The current belief is that this is probably the same William GILLESPIE who died
in Maucopuin Co ILL in 1845. [See the PICKENS2 database for details on that
family.[ We are lacking enough evidence to say this without a doubt - but it is
strongly believed the evidence will prove this to be the case - tmc.
UPDATE: 1998-09-23
!SPOUSE-CHILD: Issac Trimble 'Statement of Descent' dated 1891, Livingston Co. ,
KY; ; ; ; copy in possession of Terry McLean, Anaheim CA; FILE: Enc #262. CHILD:
named in this record is Margaret.
[see notes of Isaac TRIMBLE for text of this statement - tmc]
-------------------------------
Misc. papers sent to Terry McLean by Joy Herron, 1999: LIVINGSTON COUNTY
KENTUCKY MARRIAGE RECORD, Vol I, Oct 1799 - Jul 1839 Bonds, Licenses, Consents
and Misc. Loose Papers,
by Joyce M. Woodard, Livingston Co Historical and Genealogical Society
p. 24. "RAMAGE, Joseph - Drusilla GILLASPIE of this County.
Bond: 29 Aug 1808. Groom given as Joseph RAMMAGE. Bondsman: Matthew GILLASPIE.
Signed: Joseph RAMAGE & Matthew GILLESPIE. Consent: 26 Aug 1808. 'This may
sertyfy that consent is obtained for a marrage intended between Joseph RAMMAGE
and Drusilla GALASPY', signed: Wm. GILLASPIE [31] & Matthew GILLASPIE."
[31] There was a William GILLESPIE, brother-in-law of William PICKENS, who was
a Rev. War Soldier, removed to Tennessee, then to Illinois, where he died.
[Robert Rail Notes, LCH&GS Quarterly Newsletter 3:4]"
From: "Joy Herron"
To: "Terry McLean"
Subject: Re: Gillespie Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999
Are you familiar with the book, "Sweet Remembrance, Caney Valley Childhood
Memories of Flora Adella Adams Cosby" compiled by Karen Cosby, 1984? The
descent in this line is from Nellie Gillespie who married James Cosby. The
Author states that Nellie was the daughter of William Gillespie but does not
give the name of William's wife. Nellie's siblings were shown as William, John
P., Matthew, Elizabeth who married a Harris, Margaret, Fannie who married a
Brown, Lemma who married a Clemens, and an unnamed sister. The Author follows
William's migration, stating at one point that William was with a daughter in
Mississippi in 1840. Here again we find what I am firmly convinced is an error.
"...In the Winter Issue, 1983, of South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral
Research there was a query placed by Robert J. Cozby, 1700 Devon Dr.,
Carrollton, Tixas 75007, in which he is seeking to contact descendants of Mathew
Gillespie, D. 1793, Abbeville Co., SC, m. Francis (Fanny) Pickens, sister of
William Pickens of S. C. Revolutionary War. Their children: Elizabeth m. James
Harris, Fannie m. John Brown, John P. m. a Glover, Margaret m. 1st James Trimble
and 2nd Gresham Clemons, Martha m. a Davis, Lemma m. David B. Clemons and Nellie
m. James Cosby. He says many of these moved to Kentucky ca 1803 and were in
Tennessee by 1825. In this account there are five daughters and only one son.
Here we have another discrepancy. Robert Cozby says Mathew was the father and I
am quite sure that is not correct."
ENC #P-467
From: "Joy Herron"
To: , "Betty Evans Boone" Subject:
Gillespie Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2000
For the past several days, I have been looking at some of our documents,
notes, etc. regarding the William Gillespie Family, and there is obviously much
research to be done. However, I am going to make an attempt to sum up what we
have. There is, as you know, conflicting information and while we have some
original documentation, it is sparse as of this writing.
First of all, I want to speak to a statement I made to Terry regarding
William Gillespie having been the only William in the Livingston Co., Kentucky
area who would seem to be the William for whom we are searching. I may have
goofed. Look at the Livingston Co. tax list abstracts that I obtained in Salt
Lake City. There is a William in 1800 and according to William Gillespie's
pension file, he had not arrived in Livingston as of that date. I need the two
of you to take a look at that, keeping in mind that I am not comfortable with my
reading of a tax list until it has been double-checked. I have not had that
opportunity.
