Life History

Notes

• Gabe was listed in very early records as Gabe.  This is usually short for Gabriel.  But I have not found a record with that full name.  His grave had Gabe Harlis Merryman.  Gabe was on the official final citizenship roll of the Choctaw Nation published in 1902.
  
  U.S. Native American Enrollment Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914
  25 Sep 1902, Final Rolls, Tribal Affiliation Choctaw By Blood
  Dawes' Roll #8460, Census Card #2880 Merryman, Walter G, Age 26, Birth Abt 1874, 1/16
  Dawes' Roll #8461, Census Card #2880 Merryman, John D, Age 7, Birth Abt 1895, 1/32
  Dawes' Roll #8462, Census Card #2880 Merryman, Zado C, Age 5, Birth Abt 1897, 1/32
  Dawes' Roll #8463, Census Card #2880 Merryman, Izora Lula, Age 3, Birth Abt 1899, 1/32
  Dawes' Roll #8464, Census Card #2880 Merryman, Gabe, Age 2, Birth Abt 1900, 1/32
  
  Chickasaw Roll Citizens by Marriage, 9 May 1904 (birthdates as of 1899 census)
  #8460 Merryman, Walter G Age 26 [Birth abt 1863] Male Blood 1/16 Census Card #2880
  #8461 Merryman, John D Age 7 [Birth abt 1892] Male Blood 1/32 Census Card #2880
  #8462 Merryman, Zado C Age 5 [Birth abt 1894] Female Blood 1/32 Census Card #2880
  #8463 Merryman, Izora Lula Age 3 [Birth abt 1896] Female Blood 1/32 Census Card #2880
  #8464 Merryman, Gabe Age 2 [Birth abt 1897] Male Blood 1/32 Census Card #2880
  --  Choctaw Roll, Citizens by Blood, up to 1907, U S Dept of the Interior Printed edition 1961
  
  His age in the 1920 census is wrong.  he is reported there as age 18.  Since the census date was 1 January, this would mean Gabe was born some time in 1901.  Finding this first, this indicated Gabe's mother was Mary Millus Lewis Merryman, who married his father Walter Green Merryman in February 1900.  But upon finding the above Choctaw rolls, it became clear that Gabe was born about 1900.  The daughter Izora Lula, named after her mother Lula Poteet, was born in 1899 or so, according to her age, about a year before Gabe.
  
  If Gabe was age 2 in September 1902, he would have been born some time before September 1900, meaning his mother was Mary Millus Merryman, instead of Lula Poteet.  From February 1900, two years would mean he was born in about November 1900, so his age must have been rounded up in the 1902 report above.  Or he could have been conceived before their marriage ceremony was performed
  
  1920 Federal Census, Latimer County, Oklahoma, 5 January, Damon Township, District 87, Page 1B, Hse/Fam #13
  Reed, Mary Head Rents F W 46 Widow MO NY MO Farmer
  Lewis, Perry Son M W 28 Single MO AR MO Farmer [b abt 1891]
  Lewis, Jessie Son M W 22 Single OK AR MO Farmer [b abt 1897]
  Merryman, Gabe Son M W 18 Single OK OK MO Farmer [b abt 1901]
  Merryman, Bennie Son M W 16 Single OK OK MO
  Merryman, Jewell Dau F W 14 Single OK OK MO
  Merryman, Addie Dau F W 8 Single OK OK MO
  Reed, Jettie Dau F W 6 Single OK OK MO
  
  In 1930, Gabe's brother Benjamin was enumerated in Gabe's household.
  
  1930 Federal Census, Latimer County, Oklahoma, 5 April, Bengal Village, District 39-12, page 1B, Hse/Fam #12
  Merryman, Gabe H Head Rents $2 No Radio Male Indian 29 Married at age 20 Oklahoma Mixed Blood Choctaw Tie Maker [b abt 1901]
  Merryman, Eva Wife F W 26 Married at age 17 Oklahoma Arkansas Missouri [b abt 1904]
  Merryman, Denver Son M W 6 Single OK OK OK [b abt 1924]
  Merryman, Oleeta Dau F W 4yrs4mos Single OK OK OK [b abt Nov 1925]
  Merryman, Jimmie G Son M W 9mos Single OK OK OK [b abt June 1929]
  Merryman, Benjamin Brother M W 27 Single Oklahoma Mixed Blood Choctaw Tie Maker [b abt 1903]
  
  Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950
  Gabe Har[liss] Merryman
  Age 46, Estimated birth year 1901
  Death 13 May 1947 Sebastian County
  Burial in  Okla
  Volume 31, Roll #1947, Certificate #999
  
  His name on his gravestone has the name as Gabe Harlis Merryman.  His birth date on the stone is 1901, but in the September 1902 Choctaw rolls, he was already reported as 2 years old.  Other facts indicate he was born about November 1900.
  
  Gabe H. Merryman
  Birth 1901
  Death May 14, 1947
  Burial Peachland Cemetery, Bengal, Latimer County, Oklahoma
  Created by MillieBelle Aug 18, 2009
  --  Find A Grave Memorial #40807984, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40807984&ref=acom&ftm=1

Sources

• 1. 1920 Federal Census, Latimer County, Oklahoma
  • 5 January, Damon Township, District 87, Page 1B, Hse/Fam #13
• 2. U.S. Native American Enrollment Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914
• 3. 1930 Federal Census, Latimer County, Oklahoma
  • 5 April, Bengal Village, District 39-12, page 1B, Hse/Fam #12
• 4. Find a Grave Memorial Registry
• 5. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950
• 6. U.S., Native American Enrollment Cards for the Five Civilized Tribes, 1898-1914