Kilcrease / Gilcrease Family History

I received an email this week from a lady who is tracing her family history. Her ancestors were slaves of William E Gilcrease. William E,a son of John Kilcrease (Gilcrease) and Mary Holmes Kilcrease and brother of Jane/Jincy Gilcrease Glanton, was a large planter and slave owner in Florida. His son, Albert, had an distinguished career and became the governor of Florida. If you read through this part of the document, you will see the family lost contact with William. There is a good bit of interesting information about William and Albert posted on the internet.

Gilchrist, Albert Waller (1858-1926) — also known as Albert W. Gilchrist — of Punta Gorda, Charlotte County, Fla. Born in Greenwood, Greenwood County, S.C., January 15, 1858. Son of William E. Gilchrist and Rhoda Elizabeth (Waller) Gilchrist. Democrat. Civil engineer; real estate dealer; orange grower; member of Florida state house of representatives, 1893-96, 1903-06; Speaker of the Florida State House of Representatives, 1905; served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; Governor of Florida, 1909-13; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 1912; candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from Florida, 1916. Member, Freemasons. Died in New York City (unknown county), N.Y., May 15, 1926. Interment at Indian Springs Cemetery, Punta Gorda, Fla. Gilchrist County, Fla. is named for him.
See also: National Governors Association biography; Wikipedia article.

This posting is a copy of a Family History written in the 1930's by Grandmother Harry's cousin, Ida Mae Bussey. I have only keyed in part of it. I hope to scan additional information (wills, etc) to send to the lady doing research. I made copies for Matt and Andy a few years ago.

"Kilcrease / Gilcrease Family History compiled by Ida Mae Bussey Brooks

I had been working on my family history for some time, in a more or less haphazard way, until about two years ago, when I realized that my Aunt Julia (Parkman) Bulloch, of Warm Springs, GA, was the only one of the older members of our family living. I then decided to see how complete a record I could obtain, while she was with us. Hoping to finish it during her lifetime. I took the information that I had written down, that was told me by my Grandmother and Grandfather Parkman, came from and showed it to Aunt Julia. She told me more and helped me in many ways. I am sorry that she did not live to see this completed work. She was a noble character and though eighty-three years old, at the time of her death, she retained her full mental faculties and guided her household competently and lovingly, until the last. If we had only listened to our Grandmother Parkman (who was Mary Ann Glanton), we would know all that we are now trying to find out. She was proud of her ancestry, and we find from the records that she had a right to be.
Mary Ann Glanton, whose mother was Jane Gilchrist (Kilcrease), came to Georgia. First going to Cherokee County about 1847. They lived there one year. Because of much sickness there among their family, they decided to move to Meriwether County and settled near Bussey, Georgia. This Post office was discontinued after we had Rural Free Delivery.

This history is written for the descendants of their daughters who were Jane Elizabeth (Barnes), Mary Ann (Bulloch), Julia Cornelia (Bulloch), Sarah Josephine (Bussey), and Alice Ida (Johnson).

I give full credit to my cousin Mrs Mabel Bulloch Harry of Warm Springs, Georgia for her assistance in this work. She arranged with Mrs D.B. Hollingsworth, Genealogist of Edgefield, SC who has completed the records for us. Compiling records from South Carolina courts, such as wills, deeds and other court papers, copies of which you will find attached. The original will is in the possession of Mrs Mable Bulloch Harry or myself and accessible when necessary. This gives us correct and authentic record and gives us the Revolutionary Record of our ancestor John Kilcrease.

Gilchrist is a Scotch name, and we know that Nimrod Gilchrist,the father of John, came from Scotland to America, by 1751, as he was granted land in Georgia, on Fishing Creek near the South Carolina line as early as that date.
After the Scotch insurrection, known as the Rebellion of 1745, a large number of Highlanders, came to America settling in North Carolina and probably Virginia and Georgia. So we think he came with these people.

It is said that there were five brothers who came from Scotland to this country- the three older ones coming south and the two younger going to the north. These two being better educated than the three who came South always spelled their name Gilchrist. While the three brothers in the South being uneducated could not write their names, made their cross and the person who wrote their names for them spelled it like they pronounced it, Kilcrease or Kilchrist, as a few of the early records show it.

