Edward Gilkey (1769 - 1841)

Born 18 May 1769 in Maryland

Husband of Elizabeth (Tate) Gilkey — married about 1796 in Kentucky

Husband of Nancy (Holden) Gilkey — married 5 Nov 1814 in Greenup County, Kentucky

Descendants

Died 16 Jul 1841 at age 72 in Greenup County, Kentucky

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Connie Graves [send private message]

Biography

Surname

The surname is spelled variously, Gilkie, Guilkey, Gilkey and McGilkey. The name originated in Scotland where it was spelled MacGillekeyr. They are believed to have been the same family referred to as Mac Gillanie and MacGillivray (Gillie for short) who were part of the Clan Chattan. The Gilkeys appear to have left Scotland 1660-1674.^{[1] [2] [3]}We next find the family residing around Ballykelly, near Limavady in Northern Ireland. They were using the spelling "Gilkie", a synonym of Kielty, which was an anglization of the Gaelic O'Caolite. ^[4] Some of the family were living in Pennsylvania about 1730 and seem to have moved on to Frederick County, Virginia. At least one branch of the family left Ireland about 1765 and were living in Pennsylvania and Maryland before the American Revolution.

In the earliest records the spellings Edward, Edmund and Edmond were used interchangeably for Edward Gilkey's given name. As for his version of the surname after settling in Greenup County, Kentucky Edward adopted the spelling Guilkey. Edward's birthplace was given as Maryland by his sons Charles S. Guilkey and William Guilkey in the 1880 census. ^[5]

Birth and Family Traditions

According to the family recollections of Eleanor (Guilkey) Bookman [7] and the family files of Karen Webb Wertman [8]--Edward was either born at sea or in MD. His father was a sailor and died at sea. Edward's mother went to visit her husband at sea and never returned.

The family story provides an approximate date of about 1769 for the arrival of Edward Gilkey in America. Likewise the place of birth for Edward in Maryland connects him with three Gilkey brothers (John, David, and William) who resided in the Cheat River area of southwestern Pennsylvania near the border with Maryland and Virginia. The three brothers along with their cousin Robert Gilkey came to Kentucky settling in Nelson County about 1770. There is a story connected with Robert Gilkey that his son "Francis" came to America in an "egg shell" as his mother gave birth to him shortly after they landed in America from Ireland. This tale is eerily similar to the one for Edward Gilkey.^[6]

Building a log cabin

Marriage

Regarding the family of Edward Gilkey there was a family bible mentioned among the inventory of Edward's estate in 1841. ^[7] One of his descendants, Eleanor (Guilkey) Bookman, reportedly had a Bible or some type of family record listing the births for the Edward Gilkey family. Karen Wertman of Howard, Ohio obtained a copy of these records and wrote 27 Feb 2001 to Connie Graves providing the following information: Edward's first wife was Elizabeth Tate. They were married in Kentucky about 1796 by Rev. Shively.

Children of Edward Gilkey and Elizabeth Tate

Thomas Gilkey born 14 May 1796

Talley Gilkey born 28 January 1798

Sallie Gilkey born about 1800 (?name not included on list?)

David Gilkey born 20 March 1802

John Gilkey born 30 October 1804

William Gilkey born 8 December 1808

Edward Gilkey (Jr) born 8 April 1810

Charles Scott Gilkey born 2 January 1813

After the death of his first wife Edward married Nancy Holden (or Holton or Hilton) on 5 November 1814 in Greenup County, Kentucky. ^[8]

Children of Edward Gilkey and Nancy Holden

Elizabeth Tate Gilkey born 23 February 1815

Grace H Gilkey born 9 March 1818

Family Connections

The information provided by Edward's second marriage is a further indication of the connection between Edward Gilkey and the North Carolina Gilkey family because J. R. Chitwood (sic John Chitwood) was bondsman. Chitwood came to Greenup County about the same time as Edward and is listed on the tax list along with him in 1811. The 1820 census shows John Chitwood's age was over 45 (born before 1775) thus he was close in age to Edward too. Chitwood died in 1823 and from the list of books in his estate inventory it appears he was a lawyer, which considering the many legal problems Edward had was another reason for a connection between the two men.^[9]

