Giles Gant and Family

Giles Gant, our 1st cousin 6 times removed was born in 1798 in Abbeville County, South Carolina. He was the third child and the second son of Britain (Britton) Gant and Mary Martin.

In 1808, Giles, his parents and family, relocated to Indiana.

On 20 Nov. 1817, 19-year-old Giles married a year younger Miss Nancy Smith who was born in Virginia.

Giles Gant
mentioned in the record of Giles Gant and Nancy Smith
Name: Giles Gant
Event Type: Marriage Registration
Event Date: 20 Nov 1817
Event Place: Franklin, Indiana, United States
Gender: Male
Marriage License: Date 15 Nov 1817
Marriage Place: Franklin
Spouse's Name: Nancy Smith
Spouse's Gender: Female
Officiator's Name: Lewis Deweese
Number of Images 1

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXN2-J5S : 10 December 2017), Giles Gant and Nancy Smith, 20 Nov 1817; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004003413.

Giles Gant was a farmer. However, he self-educated himself and became a lawyer. He was an associate judge of the Indiana Court (served as a judge seven years from 14 Feb. 1845, and seven years from 14 Feb. 1852).

In 1850, Giles lived with his wife and children in Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana.

Giles Gant
United States Census, 1850
Name: Giles Gant
Event Typ: Census
Event Year: 1850
Event Place: Brookville, Franklin, Indiana, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 52
Race White
Birth Year: (Estimated) 1798
Birthplace: North Carolina
House Number: 59

Household

Giles Gant, Male, age 52, born in North Carolina
Nancy Gant, Female, age 51, born in Virginia
Jeremiah Gant,  M, age 21, born in Indiana
Sarah Gant, F, age 19, born in Indiana
Brittain Gant, M, age 13, born in Indiana
Silas Gant, M, age 16, b. Indiana
Reuben Gant, M, age 11, b. Indiana
Catharine Gant, F, age 10, b. Indiana
Mary Gant, F, age 8, b. Indiana

Record Source:
"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHJD-5BJ : 12 April 2016), Giles Gant, Brookville, Franklin, Indiana, United States; citing family 59, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Indiana - Franklin County and Brookvile, marked in red

Giles Gant was a Universalist, a respected citizen of his county which he also represented in the Senate from 1853 (one term).

According to source #2 (mentioned below), Giles and Nancy Gant had 14 children: 7 sons and 7 daughters.

Lewis Deweese (b. 28 Dec. 1820 in Cedar Grove, Franklin, Indiana/d. 22 Feb. 1904, Jennings, IN) who married Susan Brackney on 12 Nov. 1839 (3). Note that his parents gave him the name of the clerk who married them in 1817 (see the record above). In 1850, the couple and their children lived in Brookville, Franklin County (4). Later, they moved to Geneva, Jennings County (5).

Lewis' first wife Susan passed in 1895. He remarried on 7 May 1896 (6) and his second spouse was Amanda Ricketts. At that time Lewis D. already lived in Sardinia, Decatur County, Indiana. He had four children Giles, Martha, William, and Ida.

There is a record of Lewis D. Gant who served as Private in 148 Regiment of the Union Army Infantry (Company H).

Record Source:
"United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDY2-2NC : 13 March 2018), Lewis D Gant, 1891.

John Gant -  I have found no information about his birthday (the son's of Giles Sr. and Nancy's) beside the record of him in Source#2 and his marriage to Miss Margaret Powner on 3 May 1841.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXF5-94T : 10 December 2017), John Gant and Margaret A Powner, 03 Mar 1841; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170988.

The Record of Decatur County (2) says that John and Margaret had four children, two girls died young (Charlotte and Louisa), two survived (John and Mary).

At the end of his life, John bought land in Decatur, Indiana. He died a year before he managed to move out from Franklin, the county where he lived all his life. After his passing, Margaret relocated with the children to Decatur where she led a pioneer's life and supervised clearing the land and preparing it for farming. Later, Maggie married Mr. John Falkard and moved to Kansas.

