ELISHA GUNN

"Before proceeding further, I wish to impart to the readers the following. The name ELISHA was also given to the last born (ca 1739) son of Thomas GUNN II, and to the first born (1761) son of Thomas III.

Only a small part of the history of the older, (uncle) Elisha is known, but it does contain bits and pieces that distinguish it from the others. As to Elisha, son of Thomas III, there is no evidence that I have found, to show that he ever reached adulthood. The only reference to this person is a bible entry made by Daniel B. GUNN,M.D. It shows his date of birth as 11 July, 1761. Thomas III's will did not name Elisha and family historians have concluded that he 'died young'."

The first mention of Elisha is his Revolutionary War service record. This was obtained from the Virginia State Library and shows that he served as a Private in the 2nd Virginia Regiment, commanded by Colonel Christian Febiger, Esq. His company was commanded by Captain James Upshaw. The April 1778 company pay roll lists Elisha as a Private, he was drafted 14 February, had 2 months and 14 days service, and was due $16.32. His monthly pay was $6.66. The June 1778 pay roll showed his pay, $6.43, and under a line "Casualties", S.V.F. (Sick, Valley Forge). The same information was shown on the July record. On the August, 1778 record under amount of pay and subsistence, it shows $20.00, under Casualties, "adjusted June and July pay".

A Captain William Taylor commanded Elisha's Unit during the months of August and September. The form on which Elisha's data was recorded was not a pay roll form. The date is recorded as September 9, 1778; Date of Enlistment, Feb. 14, 1778, Number of Years engaged, 1. Remarks: Present.

Having found the above, I made no further effort to find other documents relating to Elisha's militia service. This information is confirmation of identical documents cited by Mr. Colon Earl (Tate) Jordan Sr.,a descendant of Elisha. Colon Earl Jordan Sr. Sons of the American Revolution, National No. 119393, and Texas State No. 4762, joined through Elisha GUNN'S record.

"I assume that Elisha served out his one-year draft obligation, and returned home to Amelia County. As I have not familiarized myself with the rules regarding militia service during that period, it is not clear if he was still subject to recall. In another significant mention of Elisha, it appears as if he was still in, or was once again in the militia.

The following is an abstract from a declaration by James Nance of Amelia County, before an open court of Pittsylvania County, Virginia on 17 September 1832.
In the year 1780......The fall of same year, he was called to render service agreeably to drafted numbers and served a tower of 3 months under Captain Irby. Lieutenants name not recollected, was marched to Petersburg, Virginia., from there to Cabbin Point, thence to Markey's Mills, thence to Nancymund thence to a place not recollected, and returned to Nancymund, he then **[illegible]**in the Cavalry under Charles Irby for ** [illegible] ** the war upon condition that he could procure a horse, was priviledged to go home and get a horse and return to camp, and in the event he could not get a horse, his absence was to be counted as on furlow; when he got home it being inconvenient to procure a horse and a young man in this neighborhood by the name of Elisha GUNN being called on to join General Greene in oppositon to Lord Cornwallis, the said GUNN and himself changed towers, and being organized.......

This declaration, made to obtain a pension, was published in Vol. 20, pp262 and 263 of the Virginia Historical Magazine.

I have not found any information for Elisha for the years 1781 through 1783. His descendants may wish to look for his service in the militia during the year mentioned in Nance's application. It is obvious that at the conclusion of the war, he returned to his home in Amelia. Unlike Nance, and some others in their later years, did not as far as I know, apply for a pension for the time served. He was about 25 years old at this time and his mother was still to give birth to his brother Gabriel. Only one child, Edith, who married Willis Vaughn, 7 February, 1778, had left home. His mother seems to have had her thirteen chldren over a span of 27 or more years. At this point, the reader may ask, did Elisha's father possibly have more than one wife?

