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Interesting guy, Israel Gilman.

I have an Israel Gilman married to Abigail Morrison, daughter Betsey is married to Simeon Smith Sr. It seems plausible that Abigail was married more than once - thus the 2 names. We would have to verify that hypothesis.

If this is your guy, then there is supposedly a marriage reported in the Vital Records of Haverhell, MA published by the Topsfield Historical Society about 1910 or 1911. I have not looked for it, but supposedly it shows the marriage of Abigail Morrison and Israel Gilman on 11-03-1743 in Haverhill, MA. My list shows 4 children (Lydia, Jonathan, Betsey, and Caleb).

This Israel Gilman was a farmer. He was among the original founders of Sandwich, Carroll, NH, arriving there in November 1767, and his name is on a monument there (you can see a picture on the web). There is a painting of his son Caleb in one of the historical rooms in one of the public places at Sandwich, also. Israel was a signer of "The Test" in 1776 (search Association Test of 1776) and a revolutionary war soldier - he can be found in the DARS indices.

He was born 1720 in Exeter, Rockingham, NH and he died in Sandwich Carroll, NH but I do not have a date. Given his status in that community, it seems to me that there must be a record there somewhere, but online searches have not produced fruit, so it looks like a road trip!

Supposedly, he was blind in his later years and supposedly his wife (Abigail Morrison) was "skilled in the use of medicines".

There's another little twist I should mention. There are 2 Simeon Smiths in the DARS records - one was born 1742 and married Rachel Dibble. The other is our guy, born 1735 and his wife's name was "Mary Betsy Gilman". Interesting. Anyway, that Simeon Smith (Sr) died in 1814 in NH and was a pvt ps NH in the Revolution.

Hope that helps you out. I'd love to know something about Betsey (aka Mary Betsy) Gilman. I know that she was born in Gilmantown, Strafford, NH. Do you know anything about her?

Cindy

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