I have been told that the Gilchrist's belonged to the Ogilvie Clan in Scotland and we think the three who came South stayed in Virginia a while and later came to Georgia and South Carolina. Tradition says these three were named John, Rob and Nimrod, we only have accurate proof of Nimrod, but I find reference that Robert Gilchrist was a lay member of St. Mary's Virginia and 1785 and 1786. ( From Vol 1-409, page 44. Wise's Index to Bishop Meads' Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia, Article 37).

I do not know whether Nimrod ever lived in South Carolina but two of his sons, John, and Abraham B came from Georgia to South Carolina and settled in old Ninety Six District, SC. In March 13, 1785 this District was divided into six counties one of these is Edgefield County. This county has established a record to be proud of having produced nine governors and six lieutenant governors and unequaled by any other county in the United States.

Mrs. Hollingsworth, genealogist, tells us that all the births, and all the deaths, but two, of the children of John Kilcrease (Gilchrist) and his wife Mary Holmes, occurred in Edgefield County, SC. They were married in Stevens Creek Section of Savannah River, where he resided all his life. There is now a large tract of land near Parkeville, SC known as the “Kilcrease Place”, one of its boundaries is Stevens Creak. She says the Gilchrist family of West Edgefield, Co. was a wealthy and influential family, intermarried with old VA families who immigrated to SC before the War of the Revolution.

Notice in court papers, attached that John Kilcrease signs his name to his will, showing by this that he had some education. There were not schools in those days – the wealthy families had private teachers or sent their children to England to school. We often find court papers in those days were signed by the persons making their mark.

In the second clause of John Kilcrease’s will, he mentions giving his wife land on the Main Market road to Augusta. This old road is still in use and parallels the Savannah River, other main branches intersecting this road, and leading on to the main markets, Hamburg, and Augusta. Among these, all still bearing names of the old days, is what is known as the Martin Town Road, famous in Revolutionary history.

Regarding the children of John Kilcrease, landowner, and planter, we find from the settlement of his son, Sampson’s estate, that he died unmarried in Gadsden Co, Fla., Apr 25, 1849 leaving all of his property to his brother, William E. (who had gone to Quincy, Fla. To live) supposedly to be divided among his brothers and sisters. (I do not know whether this division was ever made or not). He left his brother Davis (some time called David), as Executor in his will. I have heard all my life that Wm. E. Gilchrist died in Fla., leaving each of his living nieces and nephews, several thousand dollars. Possibly this was supposed to have been part of Samson’s estate. My Grandmother, Mary Ann (Glanton) Parkman, one of his nieces never received her share, as the War Between the States, begun shortly afterwards.

Abraham, another son of John Kilcreae, married Judith Buress, a daughter of John Buress. His estate was settled in 1857.

Jincy or Jane, our great grandmother, , a daughter of John Gilchrist, was the first wife of Lewis Glanton. She had only two children, Mary Ann, and Martha. After the death of Jane, which occurred in Edgefield Co, SC, Lewis Glanton married agiin, and later a lawsuit accued in regard to their property (see notice among court papers). Lewis Glanton left many children by his second wife, Mary Roper. He was killed in 1846 by a runaway horse and left a very large estate, which decreaed, of course, after the War between the States.

Elizabeth Kilcrease married Mr. Mackay, and secondly, Daniel Prescott in 1845. This date is recorded in the Prescott and Middleton family Bible. Daniel Prescott died Jan 29, 1861. She perhaps died later, as her death is not recorded in the family Bible.

Matilda Gilchrist married Tandy Burkhalter, his will is dated 1871.

Maria, another daughter, married John W Parks. This family settled Parksville, a little town on the Savannah River, now cut off in McCormick Co.

Lucinda, the last daughter, mentioned in her fathers will, married John B. Harrison.

The last three named daughters in the will, were unmarried at their fathers death in 1829. Wm., Abraham and Davis (David), were not of the age of 18 at the death of their father in 1829.

Some of the dates of the children of John Kilcrease, and his wife Mary (Holmes) had to be approximated.

There are many descendants of this family still residing in Edgefield.

