While visiting the Jackson Purchase area of Kentucky in 2019 we stopped at the Wyatt Cemetery in Marshall County, Kentucky. Take US Highway 68 west across Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, turn left on Highway 1462, and a quick left onto Wyatt Cemetery Road. Wyatt Cemetery is small, and most of those buried here have the last name Wyatt.
The largest and newest gravestone is for Marcus McGilbra Wyatt and his wife Lucretia Dunn. There is a bit of a mystery to Mr. Wyatt. He was born in Martin County, North Carolina, to William Wyatt, who was in turn the son of Solomon Wyatt, per the gravestone. McGilbra (who changed his name from McGilberry) and his sister Nancy came to Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, in 1813 as runaways. Why would they leave their parents and come to western Kentucky? At this date I’m not sure anyone remembers.
McGilberry enlisted in the War of 1812 as a fifer, April 14, 1814, not long after his arrival in Christian County. McGilberry was under the command of Captain Benjamin W. Sanders. He was a short 5’ 3”, blue eyes, light hair and fair complexion. His age was 16 and he was a cabinet maker. He was born in Williams, Martin County, North Carolina. He was discharged at Chillicothe, Ohio, June 7, 1815, when his term expired.
On February 19, 1816, McGilberry Wyatt obtained a license in Christian County to marry Lucretia Dunn.
Know all men by these presents that we McGilvary Wyatt and Joseph Bolinger, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the penal sum of fifty pounds, the payment well and truly to be made. We bind ourselves, our heirs, jointly and firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 19th day of February 1816.
The condition of the above obligation is such that a marriage license hath this day issued for a marriage shortly intended between McGilvary Wyatt and Lucretia Dunn. Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage then the above obligation to void.
McGilvary Wyatt, Joseph Bolinger
For his service during the war, ‘McGilberry Wyatt, late a musician in Ewing’s Company, 17th Regiment of Infantry,’ was given a land warrant containing 160 acres in Illinois, March 27, 1818. We know the family did not move to Illinois. Most likely this land was sold and the money used to buy land.
According to the 1830 census McGilbra lived in Calloway County. He and Lucretia had 1 son (George) under 5; 2 (Henry, Rayburn) 5-10; 1 (William) 10-15; McGilbra was (34) 30-40. One daughter (Martha – who died young) was under 5 and Lucretia was 30-40.
In 1840, also in Calloway County, the family consisted of 1 son (George) 10-15; 2 (Henry and Rayburn)15-20; and McGilbra 40-50. 1 daughter (Sarah) under 5; 1 (Nancy and Catherine) 5-10; 2 (Helen and Martha) 10-15; 1 (?) 20-30; and Lucretia 40-50.
In 1842 Marshall County was formed from land previously included in Calloway County. In the 1850 Census of Marshall County McGilbra and Lucretia are aged 55. He is a planter with 600 acres, born in North Carolina. She was born in South Carolina. Living with them are daughters Helen, 20; Nancy, 16; and Sarah Jane, 9.
Daughter Catherine Wyatts Estes, wife of A. T. Estes, lives next door, with two children.
In McGilbra Wyatt’s will he lists six of his eleven children (the other five predeceased him) Sarah Jane Cox, Catharine Estes, Nancy Bazzell, William H. Wyatt, George W. Wyatt and Rayburn Wyatt; also sons-in-law Albert T. Estes, James M. Cox and Richard Bazzell.
Will of Marcus McGilbra Wyatt
Marshall County Kentucky Will Book 1848-1938, Pages 27-28
In the name of God, Amen. I, McGilbra Wyatt, of Marshall County in the State of Kentucky, being weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory, knowing the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of life, do hereby make this my last Will and Testament as follows.
Item First. I will my boy to the grave and my soul to God who gave it.
Item Second. I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Lucretia Wyatt, two hundred dollars in cash, and all or so much of my perishable property as she may wish for maintenance through life, and also the land on which I now reside for and during her life.
Item Third. I will and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Jane Cox one hundred dollars in cash to be made out of my goods and chattels at the death of my said wife, and also one cupboard, bureau, bed, bedstead and bedding at the death of my said wife.
Item Fourth. I will and bequeath to my daughter Catharine Estes, at the death of my said wife, one bed, bedstead and bedding.
Item Fifth. I will and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Bazzell, at the death of my said wife, one bed and bedding.
Item Sixth. I will and bequeath to my son William H. Wyatt, my interest in one yoke of oxen now in his possession and seventy-five dollars in cash, to be made out of my goods and chattels at the death of my said wife.
Item Seventh. I will and bequeath to my son George W. Wyatt the quarter section of land on which he now resides, the same having been purchased by me of M. E. Stone for him, said George W. Wyatt, and deeded by said Stone to him. And one dollar and no more, at the death of my said wife.
Item Eighth. I will and bequeath to my son Rayburn Wyatt one dollar and no more at the death of my said wife, he, with my other two sons aforesaid having heretofore been properly provided for except as otherwise shown herein.
Item Ninth. I will and bequeath to my sons-in-law Albert T. Estes, James M. Cox, Richard Bazzell one dollar each, and no more at the death of my said wife.
Item Tenth. I will and bequeath to my three daughters aforesaid, and to William H. and Rayburn Wyatt, equally, all my perishable property and cash on hand not otherwise disposed of by my said wife. George W. Wyatt, my other son, having been amply and fully provided for.
Lastly. I hereby appoint Willis Straw and Philander Palmer, executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other and former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of January A.D. 1858.
McGilbra Wyatt (his mark)
Signed, sealed, acknowledged and delivered to the clerk of the Marshall County Court for safe keeping in the presence of J. C. Gilbert, G. W. Slaughter
State of Kentucky, Marshall County
I, J. C. Gilbert, Clerk of the County Court of said county, do certify that on this day the foregoing will purporting to be the last Will and Testament of McGilbra Wyatt, was written by me in accordance with his directions, read to him and then subscribed and acknowledged by him in the presence of myself and G. W. Slaughter, and that I, J. C. Gilbert and said
Slaughter subscribed said writing with our names as witnesses in the presence of said McGilbra Wyatt who thereupon paid to me one dollar and delivered to me said writing to be deposited with the County Court clerk of said county for safe keeping, as authorized and provided for be Section 42, Chapter 106, Revised Statutes of Kentucky. Witness my hand this 25th day of January 1858.
J. C. Gilbert Clerk Marshall County
State of Kentucky, Marshall County
I, J. C. Gilbert, Clerk of the County Court of said county, do certify that at a County Court began and held at the courthouse in Benton, within and for said county, on Monday the 1st instant, this last will and testament of McGilbra Wyatt, deceased, was produced in open court and duly proved to be the true last Will and Testament of said decedent by the oath of J. C. Gilbert, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded as such.
Whereupon said will and this certificate have been duly recorded in my office. Given under my hand this 2nd day of February 1858.
Lucretia Dunn Wyatt outlived most of her twelve children, dying at the age of 94 on April 5, 1890. The children who survived her were Rayburn, who died August 22, 1912; George, who died May 24, 1890; Catherine, who died September 29, 1900; and Sarah Jane, who died March 7, 1897.
Categories: Family Stories
