>From Helen Austin, Decatur, AL [email protected] More about the GILLESPIE daughters of Robert GILLESPIE (b Blount Co, TN-d Cotaco Co, AL 1817) who married to SHARPs in early Cotaco/Morgan Co, AL A few weeks ago I sent information about the probate records of Robert which listed his heirs. Here is additional information about the SHARP's who married the daughters Nancy, Rebecca, and Sarah GILLESPIE. This is extracted from the HERITAGE OF MORGAN CO, AL book which was published 1999 by Morgan Co. Genealogical Society, Decatur. One difference I note is that I had the third and last wife of Robert, was Mary Ann GIPSON/GIBSON/KING. This book has Mary Ann Cathay? ------------ Thomas Sharp, Sr. of Morgan Co, AL enlisted in the War of 1812 on Oct 14, 1813 and was disc Feb 8, 1814, Col Wm. Lilliard's E. TN Vol and was at Battle of Horseshoe Bend. He got bounty land in Morgan Co, AL , 40 ac. 17 Sep 1851. He was on tax lists 1804 and 1805, Grainger Co, TN, and 1810. In Grainger Co until 1818. He Came to Morgan Co, AL, south of Cotaco Creek, Sharp's Ford before 1821. He m Elizabeth HODGE (1781-1857 on 5 Feb 1821. After 1850 he went to Tate Co, MS. Son, John "Jack" SHARP (1801-1870) d Marshall Co, MS married 1. Rebecca GILLESPIE (1801-1860) dau of Robert married 2. Sarah GILLESPIE (1808-1882) dau of Robert. all are buried at Sharp Cemetery in Tate Co, MS Another son of Thomas, James SHARP (1810-186?) m 1. Nancy GILLESPIE (1810-1856) dau of Robert. =========== In case you missed the first record about the heirs of Robert, here it is again. This brings me to the matter of the children of Robert. I know that often wills or probate records do not name all the children of an individual, especially if some have died, or are much older and able to take care of themselves, or have gone away, to parts unknown. It is certain from the original records I saw (brown, crumbly pieces of 1814 and 1817 papers) that Robert died in 1817 or soon before in Morgan Co, AL. It took until 1823 for settlement of the estate because Robert was a business partner with Matthew C. Houston and the property where the store was,in Somerville, AL, had to be sold. Also the stock of the store had to be all inventoried and paid for by M.C. Houston. The many receipts and notes were to satisfy the accounts receivable and payable. Several different guardians were appointed for minor children. I also wonder if the widow Mary Ann died during the process of settlement since she was no longer the Admx. of the estate after James and John Gillespie were appointed in Somerville. Notice that the marriage to Mary Ann Gipson/Gibson King had to occur before 17 Jan 1819. Betsy, wife 2, died 13 Apr 1809. So Robert and Mary must have married after 1809 but in time to have several children. (about 7-8 yrs.) Notice that there were children, perhaps from Mary Ann that are not shown on some genealogies. The youngest are mentioned in this transcription from an original paper, dated Jan 21, 1823, in the Morgan Co Archives, Decatur, AL. "Recd of Thomas D. Crabb one of the Adm of the Estate of Robert Gillespie, the full amount of all demands due from him as adm. aforesaid, due JOSEPH GILLESPIE, SALLY GILLESPIE, NANCY GILLESPIE AND ANDREW GILLESPIE, heirs of said Robert GILLESPIE, decd. signed Isaac YEARY, guardian of Joseph, Sally, Nancy, & Andrew Gillespie. Test. Thos. McElderry." Other heirs mentioned in the probate papers of Robert Gillespie, decd are: Widow, Mary G. Gillespie and children as follows, Easter H. wife of Matthew C. Houston Wm. F. Gillespie above age 21, (b bef 1797) Martha L. , guardian James Houston appt. by Blount Co, TN under 21 (b aft 1797) James H. , guardian James Houston appt. by Blount Co " Robert A., guardian John Houston appt by Blount Co. " Matthew Milton, guardian John Houston appt by Blount Co. Mary E. who has for her guardian Jacob F. Fovl ? apptd by Blount Co. (see Blount Co, probate records for his name.) =========== Since the children are listed in different documents, one wonders if some of the children by former wives, did not come to AL with Mary and Robert, but stayed in Blount, TN with the relatives James and John Houston and the Jacob, whose last name could be Fonl, Fenlt? hard to tell? I also wonder why the children were all split up with 4 different guardians. Now we know that the aforementioned Esther, Martha L., and Nancy stayed in Morgan Co, AL and that Martha m 28 Jan 1830 to M.C. Houston, and that Nancy married James H. Sharp 3 Sep 1829. The William F. (Finley) a Capt. stayed in Morgan also and married Sarah P. Lane, 24 Dec 1833.