Jacquelyn Kaye

My sister Jacquelyn (Jaci) Kaye Byrd was born in 1951 in Columbia, Tennessee. Her life was cut short in 1993 at the very young age of 42.  Still – she was very accomplished – oh -not in terms of financial or position or ways that most define accomplished – but in terms of the important stuff — like who she loved & how she loved.  Her success was seen in the way that she lived her life – understanding & applying the most important rules of living – like being happy, seeing the good in others, giving, doing it her way, & loving unconditionally.

She was always happy. Whether the sun was shining or it was raining — whether cold or hot— she thought it was a beautiful day. She knew how to smile & share a smile- every day.

She saw the best in others. She wasn’t judgemental, & honestly— I think she just refused to think about or entertain any bad thoughts. She didn’t look for the bad, she cared about seeing the good.

She was giving. If she only had a dime and you needed it — it was yours.  She wasn’t worried about herself or how she would get by tomorrow. She was only concerned with you — & what – small or large thing – she could do/give to help.

Jaci believed in enjoying life and not being harnessed by the rules or opinions of others.  She was a bit of a rebel and sometimes just made things up as she went. She enjoyed living.

My sister loved everyone- unconditionally. — & no – it wasn’t because she lived a charmed life — or because she never failed at love — or because there were not times of brokenness in her own life — oh to the contrary— but she never focused on the bad or difficult times & she rarely talked about it.

I miss you sis 💕- I miss your gentle heart, your infectious joy, & your passion for living.

Gilliam Brothers – Pioneers of Rutherford and Maury Counties

The Gilliam brothers – William, Thomas, and Harrison – of Charlotte County, Virginia, were among the earliest settlers to arrive in Middle Tennessee. The brothers left their homes in Virginia and headed out across the wilderness for new lands, hopes, and dreams.  They left Virginia after the death of their parents and an older brother, Robert. William, Thomas, and Harrison were the youngest sons of James (1733-1794) and Martha Isbell Gilliam (1740-1799).

Rutherford County, Tennessee

Rutherford County, Tennessee, was first established in late 1803. According to historians Mabel Pittard and Robert E. Corlew, III , “Among the first communities to be established in Rutherford County were those at Stewart’s Creek, Black Fox Springs, and at the confluence of the east and west forks of Stones River.”[1] It is likely that the Gilliam brothers came down the Ohio River to the Cumberland and thence to Stones River and its tributaries that run through the County.

Robert Weakley and Thomas Bedford, Rutherford County’s first realtors, mapped out the new town of Jefferson. Jefferson would soon become the first county seat. When the town lots became available, brothers William (1776-1863) and Harrison Gilliam (1780-1808) were among the early purchasers.

A deed, dated 08 July 1803, and registered in the April Session 1809 of the Rutherford County Court, was filed to transfer a “Lot in the Town of Jefferson” from “William Gilliam of Maury County, Tennessee” to Daniel Boatright. Witnesses to the deed are listed a Joel Dyer and David Abbott. The County Clerk is Joseph Herndon. The deed record is in Rutherford County, Tennessee, Deed Record F, 636.

An early map (provided below) of Jefferson, dated 1804, shows that Harrison Gilliam had purchased two (2) lots (#123 and #162). Rutherford County records a deed dated _6 December 1805 and indentured _6 December 1805 that transfers “Lots 123 & 162 Town of Jefferson” from the “Commissioners of Jefferson to Harrison Gilliam.” S. Bedford and Peter Legrand witnessed the deed. The record is n the Rutherford County, Tennessee Deed Record B, Number 102.

Harrison Gilliam’s name is on lots 123 & 162. The red marking is from prior source/provider of the map. “The Weakley Map of Jefferson”, courtesy Sam Davis Home

William Gilliam also filed another deed, dated and indentured 31 January 1807, that transferred “Lot 113 Town of Jefferson” from William Gilliam to Daniel Ferguson. John Spence and Stephen Bedford witnessed the deed. It was registered in the April Session 1807 Rutherford County Court and found in Rutherford County, Tennessee, Deed Record E, Number ____.

