Born ‎ Jul 7, 1739 at Baltimore Co., MD, died ‎ Dec 22, 1819 at Henderson Co., KY‎, 80 years
REFN: 2646
Joshua Gist was one of five sons of Nathaniel & Mary Howard Gist. His
grandfather was Richard Gist, merchant of Baltimore, MD, and his great
grandfather was Christopher Gist, the first of the family in America.
The more famous Christopher Gist, friend of George Washington and Indian
Scout, was Joshua's uncle.
Joshua Gist was named for his grandfather, Joshua Howard of Baltimore
Co., MD, moved to Cumberland Co., NC before 1763. He served as justice
of the peace for a number of years and during the Revolutionary War, was
Captain of the North Carolina Militia of Cumberland County. After living
in Cumberland County nearly 20 years, Captain Joshua Gist sold his land
and moved to Greene County, NC (now Tennessee), where he received a grant
of 200 acres from the state. This land lay on the north side of the
French Broad River, 2 1/2 miles below the War Ford, and included an
improvement known by the name of Liberty. Joshua & his son, Richard
Gist, were chain bearers when a tract of land of 135A was surveyed for
Joshua on the waters of Dumplin Creek in Greene County.
1764: Recorded his mark & brand, Cumberland Co., NC
1772: Swore allegiance to State of North Carolina
1772: Petitioned for license to keep a Tavern at his house, which was
granted.
May 31, 1785, he was one of the witnesses of a Treaty of Amity and
Friendship held with the Cherokees at the mouth of Dumplin Creek on the
French Broad River.
December, 1787: Joshua Gist & Nathaniel Gist were among those who signed
the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Western Country for the separation
and erection of a new state.
1789: Col Joshua Gist was appointed Chairman of the convention called by
the Governor of North Carolina to work out a plan to defend the frontiers
from the common enemy.
Nathaniel Gist of Baltimore, MD spent his last days in Greene Co, NC with
his son, Joshua Gist. On January 1, 1784, Martin Scheider, a Morovian
Brother, who had been sent out to work among the Indians, wrote in his
diary that he stayed all night "at Captain Guest's" on the French Broad
River. He also mentioned Captain Guest's father.
In 1806, Joshua Gist sold his plantation and moved with his son,
Nathaniel Gist, to Henderson County, KY. Nathaniel settled in the
adjoining county of Union, where he received a grant of land.