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John Polk Clegg

Male, #32481, (14 October 1792 - 30 August 1854)

FatherThomas Clegg b. 6 Mar 1767, d. 23 Oct 1827
MotherBridget Polk b. 3 Jun 1772
John Polk Clegg|b. 14 Oct 1792\nd. 30 Aug 1854|p2031.htm#i32481|Thomas Clegg|b. 6 Mar 1767\nd. 23 Oct 1827|p1409.htm#i22540|Bridget Polk|b. 3 Jun 1772|p1409.htm#i22539|Isaac Clegg|b. say 1737|p1418.htm#i22685|Esther Watt|b. say 1739|p1418.htm#i22686|William Polk Jr.|b. 1748\nd. 1805|p1409.htm#i22537|Sabra Bradford|b. say 1746|p1409.htm#i22538|

Birth*14 Oct 1792 John was born at Chatham Co., North Carolina, on 14 Oct 1792. 
 He was the son of Thomas Clegg and Bridget Polk. 
Marriage*21 Jan 1816 He married Martha Shurd Boone at North Carolina on 21 Jan 1816. 
Death*30 Aug 1854 He died at Jefferson Co., Arkansas, on 30 Aug 1854. 
Biography* John Polk Clegg appeared as a private in Capt. Aaron Evan's Co., 5th Infantry Regiment from Raleigh, NC on an 1814 muster roll. 

Family

Martha Shurd Boone b. 25 Jan 1801, d. 9 Aug 1864
Marriage*21 Jan 1816 He married Martha Shurd Boone at North Carolina on 21 Jan 1816. 
Children

Last Edited 5 Jul 2004

Martha Shurd Boone

Female, #32482, (25 January 1801 - 9 August 1864)

Birth*25 Jan 1801 Martha was born at North Carolina on 25 Jan 1801. 
Marriage*21 Jan 1816 She married John Polk Clegg at North Carolina on 21 Jan 1816. 
Death*9 Aug 1864 She died at Jefferson Co., Arkansas, on 9 Aug 1864. 

Family

John Polk Clegg b. 14 Oct 1792, d. 30 Aug 1854
Marriage*21 Jan 1816 She married John Polk Clegg at North Carolina on 21 Jan 1816. 
Children

Last Edited 5 Jul 2004

Isaiah Harbour

Male, #32483, (18 April 1800 - 20 June 1856)

FatherTalmon Harbour b. s 1770
MotherElizabeth Calloway b. s 1772
Isaiah Harbour|b. 18 Apr 1800\nd. 20 Jun 1856|p2031.htm#i32483|Talmon Harbour|b. say 1770|p1506.htm#i24086|Elizabeth Calloway|b. say 1772|p1506.htm#i24087|||||||||||||

Birth*18 Apr 1800 Isaiah was born at Franklin Co., Georgia, on 18 Apr 1800.1 
Employment* Isaiah's occupation: minister. 
 He was the son of Talmon Harbour and Elizabeth Calloway. 
Marriage*20 Dec 1823 He married Mary Jincy Miller at Perry Co., Alabama, on 20 Dec 1823.1 
Death*20 Jun 1856 He died at Lavaca Co., Texas, on 20 Jun 1856.1 
Biography* According to p. 394 of The Harbours in America by Louis J. Williams: Isaiah and Jincy Harbour in the early 1850s left their three grown children, Talmon, Polly, and Mikel H. in Mississippi and with their other eleven children moved to Texas and settled on a farm on Clarks Creek in Lavaca County, near where the town of Yoakum now stands, and there they spent the balance of their lives. Jincy died in 1884.... The Rev. Isaiah Harbour d in 1856 while on a preaching mission.
      On p. 395, the eleventh child was listed as "Chilion C." who was supposed to have died in the Civil War. However this was followed by a note: Chilion C., if younger [than brother Matthew], as indicated, was not mentioned as a minor child when his father [Isaiah] d 1856 (as were M. G., Elijah T. and Jincy). 

