Records of William Gill
(copied from ancestry.com)
WILLIAM GILL OF LUNENBURG CO., VA & IREDELL CO., NC.
The records of WILLIAM GILL, sometimes referred to as MAJOR WILLIAM GILL, b. Lunenburg Co., Va. 1750, d. Iredell Co., N. C. 4 Sept. 1797, and those of a father and son also named William Gill of Mecklenburg Co., Va. during the same period have become combined in some printed records. Examples are The History of Iredell County, N. C. , 1980, a heritage style book, and at least 5 membership applications of the D.A.R. from the early and mid-1900s which have
subsequently been determined to be incorrect.
Thomas Cadet Young, Sr., father-in-law of this William Gill, moved to Iredell Co., N. C. in 1778. His initial deed that year called him “of Macklenburg Co., Va.” The family assumed that his son-in-law William Gill was also of Mecklenburg Co. where “the other William Gills” lived. Further research has revealed that Mr. Young was on the Lunenburg Co., Va. tithe rolls from 1772 to 1776. Before that he was in Brunswick Co. where he was born 5 Jan 1732, a son of Michael Cadet Young. No land or other records have yet been located in Mecklenburg for him. These assumptions have tainted research of this family for many decades. Records abound in Lunenburg Co. for the Iredell Co. Gills and Youngs. This paper is offered to correct those early assumptions.
WILLIAM GILL was born in Lunenburg Co., Va. in 1750, only known son of HENRY GILL of Crooked Creek in that county. He m. SUSANNAH YOUNG, dau of THOMAS CADET YOUNG, SR. of Brunswick and Lunenburg Cos., Va., and Iredell Co., NC. The only known source which calls him Major William Gill is Cyrus Hunter’s Sketches of Western North Carolina, originally printed in 1877. The now rejected D.A.R. applications all contained the identical wording about him: “William Gill (1750-1797) served as an officer in the N. C. troops. He was b. & d. in N. C.” The facts are he was not born in N.C. and his service was with Virginia organizations. Hunter’s book of 1877 claims that Major Gill was an aide to Gen. George Washington. This is discussed later. Since Hunter was in
contact with the family prior to 1877 there must be some kernel of truth in his account. The Lunenburg Co. tithe records record him in 1772-1776. The next
available record was following the war when he appeared in 1783 with his father Henry Gill.
HENRY GILL, father of William of Lunenburg, birth est. to be ca. 1728, possibly earlier. He first appeared on Lunenburg Tithe rolls (age 16+) in 1749
apparently with household of Joseph Blank. His earliest found land was in 1753, for which he should be over 21. Henry purchased land from John Blank,
son of Joseph, in 1784. A bill of sale dated 15 May 1789 from Vandyke to “William Gill & James Hazelwood, all of Lunenburg Co.” had as one of 3
witnesses, Martha Gill, LDB 15, p. 388. She may have been William’s mother. Henry’s will did not name a wife or other female of that name. He did name:
Daughters Sarah Russell, Betty Gill, Polly Gill, Nancy Gill, Patty Gill, and heirs of dau. Rebecca Dearden (Darden), heirs of son Wm. Gill (who had d. 1797
in N.C.) granddaughters Betty Ingram Gill, Polley Gill and Charlotte Gill. Friends as executors: Benja Gee Sr. & Drury Gee. Witnesses: Silvanus Ingram,
John Moody (son in law), Jesse Andrews, and Lucus Gee. Ingram Allen Gill was a son of William Gill in Iredell Co., N. C.
Sources:
Will of Henry Gill of Lunenburg (LWB 8 p. 46, made 6 Mar 1813, recorded 10 Jun 1819.
Henry Gill sold 183 acres in Lunenburg to son William, for love and 5
shillings (LDeedBk 15 p. 495, 10 Feb 1790).
William and Susannah Gill of Lunenburg sold this same land plus 58 a. more
(241 a.) for 200 pounds 11 Dec 1792 (LDB 16 pp. 283-4), selling out for move
to Iredell Co., NC.
