Paternal Ancestors of Betty Atkins

General Notes: lineage verified to here. Family found in Genealogy.com's World Family Trees, Vol.1, tree 3650. Mark Todd and I are still trying to verify that Catlett is Benj. G.'s father, as of Feb. 4, 2003.

----- Martha Todd's oldest brother William Todd was married to Mary A E (Atkins) Todd. This we've known for years, BUT but this is sooo wierd: I just met William and Mary's ggranddaughter (Marilu Todd) on the web, and she was trying to find Mary A E's father and mother. All Marilu had was Mary's birth state: GA their last name: Atkins! And their birth states: mother, GA; father, VA.. Since Mary A E Atkins' birthdate linesup with Catlett J Atkins oldest daughter (no name but in the census' as born in GA), I ask Marilu if she thought the parent might be Catlett J and Harriet (Chapman) Atkins. She said THAT would explain her grandfather's name: Catlett James Todd!

So it appears that all of Catlett's daughters-- Martha, Virginia and Mary-- had the second initial "A". Just as the boys had "G". And since they are all double-related, the Atkins' and the Todd's were all buried in the Dripping Springs Cemetery; although, most of them lived in Dennison, Sherman, or Collinsville. It is a tiny little place--maybe a hundred graves. (So amend your gedcom files.) Feb. 6, 2003 (from Mark Todd)

Benjamin married Martha Todd Mrs. Benj. G. Atkins in Oct 1846 in AL. Martha was born on 6 Oct 1828 in Tallapoosa Co, AL and died on 16 Jun 1911 in Lubbock, Tx at age 82.

iii. Americus Vesprucea Atkins was born on 3 Oct 1849 in AL ^³ and died in Greenville, Alabama.

iv. Benjamine F Atkins was born on 3 Oct 1852 in AL ^³ and died WFT Est 1871-1942 at age 19.

v. Harriet Virginia Atkins was born on 11 Sep 1854 in Notasulga, Macon Co., Alabama ^³ and died on 13 Jul 1908 in Macon Co., Alabama at age 53.

vi. Marietta Atkins was born on 2 Sep 1857 in Notasulga, Macon Co., Alabama ^³ and died on 5 Jul 1933 at age 75.

vii. Lou Ellen Atkins was born on 19 Dec 1859 ^³ and died WFT Est 1887-1953 at age 28.

4 viii. Robert Gordon Atkins (born on 8 Feb 1862 in Birmingham, AL - died on 12 Nov 1940 in Nocona, TX)

ix. Emma Estelle Atkins was born on 6 Sep 1866 in Notasulga, Macon Co., Alabama ^³ and died on 29 Oct 1947 ^³ at age 81.

9. Martha Todd Mrs. Benj. G. Atkins,¹ daughter of James Todd and Harriet Bailey Mrs. James Todd, was born on 6 Oct 1828 in Tallapoosa Co, AL and died on 16 Jun 1911 in Lubbock, Tx at age 82.

Research Notes: Thomas Todd, Immigrant

Born in Denton, Durham England Came to Norfolk County, Va in 1637 On 18 Aug. 1637 "a" Thomas Todd received a land patent of 250 acres in New Norfolk Co., VA on the south side of the east branch of the Elizabeth River, the land being a neck, 6 miles from the mouth of the entrance to said branch (Patent Book 1, page 457). The headrights included Thomas Todd himself and Elizabeth Todd, his wife. The references to Thomas Todd of New Norfolk Co./Lower Norfolk Co., VA, continued through 1647. Is this the same Thomas and did he have a wife Elizabeth? April 10 1676, just before he sailed on a last voyage to England, Capt. Thomas Todd addressed his son "at his house in the North River," presumably the "Toddsbury" plantation first patented by Capt Thomas Todd on 27 Oct 1652. Some confusion as to various Thomas Todds, is this the same of Baltimore Co., Md?? Between 1652-1665, a Thomas Todd received several land patents in Gloucester County, VA on Chestnut Creek at Mobjack Bay (Patent Book 3, pages 90, 182, 183 and Patent Book 5, page 410.) .. thought to be this Thomas Drowned at Sea or died in Baltimore Co., Md

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William Todd, listed in index, may be a possibility for Martha's father

Martha married Benjamin G Atkins in Oct 1846 in AL. Benjamin was born on 8 Jul 1824 in GA and died on 21 Jun 1891 in Dripping Springs, Tx ^³ at age 66.

