Elias Gilman, 1765-1857
Rachel Gilman, 1775-1855

Bryant Numbers: 56 & 57
Type of Memorial: Marble with sandstone base
Stonecarver: Unknown

Inscription:

Elias
Gilman
Died
Jan. 28 1857
Age 92 Yrs.
and
Rachel
Gilman
Died
August 7, 1855
Age 80 yrs.

Commentary: Elias and Rachel Gilman were among Granville’s original settlers. Elias was elected leader of the first traveling party that migrated from New England in November 1805. Their 1808 frame house, located on what is now West College Street, still stands. Its center section is the oldest frame building surviving in Granville. Since 1929 it has been used as the chapter house of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at Denison University.

Elias Gilman was a remarkable man in many ways, serving as a community leader in the roles of Granville Township Magistrate, Treasurer of the Court of Common Pleas, and director of Granville’s first library. But his long career of community service was broken from 1818 to 1830, when he came under the influence of alcohol, and spent much of that twelve-year period in the throes of alcoholism. He lost his business interests as well as his public offices, and his wife Rachel suffered deeply during that time. Miraculously, however, Elias became a reformed man as a result of the Temperance Movement, and he quickly rebuilt his life and reputation. He was elected Magistrate six more times, and served Granville effectively and faithfully until he was 90 years old. Elias was the last survivor of the founders of Granville, dying in 1857 at the age of 92.

Find a Grave link: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19619030/elias-gilman