
                        Lawyer in Crockett, Tx 1920, 1930 (Widr)
                        (M)  Mary Lou Turney Oct. 18, 1891 Houston Co, Tx (2-444)
                                Born April, 1870 Tx
                                a. Samuel Gayle Born Sept, 1892, Died Oct. 20, 1988
                                    Wichita Co, Tx
                                     school teacher, 1930 Fannin Co, Tx
                                    (M Syble (Ham?) school teacher, 1930 Fannin Co
                                b. William M Born Dec, 1893
                                c. Louise Born Oct, 1894 
                                    school teacher, 1920 Wichita Falls, Tx
                                    & 1930 Dallas, Tx
                                d. Sidney A. Born Dec, 1895
                                e. John Leighton Born Feb, 1897 Tx
                                   Stationed Camp Benning, Ga. 2nd Lt., US Army 1920
                                   Lived 1930 San Francisco, Calif
                                   Clerk, US Gov't.
                                   (M) Ca 1927 Miriam H.
                                          (Social Worker, Red Cross)
                                          Born Ca 1899 Pa 
                                f. Davis McCall (Sr) Born Oct7, 1899 Tx D-Feb 15, 1985 
                                   Sugar Land, Fort Bend Co, Tx
                                   Lived w/Aunt Mamie (Fanny) Collins, 1920 Houston Co
                                   Lived 1930 Houston, Harris Co-Acctnt-Oil Co 
                                   (M) Ca 1926 Dorothy
                                          Born Ca 1898 Ga
                                          a. William Born Ca 1927 Florida
                                g. Mary Born Ca 1903 Tx
                                    lived w/Aunt Mattie Denny, 1910, 1920 Crockett, Tx
                  (4) Mary Born 1859 Tx
                  (5) William H. "Willie"  Born May, 1865 Tx D: Pr to 1930
                        stockman, 1900 Crockett, Houston, Co., Tx
                        Bank President, Crockett, Tx 1910, 1920
                        (M) Ada  L. Beasley Houston Co, Tx Nov 20, 1890 (2-350)
                               Wid 1930 Crockett, Tx
                               Born Sept, 1869 Tx
                               a. Grace Born Oct, 1891 Tx
                                   Single, School Teacher, 1920 Crockett, Tx
                               b. Sue Gale Born Aug, 1893 Tx
                                    Single, School Teacher, 1920 Crockett, Tx
                               c. Beasley Born Mar, 1895 Tx
                                   Single, School Teacher, 1920 Crockett, Tx
                               d. William H Born Feb, 1898 Tx
                                   Accountant, Oil Co, Houston, Tx 1920 single
                                   Cashier, Bank, Crockett, Tx 1930-single
                               e. Stephen T. Born  Jan 20, 1901 Tx
                                   D-Sept, 1972 Crockett, Houston Co, Tx (single)
                                   Cotton buyer, Crockett, Tx 1930 single
                  (6) Anna Born Oct., 1867 Tx
                       school teacher, single 1900-1930 Crockett, Tx
                       Retired, lived w/1/2 bro George Denny, 1930

            (C) Matthew W. Gayle Born CA 1833 Ala
                  single, farmer, 1860 Houston Co., Tx Prairie PO
                  *Civil War Rosters, Houston Co, Tx
                  Co. E, Gould's Battalion, 6th Texas Cavalry, Capt. J T Heflin,
                  Org. July 22, 23 1861, Mustered into Confederate Service 
                  @ Porter Springs Houston Co, Tx May, 1862
                   Muster roll incl: Matthew Gayle*
                   *died from disease bet. June 13, 1862-July 23, 1862

            (D)  Jabez Heustis  Jackson Gayle Born Ca 1834 Ala
                    single, farmer, 1860 Houston Co, Tx (Prairie PO)
                    Did not locate 1870, 1880 Texas

            (E) Elizabeth Swepson Gayle Born Ca 1837 Ala
                   single 1850, Houston Co, Texas age 13-no further record

            (F) Mary Ann Gayle Born Ca 1839 Ala Died PR to 1866
                  (M) Cal Wooten
                 
Born CA 1835 Miss-Died 1867 Houston Co., Tx
                  Had No children1860 Houston Co, Tx , Prairie PO
                  He was murdered in 1867 by a rival suitor for a 
                  young lady's affection, after his first wife died.

