Henry Gay

Brief Life History of Henry

When Henry Gay was born on 22 August 1820, in Bulloch, Georgia, United States, his father, Henry Simon Gay, was 21 and his mother, Mary Jane Maulden, was 20. He married Sarah Elizabeth Norman on 1 September 1842, in Thomas, Georgia, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 5 daughters. He lived in Thomas, Georgia, United States in 1850. His occupation is listed as farmer in Colquitt, Georgia, United States. He died in January 1888, in Colquitt, Georgia, United States, at the age of 67, and was buried in Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, United States.

Photos and Memories (2)

Do you know Henry? Do you have a story about him that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account

Family Time Line

Henry Gay
1820–1888
Sarah Elizabeth Norman
1819–1891
Marriage: 1 September 1842
James Henry Gay
1844–1889
Dicy Ann Gay
1858–
Rutha Jane Gay
1846–1920
John Samuel Gay
1847–1928
Martha Gay
1849–1915
Mary Gay
1849–1919
Dicie Elizabeth Gay
1852–1925

Sources (9)

  • Henry Gay, "United States Census, 1880"
  • Henry Gay, "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950"
  • Henry Gay, "Find A Grave Index"

Spouse and Children

World Events (8)

1821 · Financial Relief for Public Land

A United States law to provide financial relief for the purchasers of Public Lands. It permitted the earlier buyers, that couldn't pay completely for the land, to return the land back to the government. This granted them a credit towards the debt they had on land. Congress, also, extended credit to buyer for eight more years. Still while being in economic panic and the shortage of currency made by citizens, the government hoped that with the time extension, the economy would improve.

1825

Historical Boundaries: 1825: Thomas, Georgia, United States

1838 · Orders No. 25 Removes Cherokees

A small group of Cherokees from Georgia voluntarily migrated to the Indian Territory. The remaining Cherokees in Georgia resisted the mounting pressure to leave. In 1838, U.S. President Martin Van Buren ordered U.S. troops to remove the Cherokee Nation. The troops gathered the Cherokees and marched them and other Native Americans from North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama along what is now known as “The Trail of Tears.” Approximately 5,000 Cherokees died on their way to Indian Territory.

Name Meaning

English (southwestern), French, and Catalan: nickname for a lighthearted or cheerful person, from Middle English, Old French gai, Catalan gay ‘cheerful’. In Middle English the term could also mean ‘wanton, lascivious’ and this sense may lie behind the surname in some instances.

English (of Norman origin): habitational name from any of the places in Normandy called Gaye, from an early proprietor bearing an ancient Germanic personal name cognate with Wade .

Catalan: probably also from the personal name Gai (from Latin Gaius).

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

Possible Related Names

Discover Even More

As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.

Create a FREE Account

Search for Another Deceased Ancestor

Share this with your family and friends.