Thomas Gill born <c1787 - died (1838-40?), son of John Gill, married Mary Wilson born c1780? - died 1861 (before 4 March)

Thomas Gill is documented as the father of Allen Jerry Gill and the husband of Mary Wilson Gill from estate proceedings of Reddin Wilson (1836 reference below). 1861 Barnwell probate records document Mary Wilson Gill as Allen Jerry Gill's mother, from land she inherited from her father, Reddin Wilson. The Returns from the period of Reddin's death were missing from the Barnwell Probate Office in 1982, and therefore which Gill Mary Wilson married was not documented. However, at that time an excellent circumstantial case had been built up that Thomas Gill was Mary Wilson's husband.  In October 1982,  I (FOC) literally read everything in the probate office and found an old journal on the very top of the estate packages marked "Day Book" with a piece of tape on the front cover which read "Sales of Land 1826-42."  On pages 67 through 72 of this volume are found the proceedings of the sale of Reddin Wilson's land.  On the first page of this record is found the statement (page 67 op. cit.) ".... that Thomas Gill and Mary Gill, his wife formerly Mary Wilson two of the dependents reside without the limits of this state (punctuation is as it appears).  This record clearly documents Thomas Gill as the husband of Mary Wilson, daughter of Reddin Wilson.

Thomas had land in his name in September 1808 (Barnwell Plat Book 8 p496 and Book 2 p56, 636 acres on Powell's Branch of The Big Salkehatchie).  He was at least 21 at this time to legally hold land, so he was born before 1787. The 1810, 1820, and 1830 censuses yield a birth range of 1790-94 for him.  The 1850 census age of Mary, if she is correctly identified, indicates that she was born c1773-80, during or shortly after the Revolutionary war.  Mary may have been born c1790-1800, although my 1850 census identification of Mary places her birth c1780 (she was listed 70 in the 1850 census, if correctly identified).  Census ages are notoriously inaccurate.

The first Barnwell reference to Thomas Gill is a state land grant in 1809 (from Andrea's Gill paper), Index II, Thomas Gill, state land grant for 636 acres of land in Barnwell County 6 March 1809, with a plat. The plat is in Barnwell Plat Book p496, and shows neighbors Eli Bassett and Edward Platts, and the rest vacant. The land lies astride Powell's Branch of the "Big Saltketcher." The plat of Eli Bassett shows "Long Branch".

Only 100 acres of Thomas Gill's land was sold at public auction when it was seized in 1823. This 100 acres should be described on a plat according to the relevant deed. This plat has not yet been located. The dispensation of the remainder of his land has not been determined.

Thomas Gill is listed in the 1810 census on page 76, 1 m <10, 1 m 16-26, 1 f 16-26, and no slaves, three lines after Mary Edenfield (>45, perhaps she was the widow of Thomas Edenfield, Jr. She is not the widow of Jesse Edenfield, listed separately, who married Mary Reding.  Thomas is followed 6 lines later by William Southwell.  Thomas was not immediately adjacent to any other Gills (pp 69, 73, and 74).  His father, John, the elder, is listed on page 74 (as is James Gill).  From the census proximity, it probably may be concluded that Thomas Gill lived very close to Mary Edenfield and William Southwell.

It seems obvious to me from the ordering of the surnames in these censuses that adjacent census proximity does usually imply geographical proximity, while a lack of census proximity decidedly does not imply anything. I draw this conclusion from comparing landowners, who did not move around, and yet who mysteriously are adjacent in one census and not in another. I conclude that the census takers (once a decade recall) did not follow the same routes as they covered their area. Thus in 1800 we find the following quite close together (all on pages 54-55): William Edenfield, Mary Edenfield, David Edenfield, Richard Gill, Thomas Edenfield, and Valentine Gill; while in 1810 we find them spread out over pages 69, 73, 76, and 87.

A Thomas Gill, perhaps ours, applied for a passport through the Creek Nation on 28 Jan. 1811, along with James Gill and Robert Gill, perhaps brothers. The ages of Thomas and Mary's children are consistent with 5 children in 1811. We know that our Thomas was in Barnwell in the summer of 1810 for the census, and again in Oct. of 1813 when he bought land from Isaac Bourdeaux, so either he did not leave, or left and returned.  I do not believe this is our Thomas Gill.

