Bob and Peg Gilchrist
Robert W. Gilchrist (1939 - 1998 ) of Titusville, Floruda and his wife Peggy, were killed in a tragic automobile accident on April 8, 1998. Both were dedicated teachers and active members of the Park Avenue Baptist Church for over 30 years. Bob specialised in history. Shortly before the accident, he was a guest speaker at the dedication of the restored Mill Prong House near Raeford, North Carolina which was built by his 4th Great Grandfather, John Gilchrist, in 1802. Bob loved his family history, and had planned his third trip to Scotland to renew friendships and continue his research. He made many significant contributions to his heritage, and was honored by the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh with a request for a copy of his 1997 book. In his memory, portions of this 1997 book have also been placed on the internet at http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~steve/robertwg/ in the hope that it will kindle the interests of others to follow his footprints and continue his quest for knowledge of the Gilchrist family.
A HISTORY OF THE GILCHRISTS
by
ROBERT W. GILCHRIST
1977
Posted here by Kind Permission of Dean Gilchrist
deanotow@att.net Ocala,
Fl. 352-854-1440
The First Part
THE GILCHRIST NAME
By Don Gilchrist (A Poem For Father's Day -
June, 1977)
|
I highly prize your Gilchrist
name But even more than all these things, The meaning of it I will tell: Oh what an honor thus to wear |
GILCHRIST TRIVIA
1. The Gilchrists are a branch, or sept, of the ancient Earls of Lennox whose lands once occupied the region west of Loch Lomond. From the Gilchrists came the Clan MacFarlane. (Read pages: 9 - 10.)
2. For you "BRAVEHEART" fans - the film version of the story of the great patriot hero William Wallace: This year marks the 700th anniversary of his great victory over the English in the Battle of Stirling Bridge (Sept. 1297). It is nearly a complete certainty that the Gilchrists, who were at that time vassals of the ancient Earls of Lennox, would have fought in the Lennox brigade. And, it is equally probable that the Gilchrists were with Robert the Bruce in the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn where Scottish independence was won. (Read page: 10.)
3. There is a "Gilchrist profession!" More Gilchrists have entered the field of education is teachers, professors, and administrators than any other profession.
ON MEETING MR IAN MACDONALD
It is to Mr. Ian MacDonald of Clachan, Scotland that I will forever owe the greatest debt of appreciation for providing the bulk of the information found in this booklet. I met Ian on the final leg of my family's fascinating 1985 summer trip to Great Britain. I was aware that my great-great-great-great grandfather, John Gilchrist had migrated in 1770 from Kintyre to North Carolina. Yet, try as I could, I had been completely unsuccessful in determining from what part of Kintyre the family had come. Thus, as we drove down the A-83 headed for Campbeltown, my plan became to stop at every cemetery we saw and quickly examine the gravemarkers for the name of Gilchrist.
Our first stop proved unsuccessful and by the time we saw the second cemetery the "Scotch Mist" was beginning to roll in. Unable now to get my two able assistants (my young daughters: Lynley and Erin) to brave the rain and help me check the cemetery markers - even calling attention to the man jotting down a gravemarker inscription - I realized that I would have to do the job alone. I bounded across a pasture and as I climbed over the low stone wall (dyke) that surrounded the grounds, the man who we had seen from our car now turned to see who I was. Half out breath, I said, "Hello, have you come across the name of Gilchrist?" To which he responded in a good hearty Scottish accent, " ' Yer too 'fer 'sooth!" I nearly collapsed!!! I was prepared for him to say: "Gilchrist?!!? Never heard of the name!" He then stated the Gilchrists were from near his home of Clachan, then inquired: "That wouldn't be the two brothers, John and Malcolm, who migrated to North Carolina about 1770?" At that point I experienced a memory lapse.
That was the beginning of a friendship that has continued to this day. And, it was the beginning of a flow of information for which not only I but every Gilchrist can express a heartfelt word of greatest appreciation.
GILCHRIST
The name GILCHRIST (or, MacGilchrist, or McGilchrist) is unquestionably one of the oldest of Scottish names, being first used as a surname rather than a family or Christian name. The very beautiful St. Martin's Cross, an ancient Celtic wheel cross on the western Isle of Iona was the work of a sculptor bearing this name. The small inscription discovered in 1927 by Professor R.A.S. Macalister is written in early Irish characters: OROIT DO GILLACRIST DORINGNE T CHROS SA ("A prayer for Gilchrist who made this cross"). Originating in the ancient Gaelic, or Celtic language, of the Scots, the name means "Servant of Christ" from "Gille" (servant) and "Chriosed" (Christ).
In September I will post Chapter One of this fascinating history - Ian
Page 2: A History of the Gilchrists
Page 3: In Campbeltown Once More.
Page 4: The Lowland Church of Campbeltown from its Foundation in 1654 till the Disruption. - Part Two
Page 5: Heather McFarlane's Page - Some Thoughts by e-mail & snailmail
Page 6: Books Received, in Brief
Page 7: Crarae Garden (Could be slow loading)
Page 8: By Hill and Shore - Part One
