Mary Williams SHACKELFORD1
F, b. 1807, d. 1895
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD, daughter of John SHACKELFORD and Lucy Pendleton Tutt, was born in 1807 in Virginia.2,3
Mary married Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON, son of Jonathan Catlett GIBSON III and Elizabeth Mallory, on 28 December 1824 in Fairfax, Culpeper County, Virginia. Parson Woodville conducted the wedding service.1,4
Mary Williams GIBSON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 30 July 1850 in Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as Mary W. Gibson, age 42, with real estate valued at $4,800. With her were her children: Ann E., 20; St. Pierre, an 18 year old farmer; Jonathan C., a 17 year old student; John S., 15; Mildred, 13; Eustace, 9; Susan, 8; Elizabeth, 6; and Edwd. [Edwin], 4. All were born in Virginia. Also living in the household was William Bundy, a 15-year-old mulatto laborer.5
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 June 1860 in Homeland, Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as Mary Gibson, 50; W. P. Gibson, 27, commissioned officer; Eustace Gibson, 21; Bessie Gibson, 16; and Edwin Gibson, 14.
On 22 April 1863 Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Alabama, wrote a letter to her step-mother Mary Williams GIBSON in Culpeper, Virginia as follows:
Note from the newspaper article-- Frances’ quote “in the midst of life are we in death” would prove too true for the Gibson family in the coming years. Mentioned in her letter were three siblings who died soon after: Pierre Gibson, a member of the Little Fork Rangers, killed on duty in 1863; Sue Gibson, a schoolteacher in Alabama who died in 1864; and Ned Gibson who died in Culpeper in 1869. Minnie was the two year old daughter of sister Ann “Nannie” Gibson Welch, who also died young, in 1872, at around the age of 38.6,7
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD received tragic news concerning her daughter, Susan Harrison GIBSON, written on 12 February 1864 from Cahaba, Alabama.
[Note: C. K. Farley appeared on the 1860 Census in Cahaba as a medical doctor, age 37. He lived on First North Street near the Boys Academy].8
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD appeared on a census, enumerated 18 September 1870, in the household of her daughter Ann Eustace Welch in Wiwaka, Talladega County, Alabama. She appears as Mary W. Gibson, 62, of Virginia.9
Mary Williams GIBSON claimed a widow's pension on behalf of her husband's service in the War of 1812 on 27 May 1879 in Culpeper County, Virginia. Her claim notes that she "heretofore made application for bounty land and obtained the same in the year 1850 to 1852." The pension was granted and Mary received $12 per month through 4 Mar 1895. Her claim was dropped 18 Dec 1895 because of her death.10
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 June 1880 in Catalpa, Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as Mary W. Gibson, 72; Bessie L. Gibson, 34, daughter, at home; Lela M. Welch, 16, granddaughter, at home; Sue H. Welch, 14, granddaughter, in school; and Eustace B. Welch, 13, grandson, labor. All were born in Virginia.11
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD died in 1895 in Culpeper County, Virginia.12 She was buried in St. Stephen's Church Cemetery.
Mary married Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON, son of Jonathan Catlett GIBSON III and Elizabeth Mallory, on 28 December 1824 in Fairfax, Culpeper County, Virginia. Parson Woodville conducted the wedding service.1,4
Mary Williams GIBSON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 30 July 1850 in Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as Mary W. Gibson, age 42, with real estate valued at $4,800. With her were her children: Ann E., 20; St. Pierre, an 18 year old farmer; Jonathan C., a 17 year old student; John S., 15; Mildred, 13; Eustace, 9; Susan, 8; Elizabeth, 6; and Edwd. [Edwin], 4. All were born in Virginia. Also living in the household was William Bundy, a 15-year-old mulatto laborer.5
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 16 June 1860 in Homeland, Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as Mary Gibson, 50; W. P. Gibson, 27, commissioned officer; Eustace Gibson, 21; Bessie Gibson, 16; and Edwin Gibson, 14.