On 17 October 1813 Thomas Gill paid $155 to Isaac Bourdeaux for 155 acres of land bounded on the north by land of William Southwell and on all other sides by Maj. Alexander Juhan (Barnwell Deed Book S, p379). If he did in fact pass through the Creek Nation, he obviously returned by this date.  His possible brother James, on the other hand, never reappears, and may have remained, or been killed. Perhaps this marks the beginning of Thomas' wandering. 23 October 1813. (recorded 8 Oct. 1832) Alexander Juhan states: "155 acres surveyed and sold "with my consent" by Isaac Bourdeaux to Thomas and Mary Gill for $155, and bounded on the north and northeast by lands of William Southwell, and on "other sides by land of mine".  The wording implies that Juhan was not present for the transaction (Book S p380).  Thomas' land now stands at 636+155 acres= 791 acres.

On 21 April 1814 (6 months later) Thomas and Mary Gill sold to William Southwell, Senior, for $170, 155 acres in Barnwell District bounded by Wm. Southwell on the N. & NE., and on all other sides by Alexander Juhan and Isaac Bourdeaux, wit. by Daniel Juhan. Thomas and Mary signed by mark (i.e. they were illiterate), wit. by William Southwell, Jr., and Ananiz(?) (Ananias?) Martin. 21 April 1814, Wm. Southwell, Jr. swore before Giles Miller, J.P. that the above was witnessed by him (Book S p381). This deed was recorded 8 Oct. 1832. His land now stands at 636 acres again. He gained $15 in this transaction in six months time, 10% of the value, minus fees to register the deed.

The census taken in the summer of 1820 shows Thomas Gill on the same page as John Gill (the elder, his father), and Elizabeth Gill (Valentine's widow), but this particular census was taken in an alphabetical book and the proximity is meaningless. Thomas is shown with 2 m <10, 1 m 18-26, 1 m 26-45, 4 f <10, 1 f 16-26, 5 persons engaged in agriculture.

Slaves of Thomas Gill

In general, this family did not own slaves. This Gill family consisted of small farmers who could not afford them. The 1820 census lists Thomas Gill with 3 male slaves <14, 3 f slaves <14, 1 f slave 14-26, which are a mystery.  Thomas' slaves apparently represent a slave family without the male, a nonproductive slave family.  Thomas likely acquired these slaves after 1810.  John Gill the elder (Thomas' father) is not listed as owning slaves in the 1810 or 20 census.  Nor were the slaves given to them by Mary Wilson Gill's father, Reddin Wilson (who lived until 1836).  Reddin owned no slaves.  Thomas may have inherited them from Hannah Gill, who sold three, and has been inferred to have freed three families, but I think Hannah may have been James Gill's second wife, and if so not the blood kin of John Gill of Barnwell, Thomas' father.  She left estate to Valentine's children, who were her blood kin, but apparently nothing to John, whom I conjecture to have been her stepson.

John Gill assaulted one Giles Miller.

31 October 1820. State vs Thomas Gill & Joseph Jackson. Assault and battery. It seems that some of the Jackson clan were scrappers too. No bill, Wilson? Williams, foreman. (Barnwell County Superior Court Sessions Journal, 1800-22). Alas, a repetition of the roughneck ways of his father, John Gill, and a portent of things to come. He got off.

Ordinary (Probate): On 12 August 1822 a citation was granted to Thomas Gill for the estate of John Gill, his father, lately deceased. Notice was published on 22 September 1822 at "Arnon Church by Mr. James Prescott, Preacher of the Gospel" (original record does not state "Mount Arnon"). A note at the bottom of the citation states that $5 was received in the case from Mr. Gill, 3 Oct. 1822.  Bond was posted by James Campbell and Edward J. Platts as security for $300.  Appraisers appointed were: Lewis John, William Southwell, Jr., William McMillan, Thomas Riley, and William Baker. Tax was paid on the estate (amount and by whom not clear from original record).

