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The Gatlin - Hoover
Family
The Genealogy
of
Zebulon Butler Gatlin
and
Martha Hoover
Compiled and Edited by D. W. Shepherd
December 2011
Preface
Zebulon
Butler Gatlin and Martha Hoover were married on September 15, 1852. They
became the parents of nine children: six sons and three daughters. Their
youngest son, John Nathaniel, was my grandfather.
As I grew up in south Mississippi during
the 1950s, it was a common occurrence for my family to take a Sunday drive
to Jackson to visit family members. One of the folks we visited on occasion
was Henry A. Gatlin, a brother of my grandfather John Nathaniel Gatlin.
Uncle Henry held the distinction of being the first person to matriculate
from Millsaps College in Jackson. For many years he had served as a Methodist
preacher in the Mississippi conference. He had retired in the late 1940s,
and by 1955 was living on Millsaps Avenue in northeast Jackson.
On Sunday afternoon -- September 25, 1955
-- my mother, father and I stopped by Uncle Henry's house for a visit.
During the visit, Uncle Henry brought out a small envelope which he gave
to my mother, telling her these were some things he wanted her to have.
In the envelope were four photographs and a newspaper clipping. The photographs
were of Uncle Henry's father, Zebulon Butler Gatlin; his mother's father,
Christian Hoover, Jr.; and Dr. Christian (Kit) Hoover (son of Christian
Hoover, Jr) and his wife Virginia Barnes Hoover. The newspaper clipping
was an original copy of the obituary of his father -- Zebulon Butler Gatlin
-- who died in 1893. When we returned home from Jackson that evening in
1955, Mom put the envelope away in a safe place.
Sometime in the early 1970s while my family
was visiting my parents, my mother located the envelope and showed the
contents to my brother and me. At the time, I was just beginning to develop
an interest in family history. The reference to Zebulon Gatlin having been
a Confederate soldier immediately caught my eye. This was just the kind
of thing that encourages one to begin researching their family history
with enthusiasm. It was the impetus for my brother and me to embark upon
gathering information and data pertaining to our family history. While
I pursued the Civil War portion of the family history my brother focused
on the family genealogy. Over the years we jointly accumulated a considerable
amount of material pertaining to the Gatlin-Hoover family history. It makes
no sense, however, to have the family history information and not pass
it along to the next generation and other interested individuals. This
webpage is a consolidation of the family history pertaining to the genealogy
of Zebulon Butler Gatlin and Martha Hoover.
--
D. W. (Bill) Shepherd, December 2011
Gatlin-Hoover Family Tree, Traditional View
Section 1.2.1 EDWARD GATLIN AND ELIZABETH SMITH
Edward (Ned) Gatlin DOB: 1763 Elizabeth
Smith DOB: ?
DOD:
1 September 1835 DOD:
1828
Edward Gatlin was born in the New Bern
District of North Carolina in 1763. In 1781 Edward Gatlin's residence was
listed as the New Bern District of North Carolina. He enlisted in Captain
Raiford's Company of the North Carolina colonial militia in 1781 and served
through 1782.
Edward Gatlin married Sarah Norton on November
26, 1791. They had one child, a son named Thomas, who was born in 1794.
No further information is available concerning Sarah Norton who presumably
died prior to 1796. Edward Gatlin and his second wife, Elizabeth Smith
-- who he married in Craven County, North Carolina, on November 3, 1796
-- migrated to Mississippi sometime between 1801 and 1803. A passport authorizing
Edward Gatlin to pass through the Creek Indian Nation of Georgia, enroute
to the Mississippi Territory, was issued in North Carolina between November
1800 and November 1801. Edward Gatlin and Elizabeth Smith Gatlin were the
first Gatlins to settle in south Mississippi.
Upon migrating to Mississippi, Edward (called
Ned) and Elizabeth Smith Gatlin apparently lived for a period of time in
Washington County and Wayne County. In 1803 Edward Gatlin signed a petition
in Washington County asking for more military protection against the Indians.
In 1807 his name appears on the tax records in Washington County. It is
clear that Edward and Elizabeth received a land grant in Pike County in
1815, and subsequently established a homestead on Clear Creek a short distance
above its intersection with the Bogue Chitto River. This homestead was
located near what was to later become known as Quinn's Bridge on the Bogue
Chitto River. In addition to his house, Edward built a mill over Clear
Creek which was eventually used as a cotton gin. The house, which was built
by Edward about 1815, existed until the late 1970s.
Edward Gatlin is referred to in notes excerpted
from the diary of a Rev. William Winan (1821-1823). At that time there
were no centrally located churches and the ministers actually rode a circuit
and held services in the homes of church members. In diary entries dated
February and March 1823, Rev. Winan makes reference to visits to the Edward
Gatlin home. Upon arrival at the Gatlin home on Wednesday, February 28,
1823, Rev. Winan found the "greater part" of the family to be
suffering from an "inveterate disease" the cause of which he
attributed to the fact that the house was located in "the vicinity
of Bro. Gatlin's mill pond" which was "full of decaying trees."