Maury County, Tennessee

Thomas Gilliam (1778-1844), brother to both William and Harrison, appears in the first Tax Lists of Maury County, a neighboring county to Rutherford. His name appears in 1808, 1809, and 1810 Tax Lists. William (Thomas’ brother) appears in Maury County’s 1810 Tax List.

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[1] Mabel Pittard and Robert E. Corlew, III, editor, Tennessee County History Series: Rutherford County (Memphis State University Press, Memphis, Tennessee, 1984), Page 15 – REF LINK HERE

The Normans

Meet Mary Rosanna “Mollie” (Grissom) & William Franklin “Frank” Norman – my great grandparents. 

 Mollie was born June 11, 1873 in Tennessee, a child of John I. and Mary A. E. (Welch) Grissom. Mollie was the second of four (4) children.  Her older brother John H. Grissom was about 5 years old (born 1868) when Mollie arrived. Her younger siblings include George T. (born 1878) and Mattie (born 1884). 

Frank was born on December 2, 1873 in Tennessee, a child of Benjamin Franklin and Cecelia C. “Sealy” (Howell) Norman.  Frank was the first of two (2) children.  His younger brother John Henry was born in 1876.

Frank and Mollie were married in 1892.  They had three (3) children, John Benjamin “Ben” (born 1892), William Henry (born 1894), and Albert Perry “Jack” (born 1906).  They lived in Maury County, Tennessee,  William Henry Norman is my grandfather. 

Also in this picture are Mollie and Frank’s grandchildren, Susie Helon Norman (born 1920 and my father’s sister) and Myron Buddy Norman (born 1924 and cousin to my father). My estimation is that this photo was taken around 1928; location is unknown.  My uncle has the original.

The Gibsons

Meet my great-great grandfather, George Washington Gibson born in Giles County, TN in 1844 where he lived his entire life until his death in 1922. He is the son of Henry and Sarah (Hubbell) Gibson. He married Mary Cecelia Scott (1845-1899) in 1865. They had 9 children, including my great grandfather, William Henry (WH) Gibson. WH was born in Giles County, TN in 1867 and married Susie E. Barnett (1807-1902) in 1889 in Maury County, TN. They had 5 children, including my grandmother, Mary Caroline Gibson (1898-1968).

#gilescounty #gilescountytn #genealogy #gibson #gibsonfamily #tennessee #tn #tnroots #maurycounty #maurycountytn

Maury County Courthouse

Maury County, Tennessee was formed in 1807 and named for Major Abram P. Maury, who served with General Andrew Jackson and was the uncle of Matthew Fontaine Maury. The settlement of Columbia became the seat of the county government and the first court was convened in Columbia on December 21, 1807 in the home of Colonel James Brown. The first permanent courthouse was built in 1809 and served until 1847 when a second courthouse was completed. This building was used for 56-years before being replaced by the current courthouse which was constructed between 1904 and 1906. The present courthouse stands on the courthouse square in Downtown Columbia, Tennessee. July 2017
#columbia #columbiatn #tennessee #courthouse #family #familyhome

Cranford Hollow Road

Cranford Hollow Road, Columbia, TN — this barn was used for many years for milking cows, twice a day. It stands on the property previously owned by my grandparents, Floyd M. Mills & Anne Cole Mills. The house, which fronts the road was built by my grandfather. They called this home — years of laughter, hard work, love, cooking, canning and entertaining family members and friends. There’s a couple of small ponds in the back west portion & perhaps the plum trees that produced many a jar of plum preserves still stand. A small creek runs across the front lot in front of the barn and patches of clover cover the ground. There once was a cellar just to the right of the garage. The front field to the east of the barn was plowed each year for a big garden; one that produced the best tomatoes ever. On the back east corner of the property is a fairly high hill. On a clear day you can see the County Courthouse and other “city” buildings – about 10 miles away. It’s also a great place for daydreaming. Today there are many new homes along Cranford Hollow Road; yesterday it was a dirt/rock road with a few small, family farms. My grandfather knew every car that drove by. He told stories of a stagecoach robbery that was said to have happened years earlier — just down the road, around the bend and in the hollow area. The bandits, with handkerchief covered faces, set up an ambush for the stagecoach. After gunshots were fired back & forth, the bandits prevailed and galloped-off on their horses with the money. I don’t know if they were ever brought to justice. — it’s a great place, Cranford Hollow Road.

