1.BettyMilstead, born 29 January 1889 in Washington, DC1; died 21 October 1974 in Roanoke, Rapids, NC. She was the daughter of 2. JamesF.Milstead and 3. MaggieWilson. She married (1) Captain BenjaminBerkeleyGill2 01 December 1906 in Washington, DC3. He was born 16 August 1886 in Washington, DC4, and died 15 July 1931 in Washington, DC5. He was the son of William C. Gill and Mary Catherine Blanche Berkeley. She married (2) AlfredW.Nalley 03 January 1937 in Fairfax, Virginia. He was born October 1881 in Washington, DC6, and died 03 August 1949 in Falls Church, Virginia. He was the son of William Alfred Nalley and Mary C. Simmons.
Notes for Betty Milstead:
Bettys birth certificate states that she was born January 30, 1889. She celebrated her birthday on January 29, for 85 years. I believe she is correct not the DC Archives.
More About Betty Milstead:
Cause of Death: Stroke.
Medical Information: High blood Pressure from th age of 40. Arthrits. lived to be 85 years.
Notes for Captain Benjamin Berkeley Gill:
Benjamin Berkeley Gills Birth Certificate states he was born 16 August 1886. He was christened in 1887 at Christ Episcopal Church in SE Washington, DC
Benjamin Gill was Captain, Chemical Warfare Service, Army. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington VA, Section1, Grave 124-W.
1900 Census - Index Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census - District of Columbia
Vol 1, E.D 133, Sheet 4, Line 9 House No. 207 K St. SE, Washington, DC
Head of Family Gill, Mary B June 12, 1855 age 44 District of Columbia
Gill, Teresa A SD September 2, 1874 age 26 District of Columbia
Gill, Benjamin B. S October 11, 1886 age 13 District of Columbia
Gill, George R S May 30, 1881 age 18 District of Columbia
Robinson, George BL November 2, 1862 age 37 District of Columbia
------ James May 11 NR age NR District of Columbia
The following information was abstracted from documents in Benjamin Berkeley Gill's Official Personnel Folder for Federal employees:
Applied for a position as "minor under instruction" at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., on June 20, 1902. The application states: date of birth - August 16, 1886, residence: 533 9th st S.E., last attended school: 1901 Business High School, employed since school: Office boy with Washington Times newspaper, personal description: height 5ft 2 in, weight 105 lbs, complexion: fair. Character certificates submitted with the application were supplied by George S. Robinson, 712 3rd st. S.E., civil engineer, who states he has known Benjamin for 15 years, and W. W. Richardson, managing editor, the Washington Times newspaper, who states he has known him for 3 years.
Benjamin was employed at the Washington Navy Yard on July 1, 1903 as a 4th class Boy to learn the trade of Machinist at a wage of 56 cents per day. On January 1, 1904 he was promoted to 3rd class Boy at 80 cents per day. He was promoted to 2nd class Boy on July 1, 1904 at $1.20 per day. On July 17, 1905, he was promoted to 1st class Boy at a wage of $1.52 per day.He was promoted to Machinist G.A.R. 4th class on November 1, 1906 at $2.64 per day, Machinist 3rd class on October 1, 1907 at $3.28 per day, Machinist 2nd class on July 1, 1909 at $3.52 per day, and Machinist 1st class on October 1, 1910 at $3.76 per day.
On November 26, 1912 he was granted leave without pay for "such part of fifteen months as may be necessary" to accept temporary employment as subinspector for the Greek Government (Greek Naval Commission) at the Bethlehem Steel Co., South Bethlehem, PA. In a letter dated March 7, 1914, the Navy Department extended his leave until April 1, 1915 so he could complete his work at the bethlehem Steel Co. On August 3, 1914, the Navy Department approved Benjamin's request to extend his leave until September 1, 1916 in order for him to accept a position as ordnance engineer on board the Greek battleship KILKIS. However, it is unclear if Benjamin actually served in that position as the Washington Navy Yard records show he returned to work there on March 8, 1915 and only reference his temporary work at Bethlehem Steel. Benjamin again requested "several months" of leave without pay on August 12, 1915 to "acquire a greater experience in ballistic work". On August 18th, Benjamin requested six days leave without pay while his earlier request was being considered. He was granted leave for the period August 20 to August 28 but his request for several months leave was denied. However, he was granted leave from August 30 to September 23, 1915. In a letter dated August 25, 1915, Benjamin wrote to the Navy Yard requesting an extension to "my present leave". The letter was sent from New Haven, Connecticut. Benjamin states he is presently with the Winchester Arms Co. in the ballistic laboratory working to get more experience with small arms ballistics. His plan was to next go to a company making large caliber guns and then to one of the powder manufacturing companies. His aim was to acquire the experience needed to work at the Navy Yard's ballistic department. His request was not approved and in a letter to the Navy Yard dated September 11, 1915, , Benjamin replies that he will report for work at the Navy Yard Gun Shop on Monday, September 20, 1915.
Benjamin received a promotion to Leadingman Machinist, Gun Shop effective September 1, 1915 at $4.40 per day. His pay was raised to $4.64 per day on October 9, 1915, and to $4.88 per day on January 1, 1916.
On July 14, 1917, Benjamin resigned from the Navy Yard to accept a position with the War Department, Inspection Division, Office of Chief of Ordnance as Chief Inspector of Arillery ammunition in Beaver, PA. He served in that position until December 10, 1917. He entered the U.S. Army on December 11, 1917, as a Captain, Reserve Officer Corps, Chemical Warfare Service. His military service ended on December 31, 1920.
On May 17, 1928, Benjamin was re-employed at the Washington Navy Yard as a Machinist A. R. at a daily rate of $6.88. He remained employed at the Navy Yard until his death.
The following information was abstracted from the noted sources:
Benjamin and his family were enumerated in the 1920 Census of Washington, D.C. His occupation is given as Captain, US Army. The enumeration is dated January 12, 1920, ED 118, Sheet 10, line 26.
After his discharge, Benjamin appears to have remained in Washington and worked in a number of different jobs. The City Directories for the following years have a listing for Benjamin B. Gill:
1925 - Gill, Benj. B. hardware 6035 Dix ne r234 8th se;
1927 - Gill, Benj. B. agt Home Beneficial Assn h234 8th se;
1928 - Gill, Benj agt Twentieth Century Life Co h 234 8th se;
1929 - Gill, Benj B. mach Torpedo Tube Shop h 234 8th se;
1930 - Gill, Benj B (Bettie) mach Navy Yd h234 8th se.
Certificate of Death issued in District of Columbia, July 17 1931 349 PM. Number of record 336330.
Marvin Gill, son and William Miles, son-in-law identified the body. Benjamin jumped from the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge in SE Washington, DC. His resident address at that time was 234 8th St. SE Buried Arlington National Cemetery, Undertaker, W. W. Deal Inc., 816 H St., NE.
More About Captain Benjamin Berkeley Gill:
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery
More About Benjamin Gill and Betty Milstead:
Marriage: 01 December 1906, Washington, DC7
