Orville Bush "O. B." "Bush" Stamper

Notes:

According to his wife's obit O.B. was teaching at Empire School in Stephens Co. Ok when they married in 1941. Besides teaching in Oklahoma O.B. also taught in the states of Texas, South Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia. He taught at Oklahoma Christian College in Oklahoma City, OK from 1961 to 1978.

SSDI - ORVILLE B STAMPER 29 Jul 1913 24 Nov 1990 (not specified) (none specified) 440-05-5334 Oklahoma

Unknown newspaper--

Orville B. Stamper Oklahoma City --

Former Stephens County teacher, Orville B. Stamper, 77, of Oklahoma City, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 1990, in an Oklahoma City hospital. Service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Hahn-Cook/Street and Draper Funeral Home Chapel in Oklahoma City, with L. L. Gieger and Kenneth Baird officiating. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Mr. Stamper was born July 29, 1913, in Wheeler, Texas. He began his teaching career in Cotton County, taught a number of years in Velma and Empire, and served as a high school principal in Elida, N. M. He also taught public and higher education in Texas, Tennessee and South Dakota, retiring in 1978 from Oklahoma Christian College. On July 13, 1941, he married Delila Merle Cummings in Frederick. Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Carol Stover of Las Vegas, Nev.; a son, Gary Stamper of Rui Doso, N.M.; a sister, Mable Jackie Marshall of Hobbs, N.M.; and two grandsons, Ian Stamper and Aaron Stamper.

Unknown newspaper-- Stamper, Orville Bush, 77, died November 24, 1990 at St. Anthony Hospital after an extended illness. He was born to W. C. and Marie Stamper in Wheeler, TX, July 29, 1913. He attended schools in Wizard Wells, TX and Lawton, OK, graduating from Cameron Jr. College in 1929. He received his Bachelors of Science at Oklahoma A&M (OSU), Stillwater, OK, his Masters in Secondary Education at OU, Norman, OK, and his Doctor of Education from Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX. He began his teaching career in Cotton County, OK, also teaching a number of years in Stephens County at both Velma and Empire before going to Elida, New Mexico as High School Principal for four years. He then taught in Texas public schools for about five years. He moved to Aberdeen, SD, where he taught at Northern State Teachers College for five years. He taught at David Lipscomb Christian College in Nashville, TN before coming to Oklahoma Christian College (OCUSA) in 1961 where he remained until his retirement in 1978. He married Delila Merle Cummings July 13, 1941 in Frederick, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, W. C. Stamper, Jr. He is survived by his wife Delila of the home; his daughter Carol Stover of Las Vegas, NV; his son, Gary Stamper of Ruidoso, NM; grandsons Ian and Aaron Stamper and his sister Mable Jackie Marshall of Hobbs, NM. He was a member of the Church of Christ at the time of his death serving as an elder at the 31st and Penn congregation. Services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, November 26, 1990 at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper with Interment following at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

(Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

Orville married Delila Merle Cummings on 13 Jul 1941 in Frederick, Tillman County, Oklahoma. Delila was born on 2 Dec 1915 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 18 Oct 2002 in Alamogordo, Otero County, New Mexico; was buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Notes:

From Krol Stamper Chapas to Lynell Gentry Cordell, 2002--

"Campbell William Stamper had two wives. With the first one he had 6 children (including W.C.'s father Hiram) and with the second one he had 16 children. The halves all knew each other, even to the 2nd generation. W.C. Sr. was named for one of his father's (Hiram's) halves, William Campbell.

His story was that he and his brother were living together and neither one could cook, so they decided that one of them had to get married. They drew straws and Pa was the one who had to do it. Then he met Granny (a natural blonde) and never got over it. Fortunately she agreed to marry him, and life was good after that."

Marriage records indicated that Clint and Marie Audrey were married in Arkansas in 1907. They must have moved to Texas shortly thereafter, as their oldest daughter, Mary Mabel "Jackie" Stamper was born in 1908 in Montague. By 1913, they had moved to Wheeler county, where son Orville Bush Stamper was born. Shortly thereafter, they must have moved again, this time to the Vineyard Community of Jack County, Texas. As can be seen on the transcription of a Historical Marker found by one of the old wells, shown below, Hiram and his sons petioned for the 1915 name change of Vinyard to Wizard Wells, Texas. Youngest son William Clinton Stamper, Jr was born in Wizard Wells in March, 1916.

Wizard Wells - Texas Historical Marker

The Kiowa Indians first visited this location and used the mineral waters for medicinal purposes. George Washington Vineyard settled here in the 1870s taking up a claim originally established by David Rowland. ... In 1898 the Rock Island Railroad bypassed Vineyard and Sebree Community was started (2 mi. S). Visitors arriving by train took a hack to the resort. H.F. Stamper and his sons, Clint and H.F., Jr. petitioned the legislature in 1915 and the name of Vineyard became Wizard Well. Sebree was changed to Vineyard.