            (G) Merrit D. Gayle Born Ca 1841 Ala -
                   appears in 1850 Liberty Co., Tx census, age 9, no further record
                   did not locate in 1870, 1880 Texas census

            (H) John Richard Gayle Born Ca  March 4,1844 Liberty Co, Texas 
                  Died: August 6, 1877* @ Dew, Freestone Co., Texas

                  (M) Margaret Magdalene Richardson  Nov 15, 1871
                   Freestone Co, Texas
                   She was born Dec 15, 1856 Sumter, SC
                   Children (from *Debbie Pentecost)
                   (1) Eunie Rae Gayle Born Aug 15, 1873 Freestone Co, Tx
                         (M) Frank Montgomery
                   (2) Mary Ola Gayle Born Dec 5, 1874 Freestone Co, Tx
                         single school teacher, 1900 Crockett, Houston Co, Tx
                         (M) Leighton P. Tenney Houston Co, Tx July 10, 1902
                                (6-333)
                                Physician in Harrison Co, Tx 1910

                                a. Mary M. Born Ca 1902 Tx
                                b. Ola G. Born Ca 1904 Tx
                                c  Anna L. Born Ca 1906 Tx
                                d. Ruth Born Ca 1907 Tx
                   (3) Addie Lee Gayle Born Sept 26, 1876 Freestone Co, Tx
                         (M) Julian G. McCoy,  Anderson Co, Tx

            (I) Felix G. Gayle Born Ca 1848 Liberty Co, Texas
                 appears in 1850 Liberty Co., Tx census age 2-no further record

            (J) Elbert H. Gayle Born CA 1852 Liberty Co, Texas
                 HH of father, 1860 Houston Co, Tx, Prairie PO-age 8
                 did not locate 1870 & 1880 Texas census

            (k) J. R. (Son) Born Ca 1857 Houston Co, Tx-no further record
                  appears in 1860 census, Houston Co, Tx, Prairie PO  age 3-
                  Missing 1870 census

   (M) #2-Hannah A. Long  CA 1858 Houston Co, Texas

            (K) Levin W. Gayle Born June 8, 1859 Houston Co, Texas  
                   Died: March 6, 1918 Volga Community, Houston Co, Texas

                   (M) Emily Goodrum Houston Co, Tx Jan 10, 1884
                          Filed? Dec 17, 1886 (1-392)
                          Born Nov 5, 1868-Died Nov 8, 1928 

                   Both buried at Salem Cem., Houston Co, Texas
                   Children  Gayle 
                    (1) 
Laura  Born Oct, 18, 1889 Tx Died: June 1, 1975 
                           Buried: Salem Cem, Houston Co, Tx
                           (M) Orland Hyde Jan 24, 1909 Houston Co (9-181)
                            Born June 21, 1886 Died Dec 19, 1914
                            Bur: Salem Cem, Houston Co, Tx
                            a. Melba Born Ca 1912 Tx
                            b. Everett Born Ca 1913 Tx
                            c. Louise born Ca 1915 Tx
                    (2)  Leila May Born Sept, 1891 Tx
                           (M) Morgan Harrelson Mar. 28, 1917 Houston Co (12-421)
                            a. Rayford Born Ca 1919 Tx
                    (3)  Bessie G. Born Mar, 1894 Tx
                           (M) William T Etheridge April 17, 1913 
                           Houston Co, Tx (11-251)
                          
Machinist, oil refinery 1930 Houston, Harris, Tx
                            a. Roscoe Born Ca 1920 Tx
                            b. William T., Jr. Born Ca 1921 Tx
                    (4)  Maudie D. Born  Aug, 1896 Tx
                           (M) Thomas Leroy Little Nov 25, 1915 Houston Co (12-177)
                            a. Thurman Aaron Born Ca 1917 Tx
                            b. Mavis Born Ca 1921 Tx
                    (5)  Richard Benjamin  Born April 2, 1901 Tx  single 1920
                          Died Nov 16, 1980 Houston Co, Tx
                          Bur: Salem Cem, Houston Co, Tx
                          (M) Annie Mae Smith
                    (6)  Vernon O. Born May 27, 1903 Tx Died: Sept, 1976 Crockett,
                           Houston Co, Tx
                           Welder, Tool Co. Houston, Tx 1930
                           (M) Ca 1928 Mildred Elizabeth Matthews
                                   Born May 30, 1909 Tx Died: Mar 5, 1996 Crockett, Tx
                    (7)  Erma Belle Born Oct. 30,1908 Tx Died: May 24, 1913
                           Bur: Salem Cem, Houston Co, Tx