In looking at William Gillespie and his family, I will probably repeat some
things I have said in the past, but I need to go through this exercise in some
order, whatever that order turns out to be....
Isaac Trimble was so close in time and relationship to William Gillespie that
I believe we probably should start with his statement, and then add that of Dr.
William C. Davis, the great-nephew of Isaac Trimble. Apparently Isaac Trimble,
in his 1885 statement of descent, gave his grandfather's name as William
Gillespie, and I am very comfortable with this even though in his 1891 statement
he said his grandfather was John Gillespie. The 1891 statement was prepared for
Isaac's signature only about five months prior to his death.
Terry, does anyone have copies of the originals of these statements,
including that of Dr. Davis? I know that both Betty and I would like to have
copies of the originals for our files if you have access to them. [NOTE: I do
not originals, only transcripts - tmc, 3/10/00]
As to William Gillespie, family tradition is pretty strong that he was married
to Frances "Fannie" Pickens. However, I believe we are going to have to resolve
the Agnes/Ann who gave a dower release on one of William's South Carolina land
sales. Was she a first wife? Or, could the piece of property in question have
belonged to another William Gillespie? Or, and this is really stretching, could
Ann have been a nickname for Frances and the name, Agnes, entered incorrectly by
the recording clerk? Similarly, could the clerk have written Ann rather than
Fannie? Bear in mind that Brent Holcomb seems to feel the land is properly
identified as that of our RWS William Gillespie.
------------
I HAVE TRIED TO FIND WHAT WE HAVE IN RELATION TO CENSUS RECORDS FOR WILLIAM
GILLESPIE.
- 1790
We know from the pension file that he was in Pendleton Dist., SC in 1790. In
looking at the 1790 Census of 96 Dist., Pendleton Co. we find four Williams. One
William Gilasby had 1M (16 and up), 2M (under 16), 5F and l slave. This
William, interestingly enough, was only three households away from one David
Murdick. (Terry, I will explain later, but Betty will know immediately what I am
thinking). Another William Gilaspy was about 39 household away from the above
William and had the same household makeup except he had three females rather
than five. Then, rather far removed were William Gilaspy Junr and William
Gilaspy Senr., both with small families. We have seem abstracts of land
records for Senior and Junior and believe that neither is the William in whom we
are interested. However, we know it would be foolish to write them completely
off at this point. If I had to guess, I would say that our William is the one
with himself, two males under 16 and five females. Surely by that time he had
several children and if this household comprises his immediate family, then we
have William, his wife, two sons under 16 and four daughters. I repeat---this is
nothing more than a guess.
- 1800
In 1800 we know from the pension papers that William was in Pendleton. Which
of the two was he? We have William Gallaspie with 1M (45 plus), 1M (26-45), 2M
(under 10), 1F (26-45), 2F (under 10), and 1 slave. The other William Gillaspie
was next door to Britton Willis and he had 1M (26-45), 1M (16-26), 1M (10-16),
1M (under 10), 1F (26-45), 2F (10-16), 2F (under 10), and 3 slaves. I am a
little more comfortable with this guess because I have to believe that the
William next door to Britton Willis was our William.
- 1810
By 1810 we know, again from the pension file, that William Gillespie had
moved to Livingston Co., Kentucky. In that census, we find only one William
Gillespie enumerated---with 1M (45plus), 1F (45plus), 1F (10-16) and no slaves.
- 1820
In 1820, William is still in Livingston Co. if we are to believe his pension
application. However, the entry that appears to be that of the William
Gillespie household is extremely difficult to read. The AIS Index does not list
him but another index does list him, with a question mark, if I remember
correctly. I went to the cited page on the microfilm and had to agree this was
one of the worst I have seen, but it seemed to show 1M (45plus), 1M (26-45), 2M
(under 10), 1F (45plus), 1F (26-45), 2F (under 10). Could William and his wife
have had a child ,spouse and grandchildren living with them?
