Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Shephard Gibson

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Descendants of Shephard Gibson

Generation No. 1

1. SHEPHARD¹ GIBSON was born Abt. 1775 in , , Virginia, and died 1842 in , , Tennessee. He married MATILDA DENHAM. She was born 1802 in , , Kentucky, and died 1898 in , Madison, Kentucky.

Notes for SHEPHARD GIBSON:

"Then came forward sister Kitchens and complained to the church against Susanna Stallard for saying she harbored them Melungins." Stony Creek Baptist Church, Fort Blackmore, Scott County, Virginia William McGill (Justice of the Peace, Hamilton County TN) Question: Was th s character that of a white person or negro, or of what race did he have the character of being? Answer: He was a mixed blooded man in some way, that was his character. We generally called them Malungeons when we talked about the Goins and them the Goins that were mixed blooded . Q. Of what race of people was Solomon Bolton? What did he and his family claim as to be his nationality? How was he treated and recognized in the community where he lived? A. I don' t know of my own knowledge what race of people he belonged to. I often heard Bolton say that he was Portugese. I have often heard his wife say the same thing. He was treated and recognized in the community in which he lived as such. (Shepherd Trial, Hamilton County TN.) <lewis _shepherd.htm> June 9, 1874 Lucinda Bolton Davis My father was a Spaniard and his mother a blue eyed German. My mother was an American, was born in America. I don't know what nation sh e descended from. (Shepherd Trial) Vardy Collins, Shepherd Gibson, Benjamin Collins, Solomon Collins, Paul Bunch and the Goodmans, chiefs and the rest of them settled here about the year 1804, possibly about the year 1795, but all these men above named, who are called Melungeons, obtained land grants and muniments of title to the land they settled on and they were the friendly Indians who came with the whites as they moved west. They came from the Cumberland County and New River, Va., stopping at various points west of the Blue Ridge. Some of them stopped on Stony Creek, Scott County, and Virginia, where Stony Creek runs into Clinch River. --- The old pure blood were finer featured, straight and erect in form, more so than the whites and when mixed with whites made beautiful women and the men very fair looking men. These Indians came to Newmans Ridge and Blackwater. Some of them went into the War of 1812-1914 whose names are here given; James Collins, John Bolin and Mike Bolin and some others not re membered; those were quite full blooded." Lewis M. Jarvis interview 1903 Hancock County Times . <lewis_jarvis.htm>

Most of the Collins, Gibson, Bunch, Riddle, and possibly Bolen families came from the Flat River area of Orange county, North Carolina to the back woods area of the New river at the borders of North Carolina and Virginia around 1767.

Thomas Gibson family, moved to Wilkes county NC from the Flat River around this time, then to Fort Blackmore, Virginia. A Cherokee mother bears a child, known as Ridge, in the town of Hiwassee, on the Hiwassee River at Savannah Ford, at this time it is North Carolina, late r Tennessee. This is the probable birth year of Cherokee Chief Ridge.

1800 Shephard Gibson entered 100 acres Ashe Co NC

1808 Lee Co VA tax Wm Bowlin, William Bowlin Sr, Michael Bowlin, Shepard Gibson, Absalom Col lins, Mitch Collins, Zack Goins.

The 1810 Hawkins County Tax list for Puncheon Camp Valley included; Benjamin Collins, Vardemo n Collins, James Collins, Henry Collins, Jordan Gibson, Obedah Goodman, Jordan Goodman, Joh n Fields, Yearby Gibson, Shepard Gibson, Charles Gibson, Tiry Gibson, Royal Gibson, Valentin e Collins, and Jesse Gibson

1830 census of Hawkins County, heads of household FPC families.
Males __ Females Femalesunder..................................... Under.................... .....over.10 10-24 24-36 36-55 55-100 100 III 10 10-24 24-36 36-55 55-100
.#- Shepard Gibson 55 -100- * all others in this household are white. 1 male15-20,1 male 20- 30, 1female under 5, and 1 female 30-40..........................

1831 Lee Co VA tax Wm Bowlin, William Bowlin Sr, Michael Bowlin, Shepard Gibson, Absalom Coll ins, Mitch Collins, Zack Goins.