No further information regarding this illness is provided. It is interesting
to note, however, that there is an indication that the Edward Gatlin house
was originally located near the mill on Clear Creek, and that his son "James
(called Colonel Jim) Gatlin moved the old original house" to the location
where it stood until the late 1970s. It is possible that the moving of
the house was connected to the attributing of the lingering illness in
the family to the proximity of the mill pond. On Monday, March 10, 1823
Rev. Winan recorded another visit to the Gatlin household as follows: "Rode
to Bro. Gatlin's where a small congregation which I preached to, and Bro.
Gatlin off at his gin when he knew my haste to get on, so I gave a cutting
reproof which took effect and made him resolve that he would never again
neglect his duty for things of this world."
During the period 1816 to 1835, Edward Gatlin
is consistently listed on the tax rolls of Pike County, Mississippi. These
tax roll entries show that he owned several hundred acres of land during
that period.
Edward Gatlin died September 1, 1835 and
is believed to be buried in the Gatlin burial ground located near their
old homestead in Pike County. Information pertaining to his wife, Elizabeth
Smith Gatlin, is entirely lacking. She died in 1828 and is assumed to be
buried in the same burial ground.
Children of Edward Gatlin and Elizabeth Smith:
1. John Gatlin Born: 1803 Died:
?
Married: Mary
Little
2. Sarah Gatlin Born: April 8, 1798 Died:
?
Married: John
Love
3. Nancy Gatlin Born: ? Died:
?
Married: William
Cooper
4. Louise Gatlin Born: 1807 Died:
?
Married:
Ed Bullock in 1832
5. James S. Gatlin Born: April 20, 1810 Died:
February 21, 1897
Married:
Rosalba Wells Born: June 10,
1814 Died: January 3, 1881
6. Alfred Gatlin Born: 1813 Died:
?
7. William R. Gatlin Born: 1817 Died:
?
Married: Angline
Allen on July 9, 1835
8. Malcey Gatlin Born: ~1819 Died:
?
Married: Garret
Allen in 1840
9. Edward Gatlin Born: 1824 Died:
1909
Married: Mary
Susannah Young Born: July 28, 1830 Died:
April 4, 1890
on
July 5, 1847
10. Elizabeth Gatlin Born: 1828 Died:
?
Married: S.
W. Bullock
The Edward Gatlin Home near McComb, Mississippi
These photographs of the original Edward Gatlin home were
taken in 1977. The house was located on the south side of Mississippi Highway
44 about one-half mile east of where Quinn Bridge crosses the Bogue Chitto
River. As is evident from the beams protruding at the base of the left
gable, the house was at one time larger. This is the house that was moved
by James Gatlin. The house was disassembled in the late-1970s to make way
for a road improvement project.
Section 1.2.2 NATHANIEL WELLS AND ELIZABETH SIMMONS
Nathaniel Wells DOB: 2 January 1781 Elizabeth
Simmons DOB: 31 December 1782
DOD:
28 Oct 1843 DOD:
10 June 1835
Nathaniel Wells, the first child
of Thomas Wells and Anne Bailey Wells, was born January 2, 1781 in South
Carolina. His father, Thomas -- who was born about 1757 in the Abbeville
District of South Carolina -- was a Revolutionary War solider. Some sources
state that Thomas was killed in the battle of King's Mountain, North Carolina,
in 1780. However, this is unsubstantiated. It is more likely that he died
in 1791. In either event, it is clear that his wife, Anne, subsequently
remarried to a William Morrah (or Morrow?).
Based upon the dates of birth of their children,
Nathaniel Wells and Elizabeth Simmons were married prior to 1803. Information
pertaining to their place of residence prior to 1804 is lacking. In 1804
together with his mother and step-father, Nathaniel Wells and his wife
Elizabeth Simmons migrated to Pike County, Mississippi.
Elizabeth Simmons, born December 31
1782, was the daughter of Robert Simmons, Jr. and Anne Miller Simmons who
came to Pike County in 1804. It is known that Anne Miller was the daughter
of Robert Miller and Jane Pickens.
Nathaniel Wells held various elected and
appointed offices in Pike County during the 1820s. He is listed as a Justice
of Peace in Pike County on April 26, 1822, as an Associate Justice on June
8, 1824, and as a state representative in 1824, 1825 and 1826. In addition,
he was a major in the 13th Regiment (Nixon's) of Mississippi Militia during
the War of 1812. This militia unit (of which Christian Hoover was also
listed as a member) reportedly participated in the Battle of New Orleans.
Nathaniel Wells died October 28, 1843. He and his wife Elizabeth are buried
in Chalmette, Louisiana at the Shrine for the Battle of New Orleans, War
of 1812. They were buried first in Pike County then moved during WPA days
when the national cemetery for veterans of the Battle of New Orleans was
established.
