Does the Gordy Family Live On?

Family Continues Even After Tragedy

If you’re like me when you start to research a family you find yourself connected in one way or another. I was so pleased to find out through this process that Adolphus Gordy, the son of James and Sallie, grew up to have a family of his own. After the hanging of his father he went to live with his paternal grandmother, Rebecca, until the time of her death. In writing “1897 Hanging of James M Gordy from Delaware“, “The Union of James Gordy and Sallie Pennewell ” and “Gordy Murder Makes Headlines” I tried to shed a little light on the Gordy family and the trial that caught the attention of so many in 1897. When starting this research I came across many who had their own opinions as to who James Gordy really was. Some even thought that maybe   Sallie Pennewell wasn’t so innocent.

 1900 Census

[1]1900 United States Federal Census

1900 United States Federal Census from Gumboro Hundred in Sussex County in the state of Delaware shows that Rebecca W. Gordy as head of household, white, female, widowed, born May 1828 in the state of Delaware, and both of her parents were born in Delaware. It also shows occupation listed as a farmer, she had twelve children, and eight are still living, she was able to speak English, could not read or write. Her home and farm are owned mortgage-free. She was 72 years of age at the time of this census. Adolphus J. Gordy is listed as grandson to the head of the household, white, male, single, born February 1891 in the state of Delaware, and both of his parents were born in Delaware. It also shows his occupation at school. He was 9 years of age at the time of this census. Mary E. West is listed as a boarder to head of household, white, female, widowed, born Mar 1818 in the state of Maryland, and both of her parents were born in Maryland. It also shows occupations listed as a seamstress, she had six children and four are still living, she was able to speak English, read, and write. She was 82 years of age at the time of this census.

Certificate of Death

[2]Certificate of Death

Certificate of a Death in Sussex County the state of Delaware. The name of the deceased is Rebecca Gordy, age 83 years, white. Occupation listed as household duties, cause of death listed as general debility (old age), date of death May 16, 1906.

 

[3]Tatnall Tombstone Collection

Tatnall Tombstone Collection, reference in Sussex County on page 223. Rebecca W. Gordy wife of Peter B. was born May 9, 1828, death date listed May 17, 1906. The cemetery is Gordy located 3 miles W. Lowes Cross Roads.

Marriage

[4]Return to Marriage

Return of Marriage in the town of Georgetown in Sussex County the state of Delaware list name of the groom as Adolphus J Gordy, age 21, white, born in the state of Delaware, residing in Sussex County, and occupation as a laborer. The name of the bride is Cordelia M Isaacs, age 18, white, born in the state of Delaware, residing in Sussex County, bride's parents are Mr. & Mrs. Luther Isaacs. The date of marriage is July 21, 1909.

1910 Census

[5]1910 United States Federal Census

1910 United States Federal Census in District 3 in Sussex County the state of Delaware shows Dalpas Gordy as head of household white, male, married, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. Married for one year, able to speak English, can read and write. Occupation listed as a general farmer, he was 19 years of age at the time of this census. Cordelia A. is listed as wife to head of household, white, female, married, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. Married for one year, no children, able to speak English, can read and write. No occupation was listed, she was 18 years of age at the time of this census.

WW I Draft

[6]World War I Draft Registration Card

World War I Draft Registration Card for Adolphus James Gordy living in Georgetown, Delaware, date of birth listed February 10, 1891, and a natural-born citizen. place of birth Gumboro, Delaware, occupation listed as a farmer and self-employed. Married with three children, white, no exemptions except for wife and children. Height is medium, stout build, brown eyes with brown hair.

1920 Census

[7]1920 United States Federal Census

1920 United States Federal Census in Georgetown in Sussex County the state of Delaware on Milford Road list Adolphus J Gordy as head of household, white, male, married, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. It shows he was able to speak English, read and write, he owned his home. Occupation listed as a farmer, general farmer, he was 28 years of age at the time of this census. Cordelia M. is listed as wife to head of household, white, female, married, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. It shows she was able to speak English, read, and write. No occupation was listed, she was 28 years of age at the time of this census. Sallie C. is listed as a daughter to head of household, white, female, single, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. It shows she was attending school, no occupation listed, she was 9 years of age at the time of this census. Ava E. is listed as a daughter to head of household, white, female, single, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. It shows she was attending school, no occupation listed, she was 7 years of age at the time of this census. Martha E. is listed as a daughter to head of household, white, female, single, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. It shows she was attending school, no occupation listed, she was 6 years of age at the time of this census. Adolphus A. is listed as a son to head of household, white, male, single, born in the state of Delaware, and both parents born in Delaware. No occupation is listed, he was 1 year of age at the time of this census.

 

Conclusion

Well, this concludes the research that I start after coming across the article that I mentioned in “1897 Hanging of James M Gordy from Delaware”. I’m sure there is much more to this family and the stories that they hold along with members of their community. If you are wanting to learn more about this case, the victims and the family here are a few sites you might be interested in. Thanks to an article in the Middletown Transcript sparked my interest to discover a little more, who knew there was such a story there.

“The Gordy Murder”

“High Tide News”

“In Search of Milton’s Story” (This is part 1 of “Murder Most Foul on the BroadKill”)

“In Search of Milton’s Story” ( This is part 2 of “Murder Most Foul on the Broadkill”)

[1]1900 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 2017)Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2004. Gumboro, Sussex, Delaware; Roll:157;Page:4A;Enumeration District:0094;FHL microfilm:1240157

[2]Delaware Death Records 1811-1933 Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Delaware Vital Records, Microfilm, Delaware Public Archives, Dover.

[3]Delaware Vital Records 1650-1974 FamilySearch.org (http:www//familysearch.org July 2017)FamilySearch digital folder 005099543

[4]Delaware Marriage Records 1806-1933 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010

[5]1910 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com(http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.,2006. Roll: T624_148; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0107; FHL microfilm: 1374161

[6] U.S. World War I Draft Registration cards 1917-1918 Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2005. Roll: 1570612

[7] 1920 United States Federal Census Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed July 2017) Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2010. Roll: T625_201; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 199