Jonathan E. Spilman

Jonathan Edwards Spilman (15 April 1812 – 23 May 1896) was a Kentucky lawyer, minister, and composer.

Jonathan Edwards Spilman
Jonathan Edwards Spilman
Born	(1812-04-15)April 15, 1812 Greenville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	May 23, 1896(1896-05-23) (aged 84) Flora, Illinois, U.S.
Resting place	Elmwood Cemetery
Occupation	Minister
Language	English
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Illinois College
Spouse	Eliza Sarah Taylor

Jonathan Spilman was born in Greenville, Kentucky to Benjamin Spilman, and graduated from Illinois College in 1835. 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"; and also "We Hail Thee Carolina", the alma mater of the University of South Carolina.

He was married to Mary V.J. Menefee, who died prematurely in 1843. Two years later, on 10 April 1845, he married Eliza Sarah Taylor (1822–1866), a niece of U.S. President Zachary Taylor.[1] To them were born ten children, of whom six survived: Charles, Louise, William, Byrd, Clara, and Lewis.[2] His wife Eliza died on 10 August 1866, as the result of a fire aboard the steamboat "Bostona No. 3" in Maysville, Kentucky.[3][4]

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.[5]