Cleek, Dunmore, Gum, Hill Stephenson, Suit Family - Person Sheet
Cleek, Dunmore, Gum, Hill Stephenson, Suit Family - Person Sheet
NameBertha Jane Gum 
2076,2233,2234,2235,1681,2236,2237,2238,2239,2240,2241,2242,2243,2244,2245,2246,2247,2248,2249,2250,2110,2251,2113,2252,2117,2118,2120,2253,2127
2076,2233,2234,2235,1681,2236,2237,2238,2239,2240,2241,2242,2243,2244,2245,2246,2247,2248,2249,2250,2110,2251,2113,2252,2117,2118,2120,2253,2127Birth25 Jan 1897, Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, WV2254,2255,2256,2257,2258,2080,2259,2260,2261,2262,2263,2264,2265,2266,2267,2268,2269,2270,2271,2272,2273,2274,2248,2275,2250,2276,2118,2277,2253
Memo1896?
Memo24th Election District
Residence1910, Letcher, Bath County, VA
MemoMiss Bertha Gum Card, Letcher, VA (Bath Co., VA) 1910-1911, Viewed 1995 (Janet Smith Thomas holds, C Dunmore copy)
Census16 Apr 1910, Bath County, VA2280
MemoCedar Creek
Residence1912, Masters, VA
MemoBertha Gum Card, Masters, VA, Viewed 1995 (Janet Smith Thomas holds)
Residence1916, Olive, VA
MemoMiss Bertha Gum Card, Olive, VA, Viewed 1995 (Janet Smith Thomas holds)
Census1920, Alleghany County, VA2281
MemoGriffith
Residence1922, Barber, VA
MemoMiss Bertha Gum Card, Barber, VA, Viewed 1995 (Janet Smith Thomas holds)
Residence29 Feb 1928, Rt 1 Box 12, Hot Springs, VA
Land Purchase14 Sep 1928, Bacova, Bath County, VA2163
MemoCollison's Mountain
MemoCedar Creek - Bacova Road
Census1940, Cedar Creek, Bath County, VA2284
MemoEnumeration District 9-2, 283 Route 268
Census1950, Cedar Creek, Bath County, VA2253
MemoED 9-4
Residence1951, College Park, GA2285
Land Sold16 Jun 1954, Bacova, Bath County, VA2186
MemoDeed 63, Page 157
Memolived with Jenny and George Smith, Rt 1 Pine Cedar Road
Residenceabt 8 Feb 1973, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Free Cancer Home, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA2080,2286
Memo2 weeks before death
Death22 Feb 1973, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Free Cancer Home, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA2287,2288,2289,2290,2291,2292,2262,2293,2270,2294,2276,2117,2118,2295
MemoAfternoon of Metastatic Disease, Carcinoma of Lung
Memo10 am Saturday - Haisten's Chapel, 2 pm Sunday, McLaughlin Funeral Home, Hot Springs, VA
Alias/AKANanny
OccupationLabor
ReligionEden Methodist Church, Bacova Junction, VA2197
FatherJacob Seybert Gum (1853-1935)
MotherMatilda Susan L. Wade (1856-1922)
Misc. Notes
Some post cards from Bertha Gum's old boyfriend from West Virginia, Alex Rider, Viewed 1995 (Virginia Cleek Smith holds)2189
Interview with Jenny Smith2206
Her mother (Bertha Gum Cleek) made her work, her mother made clothes out of chicken feed sacks, she didn’t do any embroidery, underwear was made from flour sacks, shoes were ordered from Sears, they went mostly barefoot.
Her parents lived about 30 miles apart when they met. When Bill Nicely came home to visit his Mom (Clara Gum Nicely) and Dad (Andrew Edward Nicely) he would bring Clara to see her sister, Bertha Gum Cleek. Wilbur Nicely would also bring his Mom, Clara Gum Nicely to see Bertha Gum Cleek.
Bertha said she was the boy of her parents family.
They ate two slices of bread and a slice of bologna when they were kids about once a week. They traded eggs for fatback to eat. The Phillip’s gave them liver and fatback.
She had a Garnet Ring, a Fancy Bracelet with gold wire, she gave to Lucille, and a Solid Gold Bracelet (now in the possession of Janet Thomas).