The State of Texas
County of Liberty
Know all men by these presents that, I Billups Gayle, of the County & State aforesaid, for and in cons. of the sum of four thousand dollars to me in hand paid by Richard W. Gayle of same County and State, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have granted, bargained, sold and conveyed to said Richard W Gayle the one half of a league of land lying at or near the Neches River in the County of Jefferson, containing twenty-two hundred and twenty two acres Spanish or Mexican measure the particular metes and bounds of said half league now unknown to me but the league of land out of which said half league above sold and conveyed is to be taken was originally granted to Henry Webb and by him to Allen Seagram? and is near or in the neighborhood adj. Mrs. Lucas, Edwd? Brown, and J. M(illeg) to have and to hold the aforesaid granted (illeg. line) 
appurtenances thereto belonging,  to the said Richard W Gayle his heirs and assigns to their (illeg. line)
do and will warrant and defend the Title to the said premises, to the said Richard W Gayle and his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this (?th) day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
Signed: Billups Gayle (Seal)
by Matt Gayle, his Attorney in fact

The State of Alabama
City & County of Montgomery
Personally came before the undersigned a commissioner appointed by the Governor of Texas to take the acknowledgment of Deed, Powers of Attorney  & etc   to be used as evidence in the said State of Texas.  The  above named Matt Gayle attorney in fact for Billups Gayle and acknowledged the foregoing deed to be his act and deed and for the purposes therein set forth & expressed, and wished not to retract it.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal as commissioner aforesaid in the City of Montgomery this 12th day of December, AD 1853
Signed: Thomas Harrison (Seal)
Commissioner for Texas
Commission Fees Paid
T. Harrison
Filed for Record on the 28th day of September, 1857 at five o'clock PM 
H Good, Clark County Court 

OLD LETTER Courtesy of Vernon O Gayle, Jr
written by Richard W Gayle , Crockett, Texas to his son-in-law Dr. W H Denney, Liberty, Texas Jan 27, 1853
Original was in possession of Sue Gayle Denney's dtr in 1947

Crockett,  Houston County, Texas
January 27, 1853  (Postmark January 31)

Doctor,

I received yours a few days ago, I believe the 19th this month, which brought joy and regret.  I had never heard a word of the death of Billups till I got your letter.  The same day I read your letter I got a paper which had his death announcement in it.  It shows how mean they are about Liberty town.  We were glad to hear from Sue (sev. words illegible).

The people have generally got healthy in this section of the country.  This leaves us all well here except myself.  I am in bad health somehow.  I have been sick ever since July off and on. I can cure myself in a few days of the chill and fever but in ten or 20 days it returns again.  This last spell I have been done for ten or fifteen days.  I have stopped the chill but have slow fever every day at thus time.  As soon as I can get so I think I can stand it I intend to take a trip. I think that will cure me.

Doctor you speak about the western country.  I really can't stand a prairie country.  You had better come up I think and settle in Crockett.  I know you would make much more money than where you are.

I saw Curry the other day.  He asked me to say to you when I wrote you could have his place in town,  as he wishes to settle a place of his some several miles from Crockett.

There is but two Doctors in Crockett;  or if you did not want to buy his place he would go in with you and have a drug store which he thinks would be a money making business.  Curry says that he and Cauley could not do the practice the past year.

Did Matt call as he went down country?  He has left us and gone out to seek his fortune.  No place like Liberty.  He started for that lovely country as they all think.  Ben, I notice in my paper, has come back from Mobile.  Among the list of passengers I see his name and Lady.  Poor fellow, he is lead about just as his wife take a notion.

If I should sell this fall, Doctor, I believe I shall try the big Sandy country some where not far from Woodville.  I don't hardly think this country sickly yet.  There is pretty smart of migration this winter.  There were three families in this neighborhood Tennipery?.  I think this section will settle up in a few years now. If I don't have health here this year I am off.  I will sell at some price this fall.

One of the Tenneson? family is living with me cropping it together.

Let me hear from you soon,

Yours affectionately,

R. W. Gayle

Martha and the girls send their love to Sue.

The following newspaper clipping was contributed by Vernon O Gayle, Jr

CROCKETT COURIER May 21, 1942
For the Courier (A. A. Aldrich)
In a recent article of this ser-(cut off), I mentioned the name of R. W. Gayle among others (cut off) out whom I desired information on.  I had a slight knowledge of a man by the name of Gayle but was not certain that he was the same person whose name appears so frequently in the old Thomas P. Collins day book.  So (I) started out in search of information and discovered enough to prove of great interest to me, and this article will illustrate how much background there is to some of the names that appear on the pages of the old book.  Let us see then what facts can be assembled around the name of Richard W. Gayle.

