GILLETT, Mrs. Martha S., Beeville Weekly Picayune, Saturday, 26 Jan 1895, pg 2:

DEATH OF AN AGED CITIZEN
An Eventful and Profitable Life Peacefully Closed

The death of Mrs. Martha S. Gillett, which occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Milam 
Gill, in Blanco, Texas, on the morning of the 22d of January, demands more than a passing 
notice at our hands, hence we give the following brief biographical sketch of her life. 

She was the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Bowles, was born in Lincoln county, 
Kentucky, December 15, 1815, and while a small child her father moved to Howard county 
Mo., thence to Texas to 1827; was married to Roswell Gillett in 1833, after which they settled 
in Bailey's prairie, in what is now Brazoria county, where they were living at the time of what 
is known as the "run away scrape".  The army of Texas, as well as the citizens of the country 
were fleeing before the then victorious army of Santa Anna. She with one child and her 
husband in a truck wagon made their way to Virginia Point, where they took a small vessel 
and went across to Galveston island, where she remained until after the battle of San Jacinto, 
the guns of which she heard distinctly; soon after this, she with her husband returned to their 
home in Bailey's prairie, from there they went to the San Barnard near the Egypt crossing, 
thence in 1840 to what was then Montgomery county, settling in Shannon's prairie, where the 
Gillett headright from the Mexican government was located.

Shortly after this she professed religion under the ministry of Rev. J. H. Collard, Sr., father of the 
Evangelist, J. H. Collard.  She then united herself with the Methodist church and ever after lived 
an exemplary, Christian life. She remained in Grimes county until February 1855, when the 
family moved to Gonzales county and settled near Rancho, where they remained until the spring 
of 1867, when they came to Bee county, stopping a few months on the Aransas, at the Webster 
place, near the present town of Skidmore, thence to Beeville in the fall, where she resided until 
1880, when they removed to the north-western portion of the county where she was bereaved 
of her husband, Rev. Roswell Gillett who died October 28, '81, since when she has made her 
home with her youngest child Mrs. Mary T. Gill, and until last summer lived in Live Oak county, 
in the Lebanon neighborhood; last summer, she with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and 
Mrs. Milam Gill, moved to Blanco, Texas, where she, after an illness of ten days, died on the 
22d inst. in great peace.

She was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom still live. Her eldest son, Rev. J. T. Gillett, 
was her pastor when she died; her second son, Rev. J. S. Gillett is presiding elder on the Beeville 
district. All of her children are members of the church and while they are sad on account of the 
loss of a devoted, kind, indulgent mother, one whose ear was ever open to their recitals of cares, 
sorrows and bereavements, whose wise council guided them in life's Journey and whose abiding 
faith in the promises of God, whose steadfastness in her religious profession strengthens them 
for the remainder of life's conflicts. They thank God that they were so highly favored for so long a 
time, and are looking forward to a happy reunion beyond the toils and conflicts of this life.

Her remains were by loving friends consigned to the silent tomb in Beeville cemetery, beside those 
of her husband, January 24, 1895. She had reached the age of seventy-nine years, one month and 
seven days. Two sisters and nine children still live, one of her sisters, Mrs. M. J. Sample of 
San Antonio, and eight of her children were present at the funeral.

Beeville Weekly Picayune, Saturday, 26 Jan 1895, page 5:
(Gillett)

Mrs. Mary T. Gill came down from Blanco to attend the funeral of her mother, and will remain in 
Beeville visiting relatives and friends for some weeks.

Rev. J. T. Gillett, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Mary T. Gill of Blanco City were here on the 24th 
to attend the funeral of Mrs. M. S. Gillett.

Mr. B. B. Gillett of Runge was here to attend the funeral of his mother, which took place here on the 24th.

Mrs. Juliet Sample, of San Antonio, was here on the 24th to attend the funeral of her sister, Mrs. M. S. 
Gillett, which took place here on that day.

Messrs. L. F. Roberts, D. A. T. Walton, R. C. Beds, J. C. Cook, W. M. Smith and R. McMenemy were the 
pallbearers at the funeral of Mrs. Gillett Thursday.

George R. Gillette and wife of Live Oak County were here in attendance on the funeral of their mother 
last Thursday.