I’ve got a bit of information on my g-g-g-grandfather, Tarlton Gillespie. No one, probably even Tarlton, could spell his name, first or last. I’ve seen it as Tarlton, Tarleton, and Tatton. I believe the prefered spelling is indeed Tarlton.

I know his wife was Mahala Reynolds, and I’ve documented quite a few of his children, including of course, my g-g-grandfather, Jeremiah Gillespie.

I know that Tarlton lived most of his life in Amherst, Virginia, and that he died there. He was married in Bedford, VA, but that was most probably where Mahala was from which is why it was recorded there. I know he owned property there.

What I don’t know, and it is one of my brick wall’s, is who were his parents. If he was indeed born in Amherst County around the year 1787, then it would have probably been one of George Gillespie’s sons that was his father. William was Kentucky, George and Lewis were most probably too young. That leaves Alexander and Sherod as the likely candidates. I’ve seen two marriage possibilities for Alexander, in 1792 and in 1798, so I think he is not a good candidate, so that lives Sherod.

One thing is curious about the man, and that is his name. Amherst, VA was full of men who fought for America’s freedom in the Revolutionary War, and that included Sherod and William. Their father, George, performed Patriotic Service. Tarlton’s Raiders, a group of British soldiers were known for wreaking havoc upon the Virginia’s in the area. In fact, they burned a lot of records, earning the scorn of many modern genealogists as well! Why would someone like Sherod name his son Tarlton? Especially in 1787, which was well after the War. Maybe he wasn’t Sherod’s son.

But he is my best theory right now. And the search goes on.