Over the years, there have been many theories & much speculation pertaining to the origin, family, & early life of William Gemmill, progenitor of the York County, PA, USA Gemmills.
William was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, on January 16, 1722. The earliest records available indicate that William Gemmill settled in East Hopewell Township, York County, PA, with his wife Jeanette, around 1745, on land warranted as Gammels Chance (about 1000 acres) by Thomas & Richard Penn.
William was a farmer & merchant, & took out several land warrants, for which he bought & sold many land parcels in York County. He was a staunch Presbyterian & a patriotic man who served both his new country, & the county in which he lived. He served as a Lieutenant during the French & Indian War of 1756. William also served the county as: Supervisor of Highways (1759, 1760), Overseer of the Poor (1765), Assessor of Hopewell Township (1769, 70, 72, 74), Assistant Assessor (1781), & York County Commissioner (1768).
William, & his wife, Jeanette, raised a family of 7 children, whose descendants today reach into the 12th & 13th generation of York County Gemmills.