Children of Nathaniel Wells and Elizabeth Simmons:
1. Anna Wells Born: October 11, ?
2. Thomas Wells Born: September 13, 1805
3. Robert Wells Born: February 8, 1807
4. William M. Wells Born: June 27, 1808
5. Vashti Wells Born: December 7, 1809
6. Rosalba Wells Born: June 10, 1814 Died:
January 3, 1881
Married: James S. Gatlin Born:
April 20, 1810 Died: February 21, 1897
7. Ebenezer Wells Born: November 23, 1815
8. Christopher Wells Born: May 20, 1817
9. Nathaniel Wells, Jr. Born: November 16,
1818
10. Sabrina Wells Born: January 4, 1821
11. George Wells Born: June 14, 1822.
After the death of Elizabeth Simmons Wells,
Nathaniel Wells subsequently married a second time to Rhoda Walker. Their
children were:
1. Eleazer Wells Born: September 18, 1839
Married: James Smylie Born:
October 31, 1841
2. Elizabeth Wells Born: February 17, 1844.
Section 1.2.3 JAMES S. GATLIN AND ROSALBA WELLS
James S. Gatlin DOB: 20 April 1811 Rosalba
Wells DOB: 10 June 1814
DOD:
21 February 1897 DOD:
3 January 1881
James S. Gatlin, the second son of Edward
and Elizabeth Gatlin, was born April 20, 1811. Available records contain
conflicting information pertaining to his place of birth which was either
"the South Eastern part of Mississippi in Wayne or Greene County"
or "in Alabama." In 1815, when he was four years of age, he moved
to Pike County, Mississippi, with his parents. On October 6, 1831, he married
Rosalba Wells, born June 10, 1814, a daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth
Wells. They were married at the Old Wells' Homestead located south of Johnson
Station, Mississippi. After their marriage they lived on the Bogue Chitto
River six miles above the old town of Holmesville, Mississippi. In the
winter of 1856, they moved to Amite County, remaining there until January
1872 when they moved to Johnsons Station in Pike County.
James Gatlin is consistently referred to
as Colonel James Gatlin and as "Colonel Jim." It is unclear as
to where the title originated. In 1853-56 James Gatlin appears in the Pike
County records. He appeared in Amite County records in 1854.
Children of James S. Gatlin and Rosalba Wells:
1. Zebulon Butler Gatlin Born: August 20,
1832 Died: June 16, 1893
Buried:
Hoover Burial Ground near Holmesville, Mississippi
Married:
Martha Hoover Born: 1832 Died:
1905
on
September 16, 1852
2. Elizabeth Gatlin Born: 1834
Married:
Dr. Germany
3. Mary Gatlin Born: 1836
4. John B. Gatlin Born: February 2, 1839
Died: July 3, 1903
Buried:
Magnolia, Mississippi
Married:
(1) Mary Burris
(2)
Amanda Strickland Born: April 16, 1841 Died:
May 20, 1916
5. Ebenezer Gatlin Born: 1841 Died:
June 25, 1864
6. Thomas Gatlin Born: 1843 Died:
November 26,1861
Buried:
Newton, Mississippi
7. Nathnaiel W. Gatlin Born: 1845
Married:
Sarah D. Terrell
8. William M. Gatlin Born: 1847 Died:
July, 1864
The fact that Rosalba Wells was "reared
by pious Presbyterian parents" is reflected in the fact that she and
James named their first son "Zebulon Butler" after the Rev. Zebulon
Butler, D. D., of Port Gibson, Mississippi. The Rev. Butler, founder of
the Presbyterian Church at Port Gibson, came to Mississippi from Pennsylvania
in the fall of 1826 at the age of twenty three and spent his life in south
Mississippi, in general, and Port Gibson, in particular. He died in December
1860.
It was James and Rosalba's generation which
produced the sons destined to become the young men who fought in the Confederate
armies of the Civil War. Of their six sons, all are known to have served
in the Confederate Army and three -- Ebenezer, Thomas and William -- died
in the Civil War.
Thomas and Ebenezer were members of a militia
unit known as the "Summit Rifles" which was mustered into State
service in the town of Summit on April 20, 1861. The unit was subsequently
designated as Company A, 16th Mississippi,
and attached to the Army of Northern Virginia. Thomas died at Bienville
Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, on November 26, 1861, from causes now unknown.
Ebenezer Gatlin
-- Captain of Company A, 16th Mississippi Infantry -- was mortally wounded
and captured at Bloody Angle, Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 12,
1864. He subsequently died in Franklin County, Mississippi, on June 25,
1864 as a result of his wounds. His name appears on the base of the Confederate
monument in Liberty, Mississippi. (Right)
William -- a member of Stockdale's
Cavalry, Company I, 4th Mississippi Calvary, organized at Holmesville,
Mississippi, on the July 1, 1862 -- was one of six men killed on the field
at Harrisburg (now Tupelo), Mississippi, on June 14, 1864.
The other three brothers -- John B., Zebulon
B., and Nathaniel W., all of whom survived the war -- were members of a
unit known as the Dixie Guards, organized and mustered into service on
May 5, 1862, and designated Company H, 39th Mississippi Regiment. This
company was engaged in the battles of Tallahatchie and Corinth, and was
in the siege of Port Hudson. At the surrender of Port Hudson the officers
of the company were retained in prison and the men were paroled and never
reorganized as Company H. Sgt. Zebulon B. and Sgt. Nathaniel W. were released
on parole at the time of the surrender of Port Hudson. 2nd LT John B. became
a prisoner of war and was held as a prisoner for the duration of the war.
