William M. Gifford, (seated)(l-r standing behind him are
Benjamin F. Gifford(1892) and Mary Frazier Gifford(1894)
seated in front (l-r) John Henry Gifford(1900), Loy
Gifford(1902) and James Dewey Gifford(1898).
Best we
could determine this photo was taken some time between
1903-1905, possibly soon after William's wife Mary
Elizabeth Blankenship died since she is not in the
picture. The other children are not in the picture
possibly due to already being gone from home. The next
two that would have been older were Hugh (1888-possibly
died at birth or as young infant) and Eddie (1890-
possible same circumstances as Hugh). After that the
next oldest was Betty Gifford(1887) who would have been
between 15-18 when this photo was taken. William was
Katie Belle's(who married Ben Ike Shirey) father.
This photo and information was contributed by Tami (Shirey) Crawford
1. Americus Gifford born abt. 1819 in TN and died Apr. 13, 1868 in Cherokee Co. TX. He was married first to Sarah Caroline Gant daughter of John Gant & Sarah Ashley. She was born abt 1824 in Bedford Co. TN and died abt. 1852 in Cherokee Co. TX. He was married second on Jan. 6, 1852 in Cherokee Co. TX to Sarah A. Looney the daughter of Joseph Looney & Martha Unk. She was born abt. 1831 in TN. He was married third on Oct. 5, 1859 in Cherokee Co.TX to Charlotte Unknown. She was born abt. 1830 in AL. He was married fourth on Jane 20, 1863 in Cherokee Co. TX to Mary Rozell. He was married fifth on Nov. 6, 1864 in Cherokee Co. TX to Malinda J. Johnson daughter of Alvin Johnson & Rebecca Unk. She was born June 22, 1842 and died Mar. 19, 1912 in Cherokee Co. TX.
He is found in the 1850 & 1860 Cherokee Co. TX census.
She is found in her father's household in the 1850 Cherokee Co. TX census.
She is found in the household of N. W. Looney in the 1860 Cherokee Co. TX census.
She is found in the 1870 Cherokee Co. TX census.
She is found in her son-in-law Charles Gardiner's household in 1880 Cherokee Co. TX census.
She & Americus must have divorced as she is living in N. W. Looney's household in 1860 Cherokee Co. TX census and Americus had married Charlotte by then.
She was married to an Unknown Kelly before she married Americus.
She is found in her father's household in the 1850 Homestaed Co. AR & 1860, 1880 Cherokee Co TX census.
She is found in the 1870 Cherokee Co. TX census.
She is found in her son Charles household in the 1910 Cherokee Co. TX census.
She is buied in Shady Grove Cemetery in Cherokee Co. TX.
Children of Americus Gifford & Sarah Gant
2. i. Louise Jane Gifford born July 25, 1840 in Bedford Co. TN and died Apr. 1868 in TX.
3. ii. Edward Lawson Gifford born 1843 in TN and died Jan. 30, 1871 in TX.
4. iii. John E. Gifford born Mar. 25, 1846 in TN and died July 26, 1916 in TX.
5. iv. William M. Gifford born Aug 4, 1848 in TN and died Nov. 10, 1913 in TX.
She is listed in her father's household in the 1860 Cherokee Co. TX census.
Her death is listed in her sister Louise (Gifford) Rogers' Bible Records.
Children of Americus Gifford & Sarah Looney
6. i. Nancy Ann Gifford born abt. 1853 in TX.
7. ii. Mary Francis Gifford born abt. 1855 in TX.
8. iii. James Alexander born abt. 1858 TX.
Children of Americus Gifford & Malinda Johnson
9. i. Martha Rebecca Gifford born Aug. 12, 1864 in Cherokee Co. TX and died July 20, 1939 in Nacogdoches Co. TX.
10. ii. Charles A. Gifford born Oct. 1, 1868 in Cherokee Co. TX and died Aug. 1, 1937 in Cherokee Co. TX.
Last updated Feb. 22, 2019