John M. Gilson1

b. 2 July 1820
FatherAndrew Gilson2,3 b. 22 Jan 1792, d. 17 Oct 1832
MotherMary Moffett2 b. 7 Dec 1796, d. Aug 1845
Birth2 Jul 1820 John M. Gilson was born on 2 Jul 1820 in Washington County, Virginia.2 
Childhood  Although John was born in Virginia his parents moved to Rush County, Indiana when he was a very young child. 
Marriage3 Oct 1839 He married first Sophronia Fry on 3 Oct 1839 in Rush County, Indiana.4 
Cens-Sum  John and Sophronia settled in Centre township in Rush County where they raised their family. John appears to have been a successful farmer, claiming land valued at $9,000 on the 1860 census. Other family members lived nearby including Washington Gilson [John's brother] and Anna Parsons [half-sister].5,6 
WidowedJun 1865  Sophronia died in June 1865. John was 44; the couple's youngest child was just 5. 
Marriage31 May 1866 He married second Lucretia Scruggs on 31 May 1866 in Rush County.1 
Cens-18701870 Four years after their wedding John and Lucretia were recorded on the 1870 census with 4 of John's children. His oldest son Robert had married and lived next door [son Francis died a few weeks after John and Lucretia's marriage in 1866].7 
Cens-18803 Jun 1880  Ten years later John and Lucretia were enumerated again. Living with them was 6 year old Herbert Reddick, listed as John's grandson.8 
Cens-190026 Jun 1900  Lucretia died sometime between 1880 and 1900 by which time John, listed as widowed, was enumerated in Jackson township in the home of his daughter Hannah Leisure and her family. The census noted that John could not read or write.9 

Research Comment:

John's exact date of death is not known to me. It is also unclear how many children he had. The Atlas of Rush County, published in 1879 stated that John was the father of 12 children, of whom 4 were living when the book was compiled. They were listed as: Robert M, William B, Isabel F, & Hannah J. The deceased children were listed as: Mary, Etta, James, A.F., John W., Francis, Maude, Josephine, & 3 who died in infancy.

Francis and Josephine appear with the family on census records so they are included in the list of children below. Lucretia was 40 when she married John so it is likely Sophronia was the mother of most if not all of the children. She and John were married 25 years so it is possible they had 12 children. However, if "3 who died in infancy" is added to the above list of names the total count is 15, not 12. This needs further research.10

Family

Sophronia Fry b. 26 Apr 1819, d. Jun 1865
Children
  • Robert M. Gilson10 (Jul 1842 - )
  • William B. Gilson10 (Dec 1845 - )
  • Francis M. Gilson10 (circa 1850 - 24 Jun 1866)
  • Josephine Gilson10 (circa 1853 - before 1879)
  • Isabel F. Gilson10 (17 Mar 1856 - )
  • Hannah J. Gilson10 (Nov 1859 - )
ChartsDescendants of William Moffett and Mary Gardner
Last Edited7 Apr 2011

Citations

  1. [S490] Ruth Slevin, Rush Co., Indiana Marriage Records, lists marriage date as 31 May 1866 citing Marriage Book 9:336.
  2. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Mary Moffett-Andrew Gilson family group sheet". This FGS is partially typed and partially completed in an unidentified script.
  3. [S1930] Petition to sell land (Aug. 1837), Rush Co. Indiana Probate Complete Order Book Vol. 2: 211. Mary Gilson guard of Ann, John, Isabella, Washington, and Hannah Gilson, infant heirs of Andrew Gilson, dec.
  4. [S479] Rush Co., IN Marriage Records Vol. 5: 133. The record states that John M. Gilson and Sophronia Fry were issued a license on Sept 20, 1839 and were married on Oct. 3rd.
  5. [S1991] John M. Gilson household, 1850 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Centre twp, p. 494 (stamped), dwelling 118, family 120, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 17 of 30. Household includes: John M. Gilson, 30, farmer, b. VA, land val at $2,500; Sophronia, 31, b. KY; Robert 7; William B., 5; Francis M., 1; all b. IN.
  6. [S1993] John M. Gilson household, 1860 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Center twp, p. 905 (added script), dwelling 1168, family 1174, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 33 of 36. Household includes: John M. Gilson, 40, farmer, owns land val at $9,000, pers. prop of $1,000, b. VA; Soprona, 41, b. KY; Robt M., 18; Wm B., 14; Francis M., 10; Josephine, 7; Isabella, 3; Hannah 8/12; all children b. IN.
  7. [S1992] John Gilson household, 1870 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Center twp, p. 302 (stamped), dwelling 157, family 159, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 27 of 42. Household includes: John Gilson, 50, land val: $12,300, pers prop: $1,200, farmer, b. VA; Lucette, 44, b. TN; Wm B., 44; Josaphine, 44; Isable, 14; Hannah, 11; all b. IN.
  8. [S1452] John Gilson household, 1880 U.S. cens., Rush Co., Indiana, pop sched., Center twp, ED 79, page 5A (p. 21 stamped), dwelling 28, family 28, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 5 of 21. Household includes: John Gilson, 54, farmer, b. VA, parents b. VA, married; Lucretia, 55, b. TN; Jane, dau, 19, b. IN, father b. VA, mother b. TN; Herbert Reddick, grandson, 6, b. IN; Willard Reeves, 24, laborer; also servant.
  9. [S1420] Jesse A. Leisure household, 1900 U.S. cens., Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Jackson twp, ED 82, sheet 7B, dwelling 172, family 174, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 14 of 15. Household includes: John M. Gilson, father-in-law, 79, b. Jul 1820 VA, wid, cannot read or write.
  10. [S1928] Atlas of Rush County, Indiana, p. 14.