The Kilgore Family

The KILGORE family, a Scotch-Irish line, emigrated to America from Nothern Ireland about 1763. The Scotch-Irish KILGORES have a tradition that their line of KILGORES, are related to the DOUGLASS family of Scotland, and through this line related to Queen Victoria.

There were five KILGORE boys (believed brothers) located in VA in 1763. The names given were Robert, Charles, William, James and Hiram KILGORE. All five of the KILGORE brothers were in the Battle of King's Mountian, which was fought 7 October 1780 and was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. In this battle Hiram KILGORE was killed, Charles KILGORE was shot through the body and Robert KILGORE was seriously wounded. Charles and Robert both recovered. Records of Service and Pensions indicate that Charles KILGORE served in Captian DYSART's Company in Colonel William CAMPBELL's VA regiment during the revolutionary War. He was pensioned from 28 April 1809 due to disability incurrd in service, the nature of this disability is not stated. In May 1820, he was living in Greene Co TN as a pensioner. Records substantiate the fact that members of the KILGORE family moved from VA into NC and TN. The Charles KILGORE family is researched for this record.

Charles KILGORE

Charles KILGORE was born in Ireland about 1744. He married (1) Winnie CLAYTON about 1762 or 1763.

The following is the family record of Charles KILGORE and Winnie CLAYTON;
1. Charles KILGORE Jr, born 4 January 1764 and died 28 November 1844, married Avarilla SIMPSON, born 18 February 1766 and died 1 June 1857, the daughter of R. and S. SIMPSON of VA.
2. Rev. Robert KILGORE 1765-1854, married in 1785 to Jane Porter GREEN 1761-1842
3. Mary KILGORE 1766-1845, was married in 1785 to James CULBERTSON 1764-1823
4. William KILGORE 1769-1857 married Virginia Jane OSBORN 1776-1851
5. Hiram KILGORE 1771-1851 married Rebecca RENFRO 1781-1863
6. Ralph KILGORE born 1773 married GRAY

Charles KILGORE's oldest son was born in Orange Co NC on 4 January 1764. Most of the children of Charles KILGORE and Winnie CLAYTON probably were born in Orange Co NC, which became Caswell Co after that time.

Charles KILGORE settled in VA in 1773, which was then Washington Co but in 1786 became Russell Co, and in 1815 became Scott CO VA. KILGORE owned a large plantation in Scott Co VA, 600 acres at Osborne Ford. Charles KILGORE, probably after the death of his first wife, Winnie, moved in 1787 to Greene Co NC, which became Greene Co TN later. His name is mentioned in numerous records in Greene Co TN. Evidently a close of John WALKER, Sr who was executor of his will.

Charles KILGORE later married: (2) Martha McILHANEY. Among the heirs of Capt. McIHANEY of the Revolution is mentioned the childre of his deceased daughter, wife of Charles KILGORE. The children mentioned were James M. KILGORE and John M. KILGORE. The same children were mentioned in the will of Charles KILGORE of 6 June 1822.

Charles KILGORE's will was dated 6 June 1822. He beequests certain slaves to each of his children. He also mentions three Negro slaves that were to have their freedom; one at his death, one at age 25 and another at age 20. Children mentioned in the will were sons William, John, Joseph, and James KILGORE, daughters; Peggy shirl, Martha WALKER, Dora (Sara?) Smith HENDERSON, and Mary KILGORE CULBERTSON, wife of James CULBERTSON

The names of his daughters by his second marriage were Mrs. Rebecca SHIRL, Mrs. Martha WALKER and Sara Smith HENDERSON.

Martha KILGORE, daughetr of Charles KILGORE, married on 26 May 1788 in Greene Co TN to Daniel WALKER, born in 1761 and died 21 March 1834, son of John WALKER

Note: Elizabeth Black KILGORE (parentage unknown) married Joseph WALKER

In 1825, John WALKER , Jr. was appointed guardian to the children of James KILGORE, son of Charles KILGORE. (See Will Book A, page 164)