Request for Gideon Blackburn's Documentation

Does anyone have concrete documentation of Benjamin Blackburn's son Robert Blackburn and his wife Margaret Ritchie/Ritchey/Richie? I am finding it very difficult to find proper records for this couple, birth records, marriage entry, will, headstone, anything? It is hard to believe Robert was born in Rye Cove, Scott County, Virgina in 1742, unless his mother was Native American. There was very little white settlement, if any at that time and place.

"Thomas McCulloch, the first settler, located in 1769 on Big Moccasin Creek near Fort Houston...In Rye Cove, Crisman's fort was built in 1776 "

Gideon was sent to school by his uncle? Gideon Ritchie/Ritchey/Richie, who can be traced, however, I can find no record of his sister, wife or daughter.

Aug. 26, 1774. Deed. Edward Sharp of Colerain two., Bedford Co., to Gideon Ritchey of the same place. An improvement made by Sharp in Friends Cove.
(Source: Bedford County Deed Book B, Register and Recorders Office, Bedford Co. Courthouse, p. 28.)

And I am also having trouble finding a connection from Gideon's tree to the Ripon Lodge family tree, except for a connection noted between Gideon's Uncle Samuel Blackburn and a mention of this same Samuel Blackburn being the Uncle of the Blackburn Ladies of Mount Vernon, which would connect to the Blackburns at Ripon. But somehow, I can't get Gideon to connect due to his father Robert?

I feel as if Gideon's family is Benjamin's "second" family. Many of the early traders and preachers were required, or chose to take Indian wives in order to make better dealings with the Indians, keeping in mind that the Native American cultural was matriarical before the advent of the Europeans. By the mid-1700's, there were thousands of inter-racial marriages and births in America. The Dutch, Africans, Spanish, and French had been living side by side with the Indians for a generation or more before the English, Scotch and Irish moved in. My belief is that these men would perhaps use their middle name for various legal transactions. Perhaps, a Benjamin in Frederick, Co is a Richard in Prince William, Co? This would explain some confusion with the names and dates of wives, ie Ann or Mary? One Scotch and one Indian? Suggested reading on this topic would be The Social Fabric, Volume 1

As for Gideon's questionable dealings with the Indians, whiskey and land...

"Dr Blackburn died intestate. His estate was estimated to exceed $45,000. He was probably the wealthiest man in Macoupin County at the time of his death. At the time of this writing (1942) the will was said to be in possession of the heirs of A.M. Blackburn." The Benjamin Blackburn Family" By W.A. Challacombe

Were the profits Gideon made during his fund raising efforts and land deals above reproach? Or was greed the essence of his earnings? Gideon died almost a year and a half after the Panic of 1837 began, yet he was still one of the wealthiest men in Illinois. Keep in mind, the Country's financial recovery from the panic of 1837 did not come until 1842. Don't believe for a minute that our current economy will rebound any quicker than that.

In Gideon's fund raising land deals for the University: "one-eighth to himself, leaving one-fourth to constitute the seminary fund. In the execution of this plan he raised funds with which he purchased over 64,000 acres of land ; thus providing a seminary fund of over 16,000 acres."

This would have given Gideon 8,000 acres of land at what value? Where? and What became of his land during the Panic? Who were his investors? Does anyone have copies of any of these land deal entries?

"On the 28th day of September, 1837, Dr. Blackburn acknowledged and executed a deed of trust' conveying to W. S. Oilman and six other trustees the said lands constituting the seminary fund and some other lands in trust for the purpose of establishing an institution of learning on the principles in the deed specified." History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial

I would like to know more about the legal and financial workings of the deed of trust mentioned. How were Gideon's lands affected by the Panic?

Does anyone have a text copy of Gideon's will to share?
Does anyone have a birth record, a marriage entry or a headstone pic for Gideon?

I am also still examining the issue of slavery in the Blackburn family. The Blackburns felt morally against it, not only Gideon, but his Uncle Samuel and the Blackburn Ladies of Mount Vernon. Also, there is the slavery issue with the Native Americans. Many had slaves, yet while reading various accounts of the indian "Benge", I wonder if some of his raids were not only acts of retaliation against the encroaching whites, but beginnings of the underground railroad.
Suggested further reading: Becoming White: My Family's Experience as Slave Holders and Why It Still Matters

Will post conclusions soon, subject needs further scrutiny.

Any contributions and comments are always appreciated and shared info is acknowledged with links.

This topic is on the Virginia History Explorer group page for further discussion, if you are interested.