Background
Jonathan Spilman was born in Greenville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky to Benjamin Spilman, and graduated from Illinois College in 1835.
Jonathan Spilman was born in Greenville, Muhlenberg County, 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.
To them were born ten children, of whom six survived: Charles, Louise, William, Byrd, Clara, and Lewis.
3" in Maysville, Kentucky. A Historical Marker was erected in the city of Greenville in his memory.