From the website http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~drycreek/wizard_wells.htm

The following World War I draft registration card, provided by Lynell Cordell, shows that W.C. Stamper was the a Manager of the Mineral Water Health Resort in Wizard Wells.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: William Clinton Stamper
City: Wizard Wells
County: Jack
State: Texas
Birth Date: 2 Oct 1884
Race: White
Roll: 1953770
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 33
Occupation: Mineral Water Health Resort Manager
Nearest Relative: Mary Audrey Stamper, Wizard Wells, Jack Co. TX
Height/Build: Medium/Slender
Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/Brown

In her note to Lynell, Krol continued "I guess my Uncle Jeff (g-uncle) lived near them for quite awhile, married a lady named Alice (have her maiden name in my notes) and all lived near each other (along with Uncle Dick and Aunt's Jessie and Clara) until Pa and Granny decided to go back to school and become college professors. That was when they moved to Lawton.

They (W.C. and Marie), were either getting ready to teach at Cameron or were already teaching there (in 1933 when Mary Bush died), so they probably planned to stay. However, Pa (W.C.) took a job with the Agricultural Dept. and they lived in Paul's Valley and lived there for many, many years before he retired again and they moved to Ardmore." --

The Dailey Ardmoreite, Nov. 28, 1978

W.C. Stamper, Sr.

Services are pending at Harvey Funeral Home for W.C. Stamper Sr. who died Tuesday, Nov. 28 in a local nursing home. Born Oct. 2, 1884 in Taney County, Mo., he had been a resident of Ardmore for 20 years coming here from Pauls Valley. He was a retired employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. He married Marie Audry Bush on June 27, 1907 at Bentonville, Ark. She preceded him in death in 1975. He was also preceded in death by a son, W. C. Stamper, Jr., in 1966.

Social Security Death Index
Name: William Stamper
SSN: 445-34-8733
Last Residence: 73401 Ardmore, Carter, Oklahoma, United States of America
Born: 2 Oct 1884
Last Benefit: 73401 Ardmore, Carter, Oklahoma, United States of America
Died: Nov 1978
State (Year) SSN issued: Oklahoma (1951-1952 )
Oklahoma - Carter County

(Research):Census Information (Courtesy of Lyn Gentry Cordell):

1910 census Wheeler Co. TX ED 218 Pg. 243B
189/192 Stamper, William C., head, MW, 28, M1, 3, MO KY AR
Mary A., wife, FW, 25, M1, 3
, TX KY TN
Mary M., dau., FW, 18 mos., TX MO TX

1920 census Benton Co. AR ED 16, Pg. 71A
Cave Springs; Colville
116/129 Bush, Mary, head, FW, 69, Wd., TX KY VA
Roy, son, MW, 41, S, TX KY TN
116/130 Stamper, William, head, MW, 35, M, MO KY AR
Mary, wife, FW, 34, M, TX KY TN
Mable, dau, FW, 11, TX MO TX
Bush, son, MW, 6, TX MO TX
William, son, MW, 3 ?/12, TX MO TX

1930 census Comanche Co. OK ED 16-24 Pg. 248B
139/143 Stamper, Clinton, head, MW, 45, M, age when first married 22, MO KY AR
Marie, wife, FW, 44, M, age when first married 21, TX KY TN
Orville, son, MW, 16, TX MO TX
W. C., son, MW, 14, TX MO TX
Jackson, Donald, lodger, MW, 23, IL OH IL

William married Marie Audrey Bush on 27 Jun 1907 in Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas. Marie (daughter of Lynn Boyd Bush and Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Gentry) was born on 10 Jul 1885 in Bells, Grayson County, Texas; died on 14 Jun 1975 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma; was buried in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Email from Carol Ann 'Krol' Stamper Chapas, Aug. 23, 2002 to Lynell Cordell:

"Granny's name really was Mary when she was born, but after they got married Pa thought Marie sounded more....interesting? It stuck."

(Lynell's note-Apparently her name was still pronounced Mary. The y was just dropped in favor of ie. The same may have been done for her middle name, Audrey)


Oklahoma - Carter County

HILLCREST CEMETERY is the second largest cemetery in Carter County and is located in the city of Ardmore in Range 2E, Township 5S, Section 7.

STAMPER, MARIE 1885 1975

W C JR 1916 1966

W C SR 1884 1978

The Daily Ardmoreite, June 16, 1975

Mrs. W.C. Stamper, Sr.

Services for Mrs. W. C. Stamper, Sr., 89, who died Saturday in a local hospital after an extended illness, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Central Church of Christ. Gary Colley will officiate. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery.

Born July 10, 1885 in Bells, Tex., Mrs Stamper had lived in Ardmore the last 17 years, moving here from Pauls Valley.

The former Marie Audrie Bush, she married William Stamper on June 27, 1907 at Bentonville, Ark. Mrs. Stamper was a member of the Central Church of Christ.

Serving as bearers will be, Bill Bowden, Edgar Wallace, Sid Gilstrap,

Hal Cox, Lowell Keeton and Howard Haney.

Survivors in addition to her husband include a son. O.B. Stamper, Oklahoma City; a daughter; Mrs. V. B. (Mable) Marshall, Hobbs, N.M.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A son, W.C. Stamper, Jr., whose widow, Mrs Lavern Stamper resides in Ardmore, died Sept. 14, 1966.