On 28 April, 1784, Elisha married Hanna Ritta Wilkes, daughter of John Wilkes, Jr. and Patience Crenshaw. The abstract of marriage and the marriage bond reads as follows:

Abstract: Marriages of Amelia Co. Amelia Co. VA 1735-1815,p G-1 28 April, 1784. GUNN, Elisha and Rettis Wilkes, dau. of John Wilkes. Whose consent, dated 28, April 1784, says, "my daughter, Rittar." Wit. To consent, Willis Vaughn, who is surety.

Marriage Bond:
Know all men by these presents that we, Elisha GUNN and Willis Vaughn are held, and firmly bound unto his Excellency, Benjamin Harrison, Esquire, Governor of Virginia in her just and full sum of fifty pounds current money of Virginia which payment will and freely to be made to the said governor and his successors we bind yours and ours singly and severally our heirs Executor and Administrator firmly by these signed with our seal and dated the 22 Day of April 1784.

Whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between Elisha GUNN and Rettis Wilkes.
Now the condition of the above obligation is such that if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage then the above obligation to be void or else remain in full force and virtue.

"I pause here to explain that the name of Elisha's wife has at various times been spelled in different ways: Hanna Ritta, Rittar, Rettis, and Henrietta. The names are for one and the same person. Her surname had originally been spelled without the 'e'. In a few instances it was spelled 'WEEKS'. She may have been named for her aunt, Henrietta Wilkes. Willis Vaughn, a signer of the marriage bond was Elisha's brother in-law. He was married to Edith GUNN."

Three weeks after the marriage, Elisha purchased his first property. That and subsequent land transactions are as follows:

21 May 1784. Elisha paid forty pounds to John Comer for fifty acres of land in Amelia County, VA. This adjoined lands of Reps Jones, John Leith, and James GUNN. Wit: James GUNN, John Beveis, and William GUNN. (William was Elisha's brother. Based on his being a witness in this 1784 transaction, it is assumed that he was at least 18 years of age. He married in 1788 so it is an assumption that he was living at home during the 1787(census.)

1787 Personal Property Tax Census, Amelia County., VA. P 357

1790 Amelia County, VA. Census (only heads of family Listed in the first US census)

From this census, one may deduce that of the three white souls, one would be the wife, and the other two, children. Their gender is of course unknown but their dates of birth may be estimated as one having been born in ca 1786, the other ca 1788. This would exclude their son James from being one of these as a later census shows him as having been born after 1790. Again, he may have been born in the year 1790, just before the census was recorded.

15 December 1791. Elisha sells for ten pounds to James GUNN, forty-one and one half acres of land in Nottoway County. Bounded as follows: adjoins James GUNN, John Mills and Freeman Jordain (Jordan). Witnesses: Crawford Zachery, Spencer GUNN, and Sally GUNN. (Crawford was Elisha's brother in-law, Spencer, his brother, and Sally, his sister). At a court held for Nottoway County, at the courthouse, on Thursday, October 1, 1795. Elisha GUNN and his wife, she being first privily examined and voluntarily absenting thereto acknowledged the memorandum of livery and seison on the said deed endorsed, which deed and memoramdum are ordered to be recorded. Teste, Peter Randolph, C.N.C. Truly recorded, Teste, Thomas Waring, Todd, D.L.

6 December 1792. Elisha GUNN and Henrietta his wife of the county of Lunenburg sell to David Bates of the county of Nottoway, two hundred fifty acres of land lying in the county of Lunenburg. This was for the sum of TEN SHILLINGS. Bounded as follows: Beginning at Frederick Nance' place and Frederick Nance' line on the east and south, John Cole and James Shelton on the west. South, George Tucker, amd George Walton on the north, and James Robertson on the northeast. Witnesses: John Crafton and Banister Wilkes. (Banister Wilkes was Henrietta's brother). "There is something peculiar about this sale, and I suspect that it has something to do with the land transaction mentioned in John Wilks will of 1800." The ten shillings sale price is a paltry sum, probably just enough to make the sale legal. (This land seems to be on the Nottoway, Lunenburg County lines.)

