Notes in [[double brackets]] are from Mrs. Barbara A. Smith (nee Underhill)'s USPS mailings of 25 Jul 2000, below, where she quotes her late husband and my fourth cousin Roy Lester Smith.

Most of the rest is from fourth cousin Barbara Ward who owns the marvelous old photo album with some 75 family photos in it.

Now I have info on Robert Isom Smith (and his descendants) from Bud Norris and Merry Ann Brown (forwarded to me by Barbara Ward) as well as from the 1880 census.

The person at this address, drjudy@westal.net, did a walk-through of the Mars Hill Cemetery near Marion, Perry Co., AL, and recorded the findings at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/9365/marshill.html.  I have gratefully copied much of the information below from this source.

But the find of the decade has been Isom's grave, located July 2004, at Martins' Station, AL.

Isom's line:	Mary's line:
1.--Richard Gwin;  allegedly lived near Jamestown, Virginia, said to be of Scotch Irish descent; m. Sarah Chesley; one known son: Isham/Isom.	1.--unknown
2.--Isham Gwin  (no dates listed) m. a Ms. Cleveland;  from other sources, we've heard that Isham (some spell it Isom--pronounced EYE-sum) was allegedly a SC planter; some puzzle pieces seem to be coming together that may indicate at this time (Jan 2002) that Isham had at least two more sons in addition to John, below: perhaps a William Gwin and a Chesley R. Gwin;[In July 2003 I traveled to east Tennessee to find out where Isham lived--and I did!  For the details of that trip and those discoveries, please click on Isham's link.]	2.--unknown
3.--John Gwin (middle name unk.; no photo available)--b. 7 Nov 1792 (from his gravestone--see photo) in TN (then NC--per his report to the 1850, 1860, and 1870 AL Census takers of Dallas Co.--possibly in Crowson's Cove on Walden's Creek in Sevier Co.,); d. 7 Mar 1877 at Wilsonville, AL;  m. 8 Apr 1812 (age 19.5) in Blount Co., TN, by Joseph Walker (Jane's brother, and Justice of the Peace) to Jane "Jennie" Walker (right), (b. ca. 1794; d. at Cahaba after 16 Feb 1864* and before 1870 census; bd. at New Cem., Cahaba, Dallas Co., AL, beside her dau. Louisa A. Gwin McKnight (see note "I" below); d.o. Thomas Walker, Sr., and Elizabeth Magill, both of Virginia); nine children; in 1860 Dallas Co., AL, Census, John, 68, and Jane, 66, were living in the home of W. G. Grice, 32, a carpenter b. in SC, and his wife, Eliza Grice, 20, b. in AL, along with J. W. Roark, 15, and Elizabeth Comelander, 15 (two of John's and Jane's grandchildren, Walter being Daughter Mary's son and Elizabeth being Daughter Martha's daughter). *[Dallas Co., AL, Book _, p. 740, records a deed from John and Jane Gwin where they sell on 16 Feb 1864 to Conrad Hilderbrandt the east half of Lot #7 in the town of Cahaba, thus proving that Jane Gwin was alive on that day.]	3.--Nathaniel Burdine Wilson, b. 11 Jul 1795 (according to Uncle James' notes) in SC (according to I.G. Wilson in 1880 Census and N. B. himself, first in the 16 Nov 1850 census of Pence's Beat, Dallas Co., where NBW, 58, was living with wife Jane, 56, also of SC, and four Alabama-born sons--W.B., 22; James W., 17; NM, 13; and I.G., 9--and claimed property valued at $2040; and second in the 6 Jul 1860 census of Belvue P.O., Pence Beat, Dallas Co., AL, where N.B. claimed real property valued at $6400 and personal assets of $5000 and was living in residence 311 with Griffin Wilson, age 18, b. in AL, and N.W. Wilson, age 10 (sic?), b. in AL, which residence was next door to residence 310 where E.M. Wilson age 34, was living with his family [see 2.5 below]);  d. 31 May 1874 at home of son Dr. Isham Griffin Wilson after a five-year illness, leaving "no widow," according to a petition filed 19 Mar 1875 (file #65, Dallas Co. Court House);  NBW's will probated Nov. 1875;  m1. 4 Jan 1816 (according to Uncle James' notes) to Jane Jones; 11 children;  m2. on unk. date to Mary J. (Wilson; nee unk.), widow of the late John A. Rasco, according to a deed recorded 5 Jan 1866;
4.1--Isom Gwin, b. 17 Mar 1817 in AL territory (age 33 in 16 Nov, 1850 census of Pences or Athens Bt., Dallas Co., AL); d. 7 Dec 1853 (from his obituary) or 17 Dec 1853 (from his gravestone) at age 36; served Dallas Co. for several years as Justice of the Peace; bd. in the cemetery at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at Martin's Station, Dallas Co., AL; m. 1837 to Mary Burdine Wilson (9 Nov 1816 - 12 Jan 1877); two children;	4.1--Mary Burdine Wilson, b. 29 Nov 1816 (but her gravestone is reported to give her age at death as "60 years, 2 months, 3 days," which would make her DOB 9 Nov 1816); d. 12 Jan 1877 according to her gravestone; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL; m1. Isom Gwin (17 Mar 1817 - 17 Dec 1853); two children; m2. 1859 (taken from Appeal from Probate Court, Dallas Co., Bk. 30, part one, page 187) to Rev. John Steadman; (d. 1862, taken from same Appeal);
In July 2004 in the cemetery at St. Luke's Church, Martin's Station, Dallas Co., AL, I found and uncovered his fallen and buried tombstone, which reads: Sacred to the memory of ISOM GWIN, born March 17th 1817, and died December 17th 1853, in hopes of a glorious immortality.  The deceased was a native of this state and was raised from an infant in this county.  In 1837 he married Miss Mary B. Wilson; he became religious in 1840, and united with the Protestant Methodist Church of which he lived a member till his death.  In his death his bereaved wife mourns the death of a kind and affectionate husband, his two children the loss of a tender and loving father, his parents a dutiful and beloved son, his brothers and sisters a loving and beloved brother. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord: Rev. ALLEN	After Isom died in 1853, Mary waited about six years, then married her also-recently-widowed pastor, John Steadman, and moved to Cahawba, where he died in 1862. As late as 1870 she and her father, N. B. Wilson, were living with her daughter  Mary Jane Smith and MJ's husband, William Smith.  But when Mary Jane got sick and died the next year, her brother, Dr. Isham G. Wilson, took over the care of their father, and Mary moved to Marion in Perry Co., to live near or with her other daughter, Martha, where Mary died and is buried. I'm not sure where Rev. Steadman is buried, but it's probably in a now-unmarked grave at Cahawba's New Cemetery. In July 2006, I got to visit the Mars Hill Cemetery and photograph her stone, which reads: Mary B. Steadman Died Jan. 12, 1877 Age 60 Yrs., 2 Mos., 3 D.
Obituary from the Dallas Gazette, Dec. 23, 1853: -- DIED -- At his residence, sixteen miles from Cahaba, on Wednesday, the 7th inst., ISOM GWIN, Esq., in the 37th year of his age.     The deceased was one of the most valuable  and  esteemed  citizens of this county; and by his upright conduct   endeared  himself   to  all  his acquaintances. He was, at the time of his death,  and for thirteen years prior to this sad event, a member of the Protestant Methodist Church.     Before his death, he gave the brightest assurances of his future reward in heaven.  His last words, when friends and relatives were gathered round his dying pillow, were "Hallelujah! Heaven's already in view!"      He leaves a wife and two children to mourn the loss  of a kind husband and affectionate father.	No obituary for Mary B. has been found yet.
	MBWG m2. John Steadman (1801-1862), Methodist minister

