Jonathan E. Spilman
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Edwards Spilman (15 April 1812 – 23 May 1896) was a Kentucky
lawyer, minister, and composer.
Jonathan Spilman was born in Greenville
, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
to Benjamin Spilman, and graduated from Illinois College
in 1835. He was married to Mary V.J. Menefee, who died precociously in 1843. Two years later, on 10 April 1845, he married Eliza Sarah Taylor (1822–1866), a niece of U.S. President Zachary Taylor
. To them were born ten children, of whom six survived: Charles, Louise, William, Byrd, Clara, and Lewis.
While at Transylvania Law School, 1837, he wrote the music for Robert Burns
' Flow gently, sweet Afton, best remembered of his seven melodies. An adaptation of this music was used in one of the tunes to Away in a Manger
.
Working as a lawyer for 18 years, he became Presbyterian minister at the age of 46. A Historical Marker was erected in the city of Greenville in his memory.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
lawyer, minister, and composer.
Jonathan Spilman was born in Greenville
Greenville, Kentucky
Greenville is a city in and the county seat of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States. It is named for Revolutionary War General Nathan Greene...
, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Muhlenberg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 31,499. The county is named for Peter Muhlenberg. Its county seat is Greenville....
to Benjamin Spilman, and graduated from Illinois College
Illinois College
Illinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
in 1835. He was married to Mary V.J. Menefee, who died precociously in 1843. Two years later, on 10 April 1845, he married Eliza Sarah Taylor (1822–1866), a niece of U.S. President Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
. To them were born ten children, of whom six survived: Charles, Louise, William, Byrd, Clara, and Lewis.
While at Transylvania Law School, 1837, he wrote the music for Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
' Flow gently, sweet Afton, best remembered of his seven melodies. An adaptation of this music was used in one of the tunes to Away in a Manger
Away in a Manger
"Away in a Manger" is a Christmas carol first published in 1885 in Philadelphia and used widely throughout the English-speaking world. In Britain it is one of the most popular carols, a 1996 Gallup Poll ranking it joint second.-History of the lyrics:...
.
Working as a lawyer for 18 years, he became Presbyterian minister at the age of 46. A Historical Marker was erected in the city of Greenville in his memory.