Samuel Gwinn, Sr. seems to be the common ancestor for many people on my mom’s maternal side. He is my 6th great-grandfather. Samuel was born in 1745 at Highland, Augusta, Virginia, as confirmed in the DAR Lineage Book:

In 1770, at the age of 25, Samuel & Elizabeth Lockridge were married in Albemarle County, Virginia. This marriage is recorded in “A History of Rockbridge County, VA”:

In 1774, at the age of 29, Samuel welcomed his son (and my grandfather) Moses Gwinn in Botetourt, Virginia. In 1785, 40 year-old Samuel lost his father, Robert Gwinn (b. 1725) in Calf Pasture Area, Augusta, Virginia. Five years later, Samuel welcomed his son John Gwinn (b. 1790 – d. 1870). That same year – January 30, 1790 – Samuel’s mother Jean Kincaid passed away (b. 1718 – d. 1790). In 1799, when Samuel was 54, son Ephraim J. Gwinn was born (d. 1887).

The 1810 Federal Census shows 65 year-old Samuel living in Monroe, Virginia:

However, by the 1820 Census, Samuel (age 75) was living in Lewisburg, Greenbrier, VA:

Page 15b of the “History of the Gwinn Family” explains that Samuel settled on Keller’s Creek:

There is an interesting anecdote about Samuel Gwinn included in the “History of the Graham Family” (1890). It goes as follows:

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PAGES 46-47

“Samuel Guinn, Sr., moved from the Lowell settlement to Lick Creek about the year 1800, and died there March 25, 1839, in the 94th year of his age.  He accumulated considerable property, and it is said that at one time he had $12,000 in silver which he divided among his sons some years before his death…..

An anecdote is related of Mr.Guinn, which we think worthy of place.  It is said that upon a certain occasion, while attending to some business in Lewisburg, he fell in with some gablers who induce him to play a game of cards.  Knowing that he had plenty of money, they allowed him to win the first few games, then propsed to double the bet; to which he replied, that his mother had always told him it was a wise man who knew when to quit.   So saying, he arose from the table and bade the gamblers “good day.”

Samuel, age 77, outlived his son Moses Gwinn, who passed away on December 28, 1822, in West Virginia. That same year, Samuel’s brother David has also died in Monterey, Highland County, Virginia. In 1824, at age 79, Samuel applied for a Revolutionary War Pension. Records from 1834 shows that he is receiving this pension at age 83. He is listed as a Scout and Spy under Captain Glass.

Samuel is also accounted for on the 1830 Census in Lewisburg:

On January 25, 1832, Samuel’s wife Elizabeth died. Samuel passed away seven years later, on March 27, 1839 in Green Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County. This is recorded in the West Virginia Wills & Probate Records. He was 94 years old.

Samuel Gwinn’s Plantation (“Old Brick Farm”) was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It is described as “Mid-19th Century Greek Revival with Italianate Influence” and included a Manor House, Meat Curing House, Necessary House, Carriage House, Delco House, Ice House, Granary, Pasture, and Machinery Barn.

Samuel Gwinn’s Will Reads as follows:

Know all men by these presents that I Samuel Gwinn Sr., considering the uncertainty of Life and weak in body but in sound and perfect mind and memory do give grant and dispose of the following property in the manner following.

To-wit–Three thousand and fourteen dollars in cash to be entrusted to the care and management of my sons Samuel, Andrew and Ephraim–and laid out in Congress Land in the western Country at Congress prices for the exclusive use and benefit of my grandsons, the sons of Moses, Samuel, Andrew, John and Ephraim to be equally divided (or the value thereof) between each of them—

Next. To my Grandson, Samuel, [son of Samuel Gwinn] I give a Negro Boy named Tecumsey–

To my Grandson Samuel [son of Andrew Gwinn] a Negro Boy named Jingo.

To my Grandson Samuel [son of John Gwinn] a Negro Boy named David.

To my Grandson Samuel [son of Emphraim Gwinn] a Negro Boy named Liews aged about twelve years.

To my Daughter Ruth Jarrett a Negro Girl names Lisey Ann.

To my Grandson Samuel Jarrett a Negro Boy names Norris.

To my Daughter Isabelle Busby a Negro Boy named Lewis aged about ten years.

And all my other property not mentioned in the above bequests I wish at my decease to be equally divided between all my Children, to wit, Samuel, Andrew, John, Ephraim, Ruth Jane, Betsy, Isabella and the children of my oldest son Moses decd, Together one share. The above Iacknowledge to be my voluntary act and deed, subject however to any alterations which I may hereafter wish to make given under my hand and seal this fourth day of June 1832.

Samuel Gwinn. Seal.