Digging deeper we find the North Carolina Chitwood family resided in Rutherford County at the same time as the John Gilkey wife Jane Gray family. The presence of the Chitwood and Gilkey families in Rutherford County during the Revolutionary War has significance because after the Battle of King's Mountain, several men were hung for being Tories or Loyalists on October 14,1780. ^[10] Two of the executed men were Capt. James Chitwood and Capt. Walter Gilkey. ^[11] In fact, it has been tossed about by family researchers that Walter Gilkey's hanging for being a Tory may have caused the family to prefer fighting Indians in Kentucky rather than facing angry neighbors in North Carolina and thus precipitated their move and re-connection with the Gilkey cousins from Pennsylvania.

Arrival in Kentucky

Edward Gilkey was listed on the tax list of Nelson County, Kentucky in 1792. He owned no property and had one horse.^{[12] [13] [14]} Edward was listed on the tax list either living with or next door to several members of the Gray family who were related to Jane Gray (widow of John Withrow) the wife of John Gilkey. Jane & John Gilkey had brought their family from North Carolina to Kentucky in 1781 settling in Nelson Co (then VA) at Pottenger's Fort where they joined Gilkey cousins, John, David and William from the Cheat River area of Pennsylvania, who had settled at the fort in 1780. From the tax lists it appears possible Edward may have been the male over 16 listed in the household of John Gilkey (wife Jane Gray) between 1785-1791 in Nelson County. In addition, DNA testing has shown a match between descendants of Edward Gilkey and John Gilkey.^[15]

Military

There were Indian problems along the frontier 1793 to 1794 which led to the muster of several militia companies in Kentucky. As a private Edmund Gilkey joined a unit from Fayette County under the leadership of Major William Russell and Captain Henry Bartlett in 1794. ^[16] These were militia troops under the command of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, head of the federal troops. The KY Militia were attached to the federal troops and led by Major General Charles Scott and fought with him at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, August 1794. Edward later named a son Charles Scott Gilkey for his commander during the Indian Wars.^{[17] [18]} The militia men were expected to provide their own provisions which included their own musket or firelock as well as a bayonet and belt.

It should be noted that the route of Wayne's Campaign for July - August 1794, when Edward/Edmund Gilkey was serving in Russell's Battalion took the men to Fort Defiance on the Maumee River in what would later be Ohio. [9] Company muster rolls report Edward Gilky lost a horse on September 5, 1794, while the troops were at Fort Defiance. Data handed down in the family states Elizabeth Tate, wife of Edward Gilkey, was born 1769 on the Miami River, Ohio. It is entirely possible they met at Fort Defiance because their marriage occurred about 1795.

Residence Eastern Kentucky

Following his military service Edward disappeared from the public records for several years. Before 1800 he had settled in eastern Kentucky because he is mentioned living on land near the Leslie Settlement, in then Floyd County, Kentucky but today near the town of Gulnare in Pike County. ^[19] Edward had 225 acres adjoining Robert Leslie on John's Creek.^[20] Judge John Graham opened a general store or trading post just below the mouth of Beaver Creek near the present day town of Emma, KY. His account book still exists and covers the years 1800-1820. Included among the names in this book is EDWARD GILKEY ^[21] Two early Floyd County, Kentucky deeds in 1810 mention Edward Gilkey as a boundary for land on Johns Creek. ^[22]

The tax list of 1806 shows Edward Guilkey had moved from Floyd County and was living in Greenup County, Kentucky.^[23]Greenup County Court records in 1807 establish that Edward Gilky and Nimrod Canterbury filed a complaint against Moses Kibby for not keeping the road in good condition from Little Sandy Licks to the Greenup County courthouse.^[24] The 1810 census of Greenup County, Kentucky shows Edward's household included six children.

