Benjamin Bradford Gilmore

Benjamin Bradford Gilmore was born November 12, 1817, in Bedford County, Tennessee, the son of Samuel Gilmore and Margaret Wilson (Peggy) Doherty. When Benjamin was about 12 years old he emigrated with his family to Clay County, Missouri. They lived near the small community of Roosterville, north of Liberty, Missouri.

Benjamin married Louray Holmes, August 27, 1840, in Clinton County, Missouri. Evan Evans, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony. Louray was born circa 1820 in Missouri, the daughter of David Holmes and wife. Benjamin and Louray had four known children.

In 1851, Benjamin and Louray's son, William Taylor Holmes was born. According to Benjamin's 1905 obituary, Louray died in 1852. I wonder if she might have died in 1851 when their child, William, was born. Her burial site is not know, but could be the Doherty Cemetery. Benjamin was a widower with four children under eight years of age. Even today with all of our modern conveniences, day care, and other services, it would be a hardship. In those early days it was almost impossible for a man to carry on alone.

Benjamin Bradford Gilmore and Harriett Holmes

It was not unusual in those days for a widower to marry quite soon after the death of his wife. A pioneer farmer needed a wife to care for his children. This was true of Benjamin who had four children between one and eight years of age. It was also not at all unusual for an unmarried sister to marry her sister's widowed husband. After Louray's death, Benjamin married Harriett Holmes, Louray's younger sister. Harriett was born in Clay County, Missouri in about 1827. Benjamin and Harriet had three known children.

Between 1850-1860, Benjamin, Harriett and their family moved to Washington Township, DeKalb County, Missouri. Their neighbor is John Franklin Doherty, Benjamin's uncle. The Doherty and Gilmore children no doubt played together, went to school together and probably attended the same church. Benjamin and Louray's daughter, Nancy Gilmore, later married John Franklin Doherty's son, Hamilton.

According to Benjamin's obituary, Harriet (Holmes) Gilmore died April 5, 1892. Her burial site is not known. Benjamin Bradford Gilmore died May 4, 1905 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Haynes. He was buried at the Stewartsville Cemetery.

Descendants of Benjamin Bradford Gilmore

• 1 Benjamin Bradford Gilmore b: November 12, 1817 d: May 04, 1905

  . +Lenary (or Louray) Holmes b: 1820 d: 1852

  • 2 Frances Gilmore b: 1844

    2 Nancy Evelyn Gilmore b: April 08, 1846 d: June 28, 1932

    .... +Hamilton Bradford Doherty b: May 03, 1833 d: February 28, 1913

    2 Harriett Jane Gilmore b: 1848 d: 1924

    .... +Henry Haynes b: 1844 d: 1926

    2 W. Taylor Gilmore b: 1851 d: 1940

    .... +Eilizabeth b: 1853 d: 1917

• *2nd Wife of Benjamin Bradford Gilmore:

  . +Harriett Holmes b: 1827 d: April 05, 1892

  • 2 Alexander Hamilton Gilmore b: 1853

    2 Martha Ellen Gilmore b: 1857 d: 1936

    .... +Elisha Waugh A. Wills b: 1855 d: 1938

    2 Samuel D. Gilmore b: 1865

Back to David Holmes (1777), Joseph Holmes (1736) HOLMES

Nancy Evelyn Gilmore (1846) and Hamilton Bradford DOHERTY

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