John Melton Gentry

Notes:

John's middle name is not known with certainty. Milton was recorded by the undertakers following his death. They probably misheard this however. Grace Gentry has told Lynell Gentry it was actually Melton. And as a grandson was nameed Franklin Melton Gentry, the balance of probability suggests that he was John Melton Gentry.

The Salt Lake Ancestral File gives John M. Gentry's birthdate as 1828 in Madison Co., Kentucky. However, on the 1870 Johnson Co, TX census, his computed date of birth would be 1830. On the 1900 Stephens Co, OK census, his computed date of birth would be December 1827.

John's son, William, recorded his father's birth state as Kentucky although John himself had recorded it as Tennessee ten years previously.

Significantly no parents for John are listed in the Ancestral File and a Samuel Gentry is given as "relation." Unfortunately the source of this data concerning Samuel is not immediately indicated. This ancestor entry was made on 20 Dec. 1937 by a member of the Mormon Church, probably long gone by now. The original data entry should be followed up. The Microfilm Reference is 183571 page 650. Ordinance 22555 Salt Lake.

1850-Recorded in Obion County, Tennessee Dist #2, page 705

1854 - "History of Johnson County, Texas" states that a John Gentry was elected County Commissioner. This probably was another John Gentry as census records cited below show that our John M. Gentry must have moved to Missouri sometime around this period.

1855 and 1859-- The family moved to Missouri where daughters Ellen, Sallie and Virginia were born.

1859 - John M. Gentry (31) probably migrated to Texas circa 1859, after a stay of about four years in Missouri. His son, William Miller Gentry, was therefore eight years old when they migrated to Texas. In later life he apparently had no memories of life in Tennessee, we can assume however that the boy did remember life in Missouri. They moved from Missouri to Texas shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. The raging debates leading to the Missouri compromise, prior to the Civil War, may have hastened their departure. In the book APRIL 1865, Jay Winik notes that "On one level, (Missouri) was the very embodiment of the Civil War itself: a conflict-ridden slave state that didn't secede, a state deeply divided in loyalties, a state with an ill-formed identity. On yet another level, as it descended into full-scale guerilla war, Missouri became a very different creature altogether, less a reflection of what the Civil War was and more a mirror for what the Civil War could become. It became a killing field."

1860 - John's real estate in the Grandview Post Office area in Johnson Co., Texas, was valued at $270 in 1860 and his personal property at $525. He was a farmer and he was now employing a farm labourer from Alabama, Sam Benge (23), who lived with the family.

His father was possibly in nearby Hillsboro, Hill Co. where he was presumably developing his newly founded Baptist Church.

1861-On March 30, A Jno M. Gentry (33) was elected an officer in the Grandview Calvary, Johnson Co, Texas. He became one of six corporals in the newly formed CSA. {Johnson Co, Texas, Civil War Declaration and Muster Roll from the Commisioners Court Ledger Book "A". Muster Roll of the Grandview Cavalry, p 244}. His younger brother, Wesley (19) served as a private in the same company. Wesley was listed as #44 out of 61 privates in the same company. They were under the command of Capt. Jacob S. Morrow. {p. 245}.

The military records cited above might be for another John M. Gentry. Lynell Cordell also found the following records: "Gentry, John M--Card #50325527, Pvt, Co. A, 18th Regiment Texas Cavalry, Company Muster Roll of the organization named above, for Jan 15 to June 30, 1862. Enlisted March 1, 186- (blank) at Dallas, Texas for a period of one year. No pay received. Discharged May 29, under Conscript law [Probably too old] A.B. Mustain, Copyist

1861-"History of Johnson County, Texas" states that the Grandview Masonic Blue Lodge #266 A.F. and A.M. was chartered June 14, 1861. J.M. Gentry was listed as a charter member, along with W.G. Gentry.

