Elisha Gates - Answering the Call

     Elisha Gates' tombstone indicates that he was born on June 3, 1789. But the earliest known records are a collection of papers in the Maryland, Probate and Guardianship Files.¹
      These records state that Elisha and his sister, Elizabeth were orphaned around 1800.  Their parents are shown to be James T. and Mary Gates.  The estate maintained ownership of the Plantation Anchovy Hills containing at least 150 acres in Maryland.  By 1806 it appears that Joshua Mudd is their guardian and they are living in Kentucky.  
     In any case Elisha was in Kentucky when the call from Governor Shelby went out for volunteers to avenge the Massacre at the River Raisin. He gathered up his rifle and horse and answered the call. 
     Below is one of the 47 pages in the Guardianship File of Elisha and his sister.

1. "Maryland, Probate Estate and Guardianship Files, 1796-1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXFC-PPB : accessed 28 July 2013), Elisha Gates, 01 Jan 1800