Superior Court: 1 April 1822. State vs Thomas Gill, assault and battery, true bill Wm. Walker, foreman. Grand jury retired and returned with the following indictment and made these on the following returns (given above). From Jury #1, guilty, Miles Riley, foreman. The following line in the court record lists Matthew Moye guilty of the same (Barnwell Superior Court Sessions Journal p557).

6 April 1822. State vs Thomas Gill, assault & battery, sentence of the court was that the defendant should pay a fine of $50, be imprisoned a month, & remain committed until the fine and costs of prosecution are paid (op cit. p561).

6 April 1822. State vs Thomas Gill, assault and battery. On motion of the Solicitor General, it is ordered that a Bench Warrant be issued against the defendant to compel his attendance at the next term to answer to the indictment, and that when arrested he shall enter into recognizance himself in the sum of $300 and two Security in the sum of $150 each. Obviously Thomas Gill would not appear in court to answer the charges against himself! Clearly not a docile character!

Ordinary: On 12 August 1822, Thomas did put in an appearance at the court house, but to the Ordinary's office to probate the estate of his father, John Gill. Bond was posted on 14 October by James Campbell and Edward J. Platts as security in the amount of $300. Lewis John, William Southwell, Jr., William McMillan, Thomas Riley, and William Baker were appointed appraisers. Tax was paid on the estate.

4 Nov. 1822, Monday, Giles Miller vs. Thomas Gill, assault & battery, Martin (atty?), we find for the plaintiff in this case 12 1/2¢ & each party pays his own cost. James Haygood foreman (Barnwell Common Pleas Journal 1822-32, p7).

5 Nov. 1822, Tuesday, Samuel H. Pressey bearer vs. Thomas Gill, Sum Pro., W.W. Dunn atty, decree for plaintiff, $19 with interest from 1 Sept. 1820 plus costs (Barnwell Common Pleas Journal 1822-32, p20). Thomas Gill lost the suit by L.H. Pressley for a note, Dunn was his attorney, and he won $19 in 1822 (unmarked Barnwell book page 121).

Superior Court: 6 Nov. 1822, Wed. State vs Thomas Gill, assault and battery. No bill, Darling Peeples, foreman (he was a distant cousin of our Peeples). 7 Nov. 1822, Thursday. State vs Thomas Gill, assault and battery. The jury #1 was satisfied with the case and returned the following verdict: "We find the defendant guilty of assault and battery, James Hagood, foreman." The sentence of the Court was, that the defendant should be confined in jail one week.

On 21 November 1822 the perishable goods of John Gill's estate were sold (at 10 AM) for $41.50, document signed by Thomas Gill, James Campbell, and Edward J. Platts (implication here, as opposed to deed above, that Thomas could write). This probably indicates an unreliability of "marks" and "signatures."

Apparently Thomas took the proceeds from his father's estate and left the area!

(Barnwell Deeds page 102-105) 4 Feb. 1823. Indenture between John Walker, Esq., sheriff of Barnwell District, and George Collins. Whereas Thomas Gill was seized in his demesne (means possession of real estate as ones own, domain) as of fee or of(?) and in some other good and lawful estate of inheritance to him, and possessed of the lands and tenements described: Whereas also a certain Judgement was recovered by one Giles Miller against the said Thomas for the sum of $14 and costs of suit, to wit. Therefore it is considered the said Giles do recover against the said Thomas his damages so found by the jurors impanelled for that purpose, also $54.39 for his costs and charges against the said Giles by the said Court of Common Pleas now herewith his assent adjudged, and he the said Thomas in mercy and so forth. And whereas in pursuance and execution of said judgement, there was sued out of the said Court a certain writ of fieri facias, tested by the Honorable Elihu Hall Bay, Senior Associate Justice of the state, dated 4 Nov. 1822, commanding without delay that of the goods and chattels, house, lands and other hereditaments? and real estate of the said Thomas Gill, they should come to be levied the aforesaid sum of $68.39. Whereas sheriff John Walker did enter and seize upon and take into execution, the aforesaid tract of land, and after seizure thereof, and having given due and legal notice of exposing the same to public auction for and towards the payment and satisfaction of the said debt and costs, did on 4 Feb., being the first Monday of the month, between the hours of 11 AM and 3 PM, openly, publicly, and fairly according to the usage and custom of vendues, sell and dispose of the said tract of land lying in Barnwell Dist. containing 100 acres, with appurtenancy thereunto belonging unto the said George W. Collins for the sum of $46, being the highest and last bidder for the same. Witnessed by Edward W. Peyton and J.A. Owens?. Edward W. Peyton testified that he witnessed the above again on 31 Dec. 1824 to Ermon? Bondall, J.P. Recorded 31 Dec. 1824.

