John C. Gilbert and his four children came to Missouri from Lincoln County, Kentucky(I believe in 1851). His wife had died in 1846. He had a land grant from the government as a result of his service in the War of 1812. This property was 40.87 acres located upon the north east quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 13; Township 45; Range 29, subject to sale at Clinton, Missouri. According to information I have, the claim was registered in 1853 or'54. He had previously (1851-52) purchased 81+ acres in Sec. 24, Twnshp45, Range 29 which was registered at the land office at Warsaw. By the time the civil war started, he had made several other land purchases in close proximity.
One of his sons(age 21) died October 8, 1857, and was interred on the family property. I don't know the cause of his death.
On August 1, 1862, the youngest living son, Washington Lee Gilbert, enlisted as a private in Company D, Sixteenth Missouri Infantry, Second Brigade, under Capatain David Baker. He was enlisted at Rose Hill by a Col. Lewis. "Wash" was 24 years of age, married, and had a 3 month old daughter at the time he enlisted.
Wash's sister, Sarah, and brother, Walter H., were working the farm and taking care of their father. Neither was married. I've never known any details, but family history says that Walter was killed by Union troops (he is also buried at what is now Gilbert Cemetery, a few miles south of Kingsville). Almost 9 months to the day after the "raid", Sarah had a son--Thomas Jackson Gilbert, who was my great-grandfather. I do not know exactly where the family's house was located on the property, nor whether it was damaged or destroyed. Everyone in the family who would have had even second-hand information is now deceased. And,an out-of-wedlock baby was something the family NEVER discussed!(Not even in the book!) John C. Gilbert died in 1868, and is also buried at the Gilbert Cemetery. Washington Lee (Wash) survived the war (I would like to know more about the movements of his unit), and came back to Johnson County. Evidently, life was not very comfortable for them there, and sometime after the father's death, they moved to St. Clair County, Missouri--settling east of Osceola on Bear Creek.
I am extremely proud of my ancestors' Southern heritage. I guess what I am seeking is a better understanding of what life was really like for them--both before and after the war. I found a mention of Wash's wife--Jane--in the State Archives Provost Marshal's Papers 1861-1866 (Index on-line), but haven't had a chance to follow up on it yet. I know that Wash spent some time in the C.S.A. hospital in Little Rock, and was paroled at Shreveport,La., on June 8, 1865. I know nothing of where his unit was between August, 1862, and June, 1865. So, I'm looking for a lot of information.
Thanks again, Bruce. Anything you can add will be greatly appreciated.
Maggie