Wood & Torbert Families

James Blair Gilmer

b. 4 May 1814, d. 8 August 1856

James Blair Gilmer was born on 4 May 1814 in Christian County, Kentucky.
He married Paulina de Graffenried, daughter of Allen de Graffenried and Sarah Thomas. They divorced after a few years, and she resumed using the surname Pickett.
James Blair Gilmer and Paulina de Graffenried appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. Other members of the household included Sarah Allen Pickett. also in the household were three Gilmer daughters from his previous marriage, and Paulina's sons John (age 17) and James (12) Pickett.
He was a planter, according to the 1850 census.
James Blair Gilmer died on 8 August 1856 at age 42 in Santi Espiritu, Cuba.
His wife Paulina de Graffenried became a widow at his death.
He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Alabama.
The following appeared on 26 September 1856 in The Sun: Col. James B. Gilmer, a well-known citizen of Bossier parish, La., died lately in Cuba, of yellow fever.
Research Note: L. P. Spyker's wife Sarah Gilmer was a sister of R. C. Cummings' mother-in-law Paulina de Graffenreid's second husband James Blair Gilmer.