Individual Details

John Wesley lived in Clay County with his family until at least 1830; his parents were in Madison Co by 1840 where he married Alitha Harrison. At least two of his children seem to have been born prior to that marriage - it could be there is a missing wife, or it took them awhile to get around to formalizing the marriage.

This might be John Wesley - but could be another John Gabbard
1940 Census. Clay Co, KY
John Gabbard: 1m under 5, 1m 20-30. 1f under 5, 1f 20-30
He was living next to Henry Gabbard Jr. and Jack Gabbard

Marriage bond dated 21 Dec 1841, Madison Co KY. Edward Gabbard, father of the groom, gave consent and served as bondsman. Minister's return dated 31 Dec 1841.

1850 Census, Madison Co KY
John W. "Gabbert", age 30. Alithy 30.
Green, age 12. Mary A. 10. Jacob 8. William 7. Nancy 6. Sally 5. Susan 4. Edward 3. Cythia 2. Jacob Gabbert, age 80.

His grandfather Jacob was also living with John in the 1850 Census in Madison Co KY.
The family was in Jackson Co for the 1860 Census. It's possible this was because of the formation of Jackson Co and not the result of moving.

Kentucky Land Grant, Order for Survey 17931, John W. Gabbard, 50 acres of vacant land in Madison Co, he having paid $2. 18 Aug 1848.
28 Mar 1851. Survey for John W. Gabbard on waters of Indian Lick Creek. Markers were a double white oak on a narrow bench, black oak on a ridge, large chesnut, stooping chesnut, 2 chesnut Oaks on a point, white oak & double chesnut, 2 Spanish oaks. Nathan M. Harrison & Jacob G. Gabbard were chain carriers, John W. Gabbard, markers, John H. Parish, Surveyor.
Granted by Lazarus W. Powell, Governor, at Frankfort, 18 Dec 1851.
Note: Indian Creek is now within the bounds of Jackson Co.

1860 Census. McKee, Jackson Co KY, Hh 335
John W. Gabbert, age 42, Farmer, b. KY
Leatha, age 44
Nancy Jane 18. Green B. 19. Jacob 17. William H. 15. Sarah 14. Susan 13. Edward 12. Sitha 10. Calesta 9. Palestine 7. John W. 4. Dellia age 2.

A John Gabbard enlisted in Co D, Kentucy 47th Infantry, 5 Oct 1863, in Irvine, Estill, KY, as a Private. He was mustered out on 26 Dec 1864 at Lexington KY. I don't know that this is the same man - he was a little old to be serving and there were several John Gabbards in the area.

1870 Census. McKee Precinct, Jackson Co KY, Hh 57
John W. Gabbard, age 49. Leathy, age 52
Sarah 23. Calista 18. Palistine 17. John W. 14. Delila 12. Margaret E. age 9.

1880 Census. McKee, Jackson, KY, Hh 310
Wesley Gabbard, age 59, b. KY, father b. Tenn., mother b. KY
Letha, 60, wife, b. KY as were her parents


1900 Census. McKee, Jackson Co, KY, Hh 78
Wesley Gabbard, b. Sept 1822, age 77, married for 11 years
Susan J., wfe, b. Aug 1868, age 32, 5 children
Fannie, dau, b. Aug 1890, age 9
Louisa, dau, b. Nov 1892, age 7
Palestine, son, b. Aug 1894, age 5
Rose A., dau, b. Feb 1897, age 3
Sherman, son, b. Dec 1898, age 1.

BEREA CITIZEN, published Weekly, Owsley Co KY
10 Jun 1909 Jackson Co, Hurley. Mr. J. W. Gabbard, aged 97, died June 1 after lingering about six weeks. He was a very hale old man until about 2 years ago when he was struck with paralysis while working in the field. He first married Leatha Harrison and unto this union were born 15 children, ten of whom are now living. He next married Susan Jones [who is now in the insane asylum] and unto them were born five children, all living. He was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist church and has always lived a quiet, peaceful life and was loved by all his neighbors. He has had 106 grandchildren, about 250 great granchildren and something near 50 great great grandchildren. The remains were laid to rest Wednesday evening at Roberts graveyard where his wife and grandparents are buried. Quite a large crowd were present.

Note: Susan Gabbard was a resident of the Eastern State Hospital for the Insane, from 1910 through 1940.

Buried Roberts Cemetery, Indian Creek in McKee.
Tombstone says he was born in 1812 which doesn't work with the ages of his parents and isn't consistent with census data - he was born probably 1822.

Birth	Sep 1822	Clay County, Kentucky
Marriage	31 Dec 1841	Madison County, Kentucky - Alitha Harrison
Marriage	13 Aug 1889	Jackson County, Kentucky - Susan Jane Jones
Death	1 Jun 1909	McKee, Jackson County, Kentucky

Spouse	Alitha Harrison (1816 - 1889)
Child	Mary Ann Gabbard (1839 - 1904)
Child	Green Berry Gabbard (1841 - )
Child	Jacob H. Gabbard (1843 - 1924)
Child	Nancy Jane Gabbard (1843 - )
Child	Sarah "Sally" Gabbard (1845 - )
Child	William Marion Gabbard (1845 - 1905)
Child	Susan Jane Gabbard (1847 - 1921)
Child	James Edward "Ned" Gabbard (1847 - 1930)
Child	Cynthia Gabbard (1848 - )
Child	Calesta Gabbard (1851 - )
Child	Palestine Gabbard (1853 - 1928)
Child	John Wesley Gabbard Jr. (1854 - 1929)
Child	Delilah Gabbard (1857 - 1917)
Child	Margaret Elizabeth Gabbard (1861 - 1944)

Spouse	Susan Jane Jones (1868 - 1946)
Child	Fanny Gabbard (1890 - 1967)
Child	Louisa Gabbard (1892 - 1962)
Child	Palestine Kennedy Gabbard (1894 - 1988)
Child	Rose A. Gabbard (1896 - )
Child	Sherman Gabbard (1898 - 1991)

Father	EDWARD GABBARD (1798 - 1884)
Mother	SARAH "SALLY" BOWMAN (1798 - 1886)
Sibling	Elijah G. Gabbard (1818 - 1900)
Sibling	Nancy Gabbard (1822 - 1892)
Sibling	Jacob B. Gabbard (1824 - 1907)
Sibling	SARAH ANN "SALLY" GABBARD (1825 - 1880)
Sibling	Susan Jane Gabbard (1829 - 1917)
Sibling	Siretha Gabbard (1830 - 1919)
Sibling	Elizabeth Gentry Gabbard (1833 - 1908)
Sibling	?Mary Gabbard (1834 - )
Sibling	Margaret E. Gabbard (1836 - 1893)
Sibling	Eliza Jane Gabbard (1839 - 1924)