1840 Hawkins Co, TN
Sheppard Gipson
Males
1 @ under five
1 @ 20 under 30
1 @ 60 Under 70
Females
1 @ 10 under 15
1 @ 20 under 30
1 @ 40 Under 50

The legend of how Vardy and Shepard Gibson came to Hawkins/Hancock Cowas told in Will Alle n Dromgoole's "Four Branches of Melungeon Tree"(1890's)
(refering to Shepard as "Buck") ;

These two, Vardy Collins and Buck Gibson, were the head and source ofthe Melungeons in Tenne ssee. With the cunning of their Cherokeeancesters, they planned and executed a scheme by whic h they were enabledto set up for themselves in the almost unbroken Territory of NorthCaroli na.

Olld Buck, as he was called, was disguised by a wash of some darkdescription, and taken to V irginia by Vardy where he was sold as a slave.He was a magnificent specimen of physical stren gth, and brought a fineprice, a wagon and mules, a lot of goods, and three hundred dollars in money being paid to old Vardy for his "likely nigger". Once out ofRichmond, Vardy turned hi s mules shoes and stuck out for the wildernessof North Carolina, as previously planned. Buc k lost little time riddinghimself of his negro disguise, swore he was not the man bought of C ollins, and followed in the wake of his fellow thief to the Territory. Theporceeds of the sal e were divided and each chose his habitation; oldVardy choosing Newmans Ridge, where he wa s soon joined by others of hisrace, and so the Melungeons became a part of the inhabitants o fTennessee."

WILL OF SHEPARD GIBSON
Page: 224 Dated: December 7, 1842Proven: 2nd January, 1843
I, Shepard Gibson do make & publish this as my last Will & Testament, hereby revoking & makin g void all other wills by me at any other time made. First, I direct that all my funeral expe nses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible, out of any money that I ma y die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executor. Secondly, I gave and bequ eath to my beloved wife Matilda all the land whereon we now live and all the lands wlsewher e which is in my name, and all my livestock of personally property, horses, cattle, hogs, she ep and all the household and kitchen furniture. Thirdly. I gave & bequeath to each of my brot hers & sisters the sum of one dollar each, paid as soon as it shall come into the hand of m y Exec. Forthly and lastly. I do hereby nominate & appoint Vardy Collins my Executor. In witn ess whereof I do to this my will set my hand and seal. This 7th day of December, 1842. Shepa rd x Gibson (seal) (his mark) Signed, sealed & published in our presence & we have subscribe d our names hereunto in the presence of the Testator. This the 7th day of December, 1842. Wit ness: Timothy x Williams, (his mark)Vardy x Collins,(his mark) B.G. Sullivan

More About SHEPHARD GIBSON:
Record Change: October 06, 2008

Notes for MATILDA DENHAM:
1850 Hancock CO., TN census Matilda listed as 40 years old. Censusdistrict - Mulberry Gap

Received and email today, September 05, 2005, from a Sherie
email address two_waters@yahoo.com
contents:
Shephard Gibson m Matilda Denham not Collins
Elizabeth's first born son Willie that married
Patsy Bolen granddaughter has his family bible,
pub in 1896 and it states Denham. Little Patsy was my
Aunt.
Sherie

This Email was in response to one I had written to:
KYFLOYD-L@rootsweb.com

Hawkins Co TN Wills Vol. 1, 1786-1864 (Eugenia L. Messick)
LWT Shepard Gibson, dated 7 Dec 1842, page 224

I, Shepard Gibson do make and publish this as my last Will and Testament,hereby revoking an d making void all other wills by me at any other timemade. First, I direct that all my funera l expenses and all my debts bepaid as soon after my death as possible, out of any money tha t I may diepossessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executor. Secondly, Igive an d bequeath to my beloved wife Matilda all the land whereon we nowlive and all the lands elsew here which is in my name, and all mylivestock of personal property, horses, cattle, hogs, she ep, and all thehousehold and kitchen furniture. Thirdly, I give and bequeath to each ofmy bro thers and sisters the sum of one dollar each, paid as soon as itshall come into the hand of m y Exec. Fourthly and lastly, I do herebynominate and appoint Vardy Collins my executor. In wi tness whereof I doto this my will set my hand and seal. This 7th day of December, 1842.
Shepard (X) Gibson
Signed, sealed, and published in our presence and we have subscribed ournames hereunto in th e presence of the Testator. This the 7th day ofDecember, 1842. Witness: Timothy (X) Williams , Vardy (X) Collins, B.G.Sullivan. Proven 2 Jan 1843.

