Elizabeth Hess

Elizabeth "Betsy" Hess was born 1810, in either Kentucky or Tennessee.   She was the daughter of Samuel Hess and Sarah (last name unknown).

Samuel moved his family to Arkansas about 1811, settling in what was originally known as Lawrence County.    A short time later the area became Independence County.    The family settled in the area know then as Poke Bayou, near present day Batesville and Marcella.    The area they settled became known as "Hess Town".

Betsy married James Isaac Gill on February 14, 1828, in Independence County.    Isaac Gill was born 1808, in Hopkins County, Kentucky.    He was the second oldest of at least eight children born to George Gill and Jane Carter.    George Gill, born July 13, 1775, in Burke County, South Carolina, was a prominent Baptist minister.    His wife, Jane Carter, was born in 1784, in Chester County, South Carolina.   George Gill died March 11, 1848, at Batesville, in Independence County.    Jane died there on August 15, 1849.  

Isaac and Betsy settled between Poke Bayou and the Gap in Independence County, near her family.    They made their home near a large creek that flowed through the area and which today still bears the name of Betsy Gill Creek.    Isaac was a Baptist minister and a farmer.

Isaac appears on tax lists in Independence County, Ruddell Township, from 1829 through 1839, and on tax lists in Izard County, Ruddell Township, in 1840 and 1841.  

The 1840 Independence County, Ruddell Township census shows James Gill a male 30-39 (b. 1801-1810); one male under 5 (b. 1836-1840); one female 30-39 (b. 1801-1810), and one female 10-14 (b. 1826-1830).     The family was listed on the census next to James Isaac's brother, Addison Gill, and near his father, George Gill. 

Isaac died in 1841, in Independence County. 

The 1850 Independence County, Wallace Township census shows Elizabeth Gill, age 37, born in Kentucky, and her son Samuel, age 14.   Her personal property was valued at $300.

The 1860 Independence County census, Washington Township census shows Elizabeth, age 51, and her son Samuel, age 24.   Elizabeth's real estate was valued at $500 and her personal property at $200.

Betsy died August 9, 1867, in Independence County.  

Children of Isaac Gill and Betsy Hess