In the first place, I learned that he came to Texas as early as 1848, and probably earlier, and first settled at Liberty, where he lived with his family for several years and where his daughter Susan Gayle, married a young doctor by the name of W. H. Denny, who is the same Dr. Denny that so many of us remember with such high regard and affection.

Mr. Gayle came from Mobile, Alabama to Texas and was a member of a prominent Alabama family.  One of his near relatives was governor of Alabama.

Some time prior to 1852, he moved from Liberty to Houston county and began the life of a farmer.  On August 10, 1854, he bought 1,000 acres of land from G. W. Southwick on the James Neville league, southwest of where Lovelady is now located, and long before the town of Lovelady existed at all.  There he made his home and lived until his death in 1866.  He lived on a creek that took his name and has ever since been known as "Gayle Creek".

He was married twice and by his first marriage had four sons, Ben B. Gayle, John H. Gayle, Dock Gayle, and Elbert Gayle; (mistake here-sgs) and two daughters Susan, who married Dr. Denny, and Ann, who married C. G. Wooten, generally known as Cal Wooten.  By his second marriage, he had  one son, Lead (Levin) Gayle.

After his death in 1866, his son John H Gayle* (sh read Jabez Heustis Jackson Gayle) was appointed administrator of his estate and continued to act as such until July, 1867, when C. G. Wooten, one of the sureties on his bond, died and he refused to make a new bond and was discharged as administrator. On November 25, 1867, Thomas P. Collins, the principal creditor, was appointed administrator, de bonis non.

His entire estate was appraised at $2,000., although it consisted of 1,200 acres of land, in addition to a considerable amount of personal property.

During the lifetime of R. W. Gayle, Mr. T. B. Tunstall, father of Barker Tunstall and uncle of T. W. Thompson, taught school in the Gayle neighborhood and received, as tuition fees, a bunch of yearlings.  These were kept at Mr. Gayle's.  About the year 1865, Mr. Tunstall took his nephew Tommy Thompson, and went down to Gayle's to get the yearlings and spent the night at Gayle's home.

As stated above, one of the daughters of R. W. Gayle married C. G. Wooten, who was generally known as Cal. Wooten.  After the death of this wife, Cal Wooten was paying attention to another young woman in the same community and had a rival for her affection in the person of a man by the name of Wallace Carter.  On one occasion, while Wooten was at his home at night, some one shot and killed him through a door.

Wallace Carter, known to be his rival and jealous of him, was charged with the murder and was confined in the jail at Crockett.  He made his escape with the aid of a man by the name of Frank Wingate and Carter's father.

Wingate was charged with the crime of aiding Carter to escape and had been arrested and placed under bond.  It had been told Ned Wingate that an officer, by the name of Driskill, had said that if he came back to Crockett that Driskill would run him out of town.

Wingate did come to Crockett, and Driskill saw him on the street, near where W. K. McLean's store now stands.  He started towards him, and Wingate told him not to come any further.  He continued to advance, and was shot and killed by Wingate.  

This is the story as told to me.  Thus we see how much forgotten history is woven around a single name found in the old Thomas P. Collins day book.  Help me to unravel more of these stories by giving me information about others whose names appear in the old book.

A. A. Aldrich
* J H Gayle is Jabez Heustis Jackson Gayle, Not John R. Gayle.-sgs

The following Estate Papers on Richard W Gayle, contributed by Vernon O Gayle, Jr.

Probate Minutes Book G Houston Co, Texas P 173
Nov. 26, 1866
Ordered by the court that J H Gayle* be and is hereby appointed Administrator of the estate of R W Gayle deceased upon his entering into bond with good and sufficient security in the sum of Four Thousand dollars and taking oath required by law.

Bk G P 191 January 3, 1867
Ordered by the Court that all the property exempt from forced sale by the Constitution belonging to the estate of R W Gayle dec'd be and the same is hereby set apart for the use and benefit of the widow & four children of dec'd.  It is further ordered by the Court that an allowance of three hundred dollars be and the same is hereby made for one year's support of the widow and 4 children of the said R W Gayle, dec'd.