Arrangements are under the direction of Harvey Funeral Home

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1900 Census
Texas, Callahan, JP No. 5
Enumerated 22 June 1900
SD 4 ED 16 Sheet 12A
192-196
Stamper, ? ? Hd W M Jan 1855 W M 26 Ky Ky Ky Farmer
Stamper, Susan A Wf W F April 1860 W M 25 7/5 Ark Tn Tn
Stamper, M. M. Son W M Oct 1882 17 S Mo Ky Ark Farm Laborer
Stamper, W.C. Son W M Oct 1884 15 S Mo Ky Ark Farm Laborer
Stamper, H.F. Son W M Jan 1892 S Mo Ky Ark
Stamper, Clara L Dtr W F Oct 1894 5 S Mo Ky Ark

1910 Census
Texas, Montague, JP 4, Bowie
Enumerated 26 April 1910
SD 13 ED 169 Sheet 6B
115-116
Stamper, Hiram F Hd M W 55 m1 32 Ky Ky Ky W Own Income
Stamper, Susan A Wife F W 50 M1 32 7/4 Ark S.C. N. C
Stamper, Hiram F. Jr Son M W 18 S Mo Ky Ark Farmer
Stamper, Clara L Dtr F W 15 S Mo Ky Ark

1920 Census
Texas, Jack County, JP #7
Enumerated 5 Jan 1920
SD 13 ED 85 Sheet 1B
18-18
Stamper, Hiram F Hd M W 64 W Ky KY KY None
Stamper, Clara L Dtr F W 25 S Mo Ky Ark None

1930 Census
Texas, Jack County, JP 1
Enumerated April 21, 1930
ED 119-3 SD 3rd Sheet 10A Stamped 195
206-206
Stamper, Hiram F Hd M W 75 M 67 Ky US US Nond
Stamper, Florence Wf F W M 48 Ala Ala Ala
Douglas, Hubert StepSon M W 16 S Tx Ala Ala

Hiram married Susan Alice Haney. Susan was born about 1860 in Arkansas; died after 1910 in Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lynn Boyd (L.B.) Bush and family were living in Baylor County, Texas in 1900. By about 1912, L.B. and Mary lived in Cave Springs, Benton County, Arkansas where they operated the Hotel Bush, one of two hotels in Cave Springs at the time. The local phone office was located in the hotel and Mary was operator. L.B. was a member of the Christian Church/Church of Christ, and is buried in the Cave Springs Cemetery.

His obituary, from the Rogers Democrat of 13 Feb 1919 reads as follows:

Bush, L.B.-----L.B. Bush died at his home on Main Street. He had not been well for some time, having had two or three strokes of paralysis at different times, death being caused by same and occurin Friday at 5 pm. Interment was made in the city cemetery Saturday afternoon. Funeral services were held at the home by Rev. Sears. Mr. Bush was respected by all who knew him and will be greatly missed by every one and we all join in extending sympathy to his loved ones, Mrs. L.B. Bush and children: Mrs. Sam Adams, Rogers; Mrs. W.C. Stamper, Wizard Wells, Texas; W.B. Bush, McClain, Texas and Roy Bush of Cave Springs.

Lynn Boyd Bush was apparently named after a neighbor in Trigg County, Kentucky, Linn Boyd, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky from 1835-1837 and from 1839-1855. He was U.S. Speaker of the House from 1851-1855.

(Research):
Census Information (courtesty Lyn Gentry Cordell):

1900 census
Texas, Baylor County
ED 6 Pg. 287A
BUSH, Lynn B., head, WM, Jun 1847, 52, KY KY VA
Mary E., wife, WF, Feb 1850, 50, TN KY VA
Roy M., son, WM, Feb 1878, 22, TX KY TN
Carrie E., dau., WF, Jan 1883, 17, TX KY TN
Mary, dau., WF, Jul 1885, 14, TX KY TN

1910 census
New Mexico, Curry County
ED 53 Pg. 24B
Clovis ward 4
50/58
Bush, Murry L., head, MW, 33, M1, 10, TX KY MO
Cora, wife, FW, 27, M1, 10, 3/3 children, AR MS MS
Clara, dau., FW, 9, TX TX AR
Jewel, dau., FW, 6, OK TX AR
Lynn, son, MW, 2, NM TX AR
Lynn B., father, MW, 62, M1, 35, KY US US
Roy, brother, MW, 32, S, TX KY MO

Lynn married Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Gentry on 25 Dec 1873 in Grayson County, Texas. Mary (daughter of Preacher William G. Gentry and Mary "Polly" ???) was born on 20 Feb 1850 in Tennessee; died on 6 Oct 1933 in Comanche County, Oklahoma; was buried in Highland Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary was still unmarried when her mother's estate was divided in Grayson County, Texas in 1871.

On the 1880 Census, Mary Gentry Bush was living away from her husband, with the family of John M and Pamelia Gentry in Grayson County. Living with her were her three young sons, Willie, Harry, and Marcus Roy. It is not known why they were seperated.