6 October, 1796. Elisha GUNN, Guardian to Elizabeth and Sarah Zachary.

By Tobe in my hands 1hh ~ 1201. (tobacco)
By ditto 1 ditto ~ 992
total ~ 2193

By Bonds in hand ~ 120.10.73/4(pounds)
By cash rec'd remaining in my hands ~ 15.3
total ~ 135.13.73/4

In Nottoway County Court 6 October, 1796. This account being returned and examined by the court the same is allowed and ordered to be recorded. Teste

The orphans of David Zachary, dec'd in account with Elisha GUNN, guardian. This was the accounting of the sale of property returnable to court 7 September, 1797.

6 September, 1798. Thus received of Elisha GUNN, my guardian, full satisfaction of property and money of mine formerly in his care.

6 September, 1798. Thus received of Elisha GUNN, my guardian full satisfaction of property and money of mine formerly in his care.

"The given name of their mother is not known. I don't know the exact rule regarding guardianship, but when the father died and there were minor children, and even should the mother still survive, a male guardian was appointed to look after the affairs of the minor children. These children were Crawford Zachary's nieces. Another Zachary brother, Benjamin, in his last will and testament named the above Salley as a recipient. You will learn more about this will in the history of Catherine GUNN."

4 Sept., 1800. The will of John Wilks was offered for proof in Nottoway County by Daniel Wilks and was proved by oaths of the Crenshaws. On 2 October 1800, the three executors of John Wilks will, were awarded probate. These three were sons, Daniel and Banister, and son in-law, Elisha GUNN. The will bequeaths.....to my daughter, Hanna Ritta, one negro boy named Stephen, son of Fanny, to her and her heirs forever. I also give her that part of my land that I bought of David Bates. ACR2 all that lies on the north side of Jacksons Church Road unto her and her heirs forever.......be equally divided among my four children namely Daniel Wilks, Banister Wilks, Ann Simmons, Hannah Ritta GUNN.....

4 February, 1802. Elisha of Nottoway County, buys from Matthew Mayes of same county, 50 and 3/4 acres of land for the sum of 57 pounds, 10 shillings. Land situate, lying and being in the county of Nottoway and on both sides of Jackson Road being bounded by the land of William Spain, Sammie Hobbs, Edward Mayes, and Elisha GUNN. Wit: Saunders Crenshaw, Charley Sallard, Banister Wilks. (Note: The Sallard name will appear in association with another GUNN. Banister Wilks was Henrietta's brother.)

1 March, 1804. Elisha sells to his brother, Griffin GUNN, 305 acres of land, for which Elisha received the sum of three hundred and thirty pounds. Lying and being in the County of Nottoway being the land which the said GUNN purchased of William Hood by deed of records in the County Court of Nottoway bearing date December Court 1793 reference thereto being his will more fully appear containing three hundred and five acres more of less being bounded by the lands of Benjamin Bridgeford/user Jas. Eckles, Ed. Eckler/user Lawrence Hobs, William Spain, Abner Baytes, Banister Wilks, and Matthew Mayes. Witnesses: William Spain, Charles Drinkwater, and Thomas Connally. The dower release of this land sale was dated 7 March, 1804. The wife's name was spelled Henrietta.

"I am not at all certain that the complete record of land transactions have been found. It is possible that the 1804 sale was not part of the land purchase made 6 December 1793. The index to deeds may have omitted the transaction of Dec. court 1793. A point of interest is the will of James Senior. He notes that the land he is giving to Griffin was at one time land that Elisha lived on. It was known as 'Old Mayes Place'. I am not familiar with the term 'user' as shown in the deed. What it represents is unclear. Banister Wilks was Henrietta's brother. The Spain and Drinkwater name will appear in the Griffin GUNN line."