Records indicate that John B. was "sent to New York" and from
there to "Sandusky, Ohio." In March, 1865, he was transferred
to Point Lookout prison in Maryland. He was released from Point Lookout
prison on June 12, 1865.
In addition to the loss of three sons, the
Civil War also had tremendous impact on the financial fortunes of James
and Rosalba Gatlin. In the 1860 census record their property is appraised
at $33,000 and his occupation is listed as "Planter." His son
Zebulon's property in 1860 is appraised at $15,500. Yet after the Civil
War, James and Rosalba had lost three sons, the value of their property
was reduced to $1,624, and his occupation is listed as "House Carpenter."
"This is a typical story of a Southern gentleman during the Civil
war period." In their old age James and Rosalba lived with their son
Nathaniel Gatlin in Pike County. Rosalba Gatlin was stricken with paralysis
in February of 1879, and died March 1, 1881. James S. Gatlin died in 1897,
and is buried in the old Wells burial ground.
The following obituary was published in the
New Orleans Christian Advocate on 19 May 1881:
"Gatlin, Mrs. Rosalba, born Pike County, 1 mi. from
Johnston's (sic) Station on a spot a little distance from the old residence
which stands in front of Judge Magee's place; reared in the same old dwelling
where she married. She was born 6/10/1814; married James S. Gatlin 10/6/1831.
After marriage they lived on the Bogue Chitto River 6 miles above Holmesville.
In winter of 1856 moved to Amite County; in Jan. 1872, moved to Johnstson's
(sic) Station. Reared by pious Presbyterian parents; joined Methodists
in 1848. She was stricken with paralysis in 2/1879, died 1/3/1881. She
knew much suffering. Her 3rd son [Ebenezer] was wounded at Richmond, Va.
5/12/1864, died in Franklin Co., 6/25/1864. Her 4th son [Thomas] died at
Bienville Hospital in Richmond 11/26/1861. Her 6th son [William] killed
at Battle of Harrisburg 6/14/64. Her husband Colonel Gatlin was away at
the time of her death." (By W. W. Hopper, pastor)
The following obituary was published in
the New Orleans Christian Advocate on April 29, 1897:
"Gatlin, Colonel James S., born in Alabama 4/20/1811,
died at Johnston's (sic) Station, Miss., 2/21/1897. When 4, his parents
moved to Miss. where he grew up and married. His wife died in 1881, by
whom had a large family. Two sons survived in 1897 -- N. W. Gatlin (with
whom he lived in last years) and John Gatlin of Magnolia."
 |
(left) The signature of James S. Gatlin. Taken from a
power of attorney document which he signed to accept the back-pay due his
son Ebenezer after Ebenezer's death due to wounds received at Spotsylvania
Court House, Virginia. |
Section 1.2.4 CHRISTIAN HOOVER, JR. AND MARY
NEYLAND NAILER
Christian Hoover, Jr. DOB: 24 November
1796 Mary
Neyland Nailer DOB: 30 July 1807
DOD:
17 July 1868 DOD:
3 February 1858
Christian Hoover, Jr. married Mary Neyland
Nailer on April 8,1823.  Both
Christian Hoover and his wife Mary are buried in marked graves in the Hoover
Burial Ground which is located next to their old homesite near Holmesville,
Mississippi.
Children of Christian Hoover, Jr. and Mary Neyland Nailer:
1. Christian (Kit) Hoover
Married:
Virginia Barnes
2. Thomas Hoover
3. William Hoover
Married:
Martha S. J. Thompson
4. Mary Hoover
Married:
Benjamin C. Hartwell
5. Julia (Dump) Hoover
Married:
Dudley May
6. Eliza Hoover
Married:
George K. Spencer
7. Nancy Hoover
Married:
George Wells
8. Martha Hoover Born: 1832 Died:
1905
Married:
Zebulon Butler Gatlin Born: August 20, 1832
Died: June 16, 1893
9. Sarah Hoover
Married:
Thaddeus C. S. Barr.
The Hoover family is apparently of German
descent. The name is an Americanization of the German name Hüber.
The ancestry of Christian Hoover, Jr. is shown below.
[Note: John Frederick Hoover and Anna Barbara Kreyter were
married on August 7, 1750]
|
Christian Hoover, Jr., son of Christian Hoover
and Mary Zeigler, was born in the Orangeburg District, SC, November 24,
1796. The actual year in which he came to the Mississippi Territory is
uncertain although he settled his place [in Pike County] in 1823, and,
on April 8, 1823 he married Mrs. Mary Neyland Nailer who was born July
30, 1807. In the years prior to the Civil War he was active in County and
State politics and acquired considerable wealth as a cotton planter. The
fact that he was probate judge for twenty years, accounts for the fact
that he is consistently referred to in the historical records of Pike County
as "Judge Christian Hoover".
That he accumulated considerable wealth is
reflected in the fact that Judge Christian Hoover is said to have been
the first man in Pike County to own a buggy, "a veritable curiosity
in the sight of the masses." In 1825 Judge Christian Hoover paid $7.60
in taxes on property listed as 360 acres of land on the Bogue Chitto River.