Family

Mary Jincy Miller b. 24 Feb 1807, d. 19 Dec 1882
Marriage*20 Dec 1823 He married Mary Jincy Miller at Perry Co., Alabama, on 20 Dec 1823.1 
Children

Last Edited 25 Oct 2001

Citations

  1. Louis J. Williams, The Harbours in America, 7904 Joliet Ave, Lubbock TX 79423: The Harbour / Witt Family Association, 1982.
    p 99.

Mary Jincy Miller

Female, #32484, (24 February 1807 - 19 December 1882)

FatherElijah Miller b. 1759, d. a 14 Feb 1837
MotherMary Oliver b. s 1761, d. a 1837
Mary Jincy Miller|b. 24 Feb 1807\nd. 19 Dec 1882|p2031.htm#i32484|Elijah Miller|b. 1759\nd. after 14 Feb 1837|p1506.htm#i24088|Mary Oliver|b. say 1761\nd. after 1837|p1506.htm#i24089|||||||||||||

Birth*24 Feb 1807 Mary was born at Tennessee on 24 Feb 1807.1 
 She was the daughter of Elijah Miller and Mary Oliver. 
Marriage*20 Dec 1823 She married Isaiah Harbour at Perry Co., Alabama, on 20 Dec 1823.1 
Death*19 Dec 1882 She died at Lavaca Co., Texas, on 19 Dec 1882.1 
Burial* Her body was interred at Mount Olive Cemetery, Lavaca Co., Texas.2 

Family

Isaiah Harbour b. 18 Apr 1800, d. 20 Jun 1856
Marriage*20 Dec 1823 She married Isaiah Harbour at Perry Co., Alabama, on 20 Dec 1823.1 
Children

Last Edited 3 Oct 2000

Citations

  1. Louis J. Williams, The Harbours in America, 7904 Joliet Ave, Lubbock TX 79423: The Harbour / Witt Family Association, 1982.
    p 99.
  2. Sammy Tise, Lavaca Co., TX - Cemetery Records, Hallettsville, TX: Sammy Tise.
    Vol I p 52.

Annira J. Culpepper

Female, #32487, (3 December 1849 - 10 September 1935)

Birth*3 Dec 1849 Annira was born at Coweta Co., Georgia, on 3 Dec 1849. 
Marriage*19 Aug 1869 She married William Franklin Gay at Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 19 Aug 1869.1 
Photographed*say 1885 She was photographed say 1885 at Sasserville, now Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia.
Annira J. (Culpepper) Gay
Death*10 Sep 1935 She died at Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 10 Sep 1935. 
Burial*circa 12 Sep 1935 Her body was interred circa 12 Sep 1935 at Gay City Cemetery, Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia. 
Biography* Mrs. W. B. (M. Louise Culpepper) Broach wrote 27 Sep 1978: When the [Charles William Culpepper] family moved from Haralson, his oldest daughter stayed and married a young man named Willie Gay. She was her father's heart's desire -- he called her 'Scrap' because she was a little person -- and he grieved over leaving her.
      Eleanor Culpepper Willingham visited the W. F. Gay home and saw a picture of Annira whom Eleanor described in a 13 Jul 1984 letter as "a rather plump lady, black hair, parted in middle - a very pleasant expression - round face." The dates given with the picture indicate that Annira was born in 8 Mar 1869 and died 10 Sep 1931 but she was listed in the 1850 census as an 8 month old child so the birth year is definitely incorrect. Annira was buried in the Gay Family Cemetery whose records indicate a birth 3 Dec 1849 and a death 10 Sep 1935.

The following is from a manuscript by Kathryn English Culpepper, as transcribed by Gayle L. Poole:

She was small and lively "the apple of her father's eye". She had nicknamed her "Scrap". She was in love with W.F. Gay, but Charles considered him a worthless fellow, who had not a dime, but when Charles decided to leave Coweta County "Anna" eloped with W. F. because she did not want to move.

