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Descendants of Johannes Gann

19. Thomas⁴ Gann (Adam³, Samuel², Johannes¹) was born March 17, 1764 in Bedford Co, VA, and died July 25, 1840 in Hamilton Co, TN. He married Elizabeth. She died Bef. 1835.

Notes for Thomas Gann:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.
From Nina Graham, 806 S 3rd St, Odessa, MO 64076-1455 (816)633-4094 4/23/96.

!Revolutionary War Pension Application No. S-3388, approved March 4, 1834: On 29th of Aug 18 32 Thomas Gann appeared in open Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions, Hamilton Co, TN, age 6 8 years, on his oath made the following declaration. He entered the service of the United St ates under the following named officers and served as herein stated that is to say he was dra fted and entered, the service under Captain William Trimble and Col. John Sevier in the uppe r part of North Carolina and now Washington County, TN, he was immediately marched under th e before mentioned officers to the high hills of Santee in South Carolina and joined the Arm y under Genl. Greene where the regiment to which this applicant belonged remained two or thre e days and was marched to Genl. Marion's headquarters above Charleston, S.C. and joined him u nder whose command this applicant served about four months. This applicant was discharged wh ile at Genl. Marion's station he believes, by Col. Sevier and returned home. This applicant s erved about five months as a horseman finding his own horse this tour. Soon after this appli cant returned home. He was appointed Capt. of a light-horse company and commissioned by Gove rnor Martin of North Carolina as such in which command as a Capt. this applicant served off a nd on as a ranger on the frontiers of North Carolina until the termination of the Revolutiona ry War, during which time this applicant was in several skirmish in the immediate vicinity o f King's Mountain. On that date battle was fought at that place, in which skirmish this appl icant received a wound on the crown of his head by a British dragoon. He was not directly en gaged in the battle at King's Mountain. After the termination of the revolution this applican t served under Genl. Sevier, formerly Colonel Sevier, until the termination of the Cherokee W ar, and was in several skirmishes with the Indians and was in a sharp engagement with them a t the fork of Coosa and Hightower Rivers or a little above. This engagement was the last whi ch this applicant remembers to have been in. The Indian War soon after terminated and this a pplicant returned home. This applicant from the commencement of his services in the Revoluti on till the termination of the Indian War considered himself in the service of the United Sta tes or State of North Carolina about six years and received pay in the Continental money fro m paymasters Green and Guess and others not recollected except the last payment after the ter mination of the Cherokee War which was in good money and paid to Major James Steward at the W ar Department and by him paid over to this applicant.

!This applicant states that he was born in Virginia and moved with his parents to Tennessee ( Washington County which was North Carolina at that time) when he was about 14 or 15 years old . He said that the record of his birth was in a book of Cato's in his brother's possession i n Tennessee, where he lived between 20 and 25 years before moving to Rhea County, where he li ved 8 to 10 years before moving to Hamilton County. There is a pay record for Thomas Gann No . 3352, granted by Carter & Williams, 12 June 1783 for 9 pounds, 3 shillings, 8 pence, 23 Oc t 1783. This is found is "Revolutionary Army Accounts" Vol. 1, P. 15, Folio 4, in Raleigh, N C.

!Hamilton Co, TN 27 May 1834. Thomas appeared before Saml. Igou, J.P., and saith by reason o f old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise leng th of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less that the p eriods mentioned below and in the following grades: for five months served as a private unde r Capt. William Trimble and Col. John Sevier & seventeen months as captain of a company of ra ngers during which I was actually engaged as a ranger by order of the State government of Nor th Carolina making in all twenty eight months I was in actual service before the close of th e Revolutiona;ry War, besides my service afterwards against the Indians at different times . He don't know that he can prove as required by the department of war, that he received a c ommission or had one in possession yet such was the fact, it was lost about twenty two year s ago in moving by water down Holston river - re believes that he can by being at some troubl e and expense procure testimony that he acted as captain in the service before the close of t he Revolutionary War but is advised that it would not be satisfactory evidence to the War dep artment of his grade, he Therefore claims a pension as a private for twenty eight months whic h is not less than the actual time he served during the Revolutionary War.

