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Ancestors and Descendants of
James H. Gwin
and
Mary Eliza Mabery
of Macoupin County, Illinois

Page started 3 Mar 2019

BACKGROUND

I started this page because I have begun to suspect that this is my family. I had run into them several years ago when a cousin suspected them to be descendants of my ggg-granduncle and aunt, William Gwin and Susannah Beard. When that suspicion was disproved, I didn't think more of them until last week when we discovered that an unknown Gwin, Laura Violet Gwin, who was buried beside my cousins in Montrose Co., CO., was of this same Macoupin Co., IL, family! They had evidently originated from North Carolina, and that made me think again of an earlier theory we'd had that my gggg-grandpa Isham Gwin's ancestors had been in three groups:

one that left Virginia and moved west into Indiana, from whom the George Holmes Gwins descended;
a second that had moved southwest into Tennessee, including my Isham Gwin; and
a third that moved south into South Carolina and into Alabama, including the Littleton Gwin line.

Now I've begun to trace these Macoupin County families to see if perhaps they connect to this third group.

--John M. Gwin, 3 March 2019

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An Outline of the Known Family to Date
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22.00--Elias Gwin, b. 11 Sep 1783 in NC; d. 5 Apr 1853 in Macoupin Co., IL; bd. in Wheeler Cem., Gillespie, Macoupin Co., IL--FAG mem.# 54038017; m1. (bond) 21
Dec 1802 in Warren Co., NC, to Rebecca Beckham; m2. in TN to Tabitha Weatherford (b. unk. date in KY, d/o Money Weatherford; d. ca. 1830; bd. unk.); moved after Tabitha's death to Macoupin Co., IL; 10 ch. (birth order unk.)

[listed as Elias Gwin in the 1802 record of his 21 Dec 1802 marriage in Warren Co., ND, to Rebecca Beckham--(Elias is age 19 y 3 m here)]
[listed as Elias Gwin in the 1810 census of Warren Co., NC, with only one other person, a female in his age group, in the household--(Elias would be ca. 27 here)]
[listed as Elias Gwin in the 1814 Tax List record of 149 Wartrace, fork D. River, Bedford Co., TN--his age would be about 31 here]
[listed as Elias Gwinn in the 1820 census of Franklin Co., TN, with only two other young males (1 under five, one in late teens) and no females in the household--(Elias would be ca. 37 here); I think this means that Rebecca has died and he has not yet married Tabitha. A Daniel Gwinn, same age category as Elias, is listed beside him with only one other male and no females. ]
[listed as Elias Gwinn in the 1840 census of Macoupin Co., IIL, with a total of five males (including himself) and four females in the household: males: 1 under 5, 1x10-14, 2x15-19, 1x50-59 (this must be Elias); females: 2x15-19, 1x30-39, 1x50-59--(Elias would be age 56-57 here); also, an unknown-to-me James Gwinn, 20-29, lives next door with a female 15-19; Elias' oldest daughter, Rebecca Little lives next door on the other side w/1 male 5-9 and one female 5-9]
[listed as Elias Gwin, 66, b. NC, w/$1,800 in real estate owned, in the 29 Nov 1850 census of Macoupin Co., IL; No location in Macoupin Co. is mentioned here, but he will die in only three years and be buried in Wheeler Cem. in the town of Gillespie, so that is likely his location in 1850 as well. Ancestry.com lists him here as being recorded on page 165 of 174.]

[John M. Gwin Note: After I rediscovered my own page for Elias and realized he is the grandfather of the James H. Gwin born in Macoupin Co., IL, I found his FindAGrave memorial and have begun copying data from it and other memorials.]

[John M. Gwin Note: While working on this line, I ran into an ERROR posted on Ancestry. com by a Mr. or Ms. KINE stating that the above Elias is the same as the Elias who is the son of Baysden Gwinn of Laurens Co., SC. Although one can see some surface similarities between the two Eliases, they are clearly NOT THE SAME. Elias son of Baysden was quite a bit younger than ours and remained in Laurens Co., SC, appearing there in at least the 1850, 1860, and 1870 censuses, while our Elias died in 1853 and is buried in Macoupin Co., IL. See our Baysden Gwinn page.]

