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| Photo by Suzy Hazelwood: Pexels.com used with Permission |
This week I have been exploring my Paternal Grandmother`s family history some more. I have been looking into her Gailey ancestors. Sometimes spelled Gailey or Gale as well as Galey. This post is about my Paternal 4th Great Grandparents; Thomas and Nancy Gailey.
Thomas Gailey was born about 1795, most likely in Warren County, Tennessee or near there. He was the son of James B. Gailey (1755-1830) and wife Sarah Gilkey (1765-1830).
It is not known when Thomas and Nancy married nor where. Most likely they were married in Tennessee somewhere. A marriage record has yet to be found. In 1830 they were living in Warren County, Tennessee; where they appeared on the 1830 Census. Members of their household that year included: 2 Males under 5, 1 Male 5-9, 1 Male 30-39 (Thomas), 1 Female 5-9, 1 Female 30-39 (Nancy).
I have been unable to find them on the 1840 census. By 1850 they had moved to Duck Creek Township in Stoddard County, Missouri. On the 1850 census we find that Thomas was a Wagon Maker and he worked for the Railroad Industry. Thomas was 55 years old, his wife Nancy was also 55 and their daughter Lucinda was 13.
Thomas likely died after the 1850 census because by 1860 we find Nancy living in the household of her then Widowed Daughter Mahulda Gailey-Williams. Said census was dated 22 Sep, 1860 in Duck Creek Township, Stoddard, Missouri Members of the household included: Hulda Williams age 40,Monroe age 15, Isaac 14, Nancy 12, Hulda 10, Rachel 5, Nancy Gayley age 60, born in Tennessee.
Fast forward to the 1870 Census and Nancy was still living in the household of her Daughter Mahulda Williams in Stoddard County, Missouri. Members of the household that year included: Hulda Williams 50, Hulda 18, Robert 14, Nancy Gailey 65, born in Mo, Polly A. Cowell, 18, Domestic Servant.
Nancy disappears after this census year. She most likely passed away. Nothing is known of Nancy's maiden name nor who her parents may have been. More about this below.
Three Thomas Gailey`s in Stoddard County in 1850
A lot of Ancestry trees erroneously have Nancy Black listed as this Thomas Gailey`s wife. That information is incorrect. In 1850 there were three men named Thomas Gailey, living in Stoddard County.
1. Thomas Gailey Sr (1795-1840) the subject of this post.
2.Thomas Gailey II (b. abt. 1829 in Tennessee) the son of the subject of this post. He married Malinda, whose maiden name is also unknown. In 1860 this Thomas and his wife Malinda are listed on the census with all their children together.
3. Thomas Gailey Jr. b. 1845 in Missouri. This Thomas was the Grandson of the subject of this post. His Father was Isaac Gailey. This Thomas was living in the household of his Aunt Lucinda Gailey-Johnson and her husband Abner Johnson (my 3rd Great Grandparents). This census record was dated 21 Sep, 1860 in Duck Creek Township, Stoddard, Missouri. Just two houses down was the Mother of Nancy Black then named Polly Macomb as she had remarried after her husband John Black, Nancy`s father had died. Nancy was 16 years old on this census record .Just about 5 weeks after this census was recorded, Nancy Black would go on to marry her neighbor, Thomas Gailey Jr. on 30 October, 1860 in Duck Creek Township, Stoddard, Missouri.
Sources: All Census Records mentioned in this post are available on Ancestry Website as is the marriage of Thomas Gailey Jr and Nancy Black.
Call for more Information
If anyone reading this has any more information on who Thomas Sr`s wife, Nancy was, Id love to hear from you. I am digging into my DNA matches to see if I can narrow down a possible surname for her. If you have anything to contribute about this family please contact me using the tab at the top of his page.