- 1830
According to his own statement, William moved to Haywood Co., Tennessee in
1824. We know he is supposed to have still been there in 1830; however, we did
not find that he was enumerated. If I am not mistaken, I believe the only
Gillespie enumerated in Haywood Co. in 1830 was Mathew Galaspie who household
reflected 1M (70-80), 1M (40-50), 1F (70-80), and 1F (under 5). Surely the
70-80 male was William Gillespie, but who was the 70-80 female? We have
discussed this in prior correspondence. Was she William's wife? Probably, but
we do not know when and where William's wife died. We have not yet accounted
for the presence of Ann Willis (possibly a sister of William) in any household
in 1830. Could this elderly female have been Ann?
- 1840
In 1840 we know that William Gillespie was enumerated in the household of
David G. Willis in Lafayette Co., Mississippi because he was enumerated by name
as a Rev. War Pensioner. In that same household in 1840 was an elderly female
and we believe she was Ann Willis and not the wife of William Gillespie as some
researchers have thought. I won't go into that again but wanted to make note of
it here.
- 1850
By 1850 William Gillespie had died. He had moved to Macoupin Co., Illinois,
with his son, Matthew, and died there in the 1840's.
-----------------
In 1806 William Gillespie appeared on a list of delinquent taxpayers in
Livingston Co., Kentucky, with the notation, "insolvent." If this is our RWS
William Gillespie, and I have an idea he is one and the same, then he had only
been in Kentucky about two years.
--------------------
NOW, TO THE CHILDREN OF WILLIAM GILLESPIE . I am going to start with Matthew
who is named by William in his pension papers. Then I will add the children
named by Isaac Trimble and Dr. Davis, followed by other possibilities.
- MATTHEW GILLESPIE
This son is named in William Gillespie's pension file because William was
moving with him to Macoupin Co., Illinois, and was requesting that his pension
be sent to that location.
In Livingston Co., Ky. Marriage Records, Vol I, Oct. 1799-July 1839 by
Woodyard, there is a marriage of Matthew Gillespie to Elizabeth Caldwell on 4
Feb. 1812. The bondsman was John A. Pickens. I wonder which Matthew this is.
It was not Matthew Stinson Gillespie, son of William Shannon Gillespie, because
William Stinson Gillespie was not born until 1834, according to Mrs. Driver in
her DAR application.
One Matthew Gillespie, almost surely this one, was enumerated in Haywood Co.,
Tennessee in 1830. This is discussed above under census records for William
Gillespie.
In 1840 we find one Matthew Gillespie in Tippah County, Mississippi. Tippah
joined the Marshall/Lafayette area in 1840. His household was composed of 1M
(40-50), 1F (10-15), and 1F (under 5). If this Matthew is William's son, and I
believe he is, he is without the elderly male and the elderly female found with
him in 1830. William was in the David G. Willis household in Mississippi in
1840, along with an elderly female. Matthew's 1840 household is very small, as
was the 1830 household. Also, we need to remember that next door to Matthew
Gillespie in 1840 was William Robinson with a rather large household. This
might not be significant, but is noted here, remembering that Pendleton
Gillespie's middle name for Robertson, and Pendleton was apparently a nephew of
Matthew.
Matthew Gillespie moved to Macoupin Co., Illinois and died there, intestate,
on 27 June 1846. The administrator of the Estate was Ephraim M. Gilmore, and
the only heir we have found in the papers we have seen was Nancy Gillespie.
Remember the small Matthew Gillespie households in 1830 and 1840? In view of
this, one heir is not really surprising.
- MARGARET GILLESPIE
This daughter is named by Isaac Trimble as a daughter of William Gillespie
who married a . In a statement shortly before his death, Isaac said Margaret's
father was John, but I believe we all agree he meant William. Margaret
Gillespie and James Trimble were Isaac's parents. In addition to the Isaac
Trimble statements, we have a statement from Dr William C. Davis who was also a
descendant of Margaret Gillespie, but through her second husband, G. Clemens.
We are told that Margaret was born 19 June 1780 in Abbeville Dist., SC, and
died 10 May 1839 in Livingston Co., Ky. As shown above, she was married first
to James Trimble and second to Gersham Clemens.
