This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GILLESPIE, RUSSELL, RITTER, MILLER, MOORE, ELLIS, SHAMBERGER, BULLOCK Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/CiY.2ACEB/106.139.140.169.562 Message Board Post: Hi Allen, This may be somewhat repetitive of other contacts we have had but here goes. Alexander GILLESPIE is my ancestor. He was born in Ireland c.1743 and died in Copiah Co., MS on 16 Nov 1839 (at age 96) at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth RUSSELL. A non-cupative (verbal) will made on 12 Nov 1839 Alexander GILLESPIE left to Mrs. RUSSELL money of his then in the possession of Aaron MILLER. Appearing in Copiah Co., MS Probate Court on 16 Mar 1840 Mary MOORE and Green RUSSELL swore to the provisions of the non-cupative will and on the same day Elizabeth RUSSELL qualified as Executrix of Alexander's estate with Aaron MILLER as her co-bondsman. Also on that date appraisers were appointed to inventory and value the estate of Alexander GILLESPIE dec'd. They were Aaron Miller, Pleasent Moore, Reuben Ellis, John Shamberger & Thomas Bullock. Ultimately, Alexander GILLESPIE's estate was very small and Elizabeth RUSSELL was the only beneficiary. Elizabeth RUSSELL was the widow of the Rev. Isham RUSSELL, a pioneering Baptist minister, who died in Copiah Co., MS in 1835. On 26 Oct 1835 Elizabeth relinquished right of administration on Isham's estate and nominated John T. MOORE for that role. I fervently believe, but cannot prove, that Elizabeth was a daughter or granddaughter of Alexander GILLESPIE. Some circumstantial evidence: Alexander GILLESPIE and his wife, Sarah, sold land on 6 Nov 1811 in Jackson Co., GA and Alex. appeared in 1813 before the U. S. Gov't. Land Commissioners claiming a section of land in St. Tammany Par., LA as an "actual settler since Aug 1812". Washington Par., LA was formed in 1819 from the northern half of St. Tammany Par. On the 1820 Census of Washington Par. Alex. appears as "Elick GILASPY". That same year, 1820, Isham RUSSELL was enumerated on the census in Marion Co., MS which borders Washington Par., LA. The ages of Isham's and Elizabeth's children suggest a marriage c.1816-'17, well after Alex's arrival in Louisiana. Available records indicate that Alexander GILLESPIE and Isham RUSSELL moved at or very close to the same time to Copiah Co., 1823-'24. Other descendents of Alexander GILLESPIE, known or suspected, are: 1) William GILLESPIE who died in Copiah Co., MS in 1829 and whose widow, Martha (Patsy) RITTER, was living next door to Alex. on the 1830 Census of Copiah. She, Martha, was born in GA in 1800 and is believed to be a daughter of the "widow RITER" who is on the 1820 Washington Par., LA census near Elick GILASPY. 2) Mary (Polly) GILLESPIE who on 12 Oct 1816 in St. Tammany Par., LA married John ADAMS. In 1820 this couple also lived near Alexander GILLESPIE but stayed in Washington Par., LA until after 1840 and then moved to Pike Co., MS. 3 & 4) Back in Jackson Co., GA where Alexander GILLESPIE resided between 1796 and 1811 there were Capt. Daniel and David GILLESPIE. They appear on Tax Rolls during much of the time Alexander was there and disappear from the record about the same time Alexander left. Their further movements have not been discovered. They both seem to be considerably younger than Alexander. 5) Just discovered last week on an Index to Jackson Co., GA marriages (posted online) is a marriage between Esther GILLESBEE (sic) and John SMITH in 1808. I haven't yet researched for more specific info. on this marriage but there is a John SMITH near "Elick GILASPY" on the Washington Par., LA 1820 Census. Lots of speculation but fun none the less. I hope there is something here you can use. Bob