William Gill bought of Thomas Beatty, 300 a. 100 pounds on Red Bank, South
Yadkin River in Iredell Co., NC, 21 Jan 1793 (Iredell Co., NC Deed Bk A, p.
494, recorded 4 Nov 1793).
Bell, Brandon: Old Free State (Lunenburg Co., Va.) v. l, pp. 214, 215-7,
219-20 shows him a pvt. in Capt. James Johnson’s Co. with Washington at
Valley Forge, Pa., winter of 1777-1778. This co. was part of the 6th Va.
Regiment under Colonels Mordecai Buckner and James Hendricks. It was later
combined with the 2nd Va. Regiment (Berg’s Encyclopedia of Continental Army
Units, 1972, p. 127).
Bell, Brandon: Sunlight on the Southside Lists of Tithes Lunenburg Co., Va.,
pp. 301, 319, 334, 355. He appears with father Henry in 1772-1776. He was
listed in 1783 after the end of Revolution.
Hunter, Cyrus L.: Sketches of Western N. C. Historical and Biographical,
Raleigh, 1877, pp. 189-192. Major William Gill, his father in law Thomas
Young, others Service of Gill with Washington in the Revolution. Gill’s
widow Susannah died only 48 years prior to publication date.
Will of William Gill of Iredell Co, NC, dated 27 Aug 1797 (Iredell Co., NC Will Book 1, p. 103).
Will of Susanna Gill of Iredell Co., NC, dated 14 Apr 1828 (Iredell Co., NC Will Book 2, p. 92)
Analysis: Henry Gill first found in Lunenburg Co., Va. in 1748, tithes taken between Hounds Creek and Meherrin River. He was with Joseph Blanks and 2 below
him in 1749; 1752 next to “Amy Blanks list: Isaac and Harry”. He bought 100 a. 6 Aug 1753 from William Jordan of N.C.. Found in tithes lists 1764, in
1772-1774 with son William who was absent during the war until the published lists resumed and ended with list of 1783.
The William Gill next treated is found in tithe lists as indicated below.
Henry Gill virtually gave son William 183 acres in Feb1790. This same land was sold by William in Dec 1792 just before buying land in Iredell Co., N.C. in
Jan 1793 near his father in law Thomas Young. Young was originally from Brunswick Co., Va. but had been in the tithe rolls of Lunenburg Co., Va. in
1772 (26 tithes), 1773 (11 t.), 1774 (11 t.), 1775 (11 t.), finally in 1776 (11 t.). This marks the approximate time of his departure to N.C. Letter from
daughter Susannah Gill and husband William dated 28 Apr 1792 sent from Lunenburg Co., Va. to her father indicates a long separation.
Petition in Lunenburg Co., Va. dated 12 Aug 1781, signatories included Henry Gill, son William Gill, other relatives and in-laws.
The only official record of William Gill (1750-1797) in the Revolutionary War is that given by Bell in The Old Free State. He cites a payroll of Capt. James
Johnson’s company of the 6th Va. Regt., Continental Forces for the period April 1 to May 1, 1777 showing William Gill present as a private. Other
records in the National Archives prove this company was at Valley Forge, Pa. with General George Washington during the winter of 1777-78. Carlos Godfrey’s
The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard Revolutionary War, printed 1904, p. 172 tells of a different William Gill (b. 12 July 1761, d. 18 Aug. 1851) of Cumberland
Co., Va. who was a member of the Guard until Feb. 1778. If Hunter’s account of Major William Gill is correct, he could have enlisted as a private and later
commissioned an officer during the war or could have achieved that rank later
as a militia officer in Lunenburg Co., Va.
“THE OTHER WILLIAM GILL” and son COLONEL WILLIAM GILL of Mecklenburg Co., Va.
and Granville, Co., N. C.
Herewith are some records of WILLIAM GILL, b. ca. 1717-1722, of Mecklenburg Co., Va., d. 1780. He was in title rolls (Bell: Sunlight on Southside, pp.