!Treasury Department, Jan'y 21st 1842, to the Commissioner of Pensions. Sir: Under the dat e of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining uncla imed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the Un ited States," the administrator of Thomas Gann, decd., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Knoxvil le Agency, at the rate of Fifty Dollars and -0- Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th Jun e 1832, has been paid at this Department, for the 4th of March [1835], to the 25th July 1840.

Notes for Elizabeth:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

Children of Thomas Gann and Elizabeth are:

Carter⁵ Gann.

Notes for Carter Gann:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

!Not sure he belongs in this family.

ii.

Cornelius Gann, born Abt. 1791. He married Mary; born Abt. 1798; died 1879.

Notes for Cornelius Gann:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

Notes for Mary:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

iii.

John (Jack) Gann, born Abt. 1793 in Washington Co, TN; died November 05, 1871 in Dallas Co, MO. He married Sarah (Sally) Painter December 01, 1812 in Washington Co, TN; born 1791 in Washington Co, TN.

Notes for John (Jack) Gann:
From Paul Butler, 2502 Utica, Joplin, MO, 64801-1245
From Dorretta Moore, R 4, Box 305K, Blanchard, OK 73010-9407. (405)392-5046

!John and family on 1850 Hamilton Co, TN census, 218,218: John 56 farmer
$1000; Sarah 58; Charles 21 farmer; Elisha 19 farmer; Martha 15; Zachariah 3.

!Jack Gann was a farmer and lived in Tennessee and Missouri. Several old grave markers (name s now indiscernible) are in Gann Cemetery in Dallas Co, MO and any one of them could be, an d probably is, the grave of John (Jack) Gann.

!Will of John Gann is on file in Dallas Co, MO. Bond posted 25 Nov 1871.

Notes for Sarah (Sally) Painter:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO, 64801.

!Married by Daniel Gann. Att. J. C. Harris. Recorded in Washington Co, TN
Marriages and Wills 1778-1820, Page 142.

iv.

Thomas Gann Jr, born 1796 in TN; died in Hamilton Co, TN. He married Mary (Polly) McArster June 10, 1818 in Rhea Co, TN; born 1813 in TN; died in Hamilton Co, TN.

Notes for Thomas Gann Jr:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

!John Myers was bondsman for marriage of Thomas Gann and Polly.

!On 1850 Hamilton Co, TN census, 203,203: Thomas 50 farmer; Russell 16 farmer; Sarah 14; And y 9; Mary 8; Lydia 7; Martha 3; Elizabeth 1.

Notes for Mary (Polly) McArster:
From Phyllis Horsman

!In 1860, Polly was head of household with five of her children living with her in Distric t 1 (Harrison), east of the Tennessee River across from Gold Point. Polly died before the 187 0 census.

Eliza Gann, born Abt. 1802 in Hamilton Co, TN; died 1908 in Savoy, Fannin Co, TX. She married Robert B. White 1842 in Hamilton Co, TN; born 1804 in GA; died 1855 in Dallas Co, MO.

Notes for Eliza Gann:
From Sue Price Ikerd, R 1, B 574, Conway, MO 56532 (417)589-3981 11/29/96