Last Will and Testament of Elias Gwin, Macoupin Co., IL
Transcribed by me, John Gwin, from the photocopy of the original found on Ancestry.com

In the name of God Amen I Elias Gwin of the State of Illinois and Macoupin County being mindful of my mortality do this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty five Make and publish this my last will, and testament in Manner following.~
1st     I desire to be decently and [prevally?] buried in the burying ground at [whi] is called Huddleston's burying ground without any [pompt?] and
         with as little Expense as may be
2nd   I desire that all my Just debts and funeral Expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first moneys that Shall come into
         the Hands of my Executors from any fraction of my Estate real or personal Also I direct that a fair Valuation or appraisement be made of all
         my Estate Also I direct that a sufficiency of my property be sold at public Auction for good current Money on a credit of twelve months to pay
         all of my debts Also it is my desire that some one of my lawful heirs take my Sister Sally Patton and take care of her during her lifetime if She
         will remain with them and that my Executors make a reasonable allowance out of my Estate for the same the one of my heirs that Shall take
         her. ~
                     Also I direct that my daughters Sally and Fanny each have a feather bed and bedding absolutely, Also I direct that the remainder of my
         property real and personal be equally divided between my children Rebecca Little, Sally Gwin William Gwin James Gwin Alexander Gwin
   Tobitha Pearson John W. Gwin and Fanny Gwin, And I do hereby make and ordain my friend William Weatherford Senor and my two sons
         James Gwin and Alexander Gwin Executors of this my last will and testament   In Witness whereof I Elias Gwin the testator leave to this my
         will written on one Sheet of paper Set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
         and forty five                                                                                                                                     his
                                                                                                                                               Elias    R    Gwin                Seal
                                                                                                      mark
Signed Sealed and delivered in the
presents of us who have Subscribed in
the presents of Each other
         William Weatherford Sen^dWilliam Gwin
       Alexander Gwin
     John W. Gwin
   James Gwin

23.01--Rebecca Gwin, b. 15 Jan 1808 in TN; d. 21 Jul 1898 in Macoupin Co., IL; bd. in Wheeler Cem., Gillespie, Macoupin Co., IL--FAG mem.# 53798250; m1. William Little (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.); m2. James Parker Pearson (b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.); at least two ch.;

[listed as Rebecca Little in the 1840 census of Macoupin Co., IL, with 1 male 5-9 and one female 5-9]

24.01--son Little, b. 1831-1835, according to the 1840 census, above; d. unk.; bd, unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as male, 5-9, lvg. with Rebecca Little in the 1840 census of Macoupin Co., IL]

24.02--Margaret H. Little, b. 1835; d. 1888; bd. unk.; m. Mr. Mabery; unk. ch.;

[listed as female, 5-9, lvg. with Rebecca Little in the 1840 census of Macoupin Co., IL]

Rebecca Gwin Little, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m2. James P. Pearson (); at least one ch.
24.02--Tabitha Pearson, b. 16 Sep 1850 in Macoupin Co., IL; d. 16 Feb 1857 in Macoupin Co., IL, age 6 y 5 m; bd. in Wheeler Cem., Gillespie, Macoupin Co., IL--FAG mem.# 53798252; m. never; no ch.;

23.02--Sarah A. Gwin, b. 1810; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[listed as Sarah A. Gwin, 40, b. TN, in the 29 Nov 1850 census of Macoupin Co., IL]

[John M. Gwin Note: Sarah shows up in the 1850 census living with Elias, but when I first saw her there, it was unclear to me whether she was his wife, daughter, or (perhaps widowed) daughter-in-law. I listed her here as his daughter until I knew for sure, since her age fits--two years younger than Rebecca, two years older than William. And now we know from Elias' will that this is correct.]

