photo by Jane Gilbert
GILBERT, Thomas H., 1831 - 15 Feb 1868. Military stone: "Maj." "F & S 50 Ala Inf. CSA". (Enlistment date: 1862 in Athens, Alabama, Pvt. Discharge 1865; 9th Ala. Regiment Co. F, Pension record card Limestone Co. Al. #36907 filed by Mrs. T. H. Gilbert witnessed by H.M. Marks and J.N. Marks; Wounded at Gaines Mill, Va. Ref: Ala. Civil War Service. note: there were 3 Thomas H. Gilberts all PVT all 9th Ala Inf.)
Thomas Gilbert was the s/o David Gilbert & Mary O'Neal Gilbert. they had the following children: Joseph Coleman Gilbert, Andrew David Gilbert, Mary T. Gilbert, and Cheatham Gilbert.
Thomas H. Gilbert was the son of David Gilbert and his third wife who is believed to be named Mary O'Neal. Thomas married Amy Reed, daughter of Thomas and Reed.
As a young man of 37, Thomas was shot and killed by Dr. Theo Westmoreland in what was purported to be an argument arising from a business arrangement involving the buying or selling of mules. Family lore passed down through the Westmoreland family had Thomas as being the aggressor, and Dr. Theo arming himself in self-defense and eventually firing the first shot.
Alabama Record #209 p 84 says Apr. 27, 1869. Dr. Theo Westmoreland was indicted for the murder of Thos. H. Gilbert, Esq.
The Athens Post on 31 Apr 1869 carried an announcement that Dr. Theophilus Westmoreland was Acquitted of the murder of Major Thomas Gilbert.
The above information on the shooting is compliments of Martha Easter, a Gilbert family descendant.
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from Randy Johnson jrj0551@gmail.com
Major Tom Gilbert was killed in a shootout with Dr. Pomp Westmoreland near Bethel, Tn. Dr. Westmoreland shot in self-defense. Major Gilbert was a brave soldier with the 26/50th Ala. regiment. He recruited most of the men in this company from Limestone County, Al.
