Col. Edmund Gwin from Ireland was another early settler in Virginia.  He went to Pittsylvania County and is reported to have been massacred by early Indians.  It is known that at least some, and perhaps all the Gwins from Ireland originally came from Wales. Col. Edmund Gwin had a son, George Holmes Gwin, who died in 1796.  His Will has been often quoted in early history publications and is as follows:

In the name of God, Amen, I, George Holmes Gwin of the county of Pittsylvania, State of Virginia, being weak of body, but of perfect sense and memory, thank God for it, do make this my last Will and Testament:

FIRST, I give my soul to God, the maker of it, in hope of a perfect resurrection.

SECOND, my body to dust be buried in Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors. My worldly goods which it has pleased God to bless me with, after paying my lawful debts, I dispose of in the following manner:

ITEM--I give unto my beloved wife, Elizabeth Gwin, the plantation where I now live during her natural life. Also two negroes, Philos and Amey, and all horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep with all my plantation tools and household goods, and after her death be given to my son Thomas Gwin.

ITEM--I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Martha Bostick, one negro woman, Lucy, and increase.

ITEM--I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Nancy Southerland, one negro girl, Homeal, and increase.

ITEM--I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth Fallen, one negro girl, Philas, and increase.

ITEM--I give unto my son, John Gwin, that part of my land on the south side of Sandy River beginning on Sandy River at a poplar about the deep hole.  Also a negro boy, Joe.

ITEM--I give unto my son, Jesse Gwin, that part of my land on the north side of the said river beginning on the east side of Rocky Branch, thence up the branch to Wilson's line to the river at the Bear Garden line; also one negro boy, Lacy, one bay mare, and one sorrel horse.

ITEM--I give to my son, Holmes Gwin, one negro, Stephen.

ITEM--I give to my son, Littlebury, one negro, Roger.

ITEM--I give to my son, Josiah Gwin, one negro, Amey, and land on Sandy River; also tools and stock lent to my wife.

LASTLY, I leave my two beloved sons, John Gwin and Jesse Gwin, to be my sole Executors of this, my last Will and Testament.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and seal this the 11th day of October 1794.

WITNESSES: Thomas Duncan, James Robinson, Matthew Sparks

SGN. GEO. HO. GWIN

The Will of George Holmes Gwin, son of Edmund Gwin, given in Chapter 1, gives his sons as John, b. about 1755, Jesse, b. 1758, Thomas, b. 1772, Holmes, Littlebury, and Josiah.

We have found no later records of Holmes, Littlebury, or Josiah, but we know the three sons John, Jesse, and Thomas, went to Harrison County in southern Indiana. The records show this migration west was in 1802 or 1803, but it is not certain they all went west at the same time.

It is known that Jesse served in the Revolutionary War, and the name of Holmes Gwin appears in Revolutionary War Records.  As already mentioned, Jesse Gwin was at Gwynne Island (Virginia) when Governor Dunsmore was driven out by the British in 1776.

John Gwin's sons were James, George, Edmund, Jr. (b. 1785), Edmnd II, John, and Holmes.  Edmund, Jr., married in 1812 and had two sons, David Howard and Edmund, and two daughters, Celia and Katherine.

Thomas Gwin, b. 1772, d. 1835, married Mildred Bates and probably did not move to Indiana until 1811.  He had a son, William Vaughn Gwin, b. 1807.  In 1830 William Vaughn married Susan Hedrick of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. They lived at Lanesville, Indiana, and in 1852 he was Sheriff of Harrison County.  Thomas had another son of record named Berry Gwin.  Berry is known to have had a son, James Monroe Gwin, b. 1837, 10, 22.  James Monroe Gwin, during the administration of President Buchanan, 1857-1861, was Assistant Postmaster of New Albany, Indiana under his cousin, F. M. Gwin. Later he was in the feed business with his father and was a member of the undertaking firm of Meeker and Gwin.  He married Julia Merryman in 1860. In 1875 he was married again to Carrie C. Warren of New York. They had two children, Newland Gwin and Edith Gwin.  Jesse Gwin, son of George Holmes Gwin, had a son named Jesse Gwin.