On 22 April 1863 Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Alabama, wrote a letter to her step-mother Mary Williams GIBSON in Culpeper, Virginia as follows:
"My Dear Mother
I have to write you the sad news of dear little Minnie’s death. She was sick about five weeks, she had whooping cough and pneumonia combined. She suffered a great deal but was so patient during all of her sickness, indeed she was a remarkable child, one of the most intelligent and interesting children I ever saw, and was the life of the household. While sick she asked her mother to sit on the bed and read the Bible to her, and also asked to get her book and sing some for her and joined in with her. She died in a convulsion, but looked beautifully after death. She was dressed in a tucked jacinet that was made for her christening dress, and the little thing was almost covered with white roses and geranium leaves. The services were performed by an Episcopal minister and she was buried at Pa Welch’s. Tim, Nannie’s little boy, was baptized by the side of sister while she was a corpse, of course it was an impressing scene. Nannie and Mr. Welch are deeply grieved for they had made an idol of the child, but N tries to bear it with a great deal of fortitude. She came here from the burial as Pierre was sick, and I could not go. I was anxious she should remain several days, but she thought Mr. W would be too lonely now his dear little Minnie was gone. I had not been able to go to Mr. W’s for several days before Minnie’s death, owing to Pierre’s [Eustace Pierre Burt] illness for he had congestion of the brain, and his life was despaired of. He is up today running over the house. We lost a very valuable servant with the same disease a few days since, only lived three days after he was taken sick. I never felt so forcibly before the uncertainty of life; truly in the midst of life are we in death.
I feel sad to think the Yankees have again been so near you, and fear you all are not safe in Culpepper, and if danger is near I do not think I would remain there. Nannie told me to tell you how much she wished for you during Minnie’s sickness. It would have been such a gratification to her for you to have been with her. She is very anxious to have you with her.
Sue [Susan H. Gibson] left here yesterday. She has been anxious to go to Va in the summer, but I tell her it will not be prudent for her to do so. The Yankees will get her, and that she had better keep as far away as possible. I do not know what is now her conclusion. I told her she must write for Ned to come on and spend some time with us, he is too young to be in the army, and the family is well represented without him. He ought to be in college. I hear from Martha D [Martha Dandridge Welch] every week. She is progressing well in her studies. She is anxious tho to be at home.
Henry [Henry M. Burt] is still in Tuscaloosa, wants to get in the navy, but his father is still opposed. John [JJ Burt] is a large boy and feels his importance. Ann [Anna Burt] is a quiet modest little thing but not inferior to her brother. Mr. Burt is in Selma.
I wish you could see my lovely roses. I have a great variety now in bloom. This is a land of flowers, and I hope they may never be touched by Yankee invasion.
My kindest love to all of my brothers. Tell Pierre [William St. Pierre Gibson] I shuddered when I heard of his narrow escape from death. I hope it may prove a warning and that he may feel and know that Providence protected him. I want to get his boots, and will if possible. Remember me to May and Lucy, and Lucy and Georgia Shackelford. Write as soon and as often as you can. Write to Nannie.
Your affectionate daughter, FCB"
I have to write you the sad news of dear little Minnie’s death. She was sick about five weeks, she had whooping cough and pneumonia combined. She suffered a great deal but was so patient during all of her sickness, indeed she was a remarkable child, one of the most intelligent and interesting children I ever saw, and was the life of the household. While sick she asked her mother to sit on the bed and read the Bible to her, and also asked to get her book and sing some for her and joined in with her. She died in a convulsion, but looked beautifully after death. She was dressed in a tucked jacinet that was made for her christening dress, and the little thing was almost covered with white roses and geranium leaves. The services were performed by an Episcopal minister and she was buried at Pa Welch’s. Tim, Nannie’s little boy, was baptized by the side of sister while she was a corpse, of course it was an impressing scene. Nannie and Mr. Welch are deeply grieved for they had made an idol of the child, but N tries to bear it with a great deal of fortitude. She came here from the burial as Pierre was sick, and I could not go. I was anxious she should remain several days, but she thought Mr. W would be too lonely now his dear little Minnie was gone. I had not been able to go to Mr. W’s for several days before Minnie’s death, owing to Pierre’s [Eustace Pierre Burt] illness for he had congestion of the brain, and his life was despaired of. He is up today running over the house. We lost a very valuable servant with the same disease a few days since, only lived three days after he was taken sick. I never felt so forcibly before the uncertainty of life; truly in the midst of life are we in death.
I feel sad to think the Yankees have again been so near you, and fear you all are not safe in Culpepper, and if danger is near I do not think I would remain there. Nannie told me to tell you how much she wished for you during Minnie’s sickness. It would have been such a gratification to her for you to have been with her. She is very anxious to have you with her.
Sue [Susan H. Gibson] left here yesterday. She has been anxious to go to Va in the summer, but I tell her it will not be prudent for her to do so. The Yankees will get her, and that she had better keep as far away as possible. I do not know what is now her conclusion. I told her she must write for Ned to come on and spend some time with us, he is too young to be in the army, and the family is well represented without him. He ought to be in college. I hear from Martha D [Martha Dandridge Welch] every week. She is progressing well in her studies. She is anxious tho to be at home.
Henry [Henry M. Burt] is still in Tuscaloosa, wants to get in the navy, but his father is still opposed. John [JJ Burt] is a large boy and feels his importance. Ann [Anna Burt] is a quiet modest little thing but not inferior to her brother. Mr. Burt is in Selma.
