Silas Gillespie (abt. 1775 - 1850)

Born about 1775 in Yancey, Province of North Carolina

Descendants

Died May 1850 at about age 75 in Yancey, North Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Dreama Brower [send private message]

Biography

Silas Gillespie was born about 1775.^[1] He thought to be the son of James Gillespie/Gilaspy whose last will and testament was proved in Buncombe County, North Carolina Court in April 1798.^[2] and Margaret Trail. Oral tradition says he was born one Blufords Island on the way to America.

He married Mary "Polly" Emeline Nial about 1790 at Yancey County, North Carolina. (possibly daughter of Archebald Neal of Burke County, North Carolina).

On December 2, 1797, Silas "Galaspie" received grant no. 358 from the State of NC for 100 acres on Flat Creek, Buncombe County, North Carolina (Deed Book 4, p. 516 - recorded June 28, 1800). In Buncombe Co. Court for July 1799 there was a quitclaim deed from John G Blount to Silas "Glaspee" for 100 acres of land.

On 10 October 1805, Silas Gillespie purchased 200 acres of land on the East Fork of Bull Creek from Joseph Dobson for $100.^[3]

He appeared as a juror in the Buncombe County Court for October 1806.

In 1818, Silas Gillaspel and Mary Gillaspel were founding members of "The Church of Christ" (a.k.a. Bull Creek Church) at Bone Camp on Bull Creek (about 7 miles north of Marshall, North Carolina)."^[4]

In 1833, Yancey County was formed from Buncombe and Burke Counties.

On 28 December 1836, Silas Gillespie was issued grant no. 88 in Yancey County, North Carolina for "50 acres lying on the waters of of the east fork of Bull Creek adjoining his own land" and land of James Ray, Wm K Gillespie, & Wm A Peek .^[5]

His Will was dated 7 January 1842 in Yancey County, North Carolina.^[6]

" Last Will and Testament of Silas Gillispie State of North Carolina, Yancey County. In the Name of God Amen I Silas Gillispie of the county and State above mentioned being in a reasonable state of health of body and of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of the body and knowing that it was appointed for all men once to die do make this and no other my last will and testament(viz) First and principally I give my soul into the hands of the Almighty God that gave it to me and my body to the Earth from whence it came to be buried in a decent form at the discretion of My Executor hereafter mentioned and not doubting but I shall receive the same at the General Resurrection by the Same Almighty Power and also as touching such worldly goods or estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose of in manner and form following, that is first I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife POLLY GILLISPIE all the lands that I now possess to use as her own during her Natural life and also the thing or things that to me are in any wise belonged to me To wit, all the personal estate consisting in all my horses, cattle and sheep, hogs household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils to have and enjoy as her own with the liberty given to her to dispose in such way as to enable her to buy anything necessary for her comfortable support but not otherwise. My will also is that SILAS CLARK, my Grandson shall have a horse worth fifty dollars when he attains to the age of Twenty one years. And also my will and desire is that at the death of my wife Polly after all my debts are paid that the remainder of my estate be equally divided among all my children their ------ or other legal representatives. Also I leave my dear beloved wife Polly Gillispie my sole and entire executrix to this my last will and testament to act clear and free from giving any security to the county or Court of said county for the performance or execution of this will and I also by these presence Revoke disanul and do away all former wills and testaments in witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal This 7 of January 1842. Signed Sealed and acknowledged in the presence of the Subscribing witnesses. Silas Gillispie. Test: A. Jervis, W. A. Peek, Anna Peek."

Silos passed away at age 75 during May 1850 at Yancey County, North Carolina, United States.^[1]

Residences

1800 US Census, Morgan, Buncombe, North Carolina, page 169.^[7]

Silas Gillaspie: males: 1 age 16-25; females: 3 under 10, 1 age 16-25

living near: John Gillaspie (age 25-44, John Gillespie (age 45+), Robert Gillaspie (age 26-44), Widow Gillaspie (age 26-44).

1810 US Census, Buncombe, North Carolina, page 283, row 9.^[8]

Silas Gallespy: males: 2 under 10, 1 age 26-44; females: 3 under 10, 2 ages 10-15, 1 age 26-44.

living near: row 13 James Ray

1820 US Census, Buncombe, North Carolina, page 94, row 13.^[9]

Silas Gillaspie: males: 1 age 10-16,1 age 16-18, 2 age 19-26, 1 over 45; females: 1 under 10, 1 age 10-16, 2 age 17-26, 1 over 45; slaves: 0; engaged in agriculture: 4

Living near: Thomas Ray

1830 US Census, Third Regiment or Division, Buncombe, North Carolina.^[10]

row 20 Silas Gillespie: males: 1 age 30-40, 1 age 60-70; females: 1 age 15-20, 1 age 50-60; slaves: 0

living near: row 19 James Gillespie

1840 US Census, Yancey County, North Carolina, page 256.^[11]

Silas Galaspie: males: 1 under 5, 1 age 60-70; females: 2 age 5-10, 1 age 20-30, 1 age 60-70, no free colored or slaves.