Land

His "home farm" in Greenup County included 1131 acres on Tygart's Creek as shown by tax lists. A Greenup County deed mentions Edward Gilkie was residing there in 1811.^[25]

This property like much of the land in early Kentucky did not have a clear title due to overlapping surveys and land grants. Edward was caught up in a lengthy court battle over the disputed ownership. As early as 1821 he found himself along with Elijah Cartwright and Aaron Bush as defendants in a lawsuit with the heirs of Richard Graham, (George, John & Richard). The land of Gilkey, Cartwright and Bush lived on and farmed was found to be within the boundary of a survey for Richard Graham that had been made in 1785 for 80,406 acres. Gilkey had purchased his land from Thomas Bodley who did not have a clear title and who had failed to issue a deed to Edward. ^[26] The Graham heirs tried to have Gilkey, Cartwright and Bush ejected from the land. At a trial by jury 25 July 1821 the decision was in favor of the plaintiffs (Graham's heirs) who were awarded one cent in damages and court costs but no land. ^{[27] [28]} The Graham's did not like the decision even though it was in their favor because they wanted the land back. This resulted in an appeal to the Kentucky Appeals Court which dragged on for years. In fact the final decision by the Kentucky Appeals Court was not handed down until after Edward's death in 1841. Edward's son, Edward Jr., was appointed administrator of the estate ^[29] Bill of Sale-Estate of Edward Guilky ^[30]and through his efforts a clear title to the land was finally recorded by the Greenup County court in April 1845.^{[31] [32]}

Death

Edward Guilkey died in 1841 and his estate inventory was recorded in Greenup County, Kentucky on 1 November 1841. His widow was alive but unnamed. Administrator was Edward Guilkey, Jr. Members if the family making purchases at the sale included: David Guilkey, Edward Guilkey Jr.; Charles S. (also known as Scott) Guilkey; Nancy Guilkey (sic the widow); and William Guilkey.^[33]

The land he owned at the time of his death was divided among the heirs of Edward Gilkey in 1842. "The Commissioners appointed by the court to divide the land of Edward Gilkey this day made their report which is order to be recorded. Edward Gilkey one of the heirs of said Edward Gilkey appeared in open court and objects to the confirmation of said report by court and the evidence being heard it is ordered that the said report be --- and the division be established as reported and the said is ordered to be done in the words and figures following to wit. sketch of property division---land was surveyed divided into eight equal parts for following individuals: Levy Cartwright, David Guilkey, William Guilkey, Edward Guilkey, C.S. Guilkey, John Guilkey. John Warnock, John Holbrook" ^[34]

The estate settlement for Edward Gilkey continued in 1845. ^{[35] [36]} Edward Guilkey's Heirs against Thomas Bodley's Heirs. Thomas Bodley on December 26, 1820 conveyed a title bond to Edward Guilkey for 1131 acres of land but never executed a deed to Edward Guilkey. Bodley died and his heirs were ordered by the court to execute a deed for the land to Edward Guilkey's heirs.