10. Paul Jefferson Gaskill,¹ ^,2 son of Rev Joseph Gaskill Sr and Unknown, was born on 9 Mar 1837 in St Claire Co, Il, died in 1919 in Dripping Springs, Grayson Co, Tx at age 82, and was buried in Dripping Springs Cemetery. Another name for Paul was Jeff.

General Notes: From Mark Todd, 08-21-03: Jeff Gaskill served in the 34th Texas Cavalry under Col. Almerine M Alexander, [looked it up online and found him on the roster-betty] ----------------------------------------

[betty-feb09-02.FTW]

identical twin brother, Frank Gaskill fought in the Union Army, while Jeff fought in the Confederate Army. They did no t speak to each other until 1900. Benjamin Paul Atkins said he was always close to his Grandfather Jeff and that when he was about 9 years old he came into the house, saw his grandfather sitting in his chair, ran across the room to climb onto his lap, just about that time his grandfather walked into the room! He was sitting in Frank 's lap, not Jeff's and he couldn't tell the difference in them, they looked so much alike... they wore similar styled clothes, had the exact style beard and hair cut. ----- Excerpt from the book 'Souvenir of Texas' :

"P.J. Gaskill was reared in Clinton County, Illinois, where he was born March 9, 1837. He is the son of Joseph and Tabitha (Connda) Gaskill, and is the second of their five children-- Louisa J., P.J., Elijah F., George W., and Henry C.(deceased). The Father, Joseph Gaskill, was a son of Paul of New York, was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, was a farmer and Baptist Preacher, and died in Henry County, Missouri, in November, 1869. Mrs. Tabitha Gaskill was a native of North Caro,ina and a daughter of Elijjah Connda, who was born in the same state and was of Irish descent. She departed this life in St. Clair County, Illinois, in 1854.

October 29, 1859, P.J. Gaskill arrived in Grayson County, Texas, and there he has resided ever since, devoting his time, with the exception of that time spent in the Confederate Army, to the cultivation of a snug farm of 180 acres. March 13, 1862, he enlisted in Alexander's regiment and served west of the Mississippi River. May 9, 1864 he was captured near Simmesport, Louisiana, was taken to New Orleans and held prisoner until August of the same year, when he was exchanged; he then went into active service again and continued until the end of the war.

November 22, 1860, Mr. Gaskill married Lucy A. Gooch, daughter of L.Y. Gooch, of North Carolina. This lady bore her husband one child -- Joseph Y. and died September 13, 1865. The following year, on the 22d of February, 1866, Mr. Gaskill married Miss Mary, daughter of John H. Tatum, and to this union have been born nine children, in the following order -- John F., Tabitha C., William H., Walter F., Virginia E., Thomas C., Louisa J., Oscar A. and Benjamin C. (deceased). Mr. Gaskill is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and, with his wife, of the Missionary Baptist Church."

---- My early suppositions:

P.J. was known as Jeff to family and friends. Since his grandson and grandfather were named Paul, I would surmise that his given name would be Paul, and since it was popular to give second names for ex presidents, his middle name as Jefferson... hence, Paul Jefferson Gaskill. His identical twin, Elijah F., appears to be named after his Maternal grandfather which tends to back my supposition of Paul being named for the Paternal grandfather. Eligah F. was known as Frank to his friends and family, therefore I surmise that his middle name would be Franklin. ...b.atkins

Jeff and Frank came to Texas as surveyors with the Butterfield Overland Stage Company. Their Father was also a surveyor and he fell in love with the land around Dripping Springs in Grayson County, Texas and decided to make it his home. When the War broke out, Frank went back to Illinois to join a regiment and Jeff joined a local Texas regiment. -----

Paul married , Gaskill Lucy Ann Gooch , Gaskill on 22 Nov 1860 in Grayson Co., TX. Lucy was born in North Carolina and died on 13 Sep 1865 in Grayson County, Texas.

General Notes: All Tatums listed in Dawes roll were Cherokee, Mary is not listed

Mary married Paul Jefferson Gaskill on 22 Feb 1866 in Grayson County, Texas. Paul was born on 9 Mar 1837 in St Claire Co, Il, died in 1919 in Dripping Springs, Grayson Co, Tx at age 82, and was buried in Dripping Springs Cemetery. Another name for Paul was Jeff.

General Notes: John was made guardian for his niece, Elizabeth England, who made her home with him in 1850 in Smith Co., Texas.

John married Malinda Harper in 1835. Malinda was born in 1808 in North Carolina. Another name for Malinda was ?.

John next married Melette Emelia Amansabel Dommerson , Cherokee & French in 1858 in Smith County, Texas. Melette was born in 1827 in Mississippi and died after 1918 in near, Tyler Texas. Other names for Melette were Ancey Bell, Ansebell, Ausabel, Belle, Mrs. Butler, Harper, Ragsdale, and Breck.