1870 - Census, Johnson County, Texas ED 628

Ca. 1875-- "History of Johnson County, Texas" states that "Pupils from many places came to board in the homes of the families living in the neighborhood, and a number of new families moved here and built homes on five acre lots given for the purpose [of building Oakland College] by Philip Walker, Judge Harrison, John Gentry, Dr. L.H. Gebhard and James Houston." (p 360)

26 March 1877-Jesse W. Bell and James K. Blair relinquished and conveyed to J.M. Gentry and Jesse A. Gentry the rights, titles and interests in and to land in Grayson county. Jesse Bell and James Blair had previously purchased the land from the administrator of Christian Blair. The reason for the transfer is unknown, as is the relationship of Bell and Blair to the Gentrys. (Vol. A1 Grayson County, TX)

1878- J.M. Gentry purchased 12 acres of Timber land for $75 from J.A. Gentry in Grayson County, Texas. (Volume 44, Grayson County Bonham, TX)

1880 - Grayson County, Texas ED 7, page 145. Also living with the family was a 25 year old servant, J.C. Matthews, and John's youngest sister, Mary "Mollie" Gentry Bush. Mollie is listed as a boarder, and living with her three small sons, Willie, Harry, and Marcus Roy.

John's son William Miller Gentry is now living in Wise Co. with his wife and young family. Zada Trawick's family was also in Wise Co. in 1880. It is possible that John M. and Pamelia could have moved there after the 1880 census, and also that Preacher William, possibly in need of care, could have been there around that time also.

1885- Land record, Vol 5, Page 176, Wise Co., Texas J.M. and P.C. Gentry sold about 46 1/2 acres to J.C. McCraken.

1887-Land record Vol 11, page 434, Wise Co., Texas J.M. and P.C. Gentry sold (?) 130 acres to Burges. Says something about part of blk 11, league #2. Hunt School Land.

1890-Land record, Vol 19, page 310, Wise Co., Texas Sold 130 acres in Block 11, League #2, School land, to Jerry Williamson (son-in-law?)

1895- Land record Vol 31, page 284, Wise Co, Texas. Something else about the 130 acres sold to Burges Block 11, League #2, Hunt School land.

1900-He and Pamelia were living with his son and daughter in law, William M. and Mollie Gentry.

1901-A J.M. Gentry purchased "land situated in Fannin County, Texas on the waters of Brushy Creek being part of a Survey originally granted unto Wm Martin" from W.A. and Rosa B. Ayres for $400 cash and a $100 note. (Book 17, Page 488-489 Fannin Co, TX). It is not known if this is the same person a John Melton Gentry, who was residing in Oklahoma at that time.

Lewis Adair Payne has a copy (currently mislaid) of a four generation group photograph of John Milton Gentry and Pamelia Harpole taken around 1902. They, the grandparents in the picture, apparently died shortly afterwards. The original image, which is unfortunately not a very good piece of portraiture being taken from a distance, is probably the property of Dorothy Thompson. This important photograph apparently shows John (75), with a large beard and sitting. The rest of the seven people portrayed are apparently standing; Pamelia (75), William Miller Gentry (50) and his wife Mary Evelyn Mounts (46) with two of their children Permelia Gertrude (25) and Pearl (6). Gertie's husband Walter W. Payne and their first born child Carl (4). The picture was taken in front of William and Martha's house and a neighbour woman can additionally be seen nearby. This picture, when compared to Lynell's damaged double portrait of John and Pamela (Harpole) Gentry, seems to be of the same people. Anna Laura Payne confirmed the identity of the John and Pamela, remembering the portrait from her childhood. Charles Strong remembers the portrait, before damage, hanging in the home of James Edwin Gentry and Zada Trawick.

1900 - Both John Milton and Pamelia C. Gentry were living with their son William M. Gentry in Stephens Co., Oklahoma in 1900.

1902-John M. Gentry becomes the 11th Masonic Worshipful Master, Lodge No. 54, in Velma, Oklahoma.

1904 - (Tombstone Inscription, surmounted by Masonic Insignia) JOHN M./GENTRY/ BORN/ DEC. 19. 1827/ DIED/MAR. 3. 1904/AGED/ 76Yrs. 2 Mos./ &15Das.

John married Pamelia C Harpole about 1850 in Tennessee. Pamelia (daughter of John Harpole and Mary Ann McMinamy) was born on 20 Mar 1827 in Obion County, Tennessee; died on 19 Jul 1903 in Alma, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; was buried in Alma Cemetery, Alma, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Fay Payne Yeager reports they had another daughter, named Mary. "She is not on a census but family history tells that John and Pamelia had a daughter named Mary that died young. An old saying was, "If a person is sitting by a window and a bird comes and sits on the window sill, that person is going to die." This happened to Mary." Ken Harvey is adament their is not daughter Mary. It was thought that a gravestone in the Oakland Cemetery in Johnson Co. TX that reads: "Sacred to the Memory of M. Mary Gentry Jan. ?, 18?5 (1865?) -- 1869" might be hers. However, an earlier transcription of the cemetery proves that this headstone was for the wife of Preacher William Gentry, whose date of birth was 1805, and who died in 1869.

1. William Miller Gentry was born on 23 May 1851 in Tennessee; died on 23 Sep 1929 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
2. Ellen J Gentry was born about 1855 in Missouri; died before 1900.
3. Sallie A Gentry was born on 29 Jul 1856 in Missouri; died on 14 Sep 1876 in Johnson County, Texas; was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Grandview, Johnson County, Texas.
4. Virginia E. "Jennie" Gentry was born in Jun 1859 in Missouri; died after 1930 in Oklahoma.
5. John Price Gentry was born on 29 Mar 1862 in Johnson County, Texas; died on 14 Apr 1946 in Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas; was buried on 16 Apr 1946 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
6. Lou Emma Gentry was born on 20 Jun 1866 in Johnson County, Texas; died on 10 Dec 1939 in Wise County, Texas; was buried in Cottonwood Cemetery, Wise County, Texas.
7. James Edwin Gentry was born on 25 Mar 1869 in Johnson County, Texas; died on 16 Jan 1950 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

Notes:

Ken Harvey writes that "William was known to have been a Baptist preacher. The sober preacher trained in the dialectics of the seminary was rare west of the Appalachians. The Baptists boasted that in 1817, in the State of New York, that there were only three preachers west of the Hudson that had ever been to college. The settlers demanded personality rather than diplomas from the men who called them to God. Kentucky was famous for the pathological intensity of the religious revivals that shook the populous at the turn of the century. Evangelists had swarmed over the area preaching in great open-air camp meetings where silent, lonely frontiersmen gathered to sing and shout. Revivalists knew their hell intimately---geography, climate, and vital statistics---and painted the sinners fate so hideously that shuddering crowds surged forward to the bushel-box alters to be born again. Hundreds fell to the ground senseless, the most elegantly dressed women in Kentucky lying in the mud alongside ragged trappers."

1817--A William Gentry appears on a Wayne Co, Kentucky list of Delinquent taxpayers. It is noted, as a reason for non-payment, that he had gone to Tennessee. If this is "our" William, he must have been born earlier than 1804, possibly as early as 1795.

1826 - Approximate year of the marriage, of William to Mary "Polly" ???, based on the date of birth of their eldest known child. Note, however, that there could have been earlier children who had left home before the 1850 census.

1830 - It has not been possible to find Preacher William Gentry in the 1830 census in Illinois (where several of his children were born).

1840 - A search for his location, in Kentucky, in the 1840 census has been negative using FTM Census Index on CD ROM (1996).

1846 - William Gentry was listed as a MG (Minister of the Gospel) and a JP (Justice of the Peace) in Obion Co., Tennessee. He officiated at the marriage of John Marr and Nancy R. Mills (Miles) on 11 Feb 1846, and at the marriage of Allen Walker to Margarette Jones on 29 July 1846.

Ken Harvey further noted that the Tennessee Baptist Historical Society has failed to find any reference to Preacher William Gentry in its Baptist collection. They should be contacted again, at their request, if the Obion County Church with which he may have been associated with can be identified. The first organization for the Missionary Baptists in Obion county was in Beulah, which was formed by the 1830s. At this period, the Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists worshipped in the same building. The church, known as Solitude, was located about 4 1/2 miles north of Union City. That original church building burned down in 1838 and a few years later (1841) the Beulah Baptist Church was built. There are no extant records for the next 12 years. However, it is most probably the church attended by the Gentry family, since it was located in their general area and was the only Baptist Church in the county. In 1858, W.H. McGowan was listed as pastor, and their were 72 members. (Adapted from Marshall and Goodspeed). It is assumed that William was a lay preacher. The reason for this assumption is that William is not referred to in the book by: Carroll, James Milton (1923) "A History of the Texas Baptists."

The postmaster of Bulah, Obion County, Tennesse as of 27 Sept 1847 was a William Gentry. This may well have been our William. (Source: TNGenWeb Project "Obion Post Office and Postmasters of Obion County, TN", cited by Lynell Cordell). Bulah (1847-1859) later became State Line, Fulton County, KY.

The document below, dated March 15, 1850, was found by Charles R. Strong and his daughter, Mary Pat Strong during mid June 2002. This was the only document found in the land records of Obion County Tennessee. No record was found of land purchase or land sale! (Also there were no land records found in Weakley County Tennessee). This may be due to fact that the old town of Bulah, Tennessee, was renamed State Line Kentucky after a border correction at some date. State Line KY located in Fulton County KY was not searched for land records.

Charles and Mary Pat observed that there was an abandoned store in State Line KY named Shaw as highlighted in the document below. Also, the "(???)" in the document might be either "etc." or "and so on and so forth".

Obion County #1 - Wm Gentry

Book 1 - I, page 201-202

William G Gentry Mortgage to L. S. Barnes Registered 15th day of March 1850

This indenture made and entered into this day of March 1850 between William G Gentry of Obion County Tennessee of the one part and L.S. Barnes of Fulton County Kentucky of the other part. Witnesseth [sic] that the said Gentry for and in consideration of seven hundred and seven dollars and 05 cents in hand paid hath this day sold and by these presents doth convey unto said Barnes his assigns. (???) a certain gelding horse about six years old a sorrel mare about 11 years old six head of stock cattle one farm horse wagon also all my house hold and kitchen furniture consisting of feather and under beds clothing furniture (???) bed steads [sic] side bordes[sic] chairs cooking utensils and cup board ware also my stock hogs about 25 in number all of which property is now in my possession my farm and in and about my dwelling house in said Obion County. I also sell and convey to said Barnes my two succeeding crops which are to be made on my farm and I do sell and convey to him all the corn tobacco oats fodder potatoes and all other production which maybe thereon raised so what my family may be protected in (???) law as exempt from sale and I do sell him all of the profits production and mumments [sic] of my said farm for two years to come and I have assigned to said Barnes the following notes towit [sic] one on John Shaw & John Bayer for sixty seven dollars and 50 cts due 9th Feby [sic]1850 and on N. Gurley for one hundred and eighty dollars due 1st Feby [sic] 1850 one on RR Powel for one hundred dollars due 19th June 1850 one on same for fifty dollars due 19th April 1850 - one on Charles S. Tally for seventy five dollars due 1st May 1850 and whereas said Barnes is to pay for me to Messers [sic] Robinson and Keith seventy five dollars and Thos Mitchell thirty nine dollars and 50 cts and whereas he has also paid me two hundred dollars over and above the amount of said notes now shall I within two years pay to said Barnes or his order or cause the same to be done said Robinson and Keith and Mitchell debts said two hundred dollars and all liabilities that I may be under as the assignor of said notes and it is expressly understood that Gurley and Tally are not to be sued the first court nor under aliberal [sic] time and that I am to guaranty these debts then this obligation to be null and void else to remain in full force and virtue and it is further understood and so agreed between these parties that said Barnes to act as my agent in and about the management of sell of all the herein mortgaged property or interest and he is to have the right from time to sell and dispose of the same for the purposes of paying of dispersing this mortgage and I said Gentry for myself my heirs administrators (???) doth and will forever warrant and defend the title in (???) to the property things interests profits (???) herein sold against any and all claims whatever. In witness where of I have hereto set my hand and seal this day and date above written. John M. Gentry & James C. Gentry /s/ witnesses. -- /s/ Will Gentry (Seal

1850 - Unfortunately Preacher William Gentry was not listed as being present in his Obion Co. home, in Tennessee, at the time of the 1850 census enumeration. He is therefore presumably recorded elsewhere in the census of that year, possibly while on a visit to Kentucky, if he is recorded at all. Could he have already gone on to Texas, and left his wife and eldest son in charge of the family?

From the evidence above it would appear probable that;

1. Preacher William Gentry was born and married in Kentucky.

2. A few years following the marriage, ca. 1829, the young family moved to Illinois, probably to the southern part of that state.

3. They returned to Kentucky in about 1835 and remained in that state until ca. 1846 when they moved again

4. This time they moved to Tennessee and they had only been in Tennessee for a few years by the time of the 1850 census.

Using further data

5. The family then moved to, and stayed in, Missouri from about 1854. They would have been in that state for about four years (grand-daughter Ellen was born there in 1855, as was Virginia in 1858).

6. They then all headed to Texas in about 1859.

This assumes that William and his son John Melton Gentry stayed together as they migrated south. William could have gone ahead to Texas, before John and his family, without staying with them in Missouri. He was more mobile on account of the age of his children.

1860 - William Gentry is described (microfilm page 58), in 1860, simply as a Baptist Minister, age 55, born in Tennessee. Mary was the same age, but like all the children, listed as born in Kentucky. Clearly this contradicts the 1850 census. The family were living in Hillsboro, Hill Co., Texas. William's real estate here, at the time, was valued at $1,250 and his personal property at $3,115.

At this time there was a very high per capita income in Texas. This was to collapse in a few years with the civil war and it took a very long time to recover.

Preacher William's eldest son, John Melton Gentry (32), had real estate in Grandview area in nearby Johnson Co. This was valued at $270 and his personal property at $525. He was a farmer and he was now employing a farm labourer from Alabama, Sam Benge (23), who lived with his family.

1861-The book HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY noted that on June 14, 1861 the Masonic Blue Lodge #266 A.F. and A.M. was chartered. The charter members included W.F. and J.M. Gentry. The book also noted that the first organization of a Baptist church in Alvardo, TX is due to the Rev. William C.(G.?) Gentry. The church was organized on October 6, 1861 in the old Union Building, located on the corner of what is now Cummings ans Atchley streets. The upper story was used for Masonic meetings, the lower floor was a school and church. The records state that "after a few remarks by Brother William C. Gentry, the members present appointed Brother Gentry moderator pro-tem. They then adopted the Trinity River Association Constitution or by laws, written by Brother Carroll. After they organized,the door of th church was opened. Brother William C. Gentry was elected pastor and Jonathan Burk elected pastor and Jonathan Burk elected clerk." On the first Sunday in July 1862 Brother W.B. Senter was chosen to be pastor and moderator. Was this Rev. William Gentry our Preacher William moving to be closer to his son John? If it was not our William, there is a slight possibility that it could be William Gravit Gentry, born 23 Jan 1786 in Louisa Co, VA, son of John and Milly (Edwards) Gentry [THE GENTRY FAMILY IN AMERICA, p 24].

W. G. Gentry also purchased land in Hill County from Thomas A. Flippin and N.J. Fritze sometime in the 1860's. Also, the Johnson County Deeds Vol. D, Pg 84-December 27, 1860- W.G. Gentry-Land Patent in Hill County, Texas from Smith, 200 acres--witnessed by John M. Gentry

1870 - "Mary Gentry, 65 years of age, born in Kentucky, died in August of this year in Grayson Co., Texas." Was this Preacher William's wife? It certainly seems highly likely.

William's Grayson Co., Texas, census entry is proving difficult to find. He would have been aged 66. Ken Harvey believes he was still alive.

1871-Land records from Grayson County, Vol 38 pg 442 dated November 6, 1871 show that Mary Gentry owned, with her husband William G., 20 acres of land situated about one mile west of Sherman on the Gainsville and Sherman road at the time of her death. (Grayson Co, TX Vol 38 pages 442, 443 & 444)

1875 - A Rev. Gentry performed a wedding in Grayson Co. Texas and another one in Collin Co., Texas. Were these two ceremonies performed by the same man and was it "our" Rev. William Gentry? An unknown Rev. M. Gentry was active in Collin Co, also. He is not thought to be related.

1880 - Preacher William's, Wise Co., Texas, census return is proving difficult to find. He would have been aged 76. He might well have died before this. Zada Trawick's family was also in Wise Co. in 1880. I wonder if John M. and Pamelia could have moved there after the 1880 census and Zada and [James] Ed[win Gentry] met and married there in 1890/91.

"LOCALS ... ... A well known citizen by the name of Gentry, of the Sand Hill country, who was stopping in the East Mound country for his health died one day last week." Could this have been Preacher William's "obituary"? The newspaper date needs to be rechecked. Could the East Mound area be where Will and Molly lived? Their Wise Co. census return gives their location as E[numeration] D[istrict] 130.

From the deed listed below, it is known that William died before 1883.

Charles Strong located the following deed in Hill County, Texas (Hill Co, Vol. N)

1883-"Know all men by these presents that whereas on or about the ___ day of ___ A.D. 186_, W.G. Gentry, then a resident in Hill County, Texas now deceased, did make, execute and deliver to Thomas A. Flippin and N.J. Fritze for a valuable consideration to him in hand paid, a good and sufficient warranty deed to the following tract of land....and whence the said deed has been lost, mislaid or destroyed, and the record of the same in the deed records of said Hill County, having been destroyed by fire, now therefore in consideration of the ??? and the fact of the payment in full of the purchase money of said land, to said W.G. Gentry by the said Flippin & Fritze which we here acknowledge, We J.M. Gentry, James C. Gentry, Mitchell C. Gentry, Jesse A. Gentry, J.W. Gentry & Minerva A. Gentry his wife, B.F. Hodges and wife Sarah M. Hodges and L.B. Bush and wife Mary E. Bush, sole surviving heirs at law of the said W.G. Gentry, do bargain and sell, and by these presents do transfer and convey unto J.W. Siddons the ....title to said land...Witness our hands this the 19 day of September A.D. 1882. John M. Gentry, J.W. Gentry [Minerva's husband], M.A. Gentry, L.B. Bush, M.E. Bush, J.C. Gentry, M.C. Gentry, B.F. Hodges et ux, Sarah M. Hodges J.A. Gentry

It would be worth searching for the burial place and gravestone of Preacher William. He could be buried near Decatur. Lewis Payne remembers his maternal grandmother, Molly, speaking of Decatur and it seems that her husband, Will, and she could at the time, have lived outside this town, the Wise County seat.

William Gentry's parents are still unknown.According to Ken Harvey, the following are considered to be possible, but unlikely, parents of Preacher William Gentry, born circa 1804.

Gentry, (1909), M.S., Ph. D. "The Gentry Family in America 1676 to 1909 etc." The Grafton Press:New YPatrick Gentry (abt.1780-1820) of Louisa Co., Virginia. His son William B. Gentry (1802-?) married Sallie Sargent March 11, 1824. (p 74)

--Robert Gentry of Jackson Co., Tennessee. Robert was fifth generation but there are no dates. His son William was probably born in Jackson Co. where he was definately reared. (p 134)

--Mathew Gentry (abt. 1782-? ), son of Samuel. Matthew had migrated from Surrey Co., North Carolina to Warwick Co., indiana in 1822 where he settled and reared a large family. His children were: William, James, Mathew, Samuel and Thomas. (p 270)

--Thomas Gentry (1779-?) and Sussana Caster (1781-1854). Son William was born in 1806. Thomas' father was William Gentry of Gloucester Co., N.J. said to have been a revolutionary soldier. (p 292)

--Joseph Gentry (abt.1785-1835) of King William Co., Virginia. (p 294)

1810 - There are thirty-one potential Gentry parents of William in the state of Kentucky in 1810 when he would have been circa six years old at the time.

1820 - Of these there are, however, only seven possible candidates as William's parents in Madison Co. Kentucky in 1820 This ASSUMES that he was born c. 1804 in Madison Co., Kentucky. There is no compelling reason for this assumption however.

These Madison parental candidates, with some of their probable wives, have all been arrived at by a process of elimination, they are;

1. Bartlett Gentry and Elizabeth Timberlake, 2. ? Gentry and Elizabeth ?, 3. John Gentry, 4. John (Stumpy) Gentry, 5. John P. Gentry, 6. Josiah Gentry, 7. Josiah Gentry and Winney Musick

(Research):
Census Information:

1850 census, Obion Co. TN
District 2 West of District 1 (NE corner before the panhandle was included), North border is Kentucky.
496.
Polly GENTRY, 48, KY;
John, 23, KY, farmer;
Permelia, 23, TN;
James, 20, IL, farmer;
Michel, 18 IL, farmer;
Manerva, 13, KY;
Sarah, 12, KY;
Wesly, 8, KY;
Abram, 5, KY;
Mary, 4/12,TN