 
 
 
 
 

[John M. Gwin NOTE: See yellow compilation chart at end of this page.]

I have been extracting information on Gwins in Virginia from the Virginia Genealogical Society Journal. There were quite a few deeds involving George Holmes Gwin and Richard Gwin.  Also, quite a few debt and assault cases involving them!!??  Take a look at the following and let me know what you think.
 
Jim
Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Yesterday I found that Ancestry.com has the Virginia Genealogical Society Journal, Volumes 1-35 as a resource. I am curious about the relationship of George Holmes Gwin to my Isom Gwin. Going through the journal, I could not find an answer to that question. However, I did find information on GHG in close physical relationship to other Gwins in Albemarle, Goochland, and Pittsylvania counties. I have extracted info on all these people, plus some other Gwins whose relationship to GHG is less certain.

It appears that Richard Gwin and George Holmes Gwin lived very close to each other, at least in the earliest time. That would seem to indicate that they were related.

Jim Wall
James T. Wall
2511 N. Stuart St.
Arlington, Virginia 22207-5163
(703) 524-2198
JAMESTWALL@aol.com

[John M. Gwin Note: I find six different Gwin first names transcribed by Jim and recorded on this page in this green chart. I've recorded immediately below how many times each name appears in the transcription. I would like to believe that all of these six Gwins are very closely related.]

RICHARD GUIN, 400a, Goochland Co., on both sides of Great Buffalo Cr. of Willis’s R., and bounded by Major John Bollings c. (p.675) 1 Mar 1743

Tr. Slander case of Edward Watts agst John Peartree Burks, parties appear by their attys. As does a Jury, to wit: 

Lazurus Dameron, 
Noble Ladd,
Michael Thomas,
Richard Gwinn, 
Joel Walker, 
Stephen Sanders, 
Mathew Tucker, 
Edward Lambert Parsons, 
John Jones, 
Drury Tucker, 
Richard Taylor & 
John Ladd. 

(p.1) At a Court held for Albemarle County January 24, 1745 for laying the county levy.

To be charged to the County and Repaid by the Publick--lbs of tobo.
To John Childers for five young Do [wolfs heads] at 70 each--------350
To Daniel Scot for keeping a Ferry at the Court House--------------1000
To Richard Gwinn for the same service-------------------------------200

Lazarus Dameron, 
George Holmes Gwinn, 
Mathew Tucker, 
John Anthony, William Harris, 
John McKenny, 
Henry Trent, 
Thomas McDaiel, 
David Watkins, 
John Ladd, 
John Tooly & 
Isaiah Watkins. 

George Holmes Gwin, 350a, Goochland Co., both sides of the Slate River, crossing Great Creek and Slate River, James Watkins, (p. 131) 20 Sep 1745

William Harris, 
Lazarus Dameron, 
John Sorrell, 
John Biby, 
John Tooly junr., 
John Henson, 
Richard Hall, 
James Christian, 
John Trent, 
Philip Morris, 
Benjamin Higgenbottom & 
Richard Gwinn. 

Grand Jury sworn, to wit: 

Leonard Ballow (foreman), 
John Biby, 
Samuel Spencer, 
Noble Ladd, 
John Burns, 
Dennis Doyle, 
Richard Hall, 
John Henson, 
Reeny Shatteen [?], 
Joseph Adcock, 
Samuel Glover, 
Robert Glover, 
John Witt, 
Richard Taylor & 
George Holms Gwinn

Will of Samuel Glover dec’d presented by Sarah Glover Execx., proved by oaths of several witnesses & ordered recorded. Certificate granted for obtaining probate.
Anthony Bennie, John Hunter, Edward Wood & George Holms Gwinn to appraise personal estate of sd Glover & return to next court. Sarah, relict of Samuel Glover, requests the Deposition of Thomas Jones (who writ [sic] the will be recorded. Jones states he believes the testators intent was to give an estate in fee simple & the words they & their heirs forever were omitted but fully intended.

