Joshua Gilbert and Mary Stewart and Rhoda Russell of Yancey and Rutherford Co, NC and Union Co, GA

Joshua Gilbert was born ca 1809/10 in North Carolina. If he is a son of Wilson Gilbert as I suspect, then he was probably born in Chatham County. If he isn't Wilson's son, then I don't know where he was born, other than somewhere in North Carolina. The death certificate of Joshua's son Elijah Gilbert (died 1927) lists his father Joshua as having been born in Buncombe Co, NC. However this birth place was reported by a grandson (Thomas Joshua Gilbert, born 1884). This was so far removed from the source as to be totally unreliable.

I've looked into the possibility of Joshua having been born in Buncombe County, but it does not seem to work. There were no Gilberts in Buncombe County at that time as far as I've been able to determine. There were no Gilberts in Buncombe until the 1820's, unless it was just a family passing through the area between census years.

I searched long and hard to find out who Joshua's parents were, and though I can't prove it, I strongly suspect he was a son of Wilson and Esther Gilbert of Yancey Co, NC. I'll explain my rationale for this conclusion.

First of all, in tracing Joshua's history, I started with his most recent records and worked backwards. He was in Union Co, GA in 1880, 1870 and 1860. All three list his birth place as "NC". He had children born in the 1830's and early 1840's in NC, and children born in the late 1840's in Georgia. This means he should have been listed on the 1850 census in Georgia somewhere, but I have never been able to find him that year, not in Georgia or North Carolina.

Backing up to 1840, I found a Joshua Gilbert in Rutherford Co, NC and one in Laurens Dist, SC. The one in Rutherford Co, NC is a perfect match in age for Joshua and his known children. This was the right general area to be my Joshua, so I checked into it. I found very little on him there (all will be outlined in detail below), except that he signed an 1844 petition in Rutherford asking for a new county to be created (which was denied). This fits well with his moving to GA before 1847.

Going farther back, I found a Joshua Gilbert in Yancey Co, NC on the 1835 voter list, in close proximity to Wilson Gilbert (whom I believe is his father).

All of the above circumstantial evidence (while scanty), leads me to the conclusion that Joshua was associated with Wilson Gilbert. Backing up to the 1830 census records, I saw that Wilson did have a son Joshua's age with him. In 1880, Joshua reported that his father was born in South Carolina, but his mother was born in North Carolina. I have not yet confirmed where Wilson was born, but his wife Esther was born in North Carolina (per the 1850 census mortality schedule), so that part adds up.

None of this proves that Joshua was a son of Wilson Gilbert, but I think he is the best suspect so far. There were other Gilbert families in Western North Carolina, but none of them are a good fit.

Since Joshua was born ca 1809/10 he may or may not have been listed on the 1810 census (depending on whether he was born yet when the census taker came around). If he was listed, he would have been in the "Under 10" age group (born ca 1800/10). There were several Gilberts in Western NC, but none in Buncombe Co, NC (where Joshua may have been born, though I don't think he was). There were Gilberts in Burke County, Lincoln County, Rutherford County and Wilkes County.

Wilson Gilbert was in Chatham Co, NC in 1810, but I don't have the enumerations yet, so I don't know if he had a son Joshua's age with him or not.

Joshua would have been about 10 years old for the 1820 census, so he would have been listed in either the age 10-15 category (born ca 1804/10) or in the "under 10" grouping (born ca 1810/20). As in 1810, there were several Gilberts in Western NC in 1820, including some in Burke, Lincoln, Rutherford and Wilkes. Several had kids Joshua's age, but I don't know if any were likely suspects for his parents.

I have found Wilson Gilbert on the 1820 census, so I don't know if he had a son Joshua's age with him then or not.

Wilson Gilbert moved to the Three Mile Creek area of then Burke Co, NC in the 1820's.

Joshua Gilbert would have been about 20 years old for the 1830 census, so he should have been enumerated in the age 20-29 category (born ca 1800/10) or possibly in the age 15-19 group (born ca 1810/15). Wilson Gilbert had an apparent son that age (c1810/15) with him in 1830 in Burke Co, NC. Other Gilbert listings in Western NC included Isaiah Gilbert in Buncombe Co, NC (who had three sons born ca 1810/15), and Jeremiah Gilbert in Wilkes Co, NC who had a son about Joshua's age. There were lots of other Gilberts around as well, but only Wilson, Isaiah and Jeremiah had apparent sons Joshua age.