We are also told that her siblings were John P. Gillespie who married a
Glover; Nellie who married James Cosby; Fannie who married John Brown;
Elizabeth who married James Harris; and Lemma who married David B. Clemens.
Later in Dr. Davis' statement, he says there were five sisters, but note that he
had named only four earlier. In statements from the Margaret Gillespie heirs,
we find that her brother and all of her sisters except Lemma moved from
Livingston Co., Ky. to the banks of the Obion River in Tennessee in 1825. The
Obion River is in Northwest Tennessee. There is, according to current maps, the
Obion, North Fork of Obion, Middle Fork of Obion and South Fork of Obion.
Several counties are involved.
On the User Home Pages at Family Tree Maker.com, we find the Carroll Warren
Kennedy Home Page which contains, along with other lines, the Descendants of
James Trimble I. We are told that James Trimble was married before he married
his second wife, Margaret Gillespie on 9 Dec. 1802 in Abbeville Dist., SC.
Margaret was the daughter of William Gillespie and Frances Pickens. There were
two children of the first marriage. Of the second marriage to Margaret
Gillespie there were Catherine C. Trimble, Matthew Trimble, Frances L. Trimble,
Joseph Trimble and Isaac Trimble. Catherine was born 3 Oct. 1803 in Abbeville
Co., SC and died 12 March 1850 in Crittenden Co., Ky; Matthew on 15 Aug. 1805;
Frances L. on 3 Oct. 1807 and died 29 Jan. 1809; Joseph on 11 Aug. 1809 and
died 6 Nov. 1809; Isaac on 4 Dec. 1810 and died 5 Sept. 1891.
- NELLIE GILLESPIE
Nellie is named as a daughter by the Margaret Gillespie heirs who say that
she married James Cosby.
In her Book, Sweet Remembrance, the author, Karen Cosby, says there were
several Cozby/Cosby families in Abbeville Dist., SC around 1800. Among them was
James Cozby who married Nellie Gillespie by 1795. She says that Nellie was the
daughter of RWS William Gillespie who married a Pickens, and was the
granddaughter of Matthew and Anna Gillespie, adding that this Matthew Gillespie
was the son of Matthew Gillespie and Lucy Pickens. Karen says that William
Gillespie left SC in 1804 and went to Livingston Co., Ky., that in the early
1840's he lived with a daughter in Lafayette Co., Mississippi. She states
further that William married ca 1780 and had at least nine children: William;
Nellie Cozby; John P.; Elizabeth Harris; Margaret Trimble Clemens, Fannie Brown,
Lemma Clemens, Matthew and an unidentified daughter. Karen makes reference to
William's pension file and it is obvious she had access to at least a portion;
however, I am curious as to how she arrived at nine children. The two that I
would like to know about at this point are William and the unidentified
daughter. If the unidentified daughter is, as some researchers have believed,
the wife of David G. Willis, then I believe we can delete this one. We know the
names of the three wives of David Gillespie Willis. As we have discussed
previously, we have reason to believe that David's Mother might have been a
Gillespie and that William Gillespie was possibly David's Uncle.
I finally found a phone number for Karen through her father and sister, and
have made initial contact; however, she says she works irregular hours at the
post office in Hot Springs and has not done any genealogical research for about
ten years. I have written to give her my address and phone number, and asked
that she give me a convenient time to call if she doesn't mind discussing her
Gillespie research with me.
Karen also says in her book that all nine of the children of Nellie and James
Cozby married in Hardeman Co., Tenn. between 1825 and 1839. The families they
married into included Gillespie, Murdaugh (remember Murdock/Murdick), Norton,
Womack, Hudson, Jones, McKennie. One of the youngest of Nellie and James
Cozby's children was Mary who married Matthew Gillespie on 29 Aug. 1835 in
Hardeman Co., Tennessee!!
- FANNIE GILLESPIE
Fannie is listed as a daughter by the Margaret Gillespie heirs who say she
married John Brown.