John Childers                215a
George Holms Gwinn 400a
Joseph Childers         200a

In Tres. & Assualt (sic) cse of Richard Fletcher Gregory agst Samuel Spencer, parties came as does a Jury, to wit: 

Lazarus Dameron, 
George Holms Gwinn, 
Mathew Tucker, 
John Anthony, 
William Harris (foreman) 
John McKenny, 
Henry Trent, 
Thomas McDaniel, 
David Watkins, 
John Ladd, 
John Tooly & 
Isaiah Watkins. 

Lazarus Dameron (foreman), 
Patrick Nowlin, 
Richard Hall, 
John Heard, 
John Lewis, 
Samuel Spencer, 
John Bryant, 
Samuel Crawley, 
John Tooly, 
Edmond Manning, 
Richard Gwinn & 
Joseph Higgenbottom 

James Christian (foreman), 
Thomas Thornill, 
William Christian, 
Richard Gwinn, 
John Hays, 
Samuel Herston, 
Hugh Dobbins, 
John Dobbins, 
Robert Herston, 
John McWerters, 
John Thomas & 
Thomas Joplin 

George Gwinn awarded 285 lbs. Tob. By Andrew Barclay for 3 days (coming & returning 70 miles as evidence for sd Barclay in suit agst Samuel Crawley. (Date unknown. JTW)

In debt case of Mathew Branch, assignee of Charles Thomas, agst George Holms Gwinn, deft. Fails to appear, Judgment entered agst sd Gwinn & Anthony Christian his security for [pounds]30 & costs, payable in part with interest from 12 Aug. 1746

Joseph Anthony (foreman),
John Smith,
Charles Lambert,
Thommas Smith,
Richard Dameron,
William Hooper,
Leonard Ballow,
John McWerters,
William Sympson,
Richard Gwin,
James McNeal &
Drury Tucker 

At a meeting of the Committee of Pittsylvania County on Wednesday 27th September 1775, The following Gentlemen were Nominated as Officers for the Militia Agreeable to the Ordinance of Covention (sic) Viz.:

Richard Gwynn…..Captains
Oaths of Allegiance ? 1777
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Robert Payne’s List
Richard Gwynne
William Wynn, Sen.
John Wynne
Robert Wynne
Abraham Shelton’s List

Leaton Romine           D o. [No. Carolina] County Levy 10 S [shillings]

Samuel Guin---one tythe gone-------------------89
(Could this be Isam or Isham Guin? JTW)
Wm Chanp-------------369 Acres-------------------1.31
Saml. Canterbury----200 Acres Land----------23
Peter Romines---------160 Acres Land-----------24

Dear John,
I have alot of information on the gwin family who migrated from pittsylvania county, Va.
John Gwin of Danville Va. settled in Harrison cty,1804.There was 9 children, one of which was my gg grandfather
Homes Gwin, he had a brother Geo, Ed, John and Thomas. four sisters,Elizabeth,nancy,sallie and Polly.
I believe I read somewhere in your site,that geo or maybe it was john had a son who was a capt. in the civil
war.. The capt was Isum Gwin,son of Homes and Mary patterson Gwin.( see the 80th indiana on you web.)type in 80th Indiana, scott Meeker of Wis. has written a great deal on the 80th. I donated Isums civil war diary to the 
Indiana historical society,Indianapolis last year. If you are interested in more info,such as Georges migration to Macoupon county,Il I will be glad to help you with this info.
please consider there was many Geo Gwins,Holmes Gwin and Homes Gwins. John Gwins brother Thomas also cmae to harrison county in 1804.all settled in Lanesville,In. My Great Grandfather Isum was born in Lanesville
1826. buried in Martin county Indiana. Died 1906.
 Hope to hear from you.. Kenneth L Gwin.3255 St Meinrad rd. Bristow,Indiana.Perry county.next to Harrison county

2.1--John Gwin of Danville Va. settled in Harrison Co., IN, 1804; 9 ch

3.1--Homes Gwin, m. Mary Patterson ( )

4.1--Isum Gwin, Capt., US Army; b. 1826 in Lanesville, IN; d. 1906; bd. Martin Co., IN;

3.2--Geo Gwin, 
3.3--Ed Gwin, 
3.4--John Gwin,
3.5--Thomas Gwin,
3.6--Elizabeth Gwin,
3.7--Nancy Gwin,
3.8--Sallie Gwin,
3.9--Polly Gwin,

2.2--Thomas Gwin, also came to Harrison Co. in 1804; all settled in Lanesville, IN. 