23.03--William Gwin, b. 1812 in TN; d. 23 Sep 1857 in IL; bd. in Wheeler Cem., Gillespie, Macoupin Co., IL--FAG mem.# 53798167; m. Malinda Jane Kilpatrick (b. 1812; d. 28 Jan 1852; bd. in Wheeler Cem., Gillespie, Macoupin Co., IL--FAG mem.# 53798164); at least one ch.;

24.01--James H. Gwin, b. 25 Dec 1835 in Macoupin Co., IL; d. 16 Jun 1910 in Crawford Co., KS; bd. Pleasant View Cem., Godfrey, Bourbon Co., KS--FAG mem.# 54562777; m. Oct 1857 Eliza/Mary Mabery (b. 6 Feb 1836 in IL; d. 16 Dec 1906 in Bourbon Co., KS;); at least six ch.;

[John M. Gwin Note: The following obituary is taken from James' good FindAGrave memorial:

OBITUARY--The Fort Scott Tribune, June 20, 1910, Page 6

        James H. Guin [Gwin] was born in Macoupin county, Ill., on December 23, 1835, and died at the home of his daughter in Crawford county, Kan., June 16, 1910, at the age of 76 years 2 months, 21 days. He was married to Eliza Mayberry October 1857.
        In 1861 he accepted Christ as his savior and became a member of the Methodist church, in which faith he continued until death. In 1866 he moved with his family to Kansas and located six miles south of this city, where he has since continued his residence. His life companion was called to the better world a few years ago. He leaves five children and several grandchildren to mourn their loss. The funeral service was conducted Sunday at 1 p.m. from the Pleasant View school house by Rev. L. G. Wood of the Brethren church.
        James Guin [Gwin] was well known throughout the county and was highly respected by all who knew him, which was evidenced by the large concourse of sympathizing friends who attended the funeral. He was a loyal citizen, a good neighbor, a kind father and a devoted Christian. May these characteristics be held in sacred memory to help and bless the living. His last request was that his grandsons act as pallbearers and bear his body to its resting place, which request was carried out in full, and interment was made at Pleasant View cemetery by the side of his companion.]

25.01--Elias Franklin "Frank" Gwin, b. 14 Sep 1860 in IL/US/US, d. 4 Oct 1927; bd. Olathe Cem., Olathe, Montrose Co., CO--FAG mem.# 25334344; m. Amelia Hannah Givens (b. 17 Jan 1862 in KY; d. 28 Jun 1904 in Montrose, CO; bd. Olathe Cem., Olathe, Montrose Co., CO; div?); at least 5 ch.;

[John M. Gwin Note: The following obituary is taken from Frank's good FindAGrave memorial:

OBITUARY: E. F. GWIN PASSES AWAY; WAS PIONEER

        Elias Franklin Gwin, well known and highly respected resident of Montrose, passed away at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning at Montrose hospital from pneumonia with which he had been ill about a week. He had not been in good health for some time, and the attack of the disease made rapid inroad upon his constitution.
        Deceased was 67 years and 20 days of age. He was born in Illinois and came to Montrose about 26 years ago, having lived here since.
        He is survived by the following children: Mrs. A. Toler of Hallett, Oklahoma; James Gwin of Hallet, Oklahoma; Dorothy Allison of Grand Junction; Ernest Gwin of Goble, Oregon; Dave Gwin of Los Angeles; Harvey Gwin of Montrose; Archie Gwin of Los Angeles; Mrs. Earl Hill of Riverside, Calif., and Mrs. Earl Cullins of Kansas City, Mo.
        Deceased was a member of various Masonic bodies, including Blue Lodge, Chapter Council, Commandery, and Shrine and had held offices in some of them. The Masons will have charge of the funeral with burial in Olathe Cemetery, beside his wife who passed away some years ago. Time of funeral will be announced later upon receipt of word from the children who are of a distance.