5.1--Mary Jane Gwin, b. 31 Oct 1838; d. 17 Jul 1871; bd. in the cemetery of the old Cahaba St. Luke's Episcopal church, Martin's Station, Dallas Co., AL (see photos); m. 22 Dec 1853 (Roy Smith says 23 Dec 1853) at age fifteen (and fifteen days after the death of her daddy!) to William J. Smith of Dallas Co.,AL (b. ca. 1832 in TN, s/o Robert Smith [b. ca 1808 TN]); one child who survived her; (all above data from tombstone);

Roy Smith reports that the 1850 Census of Perry Co., (Marion P.O.) Alabama includes the following:

First Name	Last Name	Age	Sex	Occupation	POB	Comments by John Gwin
Robert	Smith	42	M	Mechanic	TN	This is Mary Jane Gwin's future father-in-law.  But where--and who--was the mother?
William J.	Smith	18	M	Mechanic	TN	This is Mary Jane Gwin's future husband.
John R.	Smith	15	M	.	TN	This is Mary Jane Gwin's future brother-in-law.
Thomas J.	Smith	12	M	.	TN	This is Mary Jane Gwin's future brother-in-law.

---

A typed transcription of the following newspaper advertisement was sent to my double-4th cousin Roy Lester Smith sometime in the early 1990's by Ms. Linda Derry, Director of the Cahawba Project, Dallas Co., AL.  I received a copy of that transcription in January 2004 from double-4th cousin Barbara Ward.

From the January 28, 1859 edition of the Dallas Gazette:

WAGONS AND PLOWS At LIBERTY HILL, Dallas County, Ala. by SMITH & GWIN The undersigned respectfully announce to their friends and the public generally, that they will carry on the WAGON MAKING and BLACKSMITH business at their old stand, and they promise to give satisfaction to their customers. They have a lot of Wagons, made by themselves, on hand, for sale.  Also, a lot of Cary Plows. They will repair Wagons and Plows, and do all other Wagon and Blacksmith work that may be required.   WILLIAM J. SMITH CHESLEY GWIN

The 1860 Census of Athens Beat, Liberty Hill, Dallas Co., Alabama includes the following on 5 Jul 1860:

Fam/ Res	First Name	Last Name	Age	Sex	Occupation	Real Property	Personal Property	POB	Comments by John Gwin
267/262	W.J.	Smith	27	M	Blacksmith	2000	10,453	TN	This is Mary Jane Gwin's husband, William J. Smith, who was in business with and living next door to his wife's uncle, Chesley R. Gwin, at the time, as the above advertisement and the next census entry show.
	M. J.	Smith	24	F	.	.	.	AL	This is Mary Jane Gwin. She would die eleven years later, in July 1871, leaving only two survivors: her husband and her son. (see comments below on her daughters for a theory as to how she--and they--died.
	Robert I.	Smith	4	M	.	.	.	AL	Robert Isom Smith, named for his two grandfathers: Isom Gwin and Robert Smith.
	J.H.	Cobb	32	M	Clerk	.	.	NY	.
	A.H.	Cobb	23	F	.	.	.	AL	.
	J.B.	Bowden	19	M	.	.	.	AL	.
266/261	C. R.	Gwin	33	M	WagonMaker	800	6425	AL	This is Chesley R. Gwin, youngest son of John and Jane and Isom's baby brother. He is the business partner of Wm. Smith, his niece's husband, as the above ad shows.
	M. F.	Gwin	29	F				AL	This is Mary Frances "Fannie" Elizabeth Bell Gwin. She and Chesley had just celebrated their tenth anniversary.
	W. J.	Gwin	8	M				AL
	J. I.	Gwin	6	M				AL	This is John I. Gwin, who was born just after the death of Chesley's brother Isom and whose middle name is therefore likely given for him. He is buried at the Bell Cemetery.
	Enoch	Gwin	2	M				AL