Having sold his farm to his brother Giffin in March of 1804, Elisha, after a year and six months, bought land in Halifax County, Virginia. He was about forty eight years of age when he made this purchase. The number of children in the family is unknown, but if the entry on the 1790 census did represent children then there was at least two. The oldest being about 20 years of age. The son James, may have been born just before the census was taken and is one of these two.

5 September, 1805. Between Richard R. High, and Judith Billington, his wife of the county of Halifax of the one part and Elisha GUNN of the county aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of seventy five pounds...a certain tract or parcel of land situate and lying in the county aforesaid containing by estimation ninety six acres.....adjoining the lands of Oliver Prinsetta? on the north, James [illegible] on the east, William Farmer on the west and Joshua Clay on the south. Witn: Thomas Hall, Francis B. Cox, William R. Cox.

22 January, 1808. Elisha buys from Benjamin Simmons, thirty acres of land lying on the northeast side of Terrible Creek. This was for the sum of one hundred pounds. The part of the document that describes the boundary lines as well as most other information is illegible.

22 January, 1808. Elisha buys from Randolph Simmons, one hundred twelve acres of land lying on norteast side of Terrible Creek. This was for the sum of one hundred pounds. This indenture is almost illegible, as well. A part that can barely be read mentions that this land is/was laid out from land of his father. In another part it read forty acres. I believe that the sale was for forty acres that was cut from the 112 acres. Witn:_______Bates. James GUNN, and John Sheffield (James was Elisha's son.)

25 January, 1808. Elisha sells the 96 acres of land he purchased 5 September, 1805. The sale was to Randolph Simmons. Henrietta relinquished her dower rights. This information is taken from the index to deeds. I do not have the Indenture.

June Court 1807. The father of Elisha, James Gunn Senior, in his will names his son as follows: Item. I give and bequeath to my son Elisha twenty shillings and all of mine, that he has in possession to him and his heirs forever

5 November, 1808. Elisha witnesses his son James' purchase of land from John Jackson. James paid sixty pounds for one hundred acres on the waters of Terrible Creek. As with other Halifax County Indentures, this document is very difficult to read. This deed was recorded 24 July, 1809, book 22, page 131.

14 November, 1814. Elisha and Henrietta his wife sell to Armistead Barksdale, three hundred fifty three and one half acres of land for the sum of seven hundred and seven dollars. Description: A certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the county of Halifax, on the waters of Terrible Creek on both sides of the road leading from Walnes Bridge to Barksdale Store. Containing by survey 353 1/2 acres. Bounded by the lines of William Martin Senr. Augustine Beadles, the said Barksdale Store it being a part of the tract of land sold by Henry Bass to Thomas Simmons dec'd. There is a separate document that shows Henrietta being too ill to appear in the court so the court sent representatives to validate her giving up her dower rights.

The following is from the Halifax County Index to Deeds. The actual documents have not been reviewed nor obtained. JAMES GUNN IS THE GRANTEE

Date recorded, 28 Jan 1811, Clowdis, Francis sells 15/16th of an acre. Book 22, p. 573.

Date recorded, 25 March 1811, Clowdis, James and wife sells 110 acres on the Dan River. Book 23, p. 26.

JAMES GUNN IS THE GRANTOR.

Date recorded, 22 July 1811, Hall, Thomas buys 112 acres on Terrible Creek. Book 23, p. 118.

Date recorded, 23 September, 1815, Wilson, George and Company buys 110 and 15/16th acres on Licking, Book 25, p. 426.

The following is from the Halifax County Index to Court Orders. DEFENDANTS.

Defend. GUNN, Elisha; Plantiff: Randolph Simmons, year 1808, book 26, p 9, deed ack.

Defend. GUNN, Elisha, etal; year 1808, book 26, p 31, Surveyor of road appointed, William Cox Road to Matthew Farmers.

Defend. GUNN, Elisha, year 1810, book 28, p 119, Plaintiff: John Logan Est., Remarks: Case dismissed.