Bk G P 204 January 28, 1867
In the matter of the estate of R W Gayle dec'd. it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that said Gayle in his lifetime had executed to one Mary A Robinson a deed for twenty two acres of land more or less part of the 100 acre tract conveyed to said Gayle by Hugh & Adaliza Hampton & failed to date the same & prove it up for record & the Court being satisfied that the purchase money was paid to said Gayle in his lifetime, it is therefore ordered by the court that J H Gayle Admr* of said R W Gayle be & is hereby authorized and required to make to said Mary A Robinson, now Mary A Rosemond, a good and sufficient title to said 22 acres of land.

In the matter of the estate of R W Gayle, it is ordered that Admr. J H Gayle*, sell at private sale the cotton belonging to said estate.  It is further ordered by the court that said Admr .proceed to sell after giving due and legal notice, at the late residence of dec'd upon a credit of twelve months the following property belonging to said etate, viz: 3 yoke of oxen, stock cattle, hogs, mill and running gear, gin, shot gun, black smith tools, farming utensils, rifle gun, saddle & a lot of old tools, cart & old wagon, & make due return of said sales to this Court.

Bk G P 354 January 1st, 1868
In the matter of the estate of R W Gayle decd. the application of H A Gayle widow of decd. for an allowance for 5 hogs and 20 sheep that she did not receive from the former admr. coming on to be heard, and the court after hearing the evidence is satisfied that her claim is just.  It is therefore ordered that an allowance of thirty dollars be made in lieu of said hogs & sheep.

Bk G P 429 -430 Aug 5th, 1868
T P Collins, Admr. & of R W Gayle, dec.d. VS Gayle
In this case the parties appeared by their attorneys and after hearing the evidence and the argument of counsel it is ordered, adjudged and decreed by the Court that the application of said Admr. be rejected.  It is further ordered that the selection of the homestead by the widow of decd. as surveyed be and the same is hereby approved whereupon the said Collins Admr as aforesaid by his attorney give notice of an appeal to the District Court.

Bk G P 513 (No date) Exhibit of Thos P Collins Admr of R W Gayle-To the Hon S M Thompson County Judge in and (for) Houston County, Texas
Thos. P Collins Administrator de bonis non of the estate of R W Gayle deceased herewith submits his annual exhibit showing the present cndition of said estate to-wit:
Assets on hand
1200 acres of land being G W Southwick tract 1000 acres and D. Beckton & wife tract 200 acres less 200 acres set apart for widow of intestate as per order of court valued at $2.00 per acre = $2,000.00
P 514 missing
P 515-516
Court cost Sheriff currency $13.50
A/c of T P Collins, Funeral expenses coin $23.45
Note of T P Collins signed R W Gayle due Jan 1st/66
with 5 per cent Int from maturity  $1140.31
Which last two marked exhibits C & B are herewith respectfully filed & presented for allowance by the Court.
Attorneys fee allowed by Court to Wm. Taylor $30.00
Attorneys fee allowed by Court to Wilson Z C $20.00
Attorneys fee allowed by Court to Collins, John $10.00 coin
A/C of Admr.
To Estate Dr. 
To Cash Received coin $242.85
To cash received currency $25.00
Cr by cash paid out Smyrl (coin) $25.00
" " " " (Lipscomb) coin $72.80
" " " " Douglass currency $7.50
" " " Receiving 242.85 @ 5% com  $12.14
" " "paying out 136.94 @ 5% com $6.84
" " " Receiving 25.00 @5% currency $1.25
" " Paying out 8.75 @5% $.43
Currency $918.00
Coin: $143.78
Bal due Estate monies on hand $15.82. Currency $99.07 Coin
RECAP
Assets 
Lands $2100.00
Notes $353.15
Money Coin $99.07
Money Currency $15.82

Indebtedness  
Unpaid Notes 1140.31 x 100 $1240.31
Unpaid Court Costs gold $45.84
unpaid Court Costs Currency $13.50
A/C Admr. TPC Funeral expenses coin $23.45
Attornies fees fixed by court
Currency $50.00
Coin $10.00

The State of Texas
Houston County
Before me the undersigned authority this day personally appeared T C Collins Admr de bonis non of the estate of R W Gayle deceased who being duly sworn says the above & foregoing is a full & complete exhibit of the current condition of said estate.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this June 1st 1869
E B Dwyer Clk Co Ct H Co

 (*Jabez Heustis Jackson Gayle, eldest son at home-sgs)

The 4 children, (unmarried) referred to in Estate Settlement would be 
1. Jabez Heustis Jackson Gayle born Ca 1834 (Admr*.)
2. John R. Gayle born Ca 1844
3. Elbert H.  Gayle born Ca 1852
3. Levin Gayle Born Ca 1858
I did not locate the first three of  these children in 1870 or 1880 Texas Census records-only Levin Gayle in Houston Co, Tx-sgs

