Block 3. A Stitch in Time

by Terry Thornton
email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

A stitch in time . . . Block 3 of the circa 1931 Friendship Quilt in the Museum of the Itawamba County Hisorical Society

CLEVELAND, A.T., Block 03

Arthur T. Cleveland, age 35, is listed on the 1920 census as a lawyer living in Fulton with wife Effie E., age 26.

On the 1930 census, attorney Arthur Cleveland, 46, is enumerated on Wiygul Street with wife Effie E., 36, daughter Nell K., 6, and servant Effie Stone, 47.

Kermit McFerrin states that Mr. Cleveland was once Itawamba County Attorney.

GAITHER, Eugene, Block 03

The index for the 1920 census of Itawamba County at Heritage Quest does not include Eugene Gaither. There is, however, a Ganther Eugene family indexed in Fulton. It is thought that the enumerator mistakenly listed the family as Ganther Eugene and that the indexer then transcribed the family under the surname EUGENE.

Assuming that the census entry should be for Eugene Gaither, here are the members of that household from Fulton, 1920 Census: Eugene Gaither, age 28, farmer. He and all the members of his household were born in Mississippi --- wife Velora A., age 21, and sons Paul W., age 2, and James C., age 2 months, are listed.

The 1930 census has Eugene Gaither and his family listed on Wiygul Street of Fulton. Mr. Gaither, 38, was the Deputy Sheriff of Itawamba County and included in his household were wife Velora A., 32, sons Paul, 12, and James, 10, and daughters Mildred, 8, and Elizabeth, 2.

GILLIAND, J.H., Block 03. Surname is usually spelled GILLILAND.

According to Marilyn Leary, IHS Librarian and member, James H. Gilliland 1892 - 1970, was the Sheriff of Itawamba County for one term, was the Mayor of the City of Fulton for two terms (1953 - 1961), and was owner of Gilliland's Dry Goods Store in Fulton.

Mr. Gilliland had one child, "Bill" Gilliland with his first wife. With his second wife, Varnell Reed Gilliland, he had a son James R. Gilliland and a daughter Ida Lambert.

Mr. Gilliland is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery in Fulton.

MATTOX, A.J., Block 03

Alver J. Mattox, 33, was a merchant in Fulton. Listed on the 1930 census on Clifton Street are the other members of his household: wife (given name not provided on the census), 29, a public school teacher; and Claude D. Gilliland, 25, a sewing machine salesman and his wife Ruby, 21.

PEARCE, B.M. Mr., Block 03

B.M. Pearce was long-term sheriff of Itawamba County, Bishop Marvin Pearce.

In 1910, B.M. Pearce is listed on the census as a 30 year old farmer in Mantachie. He and his wife, Vola, lived at a resident enumerated on Mantachie-Tupelo Road.

The 1920 census lists Bishop M. Pearce as Sheriff of Itawamba County. Then Sheriff Pearce was 39 years old. In his household at Mantachie were his wife Vola, and daughters Odell, Mary B. and Leulla.

The 1930 census lists Marvin Pearce, 50, as Sheriff of Itawamba County. Enumerated on Main Street, Fulton, his household included wife Vola, 38, and four daughters, Mary B., 16, Twist, 12, Marvin N., age not given, and Vola C., 4.

PEARCE, B.M. Mrs., Block 03

Vola Pearce, age 28, is listed as the wife of Sheriff Bishop M. Pearce of Mantachie on the 1920 census. Listed with her and Sheriff Pearce were daughters Odell 9, Mary B. 6, and Loulla 2. In 1910 the then 18 year old Vola is listed as the wife of Mantachie farmer B.M. Pearce.

For information about Vola Pearce and her family on the census reports of 1910 and 1930, see Mr. B.M. Pearce above.

PRATT, G.C., Block 03

The 1930 census of Fulton lists Grover C. Pratt and his family on Wiygul Street. The household was composed of Grover C., 41, an ice and coal salesman, wife Gethrel, 41, and daughter Mary J., 11. All were born in Alabama.

In 1942, G.C. Pratt was a committeeman from Itawamba County on the scrap metal drive to support the war according to an article at Itawamba History Review, September 19, 2008.

According to IHS member and Editor Bob Franks, Mr. Pratt also bought the Dixie Theatre in Fulton and then built the "New" Dixie Theatre.

Grover C. Pratt 1888 - 1964 is buried in Itawamba Memorial Garden according to Burton-Cruber. Beside him is buried Gethrel E. Pratt 1888 - 1965.

A stitch in time . . . The 2010 Friendship-Memory Quilt

The Itawamba Historical Society is sponsoring a 2010 Friendship-Memory Quilt inspired by the circa 1931 quilt from which this block was photographed. If you would like to join the Society in this fund-raising effort, contact the Society at its offices at the Corner of Church Street and Museum Drive in Mantachie, Mississippi, or write the Society at P.O. Box 7, Mantachie, MS 38855. Telephone inquiries may be made to 662-282-7664.

Subscribe to the quilt and have names embroidered on the 2010 Friendship-Memory Quilt at $10 per name. Memorials and business names may also be inscribed on the quilt.

Quilters are needed! Watch for announcements for the quilting bees scheduled to finished this quilt in a series of public quilts bees at the Society's auditorium in Mantachie. Come join the fun of quilting. Beginning and advanced quilters are welcomed! Bring you own needle and thimble.

SOURCES:

Family information from Memories from Itawamba County: A Friendship Quilt circa 1931 --- A Stitch in Time by Terry Thornton with assistance from Members of the Itawamba Historical Society, Itawamba Settlers, Quarterly Journal of Itawamba County, Mississippi History and Genealogy, Winter 2009, Pages 143-61.

Square from 1931 Friendship Quilt photographed by Terry Thornton, September 4, 2009, Bond's House Museum, Itawamba Historical Society, Mantachie, Mississippi.