Table of Possible Fathers of David Name Possible Father of David? Comments Columns with No, Possible, likely If Half-Breed If Not Family of Joseph-II (only grandchildren would have been of correct age) [MAY HAVE TO SEE JOURNAL FOR CHART....DOES NOT COME THRU REAL GOOD WITH COPY AND PASTE..SORRY] Sons of James Sr: IF HALF BREED IF NOT Aaron No Possible William Possible Possible AARON GENTRY:Born abt. 1737, witnessed a deed in Hanover Co., VA in 1759, then nothing.Probably the William who died in Sullivan Co., TN, after 1791; three possible sons, William, John, and Ayers lived in TN, we cannot rule out possibility of an unknown David. Sons of William-Sr David No Not Likely If David of Overton Co., TN was a son of William, it would be possible for him to have a son David before or after he finished Revolutionary War service, although this son's date of birth would not be ideal. He had a son David by a second wife, making this David that much less likely to be "Cherokee David's" father. Sons of John of Botetourt County Joseph No No Hugh Not Likely Not Likely Joseph was in Washington Co., TN as early as 1778, but is not known to have had any son named David. Hugh was in Washington Co., TN by 1787, but is likewise not known to have had any son David. Sons of Joseph Jr. Joseph-IV No No While Joseph was in Carter Co., TN in 1796 and 1797, he did not leave VA until after 1795. He had a son David born in VA in about 1792. Family of Samuel-II (only sons of Samuel's older children would be of sufficient age) Sons of David-III These will be listed separately Hezekiah No No HIS son Reynolds No No HIS son Robert No No ? Hezekiah's sons known from his will. Reynolds had one son of right age to be "Cherokee David" but all evidence is against this son being David. Robert's three sons of correct age are believed to be other than David. David Jr. No Not Likely A David Gentry of correct age present in Greenville Dist, SC in 1800 is thought to be son of David Jr. He was newly married in 1800, and is thought to have moved to AL. If this David was not David Jr.'s son then one of the latter's sons in the 1790 census is unidentified. Simon No Possible Simon had three sons under 16 years of age in 1790. Of these, one is un-identified and missing from records after 1800. Nicholas No No Nicholas went to Davidson Co., TN by 1780, his children are all known. John No Possible John had one son in the 1790 census who has not been definitely identified and who was not in SC records after 1800. In addition, a possible son, John Jr., in GA in 1790, could have had a son of "Cherokee David's" age. Allen Cain No No No unidentified sons of correct age. Elisha No No Had a son David who moved to TN and AR, d about 1841. Elijah No Not Likely Not in any census records; moved from SC to GA then MS. Known children do not include any David. Elijah, and at least his son James were in Clarke County, GA as late as 1805, but it is possible a son could have left the family to go north into Tennessee before that time. Other Sons of Samuel-II Nathaniel No No All others Not Likely No Nathaniel's family not completely known. It is possible that he could have had a son or grandson of the correct age for "Cherokee David" but it is very unlikely.Families and movements all known in period before 1800. Sons of Nicholas-II (David's father could only have been a grandson of Nicholas) Sons of Robert No Not Likely Robert was the only one of Nicholas' children to go to TN. Only Robert's son Charles could have had an un-identified son of "Cherokee David's" age. Sons of David, Nicholas, and Martin No No Nicholas-II's sons and most of their families moved to Kentucky. None went to Tennessee. Sons of Moses No No Moses remained in Virginia but most of his sons moved to Kentucky Sons of Benajah and Nathan No No Nathan died at a young age. Benajah remained in Virginia, but some of his family moved to Kentucky. Before leaving the subject of possible parents of David, we should mention that there was a competing David who was married to Delphy Bridgewater in Greene Co Tn 1803. This is another David whose parentage is not known. The marriage date conflicts with the proposed date of marriage of "Cherokee David" with Mary Buffington, and in addition, this other David was located along the NC border, farther north in Tn than we would expect for someone who ended up in Indian Territory. There are fragmentary reports of Gentry orphan children living Blount Co Tn about 1810, and it is possible they were children of the Greene Co David. Because of the location of Greene Co this husband of Delphy Bridgewater, was much more likely to be related to the Gentrys who lived in the northeast corner of the state, possibly a son of the mysterious Ayers Gentry. In summary, if the author were forced to pick one most likely prospect for David's father, it would be SIMON Gentry with the thought that David was with his father at the time of the 1790 census, and then left home after the death of Simon, shortly after 1800. Conclusion The tale of Tiana and General Sam Houston has stirred the imagination of the romantically inclined, so there are many references in the literature to this alliance. As we look closer, the Cherokee records of her immediate family and of her first husband, David Gentry, are not entirely without question. But there appears to be enough truth to these records that one can confidently say that a David Gentry did indeed marry Tiana. We can guess that possibly this David came from South Carolina, but beyond that cannot be sure of his parentage, other than to say that if indeed he was born in SC he was almost certainly a descendant of David-III and Sarah Brooks Gentry. ===== Medicine Woman's Vision-"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."~Ancient Indian Proverb May the warm winds of heaven blow softly on your home, and the Great Spirit bless all who enter there. May your moccasins make happy tracks In many snows and May the Rainbow Always touch your Shoulder~~Cherokee Blessing Researching: Pocohantas>Powhatan>Ashby>DavidGentry>Tiana Rogers>Sam Houston>RollyGentry>Bollings>Strother>Ash __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com