121, 165, 180, 190, 197, 251), Lunenburg Co., Va. in 1749, with MICHAEL GILL consecutive 1750 and 1752, with JOSEPH GILL consecutive 1764 (Mecklenburg Co. formed 1765). They were not found in Lunenburg after Mecklenburg was split off
1764-1765.
According to LDS and published records he m. FRANCES POYTHRESS. Much of his many acres of land was on Tewayhomony Creek (var. spellings),
later called Aaron’s Creek, now part of boundary between Mecklenburg and Halifax Cos., Va. Members of this family expanded south across the state line
into Granville Co., NC. He was quite prominent and was probably the man referred to as William Gill, Colonel of NC Horse Regt. His will dated 3 July
1780 (Will Book 1, p. 355) named wife Frances, 9 children, and two sons-in-law: Thomas Pool and Bartlett Greer. A codicil gave a daughter 400
acres and mill on west side of Aaron’s Creek in Halifax Co., Va.
Known children were:
Joseph Gill, b. 1742, d. 10 Mar 1819; Nanny (Ann) Gill, b. ca. 1744, m.
Bartlett Greer;
Sarah Gill, b. ca. 1746;
Jane Gill, b. ca. 1748;
Mary Gill, b. ca. 1750;
Frances Gill, b. ca. 1752;
Robert Gill, b. ca. 1754;
WILLIAM GILL, JR., b. ca. 1758, m. JUDITH MAYNARD of Mecklenburg Co., Va. on 8 Dec 1783;
Obedience Gill, b. ca. 1762 m. Childers; a daughter, b. ca. 1762, m. Thomas Pool.
Analysis:
His records indicate that he was of the same generation as Henry Gill of Lunenburg. It is possible they were relatives but no proof has been found. The
sons of these two men named William show that Henry’s son William was 8 years older and died 19 years earlier than the below William Jr. Tithe lists
indicate close relationship between the elder William Gill, Michael Gill, Joseph Gill, and Peter Gill. William had a son Joseph b. 1742 with him in 1764
list. Michael Gill with William Gill in 1750 and 1752 lists possibly a brother. Thomas Gill for whom Gills Creek in Bedford Co. (now in Franklin
Co.), Va. was named appears to be the same as in tithe list of Lunenburg for 1749.
COLONEL WILLIAM GILL, JR., b. ca. 1758, in what was later Mecklenburg Co., Va.. He was married as noted above to Judith Maynard. She predeceased him. The Raleigh (N. C.) Register issue of Friday, 20 Sept. 1816, p. 3, col. 5, reported his death. “Col. Wm. Gill of Granville county, an old revolutionary
officer”, died lately. His father began buying land in Granville across the line in N. C. fairly early. William Jr. moved there and became a prominent
citizen. He became a justice of the county court and apparently a colonel in the county militia. In the absence of a will there is no concise list of his
children, but a study of his estate papers would yield some answers in that regard.
Copyright ©2006, Charles R. McDaniel, Sr., Roanoke, Va., all rights reserved.
You may use this information in your own genealogy, but it may not be used in
for profit enterprise.
Charles R. McDaniel, April 2, 2006
Note by FOC: following is older material, kept for reference. Charles McDaniel has done a superior job of sorting out these records.
William Gill did not marry Judith Maynard in 1783. He did marry Susannah Young, daughter of Thomas Young some time prior to 1777, and she appears to be
the mother of all of their children except Judah Gill. Susannah GILL, relict of Wm. GILL Died 29 Sep. 1829 in the 74th year of age, buried in the Young
Cemetery in Iredel Co., NC.
(Mrs. Clark assigns him as son of Wm. Gill of Mecklinburg Co., Va, will of 1780). Andrea, record #76 lists him as "Capt. William Gill" 1750-1797 married
in 1776 Susan Young and membership in DAR #301349 and service in Continental Line from SC. (FOC: note Charles McDaniel's analysis above, there are
retained for completeness) (Mrs. Clark p172, Young section) "Among published accounts of various Gill families is the following:" "Sketches of Western North Carolina, by C.L. Hunter, p189: "In the year 1778, Thomas Young removed from Mecklinburg, Virginia, to North Carolina and settled on Hunting Creek within three miles of the place where the counties of Yadkin, Davie, and Iredell now form a common corner. He was then past the age for military service but had furnished three sons-in-law and two sons to the army of General Washington and a third son at sixteen years of age to the army at Norfolk, Virginia.
