Notes |
- On October 7, 1780 the foundation that would forever change the world was established. Fewer than one thousand American Heroes, through skill, luck, and the leadership of cunning strategists, defeated Patrick Ferguson, a brilliant star of the British military might. John Gilliland and his father-in-law, Robert Young were two of those Heroes.
Their participation in the Battle of King's Mountain was documented in the "The Patriots at Kings Mountain" by Bobby Gilmer Moss which, along with "King's Mountain And Its Heroes: History Of The Battle Of King's Mountain, October 7th, 1780, And The Events Which Led To It" by Lyman Copeland Draper, Anthony Allaire, and Isaac Shelby, has long been recognized as the definitive listing of the participants. From the Roster:
"Gilleland, John, , , , Col Sevier, wounded, blank first name on obelisk plaque (KK White spells Gilleland. WC surveyor spells Gilleland). Moved south of French Broad to the head of Pigeon River (Sugarlands entrance to GSMNP?)...
Young, Robert, under Col Sevier "I'll try and see what sweet lips can do."
The Daughters of the American Revolution have also documented their participation in the battle. The organization has designated John Gilliand, DAR Ancestor Number 044937, and Robert Young, DAR Ancestor Number 130210.
There are some mentions of the rifle named *Sweet Lips,* however. In one account highlighting the accuracy of the marksmen at King's Mountain, Robert Leckie (in George Washington's War: The Saga of the American Revolution) mentions, "As testimony to the accuracy of both sides, most of them were found to have one eye open and the other shut: they had been squinting over their sights when hit. One frontiersman, who carried the rifle called 'Sweet Lips,' recalled: 'I recollect I stood behind one tree and fired until the bark was nearly all knocked off, and my eyes pretty well filled up with it.'"[Reference online: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/3071/enlisted/kingsmtn.html, 6 Jan 2002]
In another reference to *Sweet Lips,* Lyman Draper, in his history of the King's Mountain heroes, says, "One of Col. Sevier's men, named Gililland, who had received several wounds, and was well nigh exhausted, seeing the advance of Ferguson and his part, attempted to arrest the career of the great leader, but his gun snapped, when he called out to Robert Young, of the same regiment: 'There's Ferguson! Shoot him.' 'I will try and see what Sweet Lips can do,' muttered Young, as he drew a sharp sight, discharging his rife, when Ferguson fell from his horse, and his associates were either killed or driven back. Several bullets had taken effect on Ferguson apparently at the same time, and a number claimed the honor of shooting Ferguson." [Reference online: http://www.starbase21.com/kybiog/jessamine/young.b.txt, 6 Jan 2002]
Robert Young was the father-in-law of a John Gilliland and fought with John at King's Mountain, "where John received several wounds. Robert Young was credited with killing Patrick Ferguson, the commander of the British forces at the Battle of King's Mountain." [Reference online: http://gwyddell.tripod.com/felch/PS02/PS02_059.htm, 6 Jan 2002]
"Sweet Lips: The Battle of King's Mountain"
Sung by Grandpa Jones
It was back in '81 that a man named Washington
Was fighting hard for freedom in this land,
But his men were poor and ragged,
And against the British gun,
Well, he didn't even dare to make a stand.
Old Ferguson was marching toward the Carolina hills,
Making brags he'd hang a man to every tree,
But the news that he was coming
Raced across the mountain tops,
And they heard about it over in Tennessee.
At the shoal of old Watauga, where the sycamores grow tall,
They rallied around ol' Nolichucky Jack,
And they said, "We'll drive the Redcoats
Back across the briny deep.
Yes, we'll lick 'em, or we're never coming back!"
There was Chucky Jack and Campbell, Colonel Shelby in their band,
Mountaineers who loved their liberty,
And a lovesick boy named Gillam
With a brand new rifle gun,
Named for his girl in Tennessee.
Sweet Lips was a rifle named for a girl in Tennessee.
When Sweet Lips spoke,
The chains that bound us broke.
She struck a mighty blow for liberty.
When they rode across the mountains onto Carolina soil,
The Tarheels with their muskets gathered 'round
To go and head off Ferguson
Before he got to them
To hang 'em all and burn their houses down.
When Ferguson heard the mountain men were camping on his trail,
He first began to laugh and then to scoff,
Said, "We'll go up on King's Mountain,
And then let the rebels come,
For the powers of Hell will never drive me off."
