The Bilbrey Family Tree -- Home

ccording to Bilbrey history passed down threw the generations, the Bilbrey’s came from England to the US in the 1700’s and settled in Chatham County, North Carolina for a period of time. The story goes in the early 1800’s there were 3 Bilbrey brothers Isham, Johnie, and Lawrence who migrated to Overton, TN. Alone with the 3 Bilbrey brothers, there were a group of 42 people who packed there bags and horses. The group traveled over the Appalachian Mountains following an old Indian hunting trail to the head waters of the Roaring River in the Oak Hill community of Overton County, Tennessee.

The story goes that a small group followed Isham first. Isham ended up settled about 200 yards west of the Roaring River spring. A little later after the first group was settled James, a son of Isham, walked back into the mountains and met his Uncle Johnie and family and guided them to the rest of the family. Isham was born in North Carolina and married Ruth Sellers who are both buried in the James K. Polk Bilbrey Cemetery. Isham and Ruth had 10 children. Isham is listed in the Revolutionary Army Accounts Record Book as an Tennessee Revolutionary War Patriots under the allies of Isham Bilbrey.

Johnie Bilbrey settled one mile east of the spring also known as the Old Mill Place. It was reported in 1991 one chimney was all that was standing. Johnie married Holly Smith and they had 10 children. Bother John and Holly are buried in the Eckles Cemetery in Overton County, TN.

Lawrence settled about one and a half miles east of the springs. His place was still standing in 1991 in the middle of woodland with two chimneys and was in fair condition. Lawrence was born in North Carolina and had 2 wives the first one was Alvina Copland and the second Prudence Gore. The 1900 Chatham County Census shows that Lawrence and family where in North Carolina for the 1800 census. Lawrence and his 2 wives are buried in the William Bilbrey Cemetery, Overton, TN. Bilbrey family history states that Thomas Bilbrey served in Capitan’s Isah Hogan’s company during the Revolutionary War in September 19, 1792. Many people believe that Thomas and his wife Sally Smith made the journey with the family. There are at lest 42 cemeteries in Overton County, which contain Bilbrey graves in them according to the Overton County Roll Call. A few of the cemeteries have unmarked graves which may hold key to the Bilbrey mystery.

by: Alice Bilbrey McLeod

Sources:

“Grandchildren of Bilbrey Gather” Livingston Enterprise Wed July 8, 1998.
“Bilbrey Family” by Clyde Bilbrey. Overton County Families State Library in Nashville, TN June 1007
“Bilbrey, Copeland & Related Families of Overton County Tennessee” Bill & Sharom Williams 2007
Gwen Reynolds supplied the family crest


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