IMPRESSIVE SERVICE FOR LATE E. F. GWIN

        Amidst a profusion of most beautiful flowers and floral offerings that surrounded the casket, the funeral services for the late E. Frank Gwin were conducted from the Pond chapel at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. The chapel was filled with sorrowing friends and members of the Masonic Lodge of Montrose, who attended in a body, together with an uniformed escort of eight Knights Templar, of which deceased was a member.
        Rev. Lester C. Pritchett of the Congregational church gave a most comforting message surrounding the thought "I shall be satisfied when I awake in His likeness." Ralph Vota sang two songs, accompanied by Loyde Hillyer, "Wonderful Peace" and "When I Go Home".
        A concourse followed the remains to their burial place in the Olathe Cemetery where the Masonic burial service was carried out. The Knights Templar acted as an escort for the body.
        Children of the deceased present were: Harvey K. Gwin, Montrose; J. P. Gwin and Mrs. A. Toler of Hallett, Okla., Mrs. Dorothy Allison of Grand Junction, and Mrs. Naomi Cullins, Kansas City.
        The bearers were brothers of the Masonic Lodge, W.D. Jay, W. L. Perkins, H.W. Wottring, J.F. Krebs, George W. Martin and W. L. White.
        Deceased had been an active man in the affairs of Montrose since he moved his family here twenty-six years ago. The father of a large family, he reared them to fine manhood and womanhood in this area, and they are now out in various parts of the country, taking their places in the affairs of life, all respected and honored in their respective communities. Frank Gwin followed various pursuits here and was at the time engaged in the mercantile business here. He was a splendid citizen and friend, that friendship being attested by the out-pouring to pay last respects in his memory. Quiet, jovial, always attending to his own business, he never meddled in the affairs of others, finding so much good in everybody that he could always be heard extolling their virtues rather than giving voice to their frailities.
        He was an ardent Mason--he lived the beautiful teachings emanating from the lodge room. Any man who follows out the precepts taught by the society in which he holds membership and does his best to live them, is bound to be a good citizen. This Frank Gwin did, and for his excellent virtue he will ever be remembered by his brothers and friends most tenderly.
        To his children the sympathy of this community is extended.]

26.01--Charlotte Jane "Lottie" Gwin, b. 9 Dec 1878 in KS/IL/KY; d. 13 Oct 1936 in Pawnee Co., OK; bd. Bethany Cem., Hallett, Pawnee Co., OK--FAG mem. #28712838; m1. Dudley E. Osborn (); m2. Absalom Vandorn Toler (); at least two ch.;

[Note from Lottie's FAG memorial builder: Lottie Jane was shot and killed by her second husband in Pawnee County, OK. He was sent to Eastern State Mental Hospital in Vinita.]

27.01--Archie Franklin Osborn, b. 1897; d. 1978; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

27.02--Dorothy Alameda Osborn, b. 1909; d. 1984; bd. unk.; m. Mr. Huff (); unk. ch.;

26.02-- James Peyton Gwin, b. 1881 in KS/IL/KY; d. 1969; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.03-- Ernest Gwin, b. unk. in KS/IL/KY; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.04-- Dave Gwin, b. unk. in KS/IL/KY; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.05--Dorothy F. Gwin, b. ca. 1886 in KS/IL/KY; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m1. William G. Hewitt (b. ca. 1870 in IL/Scotland/England); no ch. reported in four years in the 1910 census; m2. Mr. Allison (); unk. ch. of unk. total;

26.06--Clarence Harvey "Harvey" Gwin, b. ca. 1892 in KS/IL/KY; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.

26.07--Archie Alexander Gwin, b. ca. 1894 in OK/IL/KY; d. 9 Dec 1983 in Lemon Grove, CA; bd. CA; m1. Laura Violet (nee unk.; b. 1893; d. 1914 in Montrose, CO; bd. Montrose Co., CO); at least one ch. of at least two total; m2. Gladys (nee unk.); at least one ch. of at least two total;
27.01--Gwin

AA Gwin m2. Gladys (nee unk.)