Roy Smith's was the first report I saw that the 1870 Census of Liberty Hill P.O., Dallas Co., AL, includes the following, but now I've seen it for myself and can concur from firsthand observation:

Last Name	First Name	Age	Sex	Occupation	Real Property	Personal Property	POB	Comments by John Gwin
Smith	W. J.	38	M	Blacksmith	.	.	TN	This is Mary Jane Gwin's husband, William J. Smith, who was in business with his wife's uncle, Chesley R. Gwin, at least 11 years earlier, as the above advertisement shows.
Smith	M. J.	30	F	.	.	.	AL	This is Mary Jane Gwin. She would die a year later, in July 1871, leaving only two survivors: her husband and her son. (see comments below on her daughters for a theory as to how she--and they--died.
Smith	R. I.	14	M	.	.	.	AL	Robert Isom Smith, named for his two grandfathers: Isom Gwin and Robert Smith.
Wilson	N. B.	77	M	.	.	.	SC	This is Nathaniel Burdine Wilson, Mary Jane's maternal grandfather. We know that he died in 1875, and that he lived in the home of his youngest son, Dr. Isham Griffin Wilson, M.D., for the last five years of his life.  I believe, then, that he must have been ill at the time of this census and that his daughter, Mary B. Steadman, must have moved in with the Smiths to help care for him.  This failing, they moved him in with his son, Dr. Wilson, who could administer better care.  Perhaps the move was made in order to protect the old gentleman when the girls, Mary and Ida, below, became ill.
Steadman	M. B.	50	F	.	.	.	AL	This is Mary Burdine Wilson Gwin Steadman, seventeen-year widow of Isom Gwin, eight-year widow of Rev. John Steadman, and mother of Mary Jane Gwin Smith.
Smith	M. J., Jr.	10	F	.	.	.	AL	Roy had no idea who this was.  But if she is the daughter of Mary Jane and William, then Mary Jane would've likely been pregnant with her in the 1860 census.  The "Jr." after her name leads us to believe that she could indeed be the daughter, named for her mother. Mary Jane "Sr." would die a year later, the following July, and her gravestone clearly states that "In her death her bereaved husband and son mourn the loss of a kind and  affectionate wife and mother."  No mention is made of the two daughters, so if these two are indeed their children, then I must assume that the girls died during this same year.  We do know that Cahaba, yes, and all of middle Alabama, suffered recurring epidemics of various deadly diseases.  It could easily be that the girls died first of the same disease that killed their mother. It could also be, however, that these are William's visiting nieces--daughters of one of his brothers. If they were William's daughters, would they not be listed in the census in the traditional manner of being listed with the other members of the immediate family, i.e., with Robert Isom, and not after N.B. and Mary B.? And could the "Jr." not be merely a local tag--distinguishing her from her aunt--rather than a blood-relationship indicator?
Smith	Ida	6	F	.	.	.	AR	Roy had no idea who this was either.  But her name (and, we assume, her photo) appeared in the old photo album Barbara Ward inherited, and if the above analysis is correct, then the picture of Ida in the album would've been no older than age 6-7. The Arkansas birthplace is further indication that the girls may not be William's and Mary Jane's daughters.

.

[Barbara Ward Note: Hi John,  My cousin Annie Ford Wheeler in Birmingham sent me some pictures today; what she thought were old Lester photos. Well, one was a family portrait of William J. Smith, Mary Jane, and son Robert Isom!! It is in an oval frame and looks like it might have been taken right before she died (in 1871). Son Robert looks about 15 years old. I compared the pictures on page 24A & B. William is wearing the same suit and Mary Jane has on what looks like the same pair of earrings! I am going to send the original to Barbara Smith in Texas. I don't know if Roy's family had a photo of his grandfather as a young boy.]

6.1--Robert Isom Smith, b. 8 Aug 1855 in Dallas Co., AL [listed as R. F. , b. Aug 1855, age 44 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX]; d. 17 Nov 1914 [Roy Smith's paper says 7 Nov 1914] at the town of West in McLennan Co., TX; bd. unk., but probably right there in West; m1. 23 Dec 1876 at Hillsboro, Hill Co., TX, to Mary Etta (or Marietta) Armstrong (b. 9 Sep 1857 [Roy Smith says 12 Sep 1856; d. age 45 on 10 Apr 1902 at West] in Hill Co., [north of Waco] TX [listed as Mor, b. Sep 1857, age 42 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX, where she reports 23 yrs of marriage, that she has borne 7 ch., 6 of whom are still living, and that her father was b. in Wisconsin and her mother in Missouri]; d. unk.); [all of the following information on Robert I. Smith's descendants in this green is either from Barbara U. Smith--Roy Smith's widow--or MerryAnn Brown.]; [Robert Isom Smith is my--John M. Gwin's--double-second cousin twice removed.  All of his descendants in generation eight below are my double-fourth cousins.]