Me & My Dad

My dad …. born in Maury County, Tennessee on October 22, 1932. His parents were William Henry Norman & Mary Caroline Gibson (both born in the late 1800s). My dad, Charles William Norman, was the second of their three children. I remember him as a tall and strong man. He was kind, giving and enjoyed people. He was funny and sometimes a bit of a prankster. He loved his kids and he worked hard to give them a better life. He had only an 8th grade education, but was smarter than most of the people I know. I think a favorite time in his life was when he was in law enforcement. These pictures were made when he worked for the Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office (Leland Thompson was the sheriff). Back then, you – as a deputy – had to buy your own car. He later worked for the Dade City Police Department, serving as an officer and detective. I think he felt that he made a difference, served honorably, was loyal and a man of his word & was a good role model for his kids. I have often wished that I had been given more time with him; as I lost him only after 16 years. I do believe that I am his daughter & he would be standing proud beside me today if he could. I – like my dad – am a dreamer. I know that I have some of his strength, his desire to serve and love others, his loyalty to those that I call & know as a friend, love for my family, & a drive to be better, because the world may be a little better for it. 

#dad #tjnv #godisgreat #lifeisgood #genealogy #maurycounty #maurycountytn #respect #honor #serveothers #leo #bluelivesmatter #parents #dreamer #loyaltofriends

My Valentines ❤️

My Valentines ❤️️ – Charles William Norman & Dalsie Mabel Mills, my parents. This picture was taken in 1956 at a state fair, before they married. They both were about 24 years old. My dad was killed in a vehicle crash in 1979 (I was 16). My mom never remarried & lived until 2009. She always said that my dad was the “only man she ever loved.” Their marriage was not perfect — far from it — but their love always prevailed. They taught their children to “do unto others as you would have done unto you”, love from the heart, reach for your dreams and God is great — they showed us how to live, love & laugh. 💕They will always be my Valentines. #family #parents #dad #mom #valentines #livelovelaugh #godisgreat #followyourdreams #genealogy #jennealogy #myjennealogy

IT’S QUITE A LINE-UP!!! The FREE Genealogy Webinars Announced for 2017

The folks over at the Legacy Family Tree Webinars are doing a great job of providing amazing educational webinars for genealogist at all levels. They have just released their 2017 Legacy Family Tree Webinar Series.  This is a series of several webinars each month by expert and interesting genealogy lecturers/teachers.  High quality speakers, talking on interesting topics for genealogist & it’s FREE.  Whether you sign up for one (1) class or all 76 classes — it’s FREE.  Each webinar is scheduled for about an hour & a half (1 1/2 hours).

SO — with this wonderful opportunity I have already put things in motion to help me achieve a NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION! — yep! I registered for at least one (1) webinar each month of 2017.  A little investing in myself . . . .  I will be learning from some of my favorites, including Judy Russell, Thomas MacEntee, Diahan Southard, Lisa Louise Cooke, Lisa Alzo, Jill Morelli, Geoffrey Rasmussen, Angela Packer McGhie, Cyndi Ingle, and Mary Hill.

Register now for free (what a great Christmas!! & New Years!).    CLICK HERE to go to their website and register for your favorite “genea-lebrities” or your favorite genealogy subject matter.   Want to register for more than one class at a time ?  CLICK HERE to signup for all you favs at one time.

—  oh yea ….. spread the joy before the classes fill up & share with only your closest genealogy friends.