27.02--Gwin
26.08--Hester M. Gwin, b. ca. 1897 in OK/IL/KY; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. Earl Hill (); unk. ch.

26.09--Emma Naomi Gwin, b. 15 Jul 1901 in KS/IL/KY; d. 8 Dec 1991 in Fresno, CA; bd. unk.; SS#556248447; m. 18 Jan 1923 in Montrose, Montrose Co., CO, to Mr. Earl Cullins (); unk. ch.;

26.10--Homer H. Gwin, b. 20 Jun 1904 in Montrose, CO/IL/KY; d. 1906; bd. unk.; m. never; no ch.

25.02--Arena Frances "Rena" Gwin, b. 1866 in Macoupin Co., IL; d. 1931 in Crawford Co., KS; bd. Girard Cem., Crawford Co., KS--FAG Mem.# 75000471; m. 3 Aug 1883 to Manford K. "Manfred" Evans (); div. betw. 1915 and 1920; at least 11 ch.;

26.01--Frank Elvis Evans, b. 1884; d. 1942; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.02--James E. Evans, b. 1886; d. 1964; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.03--Bert Lee Evans, b. 1888; d. 1959; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.04--Minnie Evans, b. 1891; d. 1936; bd. unk.; m. Mr. Ritter (); unk. ch.;

26.05--Guy Evans, b. 1893; d. 1947; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.06--Charles Dudley "Charlie" Evans, b. 1896; d. 1968; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.07--Nettie Evans, b. 1897; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.08--Melvin Louis "Lewis" Evans, b. 1897; d. 1982; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.09--Clark C. Evans, b. 1901; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.10--Ralph Evans, b. 1905; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

26.11--Theo Edwin Leon Evans, b. 1908; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

25.03--John W. Gwin, b. 1869; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

25.04--Sarah Elizabeth Gwin, b. 28 Nov 1871 in Bourbon Co., KS; d. 27 Sep 1928 in Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., KS; bd. Evergreen Cem., Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., KS--FAG Mem.# 75118835; m1. Thedore C. Stroud (b. 1 Feb 1870; d. 22 Mar 1948; bd. unk.; brother of Sarah Rhoda Stroud who married Elias Gwin); m2. ; m3. 1915 to John Henry Meyer (b. 1870; d. 1926; bd. unk.); unk. ch.;

[John M. Gwin Note: Sarah's obituary is copied here from her good FindAGrave memorial:
OBITUARY, Fort Scott Tribune, Thursday, Sept. 27, 1928
DEATH OF MRS. MEYERS

Passed Away at Mercy Hospital

This Morning--Had Been Ill Two Years--Funeral Tomorrow at 2
        Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Meyers of 623 South Barbee passed away at Mercy Hospital this morning at 4 o'clock, following an illness covering a period of two years. The cause of death was paralysis. The deceased was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Gwin of the Godfrey neighborhood, pioneer settlers, for whom the Gwin schoolhouse was named and which stands on the old homestead.
        Mrs. Meyers was the wife of John Henry Meyers who died November 2, 1926.   She leaves the following relatives: James H. Joseph of Chaflin, Kas, and Carl Stroud of Standbury Mo., children; E. F. Gwin of Colorado and Lewis Gwin of El Dorado, Kas., brothers; and one sister, Mrs. Rena Evans of Radley, Kas., all of whom will attend the funeral. Also the deceased leaves one granddaughter and three grandsons. One daughter, Mrs. Blanche Fetters, is deceased.]

