Third Generation  

4. Robert Gordon Atkins,^1,2 son of Benjamin G Atkins and Martha Todd Mrs. Benj. G. Atkins, was born on 8 Feb 1862 in Birmingham, AL,³ died on 12 Nov 1940 in Nocona, TX at age 78, and was buried in Nocona Cemetery, Nocona, TX. Another name for Robert was R.G.

General Notes: Principal of School in Montague County, Texas Was a school teacher and rancher, with a ranch near Long Branch community, Montague County, TX. Benj. Paul's birth certificate says that R.G. was born in Birmingham, Al. R.G. and T.C. (Tabahia Cassandra) are enumerated in the 1880 Montague Co. census. They are listed in the 1903 births records as being the parents of Mary Virginia Atkins. They are buried in the Nocona Cemetery.

R.G. named some of his children after his siblings, i.e. Virginia, Estes (Estelle), Americus, and father, Benjamin

Benj. Paul Atkins said that his Grandfather was either Benj. or Robert Benj. He wasn't sure which. I have 'chosen' to use Benj. G., assuming that the G. could stand for Gordon, and also that Catlett James Atkins, his father, was around some Gordon's and Catlett also named many of his children with a G. in the middle. There is a Dr. Robert Benj. Atkins, who would fit the tradition that R.G.'s father was a Doctor... however, I can find nothing on him.

Robert married Tabitha Cassandra Gaskill Mrs. R.G. Atkins on 30 Sep 1887 in Gainesville, Cook Co, Tx.³ Tabitha was born in 1869 in Grayson Co., TX, died on an unknown date, and was buried in Nocona Cemetery, Nocona, TX. Another name for Tabitha was Cassie.

Children from this marriage were:

          i.  Estes Lois Atkins was born in Mar 1889 in Texas.

2        ii.  Benjamin Paul Atkins (born on 4 Feb 1892 in Long Branch Community, Montague Co. Tx - died in Nov 1978 in Nocona, TX)

        iii.  Reba P. Atkins was born in Jul 1895 in Texas.

         iv.  Lowell Wyatt Atkins was born in Nov 1898.

          v.  Americus Vespusius Atkins was born in 1901 in Texas.

         vi.  Mary Virginia Atkins was born in 1903 in Texas.

        vii.  Lona Atkins was born in 1905 in Texas.

5. Tabitha Cassandra Gaskill Mrs. R.G. Atkins,^1,2 daughter of Paul Jefferson Gaskill and Mary E Tatum Mrs. P.J. Gaskill, was born in 1869 in Grayson Co., TX, died on an unknown date, and was buried in Nocona Cemetery, Nocona, TX. Another name for Tabitha was Cassie.

General Notes: On Benjamin Paul's Birth Certificate, Cassie's first name is spelled Tabahia

Tabitha married Robert Gordon Atkins on 30 Sep 1887 in Gainesville, Cook Co, Tx.³ Robert was born on 8 Feb 1862 in Birmingham, AL,³ died on 12 Nov 1940 in Nocona, TX at age 78, and was buried in Nocona Cemetery, Nocona, TX. Another name for Robert was R.G.

6. Andrew Jackson Harper,¹ son of John Milton Harper and Melette Emelia Amansabel Dommerson , Cherokee & French, was born on 2 Sep 1857 in Smith County, Texas, died on 2 Feb 1932 in Bowie, Texas at age 74, and was buried in Montague County, Texas. Another name for Andrew was Jack.

General Notes: And, just when I'd about given up hope of finding out anything about g-grandpa 'Jack'.... along comes an e-mail from a cousin:

