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This is on thick cardboard. It will take some exact research to find the exact date created and some history behind it. The military history of Capt. Erasmus Gill, one of this area's foremost heroes during the Revolutionary War, is a straightforward one. After serving in the 2nd Virginia Regiment for some time, he received the rank of second lieutenant on June 15, 1777. He then became captain of the 4th Continental Dragoons in February 1779.During the Siege of Savannah, Captain Gill was taken prisoner on Oct. 3, 1779, and exchanged on Oct. 22, 1780, having served one year as a prisoner of war. Following his return to freedom, he continued his military service in the Virginia Cavalry until the end of the war, ending in September 1782. His last known official rank was that of captain, although he is often referred to as "Major" in articles on local history as well as his tombstone. However, no record has yet been found of his official promotion to this status. He may have received it while in militia service following the war, or it may have been a term of respect from his community.
After the war, Captain Gill played an active part in the local community. His accomplishments began in 1786 when, on 14 June, he married Sarah Newsome in Dinwiddie County. Through her inheritance of property from her uncle, Peter Jones IV, great-grandson of Peter Jones I of trading station fame), Gill developed a large tract of land which became known as Gillfield. This area was authorized to be annexed to Petersburg by the General Assembly in 1798, but the Gillfield name continues today for that portion of Petersburg.Gill was also quite a sporting gentleman in the area, and developed the Gillfield Racetrack, one of several horse racing tracks in the area. It is rumored that he fell victim to his urge to gamble, owing large sums due to unfortunate choices at the track, and had to sell several of his real estate lots to pay off the debts. When the Jockey Club was formed in 1785, he was one of the three stewards of the organization.
Gill was also active socially, as in the "List of Original Members of the Virginia Society of the Cincinnati", he was listed as one of the respected founders of this Society. He and his wife were members of Bristol Parish, and their two daughters were christened there. Their daughter Lucy Jones Gill was born Sept. 7, 1792, and was baptized and died on Sept. 23, 1792. Their daughter, Martha, was born in 1791. She married John Hinton in 1807.Captain Gill died March 16, 1807 in Wakefield. He was buried in Blandford Cemetery, that church being the seat of Bristol Parish. For some time, his tombstone was missing. It was found just a few years ago. It had been replaced at the time of his wife's death in order that her name could be included on the new stone. The prior stone was then broken neatly in half to serve as the two sides of another tomb. It has now been pieced together and is also placed on the plot, although Gill is buried under the stone with his wife, Sarah.
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