William Edmond Gilman was born on the 1st of June 1844 in Richmond, Virginia to Dudley Gilman and Mary Jane Brown. He married Rachel Courtney Johnson on 15 Mar 1866 in Richmond, Virginia. She was born on the 26th of February 1848 in Richmond, Virginia to Alexander Johnson and Nancy Jane (Frances) Baughan. William Edmond Gilman died on the 8th of June 1911 in Richmond, Virginia. His wife Rachel died on the 11th of June 1924 in Richmond, Virginia.
William and Rachel had at least 11 children:
1. Oscar D. Gilman (27 Jul 1867-16 Jan 1870).
2. Alice Maud Gilman (15 Jan 1869- Jan 1945) who married August Boltz and had three children (Leslie Augustus Boltz, Alice Maude Boltz and Grace Mae Boltz).
3. Ellen Virginia Gilman (27 Dec 1870- 15 Sep 1949).
4. Mary Blanch Gilman (9 Aug 1872-26 Oct 1947).
5. Etta Gertrude Gilman (6 Feb 1874- 28 Jul 1875).
6.Etta Gertrude Gilman (14 Nov 1875-2 Dec 1938).
7. Rachel Gilman (25 Nov 1875- 5 Dec 1875).
8. Thomas Dudley Gilman (28 Mar 1879- 24 Sep 1909).
9. William Alexander Gilman (29 Jun 1882- 27 May 1959) who married Grace Edith Morse and had at least one child (Edith Gilman).
10. Herbert Leslie Gilman (28 Dec 1885- 9 Jun 1962) who married Clara Herman.
11. Linwood Bright Gilman (5 Sep 1887-29 Nov 1926) who married Annie E Firth and had at least two children (William Edmond Gilman and Aylett Bright Gilman).
Census Records:
1880: William is 35 and a blacksmith. Rachel is 31 and keeps house. The family is living in 912 West Cary Street in Richmond, Va. Alice is 11 and at school, Ellen is 9 and in school as well, Mary is 8, Etta is 3 and Thomas is 1.
1900: William is 55 and still a blacksmith. Rachel is 52. She has had 11 children with 8 still living. The family is renting a house at 1 South Plum Street in Richmond. Ellen is still living at home at 28 and is a box maker. Mary is also still at home at age 25 and is also a box maker. Etta is 22 and works at a printing office. Thomas is 21 and is a blacksmith. William is 18 and a trunk maker. Herbert is 15 and also a trunk maker. Linwood is 12 and at school.
1910: William is 66 and does not work. Rachel is 62. The couple has been married for 44 years. Rachel has had 11 children with 7 still living. Also living with them are son William who is 27 and a brick layer. His wife Grace is also living there. Herbert is 24 and a bricklayer as well. Ellen is 37 and a table girl. Mary is 35 and also a table girl. Etta is 32 and does not work.
1920: William has died and Rachel is 71. She is living on 1807 West Main Street with her son Herbert who is 33 and a bricklayer. Also living there are her daughters Ellen (who is 48 and a box maker), Mary (who is 46 and a Packer) and Etta (who is 42 and does not work).
