by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2026

Mellisa Emaline Holland was born in 1862 in McRae, Georgia, to Elizabeth Hodge (1830-1870) and Henry M Holland (1825–1870).

NAME – The spelling of her name differs in places. Several records use ‘Emaline’ as her name, so I use that here.

ACTIVELY RESEARCHING. Please contact me if you have changes, additions, photos, questions, or comments.

SIBLINGS

  • Henry (1850-unknown). Half brother. Her father had previously been married to Martha Pinson, who died in 1858. Henry M Holland married Emaline’s mother, Elizabeth Hodge that same year.
  • Sarah I. (1860-unknown)

ORPHANED

Emaline’s parents both died in 1870 when Emaline was only 8 years old.

In June 1870, Emaline (Melissa) was living in the household of Sarah Peacock just outside of Cedar Key Florida. There are Hodge’s living next door. These may have been relatives of her mother, Elizabeth.

RESIDENCES

In June of 1885, Emaline and Gilbert lived in Gadsden County Florida. 

1885 U.S. Census

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

1910 U.S. Census

In 1914, Emaline lived at 705 Duval St in Key West and worked as a seamstress.

1914 Key West City Directory

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 Emaline married Gilbert Henry ‘Gib’ Johnson, Jr.  in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1897.

Gilbert Johnson (squatting) on Wood Key. From the photo collection of Florinda GOMES Hamilton Posey

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 Elizabeth JOHNSON Hamilton
Rebecca Johnson Hamilton
21 May 1908 Miami Fl

DEATH

Mellisa Emaline Holland died in 1930 in Florida when she was 68 years old. I have not found a record of her burial.

27 Feb 2026: From great-grandson, Chris Johnson: Our great-grandfather, Gib Johnson took her to Key West to see the doctor. She had been sick with cancer, and on the return trip, at Everglades city, she passed away. They buried her if I recall correctly on Mormon Key. Her grave was only marked by a mound of seashells.”

SOURCES

Pennsylvania, Marriages, 1852-1968. Name Gilbert Henry Johnson. Gender Male. Marriage Date 1897. Marriage Place. Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Spouse Holland. Film Number 004140444; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marriage Index, 1885-1951, 1897 Digital GSU Number 4140435; Key West, Florida, City Directory, 1914; Florida, U.S., State Census, 1885 District 1, Gadsden, Florida; 1885 U.S. Census; 1910 United States Federal Census; 1914 Key West City Directory; U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

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