1850 Hancock TN census
Dwelling 398 Family 398
Matilda Gipson 40 tailor b TN
Ozias D 15 b TN
Mary Ann 13 b TN
Manervy Jane 10 b TN
John D 8 b TN
Martha 4 b TN

1860 Hancock TN
Dwelling 975 Family 930
Matilda Gipson 52 Weaver b TN
Ozias 22 farm hireling b TN
Mary Ann 28 house work b TN
Elizabeth Pugh 20 hireling b TN
John Gipson 15 farm hireling

1870 Madison Ky census
Dwelling 157 Family 157
Matilda Gibson 60 housekeeping b KY
Betty ( Elizabeth ?) 29 no occupation b KY
Mary 1/12 b KY

1880 Madison Co Ky census
Dwelling 353 Family 354
Matilda Gibson 78 Keeping houseb TN father b K Y mother b NC
Mary E 35 daughter at homeb TN father b V A mother b TN
William 9 grandson at homeb KY parents b TN
Lilley Ruth 7 granddaughter at homeb KY father b KY moth er b TN
John D 4 grandson at homeb KY father b K Y mother b TN
Nameless 1 granddaughter at homeb KY father b KY moth er b TN

Top of Form 1 Denhams and Melungeons
Posted by: Billy Denham </cgi-genforum/email.cgi?332085629> (ID *****5629)Date: November 29 , 2003 at 16:51:52
of 1100
Bottom of Form 1
Has anyone made any connection between their Denham line and the Melungeon people of Northeast TN., Southeastern KY.,Southwest Virginia. I have traced my linage back to David Denham who lived in Hancock County, TN., on Mulberry Creek between 1811 and 1850 when he died. He was born in Virginia in 1754. He claimed to be descended from a Portuguese Denham. Billy Denham Chattanooga, TN.

Top of Form 1 Re: Denhams and Melungeons
Posted by: Caryl Taylor </cgi-genforum/email.cgi?007125551> (ID *****5551)Date: February 14 , 2005 at 18:13:42
In Reply to: Denhams and Melungeons <939.html> by Billy Denhamof 1100
Bottom of Form 1
My grandmother was Mildred Denham Fugate. Mildred's father was David Denham (1754), who wa s married to Frances Lucas from NC. They had 2 sons, Willoby and Rolen and five daughters: Mi ldred, Caroline, Evaline, Fetney and Nancy. Mildred's daughter, Margarett, married Clint Robi nson, my grandfather. Mildred lived in Lafayett Town-ship, Coles County, IL in 1900 and Mildr ed Fugat (Fugate) is also listed on the census. She was 100 years old!! So, I am a descendan t of David Denham. He is my Great-Great-Great-Great Grandmother. My grandmother's name was Caladona (Callie) Robinson. My grandfather was Alexander (Alex) Robinson. I am also an Afro-Ame rican. Many of the Denhams, because of their fair coloring passed into the white race and i t is difficult to trace. I have done a lot of research about the Denhams and even have a Prof essor at the University of Illinois interested in the Black ancestors in IL. He, too, states that we probably are Melungeons. I also know that some of the Denhams lived on a Kickapoo Indian Reservation in KS. So we are several different colors, tribes, etc. I am very fair, had red (now gray) with freckles, which I have always hated! I do hope this helps. If you wish to have any more information, please do not hesitate to e-mail me or call. 702-243-3595 . I now live in Las Vegas, NV My son is a physician here.

