Re: James Kilgore-Elizabeth Jack/Jacque
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In reply to:
James Kilgore-Elizabeth Jack/Jacque
Spencer Coffey 1/16/13
Hello Spencer,
I am a descendent of James Kilgore of Cumberland County, and am aware of the controversy over Elizabeth.I have viewed all the early Kilgore documents available at the Cumberland County Courthouse and historical society.While there is no record of James Kilgore's marriage, signatories of the various wills, etc. do make clear the connection with the Jack family, while there is no documented connection with the Baskins family.At the time of her death, Elizabeth was a member of the Big Spring congregation in Newville.
The most thorough genealogist of the Jack family in the U.S., Lee Hastings, agrees that Elizabeth Jack, daughter of James Jack, was the wife of James Kilgore and mother of all his children.He reports this Jack family to be of Huguenot origin, hence the earlier name Jacques.The Jack family genealogy is often reported based on the stories in JV Thompson's journals, which are fascinating narratives, and which I have also read, but they are also family stories unsubstantiated by documents.That Jack genealogy is now known to have been written by Anjou, who created many unsubstantiated and inaccurate genealogies, so the information, particularly regarding European origins, is considered incorrect until supported by documentation.
Other commonly written 'facts' about the Cumberland County Kilgore brothers are that James, husband of Elizabeth, had a middle name William.This does not appear on any of the original documents.It is also often given that he and his two brother, Charles and Samuel, emigrated with their father, John Kilgore, whose death is documented in Chester County.The extant documents support that Charles, Samuel and James were brothers.I have viewed the only record available on John Kilgore, who did die as reported in Chester County.The names of James, Charles and Samuel do not appear on that document, nor does John Kilgore appear on the Cumberland County documents.So if he was connected to the 3 brothers, there is no evidence.There is also no evidence to support additional brothers.
I have been away from this research for quite awhile.I hope this is helpful.
Ann