In Livingston Co., Ky. Marriage Records by Woodyard there is the marriage of
John Brown to Franny (Frances) Gillaspie, both of this county. Bond: 25 April
1810. Bondsman: James Brown.
- ELIZABETH GILLESPIE
Elizabeth is listed as a daughter by the Margaret Gillespie heirs, and her
husband is named as James Harris.
In the Livingston Co., Ky. Deeds,1800-1817, there is a 1809 deed from James
Harris to Andrew P. Gillespie, a mare, for love, good will, and affection.
Interesting! Here we have James Harris, husband of Elizabeth Gillespie, giving
a mare to one Andrew P. Gillespie who might very well be a brother of Elizabeth.
- LEMMA GILLESPIE
Lemma is another daughter listed by the Margaret Gillespie heirs. She is said
by those heirs to have married David B. Clemens.
In Livingston Co., Ky. Marriage Records by Woodyard, there is listed the
marriage of David Clemens to Jane Lema Gillaspie. The bond was dated 18 Feb.
1820 and the Bondsman was Gershom Clemens. There is a statement that the father
of David Clemens consented in person and that Jane L. Gillaspie was of age.
Note that this abstract does not tell us whether the father was Gershom Clemens.
- JOHN P. GILLESPIE
John P. Gillespie is the only son named by the heirs of Margaret Gillespie,
and obviously he was the only one they knew about, but we know he was not the
only son. The Margaret Gillespie heirs said he married a Glover.
In 1810 in Livingston Co., Kentucky, John P. Gillaspie was one of two
Gillespie families enumerated. The other was William Gillaspie, and I have
spoken earlier to William's enumeration. John P. Gillaspie is shown with 1M
(26-45), 1M (under 10), 1F (26-45), 2F (under 10). Three households after John
P. Gillespie is the household of James C. Pickens, and the second household
after James Pickens is William Gillespie.
According to Nellie Gillespie Driver's DAR application and the dictation of
Mathew S. Gillespie (grandson of John Gillespie), John Gillespie was the son of
William Gillespie and was born ca 1782 in South Carolina. He died ca 1835 in
Greene Co., Illinois. His wife, Haret, was born ca 1783 and died after 1830,
probably in Greene Co., Illinois.
Mrs. Sara John English transcribed in 1928 the Matthew Stinson Gillespie Bible
which at the time of transcription was owned by Mrs. Driver of Jacksonville,
Illinois. Witnesses to the Matthew S. Gillespie/Nancy Permelia Coatney marriage
in 1858 were John Gillespie and Haret E. Gillespie. If this is the same John
Gillespie who was a son of William, we have a conflict. If this marriage took
place in 1858 and if John P. Gillespie died ca 1835, then who is this John and
who is this Haret? It is interesting to note that Mrs. Driver quoted, in one of
her letters, from what she called dictations made by Mathew S. Gillespie. The
statement is made that William Gillespie died in 1844 leaving three sons,
Mathew, Andrew and John. This would seem to imply that John was still living
when William died, but perhaps I am reading something in that is not there.
- ANDREW GILLESPIE
Andrew is not listed as a child by the Margaret Gillespie heirs, but then
neither was Matthew and we know Matthew was a son.
From dictations by Matthew Stinson Gillespie, we are told that William died in
1844, leaving three sons, Mathew, Andrew and John.
Is this the Andrew of the 1809 deed from James Harris, for love, good will and
affection? See above.
Also, in the same deed book, we fine a deed from John and Polly McElmurry to
Andrew Gillespie of New Madrid County, Missouri Territory. The date was 5 March
1817 and the witnesses were Joseph Ramage and Benjamin Ramage. This becomes more
interesting when we look at Drucilla below.
From the Book, New Madrid Co., Missouri Probate Records, Estate, Guardianship
and Apprentice Bonds, 1810-1910 by Brown and Hedgepeth, there are the following
entries regarding Andrew P. Gillespie:
- 4-30-1859. Bond in amt of $4000, Henry C. Watson. Prin. & Admn., George W.
Dawson & Eli C. Sherwood, Securities, estate of Andrew P. Gillespie, Dec.
Heirs: unknown, admn. had been informed that deceased had a sister living in
Illinois by whose name he does not know.