Mary and L.B. Bush are listed are heirs to W.G. Gentry on a land transaction in Hill County, Texas in 1883.

Bush, Mary E., b. Feb 20, 1850, d. Oct 6, 1933, 83y, TN-Gentry

Email from g-granddaughter, Carol Ann 'Krol' Stamper Chapas - TheKrol@juno.com to Lynell Cordell:

"Grandma Mary (everyone called her Mollie) was living with Pa & Granny (Wm. Clint, Sr. and Mary/Marie A.)when she died. They lived 25 miles south of Lawton according to her obituary. She died Friday, October 6, 1933 at 4:00 a.m. She had moved from Cave Springs in July of 1933 and had a stroke which left her partially paralyzed in August. She and Grandpa Lynn had been members of the Cave Springs Church of Christ, and they had owned a small hotel there for years. She is buried in Highland Cemetery which is somewhere in or near Lawton."

From Comanche web site:

Highland Cemetery

Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma

Located north side of town, off of Fort Sill Boulevard and North Sheridan Road.

Bush, Mary E., b. Feb 20, 1850, d. Oct 6, 1933, 83y, TN-Gentry

Block 17, Lot 16.

Apparently W.C. and Marie bought other burial spaces here and they're still vacant.

Lawton Constitution, Fri. Oct. 6, 1933

Mrs. Mary Bush Dies Early Today

Funeral Services to be Conducted Saturday Morning

Mrs. Mary E. Bush, 83, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.C. Stamper, living 25 miles south of Lawton, Friday morning at 4 o'clock.

Mrs. Bush, who came from Cave Springs, Arkansas, last July, had a stroke of paralysis in August and had not been well since that time.

Besides Mrs. Stamper, another daughter, Mrs. S.S. Adams of Rogers, Arkansas, and three sons, W.D. Bush, M.L. Bush and R.M. Bush, all of McLain, Arkansas, also survive.

Mrs. Bush was a member of the Church of Christ at Cave Springs.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the Church of Christ, with Burton Coffman, pastor and Roy Stafford conducting the services. Burial will be made in Highland Cemetery by the Lawton Funeral Home.

(Mark Eitzen gives W.B. as a son, not W.D. and since he's descended from Wm.Boyd I'll have to go along with him, but he doesn't list M.L. at all.)

(Research):
Census Information (Courtesy of Lyn Gentry Cordell):

1910 census
not located. Not living with her husband, who was in New Mexico living with their son, Murray.

1920 census
Arkansas, Benton County
ED 16, Pg. 71A
Cave Springs; Colville twp.
116/129 Bush, Mary, head, FW, 69, Wd., TX KY VA
Roy, son, MW, 41, S, TX KY TN
116/130 Stamper, William, head, MW, 35, M, MO KY AR
Mary, wife, FW, 34, M, TX KY TN
Mable, dau, FW, 11, TX MO TX
Bush, son, MW, 6, TX MO TX
William, son, MW, 3 ?/12, TX MO TX

1930 census
Arkansas, Benton County
ED 4-9 Pg. 46A
Cave Springs; Colville twp.
8/8
Bush, Mary E., head, FW, 80, Wd., TN KY VA
Roy M., son, MW, 52, S, TX KY TN

Notes:

Married:
Copy of Marriage License from Grayson County, TX Marriage Book C, page 230:

To any Judge of the District Court, Ordained Minister of the Gospel, or any Justice of the Peace in Grayson County---Greeting: You are hereby authorized to celebrate the Rites of Matrimony between L.B. Bush and Miss M.E. Gentry and make due return to the Clerk of the said County within sixty days thereafter, certifying your action under this license. WITNESS my official signature and seal of office at Sherman this 24h day of Dec 1873. S. Bostick Clerk of the District Court for Grayson County by B.W. Bradley, Depty

I, M.F. Cole, certify that on the 25th day of December 1873 I united in marriage the parties above named this 25th day of December 1873 M.F. Cole (Supplied by Lynell Cordell. She received this via email from Mark A. Eitzen, a descendant who has a copy of this marriage license)

Notes:

On the 1860 Grayon County census, he is listed as a farmer with $1,402 in real property and $8,440 in personal property. All of the children except three year old Theodosia had attended school during the year.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1860 Census
Texas, Grayson County, P.O. Sherman
Enumerated 21 Aug 1860
Page 104
748-769
Wm Bush 57 M Farmer 1402 8440 Ky
Lida A Bush 40 F Vir
Wm J Bush 22 W Farm Laborer Ky
Edwin A Bush 17 M Ky
Lorenzo Bush 16 M Ky
Linn B Bush 13 M Ky
Solomon H Bush 10 M Ky
Permelia A Bush 9 F Ky
Mary S Bush 6 F Ky
Thedosia E Bush 3 F Texas

1870 Census
Texas, Grayson County, P.O. Sherman
Enumerated 14 Oct 1870
Page 14
102-102
Bush, Wm 61 M W Farmer 1300 1000 Ky
Bush, Lydia A 50 F W Keeps House Va
Bush, Lynn Boyd 23 M Farmer Ky
Bush, Simon H 21 M W Ky
Bush, Mary L 14 F Ky
Bush, Theodosia 13 F Tx