Defend. GUNN, Elisha, year 1810, book 28. p 247, Plaintiff: Randolph Simmons, Remarks: case dismissed.

Defend. GUNN, Elisha etal; year 1811, book 28, p 512 Plaintiff: Randolph Simmons, etal, Remarks: In regard to settling Thomas Simmons Estate.

Defend. GUNN, James and Elizabeth, year 1811, book 29, p 94, Plaintiff; Thomas Hall. Remarks: Deed acknowledged.

Defend. GUNN, James, year 1812, book 29, p 463, Remarks: Tithes of deft to work on road, Millers Ferry to Cross Roads.

Defend. GUNN, James, etal, year 1812, book 29, p 571, Plaintiff: George Wilson and Co.; Remarks: Case continued.

Defend. GUNN, James, etal, year 1812, book 30, p 29, Plaintiff: George Wilson and Co.; Remarks: Judgement rendered.

Defend. GUNN, James, etal; year 1814, book 31, p 222. Plaintiff: Clark and Bailey by Agt. Remarks: Judgement rendered.

Defend. GUNN, James, etal, year 1814, book 31, p 224, Plaintiff: Lewis Warner; Remarks: Judgement rendered.

Defend. GUNN, James, year 1815, book 32, p 343, Plaintiff: William Powell, Remarks: Case continued.

Defend: GUNN, James, year 1816, book 32, p 431, Plaintiff: William Powell, Remarks: case continued.

Defend. GUNN, James, year 1816, book 32, p 480, Plaintiff: William Powell, Remarks: Judgement rendered.

Defend. GUNN, Elisha, etal. Year 1819, book 36, p 146, Plaintiff: Randolph Simmons, etal. Remarks: Commissioners report - In re to division of Estate.

The following is from Halifax County Index to Court Orders ~ Plaintiffs.

Plaintiff: GUNN, Elisha, year 1810, book 28, p 9, Defend: Daniel Vaughn, Remarks: Case continued.

Plaintiff: GUNN, Elisha, year 1810, book 28, p 45, Defend: Daniel Vaughn, Remarks: Case dismissed.

Plaintiff: GUNN, Elisha, year 1810, book 28, p 247, Defend: Daniel Vaughn, Remarks: Case dismissed

Plaintiff: GUNN, James, etal, year 1815, book (SC) 1, p 214, Defend: John L. Crawley, Remarks: In re attachment.

Plaintiff: GUNN, James, year 1816, book (SC)1, p 223, Defend: John Stanfield, Remarks: Case dismissed.

The following pertains to Elisha GUNN, son of Thomas GUNN II. Taken from same Indexes.

Defendent, GUNN, Elisha, Plaintiff: Herbert Hawkins; year 1770, book 6, p 498. Remarks: Suit abates. Defendant was not a resident of County.

Plaintiff: GUNN, Elisha; Defendant William Hawkins Jr., year 1772, book 7, p 318, Remarks: Case dismissed.

I have read two of the above listed documents. Both pertain to the division of the estate of Thomas Simmons, the younger, dec'd and Thomas simmons, the elder, dec'd. The Plaintiff's: Benjamin, and Randolph Simmons; Thomas Hall, and Anne his wife; John Glass, and Martha his wife. The Defendants are: Elisha GUNN, Administrator of the estate of Thomas Simmons, the younger, and Elisha GUNN, and Daniel Wilks, Executors of the estate of Thomas Simmons, the elder, and John and Samuel Davis who are minors and defended by Elisha GUNN their Guardian. John and Samuel's mother was Patience Davis.

Contained in the one document is the decree of the court that establishes a commission to inventory and sell the property of the deceased. It also shows how the proceeds should be distributed. The following is extracted from the document. "...and the undivided land in this county to wit: that part which was assigned to Anne Simmons as her dower be also sold and the proceeds thereof divided into three equal parts ~ and that one third part be allotted to Randolph Simmons, one third to Benjamin Simmons, and one third to the heirs of Thomas Simmons, the younger dec'd. To wit: Randolph, and Benjamin Simmons, Anne Hall, Martha Glass, John and Samuel Davis in right of their mother Patience...."

