Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Requests for Info
Received via Website
2015-05-04
Aaron Majors
aaronmajors76(AT)gmail(DOT)com
10475 Old River Rd
Forestville, CA 95436
seven07-8two0-one52one
I am the great grandson of Aaron and Emmeline Gibson of Jones Prairie, who were married in Milam county Dec 8, 1875. Aaron Gibson was a farmer. Emmeline's maiden name was Massengale. They lived all their adult lives in Milam county. I would appreciate receiving any information or photos pertaining to them. I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks.
Aaron Majors
*****
2015-05-04
Standard reply sent - message forwarded to MCHC members
*****
2015-05-15
Mr. Majors, I have been researching your inquiry, but have not been successful in gaining any ground.
The Ancestry and Archives sites have provided the usual basic information.
No record of Aaron in the 1850, 1860, 1870 Federal censuses.
From this I must assume that he arrived in Milam County in the early to mid 1870's since I found the same 1875 Marriage license that you referenced.
1880 Federal census shows Emmaline (spelled three different ways in sources researched), daughter Sovana, one year of age and William, three years of age. Aaron and Emmaline were still shown in the residence of Milam County in the 1910 and 1920 Federal census.
The 1880 Census stated the family residence as Maysfield. I then researched 170 Years of Cemetery Records in Milam County, Texas, but was unable to determine their interment locations in Milam County.
The History of Milam County "Matchless Milam" lists two Gibson's, but they are not your family line.
I then researched the numerous Jones Prairie community articles which named many individuals in the community, but no Gibson's. This was done in both the Cameron Public Library and the Lucy Hill Patterson Library in Rockdale.
I attempted to follow Sovana (1879-?) and William (1877-?) but without initials or more information that failed as well since Gibson is such a common last name.
I then researched various articles on the Little River Baptist Church since it "anchored" the Jones Prairie community's Christian beliefs. One article on the Church founding, mentioned a mixed ethnic makeup when it was founded, but I don't know if that continued throughout the years. Many members names were mentioned, but Gibson was not one of them. Should the Gibson paternal line have continued in Milam County, the Milam County "Red" telephone book shows 8 Gibson's residing in the County.
The Milam County Appraisal District (MCAD) office shows 8 Gibson's with property ownership in the county. http://www.milamad.org/ These are public records and are searchable for address and sometimes even a contact telephone number.
I will be mailing, via USPS, the following articles and information to you:
April, 1935 Frontier Times "Jones Prairie in Milam County", by W.E. Rogers, Marlin, TX.;
One other interesting, locally written, article on Jones Prairie;
Copy of page showing Gibson's in "Red" Telephone book;
3 pages of MCAD Gibson property ownership;
copy of page from Milam County Marriage license reference book.
Hopefully, one of our other members, or someone viewing this site, may have additional knowledge or ideas. Please Let me know if I may be of assistance to you in any further way.
Respectfully, Jack Brooks
*****
2015-05-15
John, You have been helpful with this information sent. On the census reports I recognize my Grandmother, Aunts, and Uncles so I can be certain to some degree of the materials I'm viewing. I will let you know of further assistance needed and I humbly Thank You for your time and efforts.
Sincerely,
Aaron Majors
.
.