1880 Census
Texas, Grayson, JP 2
Enumerated 8 Jun 1880
Pge 14B SD 3 ED 7
William Bush Self M M W 70 KY Farmer Pa SC
Lydia A. Bush Wife M F W 59 Va Keeping House VA VA
W. J. Bush Son M M W 42 Ky Farmer Ky Ky
Lucy A. Bush Wife M F W 39 KY Keeping House Ky Ky
Christiana Bush Dau S F W 9 Ky Ky KY
John H. Bush Son S M W 5 Ky Ky Ky
Alice Lena Bush Dau S F W 3 Ky Ky KY

William married Lydia A. Clark. Lydia was born about 1820 in Virginia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ken Harvey writes that "William was known to have been a Baptist preacher. The sober preacher trained in the dialectics of the seminary was rare west of the Appalachians. The Baptists boasted that in 1817, in the State of New York, that there were only three preachers west of the Hudson that had ever been to college. The settlers demanded personality rather than diplomas from the men who called them to God. Kentucky was famous for the pathological intensity of the religious revivals that shook the populous at the turn of the century. Evangelists had swarmed over the area preaching in great open-air camp meetings where silent, lonely frontiersmen gathered to sing and shout. Revivalists knew their hell intimately---geography, climate, and vital statistics---and painted the sinners fate so hideously that shuddering crowds surged forward to the bushel-box alters to be born again. Hundreds fell to the ground senseless, the most elegantly dressed women in Kentucky lying in the mud alongside ragged trappers."

1817--A William Gentry appears on a Wayne Co, Kentucky list of Delinquent taxpayers. It is noted, as a reason for non-payment, that he had gone to Tennessee. If this is "our" William, he must have been born earlier than 1804, possibly as early as 1795.

1826 - Approximate year of the marriage, of William to Mary "Polly" ???, based on the date of birth of their eldest known child. Note, however, that there could have been earlier children who had left home before the 1850 census.

1830 - It has not been possible to find Preacher William Gentry in the 1830 census in Illinois (where several of his children were born).

1840 - A search for his location, in Kentucky, in the 1840 census has been negative using FTM Census Index on CD ROM (1996).

1846 - William Gentry was listed as a MG (Minister of the Gospel) and a JP (Justice of the Peace) in Obion Co., Tennessee. He officiated at the marriage of John Marr and Nancy R. Mills (Miles) on 11 Feb 1846, and at the marriage of Allen Walker to Margarette Jones on 29 July 1846.

Ken Harvey further noted that the Tennessee Baptist Historical Society has failed to find any reference to Preacher William Gentry in its Baptist collection. They should be contacted again, at their request, if the Obion County Church with which he may have been associated with can be identified. The first organization for the Missionary Baptists in Obion county was in Beulah, which was formed by the 1830s. At this period, the Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists worshipped in the same building. The church, known as Solitude, was located about 4 1/2 miles north of Union City. That original church building burned down in 1838 and a few years later (1841) the Beulah Baptist Church was built. There are no extant records for the next 12 years. However, it is most probably the church attended by the Gentry family, since it was located in their general area and was the only Baptist Church in the county. In 1858, W.H. McGowan was listed as pastor, and their were 72 members. (Adapted from Marshall and Goodspeed). It is assumed that William was a lay preacher. The reason for this assumption is that William is not referred to in the book by: Carroll, James Milton (1923) "A History of the Texas Baptists."

The postmaster of Bulah, Obion County, Tennesse as of 27 Sept 1847 was a William Gentry. This may well have been our William. (Source: TNGenWeb Project "Obion Post Office and Postmasters of Obion County, TN", cited by Lynell Cordell). Bulah (1847-1859) later became State Line, Fulton County, KY.

The document below, dated March 15, 1850, was found by Charles R. Strong and his daughter, Mary Pat Strong during mid June 2002. This was the only document found in the land records of Obion County Tennessee. No record was found of land purchase or land sale! (Also there were no land records found in Weakley County Tennessee). This may be due to fact that the old town of Bulah, Tennessee, was renamed State Line Kentucky after a border correction at some date. State Line KY located in Fulton County KY was not searched for land records.

Charles and Mary Pat observed that there was an abandoned store in State Line KY named Shaw as highlighted in the document below. Also, the "(???)" in the document might be either "etc." or "and so on and so forth".

