Seventh Generation

989. Gilbert Skillman was born on 25 October 1819 in near Princeton, Mercer, NJ. GILBERT SKILLMAN was born Oct. 25, 1819, near Princeton, N. J., a son of Samuel and Margaret Skillman. His father died when he was small, and a few years after his mother married James Robinson, both of whom are residents of Daviess County. When Gilbert was seventeen years old he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. He went with his "boss" to Meticello (since changed to Godfrey), Ill., to build a female seminary. In the fall of 1837 he left there and went down to Natchez, Miss., and worked during the winter. In the spring he went to New York and while there visited his old home in New Jersey. He remained in New York till the spring of 1840, following his trade. He then went as carpenter of a vessel from New York to New Orleans, and from there in the same vessel to Liverpool, England, returning on the same vessel to New York. He then paid another visit to his home in New Jersey. In the fall of 1840 he took passage in a vessel from New York to New Orleans, where he worked at his trade during that winter. In the spring of 1841 he left New Orleans, and came to Owensboro, Louisville and Cincinnati looking for a suitable place to work at his trade, and finally returned to Owensboro, making the entire trip by water. He worked there during the summer. In the fall he went to Rumsey, McLean Co., and worked till the next summer. He then went back to New York via Cincinnati, Erie Canal, to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and worked there during the winter. In the spring of 1843 he went from New York by ship around to New Orleans and from there came up to Owensboro; worked there a short time and then came into the country and worked at his trade through the country for about eighteen months; then made another trip back to New Jersey after his father and mother, who came in 1845. Mr. Skillman was married Dec.23, 1846, to Sallie May, a native of Daviess County, daughter of Wm. May. After his marriage Mr. Skillman bought a farm on the Harmans Ferry road, near Newville, where he lived till the fall of 1864. He then sold his place and purchased his present farm, where he has since resided. In 1876 Mr. S. made a trip to the Centennial and visited his old home in New Jersey. He lost his wife May 24, 1879. She was the mother of six children, four of whom are now living, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Skillman has been a member of the Baptist church for about twenty years. He died on 4 July 1892 at the age of 72 in Owensboro, Daviess, KY. He was buried about 6 July 1892 at Rosehill, Elmwood Cemetery in Owensboro, Daviess, KY.

Gilbert Skillman and Sarah Newton "Sallie" May were married on 23 December 1846 in Owensboro, Daviess, KY. Sarah Newton "Sallie" May was born on 27 September 1827 in Kentucky. She was buried in May 1879 at Rosehill, Elmwood Cemetery in Owensboro, Daviess, KY. She died on 24 May 1879 at the age of 51 in Owensboro, Daviess, KY.

Gilbert Skillman-122721 and Sarah Newton "Sallie" May-122722 had the following children: