When beginning a search into genealogy, everyone says start with what you know. For me, that isn't much. As a child, I have many happy memories of family reunions in south Georgia, eating great homemade meals, swimming in the Alapaha River, harvesting vegetables, and playing with cousins. I don't have much recollection of discussions about our family history. But then, maybe I wasn't listening too closely.
Now, as an adult, I am curious about our heritage. With the help of online genealogy sites, Facebook groups, and questions to family members, some puzzle pieces are falling into place.
My goal with this blog is to share what I have learned, to find out more with input of other family members, and to have a record of our family history online for other's to view in the future. Please feel free to share your stories or pictures. I would love to add them! Please let me know of any mistakes, too!
So let's get started with the Buddy Gibbs Branch
(note: names highlighted in yellow are our direct family line)
The Gibbs of Ty Ty Georgia, a Brief History
Note: this area was also known as Worth, Wilcox, Irwin, and Tift County
Elton Conger "Buddy" Gibbs
As of this posting, our family history can be confirmed back to 1770, the year Thomas Gibbs was born in Sampson County, NC. His wife, Nancy, was born there in 1777. They had 10 Children: John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Sampson, Nancy, Rebecca, William, Thomas, Mary, and James.
Thomas and Nancy moved to Georgia in 1812, first settling in Montgomery County and eventually settling in Irwin County. They were one of the first settlers of Irwin County. They lived in the 1st land district near the Ocmulgee River. They were members of the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church, organized in 1830. Thomas died in 1845, Nancy about 10 years later.
Our lineage is from Thomas and Nancy's youngest son, James Gibbs, Sr. (1818-1895). He married Mahala Henderson Paulk (1824-1888) in 1841. They lived about 4 miles north of Ty Ty near Little River. They had 8 children: Ellen, Martha, Jacob, James (Babe), Catherine (Katy), Allen, Mahala Frances, and Johnnie.
James Gibbs Sr.
Mahala Henderson Paulk source:Ancestry.com
Marriage Certificate of James and Mahala Gibbs
James Sr. and Mahala lived on a farm raising cattle. They supplied beef to the Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. He also ran a general store in Ty Ty. During his life, James Sr. acquired much land. In 1872, he donated 4 acres for the formation of the Hickory Springs Primitive Baptist Church.
James and Mahala are buried at Hickory Springs Cemetery in Tifton, GA.
Source: findagrave.com
Source: findagrave.com
Elder James (Babe) Gibbs 1848-1930
James Babe Gibbs*
*source: findagrave.com
Since this is a brief history, I will not go into the entire life of Elder James "Babe" Gibbs, as much has been written about him. I will leave that for a future edition of this blog. Again, this is a 'brief' history.
James lived north of Ty Ty. He was married twice. His first wife was Mary 'Polly' Warren (1851-1890). They married in 1867. Together, they had 9 children: J.S. (Jimmie), William (Billy), George Warren, Nancy, Mahala Frances, Henry F. and Millie Ellen, Sarah Catherine, and Wright Allen.
source: Just Kinfolks by Idelle Gibbs Dorsey
James was an ordained Baptist preacher. He served as Pastor of Hickory Springs Church for about 35 years. See link below for church history.
His second marriage was to Mary Fletcher Paulk (1842-1914). No children in this marriage. James and his two wives are buried in Hickory Springs Cemetery, Tifton, GA.
💡💡Side note here: it wasn't until I spoke to my Aunt Jean, that she clarified our genealogy. Another thing I have learned about research is that you never assume anything. This is so true when following information posted by others on family history sites. Double check your facts. Remember, all data on these sites are input by individuals who may not be doing their due diligence. If there are no resources to back up the data, you may need to do your own digging. Now, back to our story.....
Elder James and Polly's son, William, was my Great-great grandfather.
William Gibbs as a young man. Photo credit: Jean Lemke
William "Billy" Gibbs (1870-1926) was a farmer who raised cattle and hogs. He was married twice. His first wife was Novarrah Melridge Willis (1868-1900). They married in 1892. Their marriage produced 4 children: Eulin Elmore (EE), Elizabeth Ellen, Ethel F. and Novarrah (Nora) Lee.
Soon after Novarrah's death, Billy married his second wife, Bessie Partridge(1885-1943). They married somewhere between 1900 and 1901. Their marriage produced 6 additional children: Mary Alice, Jimmie Eric, Evelyn Dorothy, Georgia M, Jessie C, and William.
Marriage license of William and his first wife, Novarrah Willis
Headstone of Novarrah Willis Gibbs, Hickory Springs Cemetery
1900 US Census. Shows Wm. with 1st 4 children and his future wife, Bessie Partridge is listed on same page
William and Bessie Gibbs photo credit: Jean Lemke
William and Bessie are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Tifton, GA
source: findagrave.com
Eulin Elmore "EE" Gibbs (1891-1964), son of William and Novarrah Gibbs was my great-grandfather. He married Sara Priscilla Conger (1893-1979) in 1908. They had 7 children: Myrtle Cleo, Elton Conger (Buddy), Alice Novarrah, Mary Edna, Lillian, William (Billie) Elmore, and Carl Robert.
1917-1918 draft card for Eulin Gibbs
1920 US Census for Eulin and Sara Gibbs. 5 children at this time. Daughter Alice is listed as Allie
I don't know much about EE and Sara. I do remember grandma Sara when we visited Waycross. Her trailer was in-between Buddy and Carl's homes. I also know that she was a twin. That's it. Sara and Eulin are buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Tifton.
If anyone can fill in some blanks here, it would be appreciated.
Photo credits: Rose Marie Robbins and personal collection
E.E. and Sarah's 50th Anniversary celebration in Cochran newspaper. Photo credit: Elton and Sherry Gibbs
E.E. and Sarah's grandchildren at the 50th anniversary party. Photo credit: Elton and Sherry Gibbs
source: findagrave.com
And so, this brings us to my grandfather, Elton Conger "Buddy" Gibbs. Since this is the first edition of my blog, I think I will end this chapter with a walk down memory lane via pictures. There's plenty of time to expand on family information as genealogy is an ongoing pursuit of facts and gathering photos & memories shared by others. Plus, I've given you a lot to absorb here. Future chapters will include other branches of the family including Giddens, Rouse, Gray, Benchley, Fletcher, Asbell, Conger, and wherever else the road leads.
💡One last thing: Many of you may be asking "What about our history before 1770?" Well,
this is where I made an audible gasp during my research. It seems that
back in 1824, the wise leaders of Duplin, NC decided to clean out the
county courthouse of old records. They literally threw them out the
window!! Aaaa!! 😱 There are hints of our ancestors originated in England before
coming to the new world in 1635. Probably landed in VA or MA.
More digging!!
Until next time, enjoy the pics and be sure to leave a comment. Would love to hear from you and share some knowledge and pictures.
Join the email list to get the lastest updates of this blog!!
My special gift to you. Please excuse the quality of the video, but it is over 50 years old:
Buddy and Elizabeth Gibbs
Buddy and Elizabeth Gibbs with their 5 children: Priscilla, Harriet, Mary Alice, Jean, and Elton
June 1971: Sara Gibbs (seated) Standing L-R: Buddy, Carl, Alice, Lillian, and Billie
Buddy Gibbs, seated center with (clockwise L-R): Harriet, Jean, Elton, MaryAlice, Priscilla
Sources: familysearch.org, findagrave.com, Just Kinfolks by Idelle Gibbs Dorsey, Rose Marie Robbins, Lowell Giddens, Jean Gibbs Lemke