2._--Jesse Gwin, b. unk.,

2._--George Holmes Gwin, b. ca. 1722 in Pittsylvania Co., VA; d. Oct. 1794, Pittsylvania Co., VA; m1. Nancy Arrington (b. ca. 1730, VA; d. bef. 1840, VA;); m2. ca. 1745, VA, to Elizabeth (nee unk.); plantation owner on the Sandy River near Dansville, VA; had one or more sons in the Rev. War; 4 dau., 7 sons (birth order unk.);

3.1--John Gwin, Sr., b. ca. 1755, Danville, Pittsylvania Co., VA; d. bef. 1860, Harrison Co., IN; m. ca. 1779, VA, to Mildred Sutherlin; went to Harrison Co., IN, ca. 1802-03; settled in Harrison Co., IN, 1804; 9 ch
3.4--John GWIN (AFN:1SDD-74L) Pedigree; Born: 1755, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Died: Bef 1860, Harrison Co., Indiana

4.1--Holmes Gwin, b., m. Mary Patterson ( )

5.1--Isum Gwin,, Capt., US Army; b. 1826 in Lanesville, IN; d. 1906; bd. Martin Co., IN;

Free Inhabitants in Rutherford Township in the County of Martin State of Indiana
enumerated by me on the 26th day of Sept 1850, Barney Reily Ass't. Marshall

Res/Fam

Given Name

Surname

Age

Est YOB

Sex

Profession

Real E$tate

POB

Md w/i Yr

Sch w/i Yr

20+ not RoW

John M. Gwin's Comments

39/39

Homes

Guinn

53

1797

M

Farmer

Va

Mike Walker sent me a photocopy of this page from which I transcribed this chart. He says he doesn't know who these Gwins are. They seem to me to fit right here.

Mary

Guinn

49

1801

F

Ky

1

This could easily be the former Mary Patterson.

Jessey

Guinn

25

1825

M

Do

Ind

My best guess at the spelling and misproununciation of this given name, Jesse, is based on the old-style double-ess. The 1870 census page Mike Walker also sent, which I transcribed below, makes it clear that this is Jeffrey (spelled here Jefrey).

Ison

Guinn

23

1827

M

Do

"

This name is Isom. This could also easily be the Captain himself.

Mahala

Guinn

19

1831

F

"

Homes

Guinn

12

1838

M

"

We'll call him Homes, Jr., here.

Milley

Guinn

10

1840

F

"

She could easily have been named for her paternal grandmother, the former Mildred Sutherlin.

.

Inhabitants in Rutherford Township in the County of Martin,
State of Indiana, enumerated by me on the 22nd day of June 1870
Post Office: South Martin Indiana -- James Wood Ass't. Marshall

Res/Fam

Given Name

Surname

Age

Est YOB

Sex

Color

Profession

Val Real Est

Val Pers Est

POB

Md w/i Yr

Sch w/i Yr

20+ not Rd

20+ not Wr

D,D B, I,I

MC US 21+

John M. Gwin's Comments

73/73

Guwin

Jefrey

45

1825

M

W

Farmer

900

400

Indiana

1

Evident here is the phonetic spelling of the respondent's prounciation of the last name: /goo-WIN/; also clear here is the actual first name of Jeffrey, not Jesse as I had guessed from the 1850 census reported above.

-------

Caranardqa H.

36

1834

F

W

Keeping House

Indiana

The last four or five letters of her given name are not clear.

-------

Samuel N.

7

1863

M

W

Indiana

Conceived and born during the Civil War.

-------

Fabrelta

5

1865

M

W

Indiana

The last three letters of his given name are not clear.

-------

Fabins

2

1868

M

W

Indiana

Reeves

Sarah

65

1805

F

W

Indiana

1

I'm guessing this is Jeffrey's mother-in-law

Smith

Nancy

33

1837

F

W

Domestic Servant

Indiana

1

1

Blind

74/74

Gwin

Isum

44

1826

M

W

Farmer

2000

500

Indiana

1

Evidently Isom's spouse has died, and he is living as a single parent. This could also easily be the Captain himself.