In 1835, Congressional Elections were held in the 12th District (Western NC), and the voter lists have survived. Joshua Gilbert, Wilson Gilbert, Thomas Gilbert and Daniel Gilbert all voted in Yancey Co, NC in Oakes Precinct. They were all listed near each other on the list (in the order they voted), so it seems likely they all voted at the same time. This strongly suggests they were associated with one another. Joshua, Thomas and Daniel were all of similar age to one another, and all three seem to be likely sons of Wilson Gilbert. This one record (1835 voter list) plus the 1830 census showing Wilson with apparent sons their ages, is the main reason I suspect Wilson to be Joshua's father (as well as Thomas and Daniel's father).

It was around this same time that Joshua Gilbert married someone, probably in Yancey Co, NC. I don't know who his wife was, but she was born ca 1810/20 (per 1840 census record).

Joshua Gilbert left Yancey Co, NC in the late 1830's, for some reason and moved to nearby Rutherford Co, NC where he was listed on the 1840 census. Several of his neighbors (on the same page) were Biggerstaffs, Queens, and others. Based on an analysis of his neighbors, he was probably living in Whitesides District.

On 25 Sep 1844, Joshua Gilbert and numerous other residents of Rutherford, McDowell and Burke County, Petitioned for the formation of "Whiteside County" to be formed from the Northeast part of Rutherford, the Southeast part of McDowell and the Southwest part of Burke County. The petition was denied, and no new county was formed, however, this confirms that Joshua Gilbert was residing in Whitesides District of Rutherford County. (Bulletin of the Genealogical Society of Old Tryon Co, NC - May 1996 pg 76)

Sometime between 1844 and ca 1847, Joshua Gilbert and family moved into North Georgia, possibly into Union County. They had a child born in "GA" ca 1846/47 and one born in 1848. I don't know if they were born in Union County or some other county.

I have never been able to find Joshua Gilbert on the 1850 census. He was not listed in Union Co, GA, nor anywhere in Western NC (as far as I've been able to find). I don't know if he was missed by the census taker, or if he is listed somewhere and I just haven't been able to find him. He may have been somewhere else in North Georgia.

Sometime between 1850 and 1854, Joshua Gilbert married another widow, Mary Stewart Chandler in Union Co, GA.

Mary Stewart was born ca 1819/20 in Haywood Co, NC in the Hominy Creek area, a daughter of Noah and Nancy Stewart.

Mary Stewart married James S. Chandler in Haywood Co, NC on 4 Nov 1835. He died just two years later in 1837. They had one child together, John Chandler, born in August 1836.

In the 1840's, when her parents moved to Union Co, GA, she came with them, and was living with them for the 1850 census, as was her son John Chandler.

Joshua and Mary were listed on the 1860 census in Union Co, GA. They were near many of her relatives. They were listed between the households of James Young and John Eldridge.

Some of Joshua's children from his first marriage were not with him in 1860, nor do I know where they were at this time. They were not listed elsewhere in Union Co, GA as far as I've found. I suspect they might be with maternal relatives in Western NC somewhere, or in North Georgia.

Joshua Gilbert was listed on the 2 Sep 1861 roster of "Eligible" men in Union Co, GA, in Gum Log District. This was a roster of those who were of age to be of service for the Confederacy. He was about 51 at that time, but that was "of age".

Mary Stewart Chandler Gilbert died in Union Co, GA between 1860 and 1869. I haven't been able to narrow it down anymore than that. I don't know where she is buried.

Joshua Gilbert married yet another widow on 28 Oct 1869 in Union Co, GA. He married Rhoda Russell Miller.

Rhoda Russell was born ca 1832/33 in Tennessee, daughter of James and Elizabeth Russell (both born in SC). Rhoda married William Miller on 21 Oct 1852 in Union Co, GA.

Joshua and Rhoda were listed on the 1870 census in Union Co, GA. They were near many relatives, and had several of Rhoda's children with them (though mistakenly listed as Gilberts, instead of Millers).