Interview with Jenny Smith2206
Her mother (Bertha Gum Cleek) made her work, her mother made clothes out of chicken feed sacks, she didn’t do any embroidery, underwear was made from flour sacks, shoes were ordered from Sears, they went mostly barefoot.
Her parents lived about 30 miles apart when they met. When Bill Nicely came home to visit his Mom (Clara Gum Nicely) and Dad (Andrew Edward Nicely) he would bring Clara to see her sister, Bertha Gum Cleek. Wilbur Nicely would also bring his Mom, Clara Gum Nicely to see Bertha Gum Cleek.
Bertha said she was the boy of her parents family.
They ate two slices of bread and a slice of bologna when they were kids about once a week. They traded eggs for fatback to eat. The Phillip’s gave them liver and fatback.
She had a Garnet Ring, a Fancy Bracelet with gold wire, she gave to Lucille, and a Solid Gold Bracelet (now in the possession of Janet Thomas).
Spouses
1Benjamin Harrison Cleek 2076,2077,2078,2079,2080,2081,2082,2083,2084,2085,2086,2087,2088,2089,2090,1681,2091,2092,2093,2094,2095,2096,2097,2098,2099,2100,2101,2102,2103,2104,2105,2106,2107,2108,2109,2110,2111,2112,2113,2114,2115,2116,2117,2118,2119,2120,2121,2122,2123,2124,2125,2126,2127
2076,2077,2078,2079,2080,2081,2082,2083,2084,2085,2086,2087,2088,2089,2090,1681,2091,2092,2093,2094,2095,2096,2097,2098,2099,2100,2101,2102,2103,2104,2105,2106,2107,2108,2109,2110,2111,2112,2113,2114,2115,2116,2117,2118,2119,2120,2121,2122,2123,2124,2125,2126,2127Birth20 Nov 1888, Bacova, Bath County, VA2128,2129,2130,2131,2132,2133,2134,2135,2136,2137,2138,2139,2140,2141,2142,2143,2144,2145,2146,2147,2107,2148,2149,2150,2112,2113,2114,2151,2117,2152,2122,2123,2124,2125,2153
MemoCedar Creek
MemoCedar Creek
Census1910, Bath County, VA2156
MemoCedar Creek
Memo206 1/2 ac Land of his father, James Cleek by Will (recorded in Deed Bk No.8 pg 16)
Memo$5 conveys his 1/2 lands of his father, James Cleek by Will to Mary A. Cleek (mother) then to Martha A. Cleek after Mary Cleek’s death (recorded in Deed Bk No.29 pg 244)
Residence2 Jul 1920, Bath County, VA2161
MemoHot Springs
Land Purchase23 Sep 1923, Bath County, VA2162
Memo$1 conveys land to B H Cleek from 22 May 1917 Deed
Residence1925, Hot Springs, Bath County, VA
Residence29 Feb 1928, Rt 1 Box 12, Hot Springs, VA
Land Purchase14 Sep 1928, Bacova, Bath County, VA2163
MemoCollison's Mountain; VA State Rt 687, north of Rt 615
MemoCedar Creek - Bacova Road
Census1940, Cedar Creek, Bath County, VA2166
MemoEnumeration District 9-2, 283 Route 268
Residence1941, Hot Springs, Bath County, VA2167
MemoRt 1, Box 12 signed Draft Registration card, age 53
Census1950, Cedar Creek, Bath County, VA2123
MemoED 9-4
Residence27 Dec 1950, Hot Springs, Bath County, VA2168
Death5 Dec 1950, Western State Hospital, Staunton, Augusta County, VA2128,2169,2170,2171,2172,2089,2173,2174,2175,2176,2177,2178,2179,2180,2113,2117,2181,2182
Memodied from kidney poisoning; arteriosclerotic heart disease on death certificate
Memo2:30 pm Eden Methodist Church by Rev W. S. Gardner
Land Sold16 Jun 1954, Bacova, Bath County, VA2186
MemoDeed 63, Page 157
OccupationBenjamin Worked at the Hot Springs Hotel, VA and for WPA and the old school House. Laborer, Lathe Operator July 11-Oct 9, 1942 went to Danville, VA to school, Farmer2189,2190,2191,2192,2193
OccupationEmployer: Norman Dean of Warm Springs - he worked at Hot Springs, Bath, VA in 19412194
ReligionEden Methodist Church, Bacova Junction, VA2197
FatherJames G. Cleek Jr. (1831-1909)
MotherMary Anna Elizabeth Rebecca Walton (1850-1925)
Misc. Notes
Lived in Benjamin's Fathers (James Cleek, Jr.) house.2204,2189
His Daddy was one of four boys whom came over from the old country2189 (Actually it was his Great-Great Grandfather- Jacob Cleek)
PhoneCall to Aunt Jenny Cleek Smith2205
Had a car in the Garage all of her life. It was in mint condition. It had curtains, headlamps, holds a lot of people, a beautiful car, and I imagine it was expensive. It probably was a Ford.