7.1--Walter Clarence Smith, b. 12 Jun 1879 [listed as Clarence, b. Jun1879, age 20 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX]; d. 9 Feb 1959;

7.2--Maude Etta Smith, b. 1881 [not listed in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX--deceased]

7.3-- Milton Claude Smith, b.18 Jul 1884 in West, Hill Co., TX [listed as Claude, b. Jul 1884, age 15 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX]; [age 45 in 24 Apr 1930 census of Roswell, Chaves Co., NM, where he's listed as being a clerk in a railroad depot]; d. 29 Mar 1944 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM; m. ca. 1912 to Margret (nee unk., b. ca. 1885 in IL--[age 43 in 24 Apr 1930 census of Roswell, Chaves Co., NM])

8.1--Claude Milton Smith, b. 21 May 1921 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM [age 9 in 24 Apr 1930 census of Roswell, Chaves Co., NM]; d. 1991;

8.2--Robert Clark Smith, b. 24 May 1922 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM [age 7 in 24 Apr 1930 census of Roswell, Chaves Co., NM]; d. 1982;

8.3--Mary Margaret Smith, b. 1 Oct 1923 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM [age 6 in 24 Apr 1930 census of Roswell, Chaves Co., NM];

8.4--Elizabeth Irene Smith, b. 2 May 1925 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM [age 4 in 24 Apr 1930 census of Roswell, Chaves Co., NM]; m. Robert Countey (b. unk.; dec.); 11. ch.

9.01--Countey, PRIVATE
9.02--Countey, PRIVATE
9.03--Countey, PRIVATE
9.04--Countey, PRIVATE
9.05--Countey, PRIVATE
9.06--Countey, PRIVATE
9.07--Countey, PRIVATE
9.08--Countey, PRIVATE
9.09--Countey, PRIVATE
9.10--Countey, PRIVATE
9.11--Countey, PRIVATE

8.5--John Edward Smith, b. 24 May 1928 in Roswell, Chaves Co., NM [age 1 in 24 Apr 1930 census of Roswell, Chaves Co., NM]; d. 1997 in Roswell; m. "Bobbie" (nee unk.); 3 + 1 ch.

9.1--Michael Smith, PRIVATE
9.2--Mary Beth Smith, PRIVATE
9.3--Patrick Smith, deceased; PRIVATE
9.4--Eric Smith, PRIVATE

7.4--Lola Blanch Smith, b. 1 Apr 1888 [listed as Blanch, b. Apr 1887, age 13 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX]; d. 26 Jul 1981

7.5--Frank Deddiat Smith, b. 25 Sep 1891 [listed as Frank, b. Sep 1890, age 9 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX]

7.6--Luther Dewitt Smith, b. 25 Jan 1893, West, McLennan Co., TX [listed as Dewitt, b. Jan 1894, age 6 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX]; d. 17 Aug 1976 in Hubbard, Hill Co., TX; bd. Bell Spgs. Cem., Abbott, Hill Co., TX; m. 17 Dec 1913 in West, McLennan Co., TX, to Mamie Ross Howell (b. 9 Sep 1893, Hill co., TX, d/o Joshua Calhoun Howell and Adeliade Smith; d. 13 Mar 1965, Waco, McLennan Co., TX; bd. Bell Spgs. Cem., Abbott, Hill Co., TX);

8.1--Eleanor Marie Smith, b. 2 Nov 1914, West, McLennan Co., TX; d. 2003; m. 22 Nov 1933 in Hill Co., TX., to Dexter Washington Christian;

8.2--Robert Calhoun Smith, b. 21 Mar 1916, West, McLennan Co., TX; d. 20 Mar 1987 in Dallas Co, TX; bd. Laurel Land Mem. Pk., Ft. Worth, TX; m. 2 Aug 1942 in Waco, McLennan Co., TX, to Doris Viginia Bramlett; occ., retired Air Force;

8.3--Addie Dee Smith, b. 21 Feb 1919, West, McLennan Co., TX; d. ; m. 15 Oct 1940 in Hill Co, TX, to Clifford Ralph Tomlinson;

8.4--Dean Howell Smith, b. 2 Jan 1922 in Hill Co., TX; d. 27 Feb 1987 in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX; bd. Liberty Hill Cem., Hubbard, Hill Co., TX; m. 9 Feb 1946 in Hill Co., TX, to Bernice Odom;

8.5--Charles Wesley Smith, b. 30 Aug 1923 in Hill Co., TX; d. 26 Nov 1984 at Waco, McLennan Co., TX; bd. Memorial Pk. Cem., Waco, McLennan Co., TX; m. 11 Jul 1947 in Hill Co., TX, to Margaret Helen Norman; occ., aircraft maintenance;

8.6--Roy Lester Smith, b. 21 Aug 1926 in Hill Co., TX; d. 22 Mar 1998; bd. Laurel Land Mem. Pk., Ft. Worth, TX; m. 29 May 1948 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX, to Barbara Ann Underhill (b. 14 Sep 1932 in Penelope, Hill Co., TX, d/o Herbert Houston Underhill and Edna Mae Greene; occ., cashier, Williamson Dickie Mfg., ret.); occ. Fireman; [John Gwin Note:  I'm told that Roy said in 1997 he thought he was named Lester for an uncle, probably Bryant Brown Lester, pictured below, who was Roy's great-granduncle.  If all this info is correct, then Roy and I are double-fourth cousins, and his daughter Marilyn and my children are double-fifth cousins.]

9.1--Marilyn Kay "Kay" Smith, b. 5 Feb 1949 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co., TX; m. 1 Jul 1995 in Crowley, Tarrant Co., TX, to Billy George Spurlock; occ., contract adminstrator, U.S. government

8.7--Lila Merle Smith, b.18 Sep 1929 in Birome, Hill Co., TX; d. 2003; m. 3 Apr 1952 in McLennan Co., TX, to Wallace Martin Cox; occ., nurse, housewife;

7.7--Mabel Angeline Smith, b. 27 Jan 1896 [listed as Mabel, b. Jan 1896, age 4 in the 1-2 Jun 1900 census of Justice Precinct #3 west of W.K.&T.RR, E.D. 84, McLennan Co., TX]

RIS m2. on unk. date in Hill Co., TX, to Unknown Lady

[John Gwin Note: The following two listings of "children" of William and Mary Ann Gwin Smith are based on the 1870 census; that they are their children was my earlier speculation and is thought now (Mar 2007) to be not likely so.]