Joshua and Rhoda were listed on the 1880 census in Union Co, GA in Gum Log Township, near many relatives. Joshua reported that his father was born in SC, and his mother in NC.

The 1880 census was the last record I found for both Joshua and Rhoda. I suspect they both died in the 1880-1900 timeframe. I don't know where they might be buried.

Children

Joshua Gilbert had children by his first wife (name unknown) and his second wife Mary Stewart, but none by his third wife Rhoda Russell, though she had several by previous marriage. Since there are several step-children involved here, I'll include them here for reference purposes, listed after Joshua's own children.

Unknown Daughter (1835/40). Joshua Gilbert had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1840 census (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40). I have not yet located Joshua in 1850, so I don't know if she was still home with him then or not. She was not with him in 1860, so probably married or dead by then, or just residing elsewhere.

I didn't find any marriage records in Union Co, GA that could be her. There was a Rutha Stamey (maiden name unknown), born ca 1839/40, wife of Andrew Jackson Stamey who was in Union Co, GA in 1860 and 1870. Rutha was born in NC, and in the 1870 census, Nancy Gilbert was residing with her. This makes her a good suspect to be this unknown Daughter, but other than the age and birth place matching, and having Nancy with her in 1870, I have no evidence that she was a Gilbert, or might be.

Charity Gilbert was born ca 1835/36 in NC, presumably Yancey or Rutherford Co, NC. I have no direct proof that Charity was Joshua's daughter, but it seems highly likely.

Charity was apparently home with Joshua for the 1840 census (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40) in Rutherford Co, NC. I have not yet located Joshua in 1850, so I don't know if she was still home with him then or not. She was not with him in 1860, so probably residing elsewhere, perhaps with relatives. She was not listed in Union Co, GA on the 1860 census.

On 29 Jul 1866, Charity Gilbert married Benjamin Ingram in Union Co, GA. They were married by S. M. Conley, JP. Benjamin Ingram was born ca 1839/40 in Union Co, GA, son of Little and Catherine Ingram. Benjamin was home with his parents in Union Co, GA for the 1850 and 1860 census.

For the 1870 census, Benjamin and Charity were just two houses from Joshua Gilbert, and they were next door to Benjamin's brother William Ingram and wife Sarah Gilbert (Charity's sister). This proximity is what makes me strongly believe that Charity (and Sarah) were children of Joshua Gilbert.

For the 1880 census, I have not been able to locate Benjamin and Charity. They were not listed in Union Co, GA, so they must have moved away.

Nancy Gilbert was born May 1842 (per 1900 census) in NC, presumably in Rutherford County.

I have not yet located Joshua Gilbert in 1850, so I don't know if she was home with him then or not. She was not with him in 1860, so probably residing elsewhere, perhaps with relatives. She was not listed in Union Co, GA on the 1860 census.

On 11 Dec 1861, in Union Co, GA, Nancy Gilbert married James M. Haygood. James was born ca 1842/43 in Union Co, GA, son of Asa and Sarah Haygood.

James Haygood served during the Civil War and was listed as part of the 52nd Georgia Regiment from Union Co, GA as a Private.

James might have died during the War, as I have not found record of him afterwards.

Strangely, Nancy was listed on the 1870 census in Union Co, GA with her name listed as "Gilbert" and not "Haygood". She was also listed as being blind. She was residing with the Andrew and Rutha Stamey family, and only 14 houses from her father Joshua Gilbert. I don't know of any connection between the Stamey and Gilbert families. But Rutha Stamey, Andrew's wife was born ca 1839/40 in NC, which is a good match for the "unknown daughter" of Joshua Gilbert born ca 1835/40. This might just be a coincidence though. Of course it begs the question "Why was Nancy living with her then?".

I didn't find Nancy on the 1880 census, nor did I find the Stamey family. She might have been wherever they were.

Wherever she was in 1880, she was back in Union Co, GA by 1900, and was residing with several of her nephews and nieces (children of her brother Elijah Gilbert), and listed as their "Aunt". This census listed her as a widow, and said she had given birth to 4 children, but none were still living.

I don't have Nancy on the 1910 census, nor in 1920. She may have died between 1900 and 1910.