6 i. Andrew Jackson Harper (born on 2 Sep 1857 in Smith County, Texas - died on 2 Feb 1932 in Bowie, Texas)

13. Melette Emelia Amansabel Dommerson , Cherokee & French ¹ was born in 1827 in Mississippi and died after 1918 in near, Tyler Texas. Other names for Melette were Ancey Bell, Ansebell, Ausabel, Belle, Mrs. Butler, Harper, Ragsdale, and Breck.

General Notes: Aunt Dovie [nee Harper] Treadwell told me that her grandmother was a full blood Chickasaw and that she hated all whites, even her grandchildren. Dovie remarked that one did not get too close to 'Belle' or chance bruises.

'Belle's' given name was difficult for the grandkid's to say so they called her one of the 'sounds' from her name.

On Rachel's death certificate Belle's maiden name is listed as Nelson... also in the Isaacks family Bible she is also listed as Nelson.

05 Oct 2002:

Bell was married four times.To Mr. John D. Butler(in Mississippi), then Mr. Harper, who died in 1874, then to Mr. Ragsdale abt. 1876, then to Mr. Breck.

She had a total of 12 sons and several daughters.

She was living with her son Hudson Butler, near Tyler, Texas, when she died. Her daughter-in-law wouldn't allow chamber pots in the bedrooms so they had to visit the 'privy' at night. They lived in a house with a high porch and one night while on her way to the said privy, Bell fell off the porch, broke her hip and died shortly thereafter. She was wrapped in a blanket, placed in a wagon and driven back to her 'people' for burial.

Melette married John D. Butler in 1847 in Mississippi. John was born in 1818 in South Carolina and died in 1854-1857 in Smith County, Texas at age 36.

ii. Rachel Butler was born on 7 Dec 1846 in Texas and died on 14 Mar 1915 in Cherokee County, Texas at age 68.

Melette next married John Milton Harper in 1858 in Smith County, Texas. John was born on 14 Feb 1809 in Bedford Co., TN and died on 2 Jan 1874 at age 64.

Henry married Amanda Collins Mrs. Henry J.N. Whisenhunt on 3 Jul 1856 in Johnson Co., TX. Amanda was born on 30 Aug 1833 in Illinois, died on 24 Jan 1885 in Van Zandt Co., TX at age 51, and was buried in ROCK HILL CEMETERY.

ii. William Whisenhunt was born in 1860 in Van Zandt Co., TX and died in OK.

iii. Noah Valentine Whisenhunt was born on 2 May 1861 in Van Zandt Co., TX and died on 30 Jan 1930 in OK at age 68.

vi. Martha Ellen Whisenhunt was born on 19 Dec 1871 in Van Zandt Co., TX and died on 2 Dec 1872 in Van Zandt Co., TX.

vii. Nancy Whisenhunt was born on 27 Oct 1872 in Van Zandt Co., TX and died on 4 Sep 1914 in Van Zandt Co., TX at age 41.

viii. John Adam Whisenhunt was born on 11 Mar 1874 in Van Zandt Co., TX and died in Nov 1956 in Myrtle Spgs., Ellis Co., TX at age 82.

x. Joseph Minor Whisenhunt was born in May 1856 in Van Zandt Co., TX and died on 6 Nov 1926 at age 70.

xii. William Coleman Whisenhunt was born in 1879-1880 and died on 20 Dec 1962 at age 82.

15. Amanda Collins Mrs. Henry J.N. Whisenhunt ¹ was born on 30 Aug 1833 in Illinois, died on 24 Jan 1885 in Van Zandt Co., TX at age 51, and was buried in ROCK HILL CEMETERY.

General Notes: You can find hers and Henry's burial listing under Census http://ebydesigns.com/1850-60 census\henry-whis-vanzandt.htm

Amanda is part Native American

There is one Amanda Colloins on the Dawes list: can't prove it is the correct one Name: Collins, Amanda Tribe: Choctaw Record Type: enrollment Sex: F Enrollment Type: P (Parent) Card No.: 6009

Amanda married Henry J.N. Whisenhunt on 3 Jul 1856 in Johnson Co., TX. Henry was born on 27 Apr 1833 in Carroll Co., GA, died on 10 Apr 1895 in Van Zandt Co. Texas at age 61, and was buried in ROCK HILL CEMETERY. Another name for Henry was Henry J. N. Whisenhunt.

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Paternal Ancestors of Betty Atkins

Fourth Generation