Billie Merlene "Merle" Gellatly

Notes:

Sabine County Reporter 8 May 2002

Class of 1948 Members of the class of 1948 attending the (Hemphill High School) reunion included, from left, front; Joann (Hendrix) Alford, Bennie Jean (Chambers) Henderson and Thelma (Bass) Henderson; and back: Elaine (Erwin) Hamilton, Jackie Harris, Merle (Gellatly) Huff, Billie Sue (Ziefler) Chambers, Raymond Mattox and Kathleen (Crowell) Zachery.

Obituary

Merle Gellatly Huff, 82, of Milam, died Wednesday evening in the Twin Lakes Care Center in San Augustine. She was born in Sabine County to Don and Bena Harris Gellatly and has lived in Sabine County all her life. Mrs. Huff was a farmer and rancher and attended the Riverside Church near Milam.

She is survived by her sons; David Huff of Milam, Ted Huff and his wife Janie of Laurel, Mississippi, Tommy Huff and his wife Ashley of Henderson, her daughter Susan Sheard and her husband Ray of Milam, grandchildren; Rylie, Poppy, David and Rachel, and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Claudia Polley of Sexton and Bobbie Pratt of San Augustine.

Visitation will be from 5:30PM until 8:00PM, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in the Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr St., Hemphill, Texas. Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, in the Starr Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the New Hope Cemetery near Milam.

http://www.starrfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1881157&fh_id=12228

Also published in the Sabine County Reporter, December 26, 2012, page 7

Billie married Oscar Thomas Huff on 15 Mar 1949. Oscar was born on 17 Oct 1921; died on 11 Jul 2001 in Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. David Alan Huff was born on 17 Jul 1952 in Shelby County, Texas; died on 18 Feb 2021 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas.
2. Living
3. Living
4. Living

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K3FF-NBS
name: Don C Gellatly
event: Death
event date: 19 Sep 1976
event place: Houston, Harris, Texas, United States
gender: Male
marital status: Married
birth date: 21 Jun 1898
birthplace: , Texas
father's name: Claude Gellatly
mother's name: Ola Mason
certificate number: 76615
film number: 2243981
digital folder number: 005165872
image number: 00335
Collection: "Texas, Deaths (New Index, New Images), 1890-1976," Don C Gellatly, 1976

Don married Bena Norine Harris about 1918. Bena (daughter of Robert Earl Harris and Susan L. "Sudie" Pratt) was born on 24 Jul 1901 in Texas; died on 5 Jan 2000 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in New Hope Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

THE SABINE COUNTY REPORTER January 12, 2000

Bena Harris Gellatly, 98, of Milam died Wednesday, Jan 5, 2000, in San Augustine. Mrs. Gellatly was born July 24, 1901 and had been a lifelong resident of the Milam area. She was a homemaker and a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Survivors; daughters and sons-in-law, Claudia and Dan Polley of Sexton, Merle and Oscar Huff of Milam, and Bonnie and Larry Mobbs of Odessa, a sister, Elaine Brown of San Augustine; eight grandchildren a step-granddaughter; nine great-grandchildren; and four step great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband D.C. Gellatly, and a son, Robert Gellatly. Funeral services were held Jan 7 at New Hope Baptist Church near Milam with Bro. Jim Moss and Bro. Lou Dane officiating. Interment followed at New Hope Cemetery. Starr Funeral Home Inc of Hemphill, Directors.

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Milam Pr. 4
Enumerated 20 and 21 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 71 Sheet 11A
188-188
Gellatly, Claude D Head W M Apr 1873 27 M Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Oly A Wf W F Nov 1878 27 M 5 2/2 Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Carl J Son W M Oct 1895 4 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellately, Doney Son W M Jun 1898 1 S Tx Tx Tx
189-189
Gellatly, Peter Head W M Jan 1840 59 M 35 Tx Scotland Scotland
Gellatly, Josephine Wf W F Oct 1846 m 35 7/4 Ala Ala GGa
Gellatly, Robert Head W M Jany 1870 29 M 2 Tx Tx Ala Farmer
Gellatly, Ada Wf W F Apr 1878 22 M 3 2/2 Tx Ga Ga
Gellatly, Cecile E Dtr W F Dec 1897 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Rodney Son W M Sept 1899 S Tx Tx Tx