In 1835 he owned 400 acres of land on the Bogue Chitto River (valued at
$600.00). In the company of six other Pike County residents, Christian
Hoover in 1843 established the Topisaw Camp Grounds. This religious meeting
camp ground, which would come to be known as "Felder's Campground,"
has been used as a summer meeting ground by the Mississippi Methodist Conference
for many years.
The following biographical sketch of Judge
Christian Hoover appears in Goodspeed's History of Mississippi.
"Christian Hoover, son of Christian Hoover and Mary
Zeigler, was born in the Orangeburg, S.C., November 24, 1796. He came to
Mississippi when it was a territory and a wild country, inhabited principally
by Indians and wild beasts. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; was at
the battle of New Orleans. He married Mrs. Mary Neyland Nailer, April 8,
1823. She was a sweet spirited Christian woman, of remarkable beauty of
person and soul, and to him was as the flower-garden of the Lord. He was
one of the earliest settlers of the state, and subsequently became a prominent
figure in Mississippi, being active in local and state politics. His first
official position was that of justice of peace. Later he was a member of
the board of supervisors and was probate judge for twenty years. He represented
Pike county in the state legislature, and was a representative of his district
in the state senate. He proved true to the trust reposed in him, and was
honored and respected even by his political opponents. He was a successful
farmer, and amassed a large fortune. He was a devout Christian and avoided
even the appearance of evil: was generous and kind to the poor, and helped
many to independence who would otherwise have eked out a miserable existence.
He was a man of prayer, and did not dare to sin. He had over one hundred
Negroes on his plantation. The circuit preacher, who preached in his home
also preached to the Negroes and many of them were taught the way of life,
and bless the memory of this sainted man for the happy homes they had there,
and refer with pride to his care of them in sickness and trouble. His beloved
wife died February 3, 1858. By her he had fourteen children; only eight
survived the mother. He was a true democrat: was a well-read man; had a
splendid library. His children were well educated in the best schools.
He married a second wife, Mrs. S. S. Equeen, of New Orleans, La., May 1859.
By her he had two sons. On July 27, 1868, he gathered up his feet in death,
and joyfully went home to God. Truly he deserved the eulogy pronounced
by Solomon on old age: 'A hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found
in the ways of righteousness, and a good name is rather to be chosen than
great riches, and loving favor more than choice gold.'"
Christian and
Mary Hoover were the parents of at least nine children: Christian (Kit),
Thomas, William, Mary, Julia, Eliza, Nancy, Martha, and Sarah. Although
the dates of birth of the nine children are not available, some information
does exist pertaining to each of the children.
Their son, Christian, known as Kit, was a
member of the "Summit Rifles" which, after being mustered into
State service on April 20, 1861 and designated as Company A, 16th Mississippi
Regiment, was assigned to the army of Northern Virginia. (Two of James
Gatlin's sons, Thomas and Ebenezer, were in this same unit.) While serving
in this unit, Kit Hoover was "severely wounded in one of his limbs."
Upon returning home to Mississippi he subsequently joined Stockdale's
Calvary and became its Captain. This cavalry unit, organized at Holmesville,
Miss., on July 1, 1862 was designated Company I, 4th Mississippi Calvary.
(William Gatlin was also a member of this unit.) After the close of hostilities
Kit Hoover graduated in medicine, married Virginia Barnes and fathered
two children.
Their son, Thomas, was a lawyer and died
young.
Their son, William, "was a minister
and Chaplain of the 33rd Mississippi Regiment, C. S. A." In 1852 he
was married to Miss Martha L. J. Thompson. "After the war he had a
church built for the Negroes to worship in, and also largely assisted in
building a chapel near his home, called St. Mary, in memory of his mother."
Their daughter, Mary, married Benjamin C.
Hartwell, from the State of Maine, who came to Jackson in 1836 and settled
in Pike County in 1850.
Julia Hoover married Dudley May, from Kentucky.
Eliza (Dump) Hoover married George K. Spencer, of Columbus, Georgia. Nancy
Hoover married George Wells, of Amite County. Sarah Hoover married Thaddeus
C. S. Barr.
Martha Hoover married Zebulon Gatlin.
1.2.5 ZEBULON BUTLER GATLIN AND MARTHA HOOVER
Zebulon Butler Gatlin DOB: 20 August 1832
Martha
Hoover DOB: 1832
DOD:
16 June 1893 DOD:
1905
Zebulon Butler Gatlin married Martha Hoover
on September 16, 1852. They are buried in the Hoover burial ground near
the old town of Holmesville in south Mississippi.
