THOMAS GALLION IN

NORTH CAROLINA

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INTRODUCTION

Early records have three Thomas Gallions and a Jacob Gallion residing in North Carolina prior to 1800. Complete records connecting these persons to their proper parents are incomplete. Certainly all came from Harford County, Maryland as descendants of a John and Mary Gallion. This is a history profile for each Thomas Gallion.

Thomas and Jacob Gallion were the first known Gallions in North Carolina. They came from St. Georges Parish in Harford County, Maryland. Jacob is the son of Thomas and Mary Young Gallion. The parents of this Thomas have not been identified. He is believed to be a brother of Jacob but no record or proof exists. Thomas and Jacob first settled in the Deep Creek area of Surry County about 1775-1778. This area is in present day Yadkin County.

Jacob Gallion

Jacob Gallion married Elizabeth Arnold 24 Feb 1755 at St. Georges Parish, MD. Sophia Gallion was born 10 May 1755 at St. Georges Parish, MD. Thomas Gallion was born 17 Mar 1758 at St. Georges Parish MD. Jacob's Will was written and dated 16 Jun 1812. The Will was probated February 1813. It list the following children; Sophia Arnold, Thomas Gallion, Polly Smith, Jacob Gallion Jr., Elizabeth Douglas, Samuel Gallion, John Gallion, Rachael Kerby, Joshua Gallion, Amos Gallion and Young Gallion

The 1775Surry County List of Taxables has Jacob Gallion listed with 2 poll. This suggest son Thomas is with him in North Carolina.
On 8 Dec 1778 Jacob Gallion enters 320 acres in Surry Co. on waters of Forbushes and Deep Creek. This is near where Thomas previously entered 400 acres.
On 7 May 1784 Jacob sold 320 acres to Abijah Elmore.
On 24 Nov 1790 a NC grant to Jacob Gallion of 250 acres in Wilkes County on Booton Branch of Fishes River. This is apparently on the border between Surry and Wilkes Counties at the north end of Surry County. The land records are in Surry County but the 1790 census was in Wilkes County.

Thomas Gallion (Burke Co.)

The parents of this Thomas have not been identified. He is believed to be the brother of the above Jacob. His wife is unknown. His known children at this time were Thomas Jr., William and Mary.

The 1775 Surry County List of Taxables has Jacob Gallion listed with 1 poll (himself).
On 28 May 1778 Thomas Gallion enters 400 acres in Surry Co., on waters of Deep Creek adjoining John McCollum Senr. and James Rivess.
On 20 Sep 1779 NC grant to Thomas Gallion 400 acres in Deep Creek. This is the deed for the grant of 400 acres above which Thomas entered 28 May 1778
On 6 Feb 1780 Joseph Reavis charged with fathering a male child by Mary Gallion, Thomas' daughter, and stands chargeable with maintenance of same. James Reavis and John Williams furnished securities. This is the first known association of John Williams with the Gallion family.
Thomas had a series of court appearances between 1780 and 1788. These were for jury duty, road maintenance, lawsuits etc.
By 1788 Thomas is in Burke County.
2 Sep 1790 - NC grant #1336 to Thomas Gallion on waters of Silver Creek in Burke County.
4 Mar 1805 - Sale of 200 acres by Thomas Gallion of Burke County to Thomas Williams of land lying on waters of Deep Creek in Surry County being part of 400 acres formerly belonging to Thomas Gallion. Note: This confirms the same Thomas Gallion moved from Surry Co. to Burke Co.
The 1815 Burke Co. Tax List has Thomas Gallion (probably Thomas Jr.) and William Gallion listed. This places Thomas Jr. and William Gallion in Burke Co. Thomas has probably died and his property occupied by William.

Both Thomas Jr. and William show up in Knox County, TN about 1840. One of Thomas Jr. sons, Joseph, left a detailed family history in the "Annals of Alabama" in which he indicates his father was Thomas Gallion (Jr.), his mother was Alvira Deal. The family Bible of James Lawson Sterling has Thomas Jr. wife as Mary Alvira Deal.

Thomas Gallion (Surry Co.)