We walked from the train station behind (Kimberly) to Hot Springs, VA (it was 3 miles). It was 30 miles to Covington. Caught train to Washington DC.
One of Aunt Clara's (Cleek) sons brought Aunt Clara over to see Nanny (Bertha Gum Cleek). After we started to work we got a car and we started going to Aunt Clara's.
George Hoover, Lizzie's (Cleek) husband - they went to visit once or twice while I was down there.
Aunt Jenny (Cleek - Ben's sister) use to come to visit too.
Aunt Martha (Cleek) came over on the train.
Dad (Ben Cleek) Hired a man to go to see Aunt Martha (Cleek) before she was in the institute.
(Ben Cleek) went to Danville, VA to study to be a Lathe operator when Aunt Jenny was a teenager.
Lucille (Cleek) got him a job as a janitor at the Schoolhouse he started the boiler in the morning, He swept up. This was after Aunt Jenny (Cleek) had already finished school.
Aunt Jenny Cleek and Lucille Cleek only had to go 11 years of school.
Eden church is the only church they ever went to there.
(Benjamin Cleek’s) house used to be two stories. There used to be a room over the living room. The kitchen was added on.
When they sold the property they split the money 3 ways, Aunt Jenny Cleek, Lucille Cleek, Nanny (Bertha Gum Cleek)
Aunt Martha (Cleek) sold her half of the James Cleek land to Ma Leary's (a neighbor) Son.
They had a wood stove in her house in Bacova in the Kitchen. Had a fireplace in the kitchen but never used it. Had a fireplace in the living room. Had a fire box.
Nanny (Bertha Gum) & Daddy (Benjamin Cleek) slept in the living room. Lucille and Jenny slept upstairs. Had two beds.
Aunt Martha (Cleek) had many, many petticoats, Blouse, skirt, blouse, petticoat, bloomers, is what she slept in.
Interview with Jenny Smith2206
Her father worked in the garden, he only had one shirt, they went “Pitty Patt” (walk) to church about two miles. Her parents lived about 30 miles apart when they met.
Favorite story she remembers being told: The Dudley’s would get drunk on the weekend after getting paid. They would visit during the week only. The Dudley’s would come to the house when Art Hill came to drink his alcohol. Art had to stop bringing it. The Dudley’s lived in the opposite direction of the Phillip’s.
The house they lived in had a wood stove for heat and cooking. Later they got a kerosene heater. At one time they also had a trash burner/heater. The house consisted of a room with the stove and a table and another room which was a sitting room and bedroom and a kitchen, where they ate. Upstairs were Jenny and Lucille’s room with two beds.
The longest travel they did when they were growing up was to go to Hot Springs.
Her father was disabled after his gall bladder surgery.
After the war started in order to make ends meet, Lucille got her Dad and Mom to clean the school house. Jenny would send $10 home each payday to help support them.
Certificate # 18880308162207 Benjamin Harrison Cleek Parents: James Cleek & Mary Anna E. Cleek, G. E. Thomas, age 74 (on 19 Oct 1942 delayed Certif of Birth accepted), neighbor, present at birth date, (G. E. Thomas is the 1C1R of Benjamin H Cleek)
His Daddy was one of four boys whom came over from the old country2189 (Actually it was his Great-Great Grandfather- Jacob Cleek)
PhoneCall to Aunt Jenny Cleek Smith2205
Had a car in the Garage all of her life. It was in mint condition. It had curtains, headlamps, holds a lot of people, a beautiful car, and I imagine it was expensive. It probably was a Ford.
We walked from the train station behind (Kimberly) to Hot Springs, VA (it was 3 miles). It was 30 miles to Covington. Caught train to Washington DC.
One of Aunt Clara's (Cleek) sons brought Aunt Clara over to see Nanny (Bertha Gum Cleek). After we started to work we got a car and we started going to Aunt Clara's.
George Hoover, Lizzie's (Cleek) husband - they went to visit once or twice while I was down there.
Aunt Jenny (Cleek - Ben's sister) use to come to visit too.
Aunt Martha (Cleek) came over on the train.
Dad (Ben Cleek) Hired a man to go to see Aunt Martha (Cleek) before she was in the institute.
(Ben Cleek) went to Danville, VA to study to be a Lathe operator when Aunt Jenny was a teenager.
Lucille (Cleek) got him a job as a janitor at the Schoolhouse he started the boiler in the morning, He swept up. This was after Aunt Jenny (Cleek) had already finished school.
Aunt Jenny Cleek and Lucille Cleek only had to go 11 years of school.
Eden church is the only church they ever went to there.
(Benjamin Cleek’s) house used to be two stories. There used to be a room over the living room. The kitchen was added on.
When they sold the property they split the money 3 ways, Aunt Jenny Cleek, Lucille Cleek, Nanny (Bertha Gum Cleek)
Aunt Martha (Cleek) sold her half of the James Cleek land to Ma Leary's (a neighbor) Son.
They had a wood stove in her house in Bacova in the Kitchen. Had a fireplace in the kitchen but never used it. Had a fireplace in the living room. Had a fire box.
Nanny (Bertha Gum) & Daddy (Benjamin Cleek) slept in the living room. Lucille and Jenny slept upstairs. Had two beds.
Aunt Martha (Cleek) had many, many petticoats, Blouse, skirt, blouse, petticoat, bloomers, is what she slept in.
Interview with Jenny Smith2206
Her father worked in the garden, he only had one shirt, they went “Pitty Patt” (walk) to church about two miles. Her parents lived about 30 miles apart when they met.
Favorite story she remembers being told: The Dudley’s would get drunk on the weekend after getting paid. They would visit during the week only. The Dudley’s would come to the house when Art Hill came to drink his alcohol. Art had to stop bringing it. The Dudley’s lived in the opposite direction of the Phillip’s.
The house they lived in had a wood stove for heat and cooking. Later they got a kerosene heater. At one time they also had a trash burner/heater. The house consisted of a room with the stove and a table and another room which was a sitting room and bedroom and a kitchen, where they ate. Upstairs were Jenny and Lucille’s room with two beds.
The longest travel they did when they were growing up was to go to Hot Springs.
Her father was disabled after his gall bladder surgery.
After the war started in order to make ends meet, Lucille got her Dad and Mom to clean the school house. Jenny would send $10 home each payday to help support them.