Children of Zebulon B. Gatlin and Martha Hoover:
1. James Gatlin Born: 1853
2. Martha V. Gatlin Born: 1854
3. Sarah R. Gatlin Born: 1856
4. Thomas Hoover Gatlin Born: 1859
5. Sidney Johnson Gatlin Born: January 25,
1863 Died: September 10, 1945
Married: Mattie
Thomas Born:
January 10, 1871 Died: November 11, 1936
on
November 13, 1890 Buried:
Sickles, Oklahoma
6. Martha G. Gatlin Born: 1866
7. William Gatlin Born: March 20, 1867
8. Henry Anderson Gatlin Born: February 6,
1872 Died: March 3, 1961
Married:
Belvia Talbert on March 23, 1896
9. John Nathaniel Gatlin Born: July 1, 1874
Died: October 6, 1952
Married:
Mary Catherine Fraiser Born: March 24, 1887
Died: February 6, 1981
on
November 24, 1903 Buried:
Rose Hill Cemetery, Brookhaven, Mississippi
Zebulon Butler Gatlin, the first son of
James and Rosalba Gatlin, was born August 20, 1832 in Pike County. He was
named after the early Presbyterian minister, Zebulon Butler, who established
the Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson, Mississippi. Zebulon Gatlin married
Martha Hoover, daughter of Judge Christian Hoover and Mary Neyland Nailer,
on September 16, 1852. Other than the fact that she was  born
in 1832 basic information pertaining to Martha Hoover is almost entirely
lacking. It is almost certain that she was born in Pike County since her
father is known to have "settled his place in 1823." Zebulon
and Martha were granted land "in 1853 near the Old Edward Gatlin place."
In the 1860 census of Pike County Zebulon and Martha, ages 27 and 26, respectively,
are listed as having real estate valued at $13,000 and having additional
personal wealth valued at $12,500. In the 1870 census, after the Civil
War, at the respective ages of 38 and 37, they are recorded as possessing
"no value on real estate" and his occupation is listed as a "farmer."
During the Civil War, Zebulon, together with two of his brothers, John
B. and Nathaniel W., were members of "the Dixie Guards" which
was designated as Company H, 39th Mississippi Regiment. "This company
was engaged in the battles of Tallahatchie and Corinth, and was in the
siege of Port Hudson. At the surrender of Port Hudson the officers of the
company were retained in prison and the men were paroled and never reorganized
as Company H." Since Zebulon is listed on the muster roles of Company
H as a Sergeant, it is assumed that he was one of the officers who was
"retained in prison" after the surrender of Port Gibson. Three
of his brothers, Ebenezer, Thomas and William died in the Civil War.
Zebulon Butler Gatlin died June 16, 1893
at his home in Pike County. The following is a copy of an obituary which
was preserved and handed down by his son Henry A. [Click
here to view a copy of the original obituary]
"Zebulon B. Gatlin, son of James Gatlin and Rosalvia
Wells, born in Pike County, Miss., August 20, 1832; married Martha Hoover,
daughter of late Judge C. Hoover and Mrs. Mary Neland Nailer, by Rev. Peter
Green Sept. 16, 1852; died at his home in Pike County Miss., June 16, 1893.
He united with the Methodist Church, years ago, under the ministry of Rev.
Ephriam Flowers. He was the father of six sons and three daughters, who,
with his wife, survive him, save one son who died suddenly in his presence
three years since. The death of Willie, his favorite child, seemed to turn
his thoughts from earth and fix them on things above. On the fifth Sunday
in April he received the sacrament of the Lords' Supper at St. Mary's Chapel
from Rev. Dr. Woodward, kneeling at the altar with his devoted wife and
son Henry, who is studying for the ministry and his brother, N. W. Gatlin,
and other friends and relatives. It was a precious occasion. His death,
though sudden, was not unexpected to him. A few days before his death,
he said to his pastor, Rev. J. G. Cammack that "he expected to be
taken off suddenly, but he was ready." He was a tender, loving husband
and father, a kind-hearted generous neighbor, a useful citizen and will
be greatly missed. His children are nearly all of them members of the church.
His death was so sudden, his children, a son and a daughter in Texas, a
daughter in Franklin county, all married, did not attend his funeral. He
was Confederate soldier, who, with five other brothers served their country
faithfully. Three brothers died in the army. His aged, lone father has
walked up the hill of life until he can see almost on "the other shore."
His bereaved wife is tenderly cared for by their eldest son, James Christian
Gatlin, who is a comfort, indeed to his mother. Mr. Gatlin had a large
circle of friends an acquaintances and his death is deeply lamented by
all who knew him. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. G. Cammack.
He was laid to rest beside his son Willie in the Hoover Burial Ground.
His funeral was largely attended." -- Mrs. M. L. Hoover
The preceding obituary of Zebulon Gatlin
was written by Mrs. Martha L. Hoover who was married to William Hoover,
the brother of Zebulon's wife Martha. [Note: A copy of the
above obituary of Zebulon Butler Gatlin together with the pictures of Zebulon
Gatlin, Christian Hoover, Kit Hoover and Jennie Hoover were given to Lullean
Gatlin Shepherd by Henry A. Gatlin in September 1955.]
The following obituary of Zebulon Gatlin was published
in the New Orleans Christian Advocate on September 7, 1893:
"Gatlin, Zebulon Butler, son of James Gatlin and
Rosalvia Wells Gatlin, b. Pike Co., 8/20/1832; md. Martha Hoover, dau.
of late Judge C. Hoover and Mrs. Mary Neyland Nailer, by Rev. Peter Green,
9/16/1852; d. Pike Co. 6/16/1893; a Confederate Soldier and a Christian,
converted by Rev. Ephraim Flowers."