David married Abbie Ola Mason before 1895. Abbie (daughter of James G. "Governor" Mason and Susannah "Susan" Halbert) was born on 28 Nov 1875 in Isla, Sabine County, Texas; died on 4 Jan 1918; was buried in Mason Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 25 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 5A Stamped 155
65-66
Mason, James G Head m W 71 M1 46 Tx Ala Ala Farmer
Mason, Susanna Wf F W M2 46 11/7 Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Carey H Son M W 22 S Tx Tx Tx Teacher Public School
--/67
Gellatly, Abiola Head F W 31 Wd 5/4 Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Carl Jr. Son M W 12 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Don SOn M W 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Thelma Dtr F W 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Mason Son M W 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Neil, Austin J Nephew M W 19 S Tx Tx Tx Laborer

Notes:

(Research):
Census Information:

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County
Enumerated 26 April 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 134 Sheet 5B
Harris, Robert E 42 m1 20 Tx Ala Miss
Harris, Sudie L 38 M1 20 8/7 Tx Al Tx (First Wife)
Harris, Earl P 19 S Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Harris, Mabel V 17 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Wallace D 11 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Bena A 8 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Daisy L 5 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Marie 3 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Robert W 1 S Tx Tx Tx

1920 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 21 through 26 January 1920
SD 326 ED 171 Sheet 14B
Harris, Robert E Hd 52 Wd Tx Alabama Mississippi Merchant Dry Goods
Harris, Mabel Dtr 27 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Wallis Son 20 S Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Harris, Lucille Dtr 15 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Marie Dtr 13 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Windell Son 11 S Tx Tx Tx
Harris, Elaine Dtr 2 6/12 Tx Tx Tx

Robert married Susan L. "Sudie" Pratt on 1 Jan 1890 in Sabine County, Texas. Susan (daughter of Drayton Pratt and Mary Benena J. Low) was born on 30 May 1871 in Texas; died on 11 Jun 1911 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

U S Confederate Pension File #19782, Veteran


(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Fifth Precinct
Enumerated 7 July 1880
Page 29 SD 1 ED 86
(Image very faint on Ancestry.com)
256-256
Peter Gellatly W M 40 Farmer Tx Scotland Scotland
Josephine Gellatly W F 33 Wife Keeps House Ala Ala Ala
Willie E. Gellatly W M 13 Son Works on Farm Tx Tx Ala
Ella Y. Gellatly W F 11 Dtr At Home Tx Tx Ala
Robert Gellatly W M 9 Son Tx Tx Ala
David C. Gellatly W M 7 Son Tx Tx Ala
Kate P. Gellatly W F 3 Dtr Tx Tx Ala

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Milam Pr. 4
Enumerated 20 and 21 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 71 Sheet 11A
188-188
Gellatly, Claude D Head W M Apr 1873 27 M Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Oly A Wf W F Nov 1878 27 M 5 2/2 Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Carl J Son W M oct 1895 4 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellately, Doney Son W M Jun 1898 1 S Tx Tx Tx
189-189
Gellatly, Peter Head W M Jan 1840 59 M 35 Tx Scotland Scotland
Gellatly, Josephine Wf W F Oct 1846 m 35 7/4 Ala Ala GGa
Gellatly, Robert Head W M Jany 1870 29 M 2 Tx Tx Ala Farmer
Gellatly, Ada Wf W F Apr 1878 22 M 3 2/2 Tx Ga Ga
Gellatly, Cecile E Dtr W F Dec 1897 S Tx Tx Tx
Gellatly, Rodney Son W M Sept 1899 S Tx Tx Tx

Peter married Josephine Montgomery Howard. Josephine was born on 18 Oct 1846 in Alabama; died on 30 Jul 1933 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Gellatly Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On her tombstone "Ma Dump" is inscribed above her formal name.