!The following is from an old newspaper clipping: Mrs. Eliza White. Perhaps
the oldest person in north Texas is the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Eliza
White was born in 1802 in the hill country of East Tenn., where she had meager
opportunities for obtaining an education, but at that time there was little
importance attached to an education. Her maiden name was Eliza Gann. Her
father, Thomas Gann, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was of a
sturdy Scotch family, of powerful physique and great longevity, consequently
Mrs. White inherited an indomitable disposition. She was married to R. B.
White and in 1842 they decided to move to a country where there was more game
and greater outlet. To this end he struck westward and finding Southwest
Missouri his ideal country he and his little family located there. In 1855 Mr.
White died leaving his wife with eight children, most of them girls. With
unconquerable courage she went on developing the plans she and her husband had
laid. Her dream was disturbed by the Civil war, she was in the tract of
vacillating armies who had no regard for her property or the fact that she was
a widow. The region where she lived was a regular playground for Quantrell's
guerilla band and the Jayhawkers from Kansas. One by one her children married
and left the maternal home. Her youngest daughter, Mrs. A. H. Rose, had moved to
Texas and insisted that her mother come and live with her. This Mrs. White
declined to do until she became feeble with the weight of years when she finally
came to spend her last days with her baby child who is grandmother of several
children. Mrs. White is now closing her 102 year and, while she is almost
helpless, she has fair control of her mind. One worthy characteristic of this
aged woman is her piety and religious reverence. She is ready at all times to
give God the praise for her long life, even it has been beset with many trials.
Her children, in the language of Solomon, cann call her blessed. W.A.D.

!Also from a newspaper clipping: Grandma White, who lived with her daughter,
Mrs. A. H. Rose, south of town died at an early hour Tuesday morning. She was
perhaps the oldest person in this part of the country, being 106. She came to
Texas from Missouri in 1900 and picked cotton after she was 100 years old. She
was always very healthy, never having had a doctor in her life, she just wore
out. Burial took place in Savoy cemetery Tuesday evening.

Dorretta Moore suggests that the marriage date of 1842 may be a typo and should be 1832 sinc e their first child was born in 1833. They were only married to each other with no other spo uses.

More About Eliza Gann:
Fact 2: Sunnyside Cem, Fannin Co, TX

Notes for Robert B. White:
From Sue Price Ikerd, R 1, B 574, Conway, MO 56532 (417)589-3981 11/29/96
From Jeri Fultz (jfultz19@idt.net).

vi.

Preston Gann, born April 20, 1802 in Hawkins Co, TN; died April 24, 1884. He married (1) Sally Jones Keeton. He married (2) Susan Ann Levi. He married (3) Mary Ann Layman Abt. 1824; born March 22, 1798; died April 15, 1871 in Hamilton Co, TN.

Notes for Preston Gann:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

!Smiteman Cemetery is about 2 miles south of Dallas.

!From Preston Gann and Some of His Descendants by Christine E. Holcomb 1986:
Preston and his son-in-law owned what is now Valley Brook and the Creeks
Bend Golf Course. He also owned most of the land in the Big Ridge-Hidden Harbor Subdivisions . Preston Gann began buying this land in the early 1830's as the Indians and other early set tlers began moving to the West. Among the early settlers in the Dallas area were Asahel Rawl ings, George Sawyer, Elisha Kirlen and Preston Gann. The town of Dallas served as the count y seat of Hamilton County until about 1840 when it was moved to Harrison and then to Chattano oga. This growing town had several buildings but today all that remains is the Jackson Chape l Cemetery. Most signs of this once thriving town are now covered by the waters of the Tenne ssee River. For a number of years Preston Gann added to his holdings, but around 1856-57 h e began dividing the land among his daughters. They were Cassandra Smith, Rebecca Jackson, L ouisa Thomas, Martha Smith Clarke, Mary Ann Schneitman and Sarah Jones Gann. Each daughter r eceived about two hundred and fifty acres, all having land along the Tennessee River and up t he side of and to the base of Big Ridge. Today this would be along Hixson Pike and Cassandr a Smith Road. Christian Schneitman added to his wife's property several hundred acres in wha t is now Valley Brook. He built his home at the base of Big Ridge on Big Ridge Road where i t is still occupied. Preston Gann lived near Chickamauga Creek in the Creeks Bend Golf Cours e area. He later moved to the Falling Water area where he lived until his death in 1884. H e had remarried after the death of his wife and had two more children. Today we find some o f his descendants still living on the property that he gave his children. Among these are th e Swingles, Ashleys, Harveys, Browns, Marshalls and Pendergrasses. All these and many more o f his descendants have always
taken an active part in the Hixson community.

