Morse Chapel Methodist Church & Cemetery
Location: Meigs County, Ohio
At the intersection of Co. Rd 35 (Portland Road) and Lovett Rd.
GNIS: 385936N 0815024W
The Morse Chapel Methodist Church, established in 1859, is nestled in the rolling farmland of rural Meigs County, Ohio. Surrounding the aged, white clapboard church is the cemetery, which appears to have been closed to burials some time ago.
The small cemetery is well maintained, has adequate parking and is fairly easy to find, as it is situated at the intersection of Portland and Lovett roads.
The Gilliland family buried at Morse Chapel can trace their roots back to John Gilliland of Middlesex County, NJ. What surprised me is that each of their stones was engraved with the spelling variation, "Gillilan". In other records both prior and afterwards, I had seen the family surname spelled only as Gilliland or Gilleland. Surely there must be an interesting story about why yet another branch of the Gilliland tree chose this variation in spelling.
As you will see, I still have many questions about this family tree so any additions or corrections would be welcomed.
For further discussion of this family, please visit this thread to be found at the Gilliland Trails Forum: "John Gilliland, Ohio to Indiana".
Link: http://users.boardnation.com/~gillilandtrails/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=359
Notes and photos by Kate Maynard, September 2010
Gillilan Burials
(Click on a thumb for larger image.)
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Morse Chapel Methodist Cemetery, establshed 1859. |
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Amanda Gillilan McBride, 1861-1956
I have yet to establish Amanda's place in this Gillilan tree and there are no other McBride burials at this cemetery. |
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Alanson Gillilan, died July 2, 1915, aged 84 years, 11 months and 16 days Son of Reuben Gillilan and Lucy Frost. |
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Roena Gillilan, died August 13, 1891 at 58 years of age (shares same pedestal marker with husband Alanson) Was this the former Roena Pullins, a daughter of Reuben's second wife Margaret, who was the widow of Hamilton Pullins? |
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On one face Alanson and Roena's marker is engraved, "Father and Mother". Was Amanda Gillilan McBride their daughter? |
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Reuben Gillilan, died April 30, 1888, aged 90 years, 8 months and 8 days |
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Daniel Gillilan, son of Reuben and Lucy Frost Gillilan. Died June 6, 1893, aged 66 years |
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Lydia (Spiller), wife of Daniel. Died July 9, 1882, aged 57 years, 4 months, 7 days |
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The surrounding countryside. |