Zebulon Gatlin is buried in the Hoover
Burial Ground located near McComb, Mississippi. His exact grave cannot
be identified because of lack of a marker. His wife Martha, who died in
1905, is presumed to be buried in the same grave yard.
With the exception of Henry A., John Nathaniel
and Sydney Johnson little is known about the sons or daughters of Zebulon
Gatlin and Martha Hoover.
Henry was a Methodist minister who served
in the Mississippi Methodist Conference for 47 years. He was responsible
for the preservation of the pictures of Zebulon Gatlin (his father), Virginia
Hoover, Christian Hoover (his grandfather on his mother's side), and Kit
Hoover (his uncle). In addition, he preserved an original copy of the obituary
of Zebulon Gatlin which was written by Martha L. Hoover, wife of William
Hoover.
John Nathaniel worked all his life in the
lumber industry of south Mississippi. In 1935 he purchased a small farm
in Norfield Mississippi where he and
his wife lived until his death in 1952.
Sydney moved to Corsicana, Texas, when he was a
young man. There he met and married Mattie Leatha Thomas. To this union
ten children were born, two of who died in infancy, a son Alva died in
1910 and another son Earl was killed in action in France in 1918. In 1937
a daughter, Mrs Ethel Vermillion passed away, her mother having preceded
her in death in 1936." In 1914 Sydney moved his family to Sickles,
Oklahoma, where he spent the remainder of his life.
James died around 1927 and is believed to be buried
in Newton, Mississippi.
Jennie (Martha G.) is believed to have married
a Reeves, and to have lived near Bogue Chitto, Mississippi.
William, referred to as Willie, died October 15,
1891.
The only surviving photographs of the children
of Zebulon and Martha are those of John Nathaniel, Thomas, Henry and Sydney.
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Thomas Hoover Gatlin
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Sidney Johnson Gatlin
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Henry Anderson Gatlin
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John Nathaniel Gatlin
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ANNEX A: Henry Anderson Gatlin
This Annex provides a summary of information
pertaining to Henry A.
Gatlin who played an important role in the preservation of the historical
information pertaining to the Gatlin family. Henry A. Gatlin was a Methodist
minister who served in the Mississippi Methodist Conference for 47 years.
He was responsible for the preservation of the pictures of Zebulon Gatlin
(his father), Jennie Hoover, Christian Hoover (his grandfather on his mother's
side), and Kit Hoover (his uncle). In addition, he preserved an original
copy of the obituary of Zebulon Gatlin which was written by Martha L. Hoover,
wife of William Hoover. In 1958 the following article appeared in the Jackson
Daily News, Jackson, Mississippi, on the occasion of the 60th wedding anniversary
of Rev. and Mrs. Henry A. Gatlin.
GATLINS WILL BE HONORED ON THEIR 60TH ANNIVERSARY.
Rev. and Mrs. H. A. Gatlin, of 163 Millsaps
Ave., will be honored Sunday afternoon at a reception from 2 to 4 p. m.
at St. Luke's Methodist church on the occasion of their 60th Wedding anniversary.
The Rev. Henry Anderson Gatlin, son of Mr. Zebulon B. Gatlin and Martha
Hoover Gatlin was born near Meadville, Franklin County, February 6, 1872.
His parents were members of prominent pioneer families of Pike County.
When a young lad his parents moved back to Pike County near Summit where
he spent his childhood and youth. He was converted and joined the Methodist
Church at Topisaw Campground, (now Felders), near Summit, August 16, 1891
at the age of 17. He was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference
at Summit, August 27, 1892 the Rev. Robert Woodward, presiding elder, and
the Rev. H. P. Lewis, Sr., pastor. He attended the home schools of his
community after which he entered Millsaps College, in September, 1892,
having the distinction of being the first student to matriculate at Millsaps,
where he spent three years of his college course.
The Rev. Mr. Gatlin at the session of the
Mississippi Conference meeting in Port Gibson in 1896 was ordained a Local
Deacon by Bishop E. R. Hendrix. He was admitted on trial into the conference
at Jackson, December 30, 1897, Bishop A. W. Wilson presiding. He was received
into full connection at Vicksburg in 1900 by Bishop W. W. Duncan, and was
ordained elder at Natchez in 1902 by Bishop S. Key. March 23, 1896 he was
married to Miss Belvia Talbert of Gloster, the Rev. M. M. Black, officiating.
Her parents were Polk Talbert and Eliza McCrain Talbert, both of prominent
families of Amite and Wilkinson. Through the years Mrs. Gatlin has been
an active and efficient worker in the various departments of the churches
they served. She was a successful teacher of the Adult Bible Classes, a
gifted leader with children and young people in their organizations of
the church. This couple served with success the following appointments:
Monticello Circuit; Beauregard and North Wesson; Sharon; Lintonia; Enterprise
and Stonewall; Mendenhall; Bogue Chitto; Fifth Street, Meridan; Tylertown;
Canton; Lumberton; Court Street, Hattiesburg; Newton District, for four
years; Natchez; Columbia; Vicksburg District for six years; East End, Meridian,
and Millsaps Memorial in 1943-1944.
