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NEWS
“UPLIN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – In the days following the Fourth of July holiday, one of our state’s earliest congressmen, who had a key role in shaping American history, is being honored.
A historical highway marker was unveiled at Routledge Cemetery along Highway 24 in Kenansville at 11 a.m. Friday. It’s dedicated to Revolutionary War hero and early Congressman James Gillespie.
Gillespie, b 1747, came to New Bern, North Carolina from Co Monaghan, Ireland in the late 1760’s. He was one of five children born to David Gillespie and his wife (nee Brison), James Gillespie was educated at the University of Dublin. He purchased a plantation “Golden Grove” located one mile east of Kenansville, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church there. During the American Revolution he was captain of a unit. His own home was burned down. His political career was part of the North Carolina House of Commons . Hs elected as one of five delegates to represent Duplin County at the Fifth Provincial Congress in Halifax before serving on the United States Congress. While in office he died Jan 10, 1805 age 57/58 in Washington, DC, James was buried in Presbyterian Burial Ground in Georgetown, DC. In 1892 his remains were moved to Congregational Cemetery.
GILLESPIE FAMILY HISTORIES
The Gillespies of Tazwell County
Family History of Ary A Gillespie (1835- ? ) & Jessie Needham, Surrey Co, North Carolina by unknown author
Family History of George Gillespie & Ann Neilson of Roane Co, NC by Emma Wells
Published Books
Jane Gillespie Brown and the Cherokees, 1788 by J. W D Wright, edited by Gilbert G Lentz/Anna Wright 1989
Lentz-Gillespie, Family Histories, Summary 1613 to present, Gilbert G Lentz, Dec 1993
Lenze and Gillespie Families In Rowan County, North Carolina 1749-1818 by Gilbert G Lentz, 1994 (929.273 Sp31g) – Available Salt Lake City, Utah
Longrifles of North Carolina by John Bivins, Jr, George Shumway Publisher 1969 and 1988. (“It is believed that Daniel Boone carried a “Gillespie Rifle.”)
The History of Roane County, by Emma Middleton Wells, (lists Gillespie history on pages 184 to 187).