Daniel Gilbert was born ca 1843/44 in NC, presumably in Rutherford County. I haven't found Joshua in 1850 yet, so I don't know if Daniel was with him then. He was with him in 1860 Union Co, GA.

I didn't find Daniel in 1870 or later. He may have moved away, or died in the 1860-1870 timeframe (perhaps due to the Civil War).

Sarah Gilbert was born ca 1846/47 in GA, presumably Union County. I have no direct proof that Sarah was Joshua's daughter, but it seems highly likely.

I have not yet located Joshua in 1850, so I don't know if she was home with him then or not. She was not with him in 1860, so probably residing elsewhere, perhaps with relatives. She was not listed in Union Co, GA on the 1860 census.

On 1 Feb 1866, Sarah Gilbert married William Ingram in Union Co, GA. They were married by S. M. Conley, JP. William Ingram was born ca 1846/47 in Union Co, GA, son of Little and Catherine Ingram. William was home with his parents in Union Co, GA for the 1850 and 1860 census.

For the 1870 census, William and Sarah were next door to Joshua Gilbert, and they were also next door to William's brother Benjamin Ingram and wife Charity Gilbert (Sarah's sister). This proximity is what makes me strongly believe that Sarah (and Charity) were children of Joshua Gilbert.

For the 1880 census, I have not been able to locate William and Sarah. They were not listed in Union Co, GA, so they must have moved away.

Elijah Gilbert was born 1 Apr 1848 (per tombstone) in Union Co, GA I have not located Joshua in 1850 yet, so I don't know if Elijah was with him then or not.

I have not found Elijah on the 1870 census, but he was somewhere in or near Union Co, GA probably.

On 13 Jun 1875 Elijah Gilbert married Mary Maranda Miller in Union Co, GA. They were married by J. F. McGee, Minister of the Gospel.

Mary Maranda Miller was born ca 1857/58 in Union Co, GA, daughter of William Miller and Rhoda Russell. Mary and Elijah were step-brother and sister.

For the 1880 census, Elijah and Maranda were listed next to their parents in Union Co, GA in Gum Log Township.

Elijah Gilbert went to Graham Co, NC to marry Eliza Jane Carver on 26 Nov 1893. I don't know how they might have met, but many of Elijah's Stewart relatives lived in Graham County. Perhaps he had other relatives there as well (via his unknown mother's family).

Eliza was born 25 Jun 1866 in Cherokee (now Graham) Co, NC, daughter of Lawson and Betsy Carver.

Elijah and Eliza were listed on the 1900 census in Union Co, GA next to his brother Noah W. Gilbert. Elijah's children by his first marriage were living together in another household just a few houses away.

They were still in Gum Log in Union Co, GA for the 1910 census, listed near many relatives.

They were still there in Gum Log for the 1920 census. I don't have this record typed up yet.

Elijah Gilbert died on 22 Jul 1927 in Union Co, GA and is buried at the Ebenezer Cemetery.

Eliza Jane Carver Gilbert died a few months later on 4 Sep 1927 and is buried beside Elijah at Ebenezer.

Elijah Gilbert and Mary Maranda Miller Gilbert had 8 children, and Elijah and Eliza had 3 children. All eleven are now deceased.

Hannah A. Gilbert was born ca 1853/54 in Union Co, GA. Hannah was listed with her parents for the 1860 census.

On 8 Nov 1868 Hannah married Greenberry Miller in Union Co, GA. They were married by S. M. Conley, JP.

Greenberry Miller was born ca 1848/49 in Union Co, GA, son of Henry and Mary Miller.

I did not find Greenberry and Hannah on the 1870 census in Union Co, GA. They either moved away, or both died before then.

Noah Washington Gilbert was born July 1855 in Union Co, GA. He was home with his parents for the 1860 and 1870 census in Union Co, GA.

John Chandler was born August 1836 in Haywood Co, NC, son of James S. Chandler and Mary Stewart.

John was living with his mother and grandparents for the 1850 census in Union Co, GA.

John Chandler was listed on the 2 Sep 1861 roster of "Eligible" men from Union Co, GA in Gum Log District. This was a list of those men who were of age to serve for the Civil War.

