Letter from Robert Roy Gilliland

The Gililland Boys, circa 1915 Robert Roy GILLILAND was born Robert Roy GILILLAND, the son of John Sanford GILILLAND. About 1915 he convinced some of his brothers that their last name was actually GILLILAND, and further persuaded them to have it changed. The story he told has since been proven to be inaccurate, but it split the family into two distinct branches. Roy was right about one thing; the name was spelled GILLILAND at some time in the past. Most likely it was Roy's Gr-Grandfather who changed the spelling 100 years earlier. At least, we think he did...

What follows is a transcription of a letter written on January 23, 1952, from Robert Roy GILLILAND to his nephew, Ernest Earl GILILLAND. It is interesting to note that Almer Lee GILILLAND, Earnest Earl's father, was the only brother of Robert Roy not to change the spelling of the name. Ernest Earl, and his descendants, continue to spell the name GILILLAND. Robert Roy, in this letter, uses the GILLILAND spelling for his nephew whom he knows, but seems unwilling to acknowledge, spells it differently.

Robert Roy GILLILAND died only 10 months after writing this letter. The letter was typed on his company letterhead, TITLE GUARANTY COMPANY, of Quanah, Texas. The letterhead proudly proclaims "Capital $10,000.00", no doubt a handsome some when the company was formed. The letterhead further informs us that R. R. GILLILAND was the president of the company and J. S. GILLILAND (his only son) was the secretary.

In the letter, Roy comments on the fact that Earl has many grandsons, but no granddaughters, and hopes this will change. At the time this letter was written, Earl had five grandsons, his sixth born within a month of this letter. Roy did not get his wish, however, as Earl eventually had eight grandsons and no granddaughters.

TRANSCRIPT OF PAGE 1. Click to see image of page 1 (181K)]

January 23, 1952

Mr. E. E. Gilliland
4104 Lamar St.,
Shreveport, La.

Dear Earl:

Received your letter of December 31 a few days ago and being snowed and frozen indoors today with nothing else to do will answer. I keep a type writer out at the house so can write once in a while as the notion strikes me, which I regret to say is not often.

Will be glad anytime you translate your thoughts into actions and drive over this way. Seems that we will never be able to travel any where. I have so many spells with my heart that I dislike trying to get away from home. About the only thing I would try now is to take the train and run down to Fort Worth and stay at a hotel. We have done that the last few times have been down there and it works pretty well. From the hotel down town can stay in the room or go out in town for short trips. Minnie usually has her rooms rented and I dont [sic] want to get parked 5 miles out where I can't see any thing or any body. Just rather stay home.

I note your plentiful supply of grandsons and hope this next one will switch to the distaff side, just for a change.

Am glad Minnie and Gertrude got over to see you, although am somewhat surprised they made so long a trip. Thought she was more incapacitated than that.

I suddenly took a notion a short time back I would try and locate some of grandfathers people and had fair luck. Father told me of some of them about 40 years ago and it happened I kept the memo I made at the time. So with what I have learned recently I have a pretty fair record back through my grandfather Gilliland and of course your great grandfather.

Father told me about as follows:

My great grandfather was John Gilliland, born in Kentucky, date unknown and he died in Lincoln County, Missouri, in 1856. Father did not tell me who he married or any of his children except of course my grand father. He must have been born around 1775.

TRANSCRIPT OF PAGE 2 [Click to see image of page 2 (198K)]

#2 - EEG - 1/3/52

Grand father was named Allen Johnson Gilliland, born in Kentucky 1818 and died in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, 1887. His first wife was Nancy Stephens. She was born in Virginia in 1816 and died in McKinney, Texas, in 1860.

To this union there was born 5 children. John Sanford Gilliland, Porter Gilliland, (died at 19 in 1870); Lydia Gilliland (died but do not know when or where), Serena Gilliland and Dora Gilliland.

After grand mother died in 1860 he left father with relatives and moved somewhere. The next thing I have on him is that he moved to Pagosa Springs, and took with him Serena and Dora, who was a deaf mute. Before going to Pagosa Springs he evidently married some one whose first name was Mattie. Serena also married G. T. Smith, because they all reached Pagosa Springs together. The woman he married was the half sister of G. T. Smiths step mother.

To this last union there was born a girl named Kate and two boys Doc and Jim.

Now will resume the history of his children. Serena married Smith and they had 10 children, who I will discuss later. Kate married Frank Cooley and moved to Durango. I am trying to trace them now, have some hope that Aunt Kate is still alive. She is fathers youngest half sister. I [sic] she was born in the 60's and could be still liviing [sic]. Birdies mother, who lives with us, is 87 and was born in 1864 and is hale and hearty. Aunt Kate would not necessarily be over 90 and a niece in San Diego says she was still living in Durango when she last heard from her.

The boys Jim and Doc moved to Chama, New Mexico, and both are dead. Doc had no children but Jim left 2 boys. I am trying to trace them now. Doc came to see us in Decatur in 1896. I remember him and it was he who gave me a picture of two Smith girls. They were then about 15 and 17 and I was 8. I kept that picture all the year and through publication of it got in contact with them now.

Ora Smith married Roy White and is dead. Lydia Smith married a man by name Miller and she is still living. Both White and Lydia Miller live in San Diego. I have exchanged several letters with White. Porter Smith lives in AzTec, New Mex. but will not answer my letters although I know he lives there and operates a grocery store. Roy E. Smith lives in Denver but does not answer my letters.

Thats [sic] about the story. I have never tried to go back any further. Would like to get back to the Revolution if I could. Am returning the picture of Howard Gilliland as I su pose [sic] you want it.

You at least have the low down on your fathers family back to a great great grand father. I am uncertain about the Great great but I know that since then the information is authentic.

Kindest regards to all and best wishes.

From Uncle Roy [initialed RRG]