Having reached the age for retirement when
the Mississippi Conference met at Capitol Street Church, Jackson in 1944,
he was given this relationship after serving 47 years as a member of the
conference. Later he served as a retired supply for three years on the
Ridgeland Charge. He served one year, 1912, as Commissioner of Whitworth
College. Through the years he served on many important Boards of his conference
and was a delegate to the General Conference meeting in Dallas in 1930.
The Rev. Gatlin was successful in building
churches and paying off church and parsonage debts. While pastor at Mendenhall,
a new church building was erected. The present church building at Tylertown
was built during his four years ministry there from 1917 - 1920 at a cost
of $25,000. In his fourth year the last indebtedness was paid and at the
urgent request of the people, he dedicated the church. They honored him
by placing a memorial window in the building for him. During his three
years pastorate in Canton, 1921-1923, the present church building was erected
at a cost of $65,000.
Under his leadership the debts of many churches
and parsonages were lifted as in his first year as pastor of Court Street.
A $13,000 debt was paid. Then his last two active years of his ministry
while pastor of what is now St. Luke's Church, he led his people in retiring
all indebtedness on the church building and parsonage. The Rev. Gatlin
was an evangelistic preacher, and held many meetings throughout the bounds
of the Mississippi Conference. He was in great demand to hold revivals.
These two servants walked hand in hand serving
valiantly through their long and successful ministry. They made friends
wherever they went by their friendliness and cheerfulness. After their
retirement they made their home in Jackson, 163 Millsaps Street. Two happy
events have taken place, since retirement, the first being the Golden Jubilee
Observance of fifty years since he was admitted on trial. This took place
at Millsaps Memorial Church, now St. Luke's, in 1947. The other event was
the celebration of the Golden Wedding Anniversary in their home in 1948.
Appendix A: Points of Interest in South Mississippi
Pertaining to Gatlin-Hoover Genealogy
The following is a list of GPS Coordinates of Sites Associated with
Gatlin-Hoover Family. These sites are located in south Mississippi in the
counties of Pike, Lincoln, and Hinds.
1. Hoover Burial Ground near Summit Mississippi: N31°18.404'XW90°23.029'
[Note: Christian Hoover and Mary Hoover are buried in this
graveyard. Markers are on their graves. Also buried in this graveyard in
an unmarked grave is Zebulon Butler Gatlin. Presumably, Zebulon's wife,
Martha Hoover Gatlin, is also buried here.]
2. Site of Zebulon Gatlin home: N31°19.658'XW90°23.102'
3. Site of Christian Hoover home: N31°18.513'XW90°23.088'
4. Nathaniel Wells Family Cemetery: N31°20.017'XW90°26.183' [Note:
James S. Gatlin is buried in this cemetery.](Ref: Pike County Genealogy
http://www.swmgs.com/pike_county.htm)
5. Henry A. Gatlin gravesite, Lakewood Cemetery, Jackson, Mississippi:
N32°20.180'XW90°17.330'
6. Felder's Campground: N31°19'08"XW90°19'09"
7. Edward Gatlin House (Approximate Location): N31°15'51"XW90°22'49"
[Note: The Edward Gatlin house -- later owned by James Gatlin
( Zebulon probably raised at this location) was located on the south side
of what is now Mississippi Highway 44 about 4.5 miles East of McComb, and
overlooked the Clear-Creek/Bogue-Chitto River valley.]
8. Edward Gatlin Cemetery (Approximate Location): N31°15'57"XW90°22'39"
[Note: There are no headstones and little direct evidence
of graves. Road construction in late 1970s destroyed some of the graves.]
List of References
1. "Pike County Mississippi, 1798 -1876" by
Luke Ward Conerly, Brandon Printing Company, Nashville, Tennesee (1909)
2. "Source Records From Pike County, Mississippi, 1798-1910,"
Williams and Conerly, Southern Historical Press, P. O. Box 738, Easley,
South Carolina (1978)
3. "The Gatlin Family in America" Compiled by Eva Loe McDuffie,
Property of McComb Public Library, McComb, Mississippi.
4. "Family Records: Mississippi Revolutionary Soldiers" by Alice
Tracy Welch
5. Amite County Records, Vol II, Amite County, Mississippi
6. Goodspeed's "History of Mississippi"
7. "Military History of Mississippi", Department of Archives
and History, State of Mississippi, Published in 1910
8. "Tents and Tabernacles -- Methodist Campmeetings in the Mississippi
Conference: 1804-1956", Mississippi Methodist Conference. (Date unknown)
9. Info copied from the Thomas Wells Family Bible
10. Sydney Gatlin Obituary and other information provided by Linda Gatlin
Devaughan
11. Family Papers and Photograph Collections of D. W. and L. H. Shepherd,
Jr.
Copyright 2011 by D. William Shepherd. Email at: norfield@knology.net
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