Gazlay Family History
Family History - Thomas Jefferson Gazley
| Key: | 1. | “+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation. |
| 2. | “born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown. |
This family history features Thomas Jefferson Gazley and his immediate family.
First Generation
1. Thomas Jefferson Gazley,1 born ca. 1856 in Texas, the son of William H. Gazley and Margaretta Ann Shepherd;1, 2 died 1876 in Smithville, Bastrop County, Texas.3, 4, 5 Tom and his father William were murdered in the Spring of 1876, by Aaron Burleson, who was himself killed the following September.3, 4, 5
- U.S. Federal Census, 1860, Texas, Colorado County, Page 50, family of W. H. Gazley (28, Texas, atty at law); M. A. Gazley (24, Pa.); T. J. Gazley (4, Texas); Kate Gazley (2, Texas); Susan A. Shephard (50, SC); Webb Shephard (17, Texas); Robert Shephard (14, Texas).
- U.S. Federal Census, 1870, Texas, Fayette County, Corporation La Grange, Page No. 18, family of Wm. H. Gazley (38, Texas, lawyer); Margaretta Ann Gazley (34, VA); Thos. J. Gazley (14, Texas); Kate Gazley (12, Texas); Margaretta Lee Gazley (5, Texas); Anna Gazley (1, Texas).
- The Galveston Daily News, 2 September 1876. Report of shooting of Aaron Burleson, who ‘killed Capt. Gazley and son last spring.’
- Austin Genealogical Society, Austin History Center Newspaper Index, July 26, 1871-Dec 21, 1877; Two articles: Letter says Aaron Burleson killed Tom Gazley-Bastrop 3/23/1876; Bastrop Co aroused over Burlesons murder of Gazley 3/25/1876.
- 1927 Smithville Times: History of Their Home City; Compiled jointly by Mrs. Arnold E. Adamcik and Mrs. E. Clay Williams. Available at Texas Gen Web. “The first tragedy was the shooting and killing of William Gazley and his son, Thomas by Aaron Burleson, then about two weeks later Burleson was killed by a man hired to murder him.” [Other articles indicate that the Gazleys were killed around March 1876, and Aaron was killed in September 1876.]