25.05--Lewis Gwin, b. 8 Apr 1873 in Fort Scott, Bourbon co., KS; d. 8 Mar 1951 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO; bd. Mem. Pk. Cem., Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO--FAG mem.# 164163844; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

25.06--Lee Gwin, b. Jun 1876 in KS; d. 11 May 1933 in El Dorado, Butler Co., KS, ca. age 57; bd. in Evergreen Cem., Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., KS--FAG mem.# 118181256; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

[John M. Gwin Note: Lee's obituary is copied here from his good FindAGrave memorial:

GWIN, LEE--Funeral services for Lee Gwin, 407 South Alleghany Street, who died here yesterday, will be held at the Byrd Funeral Home tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock with Rev. Fred W. Condit, pastor of the Christian Church, officiating.
        The body will be taken to Fort Scott after the services here where short services will be held tomorrow afternoon. Pallbearers will be L. R. Bell, Carrol Chalfant, George Cox, Lawrence Webster, O. L. Palmer and Luther Lewis. Interment will be made in the Evergreen Cemetery at Fort Scott. (El Dorado Times, Friday, May 12, 1933)

GWIN, LEE--Funeral services for Lee Gwin, who died here Thursday, were held at the Byrd Funeral Home this morning with Rev. Fred W. Condit, pastor of the Christian Church officiating.
        A large group of friends and relatives were present to pay its last respects to the El Doradoan, and a large floral offering filled the chapel of the funeral home with its fragrance.
        A mixed quartet, composed of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Morris, Miss Elsie Ow, and C. W. Harvey, sang "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and "Face to Face" accompanied by Mrs. I. R. Ferguson. Pallbearers were L. R. Bell, Carrol Chalfant, George Cox, Lawrence Webster, O. L. Palmer and Luther Lewis.
        The body was taken to Fort Scott immediately after the services here where short funeral services were to be held this afternoon. Interment was to be made in the Evergreen Cemetery there. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, May 13, 1933)]

23.04--James Gwin, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

23.05--Alexander Gwin, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

23.06--Tabitha Gwin, b. 1813; d. 1848; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

23.07--John W. Gwin, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

23.08--Fanny Gwin, b. unk.; d. unk.; bd. unk.; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

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These are families who are ready to fit into
the outline at some unknown-as-yet point.

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From the 1 Mar 1895 Kansas State census of Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., KS:
Elias Gwin, 55, b. ca. 1840; his wife, Sarah Gwin, 52; and their son, William J. Gwin, 18.
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From his 1 Jul 1863 Civil War Draft Registration Record:
Elias Gwin, 21 (b. ca. 1842 in IL), single, resides in Gillespie, Macoupin Co., IL

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From his 23 Sep 1901 death date on FindAGrave plus his wife's and two kids':

Elias Gwin, b. 11 Jan 1840 in KY; d. 23 Sep 1901 in Bourbon Co., KS, "aged 61 Ys, 9 Ms, 12 Ds; bd. Pleasant View Cem., Godfrey, Bourbon Co., KS--FAG mem.# 54562698; m. 1863 to Sarah Rhoda Stroud (b. 1843 in KY, d/o James W. Stroud and Orleann Cordelia Givens; d. 31 Oct 1926; bd. Pleasant View Cem., Godfrey, Bourbon Co., KS--FAG mem.# 54562727); two known ch.

Elizabeth Ann Gwin, b. 1866; d. 1936; bd. unk.; m. Mr. Mitzner (); unk. ch.;
James William Gwin, b. 1876; d. 1948; bd. unk; m. unk.; unk. ch.;

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my Sister Sally Patton

my daughters Sally and Fanny
my children
Rebecca Little
Sally Gwin
William Gwin

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The following is taken from our gwingenealogy.net page for
William Gwin who married Susannah Beard.
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12. 16 Oct 1850--Cousin Mike Walker found a William Gwin (whom we once believed POSSIBLY, MAYBE, SPECULATIVELY, IN THEORY, COULD have been the son of our William and Susanna--but we were wrong) in the 1850 census of Macoupin Co., Illinois. [John M. Gwin Note: A photo of the 1850 census page where Cousin Mike Walker found this William is located several clicks below. Mike suggested (and I concurred) that the William on line 37 could have been the firstborn son of William and Susanna for at least the following six reasons:

(1) his age, 38, was right, according to the above-referenced 1830 census;
(2) his name was right (e.g., to be a "William, Jr.");
(3) his state of birth, Tennessee, was right;
(4) his current place of residence would make sense if, for example, he had decided to "agree with Grandpa Isham and move north to avoid his dad's (and uncle John's) attraction to slavery;
(5) his children's places of birth all fit; and
(6) we still didn't yet know if Darlene Almer's information was correct (i.e., that this William came from North Carolina and is the son of Elias Gwin, which data, she had told me on 20 Jan 2007, was given to her by the Weatherford family). Of course, if the Weatherfords were right--and they were--then Mike's theory would be moot--it was--and we're back to square one in the search for this son of of William and Susanna Gwin. But Darlene wasn't sure there was any hard documentation for this William being Elias' son, so the theory still stood while she investigated her material further.

There were indeed, however, at least three items that seemed to support Darlene's information:

(1) the Weatherford family must have had some good reasons for their claims and should get the benefit of the doubt;
(2) the name of William's and Jane's son is Elias, making him named for his grandfather; and
(3) the presence of the George Gwin family two doors away from this William; that close proximity suggests that George and William were related, yet we had no idea who these people were; their places of birth didn't fit our theory; they fit nowhere in our William's family but clearly could fit Darlene's.

Nevertheless, Mike's theory seemed plausible to me, and I thought we should continue to pursue it. Meanwhile, I transcribed the GWIN entries on the following page from that

16 Oct 1850 U.S. Census of Macoupin Co., IL,

to allow web searchers to find these names.]

*Res/Fam*	*First Name*	*Last Name*	*Age*	*Est* *YOB*	*Sex*	*Occ*	*Value of* *Real Estate*	*POB*	*Other*	*John Gwin's Comments*
5/5	George	Gwin	62	1788	m	farmer	.	Va	.	This person is currently unknown to us; however, because he is two houses away from this William Gwin, he is most likely a relative.
	Laney	Gwin	52	1798	f	.	.	Ten	.	This person is currently unknown to us.
	Rachael	Gwin	23	1827	f	.	.	Ind	CNROW	The "Other" data is for "Can Not Read Or Write."
	Nancy	Gwin	11	1839	f	.	.	Ind	.	.
	George L.	Gwin	8	1842	m	.	.	Ind	.	.
7/7	William	Gwin	38	1812	m	farmer	620	Ten	CNROW	This is the William Gwin (Jr.--if Mike's right) whom Mike Walker has theorized could be the son of William and Susanna Gwin (and grandson of Isham and Mary C. Gwin) as explained above. His estimated year of birth, 1812, is the same year John Gwin and Jane Walker married and the year before our William and Susanna (theoretical parents to this William) joined the Miller's Cove Baptist Church (see item #3 above).
	Jane M.	Gwin	37	1813	f	.	.	NC	CNROW	Jane evidently married William in the early 1830's, no doubt in Alabama (as per her children's POB). If Rebecca is their firstborn, Jane would've been about 20 when Rebecca was born and therefore about 19 when she and William married (ca. 1832).
	Rebecca L.	Gwin	17	1833	f	.	.	Ala	ASWTY	That this daughter is born in Alabama lends further credence to Mike's theory, since William and Susanna are in Alabama for the 1820 and 1820 censuses. The "Other" data is "Attended School Within The Year."
	James H.	Gwin	13	1837	m	.	.	Ill	ASWTY	That he is born in Illinois means--if Mike's theory is correct--that William and Jane moved their family north to Illinois between 1833 and 1837. The following is no doubt he in the 1880 census, the only questionable item being his mother's POB: Name: James H. Gwin Age: 44 Estimated birth year: abt 1836 Birthplace: Illinois Occupation: Farmer Relationship to head-of-household: Self Home in 1880: Drywood, Bourbon, Kansas Marital status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Spouse's name: Eliza Gwin Father's birthplace: TN Mother's birthplace: AL The "Other" data is "Attended School Within The Year."
	Elias	Gwin	8	1842	m	.	.	Ill	ASWTY	The following is no doubt he in the 1880 census, the only questionable item being his mother's POB: The "Other" data is "Attended School Within The Year."
	Tabby	Gwin	6	1844	f			Ill	ASWTY	These two were at the top of the following page and were not included in the photo. I found them when I looked at the census records in March 2019.
	William F.	Gwin	4	1846	m			Ill	ASWTY	These two were at the top of the following page and were not included in the photo. I found them when I looked at the census records in March 2019.