The Gilchrist family line:
Children of John Kilcrease (Gilchrist) & wife Mary Holmes
James E., _____ died 1843, married Elizabeth ____.
Samson, _____ died 1849, never married.
Wm. E., died at Quincy Florida. He was a large land owner and slave holder, was a State Senator from Florida. Married Rhoda Elizabeth Waller of SC. They had one child, Albert Waller Gilchrist, born in Greenwood, SC, Jan 15, 1858, while his mother was visiting her people. He never married. Was Grand Master of Masons in Florida in 1911 to 1913. Govenor of Florida 1909 to 1913. Died in New York City, May 17, 1926, where he had gone for treatment. Buried at Punta Gorda, Florida in Indian Springs Cemetery on the bank of the Allapatchee River.
Abraham B, _____ died 1857, married Judith Burress.
David (Davis) J., never married.
Jane (Jincy) born 1795, died 1823, married 1816, Lewis Glanton of Edgefield, SC, born 1785 died Sept 7, 1846.
Elizabeth, died after 1861, married first, --- McKay, second, Daniel Prescott He died Jan 29, 1861.
Matilda, died after 1871, married Tandy Burkhalter, his will dated 1821.
Marie – married John W. Parks.
Lucinda married, John B Harrison.

The Children of Jane (Jincy) Kilcrease, and her husband Lewis Glanton,
Mary Ann, born Oct 22, 1819, in Edgefield Co, SC died in Meriwether Co, GA, Oct 27, 1903, and is buried at Macedonia Cemetery, near Manchester, GA. She was married about 1842, in Edgefield Co, SC to Henry Valentine Parkman, born in the same county and state Feb 14, 1814. (hence the name, Valentine), died July 28, 1892 in Meriwether Co, G. He is also buried in the Macedonia Cemetery. After coming to this settlement at Bussey GA, they lived there until their death. Henry Parkman has deed recorded in Meriwether Co, Dec 3, 1849.
Martha, married S.W.Broadwater.

The children of Mary Ann (Glanton) and Henry V. Parkman
Jane Elizabeth born in Edgefield, SC, May 22, 1844; married Wm. A. Barnes in Meriwether Co, GA. She died in the same county. Both are buried at Macedonia Cemetery.

Mary Ann, born in Cherokee Co, GA, Aug 21, 1848; married Hood Bulloch, born Nov 21, 1841, in Meriwether Co, GA Both buried at family cemetery ***me Place, in Meriwether Co, GA.

Julia Cornelia, born in Meriwether Co, GA, March 21, 1853 died in the same county Sept 16, 1936. She married Cyprian Bulloch, Jr. Oct 7, 1869. He was born Dec 3, 1848, died March 19, 1903. He lived his entire life in Meriwether Co, they are both buried in Warm Springs Cemertery.

Lewis died in childhood.

Sarah Josephine born on Feb 18, 1859, died in the same county Oct 10, 1915; married March 6, 1879 to Wm. Thomas Bussey, who was born March 10, 1846,; died Friday August 6, 1897. He lived his entire life in Merierther Co., GA. They are both buried in Macedonia Cemetery.

Alice Ida (Missie) born Feb 8, 1863, died Dec 31, 1886; married Robt. Johnson. They both lived their entire life in Meriwther Co, GA and are buried in the Macedonia Cemetery.

(Notice in the seventh clause of John Kilcrease’s will, he wills his two grand daughters, Mary and Martha Glanton, an equal share jointly of his estate and three negros, named Barbee, Eaton and Cato. This Cato came to Georgia with my Grand mother, Mary Ann (Glanton) Parkman. We remember our mothers talking about him. His wife was named Usley and their descendants are now living around Warm Springs, GA.) //note added in pencil – Hobson was a butler at the Foundation//


To Whom it may concern:
I hereby certify that the two sections of attached papers are exact copies of wills, deeds and other SC Court papers compiled by Mrs D.B.Hollingsworth of Edgefield, SC and sent to Mrs Mabel Bulloch Harry of Warm Springs, GA.
Witness my hand and seal this 4th day of September, 1937
Ida Mae Bussey Brooks
Witness: Dirbie M Gillis N.P.