Giles Gant Jr. (b. 1 July 1826, Franklin, IN/d. 2 March 1869, Fayette, Illinois) married Miss Harriett E McGaughey, born in 1829 in Indiana.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXNK-1HW : 10 December 2017), Giles Gant and Harriet E Mcgaughey, 04 May 1847; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004003411.

In 1860 Giles Jr. and Harriett lived in Geneva Township, Jennings, Indiana where they moved from Jackson, Decatur County (23).

Household

Giles Gant, Male, age 33, born Ind
Harriet E Gant, Female, age 31, born Ind
Lewis P Gant, Male, 12, born Ind
Lacy C Gant, Female, age 8, born Ind
Nancy C Gant, Female, age 4, Ind
James W Gant, Male, age 2, born Ind
Ella J Gant, age 11 months, Female, born Ind

Record Source:
"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4N8-Q6M : 13 December 2017), Harriet E Gant in entry for Giles Gant, 1860.

Later, the family moved to Wheatland Township, Fayette County, Illinois. The Census which occurred a year after Giles Jr.'s death recorded Harriet as the head of the family, running a farm with the help of her son Lewis and daughter Nancy (24).

According to my research results, Giles and Harriet had eight children Lewis P, Lacy C, Nancy C, James Willard, Ella T, Eppa, William, and Mary C.

Rachel Gant - the only thing which I found out about her is that she married Mr. Marshall before 1900.

Lucinda Gant (b. 10 Feb. 1833, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN/d. 16 Sept. 1882, Martinsville, Harrison, Missouri) got married when she was 27. Her husband was Mr. William H. Millholland (Mullholland according to Source #2). The ceremony took place on 7 March 1850 in Franklin, County.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXF5-4LJ : 10 December 2017), William H Miholland and Lucinda Gant, 07 Mar 1850; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170988.

Jeremiah Gant (b. 1829, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN/d. 17 March 1912, Decatur, IN) was a farmer. On 2 Oct 1855, he was married to Miss Harriett Seal, the daughter of Caleb Seal and Sarah Sanders. Harriett was born on 14 Nov. 1838.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXF5-D3T : 10 December 2017), Jeremiah Gant and Harriet Seal, 02 Oct 1855; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170989.

Five years later, the couple lived with their two children Francis R and Elva Z in Jackson Township, Decatur (7). Later, the family moved to Columbia Township in Jennings County. Five more children were born to the family: Franklin, Albert B, Annie A, Lora E and George H (8).

Silas Gant, a farmer, the fifth son of Giles and Nancy's, (b. 9 April 1834, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN/d. 1925, Minneapolis, Kansas) married Amanda J Bake on 10 Oct 1858. She was born on 2 Feb. 1842 to Mr. Caleb Bake and Catherina Risley.

At the beginning of their marriage, Silas and Amanda lived in Brookville Township, Franklin, IN (9).
Like some other of his siblings, later Silas and his wife + children moved to Kansas. According to the Census record, Silas and Amanda had 8 children Elbert D, Lorinda Eva, Lewis I, Henry C, Alfred P, E Newton, E Emma (10).

Studying the Census records of 1900 and 1910, I found the information stating that Amanda had 8 living children (11,12). The data regarding the previous Census events of 1860, 1870 and 1880 mention only 7 children (9, 13, 10). However, there is a mix up in the two latter records. In 1870, a daughter Louis, born about 1863/1864 was registered. In the 1880 report there is no Louisa but Lewis I, a son, born in 1865 is mentioned. Maybe there were two of them - Louisa and Lewis - which would explain the number of children which appeared in the later Census.

