People named Gideon Macon

Gideon H Macon of Statesville, Iredell County, NC was born on September 15, 1918, and died at age 69 years old in March 1988.

ideon (or Gedeon) Macon (c. 1648–1702) was an early American settler.[1] Gideon Macon's parents were from Loire, France, but Gideon had to have either been born in England or have become an English citizen to have been permitted to come to Virginia since only English citizens could live in the colony at the time. Since his family was believed to have been Hugenot or of Hugenot descent,[2] they may have lived for a time in England. Many Hugenots fled France during the French Wars of Religion. Gideon Macon came to Virginia sometime before 1672.[1] SECRETARY TO GOVERNOR WILLIAM BERKELEY Macon served as Secretary to Sir William Berkeley[1] who was appointed Governor of Virginia by King Charles I for two nonconsecutive terms. Berkeley's first term was from 1642-1652. In 1652 Berkeley was forced from office by a fleet of British warships sent by Oliver Cromwell, but he remained in the colony. Gideon was Secretary during the Governor's Second Administration (1660–1677). ADDITIONAL ROLES From 1671 to 1681, Gideon was also an attorney in York County, Virginia.[1] He was a sub-sheriff of York County in 1672,[1] under Daniel Wild, who was by some accounts his brother-in-law.[1] He had land patents in the counties of New Kent for 545 acres (2.21 km2), Henrico for 148 acres (0.60 km2), and two grants in King and Queen county for 172 and 425 acres (1.72 km2).[1] He also served as a vestryman of Bruton Parish in 1678.[1] MOVE TO NEW KENT COUNTY NEW RESIDENCE AT MOUNT PROSPECT New Kent County (established in 1654 from York County) was where Gideon Macon built his home in 1680 on Macon's Island. He named his estate Prospect Hill or "Mount Prospect". Shortly thereafter, he married Martha Woodward, daughter of William Woodward,[3] interpreter to the Pamunkey tribe. Martha's father, William Woodward, owned a large tract of land along the Pamunkey River above Johns Creek which his two daughters inherited.[3] CHURCHWARDEN In 1684, Gideon Macon was named Churchwarden in St. Peter's Parish and was actively involved in managing affairs in that post until the time of his death.[1] He was also commander-in-chief of the military in New Kent County. The vestry would have the duties of appointing the clergymen, investigating cases of suspected moral delinquency, and to set and collect the parish levy to cover expenses.[1] The members of the vestry would rotate in the position of the churchwarden. The two churchwardens would be the representatives of the vestry. They would ensure that the church was properly maintained, collect and may the ministers dues, and keep all of the church accounts. It was also their responsibility to ensure that illegitimate children were provided for, that indigent orphans were indentured, and that the sick and elderly were lodged and boarded at the parish's expense.[1] HOUSE OF BURGESSES Gideon Macon quickly became prominent in the affairs of New Kent County, and he was elected to the General Assembly and served as a Burgess in the House of Burgesses in 1693 and 1696 to 1702. DEATH There are conflicting reports regarding Gideon Macon's burial. One report states that Gideon Macon is buried at the foot of the chancel in Bruton Parish Church. Another report states that he was buried in the family plot on Macon's Island, and that the gravestone was destroyed by the Federal Army in 1862 during the American Civil War 160 years after his death. Macon was an early Vestryman at Bruton Parish Church, and a brass tablet marks a pew in his name. OTHER NOTABLE FACTS Gideon Macon was the father of Martha Macon, who was the mother of Frances Jones. Frances was, in turn, the mother of Martha Dandridge (wife of George Washington). He was also the great-grandfather of Nathaniel Macon, who was both the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1801–1808 and Senator from North Carolina from 1815-1828. Upon Gideon Macon's death in 1702, his widow, Martha Woodward Macon, married Captain Nathaniel West who was also a representative in the House of Burgesses. Captain Nathaniel West and Martha Woodward had two children, and their daughter, Unity West, married Frances Jones's brother-in-law, William Dandridge. FAMILY Gideon Macon married Martha Woodward in 1680. They had eight children: Elizabeth Macon Gideon Macon (1682–1704)[2] Ann Macon Massie (1684–1728)[4][5](married Charles Massie) Martha Macon Jones (1687–1716),[1] mother of Frances Jones[2] and grandmother of Martha Dandridge[1][2](wife of George Washington). Martha Macon Jones's tomb is on Prospect Hill.[2] William Macon (1690–1693)[2] William Macon (1693–1773)[1][2] John Macon (1695–1752)[1][2] (married Ann Hunt and was grandfather of Nathaniel Macon) James Macon (1701–1768)[1][2]