Kate’s notes: Sigh. Yet another case where I wondered if the surname spelling in this article was correct. In this obituary the important clue to Jim Gilleland’s true identity can be found in the list of the man’s survivors, which included a sister, Mattie Gilliland Jones. I knew that Mattie Gilliland Jones had been buried at Val Verde Cemetery in Milam County, so when I checked the records for her parents, Jacob Henry and Rachel (Whiteley) Gilliland (also buried at Val Verde), I found their children were William Lee, Martha Agnes “Mattie”, Samuel Francis, Charles Sylvanus, Vane C., Joseph Hugh, James Cleveland, Augusta, Finley Cameron and Jacob Irving. Although some of the initials seem a bit off, I’m convinced this is a match and that “Jim Gilleland” was actually James Cleveland Gilliland, a son of Jacob and Rachel. Jacob, the patriarch of the family, came to Texas from North Carolina.
   For more information on the family of Jacob and Rachel, as well as a fine family portrait, see:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Gilliland&GSiman=1&GScid=1581786&GRid=66717921&

The Bartlett Tribune and News
Bartlett, Texas
5 May, 1950

Death Claims
Brother Of
Local Lady
____________

   Jim Gilleland, brother of Mrs. Mattie Jones of Bartlett, died suddenly at his home in Liberty last Thursday.
   He was born at Salado January 29, 1893, and was a farmer in Bell County before moving to Liberty a number of years ago.
   Funeral services were held in Liberty Saturday afternoon with Rev. Vernon Dietrich officiating. Burial was in the Liberty cemetery.
   Survivors are his widow, three sons, J. C. of Liberty, William of Fort Worth, Troy of Houston; three daughters, Mrs. James Hartley of Houston, Faye and Kay Gilliland[sic] of Liberty; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Jones of Bartlett and Mrs. Augusta Pye of Abilene; one grandchild; and five brothers, S. S. of Hereford, Will of Rogers, C. F. of Temple, Hugh of Hobbs, N. M. and Van of Swearington.

-transcription by Kate Maynard, 2012