Certificate # 18880308162207 Benjamin Harrison Cleek Parents: James Cleek & Mary Anna E. Cleek, G. E. Thomas, age 74 (on 19 Oct 1942 delayed Certif of Birth accepted), neighbor, present at birth date, (G. E. Thomas is the 1C1R of Benjamin H Cleek)
Medical
Had his Gall Bladder taken out2189
When he had his gall bladder operation he couldn’t afford to pay for it so he sold 300 acres to pay for it. Ma Leary’s house was on this land.2206
Was in Staunton Asylum for Mentally handicap for two weeks before he died because he couldn’t remember and would pull his clothes off per Jenny Smith 2 Jan 2012
He had high blood pressure per Jenny Smith 2 Jan 2012
When he had his gall bladder operation he couldn’t afford to pay for it so he sold 300 acres to pay for it. Ma Leary’s house was on this land.2206
Was in Staunton Asylum for Mentally handicap for two weeks before he died because he couldn’t remember and would pull his clothes off per Jenny Smith 2 Jan 2012
He had high blood pressure per Jenny Smith 2 Jan 2012
Military
B. H. Cleek was sent Order of Induction into Military Service Order No. 137 Ser 155 dated 8/28/1918 to report on 4 Sep 1918 and he was Discharged from Draft No. 4629439 by reason of Physically disqualified for Para 1, SO 350, Hq Camp Lee VA, Sep 10, 1918.2208
Registration Card 137 No. 48 Benjamin Harrison Cleek, Age 28, Home Address: Hot Springs, VA, b: Nov 20, 1888, Natural born (not alien), b: Hot Springs, VA USA, Farmer, Works: Self, on Farm, Dependents on you for support: Mother, wife, child; Married; Race: American; Prior Service: None; Request exemption from draft (specify grounds): Mother, wife, child; /s/ Benjamin Harrison Cleek; Back: 45-2-6A; Tall, Medium or Short: Medium; Slender, Medium or Stout: Medium; Eye Color: Blue; Color Hair: Dk Brown; Bald: No; Disabled: No; Certified: R. F. Gum?, Hot Springs, Bath Co, VA, June 5th, 19172209
Registration Card U65 Benjamin Harrison Cleek; Residence: Hot Springs, Bath, VA; Mailing Address: Rt 1, Box 12, Hot Springs, VA; Age: 53; b: Hot Springs Nov 20, 1888 VA; Person who will always know your address: Mrs. Bertha Jane Cleek, Hot Springs, VA; Employers Name and Address: Norman Dean, Warm Springs, VA; Place of Employment: Hot Springs, Bath, VA; /s/ Benjamin H. Cleek2209
WW I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-19181169,2210 Benjamin Harrison Cleek, County: Bath, VA; b: 20 Nov 1888 VA; Race: Caucasian (White), FHL Roll # 1984210, Draft Board: 0
World War I Draft Registrations 1917-19182211
Cleek, Benjamin Harrison - b: 20 Nov 1888
US World War II Draft Registration Cards, 19422212
Benjamin Harrison Cleek, b: 20 Nov 1888 Hot Springs, VA; Residence: Bath, VA, Race: White
Registration Card 137 No. 48 Benjamin Harrison Cleek, Age 28, Home Address: Hot Springs, VA, b: Nov 20, 1888, Natural born (not alien), b: Hot Springs, VA USA, Farmer, Works: Self, on Farm, Dependents on you for support: Mother, wife, child; Married; Race: American; Prior Service: None; Request exemption from draft (specify grounds): Mother, wife, child; /s/ Benjamin Harrison Cleek; Back: 45-2-6A; Tall, Medium or Short: Medium; Slender, Medium or Stout: Medium; Eye Color: Blue; Color Hair: Dk Brown; Bald: No; Disabled: No; Certified: R. F. Gum?, Hot Springs, Bath Co, VA, June 5th, 19172209
Registration Card U65 Benjamin Harrison Cleek; Residence: Hot Springs, Bath, VA; Mailing Address: Rt 1, Box 12, Hot Springs, VA; Age: 53; b: Hot Springs Nov 20, 1888 VA; Person who will always know your address: Mrs. Bertha Jane Cleek, Hot Springs, VA; Employers Name and Address: Norman Dean, Warm Springs, VA; Place of Employment: Hot Springs, Bath, VA; /s/ Benjamin H. Cleek2209
WW I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-19181169,2210 Benjamin Harrison Cleek, County: Bath, VA; b: 20 Nov 1888 VA; Race: Caucasian (White), FHL Roll # 1984210, Draft Board: 0
World War I Draft Registrations 1917-19182211
Cleek, Benjamin Harrison - b: 20 Nov 1888
US World War II Draft Registration Cards, 19422212
Benjamin Harrison Cleek, b: 20 Nov 1888 Hot Springs, VA; Residence: Bath, VA, Race: White
Research
Wife & child dependent on him for support when signed draft card 5 June 19172209 (child his or one of her children from a previous marriage)
One child at divorce of Willie J.?2114
1920 Bath County, VA Ancestry.com - Searched for all Cleek’s - none fit
One child at divorce of Willie J.?2114
1920 Bath County, VA Ancestry.com - Searched for all Cleek’s - none fit
ChildrenMary Virginia (1926-2014)