But Campbell and Ben Cleveland, Colonel Shelby, and their men,
And John Sevier ~ ol' Nolichucky Jack ~
Well, they loaded up their rifles,
And they climbed the mountainside,
Said, "We'll lick 'em, or we're never coming back!"
Oh, he blew his silver whistle, and he shouted and he cursed,
"Use your bayonets to drive the rebels back!"
But the Redcoats never made it,
For before they reached the line,
The mountain rifles jumped them in their tracks.
Sweet Lips was a rifle named for a girl in Tennessee.
When Sweet Lips spoke,
The chains that bound us broke.
She struck a mighty blow for liberty.
Ol' Ferguson was dashing up and down the battlefield,
And it seemed that he must lead a life of charm,
For the mountaineers were aiming
At his gaudy checkered coat,
But their bullets passed him by and did no harm.
Then up stepped young John Gillam with his brand new rifle gun,
Named for his girl back home. He said,
"Well, I wonder what Sweet Lips can do?"
And when he took his aim,
Sweet Lips spoke, and Ferguson fell dead.
Cornwallis heard that Ferguson and all his men were lost,
And he said, "This place is just too hot for me."
So he soon went off to Yorktown,
Where he laid his weapons down,
And ever since this country has been free.
Sweet Lips was a rifle named for a girl in Tennessee.
When Sweet Lips spoke,
The chains that bound us broke.
She's gone and did her part for liberty.
John Gilliland was the son of Irish immigrants John Gilliland, DAR Ancestor Number A044939, and Hester Rome Romar. He married Elizabeth Young in 1770. They had several children, including:
Robert Young Gilliland
John Gilliland
Priscilla Gilliland
Mary Gilliland
Abel Gilliland
Elijah Eli Gilliland
Mary Gilliland
Harvey Gilliland
Isaac Gilliland
Josiah Gilliland
A contributor to ancestry.com submitted the will of John Gilliland:
From 1792-1810 Jefferson County Will Book#1, written March 26, 1795. John Gilliland, of the County of Jefferson Territory of the US south of the Ohio River. To wife Elizabeth Gilliland all and every part of my household furniture and 1/3 of stock, rents and support for the tuition of those children who are of non-age: To son, Robert, 60 pounds out of revenue; To son, John Jr., the island at the upper end of the premises; To son James, all my wearing apparel over and above his portion; To daughter Priscilla, my son James, my daughter Mary, My son Abel, my son Harvey, my son Isaac, my son Eli, my son Josiah, all and every part and tract of my land except John's part, equally divided. Joseph Hamilton and John McNabb or John Gilliland Jr. to draw lots for the portions. To grandson, John Welch, 100 dollars for education, provfiding he lives with the family until the executors shall chuse. Jos. Hamilton and John Gilliland executors...Witnesses, Jos. Robinson, John McNabb and John Neitherton.
Page 260-61 Jos Hamilton and John McNabb exrs. We, Jos. Hamilton and John McNabb, two of the persons appointed by the last will and testament of John Gilliland, Deceased, to nominate and appoint two disinterested persons for the purpose of dividing the lands belonging to the estate of said John Gilliland, do appoint John Shields and Samuel Jack for that purpose. Given our hands this 27th day of March 1799. We, John Shields and Samuel Jack, do certify that the lot drew for Priscilla Welch alias Priscilla Gilliland and devisees of the estate of John Gilliland was lot #2.
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Some sources state that John Gilliland was buried in Fort Wear, Jefferson County, Tennessee (See Find A Grave Memorial# 7871962). While the actual burial site of John Gilliland remains unknown, there is a cenotaph honoring them in the Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden. (Robert Young is buried in the Young Cemetery in Washington County, TN, Find A Grave Memorial# 5126562.) May this memorial serve as an expression of the gratitude we owe John Gilliland and Robert Young for risking their lives and braving the unknown to help build a new country: our America.
Family links:
Parents:
John Gilliland (1708 - 1790)
Spouse:
Elizabeth Young Gilliland (1753 - 1795)*
Children:
Mary Gilliland Wear (1779 - 1840)*
Siblings:
John Gilliland (1725 - 1798)
Thomas Gilliland (1735 - 1800)*
Jane Gilliland Shields (1764 - 1849)*
Burial:
Cantrell Gilliand Memorial Garden
Wetumpka
Elmore County
Alabama, USA
findagrave
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