Obion County #1 - Wm Gentry

Book 1 - I, page 201-202

William G Gentry Mortgage to L. S. Barnes Registered 15th day of March 1850

This indenture made and entered into this day of March 1850 between William G Gentry of Obion County Tennessee of the one part and L.S. Barnes of Fulton County Kentucky of the other part. Witnesseth [sic] that the said Gentry for and in consideration of seven hundred and seven dollars and 05 cents in hand paid hath this day sold and by these presents doth convey unto said Barnes his assigns. (???) a certain gelding horse about six years old a sorrel mare about 11 years old six head of stock cattle one farm horse wagon also all my house hold and kitchen furniture consisting of feather and under beds clothing furniture (???) bed steads [sic] side bordes[sic] chairs cooking utensils and cup board ware also my stock hogs about 25 in number all of which property is now in my possession my farm and in and about my dwelling house in said Obion County. I also sell and convey to said Barnes my two succeeding crops which are to be made on my farm and I do sell and convey to him all the corn tobacco oats fodder potatoes and all other production which maybe thereon raised so what my family may be protected in (???) law as exempt from sale and I do sell him all of the profits production and mumments [sic] of my said farm for two years to come and I have assigned to said Barnes the following notes towit [sic] one on John Shaw & John Bayer for sixty seven dollars and 50 cts due 9th Feby [sic]1850 and on N. Gurley for one hundred and eighty dollars due 1st Feby [sic] 1850 one on RR Powel for one hundred dollars due 19th June 1850 one on same for fifty dollars due 19th April 1850 - one on Charles S. Tally for seventy five dollars due 1st May 1850 and whereas said Barnes is to pay for me to Messers [sic] Robinson and Keith seventy five dollars and Thos Mitchell thirty nine dollars and 50 cts and whereas he has also paid me two hundred dollars over and above the amount of said notes now shall I within two years pay to said Barnes or his order or cause the same to be done said Robinson and Keith and Mitchell debts said two hundred dollars and all liabilities that I may be under as the assignor of said notes and it is expressly understood that Gurley and Tally are not to be sued the first court nor under aliberal [sic] time and that I am to guaranty these debts then this obligation to be null and void else to remain in full force and virtue and it is further understood and so agreed between these parties that said Barnes to act as my agent in and about the management of sell of all the herein mortgaged property or interest and he is to have the right from time to sell and dispose of the same for the purposes of paying of dispersing this mortgage and I said Gentry for myself my heirs administrators (???) doth and will forever warrant and defend the title in (???) to the property things interests profits (???) herein sold against any and all claims whatever. In witness where of I have hereto set my hand and seal this day and date above written. John M. Gentry & James C. Gentry /s/ witnesses. -- /s/ Will Gentry (Seal

1850 - Unfortunately Preacher William Gentry was not listed as being present in his Obion Co. home, in Tennessee, at the time of the 1850 census enumeration. He is therefore presumably recorded elsewhere in the census of that year, possibly while on a visit to Kentucky, if he is recorded at all. Could he have already gone on to Texas, and left his wife and eldest son in charge of the family?

From the evidence above it would appear probable that;

1. Preacher William Gentry was born and married in Kentucky.

2. A few years following the marriage, ca. 1829, the young family moved to Illinois, probably to the southern part of that state.

3. They returned to Kentucky in about 1835 and remained in that state until ca. 1846 when they moved again

4. This time they moved to Tennessee and they had only been in Tennessee for a few years by the time of the 1850 census.

Using further data

5. The family then moved to, and stayed in, Missouri from about 1854. They would have been in that state for about four years (grand-daughter Ellen was born there in 1855, as was Virginia in 1858).

6. They then all headed to Texas in about 1859.

This assumes that William and his son John Melton Gentry stayed together as they migrated south. William could have gone ahead to Texas, before John and his family, without staying with them in Missouri. He was more mobile on account of the age of his children.

1860 - William Gentry is described (microfilm page 58), in 1860, simply as a Baptist Minister, age 55, born in Tennessee. Mary was the same age, but like all the children, listed as born in Kentucky. Clearly this contradicts the 1850 census. The family were living in Hillsboro, Hill Co., Texas. William's real estate here, at the time, was valued at $1,250 and his personal property at $3,115.

At this time there was a very high per capita income in Texas. This was to collapse in a few years with the civil war and it took a very long time to recover.

Preacher William's eldest son, John Melton Gentry (32), had real estate in Grandview area in nearby Johnson Co. This was valued at $270 and his personal property at $525. He was a farmer and he was now employing a farm labourer from Alabama, Sam Benge (23), who lived with his family.

1861-The book HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY noted that on June 14, 1861 the Masonic Blue Lodge #266 A.F. and A.M. was chartered. The charter members included W.F. and J.M. Gentry. The book also noted that the first organization of a Baptist church in Alvardo, TX is due to the Rev. William C.(G.?) Gentry. The church was organized on October 6, 1861 in the old Union Building, located on the corner of what is now Cummings ans Atchley streets. The upper story was used for Masonic meetings, the lower floor was a school and church. The records state that "after a few remarks by Brother William C. Gentry, the members present appointed Brother Gentry moderator pro-tem. They then adopted the Trinity River Association Constitution or by laws, written by Brother Carroll. After they organized,the door of th church was opened. Brother William C. Gentry was elected pastor and Jonathan Burk elected pastor and Jonathan Burk elected clerk." On the first Sunday in July 1862 Brother W.B. Senter was chosen to be pastor and moderator. Was this Rev. William Gentry our Preacher William moving to be closer to his son John? If it was not our William, there is a slight possibility that it could be William Gravit Gentry, born 23 Jan 1786 in Louisa Co, VA, son of John and Milly (Edwards) Gentry [THE GENTRY FAMILY IN AMERICA, p 24].