Thomas Gill still had his 636 acres, at least there is no record of sale. What became of the remaining 536 acres?

On 8 Oct. 1832, 8 years after the fact, the deed executed on 21 April 1814 in which Thomas and Mary Gill sold to William Southwell, Senior, for $170, 155 acres was finally recorded (Book S p381). Mrs. Hicks correctly points out that there is an anomaly here. She states that it is probable that something happened to prompt the recording of this deed in 1832. Perhaps this is the year in which Thomas Gill died?

Allen Jerry Gill grew up in Florida (1883 letter of J.C. Miller in the governors papers, SCDAH). We do not know for sure where Allen Jerry Gill was born, for at various times in the census and in the surviving court records he and others stated that he was born (or "grew up in") in: South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida!

I conjecture that the wanderings of our family were as follows: Thomas and Mary were in Barnwell Co., S.C. in 1810 and 1820, although they may have been in adjacent Bullock Co., GA in 1811 if it was he, along with James and Robert, who applied for a pass through the Creek Nation. I believe these three who applied for the pass may have been Thomas Gill's sons (son of James Gill), by the process of elimination.  Richard Gill removed to Alabama and died there, and his children are accounted for by descendants, and do not fit these three..  If Thomas left, he returned in October 1813 to buy land from Isaac Bourdeaux. They left the Allendale area in the winter of 1822-23, or perhaps in the Fall after Thomas refused to appear in court and before his land was seized. In 1830 they were in Thomas County, GA. and I surmise that they probably went directly there. Thus Allen Jerry Gill was born in Georgia if this is correct. In 1840 they were in Florida. Mary (S.M.?) apparently was in Jackson County, Florida, Thomas was off in the Indian Wars (which fits his innate nature), or dead, and the older sons had been shipped off back to Barnwell County, perhaps to be brought up with an older male around??

Neither Thomas nor Mary could be positively identified in the 1850 or 1860 censuses, and Mary positively was alive for both.  Mary Gill is possibly the Mary Gill in Telfair Co., GA. in the 1850 census, although the census ages are not consistent (from census records of her and Thomas, she should have been 56, and the census listed 70, i.e. born c1780).  This Mary Gill, 70, was listed as born in S.C. and living with one Samual Downing, 67, farmer from N.C. worth $50 in real estate (Telfair Co., GA.); Elisa, 39, born in S.C (born c1811). (apparently his wife), Renatus b c1832 (m) SC., Samuel b c1834 Lowndes Co., GA.; Susannah b c1834 Lowndes Co.; George b c1835 Lowndes, Jackson b c1836 Lowndes, and William b c1838 Telfair County.  Telfair County is roughly at the center of the triangle formed by Macon, Savannah, and Valdosta, GA., and on a straight line and about half way between Barnwell and Thomas Co., GA.  Was Eliza Downing a daughter of Mary's?  I consider this very likely.  This is the only possible Mary amongst all of the indexed Gills in 1850 (I checked all Gills in S.C., GA., and Fla.).  There is a female of the correct age to be Elisa with Thomas and Mary in the censuses of 1810, 20, and 30 (assuming Thomas County was correct).  Her implied first born was in 1832; the dates are self consistent.  It is here assumed that this is Mary Wilson Gill, and that "Elisa" is a daughter (#2 below). The earlier birth year for Mary is actually more consistent with those for Thomas as listed with his father, John Gill; and also with Mary when listed with Reddin in 1790, and 1800 as 16-26, gone in 1810. Perhaps there is a Bible record somewhere that can confirm this? This early birth year stretches the birth year of her known father, Reddin Wilson, and very strongly indicates that Reddin's widow, Rebecca, was not Mary's mother, i.e. Reddin married at least twice.

