One of the earliest of my family to come to the Americas, he married Eleanor Echols and I believe Eleanor's mother's line was already in Virginia before Nicholas got here. His name has been alternately spelled Guillentine or Gillington.
Nicholas Gillentine, born in 1676 at Thurland Castle was the son of John Girlington and Margaret Duckett. Nicholas was most likely born in the left wing of Thurland Castle after the destruction of the castle by Cornwall's forces. Since the Girlington's were staunch Catholics, the coming of Protestant William and Mary to the throne in 1689 was a possible cause for the move to America.
Nicholas was decribed by Milner Echols in his book, "History of Echols Family", as 'outlandish'. It is possible that Nicholas was illegitimate, and that his parents wed after his marriage (as his father was married once before). This could also explain his not inheriting any of his father's estate and his decision to migrate to the Americas.
Nicholas and Eleanor had 5 children:
Nicholas' 2nd wife was Elizabeth Ricketts
GILLINGTINE, NICHOLAS. Estate Inventory and Appraisal dated Nov. 29, 1773, Appraisers, John C. Hobbs, John Hughes and Edward Tabb. Executors Thomas Mumford and George Booker. Value 36 pounds 10 pence: Slaves: 1 Negro woman (no name given)
Will of Nicholas Gillentine, Halifax Co., Virgina, Will Book 1, p. 55
In the Name of God, Amen. I, Nicholas Gillington of Halifax Co., being weak in body but in sound and perfect sense and memory, thanks be to God for same, Calling to mind that men must die and after that must come to judgment, do consider that what of our affairs are not settled in this life cannot be settled hereafter, do make and ordain this, my last will and testament, acknowledging this to be my last will and testament, disannulling all other wills whatsoever, and to proceed, I shall give my estate as followeth, to wit:
I give to my daughter Catherine Brown one feather bed, to her and her heirs; to Elizabeth Collins I give one feather bed, to her and her heirs; to Elizabeth Chisum, daughter of John Chisum, I give one feather bed, to her and her heirs; to my son John Gillington I have given 400 acres of land which I intended should be his full portion, nevertheless, to take matters out of dispute, I give to his heirs five pounds cash.
To John Chisum I give the land and plantation which I nw possess in Amelia Co., containig 300 acres, to be at his own disposal for which reason he is to pay to Catherine Brown or to her heirs, 20. current money; to Elizabeth Collins or her heirs, 20.; to Ann Hillsman or her heirs, 20.; to Eleanor Chisum or her heirs, 20.; to Priscilla Hendrick, my granddaughter, or her heirs, 20.; and as for my negro woman Rose, she shall choose her Mistris among my daughters, and they that she shall chose shall pay 20. to be equally divided among all my children now living and my two granddaughters, which is Elizabeth Chisum, wife of John Estes, and Jerushea, daughter of John Gillington, deceased.
I therefore make and ordain John Chisum my whole and sole executor of this, my last will and testament, made in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundread and seventy two, and on the 21st day of October. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.
Nicholas Gillington
Witnesses John Dyer, John Templeton, James Chisum, Elizabeth Lack
Lynn Garry Salmon <>{