Jonathan E. Spilman
Jonathan Edwards Spilman (15 April 1812 – 23 May 1896) was a Kentucky lawyer, minister, and composer. Jonathan Spilman was born in Greenville, Kentucky to Benjamin Spilman and Nancy (Rice) 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", the best remembered of his seven melodies.
Also recorded as Jonathan Edwards Spilman · J.E. Spilman
Jonathan E. Spilman
- Name
- Jonathan Edwards Spilman
- Born
- 15 April 1812
- Birthplace
- Greenville, Kentucky, U.S.
- Died
- 23 May 1896
- Place of death
- Flora, Illinois, U.S.
- Occupation
- Minister
- Education
- Illinois College
- Spouse
- Eliza Sarah Taylor
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
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wikidata · Q3183357 · wikipedia · Jonathan E. Spilman
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Biography
Biography
An adaptation of this music was used for "We Hail Thee Carolina", the alma mater of the University of South Carolina. Two years later, on 10 April 1845, he married Eliza Sarah Taylor (1822–1866), a niece of U.S. President Zachary Taylor. His wife Eliza died on 10 August 1866, as the result of a fire aboard the steamboat "Bostona No. 3" in Maysville, Kentucky. Jonathan E. Spilman was working as a lawyer for 18 years, he became a Presbyterian minister at the age of 46. A Historical Marker was erected in the city of Greenville in his memory.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Jonathan Edwards Spilman • Born — 15 April 1812 • Birthplace — Greenville, Kentucky, U.S. • Died — 23 May 1896 • Place of death — Flora, Illinois, U.S. • Resting Place — Elmwood Cemetery • Occupation — Minister • Language — English • Education — Illinois College • Spouse — Eliza Sarah Taylor
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The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Jonathan E. Spilman, revision 1372628766 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 29 August 2026.
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