The parents of this Thomas Gallion are Jacob and Elizabeth Arnold Gallion. St. George Parish records of Harford County, MD list Thomas Gallion son of Jacob and Elizabeth Gallion, born 17 Mar 1758. Known children are; Elizabeth, Jacob, Thomas Jr., Sophia, William and Daniel. Grainger County, Tennessee and Henry County, Indiana records connect this Thomas to Jacob and Elizabeth Arnold Gallion as parents. The Grainger County Heritage book “Grainger County, Tennessee and its People, 1796-1998” refers to the five sons of Jacob and Elizabeth Arnold Gallion.

The biography of Samuel H. Galyean, Wells County, Indiana, lists his grandfather serving 4yr-6 mo. in the Revolutionary War.

This Thomas probably arrived in Surry County, North Carolina about 1775. He married Margaret Williams about 1781- 1785. His first son, Jacob, was born about 1785. His second son Thomas Jr. was born 22 Feb 1787. He is listed in the 1790 Surry Co. census.

John Williams Will of 4 Apr 1993 names son-in-law, Thomas Gallion, as co-executor. He named daughter Margaret Gallion as a beneficiary. This establishes that Thomas was married to Margaret Williams.
John Williams had a relationship with the rest of the Jacob Gallion family. Records mention Jacob Gallion Jr., John Gallyan and Thomas Gallion (Burke Co.) prior to his move to Burke County.
Thomas named his children after Jacob's family; namely Elizabeth, Jacob, Thomas Jr. and Sophia.
13 May 1793 - John Williams to Thomas Gallion 85 acres on Deep Creek adj. said Williams home tract of 340 acres.
Thomas Gallion is listed in 1800 Surry County census.
11 Mar 1802 - Sale of 85 acres by Thomas Gallyan to Joel Leaky of land lying on the North Fork of Deep Creek. This is the same land acquired by Thomas Gallion from John Williams in 1793.
He migrated to Grainger County Tennessee in the early 1800’s with four brothers (Jacob Jr., Joshua, John and Amos). He then migrated to Indiana through Ohio after 1805.
He next purchased property (R13-T17-S20) in what is now Wayne County, Indiana on November 1, 1811. This is located west of present day Greens Fork, Indiana. His son, Jacob, purchased adjoining property at the same time. At that time he declared his residence as Preble County, Ohio. Since Indiana was not a State in 1811, all land purchases were made through the Cincinnati, Ohio Land Office. His land was only a few miles from Ohio. It is not clear whether he actually made a physical move from Ohio or just settled and then purchased the land.

Thomas was one of the early settlers of Wayne County, Indiana. His descendants spread into Henry, LaPorte, Kosciusko and Wells Counties in Indiana.

Thomas Gallion (Rowan Co.)

The parents of this Thomas are probably James and Ruth Gilbert Gallion. The 1776 census for Susquehannah Hundred, Harford Co., Maryland list the family with ages; James 50, Ruth 57, Thomas 19, Gilbert 16, Elizabeth 12, Cumfort 9, Rachel 4. Thomas is believed to have married Catherine Yount about 1784 in Hawkins, Tennessee. Evidence shows that this Thomas served in from Maryland in the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Gallion on Sept 1775 Capt. Charles Anderson's Co. #3 as a Pvt.
Thomas Gallion on Oct 1775 Capt. Wm. Web's Co. as a Pvt.
10 Feb 1785 - Admin. Of Estate of John Yont decd. granted Thomas Gallion who Qualified & gave Pd 200 bond with Ninian Bell Hamelton Security. (Rowan County). This helps to establish this Thomas was married to Catherine Yont.
The Rowan County 1790 Census list 1 male over 16, 2 males under 16 and 3 females. This is the first known record in North Carolina.
20 Dec 1791 - Grant #2167 to Thomas Gallion 300 acres in Rudy Creek, Rowan County.
12 Oct 1799 - Thomas Gallion of Sulivan Co., TN to Francis Williams. 200 acre on Muddy Creek.
20 Oct. 1799 Thomas Gillion/Gillean/Galian of Sulivan Co., TN. to Munus Griggs of Rowan for 100 pounds, 100 A Reedy Creek.

Other records show that James Gallion, Thomas' father, resided in Tennessee. The 1797 Tax List for Sullivan Co., TN list a James Gallion. There are no known records indicating this Thomas ever resided in Surry County, North Carolina.

SUMMARY

This seems the best fit for connecting the three Thomas' to their parents. Any additional evidence will be appreciated.
Please E-mail me your comments and additional evidence.

William Galyean

E-mail Me wgalyean@verizon.net

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