Francis Gholson (1787-1849)

In progress.

Attempting to document the known facts about Francis Gholson who died in Russellville, AL in 1849.

Born Jun 9, 1787 and died 5 Nov 1849 (from his gravestone)
I believe his gravestone says he came from Botetourt Co., VA?

"Personal slave" Abishai Gholson (and wife) buried next to him.

Listed as a Justice of the Peace in Franklin County, 1820 --200 Years at Muscle Shoals

August 1824 -- Appeared in orphan's cort, Franklin Co. AL.  Francis Gholson and Joseph Jame--- vs. the Heirs of Margaret ---son, deceased (scan of this page is incomplete; the missing name is likely Jameson in both cases.).

1827 Divorce case (what does this mean?):
Mr. Sargent presented the record and proceedings of the circuit court of Franklin county, exercising chancery jurisdiction in the case of Jane Gholson against John Gholson, Francis Gholson, and Joseph Jamison, for divorce; which was read and referred to the committee on divorce and alimony. --http://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/history/acts_and_journals/1827/house-journal/Nov_29.html

1830, 1840 census, residence in Franklin County AL.

http://acumen.lib.ua.edu/u0003/0000555/9730537
Gholson Genealogy compiled by James M. Black
in the Pauline Gandrud Papers at the U. of Alabama
"Francis Gholson, probably a son of William Gholson who was in Madison Co, Ky in 1800....Francis Gholson was ...married on May 25, 1807 to Susanna Brown."
This document lists children
General Samuel Jameson Gholson (b. 1808 Madison Co. KY)
Mary A. Gholson m. Oran Sargent
William J. Gholson
Milton Gholson
6 others, names not known.


"Golsan...Gholston Families" book:
"probably a son of William Gholson who was in Madison Co. KY in 1800"
This information matches what is in the Ganrud papers.




A letter from James M. Black to Harvey G. Williams (1983) explains that the marriage record said Susanna Jameson with a line through the surname.  Mr. Black explains that he put "Brown" in the book but that it should have been Jameson.  Along with this, he presents the consent note from Samuel Jameson giving permission for the marriage of his daughter to Francis Gholson.
Also, a consent note from Mary Gholson permitting her son Francis to marry Susanna Jameson.  "This confirms the connections of Francis Gholson with his parents William Gholson Jr. and Mary Cross".

If Susanna Brown==Susanna Jameson, that ties Francis to Kentucky.  William Gholson II (1760-1843) was in Madison Co. Kentucky in 1800 so could be Francis' father.

General Samuel Jameson Gholson (CSA) was a cousin of William Yates Gholson of Virginia (son of Va. Congressman Thomas Gholson) and of Thomas Saunders Gholson (son of Maj. William Gholson) --Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography v. 2

I have a DNA match with the line Anthony (1695-1764) of Orange Co VA, William (1705-1795), Anthony (1733-1815 KY).


Other Francis Gholsons.
The Francis Gholson in IL was b. 1756 VA, d. 1825, son of Anthony and Elizabeth.