Submitted by Descendant: Thomas Edward BRONSON
Nancy Elizabeth Gornto was born abt. 1833 in Georgia. She was the daughter of David Gornto and Eliza Ann Gornto. It is unknown exactly when she migrated to Florida with her parents but it is believed that it is sometime after 1841 but before 23 May 1843, since her father is found on the list of Madison County Voters who voted in the 1st Florida Election of 1845. She married Emanuel Waters in Florida abt. 7 February 1878. Nancy was a wife, homemaker, and mother.
Nancy was living in Bell, Alachua Co., Florida at the time she applied for her Widow’s Pension on 27 July 1909. This is an area that later became a part of Gilchrist Co. after its formation in 1925. It is interesting to also note on this same application that she wrote that she “has continuously resided in the State of Florida ever since the year 1843 to the best of my recollection”.
Nancy Elizabeth Gornto died in 1916. It is believed she requested to be buried with her parents and other family members in the Fayetteville Cemetery in Dixie County, Florida. Unfortunately, the grave today is unmarked. However, according to her grandson, in order to memorialize her he placed a tombstone for her beside that of her husband, Emanuel Waters in the Townsend Cemetery, Gilchrist Co., Florida.
Nancy Gornto was first established as a Florida Pioneer in 2006