Sarah Gant (b. 1830, Orange, NC/d. about 1914) married when she was 22. Her husband was Francis Marion Silas (b. 7 May 1830 in Franklin, IN), the son of  Caleb Seal and Sarah Sanders. The young couple exchanged their marriage vows on 22 Jan. 1850.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXR3-RZ5 : 8 December 2017), Francis M Seal and Lula Nolan, 02 Aug 1891; citing Daviess, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004476510.

Sarah and Francis (who was a lawyer) moved from Jackson Township, Decatur, Indiana (15) to Illinois. In 1900, they lived at Barnhill Township, Wayne, Illinois (16). They had 10 children Mary Josephine, Clara Belle, Silas Wilfred,  Georgeanna, John Briton, Florence, Hershell V, Carrie D, Anna (Minnie) Frances, and Viola. Two of them (Mary Josephine and John Briton) died before 1900.

Britton Gant (b. 15 Jan. 1837, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN/d. 22 Feb 1997, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN) was a farmer and he married three times. His first wife was Rosana Moore - the marriage was on 5 July 1857.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXF5-6XW : 10 December 2017), Britton Gant and Rosana Moore, 05 Jul 1857; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170989.

The second wife of Britton's was Miss Martha A Russell. They married on 17 Jan. 1865.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXF5-KMQ : 10 December 2017), Britton Gant and Martha A Russell, 17 Jan 1865; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170989.

Britton and Martha had three sons Silas Wilbur, Giles and David J.

On 10 January 1878, Britton married to Elmira J Stevens.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXFR-ZHS : 10 December 2017), Britton Gant and Elmira J Stevens, 10 Jan 1878; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170990.

I found out that the third marriage fruited with at least one child, a daughter Edna W.

Reuben Gant, the youngest son of Giles and Nancy's (b. 10 July 1839, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN/d. 15 Feb. 1926, Navina, Oklahoma) married Miss Clarissa A Bake (b. 3 August 1844, Decatur, IN), the daughter of Eli Bake and Catherina Risley on 15 August 1861.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXFL-TQZ : 10 December 2017), Reuben Gant and Clarissa A Bake Or Blake, 15 Aug 1861; citing Decatur, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170586.

In 1870, Reuben had a farm next to his brother Britton's farm and house (17). Some years later, Reuben and his wife moved to Oklahoma. They lived in Kingfisher Ward 4, Kingfisher, Oklahoma.

Kingfisher, Oklahoma

The Census record from 1910 says Clarissa had 8 children (18). I came across the information regarding her and Reuben's sons Oliver Perry, Cavellow Wilbur, Edgar Britain, Arthur Leotis, and daughters Gertrude C, Florinda Olive, Martha Ann, and Elmina Ella. However, the 1870 Census mentions also a son Alva C, born 1864/65. I guess that could be Oliver Perry misspelled by the Census clerk?

Carolina Catherine Gant (b. July 1840, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN/d. ?) - nothing certain about her. Possibly married Mr. John W Hughes on 23 May 1864 (19)?

Mary Gant (b. about 1842, Indiana/d. ?) married Mr. William I Hines (b. 7 August 1861, IN) on 7 August 1861(20). In 1870, Mary, William (a farmer) lived with their children Ora, Dennis, David Golastus, Zerilda, and Minnie in Clay Township, Decatur, Indiana (21).

Ruth Anna Gant (b. about 1821, Cedar Grove, Franklin, IN/d. about 1851) was the oldest daughter and the third child of Giles and Nancy Gant.  On 23 Jan. 1842, when Ruth was about 21, she married Mr. Ephraim F Jackman.

Record Source:
"Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXF5-957 : 10 December 2017), Ephraim T Jackman and R Anna Gant, 23 Jan 1842; citing Franklin, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170988.

The couple had two sons Attwell and William. The latter one was born about 1851. Probably Mary died around that time (?) as I found in the Census record of 1860 Attwell lived with his uncle Silas' family, and William lived with the family of his grandparents, Giles and Nancy Gant (22).