W. G. Gentry also purchased land in Hill County from Thomas A. Flippin and N.J. Fritze sometime in the 1860's. Also, the Johnson County Deeds Vol. D, Pg 84-December 27, 1860- W.G. Gentry-Land Patent in Hill County, Texas from Smith, 200 acres--witnessed by John M. Gentry

1870 - "Mary Gentry, 65 years of age, born in Kentucky, died in August of this year in Grayson Co., Texas." Was this Preacher William's wife? It certainly seems highly likely.

William's Grayson Co., Texas, census entry is proving difficult to find. He would have been aged 66. Ken Harvey believes he was still alive.

1871-Land records from Grayson County, Vol 38 pg 442 dated November 6, 1871 show that Mary Gentry owned, with her husband William G., 20 acres of land situated about one mile west of Sherman on the Gainsville and Sherman road at the time of her death. (Grayson Co, TX Vol 38 pages 442, 443 & 444)

1875 - A Rev. Gentry performed a wedding in Grayson Co. Texas and another one in Collin Co., Texas. Were these two ceremonies performed by the same man and was it "our" Rev. William Gentry? An unknown Rev. M. Gentry was active in Collin Co, also. He is not thought to be related.

1880 - Preacher William's, Wise Co., Texas, census return is proving difficult to find. He would have been aged 76. He might well have died before this. Zada Trawick's family was also in Wise Co. in 1880. I wonder if John M. and Pamelia could have moved there after the 1880 census and Zada and [James] Ed[win Gentry] met and married there in 1890/91.

"LOCALS ... ... A well known citizen by the name of Gentry, of the Sand Hill country, who was stopping in the East Mound country for his health died one day last week." Could this have been Preacher William's "obituary"? The newspaper date needs to be rechecked. Could the East Mound area be where Will and Molly lived? Their Wise Co. census return gives their location as E[numeration] D[istrict] 130.

From the deed listed below, it is known that William died before 1883.

Charles Strong located the following deed in Hill County, Texas (Hill Co, Vol. N)

1883-"Know all men by these presents that whereas on or about the ___ day of ___ A.D. 186_, W.G. Gentry, then a resident in Hill County, Texas now deceased, did make, execute and deliver to Thomas A. Flippin and N.J. Fritze for a valuable consideration to him in hand paid, a good and sufficient warranty deed to the following tract of land....and whence the said deed has been lost, mislaid or destroyed, and the record of the same in the deed records of said Hill County, having been destroyed by fire, now therefore in consideration of the ??? and the fact of the payment in full of the purchase money of said land, to said W.G. Gentry by the said Flippin & Fritze which we here acknowledge, We J.M. Gentry, James C. Gentry, Mitchell C. Gentry, Jesse A. Gentry, J.W. Gentry & Minerva A. Gentry his wife, B.F. Hodges and wife Sarah M. Hodges and L.B. Bush and wife Mary E. Bush, sole surviving heirs at law of the said W.G. Gentry, do bargain and sell, and by these presents do transfer and convey unto J.W. Siddons the ....title to said land...Witness our hands this the 19 day of September A.D. 1882. John M. Gentry, J.W. Gentry [Minerva's husband], M.A. Gentry, L.B. Bush, M.E. Bush, J.C. Gentry, M.C. Gentry, B.F. Hodges et ux, Sarah M. Hodges J.A. Gentry

It would be worth searching for the burial place and gravestone of Preacher William. He could be buried near Decatur. Lewis Payne remembers his maternal grandmother, Molly, speaking of Decatur and it seems that her husband, Will, and she could at the time, have lived outside this town, the Wise County seat.

William Gentry's parents are still unknown.According to Ken Harvey, the following are considered to be possible, but unlikely, parents of Preacher William Gentry, born circa 1804.

Gentry, (1909), M.S., Ph. D. "The Gentry Family in America 1676 to 1909 etc." The Grafton Press:New YPatrick Gentry (abt.1780-1820) of Louisa Co., Virginia. His son William B. Gentry (1802-?) married Sallie Sargent March 11, 1824. (p 74)

--Robert Gentry of Jackson Co., Tennessee. Robert was fifth generation but there are no dates. His son William was probably born in Jackson Co. where he was definately reared. (p 134)

--Mathew Gentry (abt. 1782-? ), son of Samuel. Matthew had migrated from Surrey Co., North Carolina to Warwick Co., indiana in 1822 where he settled and reared a large family. His children were: William, James, Mathew, Samuel and Thomas. (p 270)

--Thomas Gentry (1779-?) and Sussana Caster (1781-1854). Son William was born in 1806. Thomas' father was William Gentry of Gloucester Co., N.J. said to have been a revolutionary soldier. (p 292)

--Joseph Gentry (abt.1785-1835) of King William Co., Virginia. (p 294)

1810 - There are thirty-one potential Gentry parents of William in the state of Kentucky in 1810 when he would have been circa six years old at the time.

1820 - Of these there are, however, only seven possible candidates as William's parents in Madison Co. Kentucky in 1820 This ASSUMES that he was born c. 1804 in Madison Co., Kentucky. There is no compelling reason for this assumption however.

