52 Ancestors Challenge - Malinda who married Alexander Gibson in South Carolina around 1830 - Week 32

I've had several posts on my Gibson line.  This week I'll continue this line as I discuss my 4th great grandmother Melinda (or Malinda).  I have been unsuccessful in locating a maiden name for Melinda.  The only name I have for her is her married name.

According to the death record I have for Melinda, she lived to be 79 years old.  She died November 12, 1889 at 11:30 am, in DeSoto, Missouri.  If this is correct, then we can determine that she was born in the year 1810.  The record also states that she was born in South Carolina.  Her husband, Alexander, was also believed to be from South Carolina. As of today, I am not able to find who her parents, or Alexander's, parents were.  Still looking into that.

We believe Alexander and Melinda had the following children:

• William H. born 1832 in South Carolina
• Margaret or Martha E. born 1834 in Tennessee
• Herod born 1836 in Tennessee
• John A. born 1839 in Tennessee
• James J. born 1841 in Tennessee
• Jefferson (or Green BJ) born 1843 in Tennessee

We believe Alexander and Melinda were probably married in South Carolina based on census records, and the state listed for the birth of their first child, William.  They must have moved to Tennessee sometime between 1832 and 1834.  They resided in Gibson County, Tennessee according to the 1840 census.

The 1850 Federal Census is the first time we see Melinda's name.  In 1850, the family is shown living in Carroll County, TN, which is next to Gibson County, TN.  But, by 1860, the family had moved about 200 miles to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.  According to Melinda's death record, she had been a resident of the state of Missouri for 35 years.  So I'm guessing, the family must have moved around 1854.

Then 1870 Melinda and Alexander are living in Central Township, Jefferson County, Missouri.  Sometime before 1880, Alexander must have passed away.  Melinda is seen on the 1880 census living with Herod, their son, in De Soto, Jefferson County, MO, and listed as a widow.  The 1880 census gives us some additional information about her as well.  It shows where her parents were born.  Her father was born in Pennsylvania, and her mother was born in Maryland.

Melinda is said to be buried next to her son, Herod, in the De Soto City Cemetery.

As always, if you have any questions, or concerns, about the information in this post, please leave me a message. I'd be happy to answer any questions or share what information I have on the individuals listed above. Thanks for reading!!

**UPDATE: We've found Melinda's maiden name!  It is Cunningham according to her daughter, Martha Elizabeth Gibson Naren's, death certificate.  Looking at the census records we see in 1820 in Union District, SC, next to Herod Gibson (who I believe is related to Alexander Gibson) is James Cunningham.  James Cunningham was born in Pennsylvania.  He moved to Gibson Co., TN by 1850.  Melinda and Alexander were in Gibson Co., TN in 1840 before eventually moving to Ste. Genevieve, MO.  Not 100% sure James is Melinda's father though.  I'm still looking for more proof.