Sources

1. ↑ Gilkey, George L. The Gilkeys: a history of the early American Gilkeys and their descendants. 1950. pIX-XI, XVII-XX.
2. ↑ Gilkey, Geo. L. Supplement, The Gilkeys. Merrill, Wis.: (publisher not identified). 1954. p362
3. ↑ The DAR copied portions of the George L. Gilkey book and they can be viewed here: A smattering of genealogy from the collection of Irene Bourne Webster. FHL Film #007641199, Image 414/403. [1]
4. ↑ Bell, Robert. The Book of Ulster Surnames. p 232, 233.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCC9-16F : 7 July 2016), William Guilkey in household of Charles Guilkey, Upper Ashland, Boyd, Kentucky, United States; citing enumeration district ED 10, sheet 209B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0404; FHL microfilm 1,254,404.
6. ↑ Gilkey, Geo. L. The Gilkeys; a history of the early American Gilkeys and their descendants. 1955. p 245, 259, 260
7. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky Will Book 3, p 341-343.
8. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky Marriage Bonds, Vol 2, p 30
9. ↑ Phillips, Patricia Porter. 1998. Greenup County, Kentucky will abstracts, 1822-1860. Bowie, Md: Heritage Books. p 36,37 Inventory and sale for John R. Chitwood estate. Will Book 2, p 7, 72. John R. Chitwood married Malvina Frame on 12 Oct 1819 in Greenup Co., KY. Consent was given by Malvina's guardian, James A. Poage. Other Chitwoods in Greenup Co include: Pg. 11 Amos Chitwood listed as Exec. and son-in-law for Andrew Biggs and Pg. 187 note: Townley Rigg md. Susan Chitwood Nov. 3, 1834 (John Hollingsworth, bondsman)
10. ↑ The Biggerstaff Hanging Tree, blog published by travelingfleacircus [2]
11. ↑ Mitchell County Historical Society presents Footsteps for Freedom: The Road to Kings Mountain. Episode 28: The Aftermath. by mcncdmin | Oct 9, 2019 | OVM Podcast [3]
12. ↑ Kentucky Historical Society. 1984. Early Kentucky tax records: from The register of the Kentucky Historical Society : with an index by Carol Lee Ford. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co. p 219 Residents of Nelson Co., KY (formerly VA) District of Gabriel Cox, Nov 2, 1792 Gilkey, Edward 1 white male 21+, 1 horse
13. ↑ Schroeder, Margaret Johnson, and Carl A. Schroeder. 1989. 1792-1794 residents of Nelson County Kentucky (formerly Virginia) recorded in tax list: recorded in tax lists. Bardstown, Kentucky: (publisher not identified). Vol II, p 33
14. ↑ Heinemann, Charles Brunk. 1965. First census of Kentucky, 1790. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co. p 39.
15. ↑ Paternal DNA confirmed on My Heritage with a triangulated match between Daniels-3035, Daniels-3574 and Linda Melton for 14.9 cM on Chr 13. Linda's earliest ancestor is John Gilkey bc 1748 Donegal, Ireland and died 1782 at Pottenger's Fort, Nelson County, Kentucky who is believed to have been closely related to Edward Gilkey. John Gilkey's wife was Jane Gray and Edward Gilkey is found on the Nelson County, Kentucky tax list of 1792 living in the midst of several members of the Gray family.
16. ↑ Edmund Gilky, Pvt, Russell's Battalion Kentucky Mounted Volunteers, Second Division, Third Brigade, Tenth Regiment, Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia from July 10 to October 23, 1794.
17. ↑ White, Virgil D. 1987. Index to volunteer soldiers, 1784-1811. Waynesboro, Tenn: National Historical Pub. Co. p 249.
18. ↑ Clark, Murtie June. 1990. American militia in the frontier wars, 1790-1796. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. Co. p 62, 63
19. ↑ Klaiber, Theresa Martin. Lesley Settlement. Day Tripping Around Eastern Kentucky [4]
20. ↑ William Ely, The Big Sandy Valley. Catlettsburg, Ky. : (publisher not identified), 1887. p 210. Robert Leslie came with his family to Kentucky and settled at the mouth of Paint Creek on the Big Sandy River in 1798 but were driven out by the Indians. They returned in 1800 settling on John's Creek .