"My comments on the above are: Anne (Wilks) Simmons must be either dead or remarried. How else could the court direct that her dower rights be sold. The father of the Davis children is deceased. Those named Plaintiffs are children of Thomas Simmons the younger, and grandchildren of Thomas the elder.

The second document is an account of the sale and division of the proceeds to the plaintiffs. It would appear that the action was concluded in 1812, however the Court record shows the final closure as November 1819.

"I did not find a court order appointing Elisha, guardian of the minors. A date mentioned in the will leads me to believe it was circa 1806. How, or when it terminated, I do not know."

Here are some observations for curious readers. Due to the marriage of Anne Wilks to Thomas Simmons, it seems that a fairly close relationship developed between the GUNNS, Wilks, and Simmons. Elisha bought land from both Benjamin and Randolph. James GUNN, as noted in an index entry and was also involved in a land deal with Thomas Hall, the husband of Anne Simmons. According to the 1814 land sale by Elisha of his 353 acres, these were lands owned previously by Thomas Simmons deceased. Elisha was the Administrator of the estate of Thomas the younger and co- executor of the estate of Thomas the elder. Lastly, he was the guardian of Patience (Simmons) Davis' children.

As noted in the 7 November 1814 land sale, Elisha's wife, Henrietta was ill. I believe that shortly after this sale she died, and Elisha subsequently moved to Tennessee. It was there about the year 18l6, he met and married Judith Cox. According to a descendant, one child was born to this marriage. This was Francis Bennett GUNN, born 1818, and died in 1882. Reputedly, Elisha died ca 1838. A detailed family history of this Francis Bennett GUNN family has been compiled by COLON EARL (TATE) JORDAN. Email address: etate@bga.com.

It is not known if Elisha was accompanied to Tennessee by his son James. James is mentioned in some Halifax County documents dated 1815 and 1816. Nor is it known if Elisha had any other children living at home. About this same time, Daniel Wilks, the father of James' wife had moved to Maury County, TN., and it is reported that the 1820 census shows James and his wife living there. To complete this line, there is an active on-going search in progress by descendants of this son, James. I will not comment further on this except to cite an entry found on page 149, of "MY FINDINGS" authored by LILIAN BROWN JOHNSON, of Smyrna, TN. "Elisha and James GUNN are recorded in land transactions 1818 and 1820 in Bedford, Co., Deed Book M, page 13, Elisha and James sell Stephen, a negro man, 1820, indicating they probably moved elsewhere." Now go back to John Wilks' will of 1800, and you will see that this is the same negro who was given to Henrietta, the deceased wife of Elisha, and the mother of James.

Due to the courthouse fire in the late fall of 1863, Bedford County marriage books recorded before 1861 have been destroyed. This same fire destroyed all but six wills that were recorded in the early 1860's. Reference: Bedford County, TN., Wills and Vital Records from Newspapers, by Helen & Tim Marsh, Pub. 1996, 416 pages, Index, Hard Cover, ISBN #0-89308-573-1, price TN 95, $42.50. This information was taken from: Southern Historical Press, P.O. Box 1267, Tel (864) 233-2346; Fax (864) 233-2349. Call Toll Free 1-800-233-0152, for Visa and Mastercard orders only.

"This should conclude my account of Elisha GUNN, but after endless consideration, and without any proof whatsoever, I am introducing another possible son of Elisha and Henrietta. I have no doubt that this person is from the James GUNN Senior line. The only question is, from which son of James Senior? For what I believe are valid reasons, I have ruled out Spencer, Griffin, and Gabriel. This leaves Elisha, James, Jr., and William as the possible father. James, Jr. does not really fit the profile, and not enough is known of William at this time to say he could be the father.