General Notes

Some researchers have Benjamin's middle name as Perry, instead of Jones.  He obviously was named after his maternal grandfather, Benjamin Jones.  The following is a note from a long-time Gilreath researcher:  "When I first began my family research everyone believed that Benjamin Perry Gilreath was a Junior. This premise was further extended to a point where it was believed that the older Benjamin Gilreath's middle name (believed to be Perry)was taken from his mother's maiden name.

About 15 years ago, I sent off to obtain a copy of the will of the older Benjamin Gilreath's brother, William. On this 1828 will, I discovered that Benjamin witnessed this will using a middle initial "J". By this time I already knew that Benjamin's mother's maiden name was Jones, not Perry. I had no problem speculating that the "J" stood for Jones.

At this time, I have yet to see a SINGLE, additional, document to support this theory. I do, however, feel comfortable in my belief based on the following:

1. that Johanna was a Jones, her fathers name was Benjamin;
2. Scotish, English, Welsh, etc., traditions were probably followed by John when naming his sons. He named his oldest son after his father and his second son after his father in law;
3. that John's daughter, Susanna Jacoway, named a son Benjamin Jones Jacoway. I believe Susanna was trying to honor, her brother (not her grandfather). Susannah was very close in age with her brother Benjamin and neither was was born early enough to have known their grandfather. Benjamin Jones died in 1776 while Susanna and Benjamin Gilreath were both born in the mid 1780s. Besides, the Jacoway's were the first to arrive in Whitley County and followed (later) by Benjamin, his brothers William and Gideon as well as his sister, Nancy." -- Melvin Gilreath

Benjamin died in Whitley County, Ky. in 1864 and is buried at the Pleasant Run Methodist Church Cemetery. Benjamin and Mary were the parents of 4 sons and 5 daughters. All his sons remained in the Whitley County area and their names were:
John S
son Benjamin - killed in Battle of Atlanta (Union Soldier)
son James L - Union Soldier
William Wesley - (TN) Union Soldier
Gideon - died as a youth
Benjamin Perry - (TN) Union Soldier

Benjamin's will leaves the majority of his estate to 2 sons-in-law with the remaining children to receive one dollar each. William (and Elizabeth) Kidd along with John S (and Martha) Davis were recipients of the largest portion. John Davis was named as the executor while William Kidd was one of the two witnesses for Benjamin's will which bore only his mark (X).
The remaining children were listed as:
John S Anna Manning
Hannah Watkins Susannah Stephens
William Wesley Benjamin Perry

Both Benjamin and Mary are buried at the Pleasant Run Methodist Church Cemetery in McCreary County, Ky. All of the Gilreaths currently living in the McCreary/Whitley County area are descendants of Benjamin and Mary.

The Will of Benjamin Perry (J?) Gilreath - Will Bk. 3, pages 3,4 Whitley Co., Ky.
Will is dated 16 May 1863, proved Jan 8, 1864. Wm. Kidd(Elizabeth's husband) and John Davis(Martha's husband) were sons-in-law.

In The name of God Amen I Benjamin Gilreath of the county of Whitley and State of Kentucky being in perfect sense and memory though weak in Body and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and knowing that my worldy effects may in a moment go to those not Deserving I do hereby make this my last will and testament in a manner as following to wit in the first place I give and bequeath my sole to god who gave it hoping through the merrits of Jesus Christ my redeemer that he will rasen both soul and body unto thee mention of eternity & glory Item I give and bequeath unto Willaim Kidd & John S. Davis there heirs and asigns forever a certain tract of land lying in Whitley County on the waters of Marsh Creek & Pleasant Run occupied at this time by Benjamin P Gilreath containing Two Hundred acres by Survey the condit