1860 census in Hill Co. TX
Hillsboro twp. ED 58 Pg. 459
397
Gentry, William 55 M Baptist Minister TN
Mary 55 F KY
Menerva 23 F KY
Sarah 20 F KY
Wesley 18 M KY
Abram 15 M KY
Mary 10 F KY


(Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

(Medical):Y DNA Results, FTDNA Haplogroup:

I1 Haplogroup
Predicted Y-DNA Haplogroup 1-M253

A direct male descendant of William G. Gentry, still bearing the Gentry surname, volunteered to have his yDNA tested. The results can be found at www.ysearch.org, under the user ID #CBFD9, and the FamilyTreeDNA Kit number is 49107.

The DNA sample was a high resolution match to several documented descendants of Nicholas Gentry I of Hanover County, Virginia. Nicholas was said to be the original immigrant of his family line, and can first be found on colonial records of Virginia in 1684.

More about the Gentry DNA study can be found at:

http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/g/gentry/

I is often called the "Viking Haplogroup." This haplogroup is common among Icelandic populations, and is generally considered indicative of Scandinavian or Anglo-Saxon ancestry when it is found in a person of British descent.

A good website that discusses Haplogroup I1a is located at:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gallgaedhil/haplo_i1a_part_1.htm

William married Mary "Polly" ??? about 1826 in Kentucky. Mary was born on 23 Jan 1805 in Kentucky; died on 13 Jun 1869 in Texas; was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Grandview, Johnson County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1850-She is recorded in the census of 1850 as Polly Gentry, born in Kentucky in 1805,

1860-She is recorded as Mary Gentry. Polly is a familiar form of the formal name Mary.

1870 - "Mary Gentry, 65 years of age, born in Kentucky, died in August of this year in Grayson Co., Texas." Was this Preacher William's wife? It certainly seems highly likely.

1871-Land records from Grayson County, Vol 38 pg 442 dated November 6, 1871 show that Mary Gentry owned, with her husband William G., 20 acres of land situated about one mile west of Sherman on the Gainsville and Sherman road at the time of her death. (Grayson Co, TX Vol 38 pages 442, 443 & 444)

Charles Strong located the following probate record:

Grayson Co, TX Vol 38, pgs 442-444

The State of Texas, County of Grayson

Whereas on the 13th day of June, 1869, Mary Gentry, Wife of William G. Gentry, departed this life in said County and State leaving as her sole & only heirs the following named children to wit, John M. Gentry, James C. Gentry, Cyrus M. Gentry, Minerva A. Gentry wife of William J. Gentry, Sally M. Hodges wife of Benjamin F. Hodges, Jesse A. Gentry and Mary E. Gentry; and also the said Mary, dec'd, at the time of her death owned as community property with William G. Gentry, a certain tract of land situated in said County and State about one mile West of Sherman on the Gainsville x Sherman road and more particularly detailed as follows.....now the said Gentry suriviving Matrimonial partner of said Mary Gentry, desceased, as well as the heirs of the said Mary above named and who are all the lawful age to contract---being mutually desirous of settling the estate of said Mary and partitioning the same among themselves...have agreed with each other to partition said lands and to invest the title to the part set apart to each heir named in the portion so set apart and divest said heir of all interest in the remaining portion and they, the parties aforesaid, mutually agree that the followig plat and division of said lands illustrates substantially the division and partition agreed upon.

Witness our hands at Sherman this 6th day of November 1871

Signed by W.G. Gentry, J.A. Gentry, J. William Gentry, Minerva A. Gentry, Sarah M. Hodges, B.F. Hodges, J.M. Gentry, M.E. Gentry, C.M. Gentry and attested be L. Hare and Joseph Bledsoe

Could Mary's surname have been Miller? Her grandson by her son John Melton Gentry, William Miller Gentry, was clearly not given his mother's, Harpole surname, as his middle name. On the other hand it would have been quite reasonable for him to have received his paternal grandmother's surname.

Oakland Cemetery of Johnson Co., TX Miltenberger's Report, copied 1969 GENTRY, Mary Mrs. 23 Jan 1805 - 13 Jun 1869

The later recording of that cemetery is the one we found first:

Sacred to the Memory of M. Mary Gentry Jan. ?, 18?5 ? , 1869