John followed his Uncle John Stewart to Polk Co, TN and was living next to him in 1870, but with another family, relationship unknown. He was with George and Sarah Barnes. John's occupation was listed as "Collier".

He was back in Union Co, GA by 1900, and residing with his half-brother Noah Washington Gilbert in Gum Log Township. He was listed as "Single", and his relation to Noah was "Half Brother".

Researcher List

1. Joshua¹ Gilbert , born 1809/10 in Chatham Co, NC; died 1880/1900 in Union Co, GA, son of Wilson Gilbert and Esther (---) . He married (1) abt 1835 in Yancey Co, NC (now Avery Co, NC) (---) ? , born 1810/20; died 1848/53 in Union Co, GA; (2) in 1850/54 in Union Co, GA Mary Stewart , born 1819/20 in Haywood Co, NC; died 1860/69 in Union Co, GA, daughter of Noah Stewart and Nancy (---) ; (3) on 28 Oct 1869 in Union Co, GA Rhoda Russell , born 1832/33 in TN, daughter of James Russell and Elizabeth (---) .

Children of Joshua Gilbert and (---) ? were as follows:

+ 2 i Charity² Gilbert , born 1835/36 in GA. She married Benjamin Ingram .

3 ii Nancy² Gilbert , born May 1842 in NC; died aft 1900 in Union Co, GA. She married on 11 Dec 1861 in Union Co, GA James M Haygood , born 1842/43 in Union Co, GA; died bef 1900 in Union Co, GA, son of Asa Haygood and Sarah (---) .

4 iii Daniel² Gilbert , born 1843/44 in NC.

+ 5 iv Sarah² Gilbert , born 1846/47 in Union Co, GA. She married William Ingram .

+ 6 v Elijah² Gilbert , born 1 Apr 1848 in Union Co, GA; died 22 Jul 1927 in Union Co, GA. He married (1) Mary Maranda Miller ; (2) Eliza Jane Carver .

Children of Joshua Gilbert and Mary Stewart were as follows:

7 i Hannah A² Gilbert , born 1853/54 in Union Co, GA. She married on 8 Nov 1868 in Union Co, GA Greenberry Miller , born 1848/49 in Union Co, GA, son of Henry Miller and Mary (---) .

+ 8 ii Noah Washington² Gilbert , born Jul 1855 in Union Co, GA; died Mar 1914 in Cherokee Co, NC. He married Ibiline Henderson .

Generation 2

2. Charity² Gilbert (Joshua¹), born 1835/36 in GA. She married on 29 Jul 1866 in Union Co, GA Benjamin Ingram , born 1839/40 in Union Co, GA, son of Little Ingram and Catherine (---) .

Children of Charity Gilbert and Benjamin Ingram were as follows:

9 i Joseph L³ Ingram , born 1866/67 in Union Co, GA.

10 ii Elizabeth³ Ingram , born 1868/69 in Union Co, GA.

5. Sarah² Gilbert (Joshua¹), born 1846/47 in Union Co, GA. She married on 1 Feb 1866 in Union Co, GA William Ingram , born 1846/47 in Union Co, GA, son of Little Ingram and Catherine (---) .

Children of Sarah Gilbert and William Ingram were as follows:

11 i Amos³ Ingram , born 1866/67 in Union Co, GA.

12 ii Joshua³ Ingram , born 1868/69 in Union Co, GA.

6. Elijah² Gilbert (Joshua¹), born 1 Apr 1848 in Union Co, GA; died 22 Jul 1927 in Union Co, GA. He married (1) on 13 Jun 1875 in Union Co, GA Mary Maranda Miller , born 1857/58 in Union Co, GA; died 1892/93 in Union Co, GA, daughter of William Miller and Rhoda Russell ; (2) on 26 Nov 1893 in Graham Co, NC Eliza Jane Carver , born 25 Jun 1866 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 4 Sep 1927 in Union Co, GA, daughter of Lawson Carver and Elizabeth "Betsey" (---) .

Children of Elijah Gilbert and Mary Maranda Miller were as follows:

+ 13 i Mary Elizabeth³ Gilbert , born Nov 1876 in Union Co, GA. She married (1) Robert Carver ; (2) George W Henson .

