Elon Nicholson Gossett is the first Decatur County resident to receive a Pioneer Certificate in the name of her ancestor, John Darsey; and an Early Settler certificate for her ancestor, Daniel Gilbert McNair.
For an ancestor to be recognized as a Pioneer Settler, the descendant must be able to prove that their ancestor was living in the Decatur County area prior to the forming of the county in 1823. If the ancestor arrived in Decatur County from 1824 to 1850, his descendant would be eligible to receive the Early Settler Certificate.
In order to receive the certificates, Mrs. Gossett had to submit papers proving she descended from Darsey and McNair.
Anyone interested in applying for either a Pioneer or Early Settler certificate, should contact Shirley Fleming at the Decatur County Genealogical Society either by email decogensoc@aol.com or by phone at (229) 246-6327.