The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: SC
Qualifying Service: Private / Patriotic Service
Author: Frederick Arnold Weyler
Samuel Gilkey was born in Chester County PA about 1755 to Walter and Leah Gilkey. He married Elizabeth L____ in Union District, SC in 1786. Their children were Nancy, Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, Walter, Samuel Jr, William, Alfred, and Jane. Samuel Gilkey died in Union District SC in Jan1818.
In 1780, Gilkey joined the company of Captain John Thompson in Colonel Thomas Brandon’s Union District regiment. They fought and won the battles of Kings Mountain and Cowpens among other engagements.
Widow Elizabeth Gilkey applied for a pension in Winston County, MS 29Jul1844 (FPA R4019). The file shows that her application was rejected for lack of proof of service and proof of marriage. The file contains a few depositions supporting the claims of service and marriage. One from South Carolina Comptroller verified payment of £28.17.005 to Samuel Gilkey for service from the Fall of Charleston to the end of the war in Col. Thomas Brandon’s regiment. Alfred Gilkey, one of nine children from the marriage, is in the 1840 federal census records for Winston County. There is no record in the file that the widow ever received a pension payment.
Index: Death: Jan1818 State of Service: SC Birthplace: Chester Co PA Deathplace: Union District SC Citations: FPA R4019 The Patriots at Kings Mountain, Bobby Gilmer Moss Spouse: Elizabeth Children: Nancy, Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, Walter, Samuel Jr, William, Alfred, and Jane. Synopsis: Battles of Kings Mountain and Cowpens under Captain John Thompson in Colonel Thomas Brandon’s Union District SC regiment. Remarks: Widow was denied pension for failure to prove service and marriage.
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