W. F. resented her father's attitude and moved to show him he could take care of Anna. He wound up being the county's leading citizen, owned over 2,000 acres of rich farm land, built the town , which bears his name.

He had many tenant farmers working on his place, and ran a Commissary to take care of all their needs. He built a store "and sold everything from a row of pins to a two horse wagon. His store, which stands, today also houses the Post Office. He took his
young grandson Alvin Keith, as a partner in the store, named "Gay and Keith" and trained Alvin to run the business. Alvin lived with his grandparents and took excellent care of them. He ran the business until his death.

"Anna" was bright and cheerful and happy, and they had a happy family.

[Note from Dorothy Gay Poole and Gayle L. Poole. William Franklin Gay opened his Mercantile in 1890 in a 2 story wooden structure, and the 2 story brick building that stands there today was built in 1911. It was Joseph Roswell Gay that brought his nephew. Alvin Keith, into the business. On the 1900 US Census it shows that Joseph R. Gay had acquired some 10,000 acres of farm land, making him one of the largest land owners in Meriwether County. Alvin's grand nieces and nephews called him "Attie"]. 

Family

William Franklin Gay b. 17 Sep 1850, d. 21 Oct 1916
Marriage*19 Aug 1869 She married William Franklin Gay at Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 19 Aug 1869.1 
Children

Last Edited 19 Sep 2004

Citations

  1. Jordan Dodd, compiler, Georgia Marriages, 1851-1900, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2000.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/gamarr/main.htm
    Anora Culpepper and W. F. Gay on 19 Aug 1869 in Meriwether Co., GA.

William Franklin Gay

Male, #32488, (17 September 1850 - 21 October 1916)

FatherColumbus Gay b. 1822, d. a 1880
MotherMartha Jane Sasser b. 1 Nov 1824, d. 26 Aug 1911
William Franklin Gay|b. 17 Sep 1850\nd. 21 Oct 1916|p2031.htm#i32488|Columbus Gay|b. 1822\nd. after 1880|p2031.htm#i32489|Martha Jane Sasser|b. 1 Nov 1824\nd. 26 Aug 1911|p2031.htm#i32490|||||||William Sasser|b. 27 Jul 1791\nd. 5 May 1853|p1272.htm#i20345|Elizabeth Beverly|b. 30 Nov 1796\nd. 25 Nov 1890|p1272.htm#i20346|

Birth*17 Sep 1850 William was born at Sasserville, now Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 17 Sep 1850. 
Employment* William's occupation: postmaster. 
 He was the son of Columbus Gay and Martha Jane Sasser. 
Photographed*1869 He was photographed in 1869 at Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia.1
William Franklin Gay
Marriage*19 Aug 1869 He married Annira J. Culpepper at Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 19 Aug 1869.2 
Census*1910 A census listed William as head of household at Meriwether Co., Georgia, in 1910. 
Death*21 Oct 1916 He died at Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 21 Oct 1916. 
Burial*after 21 Oct 1916 His body was interred after 21 Oct 1916 at Gay City Cemetery, Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia. 
Biography* William Franklin was known as "Willie." The following is from p. 1 of a booklet, "Gay, Georgia," about the town which was named for William Franklin Gay: In 1882 Mr. William F. Gay, who was the grandson of Mr. Sasser and who was then living in the home with the widow of Mr. Sasser, opened a small store here and in a few years it seemed that a post office was needed. Mr. Gay applied for one but since there was a Post Office in the Southern part of the state named Sasser, the department refused to name the new Post Office Sasserville. Mr. Henry R. Harris, who was in Congress at that time and who was assisting Mr. Gay in securing the post office, named the town Gay in honor of Mr. William E. Gay, hence the reason for the place being named Gay. Gay moved along for years with just the one store until Mr. J. W. Estes built another and this was the town until 1908. At that time the A. B. and A. Railroad was built which came right through the little town and along with it came rapid growth, there being erected several brick buildings, stores, warehouses, a bank, and a little later, a sweet potato curing plant. During these years Gay was the largest cotton shipping point in Meriwether County as well as the largest shipping point on the new railroad between Altanta, and Fitzgerald.

The following is from:

Memoirs of Georgia, Vol. II, Atlanta, Ga.,
Published by The Southern Historical Association in 1895
Pages 508-509

W. F. Gay

W. F. Gay, is one of those citizens of Meriwether county who may point with pride to patriotic ancestry, two of his great-grandfathers having served with valor in the revolutionary struggle. Some time after the war the son of one of these men, Benjamin Gay, brought his wife, Mrs. Ann (Gay) Gay, from their native state, North Carolina, to settle in Georgia. Their son, Columbus Gay, married Miss Martha Sasser, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Beverly) Sasser. The father of the former served throughout the revolution under Gen. Washington and to the day of his death bore on his head the scars of several wounds received in that war. This family was also of North Carolina nativity, but William Sasser came to Georgia early in the century and settled in Monroe county. The move being made in mid-winter, with the ground frozen, and the settlement in the woods, much suffering and privation was entailed upon the settlers while, with the aid of kind neighbors, they constructed a home. Mr. Sasser served in the war of 1812, and in 1829 transferred his family to Meriwether county and again created a home in the wilderness. In these days of comfort, with the countless conveniences of modern life, it is hard to realize what our predecessors of one or two generations had to endure. Around this lonely home towered the primeval forest, in whose shadows lurked the timid deer and the ravenous wolf. Many a night were the slumbers of the pioneer family broken, and their hearts filled with far, by the hideous and terrifying howls of the wolves. Many a morning saw their stock of sheep, pigs or calves diminished as the result of these marauding visits. Neighbors were distant and privileges few. For years they rode fifteen miles for the purpose of attending church. Mr. Sasser, desiring to increase the educational facilities for his own and his neighbor’s children, gave two acres of land for the purpose of erecting an academy. The son of Columbus and Martha (Sasser) Gay, W.F. Gay,
was born here in 1850. He passed his early years on the farm, but received a good education, and has developed a very fine business talent, as well as cultivating his farm with great success. For twelve years he has resided at Gay, carrying on a thriving mercantile trade. The respect in which he is held by his fellow-citizens is evinced by the responsibilities they have laid upon
him. He has been county bailiff, justice of the peace, and for the last six years county commissioner. His wife was Miss Anna Culpepper, daughter of Charles and Jane (English) Culpepper, old settlers of Coweta county, and natives of South Carolina. Mr. Culpepper was a soldier in the late war. Mrs. Gay was born in Coweta county in 1849, and is a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Gay were married in 1869, and their union has been blessed with eleven children: John, Emma, Lula, Mattie, Henry, Leila, Joe, Dallie, Ben, Bessie and Iva.

According to Mrs. Eleanor Culpepper Willingham in a 13 Jul 1984 letter, the Cotton Pickin Fair which is held in Gay features "'Grandpa's House' which is the old [William Franklin] Gay Home. The rooms are rented to groups for crafts for the fair but the long hall holds family protraits. Explanatory notes are in some black frames. The portraits are in the original old antique frames." According to Eleanor, one plaque gives the date of birth for W. F. Gay as 20 Aug 1869 but this is impossible because his first child was born in 1870. The cemetery record gives his date of birth as 17 Sep 1850. 

Family

Annira J. Culpepper b. 3 Dec 1849, d. 10 Sep 1935
Marriage*19 Aug 1869 He married Annira J. Culpepper at Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 19 Aug 1869.2 
Children

Last Edited 20 May 2008

Citations

  1. E-mail from Gayle Louise Poole, e-mail address, Atlanta, GA to Lew Griffin, 2003-2008.
  2. Jordan Dodd, compiler, Georgia Marriages, 1851-1900, Online database at Ancestry.com, 2000.
    http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/gamarr/main.htm
    Anora Culpepper and W. F. Gay on 19 Aug 1869 in Meriwether Co., GA.

Columbus Gay

Male, #32489, (1822 - after 1880)

Birth*1822 Columbus was born in 1822.1 
Marriage*circa 1845 He married Martha Jane Sasser circa 1845. Columbus and Martha were later divorced.. 
Death*after 1880 He died at Alabama after 1880.1 
Biography* Eleanor Culpepper Willingham noted in Gay Cemetery records that the place of burial of Columbus Gay is unknown.
.
From Elizabeth Biggs, Mar 2002: Children of Columbus Gay and Martha Jane Sasser also included:
.
Beniamin Walton Gay b.Mar 1848 d.Sep 1864. He enlisted in the Georgia Infantry 1862. He was captured at Marietta Ga in Jun 1864 and died of typhoid fever at Camp Merton Ind. during the Civil War. He is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, Indianapolis Ind. grave #1113. .
Sarah Elizabeth Gay was born in Gay Ga. in 1853. She married James Madison Biggs in 1874. They had 13 children. James was a tyrant. She divorced him and moved with her children to Huntsville Ala. She is buried in Maple Hill Cem. in Huntsville. He seemed to have vanished. Her children: James Emmet b.1875 d.1960; Mattie Myrtis b. 1877 d. 1961; Mary Almer b. 1878 d. 1935; William Ernest b. 1880; Emma Lula b. 1881; Joseph Arthur b. 1883 d. 1971; Frederick Charles b. 1885 d. 1968; Sally Fannie b. 1887 d. 1901; Katy Lee b. 1889; Elsie Mae b. 1891 d. 1963; Grover Ceveland b. 1893 d. 1974; Elizabeth Sasser b. 1897; John Robert b. 1899. She took all these kids and left James. Her brother William was fond of his sister and tried to get her to return to GA . 

Family

Martha Jane Sasser b. 1 Nov 1824, d. 26 Aug 1911
Marriage*circa 1845 He married Martha Jane Sasser circa 1845. Columbus and Martha were later divorced.. 
Child

Last Edited 1 Mar 2004

Citations

  1. E-mail from Gayle Louise Poole, e-mail address, Atlanta, GA to Lew Griffin, 2003-2008.

Martha Jane Sasser

Female, #32490, (1 November 1824 - 26 August 1911)

FatherWilliam Sasser b. 27 Jul 1791, d. 5 May 1853
MotherElizabeth Beverly b. 30 Nov 1796, d. 25 Nov 1890
Martha Jane Sasser|b. 1 Nov 1824\nd. 26 Aug 1911|p2031.htm#i32490|William Sasser|b. 27 Jul 1791\nd. 5 May 1853|p1272.htm#i20345|Elizabeth Beverly|b. 30 Nov 1796\nd. 25 Nov 1890|p1272.htm#i20346|||||||||||||

Birth*1 Nov 1824 Martha was born on 1 Nov 1824. 
 She was the daughter of William Sasser and Elizabeth Beverly. 
Marriage*circa 1845 She married Columbus Gay circa 1845. Columbus and Martha were later divorced.. 
Photographed*say 1900 She was photographed say 1900 at Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia.
Martha Jane (Sasser) Gay
Census*1910 A census listed Martha as head of household at Meriwether Co., Georgia, in 1910. 
Death*26 Aug 1911 She died at Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia, on 26 Aug 1911. 
Burial* Her body was interred at Gay City Cemetery, Gay, Meriwether Co., Georgia. 

Family

Columbus Gay b. 1822, d. a 1880
Marriage*circa 1845 She married Columbus Gay circa 1845. Columbus and Martha were later divorced.. 
Child

Last Edited 21 Sep 2004