6.2--Mary Jane Smith "Jr.", b. ca. late 1860 (age 10 in the 1870 census, above, but absent in the 1860 census); d. before her mother (i.e., late 1870 or early 1871), since the mother's gravestone says that only William J. and Robert Isom Smith survived her; bd. unk., but if she did die just before her mother as is postulated here, she MUST be in the same cemetery as her mother; [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

6.3--Ida Smith, b. ca. 1866 (age 4 in the 1870 census, above); d. before her mother (i.e., late 1870 or early 1871), since the mother's gravestone says that only William J. and Robert Isom Smith survived her; bd. unk., but if she did die just before her mother as is postulated here, she MUST be in the same cemetery as her mother;[DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

5.2--Martha Rosanna "Mattie" Gwin, b. 5 Apr 1843 (but gravestone says 1844) in Dallas Co.; d. 15 Sep 1923 (but gravestone says 14 Sep) at age 80 of heart failure in Perry Co., AL, where she had lived 14 years (according to death certificate); bd. 16 Sep 1923 by J. A. Bice at Mars Hill Cem. near Marion, Perry Co., AL (gravestone is reported to say: "Lewis Independent Cavalry, from 1860 to 1865, CSA, 1833-1873"; lived and died at Perry Ridge community, Hamburg, AL, near Marion; an uncle was a Dr. [must be Isham Griffin] Wilson of Demopolis. [John M. Gwin Note: My double-fourth cousin Barbara Ward, who descends from Martha and second husband Bryant, once thought that Martha was adopted.  Thanks to some of Barbara's excellent sleuthing, however, we're all now certain that Martha is the natural daughter of Isom and Mary. Martha is also the owner of the old photo album now in the possession of Barbara Ward, which album contains over 70 photos of Martha's friends and family.]

m1. 7 Sep 1860 in Athens, AL, [John M. Gwin Note: This is the Town of Athens in Dallas Co. which existed for only a short period and then died.] for 12+ years to Madison "Matt" Holley (b. 7 Aug 1827, d. 6 Dec. 1872, in Marion, Perry Co., AL; bd. Mars Hill Cem. near Marion, Perry Co., AL.; s/o Burrell Holley ((b. 15 Mar 1797)) and Frances Miller; Matt's bothers were Will Holley and Monroe Holley; Matt's sister was Martha Holley who m. a Mr. Steadman [John M. Gwin Note: Was this a relative of the Rev. John Steadman whom Martha's mother, Mary B. Wilson Gwin, above, married?  Indeed, was he the same man?]); Barbara Ward sent most of the following info on the ten children; there were six children by Matt Holley, (only three--Minnie, Carlos, and Clarance--survived to the 1880 census) and four by B. B. Lester; [Click here for what may be "the rest of the story" of George Clothier!]

6.1--Minnie Moore Holley, b. 3 Sep 1861 (but age 17 in the 1880 census); d. in childbirth 21 Oct. 1883; bd. unk.; m. 4 Jan 1883 for nine months to Thomas Judson Lester (b. 1859; b/o Bryant Brown Lester; [There's an interesting note here: Minnie's mother Martha Rosanna Gwin Holley Lester is therefore the sister-in-law AND mother-in-law to Thomas J. Lester, and Tom Lester's brother Bryant is also his father-in-law!  But this is the really cute one:  Minnie and Bryant are stepdaughter and stepfather, which makes Thomas Minnie's step-uncle, and since she is married to him, that makes her her own step-aunt! :-)]; unk. ch.; [POSSIBLE DESCENDANT, but only if Minnie's baby survived the childbirth in which Minnie died]

7.1--infant Lester, b. 21 Oct 1883; d. unk., but possibly in childbirth, since the mother died that day;

6.2--Walter Guin Holley, b. 27 Dec 1863; d. as infant; [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

6.3--George Lee Holley, b. 6 Dec 1865; d. 23 Mar 1866 as infant; [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

6.4--Carlos Seymour "C. S." Holley, b. 12 Aug 1868 (age 12 in the 1880 census); d. 10 Mar 1930 (gravestone reported to say 8 Mar); bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL; m. Emma Leona Harrison (b. 22 May 1878; d. 27 Aug 1908; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL); at least one ch.;

Carlos S. Holley

Emma Leona Harrison Holley

7._--Ethel Holley, b. ca. 1900 as per letter below; m. a Mr. Nichols (b. unk.; d. ca. 1960 as per letter below); d. aft. 23 Nov 1982 as per letter below; bd. unk.; unk. ch.
Following is a letter, a copy of which was sent to me by Barbara Ward, written by Mrs. Ethel Holley Nichols in her hand and sent, at the request of her cousin Ina Pitts, to Ms. Gertrude Stephens of Spanish Fort, AL.  Ina had seen Gertrude's notice in the Marion (Perry County) newspaper and didn't know much about their Holley history, so she asked Ethel to put down on paper what she could remember about their grandmother's family--the Gwins.  The letter is full of interesting and historical information, and I gladly include it here (emphasis mine for ease in finding names).

