Person:Alexander Gamble (2)

Biography

ALEX. BRECKINRIDGE GAMBLE.

By MAJOR WILL A. Mc Teer Given at the 1909 Gamble Reunion

A large portion of the assembly today are the descendants of Alexander Breckinridge Gamble. A nobler, grander or better man has never been produced, and all have great reason to feel a just pride in looking back to one of such merit and worth as an ancestor. He was born in Virginia on the 18th day of July, 1787, and on the 28th day of February, 1811, was married to Elizabeth Ransbarger, who was also born in Virginia, June 1, 1794, His first home was a few miles below Maryville for a short time. His father, Josias Gamble, entered the land of Little River where the home was located and has ever been the Gamble homestead, now divided into a number of farms. Prom some reason Josias Gamble became involved in some way, and it became necessary to perfect the title by the aid of others, so Alexander B. Gamble and a relative came to the rescue, made the remainder of the payments, and completed the title. Josias Gamble was reputed to have been quite wealthy, but in his old days, became reckless, gave way to temptations, and spent his means lavishly, so that much of his substance was lost.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE. Alexander B. Gamble was not a very tall man, but was immense in size. When I was a boy I thought that he and "Cousin Mosy' as my mother used to call him, were) the two biggest men in the country. Perhaps "Cousin Mosy" was a little the heavier, but they were immense in size. As I remember it, they weighed in the neighborhood of 300 pounds each. As I now think of them they were not very tall, less than six feet, but spread out to a wonderful degree. They each had very large heads, Alexander B. Gamble wearing a hat near number eight. His hair was white the first I can recollect, and he had a coarse heavy coat, combed down partly over the forehead, and it lay flat on the head. He dressed plainly in coarse homespun. He was too heavy to do work on the farm except such as could be done without being on his feet. He knew everything that was going on in every part of the place. I used to wonder how he could tell where every plow, hoe, or tool of any kind had been left in this field or that. He was not careless, and yet was not particular about his personal appearance, In size, as in many other respects,. there was a great contrast between him and his wife. She was quite small and slender, and tender, affectionate, confiding and lovable. POLITICS. In politics he was a Whig, very decidedly, but holding independence that would not allow any man or combination to dictate to him. He had the brain and mental powers to make up a judgment for himself, and the courage to act on it. He sought no political preferment. Instead of watching to see how the public was drifting on new questions, he investigated for himself, and his acquaintances were inclined to watch which way he was drifting. Tie was a leader of thought, and his advice sought by all about him. He was near fifty years ahead of public opinion on the subject of slavery. A number of slaves belonged to him by inheritance, and there being no satisfactory emancipation laws, he allowed one of them to buy himself, and then in turn to buy the others, until they were all practically free. Prices paid in these cases were merely nominal. In this way the slaves were made free. While he did not seek political preferment, he was repeatedly elected Justice of the Peace, and held the office for many years. He was also Chairman of the County Court for some time, and for many years was one of the Auditing Committee to make settlements with the County Officials. His decisions as a magistrate were seldom appealed from, and it was said that very few were ever reversed that went up to the higher court.