!Will Preston Gann: I, Preston Gann, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby mak e and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wil ls by me at anytime made. First: I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be pai d as soon after my death as possible, out of any moneys that I may die possessed of, or whic h may first come to the hands of my executor hereinafter named. Second: I give and bequeat h to my wife, Susan Gann, all my interest in the land known as the Flippo lands conveyed b y William Flippo on the 30th day of August 18__. Also I give to her the following personal p roperty, to-wit: one bead-stead and the bedding for the same; she to select any one she ma y desire, one ball-faced horse about six years old and one bridle and side saddle, also one c ow about three years old being the only one now owned by me, also one sow and pigs, she to se lect the one she may want. Third: I will and bequeath to my children Catherine Gann, and Wi lliam P. Gann all the property both real and personal of which I may die possessed, except wh at I have given to my wife in Item second. Fourth: It is my will that all thes tock, househ old and kitchen furniture, except that mentioned in Item second, be kept at the place wher e I now reside for the use and benefit of said two children, Catherine and William P. Fifth : It is my will that all my property except the homeplace, if necessary be first sold to pa y my debts, and my homeplace be left for my said two children, Catherine and William P. Sixt h: I do hereby nominate and appoint Henry C. Hortmon the executor of this my last will and t estament who will immediately upon my death or as soon thereafter as possible enter upon hi s duties as such; and if he finds it necessary to pay me debts to sell real estate he may d o so, and may sell any except my homeplace. And he will not be required to give bond as my e xecutor the same being expressly waived. In witness whereof, I do, to this my will set my ha nd and seal on this the 18th day of March 1880. (signed) Signed sealed and delivered in ou r presence and we have subscribed our names hereto in presence of the testator by his request . This March 18th 1880. ___
C. Hale M. S. Brown Filed April 29, 1884; probated May 5, 1884 and
recorded Book 5, page 369-70. Recorded in Will Book, page 205. Hamilton County Chancery Court .

More About Preston Gann:
Fact 2: Schneitman Cem, Hixon, Hamilton Co, TN

Notes for Mary Ann Layman:
Information from Marie Dryden, Chillicothe, MO.

More About Mary Ann Layman:
Fact 2: Schneitman Cem, Hixon, Hamilton Co, TN

vii.

Malinda Gann, born Abt. 1805 in Hamilton Co, TN. She married Thomas Mathias Penney November 02, 1822 in Rhea Co, TN; born Abt. 1795 in NC; died 1868 in Hamilton Co, TN.

Notes for Malinda Gann:
From Colleen Lucas, 11871 Weaver Circle, Garden Grove, CA 92645.

!It has been speculated by some that Malinda was a daughter of Thomas Gann, Sr. and Elizabeth .

!Harrison, Tennessee, Monday Feb. 1st, 1869 court session: "Commissioners heretofore appointe d to lay off a years support to Malinda Penney, widow of Thomas Penny, deceased, presented t o the Court their report which is in words and figures following towit: We the undersigned C ommissioners appointed at the October Term of the County Court of Hamilton County, Tenn. to p ay off and set apart a years support for Malinda Penny, widow of Thomas Penny, Decd. Respectf ully submit to your Worship, the following report of our action, Viz: Fifteen bushels of Whea t or Three barrels of flour; Five Hogs, first choice in the lot; Two Milk Cows; Two Hundred B ushels of Corn; Ten Dollars worth of Coffee; and Ten Dollars worth of Sugar; One Wagon and Yo ke of Oxen; all the Vegetables in the garden & truck patches, This Nov 10th, 1868. Wm. Clift , W. R. Brown, Commissioners."

Notes for Thomas Mathias Penney:
From Colleen Lucas, Garden Grove, CA.

!On 1850 Hamilton Co, TN census, 207,207: Thomas 55 farmer $4000; Malinda 45; George 22 farm er; Sarah 20; Martha 18; Francis 15 F; Jane 12; Andy 9; Almida 7; Marcellia 4; Cyntha 5; Jame s Penny 50 shoe maker SC; William Thomas 1.

