GILLESPIE-L Archives
Archiver > GILLESPIE > 2000-12 > 0978236712
From: <>
Subject: [GILLESPIE] Re: Cornelius and John Gillespie 1740 - 1835 , Washington Co, PA
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2000 23:25:12 EST
Dear Mary Louise,
What a wonderful surprise to see your message. I am a descendant of
Neal(Cornelius) GILLESPIE of Indian Hill, Brownsville, Fayette Co., PA and
his wife, Eleanor DOHERTY. My great-great-great grandfather left a letter
containing the following information on this couple:
Neal GILLESPIE was a poor laborer born circa 1740 Argyll, Scotland who went
to Ireland to work on the estate of "The Lord of Innishowen." He and " the
daughter of the Lord", Eleanor DOHERTY fell in love and eloped with her
father's agents in hot pursuit. They went first to New Castle, DE and soon
after that to the Pennsylvania frontier in present day Fayette Co. Neal
started a business supplying settlers who were going down the Ohio River and
made a fortune. He built a beautiful home on the banks of the Monongahela
known as "Eleanors Castle" which still stands. Neal , a Protestant and
Eleanor, a Catholic kept their respective religions and left choice of
religion to their eight children. Four of the children were Catholic and four
Protestant. "Religion never divided them." A great-grandson, James Gillespie
BLAINE was a U.S Senator from Maine and ran against Grover Cleveland for
President of the U.S. Neal also participated in the famous Whiskey Rebellion
in W. PA. The Gillespies were said to be "refined, musical, and active in
local affairs in PA". I am descended from Neal and Eleanor's son, John and
his wife Abigail(Lewellen) Tibbs. I have a great deal on their descendants.
Until your posting I had no clue as to Neal GILLESPIE's parents. Could you
send me what your have on David GILLESPIE, his wife, ancestors, and specific
location in Scotland. Happy to share what I have.
I visited Clonmany, Donegal last summer and found further information from a
local historian indicating Eleanor Doherty's father was John/Sean Doherty a
descendant of the "royal" O'Doherty line. The family was Catholic, landowners
and lived in the Straid area just outside present Clonmany Village. The
family built "Glen House" in Straid in 1766. It has been recently renovated
as a B&B. I was (by chance) staying there when I learned of the family
connection! I am awaiting further information from Donegal on the Dohertys.
Nicole May
In a message dated 12/28/2000 4:01:42 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
<< Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 10:39:50 +0300
From: "alotaibi" <>
Subject: [GILLESPIE]
I am researching John Gillespie, born 1766, wife Margaret Chadwick, with
children David (b. 1787), Mary (b.1790), Elizabeth and Christopher. There
may be another son Samuel, and other siblings. This family moved to
Kittanning, Armstrong Co, PA around 1801. Their immigration from Ireland was
in 1795. John's brother Cornelius or Neal Gillespie bought Indian Hill Farm
in West Brownsville, PA. in 1784.
I'm particularly looking for descendants of Elizabeth and Christopher. I
have information to share on David and Mary's descendants. A Bible record has
John and Cornelius' father as David Gillespie. I'd love to hear from anyone
researching this family.
aaaaaaamary Louise Gillespie
>>
This thread: