Upon his return from a voyage to the Spanish Main in 1847, he discovered that "squatters" had settled on parcels of land belonging to him. It developed that proof of ownership had to be established. The Foreign Register, Foreign Testimony and Native Testimony records the land office contain complete records of these land court hearings. Proof of ownership by Gilman was established by witnesses who verified these land grants to John Neddles Gilman by Kauikeouli (Kamehameha III) in 1833, later confirmed by Kaikioewa, guardian of the King, who issued the papers in 1835. In this land court testimony Gilman is referred to as "Kuene" the name by which he was known to the Hawaiians. Reference is also made to Keikioewa as Gilman's father-in-law.
John Neddles Gilman married Louisa Piilani of Kauai in March, 1820. She was the daughter of Nahili, a descendant of Kualii, Chief of Oahu. Genealogy records list her mother's name as Kamoku. Four children were born to this marriage.
Later, John Neddles Gilman married Harriet Kapu Kawahaea of Kaawaloa, Hawaii and four sons and one daughter were born to this family. After more than 35 years in Hawaii, John N.A.C.C. Gilman died at the age of 75 on October 18, 1852.
According to the terms of his will, special bequeathments were made to his heirs of real and personal properties. His schooner, according to the terms of the will, was ordered to be auctioned, one-third of the proceeds to go to paying his worldly debts and the two-thirds balance to be divied as stipulated.
This early pioneer of old Hawaii left a lasting heritage which will continue down through the ages.He is an outstanding example of the cosmopolitan life of Hawaii where racial barriers do not exist.