21. ↑ Jillson, Willard Rouse. The Big Sandy Valley.1970, p 133
22. ↑ Annals of Floyd County, Kentucky, by Charles C. Wells. p 9, 36. Floyd County, Kentucky Deed Book A. Deed from John Smith Baisden to Robert Lesley for 77 acres on Johns Creek "starting at Edmond Gilkey's lower corner", dated 15 Jan 1810. Deed from John Rogers of Fayette County, Kentucky to William McCoy and Walter McCoy of Floyd Co. for 100 acres on John's Creek, dated 18 Aug 1810, Witness Edward Quilky (sic). Deed from Robert Leslie to his son Allen Leslie for 150 acres on John's Creek beginning at Edward Gilkey's line, dated 22 Feb 1810.
23. ↑ Jackson, Evelyn & William Talley. Eastern Kentucky References. Cook & McDowell Publishing, 1980
24. ↑ Court Term August 1807--"The 4th day of May charge was brought on affadavit of Nimrod Canterberry and Edward Gilky against Moses Kibby for not keeping the road leading from Little Sandy Licks to the Greenup Courthouse." John Hockaday, Clerk
25. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky Deed Book B Pg. 279, 280 Michael Isgrig to Matthew Walker, 1000 acres on a large fork of Sandy that heads with Licking. Kentucky Patent granted 7 September 1797....“the said land includes an improvement where a certain Edward Gilkie now resides” [5]
26. ↑ Edward Guilkey's Heirs against Thomas Bodley's Heirs (Thomas Bodley, on Dec 26, 1820 conveyed a title bond to Edward Guilkey for 1131 acres of land. Bodley has died and so his heirs are ordered to execute a deed for this land to the heirs of Edward Guilkey.) Greenup Co., KY Circuit Court Civil & Criminal Order Book O p 20, 134 Apr Term 1845
27. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky Circuit Court Civil & Criminal Court Order Book E1, p 139-143, July Term 1821.
28. ↑ KY, Greenup Co., Deed Book D Pg. 29 Image 22/574 2 Oct 1821 Robert H Grayson of Jefferson Co., KY TO John Anglin 300 acres on Little Sandy River part of a tract formerly claimed by Edward Guilky....[6]
29. ↑ Estate settlement--Inventory of Estate, 1 Nov 1841 Greenup County, Kentucky Will Book 3, p 341-343
30. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky Will Book 3, p 343-346. Settlement of Estate of Edward Guilky Will Book 2, p 379-380
31. ↑ Cook, Michael L. & Bettie A. Cook. Kentucky Court of Appeals Deed Books, O-U, Vol 3. Evansville,In: Cook Publications, 1985. p 283, 284. Recorded by the Kentucky Court of Appeals, Oct 24, 1816. Indenture, Sept 18, 1809 Robert Harrison Grayson, and Sophonisba Grayson, his wife, of Jefferson Co., KY --mentions various lawsuits and a suit in chancery in Greenup Circuit Court over 70,000 acres on Little Sandy--included in the list of property sold and divided from this acreage: ...Also a tract of 225 acres, being the upper part of the said 500 acres last mentioned, conveyed by Galloway to EDWARD GILKEY and by Gilkey to Grayson....
32. ↑ Greenup Co., KY Circuit Court Civil & Criminal Order Book N,

    p 202 Edward Gilkey vs David R. Farney In chancery 1842

    p 340 Oct Term 1843 Edward Guilkey, Admr against Nancy Guilkey In Debt

    p 344 Oct Term 1844 David Guilkey against Jesse Corum, Admr Defendants Charles S. Guilky, William Guilky, and Edward Guilky, John Guilky, and Levi Cartwright and his wife Sally

    p 412 Apr Term 1844 Edward Guilkey's Admr against Edward Guilkey In Chancery

33. ↑ Phillips, Patricia Porter. 1998. Greenup County, Kentucky will abstracts, 1822-1860. Bowie, Md: Heritage Books. p 87, 88
34. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky County Court Order Book Dec Term 1842, page 172, 173, 174
35. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky Circuit Court Civil & Criminal Order Book N, p 43, 208,243,267,268,321,327,394,425 Edward Gilkey vs Thomas Bodley
36. ↑ Greenup County, Kentucky Circuit Court Civil & Criminal Order Book O, p 134. April Term 1845.