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Archiver > GAMEL > 2000-02 > 0951827200


From: Hazel/Jack <>
Subject: [GAMEL] Gambrella, Spring 2000 - Gambrels
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 07:26:40 -0500 (EST)


GAMBRELS FROM CLAY/KNOX COUNTIES, KENTUCKY - Part II

Garrett Gambrel (Ca1826 - Ca1889) was the son of John Gambrel, born
Ca1781 in North Carolina, who later moved to Kentucky. Garrett married
Delilah Treadway in Clay County, Kentucky on 1 Dec 1849. Garret and Delilah
appeared to be around 23 and 21 years of age when they married, with Delilah
being the daughter of Robert Peter Treadway and his wife, Elizabeth Ray.
Garrett was listed on the 1849 Tax List in Clay County, Kentucky, as were
Robert Peter Treadway and Delilah Treadway. This appears to imply that
Delilah was employed before she married which was unusual for that time
period. On the 1850 Clay County, Kentucky Census, Garrett and Delilah were
living next door to Delilah's parents, Robert Peter and Elizabeth Treadway.
However, Garrett received a 50-acre land grant on 22 Nov 1854, in Clay
County on Laurel Branch. Garrett and Delilah's children were Robert Peter,
Sr., b. 1850; John, b. Ca1852; Elizabeth, b. Ca1853; Franklin, b. Ca1858;
Catherine, b. Ca1859; and James, b. Ca1862. On the 1900 Clay County Census,
Delilah was a 73-year-old wd. from NC living with her daughter, Catherine
Gambrel Robinson.
Robert Peter Gambrel, Sr. or R. P. Gambrel (1850 - 1930) was born and
lived his life in Clay County, Kentucky. He married Sally Ann Allen on 4
Aug 1868, in Clay County, Kentucky. Sally was the daughter of William H. or
"Friday Bill" Allen and Drucilla Robertson. Sally and James Lyttle, a
teacher who died, had one child, George Lyttle. Peter, Sr. and Sally then
had six additional children: Robert Peter, Jr. or Popeye, b. Ca1869;
Garrett, b. Ca1871; Nancy, b. Ca1873; Delilah C. or Kit, b. Ca1873;
Drucilla, b. Ca 1876; and Allen, b. 1878. Since Nancy J. and Delilah C.
were both born in 1873, and were listed as both being 7 years of age on the
1880 Census, evidently they were twins. Peter was probably named after
Robert Peter Treadway, his Grandfather. Peter, Sr. and Sally Ann are both
buried in the Tankersley Cemetery in Clay County, Kentucky.
Allen Gambrel (1878 - 1908) was born and reared in the Beech Creek area
of Clay County, Kentucky. His name was probably derived from his Mother's
maiden name. Allen and Sylvania Hensley were married on 6 Apr 1899, in Clay
County, Kentucky. Sylvania was the daughter of Andrew and Marinda Brewer
Combs Hensley. Allen and Sylvania had four sons: Walter, b. 7 Feb 1900, d. 6
May 1983; Elbert Lewis, b. 10 Feb 1902, d. 20 Apr 1975; William Garrett, b.
13 Feb 1904, d. 3 Feb 1974; and Robert, b. 23 May 1906, d. 17 Jan 1986.
Allen was a member of the Corbin Lodge FLT, No. 52. When his oldest son
was around seven, Allen Gambrel died at thirty years of age. Sylvania
Hensley Gambrel then married William M. Marcum, and had two daughters, Maude
and Mary Cecil. Allen and Sylvania are now buried in the Pine Hill
Cemetery, Section A, in Corbin, Knox County, Kentucky; however, Allen was
first buried in a small cemetery on the old Hensley Farm on the Popular
Grove Road in Corbin, Knox County, Kentucky.
All four of Allen and Sylvania's sons retired from the L & N Railroad
Company, and three of them also had part-time jobs for years - Walter sold
Fuller Brush Products, Elbert Lewis was a small-time farmer, and Garrett was
a barber. Walter had 3 daughters, Garrett had 2 daughters, and Robert had 9
children. Walter, Elbert Lewis, and Garrett are buried in the Pine Hill
Cemetery in Corbin, Knox County, Kentucky, and Robert is buried in
Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky - the same counties where they spent
most of their lives. Sylvania appeared to change the name Gambrel to
Gambrell for her four small sons.
Elbert Lewis Gambrell, Sr. (1902 - 1975) was born in Clay County,
Kentucky, and was the son of Allen Gambrel and Sylvania Hensley. Elbert
Lewis was also known as E. L. or Ebb. Rev. William M. Marcum, Elbert Lewis'
Step-father, married Elbert Lewis Gambrell and Georgia Myrtle Williams on 5
Aug 1923 at the Marcums' home on Barbourville Hill, Corbin, Knox County,
Kentucky. Georgia was the daughter of John Bennett Williams and Leota
Juanita Parrot. Elbert Lewis and Georgia had eight children: Allie, b. 29
Jul 1924; Myrtle Rae, b. 23 May 1926; Elbert Lewis, Jr. (E.L.), b. 21 Jan
1928, d. 22 Dec 1979; Roy Eugene, b. 27 Jan 1930, d. 16 May 1998; Clara
Mildred, b. 1 Aug 1933, d. 6 Oct 1996; Georgia Mae, b. 20 Aug 1936; Claude,
b. 11 Oct 1938; and Hazel Marie, b. 13 Jan 1941.
Elbert Lewis, Sr. was an employee of the L & N Railroad Company for 50
years and a small-time farmer. He also worked for the WPA during the Great
Depression, and was a Constable during the 1930s. Georgia was a housewife.
They spent their adult lives in the Barbourville Hill area of Corbin, Knox
County, Kentucky. A mini book, YESTERYEAR: GAMRELLS'/WILLIAMS' LIFE AND
LIVING, details their life on a small rural farm in Knox County, Kentucky.
Both enjoyed good health until Elbert Lewis developed cancer during his
early 70's, and Georgia developed heart problems during her later years.
They, along with Elbert Lewis, Jr. or E. L. and Clara Mildred Gambrell
Morgan, are buried in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Section S, in Corbin, Knox
County, Kentucky. Roy Eugene is buried at the Louisville Memorial Gardens,
West, 4400 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky. By Hazel Roche'

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