Gwins Listed in the 1880 Census of Drywood, Bourbon Co., KS

Ref.
No.

Res/Fam

First Name

Last Name

Sex

Relat
to HoH

Mar.
Stat.

Race

Occ.

Age

Est
YOB

POB

Father's
POB

Mother's
POB

John Gwin's Comments

unk/unk

James H.

Gwin

self

farmer

1836

I believe this could be the older son of the William Gwin (Jr.) who appears in Macoupin Co., IL, in 1850.

And voila, the 6 Jul 1860 census results of Twp. 9, Rg. 7, Macoupin Co., IL, seem to confirm this:

James H. and Eliza, both age 24, are living at #639/655.

Searching the 1875 Kansas State Census Collection on Ancestry.com, I've found a J. H. Gwin family living in Drywood, Bourbon Co., KS--who clearly must be this same person--as follows:

J. H. Gwin, 39, m, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;
E. Gwin, 39, f, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;
E. F. Gwin, 14, m, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;
I. F. Gwin, 10, f, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;
S. E. Gwin, 4, f, w, b. KS;
Lewis Gwin, 2, m, w, b. KS;
Oct Gwin, 17, f, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;

Eliza

Gwin

wife

keeping house

1836

E. Gwin, 39, f, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;

Arrena

Gwin

dau

at school

1866

I. F. Gwin, 10, f, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;

Sarah E.

Gwin

dau

at school

1871

S. E. Gwin, 4, f, w, b. KS;

Lewis

Gwin

son

at school

1873

Lewis Gwin, 2, m, w, b. KS;

Lee

Gwin

son

1877

Octavia

Gwin

SOTADR

works out

1856

Oct Gwin, 17, f, w, b. IL, moved to KS fr. IL;

unk/unk

Elias

Gwin

self

farming

1840

I believe this could be the younger son of the William Gwin (Jr.) who appears in Macoupin Co., IL, in 1850.

Sarah R.

Gwin

wife

keeping house

1843

Ida A.

Gwin

dau

at school

1864

Her POB places their move to KS between 1864 and 1867.

Elizabeth A.

Gwin

dau

at school

1867

Her POB places their move to KS between 1864 and 1867.

Nancy J.

Gwin

dau

at school

1870

Cora

Gwin

dau

at school

1872

James W.

Gwin

son

1877

Jim and Mike, we need to search for this person in later censuses.

Allen A.

Gwin

son

1879

Jim and Mike, we need to search for this person in later censuses.

unk/unk

Elias F.

Gwin

self

works
on farm

1861

I believe this to be the son and firstborn child of Elias Gwin who appears in this table, line 8 above. The only discrepancy is the POB of his mother--IL rather than KY.

Elizabeth

Gwin

wife

keeps house

1862

Nothing further known or speculated.

Lottie

Gwin

dau

1879

	Copy of the actual page from this 1850 census of the above Macoupin County, IL, question.
		The unknown George Gwin--b. ca. 1788 in VA-- family appears here as family no. 5. The fact that George was born in Virginia lends further credence to our current theory, that George is related to our Isham Gwin and to George Holmes Gwin, both from Virginia. It is this William Gwin family no. 7 that is in question: Is he the son of William and Susannah Beard Gwin, [NO] or is he the son of Elias Gwin? [YES]