-------

Edmun H.

3

1867

M

W

Indiana

Probably Edmund

-------

Zeno

2

1868

M

W

Indiana

75/75

Homes

Gwin

72

1798

M

W

Farmer

700

200

Virginia

1

Mary

Gwin

69

1801

F

W

Keeping House

Kentucky

1

76/76

Homes

Gwin

32

1838

M

W

Blacksmith

500

200

Indiana

1

As above, we will arbitrarily refer to him as Homes, Jr.

Luisa

Gwin

25

1845

F

W

Keeping House

Indiana

.

4.2--George Gwin, b., 

4.3--Edmund Gwin, Jr., b. 1785, Pittsylvania Co., VA; d. bef. 1880, IN; m. 1812, VA, 

5._--David Howard Gwin, b.
5._--Edmund Gwin, b.
5._--Celia Gwin, b.
5._--Katherine Gwin, b.

4.4--John Gwin, Jr., b. unk.; m. Winfred Bates, d/o James Bates and Betsy Vaughn; moved to IN ca. 1811; owned much land in/around Lanesville, IN; [John M. Gwin NOTE: Wayne Witt Bates contests Winifred's parentage below: "The Bates brides were daughters of Samuel & Millicent (Vaughan) Bates, not his brother Rev. War Soldier James Bates.], 

4.5--Thomas Gwin,

4.6--Elizabeth Gwin,

4.7--Nancy Gwin,

4.8--Sallie Gwin,

4.9--Polly Gwin,

4._--Edmund Gwin II, b.

4._--James Gwin, b.

3._--Jesse Gwin, b. 1758; d. 1835; had large family; went to Harrison Co., IN, ca. 1802-03;
3.5--Jesse GWIN (AFN:1SDD-75S)  Pedigree; Born: 1758, Buckingham Co., Virginia; Died:  Bef 1868, Virginia

3._--Thomas Gwin, b. 1 Sep 1772; d. Feb. 1835, m. July 1801 to Mildred Bates (b. 2 Apr 1780, d/o James Bates and Betsy Vaughn; d. Feb. 1859); went to Harrison Co., IN, prob. ca. 1811; [John M. Gwin NOTE: Wayne Witt Bates contests Mildred's parentage below: "The Bates brides were daughters of Samuel & Millicent (Vaughan) Bates, not his brother Rev. War Soldier James Bates.]; owned much land in/around Lanesville, IN; 3 daus., 8 sons (birth order unk.); 
3.6--Thomas GWIN (AFN:1SDD-777)  Pedigree; Born: 1772, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Died:  Bef 1880, Harrison Co., Indiana; all settled in Lanesville, IN, 

04.01-- Gwin, b. unk.;
04.02-- Gwin, b. unk.;
04.03-- Gwin, b. unk.;
04.04-- Gwin, b. unk.;
04.05-- Gwin, b. unk.;
04.06-- Gwin, b. unk.;
04.07-- Gwin, b. unk.;

04._--Thomas Jefferson Gwin, b. unk.; volunteered Jun 1846 for the Mex. War, 2nd IN Regt.; apparently was at battle of Buena Vista; mustered out Jun 1847;

4._--William Vaughn Gwin, b. 1807; m. 1830 to Susan Hedrick of Pittsylvania Co., VA; lived at Lanesville, IN; in 1852 was Sheriff of Harrison Co.;

4._--Berry Gwin, b. volunteered Jun 1846 for the Mex. War, 2nd IN Regt.; apparently was at battle of Buena Vista; mustered out Jun 1847;

5._--James Monroe Gwin, b. 22 Oct 1837; during the administration of Pres. Buchanan, 1857-1861, was Ass't. Postmaster of New Albany, IN, under his cousin, F. M. Gwin; was later in the feed business with his father and was a member of the undertaking firm of Meeker and Gwin; m1. 1860 toJulia Merryman; m2. 1875 to Carrie C. Warren of NY; 2 ch., 