"One of his sons-in-law, Major William Gill, entered the service at the beginning of the war, and became connected with the staff of General
Washington. He served in the capacity of Aide to the Commander-in-Chief through the war and was with him at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
From this point he returned to his family at Mecklinburg, Virginia, who had not heard from him in two years." "Soon after the establishment of peace,
Major Gill, with his family and the other two sons-in-law of Mr. Young, viz.: Major Daniel Wright and Dr. Thomas Moody, and his sons, William, Henry, and
Thomas Young, removed to North Carolina and settled near him. Major Gill settled on Rocky Creek near to the site of the present village of Olin and at
his death was interred in the family burying ground on the lands of his father-in-law. The record on his tombstone states that he died on the 4th of
September 1797, in the 47th year of his age. His commission is now in possession of his descendants in Iredell County.
"The part which Major Gill bore in the great struggle for independence was once familiar in the traditions of his family and must have been satisfactory
to General Washington from the fact that he continued with him to the end of the war, and bore with him into retirement the commission which made him one
of the military family of the father of his country." "A single incident will show the spirit with which Major Gill bore himself on the battlefield. At the
battle of Brandywine, while discharging his duty, he became separated from his command and in the dense smoke of the conflict rode into the ranks of the
enemy. Upon discovering the situation, the only means of escape which presented itself was to leap his horse over a high rail fence which was being
scattered by the artillery of the enemy. This feat he accomplished successfully and afterwards received the congratulations of his general for
the spirited adventure and escape.
"It has not been recorded in history that the mortal remains of a member of the staff of General Washington repose on the banks of Hunting Creek, Iredell
County , North Carolina. The tradition here given of the fact can be fully attested by surviving members of the family of Major Gill, as well as by his
commission." "Captain Andrew Carson was a younger son-in-law of Mr. Young, having married after the family removed to North Carolina. He & his brother,
Lindsay Carson, both joined the service in the southern army - & let it be recorded in passing that Lindsay Carson was the father of Christopher Houston
Carson, now widely known as 'Kit Carson', the great Indian scout, & that 'Kit" was born on Hunting Creek within half a mile of Mr. Thomas Young. Note: See NC will of Wm Gill of Iredell County, 1797." (Mrs. Clark)
William Gill of Iredell Co., NC - 6 heirs (assumed to be the William Gill who married Susannah mentioned by Rebecca Gill of Alabama). Wm Gill of Iredell
Co., NC, from Thomas Beatty, same Co., deed for parcel of land in Iredell on Red Bank branch of South Yadkin, beginning at Wm McCray's corner, to John
Callahan's line contain 300 a. wit: Joseph McGuire, Joseph Nichols. 29 June 1793, Deeds A 559 (Mrs. Clark p115).
Will 27 Aug 1797. To wife, personality & real estate until youngest child is of age; Judah Donaldson, "my oldest child"; "my living children" (Mrs. Clark:
names not given, one was certainly Thomas Y. Gill). Executors: Friends, Wm and Archibald Young. Wit. Andrew Carson, Humphrey B. Tomlinson, John Young. (Mrs. Clark: This is the will of Major Wm Gill-see p172. He married Susannah Young the daughter of Thomas Young, She is the only known wife.
