Here are some IMPORTANT UPDATES to the upcoming GUNN, GREENE, GILLESPIE (GGG) Family Gathering and Gunntown Cemetery Restoration activities next week including where we will be meeting on Saturday.
Our meeting place will be St. John's Episcopal Church at 402 W. Commerce St. in Aberdeen, MS . This will be the base of operations throughout the day. St. John's was built in 1852 and was attended by members of the Greene, Gillespie and Carlisle families, so it plays a part in our heritage.
- Registration will begin at the church between 9:30 and 10:30 am.
Someone will be there at the church Friday after 4 pm and Saturday
throughout the day to assist those who arrive at other times. When you
get to Aberdeen, please call Cynthia G. Mills at (310) 780- 4636 or
Richard MontalVO at (901) 493-6733, and we will coordinate your joining
the GGG Gathering.
- Getting to Know You Activities will take place at the church following registration. At that time you will be able to get acquainted with cousins and examine the "Honoree Displays" assembled to recognize those family members and others who have worked to gather and preserve our family heritage.
- Scanning and Photographing Ancestral Items: Throughout the day at St. John's you can have the family records, photos, memorabilia you brought scanned and/or photographed for preservation and sharing. Items will be returned to you before you leave.
- As the day progresses we will visit some of the historic sites in Aberdeen. All day a fifteen passenger van will be available, if desired.
- Some individuals may wish to go sometime during the day to do some genealogical research in the Evans Memorial Library-- 105 North Long St. (662) 369-4601, Saturday hours 10 am - 4 pm, just down the block from the church. It's genealogy room is filled with records containing the information of the Gunn, Greene, Gillespie and related families. For example, the Histories of Chickasaw and Monroe Counties are housed in that library, and they contain articles about most of the early residents of these Mississippi counties. Among those records of related families, there is a significant pedigree chart of the Haughton Family.
- In the early afternoon, we will go to the Gunntown Cemetery which is currently being restored by Cynthia Gillespie Mills & Family, Richard MontalVO, Charlie King and others.
- Dinner will begin at 6 pm at the Shelaine Restaurant at 202 Highway 145 North, (662) 369-3352, just over a mile west of the church along MS-145 /MSW-8. The cost of the dinner is $10.95 including tax and tip. There will be an exciting, informative Recognition Program following the dinner. In addition to the Honoree Presentations, there will be three Ancestors spotlighted (one from each of the Gunn, Greene, Gillespie families) and a video of the Gunntown Cemetery Restoration. If you have not already done so, please let Richard or Cynthia know of your plans to attend the dinner.
- We recommend that those who are staying in the area over Friday night, make reservations in nearby West Point.
If you arrive earlier than Saturday, we would love to have you join us in the cemetery where we will be cleaning tombstones. Please call ahead so that we can guide you from County Road 179 to the graveyard site and make sure the gate is open. Call Cynthia (310) 780-4636 or Richard (901) 493-6733. Attached you will find a map of the route from St. John's Episcopal Church to the Gunntown Cemetery.
We are looking forward to meeting all of you soon. Call if you have any questions.
Cynthia G. Mills
