The so-called "5 Kilgore Brothers". Judge G. W. Kilgore claimed that he'd found a book in another Judge's library that purportedly listed a roster of men who took part in the Battle of King's Mountain. He neither gave the name of the book or it's author-nor did he say what reference the author used for his information. No complete roster of men who were at the Battle of King's Mountain is known to survive today. That information was lost when the British burned the War Office during the War of 1812. The only lists that we have today are those compiled by researchers based on their search of pension records, bounty warrants and so on. From the information given in the book that Judge G. W. Kilgore found, it would appear that it had access to some kind of source because it give specific details such as: Robert Kilgore was shot through the body but survived, Charles Kilgore was also wounded but also survived, Hiram Kilgore was killed at the battle and the other two "brothers" James & William apparently survived unscathed. Note that we don't know whether the men listed in the book were in fact listed as brothers in the book or whether that was an assumption made by either Judge G. W. Kilgore or perhaps even by the author of the book. What we do know is that no proof of the 5 brothers has yet been independently found and confirmed. The five men were Robert, Charles, Hiram, William and James. It's believed by descendants of Robert & Charles that they were brothers; however, there is no documentary proof to that belief. There is strong circumstantial "proof" that they were brothers but it remains unproved and circumstantial. We know that Robert & Charles Kilgore were living in Orange Co NC in the 1760's and as late as 1770. By 1773, both men had moved to within a mile of each other in what became Russell Co VA. A William Kilgore was found in Orange Co NC records as early as 1751 and as late as 1754 when he disappeared from the records there. Coincidentally a William Kilgore turns up in the Augusta District of Georgia in 1755 making a claim for land. It's generally believed, thought not proven, that it was the same man in both places. Descendants list his birth date as circa 1726, making him 14 years older than Charles Kilgore who was born in 1740 according to his son's Bible records-not 1744 as some have claimed. A Ralph Kilgore also turns up in Augusta District Georgia in 1755 claiming land as well. It's generally believed that William & Ralph were brothers but again as far as I know, no documentary proof has been found to prove it. Ralph was listed as having a wife and one child -he later had at least 5 more children -meaning he was fairly young with a growing family when he made his claim-I've seen no birth date for him but we can presume he was at least 21 in 1755 making him born no later than 1734 and no doubt earlier than that. William Kilgore was listed with a wife and 3 children in 1755 (he later had at least 4 more children). This makes him about 29 years old in 1755. The name Hiram Kilgore does not appear in any primary source earlier than the Rev. War that I've seen. He doesn't appear in records in NC or VA (note that Orange Co NC records were not complete-many were missing for the time that these Kilgores were residents there-marriage records, will records, court & tax records are largely lost-land records were more complete and many seem to have survived) There was a James Kilgore who was living in I believe Darlington Co SC prior to the Rev. War. It's known that he had a brother named Henry who was also a soldier in the Rev. War. This Henry was listed as a private in 1782 in Marion's brigade. It's my understanding that this James' parentage hasn't been found-however, there's no proof he was connected the Kilgore's of Orange Co NC. A James Kilgoar was listed on 1755 tax list in Currituck Co NC but no connection has been made to him and it's not known if he and James of Darlington Co were the same. I've seen speculation that James of Currituck was connected to Thomas Kilgore & Rebecca Lasley of early Chester Co MD. Now, having said all of that, it should be noted that in 1853 Gabriel Lea Kilgore born c1794 s/o Thomas Kilgore & Phoebe Lea married 1786 Orange Co NC s/o Thomas Kilgore died 1822 Robertson Co TN replied to a letter from a David Kilgore as to his background. This letter was published in the Thompson Journals and reads: 1858-March 5 Columbia Co AR:Three Creeks Ark: Hon David Kilgore, Dear Sir: recd a note from Hon. E. A. Warrne from yourself to him making inquiries for the purpose of ascertaining whether we were of the same family. I know that my great grandfather came from Ireland about 200 years ago with four sons and settled in Penna or Maryland. The names of his sons were Ralph, William, Charles and Thomas. The last name was my grandfather who settled in an early day in North Carolina, from whence he, in company with my father, then quite a youth, removed to Tennessee, immediately after the Revolutionary War. Tennessee was then an unbroken wilderness and they were forced to build and live in a fort as a protection aginst the Indians. This fort was called Killgore's Station and was situated near where Nashville now stands. My grandfather died since my recollection at the advance age of 110 years. My fathers name was also Thomas.My father had three brothers, all of whom were actively engaged in the Revolutionary War and one of them was shot through at the battle of Kings Mountain. If you are a relative to us, you will have no cause to blush on account of those four then young men as they all fought and shed their blood freely in battling for the liberty we now enjoy. We have relations in Indiana and Kentucky. I remember having seen at my father's house in Tennessee, many years ago, four men of our name whose given names were John, Huey, David and Charles. I have heard my father speak of an Obed Kilgore who was a relation. Where he lived I do not know. The name James was a common one in our family. I recollect hearing my grandfather say that all of the names were related, which must necessarily be true according to the legend. I think sir, we have the right to be proud of the name as I have never yet seen it associated with crime or infamy. So may it ver be. I enclose you a short obituary notice of my father who recently died at the age of 94 years, I close sir! With the request that you will let me know the history of your immediate family which I will take as a great favor. Respectfully yours, etc. G. L. Kilgore -Thompson Journals V.20 p150-152 (re:Lee Bartos internet contact). Part 3 on the way