(Mrs. Clark's book p172) published accounts of Gill families include: "Sketches of Western North Carolina", by C.L. Hunter, p189: "In the year 1778,
Thomas Young removed from Mecklenburg, VA, to NC and settled on Hunting Creek within three miles of the place where the counties of Yadkin, Davie, and
Iredell now form a common corner. He was then past the age for military service but had furnished 3 sons-in-law and 2 sons to the army of General
Washington and a third son at sixteen years of age to the army at Norfolk, VA." "One of his sons-in-law, Major Wm Gill, entered the service at the
beginning of the war, and became connected with the staff of Gen. Washington. He served in the capacity of Aide to the Commander-in-Chief through the war
and was with him at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. From this point he returned to his family at Mecklenburg, VA, who had not heard from him in
two years."Soon after the establishment of peace, Major Gill, with his family and the other sons-in-law of Mr. Young, viz.: Major Daniel Wright and Dr. Thomas
Moody, and his sons William, Henry, and Thomas Young, removed to NC and settled near him. Major Gill settled on Rocky Ck. near to the site of the
present village of Olin and at his death was interred in the family burying ground on the lands of his father-in-law. The record on his tombstone states
that he died on the 4 Sept. 1797, in the 47th year of his age. His commission is now in the possession of his descendants in Iredell Co." "The part which
Major Gill bore in the great struggle for independence was once familiar in the traditions of his family and must have been satisfactory to Gen.
Washington from the fact that he continued with him to the end of the war, and bore with him into retirement the commission which made him one of the
military family of the father of this country.
"A single incident will show the spirit with which Major Gill bore himself on the battle field. At the battle of Brandywine, while discharging his duty, he
became separated from his command and in the dense smoke of the conflict rode into the ranks of the enemy. Upon discovering the situation, the only means of
escape which presented itself was to leap his horse over a high rail fence which was being scattered by the artillery of the enemy. This feat he
accomplished successfully and afterwards received the congratulations of his general for the spirited adventure and escape."
"It has not been recorded in history that the mortal remains of a member of the staff of Gen. Washington repose on the banks of Hunting Creek, Iredell
County, NC. The tradition here given of the fact can be fully attested to by surviving members of the family of Major Gill, as well as by his commission.
Captain Andrew Carson was a younger son-in-law of Mr. Young, having married after the family removed to NC. He and his brother, Lindsay Carson, both
Joined the service in the southern army - and let it be recorded in passing that Lindsay Carson was the father of Christopher Houston Carson, now widely
known as "Kit Carson", the great Indian scout. "Kit" was born on Hunting Creek, within half a mile of Mr. Thomas Young."
COPY Of The Will Of William Gill, Iredell Co., NC Will Book 1, page 103.
(courtesy Charles McDaniel)
In the name of God Amen
I William Gill of Iredell County being of sound and perfect mind and memory
(blessed be God) do this 27th day of August in the year of our Lord 1797 make
and publish this my last Will and testament in manner following that is to
say. First I recommend my soul to them that gave it. It is my will that all my
just debts be paid, that the two horses now in my possession known by the
name, of prince and burton be sold to discharge my debts if not sufficient as
much of the other of my personal estate as will be sufficient. bequeath to my
wife all my personal and real estate to have the sole use of until my youngest
child comes of age as is provided by law, provided she my wife lives if she
dies before my youngest-living child comes of age then all my property both,
personal and real shall be equally divided between my living children male and
female except Judah Donaldson my oldest child which I have already given her a
full share. It is my desire that if my wife does live till my youngest living
child comes of age she shall have and equal share of my estate with my
children as it is mentioned. I hereby make and ordain my wife and my worthy
friend Wm. and Archibald Young Executors of this my last will and testament,
In witness whereof I the said William Gill have to this my last will and
testament set my hand and sealed day and year above written. William his Xmark
Gill (seal) Signed sealed and published in presence of us as the last will and
testament of the testator. Andrew Carson, Juret Humphry B. Tomlinson John Young.
COPY OF THE WILL OF SUSANNAH GILL, Iredell Co., NC, Will Bk. 2 page 92.
(courtesy Charles McDaniel)
State of North Carolina Iredell County. In the name of God Amen.
Know all men by these presents, that I Susannah Gill of the County and State
aforesaid, have made this my last will and testament revoking all others.
