Family:Robert Sims and Joanna Gay (1)

Robert Sims and Joanna Gay did not have any children, so left their estate to siblings, including Joanna's living brothers at the time, who are named in the Robert Sims last will and testament (Will written on 9/15/1837, recorded on 3/2/1840 in Clarke county, Georgia) as:

Allen Gay

Joshua Gay

Gilbert Gay

William Gay

Thomas Gay

Joseph Thompson ( note: Mary "Polly" Gay married Joseph Thompson)

Jeremiah Walker ( note: Temperance Gay married Jeremiah Walker)

After Joanna Sims died in Clayton county, Georgia, her nephew Sherrod H. Gay (son of William Gay and Mary Polly Hunt) administered the estate, which, by law, reverted back to the Will and Estate of Robert Sims, her husband, since Joanna only had a legal interest and right to the estate while she was living. This was the law of Georgia and other states at the time.

Source Email: [email protected],<[email protected]>,22 Sep 2010

In 1860, Sherrod H. Gay contacted descendants of Allen Gay, Joshua Gay, Gilbert Gay, William Gay and Thomas Gay, to obtain a "settlement" of the estate of Robert Sims. On the page describing the settlement of Joshua Gay's heirs, the following is written:

State of Georgia Fayette County March 1860

Received of S.H. Gay one hundred dollars each as heirs at law of Joshua Gay and as legatees under the last will and testament of Robert Sims, late of Clarke County, Georgia, deceased, which said sums of money each of us hereby agree to and receive in full payment for our shares, interest as remainder under said will, and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to each of us paid by the said Sherod H. Gay. We do hereby transfer and assign to said S. H. Gay our entire interest under and by virtue of said will. In witness whereof we have hereto set our hand and seal this 17th day of March 1860.

Mary Cannon Vicy Daniels Mahala Cluck Thomas Gay by their attorney in fact, James Gay. Test: John L. Davis

Source Email: [email protected],<[email protected]>,22 Sep 2010