by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, July 2025

Gilbert Henry Johnson was born on July 13, 1857, in Harbour Island, Bahamas, to Eliza Albury and Henry B Johnson.

I have scant information on Gilbert ‘Gib’ Henry Johnson. I include here what I have gathered. This ancestor is being actively researched. Please subscribe for updates.

RESIDENCES

In 1880, Gilbert lived at 236 Division St in Key West, Florida with his brother William H. Johnson.

1880 U.S. Census

In 1910, Gilbert lived on Wood Key in the Florida Everglades with his wife and sons, Gilbert Jr and Chris J. Also living on Wood Key were his daughters, Rebecca and Sarah with their families. Gilbert worked as a fisherman.

1910 U.S. Census

In 1930, Gilbert lived with his son, Gilbert Jr. and Gilbert Jr.’s family at 4424 Southwest 11th St in Miami, Florida. Gilbert is listed on the census as a retired charter boat proprietor. His son, Gilbert Jr. is listed as charter boat proprietor.

1930 U.S. Census

MARRIAGE

I have this date written down but cannot find the source it came from. Gilbert Henry Johnson married Mellisa Emaline Holland in Tampa, Florida, on August 19, 1886, when he was 29 years old.

The Pennsylvania Marriages, 1852-1968 records show that Gilbert Henry Johnson married Lena Holland in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1897 when he was 40 years old.

This type of record can be confusing. It is difficult to imagine that Gilbert and Emaline traveled to Pennsylvania in 1897 to marry when they were already married 11 years before in Florida in 1886. Even if the Florida notation is wrong (I have misplaced the source for it at the moment), and supposing that they were not married for the those years in Florida (their first two children were born in 1881 and 1882, before the Florida marriage), them traveling that far north from the Everglades (with small children!) is far-fetched.

I am still researching this issue. If anyone has information, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marriage Index, 1885-1951
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marriage Index, 1885-1951

Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1852-1968. Name Gilbert Henry Johnson. Gender Male. Marriage Date 1897. Marriage Place. Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Spouse Holland. Film Number 004140444

CHILDREN

  • Annie was born in 1881.
  • Albert Franklin was born on January 16, 1882.
  • Rebecca Elizabeth was born on March 27, 1887, in Clearwater, Florida.
  • Sarah Elizabeth was born on September 17, 1889, in Ozona, Florida.
  • Gilbert was born on November 22, 1890, in Ozona, Florida.
  • Chris J was born in 1894.
  • Joseph Christopher was born on June 11, 1897, in Florida.
Sarah and Rebecca JOHNSON
Rebecca Johnson Hamilton on beach
Eugene J. Hamilton and Rebecca Johnson, Baby Ellen with her parents and big brother, William ‘Buddy’.
21 May 1908 Miami Fl

Naturalization Declaration 16 Apr 1892 • Key West, Florida, USA

Key West Declarations 1867 – 1957 (Volume 2)

Key Westers Here to See the Town

9 May 1910 (Not clear if this is Gilbert Sr or Gilbert Jr)
My father, Ernest, mistakenly assumes that Martha and Melissa are the same woman. He did not know that Gilbert had a first wife named Martha).

LOSSES

  • His son Albert Franklin passed away in 1928 in Florida at the age of 46.
  • His wife Mellisa Emaline passed away in 1930 in Florida at the age of 68. They had been married 44 years.

DEATH

Gilbert Henry Johnson died on August 25, 1934, in Miami, Florida, when he was 77 years old.

Obituary 26 Aug 1934, The Miami Herald

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