I wish you could see my lovely roses. I have a great variety now in bloom. This is a land of flowers, and I hope they may never be touched by Yankee invasion.
My kindest love to all of my brothers. Tell Pierre [William St. Pierre Gibson] I shuddered when I heard of his narrow escape from death. I hope it may prove a warning and that he may feel and know that Providence protected him. I want to get his boots, and will if possible. Remember me to May and Lucy, and Lucy and Georgia Shackelford. Write as soon and as often as you can. Write to Nannie.
Your affectionate daughter, FCB"
Note from the newspaper article-- Frances’ quote “in the midst of life are we in death” would prove too true for the Gibson family in the coming years. Mentioned in her letter were three siblings who died soon after: Pierre Gibson, a member of the Little Fork Rangers, killed on duty in 1863; Sue Gibson, a schoolteacher in Alabama who died in 1864; and Ned Gibson who died in Culpeper in 1869. Minnie was the two year old daughter of sister Ann “Nannie” Gibson Welch, who also died young, in 1872, at around the age of 38.6,7
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD received tragic news concerning her daughter, Susan Harrison GIBSON, written on 12 February 1864 from Cahaba, Alabama.
Cahaba Feby 12th 1864
Dear Madam,
E’re you receive this, you will have received the sad & mournful news of the death of your daughter, Miss Sue. Tis sad for me dear Madam as well as yourself. After she had been but a short time with us, her many amiable traits of character endeared her to us more than I ever thought so short an acquaintance could have done. Her kindness to all & more especially to children begat love & esteem from those by whom she was surrounded. Could she have lived the place that (she) called her home would ever have been blessed.
I thank God that she died with the sincere belief which strong faith & pure religion brings to those who put their trust in it, dying calmly and sweetly, as one who falls to sleep. All I ask in that hour is that I may be able to die as calm and quietly.
She was taken sick on Sunday the 31st of January with rheumatism of the lower extremities, was something better Monday, taught school, and went out that night, which was an imprudence. She was consequently worse the next day & on Wednesday was unable to get out of bed or even move herself without assistance. On Thursday & Friday she would teach but did it in her room, consequently from the exertion she was much worse that night & I then compelled her to take some medicine but without relief. On Monday she commenced getting better of the pain, when congestion of the stomach came on & with it excessive vomiting which I was never able to control & it produced her death. She died on Thursday night last about 9 o’clock.
My wife tried to persuade her to let us write but she objected and we were overruled by her objections as she said it was usual when she was sick that she was affected in like manner as now.
Had she been one of our children we could not have felt much more interest and anxiety for her than we did and tried to supply the place of her kindred by kind attention and tender nursing.
Such patience under the suffering she had could not have been born had she not been sustained by the grace which is given to those who love God & keep his commandments. In her case we can well say “Blessed are they who died in the Lord.”
In her last moments she had the Rev. W. Henderson with her (by her request) who prayed with & for her after which she desired that the friends who were with her would sing for her. After they had sung two or three hymns she used the expression, oh, how sweet, how sweet. These were her last words. With much sorrow & sympathy for your affliction I pray God you may never again meet with another as great.
With much respect,
C. K. Farley
Dear Madam,
E’re you receive this, you will have received the sad & mournful news of the death of your daughter, Miss Sue. Tis sad for me dear Madam as well as yourself. After she had been but a short time with us, her many amiable traits of character endeared her to us more than I ever thought so short an acquaintance could have done. Her kindness to all & more especially to children begat love & esteem from those by whom she was surrounded. Could she have lived the place that (she) called her home would ever have been blessed.
I thank God that she died with the sincere belief which strong faith & pure religion brings to those who put their trust in it, dying calmly and sweetly, as one who falls to sleep. All I ask in that hour is that I may be able to die as calm and quietly.
She was taken sick on Sunday the 31st of January with rheumatism of the lower extremities, was something better Monday, taught school, and went out that night, which was an imprudence. She was consequently worse the next day & on Wednesday was unable to get out of bed or even move herself without assistance. On Thursday & Friday she would teach but did it in her room, consequently from the exertion she was much worse that night & I then compelled her to take some medicine but without relief. On Monday she commenced getting better of the pain, when congestion of the stomach came on & with it excessive vomiting which I was never able to control & it produced her death. She died on Thursday night last about 9 o’clock.
My wife tried to persuade her to let us write but she objected and we were overruled by her objections as she said it was usual when she was sick that she was affected in like manner as now.
Had she been one of our children we could not have felt much more interest and anxiety for her than we did and tried to supply the place of her kindred by kind attention and tender nursing.