36701 Nov. 23, 1982 205 Ward St. Selma, Ala-- My dear After reading your letter to my cousin Ina Pitts, and I am the oldest survivor of Martha Gwin thought I would add a few words of what I can remember hearing my father, Carlos Holley, tell about. It seems my grandmother Martha (Matt) (Mattie) was raised in Athens, Ala. [John M. Gwin Note: This is the Town of Athens in Dallas Co. which existed for only a short period and then died.] by wealthy or well-to-do parents [John M. Gwin Note: These were Isom Gwin and Mary Burdine Wilson Gwin. Isom was a Justice of the Peace. He owned several slaves,but I don't know what he did for a living.], as all it seemed all she did was take music and attend schools until she married. My grandfather married her in Athens, Ala (Madison Holley). He was in business with a partner whom he trusted with all his mind and heart, doing well so it seems, when he got the idea of coming to Marion in Perry County to go in business for himself. So his partner suggested he turn his share over to his partner's name and when he got settled in Marion he would return his half or share back to my grandfather in my grandfather's name. Of course you can guess the rest. His partner flatly refused and he was here broke and penniless from then on. He got a job as overseer from the rich slave and property owners until he died. My grandmother Martha, then learned to cook, wash dishes, and keep house and taught school some. My grandfather kept planning to go back to Athens to kill his partner but took to bed with typhoid fever, which was fatal in those days, and while dying he was talking to his son Walter who was already dead. My grandfather had two brothers, Will and Monroe, and one sister Martha who married a Steadman. All are buried in Perry Co.   They were Dutch-Irish.  My father was light complected, dark brown eyes, and black hair and died at 62. His brother Clarence was medium brown eyed with red hair and reddish complexion. Their sister Minnie died at childbirth at 19 years old--her husband was Tom Lester. Now we will say a few more things about my grandmother who then married Bryant Lester and had three more children. I have met quite a few people from Athens and close about there. They have told me there were Gwins still around there. One man told me there was almost a community of them in one place close around but they spell their names Guinns and call it Gu ends. He said I'm almost sure they are real Gwins and some of your relatives. My grandmother also had an uncle who was a well known doctor in Demopolis, Ala., by the name of Wilson. [John M. Gwin Note: This must be Dr. Isham Griffin Wilson, youngest sibling of Mary Burdine Wilson (Mrs. Isom) Gwin.] I met a retired professor last year who was a cousin of this doctor and also a Wilson. He was 92 when he died this year. My father was four years old and my uncle Clarence was two years old when my grandfather died. I'll send you a separate list that I copied from a little memoranda book of my grandmother's while visiting my aunt about five years ago, who is also dead. As for me, I am a widow of 22 years, and head of five generations at the age of 82. I hope after you ever get through reading this it might be a little benefit to you.  Good luck and best wishes. Yours, Ethel (Holley) Nichols I have heard that Dr. Lamar Holley of Birmingham, Ala., has tried to trace the Holley family. Perhaps he could help you. He is Will Holley's grandson. This is of my father's grandfather and mother and his father mother brothers and sister. Burel Holley Born April 15, 1797 my. Frances Miller ?    wife great grandfather Two brothers Will and Monroe Holley Madison Holley My grandfather Born Aug 7, 1827 Died Dec 6, 1872 Martha Rosanna Gwin--Mom said Grandma spelled last name Guinn--Born 1843, Died Sept 14, 1923; 79 yrs 6 mos Married Sept 7 1860 Carlos Seymore Holley my father Born Aug 12, 1868 Died Mar 10, 1930 Emma Leona Harrison Born 1878 Died Sept 1908 Clarence Wilson Holley Born Mar 7 1870 my uncle Wife Addie Kynerd? Mary Willie Holley Born Sept. 13, 1872 Died at 6 months Minnie Moore Holley my aunt Thomas J. Lester married Jan 4 1883 She died a year later in childbirth'' Walter and George Holley died infants  Martha Gwin (Grandma Holley) mother Mary Wilson Steadman died 1877 at 60 years of age. Her mother by second husband.

6.5--Clarence Wilson "C. W." Holley, b. 2 Mar 1870 (age 10 in the 1880 census); d. 15 Mar 1941; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL; was living in Marion at the time of his stepfather Bryant Lester's death, according to the obit.; m. Mary Addie Kynard (b. 11 Jun 1878; d. 17 Jan 1948; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL;) unk. ch.; [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

6.6--Mary Willie Holley, b.13 Sep 1872; d. Mar 1873 as infant; [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

MRGH m2. 6 Jan l881 (her age was 38, his 30) at the home of the bride in Perryridge, Perry Co., by Rev. A. J . Kynard, to Bryant Brown Lester, (b. 8 Mar 1851 at Perryridge, Perry Co., AL; s/o Thomas P. Lester and Sarah Ann Brown and brother of Mrs. Maggie Lester Henley who was living in Marion at the time of BBL's death, according to his obit. in the Selma Times Standard of Weds., 19 Jan 1941; d. 28 Jan 1941, age 89, at Hamburg, Perry Co., AL; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL; spent his entire life in Perry Co. as a farmer, according to his obit.); four children by Bryant Lester, 10 total;

Left: Bryant Brown Lester and wife (3.2--above) Martha "Mattie" Rosanna Gwin Holley Lester (taken about 1920); right: Martha's gravestone in Mars Hill Cemetery outside Marion, Perry Co., AL; Gravestone of Mattie Gwin reads: "Martha R. Guinn; wife of Bryant B. Lester; April 5, 1844; Sept. 14, 1923" --photos owned and sent in by Barbara Ward.