!In case G. W. Penny and others vs. Malinda Penny and others in Hamilton Co,
Court on 2nd day of August 1869."...upon the Petition of complainants answer of A. F. Hunter , Guardian Ad libitum of the minors, Andrew J. Smith, Sarah M. Smith, Cynthia A. Penney, an d Calidonia Penney, and judgement taken against Malinda Penny and John Smith & wife, France s Smith, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that all the parties were properl y before the Court. And it also appearing to the Court form the Bill of Complaints that Thoma s Penny died Intestate in Hamilton County in the year 1868, leaving his widow Malinda Penny a nd John Penny; George W. Penny; Andrew J. Penny; William Jones & wife Polly Jones formerly Po lly Penny; Sally Lassley widow of Hardie Lassley formerly Sally Penny; William Maberry and wi fe Elizabeth J. Maberry formerly Elizabeth J. Penny; Joseph Looney & wife Almedia Looney form erly Almedia Penny; Henry Parrott and wife Marizetta Parrott formerly Marizetta Penny; John S mith and wife Frances Smith formerly Frances Penny; Andrew J. Smith and wife Sarah M. Smith , minor heirs of Martha A. Smith, Decd., formerly Martha A. Penny; Cynthia A. Penny and Caled onia Penny, his only Heir at Law, And it further appearing to the Court that Thomas Penny, wa s at the time of his death seized of the following Real Estate, situated in Hamilton, Tenness ee, and bounded as follows: On the south by the lands of D. N. McGill and George W. Penny, o n the east by the Tennessee River, on the north by the lands of Robert Roberts and on the wes t by the lands of W. B. Roberts. It is therefore ordered by the Court that A. C. S. Igou, W . R. Brown, Esqr. and R. L. McNabb, County Surveyor, all free holders of said County, be an d they are hereby appointed by the Court, Commissioners to set apart and lay off one third i n value of said Estate to Malinda Penny, the widow of Thomas Penny, Decd., and to divide th e whole of said Estate among the heirs according to their respective rights, subject to Dowe r as aforesaid, and report their action at the next term of Court; all other questions reserv ed until the comming in of said report."

!Estate of Thomas Penney Decd Settlement made with Isom Penny Special Adm Sept. 12, 1882: .. .The following are Heirs & children of Deceased to each of whom 1/12 of the amount is due viz :
1. Polly Jones formerly Penny, a widow and a resident of 1st CD Hamilton
County, Tenn. 2. Ison Penny, a son, & resident of Hamilton County, Tenn. 3. G. W. Penny , a son, & resident of Hamilton County, Tenn. 4. Sarah Lasley
formerly Penny, a widow, & resident of Hamilton County, Tenn. 5. Isabel [in
former case listed as Elizabeth] Mayberry, formerly Penny, intermarried with
Wm. Mayberry a resident of Missouri. 6. Frances Smith, formerly Penny,
intermarried with Jno. G. Smith, a resident of Mo. 7. Almedia Looney,
formerly Penny intermarried with Jas. Looney, resident of Mo. 8. Marcilla
Parrott, formerly Penny, intermarried with Henry P. Parrott, & resident of
Hamilton County, Tenn. 9. Cynthia A. Lemon, formerly Penny, intermarried with Wm. Lemon , a resident of Mo. 10. A. J. Penny, a son, & resident of Hamilton County, Tenn. 11. Cala donia Forbush, formerly Penny, intermarried with Jas. Forbush a resident of Mo. 12. Marth a Smith formerly Penny, now deceased leaving the following heirs Andrew J. Smith and Sarah Ma linda Smi8th residents of Commerce, Missouri.

viii.

George Washington Gann, born 1814 in TN. He married Mary Camilla Nelson; born 1822.

Notes for George Washington Gann:
From Paul Thurman Butler, Joplin, MO.

!On 1850 Hamilton Co, TN census, 204,204: Washington 30 farmer; Mary 32;
Margaret 5; Lissa 2; John 1/2.

Notes for Mary Camilla Nelson:
from Jim Thompson E-mail jamest@wworld.com

!Washington and Mary were in 1850 TN census, Mary and children were in 1860 IL census.

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