Notes:

His widow, Susan Halbert Mason, applied for a Confederate Widow's pension. She was a resident of Sabine County, Post Office Isla when she applied, on April 22, 1924. She stated that her husbands full name was James Governor Mason, and that he enlisted in 1861 and served four years, and "was wounded and at home when war ended." He served in Capt. Edwards Company, from San Augustine County and Lane's regiment. Witness were M. W. Fullen and W W Halbert. The Pension commission indicated that there were not muster rolls on file for Edward's Co, Crump's Regiment (formerly Lane's Regiment). Bridgett Kearney, on her "Visiting the Past" tree at RootsWeb's World Connect states that "Headstone lists middle name as Galbreth. Other sources, lists middle name as Galreith: Nickname of "Gov"

(Research):

Census Listings:

1880 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Fourth Precinct
Enumerated 22 Jun 1880
Page 11 SD 1 ED 86
95-95
Mason, James G W M 41 Farmer Tx SC SC
Mason, Susan W F 36 Wf Keeping House Tx Tenn Tenn
Mason, Mary E W F 16 Dtr At School Tx Tx Tx
Mason, James G W M 11 Son At School Tx Tx Tx
Mason, Joe L W M 4 Son Tx Tx Tx
Mason, Abbie O W F 2 Dtr Tx Tx Tx
Wright, James T W M 22 Servant Works on Farm Ala Ala Ala

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Milam Pr. 4
Enumerated 12 and 13 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 71 Sheet 7A Stamped 135
112-112
Mason, James Head W M Apr 1839 61 M 36 Tx SC SC Farmer
Mason, Susan Wf W F Dec 1849 54 M 36 12/7 Tx Ala Ala
Mason, George Son W M May 1871 (???) 19 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Mason, Herman Son M W Sept 1873 (???) 16 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Mason, Cary Son W M Nov 1887 12 S Tx Tx Tx Farm Laborer
Neal, Jennie GrDtr W F Dec 1888 11 S Tx Tx
Neal, Austin GrSon W M May 1890 9 S Tx Tx
Starkins, Edward Servant B M May 1876 23 S Tx Tx
Giles, Solomon Servant B M July 1878 21 S Tx Tx Tx

1910 Census
Texas, Sabine County, JP 4
Enumerated 25 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 134 Sheet 5A Stamped 155
65-66
Mason, James G Head m W 71 M1 46 Tx Ala Ala Farmer
Mason, Susanna Wf F W M2 46 11/7 Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Carey H Son M W 22 S Tx Tx Tx Teacher Public School

James married Susannah "Susan" Halbert about 1864. Susannah (daughter of Joel Halbert and Tabitha Elizabeth Cox) was born on 5 Dec 1844 in Milam, Sabine County, Texas; died on 20 Nov 1924 in Texas; was buried in Mason Cemetery, Milam, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The 1900 census shows her as the mother of 12 children, and in 1910 it was reported that she was instead the mother of 11. Both census reports indicate only 7 still living.

Notes:

Married:
Susan Halbert's first husband, Albert J. Vickers, was the nephew of James "Gov" Mason, her second husband. The two men were around the same age, however.

Many reasearchers also show them as the parents of William Joel, ca 1871 and Susannah born ca 1874.

Joseph married Cyrenthia Collier about 1867 in Sabine County, Texas. Cyrenthia (daughter of George Washington Collier and Sarah Elizabeth Tatum) was born on 1 Sep 1848 in Mississippi; died on 19 Jan 1914 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Cooper-Harris Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It appears he may have remarried. Check for marriage/s and dates.

Drayton married Mary Benena J. Low. Mary (daughter of James Low, M. D. and Susan A. Green Speights) was born on 21 Sep 1848 in Texas; died on 17 Sep 1900; was buried in Speights Cemetery, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On the 1900 census, a widowed Eliza Pratt was living with her son, Hampton Pratt. She was born circa 1838. Is Eliza the same person as Mary Benena Low?