RELIGION. Alexander Breckinridge Gamble was devoutly religious, being a member of the Presbyterian Church, and strongly devoted to his church. He was strict in keeping up family worship, and in attendance on the services of the church. While he was strongly attached and devoted to his branch of the church he was not bigoted, but liberal with those who entertained different views. His membership was in Eusebia Church, something over five miles from his home. Buggies and spring wagons were not so common in his days. His great weight made it necessary that he have a horse to match. So he had a very large horse named John. In my early recollection, regularly on the Sabbath mornings when services were held in Eusebia, unless the weather was very inclement, he could be seen on old "John," making his way to church, on horse back. One of my very early recollection was the old shed east of the church at Eusebia, with small cottages along in a row above and at the sides of the shed, of the high pulpit at the lower end of the shed, and in front, a little lower than the seats for the ministers, was a high bench on which the singers sat. They were then called "Clerks." I was just a little child, not more than four or five years of age, but I remember well about playing around the knees of my grandfather, and of his playful attempts at pleasing me, and his evident amusement at some of my conduct. He sat on a chair in front of the door of one of the cottages, then called amps. Referring to his riding old "John" to church recalls a amusing incident at which there was a great deal of laughing at the time. He carried a pocket knife for more an twenty years, using it quite frequently. It had not been a large knife to begin with, and its long and sometime, rough usage had worn the blade back until one-third or more of the length was gone, and the edge was worn back until the blade presented the shape of the half of a new moon with the edge on the inside of the curve. After services on one Sabbath, starting from the church with a great umber of people and horses, old John became frisky and broke his girth. The rider had to dismount and fix the girth, nd while doing so, "John" was restless and wanted to go long with the other horses. With his little worn knife he ras trying to mend the girth, and finally lost patience with the horse and exclaimed. "Whoa, John! If you don't stand still I will stick my knife clear through you" My own father was near, and quick to see the ridiculous, lost control of himself in laughter. He said the idea of running that knife clear through "Old John," when the blade could scarcely be driven through the hide, was something that he could not understand. In the days of my boyhood, harvesting was done by neighborhoods. It was rare that hands were hired, but when a field was ripe for harvesting the neighbors would turn out and cut the grain, then go to some other field where the grain was ripe, and so on until all was gathered into shocks. It was a custom that he who had the grain cut must furnish liquor for the hands. It was required and would have been taken as ill manners and want of appreciation to omit this requirement. Drinking, liquor and even drunkenness was not looked on as at present. Such occasions but sparingly for the hands, and while working for him I never knew any one to drink to excess, and I do not remember to have ever"seen him drink any at all. He disapproved of the drinking habit, and was no ways backward in telling it, as he was not in making his views known on any subject. GENIALITY. He was really a genial and kind hearted man, and yet very plain spoken as we shall soon see. There was never a worthy person in need or distress but that he was ready and anxious to aid in relief so far as he had power. He was hospitable. His home open at all times to friends or strangers who passed. by his way. His great intelligence, his ease in conversation, his sympathy and warmth of heart, his wisdom and freedom. in advising persons in trouble all combined in making his home a place sought by many. READING CHARACTER. He was gifted in reading character and the minds of others. He was quick to discern attempts at feigning a purpose to conceal the real intent. An instance illustrative of this characteristic is told of him. One summer he had a very fine melon patch. He was always free and liberal with fruits and products of the farm. At any time when friends or travelers came along he would freely treat to his melons and fruits. A spirit of wrong takes possession of young men sometimes, and lead's them to do very wrong things from the very fact that it is wrong. A couple of young men passed by along the road. Something from their manner or appearance led him to suspect that they meant to do mischief to his melons. He called one of his daughters, told her of his suspicions, and directed her to go a near way to a place near the melon patch, conceal herself, and see that he was correct. Sure enough, the young men made a circuitous route to the melons. One of them said that he was not going to pull a single one of "Uncle Alex's melons." So the other one did the pulling, and both of them carried a good supply to one side. The other said that he would not cut a single one of "Uncle Alex's melons." So the one that did not pull them did the cutting. There they gorged themselves to their appetite's capacity from the melons. The daughter slipped back and told him what had occurred. He waited patiently for a short time, when the young men came along, endeavoring to look inoffensive and innocent, passing close by the house and speaking very kindly to "Uncle Alex." He called them and invited them to come in and spend,' a little time with him. They tried to excuse themselves, hut he insisted, saying that he had been looking for some of his friends to come along, and they were the very ones. They stopped. He told them that he had a very fine melon, too large for him to eat, besides he did not like to eat by himself, and the others of the family would not join him, and they had happened to come just at the right time. He rolled out an immense ripe melon, of very fine variety, and cut it. The young men were in trouble. They could not deny him, and it was an awful experience to crowd more melon into their already crowded capacity. They could not tell him that they had been eating melons, for that would be a confession of their theft. They made themselves sick by their gorging, and when he was ready he let them go, without making any semblance of an accusation against them. They had to tell it themselves, and acknowledge that they had never been so fearfully punished in their lives.

