Life History

Notes

• 1865 Minnesota State Census, McLeod County, 1 June, Penn Township, Hse/Fam #21
  Volney Gay M [no ages or birth states rptd in this census]
  Lucy Gay F
  Sylvester Gay M
  Orrin Gay M
  Alonzo Gay 11 M
  Carolin Gay F
  Asa Gay M
  William Gay M
  
  1870 Federal Census, Bates County, Missouri, 27 July, PO Butler, Grand River, page 7, Hse/Fam #45
  Gay, Volney 45 M W Farmer $0 declared Real Estate $0 declared Personal born Ohio [b abt 1825]
  Gay, Nancy 45 F W Home b Ohio Cannot read [b abt 1825]
  Gay, Ivanhoe 22  M W Farmer born Illinois [b abt 1848]
  Gay, Orin 17 M W Farmer born Illinois [b abt 1853]
  Gay, Alfred [Alonzo] 15 M W Farmer born Illinois Attended School, Idiot [b abt Jan 1855]
  Gay, Asa 8 M W Farmer born Illinois [b abt 1862]
  Gay, William 6 M W born Illinois [b abt 1864]
  Gay, Elsey 4 F W home born Illinois Cannot read or write [b abt 1866]
  
  In the 1875 state census, Volney is a widower.  There is one new child in the household, 9-year-old Ann.
  
  1875 Minnesota State Census, Meeker County, 1 May 1875, Swan Lake, page 983, Fam #142
  Gay, Volney 60 M W born Ohio Parents both b Maine [b abt 1815]
  Gay, Alonzo 20 M W born Minn Ohio Ohio [b abt 1855]
  Gay, Caroline 18 F W born Minn Ohio Ohio [b abt 1857]
  Gay, Wm 12 M W Minn Ohio Ohio [b abt Jan 1863]
  Gay, Ann 9 F W Minn Ohio Ohio [b abt 1866]
  
  1880 Federal Census, Meeker County, Minnesota, 12 June, Ladys Spring District 3, Enumeraton District 144, page 10, Hse/Fam #53
  Gay, Volney W M 64 Head Farmer Ohio Scotland Scotland [b abt 1826]
  Gay, Jane  W F 43 Wife Keeping House Has Consumption KY OH KY [abt 1837]
  Gay, Alonzo  W M 25 Son Works on Farm idiotic Minnesota Ohio Kentucky [b abt 1855]
  Gay, Willie  W M 18 Son Works on Farm Minnesota Ohio Kentucky [b abt 1862]
  Gay [Sellards], Armstrong  W M 15 Son Works on Farm KY OH KY [b abt 1865]
  Gay [Sellards], Jasper W M 12 Son Works on Farm KY OH KY [b abt 1868]
  
  Armstrong and Jasper are sons of their stepmother Jane Turmire Sellards.  Jane's first husband William Sellards died in 1870.  William's mother Laura/Lucy died in 1873.  The enumerator has erred in giving the Sellards brothers the Gay last name.

Sources

• 1. 1865 Minnesota State Census, McLeod County
  • 1 June, Penn Township, Hse/Fam #21
• 2. 1880 Federal Census, Meeker County, Minnesota
  • 12 June, Ladys Spring District 3, Enumeraton District 144, page 10, Hse/Fam #53
• 3. 1875 Minnesota State Census, Meeker County
  • 1 May 1875, Swan Lake, page 983, Fam #142
• 4. 1870 Federal Census, Bates County, Missouri
  • 27 July, PO Butler, Grand River, page 7, Hse/Fam #45