Last week, we explored the life of Jacob and Sarah Marshall Puckett of “The Hollow,” a couple whose many children spread throughout Patrick County and beyond. This week, we turn to their eldest daughter, Jane Puckett Gunnell, a woman whose life spanned triumphs and sorrows, raising a large family of her own even as war and hardship swept through the Blue Ridge.
Jane was born in Patrick County on February 19, 1826, the first daughter of Jacob and Sarah Marshall Puckett. Growing up among the hills and hollows of Ararat, she was surrounded by a bustling household of brothers and sisters. As the eldest daughter, Jane surely shouldered much responsibility in her youth, helping her mother with younger siblings and the endless work of a mountain homestead.
On May 23, 1844, at the age of eighteen, Jane married James Alexander Gunnell in Surry County, North Carolina. James, born in 1821, was the son of James Beverly Gunnell and Susanna Lacy, originally of Amelia County, Virginia. Together, Jane and James built a life in Patrick County, and their household soon filled with the voices of children. James provided for his growing family by running a grist mill along the Ararat River (according to the 1880 census).
Their first son, Anderson Floyd Gunnell, was born in 1845. Anderson married Lucy Matilda Hendricks, the daughter of James Hendricks and Lucy Worsham of Patrick County. Anderson and Lucy had at least one child, Joseph Leroy Gunnell (1873–1933).
Daughter Elizabeth was born in December 1846. She married Nathan Montgomery, the son of Kelly Montgomery and Zelphia Cock of Patrick County. From census records, I discovered that Elizabeth and Nathan raised at least seven children in the Ararat community.
Daughter Jane was born in January 1849. She married Christopher Columbus Willis, the son of John and Sallie Childress Willis of the western part of Patrick County. Jane and C. C. had three sons before Jane died of liver disease at the age of 33.
Son William Riley Gunnell was born in September 1850. He first married Cynthia Vass, the daughter of Thomas Spencer Vass and Nancy Edwards of Carroll County, Virginia. Sadly, Cynthia died of typhoid fever at the age of 32. In 1893, William married Amelia Bowman, the daughter of Isaac Henry Bowman and Celia Ellen Bowman of Ararat. William and Amelia had at least six children.
Leona was born in October of 1852. She married Martin S. Inscore, whose parents were Louis and Margaret Inscore, originally of Davie County, North Carolina. Leona and Martin raised at least four sons in the Ararat community.
Rufus Alexander was born in August of 1855. He married Mary Ann Rebecca Collins, the daughter of Andrew Jackson Collins and Permelia Bowman of Stokes County, North Carolina. Rufus and Mary raised at least nine children in the Ararat community.
Joanah was born in April of 1857 and married Samuel M. Fleming of Surry County, North Carolina. Samuel was the son of William Fleming and Rosanna Keller. I was unable to find any children of Joanah and Samuel. They may exist, but researching the Gunnell-Puckett line was a monumental task and I ran out of time this week.
Melvin Bogart Gunnell was born to Jane and James Alexander on August 9, 1862. Melvin married Nancy Edwards, the daughter of Andrew Jackson Edwards and Mary Jane “Polly” Bedsaul of Carroll County, Virginia. Melvin and Nancy raised at least six children in The Hollow before Nancy passed away. Melvin married Mary Wood Martin in December of 1922 in Surry County, North Carolina.
Araminta was born on April 2, 1864. She married Isaac Henry Bowman on June 26, 1890, after Isaac’s wife, Celia Ellen Bowman, passed away. Araminta and Isaac raised at least four children in The Hollow.
George Washington Gunnell, the youngest child of Jane and James, was born in June of 1866. In all, Jane bore ten children—each one a blessing and a responsibility that shaped her life.
On May 9, 1901, Jane Puckett Gunnell passed away at the age of seventy-five in her lifelong home of Ararat.
When we look back on Jane’s life, we see not only the daughter of pioneers but the matriarch of a family that stretched across generations. She kept her home, raised ten children through war and sorrow, and left a mark on Patrick County that endures through her many descendants.
Her story, like so many of the mountain women of her time, is one of endurance, sacrifice, and quiet strength. Jane Puckett Gunnell reminds us that the true fabric of history is woven not only by soldiers and statesmen but also by mothers and daughters who bore the weight of family, faith, and survival in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For questions, comments, or story ideas, you may reach Woody at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or 276-692-9626.
Melvin Beauregard Gunnell’s second wife was Mary Jane Wood (1879-1956) and a sister to my maternal grandfather William Riley Wood. On my maternal grandmother’s side of the family, I am DNA related a couple of ways to many Gunnell’s, as Jacob and Sarah Puckett were my (4x) great great great great grandparents. I also have (3x) great great great grandparents, who were Andrew Jackson Collins and Permilia Jane Bowman Collins. Their daughter was Rebecca Maryanne Collins who was married to Rufus Alexander Gunnell. Rebecca was a sister to Charlie Avant Collins, my (2x) great great grandfather (maternal grandfather of my maternal grandmother). Charlie married Etta Puckett, a daughter of Doctor Floyd Puckett. Etta was a first cousin to Rufus Alexander Gunnell.