14 ii William³ Gilbert , born 5 Feb 1879 in Union Co, GA; died 17 May 1961 in Marietta, Cobb Co, GA. He married aft 1900 in Union Co, GA Sarah Rogers , born 28 Jan 1879 in Union Co, GA; died 1 Mar 1968 in Marietta, Cobb Co, GA.

+ 15 iii James Daniel³ Gilbert , born 5 Oct 1883 in Union Co, GA; died 4 Oct 1915 in Union Co, GA. He married Sarah Minnie Brown .

+ 16 iv Thomas Joshua³ Gilbert , born 15 May 1884 in Union Co, GA; died 14 May 1981 in Marietta, Cobb Co, GA. He married Hattie Thermudas Grant .

+ 17 v Rhoda Jane³ Gilbert , born 14 Jan 1886 in Union Co, GA; died 5 Jan 1978 in Union Co, GA. She married William Jackson Davis .

18 vi Maranda A³ Gilbert , born Jun 1889 in Union Co, GA.

19 vii Nancy Ann³ Gilbert , born Jun 1892 in Union Co, GA. She married in Union Co, GA Lewis Blackwell .

20 viii Allie³ Gilbert . She married in Union Co, GA Yance Lewis .

Children of Elijah Gilbert and Eliza Jane Carver were as follows:

21 i Calvin L³ Gilbert , born 17 Jan 1896 in Union Co, GA; died 4 Dec 1964 in Union Co, GA.

22 ii Eva³ Gilbert , born Apr 1898 in Union Co, GA. She married aft 1910 in Union Co, GA Will Chambers .

23 iii Charity Bell³ Gilbert , born 22 Aug 1901 in Union Co, GA; died 18 May 1989 in Union Co, GA.

8. Noah Washington² Gilbert (Joshua¹), born Jul 1855 in Union Co, GA; died Mar 1914 in Cherokee Co, NC. He married on 3 Mar 1881 in Union Co, GA Ibiline Henderson , born 3 Oct 1863 in Union Co, GA; died 26 Jun 1934 in Union Co, GA, daughter of Thomas M Henderson (Pvt) and Margaret Emaline Stewart .

Children of Noah Washington Gilbert and Ibiline Henderson were as follows:

24 i Thomas J³ Gilbert , born Mar 1882 in Union Co, GA. He married in 1900/10 in Union Co, GA Orra Hogan , daughter of Rice Hogan and Emma Ann Casedine Henderson .

+ 25 ii Jennie Margaret³ Gilbert , born 1 May 1885 in Union Co, GA; died 26 Oct 1959 in Cobb Co, Marietta, GA. She married William Albert Evans .

+ 26 iii James Marion³ Gilbert , born 9 Sep 1887 in Union Co, GA; died 4 Mar 1969 in Union Co, GA. He married Martha Ada Griggs .

27 iv Minnie M³ Gilbert , born Jul 1888 in Union Co, GA; died 1900/10 in Union Co, GA.

+ 28 v William Arthur³ Gilbert , born 17 Jan 1893 in Union Co, GA; died 1 Apr 1970 in Cherokee Co, NC. He married Wilda Mae Warren .

+ 29 vi Eller O³ Gilbert , born 24 May 1894 in Union Co, GA; died 5 Jul 1975 in TX. She married Allen Halgrum Davis .

+ 30 vii Fred McKinnley³ Gilbert , born 25 Sep 1896 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1 Apr 1971 in Blairsville, Union Co, GA. He married Laner Emmaline Roberson .

+ 31 viii Lilly Belle³ Gilbert , born 10 May 1902 in Union Co, GA; died 4 Nov 1983 in Marietta, Cobb Co, GA. She married Marvin Roosevelt Grant .

32 ix Samuel³ Gilbert , born 10 May 1902 in Union Co, GA; died 1923 in Canton, NC.

33 x John³ Gilbert , born 11 Mar 1906 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1949 in Gastonia, NC. He married abt 1945 Nema (---) .

Joshua Gilbert (c1810) and Mary Stewart and Rhoda Russell of Yancey and Rutherford Co, NC and Union Co, GA

Children

Researcher List

Register Report