BRUSQUENESS. In history there is some peculiarity indicative of every age, and to a greater or less extent of every generation. In the generation of Alexander B. Gamble, one of the striking peculiarities was brusqueness--sometimes called plainness of speech. This was quite prominent with him. So it was with others of that generation, as we can testify who can recall them. It was not meant as unkindness, and yet it scared a boy out of his wits sometimes. This characteristic was prominent with most men of that age. I recall in addition to the subject of this sketch, Uncle Jack Reagan, Joe Buck Gamble, Uncle Sam Bogle, my grandfather. William Mc Teer,. although his was less marked than the others named. There never was a kinder heart or more sympathetic nature then Uncle Jack Reagan, and yet he scared me until I never got my full growth. We were harvesting in the bottoms. I was too small to make anything like a hand, but was put to work piling the bundles ready for shocking. I was told to not be particular as to the number of bundles put in a pile, that it did not matter as to there being an even dozen in each. The wheat was heavy and I was working for all there was in my strength. Uncle Jack chanced to come along, and as was his custom, walked right into the field and went to work just as if he had been employed, shocking the wheat. Soon he came to a pile which I had gathered, with about fifteen bundles in it, and he stormed like a bugle blast, "Will! Why don't you pile your bundles in even dozens?" It is impossible for me to half describe how bad I was scared. But that was his way, and he meant no harm by it. No age or country ever produced better men than these, were.. If Alexander B. Gamble came in contact with anything that he disapproved, there was no uncertain sound uttered. His expressions were given in the plainest, and even brusque language. When I was just a child on one occasion Bill McCauly came to the old home. He was at home there any way. Of the same stock, and in the family a great deal, and was a favorite with all. He was a young man and handsome, but had contracted the habit of profanity to such an extent that he swore without knowing it. He had a profane expression in almost every sentence. Grandfather reproved him, saying that it was an ugly, impolite, sinful habit; that it was disgusting, and unfitted him from being in good society, and he ought to stop it. McCauly acknowledged it all, apologized as meekly as a child, begged pardon, and closed by saying, "Uncle Alex! I am ashamed of it, and I am going to quit it right now, but I tell you it is d----d hard to do." "Now, just listen at that, right here, while you are promising to quit the hateful habit, you make the promise with an oath." McCauly again apologized, and begged. pardon, promising that he would swear no more, especially in his presence, "but d--n it, they will slip out!" So, for a number of times, he made his efforts to keep his promise while there, and violated it in the very act of his attempts. COURAGE. - He was a man of boundless courage, both moral and physical. He stood for his convictions regardless of what others might think or say. He was not one who. hesitated for a moment as to what the mind or opinion of others were before taking his position. He was not the man for politicians or combinations to entangle or tie up in his course; He wanted the right to prevail, and was ready to take such stand as would help it along, regardless of what others might think. He was not domineering, but firm in his convictions. If need should require it, he was ready to die for the right as he saw it. An instance is given, showing an unconquerable exhibition of both moral and physical courage. During our Civil War a party of robbers went in one night and were pillaging the house. He denounced them in his most scathing language, referring to the liberties bequeathed us from our fathers, whose blood was shed on fields in the revolutionary war, the sacrifices made to establish a free country, and now it was overridden by robbers and murderers. So severe was he that one of the party ordered him to stop his talking and be quiet. He defied him, and told him that he could not stop him exercising the right he had to express himself, The robber cocked his gun, placed it at his breast, and said he cold stop him, and would do it if he had to blow his heart out of him. He replied, "Blow, if you dare!" "You can't deprive me of many days at the longest, and what ever time I have left I will exercise the rights of an American citizen and give free expression to my thoughts ! "Blow, if you dare" The gun was lowered. Even the hardened robber could not withstand such unflinching courage on the part of one so brave. CONVERSATIONALIST. As heretofore intimated, he was a good and entertaining conversationalist. His intelligence and broad mind enabled him to converse freely on almost any subject; in a free and easy manner. His retentive memory was well stored with experience and from investigation and study. His ability to look on all sides of questions presented, and liberality towards the views of others enabled him to entertain in this manner to a wonderful extent. He enjoyed amusement, and yet I do not remember to have ever heard him laugh aloud. As a child I have watched with much enjoyment his fat sides shaking, and the broad smile on his face, but there was no outburst of laughter. READER. He was a constant reader, and stored richly what .he read. His reading was not of the trashy kind, as one would know from his other characteristics. He read for a purpose, If and thus with his long experience and gathering knowledge .from what ever source he could, day by day, increased knowledge until age and disease disabled him. He died on the second day of April, 1867, in his old home; and his remains rest in Eusebia cemetery. OUR ANCESTOR. Another will speak of the descendants of Alexander B. Gamble, many of whom are present. To each and every one of. these, whether present or absent, let me say that we have a grand heritage in our common ancestor; he left us a name and character that is worthy of emulation. It is far better to look back to that grand man, with his noble, stable character, his unflinching loyalty to principle, although himself a plebeian, but rising in the majesty of American citizenship, that it would be to have descended from kings, princes and potentates.

