by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2024
UPDATED September 18, 2025
Nellie Mary HAMILTON was born on November 20, 1905, in Monroe, Florida, to Eugene Joseph ‘King Gene’ HAMILTON (1883-1966) and Rebecca Elizabeth JOHNSON (1887-1947).
SIBLINGS
- William Joseph was born on March 5, 1904.
- Nellie Mary was born on November 20, 1905.
- Ellen Cathleen was born on April 2, 1908.
- Rosalie M. was born on May 10, 1911.
- Eugene Joseph ‘Josie’ was born on November 12, 1913.
- Ethel Madelyn was born on August 23, 1914.
- Irene Elizabeth was born on May 21, 1917.
- Roy Philip was born on January 21, 1921.
- Eugene Mervin was born on May 4, 1923.
In 1910, Nellie lived with her parents and siblings, William and Ellen on Wood Key in the Ten Thousand Islands (Everglades).
In 1920, she lived with her parents and siblings, William, Ellen, Rosalee, Eugene Jr., Ethel, and Irene in Flamingo . Also living in their household as boarders at that time were Alfred JOHNSON and John JORDAN. Living nearby were Nellie’s grandfather, Robert (Richard) HAMILTON, Walter HAMILTON & family, Henry SHORT, George STILLWELL, William BETHEL & family, and Joseph JOHNSON.
She married Joaquin F “King” GOMES in 1922 in Miami, Florida. They had six children in 24 years. The children I have listed include William Leo (Son), Vernon P., Harold Ray, Franklin D. R., Nellie Paula, and Joaquin F. Jr.
In 1930, Nellie lived at Poinciana Point in the Everglades with her parents and siblings, Joseph, Ethel, Roy, and Eugene Jr. Living nearby were her grandfather, Robert (Richard) HAMILTON, her uncles, George HAMILTON & family, Walter HAMILTON & family, and William HAMILTON, his wife, Florinda GOMES Hamilton and their two sons. Close by on Lostmans River lived her uncle Leon HAMILTON & family, her uncle Salvador GOMES & family, Wallace REWIS & family, John MATHIS, Betton MARIE, and Horace MURRAY & family. The family of Charles WHIDDEN lived close by on Morman Key.
In 1940, Nellie lived with her husband, King GOMES and children. The census simply lists “Overseas Highway, Keys South to Stock Island” in Monroe County as place of residence.
In 1950, Nellie and King were living in the Everglades with their children, King, Jr., Harold, Franklin, and Nellie. Charles WHIDDEN lived next door to the family.
DEATH & BURIAL
Nellie died on February 23, 1978, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 72. Mary was buried in Lee Memorial Park, Fort Myers, Florida in the Old Veterans Section B plots 156-4.
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SOURCES
1910 United States Federal Census; 1920 United States Federal Census; 1930 United States Federal Census; 1940 United States Federal Census; Florida, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current; Fort Myers News-Press; U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
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