6._--Newland Gwin
6._--Edith Gwin

4._--George Holmes Gwin, b. ; d. 19 Oct 1905; m. 10 Nov 1842 in Harrison Co., IN (by Robert B. Pennington, a J.P. in Lanesville, Franklin Twp.) to Elizabeth Ann Lamb (b. unk.; d. 14 Feb 1896); Capt., USA, Civ. War; lived in Brookston, IN; 6 daus., 5 sons (birth order unk.);

05.01--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.02--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.03--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.04--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.05--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.06--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.07--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.08--Gwin, b. unk.;
05.09--Gwin, b. unk.;

05.10--Mary A. Gwin, b. unk.; m. 5 Feb 1863 to Joseph W. Stewart (b. 3 Nov 1839 in Henry Co., KY; s/o Hiram Stewart [d. Jul 1866]and Lucy Chilton [d. Nov 1847]; moved to Tippecanoe Co., IN in 1845; elected sheriff in 1882, moved to Monticello; was a Democrat), both are members of the Free-Will Bapt. Ch.

06.01--Addie Stewart, b. unk.;

 

05.11--Charles Holmes Gwin, b. unk.; d. 20 Apr 1938; m. Lu Alla (nee unk.; b. unk.; d. 27 Jan 1937; moved fr. Brookston, IN, in 1903 to a farm in Kosciusko Co., 1 mi. S. of Nappanee, IN; 3 daus, 4 sons (birth order unk.);

06.01--Gwin, b. unk.;
06.02--Gwin, b. unk.;
06.03--Gwin, b. unk.;
06.04--Gwin, b. unk.;
06.05--Gwin, b. unk.;
06.06--Gwin, b. unk.;

06.07--Wilyard Holmes Gwin, b. ca. 1887; d. 2 Mar 1979; m. Mary Ann McGowen (b. unk.; d. 31 Aug 1957)

07.01--Floyd Holmes Gwin, b. ca. 1930; m. Pennye (nee unk.)

07.02--Ruth Gwin, b. ca. 1932; m. Mr. Heemstra;

07.03--Ross Neal Gwin, b. ca. 1934; m. Imogene (nee unk.); submitter of this file

07.04--Max James Gwin, b. ca. 1936; m. Betty(nee unk.)

07.05--Dale Hansen Gwin, b. ca. 1939; m. Roberta (nee unk.)

07.06--Gene W. Gwin, b. ca. 1944; m. Frances (nee unk.)

4._--James Jackson Gwin, b. ; d. ; m. in Harrison Co., IN, 22 Mar 1837 to Nancy Harbeson;volunteered Jun 1846 for the Mex. War, 2nd IN Regt.; apparently was at battle of Buena Vista; mustered out Jun 1847;

5._--David M. Gwin, b. ca. 1838; d. Battle Ground, Tippecanoe Co., IN, 10 Oct 1913, age 75y, 9m, 20d; bd. in Battle Ground Cem.; 

3._--Holmes Gwin, b.
3.3--Holmes GWIN (AFN:1SDD-761)  Pedigree; Born: Abt 1762, Pittsylvania, Virginia; Died:  Bef 1874, Virginia 

3._--Littlebury Gwin, b.

3._--Josiah Gwin, b.; m. 1795 to Ruth Fallon; 

3._--Martha Gwin, b. ; m. Mr. Bostick,
3.7--Martha GWIN (AFN:1SDD-710)  Pedigree; Born:  26 Jan 1746, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Died: 14 Feb 1818, Va.

3._--Nancy Gwin, b. ; m. 1790 to William Southerland/Sutherlin,
3.1--Nancy GWIN(AFN:1SDD-726)  Pedigree; Born: Abt 1749, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Died:  Bef 1859, Virginia 

3._--Elizabeth Gwin, b. ; m.1793 to Redmond Fallon,
3.2--Elizabeth GWIN (AFN:1SDD-73D) Pedigree; Born: Abt 1751, Pittsylvania Co., Virginia; Died: Virginia, 

3._--Edmund Gwin, b. ; d. young, killed by Indians; never m.;

3._--George Gwin, b. ; d. young; never m.;