Stephen and Rebecca Kilgore came to what was to be Marion County about 1808. They settled on the Sequatchie River near Victoria, Tn. close to Ketner's Mill. Both are buried nearby in what is known as The Kilgore Family Cemetary. Their graves are unmarked. Naomi Webb lists him as one of Marion County's early land owners. Tennessee State Archives shows him as granting 24 acres of land in 1824. In later years, their son William moved to Layne's Cove in present day Grundy County. A Grandson, John K. left Marion County and moved to Oklahoma. Many, many Kilgores still live in present day Marion, Grundy and Sequatchie counties. Many of Stephen and Rebecca's decendants fought in the Civil War includung 1 son, John Kilgore. The two primary units they entered were the 6TH Tn. Mtd. Inf. and 1St Ala. and Tn. Vidette Cav. Both were Northern Units. As the coal mines began to flourish after the Civil War many of the younger Kilgore's became coal miners. One of these was my grandad, Joseph Kilgore, affectionly known in his later years as Uncle Joe. Even in the late 1980s before Tn. Consolidted Coal Co. closed their mines for good, their payroll had the names of many Kilgores and Laynes. Some of them were 3rd generation miners. Some gave their lives in the mines of Marion, Grundy and Sequatchie Counties while earning a living for their families. Much of the information about the early Kilgores came from the internet, primarily Tim Phillips. However from the 1830s forward I have I have tried to verify all information and have listed all my sources. If anyone has information about the Marion County Kilgores and would like to share it I would be more than happy to include it in this webpage. I do prefer that it be documented. Also I will answer any questions anyone has, if I can. Theres lots of information I don't have. Bill Scruggs deserves a lot of credit for clearing up the Charles and Harim Kilgore question for me. Thanks Bill. Also without Herchell Stinnett of Yell County, Ark. I would never have found the Stinnett data.
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