Giles Gant Sr. passed on 26 August 1877 in Franklin County, Indiana. He lived 79 years.

Sources:

• Courts and lawyers of Indiana online, Leander J. (Leander John), Monks, page 27
• Free online version of  "A Genealogical and Biographical Record of Decatour County, Indiana. Compendium of National Biography", Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1900.
• (3) "Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XFDZ-7QG : 10 February 2018), Lewis Gant and Susan Brackney, 12 Nov 1839; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 476,730.
• (4) "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHJD-5BD : 12 April 2016), Lewis D Gant, Brookville, Franklin, Indiana, United States; citing family 58, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• (5) "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH96-959 : 14 August 2017), Louis Gant, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 139, sheet 369D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0288; FHL microfilm 1,254,288.
• (6) "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXNP-CJW : 10 December 2017), Louis D Gant and Amanda Rickets, 07 May 1896; citing Decatur, Indiana, United States, Marriage Registration, Indiana Commission on Public Records, Indianapolis; FHL microfilm 004170986.
• (7) "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4FF-TH4 : 13 December 2017), Jeremiah Gant, 1860.
• (8) "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH9D-LC9 : 14 August 2017), Jeremiah Gant, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 138, sheet 361B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0288; FHL microfilm 1,254,288.
• (9) "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4NF-DJS : 13 December 2017), Silas Gant, 1860.
• (10) "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF5F-SF9 : 29 August 2017), Silas Gant, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 221, sheet 403C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0392; FHL microfilm 1,254,392.
• (11) "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMYD-WYG : accessed 28 February 2019), Silas Gant, Minneapolis city Ward 1, Ottawa, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 82, sheet 16B, family 368, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,494.
• (12) "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2ZQ-S5C : accessed 28 February 2019), Silas Gant, Minneapolis Ward 3, Ottawa, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 90, sheet 6B, family 155, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 452; FHL microfilm 1,374,465.
• (13) "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6WR-PH6 : 12 April 2016), Silas Gant, Illinois, United States; citing p. 13, family 103, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,788.
• (14) "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4FF-TH3 : 13 December 2017), Mary Seal in entry for F M Seal, 1860.
• (15) "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4FF-TH9 : 13 December 2017), F M Seal, 1860.
• (16) "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSCM-5XM : accessed 28 February 2019), Francis M Seal, Barnhill Township, Wayne, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 93, sheet 9B, family 172, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,350.
• (17) "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXX2-P27 : 12 April 2016), Reuben Gant, Indiana, United States; citing p. 92, family 727, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,814.
• (18) "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQC-3YX : accessed 28 February 2019), Rubin Gant, Kingfisher Ward 4, Kingfisher, Oklahoma, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 85, sheet 2A, family 3, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1256; FHL microfilm 1,375,269.
• (19) "Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XFD4-3T1 : 10 February 2018), John W Hughes and Caroline Gant, 23 May 1864; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 476,730.
• (20) "Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XFD8-QWL : 10 February 2018), William I Hines and Mary Gant, 07 Aug 1861; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 476,730.
• (21) "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXX6-RS7 : 12 April 2016), Mary Hines in household of William Hines, Indiana, United States; citing p. 20, family 145, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,807.
• (22) "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4NF-DJ7 : 13 December 2017), Atwell Jackman in entry for Silas Gant, 1860.
• (23) "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHV2-56Y : 12 April 2016), Harriet Gaunt in household of Giles Gaunt, Jackson, Decatur, Indiana, United States; citing family 115, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• (24) "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M67Y-KLJ : 12 April 2016), Harriet Gaunt, Illinois, United States; citing p. 5, family 29, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,719.
• My MyHeritage research
• findagrave.com
•  National Park Service. The Civil War. Soldiers and Sailors database

Photos:

• Franklin Co. and Brookville, Indiana: Arkyan [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]
• Kingfisher, Oklahoma: Kool Cats Photography over 2 Million Views (flickr.com) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]