6.7--Smith Wyatt Lester, twin, b. 1 Dec 1881 in Marion, Perry Co.; d. 21 Apr 1949 in Weed, Siskiyou Co., CA; bd. Wimena Cem., Weed, CA; was living in Weed, CA, at the time of his father's death, according to his father's obit.; m. 25 Dec 1901 in Marion, AL, to Annie Lenora Pitts (d/o James Harrison Pitts and Lucy Kynard); seven ch.;

7.1--Mattie Smith Lester, b. 15 May 1902 (but her gravestone clearly says 1906) at Marion, Perry Co., AL; d. 12 Dec 1912, age ten years, seven months; m. never;[DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

7.2--(infant son) Lester, b. 11 Nov 1903; d. 13 Nov 1903, age two days; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL; [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

7.3--Annie Beatrice Lester, b. 15 Nov 1904 at Marion, Perry So., AL; d. 19 Jun 1979 at Kingman, AZ; bd. unk.; m. ca. 1926 to Tillman W. Hendrick; no ch. [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

7.4--Walter Wyatt Lester, b. 18 Feb 1908 at Selma, Dallas Co., AL; d. 17 Jun 1967 at Kingman, AZ; bd. 20 Jun 1967 at Mt. View Cem., Kingman, AZ; m1. Anita Laura McRae; unk. ch.  [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]; m2. Ethel (nee unk.); at least two ch. [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

8.1--Ramona Jean Lester, b. 1929; m1. Mr. Prosperi; m2. Mr. Moxley [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

8.2--Walter James "Bud" Lester, b. 1931 [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

7.5--Alma Oneida Lester, b. 6 Nov 1909 at Marion, Perry Co., AL; d. 30 May 1998 at Sacramento, CA; bd. Sacramento Memorial Lawn, Sacramento, CA; m. never; no ch. [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

7.6--Clara Mildred Lester, b.12 Oct 1911 at Marion, Perry Co., AL; d. as infant 3 Dec 1912 at Marion, Perry Co., AL (age ca. 13 mo.); bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL; [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

7.7--James Leon Lester, b. 18 Jul 1915 at Columbus, Lowndes Co., MS; d. 1 Dec 1979 at Sacramento, CA; bd. Sacramento Memorial Lawn, Sacramento, CA; m1. 1941 at Vallejo, CA to Myrtle Maxine Thomas; __ ch.;

8._--Barbara Lee Lester m. Wayne Ward

9.1--Timothy Ronald Ward, b.1961; div.

10.1--Jeff Ward, b. 4 Jun 1987

9.2--Terry Richard Ward, b. 1962; m. to Pam (nee unk.); no ch.

9.3--Gregory Allen Ward, b. 1966; m. to Theresa (nee unk.);

10.1--Phoebe Maxine Ward, b. 28 Mar 2003

JLL m2. at Reno, NV, to Dolly Campbell; ch unk.

6.8--Alma Holley Lester, twin, b. 1 Dec 1881 in Marion, Perry Co.; d. 23 Jan 1970 in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL;
m1. 19 Sep 1900 at 4:00 pm at the home of the bride's parents in Marion, AL, to Walter Veston Tubb (b. 27 Sep 1879; d. 19 Jul 1906; bd. Mars Hill Cem., near Marion, Perry Co., AL;); [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

m2. 31 Aug 1907 to George Washington Brewster; was married to G. W. Brewster and living in Hamburg at the time of her mother's death, according to the obit.; [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

m3. 9 Nov 1928 to William T. "Willie" Crawford; lived at Hamburg, AL, at the time of her father's obituary; [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

6.9--Bryant Brown Lester, Jr., b. 2 Oct 1883; d. 5 Oct 1883, age 3 days [DESCENDANTS NOT POSSIBLE]

6.10--Julia Mary Lester, b. 11 Aug 1885; d. 22 Apr 1978 in Birmingham, AL; bd. unk.; m. Floyd Fletcher Tubb; lived at Wylam, AL, at the time of her father's death in 1941, according to his obit.; unk. ch.; [POSSIBLE DESCENDANTS]

[Barbara Ward NOTE: Most of the above came from a book entitled Children Of Mt. Soma written by Gertrude Stephens of Spanish Fort, AL.; it explained--erroneously--in detail about Martha R. ("Perkins"), pp. 776-778.   Many descendants of the above are listed there, also. This material was sent to Gertrude Stephens by several family members: Mrs. George W. (Alma) Johnson, Birmingham, AL; Mrs. Ethel Nicholds, Selma, AL; Mrs. Ina (Holley) Pitts, Selma, AL; Elam Holley; and Mrs. E. Moncus, Selma, AL.

Who were Martha's birth parents?Dr. Bennett Perkins and Sardinia Zenobi Amos(s) of either Troup Co. or Randolph Co., GA?  NO.Story had it that Martha R. "Perkins" was "taken to raise" by Mary B. Wilson (b. 1820 SC) who later married Isom Gwin (b. 1817 Al) in Dallas Co. and raised her as a Gwin.  However, research completed in January 2004 has given more than enough evidence to declare that Martha is the natural daughter of Isom and Mary.]

3.1--Mary Ann Elizabeth Gwin m. Robert Guy Lochridge
3.2--Martha Jane Gwin
3.3--William Sutton Gwin m. Ida Eliza Basset
3.4--John Wesley Gwin
3.5--Rufus King Gwin
3.6--Lucy Marcella Gwin
3.7--Isham Griffin Gwin
3.8--Thomas Wilson Gwin

---

Here are parallel lines of John Gwin (left)
and Barbara Ward (right) through John and Jane Walker Gwin
and Nathaniel Burdine and Jane Jones Wilson.
John and Barbara are double-fourth cousins to each other.