LETTER FROM MRS. LOIS SMITH NULTY (Gr/Dtr of Benjamin Billups Gayle) to MISS ANNA DENNY, Crockett, Texas  (Gr/Dtr of Richard W. Gayle) Courtesy Vernon O Gayle, Jr

May 13, 1942

Dear Cousin Anne:

You will never know how much I appreciated your thoughtfulness and generosity in sending me your prized letters. They are the most interesting things that I have ever read and don't you think they are full of fun little facts about the Gayle family?  Your mother must have been a favorite child of all of them.  After reading the letters I know you must really have been glad to get the information that I sent you because it was about all of the people mentioned.  Aren't you proud that it should go so very far back.  We certainly are proud of it.

I am returning your letters with many, many thanks.  I have had photostatic copies made of all of them and will attach the one to Brother Richard W Gayle from Mrs. Elizabeth Swepstone Heustis to my D. A. R. application as proof of the relationship to the family.  The chapter here says that it should be accepted without question. In case it should not be accepted, they will tell me what else to do to furnish the proof.  They might want a signed statement from you that your grandfather was Richard W. Gayle of Alabama.  However, if they do, I will write to you later and tell you how to do it.  The D. A. R. Society demands absolute proof of all of their papers and for that reason it is very hard to belong to.  However I believe that our line will be accepted without question, and all because of your letters.  

Cousin Anne, if it were not for you I never would have gotten the connection made and you just don't know how thankful I am to you.  I am only sorry that you do not have a daughter who would like to use what I have found.  I will keep you posted on any additional information that I receive about this line.  If I ever get a chance I intend to get into the records of Georgia and see if I can find out anything about the wife of Richard W Gayle.  Her name was Martha Clark, and she was born in the state of Georgia in 1803.  I have found out since I last wrote you that the marriage license was issued October 9th, 1823 and the couple was married by J. S. W. Perkins, Justice of the Peace of Dallas County, Ala.  This information is found in Vol 1, Dallas County marriages, Page 68.

I also received a letter from Mrs. Frank Harvey Miller of Montgomery, Alabama.  She is a granddaughter of G. Washington Gayle (the brother of Richard)**  In this letter she states that the daughter of Billups Gayle is still living.  Her name is Mrs. Louisa Gayle Bentley***, 129 West Alabama Street, Selma, Ala.  She must have been a very, very old woman.  Mrs. Miller said she would send her my letter of inquiry and perhaps I would hear from her.  This woman would be your first cousin, would she not?  I sincerely hope to hear from her.  I don't believe I will wait for Mrs. Miller to send her my letter, but I will write her directly.  

I also received a letter from Miss Mabel Heustis who is a granddaughter of Aunt Swep.  She still lives on Government Street in Mobile where you will remember that Aunt Swept lived and wrote one of her letters to your mother.  She does not know very much about the family, but said that she would try and find out.  This is about all the new develop- ment I have, but will keep you posted as I find out more.  I intend to write to Miss Heustis again and will tell  you about her reply.

Cousin Anne, I certainly would give a lot to sit down and talk with you.  There are several letters and papers I have found that I would like to show you and could explain them better if I saw you.  I am now visiting with Mother and Dad in Corpus and catching up on my sleep.  My baby is just at the climbing stage and she simply wears me out following her around.  Mother and I have talked a lot about you and how much we would like to see you.  If it were not for the tire and gasoline problems I would say that we might be able to come and see you this summer. I certainly do hope nothing does happen so I can have the pleasure of thanking you in person for what you have done to help me.

My mother asks me to remember her to you and tell you she thinks about you often and remembers when you used to visit her family long ago.  She will write to you sometime within the near future and we both certainly do hope to see you this summer if only for one hour.

Very sincerely yours,

Lois

P.S. I am sending this by registered mail and hope your letters arrive safely.
**  Columbus Gayle's  #1 wife was Mary Arthur "Mamie" Gayle, dtr of George W. Gayle, but she died in 1876. They had NO children. Columbus Gayle married #2 Ellen Gunter and had 4 children, Edith Gayle, w/o Frank Harvey Miller, being one of them  Frank H Miller lived 1920, 1930 Montgomery, Ala, he being Mgr of a Newspaper.-sgs

*** Louise Gayle Bentley born 1894/5, was the dtr of William Billups Jackson Gayle (brother to Thomas Gill Gayle) & wife Celia "Leila" W. ;  s/o Rees Darri