These Madison parental candidates, with some of their probable wives, have all been arrived at by a process of elimination, they are;

1. Bartlett Gentry and Elizabeth Timberlake, 2. ? Gentry and Elizabeth ?, 3. John Gentry, 4. John (Stumpy) Gentry, 5. John P. Gentry, 6. Josiah Gentry, 7. Josiah Gentry and Winney Musick

(Research):
Census Information:

1850 census, Obion Co. TN
District 2 West of District 1 (NE corner before the panhandle was included), North border is Kentucky.
496.
Polly GENTRY, 48, KY;
John, 23, KY, farmer;
Permelia, 23, TN;
James, 20, IL, farmer;
Michel, 18 IL, farmer;
Manerva, 13, KY;
Sarah, 12, KY;
Wesly, 8, KY;
Abram, 5, KY;
Mary, 4/12,TN

1860 census in Hill Co. TX
Hillsboro twp. ED 58 Pg. 459
397
Gentry, William 55 M Baptist Minister TN
Mary 55 F KY
Menerva 23 F KY
Sarah 20 F KY
Wesley 18 M KY
Abram 15 M KY
Mary 10 F KY


(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

(Medical):Y DNA Results, FTDNA Haplogroup:

I1 Haplogroup
Predicted Y-DNA Haplogroup 1-M253

A direct male descendant of William G. Gentry, still bearing the Gentry surname, volunteered to have his yDNA tested. The results can be found at www.ysearch.org, under the user ID #CBFD9, and the FamilyTreeDNA Kit number is 49107.

The DNA sample was a high resolution match to several documented descendants of Nicholas Gentry I of Hanover County, Virginia. Nicholas was said to be the original immigrant of his family line, and can first be found on colonial records of Virginia in 1684.

More about the Gentry DNA study can be found at:

http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/g/gentry/

I is often called the "Viking Haplogroup." This haplogroup is common among Icelandic populations, and is generally considered indicative of Scandinavian or Anglo-Saxon ancestry when it is found in a person of British descent.

A good website that discusses Haplogroup I1a is located at:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gallgaedhil/haplo_i1a_part_1.htm

William married Mary "Polly" ??? about 1826 in Kentucky. Mary was born on 23 Jan 1805 in Kentucky; died on 13 Jun 1869 in Texas; was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Grandview, Johnson County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1850-She is recorded in the census of 1850 as Polly Gentry, born in Kentucky in 1805,

1860-She is recorded as Mary Gentry. Polly is a familiar form of the formal name Mary.

1870 - "Mary Gentry, 65 years of age, born in Kentucky, died in August of this year in Grayson Co., Texas." Was this Preacher William's wife? It certainly seems highly likely.

1871-Land records from Grayson County, Vol 38 pg 442 dated November 6, 1871 show that Mary Gentry owned, with her husband William G., 20 acres of land situated about one mile west of Sherman on the Gainsville and Sherman road at the time of her death. (Grayson Co, TX Vol 38 pages 442, 443 & 444)

Charles Strong located the following probate record:

Grayson Co, TX Vol 38, pgs 442-444

The State of Texas, County of Grayson

Whereas on the 13th day of June, 1869, Mary Gentry, Wife of William G. Gentry, departed this life in said County and State leaving as her sole & only heirs the following named children to wit, John M. Gentry, James C. Gentry, Cyrus M. Gentry, Minerva A. Gentry wife of William J. Gentry, Sally M. Hodges wife of Benjamin F. Hodges, Jesse A. Gentry and Mary E. Gentry; and also the said Mary, dec'd, at the time of her death owned as community property with William G. Gentry, a certain tract of land situated in said County and State about one mile West of Sherman on the Gainsville x Sherman road and more particularly detailed as follows.....now the said Gentry suriviving Matrimonial partner of said Mary Gentry, desceased, as well as the heirs of the said Mary above named and who are all the lawful age to contract---being mutually desirous of settling the estate of said Mary and partitioning the same among themselves...have agreed with each other to partition said lands and to invest the title to the part set apart to each heir named in the portion so set apart and divest said heir of all interest in the remaining portion and they, the parties aforesaid, mutually agree that the followig plat and division of said lands illustrates substantially the division and partition agreed upon.

Witness our hands at Sherman this 6th day of November 1871

Signed by W.G. Gentry, J.A. Gentry, J. William Gentry, Minerva A. Gentry, Sarah M. Hodges, B.F. Hodges, J.M. Gentry, M.E. Gentry, C.M. Gentry and attested be L. Hare and Joseph Bledsoe

Could Mary's surname have been Miller? Her grandson by her son John Melton Gentry, William Miller Gentry, was clearly not given his mother's, Harpole surname, as his middle name. On the other hand it would have been quite reasonable for him to have received his paternal grandmother's surname.

Oakland Cemetery of Johnson Co., TX Miltenberger's Report, copied 1969 GENTRY, Mary Mrs. 23 Jan 1805 - 13 Jun 1869

The later recording of that cemetery is the one we found first:

Sacred to the Memory of M. Mary Gentry Jan. ?, 18?5 ? , 1869