Such patience under the suffering she had could not have been born had she not been sustained by the grace which is given to those who love God & keep his commandments. In her case we can well say “Blessed are they who died in the Lord.”
In her last moments she had the Rev. W. Henderson with her (by her request) who prayed with & for her after which she desired that the friends who were with her would sing for her. After they had sung two or three hymns she used the expression, oh, how sweet, how sweet. These were her last words. With much sorrow & sympathy for your affliction I pray God you may never again meet with another as great.
With much respect,
C. K. Farley
[Note: C. K. Farley appeared on the 1860 Census in Cahaba as a medical doctor, age 37. He lived on First North Street near the Boys Academy].8
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD appeared on a census, enumerated 18 September 1870, in the household of her daughter Ann Eustace Welch in Wiwaka, Talladega County, Alabama. She appears as Mary W. Gibson, 62, of Virginia.9
Mary Williams GIBSON claimed a widow's pension on behalf of her husband's service in the War of 1812 on 27 May 1879 in Culpeper County, Virginia. Her claim notes that she "heretofore made application for bounty land and obtained the same in the year 1850 to 1852." The pension was granted and Mary received $12 per month through 4 Mar 1895. Her claim was dropped 18 Dec 1895 because of her death.10
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 June 1880 in Catalpa, Culpeper County, Virginia. The household was listed as Mary W. Gibson, 72; Bessie L. Gibson, 34, daughter, at home; Lela M. Welch, 16, granddaughter, at home; Sue H. Welch, 14, granddaughter, in school; and Eustace B. Welch, 13, grandson, labor. All were born in Virginia.11
Mary Williams SHACKELFORD died in 1895 in Culpeper County, Virginia.12 She was buried in St. Stephen's Church Cemetery.
Last Edited=27 Jun 2023
Children of Mary Williams SHACKELFORD and Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON
- Mary Catlett GIBSON13 b. 1826, d. 1897
- Lucy Ellen GIBSON+ b. 2 Aug 1827, d. 2 Aug 1920
- Ann Eustace GIBSON+13 b. 1830, d. 12 Jul 1873
- Mildred Williams GIBSON13 b. 18 Jan 1832, d. 3 Apr 1859
- Jonathan Catlett GIBSON V+1 b. 28 Jul 1833, d. 29 Jan 1907
- William St. Pierre GIBSON13 b. c 1834, d. 29 Jun 1863
- John Shackleford GIBSON1 b. c 1837
- Susan Harrison GIBSON13 b. c 1842, d. 11 Feb 1864
- Eustace GIBSON1 b. 4 Oct 1842, d. 10 Dec 1900
- Elizabeth GIBSON b. c 1844
- Edwin H. GIBSON1 b. c 1846, d. Aug 1869
Citations
- [S375] O. D. and Penny Linder, The Gibsons, pg. 242.
- [S635] St. Stephen's Cemetery, online https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vacgs/ststephencemetery.htm, accessed 6/27/2007. Shows DOB 1798. Census records indicate 1807.
- [S1109] "VA Deaths & Burials" , Shows DOB 1807.
- [S435] Mary Louise Davis Poirier, "Descendants of J. C. Gibson", Compiler is a descendant of Aylette Hawes and Anna Burt Buckner.
- [S486] 1850 U. S. Census, Culpeper County, Virginia, Mary W. Gibson household No. 95, pg. 221-B.
- [S1044] Julie Bushong, "Gibson Family Letters."
- [S697] Note: I think there may be transcription errors in the above letter. Mallory's journal gives a burial date of 20 Apr 1863. I believe the correct date of the letter is 22 Apr 1863 rather than 1861. That would be two days after the funeral. Also the description of the child sounds much more like a three year old rather than a one year old baby. Also the brother was Thomas, so I think it should read Tom rather than Tim.
- [S918] Julie Bushong, "Mrs. Gibson's Boys."
- [S251] 1870 U. S. Census, Talladega County, Alabama, James B. Welch household 70, pg. 585.
- [S773] Jonathan C. Gibson, Pension File, Widow's Certificate-WC27541, Pension claim filed in 1879 by widow, Mary W. Gibson.
- [S677] 1880 U. S. Census, Culpeper County, Virginia, Mary W. Gibson, ED 31, pg. 305-D.
- [S773] Jonathan C. Gibson, Pension File, Widow's Certificate-WC27541, Pension claim filed in 1879 by widow, Mary W. Gibson, copied Oct. 2009.
- [S376] Rootsweb, online https://sites.rootsweb.com, Eric Nielson <e-mail address> 21 October 2000.
Information on this site has been gathered over many years from many sources. Although great care has been taken, inaccuracies may exist. Please contact [email protected] with corrections or questions..