The 1860 census was not indexed at the time I was searching, but Mary was not in Barnwell or Beaufort Counties, S.C., nor Hamilton or Jackson counties, Fla. (note, some of the Florida census records were very difficult to read on microfilm). The Jackson County Florida census taker was obviously very meticulous from the manner in which the names were recorded. Neither Mary Gill nor any of the Downings were in Telfair County, Georgia in the 1860 census either (checked twice). She is somewhere in 1860.

The only way I can see to explain the very clear Hamilton County Florida connection at this time is that Mary and Thomas must have lived there for a while.

4 March 1861, Allen Jerry Gill probated the estate of his mother, Mary, and divided the proceeds of the sale of land inherited by her from her father, Reddin Wilson, in 1836. Sharing equally with him were W. T. Gill and James W. Gill, brothers, and probably are the James W. and William identified in the 1850 and 1860 Hamilton County Florida census. These are very likely to be correct, as James has children: William, Mary Ann, Thomas, James, and Jeremiah. William has children: William, and James. In 1850, James W. Gill has two older female Gills with him: Harriet, 18, and Martha, 15, whom I further assume to be daughters of Thomas and Mary Gill. (Unnamed) Children of the correct ages for them appear in the census records. James even named his sixth child Martha. Why did Thomas leave Barnwell instead of appearing in court?

The Florida locations of interest for this family are widespread. To recapitulate, some of this family apparently resided in: Jackson County in 1840 (S.M. Gill), Hamilton county (Allen Jerry's brothers in 1850 and 1860, and Pasco county (where Allen Jerry's son, Miles ReDacy Gill settled while his father was in prison). Any or all of these may have records on our family from c1831 on.

The Indian Connection

W.T. "John" Gill of Charlotte, NC wrote to me on 9 April 1985 that he was told by his Uncle Jim Gill that "Jerry's mother was killed by Indians and his grandmother was an Indian". This implies that Mary was killed by Indians, although these records suggest that it was Thomas instead.  Perhaps one of you will find Florida records to clarify this point.  The Indian "grandmother" would have been either Reddin Wilson's or John Gill's wife. Mildred Polk had also heard something about an Indian grandmother. Note the suggestions above that Reddin Wilson's widow, Rebecca, was probably not the mother of Mary Wilson. These could have come from the same source. Mildred could not recall more on this point. According to Mrs. Hicks, Indian traders intermarried with the Indians. The traders, she asserted, often kept a white family and an Indian family. Richard Jackson was in what is now Barnwell before 1769, and may have been involved in Indian trade. However, Richard Jackson does not seem to have been associated with our direct family line. Thomas Gill, son of James, may have had an Indian wife, or James himself. Most likely old David Gill was the culprit. We may never establish the validity or details of this nebulous recollection, but I think the Indian connection is much older. I think, and it is little more than that, you may read all these records and draw your own conclusions, that the "Indian Grandmother" was David Gill's wife, or whatever, the mother of old James Gill of Richland County. David Gill lived approximately where there is now an Indian reservation in Virginia.

POSSIBLE CHILDREN OF THOMAS GILL AND MARY WILSON GILL are given on this page.

Note that there is a lot of "educated guessing" here. Only Allen Jerry Gill, William T. Gill, and James W. Gill are documented as children.

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The 1900 census shows Allen Jerry Gill on a farm in Pasco county, Florida, District 2 (outside of Dade City), 73 years old, owning his farm free of mortgage. Living with him was a niece, Eliza Gill, 26 years old, born June 1874. Eliza, as neice, was the daughter of one of his brothers. William T. Gill died between 1863 and 1866, and James W. Gill before 1870. What brother was her father?????? I think this has to be one of these two following who are unidentified: Can we find a Gill in the 1880 census, with daughter Eliza age 6?

Copyright ©1996-2007, Frank O. Clark, Ph.D.. These documents may be freely used for private purposes, and included in your own genealogy. However, this document is copyrighted and may not be sold, nor given to anyone who may attempt to derive profit from same.