DESCENDANTS OF ALEXANDER BRECKINRIDGE GAMBLE By ALEXANDER B. GAMBLE, JR., Esq. On July 18th 1787, in the State of Virginia, a boy was born who was named Alexander Breckinridge Gamble. In the same State, on the 1st day of June, 1794, a girl was born named± Elizabeth Ransbarger. On the 28th day of February, 1811, these two young people were married. To them were born ten children, as follows:

1. John Gamble, born October 10, 1812.

2. Easter C. Gamble, born April 7, 1815. (Commonly called Hetty.)

3. Mary Gamble, born February 3, 1818. (Commonly called "Pops.")

4. Anna Gamble, born February 10, 1821.

5. Nancy Gamble, born April 25, 1823.

6. Josias Gamble, born May 5, 1826.

7. Rachel Gamble, born July 29, 1829.

8. Moses Gamble, born August 2, 1832.

9. Alexander B, Gamble, Jr., horn October 28, 1P&35, and died Oct. 7th, 1836.

10. Alexander Marion Gamble, born April 23, 1838.

John Gamble married Eliza Thompson, and to them were born four children, Alexander B., James T., John E., and Andrew. Easter (called Hetty) C. Gamble was never married. Mary (called "Pops") married John M..Lowry. Three children were born to them, Alexander B., Montgomery and John A. The two first named died in early childhood, the latter lives in Monroe County. Anna Gamble married Andrew Creswell. To them were born nine children: Elizabeth, Mary J., Margaret, Minerva Ann, Alexander B., William G.., Nancy A., John Baxter and Marion G. Margaret, Alexander B., Nancy A., John B., and Marion G. are all who are now living. Nancy Gamble married Andrew B. Mc Teer. To them were horn six children, Will A., Elizabeth Ann, Hetty C., Mary M., Alexander G., and Josias G. Josias Gamble married Rebecca Julian McCamy. To them were born eleven children: Sarah Ann, Alexander B., James P4., James, Elizabeth 5., Hetty. C., Andrew P4., and a twin, Moses 1-1., Sophronia, and Mary A. Rachel Gamble died when 32 years of age, unmarried. Moses Gamble married Angeline F. Thompson. To them were born two children: Alexander B., and Elizabeth L. Moses Gamble was a soldier in Company A, Third Tennessee Cavalry, United States Volunteers, and was lost on the Steamer Sultana in the terrible explosion near Memphis, April 27th, 1865. Alexander Marion Gamble married Dora Cowan. To them were born eight children, Mary B., Alice, George C., Frank, Joe H., Hetty B., Martha and Lucy. Alexander B. and Elizabeth Ransbarger Gamble have descendants as follows: Children 10 Grand Children 42 Great Grand Children 75 Great Great Grand Children 15 Total 142 The leading vocation among the descendants is farming and housewives. The following avocations and civic and religious positions have been held by different of the descendants:

CHILDREN. Two were soldiers in the Union Army, War of 1861, Moses Gamble, who was lost in the terrible explosion of the Sultana, April 27, 1865, and Alexander Marion Gamble, who rose to the rank of Major. Two were Justices of the Peace for many years, John and Josias. One member of the Legislature, Maj. A. M. Gamble. Three were elders in the Presbyterian church, John, Josias, and Major A. Marion Gamble. Two sons-in-law were soldiers in the Union Army, John N. Lowry and Andrew B. Mc Teer, the latter rising to the rank of Quartermaster.

GRAND CHILDREN. One Presbyterian Minister, Rev. John B. Creswell. Three Lawyers. Will A. Mc Teer, Andrew Gamble and Moses H. Gamble. Two Physicians, Alexander B. Mc Teer and Andrew N. Gamble. One Union Soldier, War of 1861, Will A.. Mc Teer, rising to the rank of Major. Two Clerks Circuit Court, Will A. Mc Teer, Joe H. Gamble.. One Clerk and Master, Chancery Court, James T. Gamble. Two Justices of the Peace, Alex B. Gamble, Jr., and John A.. Lowry. Three members of the Legislature, Will A. Mc Teer, Andrew Gamble, and Moses H. Gamble. Two Elders in the Presbyterian Church, A. B. Gamble, Jr., and Will A. Mc Teer. Two Deacons Presbyterian Church, Alexander Gamble and M. H. Gamble. GREAT GRAND CHILDREN. One physician, John A. McCulloch. One jeweler, Andrew E. McCulloch. In church connection they are almost a unit as Presbyterian. In politics, they likewise stand almost solid with Republicans.

Source: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2116973&id=I11084

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).

   http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/19035110/person/1152447586