Hi again, Andrew Jackson "Jack" Harper was born Sept. 2, 1857 and Died Feb. 2, 1932. He was buried at Montague. I have a picture of both Jack and Mary Ann's tombstones. I didn't know neither one of them as I was only a couple of months old when she died. She was my dad's grandmother and from what I heard about her she was a real sweet woman. I have a picture of all her children except for Ida Lura and the two that died when they were small. One an infant of a few hours old. I think mom said it was a little boy they called him Little Early. Also a little girl named Mandy Bell who died when she was just walking. Mom has the exact dates for both of them and she is going to bring me her file she has on the Whisenhunts when I see her again. If you want them I'll get them for you. Then she had Ida Lura (Harper) Atkins who must have been your grandmother. Is this correct? Next she had Clide Mae (Harper) Allen who was born May 24, 1895 and died Jan. 4, 1978. She is buried at Montague. Next was Clifford Love Harper who was born my grandmothers Bible says April 26, 1897 but his tomb stone reads April 16, 1897. I guess probably his tombstone is correct. He died Nov. 24, 1973 and is buried at the Lakeview Cemetery at Marietta, Oklahoma. Next she had Mary Jewell (Harper, Gillaspy)McClendan who was born Sept 12, 1903 and she died at the age of 93 on Feb. 22, 1996. She is buried at the Oswalt Cemetery. Next was my dads' mother and my grandmother Pearl Omenda Harper, born Aug. 9, 1905 and died Aug.22, 1993. She had three children, two boys and one girl. Her oldest name was William "Buster" Estelle Burnett, and then my dad's name was Clifford Love Burnett. Her daughter was father by her last husband Erwin Reeves and her name is Fonnie (Reeves) Walker. Fonnie is the only one still alive. Buster died in 1995 and my father passed away Nov. 25, 1998. The last child was Dovie Gladys (Harper) Treadwell born Nov. 16, 1907 and she is still living. She lives in Marietta, Ok and is getting quite elderly but the last I heard she was still living at home by herself. My brother and I went and had a nice visit with her about a year ago. She told us some funny stories about her mom and dad. She has three living children, two of which live in Marietta I live about 5 miles south of Marietta, Oklahoma. All of Aunt Jewell's children live in this area. I didn't know Clides family or Ida Lura's family. I've meet some of Aunt Clides family but didn't ever really know them. I know all of Aunt Jewells children and Aunt Doves children. I know a couple of Cliff's children. R. A. Harper one of Cliff's sons died just a few years ago. I went to his funeral but don't have when he died written down. My mom may have though. He was buried here at Marietta so I could find out pretty easy. I also she Virgie occasionally but I never really knew Paul. He lives around Oklahoma City somewhere. Anyways when my dad was in the hospital at Oklahoma City before he died, Paul went to visit him everyday. I meet him at dad's funeral but don't remember much about him. Let me know what all information you want about these. If I don't have it I can get it rather easily. Where do you live? Do you live close to Marietta, Oklahoma? Hope to hear from you again soon. I may have some pictures and other information you might be interested in. Sue

Andrew was living in a hotel in Bowie Texas when he died. He was married twice before Mary Ann.

Andrew married Mary Ann Whisenhunt Mrs. A.J. Harper on 7 Jan 1885 in Texas. Mary was born on 2 Jul 1857 in Van Zandt Co., TX, died on 12 Feb 1951 in Gainesville, Texas at age 93, and was buried on 13 Feb 1951 in Montague Cemetery, Montague, Texas.

Children from this marriage were:

          i.  "Little Early" Harper

         ii.  Mandy Bell Harper

3       iii.  Ida Lura Harper Mrs. Benj. Paul Atkins (born in 1892 in Montague Co., TX - died in 1919 in Long Branch Community, Montague Co, TX)

         iv.  Clide Mae Harper was born on 24 May 1895, died on 4 Jan 1978 at age 82, and was buried in Montague Co., TX.

          v.  Clifford Love Harper was born on 26 Apr 1897, died on 24 Nov 1973 at age 76, and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Marietta, OK.

         vi.  Mary Jewel Harper was born on 12 Sep 1903 and died on 22 Feb 1996 in Oswalt Cemetery at age 92.

        vii.  Pearl Omenda Harper was born on 9 Aug 1905 and died on 22 Aug 1993 at age 88.

       viii.  Dovie Gladys Harper was born on 16 Nov 1907.

7. Mary Ann Whisenhunt Mrs. A.J. Harper,¹ daughter of Henry J.N. Whisenhunt and Amanda Collins Mrs. Henry J.N. Whisenhunt, was born on 2 Jul 1857 in Van Zandt Co., TX, died on 12 Feb 1951 in Gainesville, Texas at age 93, and was buried on 13 Feb 1951 in Montague Cemetery, Montague, Texas.

Mary married Andrew Jackson Harper on 7 Jan 1885 in Texas. Andrew was born on 2 Sep 1857 in Smith County, Texas, died on 2 Feb 1932 in Bowie, Texas at age 74, and was buried in Montague County, Texas. Another name for Andrew was Jack.

Mary next married John Jackson in 1910. John died in 1970.