Being in sound mind and memory do give and bequeath my property after my death
as follows I give to my grand daughter Caroline Louisa Weaver twin negro girls
Ruby Ann and Lindy and one negro boy named Mot and my bed and furniture and
all my wearing clothes, this property I will to Caroline Louisa Weaver, and
her yous (illegible). The balance of my property I leave to my children after
all my just debts are, paid, here named, Allen Gill, William Gill, Thomas
Gill, Rebecca King and Henry Gill. I leave for my executors Henry Gill and
William Gill. I have set my hand and seal this 14th of April 1828. Susanna
Gill (Seal) In the presence of Wm. Carson Alfred Y. Carson, Jurat
Gill/Young Cemetery in North Carolina
Seven Known Children of Maj. Wm Gill (Judah Donaldson in will, Thomas Y. Gill
1827 deed, all in DAR record). Andrea record #76, DAR record #301349 lists
children, will of Susannah Gill lists the rest:
Judith Gill (or Judah) married a Donaldson (Donnelson in will). William
Gill refers to her as "my oldest child", probably daughter of his first
wife, according to Mrs. Clark. (If so, not Judith Maynard. CRM)
William Gill born c1777 in Virginia, married Rhoda Poole born c1787 d>1860, removed to Meriwhether Co., GA.
Thomas Young Gill born c1778/9 in VA died after 1850, married Elizabeth born c1780 in VA.
Ingram Allen Gill born 5 Feb. 1780 married Mary (Polly) Tomlinson. Ingram
Allen Gill died 14 July 1853, and is buried in the Gill/Young cemetery in
Iredell Co., NC.
Mary GILL, wife of Ingram A. GILL, Senr. Died 23 Nov. 1844
in the 61st year of age, and is also buried in the Young Cemetery in Iredell County, NC.
Henry Gill, born c<1797) of Iredell Co., NC, married ___ Reid. Henry Gill
of Iredell Co., NC, to Ingram A. Gill, same Co., consideration of $1500,
deed for negroes, horses, stock, crops, furniture, and all the right, title,
and interest I now have in the estate of James Reid, dec'd, my wife's
father, late of the county of Iredell; also all books, notes, etc. due from
any person whatsoever; 21 May 1827. Deeds M 1043 (Mrs. Clark p105). I do not
think he is the Henry A. Gill in 1840 census in Meriweather Co., GA p112
10001(20-30), one son -10001(20-30) no slaves, one son and one daughter, and
if so I have guessed his birth year incorrectly.
Rebecca Gill born 26 Apr 1792, d. 11 Aug 1857 prob. in Texas, m. Hugh
Brevard King 9 Apr 1812. They lived in Lauderdale Co., Alabama. Hugh B. King
gives "Power of Attorney to Samuel Young of North Carolina, County of
Iredell, to make sale of any and all real estate coming to the said Hugh B.
King in right of said wife Rebecca from the estate of the said Wm. or said
Susannah Gill." Iredell Co., NC, 24 Oct. 1829. Book O p279. Certificate from
officials of Lauderdale Co., AL, relative to signatures of Hugh B. King and
Rebecca King (Mrs. Clark). Mr. King was b. 7 Mar 1783 and died in Burleso,
Texas 5 Sep 1843.
This is the line of M. S. White. Comments by M. S.
White: I am descended from William Gill through his daughter who married
Hugh B. King. I have extensive information on the Kings down to myself if
anyone is interested. I know all about the William Gills in the
Revolutionary War. A line was made on him and many, many people joined on
him, including my aunt and my first cousin. The line was closed by the DAR
because too much proof was based on family tradition. Some said Maj. Gill
had a silver buckle given him by Gen. Washington, some said he received a
pension (which is not correct), some said SOMEONE had a copy of a NC voucher
that was in his name. I will say in defense of this line, that the first
member to use Maj. Gill as their ancestor did so in 1909. To have done
research of any magnitude was a great feat in 1909. I have been working on
this and so far have not been able to learn anything. The best I am hoping
for is to prove he was a patriot in NC.
William Alphius King, b. 28 Dec 1812 in NC, d. 29 Apr 1888 Travis Co., Texas
Susan Gill married Samuel Tomlinson