- 2-20-1821. Bond $2000, William Bryant, Prin. and Admn. of Estate of John
James, Dec., Joseph A. Hopkins & Andrew P. Gillaspie, Sec., William Bryant makes
affidavit that there are no legal heirs. John James, Dec. (could be Jines)
- 5-13-1823. Bond $2000. Lemuel H. Maulsby guardian of James Smith Winsor,
Benjamin Franklin Winsor, minor heirs of Elighia Winsor, Dec. Securities: Mark
H. Stallcup, Andrew P. Gillespie & Richard Phillips.
- PENDLETON GILLESPIE
Pendleton Gillespie is listed as a son in the Grimma DAR application, but we
have ruled him out as a son of William. He appears to have been the son of John
and the grandson of RWS William Gillespie.
As a note of interest, Pendleton Gillespie was enumerated in Hardeman Co.,
Tenn. in 1830 with 1M (20-30) and 1F (15-20).
- UNIDENTIFIED DAUGHTER
The unidentified daughter is listed by Karen Cosby; however, I am inclined to
believe, as stated earlier, that the reference is likely to the wife of David G.
Willis. If that is the case, then we can delete the unidentified daughter.
- DRUCILLA GILLESPIE
Drucilla has been named by none of the above sources; however I believe we
should, for discussion purposes, include her.
In Livingston Co., Ky. Marriage Records by Woodyard, there is a marriage of
Joseph Ramage to Drusilla Gillaspie of this county. Bond: 29 Aug. 1808. Groom:
Joseph Rammage. Bondsman: Matthew Gillaspie. Signed: Joseph Ramage and
Matthew Gillaspie. Consent: 26 August 1808 stating, "This may sertyfy that
consent is obtained for a marriage intended between Joseph Rammage and Drusilla
Galaspy." Signed: Wm. Gillaspie and Matthew Gillaspie. We have seen the
marriage bond and both of these men did sign. You would assume one was the
father but now I am beginning to wonder. It seems unlikely that Matthew, son of
RWS William, was the father because they most likely would have been too close
in age. Was RWS William the father? If so, none of the sources used thus far
have included Drucilla as one of William's children. They have come up with
many names, some correct and some incorrect, but Drucilla never enters the
picture. However, age-wise, she certainly is a likely candidate to have been
William's daughter. Consent was given in 1808, so whe was probably born no
earlier that 1788 and no later than 1794.
In the Book, Lincoln Co., Ky., Ramages, 1802-1894, by Ruth Ramage McElhaney,
we find that Joseph Ramage was born in 1787, probably in SC. He married on 29
Aug. 1808 in Salem, Livingston Co., Kentucky, to Drucilla Gillespie. The date
of her birth is shown as unknown, but the place of birth shows "prob. New Madrid
Co., Mo." Drucilla died before 1820 in Livingston Co., Kentucky. Their
children are shown as Margaret, possibly Josiah Francis, and possibly James.
There is an interesting notation regarding James: "James is not documented as
son of Joseph and Drucilla Gillespie Ramage. It is believed Drucilla died at
James' birth and that her parent, who moved to New Madrid, Mo. took her infant
son James to Mo. He appears on the 1840 census of New Madrid, Mo. as: James
Ramage 20-30 years, wife unknown 20-30 years 2 children under 10 years old. No
further record of this man known." Joseph Ramage, husband of Drucilla, is said
to have lived in SC, Ky., Tenn., and Miss. Margaret, the daughter, married in
1828 in Hardeman Co., Tenn., so we seem to have both Ramages and Gillespies in
Hardeman Co. Tenn. at some point.
------------------------------------------
For the most part, I have avoided getting into grandchildren because this was
going to be too long and unwieldly; however, they are very important in sorting
all of this out. We find the names William, Matthew, etc. also given to
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I am sure I have missed some things in going through my files and hope the two
of you will feel free to make additions and corrections. One of the things we
need to do is look at Betty's land patent work in relation to all of this.
Similarly, we need to look at Terry's family group sheet notes which contain
some of this data and probably more than I have included here. I worked
primarily from my own files in this compilation. Finally, I need to know your
thoughts.
Joy