Top of Form 1 Re: Denhams and Melungeons
Posted by: Loaetta Reddington </cgi-genforum/email.cgi?045208152> (ID *****8152)Date: Septem ber 05, 2006 at 22:26:26
In Reply to: Re: Denhams and Melungeons </denham/messages/1011.html> by Caryl Taylorof 110 0
Bottom of Form 1
Hi Caryl,I am looking for a connection for Matilda Denham Gibson of Hancock Co., TN. She w as born in 1803 most likely in NC. She died in Madison Co., KY 1889. She married Shepherd "Ol d Buck" Gibson about 1833 in Hawkins Co., TN (before Hancock Co. was formed). Most researcher s think she may have been a daughter of David Denham but cannot confirm. Billy Denham think s David may have been married before Francis Lucas. Matilda is living among the ladies you ha ve named in your history on the 1850-60 census of Hancock, TN. The only one old enough to hav e been Matilda's mother is Fetney. Seems there should be a connection there. Matilda is my g- g-grandmother. Any information you might have to help my research will be most appreciated. Thanks, Loaetta Reddington

Denton - Herndon Family Genealogy 200 Hundred years in Henderson County, Kentucky
A searchable database of narratives and pedigrees for our Denton and Herndon ancestors.
Direct ancestors; Burton, Conrad, Crenshaw, Davis, Denton, Dupree, Floyd, Graves, Green, Hanc ock, Helm, Herndon, Latta, Lester, McClanahan, Mifflin, Mitchell, Powell, Scarlett, Seagraves , Sellers, Sights, Spann, Talbott, Terry, Vann, Whitehead, Wiggins, Winn
Corrections and Additions are greatly appreciated.Compiler:Raymond Talbott Denton Herndon < javascript:hemlink('rayherndon','msn.com');>Henderson, Tennessee 38340-0064
This page was created by John Cardinal's Second Site <http://www.johncardinal.com/ss/> v1.9.1 6. Site updated on 27 Sep 2007 at 8:29:22 AM from MY MASTER PROJECT; 11,077 people
Benjamin Denton (M)b. April 9, 1769, d. October 11, 1814d. October 11, 1814|p416.htm#i1 3311|John Denton , Jr.|b. 1738d. 1782|p512.htm#i3390|Ann Margaret Weaver|b. 1740d. 1807|p2143 .htm#i13295|Capt. John Denton|b. 1713d. before October 1, 1765|p511.htm#i3263|Sarah O\'Dell|b . 1712d. 1810|p1484.htm#i3264|||||||');"Pedigree <javascript:pup('Benjamin Denton|b. April 9 , 1769<BR>Relationship=3rd cousin 6 times removed of Raymond Talbott Denton.
Benjamin was born on Sunday, April 9, 1769 in Shenandoah Co., Virginia, British Colony <http: //freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/pd2.htm>. He was the son of John Denton , Jr . <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p512.htm> and Ann Margaret Weaver <htt p://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p2143.htm>. Benjamin, age 24, was married t o Margaret Ann Anderson <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p68.htm>, age 19 , daughter of Robert Anderson and Margaret Neely, Wednesday, July 24, 1793 in Botetourt Co. , Virginia, USA <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/pd65.htm>. Benjamin die d on Tuesday, October 11, 1814 in Botetourt Co., Virginia, USA <http://freepages.genealogy.ro otsweb.com/~rayherndon/pd65.htm>, at age 45 years, 6 months and 2 days. After his grandfathe r Samuel and uncles Abraham III and Benjamin I along with other family members had settled o n Caney Fork Creek in White CO, TN using the bounty land warrents granted for Revolutionary W ar service, Benjamin II and Peggy Ann Anderson Denton joined the clan. This is verified fro m land deed records from Boutetourt CO, VA which shows they sold their land in 1804 and the n they appear on the White CO, Tn tax rolls in 1805.
Last Edited=21 Feb 2005
Children of Benjamin Denton and Margaret Ann Anderson <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.c om/~rayherndon/p68.htm>
John Anderson Denton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p512.htm> b. Augus t 6, 1794, d. 1848Robert Denton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p588.ht m> b. November 6, 1796, d. September 9, 1805Margaret A. Denton <http://freepages.genealogy.r ootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p540.htm> b. March 31, 1799Dalton Denton <http://freepages.genealogy .rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p433.htm> b. May 19, 1801, d. August 15, 1865 Matilda Denton <http: //freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p561.htm> b. October 15, 1803 Benjamin Denton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p417.htm> b. April 9, 1806 Rebecca Howard Denton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p584.htm> b. August 10, 1808 , d. October 3, 1880 Elizabeth Denton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/p4 50.htm> b. 1812 William Anderson Denton <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~rayherndon/ p635.htm> b. September 30, 1813, d. December 20, 1877