John Gwin and Jane Walker
and
Nathaniel Burdine Wilson and Jane Jones,
parents of:

--William Gwin m. Roseanna Carlisle Jones Wilson	<-----SIBLINGS-----> <-----SIBLINGS----->	--Isom Gwin m. Mary Burdine Wilson
--William Sutton Gwin m. Ida Eliza Basset	<--DOUBLE-1ST COUSINS-->	--Martha Rosanna Gwin m2. Bryant Brown Lester
--James Bassett Gwin m. Adrian Belle Vardaman	<--DOUBLE-2ND COUSINS-->	--Smith Wyatt Lester m. Annie Lenora Pitts
--Adrian Sutton Gwin m. Dorothy Lee Keeney	<--DOUBLE-3RD COUSINS-->	--James Leon Lester m. Myrtle Maxine Thomas
--John McDonald Gwin m. Sharon Lynn Hamrick	<--DOUBLE-4TH COUSINS-->	--Barbara Lee Lester m. Wayne Ward
John's and Sharon's children	<--DOUBLE-5TH COUSINS-->	--Barbara's and Wayne's children
John's and Sharon's grandchildren	<--DOUBLE-6TH COUSINS-->	--Barbara's and Wayne's grandchildren

These are parallel lines of John Gwin (left)
and Irene Countey (right) through John and Jane Walker Gwin
and Nathaniel Burdine and Jane Jones Wilson.
John and Irene are also double-fourth cousins to each other.

John Gwin and Jane Walker
and
Nathaniel Burdine Wilson and Jane Jones,
parents of:

William Gwin m. Roseanna Carlisle Jones Wilson	<-----SIBLINGS-----> <-----SIBLINGS----->	--Isom Gwin m. Mary Burdine Wilson
--William Sutton Gwin m. Ida Eliza Basset	<--DOUBLE-1ST COUSINS-->	--Mary Jane Gwin m. William J. Smith
--James Bassett Gwin m. Adrian Belle Vardaman	<--DOUBLE-2ND COUSINS-->	--Robert Isom Smith m. A
--Adrian Sutton Gwin m. Dorothy Lee Keeney	<--DOUBLE-3RD COUSINS-->	--J Smith m. M
--John McDonald Gwin m. Sharon Lynn Hamrick	<--DOUBLE-4TH COUSINS-->	--Elizabeth Irene Smith m. W. Countey

And here are parallel lines of John Gwin (left)
and Roy Smith (right) through John and Jane Walker Gwin
and Nathaniel Burdine and Jane Jones Wilson.
John and Roy are also double-fourth cousins to each other.

John Gwin and Jane Walker
and
Nathaniel Burdine Wilson and Jane Jones,
parents of:

--William Gwin m. Roseanna Carlisle Jones Wilson	<-----SIBLINGS-----> <-----SIBLINGS----->	--Isom Gwin m. Mary Burdine Wilson
--William Sutton Gwin m. Ida Eliza Basset	<--DOUBLE-1ST COUSINS-->	--Mary Jane Gwin m. William J. Smith
--James Bassett Gwin m. Adrian Belle Vardaman	<--DOUBLE-2ND COUSINS-->	--Robert Isom Smith m. Mary Etta Armstrong
--Adrian Sutton Gwin m. Dorothy Lee Keeney	<--DOUBLE-3RD COUSINS-->	--Luther Dewitt Smith m. Mamie Ross Howell
--John McDonald Gwin m. Sharon Lynn Hamrick	<--DOUBLE-4TH COUSINS-->	--Roy Lester Smith m. Barbara Ann Underhill

 
Subject:     Basset/Gwin
Sent:        5/19/45 5:10 PM
Received:    7/10/00 6:19 PM
From:        liz hicks, erootrot@usa.net
To:          john, jmcdgwin@zianet.com

John,
I'm going to do my best not to overwhelm you with info.  But here goes....

Found this query in the Central AL Gen. Soc. quarterly Vol 18 no. 1, 1992 (by the way this society abstracts and publishes Dallas Co.,AL info., dues $20/yr) PO Box 125, Selma, AL 36702-0125.  "William Gwin of Wilsonville, Shelby Co.,AL married Rosanna (R.C.J.) Wilson in Dallas Co.,AL 5-13-1842.  Both buried Wilsonville cem. They were in Dallas Co. in 1850, Bibb Co. in 1860, and Shelby Co. in 1870.  He was the son of John Gwin of Dallas Co.  John Gwin was living in the household of William Gwin in the 1870's and died there in 1877, buried Wilsonville Cem.  Rosanna Gwin was a daughter of Nathaniel B. Wilson of Dallas Co. who died there in1875.  William and Rosanna Gwin had a son [William Sutton Gwin] who married Ida Eliza Bassett who was born in England, and both are buried in the Wilsonville Cemetery.  William and Ida Bassett Gwin had three sons, James B., John W., and William S. Jr.  I would like to contact their descendants, My g.g. grandmother was Mary B. Wilson and wife of Isom Gwin; mother of Mary Jane Gwin, wife of Wm. J. Smith of Dallas Co.,AL.  My gg. grdpts, Mary B. Wilson Gwin and Rosanna Wilson Gwin were sisters.  They were the daughters of Nathaniel B. Wilson who was in Dallas Co. ca. 1820 and died there in 1875.

I have no proof but I believe that Isom Gwin and Wm. Gwin were brothers and the sons of John Gwin who lived around Orrville, AL and Old Cahaba in the 1850-60's in Dallas Co., AL..." Roy Lester Smith, Crowley, Texas.

I wrote to Mr. Smith about a year ago, and his widow was kind enough to reply.  I did NOT ask her what happened to his research on the Gwin/Guins.  Thought you might be interested.  In case you do not know, you will have to consider variant spellings of Guin/Gwin.  Liz Hicks erootrot@usa.net  [John M. Gwin NOTE: I am very grateful to Liz for sending me this e.mail, for it opened the door to my meeting Roy's widow, Barbara U. Smith, shortly afterward, who provided me copies of much of Roy's work.]
 

 [John M. Gwin NOTE: I wasn't sure that Roy Lester Smith's Isom Gwin was my William Gwin's brother until I read Rev. Cotten's diary entry where he expressed regret that John had lost his son Isom on the date that Roy's Isom died.  That coupled with Roy's Isom's marriage to William's wife's sister has me totally convinced they are one and the same.]