(GreatGreatGrandMother)
Margaret Malinda SMITH (Gillis) was born 28 MAR 1859 • Coffee County, Georgia and died 6 JUL 1922 • Ware County, Georgia.
Melinda's mother was Elizabeth Dent born 22 DEC 1817 • Telfair County, Georgia and died 1880 • Coffee County, Georgia.
William J. Smith, the father of Melinda's older siblings was born 1817 • Telfair County, Georgia and dies before the 1860 Census, the exact date of his death can not be found, or where he was buried but he supposedly died 1856 in the Third Seminole War. Elizabeth Dent Smith never remarried after the death of William.
In the 1860 Coffee, County, Ga. Census you can find Elizabeth Dent Smith as a Widow with the following children: Berrien b.1843, Julia Ann b.1844, Gaston b.1847, was not found in the 1850 census, died as a youth. Ardelia b.1848, Joshua b.1850, Warren b.1854, Margaret b.1857.(Other census records give her bithdate as 1857 - 1858.)
Family members were told Malinda was illigimate and the family was told that her father was a Gillis. It hasn't been proven but Angus Gillis born 14 JUN 1828 and died 17 SEP 1896 • Axson, Atkinson County, Georgia is likely Melinda's father. Ole Angus seemed to be a rounder. He had a wife and children but also had children with other women.
Well that's it folks. We may never know the true father of Malinda. William Smith died 3 or 4 years before Malinda was born and the story of a Gillis being her father can't be proven by me but have noticed during DNA searches the Gillis surname is popping up quiet a bit.
Elizabeth Dent, Malinda's mother also had at least one other child by another man but it's not my business to get into all that. I doubt anyone will ever figure out the truth.
Timeline for Margaret Melinda SMITH (Gillis)
• According to the 1870 census Malinda was born about 1859. She is living in Subdivision 31, Coffee, Georgia with her mother Elizabeth Smith (53 years old) and two brothers Joshua is 20 and Warren is 16.
• In the 1880 Census Malinda is living in District 1170, Coffee, Georgia with her mother Elizabeth Smith (63 years old). Malinda is listed as single and works on the farm and in the house. She is 22 years old, estimated birthdate 1858. She has two sons both 1 year old, so I assume twins.
• On 20 Apr 1884 Malinda married John Wesley Bagley.
• In the 1900 census Malinda is living in Waresboro, Ware, Georgia. She is 42 years old and birthdate is listed as Dec.1857. She is married to John Bagley (32). The children in the houshold are Ida Bagley (15), Addie Bagley (12), Eva J Bagley (9),James C Bagley (5), Daniel H Bagley (1). This census states that she has given birth to 9 children and 8 are living.
• Eliza Ann BAGLEY, daughter of Malinda and John Bagley was born 1884 and died 1901. (No more information)
• In the 1910 census Malinda is living in Waresboro, Ware, Georgia. She is 52 years old and estimated birthdate about 1858.The census states that she has been married to John W Bagley for 30 years. Now the census states the she has given birth to 6 children 5 are living. The children in the houshold are J Clarance Bagley (15), D Harris Bagley (10).
• In the 1920 census Malinda is living in Waresboro, Ware, Georgia. She is 62 years old and estimated birthdate 1858. She is living with her husband and son Harry Bagley. Living two houses down is her oldest son Robert Daviswith his wife Cora and 4 children. Robert states that his father's birthplace is North Carolina.
• Malinda died 6 OCT 1922, two months after her husband John Bagley died of heart leakage. No death certificate for Malinda has been found.
• In the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 Malinda is listed as Malendie Smith with Thomas Davis as her spouse and Warren Daniel Davis as her child. (?)I don't think Malinda and Thomas Davis ever married.
Written By ~ Judy Griffin