More About MATILDA DENHAM:
Record Change: August 11, 2008

Marriage Notes for SHEPHARD GIBSON and MATILDA DENHAM:
Posted by: Judy Beckner-Gibson Date: April 08, 2001 at 08:10:17
In Reply to: Re: gibsons on dawes roll by Ramonetta Phillips of 12664
Ramonetta,
Like you, I have no definate proof, all word of mouth and stories passed down thru the family. I have recently found
out that we are Mulungeons. Which may explain the clain of NA decentAlthough ther still may be some NA decent.
Cherokee, Powathan,Lumdee are all possible. Elizabeth Collins Gibson was my GG grandmother, She ,married
Shepard "Old Buck" Gibson and is the Sister of Vardy Collins. All Mulungeons. None of the names you have written
match any of the names in my lineage so far. Good luck with your search.

Children of SHEPHARD GIBSON and MATILDA DENHAM are:

2.	i.		OZIAS DENTON² GIPSON, b. June 1835, , Hancock, Tennennssee; d. Aft. June 01, 1900, , Letcher, Kentucky.
	ii.		MARY ANN GIPSON, b. Abt. 1837; d. Unknown.

Notes for MARY ANN GIPSON:
1850 Hancock TN census
Dwelling 398 Family 398
Matilda Gipson 40 tailor b TN
Ozias D 15 b TN
Mary Ann 13 b TN
Manervy Jane 10 b TN
John D 8 b TN
Martha 4 b TN

1860 Hancock TN
Dwelling 975 Family 930
Matilda Gipson 52 Weaver b TN
Ozias 22 farm hireling b TN
Mary Ann 28 house work b TN
Elizabeth Pugh 20 hireling b TN
John Gipson 15 farm hireling

880 Madison Co Ky census
Dwelling 353 Family 354
Matilda Gibson 78 Keeping houseb TN father b K Y mother b NC
Mary E 35 daughter at homeb TN father b V A mother b TN
William 9 grandson at homeb KY parents b TN
Lilley Ruth 7 granddaughter at homeb KY father b KY moth er b TN
John D 4 grandson at homeb KY father b K Y mother b TN
Nameless 1 granddaughter at homeb KY father b KY moth er b TN

More About MARY ANN GIPSON:
Record Change: October 14, 2007

iii.

MANERVY JANE GIPSON, b. Abt. 1840; d. Unknown.

Notes for MANERVY JANE GIPSON:
1850 Hancock TN census
Dwelling 398 Family 398
Matilda Gipson 40 tailor b TN
Ozias D 15 b TN
Mary Ann 13 b TN
Manervy Jane 10 b TN
John D 8 b TN
Martha 4 b TN

More About MANERVY JANE GIPSON:
Record Change: October 14, 2007

3.	iv.		ELIZABETH GIPSON, b. Abt. 1842; d. Unknown.
	v.		JOHN D GIPSON, b. Abt. 1842, , , Tennessee; d. Unknown.

Notes for JOHN D GIPSON:
1850 Hancock TN census
Dwelling 398 Family 398
Matilda Gipson 40 tailor b TN
Ozias D 15 b TN
Mary Ann 13 b TN
Manervy Jane 10 b TN
John D 8 b TN
Martha 4 b TN

1860 Hancock TN
Dwelling 975 Family 930
Matilda Gipson 52 Weaver b TN
Ozias 22 farm hireling b TN
Mary Ann 28 house work b TN
Elizabeth Pugh 20 hireling b TN
John Gipson 15 farm hireling

More About JOHN D GIPSON:
Record Change: October 14, 2007

vi.

MARTHA GIPSON, b. Abt. 1846; d. Unknown.

Notes for MARTHA GIPSON:
1850 Hancock TN census
Dwelling 398 Family 398
Matilda Gipson 40 tailor b TN
Ozias D 15 b TN
Mary Ann 13 b TN
Manervy Jane 10 b TN
John D 8 b TN
Martha 4 b TN

More About MARTHA GIPSON:
Record Change: October 14, 2007

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