Living near: Nathan Honeycut, W A Peek

County Formations:

Buncombe County formed from Burke and Rutherford Counties in 1791.

Yancey County formed form Buncombe and Burke Counties in 1833.

Madison County formed from Buncombe and Yancey Counties in 1851.

Research

The estate of Silas Gillespie was probated from 1850 to 1880, at Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The estate included 200 acres of land in Madison County (formed from Buncombe and Yancey County in 1851) which was purchased 10 October 1805 from Joseph Dobson. After his wife Mary passed, the land was sold and divided equally amongst his 8 children or their heirs in accordance with his Will dated 7 January 1842.^[12][13] Probate records name: the following:

wife Mary "Polly"

daughter Judith married to William Arrington

daughter Talitha married to Berry Lewis

son James Gillespie

dec’d daughter Agnes married to James Ray, dec’d (1/8th)

their children Joice Honeycut wife of Nathan, A. B. Ray, Samuel P Ray, James Ray, Jno P Ray, William Ray, Sion Coats and wife Amarintha, John Coats and wife Emeline

dec’d daughter Elenor wife of Steven Griffith, dec’d (1/8th)

their children Phebe Roberts, John Griffith, Owen Griffith, Dorcas Griffith, Elizabeth Crain married to John, Mary Beaver married to William, Nancy Howell wife of William, Emeline Grange wife of Wm., Stephen Griffith

dec'd daughter Mary married to Risi Jervice

their children: James W Jervice, Silas Jervice, May Jervice, Dorcas Jervice, William H Jervice, Martha Ann Jervice, Mary/Polly Amanda Jervice, Tavis B Jervice, dec'd.

children of Tavis B Jervice: Ruthe Jervice, James M Jervice (a minor), Walter Jervice (a minor), Ailsey Emeline Jervice (a minor)

dec'd son William R Gillispie

his children Sarah S Gillispie, Mary Gillispie,

dec’d daughter Eady married to Love Clark

her child Silas Clark who conveyed his interest in the land to Jesse Rice. In his Will, Silas Gillespie left his grandson Silas Clark a horse worth fifty dollars when he attains the age of 21 years.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} United States Census (Mortality Schedule), 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3V5-9Y9 : 4 August 2017), Silas Gillispie, Yancey county, Yancey, North Carolina, United States; citing line 20, NARA microfilm publication T655 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 2,155,598.
2. ↑ Book "The Heritage of Old Buncombe County, Volume I - 1981"
3. ↑ Deed Book 11, page 437, Buncombe County, North Carolina Deeds, FamilySearch, not indexed (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9D2-XF8V)
4. ↑ page 2, Article 11, Rev R. D. Keller, "Bull Creek Baptist Church Minutes and History, 1905-1916," Madison County, North Carolina State Archives; digital images, "Minutes, History, Members, 1905-1968," images 11- 21, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3Q7-C97G-X?i=10 : accessed 29 March 2021); citing FHL microfilm 8,544,771.
5. ↑ Book 144, page 179, entry no. 437, entered 27 Jan 1835, FamilySearch, not indexed,(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G98W-3XJH)
6. ↑ Yancey County Record of Wills Volume # 1, page 373, "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TG-PYWF?cc=1867501&wc=32LF-C66%3A170128001%2C170192901 : 21 May 2014), Yancey > Wills, 1834-1860 > image 191 of 220; county courthouses, North Carolina
7. ↑ http:/www.obcgs.com/society/ffob/qualifying-ancestors/1800-buncombe-county-census-part-1/>\
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH26-D4X : accessed 21 May 2021), James Ray, Buncombe, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 283, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 39; FHL microfilm 337,912.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHG9-B4C : accessed 20 June 2019), Silas Gillaspie, Buncombe, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 94, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 80; FHL microfilm 162,796.
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYJ-VPW?cc=1803958&wc=35YH-92S%3A1588475002%2C1588475402%2C1588469601 : 14 August 2015), North Carolina > Buncombe > Not Stated > image 182 of 194; citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHYJ-P2K : 2 March 2021), Silas Galaspie, Yancey, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 256, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .
12. ↑ "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:2:77TG-PYWF?cc=1867501&wc=32LF-C66%3A170128001%2C170192901 : 21 May 2014), Yancey > Wills, 1834-1860 > image 191 of 220; county courthouses, North Carolina.
13. ↑ "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKBP-T3ZL : 15 March 2018), Silas Gillespie, 1850; citing Madison County, North Carolina, United States, State Archives, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 2,259,793.